Southern District of Alabama

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Curtis Pugh of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced to 11 years and 9 months by Chief United States District Court Judge William H. Steele.  Miller pled guilty to the charge of Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence in October of 2016. Pugh participated with 2 other codefendants in a carjacking that occurred on September 27, 2015.

On or about September 27, 2015, Curtis Pugh and two codefendants drove to the Forest Hill Apartments in Mobile, Alabama, in a Mazda sedan where they waited for the victim to walk to his car.

When the victim left his apartment to walk to his vehicle, a maroon Chevy Tahoe,Pugh’s codefendant, armed with a firearm, approached the victim from the rear and pointed a semi-automatic handgun in the victim’s face and asked him “what you got?”  The gunman forced the victim into the passenger side of the Tahoe as the gunman positioned himself in the driver’s seat.

The gunman carjacked the victim’s car and drove off with the victim still inside.  Curtis Pugh and one other codefendant follow behind in the Mazda, to a remote location in Prichard, Alabama.

Once in Prichard, the victim was forced out of the Tahoe and placed into the trunk of the Mazda.  Curtis Pugh and his two codefendants, with the victim in the trunk, drove to an abandoned house where the victim was removed from the trunk and forced to contact his wife.  Curtis Pugh and the two codefendants demanded $50,000.00 ransom be paid for the safe return of their male victim.

Chief United States District Court Judge William H. Steele sentenced Williams to serve five years of supervised release at the conclusion of his imprisonment.

Carjacking is a violation of Title 18, United States Code § 2119 and is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence is a violation Title 18, United States Code § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), and carries a minimum sentence of 7 years to life, to be served consecutively to any sentence on the related carjacking charge in this case.        

This case was referred for prosecution by Special Agent David Kowalski, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Field Office, in conjunction with the Mobile Police Department. The case was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Baugh.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Darnell K. Barnes, 28 years old, was sentenced today before the Honorable District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a previously convicted felon is a violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 922(g)(1).  Barnes was previously convicted in Mobile County of Robbery, First Degree, in 2009. By virtue of this felony conviction, Barnes is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On March 24, 2015, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit conducted an investigation on Barnes as it relates to trafficking marijuana. The investigation revealed that Barnes was in fact in possession of marijuana, which was concealed in two priority packages that were received via mail. The investigation ultimately led to the discovery of two firearms. The first one discovered was a semi-automatic Taurus .40 caliber pistol with one live round in the chamber and the magazine was loaded. The second firearm discovered was an Armalite .223 caliber rifle, which was also loaded with a round in the chamber and the magazine.  According to Barnes, he paid $100.00 for one and $300.00 for another from an unknown source.

The court imposed a 70-month sentence of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release.  This case was investigated by the Mobile County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that Cory Ellis Easley, 40, of Fayette, Missouri, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose to 10 years imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the statutory maximum for the offense.  The judge ordered that Easley pay a $100 special assessment, undergo 3 years of supervised release, and pay restitution totaling $8,501.88.                 

On September 7, 2015, Saraland police officers went to a home in Chunchula, Alabama to investigate the theft of a vehicle.  While heading there, an officer witnessed a truck matching the description of the stolen vehicle being driven recklessly.  The officer saw the truck drive behind a home.  The officer went down the driveway and saw a white male run from the truck and into a large garage.  The officer heard several gun shots come from inside the building towards him.  The officer took cover and waited for backup.  Within a minute, backup arrived and took cover next to the first officer on scene.  Officers heard another shot being fired from the garage.  They then heard what appeared to be a tractor start up.  Moments later, they heard a loud banging noise and believed that the suspect was ramming the tractor in the back of the building.  The tractor then burst through the door.  The first officer on scene heard the suspect yell:  “Leave me alone!”  The suspect fired another shot.  A backup officer saw a black gun in the suspect’s right hand as he drove away.  The suspect drove the tractor into a wooded area.  The officers heard 3 more shots from the woods.  Officers from the Saraland Police Department and the Mobile County Sherriff’s Office went looking for the suspect and eventually found him hiding in a mud hole.  A K9 was sent to apprehend the suspect, who was later identified as Easley.  Officers found a loaded Glock 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the mud between Easley’s legs.  During the incident, Easley caused extensive damage to various properties in the neighborhood.  

Easley is a convicted felon who is prohibited from knowingly possessing a firearm.  He has numerous felony convictions for drug, theft, and assault offenses.  Easley was indicted in October 2015 by a federal grand jury for the Southern District of Alabama on 1 count of being a felon in possession.  He pleaded guilty to the offense on January 19, 2016.   

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Saraland Police Department, and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sinan Kalayoglu.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently entered into a statewide settlement agreement with Dolgencorp, LLC, to ensure that all Dollar General stores in the state of Alabama are in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). His office partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama in reaching that agreement.

Dolgencorp, doing business as Dollar General, operates discount department stores nationwide. There are 693 stores located in the state of Alabama. After receiving complaints about disability access to the stores, an investigation revealed a recurring problem with many stores having merchandise, shopping carts, boxes, and other items stored in the common areas of the stores’ exterior and interior spaces. These kinds of obstructions reduced or eliminated accessibility for disabled customers.

To correct these problems, Dolgencorp has agreed to implement a policy that will prohibit its employees from placing items in areas such as handicap parking spaces and interior access aisles. Dolgencorp also has agreed to provide annual training to all of its employees in the state to ensure that they are knowledgeable about the requirements of the ADA, and the corporation will have an ADA Coordinator to assist with the handling of complaints and employee training.

United States Attorney Brown said, "I applaud Dollar General for its commitment to bringing its stores into compliance with the ADA. It is of great importance that all patrons in Alabama, especially those with disabilities, are able to enjoy equal access during their shopping experiences. Dollar General adopted our recommendations and moved swiftly to remedy the issues."

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination in “the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” 42 U.S.C. § 12182. The Department of Justice recognizes that importance of those with disabilities being integrated in society and having “full and equal enjoyment” of the services provided.

Southern District of Alabama Assistant United States Attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard is the U.S. Attorney’s Office point of contact on this case.

More information regarding maintaining accessible features in retail establishments may be found at https://www.ada.gov/business/retail_access.htm. People interested in learning more about the requirements of the ADA may visit the website www.ada.gov or call the toll free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY). They may also learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s own civil rights enforcement program, which includes enforcement of the ADA, at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdal/civil-rights-enforcement-unit.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that Arthur Leyon Penn, 39, of Monroeville, Alabama, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade to 10 months imprisonment for tampering with a witness in his tax fraud case in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.  Senior Judge Granade ordered that 6 months of Penn’s prison term run concurrently with his 48-month sentence in his tax fraud case, that 4 months run consecutively with the sentence in his tax fraud case, and that he pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.  Before imposing her sentence, Senior Judge Granade underscored the serious nature of the witness tampering conduct.        

Penn led The Penn Agency LLC, a company based in Monroeville, Alabama that provided insurance and fraudulent tax preparation services.  He co-owned The Penn Agency with his wife, co-defendant Oleavia Mitchell Penn, who operated another fraudulent tax preparation business, Quick Tax, in Camden, Alabama.  In January 2016, Arthur Penn and five co-defendants were indicted by the Federal Grand Jury for the Southern District of Alabama.  The indictment alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Penn orchestrated a fraudulent tax scheme and sought personal financial gain by defrauding the Treasury Department through the preparation and filing of fraudulent federal tax returns.  On August 22, 2016, Arthur Penn pled guilty to two counts of aggravated identity theft in connection with the unlawful use of individuals’ social security numbers and the preparation and submission of fraudulent tax returns.  That same day, Oleavia Penn also pleaded guilty before Senior Judge Granade to committing aggravated identity theft. 

Later in August 2016, Arthur Penn was indicted by the Federal Grand Jury for the Southern District of Alabama on two counts of tampering with a material witness in his tax fraud case.  On December 14, 2016, Arthur Penn pleaded guilty before Senior Judge Granade to one count of witness tampering.  As part of his plea, he admitted to attempting to bribe a former employee at The Penn Agency to prevent her from testifying against him at trial in his tax fraud case.  After Arthur Penn pleaded guilty to witness tampering, Senior Judge Granade sentenced him to 48 months imprisonment in his tax fraud case.  Oleavia Penn’s sentencing date in the tax fraud case is March 15, 2017.              

The tax fraud and witness tampering cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the 35th Judicial Circuit Task Force in Monroeville, Alabama.  The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Greg Bordenkircher.

Kenyen R. Brown, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, announces the resolution of complaints against two local restaurants made by persons with disabilities who could not access the facilities. The United States Attorney’s Office recently entered into Settlement Agreements under the Americans with Disabilities Act with the owners and operators of Islanders Restaurant and Bar in Dauphin Island, Alabama, and Gambino’s Italian Grill in Fairhope, Alabama.

The United States Attorney’s Office, through its Civil Rights Enforcement Unit, opened its investigations in these matters after receiving complaints that people with mobility disabilities were unable to access the restaurants.

As a result of the settlements, Islanders Restaurant – which is elevated on stilts - has installed a lift to allow persons with mobility disabilities to enter the restaurant, added accessible parking and added an accessible unisex bathroom.

Gambino’s now has a new, unisex accessible bathroom and accessible parking. Accessible routes have been provided throughout the restaurant, including to the Bayview Dining Room and the courtyard. Accessible tables have been installed in the bar and courtyard.

The owners and operators also adopted policies which require providing dining assistance to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and deaf-blind, blind, and people with mobility disabilities. Service dog policies were adopted. Staff training is also required by the Settlement Agreements.

Mr. Brown states: “When notified of the federal investigation, the owners of Islander’s and Gambino’s chose to work collaboratively with our office to remedy the ADA violations by removing the barriers which prevented persons with disabilities from enjoying their restaurants. Not only is this required by law, but it’s also great for business. We commend these restauranteurs for their decisions and their wise investment. They have shown they are good corporate neighbors. With more than 55 million persons with disabilities in our country, the restaurants have the potential for much more business as well.”

These matters were handled for the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Holly L. Wiseman.

For more information, visit www.ada.gov or our office’s website at http://www.justice.gov/usao/als/civil/cre.html.” Any person with a disability who believes they have been discriminated against in the Southern District of Alabama may contact our office at 63 South Royal Street, Suite 600, Mobile, AL 36602, telephone us at 251.441.5845 or file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, Washington, DC 20530.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has reached an agreement with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to ensure that driver licensing services in the state will be available to all residents, regardless of race, color or national origin, in compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation took on this issue as part of our responsibility under Title VI to prevent discriminatory behavior, and I’m pleased to have reached this agreement with the State of Alabama,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “DMVs play a critical role in the day-to-day functioning of the American people, including ensuring their ability to drive to work and other essential services and to get proper identification needed to vote or open a bank account. No one should be prevented from accessing these services based on their race, color or national origin -- Title VI is not optional.”

In late 2015, the State of Alabama announced that it planned to close or reduce service to 31 driver license offices throughout the state. Because its preliminary analysis of the closures suggested that the service modifications would disproportionately impact African American residents in the state’s “Black Belt” region, USDOT opened an investigation into whether this action violated Title VI, which prohibits entities that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin in their programs and activities. The State of Alabama and ALEA, in particular, receive Federal assistance from the Department and, therefore, are subject to Title VI’s nondiscrimination prohibition.

The Department conducted a thorough investigation, including review of data and information related to the operation of the State’s driver licensing program, site visits to the affected areas and interviews with residents impacted by the program. The investigation revealed that African Americans residing in the state’s Black Belt region are disproportionately underserved by ALEA’s driver license services, causing a disparate and adverse impact on the basis of race, in violation of Title VI.

“Today’s agreement between USDOT and ALEA is intended to correct this violation by guaranteeing that driver licensing services will be available to all Alabama residents on an equitable basis without regard to race, color or national origin,” said Yvette Rivera, Associate Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights, which conducted the investigation.

Under the agreement, ALEA will ensure that Alabama residents are not, directly or through other means, underserved by ALEA’s driver licensing programs on the basis of race, color or national origin. The agreement also establishes a working relationship between USDOT and ALEA for ensuring that the state’s driver licenses services continue to comply with Title VI in the future.

Specifically, ALEA agreed to:

1. Expand the hours of operation for district and field driver license offices throughout the Black Belt region;
    
2. Appoint a Title VI coordinator who will be responsible for the development and operation of ALEA’s Title VI program, as well as for the provision of Title VI training to ALEA’s staff;
    
3. Prepare and submit a Community Participation Plan within 90 days to achieve robust community participation throughout all stages of the planning and decision-making processes for ALEA’s programs and activities in connection with licensing services to ensure that communities are informed about potential impacts, that they have meaningful input into the process, and that ALEA officials hear and consider diverse views;
    
4. Submit any proposed modifications to field office hours or driver’s license services to USDOT for prior approval.

Press Release posted from here.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Skylar Tava Poellnitz, 25, of Dixons Mill, Alabama, was sentenced today in federal court. Court records show that Poellnitz had been previously convicted of Theft of Property Second Degree and Possession of a Controlled Substance when he was arrested in possession of the gun in this case. Poellnitz pled guilty to the charge in September of 2016.

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of 24 months  imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Poellnitz will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse while he is under supervision. The judge ordered that Poellnitz pay the mandatory special assessment of $100, but she did not impose a fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney
Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Kenneth Lebarron Williams, age 28, a resident of Mobile, Alabama, to serve 24 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 pounds of high-grade marijuana. The evidence at the sentencing hearing established that Williams, as part of the conspiracy, possessed two loaded firearms and obstructed the administration of justice as officers investigated the case. Williams’ sentence included a 3-year term of supervised release. His sentence was imposed as a result of his guilty plea in September 2016.

This case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Vice Unit, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donna B. Dobbins with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Justin Andrew White, age 24, Lemarcus Bonner, age 32, and Kelvin Terrill Brown, age 23, all residents of Mobile, Alabama, to serve prison sentences for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 pounds of high-grade marijuana and federal firearms violations. Specifically, Justin White was sentenced to serve 24 months, Lemarcus Bonner was sentenced to serve 37 months, and Kelvin Brown was sentenced to serve 12 months (6 months in prison followed by 6 months on house arrest). Each sentence included a 3-year term of supervised release. hese sentences were imposed as a result of guilty pleas entered by White, Bonner, and Brown in September 2016. Co-defendant Kenneth Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, December 19, 2016, before District Judge DuBose.

This case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Vice Unit, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donna B. Dobbins with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Robert Lyle Bertram, 51, of Shelby, Alabama, was sentenced today to 46 months of imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The judge ordered that Bertram undergo 3 years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.     

Bertram was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2016 on one count of knowingly possessing a firearm as a felon.  He was previously convicted of Promoting Prison Contraband, 2nd Degree, on September 20, 2007, in the Circuit Court of Elmore County, Alabama, and Robbery, 3rd Degree, on October 30, 2002, in the Circuit Court of Wilcox County, Alabama. 

On January 10, 2015, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brannon Buettner was dispatched to the dead end of Apache Drive in Eight Mile, Alabama 36613, in reference to a vagrant that had been temporarily detained by off-duty Mobile Police Officer Tanner Whipkey.  Upon arrival, Deputy Buettner spoke with Officer Whipkey as well as with two residents in the area, who advised that there had been several burglaries in the neighborhood and that they had went into the woods at the dead end of Apache Drive to look for possible suspects.  The residents said they located a tent and called Officer Whipkey, who found Bertram in the area of the tent.  Deputy Buettner determined that Bertram had a warrant for a parole violation for Robbery in the First Degree.  Based on where Bertram and the tent were located, law enforcement determined that Bertram was trespassing on property belonging to Mobile County.  Deputy Buettner found two guns in plain view inside the tent, a F.I.E. revolver and a Ruger revolver, as well as six .22 caliber bullets in Bertram’s front left pocket. 
 
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Mobile Police Department, and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sinan Kalayoglu.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Yahya A. Abdelhadi, 34, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court this afternoon.  Abdelhadi is the former owner of the American Supermarket, a location where Mobile County sheriff’s deputies made controlled buys of “Spice,” or synthetic marijuana, during 2014.  Following the undercover investigation, Abdelhadi and others were arrested on federal charges involving the distribution of controlled substance analogues and controlled substances, and money laundering.  Abdelhadi pled guilty to three counts of conspiracy—conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substance analogues, and conspiracy to launder drug money—in April of 2015. 

United States District Court Judge Callie V. S. Granade imposed a sentence of 72 months on each count, and ordered that the sentences run concurrently.  She also ordered that Abdelhadi will commence a three-year term of supervised release when he is discharged from incarceration.  Judge Granade did not impose a fine but ordered that Abdelhadi pay $300 in special mandatory assessments. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that Arthur Leyon Penn, 39, of Monroeville, Alabama, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade to 48 months of imprisonment for aggravated identity theft in connection with tax fraud.  The judge ordered that Penn undergo supervised release upon completing his prison term, face credit restrictions, pay $841,617.05 in restitution, and pay a $200 mandatory special assessment. 

Penn led The Penn Agency LLC, a company based in Monroeville, Alabama that provided insurance and fraudulent tax preparation services.  He co-owned The Penn Agency with his wife, co-defendant Oleavia Mitchell Penn, who operated another fraudulent tax preparation business, Quick Tax, in Camden, Alabama. 

In January 2016, Arthur Penn and five co-defendants were indicted by the Federal Grand Jury for the Southern District of Alabama.  The indictment alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Penn orchestrated a fraudulent tax scheme and sought personal financial gain by defrauding the Treasury Department through the preparation and filing of fraudulent federal tax returns.  The scheme’s overarching goal was to maximize fraudulent tax refunds.  To this end, Arthur Penn used various methods such as listing false dependents on tax returns, unlawfully acquiring individuals’ social security numbers through payments and theft, creating fictitious household business incomes, and fraudulently inflating or decreasing a client’s income or deductions to maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit.  These techniques were used at both The Penn Agency and Quick Tax, as Arthur and Oleavia Penn trained employees on how to best prepare fraudulent tax returns.  He and his wife charged upfront fees from taxpayer clients for initial meetings.  They also generated fees through the use of tax preparation software.  The Penns arranged to directly receive federal tax refunds and placed sizeable portions of the refund checks into bank accounts under their control before remitting the balance to their clients.  Arthur Penn would sometimes steal money from his tax clients by keeping an extra portion of fraudulent tax refunds that were supposed to go to his clients.

On August 22, 2016, Arthur Penn pled guilty to two counts of aggravated identity theft in connection with the unlawful use of individuals’ social security numbers and the preparation and submission of fraudulent tax returns.  That same day, Oleavia Penn also pleaded guilty before Senior Judge Granade to committing aggravated identity theft. 

Later in August 2016, Arthur Penn was indicted by the Federal Grand Jury for the Southern District of Alabama on two counts of tampering with a witness in his tax fraud case.  On December 14, 2016, before being sentenced in his tax fraud case, Arthur Penn pleaded guilty before Senior Judge Granade to one count of witness tampering.  As part of his plea, he admitted to attempting to bribe a former employee at The Penn Agency to prevent her from testifying against him at trial in his tax fraud case. 

Arthur Penn’s sentencing date for the witness tampering violation is January 13, 2017.  He faces up to twenty years imprisonment for the offense.  Oleavia Penn’s sentencing date in the tax fraud case is March 15, 2017.              

The tax fraud and witness tampering cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the 35th Judicial Circuit Task Force in Monroeville, Alabama.  The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Greg Bordenkircher.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Heather Nicole Thompson, 32, of Mobile, was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a methamphetamine ice distribution conspiracy.  Thompson entered a guilty plea to the indictment in September of 2016, admitting her participation in two substantive distribution counts and a count charging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine ice. 

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of 87 months’ imprisonment on each count, and ordered that they run concurrently.  She also ordered that Thompson would serve a term of supervised release of three years following her release from prison.  She ordered that during her supervision, Thompson undergo testing and treatment for drug use and that she pay a $300 special mandatory assessment.  No fine was imposed.

The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Marcus Champion was sentenced for his conviction for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(1).
 
In court documents, Marcus Champion admitted that he was a convicted felon and that on April 29, 2016, he entered the home of his 88-year old grandfather and forced him to sign checks made out to the defendant.  He also stole collector coins and firearms belonging to the victim.  When police arrived, they found Champion outside the home with a loaded and cocked pistol in his pocket that had been stolen from the victim.

Senior District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade sentenced the defendant to serve 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  The defendant has additional related charges pending in Clarke County.
            
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's office for the Southern District of Alabama by AUSA Maria Murphy.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Anthony Odell Lee, 33, of Millry, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court this morning for his illegal possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a prior felony offense.  In September of 2016, Lee pled guilty to the charge.

United States District Court Judge William H. Steele imposed a sentence of 30 months’ imprisonment in Lee’s case, and ordered that he served a three-year term of supervised release when he is discharged from incarceration.  As conditions of his supervision, Lee will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse.  Judge Steele also ordered that Lee pay $100 in special mandatory assessments. 

The case was investigated by the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that United States District Court Chief Judge William H. Steele sentenced Nicole Latasha Myatt on November 28, 2016 to serve a term of five (5) years on probation for committing Theft of Public Money on May 21, 2014 in violation of 18 USC § 641.  Chief Judge Steele also ordered the defendant to pay restitution in the amount $20,438.38 as a condition of the defendant’s probation.

The investigation revealed that on May 2, 2014, the United States Government declared multiple counties in Alabama major disaster areas as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding which struck the area between April 28, 2014 through May 5, 2014.  During the course of the investigation, the authorities discovered that the defendant submitted fraudulent documents on May 21, 2014 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to receive disaster assistance money unlawfully.  The defendant previously pled guilty before the Court on August 22, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence J. Bullard for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Jerome Megaile Henry, 24, of Mobile, was sentenced in federal court this morning on drug and gun charges.  In August of 2016, Henry pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of and in relation to a drug trafficking felony.

United States District Court Judge William H. Steele imposed a sentence of one month on the drug count, and 60 months on the gun count, and ordered that they run consecutively. Judge Steele also ordered that Henry will commence a five-year term of supervised release when he is discharged from incarceration.  As conditions of his supervision, Henry will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse.  Judge Steele also ordered that Henry pay $200 in special mandatory assessments and he ordered the forfeiture of the firearm used in the commission of the offenses. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Richard Snellgrove, M.D. of Fairhope, Alabama has been indicted and arraigned on charges that he prescribed various Controlled Substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

The six-count Indictment alleges that on five different occasions, Dr. Snellgrove prescribed Controlled Substances in the names of different individuals knowing and intending that the Controlled Substances go to an individual identified in the Indictment as “M.R.”  These five prescriptions were for methadone, hydrocodone, lorazepam, and fentanyl.  All five of these prescriptions were allegedly written outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  Count Six alleges that on August 18, 2016, Dr. Snellgrove prescribed 75mcg/hr fentanyl patches directly to M.R. outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

“It is disheartening when trusted professionals are engaged in the diversion of controlled substances,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.  “Doctors have an obligation to ensure that prescription medications are getting into the hands of legitimate patients.  This investigation is the result of DEA’s continued commitment to hold accountable those who participate in illegally dispensing Controlled Substances in our communities,” stated Azzam. 

“The West Bend Police Department and the City of West Bend want to thank the DEA agents in Alabama, and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Alabama for their outstanding work and level of cooperation with the City of West Bend Police Department in clearing this case,” said Chief Kenneth Meuler, City of West Bend Police Department.  “We have all experienced way too many deaths in our communities due to prescription drug abuse. Investigations and indictments like today’s are steps that will save lives in the future,” stated Meuler.

This matter was investigated by DEA-Mobile and the West Bend, Wisconsin Police Department.  This case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

As in all criminal cases, an Indictment is only an allegation made by a grand jury.   Dr. Richard Snellgrove is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces today that Kalvin Johnson, 35, of Pine Hill, Alabama, was sentenced today to 12 months of imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The judge ordered that Johnson undergo 3 years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment, undergo substance abuse testing and treatment, and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.

On January 8, 2014, Johnson was convicted of dog fighting, a felony offense, in Circuit Court in Jefferson County, Alabama. On September 30, 2014, Thomasville Police Department officers found Johnson in possession of a loaded Glock model 19 semiautomatic pistol, marijuana, oxymorphine, and digital scales in his truck on Highway 5 in Clarke County, Alabama. In January 2016, Johnson was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for the Southern District of Alabama for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On August 15, 2016, Johnson pled guilty to the gun charge.

The case was investigated by the Thomasville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sinan Kalayoglu.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has worked cooperatively with the Baldwin County Commission to ensure that, on the upcoming November 8 Election Day, polling precincts throughout the county will be in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

During the primary election on March 1, the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted a compliance review of the county’s forty-six polling locations.  That review identified barriers to access at various locations that needed to be remedied, as required by the ADA.  The county ultimately adopted the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s recommendations and have implemented measures to remediate barriers to access.  One such example is the addition of temporary portable ramps to assist voters who have mobility impairments with entering the polling place.  Assistant United States Attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard is the U.S. Attorney’s Office point of contact on this project, which is part of a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown said, “I commend Baldwin County for their cooperation in working towards adopting our recommendations to meet their ADA obligations. They understand the need to ensure participation in this critical civic duty for people with disabilities.”

The Department of Justice recognizes that voting is one of our nation’s most fundamental rights and is a hallmark of our democracy.  Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to ensure that people with disabilities can access and use their voting facilities. The ADA’s implementing regulations describe what makes a facility accessible, including a polling place.  The Department’s ADA Checklist for Polling Places, which can be accessed from www.ada.gov/votingchecklist.htm, provides guidance to election officials for determining whether a polling place already has the basic accessibility features needed by most voters with disabilities or can be made accessible using temporary solutions.

People interested in learning more about the requirements of the ADA may visit the website www.ada.gov or call the toll free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Robert David Liles of Elberta, Alabama, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment following a July 2016 guilty plea to a charge of possession of stolen firearms.      

On February 13, 2016, an Investigator with the Elberta Police Department went to Liles’ residence in an effort to locate stolen items from a recently burglarized residence.  The Investigator spoke to Liles about the stolen firearms, and Liles took the investigator inside the residence where he recovered four (4) rifles, two (2) shotguns, a pistol, along with a bag that contained ammunition and other firearm accessories, and a large damaged safe which had contained the firearms. 

During a subsequent interview with law enforcement Liles said he believed the firearms were stolen, but did not ask any details about where they came from.  Liles said he knew the individuals who brought the firearms to his residence were not supposed to have the firearms, and he was not supposed to have them either.

Possession of stolen firearms is a violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 922(j).  Liles’ term of imprisonment will be followed by a 3-year term of federal supervised release.        

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Kenneth Fells, Jr. of Citronelle, Alabama, was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment following a July 2016 guilty plea to a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.      

During June 2015, Fells conducted sales of multiple gram quantities of methamphetamine “Ice and crack cocaine to confidential informants working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Fells sold a total of approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine “Ice” and 5 grams of crack cocaine.

Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance is a violation of Title 21, United States Code Section 841(a)(1).  As recommended in the plea agreement between Fells and the United States, Senior United States District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade sentenced Fells at the low-end of the advisory sentencing guideline range.  The guideline range was based upon the Fells’ criminal history and the quantity of drugs involved in his criminal activity.  Fells imprisonment will be followed by a 3-year term of federal supervised release.        

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Houston James David Green, 24, of Chunchula, Alabama, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison this morning.  Green had entered a guilty plea to two charges, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony, in April of this year.  Court documents reveal that Green was arrested three times in four months, and each time law enforcement officers found him in possession of methamphetamine ice, cash and guns.

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the 10-year sentence after observing at the sentencing hearing that the likelihood of recidivism was high, based on her review of the facts of his case.  The sentence consisted of five years on the drug count and five years on the gun count, to be served consecutively.  She also ordered that Green will commence a five-year term of supervised release when he is discharged from incarceration.  As conditions of his supervision, Green will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse.  Judge Dubose also ordered that Green pay $200 in special mandatory assessments.  The judge entered a separate forfeiture order for each of the guns seized from Green during the investigation. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Saraland Police Department, the Citronelle Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Suntrease Williams-Maynard will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice’s Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2016, general elections. AUSA Williams-Maynard has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of Alabama, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints in election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown stated that AUSA/DEO Williams-Maynard will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number:  (251) 441-5845.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (251) 438-3674.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by phone at 1-800-253- 3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Telesforo Lozano, 60, of Torreon, Mexico, was sentenced today to 60 months of imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade for drug trafficking.  The judge ordered that Lozano undergo 4 years of supervised release after finishing his term of imprisonment, receive substance abuse testing and deportation consideration, and pay a $200 mandatory special assessment.     

Following a two-day trial in July 2016, Lozano was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  The jury heard evidence that Lozano was acting as a drug courier for a Mexican drug cartel and was hired to transport drugs from Mexico to Atlanta, Georgia.  On August 21, 2015, Lozano drove across the border from Juarez, Mexico into El Paso, Texas with 4.34 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a hidden compartment inside the engine of a black Ford F-150 truck.  On August 23, 2015, Lozano was pulled over for a traffic violation on I-10 East in Mobile County, Alabama by an Alabama State Trooper.  A subsequent search of Lozano’s truck led to law enforcement’s seizure of the concealed cocaine, which had a retail value of approximately $500,000.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys George May and Sinan Kalayoglu.

The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a statewide investigation into the conditions in Alabama’s prisons for men.  The investigation will focus on whether prisoners are adequately protected from physical harm and sexual abuse at the hands of other prisoners; whether prisoners are adequately protected from use of excessive force and staff sexual abuse by correctional officers; and whether the prisons provide sanitary, secure and safe living conditions.

“The Constitution requires that prisons provide humane conditions of confinement,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “We hope to work cooperatively with the state of Alabama in conducting our inquiry and ensuring that the state’s facilities keep prisoners safe from harm.”

“Our obligation is to protect the civil rights of all citizens, including those who are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama.  “This investigation provides us with an opportunity to work collaboratively with the state of Alabama to assess current conditions and ensure constitutionally sufficient conditions exist for all prisoners.”

“The vulnerability of a prisoner makes it even more important that basic hygiene and safe accommodations are afforded the inmates,” said U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama.

“I am very pleased to have my office join the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama as well as the Civil Rights Division in opening an investigation into the Alabama prison system,” said U.S. Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama.  “All citizens, even those who are incarcerated, should expect sanitary conditions of habitation that are free of physical harm and sexual abuse.”

The department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter.  The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA).  Under CRIPA, the department has the authority to investigate violations of prisoners’ constitutional rights that result from a “pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such rights.”  The department has conducted CRIPA investigations of many correctional systems, and where violations have been found, the resulting settlement agreements have led to important reforms.

The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama are conducting this investigation.  Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at (205) 244-2001 or by email at usaaln.civilrights@usdoj.gov.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Manila Chicago, 39, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court this afternoon. Chicago pled guilty to three charges—possession with intent to distribute marijuana, using, carrying and possessing a firearm in relation to and in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony, and money laundering—in June of 2016.

United States District Court Judge Callie V. S. Granade imposed a total sentence of 111 months, consisting of 51 months on the drug and money laundering charges, and 60 months on the gun charge, which will run consecutive to the sentences on the other counts. Chicago will serve a five-year term of supervised release when he is released from prison. As conditions of his supervision, Chicago will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse. Judge Granade also ordered that Chicago pay $300 in special mandatory assessments. Judge Granade also ordered the forfeiture of Chicago’s interest in several items of property seized during the investigation.

The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that George Steven Gray, 27, of Daphne, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court on August 18, 2016, for discarding mail he was supposed to deliver.  Court documents reflect that batches of undelivered and unopened mail were recovered from a dumpster and a recycling bin in Fairhope during late November and early December of 2015.  An investigation conducted by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General revealed that Gray, a letter carrier delivering mail in the Fairhope area, had

Gray pled guilty to one count of discarding mail in March of 2016.  United States District Court Judge William H. Steele pronounced the sentence, ordering the Gray serve a probationary term of two years.  Gray will pay a $100 special mandatory assessment but no fine was imposed.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that George Steven Gray, 27, of Daphne, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court on August 18, 2016, for discarding mail he was supposed to deliver.  Court documents reflect that batches of undelivered and unopened mail were recovered from a dumpster and a recycling bin in Fairhope during late November and early December of 2015.  An investigation conducted by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General revealed that Gray, a letter carrier delivering mail in the Fairhope area, had discarded undelivered mail on two occasions during that time frame.  The discarded mail was recovered and delivered.

Gray pled guilty to one count of discarding mail in March of 2016.  United States District Court Judge William H. Steele pronounced the sentence, ordering the Gray serve a probationary term of two years.  Gray will pay a $100 special mandatory assessment but no fine was imposed.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces today that Mark Wayne Bush, 51, of Gilbertown, Alabama, was sentenced today to 6 months of imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade for conspiring to transport stolen oil from Clarke County, Alabama to Mississippi.  The judge ordered that Bush undergo 3 years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment, pay $198,270 in restitution to Pruet Oil Company, undergo credit restrictions, and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.

Bush and co-defendants Oliver Leggett Jr. and Earnest Ronald Hays were indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2015 for their scheme to steal oil from oil fields in Clarke County, transport the oil to Heidelberg, Mississippi, and sell it to third parties, all for personal financial gain.  From before 2006 to 2015, Bush was an oil pumper working as a contractor for Pruet Oil, a company with oil fields in Clarke County.   During the conspiracy, Leggett was a truck driver responsible for transporting sludge and waste oil, and Hays headed Hays Petroleum, an oil company in Heidelberg, Mississippi.  Bush, Leggett, and Hays stole crude oil from Pruet Oil.  Bush and Leggett communicated about the best times to steal crude oil, which tanks to use to take the oil, and how many barrels to load out of each tank.  Relying on Bush’s information, Leggett went to Pruet Oil at various times, loaded stolen crude oil into his truck, and transported it to Hays, who paid Leggett for delivered stolen oil.  Leggett, in turn, paid Bush a portion of the stolen oil proceeds. 

On May 19, 2016, Bush pled guilty to one count of conspiring to transport stolen oil in interstate commerce.  Leggett and Hays have also pled guilty to the conspiracy.  Leggett’s sentencing date is August 22, 2016.  Hays’s sentencing date is December 1, 2016.                  

 The case was investigated by the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Gregory Bordenkircher.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces today that Catrina Jefferson, 38, of Irvington, Alabama, was sentenced today to 15 months of imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade for conspiring to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. The judge ordered that Jefferson undergo 3 years of supervised release upon completing her term of imprisonment, pay $155,700 in restitution to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), undergo substance abuse and mental health treatment, face credit restrictions, and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.

Jefferson was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2015 for seeking personal financial gain by defrauding British Petroleum and the GCCF through the preparation and filing of false GCCF Claim Forms and supporting documents. As part of the scheme, Jefferson used the social security numbers and other personal identifiers of several individuals. She sent the GCCF false documents, such as pay stubs, Form W-2s, employment verification letters, and tax returns. Jefferson used a tax preparation business called Jefferson Tax Services in furtherance of the scheme. She arranged to directly receive payments from the GCCF. She unlawfully endorsed GCCF checks and deposited money into bank accounts under her control. On May 19, 2016, Jefferson pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sinan Kalayoglu.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Ronald Shane Chestang, 31, of Axis, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court this morning for his participation in two conspiracies—to manufacture methamphetamine, and to purchase pseudoephedrine, a List I chemical, to be used in methamphetamine manufacturing. Chestang pled guilty to the two charges in 2013.

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of time served, which amounted to approximately 64 months that Chestang has been in custody. Chestang was also credited with time served in related state charges from Texas. The judge ordered that Chestang will commence a six-year term of supervised release immediately, which will include 90 days inpatient drug treatment. As conditions of his supervision, Chestang will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse. Judge Dubose also ordered that Chestang pay $200 in special mandatory assessments.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces today that Becky Lyons of Mobile, Alabama pled guilty before Judge Callie V.S. Granade to Health Care Fraud. Sentencing is set for January 11, 2017.

Lyons worked as an office manager at an optometry business in Mobile, Alabama and handled insurance billing for the office. Between December 2010 and December 2015, Lyons submitted fraudulent billings to private and federally funded health insurance providers for patient services and procedures that were never performed.

Lyons faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Bodnar.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Telesforo Lozano, 60, of Torreon, Mexico, was found guilty today of two federal drug charges.  Following a two-day trial, Lozano was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade presided over the trial.  The jury heard evidence that Lozano was acting as a drug courier for a Mexican drug cartel and was hired to transport drugs from Mexico to Atlanta, Georgia.  On August 21, 2015, Lozano drove across the border from Juarez, Mexico into El Paso, Texas with 4.34 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a hidden compartment inside a black Ford F-150 truck.  On August 23, 2015, Lozano was pulled over for a routine traffic violation on I-10 East in Mobile County, Alabama by an Alabama State Trooper.  A subsequent search of Lozano’s truck led to law enforcement’s seizure of the concealed cocaine, which had a retail value of approximately $500,000. 

Lozano’s sentencing date is October 12, 2016.  He faces up to 40 years of imprisonment as to each count of conviction. 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys George May and Sinan Kalayoglu.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Lilian Suyapa Garcia-Soto, 33, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court for her role in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.  Court documents reflect that the organization operated between Austin, Texas, and Mobile, and that methamphetamine ice and marijuana were distributed here as a result.  Court documents also establish that the drug proceeds were deposited in bank accounts in Mobile, and immediately withdrawn in Texas to pay for the drugs sold here, and to obtain additional drugs for distribution.  Garcia-Soto opened one of the bank accounts used to facilitate the drug distribution and to accomplish the laundering of the drug money.  She also acted as a courier who drove shipments of the drugs from Texas to Mobile.  Garcia-Soto pled guilty to conspiracy to launder drug money and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine ice in October of 2015.

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence 18 months concurrent on both counts.  She ordered that Garcia-Soto will serve a three-year term of supervised release when she is discharged from incarceration.   Judge Dubose also ordered that Garcia-Soto pay $200 in special mandatory assessments, but did not impose a fine. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Linda Joyce Posey Best, 46, of Mobile, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for stealing $278,733.56 from Somerby of Mobile, where she was employed as the assistant executive director in the business office.  Best pled guilty to two counts of bank fraud in March of 2016.

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the sentence.  The judge ordered that Best was to pay restitution in the amount of $278,733.56 during her five-year term of supervised release, which will commence at the conclusion of the six-month prison sentence.  Judge Dubose also ordered that Tubbs pay $200 in special mandatory assessments.  No fine was imposed. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Jeffrey Dean Coble, 41, of Mobile, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for distribution and receipt of child pornography. Coble pled guilty to the offense in February.

United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose ordered Coble to serve the maximum sentence available in the case, 240 months imprisonment, and ordered that he be supervised by the United States Probation Office for the rest of his life following his release. Coble was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

The investigation began after the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations received information that a subject in Michigan had produced and traded explicit images of the sexual abuse of a child with an individual traced to Mobile. Investigators determined that the phone used to communicate with the subject in Michigan was that of Jeffrey Dean Coble. A search warrant was issued for Coble’s residence and executed by HSI agents and the Mobile Police Department in November of 2015.

During the search, Coble admitted that he had used his phone to send and receive images of child pornography with other users across the country, and further confessed that he had sexually touched two minors in order to photograph the abuse and send the images to other individuals using his phone. Coble was arrested at the scene, and has been in custody since that time.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Mobile Police Department, and prosecuted on behalf of the United States by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, the Department of Justice’s initiative to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. For more information, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that on June 17, 2016, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Willie Richard Short, age 63, of Loxley, Alabama, to serve 6 months in prison and pay $2.2 million in restitution for his role in criminal offenses which involved the buying and selling of stolen polysilicon, and the laundering of proceeds from these illegal transactions.

In late-2015, co-defendants Wasi Syed, Shahab Mir, and Darlene Row, all of Texas, were sentenced in late-2015 to prison terms of 24 months, 3 months, and 2 months, respectively. Co-defendant George Welford, of Gautier, Mississippi, was sentenced to 6 months in prison. All of the defendants were ordered to make restitution.

Willie Short and George Welford are former employees of the Mitsubishi Polysilicon manufacturing plant located in Theodore, Alabama. The plant produces exceptionally high-grade polysilicon, which is a material used in the manufacturing of computer chips that control high-tech devices from super computers, to hospital equipment, avionics, and weapons systems. The polysilicon produced at the Theodore plant is ultra-pure. There are only four plants in the United States, and approximately a dozen worldwide, that produce this type of high-grade polysilicon.

In late 2008, Short and Welford began stealing polysilicon rods from the Mitsubishi plant. Using reinforced backpacks and lunch pails, Short and Welford walked several rods per day out of the plant and into their vehicles. Before long, Short and Welford had stolen so much polysilicon that they needed a storage unit, and ultimately a warehouse to house the stolen material. Since the rods were stolen very shortly after coming out of the reactors, they were not etched or vacuum-sealed in a clean room like the finished rods coming out of the plant. Consequently, the rods lacked the normal specification sheets that are attached to the packaging.

Soon after they started stealing the polysilicon rods, Short and Welford began looking for a purchaser. Using the aliases William Smith (Short) and Butch Cassidy (Welford), the pair

found Horizon Silicon online. The Dallas, Texas-based company was owned and operated by brothers-in-law Wasi Syed and Shahab Mir, and Darlene Row worked as a secretary.

Short and Welford negotiated with Syed and Row for the price and amount of polysilicon to be sold. During the course of the initial negotiations, Syed flew to Pensacola, Florida, to see the polysilicon for himself. This meeting, in which Syed tested the polysilicon with a resistivity meter to check its purity level, occurred at night in a Krystal’s parking lot.

After testing the buckets of polysilicon, Syed agreed to buy the polysilicon from Short and Welford for a price well below the market value. One condition of the deal was that payments were to be made in cash and in person.

Between February 2009 and March 2014, Short and Welford stole, and then subsequently sold, approximately 40 metric tons of Mitsubishi polysilicon rods to Syed. Typically, Syed would find a buyer for the polysilicon he was purchasing from Short and Welford, then Row would arrange for the polysilicon to be picked up and delivered to a port city on the west coast. Finally, Mir would fly or drive to Mobile, Alabama, and other locations along the Gulf Coast, with either backpacks or suitcases full of cash to pay Short and Welford.

The stolen polysilicon, valued at approximately $2.2 million, was exported from the United States after Syed sold the polysilicon to other buyers. While the final destination for all of the stolen polysilicon is not clear, at least some of the material ended up in the People’s Republic of China.

In early 2014, Short and Welford were caught by Mitsubishi. Syed, Mir, and Row were subsequently arrested in Texas in May 2014.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and IRS-Criminal Investigations in Mobile, Alabama, with assistance from the Dallas, Texas, office of these agencies. The case was prosecuted by Donna B. Dobbins and Christopher J. Bodnar, Assistant United States Attorneys with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that on June 17, 2016, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Willie Richard Short, age 63, of Loxley, Alabama, to serve 6 months in prison and pay $2.2 million in restitution for his role in criminal offenses which involved the buying and selling of stolen polysilicon, and the laundering of proceeds from these illegal transactions.

In late-2015, co-defendants Wasi Syed, Shahab Mir, and Darlene Row, all of Texas, were sentenced in late-2015 to prison terms of 24 months, 3 months, and 2 months, respectively. Co-defendant George Welford, of Gautier, Mississippi, was sentenced to 6 months in prison. All of the defendants were ordered to make restitution.

Willie Short and George Welford are former employees of the Mitsubishi Polysilicon manufacturing plant located in Theodore, Alabama. The plant produces exceptionally high-grade polysilicon, which is a material used in the manufacturing of computer chips that control high-tech devices from super computers, to hospital equipment, avionics, and weapons systems. The polysilicon produced at the Theodore plant is ultra-pure. There are only four plants in the United States, and approximately a dozen worldwide, that produce this type of high-grade polysilicon.

In late 2008, Short and Welford began stealing polysilicon rods from the Mitsubishi plant. Using reinforced backpacks and lunch pails, Short and Welford walked several rods per day out of the plant and into their vehicles. Before long, Short and Welford had stolen so much polysilicon that they needed a storage unit, and ultimately a warehouse to house the stolen material. Since the rods were stolen very shortly after coming out of the reactors, they were not etched or vacuum-sealed in a clean room like the finished rods coming out of the plant. Consequently, the rods lacked the normal specification sheets that are attached to the packaging.

Soon after they started stealing the polysilicon rods, Short and Welford began looking for a purchaser. Using the aliases William Smith (Short) and Butch Cassidy (Welford), the pair

found Horizon Silicon online. The Dallas, Texas-based company was owned and operated by brothers-in-law Wasi Syed and Shahab Mir, and Darlene Row worked as a secretary.

Short and Welford negotiated with Syed and Row for the price and amount of polysilicon to be sold. During the course of the initial negotiations, Syed flew to Pensacola, Florida, to see the polysilicon for himself. This meeting, in which Syed tested the polysilicon with a resistivity meter to check its purity level, occurred at night in a Krystal’s parking lot.

After testing the buckets of polysilicon, Syed agreed to buy the polysilicon from Short and Welford for a price well below the market value. One condition of the deal was that payments were to be made in cash and in person.

Between February 2009 and March 2014, Short and Welford stole, and then subsequently sold, approximately 40 metric tons of Mitsubishi polysilicon rods to Syed. Typically, Syed would find a buyer for the polysilicon he was purchasing from Short and Welford, then Row would arrange for the polysilicon to be picked up and delivered to a port city on the west coast. Finally, Mir would fly or drive to Mobile, Alabama, and other locations along the Gulf Coast, with either backpacks or suitcases full of cash to pay Short and Welford.

The stolen polysilicon, valued at approximately $2.2 million, was exported from the United States after Syed sold the polysilicon to other buyers. While the final destination for all of the stolen polysilicon is not clear, at least some of the material ended up in the People’s Republic of China.

In early 2014, Short and Welford were caught by Mitsubishi. Syed, Mir, and Row were subsequently arrested in Texas in May 2014.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and IRS-Criminal Investigations in Mobile, Alabama, with assistance from the Dallas, Texas, office of these agencies. The case was prosecuted by Donna B. Dobbins and Christopher J. Bodnar, Assistant United States Attorneys with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama and his civil rights staff members, hosted a gathering of LGBTQ community leaders from a variety of groups in Mobile and Southern Alabama this week.

The meeting included, amongst other guests, Rev. Sara Sills of Cornerstone Metropolitan Community Church; Cari Searci, of Equality Alabama; Lane Galbraith, an LBGTQ rights advocate and activist, and; Kimberly McKeand and Lanita Kharal, the Executive Director of AIDS Alabama South and the Community Development Director for AIDS Alabama South respectively. The meeting was held in response to the tragic events that unfolded in Orlando, Florida less than two weeks ago where 49 fellow Americans were murdered and more than 50 others were wounded at the Pulse nightclub.

U.S. Attorney Brown said, "In the aftermath of the Orlando shooting, it is essential to reassure the people of Alabama of federal law enforcement’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all persons." Included in this week’s discussion was information about the protections afforded by federal hate crime laws, especially the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, and where to report potential hate crimes.

"The U.S. Attorney’s office brings prosecutions and enforces civil rights laws to protect all residents of our region, including members of the LGBTQ community," Brown said. "We are working closely with leaders of LGBTQ organizations to ensure the security of individuals or groups who may be potential targets of hate crimes."

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Robert Lasky stated, "Hate crimes are a top investigative priority of the FBI’s Civil Rights Program because of the devastating effect they can have on entire communities. While the FBI in Southern Alabama is working daily with our law enforcement partners to protect against acts of terrorism, individuals who threaten or commit acts of violence motivated by animus towards others due to their lifestyle, religion, national origin, or gender will be investigated to the fullest extent of the law."

The meeting, this week, solidified all of the groups’ commitment to continue enhanced inclusionary community outreach efforts in the Mobile region.

"Diversity and inclusion will change our future going forward for the better. Equality affects everybody. We accomplish more as a city, state and nation when we choose to work together for the greater good of all," said LBGTQ rights advocate Lane Galbraith. Ms. Cari Searci of Equality Alabama stated "Now more than ever, it is important for the LGBTQ community to feel that we are equally supported and protected under the law. It is reassuring to know that the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Alabama is listening to our concerns and is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Alabamians."

"Our agency is very grateful to US Attorney Brown for inviting us and other local leaders and agencies to his office to personally discuss issues affecting our community. In the wake of the Orlando terrorist attack targeting the LGBTQ community, U.S. Attorney Brown and his office are committed to protecting the lives, civil rights, and liberties of all the citizens of Mobile and the Southern District of Alabama," said Kimberly McKeand of AIDS Alabama South. Lanita Kharal, the Executive Director of AIDS Alabama South added, "With the unthinkable and horrific murders of our fellow Americans in Orlando, AIDS Alabama South remembers the precious people who were taken, injured, and targeted by a mind fermented in hate and lacking any shred of humanity or compassion for life. Each of them were special and unique and will leave an unending void for their loved ones. We pray for peace, love and light for each person affected by this tragedy and for healing of our country."

Lastly, Rev. Sara Sills added, "The members and friends of Cornerstone MCC are deeply saddened by the hate crime that was perpetrated against the LGBTQ community in Orlando. We stand in solidarity with all who believe that the only thing that can overcome such hatred is love. We are a church built on love and we offer a place of refuge to all."

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Tamika Woods, 31, of Marion  Junction, Alabama was sentenced for her participation in aiding and abetting in the filing of fraudulent tax returns.  Court documents reflect that Woods worked for a tax service in the Selma area, and that tax returns were filed reflecting refunds that were not owed.  Woods pled guilty to the charge in February of 2016. 

United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of five years’ probation and ordered restitution due to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $49,857.  The judge found that Woods could not pay a fine, but she ordered the imposition of $100 as a special mandatory assessment. 

The case was investigated by the IRS.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Rondall Hall, 24, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court for his illegal possession of a firearm.  Hall had been previously convicted of Robbery 3rd in Mobile County Circuit Court in May of 2015, and was arrested in possession of a firearm in September of 2015.  Hall entered a guilty plea to the federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm in February of 2016.

United States District Court Judge William H. Steele imposed a sentence of 57 months imprisonment and ordered that Hall serve a three-year term of supervised release when he is discharged from prison.  The judge found that Hall could not pay a fine, but he ordered the imposition of $100 as a special mandatory assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that two dealers involved in the manufacture and distribution of “spice,” or synthetic marijuana, were sentenced in federal court.  Shannon Christopher Parks, 23, and Cordale Eason, 24, both of Gulfport, Mississippi, entered guilty pleas to the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance during early 2016.  Court documents show that Parks and Eason were arrested by federal and local authorities when they came to Mobile to pick up a shipment of the chemicals used to treat the “spice,” which had been imported from China.  This chemical, AB-FUBINACA, was at that time a schedule I controlled substance, and it was delivered in powder form.  Parks and Eason were indicted on the charges in October of 2015.

 United States District Court Judge Ginny Granade imposed the sentences.  In Parks’ case, Judge Granade imposed a sentence of 36 months imprisonment.  As for Eason, the judge imposed a sentence of 57 months imprisonment, finding that Eason’s longer criminal history justified the difference in the length of the prison terms.  Judge Granade found that neither defendant could pay a fine, but she ordered both to pay $100 special mandatory assessment.  She also ordered that each would serve a three-year term of supervised release, to commence upon their discharge from prison.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Postal Inspectors, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Robert Brent Goodwin on June 17, 2016 to serve a term of imprisonment of 100 months followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegally possessing four firearms in Bay Minette, Alabama on June 28, 2015 in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). The defendant, who was a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history consisting of three prior felony convictions pled guilty before the Court on March 17, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Fairhope Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence J. Bullard for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Leon Speight Smoots, 63, of Chickasaw, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking felony. Smoots entered a guilty plea to the charges in February of 2016.

United States District Court Judge Callie V. S. Granade imposed sentences of 60 months imprisonment on each count, which are required by law to run consecutively, for a total term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Granade also ordered that Smoots serve a five-year term of supervised release when he is discharged from prison. The judge found that Smoots could not pay a fine, but she ordered the imposition of $200 in special mandatory assessments.

The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Maurice Odell Brown, age 38, of Selma, Alabama, a six-time convicted felon, to serve the statutory mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for being an armed career criminal. In addition, Brown was sentenced to 8 months, to be served consecutively to the 15 year sentence, for violating his federal supervised release term; for a total sentence of 188 months. In February 2016, Brown was convicted by a jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The 15-year sentence was due to Brown’s extensive criminal history which included: three State of Alabama convictions for two burglaries and an aggravated assault, a federal conviction in Louisiana for being an accessory after the fact (in connection with a kidnapping and carjacking), and two separate federal convictions in this district for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in Mobile, Alabama, the 4th Judicial Task Force of the Selma District Attorney’s Office, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Donna B. Dobbins and Lawrence J. Bullard, Assistant United States Attorneys with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Willie James Henry, Jr., 40, of Mobile, was sentenced this morning in federal court on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm.  Henry, whose previous conviction was for murder, pled guilty to the charge in January of 2016.  Court documents identified three guns found in Henry’s apartment, one of which was an assault weapon described as an SKS rifle.

The case prosecutor pointed out to the judge that Henry tested positive for illegal use of several narcotics during his time on bond.    United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of 18 months, which will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.  As conditions of his supervision, Henry will be subject to testing and treatment for drug abuse.  Judge Dubose also ordered that Henry pay $100 in special mandatory assessments, and she then revoked his conditions of release and remanded him to the marshal’s custody to begin serving his sentence. 

The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorneys Gina Vann and Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Richard Harrison Moore, 49, of Marion, was sentenced in federal court for his distribution of marijuana and hydrocodone during 2013. Moore was arrested as part of a three-year investigation into drug distribution, gun violence, money laundering, and white collar fraud conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the 4th Judicial Circuit Task Force, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Moore was one of many distributors of drugs in Marion charged in federal court. He pled guilty to the two charges in February of 2016.

Court documents reflect that Moore underwent psychiatric treatment between the time of his arrest on the charges, in June of 2014, and his guilty plea in February of this year. At his sentencing hearing today, Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of time served, and required mental health treatment as a condition of his three-year term of supervision. No fine was imposed but the judge ordered that Moore pay $200 in special mandatory assessments. The case was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Donald Keith Smith on April 29, 2016 to serve a term of imprisonment of 60 months followed by 3 years of supervised release for committing a Bank Robbery of the Regions Bank in Daphne, Alabama on October 29, 2015 in violation of 18 USC § 2113(a). The defendant had previously pled guilty before the Court on January 22, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who worked in coordination with the Daphne Police Department and the Mobile Police Department to solve the crime. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence J. Bullard for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.