District of Kansas

TOPEKA, KAN. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas collected $6.5 million in criminal and civil actions in FY 2018, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today. Of this amount, $3.9 million was collected in criminal actions and $2.6 million was collected in civil actions.

“Our attorneys and investigators are very successful in recovering money owed to victims and to the government,” McAllister said. “They are one of the reasons that crime really doesn’t pay.”

As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018. The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Recent examples in the District of Kansas include recovering more than $140,000 from a CPA who made false statements on tax returns, more than $77,000 from a former Kansas bank teller who embezzled the money, more than $185,000 from the owner of a diagnostic testing facility who was convicted of health care fraud and more than $200,000 from a man who was convicted of failing to report income from illegal bookmaking.

“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice. The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Education.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man and a woman from Kansas were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of crashing a car into a Cabela’s store and stealing guns, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Kyle Mendez, 29, Kansas City, Kan., and Brenda Tosh, 27, Kansas City, Kan., were charged with one count of conspiring to steal guns from a federally licensed firearms dealer. In addition, Mendez was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon and one count of transporting a stolen 2014 Dodge Challenger across state lines. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Nov. 6, 2018, in Kansas City, Kan.

The indictment alleges the defendants entered the Cabela’s store in Kansas City, Kan., by crashing a car through an exterior door. Mendez smashed through a locked door to get into the store’s Gun Library. The defendants took long guns from the firearms section of the store and placed them into a shopping cart. The guns included two 12-gauge shotguns, a .22-caliber rifle, a .308-caliber rifle and a .223-caliber rifle.

Before the defendants could get away with the guns, however, law enforcement officers arrived at the store. Tosh was arrested at the scene. Mendez fled from the store and was arrested later.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Unlawful possession of firearms by a felon (count one and count two): Up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Theft from a federally licensed firearms dealer (count three): Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Transporting a stolen car (count four): Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS
 

Salvador Veleta-Sinola, 33, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with assaulting law enforcement officers who were attempting to arrest him.

Veleta-Sinola is charged with two counts of assaulting law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon and one count of assaulting another officer.

The indictment alleges he bit an FBI agent and tried to stab him with a ballpoint pen. In addition, the defendant is alleged to have attacked two members of an FBI task force.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 3, 2019 in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the two counts of attacking officers with a dangerous weapon and up to eight years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other assault charge. The FBI investigated. U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister is prosecuting.

Cristian Maese-Solano, 22, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 12, 2018, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

Ramon Alejandro Magallanes-Carta, 24, who is in custody, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Jan. 16, 2019, in Hutchinson, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

WICHITA, KAN. – A former contract truck driver for the post office in Rose Hill pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing items from the mail, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Manuel De La Cruz, 30, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing items from the mail. In his plea, he pleaded guilty to stealing more than $6,500 worth of items from the mail. Stolen items included a Lenova laptop computer, an upper receiver for an AR 15 rifle, an AR 15 rifle barrel and a gas block for an AR 15.

Sentencing is set for April 29. He faces a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

McAllister commended the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A woman who operated massage parlors in Lawrence and Topeka pleaded guilty Tuesday to operating a prostitution business, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Weiling Nielsen, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. Nielsen owned and operated Naima Asian Massage and Serenity Health Spa in Lawrence, as well as Jasmine Massage in Topeka. In her plea, she admitted the massage parlors provided sexual services to customers for payment in cash. Nielsen and others advertised the services on the internet. Nielsen and her husband deposited cash into various bank accounts and purchased money orders for deposit in bank accounts in California.

In her plea agreement, Nielsen agreed to pay a $650,000 judgement, which represents the proceeds of the crime.

Sentencing is set for May 15. Both parties are recommending three years on federal probation.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Topeka Police Department, the Salina Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Garden City man with a state prison record was sentenced Tuesday to 87 months in federal prison for carrying a gun, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Darnell Wilks, 49, Garden City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A Garden City police officer arrested Wilks in March 2017. The officer saw Wilks walking down the middle of west Kansas Ave. and stopped to talk to him. Seeing the officer, Wilks ran away. During the chase, Wilks threw down a .45 caliber handgun. He was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was convicted in 2014 in Finney County District Court on a charge of making a criminal threat.

The case was prosecuted under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. McAllister commended the Garden City Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Cherokee County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawful possession of a rifle stolen during a burglary at a gunsmith’s residence, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Nathan J. Moss, 32, Columbus, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In his plea, Moss admitted he was arrested Aug. 18 after police chased the vehicle he was driving from Crawford to Cherokee County. In the vehicle, police officers found an Anderson Model AM-15 5.56-caliber rifle. The rifle was stolen four days earlier from M and M Tactical Gunsmithing in Arma, Kan.

Moss, who had a prior felony conviction, was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.

Sentencing is set for April 29. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of five years in federal prison. McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pittsburg Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, the Arma Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – Two Topeka men were indicted today on federal carjacking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Chauncey Elliott Lyles, 19, Topeka, Kan., and Mathdaniel Squirrel, 22, Topeka, Kan., were charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of carjacking. In addition, Lyles was charged with brandishing a .223 caliber American Tactical rifle during a carjacking.

The indictment alleges that on Jan. 30 the defendants threatened two drivers and stole their cars, a 2007 Cadillac DTS and a 2013 Dodge Dart. When police responded, the defendants fled in the Dodge Dart. They hit a tree in the 400 block of northeast Freeman and fled on foot before police took them into custody.

If convicted, they face the following penalties:

Conspiracy: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the conspiracy count.

Carjacking: Up to 15 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Brandishing a firearm in a carjacking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Brian L. Hernandez, 25, who is in custody, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and one count of unlawful possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 31 in Shawnee County, Kan.

The indictment alleges Hernandez possessed a .40 caliber Glock handgun, a 9 mm Glock handgun, and a .223 caliber Bushmaster rifle.

If convicted, he faces the following penalties:

Possession with intent to distribute cocaine: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Possession with intent to distribute marijuana: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A local woman pleaded guilty today to being part of a drug ring that distributed methamphetamine from Mexico in the Kansas City metro area, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Karen Ortega, 41, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine from premises in which children reside. In her plea, she admitted working out of her home in the 3000 block of North 34th Street in Kansas City, Kan., where she and her minor children lived. A search warrant at the residence turned up approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.8 pounds of heroin and more than $230,000 in cash.

In her plea, she admitted federal investigators had her under surveillance when she met another conspirator in a Wal-Mart parking lot at 10824 Parallel Parkway and sold almost two pounds of methamphetamine for $4,500.

Sentencing is set for May 7. She faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania for their work on the case.

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A driver who led Topeka police on a chase at more than 70 mph was sentenced today to 42 months in federal prison on a firearm charge, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Darryl Kevin Norwood, 30, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. In his plea, Norwood admitted that instead of stopping at a DUI check lane he fled from police at speeds exceeding 70 mph. He hit another car and continued to flee on foot before being arrested. Police found a .380 caliber pistol on the floorboard of his car.

Norwood was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions.

McAllister commended the Topeka Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.

The case was prosecuted under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Hutchinson man with a felony conviction record was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison for a firearm violation, U.S. Attorney Stephan McAllister said.

Lucas Adam Wade Hall, 32, Hutchinson, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In his plea, he admitted that he was arrested with a Taurus 9 mm pistol, a Beretta 9 mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson .44 caliber revolver.

In April 2011, Hall was convicted in Reno County District Court of attempted kidnapping, aggravated intimidation of a witness and aggravated battery. In September 2014, he was convicted in Reno County District Court of aggravated assault.

This case was prosecuted as part of Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood, which targets armed offenders with a record of felony convictions.

McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced Monday to 40 months in federal prison for selling stolen guns to an undercover agent, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Timothy Michael Hisey, 32, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of firearms following a felony conviction. In his plea, he admitted he sold firearms to an agent working undercover for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The firearms included five shotguns and three rifles.

Hisey was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a 2016 felony drug conviction in Shawnee County District Court.

McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.

The case was prosecuted under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former bank teller in Leavenworth pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling more than $125,000, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Charles Lee Staples, 42, Leavenworth, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he was a teller at Mutual Savings Association in Leavenworth. An audit revealed that Staples took the money from his teller drawer. To cover up the crime, he made false entries in bank reports.

Sentencing is set for April 22. Staples agreed to pay back the full amount of the theft. Both parties agreed to recommend a sentence of three years on supervised release.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A California man pleaded guilty Monday to driving more than 29 pounds of methamphetamine to Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Christian Delgado-Lopez, 30, Dana Point, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped Delgado-Lopez for a traffic violation in Meade County. Troopers found 14 packages of methamphetamine weighing 13.6 kilos (29.9 pounds) in his vehicle.

Sentencing is set for April 12. He faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty to a federal charge of distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

 Brian Fuchs, 49, Lawrence, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted investigators found approximately 2,000 images and 200 videos containing child pornography on his computer.

The FBI used an internet peer-to-peer file sharing program to download child pornography from Fuchs before serving a search warrant at his home.

Fuchs agreed in his plea to pay $20,000 restitution to the victims.

Sentencing is set for April 22. He faces a penalty of not less than five years, not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The owner of the now-closed Beta Chem Laboratory in Lenexa has been ordered to pay $544,287 in restitution for storing hazardous waste without a license, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Ahmed El-Sherif, 63, Leawood, Kan., was found guilty in a bench trial of storing hazardous waste without a license. El-Sherif started Beta Chem in the mid-1990s, which he owned and operated. On October 4, 2013, after issuing an Emergency Order to Seize and Secure Radioactive Materials, KDHE took control of Beta Chem and secured the facility.

The Criminal Investigation Division of Environmental Protection Agency executed a search warrant at Beta Chem on Jan. 22, 2014, where agents discovered numerous containers containing hazardous wastes and contaminated with radiation.

During trial, U.S. District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson found that by 2012 Beta Chem had become a defunct operation and hazardous chemicals were being stored at the facility in lieu of a thorough decommissioning and decontamination process.

Robinson found El-Sherif not guilty on a charge of obstructing a federal investigation.

El-Sherif will serve two years on federal probation.

McAllister commended the EPA Criminal Investigation Division and the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice for their work on the case.

 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was indicted today on federal charges of making calls to the office of Operation Rescue in which he threatened to injure employees and their families.

Christopher M. Thompson, 22, Wichita, Kan., is charged with three counts of making threats to injure a person. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 14, 2018, in Wichita, Kan.

The indictment alleges Thompson made calls threatening to kill Operation Rescue employees and rape their daughters.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The FBI and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Salina Pharmacist and Husband Charged  

 Kirsty C. Hartley, 28, Salina, Kan., and Dalton R. Hartley, 28, Salina, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiring to distribute and dispense controlled substances and oneobtaining controlled substances by fraud. In addition, Kristy Hartley is charged with one count of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances.

The indictment alleges the crimes occurred while Kirsty Hartley worked as a pharmacist in charge at a CVS pharmacy in Salina. The indictment alleges Hartley diverted controlled prescription drugs by creating false prescriptions for herself and her husband and filling them. The indictment alleges they fraudulently obtained 21,289 tablets of hydrocodone with acetaminophen and 360 tablets of alprazolam.

The indictment alleges the investigation began when a loss prevention manager for CVS reported the problem to the Salina Police Department. Kirsty Hartley’s pharmacist license was suspended Sept. 23, 2017, by the Kansas Board of Pharmacy.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances (count one) and unlawfully distributing controlled substances (count two): Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

Obtaining controlled substances by fraud: Up to four years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Salina Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.        

 

Ohio Man Charged in Bank Robbery

 Karsten D. Hardeman, 20, Dayton, Ohio, is charged with a robbery at the Sunflower Bank at 2073 N. Webb Road in Wichita, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 26, 2018.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Wichita Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Three Project Safe Streets Indictments

 Wendy L. Scearce, 35, Wichita, Kan., and Luis M. Hernandez, 38, Wichita, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (count one), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count two), one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin (count three), one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (count four), one count of maintaining a property in furtherance of drug trafficking at 306 N. Seneca in Wichita, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking,

In addition, Scearce is charged with 13 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction (counts six through 18), eight counts of distributing a controlled substance (counts 33 through 40) and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Hernandez is charged with 13 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien illegally in the United States.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred Dec. 28, 2018, in Wichita, Kan.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Count one: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

Count two: Not less than 15 years and a fine up to $10 million.

Count three: 33 through 40 and 41: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

Count four: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count five: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.

Counts six through 31: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 32: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The FBI and the Wichita Police Department’s Project Safe Streets Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

 Vickey Ewing, 63, Wichita, Kan., and Robert Ewing, Jr., 41, are charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (count one), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count two), two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (counts 4 and 5), two counts of maintaining a property in furtherance drug trafficking (1710 W. Walker in Wichita and 1140 S. St. Francis in Wichita, counts six and nine), and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count 12).

In addition, Vickey Ewing is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count three), one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with the serial number removed (count seven), one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction (count eight) and two counts of aggravated identity theft (count 10 and 11).

Also charged in the case are Manda Lynch, 33, Wellington, Kan., and Leanna M. Brooker, 27, Wellington, Kan., who are charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine (count four).

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2018 in Wichita.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Count one: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

Counts two, three, four and five: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

Counts six and nine: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $5 million.

Count seven: Not more than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count eight: Not more than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 10 and 11: A mandatory two years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 11: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.

The FBI and the Wichita Police Department’s Project Safe Streets Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

 Jesus Torres, 30, Wichita, Kan., is charged with five counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person not lawfully in the United States, counts one through five), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count six), one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (counts seven and nine), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count eight).

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Counts one through five: Not more than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Count six: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

Count eight: Not more than 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

Counts seven and nine: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count eight: Not more than 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

The FBI and the Wichita Police Department’s Project Safe Streets Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

 

18-Kilo Drug Case

Deyvis Alcantara-Rios, 35, Memphis, Tenn., is charged with one count of possessing approximately 18 kilograms (almost 40 pounds) of a mixture of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 9, 2018, in Seward County, Kan.

If convicted, she faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Kansas Highway Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

ADDITIONAL INDICTMENTS

Allan Bryan DeJesus, 39, Bakersfield, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count one), one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin (count two) and one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking (count three). The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 5, 2019 in Thomas County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces the following penalties:

Count one: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

Count two: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

Count three: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

 

          Erik Dixon, Jr., 22, Wichita, Kan., and Adrian D. Jones-Williams, 23, Wichita, Kan., are charged in a superseding indictment with one count of one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (count 8), one count of possession with intent to distribute alprazolam (count 9), one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance (count 10) and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (count 11). In addition, Dixon is charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (counts 1 and 15), one count of possession with intent to distribute alprazolam (count 2), three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance (counts 3, 13 and 16), two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (counts 4 and 17), two counts of unlawfully receiving a firearm while charged with a felony (counts 12 and 14), one count of unlawful possession of a silencer in furtherance of drug trafficking (count 18) and four counts of attempting to influence the testimony of a federal witness (counts 21, 22, 23 and 24). In addition, Jones-Williams, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (counts 5 and 8), one count of possession of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance (count 6) and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (counts 7 and 20). The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in Wichita, Kan.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Counts 1, 5, 15 and 19: Up to 20 years in federal prison and fine up to $1 million.

Counts 2 and 9: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 3, 6, 10, 13 and 16: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 12 and 14: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 4, 7, 11, 17, and 20: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 18: Not less than 30 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 21, 22, 23 and 24: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Wichita Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Darick Charles Byrd, 34, who is in federal custody, is charged with four counts of making false statements on Form 4473, which is a report required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to lawfully purchase a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer.

The indictment alleges Byrd bought the guns at Dave’s Guns in Abilene, Kan., Bob’s Pawn Shop East in Salina, and Nick’s Pawn Shop in Salina.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

Joshua D. Halstead, 32, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction (count one), one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance (count two) and one count of possession of methamphetamine (count three). The crimes are alleged to have occurred May 19, 2017, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces the following penalties:

Counts one and two: Up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.

Deonte L. Jordan, 20, Wichita, Kan., is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction (counts one and two) and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance (counts three and four). The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 16, 2018, in Sedgwick County.

If convicted, the faces the following penalties

Counts 1 and 2: Up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 3 and 4: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.

 

Juan Gama Acosta, 48, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of failing to register as required by the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 10 years. The U.S. Marshals Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

Ronnie Domnick, 48, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 4, 2017, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

         

Eugenio Serrano-Ramirez, 37, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Jan 7, 2019, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, if faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The owner of a flooring store in the Kansas City area was sentenced today to a year on federal probation for tax evasion, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. He paid $101,014 in restitution.

Randall Barker, 50, owner of Wholesale Flooring, Inc., in Stilwell, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. In his plea, he admitted he failed to report the full amount of income from his business in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. He admitted he took direct payments from customers, removed cash from business deposits and altered invoices to show less income for the business.

McAllister commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A tax preparer in Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced Tuesday to six months in custody and six months in home confinement for preparing tax returns containing false information, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Shermaine C. Canady, 44, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of filing false income tax returns. In her plea, she agreed to pay $158,167 in restitution to the government.

Canady admitted that in one instance she prepared a return for a client containing false information in order to claim a $5,187 Earned Income Tax Credit and a Child Tax Credit of $1,000.

McAllister commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A retired highway patrol trooper was sentenced Monday to a year on federal probation for lying to the FBI during an investigation into illegal gambling in Wichita, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Michael Frederiksen, 53, Derby, Kan., was convicted in a jury trial in May on one count of making false statements to FBI investigators. During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that in 2014, while Frederiksen was still a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper, he was filmed taking part in an illegal cash poker game. On Feb. 23, 2017, he was interviewed by FBI agents investigating illegal gambling businesses in Wichita.

The FBI had a video of Frederiksen playing in an illegal cash poker game held Feb. 12, 2014, at 922 1/2 E. Douglas in the Old Town district of Wichita. The site was equipped with poker tables, a cabinet for valuables and poker chips, video surveillance equipment, liquor and snacks. Staff included dealers, someone serving food and a waitress serving drinks and giving massages to the players.

An undercover investigator was at the game posing as a gambler. At one point, the undercover officer tried to use his phone to take photos. The men running the game took him aside and told him he was making other players nervous. They allowed the undercover officer to continue playing, but moved the game to other locations after that night.

During an FBI interview, Frederiksen made false statements, downplaying his involvement in illegal poker and his relationship with the operator of the poker game.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Smith and Mona Furst for their work on the case.

Tres hombres del suroeste de Kansas fueron condenados a 25, 26 y 30 años de cárcel tras ser acusados de confabular a detonar una bomba en un complejo de apartamentos en Garden City donde vivían inmigrantes musulmanes, anunciaron el Fiscal General en funciones Matthew Whitaker, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Kansas, Stephen McAllister, el Director del Buró de Investigaciones Federales («FBI», por sus siglas en inglés), Chris Wray, el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles Eric Dreiband, el Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División Nacional de Seguridad John C. Demers y el Agente Especial Encargado de la División del FBI en la Ciudad de Kansas Darrin E. Jones.

«El Departamento de Justicia trabaja a diario a frustrar amenazas terroristas en los Estados Unidos», afirmó el Fiscal General en funciones Whitaker. «Está claro que los autores en este atentado actuaron con premeditación en su intento de asesinar a personas inocentes por motivos de su religión y origen nacional. No es solo ilegal: es moralmente repugnante. La condena de hoy representa una victoria importante contra los delitos de odio y el terrorismo doméstico, y quisiera agradecer a todos los que ayudaron a llevar a los acusados ante la justicia, eso es, a los profesionales dedicados del FBI, la Fiscalía Federal en Kansas, la División de Derechos Civiles, la División de Seguridad Nacional, y nuestras agencias asociadas del orden público locales y estatales. La policía salvó vidas en este caso».

«Estos acusados planearon, sin piedad, detonar una bomba en un complejo de apartamentos y matar a gente inocente, sencillamente por motivos de dónde son y cómo rezan», declaró el Director del FBI Wray. «Hoy, junto con nuestras agencias asociadas del orden público, reafirmamos nuestro compromiso a proteger a los miembros de nuestras comunidades de aquellos que intenten aterrorizarlos y dañarlos».

«Algunos han descrito este enjuiciamiento como un caso de derechos civiles, un caso de terrorismo doméstico o incluso un caso de delincuencia violenta», comentó el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Kansas, Stephen McAllister. «No obstante, se mire como se mire, va en contra de todo lo que representamos: derechos civiles, la seguridad pública y el respeto de la ley».

«La condena de hoy refleja el compromiso del FBI a proteger las comunidades que servimos y nuestra obligación continua a impedir complots cuando la intención de los mismos es cometer actos violentos y dañar a otros», dijo Darrin Jones, el Agente Especial Encargado de la División del FBI en la Ciudad de Kansas. «La condena resalta la gravedad de estos delitos y que no se tolerará las acciones motivadas por el odio. El FBI, junto con nuestras agencias asociadas del orden público, seguirá trabajando agresivamente para garantizar que los autores sean llevados ante la justicia».

El 18 de abril del 2018, tras un juicio que duró cinco semanas, un Jurado federal condenó a Patrick Eugene Stein, de 49 años, vecino de Wright, Kansas, a Curtis Allen, de 51 años, vecino de Liberal, Kansas, y a Gavin Wright, de 53 años, vecino del Condado de Beaver, Oklahoma, de un cargo de confabular a emplear un arma de destrucción masiva y un cargo de confabular a vulnerar los derechos a la vivienda de sus víctimas anticipadas. Ambas conspiraciones se basaron en el complot de los acusados de estallar el complejo de apartamentos en un intento de asesinar a los inmigrantes somalíes musulmanes que vivían allí. El jurado también condenó a Wright por mentir al FBI en un asunto relacionado con el terrorismo doméstico.

Las pruebas que se presentaron en el juicio revelaron que, a lo largo de varios meses, los acusados confabularon a atacar un complejo de apartamentos que contenía una mezquita en Garden City, Kansas, donde inmigrantes musulmanes originarios de Somalia vivían y rezaban. Las pruebas presentadas durante el juicio establecieron que los acusados celebraron varias reuniones con el fin de planear el ataque y tomaron medidas significativas, incluyendo la fabricación y la prueba de explosivos, en miras a la implementación de su plan. Durante la investigación dirigida por el FBI que duró ocho meses, una fuente confidencial, a quien el Gobierno da el crédito por impedir el ataque y salvar las vidas de víctimas inocentes, grabó numerosas conversaciones en las que los acusados discutieron y perfeccionaron su plan. A medida que el plan se forjaba, los acusados discutieron obtener cuatro vehículos con el fin de llenarlos de explosivos y aparcarlos en las cuatro esquinas del complejo de apartamentos para crear una explosión que seguramente nivelaría el edificio y mataría a sus inquilinos.

A lo largo de la investigación, el acusado Stein también se reunió con un agente encubierto del FBI que fingía ser un traficante de armas del mercado negro en un esfuerzo por obtener una bomba. Durante una de las reuniones, Stein realizó una visita en carro con el agente para ver el edificio de apartamentos que los acusados tenían previsto destrozar.

Curtis Allen fue condenado a 25 años. Gavin Wright fue condenado a 26 años. Patrick Stein fue condenado a 30 años. 

Whitaker, McAllister, Wray, Dreiband, Demers y Jones elogiaron a los siguientes procuradores y agencias del orden público por sus esfuerzos excepcionales y ejemplares en la investigación y el enjuiciamiento de este caso importante: el FBI, la Policía de Liberal, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Seward, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ford, la Policía de Garden City, la Policía de Dodge City la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Finney, la Patrulla de Carreteras de Kansas, el Buró de Investigaciones de Kansas, la Fiscalía Federal y la División de Derechos Civiles y la División de Seguridad Nacional del Departamento de Justicia.

El caso fue enjuiciado por el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Tony Mattivi y las Abogadas de Litigios Risa Berkower y Mary J. Hahn de la División de Derechos Civiles y apoyado por el Abogado de Litigios David Cora, de la Sección de Contraterrorismo de la División de Seguridad Nacional y la Abogada de Apelaciones Danielle Tarin de la Oficina de Leyes y Políticas.

Para más información sobre el trabajo del Departamento de Justicia por combatir y prevenir los delitos de odio, vaya a www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: es un único portal con enlaces a recursos del Departamento de Justicia relacionados con delitos de odio para la policía, los medios de comunicación, investigadores, víctimas, grupos de apoyo, y otras organizaciones y personas.

WASHINGTON – Three men from southwest Kansas were sentenced to 25, 26 and 30 years imprisonment on charges of conspiring to detonate a bomb at an apartment complex in Garden City where Muslim immigrants lived, announced Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker; United States Attorney for the District of Kansas Stephen McAllister; FBI Director Chris Wray; Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband; Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division John C. Demers; and FBI Kansas City Division Special Agent in Charge Darrin E. Jones.

“The Department of Justice works every day to thwart terrorist threats to the United States," said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. "The defendants in this case acted with clear premeditation in an attempt to kill innocent people on the basis of their religion and national origin. That's not just illegal—it's morally repugnant.  Today's sentence is a significant victory against hate crimes and domestic terrorism, and I want to thank everyone who helped bring the defendants to justice—the dedicated professionals with the FBI, the United States Attorney's Office in Kansas, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and our state and local law enforcement partners.  Law enforcement saved lives in this case."

“These defendants planned to ruthlessly bomb an apartment complex and kill innocent people, simply because of who they are and how they worship," said FBI Director Wray. “Today, together with our law enforcement partners, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting all people in our communities from those who seek to terrorize and do harm." 

“Some people have described this prosecution as a civil rights case, a domestic terrorism case or even a violent crime case,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister of the District of Kansas. “However you look at it, it is a violation of everything we stand for in America, equal rights, public safety and respect for law.”

“Today's sentencing speaks to the FBI's commitment to protect the communities we serve and our continued obligation to disrupt plots where the intent is to commit violence and harm others,” said Darrin Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Kansas City Division. “This sentencing highlights the gravity of these crimes, and that actions motivated by hatred will not be tolerated. The FBI, with our law enforcement partners will continue to work aggressively to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."

On April 18, 2018 after a five-week trial, a federal jury convicted Patrick Eugene Stein, 49, of Wright, Kansas, Curtis Allen, 51, of Liberal, Kansas, and Gavin Wright, 53, of Beaver County, Oklahoma, on one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and one count of conspiracy to violate the housing rights of their intended victims. Both conspiracies stemmed from the defendants’ plot to blow up the apartment complex in an effort to kill the Somali Muslim immigrants who lived there. The jury also convicted defendant Wright of lying to the FBI in matter involving domestic terrorism.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that the defendants plotted, over the course of several months, to attack an apartment complex that contained a mosque in Garden City, Kansas, where Muslim immigrants from Somalia lived and worshipped. Evidence during trial established that the defendants held numerous meetings to plan the attack and took significant steps – including making and testing explosives – toward implementing their plan.  During an eight-month-long FBI investigation, a confidential source, whom the government credited for thwarting the attack and saving the lives of innocent victims, recorded numerous conversations during which the defendants discussed and refined their plan. As the plan solidified, the defendants discussed obtaining four vehicles, filling them with explosives, and parking them at the four corners of the apartment complex to create an explosion that would be sure to level the building and kill its occupants.

During the course of the investigation, defendant Stein also met with an undercover FBI agent posing as a black market arms dealer, in an effort to obtain a bomb. During one of the meetings, Stein drove with the agent to see the apartment building that the defendants were planning to destroy.

Curtis Allen was sentenced to 25 years. Gavin Wright was sentenced to 26 years. Patrick Stein was sentenced to 30 years. 

Whitaker, McAllister, Wray, Dreiband, Demers, and Jones commended the following law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for their exceptional and exemplary efforts investigating and prosecuting this important case: the FBI, the Liberal Police Department, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Garden City Police Department, the Dodge City Police Department, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and National Security Division.

The case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi and Trial Attorneys Risa Berkower and Mary J. Hahn of the Civil Rights Division and supported by Trial Attorney David Cora of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Appellate Attorney Danielle Tarin of the Office of Law and Policy.

Three men from southwest Kansas were sentenced to 25, 26 and 30 years imprisonment on charges of conspiring to detonate a bomb at an apartment complex in Garden Citywhere Muslim immigrants lived, announced Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker; United States Attorney for the District of Kansas Stephen McAllister; FBI Director Chris Wray; Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband; Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division John C. Demers; and FBI Kansas City Division Special Agent in Charge Darrin E. Jones.

“The Department of Justice works every day to thwart terrorist threats to the United States," said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. "The defendants in this case acted with clear premeditation in an attempt to kill innocent people on the basis of their religion and national origin. That's not just illegal—it's morally repugnant.  Today's sentence is a significant victory against hate crimes and domestic terrorism, and I want to thank everyone who helped bring the defendants to justice—the dedicated professionals with the FBI, the United States Attorney's Office in Kansas, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and our state and local law enforcement partners.  Law enforcement saved lives in this case."

“These defendants planned to ruthlessly bomb an apartment complex and kill innocent people, simply because of who they are and how they worship," said FBI Director Wray. “Today, together with our law enforcement partners, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting all people in our communities from those who seek to terrorize and do harm." 

“Some people have described this prosecution as a civil rights case, a domestic terrorism case or even a violent crime case,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister of the District of Kansas. “However you look at it, it is a violation of everything we stand for in America, equal rights, public safety and respect for law.”

“Today's sentencing speaks to the FBI's commitment to protect the communities we serve and our continued obligation to disrupt plots where the intent is to commit violence and harm others,” said Darrin Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Kansas City Division. “This sentencing highlights the gravity of these crimes, and that actions motivated by hatred will not be tolerated. The FBI, with our law enforcement partners will continue to work aggressively to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."

On April 18, 2018 after a five-week trial, a federal jury convicted Patrick Eugene Stein, 49, of Wright, Kansas, Curtis Allen, 51, of Liberal, Kansas, and Gavin Wright, 53, of Beaver County, Oklahoma, on one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and one count of conspiracy to violate the housing rights of their intended victims. Both conspiracies stemmed from the defendants’ plot to blow up the apartment complex in an effort to kill the Somali Muslim immigrants who lived there. The jury also convicted defendant Wright of lying to the FBI in matter involving domestic terrorism.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that the defendants plotted, over the course of several months, to attack an apartment complex that contained a mosque in Garden City, Kansas, where Muslim immigrants from Somalia lived and worshipped. Evidence during trial established that the defendants held numerous meetings to plan the attack and took significant steps – including making and testing explosives – toward implementing their plan.  During an eight-month-long FBI investigation, a confidential source, whom the government credited for thwarting the attack and saving the lives of innocent victims, recorded numerous conversations during which the defendants discussed and refined their plan. As the plan solidified, the defendants discussed obtaining four vehicles, filling them with explosives, and parking them at the four corners of the apartment complex to create an explosion that would be sure to level the building and kill its occupants.

During the course of the investigation, defendant Stein also met with an undercover FBI agent posing as a black market arms dealer, in an effort to obtain a bomb. During one of the meetings, Stein drove with the agent to see the apartment building that the defendants were planning to destroy.

Curtis Allen was sentenced to 25 years. Gavin Wright was sentenced to 26 years. Patrick Stein was sentenced to 30 years. 

Whitaker, McAllister, Wray, Dreiband, Demers, and Jones commended the following law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for their exceptional and exemplary efforts investigating and prosecuting this important case: the FBI, the Liberal Police Department, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Garden City Police Department, the Dodge City Police Department, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and National Security Division.

The case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi and Trial Attorneys Risa Berkower and Mary J. Hahn of the Civil Rights Division and supported by Trial Attorney David Cora of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Appellate Attorney Danielle Tarin of the Office of Law and Policy.

For more information about DOJ’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to DOJ hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Troy L. Bechtel, 49, of Overland Park, Kan., is charged in a federal indictment with two counts of major program fraud against the United States and two counts of lying to federal investigators, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

The indictment alleges that from August 2009 to April 2013 Bechtel aided and abetted other persons unlawfully to obtain more than $12.7 million from a contract with the Department of Defense.

The indictment alleges Bechtel and other persons falsely represented that United Medical Design Builders, LLC, of Merriam, Kan., was controlled by co-defendant Joseph David Dial, Jr., a disabled veteran of the U.S. Army.

In fact, UMDB was a pass-through company that Dial did not control. The company received a contract through the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program that was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the design and construction of healthcare facilities at Langley AFB, Andrews AFB, Hanscom AFB, and McGuire AFB.

The indictment alleges Bechtel ran the daily operations for UMDB and made project decisions without reporting to or consulting with Dial. Dial was rarely in the office. He also signed a blank sheet of paper that was scanned for use on official letters and correspondence.

Co-defendant Dial pleaded guilty to one count of major program fraud and one count of wire fraud. He is set for sentencing Jan. 28.

If convicted, Bechtel faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each count of defrauding the government and up to five years on each count of lying to investigators, as well as fines and forfeiture judgment representing the amount of proceeds obtained by committing the offenses set out in the indictment. Investigative agencies include the Small Business Administration - Officer of Inspector General, General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Army CID Major Procurement Fraud Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.

WASHINGTON - Geoffrey Rotich pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return and making a false bankruptcy declaration, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Stephen R. McAllister of the District of Kansas.

According to documents filed with the court, Rotich owned and operated Inventax, a tax preparation business in Shawnee, Kansas.  In March 2013, Rotich willfully aided and assisted in the preparation and filing of an individual’s 2012 individual income tax return that he knew contained false claims for education expenses and other deductions.  Rotich also knowingly filed a fraudulent bankruptcy petition, which failed to disclose his interest in Inventax and to completely identify all of his bank accounts. 

U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree scheduled sentencing for March 21, 2019. Rotich faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the tax count and a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the bankruptcy fraud count.  Rotich also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney McAllister commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Timothy M. Russo of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Christopher Oakley of the District of Kansas, who prosecuted this case, and the U.S. Trustee’s Office in Wichita, Kansas for their substantial assistance.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.

Geoffrey Rotich pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return and making a false bankruptcy declaration, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Stephen R. McAllister of the District of Kansas.

According to documents filed with the court, Rotich owned and operated Inventax, a tax preparation business in Shawnee, Kansas.  In March 2013, Rotich willfully aided and assisted in the preparation and filing of an individual’s 2012 individual income tax return that he knew contained false claims for education expenses and other deductions.  Rotich also knowingly filed a fraudulent bankruptcy petition, which failed to disclose his interest in Inventax and to completely identify all of his bank accounts. 

U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree scheduled sentencing for March 21, 2019. Rotich faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the tax count and a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the bankruptcy fraud count.  Rotich also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney McAllister commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Timothy M. Russo of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Christopher Oakley of the District of Kansas, who prosecuted this case, and the U.S. Trustee’s Office in Wichita, Kansas for their substantial assistance.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was indicted today on charges of striking a Kansas Highway Patrol aircraft with a beam from a laser pointer, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Armando Rodriguez-Leyva, 29, Wichita, is charged with one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office are campaigning to educate the public about the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft. When aimed at an aircraft from the ground, the powerful beam of light from a handheld laser can travel more than a mile and illuminate a cockpit, disorienting and temporarily blinding pilots. The effect is similar to a flashbulb going off in a dark car at night. Each year, thousands of laser strikes are reported, and the FBI estimates that thousands more go unreported. For more information, visit this web page: https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/laser-campaign-soundbites-for-media.mov/view

 “Engaging in such activity is not a prank; it is extremely dangerous and a federal felony offense,” McAllister said. “Federal authorities are dedicated to rapidly bringing offenders to justice. The charge in this case was brought, and the defendant was arrested, within 5 days of the alleged commission of the offense.”

According to court documents, on December 15 a fixed wing aircraft owned and operated by the Kansas Highway Patrol for law enforcement purposes was flying over south Wichita to assist local law enforcement agents with a case. During the flight, a green-colored laser struck the aircraft several times and illuminated the cockpit of the aircraft, presenting a serious risk to the pilot.

The pilot tracked the laser light to a residence in the 1100 block of South Terrace in Wichita. The defendant was sitting in a car behind the residence when he was arrested.

 If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Wichita Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Amy S. Bell, 40, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 13, 2018, in Wichita.

If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.

Roberto Equihua-Garcia, 39, who is not a United States citizen, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Nov. 16, 2018, in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man who was part of a $4 million drug conspiracy operating out of a barbershop in Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced Tuesday to 52 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Jason Bell, 38, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, Bell admitted he was part of a drug ring with co-defendant Edwin Pacheco. Pacheco owned Cocoliso’s Barbershop at 1201 Minnesota in Kansas City, Kan., where Bell was employed.

During the course of a federal investigation, Bell sold thousands of dollars’ worth of methamphetamine to undercover investigators. Bell was arrested when investigators served a search warrant at the barbershop. They found more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine in Pacheco’s Jeep Liberty and seized more than $15,000 from the barbershop’s closet. Investigators calculated that the conspirators sold approximately $4 million worth of illegal drugs.

McAllister commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man pleaded guilty Monday to federal sex trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Johnell Carter, 22, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking. In his plea, he admitted he used physical force including punching and biting to make an 18-year-old woman perform commercial sex acts. He advertised her services online.

In the second count, Carter admitted recruiting a 15-year-old to perform commercial sex acts. He advertised her services online.

Sentencing is set for March 4. Both parties have agreed to argue for a sentence in a range of 15 years to 25 years in federal prison. McAllister commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department, the Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A staff member at a facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities pleaded guilty Monday to federal child pornography charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

William Bresee, 31, Fontana, Kan., pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. At sentencing, the prosecutor told the court Bresee admitted that federal agents downloaded child pornography from his computer using an online file sharing program. Bresee was a staff member at Lakemary Center in Paola, Kan., working an overnight shift when investigators tracked child pornography to an IP address at the center.

Sentencing is set for March 4. He faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the distribution charges, and not more than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession count.

McAllister commended Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

 

WICHITA, KAN. – An EMT in Jackson County, Kan., pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing morphine from vials, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Colby W. VanWagoner, 33, Mayetta, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by deception and one count of making a false statement during an investigation.

The crimes took place while VanWagoner was working for the Jackson County Emergency Medical Service in Holton, Kan. In his plea, VanWagoner admitted he tampered with vials of morphine sulfate. He replaced morphine with saline solution and put the vials back into narcotic boxes on ambulances and in office stocks. Tests showed the concentration of morphine in vials that had been tampered with was low as 1 percent or less. The concentration of morphine should have been 100 percent.

Sentencing is set for March 12. The parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of five years on federal probation.

McAllister commended the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced Monday to three years in federal prison for driving more than five pounds of methamphetamine to Kansas, U.S. Attorney Steve McAllister said.

Titus Gwess, 24, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, Gwess admitted that he was coming home from Arizona when the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped him for speeding in Mullinville, Kan. Troopers found about 5.8 pounds of methamphetamine in the car.

Co-defendant Eric Reyes, 22, Wichita, Kan., is set for sentencing Jan. 28. Defendant Allen R. Killion is set for a change of plea hearing Dec. 17.

McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst for their work on the case.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former pharmacy technician was sentenced Monday to 3 years of probation for stealing fentanyl from a Kansas hospital where he worked, U.S. Attorney Steve McAllister said. In addition, he was ordered to pay more than $4,300 in restitution.

Heydon G. White, 37, Stilwell, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully obtaining fentanyl. In his plea, he admitted he stole fentanyl from the University of Kansas Hospital, where he worked as a pharmacy technician. His duties included stocking computerized cabinets known as AcuDose machines and removing expired medication for disposal. An internal audit determined White was responsible for a high number of transactions involving intravenous bags of fentanyl and saline solution. The Kansas Board of Pharmacy revoked his license, citing the theft of 483 bags of fentanyl.

McAllister commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Raytown, Mo., man who peddled marijuana and guns on the street in Wyandotte County was sentenced Monday to five years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Antonio Rodriguez Robertson, Jr., 21, Raytown, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his plea, he admitted he sold marijuana and guns to investigators working undercover, including a 9 mm Glock Model 17 pistol for $450, a 9 mm Glock Model 19 pistol for $625, a Taurus 9 mm pistol for $450, a .40 caliber Glock pistol for $700, an AR rifle DPMS Model 15 rifle for $1,100. Robertson admitted he regularly smoked marijuana.

McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward for their work on the case. This case was a Project Safe Neighborhood prosecution.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former bank teller pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling from a savings and loan where she worked, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Theresa Williams, 49, Leavenworth, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of theft by a bank employee. In her plea, she admitted she embezzled $13,000 from Mutual Savings Association in Leavenworth. To cover up the crime, she made false entries in bank reports.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 25. She faces a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Minnesota man was sentenced today to 21 months in federal prison for driving a load of 471 pounds of marijuana to Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, he will serve three years on supervised release.

Mark Anthony Berg, 40, Coon Rapids, Minn., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped Berg’s vehicle on I-70 in Ellsworth County. Troopers found 471 pounds of marijuana concealed in the vehicle.

McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Kansas man was sentenced today to pay a $5,000 fine for unlawfully importing endangered leopard cats, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

The leopard cat is a small wild cat native to Asia. It is considered as an endangered species under federal law.

Lawrence E. Payne, 34, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Endangered Species Act. The investigation began when Payne applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a breeding license for Asian leopard cats. When investigators served a search warrant at Payne’s home, they found three Asian leopard cats. Payne admitted importing the animals.

McAllister commended the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today alleging drug deals were taking place within 1,000 feet of Junction Elementary School, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Michael Pruitt, 48, who is in federal custody, was charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of the school at 2570 S. 42nd Street in Kansas City, Kan.

According to court documents, three times in November 2018 investigators working undercover bought methamphetamine from Pruitt. The transactions took place at a business at 4200 Shawnee Drive. A search of that business turned up almost two pounds of methamphetamine.

If convicted, Pruitt faces a penalty of not less than five years on the first distribution count, and not less than 10 years on each of the other counts. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

A Kansas man is charged with selling a pound of methamphetamine to an undercover investigator in a restaurant parking lot in Kansas City, Kan.

Moises Martinez-Martinez, 31, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine. According to court documents, Martinez-Martinez agreed to sell a pound of methamphetamine to undercover investigators for $5,000. The deal took place in the parking lot of Tapatio restaurant.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

Mario Uriel-Quinones, 39, Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with escaping from custody at the Grossman residential reentry center in Leavenworth. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 18, 2018.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.

 

Robert Boyles, Jr., 55, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 28, 2017, in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Hutchinson woman was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison on drug and firearm charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Kimberly R. Phillips, 35, Hutchinson, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

In her plea, Phillips admitted investigators found 64 tablets of oxycodone when they searched her residence. She also admitted that when investigators stopped her car they found her Derringer handgun and methamphetamine. She told investigators she was selling drugs to pay back her bondsman.

McAllister commended the Hutchinson Police Department and Department of Health and Human Services – OIG and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison for brandishing a gun during a robbery at a local credit union, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Mack W. Colvin, Jr., 32, Park City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In his plea, he admitted that on Dec. 19, 2017, he robbed the Wheat State Credit Union at 1400 S. Oliver. He pointed a firearm at tellers and demanded money. Investigators identified him and issued a warrant for his arrest. Colvin turned himself in to the FBI several days after the warrant was issued.

McAllister commended the Wichita Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Great Bend man was sentenced today to 165 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Charles A. Gann, 49, Great Bend, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that an investigator with the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was able to use a file-sharing program to download child pornography from Gann’s computer. At sentencing, a prosecutor argued Gann used the internet to seek out and communicate with other people who shared Gann’s desire to have sex with children.

McAllister commended Immigration and Customs Services and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Hutchinson man was sentenced Tuesday to 90 months in federal prison for downloading child pornography from the internet, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Shane Ragsdale, 31, Hutchinson, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. In his plea, he admitted he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing network to download child pornography.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man pleaded guilty today to robbing a local credit union, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Robert Charles Frazier, 63, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on Aug. 20, 2018, he robbed the Azura Credit Union at 1129 S. Kansas Avenue in Topeka. He told a teller, “This is a robbery. Give me your twenties, fifties and hundreds.” After receiving the money, he left the building and sat down on a nearby wall. An off-duty Topeka police officer working security arrested him.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 26. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of five years in federal prison. McAllister commended the Topeka Police Department and the FBI for their work on the case.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former banker who lives in Johnson County was sentenced today to 3 years probation and banned from working as a banker, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Michael W. Yancey, 59, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements on a loan application. In his plea, he admitted the crime took place while he was working as a senior vice president and commercial lender at Farmers Bank & Trust, N.A., in Overland Park. Farmers Bank is headquartered in Great Bend, Kan.

Yancey conspired with another person to obtain and maintain a business loan of $850,000 from Farmers Bank for two companies by falsely representing the terms of a real estate purchase in Basehor, Kan. He falsely represented to the bank that the property’s purchase price was $1.1 million when in fact it was $850,000. The false information made it appear the loan conformed to a maximum 75 percent loan-to-value ratio when in truth the loan was approximately 97 percent of the purchase price. He also falsely stated that the loan involved a seller carryback of $150,000 and a borrower equity injection of $125,000.

McAllister commended SIG-TARP (Office of Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program), the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor - Employee Benefits Security Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced Monday to 33 months in federal prison for concealing the theft of guns from a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Justin Winger, 37, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of misprision (failure to report a crime). In his plea, Winger admitted he was present when co-defendant Travis Keller broke into an undercover car and stole a 9 mm handgun, a 12-gauge shotgun and a 5.56 caliber rifle. Winger knew the co-defendant was a convicted felon who was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms.

Co-defendant Travis Keller was sentenced to 57 months.

McAllister commended the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man who owned businesses in Topeka, Olathe and Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced today to 12 months and a day for falsifying a tax return, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, he was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.

Fernando Tapia, 47, Eudora, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement on a tax return. Tapia owned meat markets in Topeka, Olathe and at two locations in Kansas City, Kan., as well as two more in Missouri. In a tax return for 2010, Tapia reported receiving $1,991 in income from a category of income that included partnership income. In fact, he received approximately $120,000 in income from that category.

McAllister commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Colorado man was sentenced today to 108 months in federal prison for driving seven pounds of methamphetamine to Kansas, U.S. Attorney Steven McAllister said.

Hector Manuel Aguirre, 21, Edwards, Colo., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted that in February 2018 the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped his car in Ellis County. Investigators found more than seven pounds of methamphetamine in the car. Aguirre was transporting the drugs from California to Wichita.

McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh for their work on the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man who was growing marijuana on an island in the Neosho River was sentenced today to 65 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Scott Joseph Skibo, 55, Chetopa, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. In his plea, he admitted he was tending his marijuana garden on an island in the Neosho River in Chetopa, Kan., when investigators had him under surveillance.

When law enforcement officers moved in to arrest him, Skibo got in his boat and fled. Officers in their own boat pursued him about half a mile before catching him. They seized about 50 marijuana plants, as well as a backpack containing a loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun, spare ammunition, marijuana, scissors, green twine, a water bottle and rain gear.

McAllister commended the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh for their work on the case.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was indicted Wednesday on charges of eight robberies at area businesses, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Joseph Bryant Toole, III, 35, Topeka, Kan., is charged with the following robberies:

• Nov. 2, 2018: Lynn’s Liquor Store, 3335 Southwest Gage Boulevard, Topeka, Kan.
• Sept. 20, 2018: Lynn’s Liquor Store.
• July 16, 2018, Lynn’s Liquor Store
• March 25, 2018, Sonic Drive-In Restaurant, 1015 E. 23rd, Lawrence, Kan.
• July 17, 2018: Kwik Shop, 746 Northeast Wabash Avenue, Topeka.
• Sept. 13, 2018: Mexican Taco Shop, 3703 Southwest Burlingame Road, Topeka.
• Sept. 20, 2018: Gas Trip, 550 Southwest Croco Road, Topeka.
• Sept. 30, 2018: Super Store, 4301 Southwest 21st Street, Topeka.

 

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Damario Deante Brooks, 36, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 18, 2018, in Topeka. Brooks was sentenced to 30 months on federal drug charges in 2016.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

This case is being prosecuted under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

William F. Bivens, III, Topeka, Kan., is charged in a superseding indictment with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 18, 2018, and Oct. 12, 2018, in Topeka.

 If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

This case is being prosecuted under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Lawrence man was sentenced Wednesday to 151 months in federal prison for soliciting a 16-year-old girl to send him child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Jamie Drake, 40, Lawrence, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. In his plea, he admitted he solicited a 16-year-old girl from Franklin County, Mo., to send him photos of herself in sexual poses. He offered to pay her bills and send her money in exchange for photos.

McAllister commended Missouri Highway Patrol and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Kan., man whose DNA was found on a handgun was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Jason M. Trevillion, 33, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The investigation began when members of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department’s Violent Crime Task force heard shots fired in the area of 8th and Parallel Avenue. Police attempted stop a Dodge Caravan but the vehicle fled. When police blocked the car from the front and behind, the van rammed both police cars. Trevillion was one of the defendants who eventually got out of the van.

In the van, police found a .40 caliber pistol with a 50-round drum magazine, two .223 caliber pistols, a 9 mm pistol, and a .45 caliber pistol, as well as spent shell casings and live rounds. Trevillion’s DNA was found on the 9 mm pistol. He had a 2015 conviction in Wyandotte County for aggravated assault.

Co-defendant Ernest A. Jones was sentenced to 12 months and a day. Co-defendant Taurez L. Adams is set for sentencing Nov. 13.

McAllister commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the FBI, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Zabel for their work on the case.