District of Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas couple was sentenced to prison for illegally taking proceeds from a relative’s Social Security and retirement benefits for years after his death. 

According to court documents, Lynn Ritter, 62, and Kirk Ritter, 62, of Overland Park pleaded guilty to wire fraud and theft of government funds. A federal judge sentenced Lynn Ritter to 12 months and one day in prison. Kirk Ritter was sentenced to seven months in prison.

The couple lived with Lynn’s father in a single-family house in Overland Park with Lynn acting as his caretaker. On October 23, 2022, Kirk Ritter contacted the Overland Park Police Department. He advised that his father-in-law was deceased, and his body was in the residence. Officers found the body lying in a bed, in a mummified state.  It was later determined the man died on or about July 1, 2016.

The father had been receiving monthly Social Security and retirement pension payments as direct deposits to his bank account. After July 2016, $68,637 in pension payments and $147,429 in Social Security payments were deposited into the bank account. Lynn and Kirk Ritter did not report the death, and instead without authority, wrote checks on the deceased’s account and transferred funds into their bank accounts to use for their own personal benefit. The Ritters paid the funds back during their prosecution.

Mark Underwood, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Kansas City Regional Office said, “These sentencings show the Labor Department is committed to ensuring that justice is served for those who steal from retirement plans.”

The Overland Park Police Department, Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble prosecuted the case.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging three Kansas men with crimes related to drug trafficking. 

According to court documents, Patrick M. Kornelson, 49, Cameron Rigsby, 38, and Tyler Devaney, 42, all of Wichita are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The defendants are accused of allegedly conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. 

Kornelson is also charged with one count of using and maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

The federal grand jury also indicted Rigsby on one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 11 counts of use of a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking.

Devaney is additionally charged with one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, on court of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Barnett is prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Leopoldo Lopez-Lopez, 41, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.

Zane Tilcock, 20, of Wichita was indicted on three counts of bank robbery and three counts of brandish and use of firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wichita Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case.

Emily Wise, 18, of Wichita was indicted on one count of bank robbery. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wichita Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse materials over the internet.

According to court documents, Sebastian Grattan, 28, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

Grattan admits to creating an account on a messaging app and using it to distribute child sex abuse materials in November 2023.

The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), Wichita Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
###

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials which was found on multiple electronic devices.

According to court documents, Alexander James Rosell, 34, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. 

Rosell's activity was discovered through an international investigation into a particular dark web website, as well as reports made against IP addresses connected to a residence to which he had access. During a search warrant at the home, investigators found Rosell had child pornography images on a cell phone and multiple laptops.  

Rosell was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Wichita Police Department, and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – United States Attorney for the District of Kansas Kate E. Brubacher announced that she has submitted her resignation to President Joe Biden effective January 19, 2025. Brubacher was sworn in as the 42nd presidentially appointed U.S. Attorney (USA) for the District of Kansas on March 10, 2023. She was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first woman to serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District. 

“Serving the People in my home state as United States Attorney for the District of Kansas has been a high honor,” said Brubacher.  “I am grateful to President Biden for nominating me. I am also grateful to Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall for their support for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and prioritizing the rule of law in Kansas.”   

The District of Kansas employs Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff who work in three offices associated with the federal courts which are in Kansas City, Kan., Topeka, and Wichita. The jurisdiction covers all 105 counties of Kansas, with a population of approximately 2.9 million. 

“I leave this position with overwhelming respect for the career attorneys, professional staff, and the dedicated law enforcement officers who work diligently and in good faith every day to protect the public and uphold our Constitution,” Brubacher said. “Together, we focused on confronting the fentanyl epidemic and keeping Kansans safe from violent crime, including crimes against children, and we paid just amounts when there were just claims against the United States. The people and partnerships in Kansas are unsurpassed, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the years ahead.”

The District of Kansas’ mission is to protect citizens from terrorism, enforce federal laws, and advance the interests of the U.S. government. Some accomplishments under Brubacher’s tenure include disrupting international drug trafficking cartels, bringing child pornography offenders to justice, and prosecuting white collar criminal acts. Here are some of the noteworthy cases.

FINANCIAL FRAUD

•    A Kansas man was sentenced to 293 months in prison for using his former position as chief executive officer (CEO) of a bank to embezzle tens of millions of dollars in a cryptocurrency scheme which led the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors. 
•    A federal grand jury in Kansas indicted seven defendants, including five current and former high-level officers of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmith, Forgers and Helpers (Boilermakers Union) for their alleged roles in a 15-year, $20 million embezzlement scheme. 

CIVIL RIGHTS

•    A Kansas jury convicted six members of a religious cult on charges related to compelling forced the labor on victims including multiple minors as young as eight years old. 
•    A Kansas man was sentenced to 80 months in prison for threatening multiple Black people in and around the Wichita area, and for interfering with the housing rights of a white woman because he believed that she was dating and associating with Black people.

NATIONAL SECURITY

•    A grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, indicted a North Korean national for his involvement in a conspiracy to hack and extort U.S. hospitals and other health care providers, launder the ransom proceeds, and then use these proceeds to fund additional computer intrusions into defense, technology, and government entities worldwide. The ransomware attacks prevented victim health care providers from providing full and timely care to patients.
•    Two U.S. businessmen pleaded guilty to conspiring to circumvent U.S. export laws prohibiting the sale, repair and shipment of U.S.-origin avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB).

FENTANYL & OTHER NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING

•    A Kansas man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for giving a man a fentanyl pill which caused his death.  
•    Indictments charging hundreds of individuals in alleged drug trafficking rings.     o    https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/eight-defendants-indicted-drug-trafficking-ring     o    https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/man-sentenced-kansas-city-drug-ring-tied-mexican-cartel     o    https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/multiple-people-indicted-meth-trafficking

Kate E. Brubacher 

Brubacher is a native of Newton, Kansas. She previously served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Jackson County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Prior to her government service, She was an associate at Cooley LLP and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, both in New York, New York.

Brubacher received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and her law degree from Yale Law School. She also holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A man and woman from Kansas have been charged through criminal complaint in Wichita on charges related to a series of bank robberies involving a firearm.

According to court documents, Zane Tilcock, 20, of Wichita is charged with three counts of bank robbery. Emily Wise, 18, of Wichita is charged with one count of bank robbery.

Tilcock is accused of brandishing a firearm to rob three banks in December of 2024. He allegedly robbed Intrust Bank on South Webb Road in Wichita on December 11, Emprise Bank on East Harry Street in Wichita on December 16, and Sunflower Bank on North Jefferson Street in Junction City on December 27.

Wise is accused of robbing Emprise Bank in Wichita on December 16, 2024.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wichita Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing, including Officer Wesley Griffith and Officer Bill Koehn, of the Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department.

This prestigious award recognizes law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to strengthening trust, promoting community engagement, and enhancing public safety.

“Community policing is essential to building trust and ensuring public safety,” said Attorney General Garland. “These officers have gone above and beyond their duty to foster partnerships with the communities they serve. Their work is an inspiration to us all and a reminder of the profound impact law enforcement can have on individuals, neighborhoods, and society.”

Officers Koehn and Griffith have elevated community policing to new heights through their community education and awareness building of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, (or CTPTED). From giving presentations to hundreds of residents and businesses, to conducting physical security assessments and launching impactful programs, their work has both deeply engaged the community while at the same time strengthening crime prevention efforts. Their efforts stand as a model of how all facets of community policing can be seamlessly integrated for lasting impact.   

“Whether they are patrolling neighborhoods, investigating criminal cases, or holding community events to build bridges between law enforcement and residents, police officers are invaluable to public safety and our justice system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas congratulates Officer Wesley Griffith and Officer Bill Koehn for their exceptional work,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher.

The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing.

The awardees were selected from a nationwide pool of nominees for their outstanding achievements in fostering safer, more inclusive communities.

The Department of Justice commends these officers for their service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their communities. For more information about the awards, visit www.justice.gov.

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Kansas businessman of submitting false information on applications to secure loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is a federal government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Scott W. Anderson, 53, of Lenexa was found guilty of four counts of false statement in a loan application, four counts of wire fraud, and six counts of aggravated identity theft.

Anderson was part owner of Riley Drive, a company that operated restaurants in Kansas and Iowa. In 2018 and 2019, Anderson applied for separate loans from SBA on behalf of Riley Drive. At the time Anderson submitted the applications the company was a defendant in civil lawsuits. Anderson falsely responded “no” to questions on the loan applications concerning whether he or companies he controlled were involved in any legal actions.

The SBA approved a loan to Riley Drive in March 2018 for $3,600,000.  The company defaulted in June 2019, causing a loss to the SBA of $2,173,766.

Additionally, the SBA approved a loan in April 2019 for $700,000. The company defaulted on the loan in June 2019, causing a loss of $658,141.

The Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting the case.

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A California man was sentenced to 240 months in prison after soliciting and receiving child sexual abuse materials.

According to court documents, Timothy Vigil, 38, of Lemore, California pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

In 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Jordan Escobar,18, of Kansas City, Kansas. Escobar admitted to recording child sexual abuse material then distributing it on an online platform. After reviewing Escobar’s electronic devices and a subsequent investigation, agents identified Timothy Vigil as the owner of an account to which Escobar sent the images. Vigil direct messaged Escobar specifically requesting materials containing child pornography. 

Between December 2023 and January 2024, Vigil also distributed 29 MEGA links to other platform users that contained child sexual abuse material, including more than 3,000 videos.

Escobar pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and is awaiting sentencing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 
###

WICHITA, KAN. – After a $47.1 million cryptocurrency scheme caused a Kansas bank to fail, a federal judge ordered during a restitution hearing that millions of dollars seized by the government be divided among investors who suffered financial losses.

In August 2024, Shan Hanes, 53, of Elkhart was sentenced to 293 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer. 

While the chief executive officer (CEO) of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB), Hanes initiated outgoing wire transfers of bank funds to a cryptocurrency wallet belonging to third parties. This caused Heartland to collapse, and the bank investors to lose approximately $9 million.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was able to recover $8 million in funds associated with the fraud. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas thanks the FBI for its diligent investigations that led to the discovery and recovery of over $8 million in stolen funds. Through Hanes’ conviction and prison sentence, the Department of Justice obtained justice for the victims, and now with this court order, those victims will receive some financial relief,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Federal Reserve Board - Office of Inspector General (FRB-OIG), and Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General ((FHFA-OIG) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith prosecuted the case.

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – United States Attorney Kate E. Brubacher announced that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jared Maag will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Maag has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Kansas, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

U.S. Attorney Brubacher said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, 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 interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

U.S. Attorney Brubacher stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Maag will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (785) 295-2850.

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 816-512-8200.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

U.S. Attorney Brubacher said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

###
 

A Kansas man pleaded guilty yesterday to preparing and filing false income tax returns on behalf of his clients.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hophine Bwosinde, of Lenexa, operated Ambroseli Professional Services, a tax preparation business. From 2018 through 2022, Bwosinde prepared and filed false tax returns on behalf of his clients by either inflating legitimate business expenses or by claiming losses related to fake businesses. In addition, Bwosinde falsely reported negative income on clients’ returns. These false items caused his clients to significantly underreport their income to the IRS, which reduced the amount of taxes the clients owed and generated refunds for many to which they were not entitled.

In total, Bwosinde caused a total tax loss exceeding $1.5 million.

A sentencing hearing will take place on Feb. 18, 2025. Bwosinde faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Erika V. Suhr of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri woman pleaded guilty to charges related to criminal conduct connected to a federal government program intended to help small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to court documents, Venester Fayne, 57, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. 

In May 2020, Fayne applied to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) on behalf of a company she controlled.  She admitted that to receive the PPP loans, she submitted fraudulent federal income tax documents with false information about the amount of the company’s gross sales. The documents had never been filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Federal law requires borrowers to use PPP funds only for certain qualified expenses. Fayne spent most of the money she received on personal expenses like jewelry and other luxury items.

In addition to the PPP loans, Fayne fraudulently obtained an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EDIL) loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration for a total of $600,284 in fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans.

Fayne is scheduled to be sentenced on February 18, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting the case.

###
 

A Kansas man was sentenced today to 80 months in prison for threatening multiple Black people in and around the Wichita area, and for interfering with the housing rights of a white woman because he believed that she was dating and associating with Black people.

Austin Schoemann, 31, of Wichita, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with federally protected activities, two counts of interstate threats and one count of interference with housing. In connection with the plea, Schoemann admitted that, in July 2022, he brandished a firearm and used racial slurs in order to threaten two Black juveniles while they were entering a QuikTrip gasoline station, and that he also used his firearm to threaten a Black adult who intervened to support the juveniles. Schoemann also acknowledged that, from January 2022 through August 2022, he interfered with the federally protected housing rights of a white woman by making threats to hurt or kill any Black people who visited her home. Schoemann further admitted that he sent videos and messages to the woman’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people.

“Racially-motivated threats of violence cannot be tolerated in our society,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “For months, this defendant made threats to a woman and her family that he would shoot and kill any Black person who visited the woman’s home. After that campaign of terror, the defendant called two Black children racist slurs, and threatened the children and a Black woman with a gun when they happened to cross paths at a convenience store. This case should make clear that the Justice Department will not rest in bringing the perpetrators of racially-motivated hate crimes to justice.”

“Perpetrators of hate crimes inflict pain upon victims in furtherance of a larger goal of breeding fear and divisiveness within our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “The Justice Department is standing against racial violence and threats of racial violence by prosecuting offenders, but we need the public’s help.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas encourages those who are victims of or witnesses to hate crimes to report these incidents to law enforcement.”

The FBI Kansas City Field Office and Wichita Police investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Thomas Johnson and Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – Two Kansas men pleaded guilty to taking part in a scheme to defraud a federal healthcare program.

According to court documents, Todd Eck, 60, of Wichita, and Bradley Eck, 56, of Wichita, both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

From January 2017 to April 2019, Todd Eck and Bradley Eck utilized four healthcare related companies they created to enroll to receive Medicare reimbursements for billed medical procedures. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the Medicare Program, a federal healthcare benefits program. 

The Ecks concealed their ownership and control of the businesses on the Medicare enrollment form and omitted background information about themselves. Each omission was material to determine if Todd Eck and Bradley Eck were eligible to enroll, thus, all billing reimbursements made by Medicare to the Ecks were fraudulent.

Brad Eck’s license to practice chiropractic medicine was revoked by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in 2013 for gross negligence, professional incompetency, and dishonesty.

Todd Eck had his license to practice chiropractic medicine revoked by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in 2018 for violation of an order, fraud during license renewal, practicing medicine without a license, fraudulent medical records, and failure to maintain records.

As part of the plea agreement, the Eck brothers must pay $3.4 million in restitution.

Todd Eck and Bradley Eck are scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025. The brothers face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 

The U.S. Department of Defense- Defense Criminal Investigative Service and Defense Contract Audit Agency, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation are investigating the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting the case.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman on charges related to drug trafficking.

According to court documents, Nicole Rae Kiesel, 38, of Garden City is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. 

OTHER INDICTMENTS 

Enrique Alonso Estrada-Barrios, 26, of Belen, New Mexico, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. 

Armando Venzor-Marquez, 37, of Great Bend is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry after deportation and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with robbing a bank in Lawrence, Kansas. 

According to court documents, Alfonzo Cole, 41, of Lawrence is charged with one count of bank robbery. 

Cole is accused of using force, violence, and intimidation on July 2, 2024, to take U.S. currency from an employee at a Bank of America branch on Ohio Street.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

David Mark Jones, 33, of Shawnee, was indicted on two counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

Following a 26-day trial, a jury in Kansas convicted Kaaba Majeed, 50, Yunus Rassoul, 39, James Staton, 62, Randolph Rodney Hadley, 49, Daniel Aubrey Jenkins, 43, and Dana Peach, 60, of conspiracy to commit forced labor. The jury additionally convicted Kaaba Majeed of five counts of forced labor. Two other co-defendants, Etenia Kinard, 48, and Jacelyn Greenwell, 45, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forced labor.

According to the evidence presented in court during the course of the trial, the defendants were all former high-ranking members of the United Nation of Islam (UNOI), or were wives to the UNOI founder, Royall Jenkins.

“The United Nation of Islam and these defendants held themselves out as a beacon of hope for the community, promising to educate and teach important life skills to members, particularly children,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Instead, the defendants betrayed this trust, exploiting young children in the organization by callously compelling their labor. Prosecuting this case is a testament to the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to hold human traffickers accountable. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute parasitic criminals who target vulnerable victims to finance their lifestyles.”

”The bravery shown by victims of the United Nation of Islam is inspiring, because they spoke up about heinous atrocities committed against them as vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “In childhood, they suffered physical and emotional abuse, were denied a proper education, and were subject to forced labor. As adults, these victims found the strength and courage to pursue justice and face their abusers.”

“Under the guise of false pretenses and coercion, these victims, some of whom were as young as eight years old, endured inhumane and abhorrent conditions,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “Today’s convictions should serve as a stark warning that forced labor will not be tolerated by the FBI.”

UNOI principles included many rules that members had to follow, required “duty” or unpaid labor and emphasized the negative eternal religious consequences of noncompliance. UNOI operated businesses in various cities around the United States, including Kansas City, Kansas; New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; and Atlanta, among other locations. 

In their former leadership roles in UNOI, the defendants agreed to compel the labor and services of over a dozen victims, including multiple minors, some of whom were as young as eight years old, between October 2000 and November 2012. The victims worked in UNOI-owned and operated restaurants, bakeries, gas stations, laboratory and a clothing and sewing factory, often up to 16 hours a day. The victims also provided child care and domestic services inside defendants’ homes. None of the victims was ever compensated for the years of work they performed at UNOI businesses or at the behest of the defendants. The victims all lived in deplorable conditions, in overcrowded facilities often overrun with mold, mice and rats. In contrast, the defendants and their immediate families lived comfortably.

The evidence presented in court demonstrated that the defendants used a variety of coercive tactics to compel the victims’ labor and services. In essence, the defendants effectively controlled the victims by manipulating the UNOI rules originally created by the founder.

First, the defendants separated the minor victims from their parents and support network. UNOI enticed parents to send their children to Kansas by promising an education and development of life skills through work at UNOI-operated businesses. However, these promises were false.  The minors did not receive an education from an accredited and licensed school but instead worked excessive hours for UNOI’s financial benefit. UNOI’s unlicensed and unaccredited school or “university” was little more than a vehicle for extracting unpaid labor and publicly humiliating victims who violated one of UNOI’s many rules.

Second, the defendants controlled (1) what the victims viewed and read; (2) how the victims dressed; (3) how the victims addressed the defendants and others; (4) with whom the victims communicated; (5) where the victims went; and (6) what the victims ate, to ensure that the victims, particularly the females, maintained a certain weight. The defendants restricted and monitored the victims’ communications with their families, members of the opposite sex and others. The defendants required some victims to undergo colonics, which is a procedure designed to cleanse the colon by streaming gallons of water through a tube inserted into the victims’ rectums. At the same time, the defendants rarely permitted victims to receive outside medical attention for illnesses or injuries. 

Third, the defendants regularly punished the victims for violating the rules. The defendants withheld food, prohibited victims from speaking to others for over two weeks, locked them in a dark, frightening basement, imposed extra work and beat them, sometimes in front of others to create a climate of fear and intimidation. The defendants even held one victim upside down over train tracks because he would not admit to stealing food when he was hungry. Another victim drank water from a toilet because she was so thirsty after not being permitted to drink.

Finally, the defendants instilled a fear of noncompliance and of leaving the UNOI by depriving victims of any education or development of life skills. The defendants also told victims that they would burn in “eternal hellfire” if they left. Family members who remained at UNOI were required to shun as “detractors” any victim who left, and UNOI claimed credit for any negative consequence that occurred to members who left the organization. 

Sentencing hearings are scheduled for Feb. 18, 2025. Kaaba Majeed faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison as well as mandatory restitution. The rest of the defendants each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office, with the assistance of the Department of Labor and New York State Department of Labor, investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Kate Alexander, Maryam Zhuravitsky and Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Kansas man of assault with a deadly weapon following an incident on a United States Army installation. 

In November 2023, Jordan Thompson, 24, assaulted an adult male victim while at Fort Riley in Junction City, Kansas. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Thompson was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife. He used a 9 mm caliber pistol to threaten the victim, who was at the home of the child’s mother, and then Thompson left with the minor. 

Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, Fort Riley Department of the Army Civilian Police, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. 

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Graham and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Walton are prosecuting the case. 

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Texas man with charges related to drug trafficking.

According to court documents, Mario Guerrero, Jr, 33, of Houston is charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Humberto Argueta-Zavala, 42, of Wichita is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry after deportation and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, 55, of Latvia, made his initial appearance in a federal court in Kansas City, Kansas, today after being extradited from Latvia. Chistyakov is the third defendant in this case to face charges in connection with a years-long conspiracy to sell sophisticated avionics equipment to Russian companies, after Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine and despite heightened additional U.S. economic countermeasures levied against Russia.

According to court documents, Chistyakov allegedly conspired with U.S. citizens Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 61, of Kansas, and Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, of  Kansas, to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment of U.S.-origin avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). Buyanovksy and Robertson were charged and arrested in March 2023 and have both pleaded guilty. Buyanovsky is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14 and Robertson is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3.

As alleged, Chistyakov, while operating from Latvia and often through his Emirati company RosAero FZC, worked with Buyanovsky and Robertson through their U.S. company, KanRus Trading Company Inc. (KanRus), to circumvent U.S export laws by purchasing avionics equipment from U.S. companies for customers in Russia. Chistyakov allegedly acted as a broker for KanRus by soliciting quotes, negotiating prices and terms of delivery and facilitating payments between KanRus and customers in Russia. As alleged, Chistyakov and his conspirators attempted to conceal their illegal activities by creating false invoices, transshipping items through third-party countries, such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using bank accounts in third-party countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE, and exporting items to intermediary companies which then reexported the items to the ultimate end destinations. 

Many of the entities and individuals involved in Chistyakov’s alleged scheme were added to the Commerce Department’s Entity List in December 2023, which imposes specific license requirements on transactions made by all listed individuals and entities.

Chistyakov is charged with conspiracy, Export Control Reform Act violations, smuggling and money laundering violations. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to a $1 million fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas made the announcement. 

The FBI and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Latvian authorities to secure the extradition of Chistyakov to the United States. 

The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 293 months in prison for using his former position as chief executive officer (CEO) of a bank to embezzle tens of millions of dollars in a cryptocurrency scheme which led the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors. 

According to court documents, Shan Hanes, 53, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer. 

While the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas, Hanes initiated 11 outgoing wire transfers between May 2023 and July 2023 totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet in a cryptocurrency scheme referred to as “pig butchering.” The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC absorbed the $47.1 million loss. Hanes’ fraudulent actions caused HTSB to fail and the bank investors to lose $9 million.

A federal judge ordered that restitution be finalized at a separate hearing within the next 90 days. 

“Hanes’ greed knew no bounds. He trespassed his professional obligations, his personal relationships, and federal law. Not only did Shan Hanes betray Heartland Bank and its investors, but his illegal schemes also jeopardized confidence in financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Today’s sentence is a measure of justice for the victims, and a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice will hold those accountable who violate positions of trust for their own gain.” 

“Mr. Hanes, as the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, held the trust and confidence of the community of Elkhart, KS, but he violated that trust.  He attempted to benefit financially by embezzling funds from the bank.  His idea to get rich quick, in all reality, was a pig butchering scheme.  His involvement in this scheme ultimately led to the bank’s collapse. His job, the bank’s job was to protect its customers and identify fraudulent scams – not to participate in them,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office.

“As the CEO, the defendant had a duty to conduct business honestly but instead abused that trust and committed insider fraud, contributing to the failure of a bank and causing catastrophic losses to bank customers who relied on the bank for the safekeeping of their savings,” said Korey Brinkman, Special-Agent-in-Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We will continue to vigorously investigate criminal offenses involving frauds that impact the integrity, safety, and soundness of Federal Home Loan Banks and member banks. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and the United States Attorney’s Office with this investigation.”  

“Shan Hanes was sentenced today for his role in a $47.1 million embezzlement scheme that ultimately caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to fail,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) Kansas City Region. “We are pleased to join our law enforcement partners in bringing Mr. Hanes to justice, and we will continue to investigate and hold accountable bank insiders who violate their positions of trust and threaten to undermine the safety and soundness of our Nation’s financial institutions.”

“Today’s sentencing makes clear that bank executives who undermine the safety and soundness of community banks will be brought to justice,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners to achieve this result, and we thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and holding Mr. Hanes accountable for his crimes.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Federal Reserve Board - Office of Inspector General (FRB-OIG), and Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General ((FHFA-OIG) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith prosecuted the case.

###

A federal grand jury in Wichita, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a man with escaping from a federal detention center.

According to court documents, Lee Owen Hallford, 42, is charged with one count of escape from custody. 

Hallford is accused of unlawfully leaving the custody of the Bureau of Prisons while at the Residential Reentry Center — Correctional Solution Group, LLC in Wichita. He was detained based on a conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country.

The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lanny Welch and Aaron Smith are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Texas men made their initial appearances after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment on charges related to stolen merchandise. 

According to court documents, Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of mail fraud.

Between May 2023 and May 2024, Ditz and Alaniz are accused of using their employment at a freight-contracting company that serves a train station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, to unlawfully obtain Garmin brand watches that were in transit to Garmin’s warehouse in Olathe, Kansas.  Ditz and Alaniz allegedly sold dozens of the stolen Garmin watches over the Internet to unwitting buyers.  

According to the indictment, in addition to the watches allegedly associated with or sold by Ditz and Alaniz, other watches stolen from the Garmin shipping container have registrations that appear to be connected to more than a dozen individuals (approximately fifteen percent of the workforce) assigned or formerly assigned at the Santa Teresa train station.

Ditz made his initial court appearance on July 29, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.  Alaniz made his initial court appearance July 30, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

A Kansas man pleaded guilty today to two counts of interference with federally-protected activities, two counts of interstate threats and one count of interference with housing.

Austin Schoemann, 30, of Wichita, admitted during his plea hearing that, on July 27, 2022, he brandished a firearm and used racial slurs in order to threaten two Black juveniles while they were entering a QuikTrip gasoline station, and that he also used his firearm to threaten a Black adult who intervened to support the juveniles.

“This defendant committed serious hate crimes when he used guns and death threats to terrorize two Black children and an adult who came to their aid,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant’s hate-fueled crime spree continued when he made threats to a white woman and her family that he would shoot and kill any Black person visiting her home. Racially-motivated threats and violence, in any form, are unacceptable in our society. The Justice Department is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws to protect crime victims targeted because of race.”

“Racially based violence and threats of violence should never be tolerated. This reprehensible behavior is illegal and subject to federal criminal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “The Justice Department will defend civil rights and prosecute anyone who harasses and threatens people based on their race.”

“There is no place for race-based violence in the state of Kansas,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “Every individual is entitled to the fundamental right to live their lives without fear and intimidation based solely on their race. Today’s plea underscores the FBI’s commitment to investigating and preventing racially motivated crimes. These crimes have a wide-ranging impact and the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, have no tolerance for these types of threats.”

Schoemann also acknowledged that, beginning in January 2022 and continuing through August 2022, he interfered with the federally protected housing rights of a white woman by making threats to hurt or kill any Black people who visited her home. Schoemann further admitted that he sent videos and messages to the woman’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people. 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Schoemann faces a penalty of 63 to 84 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office and Wichita Police investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Florida businessman made his initial appearance after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging him with defrauding corporate clients in Kansas, Missouri, Utah, and Ohio by fraudulently inducing them to enter loan agreements to finance construction projects and then misappropriating more than $4 million in deposits made by the victims. 

According to court documents, David Ingram, 72, of Sanford, Florida (previously of North Carolina), is charged with four counts of wire fraud.

Ingram is accused of making false representations to developers seeking loans for large-scale construction projects. Ingram represented that his company, AltosGroups, had lines of credit with major international financial institutions.  Multiple times in 2019, Ingram required victims to wire deposits into AltosGroups bank accounts as a condition of obtaining financing, and he told them the deposits would be placed in dedicated escrow or reserve accounts.  Instead, Ingram allegedly commingled most of that money with other funds and made unauthorized transactions including transfers to his and his wife’s bank accounts for personal use.  One $3 million deposit was sent to a Mexican financial institution without the developer’s knowledge or authorization.  AltosGroups then canceled the financing contracts with the developers without returning the deposits.

The defendant made his initial court appearance on July 30, 2024, in the Middle District of Florida.  He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas at 1:30 p.m. on August 14, 2024. 

IRS Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a Tennessee man with defrauding investors out of more than $1 million.

Alcides Roman, 65, of Lebanon, Tennessee, is charged with eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering.

According to court documents, Roman did business through Remain In Control, a Tennessee company.  Roman is accused of soliciting individuals to invest in high-yield investment programs offered through his company.  He allegedly obtained victims’ funds under false pretenses, failed to invest their money as promised, and misappropriated investment funds for his own and others’ benefit without the victims’ knowledge or consent.

The defendant made his initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.  He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James of the District of Kansas at 1:30 p.m. on August 9, 2024.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment for eight men on charges related to a drug trafficking ring in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 

According to court documents, between July 2022 and June 2024, the defendants allegedly took part in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Jackson County Drug Task Force (JCDTF), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Krug and David Zabel are prosecuting the case.

OCDETF Strike Force Cases
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.  The specific mission of the OCDETF Kansas City Metro Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle major criminal organizations and subsidiary organizations, including criminal gangs, transnational drug cartels, racketeering organizations, and other groups engaged in illicit activities that present a threat to public safety and national security and are related to the illegal smuggling and trafficking of narcotics or other controlled substances, weapons, humans, or the illegal concealment or transfer of proceeds derived from such illicit activities in the Western District of Missouri and District of Kansas. The OCDETF Kansas City Metro Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Kansas City, Missouri, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal Service (USMS), the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Missouri (USAO-WDMO), the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas (USAO-KS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation Division (IRS/CID), the United States Secret Service (USSS), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS),  and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

Note: View the indictment here and view cryptocurrency seizure affidavit here.

A grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment on Wednesday charging North Korean national Rim Jong Hyok for his involvement in a conspiracy to hack and extort U.S. hospitals and other health care providers, launder the ransom proceeds, and then use these proceeds to fund additional computer intrusions into defense, technology, and government entities worldwide. Their ransomware attacks prevented victim health care providers from providing full and timely care to patients.

“Two years ago, the Justice Department disrupted the North Korean group using Maui ransomware to hold hostage U.S. hospitals and health care providers,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s criminal charges against one of those alleged North Korean operatives demonstrates that we will be relentless against malicious cyber actors targeting our critical infrastructure. This latest action, in collaboration with our partners in the U.S. and overseas, makes clear that we will continue to deploy all the tools at our disposal to disrupt ransomware attacks, hold those responsible to account, and place victims first.”

“Rim Jong Hyok and his co-conspirators deployed ransomware to extort U.S. hospitals and health care companies, then laundered the proceeds to help fund North Korea’s illicit activities,” said Deputy Director Paul Abbate of the FBI. “These unacceptable and unlawful actions placed innocent lives at risk. The FBI and our partners will leverage every tool available to neutralize criminal actors and protect American citizens.”

“North Korean hackers developed custom tools to target and extort U.S. health care providers and used their ill-gotten gains to fund a spree of hacks into government, technology, and defense entities worldwide, all while laundering money through China,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The indictment, seizures, and other actions announced today demonstrate the Department’s resolve to hold these malicious actors accountable, impose costs on the North Korean cyber program, and help innocent network owners recover their losses and defend themselves.”

“Today’s indictment underscores our commitment to protecting critical infrastructure from malicious actors and the countries that sponsor them,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “Rim Jong Hyok and those in his trade put people’s lives in jeopardy. They imperil timely, effective treatment for patients and cost hospitals billions of dollars a year. The Justice Department will continue to disrupt nation-state actors and ensure that American systems are protected in the District of Kansas and across our nation.”

“The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to root out malicious actors who seek to degrade the Department of the Air Force’s ability to protect the nation,” said Brigadier General Amy S. Bumgarner, OSI Commander. “Multiple OSI units, including one of our newly established National Security Detachments, which were established to provide counterintelligence, law enforcement and analytical support to protect technology at the earliest stages of advanced research and development, provided support to this investigation.”

“While North Korea uses these types of cybercrimes to circumvent international sanctions and fund its political and military ambitions, the impact of these wanton acts have a direct impact on the citizens of Kansas,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “These actions keep our families from getting the health care they need, slowing the response of our first responders, endangering our critical infrastructure and, ultimately, costing Kansans through ransoms paid, lost productivity, and money spent to rebuild our networks following cyber attacks. Today’s charges prove these cyber actors cannot act with impunity and that malicious actions against the citizens of Kansas and the rest of the United States have severe consequences.”

“The indictment of individuals responsible for breaching U.S. government systems, regardless of their location, demonstrates the dedication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA-OIG), the Justice Department, and our law enforcement partners to relentlessly investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable those who believe they can operate in the shadows,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Robert Steinau of NASA-OIG.

According to court documents, Rim and his co-conspirators worked for North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, a military intelligence agency, and are known to the private sector as “Andariel,” “Onyx Sleet,” and “APT45.” Rim and his co-conspirators laundered ransom payments through China-based facilitators and used these proceeds to purchase internet infrastructure, which the co-conspirators then used to hack and exfiltrate sensitive defense and technology information from entities across the globe. Victims of this further hacking include two U.S. Air Force bases, NASA-OIG, and entities located in Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Related Andariel activity has been the subject of private sector reporting, and a cybersecurity advisory with updated technical indicators of compromise was published by the FBI, the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense’s Cyber Crime Center, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration, and South Korean and United Kingdom partners today.

The Justice Department and the FBI are also announcing the interdiction of approximately $114,000 in virtual currency proceeds of ransomware attacks and related money laundering transactions, as well as the seizure of online accounts used by co-conspirators to carry out their malicious cyber activity. The FBI previously seized approximately $500,000 in virtual currency proceeds of ransomware attacks and related money laundering transactions. In addition to these actions, the Department of State announced today a reward offer of up to $10 million for information leading to the location or identification of Rim. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program has a standing reward offer for information leading to the identification or location of any person who, while acting at the direction or under the control of a foreign government, engages in certain malicious cyber activities against U.S. critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Private sector partners are also taking other voluntary actions to limit the spread of Andariel-created malware. In partnership with the Department, Microsoft developed and implemented technical measures to block Andariel actors from accessing victims’ computer networks. Additionally, Mandiant is publishing research today that highlights its unique insights into Andariel’s tactics, techniques, and procedures. These actions by Microsoft and Mandiant were a significant part of the overall effort to secure networks, and they will help cybersecurity practitioners prevent, identify, and mitigate attacks from Andariel actors.

Maui Ransomware and Money Laundering

As alleged in the indictment, Rim worked for North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), a military intelligence agency, and participated in the conspiracy to target and hack computer networks of U.S. hospitals and other health care providers, encrypt their electronic files, extort a ransom payment from them, launder those payments, and use the laundered proceeds to hack targets of interest to the North Korean regime.

The Andariel actors used custom malware, developed by the RGB, known as “Maui.” After running the maui.exe program to encrypt a ransomware victim’s computer network, the North Korean co-conspirators would extort the organization by leaving a note with a cryptocurrency address for a ransom payment.

The Andariel actors received ransom payments in a virtual currency and then laundered the payments with the assistance of Hong Kong-based facilitators. In at least one case, these Hong Kong facilitators converted ransom funds from cryptocurrency to Chinese yuan. The yuan was then accessed from an ATM in China in the immediate vicinity of the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which connects Dandong, China, and Sinuiju, North Korea.

Exfiltration of Sensitive Data from Companies and Government Agencies

Rim and his co-conspirators used ransom proceeds to lease virtual private servers that were used to launch attacks against defense, technology, and other organizations, and to steal information from them. Victims of this further hacking included U.S. defense contractors, two U.S. Air Force bases, NASA-OIG, South Korean and Taiwanese defense contractors, and a Chinese energy company. The Andariel actors obtained initial access to victims’ networks by exploiting known vulnerabilities that had not been patched by the victims, including the widespread Log4Shell vulnerability. (Additional tactics, techniques, and procedures are available in the joint cybersecurity advisory released today.) The Andariel actors stole terabytes of information, including unclassified U.S. government employee information, old technical information related to military aircraft, intellectual property, and limited technical information pertaining to maritime and uranium processing projects.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Huschka and Chris Oakley for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Neeraj Gupta and George Brown of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case.

The FBI continues to investigate Andariel’s hacking and money laundering activities. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, and NASA-OIG provided valuable assistance.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

View previous joint cybersecurity advisories from CISA here.

View previous joint cybersecurity advisories from Department of Defense here.

View previous cryptocurrency seizure announcement here.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man made his initial appearance before a judge after a federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging him with financial fraud.

Matthew Waits, 39, of Topeka is charged with one count of thefts concerning a program receiving federal funds.

According to court documents, between January 2023 and December 2023, Waits is accused of using his position as program manager and director of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s Diabetes Prevention Program to embezzle $5,000 or more in federal grant money. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced  to 300 months (25 years) in prison for charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms. 

According to court documents, Christian Michael Woodruff, 33, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

In February 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Woodruff was selling meth from his home in Topeka. Following an investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodruff’s residence while he was there. Agents found 1,190.1 grams of meth that lab tests later revealed to be 98 percent pure as well as multiple guns, ammunition, and a silencer.

“This case is another example of the connection between drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.  ATF will continue to prioritize keeping repeat violent offenders off our streets because it is a critical component of keeping our communities safe,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “It is illegal for convicted felons to possess guns, and we will vigorously investigate repeat offenders who continue to arm themselves. I’m grateful for the work our agents and partners put into this case. I hope with this sentence today the community will be a little bit safer.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Hough prosecuted the case.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging an Arizona man with kidnapping then holding a victim for ransom. 

According to court documents, Martin Brandon Gillen, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of transporting child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of a child (production), and one count of transportation for criminal sexual activity.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Stephen Barnhart, 58, of Wichita, was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting the case.

James Arnold Martinez, 26, of Oklahoma was indicted on one count of cyberstalking a child, one count of sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of distribution of child pornography. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. 

Ruben Ortiz-Moreno, 35, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, of Olathe, Kansas, the former vice president of KanRus Trading Company Inc., pleaded guilty today for his role in a years-long conspiracy to circumvent U.S. export laws by filing false export forms with the U.S. government and, after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continuing to sell and export sophisticated and controlled avionics equipment to customers in Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Robertson, by his own admission, conspired to sell advanced U.S. avionics equipment to Russian customers in violation of U.S. law,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. “The Justice Department will not tolerate those who seek to undermine the effectiveness of export controls that protect critical U.S. technology and deter Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.”

“Robertson’s guilty plea is reflective of the strong evidence gathered against him by federal investigators and the solid case presented by federal prosecutors,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “Our nation is both proud and grateful to these men and women at the Department of Justice who seek to protect the United States and our national security interests from adversaries both foreign and domestic.”

“Those who seek to profit by illegally selling sophisticated U.S. technology to our adversaries are putting the national security of our country at risk and that cannot be tolerated,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “It is appalling that the defendant schemed to smuggle avionics equipment to customers overseas including Russia, a nation engaged in a long-running military conflict with Ukraine. The FBI will work with our partners to stop the illegal flow of sensitive U.S. equipment and technology to foreign adversaries.”

“You might think that smuggling sensitive U.S.-origin technology to Russia, including to their Federal Security Service (FSB), means we’re not in Kansas anymore. Unfortunately, in this case, we were,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew A. Axelrod. “We will continue to hold individuals everywhere, including those at the highest rungs of the corporate ladder, accountable when they violate our laws by lying on forms and transshipping items through third countries.”

According to court documents, as part of his guilty plea, Robertson admitted that between 2020 and when he was arrested in March 2023, he conspired with others – including co-defendants Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky of Lawrence, Kansas, and Oleg Chistyakov, aka Olegs Čitsjakovs, of Riga, Latvia, – to smuggle U.S.-origin avionics equipment to end users in Russia, as well as Russian end users in other foreign countries by, among other actions, knowingly filing false export forms and failing to file required export forms with the U.S. government. In these forms, Robertson and his conspirators lied about the exports’ value, end users, and end destinations.

Robertson further admitted that on at least one occasion in 2021, he, Buyanovsky, and Chistyakov smuggled a repaired Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) to the FSB by removing the FSB sticker from the device before sending the device to a U.S. company to be repaired and then exporting the TCAS back to the FSB in Russia. At the time, the FSB was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for its interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.  

Robertson further admitted that after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and the U.S. government tightened export controls concerning Russia, he, co-defendants Buyanovsky and Chistyakov, and other conspirators continued to purchase and export U.S.-origin avionics equipment to customers in Russia and took numerous steps to hide their illegal activity from law enforcement, including by lying to U.S. suppliers about the intended end users; shipping goods through intermediary companies in Armenia, Laos, the United Arab Emirates, and Cyprus; continuing to file false export forms with the U.S. government; and using foreign bank accounts in countries other than Russia, such as Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, and the Czech Republic, to promote their illegal export activity.

On Dec. 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce added many of the entities and individuals involved in KanRus and Robertson’s illegal export scheme to the Commerce Department’s Entity List as part of the U.S. government’s interagency efforts to dismantle Russian procurement networks designed to circumvent U.S. export controls and sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Entity List imposes specific license requirements on all listed individuals and entities.

In December 2023, Buyanovsky, the former President and owner of KanRus, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering and consented to the forfeiture of over $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and accessories, and a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.

On March 19, Chistyakov, a former KanRus broker, was arrested in Riga, Latvia, for his role in the illegal smuggling scheme. Chistyakov remains detained in Latvia pending extradition proceedings.

As a result of today’s guilty plea, Robertson faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, 20 years in prison for each of the two Export Control Reform Act counts, and 20 years in prison for the money laundering count. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3.

The FBI and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case. The Latvian authorities are assisting the investigation. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided substantial assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance.

The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri woman was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home confinement after keeping money that her company collected as payroll taxes from employees instead of sending the funds the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as required by federal law.

According to court documents, Chelli Payne, 59, of Raymore, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to account for or pay over employment taxes. 

A Family Tree Enterprises (AFTE), is a business in Olathe, Kansas, providing day and residential services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. AFTE withheld taxes from its employees' paychecks, including federal income taxes. 

Based on her position with the company, it was Payne’s responsibility to oversee collecting and paying over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of AFTE. In most quarters between the second quarter of 2015 and 2019, Payne failed to pay over the withheld employment taxes causing a tax loss to the IRS of $1,055,367.

A federal judge also ordered Payne to pay restitution in the amount of $1,055,367.

IRS- Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Oakley prosecuted the case.

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man made his initial appearance after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, indicted him on multiple charges related to sex trafficking multiple victims, including children.

 According to court documents, Elijah Z. Haley, 21, of Atchison was indicted on two counts of sex trafficking of a child, two counts of sex trafficking accomplished by force, fraud, or coercion, two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity.

The defendant made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kansas Highway Patrol, Atchison, Kansas Police Department, and the Boone County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

WICHITA, KAN. – A former Kansas physician was sentenced to 120 months in prison following a jury trial conviction and a plea agreement based on charges for selling opioid prescriptions to customers without legitimate medical need for powerful pain medications. 

According to court documents, Steven R. Henson, 63, of Wichita pleaded guilty to:

•    two counts of conspiracy to dispense, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, •    eight counts of dispensing and aiding and abetting with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, •    five counts of dispensing controlled substances, and 
•    six counts of money laundering.

A jury previously convicted Henson of one count of making a false writing and one count of attempting to obstruct a court order, which were charges in relation to drug offenses.

Between July 2014 and August 2015, Henson admits to examining illegitimate pain patients at his clinic in Wichita and writing them prescriptions for oxycodone, methadone, and alprazolam in exchange for cash. He would typically meet his co-conspirator customers during non- business hours without staff present and charge $300 for the visit. These co-conspirator customers told Henson which controlled substances they wanted, and he would oblige with a prescription without conducting examinations, obtaining medical history, or determining if the requested medication was needed. Henson would often prescribe the highest possible strengths and high pill counts.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, Newton Police Department, Wichita Police Department, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katie Andrusak and Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

###
 

A Missouri man pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy in connection with his involvement in serious financial misconduct at an international labor organization.

According to court documents, Tyler Brown, 44, of Kansas City, Missouri, was employed by the Kansas City, Kansas, headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmith, Forgers, and Helpers (the “Boilermakers Union”) as chief of staff of the Boilermakers Union and special assistant to the International President of the Boilermakers Union. From 2013 through October 2022, Brown reported directly to the International President and carried out his directives. Between those dates, Brown was involved in numerous instances of unlawful misappropriation of union funds, including:

• purchasing merchandise and hundreds of restaurant meals for the International President and his wife in their hometown that were not necessary to conduct union business or benefit the union or its members;
• employing several family members of international officers who received several hundred thousand dollars in salary, reimbursed expenses, unearned vacations, and benefit contributions for minimal or no productive work; and
• paying for dozens of international trips to Europe, Asia, and Australia for large entourages of international officers and employees of the Boilermakers Union, their families, and outside guests whose travel was not necessary to conduct union business or benefit the union or its members.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District Kansas; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office; and Denver-St. Louis District Director Christiane Abendroth of the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards made the announcement.

The FBI and Department of Labor are investigating the case. 

Trial Attorney Vincent Falvo of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Jabari Wamble for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to using his position as a bank executive to embezzle millions of dollars causing the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors.

According to court documents, Shan Hanes, 52, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer. 

Hanes previously served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas. From May 2023 to July 2023 Hanes initiated a series of 10 outgoing wire transfers totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet. The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“Shan Hanes is a liar and a master manipulator who caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse. Even as he was squandering away tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, Hanes orchestrated schemes to cover his tracks concerning the losses at the bank,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds, but at least we at the Department of Justice can see that Hanes is held criminally responsible for his actions.” 

“Shan Hanes exploited his position as a bank executive to commit fraud and embezzle funds that ultimately led to Tri-State Bank’s failure,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice bank executives who engage in illegal activities that undermine the public trust. I commend our agent and law enforcement partners for their diligent work that ultimately led to this outcome.”

Hanes is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, 2024, and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Federal Reserve Board - Office of Inspector General (FRB-OIG), and Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General ((FHFA-OIG) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting the case.

###
 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to drug trafficking. 

According to court documents, a federal jury convicted Theresa Hight, 60, of Topeka, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.  The jury found Hight not guilty of one count of distribution and posses with the intent to distribute controlled substances.

Three additional co-defendants pled guilty in the case. Shelli Lynn Zarazua, 59, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. On May 1, 2024, Zarazua was sentenced to 120 months in prison. 

Anabell Madrigal, 58, of Chula Vista, California, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on April 24, 2024, was sentenced to 24 months in prison.

Allen Joseph Baker, 45, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on May 1, 2024, was sentenced to 105 months in prison.

In March 2021, law enforcement officers received information that a courier was scheduled to drop off illegal narcotics at Hight’s residence in Topeka.  While conducting surveillance, officers observed Madrigal arrive at the house.  After a short time inside, Madrigal, Zarazua, Hight, and Baker all left in separate vehicles. Officers conducted traffic stops on each of the suspects. They found a pound of methamphetamine on Baker’s person as well as 17 bundles of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Hight had an ounce of methamphetamine and digital scales. Officers discovered three bundles of cash concealed in the panels of Madrigal’s vehicle. The total weight delivered on this occasion was approximately 20 pounds. Officers learned this was the second delivery which occurred at Hight’s residence. 

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Debenham and Sara Walton prosecuted the case.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from his former employer. 

According to court documents, Jason Matthew Pennington, 52, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. 

Pennington worked at an animal hospital in Derby, Kansas, as a bookkeeper and office assistant. Because of his position, Pennington had access to the company’s financial records and payroll system. In July 2020, he embezzled approximately $41,000 by making unauthorized wire transfers from the company’s payroll system to his personal bank accounts. As part of his plea agreement, Pennington agreed to pay full restitution to the animal hospital.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lanny Welch and Aaron Smith prosecuted the case.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned separate indictments charging two former employees of the U.S. Postal service with stealing the contents of mail.  

According to court documents, Alexa Garner-Cavender, 36, of Wichita is charged with four counts of theft of mail by a postal employee. Garner-Cavender is accused of stealing checks from the mail on multiple occasions in 2023 totaling approximately $4,800. 

In a separate, unrelated case, Dylan Ellis, 30, of Andale is charged with one count of delay or destruction of mail by postal employee. Between January and February of 2024, Ellis is accused stealing U.S. currency (cash) from the mail.

The U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General is investigating the cases. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting the cases.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Carletos Amaro, 26, of Wichita was indicted on one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case.

Jesus Castelo-Roman, 30, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.

Matias Pascual, 24, of Salina was indicted on two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 21 months in prison for threatening to kill the President of the United States of America. 

According to court documents, Cody McCormick, 28, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of making a threat against the President of the United States. 

In April 2023, McCormick sent a Wichita television station a Facebook message detailing his intention to murder U.S. President Joseph (Joe) Biden. The message read in part, “I will get a Greyhound bus ticket and go and shoot him."

U.S. Secret Service agents interviewed McCormick. The agents asked McCormick if they needed to be worried about him if President Biden came to Wichita. McCormick responded that if given the opportunity, he would "force him (POTUS) to step down from office" and would "kidnap him". He also told agents, "My intent is to kill Joe Biden if I don't get the help I need."

The U.S. Secret Service and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster prosecuted the case.

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A pair of Kansas brothers will serve time in prison for opening fire on law enforcement officers as the officers were investigating an earlier, related shooting.

According to court documents, G’Ante Butler, 24, and Zarion Butler, 26, of Kansas City, Kansas, were both sentenced to 190 months’ imprisonment.
In December 2023, a federal jury found G’Ante Butler guilty of one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Zarion Butler subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Co-defendants Nadarius Barnes, 24, Chase Lewis, 23, and Donnell L. Hall, 28, all of Kansas City, Kansas, each pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Barnes was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment, Lewis (a driver who did not shoot at officers) was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment, and Hall is awaiting sentencing.

On August 3, 2020, Kansas City, Kansas police officers responded to a “shots fired” call at a house where the Butler brothers’ parents lived on Farrow Avenue.  In response to the investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agents and federally deputized Task Force Officers (TFOs) went to North Allis Street and arrested a suspect in the Farrow Avenue shooting.  As the officers were returning to their vehicles, multiple shooters began firing at them. The officers tried to immediately take cover, however, not before an officer and a civilian bystander were struck by gunfire.

The Butlers, Barnes, and Hall shot at the North Allis Street house in retaliation for the earlier shooting on Farrow Avenue.  Officers later recovered numerous spent shell casings (including 9mm, .40 caliber, .45 caliber, 5.56 caliber, and 7.62 caliber casings) from an alley west of the targeted North Allis Street home. 

“Numerous brave Law Enforcement Officers started their day in August of 2020 doing their job by executing a lawful search warrant when they were ambushed by four individuals.  No one can be allowed to shoot at law enforcement. This sentence sends a clear warning to anyone who thinks they can shoot at Law Enforcement and get away with it – they cannot.  If they try, we will tirelessly work with the United States Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute them to the fullest extent provided by law,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division.  “The actions of the ATF Special Agents and officers from our partner agencies that day are truly commendable as they acted with high regard not only for their safety but those of the surrounding community.  I am both grateful for, and inspired by, the professionalism shown by the ATF agents who risked their lives that morning.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Trent Krug are prosecuting the case. 

OCDETF Strike Force Cases
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.  The specific mission of the OCDETF Kansas City Metro Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle major criminal organizations and subsidiary organizations, including criminal gangs, transnational drug cartels, racketeering organizations, and other groups engaged in illicit activities that present a threat to public safety and national security and are related to the illegal smuggling and trafficking of narcotics or other controlled substances, weapons, humans, or the illegal concealment or transfer of proceeds derived from such illicit activities in the Western District of Missouri and District of Kansas. The OCDETF Kansas City Metro Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Kansas City, Missouri, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal Service (USMS), the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Missouri (USAO-WDMO), the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas (USAO-KS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation Division (IRS/CID), the United States Secret Service (USSS), and the United States Postal Inspection Service,  and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man made his initial appearance before a federal judge following an indictment for defrauding clients of his accounting firm.   

According to court documents, Quintin Flanagin, 43, of Colby is charged with seven counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, two counts of false statements, and six counts of money laundering. 

Flanagin, a certified public accountant (CPA), is part owner of the accounting firm, Williams Consulting. The owners of Diamond M. Farms in Thomas County contracted the firm to perform CPA duties for the company. Flanagin acted as signatory for Diamond M Farms bank accounts and prepared payroll. 

Flanagin created a fictitious business called Middle Finger Ranch and added the company name to his personal bank account.  Between December 2021 and August 2022, the defendant allegedly wrote multiple checks and initiated wire transfers totaling approximately $409,710 from Diamond M. Farms to Middle Finger Ranch under the guise of being payments for farm operations. 

In 2021, Flanagin hired a construction company to build him a new house. The transaction records indicate he paid the contractor from the Middle Finger Ranch bank account within days of the funds being transferred from Diamond M. Farms 

The defendant made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman with making threats against current and former nationally elected officials.

According to court documents, Lori Davis, 40, of Park City is charged with one count of threats against a former president of the United States and one count of threats against the president of the United States. 

Davis is accused of calling the Clinton Foundation in New York in September 2021 and leaving a message threatening to kill former U.S. President William (Bill) Clinton. 

In 2024, Davis is accused of making multiple posts on social media threatening to murder U.S. President Joseph (Joe) Biden.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Ismael Deleon-Ortega Jr, 59, Liberal of was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case. 

Devin Dewater, 27, of Wichita was indicted on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

TOPEKA, KAN. – A man pleaded guilty to taking part in a $1 million fraudulent customer refund scheme involving more than a dozen defendants. 

According to court documents, Mercele Brooks, 28, of Harker Heights, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact to laundering monetary instruments. 

Kanesha Mercer, Darius Polite, Rudy Hunt, and Veronica Kilman were employees at Advanced Call Center Technologies ("ACCT") in Junction City, Kansas. Their duties included processing customer refunds for AT&T Digital Life home security systems. Between December 2016 and August 2018, they processed fraudulent refund claims totaling approximately $1 million. They deposited the funds into the bank accounts of co-conspirators who would return a portion of the money to the employees. Accounts owned or controlled by Brooks received $100,317 in wire fraud proceeds.

 “This type of fraud, put simply is greed driven.  These crimes are not victimless, as ultimately costs are passed on to the consumer.  This investigation determined that multiple bad actors took part in this scheme, and this plea demonstrates that these individuals are being held accountable for their actions,” said Stephen A. Cyrus, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.

Kanesha Mercer, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 14 months in prison. 

Kory Epps Jr., 25, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and was sentenced to 10 months in prison. 

Caylon McCormick pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Darius Polite, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing.

Anthony Charite, 33, Kiondra Armstrong, 30, Fontelle Jolly, 26, Veronica Kilman, 33, Rudy Hunt, 32, and Sharika Pope, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. 

Erica Jackson, 41, and Shunqureau Gilbert, 30, pleaded guilty to laundering of monetary instruments.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting the case. 

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man was sentenced to 100 months in prison for bank robbery. 

A federal jury had convicted Richard Ruston, 54, of Independence, Missouri, for robbing a bank in Shawnee, Kansas, in July 2022.

According to court documents, Ruston entered First Interstate Bank on Shawnee Mission Parkway wearing a red bandana covering his face and neck, a dark bandana covering the top of his head, a long-sleeve shirt with a snake-skin pattern, sunglasses, and gloves. He approached a bank teller, lifted his shirt, displayed a firearm in his waistband, and said to her, “Put the money on the counter, do it now, do it now.”  Fearing for her safety, the teller complied with the demand. Ruston took the money and fled the scene.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Shawnee, Kansas Police Department, with valuable assistance from the Merriam, Kansas Police Department, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, and Liberty, Missouri Police Department, investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug prosecuted the case.

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 180 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl. 

Devonte Smith, 28, of Wichita pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

According to court documents, in April 2023, Smith and a co-defendant traveled by plane from Wichita to Arizona, to purchase fentanyl-laced pills, which they arranged to bring back to Kansas.  In his plea agreement, Smith admitted he flew back to Wichita and directed a co-defendant to return to Kansas with the pills, which were seized by law enforcement in a car driven by a second co-defendant. 

Law enforcement’s car stop occurred in Pratt, Kansas, resulting in the discovery of more than 100,000 pills which tests confirmed were fentanyl-laced. 

Criminal charges against the co-defendants are pending within the court system.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deb Barnett and Ola Odeyemi prosecuted the case.

OCDETF
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement with a Kansas medical facility to resolve allegations that the hospital failed to reasonably accommodate a deaf patient by not providing a sign language interpreter in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher announced today. 

Under the settlement, Prime Healthcare Services – Providence, LLC doing business as Providence Medical Center (“PMC”), located in Kansas City, Kansas, agrees to compensate the aggrieved deaf individual for his inability to effectively communicate with the medical team during his five-day hospital stay. In addition, PMC agreed to change its policies and practices to come into compliance with their obligations under the ADA, which include:

•    providing patients and companions who are deaf or hard of hearing with appropriate auxiliary aids and services that are necessary for effective communication; •    designating at least one employee as an ADA Administrator or ADA Co-Administrators who will be on call and available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week to answer questions and provide appropriate assistance regarding auxiliary aids and services including qualified interpreters;  •    maintaining a log for requests for qualified interpreters on site or through video remote services that documents the time and date the request, patient’s name, the time and date of the scheduled appointment; and
•    establishing a complaint resolution mechanism to investigate disputes regarding effective communication with deaf patients and companions.

“All patients deserve clear explanations about the nature of their diagnosis and medical treatment so they can have a full understanding of their options and make well-informed decisions about their healthcare,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “A patient’s disability doesn’t relieve a medical facility and its staff of their obligation to provide effective communication.” 

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Unit at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/civil-rights or they may call (855) 321-5549.  Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).

The United States is represented by Assistant United States Attorney, Andrea L. Taylor of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City, Kansas.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN.– A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas businessman with 27 counts of criminal misconduct connected to altering vehicle odometers.

According to court documents, Adam Newbrey, 31, of Derby operated three used car dealerships in Wichita including Ideal Motors, Midwest Wholesale, and Prestige Motors.

In 2020 and 2021, Newbrey allegedly purchased used vehicles in Kansas and Oklahoma, altered the odometers, and then used fraudulent documents to obtain titles from the Kansas Department of Revenue reflecting the falsified odometer readings. He is also accused of using the titles with the mispresented mileage to defraud customers who purchased vehicles.

Newbrey is charged with:

•    one count of conspiracy to commit odometer fraud, •    nine counts of odometer tampering, •    seven counts of mail fraud,  •    nine counts of aggravated identity theft, and
•    one count of wire fraud.

The defendant made his initial court appearance March 15, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks Severson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. 

The Kansas Department of Revenue – Office of Special Investigations and the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Barnett is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###