District of Kansas

A Kansas man was indicted by a federal grand jury for using guns, death threats and racial slurs to intimidate Black people and interfere with multiple federally-protected rights.

The indictment alleges that, on July 27, 2022, Austin Schoemann, 30, of Wichita, brandished a firearm and used racial slurs in order to threaten two Black juveniles, Victims 1 and 2, while they were entering a QuikTrip gasoline station. In addition to intimidating and interfering with the two young men, Schoemann used his firearm to threaten a Black adult, Victim-3, who intervened in support of the juveniles’ federally-protected right to be free from racial discrimination when visiting a gasoline station. The indictment also charges Schoemann with using a firearm during and in relation to these crimes of violence.

The indictment further alleges that beginning in January 2022 and continuing through August 2022, Schoemann interfered with the federally-protected housing rights of a white woman, Victim-4, by making threats to hurt or kill any Black people who visited her home. The indictment alleges that Schoemann made many of these threats in-person, and that he would stand outside of Victim-4’s house and shout threats and racial slurs on occasions when he believed she had Black visitors in her house or planned to do so. Schoemann is also charged with two violations of using the internet to distribute videos and messages to Victim-4’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people.  

Schoemann faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the firearms charges, a maximum penalty of five years in prison for distribution of threating messages online and a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas and Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI Kansas City Field Office made the announcement. 

The FBI Kansas City Field Office investigated the case.  

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

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

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 262 months in prison for creating pornographic images of children.

In February 2023, Marquis Williams, 31, of Shawnee pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. 

According to court documents in May 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent information to the Shawnee Police Department about possible child pornography or solicitations over the Internet. The Shawnee Police Department is a partner in the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The tip stated 230 child pornography images had been uploaded into a Dropbox account.

An investigation led to Marquis Williams, and with a search warrant for his residence, officers retrieved a cell phone that included 550 images of suspected child pornography. Some of the images were of Williams molesting two children under the age of 12. Williams admitted to investigators that the Dropbox account was his and admitted to the sexual assaulting the children.

“The United States Secret Service is proud of the effective partnerships it maintains with the Shawnee Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the United States Attorney’s Office, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in seeing justice served in this case,” said Kansas City Field Office Special Agent in Charge Brandon Bridgeforth.  “We can think of no greater outcome than this sentence in protecting our children from predators such as Marquis Williams.”

The Shawnee Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra prosecuted the case.

###
 

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

According to court documents, Noel Carias Marin, 47, of Wichita was indicted on four counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intention to distribute methamphetamine. Marin has been known to also go by the name Ruben Gonzalez Lopez. 

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ola Odeyemi and Katie Andrusak are prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Cody McCormick, 27, of Wichita was indicted on three counts of making a threat against the President of the United States. The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Treaster and Katie Andrusak are prosecuting the case.

Kenny Rivera-Colon, 28, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Treaster and Katie Andrusak 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. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Missouri man with robbing a bank in Kansas.

According to court documents, in February 2023, Troy Robbins, 53, of Smithville, Missouri, is accused of entering a Chase Bank in Leawood, Kansas, and using force to take U.S. currency from a bank employee.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel 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 woman and a man from Kansas with drug trafficking crimes. 

According to court documents, Regan Viner, 29, and Abram Velo, 41, both of Wichita, are charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine with intention to distribute and one count of possession of fentanyl with intention to distribute. Velo is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak are prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Jomarion E. Nelson, 19, and Dornayja D. Acon, 19, both of Wichita were indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Goddard Police Department, and the Mesa, Arizona Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deb Barnett and Ola Odeyemi 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.– A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging six people with conspiring to smuggle contraband into a federal prison in Kansas. 

Dale Gaver III, 35, Dale Gaver II, 54, Joshua Hamilton, 37, and Rex Hill, 33, all of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged with one count of conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison. Additionally, Melvin Edwards, 44, and Tamarae Hollman, 36, of Riverside, California, are charged with one count of conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison.

According to court documents, between August 2020 and May 2021, Edwards, Gaver II, Gaver III, Hamilton, Hill, and Hollman are accused of conspiring to smuggle prohibited items into Leavenworth Penitentiary by allegedly using a drone to drop contraband such as cellular phones, K2 (synthetic cannabinoid), marijuana, and tobacco into the yard. 

Hill is also charged with one count of attempting to provide prison contraband. Gaver III, an inmate at Leavenworth Penitentiary during the conspiracy time frame, is also charged with one count of attempted possession of prison contraband and one count of possession of prison contraband.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane 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 admits to defrauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program of approximately $1 million intended to help elderly and low income residents with rental housing expenses. Perry Johnson, 55, of Ozawkie pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement on loan or credit applications.

Rural Development works with rental property owners to subsize rent and maintenance repair expenses on behalf of low income and elderly tenants. Rural Development has a policy requiring all properties to submit Identity of Interest (IOI) disclosures concerning any personal relationships with vendors performing work on properties.

According to court documents, between 2014 and 2017, Johnson worked as the regional manager of a company that managed 47 properties in Kansas. He was responsible for each property’s budget and approval of contracts. Johnson ignored the IOI policy and created approximately $1 million in vendor maintenance and repair invoices in the names of relatives and friends from which he financially benefited. Johnson also created false worksheets claiming his son resided at three different rural housing apartments although his son was never a tenant at any of those properties.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 21, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The USDA – Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting the case.

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former nurse was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison for stealing fentanyl from two hospitals where she worked. 

Faith Naccarato, 42, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of tampering with a consumer product and two counts of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge. 

According to court documents, between January 2020 and April 2020, Naccarato, used her fingerprint to remove vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet in the surgical specialty unit at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park. She replaced the fentanyl with saline solution before placing the vials back in the cabinet.

Between February 2020 and April 2020, Naccarato took vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet in the noninvasive cardiology unit at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Meriam. She replaced the fentanyl with saline solution and then placed the vials back in the cabinet.

Naccarato told investigators she stole the fentanyl for personal use. 

“Our medical facilities are not immune from the effects of the growing fentanyl addiction crisis in our country, and as a result, the District of Kansas prosecutes a growing number of cases against health care providers accused of stealing medication intended to go to patients,” said Kate E. Brubacher,

U.S. Attorney. “The Justice Department believes stopping these abuses is paramount to guarding the public trust: people must have confidence in the integrity of their health care.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.

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

###
 

KANSAS CIY, KAN. – A Kansas man who led police on a high-speed chase was sentenced to 195 months in prison for drug trafficking. 

According to court documents, in October 2022, Russell Loomis, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

In September 2019, Loomis went to a home in Kansas City, Kansas, to deliver approximately 86 grams of methamphetamine in what was a controlled buy set up by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Loomis drove away from the residence, and a short time later the Kansas City, Missouri police attempted to pull him over. Loomis refused to stop and initiated a chase in which multiple law enforcement agencies and an aerial unit joined in the pursuit. Loomis struck two DEA vehicles, a Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle, and a Kansas Department of Transportation dump truck before eventually losing control and crashing. He was then taken into custody. Law enforcement officers found 150.6 grams of methamphetamine and guns in his vehicle.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Olathe Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra, Trent Krug, and Michelle McFarlane prosecuted the case.

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman with stealing gift cards from the mail as an employee of United States Postal Service.

According to court documents, Paula Kendall, 39, of Haysville was indicted on three counts of theft of mail by postal employee for allegedly stealing mail between November and December 2022. 

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

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

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Clifton Ray Weatherspoon, 30, and Antonio Dawayne Knight, 24, both of Wichita were indicted on one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Weatherspoon was also indicted on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deb Barnett and Ola Odeyemi 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. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas is warning the public about phone scams in which callers spoof or fraudulently display themselves as having numbers belonging to government agencies in attempt to defraud victims of money. 

Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be from a government or law enforcement agency while demanding payment is encouraged to immediately hang up. Scammers will do everything they can to keep you from ending the call. Since spoofed phone numbers belong to a legitimate agency, please take the next step by directly calling the agency in question. 

A legitimate caller will encourage you to take the time to verify the information.  

“If the first time you hear about supposedly owing the government money that must be paid immediately is through a phone call, it’s more than likely a scam. That’s not how the government does business, so please take the time to find out if the number in your Caller ID actually belongs to the person with whom you are speaking,” said Duston Slinkard, First Assistant.

If you are a victim of a phone or an online scam, immediately contact the bank you used to try to recall the wire transfer. Then file an online complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.IC3.gov).

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 18 months in prison and his nursing license forfeited after stealing controlled substances from his employer.

According to court documents, in March 2021, Alec Ramirez, 32, of Overland Park removed vials of fentanyl and hydromorphone from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park and replaced the substances with an alternate liquid before returning the vials to the cabinet.

In December 2022, Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations investigated the case.

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

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for bank fraud and tax fraud in connection to a scheme to defraud her former employers of millions of dollars.  

In May 2022, Nancy Martin, 78, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aid or assist filing a false tax document. Martin defrauded Mid-Kansas Wound Specialists and Emergency Services P.A. for whom she worked as a bookkeeper, business manager, and chief operating officer. Between 2012 to 2017, Martin embezzled approximately $3.1 million by fraudulently obtaining money from her employers’ banks meanwhile falsifying accounting entries to disguise the embezzlement as payments or transferred funds between entities. Martin spent the stolen funds on personal expenses, travel, and investments.

From 2013 to 2016, Martin either filed tax returns or caused tax returns to be filed to the Internal Revenue Service that omitted income.

In addition to the 48 months in prison, a federal judge ordered Martin to pay more than $3.2 million in restitution to the victims and approximately $670,000 in restitution to the IRS.

“For years Nancy Martin abused her employment position and betrayed the trust of her employers to steal millions of dollars from them, and for that reason she is going to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “The role of the prosecution was to seek justice and try to help victims recover their financial losses.” 

“IRS Criminal Investigation was able to see through Ms. Martin’s sophisticated embezzlement scheme in order to bring justice to the victims involved,” said St. Louis Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Murdock.  “Ms. Martin’s prison time sends a clear message that bank fraud and tax fraud have serious consequences.”  

The IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

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

###
 

WICHITA, KAN.– A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with sex trafficking. 

According to court documents, Markeece Anderson, 30, of Wichita is charged with two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Anderson allegedly coerced a woman to engage in commercial sexual acts.

The Wichita Police Department is investigating the case.

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

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Veronica Mora-Medero, 48, of Ontario, California, was indicted on one count of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case. Special 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.
###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal jury convicted two Kansas men of kidnapping, drug, and gun charges in connection with the 2019 torture of a victim in Kansas City, Kansas.   

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, David Carr, 36, of Kansas City, and James Michael Poterbin, 46, of Edwardsville, supplied methamphetamine that was sold in the Kansas City metropolitan area.  In April 2019, Carr and Poterbin kidnapped the boyfriend of a woman whom they mistakenly believed had stolen drug money from them.  

Carr and Poterbin bound the victim with zip-ties and duct-taped a shirt to his head, pistol-whipped him multiple times, smashed his fingers and beat him with a blunt object, shot him in the legs, and forced a co-conspirator to stab him in the leg. They then wrapped him in plastic and left him alone in the house.  During the torture, Carr and Poterbin used the victim’s phone to contact his girlfriend and demand money in exchange for his release.  

A few days after the victim was released, Carr ordered a co-conspirator to burn the house to the ground, which he did.  

A jury found Carr and Poterbin guilty of kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime.

Sentencing hearings are scheduled for Carr and Poterbin on May 1, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively, before U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson.  They each face a maximum of penalty of life imprisonment.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department investigated the case.  The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department investigated the arson and has provided invaluable assistance.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan J. Huschka and D. Christopher Oakley are prosecuting the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania presented the indictment to a grand jury and prepared the case for trial.  

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 Kansas City Metro Strike Force’s mission also includes targeting violent street gangs and cartel members operating in and around the metropolitan area that are engaged in violent offenses and firearms offenses.

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. –  A Kansas man was sentenced to 96 months in prison time followed by five years of supervised release after he admitted to possessing child pornography images. 

In September 2022, Justin Packham, 34, of Shawnee pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Based on a cybertip, the Shawnee Police Department launched an investigation that revealed dozens of child pornography images had been uploaded into Google Drive using an email account in Packham’s name. Using a subsequent search warrant for Packham’s residence, Shawnee investigators found more than 1,000 child pornography photos and videos on various electronic devices and thumb drives. 

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A California man was sentenced today to 210 months in prison for child pornography distribution.

According to court documents, in August 2022, Bradley Wiley, 29, of Chico, California, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. 

In August 2021, while Wiley was a member of U.S. Air Force stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, he used a Whatsapp account to send another user images of prepubescent children made to engage in sexual acts.

The Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging two people with transporting methamphetamine across state lines.

According to court documents, Orlando Payan-Parra, 39, and Erika Cardona-Carrizales, 43, both of Coachella, California, are charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in air of racketing enterprises. Payan-Parra and Cardona-Carrizales allegedly traveled from California to Kansas with intent to distribute controlled substances. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Kansas Highway Patrol are investigating the case.

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

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Miguel Ordonez-Ramirez, 29, was indicted on one count of unlawful entry after deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon 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 distribution of fentanyl. 

According to court documents, Javyn Johnson, 24, of Wichita sold Chanelle Pratt, 29, of Wichita, what she thought to be two Percocet pills in August 2019. Later the same day, Pratt was found dead in her home after ingesting one of the pills. An autopsy determined her cause of death to be Fentanyl toxicity. In his plea agreement, Johnson claims he didn’t know the tablets contained Fentanyl, however, he acknowledges giving her the Fentanyl that caused her death. 

“Our nation is in the midst of a crisis where lives are lost every day due to Fentanyl poisoning,” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “This case is an example of how the Department of Justice will hold people who distribute Fentanyl accountable.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak are prosecuting the case.

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced to 33 months in prison for bank fraud. 

According to court documents, Stephenie Stites, 52, of Overland Park worked as the accounts payable clerk for Norbrook Inc. In 2020, Norbrook noticed accounting discrepancies and when confronted, Stites admitted to making approximately $72,000 in unauthorized charges on the company’s credit card. A full review showed she’d embezzled more than $712,000 from Norbrook by creating two fake companies and manipulating invoices. As indicated in her plea agreement, Stites spent the stolen money to pay for personal expenses such as home and vehicle expenses, travel, hotels, real estate, and other disbursements. 

A federal judge sentenced Stites to 33 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and ordered her to pay $712,890.27 in restitution to the victim company. 

Charles Dayoub, Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Office of the FBI said, “Stites perpetuated a scheme, misappropriating funds to fake companies and misusing company credit cards for personal gain.  Her actions resulted in the embezzlement of over $700,000 and violated the trust placed in her by her employer.  This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to investigate financial fraud and to hold those individuals accountable for their actions.”

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka prosecuted the case.

###
 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Kansas man today for making death threats against a United States congressman. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Chase Neill, 32, of Lawrence was found guilty of one count of threatening to murder U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner of Kansas. 

Neill is scheduled to be sentenced on April 11, 2023 at 9 a.m. 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 U.S. Capitol Police  and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Skip Jacobs and Steve Hunting are prosecuting the case.

###
 

WICHTA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with crimes related to drug trafficking and firearms.

According to court documents, Clinton Bruner, 49, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Annali L. Vanarsdale, 19, of Wichita was indicted on one count of bank robbery. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mona Furst and Jason Hart 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.

###

WICHITA, KAN.– A federal jury convicted a Kansas man of defrauding federal and state agencies by a total of $355,550 in COVIID-19 business recovery funds.  

Michael Capps, 44, of Wichita was found guilty of submitting false and fraudulent documents on behalf of his companies to Emprise Bank for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans, as well as to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Business Working Capital grants.

The jury convicted Capps of: •    one count of false statement to a bank for a PPP loan,  •    one count of bank fraud – PPP loan,  •    two counts of false statement to the SBA for EIDL loan,  •    two counts of wire fraud SBA,  •    two counts of wire fraud Kansas Department of Commerce, and
•    four counts of money laundering.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan Metzger and Molly Gordon prosecuted the case.

###

TOPEKA, KAN.– A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with producing, receiving, and distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, Andrew Joseph Greeve, 20, of Topeka was indicted on three counts of sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – distribution of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – receipt of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of a mnor – possession of child pornography, and two counts of commission of sex offense by registered offender.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Walton is prosecuting the case.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation please contact the FBI Topeka Office at 785-231-1700 or tips.fbi.gov.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

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. - PharmScript of KS, LLC, a long-term care pharmacy in Lenexa, Kansas, has agreed to pay $3 million to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by dispensing controlled substances to residents in nursing and long-term care facilities without valid prescriptions and that the company was wrongfully reimbursed by the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

PharmScript of KS, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of PharmScript Holdco, LLC and provides medication and pharmaceutical services to patients in skilled nursing facilities and to residents in assisted living facilities in Kansas and Missouri.  PharmScript of KS, LLC self-reported violations of the Controlled Substances Act to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which conducted its own investigation.

“This resolution sends a message that there are rules to be followed when dispensing controlled substances,” said Duston Slinkard, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas. “This office makes it a priority to protect patients from being supplied drugs without valid prescriptions and to ensure that the limited federal program resources are spent according to federal law.”
Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Davis heads the Drug Enforcement Administration division that leads DEA investigations in Kansas and Missouri.

“Because opioids are highly addictive, doctors and pharmacies have a duty to ensure they are prescribing controlled medications according to law to protect their patients’ health and safety,” said Davis. “PharmScript’s dispensing practices were so egregious, it warranted a significant civil penalty.” 

“Improperly dispensing opioids undermines critical measures to address the opioid crisis and puts vulnerable patients at serious risk of overdose and harm,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “Working closely with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to ensure that bad actors are held accountable for disregarding the safety and well-being of patients.” 

In nearly all circumstances, Schedule II controlled substances require a written prescription by a physician, and refills are not permitted by law. The Controlled Substances Act allows pharmacists to dispense Schedule II controlled substances, such as opioid pain medications, without a written prescription only in true emergency situations. When allowed for emergencies, it is only for the quantity of drugs necessary to treat the patient during the emergency period. Emergency prescriptions must promptly be reduced to writing and signed by an authorizing physician within seven days of issuance. Failure to meet these requirements results in an illegal dispensing of controlled substances without a valid prescription.  

The federal government alleged that between October 1, 2019, through March 31, 2021, PharmScript of KS, LLC dispensed Schedule II controlled substances for purported emergencies when quantities of the controlled substances dispensed were greater than what was adequate for the emergency period and that PharmScript of KS, LLC failed to obtain written prescriptions within seven days after a verbal authorization.  The government also alleged that other controlled substances were dispensed without a written prescription and when no verbal authorization was received from a physician.

The government also resolved claims that PharmScript of KS, LLC was improperly paid by the Medicare and Medicaid programs for dispensing controlled substances without valid prescriptions.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division, Kansas City Field Office, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.

The case was handled by Jon Fleenor, Assistant United States Attorney and Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs office.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN.– A Kansas man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $537,000 in restitution for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) out of disability benefits. 

In August 2022, a federal jury convicted Bruce Hay, 54, of Greeley, a U.S. Army veteran, of six counts of wire fraud and 10 counts of theft of government funds. Hay misrepresented and exaggerated the extent of symptoms related to a purported conversion disorder diagnosis to receive more than $500,000 in VA disability benefits to which he was not entitled.

“Misrepresenting symptoms to the VA to fraudulently obtain benefits takes resources from deserving veterans and will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office.  “The VA OIG will continue to vigorously investigate those who would steal from VA benefits programs and taxpayers.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of the Inspector General and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan J. Huschka and D. Christopher Oakley prosecuted the case.

###

TOPEKA, KAN.– A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman and three Florida residents in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare.

According to court documents, Steven A. Churchill, 36, of Boca Raton, Florida, Samson K. Solomon, 25, of Margate, Florida, Elaine J. Balsamo, 58, of Boca Raton, Florida, and Fawn J. Lickteig, 42, of Lawrence, Kansas, are charged with: 

•    one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud;  •    eight counts of health care fraud;  •    six counts of mail fraud; and 
•    four counts of wire fraud. 

Churchill and Balsamo are also charged with four counts of money laundering.

Despite claiming to be a retail pharmacy, the defendants are accused of establishing a fraudulent mail order pharmacy.  Between February 2020 and February 2021, the defendants allegedly used Freestate Pharmacy to submit false claims to Medicare for prescriptions for patients who had not spoken with the doctor and who had not requested the medication. 

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Kenney and Skip Jacobs 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.

###
 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 345 months in prison for conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child (production of child pornography).

According to court documents, Dillon Everman, 30, of Parsons admitted in pleading guilty that he encouraged and requested co-defendant Dustin Strom to sexually abuse two young children and send him images of the abuse. Everman then saved the images and created a shareable link that he made available to Strom and others.

In October 2022, Dustin Strom, 26, of Parsons and was sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child (production of child pornography). 

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Gordon and Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child and taking nude pictures and videos of the child. 

According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.

Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with one count of sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

Joel Cypert, 35, of Columbus is accused of creating sexually explicit images of a prepubescent, minor victim.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) 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 launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
 

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 federal inmate with an assaulting two correctional officers.

According to court documents, Warren Richardson, 46, of Leavenworth Penitentiary is charged with two counts of attempted murder of a correctional officer, two counts of assaulting a correctional officer with a deadly weapon and inflicting bodily injury, two counts of assault of a correctional officer, and one count of possession of contraband in prison. On February 6, 2021, Richardson is accused of using a handmade weapon with a 1.5-inch sharpened metal point to stab two prison guards.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania 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 Kansas businessman was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for his involvement in falsifying his company’s financial statements. 

In January 2022, K. Kevin James, 65, of, Lenexa pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. James was a co-owner of KC United LLC, a holding company for multiple construction companies in Kansas City, Kansas, including Miller Paving LLC. According to court documents, James admitted that from 2008 to 2010, he coordinated with his accountant to manipulate Miller Paving’s quarterly financial records to falsely reflect profit to maintain the company’s banking and bonding relationships. 

Also, James failed to make the payroll taxes payments for three of his companies to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) totaling approximately $5,282,509. 

As part of his sentence, the court ordered James to pay more than $6 million in restitution to the IRS and the Bank of Blue Valley

“Employment taxes are an essential part of doing business. Business owners and their advisors have a responsibility to collect and turn over all taxes withheld to the IRS,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Murdock.  “Mr. James willfully conspired to falsify financial statements to avoid paying his share of his company’s employment taxes. The sentence reinforces the commitment of IRS-CI and its law enforcement partners to bringing tax cheats to justice.” 

IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIG-TARP) investigated the case.

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

###

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas priest and a New York businessman in connection with a scheme to defraud a foster care organization of $10 million. 

According to court documents, Robert Nelson Smith, 50, of Salina is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

William Byrd Whymark, 50, of Mount Kisco, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering. 

Saint Francis Ministries (SFM) is a 501c(3) faith-based organization in Salina, Kansas, that provides foster care and social services in the states of Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. In 2018, the SFM board agreed to upgrade its IT systems, hardware, and software programs. As the SFM Chief Executive Officer, Robert Smith, an ordained Episcopal priest, entered into an agreement on behalf of SFM with a company owned by William Whymark. Smith is accused of approving and authorizing payments of fraudulent, overinflated invoices submitted by Whymark.

Smith is also accused of using SFM credit cards for personal, unauthorized expenditures.

Robert Smith is scheduled for his initial court appearance today at 1:30 p.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. 

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Kenney and Skipper Jacobs 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.

###

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced on November 8, 2022 to 24 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm. On August 22, 2022, William McGold, 47, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

In April 2021, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies pulled McGold over in a traffic stop. McGold was unable to produce a driver’s license, and deputies discovered that the vehicle he was driving had been reported as stolen.  McGold was arrested, and the vehicle was searched.  During the search, deputies discovered a safe under the driver’s seat, and a key to the safe was located on McGold’s key chain.  When the safe was opened, deputies found a loaded firearm, which McGold admitted was his.  

McGold was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony conviction.  

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger prosecuted the case.

OTHER SENTENCINGS

Raul Galindo-Martha, 41, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to re-entry of a removed alien and was sentenced to 46 months. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger prosecuted the case.

###
 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man has been charged by criminal complaint with one count of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery.

According to the complaint, Lucas John Royce Spies, 27, of Harrisonville, Missouri, allegedly used an intimidating note in an attempt to rob Bank Midwest on West 119th Street in Olathe, Kansas, on November 7, 2022. Spies is also accused of robbing U.S. Bank on West 119th Street in Olathe, Kansas, a short time later the same day.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Olathe Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan is prosecuting the case.

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

###
 

MADISON, WIS. – An indictment has been returned today by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin, charging a Windsor, Wisconsin man with two counts of making threats to injure an individual.  The indictment is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The indictment charges Michael A. Yaker, 52, with sending electronic communications threatening to injure a Wisconsin citizen and with posting messages on Facebook threatening to injure a Wisconsin citizen.  The indictment alleges that Yaker sent the electronic communications and posted the messages on Facebook on October 27, 2022.

Yaker was charged with these offenses in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Madison on Friday, November 4.  Yaker was arrested in Syracuse, Kansas on November 4 and he made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Wichita, Kansas on Monday, November 7.  He was ordered held in custody.  His initial court appearance in Wisconsin has not been scheduled.   

If convicted, Yaker faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against Yaker are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Capitol Police, Hamilton County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Attorney O’Shea is handling the prosecution.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon handled Yaker’s appearance in Kansas. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with one count of sexual exploitation of a child -production of child pornography, three counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Jimmy Lynn, 50, of Wichita is accused of using a young child to create sexually explicit images, and he’s accused of distributing child porn.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and Wichita Police Department 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 launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Matthew Albretch, 31, of Wichita was indicted on two counts of aggravated identity theft. The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.

Brian Shrout, 56, of Wichita was indicted on one count of failure to register as a sex offender.  The U.S. Marshal Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon 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 and a Kansas woman were both sentenced to 60 years in prison for committing sexual crimes against children after prosecutors requested the statutory maximum for each count, to run consecutive to each other. 

In June 2022, Dustin Strom, 26, of Parsons pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child (production of child pornography). 

In July 2022, Thommie-Lyn Stansky, 28, of Parsons pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child (production of child pornography).

According to court documents, Strom and Stansky admitted that while living together as a romantic couple in February 2021, Strom expressed to Stansky his sexual interest in children. Stansky then created an image of herself sexually abusing a four-year-old victim and another image of herself sexually abusing a two-year-old victim. She shared these images with Strom. Strom also created images of himself sexually abusing the two -year-old and the four-year-old victims. 

In August 2021, a social media platform reported Strom to law enforcement after some images were sent to other people via the Internet. Federal agents examining Stansky and Strom’s cell phones and social media accounts found communications between them in which they discussed the sexual abuse of children and child pornography. 

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Gordon and Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

###

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men have been charged through criminal complaint in Kansas City, Kansas, on charges related to alleged firearms thefts. Deldrick Bryant, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Benjamin Custis, 19, are charged with two counts of burglary of a licensed firearms dealer.

According to a criminal complaint, on October 16, 2022, the Basehor Police Department responded to a commercial burglary at Free State Gun Company. The business owners told officers an estimated 50 firearms were missing including rifle platforms, shotguns, and pistols. 

Also according to the complaint, on October 17, 2022, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary at Up In Arms, a gun shop in De Soto. After reviewing their inventory, the owners estimated 25 pistols were taken.

Surveillance videos from both scenes show a white Ford pickup was used to breach the businesses by ramming the front doors. On October 18, the pickup truck was spotted in Kansas City, Kansas and investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began tailing the vehicle. When law enforcement officers attempted to make contact, the driver hit a parked car and fled into Kansas City, Missouri where Kansas City, Missouri police officers were able to apprehend the occupants in the vehicle. Several firearms reported stolen from the businesses were recovered inside the pickup.

ATF agents searched the home where Bryant resides and recovered more stolen weapons. 

The Basehor Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department are investigating the case.

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

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

    United States Attorney Duston Slinkard announced today 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 8, 2022, 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 Slinkard 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 Slinkard 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 field offices and resident agencies 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 phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .

    U.S. Attorney Slinkard 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. 

###
 

[TOPEKA, KAN.] – U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard announced that the Department of Justice has awarded $168,085 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Wichita State University, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.

Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.

“The Department of Justice sees great value in investing resources into violent crime prevention initiatives that encourage people to steer away from criminal activity instead of solely allowing for funding to bring perpetrators to justice after someone has been injured or killed” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas is grateful to Wichita State University for agreeing to take the lead on this collaborative effort to make our communities safer places to live.”

“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”

PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.

“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”

The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.

 The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law.  More information about OJP and its components can be found at  www.ojp.gov.

###
 

WICHTIA, KAN.– A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with drug trafficking related offenses.

According to court documents, Grant Lubbers, 36, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession with intention to distribute a controlled substance -Fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Lubbers is accused of possessing 40 grams or more of a substance containing a mixture of Fentanyl. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Brandon Grulkowski, 29, of Eureka was indicted on one count of failure to register as a sex offender. The U.S. Marshal Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.

Jeremy Van Ness, 36, of Cheney was indicted on two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon 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. – The Justice Department announced today the results of its efforts over the past year to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. During the past year, the Department and its law enforcement partners tackled matters that ranged from mass-marketing scams that impacted thousands of victims to bad actors scamming their neighbors. Substantial efforts were also made over the last year to return money to fraud victims. Today, the Department also announced it is expanding its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas.
 

“We are intensifying our efforts nationwide to protect older adults, including by more than tripling the number of U.S. Attorneys’ offices participating in our Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force dedicated to disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This expansion builds on the Justice Department’s existing work to hold accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.”

“As technology evolves so does the complexity of the scams targeting older adults. Unfortunately, too often these fraudulent schemes procure large amounts of money from victims,” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “The DOJ won’t waver in efforts to dismantle these criminal enterprises and bring perpetrators to justice no matter where in the world they are based.”

During the period from September 2021 to September 2022, Department personnel and its law enforcement partners pursued approximately 260 cases involving more than 600 defendants, both bringing new cases and advancing those previously charged. 

This past year, the USAO –District of Kansas prosecuted cases related to fraud committed against senior citizens.
•    In February 2021, Oyindamola Akinrinola, 24, of Lawrence pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. She admitted to receiving more than $160,000 in deposits related to scams and remitting the majority of money to Nigeria after keeping a portion of the proceeds for herself. Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2022.
•    In May 2022, Innocent N. Ugwu, 24, of Fort Riley was indicted on five counts of wire fraud, five counts of laundering monetary instruments, and one count of procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully. Ugwu is accused of conspiring with others to commit fraud using false pretenses and promises, and the omission of material facts to carry out romance, advance fee and other fraudulent schemes.

As part of the USAO –KS’s elder fraud efforts, it engages in outreach to the community and industry to raise awareness about scams and exploitation and preventing victimization.

The Department also highlighted three other efforts: expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, success in returning money to victims and efforts to combat grandparent scams.  

The Department announced that as part of its continuing efforts to protect older adults and bring perpetrators of fraud schemes to justice it is expanding the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Expansion of the Strike Force will help to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat largest and most harmful fraud schemes that target or disproportionately impact older adults.

In the past year, the Department has notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments. Notifications were made to consumers whose information was sold by one of three data companies prosecuted by the Department and were later victims of “sweepstakes” or “astrology” solicitations that falsely promised prizes or individualized services in return for a fee. More than 150,000 of those victims cashed checks totaling $52 million, and thousands more are eligible to receive checks. Also notified were consumers who paid fraudsters perpetrating person-in-need scams and job scams via Western Union. In the past year, the Department has identified and contacted over 300,000 consumers who may be eligible for remission. Since March of 2020 more than 148,000 victims have received more than $366 million as a result of a 2017 criminal resolution with Western Union for the company’s willful failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and its aiding and abetting of wire fraud.

Over the past year, the Department pursued cases against the perpetrators of “grandparent scams,” otherwise known as “person-in-need scams.” These scams typically begin when a fraudster, often based overseas, contacts an older adult and poses as either a grandchild, other family member or someone calling on behalf of a family member. Call recipients are told that their family member is in jeopardy and is urgently in need of money. When recently sentencing one of eight perpetrators of a grandparent scam indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal judge described such scams “heartbreakingly evil.” The Department is working with government partners and others to raise awareness about these schemes.

Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professional who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. [ET]. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

Some of the cases that comprise today’s announcement are charges, which are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

###
 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A man was sentenced today to 69 months in prison for engaging in a wire fraud scheme.

In May 2022, Shawn Lynn Parcells, 42, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to court documents, in July 2016, Parcells, as owner of National Autopsy Services LLC, convinced a client he was qualified to conduct an autopsy based on the false credentials. The client paid the defendant $5,000.00 and received an emailed copy of a final report from Parcells. The report included an opinion made within “a certain degree of medical certainty as a Forensic, Neuro, and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Fellow,” and appeared authored by the defendant.  No pathologist participated in this examination or report.

According to court documents, between May 2016 and May 2019, the defendant used NAS to obtain fees from more than 350 clients for a total amount of $1,166,000. In many cases, the defendant failed to provide an authentic completed report.

“It’s troubling whenever criminals deceptively present themselves as professionals to commit fraud on unwitting victims, but the fact that Parcells’ schemes were predicated upon exploiting the grief and bereavement of others, makes his act a particularly predatory crime,” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

“During their most vulnerable state, Mr. Parcells willfully defrauded individuals while they were grieving the loss of a loved one. He used deception as a means to prey on those looking to find answers surrounding the death of their loved ones by claiming to be a pathologist and being able to provide those answers” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub. “Mr. Parcells fraudulently collected fees and profited on their grief for his own personal gain.  Today’s sentencing sends a clear message - the FBI will hold those accountable who use deception and fraud to take advantage of others in our community.”

The FBI and the Office of the Kansas Attorney General investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney prosecuted the case.

###

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a man with one count of murder in the second degree.

According to court documents, Stryder Dane Keo, 34, is accused of shooting and killing a member of the Kickapoo tribe on the Kickapoo Reservation in July 2022. The federal government has jurisdiction over the offense because the offense occurred within Indian country.

The FBI is investigating the case.

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

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Briar Clayton Eugene Adams, 30, of Leavenworth Penitentiary was indicted on one count of possessing contraband in prison. The U.S. Marshal Service is investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting. 

Chance James John Hannon, 41, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham is prosecuting the case. 

Todd James Lewis, 54, of Carbondale was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of theft of government funds. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney 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 Kansas man is facing prison time after he admitted to downloading child pornographic images from the Internet. Justin Packham, 34, of  Shawnee pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. 

According to court documents, in December 2020, the Shawnee Police Department received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that dozens of child pornography images had been uploaded into Google Drive. An investigation revealed the email account used for the upload belonged to Justin Packham.

In February 2021, Packham was arrested for a parole violation with the State of Kansas Department of Corrections.  After obtaining a search warrant for his residence, Shawnee investigators following up on the cybertip found more than 1,000 child pornography photos and videos on various electronic devices and thumb drives. Packham admitted to law enforcement that he’d downloaded the images from the Internet. 

Packham is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8 and faces a maximum sentence 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 U.S. Secret Service and the Shawnee Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra is prosecuting the case.

###

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual acts with a child and taking nude pictures and videos of the child. According to court documents, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received cybertips from Google, Snapchat, and Dropbox about child sexual abuse material photos and videos within accounts identified as belonging to Joshua Courtney. Agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos, including some of which were later identified to be of a 10-year-old child. Courtney admitted to investigators he took nude photos of the child, filmed himself while engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sent these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

“The Secret Service is proud of the effective partnerships it maintains with the Kansas Bureau of Investigations, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the United States Attorney’s Office, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in seeing justice served in this case,” said Kansas City Field Office Special Agent in Charge Brandon Bridgeforth.  “We can think of no greater outcome than protecting our children from predators such as Joshua Courtney.”

Courtney faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for each count of child exploitation and up to 20 years in prison for each count of possession of child pornography. His sentencing is scheduled for December 1. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra is prosecuting the case.

###

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

WICHTA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a woman with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Brandi Snyder, 34, of Americus is accused of persuading and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction, and she’s accused of allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.

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

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Raymond Walker,51, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession with intention to distribute -methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster 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 federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with three counts of false statement during the acquisition of a firearm.

According to court documents, Todd Hetherington, 26, of Topeka is accused of purchasing a total of six pistols from various licensed dealers in which he allegedly falsely presented himself as the actual transferee or buyer.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case.

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

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Tracee Casselle, 35, Anthony Massengill, 25, and Taylor Sanner, 25, all of Topeka were indicted on one count of controlled substance conspiracy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Skipper Jacobs is prosecuting. 

Fatima Jaghoori, 32, of Mildford, and Habibullah Jaghoori, 39, of Wichita were indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, and one count each of false statement during the acquisition of a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Skipper Jacobs 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 indicted a Kansas man on multiple charges for alleged crimes related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is a federal law providing financial relief to businesses suffering economic losses because of the COVIID-19 pandemic. Under the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is authorized to grant businesses forgivable loans for payroll, utilities, rent, and other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

According to court documents, Timothy Dale Warren, 58, of Haysville is charged with four counts of bank fraud, two counts of money laundering, and four counts of false statements. Warren, a chiropractor, is accused as owner of Titan Medical Center LLC of fraudulently obtaining PPP loans totaling approximately $145,800 from two banks then allegedly using a third bank to conceal the proceeds.

U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard of the District of Kansas made the announcement.

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 the U.S. Department of the Treasury – Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith 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.

###