Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Myles W. Robinson, 21, and Halston M. Smith, 22, both of Shreveport, were sentenced to 314 years in prison and 138 years in prison, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for their participation in a string of armed robberies in Louisiana and Texas.  The defendants were also ordered to pay $17,681.31 and $8,033.31 in restitution, respectively.

After a four-day trial that ended on January 16, 2014, Robinson was found guilty of all 27 counts of the indictment, and Smith was found guilty of 13 counts.  According to testimony and evidence presented at the trial, the robberies took place between June 1, 2012, and November 14, 2012, at 15 businesses in Louisiana and Texas, with the men stealing in excess of $20,000.  In some instances, money was taken from employees and patrons.  In most of the robberies, a firearm or firearms were brandished.  In at least one robbery, a firearm was discharged into the ceiling of a business in Caddo Parish.  Businesses were robbed in Shreveport, Bossier City, Stonewall, Oil City, and Atlanta, Texas.  In addition to Robinson and Smith, two other defendants, James D. Tyson, 22, and Tremario D. Washington, 24, took part in the robberies.

Washington pleaded guilty on June 6, 2013, and Tyson pleaded guilty on July 1, 2013, to one count of conspiracy and one count of using firearms during a crime of violence. On February 5, 2014, Tyson was sentenced to 111 months in prison and Washington was sentenced to 108 months in prison.  They both received three years supervised release.

“Over many months, the men involved in these robberies terrorized employees and customers of the businesses targeted, and now they must face the consequences of their destructive and violent activity,” stated Finley.  “This case demonstrates how effectively area law enforcement agencies can work together to bring criminals to justice.  I want to thank all of the agents and prosecutors for their hard work on this case.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier City Police Department, and the Atlanta, Texas Police Department took part in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Cowles Jr., and Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Lutricia S. Feast, 52, of Youngsville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote to 24 months in prison and one year of supervised release for preparing false tax returns for herself and for her clients.  The Judge also ordered Feast to pay $382,582 in restitution.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on November 25, 2013, Feast was a tax preparer in Lafayette Parish from 2001 to 2009.  From 2006 to 2009, Feast admitted to only reporting a fraction of her income to the IRS.  In one instance on her 2008 tax return, she reported her income as $14,400, when she actually earned $280,170.  The defendant admitted during the guilty plea that between 2006 and 2009, her actual income was $830,986.  She also admitted that she owes $287,860 in unpaid taxes.  Feast filed false information on 22 tax returns in 2009 in order to provide her clients with refunds to which they were not entitled.  She listed losses on tax forms in Schedule C, profit or loss from a business, for her clients, but when interviewed, clients said they had no businesses from which to lose money.  The false returns caused the IRS to issue $96,915 in refunds that were not owed.

 “Tax preparers who file fraudulent tax returns by adding fictitious expenses, false deductions and unallowable credits to a taxpayer’s return are taking advantage of the system,” Finley stated.  “Preparing false tax returns is a serious crime - anyone who chooses to willfully aid or assist in the preparing or filing of false tax returns, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  My office stands ready to assist the IRS during their investigation and will hold these tax preparers accountable for receiving tax credits that they are not entitled to receive.”

“Prior to pleading guilty, Lutricia Feast worked as an income tax preparer where she held herself out to be an expert in the field of tax preparation,” stated Gabriel L. Grchan, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigations, New Orleans Field Office. “She manipulated the income and expenses of unsuspecting clients in order to increase their refund.  By doing this, Feast was able to generate a larger clientele thus increasing her income — income that she failed to report on her own personal income tax return.  Both of these actions are criminal offenses.  It is very important that taxpayers do not shop tax preparers for the highest refund, but instead, find a preparer with a sound reputation that will prepare an accurate tax return.  When you sign your tax return you are agreeing, under penalty of perjury, that the return is correct.”

Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2014.  Visit www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Choosing-a-Tax-Professional for more information. In the past decade, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers.  Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department website.

The IRS conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Walter O. Guillory, 51, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote, to 28 months in prison and one year of supervised release for receiving bribes while running two housing authorities in the Acadiana area and also for his part in a conspiracy to award bids to a preferred contractor in Opelousas.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on February 14, 2014, Guillory served as the Executive Director of the Lafayette Housing Authority (LHA) from June 1998 to October 2010, and he served as Executive Director of the Opelousas Housing Authority (OHA) from November 2005 to November 2010.  During this time period, Guillory sponsored a local baseball team.  He solicited donations from various vendors and contractors of both the LHA and the OHA for “his baseball team.”  From 2006 to 2010, the vendors were expected to make yearly donations in exchange for doing business with the housing authorities.  Some of the contributions were spent on personal expenses and not for the baseball team.  He solicited and received more than $100,000 in bribes from the vendors between 2006 and 2010.

 Guillory also admitted to conspiring with others to circumvent bid laws in order to award construction contracts to one company who performed construction work for OHA.  They used the fake bids to make it appear that several companies were placing bids on construction projects, but in fact, there was only one company being considered.  In addition, they used interstate wire communication facilities including email transmissions for a variety of purposes, which involved sending and receiving emails related to contracts and false bids.  Guillory approved these contracts with full knowledge that the bid rules, laws and regulations were not being followed from 2007 to 2009.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Vincent L. Simmons, 48, of Porter, Texas, was sentenced and Carey Dale Reed, 40, of Conroe, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik for participating in a scheme to steal tractors in Texas and sell them in Louisiana. Simmons was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearings, from December 2010 to October 2011, Simmons conspired with Reed to steal a John Deer mower, a CASE Skidster front end loader, and a Kubota KX 61 Mini-Excavator. They then sold the machinery to Katherine and Ronnie Larocca of Calcasieu Parish, who were also part of the scheme.

 Reed faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy count. A sentencing date was not set.

The Louisiana State Police and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Chanten Keth L. Gauthreaux, 20, of Kinder, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to participating in a home invasion at the Coushatta Tribal Reservation.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, the defendant along with John Harold Materne, Trevor James Simon, Floyd H. Martine, and another suspect traveled on December 3, 2013, in a van to the home of an acquaintance located on property belonging to the Coushatta Indian Tribe near Elton, La., in order to steal illegal drugs. Simon drove the vehicle. With Materne carrying a shotgun, he and Martine entered the home.  While they were robbing the inhabitants, Gauthreaux entered the trailer and helped take pills and marijuana. The group was arrested while fleeing the scene in the van.  Materne and two of the victims are Native American Indians and members of the Coushatta Tribe.

Gauthreaux faces up to 15 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for one count of robbery in Indian Country. On Wednesday, June 4, 2014, Materne, 22, of Ragley, La., pleaded guilty to one count of robbery in Indian Country and also pleaded guilty to one count of brandishing a firearm, which carries penalties of seven years to life in prison, five years supervised release, forfeiture, and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of September 4, 2014 was set for Materne and September 11, 2014 for Gauthreaux.

Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes.  Congress has extended the territorial jurisdiction of the United States to major crimes committed against Native Americans that take place in Indian Country, which includes all property that the government holds in trust or use by officially recognized Native American tribes.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all major crimes and misdemeanor cases arising in Indian Country that are within the jurisdiction of this office.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes cases arising in Indian Country involving felonies where either the defendant or the victim is an Indian or both the defendant and the victim are Indian.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office also prosecutes cases involving misdemeanors where the defendant is a non-Indian.

The Coushatta Tribal Police Department, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.

ABBEVILLE, La.–United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley was the guest speaker today at Abbeville Rotary Club’s weekly meeting held at the Abbeville Country Club where she spoke to members about the role of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“I share the values of community involvement and education with the Abbeville Rotary Club,” Finley said.  “It is always a priority to  speak and share information about what we do at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  I appreciate that the Abbeville Rotary Club invited me to come and spend this time with them and commend them for being strong leaders in the community.”

The 1.2 million-member Rotary International organization started with the vision of Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on February 23, 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.

The Abbeville Rotary Club is composed of community members of diverse backgrounds who contribute to the community by providing donations, labor and other resources to local organizations and projects.  Club members meet once a week at the Abbeville Country Club to share knowledge, socialize, plan events, and learn more about their community.  The current club officers are President, Dr. Lance Savoie, a local dentist; Secretary Pamela Trahan, a tax preparer; and Treasurer Mason Romero, a pharmacist. To learn more about the Abbeville Rotary Club, please visit www.rcabbeville.org.

Finley is the first female U.S. Attorney to serve in Louisiana.  She was selected by President Barack Obama in January of 2010, after being recommended by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.  Finley was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 28, 2010, and sworn into office on June 2, 2010 to serve the Western District of Louisiana as the chief law enforcement officer for 42 of the state’s 64 parishes.  In addition to her duties as the U.S. Attorney, Finley is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, and currently serves as Vice Chair of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Advisory Committee’s Office of Management and Budget Committee.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Mickey Williams, 35, of Shreveport, La., pleaded guilty on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote, to possessing child pornography.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement agents discovered Williams was downloading child pornography using an internet image board. Agents searched Williams’ home on January 28, 2012. After searching the electronic devices and computers found in the home, approximately 150 images of child pornography and one video were found.  Some of the images contained prepubescent child pornography and bestiality.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine for one count of possessing child pornography. He also faces forfeiture of the devices used in the crime.  A sentencing date of September 25, 2014 was set. 

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.  This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls.  Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp. Tips may be reported anonymously.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Ricky Johnson, 53, of Chataignier, La., was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik, to 135 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography.  He was also ordered to forfeit the devices used in the crime.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on February 5, 2014, the investigation revealed that Johnson was downloading child pornography from a file sharing network online in early 2010.  In September of 2010, Johnson’s computer and other electronic devices were searched, and images and videos of child pornography were found.  Johnson has a prior conviction for molestation of a juvenile.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.  This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

Those concerned may also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously.  The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 233-2164.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Shannon Ray Smithers, 33, of Lake Charles, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 120 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possessing child pornography. He is also required to register as a sex offender.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 16, 2014, the defendant admitted to possessing child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations’ agents became aware of Smithers’ possession of child pornography through an undercover operation.  Smithers admitted to agents that he had previously possessed child pornography on his computer as far back as February 26, 2013, but later erased it.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Police, and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus prosecuted the case. 

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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls.  Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Colfax Treating Company, LLC pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to one count of negligent discharge of waste materials in violation of its daily limit permit. Company representative, Johnathan Martin, pleaded guilty on the company’s behalf at the hearing.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Colfax Treating Company, a wood treating facility in Pineville, La., negligently discharged pentachlorophenol on June 13, 2008, into Pineville’s sewer system, which leads to the publicly-owned water treatment works. The company discharged 7.1 milligrams per liter of the chemical in violation of the Clean Water Act. The permitted discharge amount is 5.64 milligrams per liter, which is a difference of 1.46 milligrams per liter. Pentachlorophenol is used in the company’s wood treating process.

The minimum fine for the illegal discharge from the company’s property is $2,500 per day of violation, with a maximum fine of $25,000 per day of violation.  Sentencing is set for August 1, 2014.

“Our environment matters, “Finley stated. “My office will continue to hold accountable those who pollute our air, land and water. Companies and their employees cannot participate in dangerous activities that place the general public in harm’s way. Hopefully this case serves as a deterrent to those who would ignore the environmental laws of this nation and state.”

“The people of Pineville, like other communities, expect a sewage treatment system that is reliable and safe,” said Ivan Vikin, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Louisiana.  “When companies violate pre-treatment rules, improperly discharged waste can sicken people, injure wildlife, and damage expensive equipment. Today’s plea demonstrates that companies will be held responsible for environmental crimes that endanger communities.”

“Pre-treatment programs are in place throughout many of the cities in Louisiana,” said Louisiana DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch.  “These programs place limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that businesses can safely discharge to the city sewers.  Negligently violating pre-treatment limits is a serious issue, and we will continue to work with our federal partners at EPA CID to address and prosecute these types of crimes.”

The criminal investigation divisions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, along with the FBI, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Shelley R. Callahan, 49, of Clinton, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald Walter to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release for making a false statement during a bankruptcy proceeding.  She was also ordered to pay $21,990 in restitution.

After a three-day trial that ended on February 14, 2013, witness testimony and exhibits admitted into evidence established that Callahan filed for bankruptcy protection on August 26, 2010, her eighth bankruptcy filing in nine years. Callahan falsely stated that she had not given any gifts or made any payments to family members prior to filing for bankruptcy protection.  In truth, Callahan received more than $55,000 for a personal injury claim eight months before her latest bankruptcy filing.  Instead of paying her creditors, she provided gifts during the Christmas season and gambling trips to casinos to her family.

The U.S. Trustee’s Office and the FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria Jernigan prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Elliot R. Duke, 30, of Leesville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 240 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for receiving child pornography.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 23, 2014, after receiving information that child pornography was on Duke’s computer, law enforcement personnel searched Duke’s residence on May 14, 2013.  The search revealed there was child pornography on his laptop, and upon further investigation, agents also discovered that Duke had been discussing and trading child pornography with other persons through email.  A forensic examination of Duke’s laptop was conducted and revealed approximately 168 videos and 187 still images of child pornography.

Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case. 

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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls.  Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Calvin James Catalon Jr., 35, of Lafayette, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, a Lake Charles police officer stopped the defendant’s vehicle for a traffic violation on January 17, 2014 on I-10.  After questioning Catalon, the officer conducted a search of the vehicle. A bag containing white powder was found.  The powder was tested at a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory in Dallas and was identified as cocaine with a net weight of approximately 991.8 grams.

Catalon faces five to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine for one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  A sentencing date of August 28, 2014 was set.

The FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake Charles Police Department and the Calcasieu Anti-drug Team conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Christopher Paul Benoit, 34, of Jennings, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to unlawfully import and possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids.  He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 20, 2014, Benoit conspired with others to import and distribute anabolic steroids from January 2007 to June 2012 using the U.S. mail. Benoit ordered the steroids online and paid for the drugs using money wires or debit cards to foreign accounts.  The indictment lists five such orders delivered from China to Jennings from January 2011 to February 2012.  Benoit and his co-conspirators would then take the powdered steroids from the packages, liquefy them, and place them into vials for sale.  One of the co-conspirators, Regan Chase Benoit, 26, also of Jennings and Christopher Benoit’s first cousin, approached Christopher Benoit in 2010 to purchase steroids.  Regan Benoit admitted he later assisted his cousin in liquefying the powder steroids for distribution.  Regan Benoit pleaded guilty to steroid importation, possession, and distribution charges on September 5, 2013.

Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Jennings Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Corey Crosby, 23, of Bossier City, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter, to 18 months in prison for making and selling counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on February 21, 2014, Crosby was identified as the seller and manufacturer of counterfeit money in the Shreveport/Bossier City area in June of 2013.  He sold the counterfeit money and uncut sheets of counterfeit money in denominations of $100, $20, and $10.  Investigators matched Crosby’s fingerprints to a printer used to manufacture the counterfeit notes. Crosby was previously convicted on state charges in Caddo Parish for forgery in November of 2012.

The U.S. Secret Service - Shreveport Office, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport Police Department, and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that John Mark Phillips, 50, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, for failing to update his sex offender registration.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Phillips was convicted in Christian County Missouri on September 22, 1995, for sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 14.  In 2011, he failed to register as a sex offender and was given an 18-month federal sentence for the offense.  On May 2, 2013, U.S. Probation Officers in Missouri transmitted a notice that Phillips had left his Springfield, Mo., residence.  On May 3, 2013, a warrant was issued for Phillips’ arrest, and Shreveport police arrested him later that same day.

Phillips faces up to 10 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for one count of failure to update sex offender registration.  A sentencing date of September 10, 2014 has been set.

The U.S. Marshals Service, Western District of Missouri U.S. Office of Probation, and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that William Joseph Folse, Jr., 51, of Scott, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote, to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release for making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) concerning his disability status in order to fraudulently receive nearly $200,000 in benefits. He was also ordered to pay $199,007.80 in restitution to the SSA.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 22, 2014, Folse applied for and was granted benefits for total disability in the 1990s for a slip and fall accident.  He also signed paperwork acknowledging that he would report his change in job status should he return to work.  Investigators later determined that Folse worked at a restaurant in Lafayette since 1998 and earned more than $12,000 per year plus tips.  It is estimated that he improperly received $199,007.80 from the SSA.
           
The SSA conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Hue Bui, 27, of Erath, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote, to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release for one count of wire fraud involving theft from Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar in Lafayette. Bui was also ordered to pay $30,222.12 in restitution to Walk-On’s.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 22, 2014, while employed as a server at Walk-On’s, Bui stole approximately $30,222 from February 2012 to August 2012.  She devised a scheme using $25 pre-paid American Express, VISA, and Master Card gift cards that she bought herself. During her shift, she would create a fake food or beverage order costing approximately $25, pay for the fake order with the gift card, write in a gratuity amount on the bill, and collect the tips at the end of her shift.  When the credit card companies realized the $25 limit was exceeded, they charged the transactions back to Walk-On’s.
           
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Benfen Zhang, 43, of Flushing, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices to receive cash advances from Louisiana casinos.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Zhang and three Chinese nationals obtained cash advances using unauthorized access devices from November 2012 to September 2013.  Zhang drove his co-conspirators to casinos and provided the counterfeit access devices. The co-conspirators would then get cash advances from the casinos, gamble briefly, and then move to the next casino. The total amount of loss to the casinos is believed to be $103,624.81.  Illegal cash advances were obtained from the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, L=Auberge Casino in Lake Charles, El Dorado Casino in Shreveport, and Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City.

Zhang faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and restitution for one count of conspiracy to possess more than 15 counterfeit or unauthorized access devices.

The Federal Reserve defines an access device as a card, code or other means of access to a consumer’s account or a combination of these used by the consumer to initiate Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT). Access devices include debit cards, personal identification numbers (PINs), telephone transfer and telephone bill payment codes, and other means to initiate EFT or to form a consumer account.

The U.S. Secret Service and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Rodger Dale Seilhan, 63, of New Iberia, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to charges that he failed to update his sex offender registration.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, after failing to report his whereabouts to authorities for two years, the U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies located Seilhan in New Iberia at a relative’s residence. He was arrested on March 11, 2014. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Texas arrested Seilhan on January 21, 1982 for aggravated sexual assault of a child, and he was later sentenced to 15 years in prison. After being released from prison, Seilhan reported residence changes to authorities while he lived in Texas until September 5, 2012. He was found to not be living at his last known address in Willis, Texas, after a sex offender verification check was conducted.

Seilhan faces up to 10 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for one count of failure to update sex offender registration. A sentencing date was not set.

The U.S. Marshals Service, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Herbert S. “Steve” Fouke, 55, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit securities fraud, investment adviser fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud, involving an investment scheme that cost investors $8 million. He was also ordered to pay $6,380,808.03 restitution to victims of the scheme.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on September 6, 2013, Fouke became a client of Richard Buswell and Bowman Investment Group LLC, which was also Buswell’s company. Fouke later became president of the company and recruited friends and business associates to become clients of Bowman Investment Group. Fouke admitted to being present at meetings between Buswell and his clients, during which Buswell made false statements to the clients about his credentials, his commissions, and the rates of return that he guaranteed the clients would receive. Buswell admitted in a guilty plea July 24, 2013 to engaging in frequent and excessive stock trades in order to earn commissions.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Howard C. Parker prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. Communities across the United States are coming together during National Police Week - May 11th through May 17th - to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

“Law enforcement officers face the monumental challenge of protecting and serving the public every day,” stated U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley.  “They risk their lives for all of us, and the men and women of the Western District salute and remember them during National Police Week.  We specifically remember those who have fallen while on duty and the legacy of service their sacrifice leaves.”

This year, the names of 286 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the 2014 Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2014.  These names include officers who were killed during 2013 and officers who died in previous years who have not been previously added to the Memorial.

The fallen officers of 2013 include four members of the law enforcement community in the Western District of Louisiana.  They are:

• Sergeant Frederick Albert “Rick” Riggenbach of the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, who died on January 26, 2013;
• Assistant Warden Peggy Sylvester of the Opelousas Police Department, who died on April 14, 2013;
• Special Agent James Terry Watson of the Drug Enforcement Administration, who died June 21, 2013; and
• Deputy Sheriff Steven George Netherland of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, who died June 24, 2013.

In order to assist local public safety officers in the work that they do, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, offers safety and survival training throughout the year to increase awareness of the hazards they encounter on a daily basis.  The course curriculum and sessions are overseen by the Western District’s Law Enforcement Community Coordinator, Michael Campbell, a former Chief of Police for the City of Shreveport.  The Western District of Louisiana consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and the courses are open to federal, state, local, military and tribal offices.

“We have and will continue to offer officer safety and survival training to increase awareness of the hazards our public safety officers face on a daily basis,” Finley stated. “Our goal is for all public safety officers to return home to their families at the end of their shifts each and every day.”

SHREVEPORT, La.–United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Curtis Roller, 57, of Jonesboro, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to three counts of wire fraud after illegally obtaining Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and making false statements on workers compensation forms.

According to evidence presented in the indictment and the guilty plea hearing, from Jan. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2010, Roller submitted false information on grant applications he sent to FEMA so that fire departments in Louisiana and Arkansas were eligible to receive federal funds, which could be used to purchase equipment from his company, Louisiana Firefighting Services. Roller is accused of inflating population data, agency coverage areas and numbers of responded calls on the FEMA grant applications. He also is accused of overstating the type of calls responded to, under-reporting the size of budgets and increasing the scope of their needs on the applications.  It is against FEMA rules and policies for a grant writer to financially benefit from money awarded.

Roller faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution for each count of wire fraud. Sentencing was set for September 18, 2014.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Service/Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Campbell is prosecuting the case.

THEME: AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW: WHY EVERY VOTE MATTERS

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley delivered the keynote address at the Shreveport Bar Association’s Law Day luncheon held on Wednesday, April 30th, at the Petroleum Club of Shreveport.

In honor of the upcoming 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Finley focused on the national theme for Law Day 2014, “American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters,” as she outlined the history of both Acts and focused on the legal challenges which existed in the country and the State of Louisiana.

“I am honored that the Shreveport Bar Association asked me to speak at their annual Law Day luncheon,” Finley said.  “The rule of law and the right to vote are vital to our great democracy.  Every American’s vote must count.  President Johnson said it best when he commented on voting in 1965.  He stated, ‘There can and should be no argument.  Every American citizen must have an equal right to vote.  There is no reason which can excuse the denial of that right.  There is no duty which weighs more heavily on us than the duty we have to ensure that right.’”

The Shreveport Bar Association hosts the Law Day luncheon annually as part of a week of activities celebrating the American tradition of respect for the rule of law.  They also sponsor a student event, with juniors and seniors from local high schools who participate in a day of interactive exposure to the legal profession, as well as a community event and a day of fun for lawyers and their families. This year’s community event was a voter registration drive, in accord with the Law Day theme.  The Shreveport Bar Association is a voluntary community-oriented Bar Association with over 600 members.  It was formed in the early 1950s to promote interests in the legal field, dignity and character of the Bar of the City of Shreveport and Bossier.  Their goal is to provide an organization where members of the legal community can serve the public under the highest ethical and professional expectations and also to provide a variety of activities so each member has an opportunity to become involved civically, socially and through ongoing education.

Every year since 1965, the Shreveport Bar Association has presented the Liberty Bell Award to a fellow citizen who has demonstrated a commitment to this community and has advanced the rule of law.  This year’s Liberty Bell Award recipients were The Gingerbread House and the Cara Center.  Both organizations provide fact finding, diagnosis and continuing care to victims of child abuse.

The purpose of the Liberty Bell Award is to recognize community service, particularly among non-lawyers, which strengthens the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under law.  Among other service activities, the recipient’s activities should promote: (1) A better understanding of our form of government, particularly the Bill of Rights; (2) A greater respect for law and the courts; (3) A deeper sense of individual responsibility in recognition of the duties as well as rights of citizens; (4) Effective functioning of our institutions of government; and (5) A better understanding and appreciation of the Rule of Law.

The Bar also welcomed this year’s Mock Trial Competition winners to the luncheon, along with local mayors, and state and federal judges.  The Mock Trial Competition winners were high school students from Loyola College Prep and Caddo Magnet High School.

“I was surprised by U.S. Attorney Finley joining the Shreveport Bar Association in front of a packed Shreveport Bar Law Day luncheon prior to giving her talk on this year’s Law Day theme, “Why Every Vote Matters,” said Shreveport Bar Association President, Lawrence W. Pettiette, Jr.  “She encouraged lawyers to join the Shreveport Bar Association, and delivered a scholarly, well researched and interesting speech on the history of the voting rights movement in the south, culminating in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Not only was I impressed with the content of her talk, but enjoyed listening to what I felt was almost a lyrical delivery.  She captivated the group.  We hope to have her back soon.”

The Shreveport Bar Association holds monthly luncheon membership meetings featuring dynamic speakers and program topics.  For more information about the Shreveport Bar Association, please visit their website at www.shreveportbar.com, or if you are interested in becoming a member, you can download a membership form at www.shreveportbar.com/register/.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Gary Berry, 23, of Lafayette, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 168 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for receiving child pornography on his computer.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on September 5, 2013, law enforcement detected Berry using file-sharing software to collect and distribute prepubescent child pornography online in 2012. Law enforcement searched Berry’s home and found hardcore prepubescent child pornography, some involving infants, on his computer.

The FBI and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

Those concerned may leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov and may be submitted anonymously.  The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 233-2164.

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ricky Nikki Beene, 38 of Haynesville, La., was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 24, 2014, Haynesville Police officers responded to a call on June 1, 2012 that a man with a gun was seen at an apartment complex. The man was later identified as Beene. Police waited for Beene at his home, and when he arrived, he was driving a car matching the description of one seen at the apartment complex. The car was searched, and a loaded .380 caliber pistol, more than $900, and crack cocaine and marijuana were found.

The Haynesville Police Department, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.  Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide program to reduce violence by aggressively enforcing existing federal firearms and explosives laws.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a federal jury found Erdinc Coskun, 43, of Turkey, guilty yesterday, of two counts of preventing or hampering his deportation from the United States. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial.

Following the two-day trial, the jury found Coskun guilty after deliberating for eight minutes.  Based on witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence, it was shown that Coskun refused to leave the United States on April 2, 2013 and May 1, 2013.  Both times Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents brought Coskun to the Alexandria International Airport and attempted to put him on a commercial flight, and each time he refused to comply with the agents. After the refusals, he was returned to incarceration.

Coskun faces four years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of preventing or hampering his deportation from the United States.  Sentencing is set for August 1, 2014.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La.–United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley and the U.S. Marshals Service are teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to promote the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.  A local event will be held at the federal courthouse in Shreveport from Wednesday, April 23rd through Friday, April 25th.  The courthouse is located at 300 Fannin Street and will serve as a drop location to give the public an opportunity to rid their homes of unused or expired prescription drugs and medicines.  This event is a kick off to the eighth annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will be held this Saturday, April 26th, and is sponsored by the DEA and more than 4,200 national, tribal and community law enforcement partners nationwide.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.  Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern because they are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft, misuse, and abuse.  DEA reports that almost twice as many Americans (6.8 million) currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  And more Americans died in 2010 from overdoses of prescription medications (22,134, including 16,651 from narcotic painkillers) than from motor vehicle accidents, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Studies show that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high,” Finley stated.  “DEA reported that last October, Americans turned in 324 tons (over 647,000 pounds) of prescription drugs, and since DEA’s first National Drug Take-Back event in September of 2010, consumers have disposed of over 3.4 million pounds of unwanted medication.  We are excited to partner with the U.S. Marshals Service during this local event to help DEA promote their national initiative on Saturday.  We hope that Louisiana citizens take this opportunity to safely dispose of prescriptions and medications that would normally get flushed or discarded in a landfill, and in turn help reduce the harm they cause to the public, environment and wildlife.”

“We greatly appreciate the outstanding support we are receiving from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Joseph Shepherd, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “This ongoing initiative truly is a collaborative community effort addressing the serious problem of prescription drug abuse.  By offering safe and secure options for our citizens to dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs, we are reducing the threat that these substances pose to public health.”

DEA will have over 5,600 collection sites across the country on Saturday, April 26th, for those who are interested in bringing their unused or expired prescription drugs for proper disposal.  Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites – liquids and needles or other sharp objects will not be accepted.  The collections sites will be open between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. local times.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and following the links to a database where they enter their zip code, or they can call 800-882-9539.  The U.S. Marshals will be at the Shreveport location this week on Wednesday through Friday to supervise the drop off program at the federal courthouse.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Michael Phillip Bourque, 57, originally of Cheverly, Md., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to an additional 200 months in prison and three years of supervised release for assaulting a correctional officer.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on January 3, 2014, Bourque attacked an officer at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, La., on June 15, 2013 with a homemade sharpened shank. Video surveillance revealed that after the officer walked to a door, and as he began unlocking it, Bourque attacked him from behind. The officer fell to the ground, and Bourque attacked the officer’s upper body. After Bourque walked off, the officer tried to sit up.  Bourque returned and began stabbing the guard’s legs. The officer was later sent to a hospital where he was treated for life threatening stab wounds. Bourque is serving a 44-year prison sentence for charges related to a 2002 bank robbery in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Wardell Lockett, 27, of Lafayette; Aleric Johnson, 50, of New Iberia, La.; and Buddy Estelle, 53, also of New Iberia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to participating in staged vehicle accidents in order to defraud insurance companies. Lockett pleaded Wednesday.  Johnson and Estelle pleaded today.

According to evidence presented at the guilty pleas, Lockett, Johnson, and Estelle each admitted to different roles in at least one staged vehicle accident from 2003 until March 10, 2010. The co-conspirators drove cars, served as passengers or independent witnesses, or participated in some other way. Lockett admitted to being an independent witness and Johnson admitted to being a passenger. Estelle admitted to providing his car to be used in the staged accidents. As a result, the defendants made false claims and statements to law enforcement and insurance companies in order to fraudulently secure insurance payments.

They face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and restitution for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.  Sentencing dates were not set.

Three other defendants have pleaded guilty to roles in the scheme. Warren Lockett pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance fraud on October 29, 2013 and was sentenced on April 2, 2014 to time served and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $5,546. Oliver Lockett pleaded guilty on July 24, 2013 to the conspiracy charge as well, and Nicky Jones also pleaded guilty on February 4, 2014 to the same charge.

The Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Johnson Augustus Powell, 54, of Huntsville, Ala., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for copyright infringement. He was also ordered to pay $7,500 restitution to the Motion Picture Association of America.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on November 12, 2013, Louisiana State Police stopped Powell’s vehicle August 10, 2011, on Interstate 10.  During a search of the vehicle, State Police found 1,463 counterfeit DVD movies and 1,225 counterfeit music CDs. Powell surrendered the illegal materials and admitted that he was selling them for profit.

On November 30, 2011, a Calcasieu Parish Anti-Drug Team officer stopped Powell’s vehicle on Interstate 10 for a routine traffic violation.  After a vehicle search, officers found 1,085 counterfeit DVD movies and 836 counterfeit music CDs.  Powell again admitted to making the illegal materials for profit. In January 2012, Powell turned over computer programs and equipment he used to counterfeit the media. On April 4, 2012, a Calcasieu Parish Anti-Drug Team officer again stopped Powell on Interstate 10, and after a search of the vehicle, found 511 counterfeit DVD movies and 423 counterfeit music CDs.

The Louisiana State Police, Calcasieu Parish Anti-Drug Team, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Craig J. Schexnaider, of Beaumont, Texas, entered a guilty plea Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn to one count of failing to file an income tax return.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Schexnaider an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, had gross income in calendar year 2008 of approximately $140,000, an amount in excess of the $3,500 minimum that triggered the requirement to file a federal income tax return.   And, even after he requested a six-month extension for the filing of his 2008 federal individual income tax return and the Department of the Treasury approved his request and granted an extension until October 15, 2009, Schexnaider willfully failed to file his 2008 federal individual income return by October 15, 2009 as required by law.

Today’s guilty plea resulted from an Information that was filed in November 2013 charging Schexnaider with four counts of failing to file income tax returns when he had the following in gross income: $73,920 in 2007; $143,797 in 2008; $110,669 in 2009; and $43,740 in 2010. As a result of today’s plea agreement, the government will dismiss the remaining counts after sentencing.
Schexnaider faces one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for one count of failing to file an income tax return.    A sentencing date has not been set. 

This case is the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William Flanagan is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Craig J. Schexnaider, of Beaumont, Texas, entered a guilty plea Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn to one count of failing to file an income tax return.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Schexnaider an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, had gross income in calendar year 2008 of approximately $140,000, an amount in excess of the $3,500 minimum that triggered the requirement to file a federal income tax return.   And, even after he requested a six-month extension for the filing of his 2008 federal individual income tax return and the Department of the Treasury approved his request and granted an extension until October 15, 2009, Schexnaider willfully failed to file his 2008 federal individual income return by October 15, 2009 as required by law.

Today’s guilty plea resulted from an Information that was filed in November 2013 charging Schexnaider with four counts of failing to file income tax returns when he had the following in gross income: $73,920 in 2007; $143,797 in 2008; $110,669 in 2009; and $43,740 in 2010. As a result of today’s plea agreement, the government will dismiss the remaining counts after sentencing.
Schexnaider faces one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for one count of failing to file an income tax return.    A sentencing date has not been set. 

This case is the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William Flanagan is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley joins the IRS and other federal agencies to raise awareness about a growing problem of identity theft as it relates to tax refund fraud.  As the federal tax filing deadline approaches, extensions are granted and the state tax season continues.  The Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office has also prosecuted individuals for related tax crimes.

Nationwide tax ID theft fraud is estimated to cost the U.S. Treasury more than $5 billion annually.  The IRS has made tax identity theft a top priority and has hired new staff to explore new technologies and adopted new procedures to fight it.  In fiscal year 2013, the IRS initiated 1,492 identity theft related criminal investigations, an increase of 66 percent over investigations initiated in fiscal year (FY) 2012. Indictments and sentencing doubled in FY 2013 and the average prison term was more than three years.

Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) is reported to have affected more than 550,000 taxpayers from 2008 through May of 2012. In FY 2013, the Department of Justice filed more than 580 indictments or informations charging more than 880 defendants with SIRF-related crimes.  In its efforts to prosecute fraudulent tax return preparers and promoters nationwide, the Tax Division has obtained court orders to stop more than 60 preparers and promoters doing business all over the United States.

Tax identity theft normally occurs when someone files a tax return using other people’s personal information, like a Social Security number, to get an income tax refund from the IRS.  It also can happen when someone uses a Social Security number to get a job or claims someone else’s child as a dependent on a tax return.  Victims usually do not realize that their identity has been stolen until they do their taxes.  The IRS will contact the victim saying that more than one tax return was filed using their Social Security number, or that IRS records show they received wages from an employer they do not know.

In an effort to combat law breakers in the Western District of Louisiana, which represents 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, criminal charges have been filed against those who have filed fraudulent tax documents and those who have stolen other people’s identities.

Tax related cases prosecuted in the Western District since April 15, 2013 are:

Roderick Caldwell, 33, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty on September 26, 2013, to theft of income tax refunds.  Caldwell deposited the fraudulently obtained refunds into accounts he held with Suntrust and Capital One Bank.  On January 8, 2014, he was ordered by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to pay back the $51,000.

Lashanda E. Harris, 38, of Natchitoches, La., pleaded guilty on October 29, 2013. She was a tax preparer in Natchitoches and assisted customers in preparing false tax returns.  As part of the scheme, Harris received “kickbacks” from the customers.  She was sentenced on January 31, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to 18 months in prison and was ordered to pay $101,795 in restitution.

Francis C. Broussard 54, of West Monroe, La., pleaded guilty April 19, 2013. He filed personal tax returns in 2009 for years 2005 to 2008 using documents containing false information in an attempt to receive a total of 9.7 million in refunds to which he was not entitled. Broussard, who is a lawyer, did not receive the requested refunds. He was sentenced February 3, 2014 by U.S. District Court Judge Robert G. James to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Leo Cortez Vinson, 40, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty September 1, 2011. In early 2009, Vinson prepared 22 Form 1040 tax returns for the 2008 tax year containing false information and claiming $91,141 in refunds. The IRS issued $79,396 of these refunds caused by the filing of the fraudulent tax returns.  On average Vinson received between $1,000 and $1,500 per tax return. Vinson recruited inmates from different prisons to supply Social Security numbers for the false returns and paid them $100 for their information. He was sentenced on November 14, 2013 by U.S. District Court Judge Tom Stagg to 36 months in prison and one year of supervised release.

William Loftin Jr., 71, of Bossier City, La., pleaded guilty July 2, 2013. Loftin filed taxes on April 14, 2008 for the 2007 calendar year U.S. Individual Income Taxes due. Under Section C of the form 1040, Lofton reported that for the gross receipts and sales that two of his businesses, Executive Consultants and EDGEAR LLC, made $2.4 million in 2007. Loftin admitted the numbers were false. The actual amount was $4.6 million, which is a difference of $2.2 million. He was sentenced on November 14, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg to one year of probation and to pay $50,000.

Larry Bruce, 61, Leesville, La., pleaded guilty January 29, 2013. Bruce admitted to being responsible for not paying payroll taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service while working as the financial officer for EMI in Leesville from 2003 to 2007. Bruce was sentenced on May 13, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $294,070.98 to the IRS.

Gary Scott, 61, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty December 18, 2012. Scott earned more than $2.4 million in gross receipts between 2004 and 2009, and failed to file timely tax returns for those years.  In an attempt to avoid paying his tax liability and evade assessment of future income taxes, Scott intentionally hid assets and went to great lengths to remove those assets out of his name. He was sentenced on April 16, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to two years in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $362,961.65 in restitution to the IRS in unpaid taxes.

There are a number of ways for tax identity thieves to get personal information, to include:

• going through trash or stealing mail from a home or car;
• sending phony emails that look like they’re from the IRS asking for personal information;
• misusing clients’ information or passing it along to identity thieves by employees of businesses.

Tax payers can take the following precautions to safeguard their identity:

• do not carry your Social Security number in your purse or wallet; and
• do not respond to threats received over the phone, through emails or by way of texts from those portraying to be IRS employees.

 “I want to thank all of the agencies who have worked on these cases,” Finley stated.  “Thanks also to private citizens for their efforts in reporting tax related crimes and guarding their tax information from criminals. Through the combined efforts of the public and agencies on a federal, state and local level, this type of fraud can be shut down and justice served upon those who abuse the tax laws and take advantage of law abiding citizens and their customers who place their trust in them.”

“Seeking out and prosecuting individuals who commit violations of the tax laws is the main focus of the work we do at IRS Criminal Investigation, “said Gabriel Grchan, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI, New Orleans Field Office. “We greatly appreciate the U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley for her commitment to the prosecution of these cases. It is my hope that the legal actions undertaken in this district will further assure the taxpaying citizens of our country that IRS – CI is fully engaged in the war against those who attempt to steal from the U.S. Treasury.”

To protect yourself this tax season, it is important to know the ways that the IRS will and will not contact you if they have concerns.  If you receive a letter from the IRS, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.   The IRS does not initiate collection action by way of phone.  For additional tips on how to protect your identity, or if you think that you are a victim of fraud, go to www.irs.gov.

For those who have had their identity stolen and used for fraud, the IRS will issue a special PIN to use for filing taxes.  Information on the PIN program is available at www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Combats-Identity-Theft-and-Refund-Fraud-on-Many-Fronts-2014.  Please visit the FTC at ftc.gov/idtheft and the IRS at irs.gov/identitytheft for more information about tax identity theft.

OPELOUSAS, La. –The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Baton Rouge Constable’s Office, and the Opelousas Police Department recently sponsored gun safety demonstrations at six St. Landry Parish elementary schools where students learned about the serious dangers of firearms.

The Louisiana Law Enforcement Gun Safety Program was held at Northeast Elementary, Park Vista Elementary, Grolee Elementary, J.S. Clark Leadership Academy, Southwest Elementary and South Street Elementary schools in Opelousas from March 10th to April 1st.  The programs featured gun safety demonstrations by Baton Rouge Constables John Lawton and Brian Firmin, and Opelousas Police Chief Perry Gallow who spoke to the children about the dangers of juvenile gun use.  U.S. Attorney Finley, along with members of her staff, Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers Namie, Law Enforcement Community Coordinator Mike Campbell, Contract Legal Technical Writer Henri LeJeune and Intelligence Specialist Aaron Broussard attended the events at different times and spoke to the children about the importance of taking the program seriously and the role of the U.S. Attorney’s office in prosecuting gun crimes.   

The program not only brought students face-to-face with the dangers of firearms, but it also tested their knowledge of gun safety.  The instructor showed the students various handguns and asked them if the weapons were real or fake.  The students in many cases were unable to distinguish between real or fake guns because a number of them look, feel and weigh the same as real guns.  At the end of the program, students watched as a .357 magnum fired a bullet into a watermelon inside of a protective enclosure. Students were instructed that weapons have to be handled safely, and that they should always let adults know if they can access guns.

“Safety of children in the Western District of Louisiana is of the utmost concern for this office,” Finley said. “Firearms are one of the leading causes of death of elementary school age children in this state. The Gun Safety Program helps educate students on how to react when finding a gun. This program can save a life.  I want to thank the Baton Rouge Constables Office and the Opelousas Police Department for their commitment to the children of our community and their willingness to host these events.”

“I’m very grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Baton Rouge Constables Office for helping to make this program possible,” Gallow said. “The partnership provides valuable information to children regarding guns and gun safety. The best information as well as the correct information saves lives, and that is our goal.”

Finley also said she hopes to have a Gun Safety Training Program for the Western District of Louisiana in the near future. The program would include trained instructors and a ballistics trailer to house the gun and watermelon used during the presentation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Baton Rouge Constable’s Office, and the Opelousas Police Department sponsored the event.  For more information about the program, contact U.S. Attorney’s Office Law Enforcement Coordinator Mike Campbell at 318-676-3600.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that former child psychiatrist Gary Jefferson Byrd, 72, of Opelousas, La., was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 15 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for possessing and receiving child pornography. 

At the two-day jury trial in October of 2013, witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence established that from February 2008 to April 2011, Byrd ordered 44 compact discs containing videos of child pornography from a Canadian company.  United States Postal Inspectors executed a search warrant on Byrd’s home and found stacks of compact discs containing tens of thousands of images of child pornography that Byrd had downloaded from the internet.  Byrd had also printed hundreds of images of child pornography that he kept in files in his bedroom.

Byrd was previously convicted in 1992 by a federal jury of possessing child pornography and served 10 years in prison for that crime.  Prior to the 1992 conviction, his employment was as a child psychiatrist.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice launched nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Postal Service Investigations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Brandon B. Handy, 33, of Opelousas, La., was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 24 years in prison and five years of supervised release for assaulting and robbing a U.S. Postal Service contract carrier.

During a two-day trail in December of 2013, witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence established that Handy and another individual wearing masks and armed with a pistol robbed a U.S. Postal Service contract driver on August 13, 2011, at the Lawtell Post Office.  Handy approached the driver from behind, grabbed him by the neck, and wrestled him to his knees while the other individual took a bag of mail from the employee’s truck.  After Handy and the other individual fled the scene, the driver was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that German Caballero Rodriguez, 42, of Houston, and Tyrone James Thibeaux, 38, of Lafayette, were sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote for conspiracy with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.  Rodriguez was sentenced to 100 months in prison and Thibeaux was sentenced to 135 months in prison. They will both serve five years of supervised release.

Rodriguez and Thibeaux, along with co-defendants John Dauphin, Glenn Charles and Fernellis Woods, were indicted in April of 2012 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine between August 2008 and April 2011.  According to evidence presented at his guilty plea on June 13, 2013, Rodriguez supplied multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from Houston to a large scale Lafayette drug trafficking/distribution organization that included Dauphin, Charles, Woods and Thibeaux.  On December 9, 2013, Thibeaux pleaded guilty.

Woods was sentenced on October 18, 2013, to 135 months in prison; Charles was sentenced on December 12, 2013, to 71 months in prison; and Dauphin was sentenced on February 14, 2014, to 120 months in prison. All three are to serve five years of supervised release.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Carencro Police Department, the Houston Police Department and the Waller County Texas Sheriff’s Office participated in this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker prosecuted the case.

The defendants were arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.  The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Kendall Anderson, 41, of Scott, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to charges that he failed to report a conspiracy to award Opelousas Housing Authority construction bids to his company.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from 2007 through 2009, the Opelousas Housing Authority awarded construction contracts primarily to Anderson Iron Works, owned by the defendant, without following the bid rules.  Anderson admitted to assisting Garnett L. Thomas, who was the grant and capital funds coordinator for the OHA and who previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud, in creating false bid documents, so that it would appear that the OHA was following the bid rules and laws.  Thomas and Anderson used the names and letterheads of other contractors to make it appear that several companies were placing bids on construction projects, but in fact, Anderson’s company was the only one being considered. After creating these false documents, they were placed in the OHA files to give the appearance that the bid laws were being followed, when in fact, the procurement policies were not followed on virtually every construction project from 2007 through mid-2009.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal jury found Osman Jalloh, 52, of Sierra Leone, guilty of two counts of preventing or hampering his deportation from the United States. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial.

Following the two-day trial, the jury found Osman guilty after deliberating for 35 minutes. Based on witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence, it was shown that Jalloh refused to leave the United States on March 16, 2012 and September 9, 2012. Both times Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents brought Jalloh to the Alexandria International Airport and attempted to put him on a commercial flight. He refused to comply with the agents and was returned to incarceration.

Osman faces four years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of preventing or hampering his deportation from the United States. Sentencing was set for July 11, 2014.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph G. Jarzabek and Brandon B. Brown are prosecuting the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Randy A. Powell, 34, of Downsville, La., was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for receiving child pornography.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on December 10, 2013, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies learned in February of 2012 that Powell, who is a registered sex offender, was maintaining social media accounts under an alias, which is a violation of his sex offender registration requirements.  Authorities arrested Powell February 23, 2013, and his home was searched.  They found 1,041 images and 150 videos of prepubescent children.  Approximately 50 of the videos/photos depicted children in bondage.  Powell admitted to investigators that he used a file-sharing program to download the images.  Powell has a previous conviction for attempted possession of child pornography.

The FBI and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.  This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Those concerned may also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.  Tips may be submitted anonymously.  The Monroe FBI office number is (318) 387-0773.

SHREVEPORT, La. –U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley, along with Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Rex Scott and Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator, are sponsoring a blood drive during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which starts April 6.

The Blood Drive will be held Monday, April 7, 2014 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Caddo Parish Courthouse, 501 Texas St., Shreveport. This gives the community an opportunity to honor someone they know who has been a victim of a crime by donating a pint of blood in their honor or memory.  This year’s theme - 30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice - presents an opportunity to remind us of how far we have come in aiding crime victims, but also of how much work is yet to be done.

“National Crimes Victims’ Rights Week will be held April 6 through April 12 in communities throughout the nation, including our very own,” Finley stated. “We hope that the public can come out and support this chance to save a life and honor a loved one. I want to thank the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney for co-sponsoring this event.”

“Crime victimization really knows no boundaries, and chances are you know someone who has been impacted,” said Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator. “You can show your support by giving blood in their name and help save a life in the process.”

“We stand with victims of crime every day,” said Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Rex Scott.  “Participate in the blood drive and honor the victims of crime and their families in this special way.”

Just 30 years ago, crime victims had virtually no rights and no assistance. The criminal justice system often seemed indifferent to their needs. Victims were commonly excluded from courtrooms and denied the chance to speak at sentencing. They had no access to victim compensation or services to help rebuild their lives. There were few avenues to deal with their emotional and physical wounds. Victims were on their own to recover their health, security, and dignity.

Today, the nation has made dramatic progress in securing rights, protections, and services for victims. Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws and all have victim compensation programs. More than 10,000 victim service agencies now help people throughout the country. In 1984, Congress passed the bipartisan Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which created a national fund to ease victims’ suffering. Financed not by taxpayers but by fines and penalties paid by offenders, the Crime Victims Fund supports victim services, such as rape crisis and domestic violence programs and victim compensation programs that pay many of victims’ out-of-pocket expenses from the crime, such as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages.

For more information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, visit the Department of Justice’s web page on the subject at ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Gary T. Butler, 48, an inmate at Oakdale Federal Correction Center, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to an additional 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release for attacking a correctional officer.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty plea on March 27, 2014, an officer at the Federal Correction Center in Oakdale, La., was collecting food trays on April 24, 2011 in a special housing unit.  As the guard reached through an opening in the door to Butler’s unit to retrieve a food tray, Butler made a deep cut in the officer’s left forearm.  The wound extended from approximately the officer’s elbow to his wrist, which required internal stitches to the muscle and 23 external staples to mend.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that James Panos, 56, and wife Jennifer Panos, 48, of Broussard, La., entered guilty pleas before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of racketeering conspiracy at the now closed Desperado’s Cabaret in Carencro, La. This plea is conditional and does not become final until it is accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote.

James Panos and Jennifer Panos are the last two defendants in a 10-count indictment to plead guilty. They were charged on May 15, 2013, in an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy, and firearms charges.  The charges are the result of an investigation of drug trafficking, drug distribution, prostitution, and other illegal activity that took place at Desperado’s Cabaret in Carencro located on Northeast Evangeline Thruway.

James Panos and Jennifer Panos face 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds, and three years of supervised release for one count of racketeering conspiracy.  As part of the plea agreement, they agreed to forfeit illegal proceeds already seized and to forfeit the Desperado’s property.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, and Lafayette Metro Narcotics investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Wesley A. Pace, 38, of Nachitoches, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for bankruptcy fraud.  He was also ordered to complete 300 hours of community service within the supervised release time period.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on November 14, 2013, Pace filed for bankruptcy in March of 2008.  In his court filings, Pace did not declare his ownership of mineral rights to a parcel of land in Natchitoches Parish.  One month later, he sold the mineral rights for $95,000 without informing the bankruptcy trustee of the sale or providing the money to the bankruptcy trustee as required by the Bankruptcy Act.

The FBI, assisted by the U.S. Trustee’s Office, Region 5, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Carol A. Thrasher, 61, of Lake Charles, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik, to three years in prison and three years of supervised release for stealing from her employer.  She was also ordered to pay $551,357 in restitution.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on September 30, 2013, Thrasher admitted that from January 2007 to April 2012, while working as a manager for a Westlake, La., company, she stole $551,357.  Thrasher was entrusted with her company’s Midsouth Bank account and used funds from it to pay the balance of a personal Capital One credit card multiple times over the five-year period.  The credit card payments Thrasher made ranged from a few hundred dollars to more than $8,000.  She reportedly used the Capital One card to pay for the majority of her living expenses, and she also stated that she spent the money on gambling, shopping, dining and vacations, and had no assets left to pay the victim.

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former East Carroll Parish Sheriff Mark Wayne Shumate, 52, of Lake Providence, La., pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes, to aiding and abetting a felon in the possession of a firearm.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Shumate and a convicted felon went hunting January 8, 2014.  Shumate knew the person accompanying him was barred from possessing and firing a firearm because of the companion’s status as a convicted felon.

Shumate faces up to 10 years in prison, one to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for one count of aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for July 7, 2014.

The FBI and ATF conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Mike’s Auto Sales Inc. and A-1 Auto Finance Company were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote.  Mike’s Auto Sales was ordered to pay a $500,000 fine, and A-1 Auto Finance was ordered to pay a $350,000 fine.  The businesses were also ordered to forfeit $1.3 million in illegal proceeds and the business real estate, buildings, and vehicle inventory belonging to the companies.  In addition to the sentenced imposed, the businesses were given five years of probation.

The two businesses, represented by company president Michael Paul Boyter, 51, of Shreveport, each entered guilty pleas on August, 26, 2013, to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

According to evidence presented at the guilty pleas, the owners and operators of Mike’s Auto Sales and A-1 Auto Finance engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering beginning in 1996 through November 2010.  The scheme concerned the sale and financing of used and new vehicles to individuals who derived, or represented that they derived, significant income from the distribution of illegal drugs.  The operators of the businesses knowingly accepted cash proceeds from drug dealers, allowed vehicle purchases in the names of nominees, and falsified records of payments received.  They provided false information to multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Shreveport Police Department and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, to facilitate the release of vehicles seized from drug dealers.

In 2009 and 2010, the FBI conducted multiple “sting” operations directing cooperating individuals to purchase vehicles in the names of nominees and using large cash payments toward the purchase of those vehicles.  These operations proved that the defendants readily accepted large amounts of money thought to be drug proceeds and skimmed cash from down payments by manipulating records to show lower sales prices and reduced amounts of down payments.  In connection with these activities, Boyter pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.

Boyter was sentenced on February 18, 2014, to 60 months in prison for wire fraud and tax charges.  He was also ordered to pay $290,381 in restitution and a $200,000 fine.  Company secretary and treasurer, Anthony Reuben Riley, 49, of Shreveport, was also sentenced on February 18, 2014, to 15 months in prison for the failure to file Form 8300 and was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.  IRS Form 8300 is required when cash payments of more than $10,000 are received in a trade or business and is used by the government to track individuals that evade taxes and those who profit from criminal activities.

“Those who do business with drug dealers will be brought to justice,” Finley stated.  “The owners and operators of these businesses sought to not only profit from the criminal element in our communities, but to lie on their tax forms and other documents to make even more illegal profits.  This judgment serves as a warning to those who would use their property to stage illegal business transactions - you will be caught, and you can lose everything.”  Finley also stated, “I want to thank this extremely dedicated prosecution and investigative team for their hard work on this case.”

This case is part of an investigation called Operation NOMAS conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF is a joint multi-agency group consisting of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with a cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking.

Operation NOMAS was a jointly conducted investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northwest Louisiana Violent Crimes Task Force, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier City Police Department, Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana National Guard Counter-Drug Task Force, and the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office in Marshall, Texas, also assisted.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison D. Bushnell and Cytheria D. Jernigan, and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Willis prosecuted the case.

United States Attorney Finley is available for comment by phone, (337) 262-6888.

SHREVEPORT/MONROE/ALEXANRIA/LAFAYETTE/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Stephanie A. Finley, and the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force announced today that the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding of grants under the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program, also known as Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

This program furthers the Department of Justice=s mission and violent crime reduction strategy by providing support to state, local and tribal efforts to reduce gun and gang-related violent crime.  Contingent on the availability of funds, grant awards totaling $300,000 are possible in the Western District of Louisiana to fund new and current comprehensive gun crime reduction strategies and gang violence reduction strategies.  Grant proposal submissions must be received by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lafayette before 5 p.m. on April 10, 2014. 

Various types of single or multi‑grantee grant applications are welcome including those that address the following:      

• Gang violence and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach and education; 
• Enforcement, adjudication, and supervision programs; 
• Prisoner Reentry Programs; or
• Other innovative related projects.

The FY2014 PSN Competitive Grant Announcement and links to other grants available, and information on the PSN Program can be found at the U.S. Attorney’s web site www.justice.gov/usao/law/ as well as www.justice.gov/usao/law/psn.html or at www.psn.gov and www.bja.gov/Funding/14PSNsol.pdf.

For more information, contact Western District of Louisiana Assistant U.S. Attorney and PSN and Anti-Gang Coordinator Robert W. Gillespie Jr. at (318) 676-3600.

Complete instructions on how to register and submit an application for this and other grants are available at www.Grants.gov.  The FY2014 PSN Grant number is BJA-2014-3810.  Applicants can also contact the www.Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline for technical assistance with submitting any application at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035 or by e-mail to support@grants.gov.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Verna Dean Oliver, 50, and Daniel Jerome Oliver, 27, both of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to possession with intent to distribute methylenedioxypyrovalerone and methylone.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty pleas, a package containing methylenedioxypyrovalerone and methylone, also known as bath salts, was intercepted from China on June 8, 2012.  It was bound for the Lake Charles home of Verna Oliver and her son, Daniel Oliver.  Authorities delivered the package to the home on June 26, 2012.  After observing Daniel Oliver sign for the package, they detained Daniel Oliver and Verna Oliver and searched the home.  Various quantities of bath salts, scales, and bags were found.

The defendants each face up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  Sentencing is set for June 26, 2014.

Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth are prosecuting the case.