Western District of Louisiana

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Renounte Abdul Jackson, 20, of Norfolk, Va., was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 27 months in prison and five years of supervised release for two counts of having abusive sexual contact with minors. Jackson pleaded guilty August 15, 2013.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty plea, Jackson was at a party at an unoccupied residence on the Fort Polk Military base July 18, 2012. He admitted to having sexual contact with a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old girl at different times that night. He also provided alcohol to those attending the party, including minors.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Deamioune Fransyre Caples, 33, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 41 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and 40 hours of community service for using counterfeit credit cards and other devices to steal thousands of dollars. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $70,700 taken in the scheme. He pleaded guilty August 1, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, between June 21, 2012 and January 13, 2013, Caples used counterfeit credit cards and other access devices at Delta Downs, L’Auberge Du Lac, and Isle of Capri casinos to access money.  The devices included Green Dot Visa cards, 123 Rewards cards, Chase cards, Wells Fargo cards and Bank of America cards among others.  The cards displayed Caples’ name on the front, but the magnetic strip on the back contained the identity of the financial institution and individual who had not authorized Caples to use their account information.  The defendant made the counterfeit access devices in Texas and traveled to the Western District of Louisiana to use them.

The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that John Waller, 41, of New Rochelle, N.Y., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 80 months in prison and three years of supervised release for attacking a fellow inmate with a makeshift knife at the U.S. Penitentiary at Pollock, La.  A federal jury found Waller guilty on September 17, 2013 after a two-day trial.

At the trial, it was established that on March 28, 2010, Waller stabbed a fellow inmate repeatedly with a makeshift knife.  The assaulted inmate received puncture wounds to the upper body and was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.  The attack was recorded by the prison’s video recording system.  Waller is currently serving a 320-month sentence on narcotics and weapons charges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Marvin L. Thompson, 37 of Ferriday, was sentenced Thursday(December 12, 2013) by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. Thompson pleaded guilty July 18, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Thompson admitted that he conspired with Chavo Thomas, Maurice Smith and other defendants to deliver methamphetamine from California to Ferriday.  Thompson and Thomas traveled to California to purchase and bring back the illegal drugs. The two defendants were arrested on October 28, 2011, at a Brookhaven, Miss., train station with 2 pounds of pure methamphetamine. Smith, who had organized the California trip, was arrested later in Ferriday.

Smith and Thomas were sentenced September 27, 2013. Smith received life in prison, and Thomas received 275 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A jury found Smith and Thomas guilty on May 31, 2013.

The defendants were arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation “Delta Blues” investigation.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation Central Louisiana Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Alexandria Police Department, participated in the investigation. The U.S. Marshals and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office also participated in the investigation. The Southwest Mississippi Narcotics Task Force, Brookhaven (Mississippi) Police Department and the Lincoln County (Mississippi) Sheriff’s Office assisted in the defendants’ arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.

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 that Brandon Handy, 33, of Opelousas, La., was found guilty by a federal jury on Tuesday of assaulting and robbing a postal employee.  United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial.

Handy’s trial started Monday and ended Tuesday with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for one hour and 30 minutes.  Witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence at trial 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 grabbed the driver from behind 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.

Handy faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release for aggravated robbery of mail matter.  A sentencing date has been set for April 11, 2014.

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

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Joshua J. Dore, 28, of Breaux Bridge, La., was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release for counterfeiting.  He pleaded guilty August 8, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives questioned Jacob Boudreaux on November 12, 2012.  He was caught on camera in Breaux Bridge attempting to use a counterfeit $5 bill at a convenience store.  After questioning, the detectives determined Dore made the fake money.  They searched a home where Dore was staying and found a color printer, a bag of résumé paper, and 22 pages of counterfeit U.S. Currency printed with denominations of $5, $10, $20, and $100 bills.  Additionally, they found a bag of shredded counterfeit currency. Dore admitted to making the counterfeit money between November 5 and November 12, 2012, and providing the counterfeit bills to his friends.  Authorities also found $263 of legitimate currency on his person.  One of the bills had a serial number that matched the counterfeit $5 bill found with Boudreaux at the convenience store.

The U.S. Secret Service and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Dr. Lynn E. Foret, 64, of Lake Charles, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies out of close to $1 million.  He was ordered serve 12 months of home confinement with the use of electronic monitoring while on supervised release and also ordered to pay $878,328.98 restitution and a $25,000 fine.  Foret pleaded guilty April 18, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from 2003 to 2009, Foret injected his patients’ knees with a steroid solution while falsely billing and receiving payments from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies for a more costly drug called Hyalgan.  During the time period outlined in the bill of information, he received reimbursements totaling $878,328.98.  Foret is a Lake Charles medical doctor who specialized in orthopedic surgery since 1976.  He closed his practice in December of 2012.

Various types of steroids are often used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee.  Hyalgan is another more costly type of medication that is used to treat osteoarthritis.  It contains a natural substance called Hyaluronate, which is normally found in the fluid that lubricates and cushions knee joints and is injected directly into a patient’s knee to relieve inflammation.

“This defendant used his trusted position as a physician to steal,” Finley stated. “He lied about the treatments he administered and drained money from private insurers and federal programs intended for those in need who depend on health care. The agencies and prosecutors who worked in this case are to be commended for their outstanding work in uncovering this fraud.”

The FBI, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) of the Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger was recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director H. Marshall Jarrett, with a 2013 Director’s Award.

Each year the Executive Office of the United States Attorneys recognizes the exceptional work, dedication, and distinguished achievements of the men and women of the Department of Justice, the Offices of the United States Attorneys, and partners of the law enforcement community nationwide.  The recipients provide support in the United States Attorneys’ Offices, investigate and prosecute the most heinous criminals, and represent the United States in significant criminal and civil cases.  All of the recipients continue to make major contributions to the Offices of the United States Attorneys and to the mission of the Department of Justice.  The Superior Performance award recognizes Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) who have distinguished themselves through the outstanding performance of their duties in criminal matters.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Director’s Award.

H. Marshall Jarrett and U.S. Attorney Finley presented the award to AUSA Uebinger today at a gathering at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lafayette.  Because of sequestration, the awards presentation at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., was canceled, but Jarrett was able to attend by video teleconference.

AUSA Kelly Uebinger received the Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney award recognizing her exceptional work in the case of United States v. Dr. Mehmood M. Patel, a practicing cardiologist in the Lafayette area for more than 25 years.

AUSA Uebinger coordinated a joint investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI which revealed that Dr. Patel had falsified patient symptoms in medical records, falsified findings on medical tests, and performed unnecessary coronary procedures such as deploying angioplasty balloons and stents, and used radiation in coronary arteries that had little or insignificant disease.  In the first criminal case of its kind in the country, Dr. Patel was indicted on 94 counts of health care fraud.  During the three-year period covered by the indictment, he billed Medicare and private insurance companies more than $3 million for unnecessary cardiology services, performing procedures at two area hospitals and eventually opening his own catheterization laboratory at his private office. 

Uebinger presented the government’s case to a jury during a 3 ½ month trial.  Through months of pre-trial preparation, and after more than 100 witnesses and nine expert witness presentations, AUSA Uebinger accurately and effectively presented complex testimony to the jury.  The jury deliberated for six days and returned a guilty verdict on 51 counts of health care fraud.  Dr. Patel was sentenced to 10 years in prison, received a $175,000 fine, and was ordered to pay $387,511 in restitution.

In a personalized letter to the recipient, Attorney General Holder told the awardee that the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney was “a significant achievement that recognizes your exceptional efforts to promote the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.”

Jarrett also explained that only 155 out of nearly 800 nominees from across the United Stated were selected, and only 29 received an Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the criminal category.

“There is no doubt that Kelly’s performance was outstanding and moreover met these lofty requirements to earn her a Director’s Award,” Jarrett added.

“It is Kelly’s tireless work and dedication to justice on this case and throughout the years that garnered this award,” Finley stated.  “Her efforts have righted wrongs in our community and continue to bear fruit.  I am honored to present this award to such an outstanding member of our office.”

AUSA Kelly Uebinger joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in August of 1992 and worked in the Shreveport office as an OCDETF AUSA until 1997.  While working with the OCDETF program, she received a Director’s Award for her role in the prosecution of the Bottoms Boys, a notorious Shreveport street gang.  In 1997, she transferred to the Lafayette office where she prosecutes a variety of complex white collar cases, to include health care fraud, investment fraud, embezzlement fraud and tax fraud.  Ms. Uebinger currently serves as the Criminal Health Care Fraud Coordinator for the District.  She received the Inspector General’s Integrity Award for the Patel prosecution.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, AUSA Uebinger clerked for Magistrate Judge John F. Simon in the Alexandria Division.  Ms. Uebinger has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and graduated with a double major in Finance and International Business from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1988, and was chosen as the Outstanding International Business Graduate.  In 1991, she received her Juris Doctorate from Tulane Law School. 

H. Marshall Jarrett was appointed Director for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys by Attorney General Holder on April 13, 2009. The Executive Office, created in 1953, provides general guidance and supervision to the 94 United States Attorneys’ Offices and its nearly 12 thousand employees.

From left, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kelly Uebinger and U.S. Attorney, Stephanie A. Finley

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced the retirement of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josette L. Cassiere and Robert A. “Bob” Thrall, who served in the Western District of Louisiana with more than 45 years of combined experience.  Cassiere and Thrall were honored on November 21, 2013, at a retirement ceremony held at the U.S. Courthouse in Shreveport.  Their last day with the office was November 30, 2013.

“We are losing talented, dedicated lawyers and public servants,” Finley stated. “Throughout their careers, Josette and Bob have played integral roles in prosecuting cases with our office.  Their years of service and dedication to the Department of Justice are a true testament of their commitment to justice and the citizens of this district.  They will be greatly missed, and we wish them the very best as they start the next chapters of their lives.  I am grateful for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the Western District.”

Josette Cassiere began her career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in March of 1989.  She served one year in the civil division, concentrating on land condemnation cases for the Red River Waterway project and collections with the Financial Litigation Unit (FLU).  From 1990 to 2001, Cassiere was responsible for all of the District’s criminal appeals to the Fifth Circuit.  Beginning in 2001, she was primarily responsible for criminal appeals generated by the Shreveport Division of the office.  In 23 years of appellate practice, Cassiere has filed approximately 700 briefs and argued more than 100 appeals at the Fifth Circuit, including one en banc rehearing and several cases involving res nova issues.

Cassiere received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1970, and taught in the Elmbrook School District in Wisconsin for four years before attending law school.  She received her Juris Doctorate from the Louisiana State University School of Law in 1977.  Josette Cassiere and Robert Gillespie Jr., also an assistant U.S. attorney, have been married for 36 years, and have three children, Sarah, Paul and Michael.

“My time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been both challenging and extremely satisfying both from the perspective of service to the law and the legal system and from the perspective of service to community and country,” Cassiere stated.  “It is with mixed feelings that I leave that office which, in my opinion, is one of the best law firms in this state.”

Bob Thrall began his career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1991, primarily handling bankruptcy, foreclosures, and collection efforts for the FLU.  He also handled defensive litigation involving federal programs and complex financial litigation.   Since September 2011, Thrall handled the bankruptcy referrals for the entire District.  The District has consistently been one of the 10 districts with the greatest number of Chapter 13 filings in the nation and one of the heaviest districts with overall bankruptcy filings.  Although his primary clients have been the IRS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thrall has handled cases and bankruptcy matters for federal agencies, to include the Small Business Administration, HUD, Department of Education, FEMA, EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, ATF, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Veterans Administration.

Thrall graduated Magna Cum Laude from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree of arts in political science in 1975 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon’s School of Law in 1979.  Bob Thrall is married to Blair Thrall, an accomplished artist. They have been married more than 17 years and have two sons, Brent and Wesley, and one daughter, Erica.

From left, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. "Bob" Thrall, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley,

and Assistant U.S. Attorney Josette L. Cassiere

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Gloria Adams, 63, of LaPlace, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 60 months in prison with three years of supervised release for her part in a conspiracy to fill prescriptions without doctors being present. She also was ordered to forfeit $241,793. Adams pleaded guilty on April 23, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Adams, who is not a doctor, opened Essential Medical Center (EMC) in November 2005 in Lafayette.  She admitted to conspiring to dispense Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) such as Xanax and Lortab when no doctors were present at the clinic through a system called “pre-signing.”  Pre-signing took place at the clinic when some non-physician staff used pre-signed documents to dispense prescriptions to patients while doctors were absent.   She also admitted that she aided and abetted the practice of dispensing CDS outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  Adams also admitted to laundering approximately $16,000 in drug proceeds through a financial institution. 

“I would like to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service for combining forces to successfully investigate this case,” Finley stated.  “Combating the illegal distribution of prescription drugs remains a priority in my office.”
“IRS - CI will continue to play an active part in the war on drugs,” stated IRS Special Agent in Charge Gabriel L. Grchan.  “Individuals such as Gloria Adams that are guilty of attempting to launder their illegal drug profits will be prosecuted for money laundering violations; IRS - CI will continue to work with our federal partners to that end.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration – Office of Diversion Control and the Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Dr. Marvette J. Thomas, 60, of Grambling, La., and Carra Sergeant, 60, of Ragley, La., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 14 months and 12 months in prison respectively for theft of government funds. They were also ordered to pay $159,167 in restitution.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Thomas served as Director of the Office of Academic Assistance, and Sergeant served as Assistant Director of Academic Assistance at Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE).  From September 1, 2008 until February 28, 2012, Thomas and Sergeant used their positions to take funds from federal grants meant for the Upward Bound and Student Support Services projects, which are designed to assist students in their education efforts and goals. They used grant funds for their personal benefit and attempted to cover up their activities by altering receipts and submitting false records.

Thomas and Sergeant admitted to buying clothes, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, jewelry, personal electronic devices, cookware, tools, toys, recreational vehicle parts, pet supplies, household items, outdoor items, exercise equipment, religious books, and gifts for family, friends and co-workers. LSU auditors, U.S. Department of Education/Office of Inspector General, and the FBI estimate that Thomas spent at least $68,464 and Sergeant $74,653. Additionally, they allowed and encouraged subordinate co-workers to make personal purchases as well.  The co-workers’ purchases total $16,050. A total of $159,167 was illegally spent under Thomas and Sergeant’s watch.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Education/Office of Inspector General, and Louisiana State University auditors conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie is prosecuting the case.

MONROE, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Randy A. Powell, 33, of Downsville, La., pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to receiving child pornography.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, in February 2012, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies learned 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.

Powell faces five to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release for one count of receiving child pornography.  Sentencing is set for April 7, 2014.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg 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.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. Tips may be reported anonymously.

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.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Michael Phillip Telemaque, 47, of the United Kingdom, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for four counts of impeding or hampering his deportation. A federal jury found Telemaque guilty on September 10, 2013 after a two-day trial.

Witness testimony and documents admitted at trial revealed that Telemaque refused to fill out passport applications for his deportation to the United Kingdom four times between November 2010 and September 2011.  In addition to the application requirement, the United Kingdom also requires that Telemaque must speak to a representative of the consulate, provide fingerprints and a photo, and show proof that he is a United Kingdom citizen.  He refused to perform any of these tasks.  Telemaque was convicted in January 1997 of selling crack cocaine and received a 180-month prison sentence.  He was ordered to be removed from the United States in June of 2010.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Michael Phillip Telemaque, 47, of the United Kingdom, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for four counts of impeding or hampering his deportation. A federal jury found Telemaque guilty on September 10, 2013 after a two-day trial.

Witness testimony and documents admitted at trial revealed that Telemaque refused to fill out passport applications for his deportation to the United Kingdom four times between November 2010 and September 2011.  In addition to the application requirement, the United Kingdom also requires that Telemaque must speak to a representative of the consulate, provide fingerprints and a photo, and show proof that he is a United Kingdom citizen.  He refused to perform any of these tasks.  Telemaque was convicted in January 1997 of selling crack cocaine and received a 180-month prison sentence.  He was ordered to be removed from the United States in June of 2010.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Donna Jean Remides, 52, of Winnsboro, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James to 40 months in prison and five years of supervised release for lying on loan applications in order to receive loans used to hide the theft of $640,000 from a federally funded non-profit.  She was also ordered to pay $450,000 in restitution.  Remides pleaded guilty June 24, 2013 during the course of a trial.

Witness testimony and documents admitted at trial and the guilty plea revealed that Remides was employed as a project coordinator by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to work for the non-profit Northeast Delta Resource Conservation and Development Council (NDRC&DC) in Winnsboro.  From January 2001 to December 2010, Remides used the NDRC&DC accounts to pay herself $640,000 without authorization from the NDRC&DC.  She wrote herself and her private business checks during the nearly 10-year period.  She also obtained loans in the name of the council to cover the thefts.  Loan documents were filled out stating that the council members had authorized loans at meetings when in fact they had not.

The USDA, Office of Inspector General in Jackson, Miss., and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Larry Robert Baker, 50, of Maud, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after being convicted and serving time for a murder and other felonies in Texas. He pleaded guilty August 29, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) conducted an operation on January 11, 2013 to catch night hunters who were shooting after dark from the roads in north Caddo Parish.  During the operation, LDWF agents observed Baker shooting from a car at a deer decoy set up by agents.  A .22 caliber revolver was found in the car that he was driving, along with a box of .22 caliber ammunition.  Baker was arrested for the wildlife violation, driving under suspension, and traveling with open containers of alcohol.  Upon further investigation, agents found that Baker had recently been released from prison after serving 20 years for a Texas murder.  Baker was found guilty of murder on August 5, 1993, in the 54th District Court of McLennan County, Texas.  He also has prior burglary and property theft convictions.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.  Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide program started in 2001 designed to reduce violence by aggressively enforcing existing federal firearms laws.

LAKE CHARLES, La.–United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Juan Betancourt-Duran, 30, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 12 months in prison for transporting illegal aliens.  Betancourt-Duran will be deported after completion of his sentence.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, on April 24, 2013, an officer with the Louisiana State Police conducted a vehicle stop on the vehicle Betancourt-Duran was driving because of a traffic violation.  The defendant’s vehicle was found to contain nine occupants who could not produce U.S. issued identification. Upon further investigation, it was found that four of the passengers were from Honduras, two from Mexico, two from El Salvador and one from Guatemala.  The immigrants told U.S. Border Patrol agents that they paid between $1,200 and $7,000 per person to be smuggled into the United States.  Some of the immigrants said they stayed at various residences in separate towns in Texas before being brought to Houston.  From there, Betancourt-Duran was to drive them to various cities on the east coast in the United States.  Betancourt-Duran admitted that he knew the passengers were illegal aliens. Betancourt-Duran pleaded guilty August 29, 2013.

The U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security, and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ricky Martinez, 44, of Houston, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Martinez pleaded guilty August 7, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy stopped the defendant on February 13, 2012, for speeding north of Lake Charles.  The deputy asked Martinez to step out of the vehicle and saw that he had an open beer container.  After the deputy conducted a safety pat-down, $10,540 was found in Martinez’s pants pocket.  During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found 10 plastic baggies containing more than 265 grams of methamphetamine, a baggie containing a cutting agent, and a digital scale.  Martinez admitted at the guilty plea hearing that he intended to deliver the methamphetamine to other people.

Anthony Frederick “Tony” Giaimis, 49, of Westlake, La., and Justin W. Brewer, 42, of Houston, were also charged in the same indictment with Martinez in August 2012. 

A jury found Giaimis guilty on April 10, 2013, of conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession of more than five grams of pure methamphetamine and felony weapon possession.  Giamis was sentenced on August 1, 2013, to 262 months in prison and six years of supervised release.  Brewer was sentenced on July 25, 2013, to 60 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.  He pleaded guilty on April 8, 2013.

“Methamphetamine is a harmful and destructive drug,” Finely stated. “Our office, along with our federal, state and local partners will continue to do everything in our power to keep these drugs out of our communities.”

The Westlake Police Department, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles Police Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Combined Anti-drug Team (CAT) Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Southwest Regional Laboratory conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Terry Ulysses Morris, 50, of Lithonia, Ga., was sentenced Wednesday, November 20, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 45 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing stolen U.S. mail. He pleaded guilty July 30, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, authorities pulled over Morris’ vehicle during a traffic stop on January 18, 2012, as he was driving eastbound on Interstate 10 through Calcasieu Parish.  A strong odor of marijuana prompted authorities to ask Morris if they could search the vehicle.  Authorities found two sacks containing 216 U.S. Treasury checks that had not been cashed.  The checks were from Social Security Administration accounts with Georgia addresses.  The face value for the checks totaled $144,920.  Morris admitted that he traveled to Houston to find someone to cash or buy the checks.  He could not find buyers because the checks were so old that most of the intended recipients had requested that replacement checks be issued.  Morris was driving back to Georgia when he was stopped in Calcasieu Parish.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Calcasieu Anti-drug Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that U.S.  District Court Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Roland Castro, 42, an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, La., to 22 months in prison and one year of supervised release for escaping a federal prison; and Timothy D. Willis, 50, of Philadelphia, Miss., to 18 months in prison and one year of supervised release for assisting in Castro’s escape.  They pleaded guilty August 20, 2013.
                                                       
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Castro was serving 240 months at the federal penitentiary in Pollock for a felon in possession of a firearm conviction.  Castro met Willis previously, and the two arranged to meet at an agreed-upon location on February 7, 2013.  Willis drove to the location on that date and picked up Castro.  Castro did not have permission to leave the prison.  After an emergency count of the prisoners was conducted, prison staff discovered Castro was missing.  Willis had dropped Castro off near the prison, but Castro had left instead of returning to custody.  Castro was apprehended on July 5, 2013, in Houston.

The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Samuel Gonzalez, 34, of Luling, Texas, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to 110 months in prison and three years of supervised release for assaulting a fellow inmate, causing serious bodily injury.  A federal jury found Gonzalez guilty on August 8, 2013 after a two-day trial.

Witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence at trial revealed that on September 6, 2011, at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, La., Gonzalez was observed with another inmate on surveillance video assaulting a third inmate.  The victim was repeatedly struck with an edged weapon resulting in nine lacerations to the upper torso and neck.  The injured inmate survived and was taken to a local hospital.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that David Frederick, 38, of Charenton, La., pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik, to assaulting a woman and a Chitimacha tribal police officer.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, on January 27, 2013, Frederick assaulted his girlfriend near her place of employment on Chitimacha tribal lands.  After he was arrested and while being booked, Frederick attacked a Chitimacha tribal police officer and attempted to take his handgun.  A second officer entered the struggle, and Frederick was subdued after pepper spray and a TASER were deployed.  During the investigation, law enforcement agents learned that the defendant also assaulted his girlfriend on January 25, 2013, at her residence on the Chitimacha Tribal Reservation.

Frederick faces 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for the assault of the Chitimacha tribal police officer.  He also faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release for the assault within Indian Country count.

Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes.  Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is the agency that prosecutes the felony cases 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 and the victim is an Indian.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Chitimacha Tribal Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Francis M. Buckner Jr., 41, of New Llano, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik, to 72 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography.  He was also required to register as a sex offender.  Buckner pleaded guilty on July 17, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Buckner admitted to possessing 36 videos and 144 images of child pornography.  Law enforcement officers identified the defendant as a collector of child pornography.  He used a software sharing program to download the pornography.  A search warrant was obtained for his residence, and the investigation revealed that Buckner had downloaded sadistic material depicting bondage and other sexually explicit scenes involving prepubescent children onto his computer.  At the time of his arrest, the defendant admitted he had been downloading child pornography.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations 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.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. Tips may be reported anonymously.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Derrick Nathaniel Hartfield, 46, of Smyrna, Ga., and Rico Carty Clemons, 48, of Riverdale, Ga., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik for defrauding Wal-Mart and other retail businesses nationwide out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through identity theft and wire fraud.  Hartfield received 60 months in prison, four years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine for wire fraud.  He also received 24 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $5,000 fine for aggravated identity theft.  The two prison terms will be served consecutively and the supervised release will be served concurrently.  Clemons received 10 months in prison and two years of supervised release for wire fraud.  Both defendants were also ordered to pay $14,869 in restitution.  Hartfield and Clemons pleaded guilty on May 13, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Hartfield and Clemons admitted that they used illegally obtained retail store gift cards and applied for credit/debit cards using other peoples’ identities.  Hartfield acknowledged during the entry of his guilty plea that he had advised law enforcement officers he may have obtained approximately $1 million since 2005 as a result of the scheme.  A Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy working a security detail at a Lake Charles Wal-Mart on July 7, 2012, apprehended Hartfield in the store.  The officer then identified Clemons who was in a parked vehicle outside.  The two men were in possession of $2,000 and numerous debit and credit cards that were not in their names.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Joel Sotomayer Cervantes, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik, to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin.  The defendant pleaded guilty to charges on April 24, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from January 1, 2008 until March 1, 2011, Joel Cervantes along with Jesus Silverio Cervantes, Ramon Gaudalupe Aldama-Rodriguez, Jose Manuel Mojica-Echeverria, Turon Ajure Leduff, Nora Myriam Monge, and Rene Omar Monge conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and possessed with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. Jesus Cervantes ran the cocaine and heroin trafficking organization from an Abbeville residence that Joel Cervantes owned.  The drugs were distributed in the Acadiana and Baton Rouge areas.

The defendant was arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office participated in this OCDETF investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson prosecuted the case.

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.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced thatScott William Wood, 31, of Zwolle, La., was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Maurice S. Hicks to 10 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Woods pleaded guilty on July 29, 2013.
                                                           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Service Task Force arrested Woods and three others at a casino hotel in Shreveport on June 20, 2012. During his arrest, agents discovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, two handguns, ammunition and body armor in the hotel room.  Wood admitted to bringing the guns into the hotel.  The defendant has previously been convicted on drug possession and drug distribution charges.  

The Louisiana State Police, U.S. Marshal’s Service Task Force, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the ATF conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Glen A. “Andy” Miller, 48, of West Monroe, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert G. James to 18 months in prison and five years of supervised release for bank fraud.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $97,413 in restitution.  

Miller was found guilty August 14, 2013 after a three-day jury trial.  Witness testimony and documents admitted at trial revealed that from September 24, 2010 until January 25, 2011 Miller, an independent IT contractor, stole $97,413 from Will Transport, a Monroe company, where he was working at the time.  Miller stole blank Will Transport company checks, made them payable to himself and then used the company’s stamp to put signatures on the checks. Miller deposited these checks into his account at Capital One Bank and withdrew the funds shortly thereafter.  The trial evidence also revealed that Miller was previously terminated from the city of West Monroe for the fraudulent use of a city issued credit card.

“This defendant used his position to steal money from his employer,” Finley stated. “They trusted him to conduct his work honestly, but instead betrayed them and broke the law. Theft from employers and bank fraud are serious crimes and disruptive to members of the business community. We are committed to aggressively prosecuting this type of financial crime.”

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Shaun Daigle, 34, and Patrick Murray, 46, both of Sulphur, La., pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay, to conspiring to counterfeit U.S. currency.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty plea, from May 1, 2013 to May 25, 2013, Daigle and Murray conspired to manufacture and distribute counterfeit U.S. currency in the Sulphur, Lake Charles, and Westlake, La. areas.

The defendants each face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to counterfeit and forge obligations to the United States.  A sentencing date has not been set.

The U.S. Secret Service and Sulphur Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that five defendants were sentenced on Wednesday and Thursday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for their roles in a staged accident insurance scheme.  The defendants pleaded guilty July 15, 2013.  

Larry Kimble, 33, of Athens, La., was sentenced to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy and wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $7,463 in restitution.

Bobby Lee Kimble, 42, of Athens, La., was sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy, wire fraud and health care fraud.

Joe Abbott, 54, of Arcadia, La., was sentenced to four months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy, mail fraud and health care fraud.

Marcus Kimble, 30, of Arcadia, La., was sentenced to one day in prison, time served and three years of supervised release for conspiracy, wire fraud, and health care fraud.

Monica Jenkins, 25, of Athens, La., was sentenced to five years of probation for conspiracy, mail fraud and health care fraud.

The members of the ring conspired to stage automobile accidents and submit fraudulent claims to various insurance companies for bodily injury and property damage.  The “Kimble Ring,” was composed of family, friends and associates who staged two automobile rear-end collisions, single automobile collisions with trees, and false hit-and-run claims.  The false claims were filed for accidents occurring in Bienville Parish; Ruston, La.; Athens, La.; and Claiborne Parish between December 2007 and March 2008.

Sentencing of co-defendant Damario Henderson, 29, of Homer, La., who is charged with conspiracy and health care fraud, has been delayed until December 18, 2013.

“The consumers pay the ultimate price through higher costs and premiums when fraudulent schemes like this are carried out,” Finley stated. “This group was motivated by greed, and their goal was to get as much money as possible by defrauding insurance companies out of thousands of dollars. Their actions placed unnecessary burdens on the local insurance system, causing money and time to be misspent on the false claims.  This office will continue to prosecute these types of cases to the fullest extent of the law.”

The Louisiana State Police investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that William Thomas Holland III, 31, of Norfolk, Va., was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg to 24 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony and for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  He pleaded guilty July 11, 2013.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, on June 23, 2012, members of the 2nd Security Forces Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB) noticed a vehicle parked near a wooded area on BAFB.  Upon looking through the window of the vehicle, officers saw a large knife, marijuana and evidence of marijuana use.  Holland then walked from the woods and approached the vehicle and stated that he owned the vehicle.  The defendant was detained and a warrant was obtained to search the vehicle to retrieve the knife and marijuana.  Holland was the civilian spouse of a member of the military who lived on BAFB.  A second search warrant was obtained to search Holland’s residence on BAFB.  A loaded .357 caliber revolver was found along with other items.  The serial number on the firearm was obliterated.  Holland admitted to possessing the firearm, knowing that the serial number was obliterated on the firearm and that he had a prior felony conviction prohibiting him from possessing the firearm.  He told law enforcement agents that he had bought the ammunition for the firearm from a local sporting goods store.

“Barksdale Air Force Base is one of the largest Air Force bases in the world and is home of the 8th Air Force and B-52H bombers,” Finley stated. “The safety of the military and its civilian protection is a priority of our office.  Vigilant action by Security Forces and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) agents resulted in the arrest, conviction and imprisonment of this felon.  It is a testament to the great working relationship between the military investigative personnel and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.”        

Members of the 2nd Security Forces Squadron, the AFOSI at Barksdale Air Force Base and the Shreveport Office of the ATF investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.  Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide program started in 2001 designed to reduce violence by aggressively enforcing existing federal firearms laws.  

SHREVEPORT, La – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that David Lamone Moten, 34, of Shreveport, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to 105 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  He pleaded guilty January 31, 2013.
 
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, in December of 2012, Moten conspired with Michael Williams, Robin Lynette Gaddis and others to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of powder cocaine.  In 2011 and 2012, Williams caused cocaine to be transported from Dallas to his hometown of Shreveport for redistribution by others, including Moten.  Specifically, on December 1, 2012, Moten received a shipment of powder cocaine from Williams and distributed the cocaine in the Shreveport area.  

Williams pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges on January 31, 2013 and was sentenced on May 30, 2013 to 151 months in federal prison. Gaddis pleaded guilty to conspiracy January 22, 2013 and was sentenced June 10, 2013 to 24 months in federal prison.

Williams, Gaddis and Moten were prosecuted as part of OCDETF Operation Dry Cedar, which targeted cocaine distributors in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood.  The FBI’s Northwest Louisiana Violent Crimes Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.

Members of the Task Force include the FBI, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier City Police Department, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police.  The investigation spanned two states, multiple jurisdictions, and involved the FBI offices in both Shreveport and Dallas.  To date, the investigation has produced eight federal indictments and 14 state arrests.

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 that Johnson Augustus Powell, 53, of Huntsville, Ala., pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to copyright infringement.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, 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.

Powell faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for one count of criminal copyright infringement.  A sentencing date was not set.

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

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal jury found Anthown Latarius Swan, 28, Orlando Brian Washington, 29, and Lavar Elliot Kittelberger, 33, all of Atlanta, Ga., guilty of operating a counterfeit check scheme that bilked thousands of dollars from business bank accounts in the south-central and southwest Louisiana areas. United States District Judge Patricia Minaldi presided over the trial.  

The defendants’ trial started Monday and ended today with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for two and a half hours. According to evidence and testimony presented at the trial, the defendants stayed at Lafayette, La., hotels and would steal from area businesses’ mailboxes looking for commercial checks sent to those businesses and drawn on local banks. They used account information on the original checks to print out counterfeit checks and recruited individuals off the street and from homeless shelters who had valid identification to cash the fake checks. Counterfeit checks were cashed at banks in Lafayette, Broussard, Crowley, Lake Charles and Sulphur. After a search of the group’s hotel room on November 27, 2012, authorities found the 43 original stolen checks worth $155,223 in addition to a computer, printer and blank check paper.

All of the defendants were convicted on the conspiracy to defraud a financial institution and stolen mail counts. Swan and Washington were also convicted of eight counts of fictitious obligations, and Kittleberger was convicted of five counts of fictitious obligations.

The defendants face up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. A sentencing date of February 13, 2014 was set.

The fourth co-defendant of the group, Kwame Raphael Cunningham, 22, of Augusta, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and identity theft charges August 22, 2013. His sentencing date is December 5, 2013.

The U.S. Secret Service and the Lafayette Police Department with assistance from the Sulphur Police Department, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Alexander Maciver, 24, of Ball, La., was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 70 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.  Maciver pleaded guilty on April 30, 2013.  

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, authorities discovered more than 10 images of child pornography and one video on MacIver’s laptop, after authorities executed a search warrant of his home on July 18, 2011.  The images and video involved minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Maciver admitted to downloading the material off the internet.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Lafayette investigations unit conducted the investigation.  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. 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 submitted anonymously.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Abelardo Antunez-Gama, 46, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik to 20 months in prison for illegal reentry with deportation upon service of sentence and no supervised release to follow. Antunez-Gama pleaded guilty August 8, 2013.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, local law enforcement found Antunez-Gama after conducting a traffic stop January 23, 2013 on Interstate 10, near Exit 36, east of Lake Charles, La. He was handed over to U.S. Border Patrol agents who discovered he had reentered the United States illegally three times previously, and had prior drug and firearm convictions. The defendant was convicted on March 2001 for possessing a firearm during commission of a drug crime and was deported in May 2001. He was found to be in the Unites States again in 2011 and was removed in May 2011. He was arrested near the Mexican border town of Del Rio, Texas, on June 9, 2011, was convicted on illegal reentry charges on November 17, 2011, served time in prison for the offense, and then was removed from the United States again in September of 2012.  

The U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Michael Sonnier, 32, of Westlake, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 120 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty August 1, 2013.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities detected Sonnier downloading child pornography using file sharing software.  A search of the defendant’s computer and phone on October 18, 2012, revealed that he downloaded more than 26 movies of hardcore child pornography, which included sadistic material depicting prepubescent children.  

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker 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 two defendants were sentenced and one pleaded guilty to child pornography related charges.  The hearings were held before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi.

WESTLAKE MAN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Michael Sonnier, 31, of Westlake, La., was sentenced to 120 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography.  He pleaded guilty August 1, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities detected Sonnier downloading child pornography using file sharing software.  A search of the defendant’s computer and phone on October 18, 2012, revealed that he downloaded more than 26 movies of hardcore child pornography, which included sadistic material depicting prepubescent children.  Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

EX-TUGBOAT CAPTAIN SENTENCED FOR TRANSPORTING CHILD PORN

Former tugboat captain Kenneth Dwight Dickey, 57, of Foley, Ala., was sentenced to 108 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for transporting child pornography.  He pleaded guilty August 1, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities detected Dickey downloading child pornography using “peer-to-peer” software.  Those using peer-to-peer software usually take a file and place it in a “shared folder” on a computer for the purpose of distributing it to others on the internet.  A search of the defendant’s computer and phone on October 15, 2012 showed that Dickey was in possession of child pornography.  He also admitted to transporting child pornography from Mississippi to the Western District of Louisiana.  The child pornography on the computer was sadistic in nature.  Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

JENNINGS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO RECEIVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Seth Ryan Bivens, 29, of Jennings, La., pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities discovered that Bivens was downloading child pornography using “peer-to-peer” software.  A warrant was obtained, and Bivens’ home was searched on November 14, 2012. An examination of Bivens’ computer and other electronic devices uncovered 294 movies and 28 images of child pornography.

Bivens faces five up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release of five years to life.  Sentencing is set for February 6, 2014.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.

All of the cases were 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 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. 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 submitted anonymously.

 

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that private investigator Robert Williamson, 64, of Lafayette, was arraigned Wednesday of this week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna on a nine-count indictment charging him with operating a pay-for-plea scheme that garnered favorable treatment for defendants charged with state violations of operating while intoxicated (OWI).

Williamson pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $50,000 bond. The trial date has been set for December 16, 2013.

The grand jury returned the Williamson indictment February 28, 2013, charging him with one count of conspiracy, six counts of bribery relating to the OWI scheme, one count of Social Security Fraud for claiming Social Security payments while not reporting income from the bribery scheme, and one count of making false statements to a federal agent.

According to the indictment, Williamson, who is not licensed to practice law, was part of a conspiracy from March 2008 to February 2012 to solicit thousands of dollars from individuals with pending criminal charges in the 15th Judicial District. Williamson promised favorable resolutions to pending felony and misdemeanor cases, the majority of which were OWI cases.

The indictment states that Williamson paid bribes in cash and other things of value to personnel within the District Attorney's office and employees with other organizations associated with the OWI program, including Acadiana Outreach.  Williamson is also alleged to have obtained false and fraudulent certifications from Acadiana Outreach, which certified that his clients completed court-ordered community service, when in fact the individuals had not.  The indictment outlines that Williamson would obtain fraudulent driver safety training certificates showing that Williamson's "clients" completed court-mandated driver improvement programs when they had not.

If convicted of the conspiracy, Williamson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with up to three years of supervised release.  He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a 250,000 fine or both with three years of supervised release for each count of bribery, five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with three years of supervised release for the Social Security Fraud count, and five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with three years of supervised release for the false statements to a federal agent count.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth are prosecuting the case.

 

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Lashanda E. Harris, 38, of Natchitoches, La., pleaded guilty on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from January 2012 to April 2012, Harris, a tax preparer in Natchitoches, assisted customers in preparing false tax returns for tax year 2011.  The returns contained false information concerning W-2, federal tax withholdings, Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  Based on the false statements in the tax returns, individuals were able to obtain in excess of $100,000 in fraudulent tax refunds.  As part of the scheme, Harris received “kickbacks” from the customers.

Harris faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution for aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return.  Sentencing is set for January 30, 2014.

The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Seth Ryan Bivens, 29, of Jennings, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to receiving child pornography.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities discovered that Bivens was downloading child pornography using “peer-to-peer” software.  A warrant was obtained, and Bivens’ home was searched on November 14, 2012. An examination of Bivens’ computer and other electronic devices uncovered 294 movies and 28 images of child pornography.

Bivens faces five up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release of five years to life.  Sentencing is set for February 6, 2014.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth 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.projectafechildhood.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. Tips may be reported anonymously.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former tugboat captain Kenneth Dwight Dickey, 57, of Foley, Ala., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 108 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for transporting child pornography. He pleaded guilty August 1, 2013.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities detected Dickey downloading child pornography using “peer-to-peer” software.  Those using peer-to-peer software usually take a file and place it in a “shared folder” on a computer for the purpose of distributing it to others on the internet.  A search of the defendant’s computer and phone on October 15, 2012 showed that Dickey was in possession of child pornography.  He also admitted to transporting child pornography from Mississippi to the Western District of Louisiana.  The child pornography on the computer was sadistic in nature.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker 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 that 10 defendants pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, for their roles in a cocaine distribution network operating across the central Louisiana area.  

The defendants who pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges are: Michael J. Wright, 27, of Houston; Dennis Wayne Bradford, 30, of Cottonport, La.; Falon S. Maricle, 31, Brandon C. Thomas, 30, of Marksville, La.; Abraham Baylor III, 38, Earnest G. Miles III, 25, Leotis V. Perry, 36, Sedrick D. Porter, 35, Terrace D. Winchester, 34, and Dontour D. Drakes, 37, of Alexandria, La.  Drakes also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from January 2012 through March 2013, authorities in Avoyelles and Rapides parishes conducted an investigation into cocaine trafficking that resulted in the arrest of these 10 defendants.  It was determined that this group was responsible for the sale and distribution of more than 10 kilos of cocaine.  Law enforcement agents seized more than 5 kilograms of powder cocaine, 500 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately $70,000 in cash.  The defendants obtained their cocaine from Houston and converted it into crack in the CENLA area to sell in Avoyelles and Rapides parishes.

The defendants each face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine for the drug conspiracy count.  Drakes will also serve an additional five years in prison for possessing of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Sentencing dates are set for January 30 and 31, 2014.

“The guilty pleas are the result of a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement,” Finley stated. “Our goal is to work with all of the law enforcement tools and expertise at our disposal to keep our communities and neighborhoods safe.”

The FBI Central Louisiana Safe Streets Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force, the Louisiana State Police, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department and the Louisiana Probation and Parole Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Cowles and Seth Reeg are prosecuting the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Roy Elbert Carlton, 43, of Temple, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 27 months in prison for possessing drugs in a prison. He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
                                                             
Carlton was found guilty August 7, 2013, after a two-day trial. The jury deliberated for 20 minutes and returned a guilty verdict.  Witness testimony and documents admitted at trial revealed that Carlton’s codefendant, Whitney C. Anderson and their children, visited him on February 20, 2010, at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, La. During the visit, one of the children was sitting on Carlton’s lap. Carlton was seen taking something out of the child’s pocket and then swallowing it. At that point, the visit was terminated, and Carlton was taken to a cell for observation. Eventually, the item swallowed by Carlton was excreted. The matter appeared to be balloon fragments and other material that tested positive for the presence of marijuana. Testimony at trial revealed that Anderson had brought multiple balloons filled with marijuana to the facility to smuggle to Carlton.  

Anderson was sentenced Monday, October 28, 2013 to eight months in prison for providing contraband to a prisoner. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. She pleaded guilty July 15, 2013.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

 

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Mary Kilpatrick, 57, of Montgomery, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to three months in prison with three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $192,918 in restitution for theft of government money. She was also ordered to complete 250 hours of community service.  Kilpatrick pleaded guilty June 27, 2013.  

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, for 22 years, Kilpatrick acted as if her deceased mother was alive and spent Social Security Administration payments meant for her mother.  The payments, totaling approximately $192,918, were placed in a joint account previously held by Kilpatrick and her mother.  After her mother’s death, Kilpatrick continued to withdraw the payments.

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ray Hatton III, 31, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 121 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possessing child pornography with some of the images involving infants.  He pleaded guilty May 13, 2013.  

According to the evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement authorities determined that Hatton was downloading child pornography using an internet file sharing program.  After obtaining a warrant, authorities searched his residence on March 8, 2012, and seized the defendant’s computer.  Hatton was found to have downloaded 10 videos of child pornography.  Some of the pornography depicted infants and very young children.

“This defendant admitted to downloading one of the most despicable types of child pornography produced,” Finley stated.  “Those who download and possess child pornography will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  I hope this serves as a deterrent to anyone seeking to acquire this type of material.”

The Lafayette Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation.  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.

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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ernest Prado, 48, Uvalde, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 84 months in prison with three years of supervised release for assaulting a fellow inmate.  He pleaded guilty July 23, 2013.  

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, officials for the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, La., on November 29, 2010 observed Prado and fellow inmate Gumaro Lopez in the recreation yard assaulting another inmate using homemade icepick-type weapons.  When the corrections officers approached to intervene, Prado and Lopez stopped the assault and threw the weapons on the ground.  The injured inmate was transported to a local hospital and was found to have sustained approximately 15 puncture wounds to his upper torso.  The assault was captured on video.

The FBI-Alexandria Resident Agency and the Federal Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Dakota Mallory Robinson, 25, of Bossier City, La., was sentenced Thursday before U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for making counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.  Robinson pleaded guilty July 24, 2013.  

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, a duplex manager called the Bossier City Police Department to report that a maintenance worker had observed Robinson making counterfeit money in his apartment with the door open to the public.  A search of the apartment February 8, 2013 revealed $2,020 worth of counterfeit $20 bills, a printer, uncut sheets of counterfeit $20 bills and other related items.

The U.S. Secret Service, Shreveport Office and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

 

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Fernellis Woods, 37, of Irving, Texas, was sentenced on October 18, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 130 months in prison with five years of supervised release for conspiracy with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.  He pleaded guilty May 15, 2013.
           
Woods along with co-defendants, German Rodriguez, Tyrone Thibeaux, John Dauphin and Glenn Charles were indicted in April 2012 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 5 kilograms of cocaine between August 2008 and April 2011.  According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Rodriguez, of Houston, Texas, supplied multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine to a large scale Lafayette, La. drug trafficking/distribution organization including Woods and Thibeaux.  On several occasions, Woods directed Charles to purchase cocaine from Rodriguez’s associate in Houston for distribution in the Lafayette area.  On March 2, 2011, Charles delivered $44,000 to Rodriguez’s associate for payment of 2 kilograms of cocaine; on March 15, 2011, Charles delivered $36,000 to Rodriguez’s associate for payment of cocaine, and on March 30 2011, Charles picked up 2 kilograms of cocaine from Rodriguez’s associate to be delivered to Lafayette associates, to include Woods.  Charles was stopped and arrested on the way to Lafayette.  The approximate value of all the cocaine transferred from March 2, 2011 to March 30, 2011 was more than $115,000.  

Rodriguez, Dauphin and Charles previously pleaded guilty, and Dauphin is currently scheduled for sentencing on Feb, 14, 2014. Dates for Rodriguez and Charles’ sentencings, and Thibeaux’s trial have not been set.

Woods was arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Carencro Louisiana Police Department, the Houston Texas Police Department and the Waller County Texas Sheriff’s Office participated in this OCDETF investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker is prosecuting the case.

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 that Mark Anthony Slade, 55, of Lafayette, was sentenced October 18, 2013 to 60 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for knowingly receiving child pornography on his computer. He is also required to register as a sex offender. Slade pleaded guilty on April 17, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, an investigation of local and federal law enforcement authorities determined using computer surveillance software that the defendant was downloading child pornography.  He used the internet file sharing program Limewire to download the files.  After obtaining a warrant, authorities searched his residence Oct. 29, 2010, and seized the defendant’s computer.  Slade was found to have downloaded 10 movies of child pornography.  Some of the pornography depicted prepubescent children.

“Distributing and downloading child pornography is a serious crime that is not going to be ignored by this office,” Finley said.  “These criminals perpetrate the victimization of children. We will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to investigate and prosecute those who actively exploit children.”

The Lafayette Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security 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 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. 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 submitted anonymously.

During the government shutdown, press releases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, were limited.  Today, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announces the following results from matters occurring from October 1, 2013 through October 17, 2013.      

MOTHER, DAUGHTER SENTENCED FOR CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT BANK ROBBERIES

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Evie Bowin Herrin, 58, of Kirbyville, Texas, and her daughter Amelia Darci Crew, 31, of Cleveland, Texas, were sentenced on October 3, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi for conspiracy to commit bank robbery.  Herrin received 86 months in prison, and Crew received 51 months in prison.  They both received three years of supervised release.  Herrin was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $17,730 restitution.  They pleaded guilty June 27, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, the defendants admitted to stealing $17,730 from banks in Louisiana and Texas.  Herrin admitted to entering three banks wearing a disguise.  After entering the banks, Herrin would point what looked like a handgun at a teller and present the teller with a note saying to hand over strapped bundles of 100 and 20 dollar bills or she would shoot the bank employees.  Herrin left each bank in a car driven by Crew.  The robberies occurred on February 13, 2012 at an Iberia Bank in Kinder, La., February 28, 2012 at a Citizens National Bank in Henderson, Texas, and March 15, 2012 at a MidSouth Bank in Sulphur, La.

The FBI and the Kinder, Sulphur, and Henderson, Texas police departments investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.

FORT POLK MAN SENTENCED FOR ABUSIVE SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A MINOR

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Antwon M. Sewell, 20, of Fort Polk, La., was sentenced on October 3, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 15 months in prison with five years of supervised release for committing abusive sexual contact with two minors.  Sewell pleaded guilty June 13, 2013.

 According to evidence presented in court, Sewell was at a party taking place at an unoccupied residence on the Fort Polk Military base on July 18, 2012.  While at the party, he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old girl at different times that night.  He admitted to providing alcohol to the minors attending the party.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

MEXICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY, FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER

SHREVEPORT, La. – Carlos Galvan-Lopez, 43, of Mexico, was sentenced on October 3, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Maurice Hicks Jr. to 50 months in prison for illegally re-entering the United States and failing to register as a sex offender.  The defendant is subject to deportation upon release.  He pleaded guilty on June 3, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, the Hidalgo, Texas, Sheriff’s Office arrested Galvan-Lopez on December 18, 1995 for aggravated sexual assault.  He served time in prison and was deported on December 21, 2010.  He was arrested in Shreveport at his place of employment on April 19, 2013, after it was discovered that he had illegally returned to the United States and had not registered as a sex offender.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

FORMER MONROE RESIDENT SENTENCED TO 15 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR STEALING MORE THAN $100,000 FROM CREDIT CARD COMPANY

MONROE, La. – Durar Mohammed Judeh, 48, of Tupelo, Miss., was sentenced on October 7, 2013 by U.S. District Court Judge Robert G. James to 15 months in prison and five years of supervised release for bank fraud.  He was also ordered to pay $101,280 in restitution.  He pleaded guilty May 29, 2013.

In April 2008, Chase Bankcard Services alerted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service that nine credit cards listed for addresses in Monroe had been opened fraudulently.  Judeh admitted to using a relative’s personal information to open the accounts and deposited money into an account he controlled, using the cards to steal more than $101,280.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

MOREHOUSE PARISH WOMAN SENTENCED TO 12 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR STEALING FROM BANK CUSTOMERS

MONROE, La. – Vickie Lenoir, 48, of Mer Rouge, La., was sentenced on October 7, 2013, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert G. James, to 12 months in prison and five years of supervised release for embezzling money from customers at the Capital One bank where she worked.  She was also ordered to pay $95,673 in restitution.  Lenoir pleaded guilty May 14, 2013.

According to evidence presented in court, from December 2008 until October 2012, Lenoir admitted to embezzling more than $95,673 from seven customer accounts at a Bastrop, La., Capital One Bank where she was employed.  The missing money was reported after customers began noticing unusual activity in their accounts.

The FBI investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Cytheria Jernigan prosecuted the case.

FORT POLK MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Marcus Patterson Carey, 28, of Canton, Ohio, was sentenced on October 8, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to 30 years in prison for second degree murder and 20 years in prison for attempted second degree murder with both sentences to be served concurrently.  He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release.  Carey pleaded guilty on June 12, 2013.

Carey admitted that on June 19, 2010, he killed a Fort Polk soldier by striking him with a hammer and stabbing him multiple times.  He also admitted to attempting to kill a former soldier by striking that person with a hammer and stabbing that person multiple times as well.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the FBI conducted the investigation.  United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

JURY CONVICTS OPELOUSAS MAN FOR POSSESSING AND RECEIVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Defendant was a former child psychiatrist

LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury found former child psychiatrist Gary Jefferson Byrd, 71, of Opelousas, La., guilty on October 8, 2013 of possessing and receiving child pornography.  United States District Judge Richard T. Haik presided over the trial.

Following a two-day trial, a jury found Byrd guilty of one count of possession of child pornography and one count of receiving child pornography after deliberating for 40 minutes.  Based on witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence, 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 thousands of images of child pornography that Byrd had downloaded from the Internet.  He also printed hundreds of images of child pornography that he kept in files next to his bed.

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 his conviction, his employment was as a child psychiatrist.

Because of Byrd’s prior child pornography conviction, he faces 5 years to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of child pornography, and he also faces 15 years to 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for receiving child pornography.  A sentencing date has not been set.

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. 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 submitted anonymously.

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