Western District of Michigan

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Jaquan Foreman, 22, of Lansing was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for possessing machineguns and supplying them to fellow gang members in the Lansing area. Specifically, Foreman possessed and was selling machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), small devices – also called “switches,” “buttons,” or “auto-sears” – that quickly convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machinegun, capable of firing hundreds of rounds a minute with the single pull of a trigger.

          “With this case I am sending a very clear message: if you possess a machinegun conversion device and are driving violence in your community, you are a target for federal prosecution,” announced U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The devastation machineguns can inflict is horrific. Although violent crime rates have dropped, the spread of machineguns is a growing threat that we are attacking head on.”

          WATCH: To reinforce this message, and following today’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney Totten shared a video message on social media.

          Jaquan Foreman is a member of a Lansing-area gang responsible for a rash of violent incidents over the past few years, including numerous shootings and murders. Investigators discovered electronic evidence that Defendant was selling machinegun conversion devices, then searched his home and found ammunition, gun parts, a pistol, and a MCD. Reviewing the cell phones of other federal defendants, investigators learned that Foreman was distributing MCDs to other gang members. Text messages suggested that one of these buyers was Valentino Wallace, who was convicted by a federal jury on August 15, 2024, of possessing a machinegun and now awaits sentencing. Further details are available in the attached Government’s Sentencing Memorandum.

          “Anyone who contributes to the gun violence in the city of Lansing will be targeted with all the resources available to the Lansing Police Department,” said Chief Rob Backus, Lansing Police Department. “This includes our violent crimes initiative partners, which include local, state, and federal agencies.”

          The Lansing Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey prosecuted it.

          This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.

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Case Reflects Grim Reality: Gun Violence is Now the #1 Cause of Death for Kids

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Avis Coward, 44, of Lansing, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. Coward previously pleaded guilty to illegally possessing two guns. A two-year-old child found one of the guns in a car, suffered a gunshot wound and later died. Coward had previously been convicted of drug trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon, carjacking, and brandishing a weapon during the commission of a crime of violence.

          “This two-year-old child is dead because Avis Coward flouted the law,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “And then – as if that was not enough – Coward attempted to hide his crime and evade justice.” Totten continued: “This case painfully represents a grim statistic that hangs over the nation: gun violence is now the #1 cause of death for our youngest Americans, ages 0-19. None of us should get used to this new reality. My team and I will use every tool we have to punish criminals who put our kids in harm’s way.”

          Two other Lansing residents were also charged in the indictment. Emma Huver pleaded guilty to possessing a pistol that was in the car and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.  Gina Schieberl pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21.

          On October 24, 2023, Coward got out of a car at a Lansing gas station and went inside, leaving a two-year-old child and the child’s mother, Emma Huver, in the car. The child found Coward’s gun while playing in the car, then shot and killed himself. Surveillance video showed a bullet hole appear in the car window a minute after Coward exited the vehicle. Huver got out of the car holding her child, who had blood on his face from the gunshot wound. As she did so, Coward’s gun fell out of the car. Huver handed the child to Coward, who then passed the child to a third person who took the victim into the gas station and attempted to control the bleeding until medical personnel arrived. Coward returned to the car, picked up the gun off the ground, and put it back in the car. The surveillance video also showed Coward use his hand to break out the front passenger window, which had the bullet hole, in his first effort to destroy evidence. Coward then drove away. The child later died from his injuries.

          While in jail, Coward made several phone calls in an attempt to further hide evidence. Police later found the car, which was found burned-out and abandoned in a field in Lansing, and the barrel of Coward’s .45 caliber Springfield Armory semiautomatic pistol, which was hidden in the wall of a house in Lansing.  The rest of the gun has not been recovered.  Further details are available in the Government Response to Defendant’s Sentencing Memorandum, which is attached to this press release.

          “This tragedy occurred because an individual who was prohibited from owning a firearm illegally possessed one, leading to a devastating outcome,” said Chief Rob Backus, Lansing Police Department. “Our thoughts are with the family affected by this loss. We appreciate U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and his team for their dedication in seeing this case through and ensuring accountability.”

          Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have declined since 2021, no level of violence is acceptable.

          Resources and information on the safe storage of firearms can be found by reviewing the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Storage of Firearms guide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives pamphlet. Anyone who possesses a gun must follow all local, state, and federal laws.

          This case was investigated by the Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney entered a consent decree that orders Ronald E. Zylstra, D.V.M., to pay $35,000 in civil penalties, cease dispensing controlled substances for five years, and abide by other restrictions on his handling of controlled substances.  The consent decree resolves allegations in a complaint the United States filed against Dr. Zylstra for violating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

          “Practitioners who dispense controlled substances must adhere to their recordkeeping obligations under federal law, which are critical to preventing and detecting diversion,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.  “As we fight the opioid epidemic, my office will continue to work with DEA and other law enforcement agencies to combat this and other controlled-substance violations.”

          The United States’ complaint alleged that Dr. Zylstra, who owns and practices at Kentwood Veterinary Clinic, failed to meet multiple recordkeeping obligations. Most significantly, the complaint asserts that when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigators inspected Kentwood Veterinary Clinic, an audit revealed that over 41,000 opioid and benzodiazepine tablets were unaccounted for.  It also alleges that Dr. Zylstra failed to fulfill other recordkeeping obligations, including recording the receipt of Schedule II controlled substances and conducting an inventory of controlled substances at least every two years.

          The $35,000 civil penalty was negotiated based on Dr. Zylstra’s inability to pay a larger amount. In addition to this penalty and the five-year prohibition on dispensing controlled substances, the consent decree limits to whom he can prescribe, restricts which controlled substances he can order and administer during procedures, and subjects him to increased DEA monitoring for five years.

          “DEA is committed to ensuring registrants adhere to the laws set forth in the Controlled Substance Act, to include recordkeeping – an integral step in preventing the diversion of controlled substances,” said Orville Green, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of DEA. “When medical professionals fail to comply with these laws, it puts our communities and lives at risk. We will continue to work with our regulatory partners to hold registrants accountable and ensure West Michigan communities remain healthy and safe.”

          The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the DEA.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whitney M. Schnurr and Andrew J. Hull handled this case.

          The complaint and consent decree in this case can be found on the Court’s online docket under United States v. Ronald E. Zylstra, D.V.M., No. 1:24-cv-00963 (W.D. Mich.).

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

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          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Chief U.S. District Court Judge Hala Y. Jarbou has entered a consent decree against Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Sacred Heart), a behavioral health and addiction treatment services network, as well as its president and chief executive officer, Paula Nelson, and medical director, Janis Romanik, D.O.  The court order imposes certain monitoring and compliance obligations on the defendants as well as a $1,000,000 civil penalty and resolves the United States’ allegations that the defendants violated certain dispensing and recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

          “Now more than ever, Michigan addiction treatment centers like Sacred Heart play a critical role in treating and healing communities plagued by the opioid epidemic and other forms of addiction,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “But as this resolution demonstrates, it is crucial that these organizations and their officers handle controlled substances in a way that maintains the integrity of these services and ensures patient safety. The goal of this consent decree is to provide the necessary support and oversight to ensure that Sacred Heart can continue to provide necessary addiction treatment services, but in a safe and compliant manner.”

          In its complaint, the United States alleged that a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) inspection discovered multiple violations of the CSA at a Sacred Heart treatment facility in Berrien Center named Serenity Hills Recovery & Wellness Center (Serenity Hills).  The United States alleged that Serenity Hills staff routinely dispensed controlled substances to treat patients presenting with addiction withdrawal symptoms before a qualified healthcare practitioner evaluated or examined those patients.  In many instances, patients spent days on a regimen of controlled substances without being seen by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

          The United States also alleged that Serenity Hills failed to maintain accurate records of the controlled substances dispensed to patients, and that the facility neglected to take a biennial inventory of controlled substances and did not file a timely report of the theft or loss of missing controlled substances.  The United States alleged that these recordkeeping violations followed a history of similar violations at other Sacred Heart facilities over the last twelve years.

          Under the terms of the consent decree, Sacred Heart has agreed to review and revise its controlled substance policies and procedures and to hire an independent monitor to inspect Sacred Heart’s facilities for compliance with the CSA and share the findings of those inspections with Sacred Heart and the DEA.  Following this monitoring period, the defendants will enter a probationary period during which future violations may result in payment of liquidated damages.

          “When rehabilitation and treatment centers do not live up to their obligations, our office will vigorously pursue the violations,” said Orville Green, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of DEA. “Careless behavior and failure to adhere to the provisions of the CSA, allows for substances to be diverted and sold without accountability.”

          The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and DEA’s Diversion Group in the Grand Rapids District Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hull prosecuted this case with assistance from DEA Field Counsel Stacy M. Race.

          The complaint and consent decree in this case can be found on the Court’s online docket under United States v. Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Inc., et al., No. 1:24-cv-995 (W.D. Mich.).

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

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Threat disrupted Caribbean cruise

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Joshua Darrell Lowe II, 19, of Bailey, Michigan, was indicted on criminal charges related to an alleged bomb hoax.

          “We take every threat of mass violence seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources needed to address real threats. My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information that prompts a law enforcement response.”

          In January 2024, Carnival Cruise Lines received an e-mail warning, “Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your sunrise cruise ship.” The cruise ship, Sunrise, had just departed Miami, Florida with a full complement of passengers and crew, and was sailing toward Jamaica as part of a Caribbean cruise. As a result of the message, the ship’s personnel individually searched over a thousand staterooms. Carnival alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and Jamaican authorities, whose Marine Police escorted the ship to port. According to court documents, Lowe is charged with making a false bomb threat.

          “Bomb threats are not a laughing matter and are extremely irresponsible,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “When individuals make false hoax threats, they divert critical law enforcement resources and spread unnecessary fear. The FBI takes all threats to life seriously and will ensure that those who resort to this kind of intimidation face the appropriate consequences.”

          If convicted, Lowe faces a penalty of up to five years in prison and will be required to pay restitution for expenses associated with the hoax.

          The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler is prosecuting it.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Craig E. Hunnicutt Jr., 43, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition as a convicted felon.

          “The gun violence epidemic is inflicting grave harm on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “As a convicted felon, Mr. Hunnicutt Jr. was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. His brazen actions of firing a gun and shooting several victims in the parking lot of a convenience store put the public at great risk of harm. As we did here, my Office will continue to focus our limited federal resources on those few individuals driving violence in our communities.”

          In August 2023, the Grand Rapids Police Department responded to a shooting at a convenience store parking lot where four people had been shot. Investigators made contact with one victim who needed emergency medical care due to a gunshot wound to his leg.  Two additional victims were also transported to the hospital to receive emergency medical care for gunshot wounds. 

          Investigators reviewed surveillance footage which shows Hunnicutt Jr. walk up to a group of people and open fire with a handgun. Hunnicutt is a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Investigators retrieved five spent casings from the pistol used in the shooting and a witness also identified Hunnicutt Jr. as the shooter. 

          At the time of the shooting, Hunnicutt Jr. was under federal supervision after having been released from a 17-year sentence for possessing cocaine base and a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

          “Craig Hunnicutt Jr. is a repeat habitual felon prohibited from possessing firearms,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “During this incident, Hunnicutt Jr. illegally possessed a firearm and shot four people in our community. Michiganders deserve better and demand more from our community members. Rest assured: Mr. Hunnicutt Jr. will have a lot of time to redeem himself for his reprehensible conduct.  Simply put, Michigan is safer with Mr. Hunnicutt Jr. off our streets and behind bars.”

          The Grand Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Metoxen and Steve Baker prosecuted the case.

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U.S. Justice Department Designates Lansing in the Western District of Michigan Under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders

          Grand Rapids, Mich – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. Last Friday marked the 30th Anniversary of the VAWA. The City of Lansing was identified as a designated community in the Western District of Michigan.

          The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms.

          “Domestic violence harms families, perpetuates social inequities, and leaves victims fearful and feeling like they have nowhere to turn,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is fully committed to working with our law enforcement and community partners to protect victims and we will continue to identify opportunities to prosecute gun offenders with a record of domestic and intimate-partner violence.”

          “Three decades ago, VAWA transformed our national response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking,” said Attorney General Garland. “Its enactment sent a message: gender-based and intimate-partner violence is not just a private matter, not just a local matter, but a national crisis — one that our country was no longer willing to tolerate.  As we take stock of the progress that VAWA has advanced, the Department of Justice remains committed to using every tool at our disposal to end these forms of violence and support survivors.”

          “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their relationships. The use of firearms to commit domestic violence is unacceptable,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “ATF and our law enforcement partners remain resolute in holding violent offenders who threaten the safety of their family and our community accountable.”

          Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence.

          The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders.  All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.  

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Recent domestic violence cases prosecuted by the Western District of Michigan

Lansing Man Sentenced For Illegal Gun Possession

Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced To 46 Months In Federal Prison For Illegally Possessing A Firearm

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten pledges to use criminal firearm laws to protect victims of domestic violence

Muskegon Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Stalking His Ex-Wife And Possessing Firearms

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten Vows to Fight Gender-Based Violence

Case Illustrates Federal Focus on the Few Individuals Driving Violence

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Rundy Lamar Williams, 35, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

          “My team and I are laser focused on the few people in our communities who drive violence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Mr. Williams is one of those individuals and today’s sentence takes us one step closer to the freedom from gun violence that everyone deserves, no matter their zip code or the size of their bank account. Safety is a civil right.”

          On July 15, 2023, Williams was a passenger in a car stopped by Grand Rapids Police Department officers. With active warrants for his arrest and prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms, Williams concealed his identity by providing false identification to officers and hid a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the leg of his pants.

          Prior to this encounter with law enforcement, on May 5, 2022, according to video surveillance and eyewitness accounts, Williams and another individual fired multiple rounds into an occupied restaurant in Grand Rapids. Williams has been charged by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office for his role in this shooting and is presumed innocent of these charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

          After Williams’ arrest on these state charges, he was released on bond and subsequently failed to appear in court as required. On February 8, 2024, officers attempted to arrest Mr. Williams at a residence in Grand Rapids but he refused to exit the residence, causing an hours-long standoff with police. Ultimately, officers had to deploy chemical agents into the residence to get Williams to exit.

          “Rundy Williams is a career criminal who cannot lawfully possess firearms. Mr. Williams is believed to have been involved in an incident that could have resulted in mass casualties,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir.  “Simply put, firing rounds into an occupied restaurant is a really bad choice and reprehensible. Our communities deserve better from its members and will be a safer place with Mr. Williams behind bars.”

          “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Mark Totten’s focus on seeking federal gun charges where appropriate,” said GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom. “This partnership with local law enforcement leads to safer communities for all.”

          The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Grand Rapids Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorneys Alexia Jansen and Dan McGraw prosecuted it.

          This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Emma Huver, 26, of Lansing, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Huver previously pleaded guilty to possessing a purple 9-millimeter Smith & Wesson semiautomatic pistol in her car on October 24, 2023, when her two-year-old son suffered a gunshot wound and later died. She had previously been convicted of a felony drug offense in 2020. 

“Today’s sentencing brings us closer to securing a measure of justice for this senseless loss of life,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The tragic death of this two-year-old boy, due to the accidental discharge of a gun that wasn’t properly stored, could have been prevented. We must keep guns out of the hands of those who cannot legally possess them and do everything we can in our fight against the gun violence epidemic that is now the number one cause of death for our youngest, ages 0-19.”

Two other Lansing residents are also charged in the indictment. Avis Coward, 44, pleaded guilty to possessing the purple gun and another pistol.  Gina Schieberl, 27, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence.  Coward is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2 and Schieberl is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21.

As alleged, on October 24, 2023, Coward got out of a car at a Lansing gas station and went inside, leaving a two-year-old child and the child’s mother, Huver, in the car. Surveillance video showed that a minute later a bullet hole appeared in the car window. Huver got out of the car holding her child, who had blood on his face from a gunshot wound. As she did so, Coward’s gun fell out of the car. Huver handed the child to Coward, who then passed the child to a third person who took the victim into the gas station and attempted to control the bleeding until medical personnel arrived. Coward returned to the car, picked up the gun off the ground, and put it back in the car. The surveillance video also showed Coward use his hand to break out the front passenger window, which had the bullet hole. Coward then drove away. The child later died from his injuries.

Police later found the car, which was found burned-out and abandoned in a field in Lansing, and a .45 caliber Springfield Armory semiautomatic pistol, the barrel of which was found disassembled and hidden in the wall of a house in Lansing.

Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have slightly declined since 2021, they remain high.

Resources and information on the safe storage of firearms can be found by reviewing the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Storage of Firearms guide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives pamphlet. Anyone who possesses a gun must follow all local, state, and federal laws.

This case was investigated by the Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Robert Lee Reynolds, 28, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Ironwood, Michigan, was sentenced for possessing a stolen firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Jane M. Beckering sentenced Reynolds to 120 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm that he stole from a victim in Ironwood, Michigan.      

          “Stopping gun violence before tragedy strikes is critical to preventing senseless violent crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their coordinated efforts to keep our communities safe and guns out of the hands of individuals who possess them illegally.”

          In May 2023, the Ironwood Public Safety Department learned that Reynolds stole a pistol from an individual in Ironwood then threatened to kill that individual.  Reynolds later appeared on social media where he recorded himself brandishing a pistol and threatening more people. Investigators eventually found Reynolds and the stolen gun in a vehicle Reynolds was driving in Menominee, Michigan.   Reynolds fled from police before turning himself in after a standoff. 

          “Robert Reynolds stole a firearm and used it to threaten and intimidate several people in our community to include the firearm owner.  Armed threats can quickly escalate into gun violence.  Mr. Reynolds’ arrest quite possibly saved lives,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “In the end, Mr. Reynolds will have a lot of time in prison to reflect on his poor decisions. Gun theft is wrong. The message should be clear, if you choose to engage in gun violence, you should pack your bags for prison.”

          The Ironwood Public Safety Department, Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, Menominee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Lochner and Jacob Metoxen prosecuted the case.

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          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Bradley Scott Heard, 46, of Havre, Montana, and Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Jonker to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Heard’s co-defendant, Davell Blackman, 45, of Chicago Heights, Illinois, was previously sentenced to 60 months in prison.

          “My office is committed to disrupting drug trafficking rings pushing poison into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We will continue to collaborate with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in the U.P. and across the District to hold traffickers accountable and keep illegal drugs off of our streets.”

          In June 2023, members of the Michigan State Police Traffic Safety Team, in collaboration with the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET), stopped Heard, Blackman, and a passenger as they drove through Menominee County. During a search of the vehicle, investigators found approximately a pound of high-purity methamphetamine that Heard intended to distribute. 

          “UPSET is dedicated to stopping interstate drug-traffickers whenever they come into the Upper Peninsula,” said Detective Sergeant Matt LaBonte, Interim Commander of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team.  “We will continue to work closely with our federal and local partners to ensure that individuals like Bradley Heard are brought to justice.”

          Heard has a decades-long criminal history that includes previous convictions for selling cocaine base, possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, and other drug crimes.  He also has a history of violence, including a conviction for armed robbery and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

          The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team, Michigan State Police Traffic Safety Team, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob S. Metoxen and Ted Greeley prosecuted the case.

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U.S. Attorney Mark Totten Says Vigilance Needed as Multiple Other Deaths Tied to Sextortion Under Investigation in District

          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Samuel Ogoshi, age 24, and Samson Ogoshi, age 21, both of Lagos, Nigeria, were sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for the crime of Conspiracy to Sexually Exploit Minors. On March 25, 2022, 17-year-old high school student, Jordan DeMay, from Marquette, Michigan, died as a result of this sextortion scheme, which targeted over 100 other victims, as well.

          “Today’s sentencing of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi sends a thundering message,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “To criminals who commit these schemes: you are not immune from justice. We will track you down and hold you accountable, even if we have to go half-way around the world to do so. The day when you could commit these crimes, rake in easy cash, destroy lives, and escape justice is gone.” Totten continued: “And to parents, teenagers, and everyone who uses a cell phone: please, please be careful. These devices can connect you to criminal networks around the world. Don’t assume people are who they say they are. Don’t share compromising images. And if you’re a victim, please reach out. There’s help, and law enforcement stands ready.”

          “These defendants sexually exploited and extorted more than 100 victims, including at least eleven minors, resulting in the tragic death of a 17- year-old high school student,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These sentences should serve as a warning that the perpetrators of online sexual exploitation and extortion cannot escape accountability for their heinous crimes by hiding behind their phones and computers. The Justice Department will find them, no matter where they are, and we will bring them to justice in the United States.”

          At a press conference today, U.S. Attorney Totten emphasized the scope of this threat and the need for vigilance by sharing that multiple other deaths tied to sextortion schemes are under investigation in the Western District of Michigan.

          As detailed in their plea agreements (here and here), Samuel and Samson Ogoshi engaged in a scheme while living in Nigeria to sexually exploit more than 100 victims, including at least 11 identified minor victims. They purchased hacked social media accounts and used them to pose as young women, making fake profiles and using the messaging feature on the social media accounts to contact victims. They conducted online research about their victims to learn where they lived, attended school, worked, and the identities of their family and friends. They then solicited their minor victims to produce sexually explicit images of themselves. Once they received the images, they created a collage of pictures that included the sexually explicit image with other images of the victim and their school, family, and friends. The Ogoshi brothers threatened to disclose the collages to the family, friends, and classmates of the victim unless the victim agreed to pay money using online cash applications.

          In November 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan charged Samuel Ogoshi, Samson Ogoshi, and Ezekiel Robert, all Nigerian nationals, in the sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of Jordan DeMay. The Ogoshi Brothers were extradited to the United States in August 2023 and pled guilty in April 2024. On March 21, 2024, a Nigerian court ordered the third defendant, Ezekiel Robert, to be extradited to the United States. He has appealed that decision and the matter is before the Nigerian High Court. In addition, on August 2, 2024, U.S. Attorney Totten announced the unsealing of a federal indictment in a separate case charging five U.S.-based defendants with conspiring to commit money laundering that facilitated the sextortion scheme. The charges against defendant Ezekiel Robert and the five U.S.-based defendants are merely accusations and these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

          “The sentencing of sextortionists Samuel and Samson Ogoshi ensures both international criminals will no longer victimize minors in the United States or throughout the world,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of FBI in Michigan. “Spreading awareness on sextortion is a top priority of the FBI here in Michigan. Our hearts and prayers are with the loved ones of Jordan DeMay and those affected by the criminal acts of these individuals.”

          Safety Tips and Resources for Victims, Teens, and Parents

          The FBI provides the following tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion schemes:

1. Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about you.
    
2. Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
    
3. Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.
    
4. Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and that person asks you to start talking on a different platform.
    
5. Be in the know. Any content you create online—whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public. And nothing actually “disappears” online. Once you send something, you don’t have any control over where it goes next.
    
6. Be willing to ask for help. If you are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been victimized online, tell someone. Being a victim of sextortion is not your fault. You can get through this challenge, even if it seems scary and overwhelming. There are people who want to help.

          If you have information about or believe you are a victim of sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at http://tips.fbi.gov. This FBI PSA and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children PSA share survivor stories and resources for individuals to get help. More FBI sextortion resources are available here.

          This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Mekaru and Davin Reust, and investigated by the FBI, the Marquette Sheriff’s Department, and the Michigan State Police Cybercrimes Unit in Marquette with the cooperation and assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and the Nigerian Attorney General’s Office – Ministry of Justice provided critical assistance securing the arrest and extradition of the defendants.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan issued the previous press releases in this case and a related case:

• May 3, 2023 – Three Nigerian Men Awaiting Extradition for Committing Sexual Extortion. The indictment is available here.
   
•  August 13, 2023 – Two Nigerian Men Extradited to the United States after Being Indicted for International Sexual Extortion Ring.
   
• August 17, 2023 – Ogoshi Brothers Plead Not Guilty during Arraignment. The plea agreements are available here and here.
   
• April 10, 2024 – Two Nigerian Defendants Plead Guilty to Sextortion.
   
• August 2, 2024 – Five U.S.-Based Defendants Charged with Money-Laundering Conspiracy that Facilitated Foreign Sextortion Scheme. The indictment is available here.

###

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Ethan Eversman, 24, of Ionia, was indicted on criminal charges related to alleged sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution and possession of child pornography.

          “Children should not have to endure the trauma of being a victim of child exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect our most defenseless citizens from egregious sex crimes.”

          The indictment alleges that from 2021 until June 2024, Eversman convinced a minor victim in New York to create explicit pictures and videos of herself and send them to him online.  Eversman is also charged with sending child pornographic videos to others and possessing child pornography on his cell phone.  If convicted, Eversman faces up to 30 years in prison. Eversman previously worked as a corrections officer for the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office.

          “Those individuals who commit crimes against our children or possess child pornography will be investigated and arrested by members of the FBI and/or our law enforcement partners,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Michigan. “This joint investigation between the Michigan State Police, members from FBI in the Lansing area, and the combined efforts from federal, state and local law enforcement partners embedded within the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, contributed to the indictment of an alleged sexual predator.”

          “The Michigan State Police and the detectives of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are committed to investigating and arresting those who exploit children,” stated Col. James F. Grady II. “We appreciate the support and assistance of our federal partners in the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office in this important work.”

          This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

          This case was investigated by the FBI and Michigan State Police.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

# # #

Resolution Builds on a Steady Stream of Civil and Criminal Cases to Protect Taxpayer Dollars Spent as Pandemic-Related Assistance

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Gull Lake Country Club of Richland, Michigan, has agreed to pay $440,312.50 to resolve allegations in a civil case that it falsely obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2020 when it was an ineligible nonprofit organization.

          “The Paycheck Protection Program provided important financial relief to eligible small businesses and other entities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Today’s resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to protect taxpayer dollars and investigate allegations of fraud on critical government programs.”

          SBA’s General Counsel Therese Meers stated, “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as private individuals who uncover fraudulent conduct to recover the product of this fraud as well as penalties.”

          When Congress enacted the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, it authorized forgivable PPP loans to eligible small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses.  The PPP loan program was administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Under the rules applicable at the time of the loan covered by today’s settlement, certain nonprofit organizations were not eligible to receive a PPP loan. The United States alleges that Gull Lake Country Club was an ineligible nonprofit 501(c)(7) organization at the time it applied for the PPP loan.

          This settlement resolves the allegations brought in a lawsuit against Gull Lake Country Club filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery.  The qui tam lawsuit was filed by Relator Wade Riner and is captioned United States ex rel. Riner v. Bay Harbor Yacht Club, et al., No. 1:24-cv-284 (W.D. Mich.).

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan has demonstrated a steady commitment to hold accountable individuals and organizations that received pandemic-related funds, but did not comply with eligibility requirements or other rules.  For example, the Office has announced the following cases since 2022:

• March 4, 2022 – Two Men Sentenced for Paycheck Protection Program Loan Fraud.
• March 13, 2023 - Michigan Nonprofit Organizations Agree to Pay $225,887 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Improper Receipt of Paycheck Protection Program Loans
• June 22, 2022 – Owners of Grand Rapids Trucking Company Plead Guilty to Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Pay $1,000,000 In Related Civil Case, In Connection With COVID-10 Relief Fraud.
• November 18, 2022 – Former State Employee and Three Others Indicted for $1 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme.
• December 15, 2022 – Grand Rapids Man Pleads Guilty to Covid-19 Relief Fraud.
• December 21, 2022 – Judge Sends Cocaine Dealer to Prison for Covid-Relief Fraud.
• February 23, 2023 – Former Police Officer Sentenced for Money Laundering ($500,000 in fraudulently obtained COVID-19 relief funds).
• December 5, 2023 – Roshell Beaty Sentenced to 124 Months in Prison for Over $1 Million in COVID Fraud.
• June 18, 2024 – Northern Michigan Physician Assistant Charged with Covid-19 Pandemic Assistance Fraud.

          Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. Hull and Whitney M. Schnurr investigated this matter.

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

###

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Rashad Maleek Trice was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping resulting in the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

          “Today we have achieved a measure of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We can’t bring back the precious life of Wynter Cole-Smith, but we can do our best to ensure her killer is found guilty and spends the rest of his life in prison, which is what we’ve done today.”  Totten continued: “I am so grateful to the hundreds of officers from over two dozen law enforcement agencies who came running to join the statewide search for Wynter Cole-Smith. Their commitment to protect and serve was overwhelming.”

          According to the initial complaint, on July 2, 2023, a woman reported to the Lansing Police Department that she had been attacked by Trice and ultimately fled her apartment to escape him. When police responded to her apartment, Trice and the woman’s daughter, Cole-Smith, were no longer present. A white Chevrolet Impala had also allegedly been stolen. On July 3, police attempted to stop the white Chevrolet Impala in St. Clair Shores and the driver attempted to flee. Police apprehended the driver, Trice, but Cole-Smith was not in the car. Cell site information showed the approximate path Trice’s phone had recently taken, which prompted law enforcement to start conducting searches for Cole-Smith in specific areas. On July 5, 2023, law enforcement found Cole-Smith’s body in Detroit. On March 22, 2023, U.S. Attorney Totten announced that Trice pled guilty to the charge of kidnapping resulting in death.

          “Our hearts still break for little Wynter.  She should still be here,” stated U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dawn N. Ison.  “The tireless search and coordination by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the state, over several days, to bring her home safely, truly demonstrated the committed, collaborative effort with which we work every day to protect and serve our citizens. Although nothing will bring little Wynter back, I hope her family takes some solace in that effort and today’s sentence.”

          “This was a senseless tragedy that shook our community to its core,” said Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus. “While nothing can replace the loss of Wynter Cole-Smith, I hope today’s sentencing offers some solace to Wynter’s family who have endured unimaginable pain. I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and his team.”

          “The sentencing of Rashad Trice is the direct result of an exhaustive investigation conducted by members of the FBI in Michigan, our law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western Michigan,” stated Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.  “The collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners underscores the power of teamwork.  While this may not provide immediate closure to the family of Wynter Cole-Smith, we are hopeful it will begin the healing process.  Rashad Trice will spend the remainder of his life in prison, and we are optimistic this sentencing will serve as a deterrent, preventing another family from enduring the pain experienced by Wynter Cole-Smith's family.” 

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Doaa Al-Howaishy and investigated by the FBI and Lansing Police Department, along with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Air Marshal Service, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michigan State Police, Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety, Michigan Department of Corrections, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, Eaton County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Public Schools Community District Department of Public Safety, Eastpointe Police Department, St. Clair Shores Police Department, Bloomfield Hills Police Department, Dearborn Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, West Bloomfield Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Northville Township Police Department, and Clinton Township Police Department.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan issued the previous press releases in this case:

• July 7, 2023 – U.S. Attorney Totten Announces Federal Charges in the Kidnapping of 2-Year-Old Wynter Cole Smith.
   
• July 26, 2023 – Trice Indicted for Kidnapping Resulting in Death and Kidnapping a Minor in Wynter Cole-Smith Case.
   
• August 7, 2023 – Trice Pleads Not Guilty During Arraignment in Wynter Cole-Smith Case.
   
• November 3, 2023 – Rashad Trice Trial Date Set for April 16 in Wynter Cole-Smith Case.
   
• March 22, 2024 – Rashad Trice, Who Killed Two-Year-Old Wynter Cole-Smith, Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Resulting in Death.

###

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Andrew Curtis Williams, 27, of Westland, Michigan pleaded guilty to two separate offenses relating to his role in the February 2020 armed robbery of Albion Hydroponics.  Williams is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to a maximum term of life imprisonment. 

          “This crime was brazen and incredibly dangerous,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “No business owner or employee should fear violence at work. Accountability for these crimes will be swift and serious.”

          According to court documents, Williams pleaded guilty to conspiring to rob Albion Hydroponics on February 10, 2020.  Williams also pleaded guilty to the separate offense of brandishing a firearm while committing the robbery. During the robbery, Williams was present while his companion used a firearm to strike the victim of the robbery with a gun. His codefendant, Kyle Lynn Carson, 28, of Jackson, previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.  

          In March 2023, Williams and Carson were indicted for participating in the armed robbery of Albion Hydroponics. The indictment included the following charges:

• Count 1 – Charged Carson and Williams with Conspiracy to Obstruct Interstate Commerce by Robbery. The maximum sentence for this crime is 20 years.
   
• Count 2 – Charged Williams with Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery. The maximum sentence for this crime is 20 years.
   
• Count 3 – Charged Williams with Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. The minimum sentence for this crime is 7 years, to run consecutive to any other sentence for imprisonment. The maximum sentence is life in prison.

          Carson pleaded guilty to this offense on September 25, 2023, and admitted that he helped Williams scout the hydroponics store before the robbery, then took custody of a van containing the stolen property and attempted to hide it from police after the robbery.

          “During this incident, Williams idly stood by while he and his partner in crime used illegal firearms to beat and intimidate a member of our community with the intent to rob the business,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Every business owner and their employees deserve to go to work in peace without the threat of gun violence.  In the end, Williams’ poor choices have consequences.  In short, if you choose to use an illegal firearm to threaten and/or beat members of our community – you should choose to pack a bag because you’ll be going to prison. Our community demands better from its members, and it is safer with both men off the streets.”

          The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey is prosecuting it.

# # #

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that two defendants were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international fraud conspiracy that stole over $11 million from mostly senior citizens in multiple states. A victim in West Michigan lost $398,000 to the conspiracy. Jayesh J. Panchal, 55, of Hicksville, New York, was sentenced to serve 78 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $7,930,287 in restitution to 40 victims of the conspiracy. Vijaya C. Shetty, 53, of Flushing, New York, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $596,800 in restitution to victims. Shetty pleaded guilty in February 2024 and Panchal pleaded guilty in April 2024.  U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering, who imposed the sentence, said Panchal and Shetty were involved in a “horrific” fraud scheme that “preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly.”  She noted that many of the victims “worked, saved, and scrimped their whole lives and now have little or nothing to live on.”

          “We teamed up with multiple law enforcement partners to pinpoint and punish these fraudsters who preyed on vulnerable elderly victims, and we’ll continue to aggressively chase these criminals wherever they strike,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “Raising awareness of elder fraud is critical to help protect our older loved ones from losing their life savings to these types of crimes.  My office is committed to fighting all types of elder abuse in our community.”

          Information on other co-defendants who have been sentenced can be found here and here. Co-defendant Everette Thibou pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 31.

          The fraud scheme began when victims received a pop-up message on their computers warning that a virus had infected their devices.  The messages urged the victims to call a number to get help. When the victims called the number provided, they got a response from someone claiming to work for a tech company, such as Microsoft or Apple.  In truth, they were scammers located in India, who scared the victims into giving money to the conspiracy with a variety of different ruses.

          In one version of the scam, victims were told that their bank accounts had been compromised and they needed to withdraw all their cash and give it to fake “federal agents” for safekeeping.  In another version, victims were told that their computers had been infected by a virus and they needed to pay for technical support.  In a third version, victims were told that they had been identified in a criminal investigation and needed to turn over money to clear their names.  Regardless of which ruse was used, the result was the same: victims were convinced to give $11 million money to the scammers. Victims did this during in-person meetings with fake “federal agents,” by mailing boxes of cash to addresses provided by the scammers, by wire transfers to bank accounts controlled by the scammers, or through gift cards they purchased at the direction of the scammers.

          Panchal and one of his co-defendants, McKhaela McNamara, made six trips to meet with a victim in Lake County, Michigan, to collect $398,000 in fraud proceeds from her.  The victim had been convinced that her bank accounts had been compromised and that she was giving cash to “federal agents” for safekeeping.  It is alleged that a different co-defendant helped arranged the meetings with the Lake County victim.

          Panchal and Shetty travelled throughout the United States at the direction of the leaders of the conspiracy in India to collect millions of dollars in cash from the victims.  They also laundered fraud proceeds by depositing cash into various bank accounts.

          “Fraudsters are targeting our senior community at an alarming rate nationwide. Criminals continue to take advantage of their trusting nature and generosity,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI in Michigan. “We must empower our seniors with knowledge about elder fraud and its various forms to protect them from this intolerable manipulation. If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder fraud, we ask that you report it immediately to the National Elder Fraud Hotline or file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. We will not allow these criminals to continue exploiting our seniors.”

          The FBI Detroit, Grand Rapids Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Lake County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Clay Stiffler prosecuted it. 

          For more information on preventing elder fraud and help for victims, visit the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website, which includes a list of Michigan-specific resources. The FBI Elder Fraud website also provides several resources, including the following tips to help seniors protect themselves:

• Recognize scam attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator.

• Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run scams.

• Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.

• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages, mailings, and door-to-door services offers.

• Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.

• Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.

• Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up.

• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.

• Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.

          If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. The Federal Trade Commission also provides a hotline at 877-FTC-HELP and a website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov to receive consumer complaints.

###

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal jury convicted Valentino Wallace, 22, of Lansing, with possession of a machinegun. Wallace is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months.

          “The gun violence epidemic is devastating families in Michigan and across our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The increased prevalence of switches, or machinegun conversion devices, that can spray up to a thousand rounds per minute with a single pull of the trigger presents an added level of danger to our communities. Offenders who possess these devices face the very real possibility of federal prosecution.”

          In February 2023, Lansing Police Department officers were conducting surveillance at Wallace’s house as part of a shooting investigation. Wallace left the house and officers attempted a traffic stop, but Wallace ran from the car. Officers caught and arrested him and found a loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine and a switch attached in the snow nearby.

          In the weeks preceding the incident, Wallace posted photos on social media showing himself holding the same gun and made other posts referring to Glock switches. Testing showed that the extended magazine, which held 31 rounds, could be emptied in about a second and a half with a single pull of the trigger due to the installation of the switch on the gun.

          “I would like to thank U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and his team for standing firm on gun crime by charging Valentino Wallace,” said Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus. “This case is one of many that demonstrates our dedication to ensuring criminals are held accountable. By collaborating with our federal partners, we are actively working to make Lansing safer for all.”

          The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Lansing Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Doaa Al-Howaishy and Nils Kessler are prosecuting it.

          This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.

 # # #

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Kathleen Ann Matteson, 71, of Muskegon was sentenced to 61 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release following her conviction on bank fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft charges. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering stated that Matteson’s “conduct is a betrayal of the trust of the individuals who put their money in her hands.”

           “Through her brazen scheme, Ms. Matteson stole over $780,000 from customer accounts,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to protecting businesses and holding accountable those who abuse positions of trust and profit at the expense of unsuspecting victims.”

          On August 30, 2023, Matteson was indicted for bank fraud, embezzlement, and aggravated identity theft. The charges specified that Matteson, a trust officer, had engaged in a fraudulent scheme beginning in 2006.  She would take funds by submitting bills to her employer from a shell company she owned that did nothing, write duplicate payroll checks to herself, and take funds out of customer trust accounts for her own use. The scheme continued after West Shore Bank acquired her trust company in 2017 and did not end until she retired at the end of 2019. Total losses exceeded $780,000.

          Matteson pleaded not guilty and proceeded to trial in April 2024. The evidence at trial showed that Matteson embezzled funds and concealed her actions by falsifying records. According to court records, Matteson spent most of the embezzled money on casino gambling activities. The jury convicted Matteson on all charges.

          “Ms. Matteson's deceitful actions, spanning over a decade and involving multiple fraudulent schemes, continued until her retirement, at which point she believed she had succeeded,” stated Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “She deliberately profited from these frauds at the expense of clients and her employer. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners from the U.S. Attorney's Office to combat these serious white-collar crimes.”

          The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy VerHey and Doaa Al-Howaishy prosecuted it.

# # #

Former letter carrier stole rebate cards from her delivery route

          KALAMAZOO – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Jacqueline M. Garrow, 50, of Lansing, was sentenced to two years of probation for theft of mail by a U.S. Postal Service employee. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney said, “general deterrence is important because people have a right to expect their mail will get where they send it without any tampering.” In imposing a probationary sentence, he noted that “the loss of her job has already brought home to Ms. Garrow the seriousness of her offense.”

          “Offenses like this undermine public confidence in the U.S. Postal System,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “The felony conviction in this case sends a strong deterrent message to anyone who may unlawfully interfere with the mail system.” 

          In 2022, Garrow was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, whose route included parts of the city of Lansing. Home goods retailer Menards contacted the Postal Service after receiving a complaint from a customer that he never received an expected rebate card. Agents determined that the card was redeemed for merchandise at Menards’ Lansing South store, and found the customer redeemed two other rebate cards at the same time. All three cards were addressed to recipients along Garrow’s assigned delivery route. Video footage from Menards showed she was the one who redeemed the rebates. Because Garrow immediately confessed when confronted, the government concurred in her request for a probationary sentence. Ms. Garrow will be required to pay back the customers whose cards were stolen.

          “This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS-OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office. “The majority of postal employees are hard-working public servants dedicated to moving mail to its proper destination. The USPS-OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”

          The U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General investigated this case.

###

Co-Conspirator Unwittingly Set Up an Exchange of Fake Documents for $60,000 with an Undercover Federal Agent

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Kari Melissa Morales, 51, of Milford, Michigan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Morales faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  A sentencing date will be scheduled after Morales’s guilty plea is accepted by the District Court. 

          “Everyone with a cell phone must be vigilant to avoid schemes to defraud that target victims through text messages,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Make no mistake: The federal government does not send text messages asking for money, advising you to move money to another account, requesting that you convert cash to cryptocurrency, or proposing an exchange of money for a “get out of jail free” letter.” 

          According to court documents, Morales admitted agreeing with at least one other person to attempt to unlawfully obtain $60,000 from an individual located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Morales admitted that the conspiracy involved the use of fake documents—an “FBI WARRANT OF ARREST” and “IRS RECEIPT”—that she printed out to provide to the victim. Morales also admitted traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan to exchange the fake documents for the victim’s money knowing that she was helping commit a fraud. For her part, Morales was told she could keep $2,500 of the victim’s money. Morales and her co-conspirator did not know that the person they were communicating with was a federal law enforcement agent because the intended victim’s phone number had been reassigned to a law enforcement cell phone. As a result, the intended victim lost no money in the scheme.

          “Today's guilty plea underscores our commitment to investigating and holding accountable those involved in fraudulent activities, especially those who target vulnerable individuals,” stated Acting Inspector in Charge Felicia B. George of the Detroit Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This investigation showcases the results that Postal Inspectors, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, strive to achieve. We remain dedicated to our mission of identifying and prosecuting those who exploit others through fraudulent schemes.”

          The United States Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Michigan State Police, is investigating this case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris O’Connor.

          For more information on preventing elder fraud and help for victims, visit the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website, which includes a list of Michigan-specific resources. The FBI Elder Fraud website also provides several resources and tips.

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          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Anthony Bradell McMillan, 37, of Norton Shores, Michigan was sentenced to seven years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine pills, cocaine, and MDMA. U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering noted at sentencing that McMillan’s possession of a gun during his offense and his history of domestic violence precluded her from granting McMillan’s request for a shorter sentence.

          “Mr. McMillian helped flood our communities with potentially lethal drugs and has a history of domestic violence, including the circumstances that gave rise to this case,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Disrupting the flow of poisons that are taking so many lives and protecting victims of gender-based violence are central to our mission.”

          On January 21, 2024, officers from the Norton Shores Police Department responded to McMillan’s home after 911 dispatchers received complaints that McMillan was inside and reportedly abusing his girlfriend. Upon arriving, officers knocked on the front door and several other doors and windows with no answer. After several attempts, McMillan’s girlfriend eventually emerged. Officers observed injuries, confirmed that McMillan had been beating her, and learned that during the assault, he threatened her with a pistol. As a previously convicted felon, McMillan was not allowed to possess firearms.

          Officers obtained a warrant to search McMillan’s residence. Inside the house, officers seized a digital scale, controlled substance packaging material, MDMA pills, and two digital scales. In the yard, officers found a black trash bag that McMillan had discarded after police arrived. The trash bag contained a .45 caliber Glock 21 pistol, over 2,700 methamphetamine pills, over 100 grams of cocaine, and a banking card with McMillan’s name on it. McMillan was located and taken into custody without incident.

          McMillan was subsequently charged by indictment and, in April 2024, pled guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. 

          The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Norton Shores Police Department, Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office, and Muskegon Heights Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Fauson prosecuted it.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jaeontae Moore, 23, of Kalamazoo, with possessing a loaded handgun when he was ineligible to possess firearms because of a prior felony conviction, before fleeing into a crowd of runners at the Kalamazoo Marathon on Sunday, May 5, 2024

          “This allegation is serious, and the circumstances of the defendant’s arrest are very troubling,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves to live their life and enjoy their community free from the fear of gunfire – especially at an event like the Kalamazoo Marathon that brings so many people together around a love of running.”

          The indictment charges Moore with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum possible penalty for felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.

          Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers attempted to contact Moore while he was in a car during the Kalamazoo marathon in May. Moore fled from the scene and was apprehended a short distance away. Officers located the firearm he is alleged to have illegally possessed at that time.

          “I am extremely grateful to have such dedicated and committed officers who work hard every day to keep our community safe. Detective Ondreya Anderson was off-duty and was running in a marathon when she observed an armed individual who was extremely agitated.  Instead of continuing with the marathon that she had worked and trained so hard for, she called herself to duty,” said KDPS Chief Dave Boysen. “Thanks to her quick actions, no one was injured.  The suspect was safely taken into custody and the firearm that he illegally possessed was recovered.  I am also grateful for our partnership with the ATF and U.S. Attorney's Office for helping to ensure that Mr. Moore will face the consequences for his actions.”      

          The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney LaToyia Carpenter is prosecuting it.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus received a national award for her exceptional service in the field of federal law enforcement and her leadership advancing the role of women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and beyond.

          “First Assistant Jennifer McManus represents the best of federal law enforcement, and I am so grateful for the more than two decades she has devoted to protecting the people of Michigan,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “In addition to her legal brilliance, helping us navigate our toughest challenges, Jennifer has been a trailblazer in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, ensuring full opportunities for women to serve and lead at every level.”

          First Assistant McManus was recognized by Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE), a national organization that advocates for gender equity in federal law enforcement. WIFLE President Catrina Bonus presented McManus with the prestigious WIFLE Award for Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee. This award recognizes individuals who have shown a sustained level of superior performance throughout their career and who serve as role models for women in law enforcement. The presentation took place today at a luncheon in the Washington, D.C. area as part of the organization’s annual conference. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten accompanied McManus at the ceremony.

          McManus completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in 1994 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1997. After a few years in private practice, she moved from Chicago to Grand Rapids in 2003 and began service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. She served short stints in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions as a trial attorney and was then promoted to Appellate Chief in 2009, a position she held for the next thirteen years. In 2022 she began service in her current position as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, reporting directly to the U.S. Attorney and managing all aspects of the Office’s work.

          Throughout her career, McManus’s sharp legal mind, her sweeping grasp of federal criminal law, and her written advocacy have protected the public from some of the most serious threats in our District. In addition, as a manager and role model, McManus has helped create opportunities for women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office at every level. Although women have long been under-represented in the legal profession, today nearly 50% of the attorneys in the Office are women. She helped put in place flexible work policies that allow employees to balance their many responsibilities while excelling at work. Outside the Office, McManus served as President of the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association from 2012-13 and was only the second woman in the organization’s history to hold that role.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging five U.S.-based defendants with conspiring to commit money laundering that facilitated the previously announced foreign sextortion scheme resulting in the death of Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old high school student from Marquette, Michigan.

          “Every day Americans fall victim to financial scams, including sextortion, romance scams, and consumer fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Senior citizens, children, and teenagers are especially vulnerable. The result of these crimes can be devastating, as the death of Jordan DeMay makes painfully clear. Today’s charges send a loud and clear message that we will chase down everyone who enables these crimes, including the U.S.-based money launderers.”

          In November 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan charged three Nigerian nationals in a sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old high school student from Marquette, Michigan, and targeted more than 100 other victims. Two of the three defendants in that case were extradited to the United States in August 2023 and pled guilty in April 2024.

          The indictment announced today is a separate-but-related case that charges the following five U.S.-based defendants with a single count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering:

• Johnathan Demetrius Green, 32, Stone Mountain, Georgia
• Jarell Daivon Williams, 31, McDonough, Georgia
• Dinsimore Guyton Robinson, 30, Huntsville, Alabama
• Kendall Ormond London, Jr., 32, Lithonia, Georgia
• Brian Keith Coldmon, Jr., 30, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

          Money laundering is a federal crime that covers financial transactions involving the proceeds of criminal activity, where the goal is often to conceal the criminal nature of those proceeds. The government alleges that the defendants knowingly agreed to conduct, or attempt to conduct, financial transactions involving the proceeds of a crime, knowing that the transactions were designed to conceal some aspect of the underlying crime. The charge in this case carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.

          As Samuel and Samson Ogoshi have admitted in their plea agreements, the Nigerian-based sextortionists devised a fraudulent scheme where they pretended to be a young woman in social media accounts and encouraged teenage boys and young men to engage in sexually explicit conduct and produce images of that conduct. Once the victims produced and sent those images, the sextortionists used those images to blackmail their victims for money, threatening to send the images to others, including families, friends, and classmates of the victims. The sextortionists instructed their victims to send money to designated financial accounts through various cash applications.

          The indictment in today’s related case alleges that the defendants – the U.S.-based money launderers – controlled these designated financial accounts. They would keep a portion of the victims’ funds – typically 20% – and then convert the rest into bitcoin. The defendants would then send the bitcoin to an unindicted Nigerian co-conspirator, whom they referred to as “The Plug.” The Plug would keep a portion of the bitcoin funds, and send the remainder to Samuel Ogoshi, Samson Ogoshi, Ezekiel Robert, and other sextortionists. The indictment alleges that the U.S.-based defendants laundered at least $178,658 in funds representing the proceeds of the sextortion scheme.

          Among these alleged financial transactions conducted by the U.S-based defendants was a transaction that involved an individual identified as “Victim 1” in the indictment. With the permission of his parents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is sharing that Victim 1 was Jordan DeMay. On March 25, 2022, Jordan DeMay sent $300 through a cash application to Defendant Johnathan Green.  Green transferred a portion of those funds into another cash application and purchased bitcoin, which he sent to the Plug.  The Plug kept a portion of those funds and sent the remainder to the sextortionists.

          FBI arrested the defendants on Thursday, August 1, 2024 and each defendant appeared in federal court yesterday for their initial appearance.  We anticipate these defendants will be scheduled for an arraignment in Grand Rapids before Judge Jonker in the coming weeks.

          “The five defendants who allegedly conspired to aid Nigerian sextortionists through money laundering participated in the financial manipulation of vulnerable and young victims,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI continues to spread awareness about financial sextortion and will continue to work with our partners at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria and the U.S. Attorney's Office.”

          In the related case, United States v. Samuel Ogoshi et al., the Court is scheduled to sentence Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, of Lagos, Nigeria at the federal courthouse in Marquette, Michigan, on September 5, 2024. The details of the sentencing, including live access to the audio by Zoom or a video of the proceeding at the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids, are provided in the attached Notice filed by the Court.

          The FBI is investigating this case and AUSA Davin Reust is prosecuting it.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Prosecution Part of a Larger Effort to Disrupt String of Gang-Related, Retaliatory Shootings

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN— U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Lawrence Edward Slaughter II, 20, of Niles, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm that was connected to shootings and modified to a fully automatic weapon. This prosecution was part of an enforcement operation aimed at disrupting a string of gang-related retaliatory shootings in Niles, which had killed two individuals and injured several more.

          “From large cities to small towns like Niles, Michigan, we are laser-focused on stopping the few individuals – like Mr. Slaughter – who are driving gun violence in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Safety is a civil right. Every person, regardless of their zip code, deserves to live their life, walk their neighborhood, and play in the park free from the fear of violence and gunfire. We will not stop until this right is a reality for everyone.” 

          On September 23, 2022, law enforcement received information that members of the Pop Out Gang of Niles, Michigan, were planning a retaliatory shooting for the recent deaths of two individuals. In particular, law enforcement learned that members of the gang planned to use firearms and ammunition located at the home of Mr. Slaughter, who was on state probation for tampering with evidence, concealing a weapon, and assaulting a police officer.

          After receiving this information, law enforcement accompanied probation officers from the Michigan Department of Corrections on a probation compliance check. The search located firearms inside a roommate’s bedroom. Underneath the bed, they found a Glock 9mm handgun and an AR rifle with a full “P Mag” that holds approximately 100 rounds of ammunition.

          The search also located two additional pistols in the bedroom closet. One of these pistols was a 9mm Glock pistol that DNA evidence connected to Mr. Slaughter. The pistol had an illegal machinegun conversion device attached. This device, often referred to as a “switch,” allows a shooter to spray bullets with a single pull of the trigger and inflict staggering harm. Moreover, the gun was a crime gun linked to four prior shootings that occurred in South Bend, Indiana. A “crime gun” is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime. These guns are often passed around inside and outside of groups, especially after a shooting.

          As recently announced, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is running a summer program with other law enforcement partners focused on firearms offenders who carry crime guns.

          “The Niles Police Department, and the citizens of Niles, are happy to see this case concluded with the responsible individual receiving a just punishment for their crimes, and another illegal gun taken off the streets,” said Niles Public Safety Director James Millin. “The Niles Police Department remains committed to working with our citizens, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, in order to ensure our communities are safer for all.”

          “The combined efforts of the Niles Police Department and the FBI contributed to the successful conviction and sentencing of one the most violent offenders, who possessed an illegal firearm and conversion device within this community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Michigan. “Those who commit crimes, especially involving firearms which can cause serious bodily injury and/or death, will be investigated and arrested by members of the FBI and our law enforcement partners."

          The previous press release, press conference footage, and indictment can be viewed here. Government documents filed as part of sentencing and providing further details are attached.

          The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaToyia Carpenter and investigated by the Niles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

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The scheme operated for years in West Michigan and throughout the United States

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark A. Totten today announced that four individuals pleaded guilty to federal charges for participating in an international mail and wire fraud scheme originating in Nigeria and frequently targeting elderly individuals.  Fatai Okunola, 37, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, of Dallas, Texas; and Cory McDougal, 33, of Romeoville, Illinois, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and Ijeoma Adeola, 36, also of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony (the failure to report the commission of a felony to appropriate authorities and taking an affirmative step to assist in the concealment of the crime) for her role in affirmatively concealing the operations of the conspiracy.  Fatai Okunola additionally pleaded guilty to making false statements on his application for naturalization as a United States citizen and money laundering related to assisting other individuals in purchasing vehicles with money from the fraud scheme and exporting the vehicles to Nigeria.                     

          “Securing these guilty pleas is a step forward to ensuring justice for the victims of this international fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The defendants used modern technology, including the internet and social media platforms – something we all rely upon every day to communicate and carry out legitimate tasks in our daily lives – to prey on elderly and vulnerable victims.  Some of the victims in this case lost their retirement savings, took loans against their homes, or suffered other financial distress because of the defendants’ alleged lies. My office will vigorously pursue sentences that appropriately reflect the seriousness of this financial fraud and the damage they have done to the public’s confidence in the information we all receive over the internet every day.”  

          According to court records, the defendants conspired with individuals primarily in Nigeria to defraud individuals in the United States, many that were elderly or particularly vulnerable, through a variety of fraud schemes using interstate wire transmissions or the mail system.  The conspirators in Nigeria created false online personas to develop relationships with their victims over the internet, through social media, by text messages or by telephone.  These relationships centered around romantic interests, offers to buy or sell goods or services, apartment rentals, or offers to make loans or provide grant funding, among other schemes.  The conspirators sent pictures or provided other information to the victims to make their schemes appear genuine.  When the conspirators used telephone calls, they used voice-over-internet-protocol numbers to make it appear as if the calls were originating within the United States near the victims. After developing the relationships, the conspirators asked for money for a variety of reasons related to the scheme.

          After the victims agreed, the conspirators directed the victims to send the money to the defendants, who opened numerous bank accounts to receive the victims’ money.  On some occasions, the defendants received the victims’ money in post office boxes maintained under alias names or through payments made payable to “shell” businesses that the defendants, including Ijeoma Adeola, created to receive fraud proceeds.  The victims sent the money to the defendants through the mail, bank-to-bank transfers, or through peer-to-peer money transfer services like Zelle or PayPal.  After the defendants received the money in their accounts, they transferred the money to each other, to the conspirators overseas, and to their own accounts in Nigeria.  Fatai Okunola used some of the fraud proceeds he received to assist others in purchasing automobiles in the United States and then exporting them to Nigeria. According to the indictment, defendants received more than $2 million dollars in their accounts from the scheme between 2017 and 2022.

          All defendants will be sentenced on January 14, 2025. Fatai Okunola, Oluwaseyi Adeola, and Cory McDougal each face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for their roles in the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and will be ordered to pay restitution to their victims. Okunola additionally faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison for his money laundering conviction, up to 5 years in prison for his conviction related to making false statements on his naturalization application, and possible removal and deportation from the United States. Ijeoma Adeola faces a maximum sentence of up to 3 years in prison and will be ordered to pay restitution to her victims.

          “HSI continues to ensure that fraudsters are held accountable for their crimes and today’s guilty plea is evidence of that,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “By working together at all levels of law enforcement, we can dismantle interstate and international fraud networks that prey on hard-working people across the country.”

          “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with safeguarding the nation’s mail system, and those who use it, from fraud and exploitation – a charge we take very seriously,” said USPIS Inspector in Charge Rodney Hopkins. “Particularly when it comes to our most vulnerable populations, we work tirelessly alongside our partners to prosecute such financial predators to the fullest extent of the law. I would like to thank HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan for their partnership and the great work on this case leading to today’s guilty pleas.”

          Individuals who believe they may be a victim of this fraud and who have not yet communicated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office are encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/victim-and-witness-assistance-program/vw-large-cases/okunola or contact Breane Warner, Victim Assistance Specialist, at (616) 808-2064. A list of post office boxes, email addresses, and fraudulent names used in this case are posted on the website.

          Anyone who suspects an ongoing internet crime is encouraged to file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov), the FBI’s central hub for reporting cybercrime.  Those reports often provide invaluable information to help the FBI and its law enforcement partners investigate and prosecute fraud schemes like the one charged in this case.

          Federal law enforcement provides a number of tips on how to protect yourself from similar internet or email scams, including:

• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, e-mails, and mailings.
• Never give or send any sensitive information (including your date of birth, account numbers, or passwords), credit or debit card numbers, or money to unverified people or businesses.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly.  Scammers create a false sense of urgency to lure people to immediate action.
• If you recognize a scam attempt, immediately end all communication with the perpetrator.

          The Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Postal Inspection Service, Grand Rapids offices, are investigating this case.  The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Stella is prosecuting the case.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Dontrell Nance, 25, of Benton Harbor, was sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

          “Gun violence is a national epidemic, and my office is focused on the handful of offenders driving gun violence in communities across our District,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The quick, coordinated actions by law enforcement kept 123 handguns from flooding our streets and further spreading this scourge and the trauma it brings.”

          Nance was charged along with his brother and codefendant, Darnell Bishop, for the theft of 123 handguns from the Benton Harbor Dunham’s Sports. Bishop and           Nance kidnapped the Dunham’s manager from outside the manager’s home using a pistol, took him to a second location, and convinced the manager to provide the alarm code for Dunham’s. Bishop then went to the store and stole 123 pistols, which he carried away in two large coolers. Law enforcement has since recovered all the firearms.   

          Bishop previously pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence earlier this month.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 25, 2024.

          “This sentencing is the consequence of a bad actor who possessed illegal firearms and posed a significant threat to the safety of the community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The collaboration with the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force and our other law enforcement partners exemplifies the effectiveness of teamwork. I am thankful for the prompt actions of the men and women of the Detroit FBI Field Office, which undoubtedly saved lives.”

          This case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI. 

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          The previous press releases, complaint, and press conference can be viewed here, here, here and here.

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Darell William Craft, Jr., 30, of Benton Harbor, was sentenced to 88 months in federal prison for possessing a stolen firearm with a high-capacity magazine as a convicted felon, while on probation for a prior conviction. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney imposed a sentence above the advisory sentencing range, adding that Craft presented “a major risk to the law-abiding public.”

          Craft was charged last October under Safe Summer 2023, a gun-violence enforcement program under which the U.S. Attorney’s Office committed to prosecute all firearms offenders who possess crime guns (that is, guns previously fired in the commission of a crime).

          “Craft exhibited a stunning disregard for human life, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “No level of violence is acceptable. The people of Benton Harbor, like people in every community across Michigan, deserve the right to walk their streets, relax in their homes, and carry out their lives without the fear of shots fired. We will continue to focus our efforts on people like Darell Craft who are driving violence in their communities.”

          In July 2023, following a series of apparently related shootings, police approached a parked car with Craft and his girlfriend inside. They searched it and found a loaded pistol with a high-capacity magazine. Police also searched Craft’s girlfriend’s phone and found videos of Craft holding and pointing the pistol. Ballistics testing showed the pistol had been used in three recent shootings.

          U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced the Safe Summer 2024 program on May 23, 2024 in a press release and press conferences in Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. Under this program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute all cases that satisfy two criteria.  First, the case must involve a federal firearms offense. The two most common offenses are felon in possession, which prohibits previously convicted felons from possessing a gun, and possession of a machine gun, which generally prohibits persons from possessing fully automatic guns. Second, the case must involve a crime gun, which is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime.  These criteria focus federal efforts on the few individuals driving gun violence in their communities.

          Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. In 2021, for the first time ever, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for American children, ages birth to 19, according to the New England Journal of Medicine (see also here). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have declined since 2021, they remain high.

          Moreover, while gun violence has the potential to impact everyone, recent studies show that gun violence has a disparate impact on people of color.  A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the disparity in shooting injuries among children before and after the pandemic in four major cities approximately tripled as between white children and children of color (Black, Hispanic, Asian).

          This case was investigated by ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Michigan State Police, the Benton Township Police Department, and the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety. It was prosecuted by Patrick Castle, Assistant U.S. Attorney, working with Victoria Pedri, 2L student at the University of Michigan Law School.

          This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore (a/k/a “Rabid”), Of Kaleva, Is A Member of 764, A Decentralized Network Of Online Groups That Target Children To Engage In Violent Self-Harm And Pornographic Activity

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Richard Anthony Reyna Densmore, 47, of Kaleva, known by his online alias “Rabid,” pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child.  Sexual exploitation of a child carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. 

          “The guilty plea of Richard Densmore is an important step forward in our efforts to protect kids from the rising threat of sadistic online predators,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “This case is a flashing red light to the dangers of devices. Parents, guardians, and users can protect themselves and their loved ones, but they have to be aware and they have to act.”

          As part of his guilty plea, Densmore admitted that in September 2022, as “Rabid#7997” on the social media platform Discord, he sent another user, a minor, a form of Discord currency (Nitro) to persuade her to send a picture of her chest area with “Rabid” written on them.  When the minor expressed reservations about sending the picture, Densmore contacted another Discord user with whom the minor had an online relationship and told that user to get a nude photo of the minor with “Rabid” written on her chest. Densmore also sent that user Nitro to persuade him to get the requested image.  Densmore’s efforts were successful and the minor, whom the other Discord user persuaded to send sexually explicit content, sent Densmore and that user a nude video of herself with “Rabid” written on her chest.

          Evidence presented at a February 2024 detention hearing in this case established that Densmore operated online servers (including “Sewer”) as part of a decentralized network, known as 764, that targets, induces, and extorts children into engaging in violent acts, self-harm, and sexually explicit activities.  The evidence at Densmore’s detention hearing revealed that, in addition to the prepubescent child pornography that Densmore collected, for which he was charged in the indictment, Densmore kept violent images and videos on his phones, including images of people cutting symbols and names into their skin.  The evidence established that after Densmore’s phones were seized in an initial search warrant, Densmore continued to collect such material on new devices, including a photo with a bloody “R” carved into a person’s skin.

          The FBI issued a public service announcement regarding these groups in September 2023.  The Washington Post and Wired.com also published articles in March 2024 that describe a coordinated journalistic investigation into the groups’ activities.  According to the FBI announcement, 764 and its affiliated groups target minors; particularly, marginalized children and children experiencing mental health challenges. Prospective members gain access to associated online platforms by livestreaming or uploading videos of minor victims engaging in self-harm and sexually explicit conduct, among other things. Group members use that content to extort additional self-harm and sexually explicit content from victims.

          “It’s frightening that individuals like Mr. Densmore seek access to our children through online platforms to exploit for gratification sexually,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “We must educate and equip our children and parents with the resources to navigate the internet cautiously, thus reducing the risk of child exploitation activities like this from occurring again. It is a priority of the FBI to prevent predators like Mr. Densmore from victimizing our most innocent and impressionable youth. This plea should warn others that we will continue working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of predators and safeguard our children.”

          U.S. Attorney Mark Totten reiterated that parents should look for unexpected packages, as members of these abuse and extortion networks are known to send children razor blades, sexual devices, and other materials to use in creating online content. The FBI further advised the public to take a number of precautionary steps, including:

• Looking for fresh cuts, bruises, wounds, and scars in unusual patterns;
• Looking for sudden behavior and appearance changes;
• Being attentive to children wearing long sleeves or pants in unusual circumstances;
• Monitoring children’s online activity and discussing the risks of sharing information and content; and
• Running frequent online searches of family and children’s information to help identify and prevent the spread of personal information on the internet.

          If you are worried about someone who might be self-harming or is at risk of suicide, please consult a health care professional or call 9-1-1 in the event of an immediate, life-threatening emergency.

          The FBI is investigating this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Townshend is prosecuting it.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that two Lansing-area men, Quentin Earl Booth, 39, and Derrick Smith Jr., 30, were sentenced to prison for possessing an assault rifle and pistol in a convenience store. Booth was sentenced today to 71 months and three years’ supervised release. Smith pleaded guilty in March and was sentenced to 57 months on July 2.

          “Booth and Smith inflicted sheer terror on people just carrying out their daily lives,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “There is no acceptable level of violence. Those driving violence will face swift justice. My team and I will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community enjoys the safety they deserve.”      

          Booth and Smith were arrested in September 2023 when law enforcement responded to a 911 call that Smith walked into a Lansing convenience store carrying an assault rifle. He made threats before entering the store. A witness reported hearing one of the defendants say, "Everybody is going to die."

          Upon arrival, officers saw Booth place the rifle in a nearby SUV. Booth also had a pistol holstered in his pocket.

          Law enforcement later obtained surveillance footage that showed Smith walk into the store with the loaded rifle. The video showed Smith pointing and aiming the rifle several times, including pointing the rifle at the store clerk while inside of the store and aiming at a passing vehicle in a residential neighborhood once outside of the store.

          Booth is a three-time convicted felon who previously served significant time in prison in 2018 for attempted armed robbery. In 2022, he was convicted of another felony in a domestic violence incident.

          Smith previously served significant prison time for conspiracy to commit robbery in Florida. He was also convicted in 2021 for carrying a concealed weapon.

          “Quentin Booth and Derrick Smith Jr. are career offenders with repeat felony convictions prohibiting them from possessing a firearm,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “During this incident, both men exercised extremely poor judgment, especially Smith aiming and pointing an assault rifle inside and outside of a convenience store in Lansing. In the end, poor choices have consequences.  If you use an illegal firearm to threaten and intimidate people in our community – pack a bag. You’re going to go to prison. Our community deserves better from its members, and it will be safer with both men off the streets.”

          These cases were investigated by the Michigan State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob S. Metoxen, Austin J. Hakes, and Constance R. Turnbull handled the prosecutions.

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          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Todd Stafford, 60, of Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 156 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted of coercion and enticement of a minor and two counts of travel in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.                               

          “Mr. Stafford preyed on minors and today he was held accountable for his predatory actions,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Let this be a clear message to those who seek to exploit our children and think they can hide. Protecting our most vulnerable is, and will continue to be, a top priority for our office.”

          Stafford was convicted at a jury trial.  The jury heard evidence that Stafford met the minor victim, who was under sixteen years of age, online. Stafford twice traveled from Wisconsin to Michigan hoping to have sex with the minor. Eventually the minor’s father found conversations and contacted law enforcement. The minor’s father and Iron Mountain Police Department took over communications with Stafford, posing as the minor and arranging to meet Stafford again. In late July 2023, Stafford again traveled to Michigan where law enforcement met and arrested him.

          “Today’s sentencing of Mr. Stafford is a direct result of the hard work of the men and women of the FBI Detroit Field Office’s Marquette Resident Agent, the Iron Mountain Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office”, said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Any criminal act and/or its attempt, especially involving minors, will not be tolerated and the FBI will investigate and arrest anyone who engages in this illegal behavior.”

          This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following website: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

          This case was investigated by the FBI and the Iron Mountain Police Department.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Irfan Gill, 62, of Portage, Michigan, was convicted by a jury of 7 counts of mail fraud and 11 counts of money laundering. Gill was previously indicted for working with a call center in Pakistan, from as early as June 2018 through at least March 2022, as part of a telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across the United States.

          “Mr. Gill ran a multi-year, international telemarketing scam targeting American citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “Today’s conviction secures a measure of justice for his unsuspecting victims. Fighting elder fraud and abuse is a priority for my Office and we will continue to hold perpetrators accountable, whether here in the U.S. or abroad.”

          According to allegations in the indictment, Gill claimed to operate several businesses: Cable Upgrade; D Network; D Tech; Direct Network; Dish; Dish Upgrade; and Sky Satellite.  Telephone solicitors at a call center in Pakistan cold-called victims with offers of equipment upgrades, software upgrades, and subscription discounts for their cable television, satellite television, and internet services.  While the businesses did not actually provide any of those services, callers instructed victims to send payments to Gill’s post office boxes in Portage.  Gill deposited victims’ payments in his bank accounts.  Gill tracked victims’ payments and used money transfer services like Remitly and Western Union to pay a portion of the proceeds to the telephone solicitors in Pakistan.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office believes the scheme victimized over 1,400 people nationwide.              

          Gill faces up to 30 years in prison on the mail fraud charges because the jury found that he committed a telemarketing fraud that targeted or victimized 10 or more people over the age of 55.  He faces up to 20 years in prison for the money laundering charges in the indictment. The date of sentencing has not yet been scheduled but typically occurs within three to four months after conviction in federal court.

          Federal law enforcement provides a number of tips on how to protect yourself from telemarketing scams, including:

1. Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, e-mails, and mailings.
2. Never give or send any sensitive information (including your date of birth, account numbers, or passwords), credit or debit card numbers, or money to unverified people or businesses.
3. Resist the pressure to act quickly.  Scammers create a false sense of urgency to lure people to immediate action. 
4. If you recognize a scam attempt, immediately end all communication with the perpetrator.

          This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Townshend and Stephen Baker tried the case on behalf of the United States.

###

Media Note: The previous press release and video from U.S. Attorney Mark Totten can be found viewed at the following link Portage Man Charged With International Telemarketing Fraud That Targeted Elderly Victims

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Kalamazoo resident Juwara Jawan Compton, Jr., 32, was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Compton was charged last October under Safe Summer 2023, a gun-violence enforcement program under which the U.S. Attorney’s Office committed to prosecute all firearms offenders who possess crime guns (that is, guns previously fired in the commission of a crime). The firearm Compton possessed was loaded, outfitted with an extended magazine, and modified with a “switch” that made it operate as a machinegun.

          “Our Safe Summer 2024 Program is underway right now and we mean what we say: We will federally prosecute all firearms offenders caught with crime guns,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Mr. Compton carried an illegal machinegun equipped with an extended magazine, capable of inflicting mass destruction and senseless trauma. He will likely now serve years more in prison because he was prosecuted under the Safe Summer program. My team and our partners will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community is safe from violence.”

          According to court documents, in September 2023, officers responded to the area of the Thunderbird Bar in Kalamazoo after receiving a report of a possible felonious assault. On scene, they found a vehicle registered to Compton’s sister. On the backseat, Compton had left a handgun with an extended magazine. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber. It was also equipped with a “switch” that converted the pistol to a fully automatic machinegun. Below is a photo of the firearm.

          Compton possessed the gun in this case after sustaining multiple prior felony convictions, including domestic violence. His history includes an incident in which he threw a woman across a room multiple times and destroyed her cell phone and another incident in which he threw a paint can at his girlfriend and hit her in the head. He then threw her to the ground, placed his knee on her chest, pulled her hair, and bit her left arm. Finally, in 2020, he threatened yet another female victim with a metal pipe.

          “Individuals who choose a life of fear and violence to invoke criminal intimidation will be removed from our communities,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mr. Compton is a convicted felon possessing illegal firearms and a serial domestic violence abuser who is going to have a lot of free time to reflect on his consistent track record of illegal activity.”

          In sentencing Compton, Chief Judge Jarbou noted the serious nature of Compton’s crime noting that having a gun is made even more dangerous when that possession is coupled with someone with Compton’s criminal record. She noted that Compton’s criminal history, particularly his previous failures to complete periods of probation successfully, indicated that Compton “has no respect for the law” and had not ben deterred by criminal sentences he had received in the past.

          U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced the Safe Summer 2024 program on May 23, 2024 in a press release and press conferences in Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. Under this program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute all cases that satisfy two criteria.  First, the case must involve a federal firearms offense. The two most common offenses are felon in possession, which prohibits previously convicted felons from possessing a gun, and possession of a machine gun, which generally prohibits persons from possessing fully automatic guns. Second, the case must involve a crime gun, which is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime.  These criteria focus federal efforts on the few individuals driving gun violence in their communities.

          Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. In 2021, for the first time ever, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for American children, ages birth to 19, according to the New England Journal of Medicine (see also here). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have declined since 2021, they remain high.

          Moreover, while gun violence has the potential to impact everyone, recent studies show that gun violence has a disparate impact on people of color.  A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the disparity in shooting injuries among children before and after the pandemic in four major cities approximately tripled as between white children and children of color (Black, Hispanic, Asian).

          This case was investigated by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie M. Carowan prosecuted the case for the government.

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Faces potential life sentence for kidnapping of Dunham’s manager

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Darnell Bishop, 33, of Benton Harbor, pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Bishop faces a maximum possible penalty of life in prison.

          “My office is laser focused on those few individuals driving gun violence in our communities, including active shooters and gun traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Darnell Bishop’s brazen crimes, if successful, would have flooded the streets of Benton Harbor and beyond with illegal firearms. I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners for their swift investigative work that put a stop to this criminal scheme.”

          Bishop was charged along with his codefendant, Dontrell Nance, for the theft of 123 handguns from the Benton Harbor Dunham’s Sports. As part of his plea agreement, Bishop admitted that he and Nance kidnapped the Dunham’s manager from outside the manager’s home using a pistol, took him to a second location, and convinced the manager to provide the alarm code for Dunham’s. Bishop said he then went to the store and stole 123 pistols, which he carried away in two large coolers. Law enforcement has since recovered all the firearms.   

          Nance previously pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2024.

          “Today’s plea is the best-case scenario for our industry partners and their innocent employees. Armed robberies of FFLs are one of ATF’s top priorities,” said Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “The message continues to be clear:  There is no place in our community for illegal firearms traffickers and those who choose to target and victimize business owners and employees who are just trying to provide for their families.”

          “Today's guilty plea confirms that justice has been served, and Mr. Bishop will be held accountable for the heinous crimes committed against the victim and the victim's place of work,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “I commend the investigative efforts and achievements of the FBI's Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force and our local, state, and federal partners for their dedication to this case. Nevertheless, our daily work continues to contribute to the safety of our communities.”         

          This case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI. 

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Media note: The previous press releases, complaint, and press conference can be viewed here, here, and here.

Thomas Aaron Hungerford to Face Three Felonies

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a grand jury returned an indictment charging Thomas Aaron Hungerford, 54, with three federal felony charges relating to Hungerford’s creation and distribution of child pornography.

          “Sexual exploitation targeting our youngest and most vulnerable is an ongoing threat,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Protecting kids is a critical part of our mission. While we would always want to prevent a child from experiencing harm, we stand ready to hold the predators who commit these crimes accountable.”

          On May 24, 2024, Hungerford was charged by criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography following a federal search warrant that same day. This charge requires a minimum prison term of 5 years and a maximum term of 20 years.   Hungerford has been held in custody since his arrest. The Court scheduled his arraignment for July 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

          A federal defendant has a right to be prosecuted by indictment issued by a grand jury if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for more than a year. Today’s indictment charges Hungerford with additional crimes. Count 1 of the indictment charges Hungerford with sexual exploitation of a child and alleges that he video-recorded a minor engaged in sexually explicit activity on August 16, 2023.  If convicted of this count, he would face a minimum prison term of 15 years and a maximum term of 30 years. Counts 2 and 3 allege that Hungerford distributed child pornography. Each of these crimes require a minimum prison term of 5 years and a maximum term of 20 years.

          “The defendant’s alleged actions are especially troubling, which range from outright right privacy violations to predatory behavior,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and expose individuals who commit these crimes.”

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

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

         Case part of Department of Justice’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Theresa A. Kordish, D.O. has admitted in a plea agreement to costing Medicare over $794,000, by using a telehealth application to improperly approve orders for medical braces and genetic testing. The charges filed in this case are part of the U.S. Justice Department’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action.

          Dr. Kordish signed and certified that each order was medically indicated and necessary for a particular Medicare beneficiary. In reality, Dr. Kordish clicked to approve orders in a matter of seconds, without conducting any meaningful review. On June 18, 2024, Kordish was charged by Felony Information with making a false statement in a matter involving the Medicare program. Kordish will be arraigned on the charge and a plea hearing will be held in July 2024.

          “Medicare is a lifeline to millions of Americans, and its viability depends on the good faith and honesty of doctors to ensure that funds are spent appropriately,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “When doctors violate their sacred trust, they damage the integrity of our entire healthcare system. My office has zero tolerance for medical fraud.” 

          “It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits.”

          According to Dr. Kordish’s admissions in her plea agreement, she worked with a purported telehealth company called Real Time Physicians LLC, to approve orders for medical braces and genetic testing. Real Time did not operate a legitimate telehealth company, but instead created and maintained an internet-based exchange that produced fraudulent medical records, which were used to cause Medicare to pay fraudulent claims. Despite certifying that she had conducted the required medical review for each order she signed, Dr. Kordish approved most orders in less than 60 seconds, and still others in as little as 20 seconds—approximately the minimum time necessary to click through and apply an electronic signature. In June 2022, a federal court sentenced Real Time’s owner, Marc Sporn, to 14 years in prison for his role in the scheme.   

          “When practitioners submit false claims to our federally funded insurance programs, whether it be for prescription drugs or durable medical equipment, it severely undermines the integrity placed in our healthcare providers and contributes to millions of dollars in losses that could go to patients in need,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “With the support of our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to hold responsible all who try to defraud the government.”

          “We will not tolerate fraud that preys on patients who need and deserve high quality health care,” said the Honorable Christi A. Grimm, the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The hard work of the HHS-OIG team and our outstanding law enforcement partners makes today’s action possible.  We must protect taxpayer dollars and keep Americans safe from harms to their health, privacy, and financial well-being.”

          The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Mark Totten are part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Government, in connection with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.

          The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Connecticut, Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District to Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Rhode Island, Eastern District of Tennessee, Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, and Eastern District of Wisconsin; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and South Dakota are prosecuting the cases in the National Enforcement Action, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.

          This case is being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Castle.

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

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Andrew Blair Howard, 63, of Sparta and Frankfort, Michigan, was sentenced to 60 months’ probation and ordered to pay $22,472.22 in total restitution to the National Park Service and U.S. Coast Guard, along with $3,947.71 in costs related to the court proceedings.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent further banned Mr. Howard as a term of his probation from being on National Park Service property, including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The government did not seek a sentence of imprisonment for Mr. Howard.  Judge Kent imposed the sentence after previously finding Mr. Howard guilty at trial.

          U.S. Attorney Mark Totten issued the following statement: “Mr. Howard had a policy dispute with the National Park Service over whether to dredge the Platte River.  Reasonable people can disagree on the best course of action, but Congress gave NPS the power to decide. While Mr. Howard had the right to disagree and advocate for his position, he did not have the right to take the law into his own hands and force his favored result. Doing so was a misdemeanor, and this sentence holds Mr. Howard accountable for his offense.”

          Howard was previously convicted at trial in February 2024 of two federal misdemeanors for tampering and vandalism at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in connection with an August 15, 2022, diversion of the Platte River.  In August 2022, National Park Service law enforcement officers investigated reports of a diversion of the Platte River near its mouth where it meets Lake Michigan.  Evidence at trial showed that on August 15, 2022, Howard used a shovel to dig sediment and rocks from the river basin and stacked large rocks on a dam to divert the river’s natural water flow toward a newly created channel out to Lake Michigan, contrary to a decision by the National Park Service to let the river follow its natural course.

          The National Park Service expended significant resources by deploying NPS personnel and Coast Guard resources to evaluate the impact on the National Lakeshore, including on the Platte River, adjoining habitats, and affected wildlife.  The Platte River area is home to protected wetlands, coastal dunes, plants, and wildlife.  Several endangered animal species and threatened plant species make the Platte River area their home, including the piping plover, a small migratory bird that nests along the sand and shore of Lake Michigan, and Pitcher’s thistle, a native thistle that grows along the sand dunes of Lake Michigan.  Due to the significant decrease in—and the partial absence of—water levels after the diversion, as well as changes to the flow and speed of the river, NPS staff observed wetland vegetation drying and ultimately dying within and along the river.  Overall, the change in water levels caused by the diversion drained the wetlands and negatively impacted many plants and aquatic invertebrates in the process.  Given the volume and power of water moving through the diversion, and after careful consideration of impacts to affected ecosystems and wildlife, NPS concluded that major remediation to restore the area to its natural state was not advisable because the remediation would involve substantial disturbance to the fragile ecosystems of the area.  NPS continues to monitor and assess the damage and situation.

          The diversion also created an unauthorized access for large boats to enter Platte Bay.  Within days, the natural power of the water and the dam caused the new channel to reach approximately 200 feet wide.  The following aerial photograph on the left, taken in May of 2022, shows the natural flow of the Platte River running parallel to Lake Michigan. The photograph on the right taken by the U.S. Coast Guard shows the same area approximately three days after the diversion, with the channel emptying directly into Lake Michigan.

          “Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was created in 1970 to preserve and protect this amazing place,” said Superintendent Scott Tucker.  “The National Park Service appreciates the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in enforcing the laws that help protect this place for future generations.”

          The National Park Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky prosecuted it on behalf of the United States.

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Defendant Linked to Fatal Fentanyl Poisoning, Operation Distributing Drugs to Prisoners Using Fake Mail from Defense Attorneys

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that the last of four defendants, Anthony Martell Sanders, 30, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Grand Rapids area, including fentanyl laced with xylazine.

          “Illicit street drugs are extremely dangerous and claim more lives across Michigan and the United States than ever before,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Everyone who uses illegal substances takes their life in their own hands. Only a speck of fentanyl can kill. And so often it laces other drugs. A user who thinks they’re taking one drug doesn’t realize they’re also taking a lethal dose of fentanyl and is dead in minutes. Moreover, the addition of xylazine means naloxone cannot reverse the effect of fentanyl. My office is committed to disrupting the pipelines that distribute these poisons in our communities, causing so much devastation.”

          The following individuals have been convicted and sentenced as part of this investigation:

Name

Age

City

Sentence

Anthony Martell Sanders

30

Grand Rapids

300 months

Amon Sudan Sanders-Outlaw

23

Grand Rapids

168 months

Marquan Demond Staffney

28

Grand Rapids

75 months

Javon Bridgeforth House

32

Grand Rapids

54 months

          On January 14, 2023, officers with the Holland Department of Public Safety responded to an overdose death. Investigators discovered text messages that linked Sanders as a drug supplier of the decedent. Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) then completed six undercover buys of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Sanders and others.  The investigation culminated with the execution of three search warrants in Grand Rapids on April 4, 2023.  At one apartment occupied by members of Sanders’ family, agents seized over five pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl.  The fentanyl that Sanders and others had previously distributed to the undercover officer had been laced with xylazine or “tranq,” a veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, the effects of which are irreversible by naloxone.

          In addition, at an Airbnb apartment where law enforcement arrested Sanders on April 4, agents found significant evidence of the defendant mailing drugs into the prisons through a scheme to falsify envelopes to make them appear as if they were sent from criminal defense firms as “legal mail” in the hope of evading law enforcement detection. Specifically, investigators found fake return labels and return stamps for three Grand Rapids law firms and a roster of prisoners throughout the nation. Investigators had previously linked Sanders, and related defendant Marquan Staffney, to a package seized on July 22, 2022, at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Branch County, purporting to be legal mail and containing a hallucinogenic controlled substance known as “K2.”

          “These sentences will ensure these individuals can no longer endanger lives in west Michigan,” said Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid communities of drug traffickers who threaten the safety and well-being of the general public.”

          “I am pleased to see this successful prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan,” said Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington.  “These drugs present a serious danger to our prisons, placing staff and prisoners at risk.  I’d like to thank the MDOC staff involved in this investigation, as well as our partners in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work to end this drug trafficking effort and protect our staff.”

          Throughout the entire scope of the conspiracy, Sanders was on federal supervised release from a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

             During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker found as an “aggravating factor” that after Sanders pled guilty, he shared discovery material with a third-party who then posted it on Facebook in an attempt to intimidate a cooperating witness. Specifically, investigators discovered a February 10, 2024, recorded video call with Sanders from the Newaygo County Jail where Sanders divulged cooperation materials and encouraged the third-party to disseminate the materials on social media.  Judge Jonker also found that Sanders was a leader of the drug trafficking conspiracy as he directed others to deliver drugs on his behalf.  Sanders even directed his brother, Amon Sanders-Outlaw, on a promotional offer to provide drug users with free drugs in exchange for introductions to other drug customers.    

          This case was investigated by DEA, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, West Michigan Enforcement Team, Kent Area Narcotic Enforcement Team, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Holland Department of Public Safety, Grand Rapids Police Department, Wyoming Department of Public Safety, Walker Police Department, and Grandville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vito S. Solitro and Stephanie M. Carowan prosecuted the case.

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MEDIA NOTE: For more information on Xylazine, see the October 2022 DEA Joint Intelligence Report: The Growing Threat of Xylazine and its Mixture with Illicit Drugs. For more information on Fentanyl, see the Drug Enforcement Administration’s factsheet on the substance.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Requests Public’s Help in Ongoing Investigation

          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal grand jury indicted Michael Philip Dowd, 56, of the L’Anse Indian Reservation, charging him with one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of sexual abuse. Each count carries a maximum sentence of life.

          “My office is prepared to make its case in court and strongly encourages anyone with information about Mr. Dowd who can assist with this active investigation to contact our Marquette Office,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Our work protecting victims of sexual abuse and holding offenders accountable is some of the most important work we do.”            

          The indictment, which was returned Tuesday, alleges that between April 8 and April 9, 2024, Dowd “knowingly engaged in a sexual act” with the victim by using his body to hold the victim down and performing a sexual act on the victim. The indictment further alleges that Dowd “knowingly engaged in a sexual act” with the victim without the victim’s consent and while the victim was “incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating unwillingness to engage in” the sexual act.

          “I commend the victim for their bravery and for coming forward to law enforcement, especially considering the horrific and severe sexual abuse alleged in this case,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in the Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI, our partners at the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to addressing the public safety and violence facing Native American communities.”

          This case was investigated by the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI are continuing to investigate Dowd for sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. Anyone who has not previously provided information about conduct involving Dowd should contact the FBI or U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Marquette Branch Office, at 906-226-2500.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Todd Kreykes Admitted Using COVID-19 Pandemic Funds Targeted for Patient Care at Boardman Family Practice for His Own Benefit

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Todd Martin Kreykes, 60, of Kalkaska County, was charged in a felony information with theft of government property related to his use of COVID-19 pandemic funding to purchase vehicles, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, remodel his home, and otherwise pay for vacations and his personal expenses.                     

          “Every dollar that Todd Kreykes spent on luxury goods and vacations was one less dollar to help businesses struggling during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “This conviction can’t make up for that lost assistance now, but it can vindicate the taxpayers and show that criminals who defraud the government will be held accountable.”         

          Kreykes faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.  Kreykes has agreed to plead guilty to the felony information and, as part of a written plea agreement, has agreed to make full restitution to the applicable federal pandemic programs prior to his sentencing hearing. 

          According to the felony information, from April 2020, until November 2021, Boardman Family Practice received over $294,000.00 from the United States through various federal programs designed to assist medical providers in providing care and treatment for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, CARES Act Rural Health Center Distribution, Rural Health Center Testing Program, and the Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence Program. 

          Kreykes accepted these federal payments and attested to the accompanying terms and conditions that required the funding to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, or to reimburse the recipient for health care expenses or lost revenues attributable to the coronavirus.  Instead, Kreykes stole over $200,000.00 of the federal funds and converted them to his own use by spending the federal funds on a new truck, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a camper, and other personal items and expenses, remodeling his home, paying off personal loans, and taking vacations, all in violation of the terms and conditions of the federal programs.

          “Providers who misappropriated federal funds intended to offset costs associated with medical services during the COVID-19 public health emergency showed disregard for taxpayers and the individuals relying on these vital programs,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Our agency, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to ensuring the integrity of federal programs designed to protect public health.”

          The U.S. Health and Human Service Office of Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Stella is prosecuting the case.

          The charges in a felony information are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Michael Andrew Thomas, 20, of Lansing, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing a handgun that had been modified to a fully automatic firearm using a conversion device. A conversion device, also referred to as a “switch,” meets the federal definition of a “machinegun.”                          

          “Gun violence inflicts senseless suffering and lasting trauma on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The prevalence of machinegun conversion devices is an especially concerning trend. With the single pull of a trigger, these devices can spray 1,000 rounds a minute. Offenders beware: possess these devices and you face the very real prospect of federal prosecution.”

          Thomas was arrested in January 2024 after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence and found a handgun with a conversion device attached. The gun also had an extended magazine loaded with 34 rounds of ammunition.

          Thomas posted a photograph of himself with the handgun on social media prior to the search. At the time, Thomas was on state bond after being charged in a 2023 incident involving carjacking and assault with a dangerous weapon. Law enforcement previously arrested Thomas in September 2023 during a traffic stop in which Thomas possessed a stolen firearm that also had a conversion device attached. Law enforcement later obtained forensic evidence from Thomas’ cell phone indicating he trafficked conversion devices and firearms.

          “Machine gun conversion devices are not firearm accessories but machineguns under federal law. A single-shot-function conversion of a weapon poses a severe threat to our community and public safety,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mr. Thomas deliberately chose to illegally possess and advertise in his possession an illegally modified firearm. In the end, I urge anyone in Michigan contemplating experimenting with a machine gun conversion device to think of Mr. Thomas who will be spending a considerable amount of time in prison for similar choices and/or behavior. These devices are a clear and present danger to public safety and will be investigated and prosecuted as such.”

          Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have slightly declined since 2021, they remain high.

          Resources and information on the safe storage of firearms can be found by reviewing the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Storage of Firearms guide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives pamphlet. Anyone who possesses a gun must follow all local, state, and federal laws.

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaToyia Carpenter and investigated by the Lansing Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Earl Austin IV, 22, of Benton Harbor, Michigan was sentenced to 108 months in prison for his part in trafficking methamphetamine, guns, and machinegun switches. Austin is the last of 17 defendants, from three criminal indictments to be sentenced from this investigation.

          “The families of Benton Harbor deserve to carry out their lives without the fear of violence.” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Safety is a civil right. These cases represent our commitment to making that right a reality. While we can never prosecute our way out of the gun violence epidemic, accountability for those few individuals who are driving violence is critical.” 

          On December 15, 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan announced charges against 10 defendants, including Earl Austin IV.  Seven additional defendants were later charged in three different criminal cases.

          In this case, investigators seized over one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms, and three machinegun switches over the course of six months. Undercover officers bought methamphetamine, fentanyl, and oxycodone from Austin on 17 different occasions.  On two occasions in August and September of 2022, Austin sold machinegun switches to undercover officers. Austin then sold an assault rifle and two pistols on three separate occasions from November to December 2022. Police eventually executed a search warrant at Austin’s residence and found more methamphetamine and two guns. Austin is a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. Austin proceeded to trial, where a jury found him guilty on all 15 counts of the indictment.

          Austin’s codefendants pleaded guilty. Robert Griffin was sentenced to 70 months in prison for selling methamphetamine. Rhonda Acklin was sentenced to 41 months in prison for selling methamphetamine. Evorion Anderson was sentenced to 70 months in prison for selling methamphetamine and machinegun switches.

          Ten other defendants were charged with firearm violations, mostly related to machinegun switches.  In that case, Torez Burnett imported machine gun conversion devices, or “switches,” from China and distributed them to members of his street gang, My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), and others in Benton Harbor and Grand Rapids.

          Finally, in a third case, three defendants were charged with being felons in possession of firearms.  Following a jury trial in August 2023, a jury convicted each man of being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, Chief Judge Hala Jarbou found that Mark Curtis possessed his gun in connection with first degree premeditated murder.

          “Families in Benton Harbor can take comfort in knowing the individuals responsible for distributing harmful drugs throughout the community and possessing dangerous weapons were held accountable for their crimes,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “It is through the tremendous partnerships fostered among our local, state, and federal partners that we are able to find and apprehend criminals who endanger public safety.”

          Serious crimes have serious consequences. Illegal machinegun conversion devices are a threat to our community and public safety. They are not toys and they have no place in our communities,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mr. Austin chose to illegally convert firearms while conspiring to distribute methamphetamines onto our streets.  Ultimately, Mr. Austin and his co-cohorts will have considerable time in prison to reflect on their poor decisions.”

          This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, DEA, Michigan State Police, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Charter Township Police Department, and the Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Castle and Jacob S. Metoxen handled the prosecution.

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          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Travon Deshaun-Roderick Mansker, 26, of Battle Creek, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing over four kilograms of methamphetamine. Mansker also possessed several firearms as a felon and two of the weapons had been modified to meet the federal definition of “machineguns”.

          “We choose our cases carefully, focusing the longer sentences we often secure on those who pose the greatest threat,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Travon Mansker is one of those people. He was a large-scale pill dealer selling methamphetamine masked as Adderall. And he was trafficking illegal firearms calibrated to cause maximum harm. As we’ve done here, we will continue to focus our limited resources on those who supply the firearms and drugs that cause so much pain in our communities.”

          The conviction arises from an April 27, 2023, search of a Battle Creek residence where investigators seized over four kilograms of orange powder methamphetamine, 14 firearms, approximately a thousand rounds of ammunition, various high-capacity magazines, pill presses, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia.  As part of his guilty plea, the defendant admitted that he intended to press the methamphetamine into pills and distribute the pills to others. The defendant had previously sold pills during the investigation that were designed to appear like the commercial drug Adderall. 

          Of the 14 firearms seized on April 27, two of the guns had been modified to meet the federal definition of “machineguns.”  Evidence in the investigation also showed that the defendant had sold four machinegun conversion devices designed to turn AR-style firearms into fully automatic machineguns in March and April 2023.  Finally, five of the firearms were “privately made firearms” or “ghost guns” designed to be untraceable to law enforcement.

           A photograph of the evidence seized from the search is provided below:

          “Mr. Mansker’s time as a peddler of poison in west Michigan has come to an end,” said Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “His sentence clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to safeguard our communities from the threats of drugs and firearms.”

          “Removing violent offenders from our communities is ATF’s highest priority,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mansker sold poison in our community while armed with illegally modified firearms. This sentence should serve as a clear message to all armed drug traffickers in the state of Michigan, if you’re packing a firearm illegally while peddling your poison, pack your bags for prison.”

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Battle Creek Police Department (BCPD), with additional support by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Vito S. Solitro prosecuted the case.  

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U.S. Attorney’s Office Requests Public’s Help in Ongoing Investigation

          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a grand jury has charged Erich Zeeb, 49, of Roanoke, Virginia, with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.

          “We’re prepared to make our case as part of our ongoing mission to protect children and teenagers from sexual exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “As part of our work to ensure justice and protect victims, I strongly encourage anyone with information about this matter or related criminal acts committed by Erich Zeeb to contact our office.”

          The indictment, which was unsealed today, alleges that on multiple occasions, Zeeb “employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced” a 15-year-old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct. The indictment further alleges that the conduct occurred in Marquette County in July 2012.

          “Protecting children from crimes of exploitation is a top priority for HSI in Michigan, around the country, and across the world,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “I encourage anyone with information to reach out to law enforcement.”

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations are continuing to investigate Zeeb. Anyone with information about conduct involving Zeeb should contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Marquette Branch Office, at 906-226-2500.

          Zeeb previously lived in Houston, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Zeeb may have communicated using the following email addresses:

• ewzeeb@gmail.com
• ezeebs@gmail.com
• bzez88@gmail.com
• doublezeeb@gmail.com
• erichzeeb@gmail.com
• twozeebsinapod@gmail.com
• erichzeeb@yahoo.com
• Williamzeeb@comcast.net
• ezeeb@mwbuilders.com
• Ezeeb@crosslandconstruction.com
• ezeeb@bellsouth.net

          Zeeb may also have communicated via social media, including Instagram and Facebook, and dating apps, including WhosHere, Plenty of Fish, and Tinder.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that 48-year-old Lansing resident, Tom Allen Manuel, was sentenced to 57 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On December 19, 2023, Manuel was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm knowing it had an obliterated serial number.  Manuel pled guilty to the first charge on February 6, 2024. 

          “Mr. Manuel has a 30-year record of violent criminal behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “He has blatantly disregarded the law and repeatedly committed crimes while serving his sentence for past offenses. The people of Lansing deserve protection from such conduct, and my office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to help keep our communities safe from violent offenders.”

          The grand jury charged Manuel with carrying a loaded pistol on October 27, 2023. At the time, he was a convicted felon. Manuel had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for violating bond on a pending armed robbery charge in Lansing Circuit Court. The District Court imposed a longer sentence than usual because Manuel has a 30-year criminal record for violent crime and the Court was concerned that he remained a danger to the community.

          “Accountability matters. Tom Manuel is a convicted serial violent offender who knowingly possessed an illegal firearm.” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mr. Manuel is going to have a lot of free time to reflect on his consistent track record of illegal activity. Our community is a safer place today with Mr. Manuel off the streets.”

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant United Sates Attorney Timothy VerHey, and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Lansing Police Department.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced multiple drug charges against James Smith, aka “Yola,” of Kalamazoo County in connection with an April 2023 mass poisoning event in Kalamazoo County. That event resulted in at least 6 deaths linked to fentanyl.

          “What Kalamazoo experienced in April 2023 is a snapshot of the crisis we confront across America: more deaths than ever, driven by fentanyl, and snatching the lives of even first-time users with no idea they’re consuming this deadly poison,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.  “While we’ll never prosecute our way out of this crisis, today marks an important first step toward justice. This investigation is ongoing, and I encourage anyone with information to come forward. Now is the time.”

          This past Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a multi-count indictment, which is attached to this press release. The indictment charges Smith with 8 counts.

• Count 1 charges Smith with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Resulting in Death. In particular, the indictment alleges that Mr. Smith conspired to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and that the use of the fentanyl resulted in the death of D.M., one of the individuals who died during the April 2023 mass poisoning event in Kalamazoo County. This crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum of life.
• Counts 3-9 charge Smith with Distribution of Cocaine, each count representing a separate distribution event that allegedly occurred between August 10, 2023, and February 6, 2024. These crimes carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

          In addition, Count 2 charges Patrick Martin with Use of a Communication Facility to Commit a Drug Felony. In particular, the indictment alleges that on April 12, 2023, in Kalamazoo County, Patrick Martin used a cell phone to facilitate Count 1, that is the drug distribution that resulted in the death of D.M. This crime carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in federal prison.

          Smith was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and had his initial appearance in federal court in Grand Rapids that same day. Mr. Smith is currently being detained and his arraignment, detention hearing, and initial pretrial conference is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Mr. Martin will have his arraignment and initial pretrial conference on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 11 a.m.

          This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to the April 2023 mass poisoning event in Kalamazoo County is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety through the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) at 269-337-8880.  You may also submit an anonymous tip through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

          “We are pleased that we were able to work with our federal partners in this investigation and that we were able to bring forward charges and make an arrest for those who were responsible for that tragic day in our community,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “The actions of a few had life changing results for many. This investigation and arrest re-affirm my unwavering commitment to protecting our community from the dangers of drug trafficking.  We hope that this arrest will result in more information being brought forward to assist with this ongoing investigation.”

          “Fatal drug poisonings caused by deadly drugs like fentanyl are a significant threat across the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “Today’s enforcement actions demonstrate our resolve to bring those responsible for this erosion and destruction of our communities to justice. This investigation is a clear demonstration of the strength of partnerships throughout the region and our commitment to protecting west Michigan from the scourge of illicit drugs.”

          According to the Centers for Disease Control (see here), in 2023 at least 107,543 people died from drug poisoning across the United States, which is near the all-time high of 111,029 deaths in 2022. In Michigan, at least 2,931 people died from drug poisoning in 2023. Approximately 75% of the 2023 drug poisoning deaths across the United States were due to fentanyl.

          The following services are available for people experiencing addiction, or their friends and loved ones:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, www.samhsa.gov/find-support/in-crisis.
• Cope Network (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties), 269-580-8290, www.copenetwork.org.
• The Grand Rapids Red Project (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Kent and Muskegon Counties), 616-456-9063 (Kent County), 231-563-6865 (Muskegon County), www.redproject.org.
• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a webpage that identifies county-by-county services.

          This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Portage Department of Public Safety, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the Michigan State Police.

          The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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A Michigan man was sentenced today to 26 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring with other members of a white supremacist group, The Base, to victimize Black and Jewish people, and for defacing Temple Jacob, a Jewish synagogue in Hancock, Michigan, using swastikas and symbols associated with The Base.

Nathan Weeden, 24, of Houghton, was convicted at trial in January of one count of conspiring to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate any person in the exercise of their rights and one count of intentionally defacing, damaging or destroying religious property because of the race or ethnic characteristics of individuals associated with that property. Weeden's co-conspirators, Richard Tobin, of New Jersey, and Yousef Barasneh, of Wisconsin, both previously pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges related to the incident.

“This sentence sends a strong message that threatening and intimidating people because of their religion, race or ethnic characteristics will not be tolerated in this country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “White supremacist-fueled violence is a stain on our history and perpetrators of such violence will be held accountable. No one should live in fear because of who they are, what they believe or where they worship. The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those who desecrate houses of worship and who conspire to intimidate people seeking to exercise the legal rights guaranteed to all Americans.”   

“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message that hate will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan. “No one should be the target of hate because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. When hateful words become hateful acts, my office will use every tool we have to protect the public and secure justice like we did in this case.”

“The impact of the defendant’s crimes extend far beyond destruction of property,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “The FBI will not accept hate-driven threats of violence intended to emotionally and/or physically harm victims and will rigorously investigate anyone conspiring to vandalize houses of worship and intimidate other from safely practicing their religion.”

“Accountability matters. Today’s sentence is representative of our community's views on hate crime-inspired violence. People who engage in this behavior will be identified and fully prosecuted by the law,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Division. “ATF is steadfast in its commitment to protecting everyone across this great state against violent criminals fueled by hatred and intolerance.”

The evidence at trial established that, in September 2019, Weeden, Tobin and Barasneh, all members of The Base, used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalizing property associated with Black and Jewish Americans. Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan, "Operation Kristallnacht” — a term that means "Night of Broken Glass,” and refers to events that took place on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, when Nazis murdered Jews and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools and places of business. Weeden carried out this plan on Sept. 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with The Base on the outside walls of Temple Jacob.

The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the ATF and Hancock Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler for the Western District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

          MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, Michigan was sentenced to 26 months for conspiring with other members of a white supremacist group, The Base, to victimize Black and Jewish people, and for defacing Temple Jacob, a Jewish synagogue in Hancock, Michigan, using swastikas and symbols associated with The Base.

          “Today’s sentencing sends a strong message that hate will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “No one should be the target of hate because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. When hateful words become hateful acts, my office will use every tool we have to protect the public and secure justice like we did in this case.”

          “This sentence sends a strong message that threatening and intimidating people because of their religion, race or ethnic characteristics will not be tolerated in this country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “White supremacist-fueled violence is a stain on our history and perpetrators of such violence will be held accountable. No one should live in fear because of who they are, what they believe or where they worship. The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those who desecrate houses of worship and who conspire to intimidate people seeking to exercise the legal rights guaranteed to all Americans.” 

          In January, Weeden was convicted at trial of one count of conspiring to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in the exercise of their rights and one count of intentionally defacing, damaging or destroying religious property because of the race or ethnic characteristics of individuals associated with that property. Weeden's co-conspirators Richard Tobin (see here and here) and Yousef Barasneh (see here and here) were previously convicted of federal crimes in this incident.

          In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin, and Barasneh – all members of The Base, a multi-state, white supremacist organization – used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalizing property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans. Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan, “Operation Kristallnacht,” which in German means “Night of Broken Glass.” This term referenced events that took place on November 9-10, 1938, in which Nazis murdered Jews and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools, and places of business. Weeden carried out this plan on September 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with The Base on the outside walls of Temple Jacob.

          In its Sentencing Memorandum, attached to this press release, the government urged the Court to sentence Weeden to at least 36 months incarceration, considering the nature and extent of his hate crimes, his persistent dedication to violent neo-Nazi ideology, his prior illegal conversion of a rifle to a fully automatic weapon, his lack of remorse, the danger he poses to the community, and the need for deterrence.

         “Intimidation, vandalism, and other hateful threatening acts will not be tolerated by any group of people in this state or nation, and today's sentence reflects that belief,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI is always committed to combatting hate crimes and seeking justice for all. If you are a victim of or witness to a hate crime, call 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip to tips.fbi.gov.”

          “Accountability matters. Today’s sentence is representative of our community's views on hate crime-inspired violence. People who engage in this behavior will be identified and fully prosecuted by the law,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Office. “ATF is steadfast in its commitment to protecting everyone across this great state against violent criminals fueled by hatred and intolerance.”

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hancock Police Department.

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          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Bilal Rashaad McDaniel, 30, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.                

          “Gun violence is an epidemic across America and here in Michigan that inflicts immense trauma on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office, together with our law enforcement partners, will not relent in our efforts to hold accountable those few individuals who are driving violence in our communities. Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves to live their life, walk their neighborhood, and play in the park free from the fear of gunfire.”   

          McDaniel was arrested in October 2023, after officers found two handguns, various ammunition, and narcotics while executing a search warrant inside McDaniel’s home and car.  One handgun had an extended magazine attached and had previously been transported across the state line. The other firearm was a crime gun linked to two prior shootings and one homicide, which all occurred in the summer of 2023. The homicide is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. A crime gun is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime. On account of this connection to a previous crime, these guns are often passed around inside and outside of groups. As recently announced, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is running a summer program with other law enforcement partners focused on firearms offenders who carry crime guns.

          “Removing violent offenders from our communities is ATF’s highest priority,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “We are proud of our long-standing partnerships in the law enforcement community expanding efforts to disrupt and dismantle these violent criminals.”

          This case was prosecuted by United States Attorney LaToyia Carpenter and investigated by the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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