Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephan R. Clark sentenced Joshua McDonald to a 27- month term of imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release.  The defendant had previously pleaded guilty in April to four counts of wire fraud.

McDonald was the owner and operator of Perfection PR Firm LLC, that conducted business in the Eastern District of Missouri.  McDonald told potential and actual clients that Perfection PR traded in the Foreign Exchange Market (Forex) for clients by pooling their funds. 

McDonald was not registered as a broker-dealer, broker-dealer agent, investment advisor, investment advisor representative, or an issuer agent as required by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). 

Beginning in November 2017 and continuing to June 2019, McDonald devised a scheme to defraud and to obtain money by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.  McDonald falsely told prospective clients that he would provide a minimum of 20% to 50% return per month on their Forex investments.  McDonald further falsely told investors that they had made substantial gains in their Forex investments with him when, in fact, he had used their funds on his own personal expenses and, without their knowledge or consent, invested and lost their funds in cryptocurrency.  McDonald directed investors to deposit their Forex investments funds, primarily through wire transfers, into his personal bank account or the Perfection PR bank account.   McDonald caused over $350,000 in loss to numerous victims of his scheme.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Joshua Sangrait, of Kansas City, Missouri pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances including more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.  Sangrait appeared today before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.

In 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in St Louis, Missouri began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities undertaken by Joshua Sangrait and others. The investigation uncovered a vast network of co-conspirators spanning from St. Louis to Kansas City to California. During the investigation, DEA established that defendant Joshua Sangrait, who resided in Kansas City, participated in the conspiracy and distributed significant amounts of controlled substances to other co-conspirators. 

As the investigation progressed, on April 19, 2019, DEA and the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department conducted an operation which resulted in the arrest of Sangrait.  Investigators seized more than four kilograms of pure methamphetamine during the arrest of Sangrait.  The conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than ten years. 

Judge Ross has set sentencing for November 30, 2021. 

Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance from the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. accepted a plea of guilty from David Curtis President, on August 24, 2021, for the crimes of carjacking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for events on June 28, 2019, and carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for events on July 29, 2019.  Judge Limbaugh set sentencing for December 1, 2021.

According to the plea agreement, President, a 29- year-old resident of St. Louis County, committed two separate carjackings in St. Louis County.  On June 28, 2019, in the 11100 Block of Riaza Square, President took a 2007 Buick Lucerne from the victim at gun point. President was later identified as the carjacker and determined to be in possession of the victim’s pistol, which was in the Lucerne at the time of the carjacking.  On July 29, 2019, at the Petro Mart at 698 Gravois Bluffs Boulevard, President shot two persons and took from them a 2017 Nissan Altima. 

The parties have jointly recommended a sentence of 18 years for the four offenses.  The District Court will determine the sentence to be imposed at the time of sentencing. 

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the carjacking and firearms offenses.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Lashawn Clayburn, 19, of St. Louis, Missouri, to a 25-year term of imprisonment on today’s date. Clayburn pleaded guilty in May to murder and carjacking charges. 

On January 5, 2019, Clayburn murdered Naomi Miller as she was about to get into her vehicle that was parked in her driveway outside her residence in Pine Lawn, Missouri.  Ms. Miller was intending to go to work as an overnight home healthcare nurse when Clayborn approached her and shot her to death.  Clayburn then stole Ms. Miller’s car and went on a joy-riding stint for several hours.  During this time, Clayburn picked up two friends and stopped by Steak ‘n Shake for a burger and a milkshake.

The following day, Clayburn met up with a group of friends, who claimed to be members of the “Murdaa Gang,” and traded Ms. Miller’s carjacked vehicle for another stolen vehicle.  As a result of a series of leads, Clayburn was interviewed by federal agents.  Subsequent to the interview, Clayburn attempted to enlist his cousin to provide a phony alibi on Clayburn’s behalf for the night of the murder and carjacking.  As a result of a continuing investigation, Clayburn was indicted by a federal grand jury for the above murder and carjacking, which resulted in Clayburn’s plea of guilty and today’s sentencing.

This case was investigated by ATF, the North County Police Cooperative, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Major Case Squad. Assistant United States Attorney Angie E. Danis is prosecuting this case for the United States of America.

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ST. LOUIS – On August 18, 2021, a federal grand jury issued a twenty-five count indictment against Katie Diana Rooney charging Rooney with health-care fraud and controlled substance offenses. At the time Rooney allegedly committed these offenses, she was a resident of St. Charles, Missouri.     

The indictment alleges that through fraud and deceit, Rooney obtained prescriptions for Adderall and Xanax, both controlled substances. Rooney illegally sold these drugs to an undercover detective. Because the drugs were intended for Rooney’s two minor children, who were both Medicaid recipients, Medicaid paid for the drugs.

The charges set forth in this indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Department of  Health and Human Services (Office of the Inspector General), and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy L. McMurtry.

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ST. LOUIS – On August 18, 2021, a federal grand jury issued a thirteen-count indictment against Matthew Steven Miller, D.O. charging Dr. Miller with illegally prescribing controlled substances and other related offenses.  At the time Dr. Miller allegedly committed these offenses, he was licensed to practice medicine in Missouri, Michigan, and New Jersey.    

The indictment alleges that Dr. Miller illegally prescribed Xanax to five individuals with whom Dr. Miller did not have a doctor-patient relationship.  It further alleges that Dr. Miller was not licensed by the Missouri Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs to prescribe Xanax   The indictment also alleges that Dr. Miller never examined these individuals to determine whether they had a medical need for Xanax.  The indictment additionally alleges that the Xanax that was obtained through the issuance of the illegal prescriptions and/or the money received as a result of the sale of the fraudulently obtained Xanax was shared with Dr. Miller. 

The charges set forth in this indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Inspector General), and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy L. McMurtry.

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ST. LOUIS – On August 18, 2021, a federal grand jury issued a twenty-five count indictment against Scott Taggart Roethle, M.D., an anesthesiologist residing in Kansas, charging Dr. Roethle with conspiring to and participating in a nationwide health-care fraud.  At the time Dr. Roethe allegedly committed these offenses, he was licensed to practice medicine in 22 states.    

The indictment alleges the following: that beginning in 2017 and continuing until at least 2020, multiple telemedicine and marketing companies paid Dr. Roethle illegal kickbacks, totaling $674,026, to sign prescriptions and orders for orthotics, genetic tests, and topical creams. Dr. Roethle was typically paid $30 for each order or prescription he signed. The marketing and telemedicine companies solicited patients through the media and cold calls and then electronically transmitted patient information to Dr. Roethle through an electronic portal. In almost all instances, Dr. Roethle had no contact with the patients and did not determine if they needed the items or services before he signed the orders.  Patients often complained to Dr. Roethle that they did not want or need the items he had ordered for them.

Roethle obtained medical licenses in 22 states and signed orders for thousands of patients residing in these states. Medicare Part B suffered a loss of over $26 million based on fraudulent prescriptions and orders signed by Dr. Roethle.

Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Inspector General), United States Department of Defense (Office of the Inspector General) are investigating this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dorothy L. McMurtry and Derek Wiseman.

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ST. LOUIS – On August 11, 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Rebecca Hanks, 46, Zachary Siebert, 19, Amelia Siebert, 23, and Richard Frazier, 23, for drug and gun-related offenses that allegedly occurred in Lincoln County, Missouri.  All 4 defendants have subsequently been arrested on this indictment. 

The defendants are charged with the drug trafficking crime of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.  Each defendant is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of the above drug trafficking crime.  In addition to those charges, Rebecca Hanks is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of maintaining a drug house located in Lincoln County, Missouri.

The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a term of imprisonment of no less than 5 years and no more than life in the United States Bureau of Prisons. According to the relevant federal statute, this sentence must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.          

The charges set forth in this indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are investigating this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey S. Ogden.

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ST. LOUIS – A federal jury found Jeremiah Taylor, 36, of St. Louis, Missouri, guilty of one count of felon in possession of a firearm on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.  United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark presided over the trial.  Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2020 on this gun offense.    

The above trial commenced on Monday with a jury verdict of guilty being rendered on Tuesday morning.  Sentencing will be held on November 23, 2021.  Taylor faces a maximum sentence of ten years in the United States Bureau of Prisons.     

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Walker is handling the prosecution of this matter.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Ronnie L.White sentenced Kirk Torrence, a/k/a “Blue,” of St. Louis, Missouri, to a 10-year term of imprisonment on today’s date. Torrence pleaded guilty in September 2019 to gun and robbery-related charges. 

Torrence, along with his partners in crime, conspired to rob multiple stores. On September 9, 2018, Torrence and his cohorts, who were armed with firearms, entered the Metro PCS store located on Debaliviere Avenue in the City of St. Louis and demanded money.  In response to threats, a Metro PCS employee withdrew approximately three hundred dollars ($300) from the register and handed the money to one of the robbers.  The robbers then fled the crime scene in vehicles, one of which was being operated by Torrence.  Based on an assortment of leads, law enforcement officers arrested Torrence and his accomplices on robbery-related charges.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

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ST. LOUIS – On Wednesday, August 12, 2021, United States District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Nicholas Franke, 58, of St. Louis, Missouri, to a 24-month term of imprisonment to be followed by a 2-year term of supervised release.  Franke pleaded guilty in May to one count of tax evasion.

Franke, an attorney, operated a solo law practice that generated business revenue. Franke paid himself from those proceeds. Franke filed income tax extension requests for the years 2013-2015, stating zero taxes were due or owed.  Franke knew that those statements were false. Franke then failed to file tax returns for those years. As a result of Franke’s actions, he failed to pay more than $300,000 in taxes.

“Franke was a licensed attorney who knew his duty to file an accurate income tax return and pay his fair share of taxes. He knowingly violated the law and admitted to his conduct through his guilty plea. This sentence shows that IRS Criminal Investigation will investigate those individuals who intentionally violate tax laws and work with the United States Attorney’s Office to bring these individuals to justice,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s St. Louis Field Office following Wednesday’s sentencing. 

This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigative Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

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ST. LOUIS – Laquesha Hardimon, 29, of Dellwood, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on today’s date and pleaded guilty to providing false information to a federally licensed firearms dealer (Kevin’s Guns).

On October 2, 2020, Hardimon bought a firearm from Kevin’s Guns under false pretenses.  Hardimon falsely indicated on paperwork, required to be completed prior to the purchase of the firearm, that she was buying the firearm for herself, when, in fact, she was purchasing the firearm for her brother. Hardimon believed her brother was prohibited from purchasing the firearm for himself under federal law.   

After purchasing the firearm, Hardimon gave the firearm to her brother. Less than a week later, Hardimon’s brother gave the firearm to another individual. On October 17, 2020, the firearm was used in a homicide in Wisconsin. The individual to whom Hardimon’s brother gave the firearm is facing charges for that homicide.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling the matter.

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ST. LOUIS – Floyd Barber, 25, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White on today’s date and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with an intent to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death.

On October 3, 2017, Barber and others traveled in a vehicle to the 4700 block of Goodfellow Boulevard in St. Louis to buy controlled substances from an individual.  After buying drugs from this individual and leaving the area, Defendant and his associates returned to the area to steal drugs, money, and other valuables from that same individual. Barber and one or more of his associates were armed with loaded firearms.

During the robbery, Barber and one or more of his accomplices shot the victim multiple times.  The victim died from his gunshot wounds.   

The judge has not set a sentencing date.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Farraad Johnson, 46, of St. Louis, Missouri, to a 36-month term of imprisonment on Wednesday.  Johnson pleaded guilty in March to maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Johnson admitted leasing, maintaining, and controlling a residence in the 1100 block of Edlor Drive in St. Louis so that drug dealers could store their cocaine (intended for distribution), firearms, and other drug trafficking-related items inside that residence.

As part of an extensive investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving Adrian Lemons and other co-defendants, investigators executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on July 20, 2016. Investigators seized three hydraulic presses, two digital scales, four firearms, ammunition, gun boxes, multiple cellphones, a lock box containing 900 grams of cocaine, a bag containing 20 grams of cocaine, two blenders, Quinine (sometimes used to dilute drugs intended for sale), and other drug trafficking-related paraphernalia.  

“This prosecution and sentence of imprisonment make it clear that if you choose to assist individuals who are selling drugs and/or causing violence within our community, you will be prosecuted, convicted, and sent to federal prison,” said United States Attorney Sayler Fleming following Wednesday’s sentencing.

Johnson is one of 34 defendants named in federal indictments first filed in 2015 involving a variety of charges, including drug trafficking and homicide-related offenses. Thirty-three of the 34 defendants charged during this investigation have been convicted. One co-defendant’s case remains pending.  While that case remains pending, that co-defendant is presumed innocent and all charges that co-defendant presently faces are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of his guilt.  

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department; the Kennett, Missouri Police Department; the United States Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Court Stephen R. Clark sentenced Kendrick D. Calloway to 120 months in prison. Calloway, a 38-year-old resident of Malden, Missouri, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years.  A contested sentencing hearing was held on July 20, 2021 and five witnesses testified for the government. 

On March 8, 2020, officers with the Malden Missouri Police Department responded to a “shots-fired” call on Blades Drive. Two people reported Kendrick Calloway knocked on their car window as he was holding a gun. Words were exchanged and Calloway fired a shot. The victims drove off and Calloway followed them in his car and fired additional shots at them. Officers made contact with Calloway and ordered him to the ground. Calloway had a fully loaded Kel-Tec P-32 semiautomatic pistol in the waistband of his pants. Calloway was non-compliant with police and attempted to bite an officer. An additional firearm, an SCCY 9mm, semi-automatic pistol was found in Calloway’s car. Officers recovered a spent shell casing in the parking lot where the victims were parked. A criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory was able to confirm the spent shell casing was fired from the SCCY 9mm recovered from Calloway’s car. The MSHP Crime Lab also confirmed the presence of gunshot residue on Calloway’s hands. Calloway was a convicted felon and therefore it was unlawful for him to possess firearms.

This case was investigated by officers with the Malden Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Julie A. Hunter handled the prosecution.

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ST. LOUIS – Paula Smith, 68, of O’Fallon, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Matthew T. Schelp on today’s date and pleaded guilty to a federal information charging her with three counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering. 

Smith was a bookkeeper at an accounting firm that managed a lucrative trust account for a client (the D.E.W. Trust).  The D.E.W. Trust, which was at one time valued at $8.6 million, had over twenty named beneficiaries, including twelve charitable organizations in St. Louis, Missouri.  Between October 2013 and June 2018, Smith defrauded the D.E.W. Trust and its beneficiaries by writing numerous checks totaling $670,000 from the D.E.W. Trust to herself.  None of the funds should have gone to Smith. 

In an attempt to conceal her scheme, Smith manipulated the accounting records for the D.E.W. Trust by mislabeling the aforementioned fraudulent checks as being advance payments to a trustee and as payments to a vendor. As a result of these fraudulent transactions, there were less available funds to be properly distributed to the intended charitable organization beneficiaries of the D.E.W. Trust.

Smith used the funds to personally enrich herself, including to buy a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 and a 2018 Keystone Hornet Hideout 26RLS Travel Trailer.

Smith will be sentenced for the above offenses at 10:00 a.m. on October 21, 2021.  

The above case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montgomery Bank Anti-Money Laundering Team. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the matter.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Bailey Colletta to three years of probation and two consecutive weekends of imprisonment on today’s date. The 28-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in September 2019 to making false statements to a federal grand jury about her knowledge of the arrest and assault of a fellow St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer who was working undercover and whom police mistakenly believed was a protestor.

As a result of the 2017 acquittal of a former police officer on a state murder charge, protests were taking place in downtown St. Louis. In an effort by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to keep peace and order, the victim undercover officer was assigned to the protest detail.  Colletta was also assigned to the protest detail in her capacity as a police officer. Colletta witnessed the assault of the victim officer by other officers. As part of the investigation into this assault, Colletta was called before the federal grand jury.  Colletta provided false and misleading statements to the grand jury regarding her knowledge of the assault. 

Colletta’s co-defendant, Randy Hays, who had earlier pleaded guilty to his role in the matter, was sentenced to a 52-month term of imprisonment on Tuesday. Co-defendant Dustin Boone was found guilty in June of aiding and abetting the deprivation of the victim officer’s civil rights under the color of law.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2021.

Co-defendant Christopher Myers faces a charge of destruction of evidence related to the arrest and assault of the victim police officer.  Christopher Myers is presumed innocent and the charge that he presently faces is merely an accusation and does not constitute proof of guilt. 

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin and Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood are handling the matter.

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ST. LOUIS – Dominick Anderson, 31, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey on today’s date and pleaded guilty to armed robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

On August 25, 2019, as part of a prearranged drug deal, Anderson and a male accomplice arrived at the victim’s residence in a vehicle driven by a female accomplice.  Anderson and his male accomplice entered the victim’s residence to buy methamphetamine from the victim.  When the victim showed Anderson the methamphetamine, Anderson pulled a gun on the victim and demanded that the victim handover the methamphetamine.  The victim refused.  The victim told Anderson and his male accomplice to leave the victim’s residence.  Anderson shot the victim in the stomach and stole the victim’s methamphetamine.  Anderson and his male accomplice exited the residence and entered the vehicle of their female accomplice and fled the scene.  The victim called 911 and was taken to the hospital for his gunshot wound.  An investigation led to the arrest of Anderson.

Anderson’s sentencing hearing is set for October 6, 2021.  

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling this matter.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey accepted pleas of guilty from Isaac Gonzalez for crimes involving robbery, attempted robbery, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of that attempted robbery today. Immediately after the guilty pleas, Gonzalez, a 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 13 years and 4 months.  

On May 21, 2019, Gonzalez entered the Cash America Pawn shop located in the 10500 block of Page Avenue in St. Louis County. He was armed with a handgun and had his face partially covered with a bandana. He announced a robbery and ordered an employee to the back of the store. Gonzalez then ordered the employee to remove cash from the safe. Gonzalez stole the cash and left the store.

On June 4, 2019, Gonzalez again entered the Cash American Pawn shop wearing clothing that was similar to the clothing he had worn in the first robbery. Gonzales was armed with a handgun. Gonzalez went toward the rear of the store where the safe was located. An employee saw what was happening and closed the door which separated the main area of the store from the back office. Gonzalez began banging on the door and yelling at the employee to open the door. When the employee refused, Gonzalez fired his weapon at the office door. A bullet travelled through the door and into the office. No one was hurt. Gonzalez retrieved the spent cartridge casing and left the store.

St. Louis County Police had been looking for Gonzalez in connection with an unrelated incident. On June 5, 2019, officers received information that Gonzalez was staying at a motel in St. Louis County. Police went to the motel and located Gonzalez in a room with a female acquaintance. The officers seized clothing and a pistol from the room that appeared to be the clothing worn by Gonzales and the gun used by Gonzales during the May and June robbery and attempted robbery incidents of the Cash American Pawn shop.

The St. Louis County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling this matter.

ST. LOUIS – Najee Neal, 30, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on today’s date and pleaded guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that carjacking, and felon in possession of a firearm. Neal also pleaded guilty to a separate offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with an unrelated incident.

On February 27, 2020, just after the victim parked his car in the driveway of a residence in Kirkwood, he noticed a vehicle (occupied by Neal and an accomplice) pull behind his car.  Neal exited his vehicle and approached the victim.  Neal pointed a pistol at the victim and ordered the victim out of his car and to empty his pockets.  Neal took the victim’s wallet and key fob by force and ordered the victim to the ground.  Neal entered the victim’s car.  A witness approached the scene. The victim warned the witness that the robber had a gun.  As Neal drove off, he threatened the witness.  Neal’s accomplice followed Neal out of the area.

Minutes later, police spotted Neal in the victim’s car.  Neal eluded police at speeds of over 100 miles per hour on Interstate 44.  Approximately 45 minutes later, police spotted Neal and activated their emergency lights.  Neal attempted to elude officers by running traffic signals and running up on sidewalks.  Neal abandoned the carjacked vehicle after it became disabled.  Officers pursued Neal on foot.  Neal dumped his pistol near the porch area of a nearby home.  Neal was arrested a short distance away after ignoring orders to stop.  The pistol was recovered.  The carjacking victim identified the pistol as the pistol Neal used to steal the victim’s car.

Several months earlier, on September 28, 2019, police, after receiving reports of illegal drug sales in the area of the M & K Market, near the 12000 block of Bellefontaine Road in St. Louis County, spotted Neal engaged in suspicious activity from his parked vehicle.  An investigation by the police resulted in the seizure a loaded pistol between the driver’s seat and center console.  Police also seized marijuana and a scale from the driver’s door of the vehicle.     

Prior to September 28, 2019, Neal was convicted of one or more felony crimes.  Neal was prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of his criminal record. 

Neal will be sentenced for the above offenses on October 5, 2021.  

The above cases were investigated by the Kirkwood Police Department, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling the matter.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced former SLMPD Police Officer Randy Hays to a 52-month term of imprisonment on today’s date. The 34-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in November 2019 to using unreasonable and excessive force against a fellow St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer whom Hays mistakenly believed was a protestor.

As a result of the 2017 acquittal of a former police officer on a state murder charge, protests were taking place in downtown St. Louis. In an effort by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to keep peace and order, the victim undercover officer was assigned to the protest detail. Hays was also assigned to the protest detail in his capacity as a police officer.   Hays, who mistakenly believed the victim undercover officer was a protestor, assaulted the victim in a manner that constituted unreasonable and excessive force.     

Hays’s co-defendant, Bailey Colletta, pleaded guilty to making false statements before a federal grand jury that was charged with investigating the assault of the victim undercover officer. Her sentencing hearing is set for July 15, 2021.

Co-defendant Dustin Boone was found guilty in June of aiding and abetting the deprivation of the victim’s civil rights under the color of law. His sentencing hearing is set for September 15, 2021. 

Co-defendant Christopher Myers faces a charge of destruction of evidence related to the arrest and assault of the victim police officer.  Christopher Myers is presumed innocent and the charge that he presently faces is merely an accusation and does not constitute proof of guilt. 

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin and Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood are handling the matter.

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ST. LOUIS – On Wednesday of this week, United States District Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. accepted pleas of guilty from Kevin Moore for the crimes of robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that robbery.  Immediately after the guilty pleas, Moore, a 39-year old St. Louis, Missouri resident, was sentenced to a 141-month term of imprisonment.  

On August 28, 2019, Moore entered Behrmann’s Tavern in the 3100 block of Meramec Street located in St. Louis and announced a robbery. He ordered five customers and one employee to the ground and held them at gunpoint with a semi-automatic rifle.

One of the customers refused to get on the ground. Moore pushed the barrel of his rifle into the side of the customer’s ribcage and tried to take his property.  Moore then put the barrel of his rifle into the back of another customer and robbed that customer of his money. Continuing with his robbery spree, Moore pointed his semi-automatic, assault rifle at the other patrons and commandeered their valuables, including their money and other items. 

Moore also stole money from the cash register after forcing an employee to open the register.  Moore then fled the tavern.  Moore was later apprehended by the police.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel is handling this matter.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. accepted a plea of guilty from Edward Wingo, Jr., on today’s date, for the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Immediately after the guilty plea, Wingo, a 46-year-old St. Louis resident, was sentenced to a 37-month term of imprisonment.

On August 19, 2019, a St. Louis County police officer drove by a residence in the 4300 block of Melba.  The officer spotted Wingo in a parked truck in the driveway of the residence.  The officer was aware that Wingo was wanted for an unrelated criminal incident.  The officer requested the assistance of the St. Louis County Police Department’s Special Response Unit’s fugitive apprehension team.  Wingo was arrested for the unrelated criminal incident.  As a result of the arrest, officers seized a .380 caliber, semi-automatic pistol located inside Wingo’s truck.

Prior to August 19, 2019, Wingo was convicted of one or more crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year under the laws of the State of Illinois.    

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the above firearm case. Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Anderson is handling this matter.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge John A. Ross sentenced Joe Lea, 34, of St. Louis, to 48 months in prison today. Lea pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On July 30, 2019, two members of the North County Police Cooperative were on patrol in the area of the Wellston Food Market when the officers observed Lea exit a vehicle and drop what appeared to be controlled substances to the ground.  Lea retrieved the suspected controlled substances and placed them in a satchel that Lea was wearing.  

The officers approached Lea to investigate further.  Lea refused to cooperate and initiated a struggle with the officers.  During the struggle, Lea struck one of the officers in the face and ran. As Lea fled on foot, Lea tossed a firearm and his satchel to the ground.  After doing so, Lea eventually stopped running and was arrested. 

Lea’s nine-millimeter firearm was seized.  It was loaded with 26 rounds of ammunition.  Inside Lea’s satchel, officers seized 17 capsules containing fentanyl; two additional loaded nine-millimeter firearm magazines, and additional loose rounds of ammunition.  

Prior to July 30, 2019, Lea was convicted of at least one felony crime.

The North County Police Cooperative investigated the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Darryl Lewis today to 37 months in prison and ordered Lewis to pay $2,250 in restitution. The 22-year-old Fairview Heights, Illinois resident pleaded guilty in April to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On June 5, 2019, Lewis stole multiple items from a car parked in a garage in the 1100 block of  Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis. One of the items was a camouflage-colored DPMS Panther 5.56 caliber A15 firearm with a 30-round magazine. Garage surveillance cameras captured Lewis carrying the firearm out of the garage. The firearm was reported stolen to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department two days later.

Police detained Lewis, on June 12, 2019, after encountering him near the crime scene and recognizing Lewis as the person in the surveillance video carrying the stolen firearm. Lewis initially denied ever being in the garage, but later admitted he was the individual in the surveillance video holding the firearm stolen from the car.

Police seized Lewis’s cell phone.  A search warrant was issued to obtain the phone's content. A search of the phone revealed photographs, created on the same day the firearm was stolen, of a rifle matching the description of the stolen firearm.

Prior to June 5, 2019, Lewis had been convicted of at least one felony crime.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted 23-year-old Rashaad Cotton for arson and one count of possession of a destructive device on Wednesday. Police arrested the St. Louis resident on April 30, 2021.

According to the indictment, on April 30, 2021, Cotton maliciously tried to damage and destroy a building located in the 1400 block of Beale Street in St. Charles, Missouri using fire and explosive materials.

Cotton knowingly possessed a destructive device (Molotov cocktail) consisting of a glass bottle filled with an ignitable liquid with a wick inserted into the neck of the bottle.  

For the arson count, Cotton faces a maximum punishment of at least five years but not more than 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.   For the destructive device count, the maximum punishment is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The St. Charles Police Department and ATF are investigating this case.  The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney John Ware.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Zetian Liu to 60 months in prison today. In March of this year, the 25-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. 

On August 11, 2019, a detective with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s City Cyber Crimes Unit identified a specific IP address from a computer being used to extend an offer to participate in the distribution of child pornography through the use of a file sharing network. An investigation ensued which led to the discovery of computer files containing numerous depictions of child pornography and the arrest of Liu.

The investigation developed in the following manner: officers were able to determine that the IP address was connected to Liu’s residence in St. Louis. On September 12, 2019, officers executed a federal search warrant at this residence. Liu, a Chinese citizen, who was attending school here, was interviewed with the help of an interpreter. Liu told investigators that although he initially downloaded child pornography inadvertently, he later began to download it intentionally.  He told investigators the child pornography could be found on his laptop and a flash drive.  Officers were able to download files from the laptop and flash drive containing numerous videos and pictures depicting child pornography.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Tiffany McAllister to 37 months in prison today and ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $902,854. The 44-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in March to three counts of tax fraud. 

McAllister began operating a tax preparation service in 2009 and continued the business through the 2019 tax year.

During that period, McAllister registered two companies with the Missouri Secretary of State and obtained employer identification numbers for them through the Internal Revenue Service, even though she never transacted business nor employed anyone through either company. Nevertheless, between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, McAllister prepared fraudulent tax returns claiming that she and some of her clients received wages and had taxes withheld with respect to the fictitious companies.

McAllister also knowingly prepared tax returns for clients that fraudulently claimed wages and withholdings from other fictitious businesses, self-employment business losses, and educational expenses, in order to increase the federal tax refunds her clients received. 

An investigation by the Internal Revenue Service revealed McAllister received payment for assisting in the fraudulent preparation of 39 tax returns for the tax years of 2014 through 2017. 

McAllister admits her false representations for the tax years of 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 created tax losses to the Internal Revenue Service totaling $920,854.

“For many years, Ms. McAllister abused her position as a return preparer to cheat the U.S. tax system as well as her client’s trust,” said Amanda Prestegard, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s St. Louis Field Office. “Now, Ms. McAllister faces severe consequences including imprisonment and substantial restitution to the IRS.”

The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling this case.

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ST. LOUIS – On Wednesday, United States District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey accepted pleas of guilty from Deandre Scott and Morocco Thompson-Bey for the crimes of being a felon in possession of a firearm and a felon in possession of ammunition, respectively.  Immediately after their guilty pleas, Scott was sentenced to a 24-month term of imprisonment. Thompson-Bey received a sentence of 18 months.   Scott, 32, and Thompson-Bey, 24, are both St. Louis residents.

On June 3, 2020, members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report that businesses were being looted in the area of Kingshighway and Chippewa. When they arrived, they spotted several vehicles. The police began a rolling surveillance. The vehicles eventually stopped in the middle of the street, where the occupants began unloading items. When the police approached, a BMW, occupied by Scott and Thompson-Bey, sped off.

Although the officers were able to disable the BMW, with the aid of spike strips, the vehicle continued to flee from the officers.  Thompson-Bey (the driver), and Scott abandoned the BMW and ran from the officers. Scott dropped a firearm during his flight.  Both Scott and Thompson-Bey were apprehended a short distance away.  The firearm (a loaded .40 caliber pistol) was seized.  A search of the BMW resulted in the recovery of a bag containing .45 caliber and 9mm caliber ammunition belonging to Thompson-Bey.   

Prior to June 3, 2020, both Scott and Thompson-Bey were each convicted of at least one felony crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Corey Clark to 50 months in prison today. The 52-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in March to one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In January 2020, Carter made four separate sales of fentanyl to an individual during the course of an undercover police operation.  Carter was arrested on January 28, 2020, as a result of his illegal drug sales.    

At the time of Carter’s arrest, Carter was in possession of approximately 20 grams of fentanyl.  Law enforcement also recovered a loaded firearm from Carter’s vehicle.  Prior to January 28, 2020, Carter was convicted of at least one felony crime.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Jeremy Rogers, 45, of Chesterfield, Missouri, to 10 years imprisonment on today’s date.  Rogers pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of sex trafficking of a child. 

Rogers, in the summer of 2019, contacted the child victim, via a social media application, utilizing an alias. By utilizing the alias, Rogers was able to hide his status as a registered sex offender.  During the course of their communications, Rogers was made aware of the victim’s age. In July of 2019, Rogers persuaded the victim to meet him. Rogers drove the victim to his residence in Chesterfield where he subjected her to various sexual acts including sexual intercourse.

Prior to sentencing and by way of an impact statement, the child victim told the Court the following: “What happened has greatly hurt the way I value and view myself. It has caused anxiety and great emotional distress. I feel if he had not been caught, he definitely would have attempted this with some other innocent and naive person who doesn’t know any better.”  The victim also stated, “He clearly had no regard for my age, or level of comfort. It will most likely be a very long while, if ever, before I gain complete closure, but knowing that this man will not be able to do this to anybody else will greatly help to give me peace of mind.”

On October 9, 2018, in an unrelated state case, Rogers pleaded guilty, in the Circuit Court of Boone County, Missouri, to the felony offense of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor in violation of Section 573.023, RSMo; after which, Rogers was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment. The execution of that sentence was suspended. Rogers was placed on five years of probation. Due to this state conviction, Rogers was required to register as a sex offender under federal law and the laws of the state of Missouri.

The above sex trafficking of a child case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Anderson is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Landon Whitfield, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White on today’s date and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On November 6, 2019, members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, while in the Mark Twain Neighborhood, observed Whitfield driving a vehicle with heavily tinted windows. Knowing that this vehicle had previously fled from the officers on several occasions, the officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Whitfield fled from the officers and committed numerous traffic violations in the process. In an effort to disable the vehicle, the officers successfully deployed spike strips, deflating two of its tires.  Undeterred and causing a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, Whitfield continued to flee in the vehicle and almost struck a police car in the process.  Whitfield eventually abandoned his vehicle and fled from officers on foot while armed with an AR-15-type firearm.   

Several officers confronted Whitfield in an alley. Whitfield raised his firearm.  An officer, fearing for his safety, fired one shot in response. Whitfield then dropped his firearm and a green bag he had over his shoulder. Whitfield tried to continue his escape by climbing a nearby fence. Officers deployed a department-issued Taser. allowing them to take Whitfield into custody. The firearm Whitfield possessed was a Matrix Aerospace M556-SC semi-automatic pistol. It was loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine. Inside Whitfield’s green bag were 345 capsules of fentanyl weighing approximately 37 grams.

Judge White has set sentencing for September 21, 2021.  

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

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ST. LOUIS – Richard Lawrence Davis, 38, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark on today’s date and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

In September of 2019, investigators identified Davis as a distributor of narcotics, including cocaine and fentanyl.  Investigators then initiated a surveillance of Davis’s activities in and around the 700 block of Greenway Manor Drive in Florissant, Missouri.

While conducting surveillance on September 25, investigators observed a narcotics transaction conducted by Davis, and subsequently seized over a half-kilogram of cocaine from Davis’s customer.

Investigators resumed their surveillance of Davis, where they observed other transactions. Investigators approached Davis, who fled and tried to discard approximately 80 grams of cocaine.  Davis was ultimately apprehended.  Investigators searched the apartment where Davis was storing his narcotics. Law enforcement officers seized over two kilograms of cocaine belonging to Davis, along with approximately one-half kilogram of fentanyl.  Investigators also located and seized a Glock, .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun and a Hi-Point, .45 caliber, semi-automatic handgun belonging to Davis, as well as a digital scale and wrappings for kilogram-amounts or “bricks” of cocaine.

Judge Clark has set sentencing for September 30, 2021.  Davis faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Davis was also on federal supervised release for previous federal drug and weapon offenses at the time of his above-described arrest. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Florissant Police Department, the Bridgeton Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Charles Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa Yemm and Ricardo Dixon are handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Jaden Allen, 20, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the commission of a carjacking. Allen appeared today before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.  

On June 7, 2020, Allen and a co-defendant approached a victim in the 7300 block of Hazelcrest in St. Louis County to take a 2013 Chrysler 200 at gunpoint. Allen’s co-defendant was armed with a loaded Charter Arms .38 caliber firearm when they verbally engaged the victim, and the co-defendant brandished the firearm and demanded the victim’s car keys. The victim complied with the demand. Allen and the co-defendant then entered the Chrysler and drove away. Allen knowingly associated himself with the carjacking, participated in the carjacking, and took actions to ensure the carjacking was successful.

The victim called Hazelwood Police to report the carjacking. As the victim talked with police at the scene, the victim observed the stolen Chrysler drive past and then alerted police. Officers from multiple jurisdictions pursued the stolen Chrysler at high speeds for approximately 10 miles before Allen’s co-defendant crashed the car. Officers then took Allen and his co-defendant into custody. Officers also recovered the firearm used in the carjacking.

Judge Ross has set sentencing for September 24, 2021.  

The Hazelwood Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Ronald ‘Big Stink’ Gales, 54, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gales appeared today before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.  

Beginning in 2018, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis County Police Department began an investigation into Gales, who was the principal supplier of a drug trafficking organization supplying cocaine to other distributors operating in the St. Louis area.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement executed search warrants at various residences of individuals supplied by Gales, where they recovered distributable amounts of cocaine and cocaine base.  Investigators also conducted controlled purchases of cocaine from Gales and conducted surveillance of Gales’ operations before ultimately executing a federal search warrant at Gales’ residence in October of 2019. Investigators found two .40 caliber handguns, $46,000 in cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia, as well as distribution quantities of cocaine and cocaine base.

Judge Ross has set sentencing for September 28, 2021.  Gales faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of life in the Bureau of Prisons.  

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Larry Henry to 84 months in prison today. The 29-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that crime of violence.

On January 10, 2020, Henry and two others went inside the Pure Pleasure business located in the 2600 block of North Broadway in St. Louis and announced a robbery.  Henry, as well as the two others, displayed firearms to store employees.

While armed, Henry served as a lookout at the store’s entrance while his two accomplices interacted with the store employees by jumping the store’s counter, pointing firearms at the employees, and demanding that an employee place the store’s money inside of a bag.  The employee complied.  Henry and the two others then fled from the store in a vehicle. 

Days later, Henry was caught in the possession of a firearm while driving the same vehicle used to commit the robbery. 

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case.

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ST. LOUIS – A jury found Dustin Boone, 37, of St. Louis, Missouri guilty on one count of aiding and abetting the deprivation of civil rights under color of law of undercover police officer Luther Hall. The jury was undecided on Christopher Myers, 30, of St. Louis, Missouri regarding his one count of destruction of evidence in a federal investigation as a result of destroying Hall’s cell phone.

Both former St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers committed the crimes during the 2017 Jason Stockley protests. The re-trial of both officers lasted nine days.

The evidence during the trial, which wrapped Thursday, proved that Dustin Boone assisted former police officer Randy Hays in the assault of undercover police officer Luther Hall.  Det. Hall was undercover during the protests following the acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley.

United States District Judge E. Richard Webber presided over the trial.

“As a police officer for the City of St. Louis, Dustin Boone violated the sacred trust placed in him to serve and protect members of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “Our hope is this conviction serves as a deterrent to those who consider abusing their authority and a step toward restoring the community’s faith in the justice system and law enforcement.”

“Law enforcement officers must obey the law as well as enforce it,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Those who violate their oaths do a disservice to the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin and Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood handled the case. 

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Lakisha Smith to 32 months in prison and ordered her to pay $10, 416 in restitution to the to the Internal Revenue Service today. The 39-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in March, to two counts of tax fraud. 

Smith, from 2013 to 2016, prepared approximately 28 fraudulent tax returns for her clients using the TaxAct commercial website. She prepared client returns reporting false income and withholdings in order to generate larger tax refunds. Smith typically received cash payments of up to $2,500.00 from the false refunds paid to her customers.  

Smith was not registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a return preparer.  

The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Gregory Simms to 60 months in prison today. The 33-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada resident previously pleaded guilty in March to possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. 

On June 13, 2020, St. Charles County police stopped Simms for driving a vehicle 80 miles per hour in a 60 miles per hour zone on eastbound Interstate 70 between Bryan Road and Highway K.

A subsequent search of Simms’ vehicle revealed 377 grams of methamphetamine. Simms admitted to the officer he was transporting “ice,” a slang term for crystal Methamphetamine, to St. Louis. 

The St. Charles County Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring the just treatment of all people and wants the public to be aware of the problem affecting communities throughout the Eastern District of Missouri. An estimated 1 in 10 adults aged 60 years of age or older experience some type of abuse annually in the United States. Elder abuse violates this principle. The costs of elder abuse are high not only for the affected individuals, but society. Older Americans’ losses can be tangible (homes and life savings) and intangible (dignity, independence, and possibly their lives). For society, elder abuse is both a social and economic issue and it is in everyone’s interest to be mindful of and help prevent it.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched on June 15, 2006 to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons. Elder abuse takes many forms: neglect or isolation; physical abuse; sexual abuse; financial abuse and exploitation; and emotional or psychological abuse.

Like other forms of interpersonal violence, elder abuse usually occurs behind closed doors and the victims are reluctant to report their abuse, particularly if a family member is the perpetrator. The victims may feel ashamed and embarrassed of having fallen victim to a financial scheme or to have been abused by a child. Many victims of abuse may fear that the family member who abuses them risks criminal charges. Victims are also reluctant to speak out where there is fear, they will be forced to live in a nursing home. Worse yet, the victims may fear that the abuse will get worse if they report it.

As a community, we can create a stronger society that safeguards older adults and prevents this type of abuse from occurring.

• Keep in contact and talk with your older friends, neighbors, and relatives frequently
• Be aware and alert for the possibility of abuse
• Look around and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances
• Ask questions and listen

Please call the Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at (800) 392-0210 or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) FRAUD-11 if you suspect an older adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited. Please dial 911 if you believe an older person is in a life-threatening situation.

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ST. LOUIS – A jury found Ellis C. Brown, III, 32, of High Ridge, Missouri guilty on one count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law following a three-day jury trial. United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig presided over the trial.

The evidence during the trial, which wrapped Thursday, proved Brown used unreasonable force during an encounter with a victim. In his capacity as a St. Ann police officer, Brown repeatedly kicked the victim who lay prone on the parking lot of a US Bank at the corner of Natural Bridge and Kingshighway in the city of St. Louis. The April 2019 incident was captured on video and followed a lengthy high-speed chase during which Brown and other St. Ann Police Department Officers pursued the victim through rush hour traffic for more than twenty minutes, at times reaching speeds exceeding 115 mph.  Two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officers intervened to stop Brown’s assault.

"Ellis Brown flagrantly abused the trust our community and his peers placed in him,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming. “I hope Brown’s conviction serves as a deterrent for others in law enforcement who might think about abusing their power.”

“Ellis Brown exceeded his authority and used excessive force in securing the arrest of an already compliant subject,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “In doing so, he violated not only the law, but also his oath as a law enforcement officer.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Derek Wiseman handled the case. 

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Eric C. Castulik to 96 months in prison today.  Castulik, a 36-year-old residence of Marble Hill, Missouri, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

On November 18, 2020, a search warrant was executed at Castulik’s resident. He was home at the time. Investigators seized two firearms along with a small quantity of methamphetamine.  One of the firearms, a Smith & Wesson, .22 caliber rifle, was loaded with an extended capacity magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition. Castulik admitted he knew he was a convicted felon and it was unlawful for him to possess firearms.

This case was investigated by the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Department and the SEMO Drug Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney Julie A. Hunter handled the prosecution.

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ST. LOUIS – Lloyd Wings, 41, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to seven counts of armed robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of armed robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Wings appeared today before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White and admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies and committed a series of armed robberies.

Beginning in July 2018, Wings and five co-defendants conspired to commit a series of armed robberies in the City of St. Louis. Wings and his co-conspirators would choose a location to rob and drive to the location in separate cars. Once there, the conspirators would enter the business armed with firearms and demand the employees provide the contents of the safe and/or cash registers. The conspirators would take U.S. currency from the businesses by the threatened use of deadly force. Wings and his co-conspirators would also forcibly steal the personal property of customers or employees. They would then flee in their respective vehicles, meet elsewhere, and divide the proceeds of the robberies.

On August 31,2018 Wings and two co-conspirators robbed a Domino's pizza restaurant on Lindell Boulevard. Wings and one of the co-conspirators entered the business through an unlocked employee entrance. Both tried to disguise their identities. They demanded an employee remove money from the cash registers. As he demanded the money, Wings brandished a handgun. A co-conspirator then demanded an employee open the safe. After the safe was opened, the co-conspirator took all of the U.S. currency and fled with Wings and another co-conspirator who drove the getaway car.

On September 3, 2018 Wings and a co-conspirator robbed a Subway sandwich restaurant on South Kingshighway. Wings went into business, produced a purple handgun, jumped over the counter, and demanded employees open the safe. The employees indicated they did not know the safe’s location, so Wings demanded they give him the money from the registers. Wings, while jumping the counter, knocked over an elderly customer causing her physical injury. After getting money from the registers, Wings jumped back over the counter, knocking over an employee, and left. The co-conspirator, who remained in the car during the robbery, drove the getaway car. He knew Wings was armed with a gun and intended to rob the Subway. The co-conspirator drove himself and Wings away from the scene.

On September 9, 2018 Wings and three co-conspirators robbed a Metro PCS store on DeBaliviere Avenue. Wings went into the store, produced a purple handgun, and pointed it at a Metro PCS employee and customers. He demanded money and produced a purple Crown Royal bag. An employee complied and took U.S. currency from the cash register to put into the Crown Royal bag. Wings left the store. One co-conspirator stood outside the store. A co-conspirator drove a getaway car. A third co-conspirator drove a second getaway vehicle.

On September 9, 2018, approximately an hour after robbing the Metro PCS on DeBaliviviere, Wings along with three co-conspirators robbed the Metro PCS located on Page Ave in St. Louis County. After dropping off Wings outside of the business, three co-conspirators waited in the getaway vehicles. Wings entered the Metro PCS store and pointed a handgun at a store employee. While brandishing the firearm, Wings ordered the employee to open the cash register. The employee complied and took U.S. currency from the register. Wings then fled the store with the money, jumped inside one of the getaway vehicles and all co-conspirators fled.

On September 7, 2018 Wings along with one co-conspirator robbed the Family Dollar in the 5900 block of Delmar Boulevard. Wings, armed with a mini-Draco (AK-47 styled assault weapon), entered the store and demanded access to the safe. Wings held multiple customers and employees at gunpoint for almost ten minutes while waiting for the safe to open. He demanded an employee empty the cash drawers and then the safe. He then tried to rob the employee. He fled on foot after the robbery.

On September 10, 2018 Wings, along with his accomplices robbed the Family Dollar located in the 5300 block of Virginia Avenue. Armed with a semiautomatic handgun, Wings entered the store and brandished the gun. He demanded money from the cash register and also robbed an employee.

Judge White has set sentencing for September 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Pagedale Police Department, North County Cooperative and St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Brandon Phillips, 35, of Florissant, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Phillips appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark.

On May 23, 2019, officers were conducting surveillance of Phillips as part of a narcotics investigation.  Officers located Phillips parking a car at a home in the 2700 block of Blue Heron Drive in Florissant. Phillips was driving his co-defendant, was in the front passenger seat. Officers approached Phillips and the co-defendant, and placed Phillips under arrest for a warrant for violating his parole. Officers found, after searching Phillips, two bags containing suspected controlled substances. In a bag Phillips was carrying, officers located a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun and three bags containing suspected controlled substances.

During interactions with Phillips and his co-defendant, officers observed multiple bags containing pills, powders, and rock-like substances, believed to be controlled substances, sitting on the center console of the car. During a thorough search of the car, officers located a bag tucked partially under the driver’s seat. The bag contained a loaded 9mm handgun, multiple bags containing suspected controlled substances along with Phillips’ identification and credit cards. Laboratory analysis revealed the suspected controlled substances were methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.

Judge Clark has set sentencing for August 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. 

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced David M. Foston to 125 months in prison today. The 49-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. 

Foston was indicted with 14 others in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 2019 for conspiring to distribute more than 25 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, and three kilograms of fentanyl. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized more than $2,036,981 from drug payments and profits, luxury jewelry, and vehicles.

Investigators from of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division uncovered a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution organization transporting kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl from Mexico, through Texas and Florida, to the St. Louis Metropolitan area. The higher echelon of the conspiracy served federal prison sentences for prior controlled substance violations in the Federal Correction Institution in Florence, Colorado beginning in the late 2000s. 

Throughout 2018, Foston and his co-conspirators utilized drug couriers and vehicles with concealed compartments to ship multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl to a residence in Spanish Lake, Missouri from Houston, Texas and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Foston and his co-conspirators unloaded the drugs at the residence and distributed them throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. The proceeds from the sale of those controlled substances were stored at residences in St. Louis City and County and loaded into the concealed compartments of vehicles for transportation back to Texas and Florida. 

On March 17, 2018, DEA special agents and task force officers located and seized $1,304,804.00 in drug payments from the St. Louis-based distributors in Phelps County, Missouri as a courier was traveling back to drug suppliers in Texas. On April 20, 2018, the DEA intercepted a courier in possession of 25 kilograms of cocaine destined for the St. Louis drug distributors. In July 2018, investigators seized three kilograms of fentanyl and $263,000 in drug payments from a courier’s vehicle in Oklahoma. On September 8, 2018, investigators searched the Spanish Lake residence and seized 10 kilograms of heroin.

In October 2018, the St. Louis based distributors attempted to purchase $385,000 worth of cocaine during a sting operation in a suburb of Houston. DEA investigators intercepted the courier and seized the United States currency belonging to the other St. Louis based distributors.  The currency was to be a partial payment for 25 kilograms of cocaine, which the organization intended to distribute.

This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration offices in St. Louis, Houston (Texas), Fort Lauderdale (Florida), Detroit (Michigan), the United States Marshal’s Service, St. Charles County Police, St. Louis Metropolitan Police, Bridgeton Police, Phelps County Sherriff’s Department and Cleveland, Texas Police.

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ST. LOUIS – Jelanie Reeves, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of making false and fictitious statement in order to acquire firearms. Reeves appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

On December 12, 2019, Reeves went with a group of people to High Country Shooting Sports in Jefferson County. One of the people accompanying Reeves was his cousin, a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by in excess of one-year imprisonment and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Reeves knew and later admitted to law enforcement that he knew his cousin was a prohibited person and could not purchase a gun himself. Reeves went to High Country Shooting Sports with the intent to purchase a firearm for his cousin.

While at High Country Shooting Sports, Reeves’s cousin pointed out various firearms to Reeves. Eventually, his cousin selected a Springfield model XD40, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. While purchasing the firearm, Reeves counted out money to pay for the gun as his cousin waited nearby. Reeves completed a Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Form 4473 Firearms Transaction Record. In the Form 4473, Reeves identified himself as the "actual buyer" of the firearm. This was a false statement.

In May 2019, Reeves contacted the St. Louis County Police Department and reported nine of his guns had been stolen from the trunk of his car. Reeves later admitted this was a false report.

In August 2019, Reeves admitted to ATF agents that he had been purchasing firearms for his cousin and others and that he knew his cousin was a convicted felon and could not legally possess firearms. Reeves also admitted he and his cousin would split the proceeds after Reeves purchased the firearms and gave them to his cousin to sell.  

In January 2020, the ATF arrested Reeves’s cousin following his indictment for various narcotics and firearms offenses, which occurred between 20l9 and 2020. The ATF obtained consent to search the residence where the cousin was living with his girlfriend. Agents seized the Springfield model XD40 in the cousin’s bedroom, along with the box it came in and the receipt from High Country Shooting Sports showing Reeves’s name as the purchaser. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber. The cousin made a false statement to ATF agents, denying he had been with Reeves during the gun purchase. Further investigation revealed Reeves had purchased at least 18 firearms from businesses between March and September of 2019.

Judge Sippel has set sentencing for August 17, 2021.

The St. Louis County Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Garrick B. Madison to 57 months in prison today. The 25-year-old Cape Girardeau, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

On June 7, 2020, an officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety made a traffic stop on a vehicle for having a defective license plate lamp.  Madison was a passenger in the vehicle.   During a consent search of the vehicle, the officer located a black Remington pistol concealed underneath the passenger seat where Madison was sitting.  The officer asked the occupants who the gun belonged to.  At this point, Madison turned around and placed his hands behind his back and began walking toward the officer.  The officer took this as a non-verbal admission that the gun belonged to Madison.  

Madison’s criminal history includes felony convictions for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Resisting Arrest by Fleeing in Scott County, Missouri, and he is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was investigated by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Julie Hunter handled the prosecution.           

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ST. LOUIS – Tracey Ray, 48, of New London, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of federal program theft. Ray appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

Ray was the City Clerk of Center, Missouri for many years. Beginning in January 2015 and continuing through July 2019, Ray engaged in a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Center, Missouri in an approximate amount of $317,325.59, by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.

As part of her fraudulent scheme, on approximately 30 occasions, Ray used Center bank funds to pay for charges on her personal credit card. Center funds used to pay for personal charges on Ray’s GM credit card totaled approximately $206,342.53 and were for such personal expenses as retail vendor charges, entertainment, lodging and travel, hair salons, restaurants and grocery store charges. These personal credit card payments were made either by Ray’s issuance of Center bank checks, or by Ray’s wire transfer of Center bank funds. Further, through these unauthorized credit card charges and payments, Ray earned and spent an additional approximately $1,911.00 in reward funds. Further, on approximately 39 occasions, Ray issued Center bank account checks in the approximate total amount of $62,537.76 to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to pay for the premiums on a family health insurance policy, as well as on life and disability policies for her and her family members.    

As a further part of her scheme, Ray issued five additional Center payroll checks to herself in the total amount of approximately $3,580.00, depositing each of those unauthorized checks into her own personal bank account. On 49 occasions, Ray issued checks on City bank accounts, in the total approximate amount of $35,546.85 to directly pay for the purchases of personal items and services. Ray issued these Center checks to make personal purchases at a number of retailers, such as Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby, as well as to pay for her personal residential mortgage and personal insurance policies. She also issued one or more of these Center checks to her family members, unrelated to the legitimate business and operations of Center. Further, Ray, as Center’s City Clerk, received cash payments from Center residents for various city charges, but Ray failed to deposit those cash receipts into the appropriate Center bank account. Instead, Ray used those cash proceeds, in the total amount of approximately $7,407.45 for her own personal use, without the knowledge and authority of Center and its Board of Aldermen.

In order to conceal her scheme from Center and its Board of Aldermen, Ray falsified the cash balances of one or more Center bank accounts on financial reports she prepared for monthly Board of Aldermen meetings. Ray also prepared false and incomplete lists of bills to be paid which she submitted for monthly Board of Aldermen meetings. Further, Ray falsified internal Center financial accounting records to make it appear that the unauthorized checks and wires she issued from Center bank accounts were made to legitimate third party vendors who had purportedly provided actual services or materials to Center.

During the period of her scheme, the City of Center received federal grant funds in excess of $10,000 into its bank accounts. 

Judge Sippel has set sentencing for August 17, 2021. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri State Auditor’s Office and Ralls County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Maurice Woodson to 276 months in prison today. The 34-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death and one count of witness tampering. 

Woodson was a member of a large-scale and long-term cocaine trafficking conspiracy between 2012 and 2016. Woodson and others bought large quantities of cocaine from convicted drug trafficker Adrian Lemons and Lemons’ associates in the St. Louis area. The investigation into Woodson and his associates developed evidence of a well-defined distribution network with a direct Mexican source of supply for cocaine. During the course of investigation, agents seized more than 70 kilograms of cocaine and well over one million dollars, among other things.

In furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, Woodson was recruited to kill a person. Woodson agreed to commit the murder. On December 5, 2013, Woodson intentionally shot and killed the person as that person tried to enter his vehicle in the 3500 block of Kossuth. Woodson received both drugs and money as compensation for the murder. Similarly, Woodson was recruited to kill another victim in furtherance of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. On November 28, 2014, Woodson lured the other person to a meeting. When the person arrived in the 900 block of Harlan, Woodson intentionally shot and killed him. He died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Two others who accompanied the victim were also shot and injured. 

In January 2016, Woodson was indicted in federal court for his roles in the drug conspiracy and December 2013 murder. Woodson was ordered detained by a magistrate judge pending trial.  While detained in a local holding facility, Woodson initiated a murder-for-hire scheme. As part of the scheme, Woodson recruited an individual to murder a potential witness to the December 2013 murder committed by Woodson. Utilizing female companions, Woodson arranged meetings with and payments to the individual recruited to murder the potential witness.  Unbeknownst to Woodson, the individual recruited by Woodson to commit the murder-for-hire was an undercover law enforcement official.

“The purchase of a firearm intended for someone else, is straw purchasing and it is illegal. Doing so circumvents background checks and record keeping requirements that are intended to keep the public safe and impede access to firearms by prohibited and often violent criminals," said Frederic Winston, Special Agent-in-Charge for the ATF St. Louis Division. "Firearms trafficking is not a victimless crime; It is illegal and puts firearms in the hands of said prohibited and violent criminals. These investigation are a priority for ATF in our mission of reducing violent gun crime. “

Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; Kennett Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. 

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Justin A. Williams to 270 months in prison today. The 29-year-old Cape Girardeau resident pleaded guilty, in December, to one count of receiving child pornography.   

Williams admitted using the internet to solicit sexually explicit material from a 14-year old female from the state of Washington in December 2019. At the time he committed the offense, Williams was already required to register as a sex offender because of his 2015 state conviction for first-degree child molestation from the Circuit Court of Scott County. According to court records from that case, Williams sexually abused a six-year old female relative in 2014. Williams was released from the Missouri Department of Corrections just months before committing the federal offense.

After serving his 270-month federal sentence, Williams will be placed on supervised release for the rest of his life. Williams will also be required to continue registering as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jack Koester is handling the case.