Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Christen Diane Schulte to 80 months in prison today. The 35-year-old Washington, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, last year, to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.

Schulte was a former bookkeeper and office manager of a farm and trucking companies based in New Haven, Missouri. Between January 2018 and February 2020, Schulte knowingly and intentionally devised and executed a scheme to defraud, and to obtain moneys from, her former employer and others by means of material false and fraudulent representations in that the she, without the knowledge and authority of her former employer, diverted funds for her own personal use. The total loss from this scheme is approximately $727,000. 

As part of her scheme, Schulte fraudulently and without permission used the companies’ credit cards for personal expenditures. Schulte also fraudulently caused American Express and FirstBank to issue her new credit cards in the names of the companies. Schulte fraudulently charged more than 1,800 transactions totaling more than $532,000 on these credit cards. Schulte also forged the signatures of the owner and several employees of companies, on checks from several different bank accounts, including personal accounts of the employees. Several of these checks were made payable to Schulte, but some of them she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme.  

Other forged checks were drawn from a bank account held by the Berger Levee District of Franklin County, which is a taxpayer funded levee district responsible for creating flood control projects in Franklin County. Schulte forged the treasurer’s signature of the Berger Levee District on checks she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme. Schulte used the fraudulently obtained funds for her own personal gain, including purchasing jewelry, a travel trailer, vehicles, and vacation travel.    

“White collar crime is not a victimless crime. The court sent a clear message during sentencing that the schemes undertaken by Schulte will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “The case was a cooperative effort by many law enforcement agencies, all working together to obtain justice for the many victims affected.”

“Christen Schulte was caught an sentenced to prison yet again for defrauding others who trusted her,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The victim employer uncovered the theft after an internal audit before Schulte caused irreparable damage to the business. This case highlights the value of having robust internal controls.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Lorenzo Young, 21, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Young appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.

On June 7, 2020, Young 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 from that victim. Young was armed with a loaded Charter Arms .38 caliber firearm as he and the co-defendant approached the victim. Young brandished the firearm and demanded the victim’s car keys. The victim complied with the demand. Young and the co-defendant entered the Chrysler and drove away.

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 the 7300 block of Hazelcrest and the victim alerted police. Officers from multiple jurisdictions pursued the stolen Chrysler at high speeds for approximately 10 miles. Young was driving the stolen Chrysler.

Young crashed the vehicle while fleeing police near the intersection of New Halls Ferry and Riverview in the City of St. Louis. Officers took Young and his co-defendant into custody, and recovered the firearm used in the carjacking.

Judge Ross has set Lorenzo Young’s sentencing for August 25, 2021. 

Young’s co-defendant is awaiting trial and is presumed innocent of the charges.

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

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Keith Delmas Thomas to 70 months in prison today. The 30-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

In February 2020, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information from a source that Thomas, a Bureau of Prisons’ inmate, and his brother (Leonard Thomas) were attempting to purchase fully automatic firearms. The brothers negotiated a deal to purchase multiple firearms and Glock switches from undercover ATF agents in exchange for cash and methamphetamine. Thomas arranged a deal via telephone and his co-defendant met with agents. Both were arrested and multiple firearms and drugs were seized. Leonard Thomas pleaded guilty, last week, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“The ATF has no greater mission than keeping firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. This case not only demonstrates the lengths to which criminals will go to acquire firearms, but more importantly, ATF’s expertise and commitment to investigating such violations of federal law,” said Frederic Winston, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division, ATF. “In partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, we will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who disregard the safety of our communities to justice.”  

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Behrens is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – A jury found Ramsey Windsor, 39, of St. Charles, Missouri guilty on two counts of assisting in the preparation of false tax returns following a four-day jury trial. United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig presided over the trial.

The evidence during the trial proved Windsor was the owner of a St. Louis County company that produced mass mailers for its customers. During the years 2013 and 2014, large sums of money, which were business receipts, were deposited into Windsor’s personal bank account. These funds were payments from only one client. All other business receipts from other company customers were deposited in Windsor’s business account. A majority of the sales which were deposited into Windsor’s personal account were not reported on his tax returns. This methodology caused the gross receipts to be underreported on Windsor’s tax documentation in years 2013 and 2014. Thus, Windsor assisted in the preparation of personal tax returns that were fraudulent.

"Windsor’s guilty verdict is a reminder to all of us that every individual must report all income and file an accurate tax return to the Internal Revenue Service,” said David Talcott, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the St. Louis field office. “IRS Special Agents will continue to serve the American public by investigating potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes.”

The Internal Revenue Service investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – Lashawn T. Clayburn, 19, of  Pine Lawn, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking resulting in death and one count of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a carjacking resulting in death. Clayburn appeared, today, before United States District Court Henry E. Autrey.

On the evening of January 5, 2019, Naomi Miller left her home in the 2500 block of Arden to get into her vehicle to go to her job, where she worked as a healthcare nurse. Clayburn approached Miller, shot her and stole her vehicle from the driveway of her Pine Lawn home. Police were not called until approximately an hour later. When they arrived at Miller’s home, she had died from the gunshot wound.

Clayburn spent the next several hours driving around in Miller’s vehicle and picking up friends of his for the purpose of going “Joyriding." About an hour and a half after the homicide, Clayburn pulled up to a Steak N' Shake off of Jennings Station Road with two friends and was captured on surveillance video. Clayburn was also captured on surveillance at a Taco Bell location where he met with two relatives to discuss disposing of the vehicle. 

The following day, Clayburn met with a group of his friends at a residence in the 8800 block of Alva to trade Miller’s vehicle for another stolen vehicle, since the vehicle Clayburn was driving was associated with Miller’s homicide. Clayburn and his friends, claiming to be part of a gang calling themselves "Murdaa Gang," took the license plate off of Miller’s vehicle and disposed of it in a neighboring back yard before replacing it with a license plate from another stolen vehicle.

On March 13, 2019, after being interviewed by federal agents relative to the carjacking and Miller’s murder, Clayburn placed a recorded jail call to his cousin in an attempt to secure a false alibi for the night of January 5, 2019. Clayburn used another inmate's PIN number and told his cousin to "delete the call" in an effort to destroy evidence of the conversation.

“Naomi Miller was a phenomenal woman. She was kind, humble and generous. She valued family and friends and never met a stranger. My aunt was the type of person that would have given you the last dollar in her pocket. What happened to her was not fair, but I believe my aunt would forgive the people that did this to her,” said Shanna Wakefield, Miller’s niece. ”My family is so thankful for all of the hard work that law enforcement put into this investigation, and the work of the US Attorney’s Office in getting the case prosecuted. While my family knows that nothing can bring our wonderful aunt back, we find comfort knowing that the guilty individuals will be held responsible for their actions, and hope this will make others think twice before taking another innocent life.”

“Ms. Miller’s death was a senseless tragedy, and this case highlights our office’s commitment to inter-agency cooperation to achieve some measure of justice on behalf of victims’ families,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “The agencies involved in this investigation showed tireless dedication in exhausting every lead until they found the perpetrator.”

Judge Autrey has set sentencing for August 19, 2021. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, North County Police Cooperative and Major Case Squad investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Angie Danis is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Carron Primus to 38 months in prison today and ordered Primus to pay more than $87,000 in restitution. The 41-year-old Maryland Heights, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking.  

On November 25, 2018, Primus met his victim through an online application installed on his and her phones. At the time of meeting Primus, the victim was physically located at a Panera Bread Company restaurant in St. Louis County.  

Primus planned, through communications on the app, to meet his victim at the Panera Bread and for her to travel with him to Farmington, Missouri where Primus had to complete a drug test for his federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) supervision requirements. During the drive to Farmington, Missouri, Primus and his victim talked about the victim engaging in prostitution. Specifically, they discussed the victim would need a phone number, advertisements, and a location.

Upon return from Farmington, Missouri, Primus stopped at his mother’s house to get a cell phone. Primus then took his victim to a local AT&T store to activate the cell phone. Primus informed his victim the cell phone would be used to talk to her clients. An advertisement for sexual services to be performed, by the victim, was posted online. Primus learned his victim was currently on her menstrual cycle and discussed with his victim oral sex with clients. Primus then drove his victim to Walmart to purchase tampons.

After Walmart, Primus drove his victim to hotels around the Saint Louis Lambert International Airport to check nightly prices. Primus selected the St. Louis Airport Inn located in St. Louis County. Primus put the hotel room in his name, but informed his victim he had no intention of staying in the room because he was on federal BOP location monitoring.

Primus left his victim alone in the hotel room where she was going to provide sexual services to clients. In Primus’ absence, the victim ultimately left. The St. Louis County Human Trafficking Task Force was later alerted to this matter and responded.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis County Human Trafficking Task Force investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Jordan Perry to 60 months in prison today. The 32-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

On July 9, 2019, officers from the St. Louis County Police Department tried arresting Perry because he was wanted on several outstanding felony warrants. Perry fled and led officers first on a vehicle pursuit and then on a foot chase. While fleeing from police, Perry drove through a backyard causing an officer to take immediate action to avoid being struck. During the vehicle pursuit, Perry drove at high rates of speed and failed to stop at multiple stop signs. A tire on Perry’s vehicle eventually deflated, so Perry abandoned the vehicle and ran from police. Officers eventually caught and arrested Perry.

Officers saw on the passenger seat of Perry’s vehicle, a.22-caliber High Standard Double-Nine revolver and three bags containing cocaine base. During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers located a fourth clear bag containing a cocaine base and 91 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition.

Prior to July 9, 2019, Perry was a convicted of a felony.

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

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, this week, directed the establishment of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance enforcement efforts against COVID-19 related fraud.

“The Department of Justice will use every available federal tool—including criminal, civil, and administrative actions—to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud. We look forward to working with our federal government colleagues to bring to justice those who seek to profit unlawfully from the pandemic,” wrote Attorney General Garland in a memo announcing the Task Force.

The federal government responded to the far-reaching economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with critical COVID-19 relief to workers and businesses affected by the pandemic. There has already been extraordinary vigilance, across the federal government, to help ensure that those much-needed public funds make it to Americans who are depending on them to feed their families and keep their businesses open. While it is impossible to keep all those intent on carrying out illegal COVID fraud schemes from doing so, the Department of Justice and its partner agencies have already been working to hold hundreds of bad actors accountable.

The Task Force will augment and incorporate the existing coordination mechanisms within the Department and will continue to work in close coordination with other efforts underway throughout the federal government. It will work closely with the Department’s interagency partners to share information and insights gained from prior enforcement experience, in order to reduce the potential threat to the American people and COVID-19 relief, and will help agencies tasked with administering these significant relief programs increase their fraud prevention efforts by providing any appropriate information law enforcement learns about fraud trends and illicit tactics. Additionally, it will also bolster efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminals, prevent the exploitation of government assistance for personal and financial gain, and recover stolen funds.

Organized and led by the Deputy Attorney General, the Task Force includes several entities within the Department of Justice, including the Criminal and Civil Divisions, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Key interagency partners, such as the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Homeland Security, the Small Business Administration, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Relief (SIGPR), the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), and others, have been invited to be part of the Task Force.

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh sentenced Steven Edmonds to 214 months in prison today. The 36-year-old Cape Girardeau, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty, in February, to two counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery and two counts of Possession and Brandishing of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.

On April 24, 2020, at around 4:30 p.m., Steven D. Edmonds walked into the Domino’s Pizza restaurant located at 1028 North Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Edmonds pulled a silver handgun from his waist, pointed it at store employee, and demanded money from the cash register. The employee opened the register, took the cash out and gave it to Edmonds, who then walked out of the store. The employee gave the money to Edmonds because he was afraid of being shot if he refused. The amount of cash taken in the robbery was approximately $60.        

On April 25, 2020, at around 11:55 a.m., Steven D. Edmonds walked into the CVS Pharmacy located at 1550 Wentzville Parkway in Wentzville, Missouri. Edmonds shopped for a while, then approached the store cashier.  Edmonds pulled a small black handgun from his waistband and displayed it to the clerk. Edmonds demanded money from the register. The cashier reached in the register and gave approximately $216 in cash to Edmonds. The cashier did so because he was afraid of being shot if he refused. Edmonds walked out of the store after receiving the cash.

This case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution.

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ST. LOUIS – A jury found Bryan Kimble, 32, of St. Louis, Missouri guilty, Wednesday, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and three counts of distribution of cocaine base following a three-day jury trial. United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark presided over the trial. 

The evidence during the trial proved Kimble distributed cocaine base to an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent on three separate dates. Kimble also conspired with others to distribute cocaine base. In October 2019, ATF Special Agents received information from a confidential informant that Kimble was selling cocaine base. On October 11, 19, and 22, 2019, ATF successfully conducted controlled purchases of cocaine base from Kimble using an undercover agent. Kimble would drive to a location to meet the undercover agent on each date and use a female passenger to complete the drug transactions. In all, Kimble sold more than 30 grams of cocaine base to the undercover agent. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Rodney H. Holmes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Ashley M. Walker handled the case. 

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Brandon Shell to 155 months in prison today. The 22-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of armed carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On October 12, 2019, Shell approached four people who had just exited a Kia Optima near the 3700 block of Juniata in St. Louis. Shell brandished a handgun and demanded the four victims give him all their money. The victims complied. After they did so, Shell further demanded “That’s not all you have, give me the keys!” One of the victims handed Shell the keys to the Optima. Another victim threw several items back in the Optima.

Shell then drove away in the Optima. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department detectives were able to locate Shell driving the Optima shortly after the carjacking. Shell pulled over in the 5300 block of Oriole in St. Louis. When Shell saw detectives, he ran away from them, but was eventually taken into custody.

Detectives found a loaded .380 caliber Kel-Tec semiautomatic pistol on Shell’s person. He was then arrested and charged. 

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Andre McIntosh to 72 months in prison today. The 48-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Just before midnight on January 7, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolling the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood discovered the license plate of an unoccupied vehicle was registered to McIntosh, who was a non-compliant sex offender on parole from the Missouri Department of Corrections. McIntosh also had several outstanding traffic warrants.

Officers canvassed the area and, after locating McIntosh, asked McIntosh to stop. McIntosh refused the officers’ requests for him to stop, and instead ran from the officers as they approached him. While running away from officers, McIntosh pulled a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm from his pocket and threw it. McIntosh was ultimately detained by police. A post-arrest computer inquiry of the Smith & Wesson firearm thrown by McIntosh revealed it had been reported stolen. A post-arrest search of McIntosh’s person revealed him to be in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Prior to January 7, 2020, McIntosh had been convicted of one or more felony crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Missouri Department of Public Safety investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Marcus Mays to 37 months in prison today. The 37-year-old Canton, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On August 17, 2018, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department was investigating Mays. The sheriff’s department obtained a search warrant for Mays’ residence to look for items related to child abuse and drugs. During the execution of the warrant, the sheriff’s department found two stolen firearms, a box of 9mm ammunition, a box of sandwich baggies, two bags containing methamphetamine, marijuana and $1,100 in U.S. Currency in an ottoman in the living room.

Prior to August 17, 2018, Mays was convicted of at least one felony crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney J. Christian Goeke is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Bryant Willingham to 60 months in prison today. The 40-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking.

On April 8, 2020, Willingham approached a postal employee, inside a postal vehicle, delivering mail in the 5900 block of Tara Lane in St. Louis. Willingham tried to open the front passenger door, but the door was locked. However, the window to the door was down. Willingham climbed into passenger seat through the open window.

The postal employee began to drive away to keep Willingham from getting into the vehicle. Once he got inside, Willingham told the postal employee to keep driving. The postal employee, fearing for his life, slowed the vehicle and jumped out. Willingham climbed into the driver's seat and drove the postal vehicle away.

A few minutes later, Willingham crashed the postal vehicle at the intersection of Jennings Station and Lewis and Clark Roads. Willingham fled and boarded a Metro bus. The bus driver, a short time later, flagged down a St. Louis County Police Officer who boarded the bus and arrested Willingham.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney John Ware is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS - In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

“Our law enforcement partners in the Eastern District of Missouri routinely face challenging and dangerous situations, risking their personal safety for the safety of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Fleming. Men and women on the local, state, and federal level have worked tirelessly, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. Every single day, the law enforcement community protects us from violence and helps enforce the rule of law. This week and always I am honored to thank our courageous members of law enforcement for their sacrifice.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the Eastern District of Missouri, three officers died in the line of duty.  

Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020.  LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website. 

The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.

Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net.    

To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.

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ST. LOUIS – Tyson Rutledge, 48, of Bonne Terre, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Rutledge appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

On July 22, 2019, Rutledge sent a message to an undercover FBI agent participating in a social media chat room. Rutledge and the undercover FBI agent began to talk about children. Rutledge asked the undercover FBI agent if the undercover FBI agent had sex with kids. Rutledge said he likes “young” and has “no limits.” Rutledge sent the undercover FBI agent a graphic image showing a minor female and her genitals.

FBI agents, after securing a federal search warrant, searched Rutledge’s home on January 15, 2020. Agents seized a laptop, three iPhones, a DVD, a CD, a HTC cell phone and iPod. During the search, Rutledge was not home, but an FBI agent spoke with him by cellphone and he agreed to meet at Rutledge’s place of employment later in the morning. Rutledge met with agents and went to the St. Francois Sheriff’s Department and participated in a recorded interview.

Agents, after examining the seized laptop and phones, discovered child pornography images. Agents also discovered histories for downloads, web searches, website visits and chats concerning the sexual exploitation of children.

Judge Fleissig has set sentencing for August 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Francois Sheriff’s 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 Lonzo Patrick to 228 months in prison today. The 56-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in September 2019, to three counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with the armed store robberies committed in October 2017. 

During the evening of October 21, 2017, Patrick entered the O’Reilly Auto Parts located in the 1100 block of N. Kingshighway. After inquiring about purchasing items, Patrick pointed a firearm at the store clerk and instructed the clerk to open the cash register. Patrick took money from the register drawer.

During the evening of October 25, 2017, Patrick entered the Phillips 66 located in the 4200 block of Lindell Boulevard. He approached the store clerk in order to purchase an item.   When the cash register drawer opened, Patrick reached over the counter to remove money from the drawer. When the clerk attempted to close the register drawer, Patrick pulled a firearm and pointed it at the clerk.  Patrick then took money from the register drawer.

During the afternoon of October 30, 2017, Patrick entered the Walgreens store located in the 2900 block of S. Kingshighway.   Patrick approached the counter to purchase some candy. During the transaction, Patrick pulled a firearm and pointed it at the store clerk. The clerk ran from behind the counter, and Patrick took money from the cash register.

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

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Jacquez Staples to 15 months in prison today. The 26-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

ln 2019, an investigative team that included agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis County Police Department's Intelligence/Gang Unit began an investigation of individuals who belonged to the "Four Corners Gang." Members of this gang were known to law enforcement as street-level distributors of firearms and narcotics, primarily in Dellwood. Investigators identified Staples and his co-defendant as members of the gang.

On August 15, 2019, the investigative team utilized a confidential informant and an undercover ATF agent to arrange the purchase of narcotics from Staples and his co-defendant. Under the direction and surveillance of investigators, the confidential informant and the undercover agent purchased from Staples and his co-defendant 73 capsules and a baggie which contained an off-white powder for $800.The crime lab determined the powder contained fentanyl. Staples was the driver of the vehicle when the controlled purchase occurred.

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

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Harry Hamm to 68 months in prison today. The 79-year-old Chesterfield, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in February, to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of access with intent to view child pornography.

On April 19, 2019, officers from the St. Ann Police Department, obtained a search warrant to search Hamm’s premises and conducted the search on the same day. Police then contacted the St. Louis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A special agent obtained a federal search warrant to search the items seized by St. Ann Police from Hamm, his home and Hamm’s employer, including two iPhones, an Acer laptop computer, an iPad and a Toshiba laptop. The items were then searched by a forensic examiner.

A forensics examiner located on Hamm’s iPhones deleted web history showing the phones were used to search for and view child pornography. The examiner also found images of child pornography.

The examiner found deleted images of child pornography on Hamm’s Acer laptop, deleted web history showing searches for a viewing of child pornography on Hamm’s iPad and computer search terms consistent with child pornography on Hamm’s Toshiba laptop computer.

The special agent obtained, through Canada’s legal process, Hamm’s Shoebox account, which revealed images of child pornography. Hamm used his iPhone and the internet to access his Shoebox account between March 1, 2018 and April 18, 2019.

Altogether, Hamm possessed 57 images of child pornography. Some included prepubescent minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, sadistic or masochistic conduct or other acts of violence.

The FBI and St. Ann Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS - The U. S. Attorney’s Office stands with all victims during the 40th anniversary of ‘National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.’ The men and women, working cases in the Eastern District of Missouri, are united in a commitment to making sure all crime victims feel heard, respected and remembered.

Last year, in an effort to make our city safer, federal prosecutors worked 716 illegal firearms cases, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department seized 2,612 guns. The United States Attorney’s Office remains committed to prioritizing the prosecution of those who illegally possess firearms and the protection of those victimized by violent actors.

The office’s Victim Witness Unit continues to support victims of child exploitation, violent crime, white collar crime, identity theft, drug overdoses, human trafficking and civil rights violations.

The VWU, so far this year, is helping 376 victims. The unit estimates 18% of those victims are under the age of 17. In 2020, the VWU helped 549 victims with about 10% percent of those victims under the age of 17.  

Victims don’t suffer only physical harm. Many fall prey to scammers.

The office’s Financial Litigation Unit collected $2,195,239.90 in restitution, fines and special assessments for crime victims in March 2021 alone. The total, so far in 2021, is $2,743,369.38. The FLU collected, in all of 2020, $20,309,605.20 for victims.

“Protecting the community and vindicating the rights of victims are paramount.” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming, “I am proud of the tireless efforts of our office and our law enforcement partners undertake to prevent crime and support victims.”

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Matthew Schelp sentenced Bobby Black to 77 months in prison today. The 46-year-old Caruthersville, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty, in November, to six counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. One of the counts being conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Beginning on January 22, 2020 through March 11, 2020, Black conspired with others and sold methamphetamine through several controlled buys with an undercover agent. Black would agree to meet with the undercover agent at different locations and sell the methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution.

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ST. LOUIS – Nicholas Trueblood, 26, of St. Charles, Missouri, pleaded guilty to four counts of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine. Trueblood appeared today before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White.

Trueblood and his co-defendant were primarily distributing narcotics in the St. Charles County area. They were arrested and charged after selling narcotics to an undercover detective with the St. Charles County Regional Task Force.

In total, Trueblood admitted to possessing with the intent to distribute more than 30 grams of methamphetamine, more than six grams of heroin and more than four grams of fentanyl.

Judge White has set sentencing for July 22, 2021. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Charles County Regional Task Force investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Darryl Lennell Moore, 32, of St. Louis Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, one involving fentanyl, the other involving methamphetamine. Moore also pleaded guilty to an additional count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Moore appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.

Beginning in 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Louis County Police Department were actively investigating the distribution of large quantities of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Moore conspired with members of the conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than 50 grams of almost pure methamphetamine.

At the height of the conspiracy, nine co-conspirators were involved and would distribute more than 20,000 doses of fentanyl per week. Distribution occurred using "runners" who also provided armed protection for the co-conspirators. Moore was primarily responsible for supplying the drugs for the conspiracy.

Judge White has set sentencing for July 22, 2021. 

The St. Louis County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Bernard Toler to 72 months in prison today. The 33-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in January, to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On or about February 20, 2019, officers from the St. Louis County Police Department saw a vehicle with no visible license plates make a turn without signaling. Officers turned on the emergency lights to make a traffic stop, but Toler evaded police at a high rate of speed. Toler continued to flee police through a residential area while refusing to stop at multiple stop signs.

Officers eventually turned off their lights and sirens but maintained visual observation of Toler’s vehicle. Officers saw Toler park the vehicle in the parking lot of a business, at which time officers turned on their lights again and positioned their vehicles to prevent Toler from fleeing.

Officers approached Toler’s vehicle and noticed a revolver-style firearm in the middle compartment of the vehicle. Officers removed Toler from the vehicle and took him into custody. Officers seized the firearm, which was loaded with six live rounds, along with two digital scales, a marijuana grinder, a plastic bag containing 24 grams of marijuana and three cellular phones. The seized paraphernalia, drugs and phones are indicative of drug trafficking.

Toler admitted he intended to distribute some or all of the marijuana in his possession to one or more persons and he possessed the seized firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.

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

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Randy Clark to 77 months in prison today. The 34-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On October 25, 2019, Clark was driving a vehicle with expired tags when officers from the North County Police Cooperative stopped him. At the time of the stop, Clark had a bag strapped to his torso. Police learned Clark was wanted as a suspect and asked him to exit the vehicle. Clark was initially non-compliant, but finally exited the vehicle after multiple requests.

Officers found a .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm in the bag around Clark’s torso. The firearm was loaded with nine rounds of ammunition. 

The North County Police Cooperative investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Lemartrell Smith to 120 months in prison Friday. The 26-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in December to two counts of being in possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, one count of being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime and one count being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On or about February 28, 2018, Florissant Police received information Smith was selling drugs in the parking lot of a bowling alley and was armed with a gun. Officers pulled up to Smith’s vehicle to investigate but could not see inside due to the dark window tint. Smith refused to open the car door, so police smashed the window and removed Smith. Officers noticed from the center console, in plain view, a handgun with an extended magazine. Officers also seized 18 grams of fentanyl.  

On or about March 13, 2019 St. Louis County Police learned Smith was selling fentanyl. Using an undercover detective, investigators placed a call to Smith and arranged to buy $60 worth of fentanyl. Smith instructed the undercover detective to meet at a specific location. Smith met the undercover detective, reached into a leather satchel and removed 12 capsules. Smith exchanged the capsules for $60 and drove away.

As officers attempted to stop Smith, he ignored all commands to pull over and started to speed away. Smith continued to evade police even after driving over a spike strip. Smith crossed into an opposite lane of traffic at a high rate of speed and crashed into another vehicle.  The driver of the other vehicle was seriously injured. Officers arrested Smith. Charges related to the crash remain pending in St. Louis County Circuit Court.

Officers seized a satchel and found a loaded Glock pistol with one round inside the chamber. Officers searched Smith’s vehicle and seized $2,870 in U.S. currency, another pistol, the $60 used by the undercover detective, five cell phones and 10.34 grams of fentanyl.    

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

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Jimmy Warf to 144 months in prison today. The 46-year-old Sikeston, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine in January.

On August 18, 2020, Warf sold 55 grams of methamphetamine to a DEA confidential informant at a parking lot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and was arrested.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, SEMO Drug Task Force and Cape Girardeau Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tim Willis handled the prosecution.

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ST. LOUIS – Montell Keith, 23, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Keith appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark.

On December 8, 2019, officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were notified a white Toyota Camry, reported stolen on December 3, was parked at an apartment complex in the 5700 block of Goodfellow Place. While canvassing, officers located the Camry parked on the south parking lot, parked and exited their patrol car. Keith, identified by officers as the driver, drove away from the parking lot. The officers got back in their patrol car to follow and observed Keith running from the Camry. While running, the officers watched Keith throw a pistol on the ground. 

Officers chased Keith and eventually arrested him. An officer returned to where he saw Keith throw the pistol and found a loaded 9mm pistol. The officer discovered the pistol had been reported stolen on December 2, 2019.           

Prior to December 8, 2019, Keith was convicted of at least one felony crime.

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

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

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ST. LOUIS –United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Demetrius Burns-Jackson to 60 months in prison. The 24-year-old St. Louis City, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

In November 2018, Drug Enforcement Administration investigators received information from two sources that Burns-Jackson was a multi-pound methamphetamine distributor known to carry a firearm. One source confirmed buying methamphetamine, daily, from Burns-Jackson over a six-month period. The other source confirmed buying methamphetamine from Burns-Jackson over a two-month period. Both sources confirmed Burns-Jackson had a firearm during those transactions.

Investigators used a confidential source to buy methamphetamine from Burns-Jackson twice in December 2018. On December 21, 2018, agents arrested Burns-Jackson in a St. Louis hotel where they seized 428 grams of methamphetamine belonging to him.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Fairview Heights Resident Office investigated the case with the United States Marshals Service and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal is handling the case.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced David Paul Wood to 120 months in prison today. A jury convicted the 37-year-old Kewanee, Missouri man of being a felon in possession of a firearm in September 2020. 

The evidence at trial revealed Wood was in possession of two firearms, one of which was stolen, and he committed an armed robbery while in possession of a firearm. The 120-month sentence was the statutory maximum sentence Wood could receive for this conviction.

This case was investigated by the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the Government.

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ST. LOUIS – Tiffany McAllister, 44, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to three counts of tax fraud. McAllister appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.

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 obtained. 

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 in the amount of $920,854.

Judge White has set sentencing for June 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

“Today, Ms. McAllister admitted to preparing and submitting fraudulent returns to the IRS where she blatantly ignored the tax laws,” said David Talcott, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “IRS CI Special Agents will continue to ensure that all tax preparers and others in the tax preparer profession adhere to professional standards and follow the law.”

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

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Courtney Curtis, today, to 21 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $47,867.69 to the victims. The 39-year-old Ferguson, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud relative to his theft of funds from his “Curtis for MO” campaign account.  Curtis served as Representative of Missouri District 73 from 2013 until 2019. Most recently, Curtis served as an assistant to St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days.   

Beginning on or about January 1, 2016 and continuing through or about December 31, 2017, Curtis misled donors by falsely representing that money contributions to the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee would be used for campaign and reelection purposes, when, in fact, he used a substantial portion of the money contributed by donors to the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee for his own personal use and expenses. 

After fraudulently convincing constituents to donate money to the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee, Curtis knowingly used monies in the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee bank account for his own personal benefit, unrelated to any legitimate campaign or re-election purpose in various ways, including but not limited to: using money in the account to pay for his apartment rental and utility bills; paying for hotel, airfare and travel expenses for himself and companions; paying for restaurant and bar bills; withdrawing funds from the account through substantial cash withdrawals, including at area casinos; and, using money in the account to purchase retail items for his personal use. 

Additionally, from time to time, Curtis deposited campaign donation checks into his personal bank account and used those funds to pay for personal living expenses unrelated to any legitimate campaign or re-election purpose. Curtis acted to conceal his scheme by failing to file required reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, or by filing false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which failed to identify his cash withdrawals from the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee bank account, failed to identify payments made directly from the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee bank account which were made for his own personal use, unrelated to any campaign or re-election purpose, and failed to identify campaign donation checks received and deposited to his personal bank account. Curtis wire transferred funds from the “Curtis for MO” campaign account to pay for personal expenses and to make cash withdrawals.

Total funds obtained by Curtis through his scheme to defraud his donors was approximately $47,867.69.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Dominic Young to 90 months in prison Monday. The 27-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm.

On December 10, 2019, Young robbed T.K. Beauty Supply located in the 8500 block of Airport Road in Berkeley. As a T.K. Beauty Supply employee was on the way back inside the store, from taking out the store’s trash, Young tried to have a conversation with the employee. The employee re-entered the store, but Young brandished a firearm by pointing it at the employee and another employee. Young demanded one of the employees give him the money from two cash registers.

Young ordered both employees on the ground before taking more money from one of the employee’s purse. Young left the store, got into a vehicle and left the area. Young’s actions were captured on security surveillance footage inside of the store.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoff Ogden is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Sherod Tucker to 80 months in prison today. The 32-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Beginning in 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Louis County Police Department were actively investigating the distribution of large quantities of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Tucker conspired with members of the conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute in excess of 400 grams of fentanyl.

At the height of the conspiracy, nine co-conspirators were involved and would distribute more than 20,000 doses of fentanyl per week. Distribution occurred through the use of "runners" to include Tucker.

On January 31 and on August 9, 2018 Tucker sold fentanyl to a cooperating source working on behalf of the DEA. Tucker also assisted members of the conspiracy by cutting up the raw fentanyl with Dormin, before the drugs were pressed into capsules for sale. The indictment alleges the conspiracy involved committing violence in furtherance of drug trafficking to include committing two murders and another shooting. Tucker was not charged with the violence.

The St. Louis County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Nathaniel Hill, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Hill appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

In November 2017 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Postal Inspectors Service (USPIS) initiated an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking led by Hill and involving nine co-defendants. Beginning in or about May 2017, Hill and a co-defendant purchased kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from a San Diego source of supply. Initially, Hill arranged for packages of methamphetamine to be sent to St. Louis through the mail. Two of those packages were intercepted by law enforcement: one containing 1.336 kilograms on August 7, 2017; and, one containing 4.4 kilograms on April 9, 2018.  

Investigators also applied for and received authorization to wiretap Hill’s cellular telephone. On the wiretap, investigators heard Hill talk to co-conspirators regarding methamphetamine shipments, proceeds, and methods of transportation. The conspirators traveled between San Diego and St. Louis and used hotel rooms and rental cars to facilitate and hide their activities from law enforcement.

During the investigation, a confidential source made several controlled purchases of methamphetamine directly from Hill including 450 grams on December 12, 2017, 223 grams on January 18, 2018, and 224 grams on February 28, 2018.

On June 13, 2018, Hill was present at his residence in the 11000 block of Cadigan expecting a large shipment of methamphetamine. Agents executed a search warrant where they seized 25.064 kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigators also seized multiple firearms, $29,850 in cash, multiple items of jewelry and a BMW sedan, all of which were either derived from proceeds of the sale of methamphetamine or possessed in furtherance of the drug activity.

Based on the intercepted packages, the controlled purchases, the seizures on June 13, 2013, the intercepted calls and other evidence gathered by law enforcement, Hill admitted being responsible for at least 45 kilograms of methamphetamine and consented to the forfeiture of various assets seized by agents.

Judge Fleissig has set sentencing for June 29, 2021.

The St. Louis County Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – A jury found Marcus Nelson, 39, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine following a two-day jury trial on March 23, 2021.  He appeared before the United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. 

The evidence during the trial proved Nelson conspired with others to bring 45 pounds of methamphetamine from Texas to Missouri between December 2018 and March of 2019.  On March 19, 2019, SEMO Drug Task Force Officers received information a subject who lived in Ripley County near Doniphan, Missouri was expecting a large shipment of methamphetamine. Officers traveled to the residence and were speaking with the subject in the driveway when someone threw a duffle bag off a side deck of the residence. Officers recovered the duffle bag and discovered approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine and eight ounces of heroin inside. Further investigation determined Marcus Ray Nelson brought the bag to the residence and threw it out upon learning police arrived. Nelson, Matthew Wade Stoutt and Gino Wells Sr. were indicted and charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Nelson was also charged with possession of 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of more than 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute.

The Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, SEMO Drug Task Force and Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Keith D. Sorrell and Julie A. Hunter handled the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Demarko Nelson to 46 months in prison today. The 23-year-old Berkeley, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in December, to three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

On March 2, 2020, Nelson ran a stop sign at the intersection of Clara and Etzel Avenues in the City of St. Louis, while driving a Pontiac G6. Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department stopped the vehicle. After identifying Nelson, a convicted felon, officers found two handguns. They seized the loaded gun on Nelson’s side of the vehicle and released a purple handgun located on the other side of the vehicle to the registered owner in the passenger seat.

On April 9, 2020, Nelson was riding in his friend’s Dodge Challenger on Interstate 70. Nelson’s friend was driving approximately 100 miles per hour when a tire blew, causing the friend to lose control. The car left the road, ripped through a chain-link fence, struck a streetlight and overturned on Bircher Boulevard in St. Louis. At the hospital, officers found two clear baggies of marijuana and more than $6,000 in the friend’s fanny pack. Back at the scene, an SLMPD accident investigator found a loaded purple handgun near a storm sewer just feet away from the Challenger. The firearm was later confirmed to be the purple gun from the original incident.

On August 20, 2020, the United States Marshals Service apprehended Nelson at his home in St. Louis County. While clearing the house, the U.S. Marshals discovered two bags containing 9.64 grams of fentanyl. U.S. Marshals also found a stolen handgun in Nelson’s bedroom.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Zack Bluestone is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Ramonte Willey to 17 years in prison today. The 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking and one count of possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Willey committed two carjackings in the City of St. Louis.  On December 7, 2018, Willey approached a victim’s Chevrolet Impala, which was parked in a Family Dollar parking lot in the 5000 block of Enright Avenue.  Willey demanded the victim’s money.  Brandishing a handgun with an extended clip, Willey then forced his victim out of the vehicle, saying “Get out of the f**king car!” Willey took the Impala from his victim, driving away from the scene of the crime.

On January 27, 2019, Willey arrived at a gas station in the 2000 block of N. Florissant in a stolen Kia Optima. Willey then got out of the Optima, approached a victim who was pumping gas, and put a gun in the victim’s side.  Willey then took the victim’s car, a Toyota Camry.  As the victim fled, Willey fired shots at him.  Willey drove off in the Camry.  The driver of the Optima also drove off, following Willey.

The next day, St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers saw a Kia Optima consistent with the vehicle used in the carjacking. Willey was driving the Optima. When detectives tried to pull over the vehicle, Willey sped off.  Even after detectives deployed spike strips. Willey continued to drive recklessly, throughout the City of St. Louis, violating stop signs and endangering others. Ultimately, the Optima became disabled in the 2900 block of Marcus.

Detectives demanded the occupants of the vehicle place their hands in the air. Willey, the driver of the vehicle, opened the door of the vehicle and placed his hands in the air, before reaching back into the vehicle. Willey ultimately exited the Optima and laid on the ground with a bag strapped to his torso. The bag contained two boxes of ammunition.  Detectives also recovered two firearms, including a handgun with an extended clip and another handgun, and a box of ammunition from the vehicle.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Teran Martin to 120 months in prison today and ordered Martin to forfeit $23,488 and the several firearms law enforcement seized in the course of investigating the crimes charged. The 27-year-old Ferguson, Missouri resident had previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possessing one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On January 7, 2020, Drug Enforcement Administration investigators executed a federal search warrant at Martin’s residence and seized a firearm along with quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, and heroin. Investigators searched two more locations and seized additional items belonging to Martin, including eleven more firearms, additional quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine, and approximately $23,488. Martin has admitted the $23,488 seized by law enforcement are proceeds he obtained by selling controlled substances.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Redd prosecuted the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced David Kramer to 24 months in prison today. The 42-year-old Parkland, Florida resident pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud.

In his role as a Risk Manager with a Florida-based branch of Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Kramer would request checks from the accounts payable team for various expenditures related to E.H.I.’s business functions.

Beginning in 2009, Kramer began requesting checks for fictitious and fraudulent expenses. Kramer, to support his check requests, would create false and fraudulent requests for payment from various entities in the south Florida area including the sheriff’s offices, the Florida Department of Transportation and judicial courts among others.

Once Kramer received the check, he would deposit the money into his personal bank accounts. Kramer then used the fraudulently obtained funds for personal purchases and expenses including luxury vacations, expensive watches and jewelry, and designer clothing. Kramer submitted at least 694 false and fraudulent check requests resulting in an actual loss to E.H.I. of $1,457,247.82. As a part of the sentencing, Kramer is ordered to pay full restitution to E.H.I.

“This case is a perfect example of how getting the FBI involved sooner rather than later can lead to the most successful outcome possible,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The earlier we get involved, the more options we have to build an effective investigative strategy and hold criminals accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Shederic Anderson to 35 years in prison today. The 46-year-old Poplar Bluff, Missouri, resident was found guilty, in November 2019, on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. Anderson also pleaded guilty, in December 2018, to escape from custody. 

On July 26, 2018, Anderson escaped from the Cydkam Center in Neelyville, Missouri. Anderson signed out of the facility to go to work and never returned. Anderson was arrested and detained in the Dunklin County Jail. While in the Dunklin County Jail, he sexually assaulted another inmate. A jury found Anderson guilty, on November 15, 2019, for committing the assault on another inmate.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the government.      

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Antron F. Ramey to 15 months in prison today. The 22-year-old Batesville, Arkansas resident pleaded guilty, in August, to one count of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud.

On March 28, 2018, the Arkansas Securities Commission issued a Cease and Desist Order against Ramey and AFR Brokerage LLC, ordering Ramey and AFR to cease soliciting financial investments from individuals.          

In 2018, Ramey began soliciting investment funds from individuals for investment purposes. Ramey told those individuals that he would invest their money in cryptocurrency investment accounts or foreign currency investments with investment firms, including one legitimate investment firm known as Grand Capital. Ramey held himself out to the individual investors as a financial investment advisor working on behalf of Grand Capital. Ramey provided investors with a Financial Services Agreement which outlined Ramey’s investment services and the investments to be made on behalf of the investor. However, Ramey was not affiliated with any investment services firm and was merely taking the individuals’ money and converting it to Ramey’s own benefit.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the government.    

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Travis Broeker to 23 years in prison today. On September 17, 2020, at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial, the 36-year-old Clayton, Missouri resident was found guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

The evidence at trial established on February 28, 2018, Broeker met the victim on a parking lot of a convenience store and sold him six fentanyl capsules. The victim returned to his residence in the 2800 block of Telegraph, ingested fentanyl and overdosed. The victim’s roommate called 911 at 7:27 p.m.  The victim was successfully treated with NARCAN and released from the hospital late in the evening of February 28. While the victim was in the hospital, his roommate confiscated what he believed to be the victim’s remaining fentanyl and his cell phone for the victim’s safety. Unfortunately, the victim’s roommate was unaware that the victim had concealed some of the remaining fentanyl in a hollowed-out rubber ball.

The victim returned home around midnight where he and his roommate spoke before the roommate went to sleep. During the early morning hours of March 1, the victim’s roommate found him unresponsive, in a fetal position. The same paramedics who treated the victim the previous night responded a second time and determined he was “beyond help.” The victim was pronounced dead at 6:08 a.m. on March 1. 

St. Louis County Police investigators obtained the victim’s remaining fentanyl and cell phone from his roommate. The police used an undercover detective purporting to be the victim’s friend to contact Broeker, who agreed to distribute additional fentanyl to the victim and the undercover detective. Broeker enlisted co-defendant Pamela Barton to deliver 20 capsules of fentanyl to the undercover detective. Barton unwittingly contacted the police to make the fentanyl delivery and was arrested. Investigators later arrested Broeker, who admitted distributing fentanyl to the victim.   

On January 15, 2020, Judge Autrey sentenced Barton to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. 

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

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ST. LOUIS – Lakisha Smith, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of tax fraud. Smith appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.

According to court documents, from 2013 to 2016, Lakisha Smith prepared approximately 28 fraudulent tax returns for her clients using the TaxAct commercial website. Smith 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.   The defendant was not registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a return preparer and she did not sign as the preparer on the returns that she prepared and filed for other individuals.  

“Return preparer fraud is a priority for IRS Criminal Investigation and we are committed to investigating and prosecuting cases like this,” said David Talcott, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “Paid return preparers must sign the returns they prepare and include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) issued by the IRS. Taxpayers are encouraged to visit IRS.gov for tips about choosing a tax professional.”

Judge Ross has set sentencing for June 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

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

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ST. LOUIS – Rita Aramyan of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Aramyan appeared today before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.

Beginning in April 2013 and ending around May 2019, Aramyan was part of a drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute multi-kilogram quantities of marijuana from sources of supply based in California and launder the proceeds. In total, the organization distributed more than 3,000 kilograms of marijuana to various cities across the United States, including St. Louis, and laundered more than $1.5 million in drug proceeds.  

During the course of the conspiracy, Aramyan couriered between 700 and 1,000 kilograms of bulk marijuana from Las Vegas to various cities including St. Louis, Missouri. The marijuana was smuggled in luggage carried on to commercial flights. In one instance, Aramyan was arrested in Fresno, California in possession of approximately 100 pounds of bulk marijuana obtained from the source of supply and destined for the organization. Aramyan also stored bulk cash and marijuana at her residence in Las Vegas for the organization. During a search warrant at her residence in March 2018, investigators located two money counters and $140,000 in cash. Finally, Aramyan utilized “Vanilla Visa” credit cards purchased with marijuana proceeds to buy flights for other couriers to deliver marijuana and proceeds.

Aramyan also aided in laundering marijuana proceeds for the organization. Aramyan collected proceeds from various cities, including St. Louis, and delivered them back to the organization in Las Vegas. The cash was smuggled inside luggage carried on to commercial airlines. In September 2017, investigators seized $50,000 of marijuana proceeds from Aramyan’s luggage as she attempted to board a plane in St. Louis ‎destined for Las Vegas. The organization laundered marijuana proceeds through purchases of real estate, luxury vehicles (such as a Lamborghini Aventador), and a business among other means. Aramyan acted as a “straw” purchaser for two residential properties in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Casey is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – Gregory Simms, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Simms appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.

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. 

Simms faces a maximum of 40 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of five years. 

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

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ST. LOUIS – A federal criminal complaint charged Jonathan Davis with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. Davis, a 21-year-old St. Louis resident, appeared in court today for his initial appearance in front of United States Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker.

According to the complaint, around 12:20 a.m. on January 23, 2021, a Steak N’ Shake employee was sitting in the back office of the restaurant located in the 9500 block of Natural Bridge Road. The restaurant was closed and the employee was talking to another employee while preparing bank deposits. While the employees were talking, Davis entered the office with a gun and demanded money from the safe. Davis, a former employee of the restaurant, held the gun (shown in the attached photo) against one of the employee’s neck.

The employee handed the money from the cash register drawer to Davis. After receiving the money, Davis ran through the back door of the restaurant.  

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Berkeley Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling this case. 

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CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Donald Sanders to 110 months in prison today. The 63-year-old Williamsville, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in September, to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of attempting to intimidate or threaten a government witness. 

On January 14, 2019, Sanders was a passenger in a pick-up truck. Officers tried to stop the truck, but the driver sped away and the truck eventually crashed. Officers found four firearms in the truck and recovered another rifle thrown from the truck during the chase and arrested Sanders and the driver. Officers later found a handgun in a motel room in Poplar Bluff that was shared by Sanders and the driver. Investigators soon learned all of the firearms were stolen from residences in Butler County, Missouri.

On February 9, 2019, while in the custody of the Butler County Jail, Sanders had a conversation with a visitor that was recorded.  During the conversation, Sanders learned a female acquaintance was a possible witness against him for the firearm charge. Sanders expressed concern that he might be charged in federal court. Sanders directed the visitor to tell the woman, “Black River is very cold right now.” Sanders admitted this statement was an attempt to intimidate the woman into not testifying against him.  

Sanders has prior convictions preventing him from possessing firearms.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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ST. LOUIS - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and Social Security Office of the Inspector General want you to know about widespread phone scams where callers impersonate government officials.

The imposters tell you about a Social Security-related problem to gain a taxpayer’s trust and steal their money. “Slam the scam” by immediately hanging up!

The predators may:

• Call to threaten you with arrest or legal action if you do not immediately pay a debt, fine or fee.

• Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended, offer to increase your benefits or resolve identity theft problems in exchange for payment.

• Demand payment using retail gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency or by mailing cash.

• Demand secrecy in handling a Social Security-related problem or tell you to make up a story to tell your friends, family or store/bank employees.

• Text you unsolicited to tell you about a problem with your Social Security number or benefits.

• Email you attached documents containing your personal information to convince you they are Social Security officials.

Hard-working taxpayers should be cautious if they receive an unsolicited call from the government and don’t recognize the problem or issue they’re calling about.

Tips to help ‘Slam the Scam’ include:

• Don’t provide personally identifiable information over the phone.

• Discuss major financial decisions with trusted friends or family.

• If you ever owe money to Social Security, the agency will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights.

Taxpayers should report Social Security scams by clicking onto oig.ssa.gov and other scams by clicking onto ftc.gov/complaint.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Clarence Brown to 30 months in prison today. The 35-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department patrolling in the Greater Ville area were advised that a stolen vehicle was traveling eastbound on Natural Bridge Avenue from Kingshighway Boulevard. Officers observed the stolen vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the parking lane before parking in the area of Blair Avenue and Monroe Avenue.

Officers identified the driver as Brown who re-entered the vehicle and began driving northbound on Blair Avenue. Officers deployed department-issued spike strips. Brown drove over the spike strips, accelerated at a high rate of speed, and turned onto westbound N. Florissant Avenue. While traveling northbound, on Blair Avenue from Salisbury Avenue, a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Detective observed Brown throw a firearm out of the stolen vehicle’s passenger side window. The detective stopped his patrol car, exited his vehicle, and retrieved the discarded firearm, a Glock 23, .40 caliber pistol containing nine live 9mm cartridges.

The recovered pistol had been reported stolen from a home in Creve Coeur, Missouri on October 16, 2019.  

Prior to being arrested, Brown drove in the opposite direction of travel and struck an unsuspecting driver head-on. Brown also ignored several police commands to stop resisting before being apprehended after a short foot pursuit. A computer search revealed that Brown was a felon and had an active warrant for his arrest.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kourtney M. Bell is handling the case.

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