Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced John Koeln to 24 months in prison today. The 37-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to wire fraud.

Koeln was the Director of Finance for Unlimited Prepaid Distribution (UPD) from May 2014 to April 2017. UPD is a wholesaler of prepaid phones, SIM cards, airtime and other cellphone products. Koeln was responsible for day-to-day financial transactions and managing UPD’s bank account. A.A. is the CEO and President of UPD.

On or about May 12, 2015, Koeln opened a bank account at First Bank in the name of Abusharbain Holding, LLC. Koeln was the only person with signatory authority on the

account. He repeatedly made unauthorized transfers of funds from UPD' s Bank of America business account to the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account. Koeln

repeatedly made unauthorized transfers of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to his eTrade brokerage accounts. Koeln transferred the stolen funds from

his eTrade brokerage accounts to pay his personal expenses including credit card bills and living expenses. These transfers were not authorized by A.A. or U.P.D.

Specifically, on or about September 5, September 8 and December 7 in 2016, Koeln, for the purpose of committing wire fraud, caused ACH transfers of $50,000 from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account in Missouri to his eTrade Bank account ending in 8839 in Virginia.

On or about December 27, 2016 and February 12, 2017, Koeln, for the purpose of committing wire fraud, caused ACH transfers of $80,000 from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account in Missouri to his eTrade Bank account ending in 8839 in Virginia.

In March and May, of 2016, Koeln made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account for his own personal benefit. On or about February 2, 2016, Koeln made an unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to obtain a cashier's check payable to U.S. Title for his purchase of real estate for his own personal benefit. 

On or about May 19, 2016, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to pay his Capitol One loan to purchase a 2015 Buick Enclave.

On or about January 23, 2017, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of funds from the Abusharbain Holding LLC First Bank account to pay his personal U.S. Bank loan used to purchase a boat and trailer.

On or about March 14, 2017, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of $99,975 from UPD's Bank of America account to his eTrade brokerage account ending in 8839.

The loss from Koeln's fraud was approximately $1,007,031. The Government seized Koeln’s eTrade accounts, vehicles and boats and the proceeds will be used to pay restitution to the victim.

“In addition to bringing criminals to justice, the FBI will diligently search for and seize assets that can be repaid to victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “In this case, we are pleased to be able to return a vast majority of the amount embezzled by John Koeln. Unfortunately, most white-collar criminals squander the money they steal leaving little left to repay victims.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS –Trenice Hassel, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to a federal agency. Hassel appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk.

On April 8, 2020, the United States Postal Inspection Service learned of a Romance Scam operating through the use of Post Office Box 34096 in Berkley, Missouri. The post office box account had been opened fraudulently by Hassel and B.M. using B.M’s name and identification number. Through subsequent investigation, inspectors learned the scam had been operating since early 2019.

Hassel admitted that a co-defendant offered her $100 if she could find someone who would open a post office box for him in that person’s name. Consequently, Hassel asked B.M. to open the post office box using B.M.’s name and identification because she knew B.M. would not question why she was being asked to open a post office box.

On January 8, 2020, Hassel and B.M. entered the Berkeley post office where they completed PS Form 1093, titled “Application for Post Office Box Service.” Hassel and B.M. made a material misrepresentation to the United States Postal Service by falsely claiming the post office box was being sought for B.M.’s residential and personal use, and that B.M. and Hassel were the only people authorized to pick up mail delivered to the rented post office box.

At the time B.M. and Hassel submitted the false and fraudulent application, Hassel knew neither she nor B.M. would use the post office box for their use, but instead the co-defendant would possess and control access to the rented post office box in connection with some type of illegal activity, the exact nature of which Hassel was unaware.

Hassell further admitted that after the representative for the United States Postal Service accepted B.M.’s application, B.M. was assigned Post Office Box 34096 and was provided with two keys for the post office box. When Hassel and B.M. exited the post office, they gave both keys to the co-defendant who paid the two women for fraudulently opening the post office box.

Between January 8, 2020 and June 4, 2020, the co-defendant collected, and attempted to collect, express mail delivered through the United States Postal Service to dozens of women who were deceived into mailing the proceeds of a Nigerian romance scam to fraudulently opened Post Office Box 34096 because they believed the money was being sent to B.M. who was employed as either a diplomat’s secretary or as a realtor.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Keith Estep to 120 months in prison today. The 42-year-old House Springs, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.

Investigators discovered, in 2018 and 2019, methamphetamine distributors operating in and around Jefferson County, Missouri, including Estep and several of his co-defendants, were traveling to St. Louis to obtain large quantities of crystal methamphetamine for redistribution in Jefferson County and elsewhere. 

On October 20, 2019, investigators executed a federal search warrant at Estep’s residence in House Springs, Missouri.  Investigators recovered more than a half-kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a loaded Ruger LCP .380 pistol.       

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Multi County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Malik Ross to 120 months in prison today. The 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in August to one count of embezzlement of bank funds and one count of conspiracy to embezzle bank funds.

Ross was employed by Garda World Logistics, Inc. (“Garda”) who contracted with Midwest Regional Bank to transport its federally insured deposits. Ross admitted that, on August 13, 2019, while his co-employee was inside a building in the Soulard neighborhood conducting Garda business, he drove a Garda armored car from that location to South Broadway in the City of St. Louis where he placed a bag containing $50,000 in the middle of the road. A conspirator, in turn, retrieved the bag from the street and left the area with the money. The $50,000 in the bag belonged to Midwest Regional Bank, who was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  

At sentencing, the United States requested an upward variance from the 8-14 month applicable sentencing guideline range and presented evidence that, on the day before the theft, Ross, wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a loaded Glock firearm, shot a firearm 14 times when he came in contact with two other individuals in the residential area of the 3500 block of 14th Street. The district court found, by a preponderance of evidence, Ross was not acting in self-defense at the time and, in firing those shots, he killed a seven-year-old boy who was playing in the alley behind his house. As a result of this evidence, the district court granted the motion of the United States for an upward variance and sentenced Ross to a 120-month term of imprisonment for the theft.

This St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Allison Behrens is handling the case.

 

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ST. LOUIS – As Missourians begin to file their 2020 tax returns, criminals are exploiting the filing season to scam people out of their money and personal information. The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam is knowing how the Internal Revenue Service communicates with taxpayers.

The IRS isn't going to call asking you to provide or verify your financial information so you can get an Economic Impact Payment or your refund faster. The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards. Taxpayers should look out for calls and email phishing attempts about the coronavirus or COVID-19, such as the sale of fake at-home COVID-19 test kits, fake donations and bogus opportunities to invest in companies developing COVID-19 vaccines.

“While criminals are constantly changing their tactics, taxpayers can help protect themselves by acting as the first line of defense. You should always protect your personal and financial information,” said Internal Revenue Service Acting Special Agent in Charge David Talcott.

These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. Taxpayers should be wary of emails, text messages, websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information. You can report phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov and report IRS impersonation scams to TIGTA.gov.

Scammers are always coming up with ways to take advantage of people. Whether they prey to exploit the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis or to steal identities, the USAO wants you to recognize examples of what to avoid:

“These scams are particularly insidious because they manipulate and capitalize on victims’ fears and vulnerabilities in order to turn a profit.  We are best able to prevent and limit the damage caused by fraudsters when victims exercise diligence and follow their gut instincts.  If something sounds too good to be true, or strikes you as strange or unusual, listen to your gut, and contact a legitimate government agency to verify whatever information you have been given,” said Assistant United States Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll.   

Examples of common scams include:

Treatment scams:  Scammers offering to sell fake cures, vaccines and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.

Supply scams:  Scammers creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.

Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.

Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19. 

Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.

App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information. 

Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information. 

Unemployment benefit scams: Scammers are also contacting individuals and purporting to represent unemployment benefit agencies and offering to submit applications for COVID-related unemployment benefits.  State agencies do not independently initiate applications for unemployment benefits, and individuals should be aware that it is unlawful to receive employment benefits from a state in which you have never been employed.  Individuals should be vigilant about not providing any personal identifying information, such as a social security number or a bank account number

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Elijah Moore to 360 months in prison today. The 38-year-old Warrenton, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to kill a federal officer, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of carjacking.

On July 29, 2019, a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the U.S. Marshals Service went to a residence in Wentzville to assist the St. Charles County Police Department in an attempt to locate a suspect in a Warren County home invasion.

The TFO noticed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle taken during the home invasion robbery. St. Charles County SWAT found two people and made two arrests. One of those arrested told officers Moore had fled from the residence, tried leaving in the stolen vehicle, but it became stuck in the mud.

Later in the afternoon, a nearby homeowner discovered his home had burglarized and reported several firearms, ammunition and a vehicle as stolen. The TFO and a St. Charles County Police Department detective who was assisting in the operation located Moore later that day.  Moore was the passenger in a blue Mustang driven by a female. The blue Mustang fled from officers at a high rate of speed until it stopped in a gravel parking lot. Moore jumped from the vehicle and fired multiple shots at the officers.

The TFO and detective prepared to return fire; however, the driver of the blue Mustang screamed that there were children in the vehicle. Fearing injury to the children, the officers did not return fire, allowing Moore to escape through the woods while continuing to shoot at officers.  Moore then stole a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from a nearby business, firing shots to ward off law enforcement and others.  Moore once again fled, shooting at pursing officers.  He eventually crashed, at which time a gun-battle ensued with Moore continuing to fire at officers.  Officers returned fire, striking Moore in the legs.  He was taken into custody and crime scene investigators found nearly two dozen bullets and a revolver containing three fired cartridges and three unfired bullets.

“The sentence handed down today will allow Elijah Moore to have three decades to ponder why he ever decided to shoot at law enforcement officers. Let this be a reminder to others who might ever give a moment’s thought of shooting at law enforcement officers: it’s a fast track to prison,” said U.S. Marshal John Jordan.

“Our office will not tolerate individuals, like Elijah Moore, who commit violent crimes against law enforcement and others. The brave men and women of area law enforcement are to be commended for risking their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “This is a good example of our federal, state and local partners working together to make the community a safer place for everyone.”       

The St. Charles County and Wentzville Police Departments, United States Marshals Service and St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – Maurice Woodson, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty 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 appeared today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey who accepted the plea. 

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 $1 million, among other things.

In furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, Woodson was recruited to kill victim B.E.  Woodson agreed to commit the murder.  On December 5, 2013, Woodson intentionally shot and killed B.E. as B.E. attempted 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 victim D.J. in furtherance of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy.  On November 28, 2014, Woodson lured victim D.J. to a meeting.  When D.J. arrived at the 900 block of Harlan, Woodson intentionally shot and killed D.J.  Victim D.J. died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Two others who accompanied victim D.J. 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 judge will sentence Woodson in June 2021. In exchange for his guilty plea, the parties will jointly recommend to the Court that Woodson be imprisoned for 276 months. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; 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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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Michael Saffold to 121 months in prison today. The 27-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, earlier this month, to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On June 23, 2019, Saffold approached the register of the Family Dollar in the 8900 block of Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Saffold gave the cashier money for Starburst candy.  The cashier opened the cash register to complete the transaction. Saffold then displayed a black semiautomatic handgun to the cashier and demanded money. The cashier complied with Saffold’s demands and gave him all of the money in the cash register drawer. Saffold then escaped.  

Family Dollar surveillance footage later revealed that moments before the robbery, Saffold took a glove from the store. Saffold then wore that glove during the robbery and left the open package of gloves in the store. Investigators took fingerprint lifts from the box of gloves. Those lifts were later matched to Saffold. Saffold was subsequently 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 Stephen R. Clark sentenced Lewis Brown to 135 months in prison today. The 44-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Beginning in October 2017, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents conducted an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, in the Eastern District of Missouri. On November 15, 2017, officers with the McAlester, Oklahoma Police Department stopped a car for speeding. Occupants of the vehicle included Brown, his two co-defendants, and the registered owner of the vehicle. Officers seized narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and $10,499 in cash from the car.

Investigators obtained a court-authorized warrant to install a GPS tracker on a car known to be driven by Brown and a co-defendant. The tracking device revealed the vehicle repeatedly traveled to a residence in the 24000 block of Sweet Lane in Waynesville, Missouri.

Agents observed multiple cars, including the car stopped for speeding in Oklahoma, make brief stops at the residence and depart shortly after, which is a common indicator of narcotics sales.  The court issued a search warrant for the residence, which investigators executed on February 14, 2018. During the execution of the warrant, investigators took into custody one of Brown’s co-defendants. Officers also seized a home surveillance system, various firearms and narcotics, and cell phones.

A search warrant obtained and executed on the seized home surveillance system revealed Wilkins and a co-defendant were using the home on Sweet Lane to distribute narcotics, including fentanyl, in Waynesville.

In July 2018, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 30 grams of fentanyl and 10 grams of crack cocaine from Brown in St. Louis County. Brown conducted a hand-to-hand transaction with a confidential informant in exchange for money. Following that sale, officers searched a home in the 1200 block of Chaparall Creek Drive in Hazelwood where Brown was found to be in possession of $29,812 in cash and multiple cell phones containing a co-defendants’ contact information. Investigators also discovered an electric grinder and digital scale both containing drug residue.

Investigators subsequently learned that Brown traveled to Pulaski County two times a week for more than a year to deliver narcotics for distribution.

“Working together with other agencies pays off and helps rid our communities of drugs and illegal possession of firearms,” said Pulaski County Sheriff Jimmy Bench.

“The joint cooperation between local and federal agencies is imperative to the successful apprehension and prosecution of individuals who engage in continuing criminal activity,” said St. Louis County Police Chief Mary Barton.

The FBI, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey Ogden is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – In a complaint filed February 23, 2021, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the government alleges Elizabeth Dembo unlawfully dispensed controlled substances to patients during her time as the pharmacist-in-charge of Olive Street Pharmacy, LLC. The retail pharmacy is located in the 10000 block of Old Olive Street Road, in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Dembo repeatedly filled prescriptions while disregarding ample warning signs of diversion, or “red flags,” indicating the prescriptions were not legitimate.

The complaint accuses Dembo of routinely filling prescriptions for Subsys, an oral fentanyl spray, which is subject to heightened FDA restrictions and indicated only for opioid-tolerant patients experiencing breakthrough pain due to cancer.  The complaint states Dembo dispensed high dosages of Subsys to patients despite knowing they did not qualify for the drug.  The complaint also states the vast majority of the Subsys Dembo dispensed was prescribed by Philip Dean, a Warrenton, Missouri neurologist who pleaded guilty to illegally distributing prescription opioids in 2018, including to women with whom he had lived and with whom he had had personal relationships.  The complaint alleges Dembo knew Dean was having intimate relationships with at least one of the women for whom he was prescribing controlled substances, but nonetheless continued to dispense Dean’s controlled substance prescriptions to her and others.

Other red flags described in the complaint include clear instances of tampering with written prescriptions; dangerous combinations of drugs commonly sought after for recreational purposes; and amounts of opioids that exceeded CDC guidance by as much as 17.5 times the recommended maximum daily dosage.  Despite these warning signs, the complaint alleges, Dembo continuously dispensed prescriptions she knew or should have known had no medical purpose.

The complaint states this unlawful conduct resulted in numerous violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and—when the prescriptions were submitted to Medicaid or Medicare for reimbursement—violations of the False Claims Act (FCA).  The United States seeks civil penalties under the CSA, as well as treble damages and penalties under the FCA.

If Dembo is found liable for violating the CSA, she could face civil penalties of up to $67,627 for each unlawful prescription filled.  If she is found liable for violating the FCA, she could face treble damages for fraudulent prescriptions billed to Medicaid and Medicare, as well as penalties from $11,665 and up to $23,331 per fraudulent prescription.

“As we continue to battle a national health emergency involving opioid abuse, we rely heavily upon pharmacists to do their part in ensuring prescriptions for controlled substances are filled and dispensed for legitimate medical purposes,” said Inez Davis, Diversion Program Manager of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division. “Now more than ever, due diligence on the part of the entire medical community is needed to ensure prescription opioid medications are prescribed and dispensed appropriately. Pharmacists can be considered a last line of defense in preventing the diversion of prescription drugs.”

“When a pharmacist fails in their responsibility to follow the requirements of the Controlled Substance Act, they compromise public trust and may cause great harm to our citizens and communities,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “We will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to hold accountable individuals that put the public at risk.”

 

The claims made in the complaint are allegations the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial.

The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Sestric is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS –Harry Hamm, 79, of Chesterfield, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of access with intent to view child pornography. Hamm appeared, Wednesday, before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark.

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: (1) deleted images of child pornography on Hamm’s Acer laptop; (2) deleted web history showing searches for a viewing of child pornography on Hamm’s iPad; and (3) 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.

Each charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine. The charge of access with intent to view child pornography carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine.

Judge Clark has not yet set a sentencing date for Hamm.

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 – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Kevin White to 120 months in prison today. The 27-year-old Hazelwood, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Beginning in 2018 and continuing until November 20, 2019, White and his co-conspirators began distributing large quantities of fentanyl in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Their initial supplier was Juan Gonzalez, who was charged in a separate indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Gonzalez continued to supply White and his co-conspirators until DEA and U.S. Marshals arrested Gonzalez in September 2019. Prior to his arrest, Gonzalez would either ship fentanyl through mail or hand-deliver the narcotics to co-conspirators who traveled to Arizona at the request of co-conspirators including Marcius Futrell. Futrell was also charged with drug conspiracy in the same case as Gonzalez. While Gonzalez and Futrell were fugitives from the charges in that indictment, they continued to conspire with White and others to distribute fentanyl.

After September 2019, White and his co-conspirators then obtained another source of fentanyl in Arizona and continued their distribution. Once the raw fentanyl arrived in the the St. Louis area, co-conspirators would "cut" or "stretch" the fentanyl with products like Dormin to increase its volume and their profit. The cut fentanyl was then put in capsules and sold by members of the conspiracy. The conspiracy was responsible for distributing in excess of four kilograms of fentanyl.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Louis County and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling this case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry Autrey sentenced Stephanie Baker to 12 months and one day in prison along with restitution to the victims in the amount of $192,336.74 today. The 48-year-old O’Fallon, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to three counts of mail fraud related to her former position in the accounting department of Prairie Farms Dairy Supply Company.

Baker was an employee of Prairie Farms, working in that company’s accounting department. Baker’s duties and responsibilities included applying and allocating Prairie Farms customer payments to their customer accounts. As part of her duties, Baker would routinely receive checks from Prairie Farms customers, and make accounting entries to apply those checks to each customer’s account and therefore reduce the balance owed to Prairie Farms of that particular customer account by the amount of the check received.

C.S. owned and operated a Dairy Queen restaurant franchise in southern Illinois. DQ Columbia maintained an account at Prairie Farms and purchased and received products from Prairie Farms on a regular basis.  DQ Columbia was required under its franchise agreement to order and receive substantially all its food, dairy products and supplies from Prairie Farms. 

Beginning in or about March, 2018 and continuing through in or about December, 2018, Baker devised, intended to devise, and knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Prairie Farms and C.S., in an approximate amount of $192,336.74, by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.

Baker received and applied payments from Prairie Farms customers other than DQ Columbia to DQ Columbia’s account.  DQ Columbia, therefore, received credit and a reduction it its account balance for payments that were not made by DQ Columbia, but instead were made by other Prairie Farms customers.  Further, the other Prairie Farms customers who made the actual payments did not receive credit and a reduction in their own account balances.  As part of her scheme, Baker misapplied approximately $143,933.74 in other customer payments to the DQ Columbia account. Baker withheld and did not mail out statements to the other Prairie Farms customers so that those other customers would not realize that their prior payments to Prairie Farms had not been credited to their accounts. 

Baker falsely represented, to C.S., for DQ Columbia to continue receiving food, dairy products and supplies from Prairie Farms, C.S. needed to make cash payments personally to Baker.  At Baker’s direction, C.S. met with Baker on numerous occasions and delivered cash to Baker based upon Baker’s false representations that she would deliver the cash to Prairie Farms and credit DQ Columbia’s account accordingly.  In fact, Baker kept the cash she received from C.S., did not credit DQ Columbia’s account for the cash payments, and used the cash for her own personal use, including for the boarding and related expenses for show horses and other general living expenses, unrelated to the legitimate business of Prairie Farms.  C.S. met with Baker on numerous occasions and made cash payments to Baker totaling approximately $48,403.00.  Prairie Farms and its owners had no knowledge of the cash payments which C.S. made to Baker and received no portion of these cash payments. 

Baker received numerous checks from Prairie Farms customers through the U.S. mail and as part of her scheme misapplied those payments as credits to the account of DQ Columbia.       .

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Tara Sabatini to 30 months in prison today. The 45-year-old St. Charles, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to one count of wire fraud.

Sabatini was employed as the “Senior Director of Sales” by a company located in St. Louis, Missouri that sold wholesale amounts of food to various commercial customers, typically grocery store chains. The company provided Ms. Sabatini with a company-funded corporate credit card and authorized her to use the credit card for official business, including work travel and some client expenses.

During 2017 and 2018, Sabatini used her corporate credit card to fund personal expenses, including but not limited to purchasing luxury ticket packages from a Major League Baseball team located in New York. She frequently engaged in electronic communications with New York employees of the team for ticket purchase and delivery purposes. After receiving these tickets, Sabatini attended some of the baseball games and also gave some of the tickets to her friends and family. Sabatini further sold some of the baseball tickets through an Internet service and spent the proceeds of the ticket sales on her personal expenses.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Roman Frenchie to 60 months in prison today. The 22-year-old Overland, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Beginning in 2018 and continuing until November 20, 2019, Frenchie and his co-conspirators began distributing large quantities of fentanyl in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Their initial supplier was Juan Gonzalez, who was charged in a separate indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Gonzalez continued to supply Frenchie and his co-conspirators until DEA and U.S. Marshals arrested Gonzalez in September 2019. Prior to his arrest, Gonzalez would either ship fentanyl through mail or hand-deliver the narcotics to co-conspirators who traveled to Arizona at the request of co-conspirators including Marcius Futrell. Futrell was also charged with drug conspiracy in the same case as Gonzalez. While Gonzalez and Futrell were fugitives from the charges in that indictment, they continued to conspire with Frenchie and others to distribute fentanyl.

After September 2019, Frenchie and his co-conspirators then obtained another source of fentanyl in Arizona and continued their distribution. Once the raw fentanyl arrived in the the St. Louis area, co-conspirators would "cut" or "stretch" the fentanyl with products like Dormin to increase its volume and their profit. The cut fentanyl was then put in capsules and sold by members of the conspiracy. The conspiracy was responsible for distributing in excess of four kilograms of fentanyl.

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

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ST. LOUIS – Brandon Shell, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Shell appeared today before United States District Stephen R. Clark, who set sentencing for May 13, 2021. 

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 – Andre McIntosh, 49, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. McIntosh entered his guilty plea today before United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk. McIntosh is set to be sentenced on May 13, 2021.

Just before midnight on January 7, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolling the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood discovered that 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 started to run from the officers as they approached him. While running from the 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 to be reported stolen, and a post-arrest search of McIntosh 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 investigated this case.

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ST. LOUIS – Michael Saffold, 27, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Saffold appeared today before United States District Judge John A. Ross who accepted the plea and set sentencing for February 25, 2021. 

On June 23, 2019, Saffold approached the register of the Family Dollar at 8971 Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri.  Saffold gave the cashier money for Starburst candy.  The cashier opened the cash register to complete the transaction.  Saffold then displayed a black semiautomatic handgun to the cashier, demanding money.  The cashier complied with Saffold’s demands, giving him all of the money in the cash register drawer.  Saffold then escaped. 

Family Dollar surveillance footage later revealed that Saffold took a glove from the store, in the moments before the robbery.  Saffold then wore that glove during the robbery, leaving the open package of gloves in the store.  Investigators took fingerprint lifts from the box of gloves.  Those lifts were later matched to Saffold.  Saffold was subsequently arrested and charged.

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

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ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury, on Wednesday, indicted 49-year-old Richard Rief on 14 counts of failure to collect and pay over employment taxes and two counts of failure to file or pay tax.

According to the indictment, Richard Rief owned and operated Med Plus Staffing, LLC (MPS) and Rief Healthcare (RHC).  MPS was a healthcare staffing business and RHC was a hospice care business. Both businesses were based in St. Louis County.

Rief filed IRS forms reporting employment taxes due and owing but failed to pay those taxes, except when necessary to convince the IRS to delay a levy or accept an installment agreement. In total, Rief failed to pay more than $522,270 in employment taxes which had been withheld from employees’ paychecks and were due to the federal government. 

In addition, Rief failed to pay his individual income tax liability in 2015 and 2016, instead he chose to spend the money on lavish purchases. In 2017, while Rief faced back taxes for both his businesses and himself, he spent large sums of money on a 50-foot yacht, a Maserati and a hangar for his airplane. In total, during the calendar years alleged in the indictment, Rief failed to pay approximately $107,332 in individual taxes owed.

For each count of willful failure to collect or pay over tax, Rief faces no more than five years in prison and/or a fine of no more than $10,000.

For each count of willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax, Rief faces no more than one year in prison and/or a fine of no more than $25,000.

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 IRS investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Box handled the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Amos Vonzell Blanchard, Jr. to 54 months in prison today. The 45-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base.

Beginning in 2018, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department began an investigation into a group of cocaine and cocaine base distributors operating in and around St. Louis County. Blanchard, Jr., along with others, was obtaining cocaine and cocaine base for redistribution.

On January 15, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Blanchard, Jr.’s stash house in the 6400 block of Ridge Avenue. Detectives observed Blanchard, Jr. holding a black latex glove while trying to open a bedroom window from inside the residence. The glove was found to contain more than 66 individual clear plastic baggies of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine, 52 tablets of methamphetamine and a small amount of powder cocaine.

This case was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case.

 

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Clint Patrick Baer to 96 months in prison today. The 42-year-old Centralia, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to using interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

Baer contacted an individual, in March 2019, he believed was the mother of a 14-year-old girl through a social networking site.  Over the course of several months, Baer exchanged sexually detailed and explicit text messages and phone calls, via social media, with her.  In Baer’s sexually explicit messages, he expressed his desire to engage in sexual activity with the 14-year old girl as well as the mother.  In reality, Baer was speaking with an undercover FBI agent.

On October 1, 2019, Baer contacted the undercover agent, believing he was speaking with the mother of the 14-year-old girl, and set up a time and location to have sexual activity with the mother of the child and the 14-year-old girl.  On October 7, 2019, Baer travelled from Centralia, Missouri, to Wentzville, Missouri, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with both. Baer was arrested in Wentzville.   

Clint Baer was employed as a police officer with the Centralia Police Department located in Centralia, Missouri at the time.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Saint Charles Police Department are investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is prosecuting the case.  

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Denis Mikhlin to 108 months in prison today. The judge also ordered Mikhlin to pay restitution. The 41-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in August, to four felony counts of conspiracy, obtaining oxycodone and other opioid drugs by fraud and deceit, receiving illegal kickbacks in return for sending urine specimens to Central Diagnostic Laboratory for medically unnecessary testing, and causing the Medicare and Medicaid programs to pay $4,704,568 for medically unnecessary prescription drugs and drug tests.

Mikhlin conspired with Dr. Jerry Leech and others to issue and distribute illegal prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances to patients. Mikhlin and his co-conspirators knew the patients did not have a legitimate medical need for drugs and instead were abusing the drugs or selling them.

Additionally, Mikhlin recruited individuals and paid them for the use of their names on the fraudulent prescriptions. Once the prescriptions were filled, some of the drugs were returned to Mikhlin and the rest were kept by the individuals or sold to others. To conceal this illegal activity, Mikhlin and others created patient files, falsely indicating the patients had been examined by the prescribing doctors and the patients were regularly monitored and tested.

On February 2, 2021, co-defendant Dr. Jerry Leech pleaded guilty to four felony counts for his actions related to this conspiracy and fraud scheme. His sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2021.

Co-defendants Erin Herman, Vladimir Kogan, Ebony Price, Tijuana Spates, and Erica Spates have also pleaded guilty. All are scheduled for sentencing in May 2021.

The case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Missouri Attorney’s General Office and the U.S. Department of Defense. Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy McMurtry is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Audrey Fleissig sentenced Michael Malone to 12 months and 1 day in prison today.  Malone was also ordered to make restitution to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the amount of $2,362,761.33.   The 42-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in August, to three counts of wire fraud connected to a scheme to defraud and obtain education funds from the State of Missouri relative to the operation of the St. Louis College Prep Charter School from 2011 through 2018.  

The St. Louis College Prep Charter School (“SLCP”) was a Missouri Charter School located in St. Louis, Missouri. From April 2011 through June 2015, it operated out of leased premises located in the 2900 block of South Grand Avenue, at which time it purchased a building in the 1200 block of Grattan Street, where it operated until the school’s closing in May 2019.  During its final school year of 2018-2019, SLCP served students in grades six through twelve. As a Missouri Charter School, SLCP was tuition free and funded by Missouri and federal education funds. SLCP received its state funding through Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) based upon SLCP’s reported student attendance. Per-student funding is based on average daily attendance, how often students are reported to be in the school, rather than enrollment. Malone founded SLCP and served as the Executive Director of SLCP from the school’s inception during 2011 until his resignation on November 1, 2018. Malone was actively involved in the day-to-day management and administration of SLCP, maintained his office in the primary school building and was responsible for reporting the SLCP student attendance numbers to DESE in order for DESE to calculate SLCP’s state funding.

As part of his scheme, Malone falsely inflated SLCP students’ average daily attendance in his reports to DESE. For four of the seven school years between 2011-2012 and 2017-2018, Malone reported students’ average daily attendance in excess of SLCP’s actual enrollment. For example, during the 2013-2014 school year, Malone reported average daily attendance of 220, when actual enrollment at SLCP was only 191 students. During the 2016-2017 school year, Malone reported average daily attendance of 326, when actual enrollment at SLCP was only 290 students. These falsely inflated average daily attendance numbers reported by Malone to DESE resulted in increased state funding to SLCP.

SCLP operated on a year-long school schedule and an extended school day with no summer school and no remedial classes. However, as part of his scheme, Malone inflated student attendance numbers by falsely claiming regular school days and hours as summer school or remedial hours, increasing the state funding received from DESE. Malone also falsely inflated actual student daily attendance. For example, during the 2016-2017 school year, Malone inflated the daily attendance records of 81 out of 333 students, or 24% of the actual SLCP student body.  During the 2017-2018 school year, Malone inflated the daily attendance records of 188 out of 319 students, or 59% of the actual SLCP student body. Inflated hours totaled approximately 10,044 hours for the 2016-2017 school year and approximately 13,255 hours for the 2017-2018 school year.

Malone used the fraudulently obtained increase in state funding, approximately $2,400,000, to maintain SLCP’s ongoing operations during a period when costs to operate the school were increasing significantly. Malone also used the increased state funding to give SLCP a competitive advantage over St. Louis Public Schools and other St. Louis Charter Schools when recruiting students. As Missouri state funding follows the student, each St. Louis resident student successfully recruited to SLCP meant an increase in funding for SLCP and a decrease in funding for St. Louis Public Schools. The additional funds provided to SLCP were used to pay for resources which were not equally accessible to St. Louis Public Schools and other St. Louis Charter Schools.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the cooperation and assistance of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Ronnie L. White sentenced Tayon Hutchins-Fowler to 12 months and one day in prison today. The 43-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in December, to one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration and one count of wire fraud regarding a scheme to defraud Mercedes Benz. 

Hutchins-Fowler submitted an application to the U.S. Social Security Administration for disability payments in which she claimed to be disabled and unable to work because of major depression and other conditions. In reliance on her representations, SSA paid Hutchins-Fowler periodic disability payments from November 2012 through March 2019. These SSA payments totaled approximately $200,000.

During 2012-17, Hutchins-Fowler owned a home health care business and annually received over $100,000 in income from this business during 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Ms. Hutchins Fowler made a series of false statements to SSA in order to continue to receive disability payments from SSA, telling the agency she had not worked, had not received income from working, and had difficulty with shopping, driving, understanding directions, remembering, and getting along with people.

During December 2017, Ms. Hutchins-Fowler purchased a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC 43 automobile at a dealership located in St. Louis, Missouri, using falsified monthly bank statements, checks, corporate records and tax materials to fraudulently obtain financing for the vehicle.

"This case exemplifies the collaborative nature of our investigative work protecting Social Security’s critical programs from fraud," said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.  “I want to thank the FBI for working with us to bring this individual to justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support of our investigation.”

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

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ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted 40-year-old Sherri Welch on two counts of theft or receipt of stolen mail this week. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the help of the Hazelwood Police Department, arrested Welch on Thursday.

According to the indictment, on or about December 28, 2020, Welch stole a package addressed to another person in the 11000 block of Craig Manor Drive in St. Louis, MO. Also on December 28, 2020, Welch stole a package addressed to another person in the 6800 block of Teson Road in Hazelwood, MO.

For each count, Welch faces a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  

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 Hazelwood Police Department and U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney John Ware is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted 25-year-old Cevone Weeden and 35-year-old Herschell Perkins on one count, each, of discharge of one or more firearms in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime causing death. The same federal grand jury also indicted Weeden on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess, with the intent to distribute, controlled substances, including fentanyl.

According to charging documents, on or about August 20, 2020, Weeden coordinated with an associate to learn the whereabouts of the victim, who had robbed Weeden of a quantity of narcotics two days prior during a drug deal. Upon learning of the victim’s location on North Hampton Avenue near I-64, Weeden contacted Perkins, who drove the two to this location. 

Weeden and Perkins proceeded to drive to various parking lots and side streets in the victim’s immediate vicinity.  Shortly before the shooting, Perkins removed the license plates from his vehicle and Weeden turned his phone off. Just after 8:00 p.m., Perkins pulled his vehicle onto a side street across from the victim’s location, at which point Weeden emerged from this same location, crossed Hampton Avenue on foot and shot the victim multiple times while he sat in his vehicle.  Weeden then returned to Perkins’ vehicle and the two fled the area.

The defendants face a maximum punishment of life in prison, death, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

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. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey Ogden is handling the case.

ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Joshua Braman to 120 months in prison today. The 37-year-old Crystal City, Missouri resident previously pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, specifically a sawed-off shotgun.

In fact, on September 17, 2019, Joshua Braman beat a victim with the sawed-off shotgun and punched her dozens of times, causing her to bleed from her mouth and nose, to black out, and to ultimately need medical treatment.  During the course of the assault, Braman bit his victim, keeping her in a stolen Mercury Grand Marquis, as he continued his assault.  Braman also threatened to shoot this victim, dump her body in the river, and kill himself. 

On October 23, 2019, Braman was apprehended at a residence in Campbell, Missouri.  Not only did Braman have the stolen Grand Marquis parked outside the residence, but the sawed-off shotgun used to assault Braman’s victim, a 12 gauge Ever Best shotgun, was inside the vehicle. 

“The courage the victim demonstrated during the judicial process is admirable,” said Colonel Mary T. Barton, St. Louis County Chief of Police. “I appreciate the manner in which the United States Attorney’s Office handled this case, and as always, I am extremely proud of the dedication of the officers of the St. Louis County Police Department.”

Sarah Pingsterhaus, Victim’s Advocate for the U.S. Attorney’s Office says, “Felon in possession offenses are often viewed as victimless crimes, but this is not always the case.” Oftentimes, these cases come to fruition as a result of law enforcement responding to a domestic violence call and discovering the abuser is a previously convicted felon who is in possession of a firearm.”

Domestic violence is growing at an alarming rate across the country, enhanced by the current pandemic.  Stay-at-home orders were put in place to keep the public safe from the spread of the virus, but it also forced survivors to shelter in place with their abusers. 

In June 2020, a representative from the Crime Victim Center reported “in April 2020 there was a 225% increase in domestic violence calls in the county and a 25% increase in the city." 

If you are a victim of domestic violence, visit www.startherestl.org, for a list of organizations that can help, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 656-4673.

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced W.T. Cortez Lakes to 77 months in prison today. The 34-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to assault or murder federal officers and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Lakes boarded a MetroLink train, on November 24, 2018, without a valid ticket. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department removed Lakes from the train for failing to produce a valid ticket. Lakes began acting suspicious while on the train platform and was repeatedly reaching into his pant pockets. As officers tried to do a pat-down search, Lakes turned and ran onto the railroad tracks. He left his backpack behind. A subsequent search of the backpack found a 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun. It was loaded with 16 rounds and contained a magazine with a capacity for 18 rounds. Lakes, before November 24, 2018, was a convicted felon.

On November 26, 2018, Lakes called his probation officer to report the law enforcement contact. He admitted to her he was in possession of the firearm. This started a series of calls over eight days in which Lakes became increasingly agitated and stated he thought his supervision was going to be revoked. On December 3, 2018, Lakes left a voicemail with his probation officer. He stated he was “not going back to prison.”  He warned, “When y’all come for me make sure y’all have your shit locked and loaded,” and “When y’all come don't have y’all guns in your holsters cause I'm shooting, I'm shooting, I swear to God. I'm not playing man cause I'm not going back to prison.”

In making these threats, Lakes was threatening his probation officer and any officers of the United States Marshals Service who may come to arrest him on a supervised release revocation warrant.

“Simply, our office will not tolerate threats or violence directed toward those who have committed their lives to protecting our communities,” said Sayler A. Fleming, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. “Should you engage in such actionable behavior, we will aggressively and relentlessly prosecute you to fullest extent of the law.”

“Today, justice was served in the case of W.T. Lakes. When he made threats to kill federal law enforcement officers for carrying out their sworn duty, it did not deter us from doing our job and he committed a crime in doing so.  W.T. Lakes will have ample time to reflect on this mistake while serving out his sentence at the Bureau of Prisons,” John Jordan, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The United States Marshals Service and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced LeVaughn Neal to 156 months in prison today. The 36-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration learned, in August 2019, Neal and a co-defendant were involved in significant methamphetamine distribution in the St. Louis area. The United States Postal Inspection Service, at the same time, was conducting surveillance of suspicious packages mailed from Arizona to St. Louis.

On October 17, 2019, postal inspectors intercepted a suspicious package mailed from Scottsdale, Arizona to a vacant home in Jennings, Missouri. The addressee was not associated with the vacant home. DEA agents conducted surveillance on the vacant house and saw Neal parked in a vehicle near the house. The DEA conducted a controlled delivery of the package and left it on the front porch of the vacant house. Agents then watched Neal get out of a vehicle and pick-up the package off the porch.

Agents tried to arrest Neal, but he dropped the package and ran. Agents eventually arrested Neal and executed a search warrant to search the package. Inside the package, agents found zip-lock bags of crystal methamphetamine wrapped in duct tape and a vacuum-sealed bag inside bubble wrap. Neal admitted he chose the vacant address for delivery and the package should contain five pounds of methamphetamine. A forensics lab confirmed the package contained 2,217 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Neal ultimately admitted to being responsible for distributing between 1.5 kilograms and 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced James Lamont Fields to 120 months in prison today. The 23-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Fields, along with three other co-defendants, was involved in a conspiracy in December 2016 to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.

As part of the conspiracy to distribute the fentanyl, a co-defendant maintained multiple cell phones that were passed among members of the conspiracy and which drug customers would call in order to procure fentanyl. At various times, multiple co-defendants and Fields agreed to maintain possession of the phone and distribute fentanyl to the customers on behalf of the conspiracy. During the investigation, federal agents and assisting police officers utilized undercover officers and confidential informants to do controlled purchases of fentanyl from whoever was in possession of the common cell phone. On at least one occasion, Fields answered the cell phone and distributed fentanyl to an undercover officer in the city of St. Louis.

Additionally, Fields kept in touch with his co-conspirators regarding the activities of the conspiracy even during periods of incarceration. On December 3, 2016, Fields placed a call from the St. Louis City Justice Center to a phone number and received updates from co-conspirators regarding drug trafficking and the shooting death of David Bryant.

On April 11, which was after Fields’ release from the St. Louis City Justice Center, officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received a call for multiple offenders fleeing from police at a high rate of speed in a stolen vehicle. When officers spotted the vehicle, Fields fled from it and led officers on a foot chase in Downtown St. Louis. When officers found Fields, he was in possession of a bag containing a Glock model 23C, .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm and a knotted baggie containing clear capsules totaling 11.68 grams of fentanyl. Fields told officers the firearm was stolen, and he was a convicted felon. Fields agrees he responsible for more than 400 grams, but less than 1.2 kilograms.

This case was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis Division of the FBI, the St. Louis Division of the DEA, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service and the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department.

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ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Richard Enloe, Jr to 125 months in prison today. The 40-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On September 1, 2019, St. Louis County Police responded to a 911 call regarding a possible drug overdose at a gas station on Butler Hill Road. An officer arrived and found Enloe, Jr. and a woman asleep inside a running vehicle at a gas pump. The officer also noticed drug paraphernalia and controlled substances on the vehicle’s console.

After the officer knocked on the window, Enloe, Jr. and the woman woke up. The officer searched the vehicle and found three pistols, 223 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a scale and multiple plastic bags. Enloe, Jr., a previously convicted felon, admitted possessing the firearms and intending to distribute the drugs.  

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jen Szczucinski is handling the case as part of the Safer Streets Initiative, which was launched by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri in 2019 as an unprecedented state and federal partnership to prosecute violent crime in St. Louis.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Clyde Jefferson to 120 months in prison today. The 27-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, last October, to five counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  The robberies occurred on August 3, September 21, and October 8, 2018, and on January 8 and 29, 2019 in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

The victims placed ads to sell their iPhones on various online marketplaces including Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Letgo.  Jefferson responded to those ads and arranged to meet the victims purportedly to complete the purchase of the phones.  When Jefferson and the victims met, Jefferson gave the victims counterfeit currency in exchange for their iPhones and brandished a firearm before stealing their phones.

U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming adds, “While using online platforms such as these is especially convenient for us all, I strongly encourage everyone to take precautions. Consider conducting your transactions in a public place and with a friend or family member, never divulge personal information, and arrange in advance for an e-transfer or instant payment, if possible.”

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Richmond Heights Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

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ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Marshals arrested 16 people Tuesday as the result of a federal grand jury indictment returned January 6, 2021, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

For more than a year, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Jefferson County Municipal Enforcement Group, conducted an investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of crystal methamphetamine in the St. Louis region, with a network connected to Los Angeles, California.

According to the indictment, on June 18, 2020, investigators joined with the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to execute search warrants at locations associated with Dedrick Jordan, Joseph Holliman and Brandon Thomas. Investigators seized more than $140,000 in cash, crystal methamphetamine and high-grade marijuana, as well as two assault rifles and four handguns. Another gun was seized from a secret compartment in a vehicle, which was stopped on its way to St. Louis, containing 28 pounds of methamphetamine with a purity level of more than 90 percent. 

Four of the individuals indicted are from Los Angeles, with the remainder being based in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The defendants are:

Brendon Darnell Thomas, 44, of St. Louis

Joseph Robert Holliman, 46, of St. Louis

Dedrick Deshon Jordan, 32, of Los Angeles

Terry James Williams, 34, of Carson, California

Clifford Dwight Davis, Jr., 40, of Los Angeles

Maria D. Flores-Cervantes, 32, of Los Angeles

Jacqueline Renee Harris, 39, of St. Charles

Thomas William Fogle, 41, of Bonne Terre, Mo.

Richard Leroy Clark, 61, of Farmington, Mo.

Sarah Nicole Reynolds, 36, of DeSoto, Mo.

Joseph Michael Suraud, 41, of Arnold, Mo.

Alexandra Marni Chambers, 27, of Arnold, Mo.

Deidre Denise Medcalf, 51, of Eureka, Mo.

David Michael Nuelle, 34, of St. Louis

Matthew Joseph Aubin, 43, of Imperial, Mo.

Kevin John Karll, 66, of High Ridge, Mo.

Ebony Silinzy, 43, of St. Louis, was indicted separately for obtaining firearms on behalf of Holliman, who is a convicted felon and prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. Thomas and Holliman, who are previously convicted felons, were also charged with unlawful possession of firearms.

“It takes a collective effort with our DEA counterparts to identify and investigate members of these illegal drug trafficking organizations,” noted Marissa Lee, DEA St. Louis Division Acting Assistant Agent in Charge. “As a result, this investigation yielded a successful outcome on the dismantlement of a major criminal enterprise.”

“Criminals who use the U.S. mail to transport illegal and dangerous narcotics into our nation’s communities will be brought to justice,” said William Hedrick, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “With the assistance from our state and federal law enforcement partners, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue its investigative efforts toward targeting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations.”

“HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to keeping criminal enterprises from distributing dangerous narcotics in our communities,” said Greg Paris, Resident Agent in Charge of HSI, St. Louis. “We are proud of the work accomplished with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.”

“The investigation lasted approximately 15 months and involved nearly a dozen law enforcement agencies,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “This multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional investigation returned results consistent with the hard work law enforcement in our community demonstrate every day to rid our community of armed drug traffickers.”

The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10 million or both. The money laundering offense carries a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000, consecutive to any other sentence imposed. The defendants charged with being felons in possession of a firearm face a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty. 

Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case. The investigation involved the following law enforcement agencies: DEA, HSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, St. Charles City and County Police, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Arnold Police Department and the Normandy Police Department, all in Missouri.

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ST. LOUIS, MO –Tracy Douglas Hyden, 55, of Jefferson County, Missouri, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.

According to a plea agreement, in 2018 and 2019, investigators discovered that methamphetamine distributors operating in and around Jefferson County, Missouri, including Hyden and several of his co-defendants, were traveling to the City of St. Louis to obtain large quantities of crystal methamphetamine for redistribution in Jefferson County and elsewhere.  

In August of 2019, DEA agents conducting surveillance observed Hyden meeting with a co-defendant who was supplying methamphetamine near the Central West End neighborhood in the City of St. Louis.  Following a transaction that occurred near a stash-house utilized by co-conspirators near the 4100 block of Westminster, investigators stopped Hyden and ultimately located approximately 110 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his vehicle.

Hyden faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years and a maximum term of life and/or a fine of not more than $10,000,000.

Judge Limbaugh has set sentencing for April 15, 2021.        

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Multi County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit investigated this case.

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

According to a plea agreement, 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 charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a penalty of not less than five years, and not more than life, in prison and/or a fine of not more than $250,000.

Judge Perry has set sentencing for April 12, 2021.          

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, MO – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Lynese Cargill to 21 months in prison and ordered Cargill to make restitution to the victim in the amount of $707,964.35today. The 51-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in September, to three counts of wire fraud related to her former position as vice president and chief financial officer of Common Ground Public Relations, Inc.

Cargill was one of the two founders of Common Ground and served as the firm’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Beginning in or about 2008 and continuing through in or about March 31, 2020, Cargill devised, and knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Common Ground by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises in the total amount of $785,615.25.

Cargill issued 80 unauthorized bank checks to herself written on Common Ground’s bank account totaling $198,980.23. In order to conceal this aspect of her fraudulent scheme, Cargill made false and misleading entries in the internal financial and accounting records of Common Ground, purporting to make these unauthorized bank checks appear to be legitimate when, in fact, she knew they were not.

Cargill was issued both a Citibank MasterCard credit card and an American Express credit card by Common Ground to be used to pay for legitimate company expenses, such as necessary travel and other business expenses. Cargill used both of her company issued credit cards to make personal purchases, unrelated to the legitimate business and operations of Common Ground.  Cargill's unauthorized credit card charges were for such personal expenses as airfare, hotels, automobiles, clothing, cosmetics, medi-spas, restaurants and miscellaneous retail purchases.  These company issued credit card purchases were done by Cargill without the knowledge and authority of Common Ground. During the period of her fraudulent scheme, Cargill made approximately 2,841 unauthorized company issued MasterCard credit card purchases for personal use items and expenses, totaling approximately $351,748.42, and an additional approximately 1,166 unauthorized company issued American Express credit card purchases for personal use items and expenses, totaling approximately $190,200.66.     

Cargill applied for and obtained two different $1,000,000 life insurance policies, but instead of naming Common Ground as the sole beneficiary, as required under the shareholder agreement, Cargill named her then husband, B.H., as the sole beneficiary on both policies. Cargill then made premium payments on both policies, totaling $5,244.00, with funds from Common Ground’s bank accounts.

Cargill also used Common Ground bank funds to pay for charges on three of her personal credit cards totaling approximately $38,516.94. None of these charges which was paid for with Common Ground funds was authorized by Common Ground, and was not for the legitimate business or operations of Common Ground.          

In order to conceal her fraudulent scheme, Cargill moved funds between Common Ground bank accounts to falsely inflate the balance of the firm’s operating account when she provided financial updates to the president and chief executive officer of the firm. In furtherance of her scheme, Cargill caused unauthorized wire transfers to be made from Common Ground’s bank account to make payments on her personal credit card charges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

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Each year, the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri observes Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) and this year is no different. On January 9, 2021, the staff will continue celebrating and honoring our brave men and women who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. 

Across the nation, these men and women – representing approximately 17,985 law enforcement agencies -- perform demanding and thankless work at the local, state, tribal and federal levels. Many often respond to and witness some of the most tragic events in our communities such as murder, suicide and domestic violence.

“On behalf of myself and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, I want to say ‘thank you’ to all of the men and women in uniform. Please know that we appreciate the sacrifices you make for all of us each and every day you leave your loved ones to selflessly and tirelessly protect our communities,” said Sayler A. Fleming, U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Missouri. “What you do matters, and it should never go unnoticed. Today and always, you have our unwavering support and respect.”

This office encourages everyone to show support for those who serve and protect. We look forward to continuing our partnership together, in 2021 and beyond, to promote justice and public safety.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Robert Hill to 25 years in prison. A jury had convicted Hill of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm on September 16, 2020.

The evidence presented at trial proved that on May 23, 2013, officers responded to a call in the 11000 block of Criterion Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. Investigators observed signs of a struggle and blood smears and during a protective sweep of the residence located and ultimately seized more than 63 functional firearms, various ammunition, and body armor. Security footage and other evidence linked the residence to Robert Hill, a previously convicted felon. Hill’s fingerprints were found on some of the firearms.

Additional evidence demonstrated Hill’s participation in a long-term, large-scale drug conspiracy involving multiple-kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from Mexican sources of supply to the St. Louis area. During the investigation, authorities seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds from Hill and his various associates. Specifically, on February 19, 2016, a Clayton Police Officer located Hill in a van with its parking lights on and making furtive movements. A records check revealed Hill had an active warrant.  Hill fled from the officer who chased him by foot throughout a Clayton residential neighborhood. Hill was ultimately apprehended and was wearing a backpack in which $77,648.30 in currency was located, as well as a drug ledger. Hill was also in possession of four cellular telephones. The cash was seized and forfeited as drug proceeds.

DEA later obtained court-authorized wiretap interceptions over various cellular telephones used by Hill and his associates, during which coded conversations revealed that Hill was negotiating for and obtaining multiple kilograms of heroin on a weekly basis for distribution and sale in the St. Louis area. The Court found Hill was responsible for more than 90 kilograms of heroin and possessed firearms in connection with the offense.

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.

U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming commended the work of the various law enforcement agencies in bringing this long-term offender to justice. “Robert Hill evaded law enforcement for several years and his drug trafficking activity did untold harm to the citizens of our district. The sentence in this case reflects that.”

 “There is no better way to begin a new year than to send the leader of a violent drug trafficking organization to prison,” said Marissa Lee, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “This ensures illegal guns and drugs aren’t on our neighborhood streets. DEA often finds that violence and drugs go hand in hand and the defendant in this case is a perfect example.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Service, St. Louis County Police Department, and Clayton Police Department investigated the case.

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Sayler A. Fleming was appointed by Attorney General William P. Barr on December 11, 2020, to replace U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. She assumed office on December 31, 2020.

“Having spent the bulk of my legal career as an Assistant United States Attorney, I am deeply humbled and honored to serve the office and federal judicial district in this capacity,” said Fleming. “I have immense respect for my colleagues, who work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law and fulfill the mission of the Department of Justice. I look forward to continuing this important and necessary work with our federal, state, and local partners.”

Fleming, as United States Attorney, is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of Missouri.  The district serves 49 counties within three divisions – Northern, Eastern and Southern. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

In her time with the office, Fleming gained extensive legal experience prosecuting and supervising violent crime cases. Fleming most recently served as the office’s Appellate Chief. 

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Fleming was an associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. Fleming, who grew up in Charleston, Missouri, also clerked for the Honorable Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. Fleming received her Bachelor’s of Accountancy from Mississippi State University and her law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – A federal grand jury indicted 21-year-old Malik Dorsey and 20-year old Darrion Gardner, both of St. Louis, Missouri, on several armed robbery and brandishing a firearm charges.

Dorsey faces two counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, and three counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Gardner faces two counts of armed robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to the indictment, on December 5, 2020, Dorsey and Gardner robbed the T-Mobile phone store in Overland while brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On December 7, 2020, Dorsey and Gardner robbed the Universal Wireless phone store in Breckenridge Hills while brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On December 9, 2020, Dorsey attempted to rob the Boost Mobile phone store in Maplewood while brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  During the attempted robbery, a store employee, who feared for his life, shot Dorsey. 

Dorsey and Gardner, both out on bond in connection with another robbery, were wearing GPS ankle-monitoring bracelets as a condition of their release during the charged crimes.

Each count of armed robbery or attempted armed robbery carries a penalty of no more than 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

Each count of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a penalty of no less than seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Breckenridge Hills, Maplewood, and Overland Police Departments, investigated this case.

ST. LOUIS, MO – A federal grand jury indicted, Wednesday, four people accused of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, resulting in death.

According to the indictment, beginning in October 2019, Franklin Bell, Arrion Jones and Deoman Reeves conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

On October 21, 2019, Bell, Reeves and Deronte McDaniels possessed one or more firearms in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime. During this violation, they caused the death of David Anderson by shooting him.

On November 4, 2019, Bell, Reeves and Jones possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessed one or more firearms in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime. Reeves possessed a firearm, which he sold to the ATF, knowing he had previously been convicted of a felony.

On November 18, 2019, Bell possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

On November 19, 2019, Bell and Reeves possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessed one or more firearms in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime. Reeves again possessed a firearm as a convicted felon before selling that firearm to the ATF.

On December 10, 2019, Reeves possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

On December 13, 2019, Bell and Jones possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

On January 6, 2020, Bell and Jones possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the University City Police Department is handling the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS, MO—Federal prosecutors, within the Eastern District of Missouri, are working an increased amount of cases involving child pornography.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office have indicted 62 defendants who abused children in some way. Those defendants represent a 16% increase from last year.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including those at the field office in Cape Girardeau, handled cases ranging from production of child pornography to human trafficking.

“It is very rewarding to be able to help the most vulnerable victims by being able to prosecute those who prey upon them,” said Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

In 2019, technology firms flagged more than 45 million photos and videos as child sexual abuse, according to an investigation by The New York Times. That number more than doubled in one year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a record 18 million tips to its hotline last year. By comparison, the tip line received a total of 565,000 calls during its first 10 years, between 1998 and 2008.

“Our office strives to protect children from sexual exploitation through federal prosecutions, but we need everyone to be vigilant in protecting our children. Please monitor your children’s internet usage so they don’t become victims of those who wish to exploit them,” added Jensen.

District Court Judges have sentenced 28 defendants, this year, to an average of 111 months which means those predators will be unable to harm children for nearly 10 years. The judges have also ordered more than $1,000,000 in restitution.

“Child predators are everywhere. They are men and women, young and old, coming from all races, classes and occupations. Technology has made accessing and grooming children easier than ever,” said Sarah Pingsterhaus, a Victim Witness Specialist for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Members of the Victim Witness Unit stress it is vital to discuss internet safety and encourage parents to monitor their child’s online activity.

“If you notice your child becoming secretive while online, turning off the computer screen when you enter the room, becoming obsessive about being online and angry when they are not allowed or disengaging from their normal circle of friends, it is time to start asking questions,” added Pingsterhaus.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge John A. Ross accepted a plea, today, from Lemartrell Smith. The 26-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty 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.

According to a plea agreement, on or about February 28, 2018, St. Louis County Police received information Smith was selling drugs in the parking lot of a bowling alley and 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 a traffic stop, Smith 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 was seriously injured. Officers arrested Smith.

Officers seized the satchel and found a Glock and a loaded 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.

Each charge of being in possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute carries a penalty of no more than 20 years in prison and a fine of no more than $1,000,000. The charge of being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a penalty of no less than five years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.  

Judge Ross has set sentencing for April 9, 2021.          

The St. Louis County 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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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Conrad Sparkman to 120 months in prison today, the statutory maximum for the offense of felon in possession of a firearm. The 36-year-old Cahokia, Illinois resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm on September 24, 2020.

On June 11, 2019, officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department tried to stop a vehicle operated by Sparkman for having a tinted windshield and an expired Missouri temporary license plate.

Sparkman fled from the officers at a high rate of speed.  Sparkman drove the vehicle the wrong way down a one-way street, into on-coming traffic and violated an electric signal.   The officers discontinued their pursuit of Sparkman.  The aviation unit monitored Sparkman’s path until he parked the vehicle in the 4100 block of Shreve.  Officers saw Sparkman and a woman exit the vehicle and walk away.  Officers tried to detain Sparkman, who ran away.   During a foot pursuit, Sparkman removed a firearm from his waistband and fired at an officer.

Officers returned fire at Sparkman.   Sparkman was shot in the left arm and right hand, which caused him to drop the firearm. Sparkman continued to run before falling near the sidewalk in the 4800 block of Bessie.   

Police recovered numerous items along Sparkman’s path, including a 9mm pistol loaded with one live round in the chamber and a magazine containing eight additional live rounds.   Prior to June 11, 2019, Sparkman had been previously convicted of the felonies of Robbery 2nd degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

“The Police Department is truly grateful for the partnership it has with the US Attorney’s Office in prosecuting violent felons to the fullest extent of the law,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief John Hayden. “This guilty plea is particularly meaningful and timely when you consider the unprecedented gun violence directed at our Officers, just this year alone.”

“Sparkman received the maximum sentence available, appropriately. We will not tolerate shooting at our brave police officers,” said Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys John Bird and Jason Dunkel are handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States Attorney Jeff Jensen, 54, of St. Louis, Missouri, has announced his resignation effective midnight December 30, 2020. After his resignation, he plans on joining a private law firm in the St. Louis area.

Jensen, a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, had previously served as Executive Assistant United States Attorney and as an FBI agent. During his tenure as United States Attorney, he served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.

“Jeff Jensen brought unparalleled experience to the position of United States Attorney as a former FBI Special Agent, Assistant United States Attorney, and private attorney. Since his first day in office, Jeff’s mission has always been the same: to save lives. The extraordinary number of federal prosecutions initiated during his tenure are a testament to that mission. But, Jeff’s efforts were not only limited to the Eastern District of Missouri. Whatever requested of him by the Department of Justice, no matter how big or small, Jeff was always willing to serve. He did so admirably and was the epitome of professionalism. The Department benefited greatly from his sound judgment and broad perspective. It is my pleasure to call him my colleague and friend. I wish him the best moving forward,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.

The Eastern District of Missouri covers 49 counties with staffed offices in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau. The office has 76 attorneys and is responsible for conducting all criminal and civil litigation in the district involving the United States government.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Terrance Brew to 104 months in prison today. The 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Judge Perry sentenced Daquan Sanders, Brew’s 20-year-old co-defendant, to 104 months in September.  

On April 1, 2019, Brew and Sanders approached two people in a St. Louis County park. The victims were playing basketball within the park. Brew and Sanders, each armed with a firearm, approached the victims and demanded their belongings. One victim gave his cell phone and the other stated he had only his car keys.

While Sanders held the two victims at gunpoint, Brew reached into the victim’s pocket and removed his car keys. Brew and Sanders then fled the scene in the victim’s car. 

Later that evening, St. Louis County Police located the carjacked vehicle. Brew was driving the vehicle and Sanders was in the front passenger seat. Police tried to perform a traffic stop, but Brew failed to pull over which resulted in a 15-mile police chase through St. Louis City.

The vehicle chase ended when Brew crashed into concrete barriers blocking a residential street to vehicular travel. Brew and Sanders then fled on foot and both were taken into custody.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel handled this case.

 

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Demetrius Tyrese Johnson to 180 months in prison today. The 26-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Johnson was involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl centered on the Clinton-Peabody housing complex on the near south side of the City of St. Louis. 

Between September 2014 and July 2018, Johnson acted as a distributor for drug customers seeking fentanyl in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Johnson and other associates used various apartments within the Clinton-Peabody housing complex for purposes of storing and distributing fentanyl, among other things.

On July 18, 2018, investigators conducted a search warrant at Johnson’s residence. Inside Johnson’s bedroom, officers located a Glock 27, .40 caliber firearm with an extended magazine, an Anderson Arms AR-15 rifle and ammunition. Johnson knew he was a convicted felon prior to July 18, 2018.

This case was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis Division of the FBI, the St. Louis Division of the DEA, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service and the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Jana Stowers to 180 months in prison today. The 22-year-old East St. Louis, Illinois resident pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting carjacking resulting in the death of Michael Arnold. Judge Perry sentenced Curtis Alford, Stowers’ co-defendant, to 20 years in prison last week.

On June 16, 2018, Stowers and Alford rushed up to two victims putting money in a parking meter. The victims were in St. Louis attending the ‘Taste of St. Louis’ event downtown. Alford sprayed the victims with pepper spray as he tried to grab their truck keys. Stowers supplied Alford with the pepper spray. While Alford struggled with both victims, he grabbed one by the hair and neck, pulling her to the sidewalk. Alford then pulled the keys from her belt loop and got in her truck. One of the victims then attempted to stop Alford as he started the engine. He shoved her out of the way and began to pull away from the curb.

Michael Arnold, who witnessed the carjacking, was in the street near the truck and taking a picture of the incident. As Alford pulled away, Arnold tried moving out of the way, but Alford drove over him, pinning Mr. Arnold under the truck. Alford then dragged Mr. Arnold across the street, jumped the curb, hit another victim who had been walking on the sidewalk, struck a fire hydrant and then sped off. Alford picked up Stowers around the corner and continued to speed away. As a group of pedestrians and two police officers gathered near the corner of Seventh Street and Chestnut, Alford sped in their direction, eventually crashing the truck. The officers and pedestrians had to scatter to avoid being hit. Officers immediately arrested Alford and Stowers. Mr. Arnold suffered multiple, severe internal injuries and died days later of these injuries. The other victims were treated at the scene for their injuries.

“Whenever we can find a federal violation, all participants in violent crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

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

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Tyrelle Phillips to 24 months in prison today. The 29-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identify theft.

On March 30, 2018, First Community Credit Union alerted one of its cardholders of potentially fraudulent activity on her credit card. Richmond Heights Police investigated and learned the cardholder’s account number had been used to buy electronic equipment valued at $1,275.64 from the Microsoft Store. Through interviews with store personnel and reviewing store surveillance, detectives identified Phillips as the individual who made the fraudulent purchase with a prepaid debit card that had a magnetic strip embedded with the credit union customer’s account number.

In a subsequent investigation, Richmond Heights Police also identified Phillips using a counterfeit card embedded with the account of another person to buy merchandise, food and gift cards from various merchants throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Between March 7, 2019 and March 11, 2019, the actual fraud losses through the other person’s credit card exceeded $1,500.

Because Phillips was serving a three-year term of federal supervision after completing a 39-month term of imprisonment for engaging in similar conduct in 2014, he was also sentenced to an additional ten months of incarceration after Judge Clark revoked his earlier term of supervised release. In total, Phillips was ordered to serve a total of 34 months incarceration.

The Richmond Heights Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Raymond Barrett to 57 months in prison today. The 40-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

On February 21, 2019, Barrett was riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle that was the subject of a lawful traffic stop. During the stop, Barrett tried to hide his firearm in the passenger door pocket. Barrett then gave police officers a false name. After police discovered the name was false, Barrett admitted his real name and police determined he had a parole warrant. While Barrett was getting out of the vehicle, police saw and seized the firearm Barrett had placed in the door.  Barrett had been convicted previously of burglary in four separate cases, and was paroled from a 12-year sentence for robbery shortly before committing the offense in this case.

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

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