Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis – Dariyon Martin, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, robbery, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. 

According to the criminal complaint, an undercover police detective from the St. Charles City Police Department arranged to buy a Glock 27 firearm from Martin for $400 on August 7, 2020in the City of St. Louis.  Martin is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.  

After the undercover detective arrived at the agreed-upon buy location, Martin entered the detective’s vehicle and handed the detective a Ruger .40 caliber pistol not the Glock 27 firearm that Martin had previously agreed to sell.  When the detective reached to retrieve the buy money, Martin reached across the detective and grabbed the firearm.  Martin began to manipulate the firearm by taking the magazine out and showing the detective it was loaded with ammunition.  Martin then pointed the firearm at the detective and the detective handed Martin the buy money.  Martin and the undercover detective then struggled over the firearm, at which time Martin took both the firearm and the money.  The undercover detective held both his/her hands up, and Martin exited the vehicle.  Martin then left the scene of the robbery.

This investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the St. Charles City Police Department, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis – Deandre J. White, 24, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  White will appear in court on Friday, August 14, 2020, for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate David D. Noce.

According to the criminal complaint and motion seeking detention, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives executed a search warrant at White’s residence on August 12, 2020. Officers located an Alien Armory Tactical, model AAT-15, .223 caliber pistol and ammunition, along with approximately 200 capsules of suspected fentanyl and drug packaging paraphernalia.  During the last several months, White has been engaged in consistent and routine distribution of fentanyl and sales of firearms. During the course of their investigation, ATF agents have conducted numerous controlled purchases of both fentanyl and firearms from White.  During many of these transactions, White was armed with a gun. In addition to the instant offense, White has been charged in St. Louis County with Unlawful Use of a Weapon for a shooting that occurred on April 21, 2020 (20SL-CR01697). On April 26, 2020, White was arrested in Bridgeton for being in possession of fentanyl and a firearm.

This is investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Catherine Hoag is handling this case. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis – Troy Jackson, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

According to the criminal complaint, on July 2, 2020, a felony arrest warrant was issued for Jackson by the State of Missouri Probation and Parole for violating his parole, following his imprisonment on burglary first degree charges.  Jackson was also wanted on murder first degree and armed criminal action charges in relation to a homicide occurring during June, 2020.  Further, Jackson was wanted on assault second and assault third charges arising from a separate incident.

During their investigation into Jackson’s whereabouts, on August 9, 2020 investigators learned that Jackson was at the Best Western St. Louis Inn on Heimos Industrial Park Drive, in St. Louis, Missouri.    

Upon arriving at the hotel, law enforcement officers confirmed that Jackson was staying in a room at the hotel, having registered under a false name.  Once the officers entered the hotel room, they located Jackson inside the room holding the magazine of a gun.  A Mossberg 9mm pistol was nearby, on a table in plain view in the room.  The magazine that Jackson was holding appeared to be compatible with the 9mm pistol on the table.

Located in a closet of the hotel room was a distribution amount of fentanyl, along with empty capsules in a nightstand.  Jackson admitted possession of the pistol and fentanyl, and confessed to being a drug dealer.

“I stand in awe at the great teamwork of the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Metropolitan Fugitive Task Force.  Once again the partnership forged with municipal, county, state, and federal task officers working side by side led to the apprehension of this dangerous felon without incident.” John Jordan US Marshal 

This investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service Metropolitan Fugitive Apprehension Task Force and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis – Former St. Ann Police Officer Ellis Brown has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury, United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen announced today.  According to the Indictment, Brown was working as an officer with the St. Ann Police Department on April 9, 2019 when he “willfully deprived” victim S.K. of his/her Constitutional right to be free from unreasonable seizures when Brown “repeatedly kicked S.K. while S.K. was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone.”  According to the indictment, S.K. suffered bodily injury as a result of the incident.

"When making an arrest, a police officer is given the authority to use only the level of force necessary," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this case, Officer Ellis Brown is accused of using unreasonable force by repeatedly kicking an individual who was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone."

Brown made his initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge David D. Noce.  Brown was allowed to remain free on bond, and was ordered to surrender any and all firearms, and will not be permitted to possess a firearm for any purpose so long as the case remains pending.

The charge Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.

As is always the case, the charge in an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

St. Louis, MO –Michael Brooks, 55, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for distribution of actual (pure) methamphetamine. The quantity of actual methamphetamine, for which Brooks is accountable, is at least 50 grams but less than 150 grams. Brooks appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey.

According to court documents, on October 12, 2016, at the direction of investigators, a Confidential Source (CS) arranged a meeting with Brooks to deliver a money counter they had previously discussed. The CS met Brooks at his house in St. Louis to deliver the money counter to Brooks. Brooks gave the CS a sample of the methamphetamine directly from a clear plastic bag.

On October 13, 2016, at the direction of investigators, the CS met Brooks at his house and bought two ounces of methamphetamine for $2,000.

On November 15, 2016, at the direction of investigators, the CS met Brooks at his house again to buy more methamphetamine. When Brooks opened the door to his house, he had a gun in a black holster under his arm. The CS mentioned something about carrying the gun in broad daylight, and Brooks responded "all day, everyday." The CS then bought two ounces of methamphetamine for $1,700.

On December 15, 2016, investigators conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle that Brooks was driving. Brooks possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum in a black holster that was between the center console and driver's seat.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Fairview Heights Resident Office, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Koppenaal handled the case.

St. Louis – Bruce Edward Johnson, 27, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 36 months in prison.  Johnson was involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl centered in the Clinton-Peabody housing complex on the near south side of the City of St. Louis.   He appeared before the Honorable Catherine D. Perry.   

According to court documents, 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.

In February, Johnson pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.  

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.

St. Louis, Missouri – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Gayron Sloan, 39, of St. Louis, to 137 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the plea agreement, on January 15, 2019, police served a search warrant at the home of Gayron Sloan in St. Louis, Missouri.  During the search, police found in the living room fentanyl, marijuana, and drug distribution paraphernalia, including scales, blenders, and suboxone.  In Sloan’s bedroom, police found individually packaged fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. Also in the bedroom, police found a loaded 9 mm Taurus make semiautomatic handgun with a large capacity magazine.  Drugs and drug paraphernalia were in places accessible to a toddler. 

While police were conducting the search and interviewing Sloan, his 14-month-old son was in daycare in St. Louis.  Daycare workers grew concerned when his son was uncharacteristically sleepy and having trouble breathing.  The son was transported to the hospital.  Blood tests confirmed that the child had fentanyl and a metabolite of cocaine in his system.  Medical professionals successfully treated the child with narcan, a drug that works to counteract the effects of opioid overdoses.  The child regained consciousness after being treated with two doses of narcan.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Jeff Jensen, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, joined the Department of Justice in officially announcing the expansion of Operation Legend to St. Louis.  Operation Legend, a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime, will be expanding into the City of St. Louis.

“The most basic responsibility of government is to protect the safety of our citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Today, we have extended Operation Legend to Memphis and St. Louis, two cities experiencing increases in violent crime that no resident of those cities should have to accept as part of everyday life. For decades, the Department of Justice has achieved significant success when utilizing our anti-violent crime task forces and federal law enforcement agents to enforce federal law and assist American cities that are experiencing upticks in violent crime. The Department of Justice’s assets will supplement local law enforcement efforts, as we work together to take the shooters and chronic violent criminals off of our streets.”

“Operation Legend has come to St. Louis,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “Today we expand our ever-present federal commitment to the City of St. Louis by welcoming federal agents and money to our City for the purpose of fighting gun and gang violence.  This expansion will greatly enhance on-going crime fighting by our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Joint ATF-St. Louis Metropolitan Strike Force, and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.  Our children are being caught in the crossfire and murdered in senseless acts of gun violence.  I am very grateful to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships in a dedicated effort to achieve safety and security for our community.  I want to thank Chief John Hayden as well as the various federal and state agencies that make this initiative possible.”

Operation Legend is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early on the morning of June 29 in Kansas City. The operation was first launched on July 8 in Kansas City, Missouri, and is now underway in Chicago, Albuquerque, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Today, the expansion of Operation Legend was announced in St. Louis and Memphis.

In the City of St. Louis, the Department of Justice will supplement state and local law enforcement agencies by sending more than 50 federal investigators from the Department of Homeland Security to the City.  Under the leadership of U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen, these investigators will complement the work already underway by existing joint federal, state and local task forces focused on combatting violent gangs, gun crime, and drug trafficking organizations.

St. Louis is currently experiencing a significant increase in violent crime, with homicides up over 34% and non-fatal shootings are up over 13%.  These resources will be utilized to address the spike in violent crime.

During a press conference to announce the expansion of Operation Legend, FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn announced that as part of the initiative, a reward of up to $25,000 would be made available for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the homicides of Kayden E. Johnson, two years of age at the time, and his mother Trina’ty A. Riley, 18, inside their home on April 30, 2019.

“I just need closure.  My family needs peace.  We just want justice.  If you know anything, please contact the detectives,” said Taiesha Campbell, mother of Trina’ty and grandmother of Kayden, in connection with today’s announcement.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance will make available $1 million to support Operation Legend’s violent crime reduction efforts and shot spotter responses in St. Louis.  The City is also receiving two Special Assistant United States Attorneys from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to support violent crime prosecutions.

St. Louis – Ledra A. Craig, age 43, of Wright City, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint today with distribution of fentanyl. 

According to the criminal complaint, investigators began conducting an overdose death investigation after a victim was found deceased in Saint Charles, Missouri on Sunday, August 2, 2020. The investigation uncovered surveillance video from the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri, showing Ledra A. Craig distributing fentanyl to two victims just hours before one victim was found dead. Craig later admitted to investigators that he sold fentanyl while at the Ameristar Casino in Saint Charles, Missouri, over the weekend of August 1st and 2nd.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force are investigating these current charges. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis, MO –Christen Diane Schulte, 34, of Washington, MO, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering charges related to a scheme to defraud her former employer, several individuals associated with her former employer, the Berger Levee District of Franklin County, and several financial institutions.  Schulte appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted the plea and set her sentencing date for November 10, 2020.

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

As part of her scheme, Schulte fraudulently and without permission used the companies’ credit cards for personal expenditures.  Schulte also fraudulently caused American Express and FirstBank to issue her new credit cards in the names of the companies.  Schulte fraudulently charged more than 1,800 transactions totaling more than $532,000 on these credit cards.

Schulte also forged the signatures of the owner and several employees of companies, on checks from several different bank accounts, including personal accounts of the employees.  Several of these checks were made payable to Schulte, but some of them she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme.  

Other forged checks were drawn from a bank account held by the Berger Levee District of Franklin County, which is a tax-payer funded levee district that is responsible for creating flood control projects in Franklin County, Missouri.  Schulte forged the treasurer’s signature of the Berger Levee District on checks that she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme. 

Schulte used the fraudulently obtained funds for her own personal gain, including purchasing jewelry, a travel trailer, vehicles, and vacation travel.    

"Christen Schulte exploited the position of trust she occupied at a small, family-owned business," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "The FBI will always strive to bring to justice those who lie and steal on the backs of others who work hard to realize the American dream."

Schulte faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the two wire fraud charges; a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the two bank fraud charges; and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than the greater of $250,000, or twice the amount laundered, on the money laundering charge.  Restitution is also mandatory.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – Richard L. Treis, 46, was charged by a federal complaint today with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to the complaint, on July 15, 2020, an Undercover Agent (UCA) with Department of Homeland Security received a phone call from Richard Treis.  Treis was looking to purchase 40 pounds of methamphetamine from the UCA for $120,000. 

On July 29, 2020, investigators conducted surveillance on a vehicle in which Treis was the passenger and another individual who was the driver.  The UCA met with Treis at the proposed meeting location, in Pacific, Missouri.  Treis opened up a black bag and showed the UCA a large amount of United States Currency.  The UCA directed Treis to drive to the back of the location where they could exchange the methamphetamine for the money.

The other individual and Treis drove to the agreed location, where the UCA provided Treis with a bag containing 7.1 kilograms of methamphetamine.  Treis handed the bag of methamphetamine to the other individual and began walking toward the vehicle that they had arrived in.  Investigators converged on the scene and arrested Treis and the other individual. 

The Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating these current charges.  Assistant United States Attorney Derek Wiseman is handling the case for the Office. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Anthony D. Jones, Jr., 28, of Bridgeton, Missouri, for his role in the May 4, 2019 carjacking and death of victim Jessica Vinson.  The indictment charges Jones with carjacking resulting in death, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, and witness tampering.

According to court documents, on May 4, 2019, Ms. Vinson’s body was recovered near the 5300 block of Vernon Avenue in St. Louis City.  Investigation revealed that she had been shot.  Her car, a 2015 Dodge Charger, was missing and her home in the 4300 block of Maffitt Avenue had been burglarized. 

On May 6, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Ms. Vinson’s vehicle, which fled at a high rate of speed and eventually crashed near an exit ramp at I-70 and Grand Avenue.  Anthony Jones fled from the driver’s seat of the vehicle and a female fled from the front passenger seat.  Police located Jones, who was hiding, and arrested him.  Officers also recovered a pistol from the vehicle.  The investigation also revealed that Jones sent electronic communications threatening to harm individuals who were aware of his violent conduct related to Ms. Vinson.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating these current charges.

The case was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) Jen Szczucinski as part of the Safer Streets Initiative. The initiative was launched by Attorney General Schmitt and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen in January of 2019 as an unprecedented state and federal partnership to prosecute violent crime in St. Louis. Since April 2019, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office sworn in as SAUSAs have filed over 200 charges.  

If convicted, carjacking resulting in death and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death; felon in possession of ammunition and felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000; and witness tampering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine of $250,000 on each count.

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. 

St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Jeremy L. Cawthon, 38, of St. Charles, to 16 months of time already served for threatening U.S. Senator Josh Hawley through Facebook communications.  Cawthon has been confined in the St. Louis County Jail for the past 16 months after being criminally charged on April 5, 2019. 

According to the plea agreement, in March 2019 and April 2019, Cawthon sent numerous threats via Facebook to Senator Hawley’s account which were received in Washington D.C.  Federal agents were able to trace the communications to Cawthon’s residence in St. Charles, Missouri. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.

The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up its annual ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of tax scams with a special emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri urge taxpayers to be vigilant to these tax scams.

This year, the Dirty Dozen focuses on scams that target taxpayers. The criminals behind these bogus schemes view everyone as potentially easy prey.

“Fraud schemes harm everyone, especially those which defraud the IRS and members of our community,” said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “As we stand ready to investigate anyone who would put a taxpayer at risk for a quick profit, we urge everyone to watch out for these tax scams all the time.”

Tax scams tend to rise during tax season or during times of crisis. “This years’ list of tax scams should serve as a stark reminder to everyone to be vigilant to these threats during the current pandemic and its aftermath,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri. “Please safeguard your personal and financial information, and refrain from engaging potential scammers online or on the phone.”

Taxpayers are encouraged to review the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list in a special section on IRS.gov and be on the lookout for these scams throughout the year.

For official information year round, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov

St. Louis, Missouri – Matthew Orasco, 40, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for the offenses of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm.  Orasco appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross.

According to court documents, on August 23, 2019, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Orasco’s St. Louis County residence in connection with an investigation of distribution of controlled substances and unlawful possession of firearms at the residence.

Pursuant to the search warrant, the FBI seized evidence of crimes from the residence, including distribution amounts of cocaine and other controlled substances, nine firearms, high capacity ammunition magazines, and more than 500 rounds of ammunition compatible with the seized firearms. The FBI also seized approximately $45,000 in U.S. currency, three cars, and two motorcycles from the residence. As part of the plea agreement, Orasco agreed to forfeit the money, cars, and motorcycles seized by the FBI, as those items either facilitated Orasco’s illegal activity, constituted proceeds of his illegal activity, or were acquired with such proceeds.

Prior to August 23, 2019, Orasco had been convicted of at least one felony crime and knew he had been so convicted at the time he possessed the firearms.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with the assistance of the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Redd handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, Missouri – Leneko Waller, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri was sentenced to 60 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White. 

According to the plea agreement, on October 5, 2019, officers with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received a radio call regarding an SUV chasing a white sedan in the area.  Officers observed the white sedan driving erratically at Mullanphy and N. 16th.  Officers then observed a white SUV chasing the sedan.  The SUV pulled into the BP gas station at 2005 N. Florissant.  Officers shined a light into the SUV and saw Waller driving the vehicle with no other passengers.  The SUV then left the lot at a high rate of speed, made traffic violations, and was observed to be fishtailing.  The SUV traveled through multiple stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the road, forcing other vehicles to pull to the side of the road to avoid being struck.   Approximately five minutes later, a radio call reported a white SUV had crashed at 10th Street and St. Louis Ave. and the driver had fled to the Days Inn at 2810 N. 9th Street wearing a black t-shirt and beige pants.  As officers arrived at the Days Inn, they observed Waller in the parking lot matching the description of the 911 call and as the same person officers saw driving the SUV. Officers arrested Waller for fleeing and determined he was in possession of the key fob for the SUV.  Officers located a firearm, a Springfield .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine containing 19 rounds, beneath the driver’s seat in the vehicle.   In the backseat of the vehicle was an insurance card and MO driver’s license issued to Waller. 

As part of Waller’s plea agreement, he has agreed to pay the City of St. Louis $15,000 in damages he caused to St. Louis City property during his flight from law enforcement.

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

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri remind taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warn against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.

“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due”, said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”

As the filing deadline is today, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information”, said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.”

In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.

Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov.

For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.

St. Louis, Missouri – Lautha Anderson, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.

According to court documents, on May 1, 2018, Anderson was a passenger on the Metro train heading eastbound from Lambert Airport.  St. Louis County Police Department officers conducted a ticket check on the train.  Anderson informed officers he did not have a validated ticket.  While acting anxious and nervous, Anderson informed officers that he had something in his pocket.  Anderson pulled out a loaded 9mm magazine.  Officers then conducted a pat down and located a stolen 9mm Glock semiautomatic pistol in Anderson’s waistband. 

Prior to May 1, 2018, Anderson was convicted of at least one felony crime in a court of law punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  At the time he knowingly possessed the firearm, Anderson knew he was a convicted felon.

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

St. Louis, Missouri – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Emanuel Mays, 29, of St. Louis, to 76 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute one or more controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

According to the plea agreement, on November 5, 2018, an undercover St. Louis County detective conducted a controlled buy of fentanyl from co-defendant Derrick George.  Detectives conducting surveillance before the buy saw an Infiniti headed to the location of the buy, the St. Louis Galleria Mall in St. Louis County.  Mays, along with co-defendants Derrick George and Larry Calloway, were in the car.  Once at the Galleria Mall, George approached the undercover detective's car and gave him thirteen capsules of fentanyl.  The detective then provided sixty dollars to George, who was subsequently arrested. 

Mays and Calloway unsuccessfully attempted to flee in the Infiniti.  Mays got out of the car and fled on foot. When Mays was finally apprehended after he ran into a dead end, detectives found the key fob for the Infiniti on his person, as well as a cell phone.  Mays was arrested and the following items were found in the Infiniti:

• a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with one live round in the chamber and fifteen

        9mm rounds in the magazine found on the driver's side floorboard;

• .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with one round in the chamber and sixteen

        rounds in the magazine found on the front passenger's side floorboard;

• a semi-automatic Zastava rifle loaded with one round in the chamber and four

        rounds in the magazine found on the rear passenger floorboard;

• cigars and a plastic bag with marijuana;

• plastic bags with fentanyl and methamphetamine; and

• two face masks.

Co-defendants George and Calloway were sentenced to 16 and 76 months in prison, respectively.

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

St. Louis, MO –Gary D. Primm, Jr., 39, of Wentzville, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of willful failure to file return or pay tax and two counts of tax evasion. 

According to the Indictment, Primm owned and operated United Auto Defense, LLC located in St. Charles, Missouri which operated as a call center marketing auto warranties.  Primm received over a million dollars in income from United for tax years 2014 and 2015, and did not pay any personal income taxes. Primm took steps to evade assessment of his taxes by diverting United funds to a nominee bank account instead of his personal bank account and filing false forms with the IRS. Primm used funds from the nominee bank account to pay personal expenses, including his mortgage payments, jewelry purchases, automobile purchases, and gambling expenses.  Primm also failed to file corporate income tax on behalf of United in 2014.

If convicted, Primm faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.  Restitution is also mandatory.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – The leader of a large-scale St. Louis based distribution organization has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of heroin, and over 400 grams of fentanyl from March 11, 2018 to March 12, 2019. 

Guy R. Goolsby, aka “Ricochet,” “Shay,” Shorty,” 44, of St. Louis, was indicted with 14 others in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 2019 for conspiring to distribute more than 25 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, and three kilograms of fentanyl.  Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized over $2,036,981 of drug payments and profits, luxury jewelry, and vehicles.

Goolsby’s co-defendants are as follows and awaiting trial:

Grant A. Berry, aka “Kojak,” “Jak,” “50,”

David M. Foston, aka “Max,” “Prez,”

Kennersen L. Gooden, aka Kenneth Dodd,

David M. Martinez, currently a fugitive,

Chivas Holmes, aka “Q Ball,” “Q,”

Jonathan W. Jefferson,

Harold Arceneaux,

Otis B. Dodd, aka O.B. Dodd, “O.B.,”

David Lee Trevino,

Carlos Macias,

Lina Katiuzca Macias, aka Lina Katiuzca Mendez,

Jorge A. Lopez-Duran, and

Shannon L. Holmes

According to the plea agreement, investigators from of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division uncovered a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution organization that was transporting kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl from Mexico, through Texas and Florida, to the St. Louis Metropolitan area.  According to court documents, the higher-echelon of the conspiracy, including Goolsby, served federal prison sentences for prior controlled substance violations in the Federal Correction Institution in Florence, Colorado beginning in the late 2000s. 

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

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

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

“Poly-drug organizations like this one, who deal in the triple threat of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, are particularly dangerous to the safety of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan, who oversees the federal agency in Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois. “It’s particularly satisfying when DEA dismantles a trafficking organization with tentacles across the nation and dealing in large quantities of illegal drugs. Investigations of this size can impact many lives and maybe even prevent someone from overdosing.”

Goolsby’s sentencing date is presently set for October 14, 2020.  His charges carry a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

The remaining co-defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This nationwide investigation was conducted with the assistance of the DEA offices in Houston, TX, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Detroit, MI, the United States Marshal’s Service, and local law enforcement partners including the St. Charles County, Missouri Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Bridgeton, Missouri Department Police, the Phelps County, Missouri Sherriff’s Department, and the Cleveland, Texas Police Department.

St. Louis, MO – Nihad Rosic, aka Yahya Abuayesha Mudzahid, 32, of Utica, New York, appeared today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry.  Rosic was sentenced to 96 months in prison for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists.  Rosic was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin his sentence immediately.

According to court documents, Nihad Rosic, Armin Harcevic, Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, Jasminka Ramic and Mediha Medy Salkicevic conspired with others to support the activities of Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others, including a conspiracy to commit outside the United States an act that would constitute the offense of murder or maiming if committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.  Rosic intended to and did provide support and resources to Pazara, knowing that he and his co-conspirators would use the support and resources in furtherance of their combat against Syrian government forces and others.  Rosic’s support consisted of money, which was used by his co-conspirators to purchase supplies such as U.S. military uniforms, rifle scopes, combat boots, tactical gear, clothing, firearms accessories, range finders, and other supplies useful to fighters engaged in combat in Syria and elsewhere.

Co-defendant Sedina Unkic Hodzic is awaiting sentencing; Armin Harcevic was sentenced to 66 months in prison; Ramiz Zijad Hodzic was sentenced to 96 months in prison; Jasminka Ramic was sentenced to 36 months in prison and Mediha Medy Salkicevic was sentenced to 78 months in prison.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Drake, Howard Marcus and Kenneth Tihen of the Eastern District of Missouri and Trial Attorneys Dave Smith and Danielle Rosborough of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.

St. Louis, Missouri – Monte Kent, 32, of St. Louis, and Harvey Cameron, 29, of St. Louis, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Cameron was also indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, on June 21, 2020, Kent and Cameron robbed the 7-Eleven at 5350 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, Missouri.  As Kent drove a black Cadillac sedan to the front of the store, Cameron got out of the sedan with an AK-style pistol while clutching a trash bag.  Kent remained in the driver’s seat.  Once inside the store, Cameron pointed the gun at a 7-Eleven employee and demanded the entire cash register drawer.  The employee put the cash drawer in the trash bag.  Cameron then left the store and got into the black Cadillac sedan.  Kent and Cameron drove away.

Shortly after the robbery, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were advised of the location of a Cadillac sedan matching the description parked on Blair Avenue in St. Louis.  The officers exited their police vehicle and announced their presence.  But, Kent and Cameron sped off, driving recklessly through the City of St. Louis.   When the vehicle finally hit a dead end, Kent and Cameron got out of the sedan and fled on foot.  They were subsequently apprehended.

Officers searched the black Cadillac sedan.  There was a black trash bag in it with over $90, the 7-Eleven cash register drawer, as well as the AK-style pistol.

If convicted, the charge of robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a minimum sentence of seven years; and felon in possession carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on all charges.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  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. 

St. Louis – Gary Dewayne Willard, 48, of St. Louis, MO, was charged by a federal complaint on Tuesday.  Willard was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of one or more firearms, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  

According to the complaint, Willard was previously the subject of a federal investigation and was indicted on May 2, 2019, along with his co-Defendant Paul Garcia, for conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On March 3, 2020, Willard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in that case, and was allowed to remain on bond, subject to conditions of pretrial release.  Willard’s sentencing in that case is currently set for July 9, 2020.

After learning that Willard was involved in the continued distribution of methamphetamine while on pre-trial release, on June 26, 2020, federal law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Willard’s residence. 

On June 30, 2020, the officers executed the warrant at Willard’s residence where   Willard was present, along with three (3) other individuals.  Officers found and seized three (3) firearms, including an H&K 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 12 live cartridges at the foot of Willard’s bed, a Taurus Judge .45 Long Colt/410 revolver loaded with five live cartridges within a large safe located at the foot of Willard’s bed, and an unloaded Davis Industries .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun bearing a defaced serial number, which was located within a small, open safe sitting on top of the larger safe.  Officers also located over 500 rounds of miscellaneous ammunition on a shelf in the living room.

Also located within in the larger safe were clear plastic bags containing over 140 grams of suspected methamphetamine, as well as clear plastic bags containing various pills and powders also suspected to be controlled substances.  The Officers also recovered a total of $72,003.00 in United States Currency in the bedroom.  Throughout the living room and kitchen, Officers recovered materials commonly used in the manufacture and production of methamphetamine.

These current charges are being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Louis County Police Department. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis, Missouri – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Kaylin Robinson, 22, of St. Louis, to 60 months in prison for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 400 grams of fentanyl.

According to the plea agreement, on Friday, January 18, 2019, the United Parcel Service (UPS) attempted to deliver a package addressed to “Robert Anderson” at 2110 McLaran Avenue, Jennings, Missouri.  The UPS driver went to 2110 McLaran but did not deliver the package because the house appeared to be vacant.  The driver went back to the truck and Robinson approached the driver to request delivery of the package.  Robinson said that he was picking the package up for his grandfather from 2110 McLaran.  The driver asked for Robinson’s identification and he said he did not have any.  The UPS driver returned the package to the Earth City customer service center.

On Monday, January 21, 2019, UPS security personnel opened the package in an effort to determine the correct address for delivery of the package.  A plastic tote was inside the cardboard box and there were several bundles that were wrapped in green and clear cellophane with lotion, coffee grounds, and dryer sheets.  Because the wrapping was suspicious, UPS security contacted the St. Louis County Police Department narcotics unit.  The St. Louis County Police Department took custody of the package and found it to contain 7.99 kilograms of fentanyl.

On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, Robinson went to the UPS Earth City customer service lobby and identified himself as “Robert Anderson.”  A UPS employee told the defendant that he would need to present photo identification showing that he was “Robert Anderson.”  He declined to present identification at that time.

Officers prepared an imitation package that looked like the original package to deliver to Robison if he returned to UPS.  On January 23, 2019, Robinson went to the UPS customer service center in Earth City and again identified himself as “Robert Anderson.”  Robinson presented a false Missouri Department of Revenue Temporary Driver License with his picture on it.  The license was in the name of “Robert Anderson” with an address of 2110 McLaran Avenue, Jennings, Missouri.  The issue date purported to be January 19, 2019. A UPS employee made a copy of the identification and informed Robinson that the package was out for delivery. 

On January 23, 2019, Robinson returned to the UPS customer service center where he was given the imitation package.  He placed the package in the trunk of a car waiting in the parking lot, got into the passenger seat, and then left the area.  Officers attempted to stop the car, but the car fled at a high rate of speed and went the wrong way down a one-way street.  Officers were unable to locate the car, however, they did locate the imitation package which had been discarded in the 12000 block of St. Charles Rock Road.

The St. Louis County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case, with the cooperation and assistance of the United Parcel Service.

St. Louis, Missouri – Altonio Steeples, 37, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark. 

According to the plea agreement, on June 23, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 5800 block of Lotus. When Officers arrived, they observed Steeples and an unidentified male standing outside of a Nissan sedan. Upon seeing the marked police vehicle, Steeples and the unidentified male left the Nissan engine running, ran to a nearby porch and began knocking on the door. As Officers exited their patrol car to approach the two men on the porch, both men ran from Officers down a gangway. 

While Steeples was running, a chasing Officer observed him reach into his waistband and remove a firearm.  The Officer commanded Steeples to drop the firearm.  Steeples then threw the firearm down in the gangway and continued to run.  The Officer eventually took Steeples into custody and recovered the loaded Springfield Armory .45 caliber semiautomatic firearm Steeples had thrown while fleeing.  The Springfield Armory firearm had been reported stolen, and Steeples was serving a term of supervised release for a prior federal felony conviction at the time of arrest.  

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.

St. Louis, Missouri – Mark Harris, 25, of St. Louis, Missouri was sentenced to 13 months in prison on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry. 

According to court documents, on May 27, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers received a call for suspicious person/drugs in the 4000 block of Blow Street.  Upon responding to that area, Officers observed three occupants of a vehicle smoking cigarillos, and the Officers smelled marijuana.  Officers knocked on the vehicle’s driver’s window and when the driver, later identified as Mark Harris, rolled down the window, the Officers observed a bag of marijuana on Harris’ lap.  When the Officers asked if there were any more illegal drugs in the vehicle, the backseat passenger stated that she had more marijuana in her bag, which she handed to the Officers.  Officers removed Harris from the vehicle and patted him down, at which time the Officer immediately felt a firearm in Harris’ shorts pocket.  The firearm was a loaded Hi-Point, 9mm semi-automatic pistol.  Harris has prior felony convictions for a 2015 Stealing of a Motor Vehicle and a 2016 Forgery. 

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

St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Justin Newkirk, 41, of Raytown, Missouri, to 96 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine while possessing a firearm. 

According to the plea agreement, on August 14, 2018, Justin Newkirk and co-defendant Stephen Flynn arrived in the St. Louis area from Kansas City with an amount of methamphetamine intended for distribution.  Newkirk employed Flynn as protection, and to drive him to and within the St. Louis area in order to distribute the methamphetamine. 

On that date, officers from the Arnold Police Department made contact with Flynn and Newkirk after seeing their vehicle illegally parked in a handicap parking spot near a hotel in Arnold, Missouri.  Flynn was in the driver’s seat, and Newkirk was seated behind him.  Officers detected an odor of marijuana, and Flynn appeared to be under the influence of drugs and was concealing his hands from officers.  Flynn and Newkirk were asked to exit the vehicle and the vehicle was searched. 

Officers found drugs and firearms in multiple locations within the vehicle.  Flynn had a Jimenez make, JA380 model, .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun in his waistband, loaded with six rounds of ammunition.  On the front passenger seat next to Flynn was a money bag that contained plastic baggies, a digital scale, and 27.88 grams of methamphetamine.  There also were additional rounds of ammunition that matched the caliber and brand of ammunition in Flynn’s firearm found on the front seat and in the cup-holder next to Flynn.

Newkirk sat in a rear passenger seat.  On the floor next to his feet was a Taurus make, G2C model, 9mm semiautomatic handgun loaded with 12 rounds.  Behind Newkirk was a black pouch containing three baggies containing a total of 42.17 grams of methamphetamine, numerous empty plastic baggies, and a digital scale. 

Police then lawfully searched Flynn’s and Newkirk’s shared hotel room.  Inside the hotel room, police seized a Bostich bag containing personal items belonging to Newkirk, and a single round of ammunition matching the ammunition in Newkirk’s firearm.  The bag contained a locked pouch, which contained 168.85 grams of methamphetamine.

Prior to August 14, 2018, Newkirk was convicted of at least one felony crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. At the time he possessed the aforementioned firearm, he knew he had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

Co-defendant Flynn previously pled guilty, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 5, 2020.

The case was investigated by the Arnold Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

St. Louis, Missouri – Ramon Thompson, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri was sentenced to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. 

According to the plea agreement, on July 19, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department  Officers responded to reports of a stolen Chrysler 300 traveling near Belt Avenue and Natural Bridge. The Officers initiated a curb stop of the stolen vehicle, and made contact with two male subjects, including Ramon Thompson in the passenger’s seat. Thompson refused the Officers’ verbal commands to exit the vehicle. Instead, Thompson pushed the driver out of the driver's seat, climbed over the center console toward the driver's seat, and attempted to put the vehicle's transmission into drive. Thompson was ultimately arrested after a physical struggle, and the vehicle was disabled.  In the course of being arrested, a 9mm semiautomatic firearm fell from Thompson’s waistband.

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

St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Leavie Morris, 30, of St. Louis, to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the plea agreement, on August 24, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers received a radio assignment regarding an armed man with a black shoulder bag, who was firing shots in the area of 11th Street and Salisbury in the City of St. Louis.  When officers arrived in the area, they saw Morris in a nearby Phillip 66 parking lot with a black shoulder bag.

When officers asked Morris to show his hands, he turned away from the officers and fled.  An officer pursued him. Morris continued to ignore multiple commands from the officer.  Eventually, the officer tased Morris but he continued fleeing and resisting.  When Morris finally fell to the ground, he again continued resisting and reaching toward his bag.  After handcuffing Morris, officers recovered a .40 caliber Glock 23 Gen 4 semi-automatic pistol with an extended twenty-two round magazine from the black shoulder bag.  There was a round in the chamber of the pistol.  The extended magazine was also loaded. 

At the time defendant possessed the aforementioned firearm, he knew he had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

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

St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Johnny Sesson II, 47, of Florissant, Missouri, to 60 months in prison for making a false statement on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Form 4473 in order to acquire a firearm. 

According to the plea agreement, on April 13, 2019, Sesson attempted to purchase a shotgun from federally licensed firearms dealer Quincy Farm & Home Supply in Cottleville, Missouri.  In completing the Form 4473, Sesson made a false written statement to the effect that that he had never been convicted of a felony crime.  Sesson admitted to knowingly making this false statement, and that the false statement regarding his status as a convicted felon was capable of influencing the federally licensed firearms dealer into believing a firearm could lawfully be sold to him. Sesson also admitted to making the false statement with the intent to acquire the shotgun and to deceive the firearms dealer into selling him the shotgun.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office. 

St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Christopher McKinney, 28, of St. Louis, to 24 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the plea agreement, on June 24, 2019, officers from the St. Ann Police Department were called to the Freeman Foundation at 8499 Lackland Road for a former employee threatening management after having been fired.  McKinney was leaving the facility in a tan Infinity sedan with an expired plate when officers stopped the vehicle at 8316 Charlack Road.  When asked what happened, McKinney stated there was a verbal argument before he left the business.  Officers asked him if there was anything he had on him or in the vehicle that could hurt anyone.  McKinney stated there was a pistol on the front passenger seat and gave consent for officers to retrieve the pistol.  In plain view on the front passenger seat was a Ruger SR 45, which officers retrieved.

At the time defendant possessed the aforementioned firearm, he knew he had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Edward Dowd handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, Missouri – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Justin Moore, 31, of St. Louis, to 60 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to the plea agreement, Moore was driving a silver Infiniti SUV when officers of the St. Louis County Special Operations/Special Response Unit noticed that plates on the vehicle belonged to a Chevrolet vehicle.  Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop but Moore attempted to conduct evasive maneuvers, and then sped off at a high rate of speed. Officers followed the Infiniti when it drove down a dead-end street. After coming to a stop at a concrete barrier, Moore jumped out of the car, ran into a wooded area, and was apprehended. Officers detained a female passenger, Moore’s girlfriend, after she attempted to start the Infiniti and drive off.  A child was in the back seat.

A search of the Infiniti revealed a plastic baggie of fentanyl in the driver’s door handle. On the driver’s side floorboard, police found a leather satchel, which contained 33 capsules of fentanyl, Oxycodone, four baggies of marijuana and Moore driver’s license. He was searched and found in possession of a clear baggie with methamphetamine and some marijuana, which was found during the search of his person.

A search of the female passenger revealed a large plastic baggie with methamphetamine.  Both Moore and Moore’s girlfriend told police that the drugs found in the car belonged to him, including the methamphetamine found on his girlfriend’s person. His girlfriend had taken the methamphetamine from defendant in an attempt to hide it from police. Moore admitted that he intended to sell some of the drugs to another person.

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, Missouri  – Today, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“Seniors are valuable members of our community.  Unfortunately, they are often vulnerable to devious forms of abuse and fraud.  Our goal is to stop such abuse before it happens and, when it does, to pursue the stiffest penalties and restitution amounts possible,” U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.

The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic and targeting seniors offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds.  On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we continue the fight to keep seniors safe a top priority.

Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities.

Major strides have already been made to that end:

National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11

Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.

Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel.  Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.

Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors.

Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.

Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.

For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Steven Carson, 32, of St. Charles, to 120 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

According to the plea agreement, on July 17, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers observed a vehicle near Union Boulevard and Bircher Avenue matching the description of a truck that had been reported stolen. As officers attempted to further investigate, the truck sped onto the on-ramp of I-70 East and entered Illinois. A police helicopter successfully tracked the truck as it re-entered St. Louis. The truck then became stuck in a traffic jam near McCree Avenue and South Kingshighway Boulevard, at which point Officers were able to deploy spike strips and disable the truck as it attempted to plow through two nearby passenger vehicles. Carson exited the truck’s driver seat and was detained after a brief foot chase. Carson was arrested in possession of 5.8 grams of methamphetamine and a stolen semiautomatic firearm loaded with an extended ammunition magazine.  

This case was diligently investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Redd handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Tamara Jo Nyachira, 40, of Pittsburg, Kansas, was indicted today with three felony charges of obtaining anti-malaria and narcotic opioid prescription drugs with forged prescriptions. 

According to the Indictment, Nyachira was a pharmacist for a large pharmacy chain, and worked at various pharmacies throughout Missouri, including one in Farmington, Missouri.  During March of 2020, Nyachira used several forged prescriptions to obtain two drugs, amoxicillin clavulanate potassium (sometimes marketed as Augmentin®) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (sometime marketed as Plaquenil®).  Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (sometime marketed as Plaquenil®) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to treat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, and can also be used on an emergency basis for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. 

Further, the Indictment alleges that Nyachira used a forged prescription to fraudulently obtain Codeine/butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine (sometimes marketed as Fioricet® with Codeine), which is an opioid drug and Schedule III controlled substance.

“Nyachira is charged with forging prescriptions and fraudulently obtaining opioids and other drugs, thereby limiting availability of medications to patients legitimately reliant on these drugs,” 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 are dedicated to working with local, state, and federal officials to hold accountable individuals who engage in such illegal activities.”     

If convicted, the anti-infection prescription drug charges each carry a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the controlled substance charge carries a maximum penalty of 4 years.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Pittsburg, Kansas Police Department, the Branson, Missouri Police Department, and the Farmington Police Department, with assistance from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri Pharmacy Board, the Eastern District of Missouri OPIOID Task Force, and the Eastern District of Missouri COVID-19 Task Force, a multi-agency working group committed to fighting COVID-19 frauds and scams that is operated under the leadership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service.    

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. 

St. Louis – Parris Guyton, 48, of East Saint Louis, IL, was sentenced to 216 months in prison for receipt of child pornography. Guyton appeared in federal court today before United States Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

On December 14, 2018, the North County Precinct of the St. Louis County, Missouri Police Department contacted the St. Louis Child Exploitation Task Force in reference to a sexual assault and production of child pornography. The victim, age 15, was taken to the St. Louis County, Missouri Police Headquarters by her parents. The victim identified Guyton as an individual who had sexual intercourse with her and subsequently attempted to have her prostituted.

Guyton began chatting with the victim through an online social media application (Tagged), in September 2018.  From September to December 2018, Guyton had numerous instances of sexual contact with the minor victim including instances that involved one or more adult persons and sexual contact involving force. During this time frame, Guyton successfully persuaded the minor victim to send him numerous videos showing the minor victim in various sexual poses and engaged in sexual activity. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Saint Louis County Police Department and the Saint Louis Child Exploitation Task Force diligently investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins prosecuted the case.  

St. Louis – The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice and the FBI are aware of the situation regarding a Florissant police detective who hit a man with his unmarked vehicle and will review all available evidence to determine what federal response is warranted. Experienced prosecutors and agents have been assigned to review the matter for potential federal civil rights violations.

St. Louis – Devante Coffie, 19, of Valley Park, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with stealing 32 handguns and two long guns at the Southside Pawn Shop.  Coffie will appear in court on June 4, 2020, for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Patricia Cohen.

According to the criminal complaint, on May 31, 2020, Coffie and another individual entered the Southside Pawn Shop via second story window after climbing onto the roof of a parked minivan.  The two individuals broke the glass of an elevated window in order to gain entry into the pawnshop.  While inside the shop, Coffie and the other individual fired their guns into multiple glass enclosures in order to get access to the firearms inside and removed them. 

Coffie cut himself on the broken glass of the window that had been used to enter the building.  Investigators identified Coffie after monitoring social media in attempt to find information about the burglary. Not only was he trying to sell the firearms on social media, but also a video showed Coffie’s hands had multiple bandages on them.  At the time of his arrest, Coffie had in his possession one of the stolen firearms from the burglary. 

If convicted of the theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee, Coffie faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the St. Louis County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce is handling this case. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis – Christopher Thomas Gaston, 40, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Gaston will appear in court on June 4, 2020 for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Patricia L. Cohen.

According to the criminal complaint, during an ongoing investigation into the shooting of four St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers during the late night hours of June 1 and early morning hours of June 2, 2020, Gaston was determined to live in a condominium complex adjacent to the scene of the shooting.  Witnesses reported seeing him with a firearm the evening of the shooting.  Security camera footage confirmed the witnesses’ statements and showed Gaston carrying a long gun partially concealed by a blanket.

A search warrant was conducted at Gaston’s residence and agents found two firearms – a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun.  The handgun was loaded with five rounds of ammunition and a box of 45 additional rounds of .380 caliber ammunition for the handgun were seized.  Gaston admitted to being a convicted felon and knowing he could not possess firearms.

If convicted, Gaston faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel is handling this case.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

St. Louis, MO – Nicholas Simmons, 37, of St. Louis, MO, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  Simmons appeared today before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber who accepted his plea and set sentencing for August 31, 2020. 

According to the plea agreement, FBI Special Agents received information during December, 2018 that Simmons was selling capsules of fentanyl in the St. Louis area.  Beginning on January 17, 2019 and continuing to April 25, 2019, the FBI made nine undercover purchases of fentanyl from Simmons, purchasing 16 – 20 capsules of fentanyl each time.  On May 13, 2019, FBI Special Agents conducted surveillance of Simmons, and observed him make what appeared to be a sale of illegal drugs to another individual.  As the Agents approached Simmons’s vehicle, Simmons attempted to flee the area.  Simmons crashed his vehicle, at which time the Agents were able to apprehend him.  The Agents located a loaded .45 caliber pistol in Simmons’ waistband, as well as 19 capsules of fentanyl in his pants pocket, and an additional 152 capsules of fentanyl in a black plastic bag in his possession.  FBI Special Agents obtained a search warrant for 2 residences associated with Simmons.  At one residence the Agents recovered drug paraphernalia and several firearms.  At the second residence, the Agents recovered 3 additional firearms, approximately 2 kilograms of marijuana, 46 grams of cocaine, and 12 grams of crack cocaine.  Drug paraphernalia and hundreds of rounds of miscellaneous ammunition were also recovered from the residence.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a maximum possible penalty of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000 or both imprisonment and a fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.     

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, Missouri –Emily Stephan, 19, of Overland, Missouri, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute just under 100 grams of methamphetamine.  Stephan appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.

According to court documents, on March 8, 2019, Stephan was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by the Overland Police Department for traffic violations.  Stephan was arrested for outstanding warrants and transported to the Overland Police Department.  Arresting officers found six baggies of marijuana and crystal methamphetamine on Stephan’s person.  Stephan admitted that she possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute some or all of it to another person.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Overland Police Department, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D’Agrosa handled the case.

St. Louis, Missouri – Keith D. Thomas, 29, of St. Louis, and Leonard Thomas, 35, of St. Louis, were each indicted by a federal grand jury with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Both were previously charged by federal complaint and appeared in court on May 21, 2020 for their initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Noce.

According to court documents, in early February 2020, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information from a source that Keith Thomas, a Bureau of Prisons’ inmate, and his brother Leonard Thomas were attempting to purchase fully automatic firearms.  Keith and Leonard negotiated a deal to purchase multiple firearms and Glock switches from undercover ATFE agents in exchange for cash and methamphetamine.  Keith arranged a deal via telephone and Leonard met with agents.  Both were arrested and multiple firearms and drugs were seized.

If convicted, the charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a penalty of not more than 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or both.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Behrens is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

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. 

St. Louis, MO –Venita Sedodo, 32, of St. Charles, Missouri, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for wire fraud related to her former position as Treasurer of Velda City, Missouri, and mail fraud related to her former position as Trust Secretary for the Travelers Protective Association of America, Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired.  She appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark, Sr. who also ordered Sedodo to pay $552,443.83 in restitution to the victims.  

According to court documents and statements made in court, Sedodo served as the Treasurer for Velda City, Missouri.  From November, 2015 through October, 2018, Sedodo schemed to steal approximately $400,000 from the city.  During that time, Sedodo issued approximately 90 unauthorized Velda City checks to herself, which she deposited into several of her personal bank accounts.  Sedodo spent the stolen funds on personal items and services such as clothing, automobile payments, as well as making numerous cash withdrawals.  Sedodo also issued unauthorized Velda City checks directly to a number of businesses to pay for personal items and services.  Further, Sedodo made numerous unauthorized ACH wire transmissions of funds from Velda City bank accounts to pay for personal items and services at businesses such as BMW, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Commerce Bank to pay off charges on her personal credit cards.  Altogether, Sedodo’s fraud scheme netted her approximately $400,000 in funds stolen from Velda City.

Sedodo was also employed as the Trust Secretary for the Travelers Protective Association of America, Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired (“TPA Scholarship Trust”).  This is a charitable organization which provides financial aid to individuals with deafness or hearing deficiencies.  From June, 2014, through January, 2019, Sedodo submitted false and fraudulent grant applications for her family members and friends to the charity’s Board of Trustees.  These grant applications falsely claimed that the individual applicants suffered from deafness or hearing impairment, and Sedodo created and submitted along with the applications false audiograms and audiological evaluations.  Sedodo did not advise the Board of Trustees that the individual applicants were her family members and friends.  Once the Board of Trustees unwittingly approved the grant applications, Sedodo processed and issued checks to the individual applicants, who then cashed the checks and split the proceeds with Sedodo.  None of the grant funds were used for legitimate health care or treatment related to deafness or hearing impairment, but were used by Sedodo and her family and friends for their own personal use and expenses.  The charity was unable to fund many legitimate grant applications during the period of Sedodo’s criminal scheme due to the lack of funds as a result of Sedodo’s conduct. Sedodo obtained approximately $156,100 from TPA Scholarship Trust through her fraudulent scheme.          

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case, with the assistance of the Velda City Police Department.  The Board of Trustees for the Travelers Protective Association, Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired also provided substantial assistance and cooperation during the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, Missouri – Deandre Moore, 26, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 186 months in prison for six armed carjackings.  Moore appeared today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. 

According to court documents, Moore and co-defendant Deron Mitchell committed six carjackings – one on September 6, 2018; two on November 4, 2018; and three on November 5, 2018. Both were caught with firearms while occupying a stolen car which contained personal property taken in other carjackings.  Moore and Mitchell were arrested on November 6, 2018, and confessed to the carjackings. 

Moore pleaded guilty in February to six counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Co-defendant Mitchell, who was 17 years of age at the time of the carjackings, pleaded guilty in February to six counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. His sentencing date is pending.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Maplewood Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa handled this case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Laronda Louis, 32, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to a mandatory term of twenty-fourth months in prison and 1 year of supervised release in prison for aggravated identity theft in connection with credit card theft.  Louis appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey. 

According to court documents, Louis and her co-defendant, Deandre Dugger, worked together to steal credit cards from staff at local boutiques and retail stores.  Louis would distract the boutique staff as Dugger stole personal credit cards from staff members.  Louis and Dugger then used the stolen credit cards to make purchases at various area stores, all without the knowledge of the victims.  Louis was ordered to pay $35,865.98 in restitution for the losses she and Dugger caused through their theft.

The case was investigated by the Secret Service, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Carlos O’Connor, 22, St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 26 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  O’Connor appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

According to the plea agreement, on June 20, 2019, O’Connor was a passenger in a speeding Mustang.  An officer with the Maryland Height Police Department observed O’Connor throw a firearm from the vehicle.  After the officer conducted a traffic stop, two firearms were located in the rear seat of the Mustang, a 9mm Taurus pistol and a .22 caliber Beretta pistol. 

Officers recovered the gun that O’Conner was seen throwing out the window, a stolen Colt .32 pistol.  O’Conner admitted to possession of the stolen Colt .32 pistol.

This case was investigated by the Maryland Heights Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

St. Louis – Patrick Fitzgerald Franklin, 21, of St. Louis, and Jacquez Trayvon Love, 22, of St. Louis, were charged by a federal complaint today.  Franklin was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.  Love was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the criminal complaint and other court documents, on May 13, 2020, investigators with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) Anti-Crime Unit observed a stolen silver 2020 Volkswagen Passat parked at a QuikTrip gas station.  Franklin and Love were identified as the occupants in the stolen vehicle.  Franklin and Love proceeded to depart the QuikTrip in the vehicle, and traveled to the 3900 block of Potomac in St. Louis.  Both Franklin and Love approached a house in the 3900 block of Potomac. 

An officer attempted to contact the men, yelled “stop” and “police,” and observed each man to be in possession of an assault-style firearm.  Both men proceeded to flee on foot into a residence in the 3900 block of Potomac.

The complaint further alleges that police took Franklin and Love into custody, recovered the assault-style firearms, and recovered suspected controlled substances, later determined to be fentanyl, in each man’s possession.  The complaint alleges that the quantities of controlled substances are consistent with the intent to distribute. 

Franklin and Love are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

These charges are being investigated by the Anti-Crime Unit of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Angie Danis is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

ST. LOUIS – Gerald Fitzgerald Hunter, 54, a fugitive in a fentanyl and cocaine distribution conspiracy in St. Louis, was arrested in Los Angeles this week.

A federal complaint filed in April 2017 alleges that the Drug Enforcement Administration was conducting an active investigation of a fentanyl and cocaine distribution organization in St. Louis. Agents identified Hunter of Los Angeles as an out-of-state source of supply for the St. Louis organization. On April 27, 2017, DEA agents seized approximately 27 kilograms of fentanyl in Florissant, Mo. The complaint further alleges that Hunter was holding bags containing the suspected controlled substances before he successfully evaded agents and avoided arrest. 

A grand jury indicted Hunter and 10 other individuals for their involvement in the fentanyl and cocaine distribution conspiracy and related charges. Hunter is also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. Although Hunter’s co-conspirators were apprehended, Hunter successfully evaded arrest since April 2017 until his arrest in Los Angeles this week by the United States Marshals Service. Over the course of the investigation, agents seized over 27 kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine, United States currency, firearms, and hydraulic drug presses.  

United States Attorney Jeff Jensen stated, “This is but one example of DEA’s outstanding operational work, which in this case prevented an enormous amount of the dangerous drug fentanyl from reaching the streets of St. Louis.” Jensen further stated, “During National Police Week, it is fitting to recognize not only DEA’s outstanding operational work, but their tremendous partnership with the United States Marshals Service. The skill and determination of the United States Marshals Service directly resulted in the apprehension of this fugitive from justice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Fentanyl drug trafficking organizations based on the west coast pose a great public safety threat to our community through the distribution of deadly drugs and the associated drug violence in the St. Louis Metro,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan, head of the DEA St. Louis Division. “This investigation revealed a sophisticated drug trafficking and money laundering network with tentacles stretching from Los Angeles to the streets of St. Louis. I believe these violators felt they could safely avoid being held accountable for their activity. However, for the past three years, the DEA, along with our partners at the United States Marshal’s Service and with the support of the United States Attorney, pursued this defendant in an effort to make St. Louis safer.”

John Jordan, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri, stated that “The United States Marshals Service is a proud member of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.  The fugitive case regarding Gerald Hunter, who has been on the run since 2017, exemplifies the bloodhound mentality of the men and women of the United States Marshals Service.  We will always pursue fugitives like Hunter who do their best to become ghosts to avoid justice.  I am especially proud of the U.S. Marshals Service personnel in this case for their relentless pursuit of this fugitive and am proud of our longstanding partnerships in the law enforcement community.”

The charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the United States Border Patrol. Deputy Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Chief Erin Granger and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Casey are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

St. Louis, Missouri — In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen would like to recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment in keeping our communities safe.   As the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, and local law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks.  We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation, we are proud to prosecute their cases,” stated United States Attorney Jeff Jensen.

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

This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including two officers here in the Eastern District of Missouri.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT).  The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.

U.S. Attorney Jensen announced the release of three video public service announcements (“PSA”) honoring the service of our law enforcement officers across the country.

Supporting Law Enforcement During Police Week 2020 

https://youtu.be/3bHlVOi3NJI

Police Week 2020 – Honoring Law Enforcement for their Service and Selflessness 

https://youtu.be/U2vnTUVCvHA

Honoring the Sacrifices of Law Enforcement during Police Week 2020 

https://youtu.be/cFG52fcUIZc