Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis – Ojay Smith, 33, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. who also ordered Smith to pay $22,327.80 in restitution to the victims. 

According to court documents, Smith obtained the personal bank checking account number of the two victims, who were both above the age of 70.  Between March 13, 2018 and September 20, 2018, Smith used the victims’ account number to electronically transmit funds from the victims’ account to pay his own creditors and the creditors of others.  In exchange for paying the debts of others, the debtors paid Smith a percentage of the bill that was to be paid.  More than $22,000 in fraudulent transactions were made or attempted to be made, from the victims’ bank account. 

The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative.

The Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting financial crimes targeting older adults.  The Eastern District of Missouri Identity Theft Task Force is a group of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together to combat identity theft and its related crimes across the St. Louis Community.

St. Louis, Missouri – A federal grand jury in Cape Girardeau, Missouri indicted Nicholas J. Proffitt, 42, for his conduct in connection with the April 24, 2020 fire at the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center. The indictment charges Proffitt with damaging religious property because of the property’s religious character, using fire to commit a federal felony, and damaging a building used in interstate commerce through the use of fire.

An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Missouri State Fire Marshal Office, the Perryville Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Trial Attorney Janea Lamar of the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Criminal Section.

WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Cape Girardeau, Missouri indicted Nicholas J. Proffitt, 42, for his conduct in connection with the April 24, 2020 fire at the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center. The indictment charges Proffitt with damaging religious property because of the property’s religious character, using fire to commit a federal felony, and damaging a building used in interstate commerce through the use of fire.

An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Missouri State Fire Marshal Office, the Perryville Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Trial Attorney Janea Lamar of the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Criminal Section.

St. Louis, Missouri – After having served approximately 26 months in pretrial detention, Slaven Nedic, 28, of St. Louis, was sentenced to three years of probation.  Nedic appeared today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross. 

According to court documents, on March 9, 2018, Nedic entered the lobby of the Crestwood office of the Social Security Administration and punched an armed guard in the face.  He also attempted to obtain control of the guard’s firearm during the ensuing physical confrontation.  An unarmed employee of the administrative agency heard the altercation, and came to the guard’s aid.  The two were able to restrain Nedic until local law enforcement officials arrived.  Nedic has been in custody since his arrest on March 9, 2018. 

The case was handled by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Paul “Paco” Garcia, 40, of Barnhart, MO, appeared today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry, who sentenced him to ten years in the Bureau of Prisons for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the plea agreement, law enforcement agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Garcia in August, 2018 for trafficking in methamphetamine in an around Jefferson County.

On September 14, 2018, a Jefferson County police officer stopped Garcia for speeding near Highway MM at the Old Highway 21 interchange in Jefferson County, Missouri.  The officer asked Garcia to step out of the vehicle and subsequently observed Garcia appearing to reach for a baseball bat located in the car.  When officers searched the car they located a silver baseball bat and a firearm in the glove compartment.  The firearm was a Rock Island Armory .38 SPL revolver.  A further search of the car revealed a small black bag containing metal knuckles and additional .38 caliber bullets. Garcia admitted he kept the revolver in his glove box for protection in connection with his methamphetamine trafficking activities

This case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm  handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Garcia remains charged in Jefferson County by the State of Missouri with Animal Abuse in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action.  Those charges stem from allegations that Garcia threw a Dachshund from his car window after binding its muzzle and legs with tape during February, 2019.  Those charges are mere accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.  That case is being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, Missouri – Antuan S. Ward, a/k/a Ari’al Ban Yashar’al, 33, of St. Louis, Missouri, plead guilty to one felony count of impersonating a foreign diplomat.  Ward appeared today before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and sentenced him to time served, approximately 13 months in federal custody, and two years supervised release.

According to court documents, on April 25, 2018, Ward was driving a 1998 Ford pickup truck when he was lawfully stopped by an Ellisville Police Department officer for displaying fictitious temporary tags on the vehicle.  During the traffic stop, the officer asked to see Ward's driver's license and proof of insurance. Ward gave the officer a laminated “Lawful Diplomat Sovereign and Self Determination Hebrew Israelite American National Republic Universal Dual National Identification" card that displayed a photograph of Ward and the name "Ari'al Ban Yashar'a1." Ward told the officer that he was not a ward of the state and refused to provide his full legal name.  In doing so, Ward pretended to be a diplomatic official of a foreign government duly accredited as such to the United States, and did so with the intent to deceive or defraud the officer in an attempt to avoid receiving a traffic citation from the Ellisville Police Department.  At the time of the vehicle stop, Ward was a fugitive from the State of Massachusetts, where he had been released on bond pending felony charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm.  Ward has been detained in custody since the time of his April 25, 2018 arrest. 

This case was the result of outstanding police work by Officers of the Ellisville Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of State.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Bateman handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – Nicholas J. Proffitt, 42, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with maliciously damaging a building by means of a fire. Proffitt will appear in court on April 30, 2020, for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Abbie Crites-Leoni.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 24, 2020, at approximately 4:50 a.m., a fire was discovered at The Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau, 298 Northwest End Boulevard, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Center’s video security system for the time of the fire observed Proffitt throwing multiple objects through a glass window, causing it to break. Proffitt threw two containers into the Center through the broken window and stepped through to enter the Center.  Proffitt then picked up the containers and splashed liquid inside the Center. Proffitt ignited the fire with some type of fire starter. The blaze began immediately and appeared to be accelerated by the liquid that was poured in the building. 

“To people of faith in our nation, houses of worship are sacred places,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Attacks against houses of worship are attacks against people of faith and their right to exercise their religion freely and without fear.  The Justice Department will defend the right of all people in our country to exercise their religion, no matter the creed.”

“I extend my sincere thanks to all law enforcement agencies involved for their quick and effective response to this serious crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri.

“The fact this fire damaged a place of worship during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is especially harmful,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Protecting the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of color or creed, is one of the top priorities of the FBI.”

“ATF has a long tradition of fire and arson investigation,” Marino Vidoli, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division. “In no case is that expertise more critical than a fire such as this. When a house of worship is intentionally damaged by fire, it is not only that congregation that suffers, but the entire community. Religious centers, churches and mosques are often at the center of our neighborhoods, offering sanctuaries of peace and caring to those in need. Today’s complaint is an example of local, state and federal law enforcement coming together to support our communities.”

This is an ongoing investigation. 

Proffitt is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Missouri State Fire Marshal Office and the Perryville Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice are prosecuting this case. 

St. Louis – A new St. Louis Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Gateway Strike Force is combatting drug traffickers and violent criminals on both sides of the Mississippi River, Adam Cohen of the DOJ OCDETF Executive Office, U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft in the Southern District of Illinois (SDIL), and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen in the Eastern District of Missouri (EDMO) announced today.

The St. Louis OCDETF Gateway Strike Force represents an incredible investigative force to address major drug trafficking organizations, gangs and associated violence, including murders, in the St. Louis Metropolitan Region.  The Strike Force brings together under one roof federal investigative agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the St. Louis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), United States Postal Investigation Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS), and the United States Secret Service (USSS) along with State and local law enforcement offices including the St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis City Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Charles County Police Department, St. Charles City Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Webster Groves Police Department, Woodson Terrace Police Department, and the Missouri National Guard. 

A satellite office located in Illinois will include members of the DEA, FBI Springfield, Illinois State Police, and the aforementioned agency partners along with prosecutors from the SDIL and the EDMO who will pursue criminal charges in federal court.  Although the Strike Force is designed to generate federal prosecutions, it is anticipated that some Strike Force cases will be suitable for prosecution in state courts in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.  The ongoing cooperation of the Circuit Attorney’s Office of the City of St. Louis and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of St. Louis County is a significant and appreciated factor in the Strike Force’s ongoing efforts.

This unique entity brings to bear the investigative experience and expertise of these various law enforcement agencies and equips them with additional resources to investigate and dismantle, through federal and state prosecution, criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, murders, other acts of violence, and other criminal activity. 

The Director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Adam Cohen, wanted to be here to celebrate the announcement of this newest OCDETF Strike Force, but the restrictions related to the current public health crisis prevented his traveling to St. Louis from Washington.  He released the following statement:

“The OCDETF co-located Strike Forces Initiative provides for the establishment of permanent prosecutor-led, multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same office space where they partner to conduct intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against priority targets and their illicit financial networks.  With the addition of the St. Louis Gateway Strike Force, OCDETF now has 19 Strike Forces operating throughout the country.

“The OCDETF Program is the keystone of the U.S. Attorney General’s strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout our nation using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime.  The role of OCDETF is to facilitate joint operations by focusing its partners on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms. 

“The St. Louis Gateway OCDETF Strike Force is a joint effort led by the United States Attorneys in the Eastern District of Missouri and the Southern District of Illinois.  This newest OCDETF Strike Force features agents from at least seven federal agencies and two state and local law enforcement agencies.  These U.S. Attorneys’ offices are working together, across state lines and judicial districts, in a regional approach to combat criminal organizations and the violence they inflict on the community.  Criminals do not recognize state boundaries or county lines and neither will we.

“As illicit drug production, transportation, and distribution continue to plague our nation and the safety of our citizens, OCDETF remains the targeting, coordination, and intelligence platform for combatting high-level drug trafficking and its attendant violent crime.  

“It is a privilege to acknowledge the multi-agency effort demonstrated today by the announcement of the opening of the St. Louis Gateway OCDETF Strike Force.  This new Strike Force team doesn’t just join 18 other Strike Forces, it joins the largest anti-crime task force in the country – OCDETF is made up of over 550 federal prosecutors, 2,000 federal agents, 40,000 state and local law enforcement officers from almost 1,200 police agencies, and an intelligence fusion center.” 

In conclusion, Mr. Cohen stated that, “I offer my sincerest congratulations to U.S. Attorneys Jeff Jensen and Steve Weinhoeft as they formally open the St. Louis Gateway Strike Force which will serve and protect the community for years to come with a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combating the command and control elements of organized criminal networks.” 

Chief Jon Belmar, St. Louis County Police Department, stated that, “This Strike Force designation will provide additional resources as our Law Enforcement community works together to provide a safer St. Louis region. Removing the most violent criminals from our streets is our top priority, and I am proud of the collaboration that exists between Local Law Enforcement, our Federal partners and the United States Attorney’s Office. Congratulations to all who have worked so diligently to move this forward in the effort of a safer St. Louis.”

“Mark Twain once famously described the Mississippi River as a ‘lawless stream’ that cannot be tamed. Today, the challenge we face isn’t the water itself but the flow of illegal drugs that cross the river each day. That flow of illegal drugs fuels violence, overdoses, addiction, and countless other societal harms. We remain committed to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan area, and through the formation of this joint strike force, we now have important new resources at our disposal to stem the tide,” stated U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Illinois.

Jensen stated that, “The new Strike Force will have a major impact in reducing the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area and the Midwest.  The Strike Force is a powerful tool to target those organizations involved in many of the murders and other violent acts in our region.   These groups are organized, compartmentalized, secretive, and often ruthless.  Therefore, it takes a powerful tool, a Strike Force, to dismantle these predatory organizations.” 

Jensen extended his thanks to Attorney General William Barr and the DOJ OCDETF Executive Office for designating St. Louis as a Strike Force location.   

Jensen further stated, “I am particularly honored to formalize our Gateway Strike Force partnership with our counterparts in the Southern District of Illinois.  Steve Weinhoeft, federal prosecutors, and officers and agents in the Southern District are strong and effective law enforcement partners.  Organized and violent drug traffickers do not recognize state lines.  Our combined resources will enable us to dismantle criminal organizations that impact both sides of the river.”

ST. LOUIS JOINS OCDETF STRIKE FORCES NATIONWIDE

The Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) oversees the Strike Force initiative. St. Louis joins OCDETF Strike Forces in major cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, North Texas, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, San Juan, Southeast Michigan, and Tampa.

MISSION: DISRUPT, DISMANTLE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

The goal of the Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations, including gangs, cartels, and others that are trafficking in drugs and firearms, or engaging in money laundering.

Participating agencies have agreed to assign full-time personnel to the Strike Force. Police officers, federal agents, and prosecutors are working together under one roof. For security reasons, the location will not be made public.

An FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge and a DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge manage the Strike Force’s teams: a major crime squad, a major threat squad, and a fugitive squad. A Strike Force Executive Council, whose members include both U.S. Attorneys, will oversee the Strike Force.

CASES FILED

Some of the law enforcement agencies comprising The St. Louis OCDETF Gateway Strike Force started working together over the last several years as a prelude to the formation of the Strike Force.  Examples of their work include:

U.S. v. Velazquez, et al: Thirty-four defendants were indicted for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy or related offenses.  Agents seized approximately $1.3 million dollars, and more than sixty kilograms of cocaine.  The indictment alleges that members of the organization committed multiple murders as part of the drug trafficking enterprise.  Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against one of the members of the organization alleged to have been involved in murders.  Many of the defendants in this case have pled guilty in federal court. 

U.S. v. Goolsby, et al: Fifteen defendants were indicted in this drug trafficking conspiracy involving the seizure of approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, 3 kilograms of fentanyl and over $2,000,000 in currency.

U.S. v. Starr, et al: Nine defendants were indicted in a multi-kilogram methamphetamine conspiracy.  Investigators seized approximately 2.3 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as quantities of cocaine, over $50,000 in currency and two firearms.

U.S. v. Johnson, et al: Approximately twenty-one defendants were indicted for their various roles in the trafficking of heroin and fentanyl in and around the Peabody Housing Complex just south of downtown St. Louis.  Investigators seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 9 ounces of fentanyl, 27 firearms, and approximately $70,000.00.  The indictment alleges that the members of the conspiracy committed a homicide and are responsible for two overdose deaths.  Many of the defendants (approximately 15) have pled guilty in federal court.

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.

The prosecutions announced in this release were brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s OCDETF Co-located Strike Forces Initiative or as the prelude to the designation of the Strike Force.  The Strike Force will build upon this work and bring even more resources to bear in identifying and dismantling other large criminal organizations involved in the flow of drugs to our community and associated murders and other violence.  The Strike Force, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location, will only strengthen successful prelude partnerships. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led, co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. 

OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s illicit drug reduction strategy.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

STATEMENTS FROM PARTNERS

Agency officials who are working with the Strike Force made the following statements:

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Springfield, Illinois Division, Sean M. Cox stated, "The Springfield Division of the FBI is proud to collaborate with FBI St. Louis as well as our federal and state law enforcement partners to combat the most prolific criminals operating between St. Louis and East St. Louis.  It is only by way of focused law enforcement operations and prosecutorial relationships that we can make a positive impact in our communities and hold these criminals accountable for their actions."  

"This Gateway Strike Force will use increased funding and expanded partnerships to target violent gangs engaged in drug trafficking, homicides, carjackings, and armed robberies," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "By joining forces with our brethren across the river, it will also make it much more difficult for criminals to exploit geographic and jurisdictional boundaries to evade justice."

“The St. Louis Gateway OCDETF Strike Force will place a special emphasis on the region’s most serious drug and drug violence threats,” said Special Agent in Charge William Callahan, head of the DEA St. Louis Division.  “The DEA will bring significant investigative resources, in collaboration with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to target the command and control of drug trafficking organizations in the St. Louis Metro and worldwide. We expect the Gateway Strike Force to identify and seize drug-related assets associated with these criminal networks for a well-rounded, targeted approach to their dismantlement.”

Katherine Greer, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City stated, “The creation of the St. Louis Strike Force provides a collaborative effort, serving as a force multiplier to effectively protect the public, by targeting the command structure of major international criminal organizations.  HSI brings a unique expertise to combatting violent crime utilizing over 400 federal statutes involving narcotics smuggling, weapons violations, money laundering and immigration enforcement.”

“Our citizens have heard me say on numerous occasions that at least 50% of our City’s homicides and gun violence is drug-related; not to mention the fact that drug overdoses in our City have ravaged through our community as well.  The Drug Strike Force will be a regional effort which promises to have a meaningful impact on the City’s gun violence and overdose rate. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate on the Strike Force and I am looking forward to reaping the benefits of its presence in our region,” stated Police Commissioner John Hayden, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

“The United States Marshals Service serves as the United States Government’s primary fugitive investigation and apprehension agency.  As a charter agency within the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Marshals Service stands ready to help the Strike Force destabilize and disrupt the most serious crime organizations through joint and collaborative fugitive investigations.  The Marshals Service in St. Louis has a dedicated group of Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers embedded at the St. Louis Gateway Strike Force as a fugitive team.  Leveraging the 94 Marshals Service district offices across the country, and proud 230-year history of the U.S. Marshals, this fugitive team will support the Strike Force in investigating, locating, and apprehending the country’s most serious fugitives.  We are proud to be a partner agency in this endeavor and commend the work of the United States Attorney’s Office and all other partner agencies that make up the OCDETF Strike Force,” stated John Jordan, United States Marshal, Eastern District of Missouri.

Postal Inspector in Charge Bill Hedrick, of the Chicago Division Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Field Office, stated, “The United States Postal Inspection Service proudly partners with the agencies involved in the task force to better coordinate investigations.  These relationships facilitate communication and data sharing that enable the identification of drug trafficking organizations, which would not be possible without interagency cooperation.  This allows the Postal Inspection Service to advance its mission to enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail, and protect the American public from criminal drug and gang activity which destroys so many lives.”  

Karl Stiften, IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, stated, “IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI) is a proud participant of the St. Louis OCDETF Strike Force.  CI special agents contribute our financial investigative skills to track and seize proceeds of illegal activities from the criminals involved. Pooling the skills and resources of each agency makes a formidable team.”

“The United States Secret Service is proud to join forces with our local, state, and federal partners as a member of the St. Louis Gateway OCDETF Strike Force.  This collaboration will serve to strengthen our capabilities to directly target major international criminal organizations operating in the St. Louis metropolitan area and around the world,” stated Thomas Landry, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service - St. Louis Field Office.

Chief Kurt Frisz of the St. Charles County Police Department stated, “The St. Charles County Police Department has long valued interagency collaborations and we are happy to support this initiative. The Strike Force will play a vital role in dismantling the very complex and transient criminal networks that are plaguing our region, which will increase our ability to solve heinous crimes that have threatened the community’s sense of peace.”

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), St. Louis Field Office, are warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the COVID-19 economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money.   

Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRSCI), St. Louis Field Office, made the announcement today in an effort to prevent taxpayers from falling victim to criminals using the recently approved economic impact payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.

Automatic COVID-19 economic impact payments started being deposited into taxpayers’ accounts on April 11. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account, or a paper check delivered via U.S. mail.  Scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them or use this as an opportunity to get you to “verify” your filing information in order to receive your money, and then use your personal information at a later date to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme. Because of this, everyone receiving a COVID-19 related economic impact payment from the government is at risk.

Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI St. Louis Field Office warned, “The existence of a deadly national pandemic will not stop criminals seeking to capitalize on the fears and difficulties faced by the public as they try to line their own pockets by stealing your money or your personal information.”

Special Agent in Charge Stiften offers the following information and tips to spot a scam and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued.

• The IRS will deposit your check into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
• The IRS will not call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out your bank account or any other account information - even if someone claims it's necessary to get your check. It's a scam.  
• If you receive a call, don't engage with scammers or thieves, even if you want to tell them that you know it's a scam, or you think that you can beat them. Just hang up.
• If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Don't click on any links in those emails or texts.
• Reports are also swirling about bogus checks.  If you receive a check that requires that you verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud.

In these uncertain and trying times, we need to stand together united with purpose.  Do not become a victim by allowing criminals to exploit your emotions. Stay strong; tell your family, friends and neighbors about these scams.  

“We are working closely with our law enforcement partners like IRS Criminal Investigation to protect zealously the public from fraudsters who try to take advantage of a vulnerable time for our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Jensen.  “We need the public to partner with us by following the simple IRS guidance for protecting privacy and guarding against fraud.” 

"IRS Criminal Investigation alongside the U.S. Department of Justice are prioritizing these types of investigations to help protect taxpayers and the tax system, especially those looking to prey on vulnerable taxpayers,” said Special Agent in Charge Stiften.  “Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.”

For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus.  You can always report scams to the IRS on the website at https://www.irs.gov/privacydisclosure/report-phishing

St. Louis – Markquis Bryant, aka “Two”, 48, of Saint Louis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury with charges of being a felon in possession of one or more firearms; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Bryant was previously charged by federal complaint and appeared in court on March 27, 2020 for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker.

According to court documents and statements made in court, investigators with the Florissant Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit began an investigation into a fatal narcotics overdose which occurred on March 7, 2020.  The investigators were able to determine that the victim had purchased illegal narcotics from Markquis Bryant on March 6, 2020.  During the week of March 9, 2020, investigators conducted an undercover operation where an amount of suspected heroin and/or fentanyl was purchased from Bryant at his residence in the 5300 block of Queens Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri.  On March 26, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florissant Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, at that same residence.  While executing the search warrant, law enforcement located five (5) firearms, including a Glock .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Sig Sauer .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Rohm GMBH .22 magnum caliber revolver, a Mossberg International, .22 LR caliber firearm, and an Intratec AB-10 Model .9 mm caliber firearm, as well as an extended firearm magazine and ounce quantities of suspected heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.  Investigators also seized items of drug trafficking paraphernalia, including a pill press, an N-95 respirator mask, multiple scales and blenders with residue. Investigators also located in defendant’s wallet an EBT card belonging to the victim of the March 7, 2020, fatal overdose investigation. Markquis Bryant has prior criminal convictions for Murder Second Degree, Assault First Degree and Armed Criminal Action from 1990.  He also has prior criminal convictions for Possession of a Controlled Substance in 2009, and Assault in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action in 2011.

“DEA will target and arrest violent repeat offenders that cause overdose deaths with their poison,” said DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge William Callahan. “We need to keep hospital beds open during the COVID-19 epidemic. Keeping illegal drugs off the streets is one way DEA is helping our medical professionals during this crisis.”

If convicted, the charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000 or both; felon in possession of one or more firearms carries a penalty of not more than10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or both; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime carries a penalty of not less than five years and no more than life 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 Florissant, Missouri Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Yemm 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 – Markquis Bryant, aka “Two,” 48, of Saint Louis, MO, was charged by a federal complaint with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; being a felon in possession of one or more firearms; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Bryant will appear in court on March 27, 2020 for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators with the Florissant Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit began an investigation into a fatal narcotics overdose which occurred on March 7, 2020.  The investigators were able to determine that the victim had purchased illegal narcotics from Markquis Bryant on March 6, 2020.  During the week of March 9, 2020, investigators conducted an undercover operation where an amount of suspected heroin and/or fentanyl was purchased from Bryant at his residence in the 5300 block of Queens Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri.  On March 26, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florissant Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, at that same residence.  While executing the search warrant, law enforcement located five (5) firearms, including an AR-15 style pistol, a Glock .40 caliber firearm, and a Tech- 9 .9 mm firearm, as well as ounce quantities of suspected heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.  Law enforcement also seized an extended firearm magazine, pill press, multiple scales and blenders with residue.  Markquis Bryant has prior criminal convictions for Murder First Degree, Assault First Degree and Armed Criminal Action from 1990.  He also has prior criminal convictions for Possession of a Controlled Substance in 2009, and Assault in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action in 2011.

“We appreciate these continued, proactive law enforcement efforts despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.

Bryant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Florissant, Missouri Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen of the Eastern District of Missouri today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by contacting the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov.

In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes. The NCDF Hotline can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.

“My office will continue to work with federal, state and local law enforcement to protect zealously the public from fraudsters who try to take advantage of a vulnerable time for our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Jensen.  “A national crisis is in no way a safe harbor for criminal activity.”

Some examples of these schemes include:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
• Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.      

In connection with a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19 by Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, the United States Attorney’s Office has appointed a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the Eastern District of Missouri on matters relating to the Coronavirus, and to direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes.   Anyone with such information concerning such matters is encouraged to contact the United States Attorney’s Office immediately.

St. Louis, MO –Arielle Steed, 27, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for aiding and abetting the robbery of a United States Postal employee.  Steed appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

According to court documents, in early December 2018, Steed and co-defendant Dywane Upchurch planned to rob the U.S. Post Office in Richmond Heights located on Big Bend Boulevard.  Steed was a teller at the post office and was in a relationship with Upchurch. 

On December 6, 2018, after the post office closed to the public, Steed retrieved all the cash from the registers, sorted it, and placed it in a stack on the counter.  At this time, there was only one other employee present at the post office.  Upchurch, dressed in all black and wearing a surgical mask, entered the rear door of the post office.  He was armed with a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.  Once inside, Upchurch brandished the firearm and forced Steed and the other employee into a restroom.  Upchurch then went to the counter and stole approximately $8,800 in cash.

Upchurch pled on October 4, 2019 to felon in possession of a firearm and assaulting a U.S. Postal employee while committing a robbery.  He was sentenced to 60 months in prison on January 16, 2020.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Richmond Heights Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware handled the case.

St. Louis, MO – Tracy Lee Cernicek, 48, of St. Charles, Missouri, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for wire fraud.  Cernicek appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark. 

According to court documents, Cernicek formerly worked as a credit and collection supervisor for Nortek Global HVAC and Nordyne Distributing.  Between September 2016 and April 2019, Cernicek devised and executed a scheme wherein she fraudulently diverted company funds to herself.  As one part of her scheme, she altered company systems in a manner that caused company refund transactions, which were properly due and owing to customers, to be paid to her own bank account.  As another part of her scheme, she directed third parties to include her name on checks that were properly payable to the company, and thereafter, deposited those checks into her own personal bank account.  As part of her effort to conceal the scheme, Cernicek thereafter manipulated company accounting software to write off the transactions as bad debt.  In total, Cernicek attempted to embezzle almost $180,000 from her employer and their customers, and successfully embezzled approximately $136,000.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Keyshaun Jenkins, 19, of St. Clair County, Illinois, Missouri, on multiple criminal counts stemming from a February 28, 2020 carjacking. 

According to court documents, on February 28, 2020, C.X. and C.G. were looking at the backup camera of C.X.’s Volkswagen Passat.  While standing outside the car, Jenkins and another individual were wearing masks, all dark clothing and approached carrying handguns.  One of the men struck C.X. in the side of the head with a gun and demanded his car keys, cell phone, and the password to his cell phone, which C.X. turned over.  The other man pointed a gun at victim C.G. and demanded her cell phone and password.  C.G. complied.  The men got into C.X.’s Passat and drove away.

At the time of the carjacking, Jenkins was on supervised release at time for his prior conviction of possession of a stolen firearm.  At the time of his arrest on March 4, 2020, Jenkins was carrying a bag which contained the key to C.X.’s Volkswagen Passat and other belongings of C.X.

Jenkins has been charged with one felony count of carjacking and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.  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. 

If convicted, carjacking carries a penalty of not more than fifteen years and a fine of $250,000 and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime carries a penalty of not less than seven years and no more than life and a fine of $250,000. 

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly investigating the case.

St. Louis, MO –Gregory Clark, 54, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on one count of Interstate Extortion; one count of Interstate Activity in Aid of Racketeering; and one count of Interference with Commerce by Means of Extortion.

According to the Indictment, Clark was employed by a St. Louis company.  Following Clark’s termination, he sent an email to his former employer saying that he had stolen the company’s confidential business information and threatening to divulge that information to the company’s business associates unless the company either rehired him or paid him $200,000 not to release the information.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case. 

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 – Aaron Hiner, 55, Ferguson, MO, was sentenced to a five year term of probation and six months home confinement for stealing prescription medicine from the United States Mail.  Hiner appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Henry A. Autrey. 

According to court records, Hiner was an employee of the United States Postal Service and assigned to the St. Louis Metro Annex in Hazelwood, Missouri between 2004 and March 2019.  On January 15 and March 5, 2019, Hiner stole 147 Express Scripts medication parcels from the mail. Hiner pled guilty and admitted that, because of his addiction to opioids, he stole the Express Scripts parcel mailings.  The estimated loss associated with his theft is $35,742.57.

Hiner pled guilty in October 2019 to one felony count of theft of mail by a Postal Service employee.

The United States Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis - David L. Downey, 51, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 72   months in prison for federal charges stemming from his scheme to defraud which caused losses of $9.4 million to clients of his payroll service business and the Internal Revenue Service.  Downey appeared today in front of United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

Downey ran a payroll services business in Indianapolis under the name Time Payroll from 2013 to 2017.  He had clients in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri.  He had earlier admitted that he deflected money from his clients’ accounts to his Charles Schwab brokerage accounts and failed to pay substantial amounts of those client funds to the IRS for the clients’ employment taxes.  Over the course of the scheme, he misapplied some $20 million into his day-trading accounts at Charles Schwab and returned only $11 million of those funds to the IRS for employment taxes.  The government has stated that Downey effectively ran a Ponzi scheme with his client’s money and funded exotic travel to destinations such as St. Bart’s with the stolen funds. He admitted to a loss to the clients and to the IRS of $9,428,160.

The court ordered Downey to pay restitution to his clients in the amount of $8,780,118. 

“David Downey’s sentence proves employment tax fraud will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent,” said Karl Stiften, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “David Downy not only stole from the U.S. Government, he also stole from the businesses who trusted him to pay over their employment taxes.”

Court records show that, after closing his business in late 2017, Downey cashed out his remaining brokerage and bank accounts and headed to California.  There he attempted to get a U.S. passport using his brother’s name and a recently-issued California driver’s license showing his brother’s name and Downey’s picture.  Special Agents from the IRS Criminal Investigation unit in St. Louis tracked Downey to California and, on November 16, 2018, arrested him at the Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach.  Downey was in possession of $955,956 in cash at the time of his arrest.  He had also used $53,990 in cash to purchase a 2018 Jeep Cherokee in California.  The vehicle was bought in his brother’s name.  The cash and the vehicle were seized by the IRS Special Agents.  The court ordered the cash and the car to be forfeited for the benefit of his clients. 

One of Downey’s clients was Health Facilities Rehab Services (HFRS) located in Sikeston, Missouri.  HFRS initially lost $851,174 to Downey and, after suing him, was eventually paid $650,000 of that loss.  HFRS will be entitled to restitution for the remainder of their loss.    

The 72-month sentence includes a sentence for the passport fraud scenario in which Downey tried to obtain a passport in his brother’s name in San Diego in the fall of 2018.    

This case was prosecuted by the James Crowe, Jr., of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis and was investigated by Special Agents of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation office in St. Louis.

St. Louis –Michael Charles Natoli, 58, Dixon, Missouri, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for distribution of heroin which resulted in death and serious bodily injury.  Natoli appeared today in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. 

According to court documents, on August 3, 2016, Natoli drove co-defendant Heather Miller to the Economy Inn in St. James, Missouri where they distributed heroin to R.K. and received cash.  R.K. was later found unresponsive in the hotel room and was pronounced dead at the hospital.  Investigators examined R.K.’s cell phone and noticed a thread of text messages from August 3, 2016 wherein R.K. and “Heather” discussed “Heather” bringing R.K. what appeared to be controlled substances.  Thereafter, investigators began using R.K.’s phone to communicate with “Heather.”  “Heather agreed to supply R.K. with additional drugs. 

On August 4, 2016, Miller and Natoli responded to the hotel and were taken into custody.  Officers seized two small bags of heroin from Miller.  Natoli admitted he would accompany Miller to St. Louis so she could obtain heroin.  Natoli stated that he provided the money up front to buy the heroin and then drove Miller around to sell it.

While officers were interviewing Natoli at the hotel room, an investigator observed B.A. passed out in a vehicle that Miller and Natoli had driven in.  B.A. displayed labored breathing, rapid heartbeat, and recent puncture marks on his arms.  Officers noted that his pulse was becoming harder and harder to detect.  B.A. then stopped breathing and officers had to resuscitate him.  Officers recovered a white powder-like substance on his body which was later tested by a laboratory and found to contain heroin.  Officers later learned that B.A. had purchased the heroin that he had overdosed on from Miller for $120.  Miller gave B.A. the heroin and Natoli took the payment.

Co-defendant Heather Miller is awaiting trial. 

These charges are a result of a joint investigation between the St. James Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol- South Central Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

St. Louis, MO –John Rallo, 54, formerly of St. Louis County, was sentenced to 17 months in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme with Former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.  Rallo appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber. 

According to court documents, beginning in October 2014 and continuing through December 31, 2018, former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger schemed to defraud and deprive the citizens of St. Louis County of their right to his honest and faithful services, and the honest and faithful services of former CEO of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Sheila Sweeney, through a pay to play bribery scheme.  The purpose of the scheme was for Stenger to secretly use his official position to enrich himself through soliciting and accepting campaign contributions from businessman John Rallo and other individuals in exchange for favorable official action in the awarding of contracts and grants through St. Louis County and the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. 

Stenger, in exchange for campaign donations and several fundraising events hosted by John Rallo, took official action to insure that Rallo and his company, Cardinal Insurance, obtained insurance contracts through St. Louis County during 2015 and 2016.  Further, Stenger took official action to insure that John Rallo and his company, Cardinal Creative Consulting, obtained a sham 2016 consulting contract in the amount of $130,000 through the St. Louis County Port Authority.  Additionally, Stenger took official action to insure that John Rallo and his company, Wellston Holdings, LLC, obtained land contracts for two industrial properties in Wellston, Missouri which were held by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County during 2016 and 2017.  Rallo, Stenger, and Sweeney took steps to hide, conceal and cover up the illegal bribery scheme, including making false public statements.   

Rallo pled guilty in July 2019 to three counts of Honest Services Mail Fraud/Bribery.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against a Breckenridge Hills Police Officer (formerly of the Woodson Terrace Police Department) for his conduct in connection with the arrest and assault of an individual. Officer David W. Maas, Saint Louis, was charged with one count of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.  

According to the indictment, on April 14, 2019, Officer Maas while with the Woodson Terrance Police Department deprived the victim of his right to be free from unreasonable force.  In so doing, Maas kicked and struck the victim while he was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone. This offense resulted in bodily injury to this individual.

"Law enforcement officers take an oath to serve and protect the public," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "When an officer betrays that oath, and instead uses his or her position to violate a person's constitutional rights, that officer must be held accountable. Our community, and our profession, deserve no less."

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.

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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.

St. Louis, MO –Larry Arnowitz, 66, of St. Louis, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of mail fraud related to his illegal use of campaign funds for his personal use and expenses.

According to the Indictment, Arnowitz serves as the Alderman for the 12th Ward of the City of St. Louis, having first been elected during 2011.  Arnowitz maintains his political campaign account under the name “Friends of Larry Arnowitz.”  Numerous individuals and organizations have contributed to the Friends of Larry Arnowitz based upon representations that their political donations would be properly and legally used for campaign and reelection purposes.  From June, 2015 through February, 2019, Arnowitz instead used donated campaign funds for personal expenses, unrelated to any legitimate campaign or reelection purpose.  Arnowitz used funds from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account to make payments towards his personal residential mortgage and for other personal expenses, and he made substantial cash withdrawals from the account for his own personal use and expenses.  In order to conceal his fraud, Arnowitz filed false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which reports failed to identify the many cash withdrawals from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account, and which failed to identify payments made directly from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account which were made for his own personal use, unrelated to any campaign or reelection purpose.  As one example, on February 13, 2019, Arnowitz withdrew $5,000 from his Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account in the form of a cashier’s check, which he then mailed to Ocwen Financial Services in partial payment of his personal residential mortgage.  United States Attorney Jeff Jensen stated, “Alderman Arnowitz abused the trust of many individuals and organizations that contributed to his political campaign fund for several years.  This type of corruption by our elected officials will not be tolerated, and federal law enforcement will continue to investigate and prosecute these types of criminal schemes in order to insure the integrity of our political processes.” "Rooting out public corruption is a top priority for the FBI because of the abuse of public trust," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "When citizens donate money to an election campaign, they are supporting a candidate to represent them, not to pay for their personal expenses."

If convicted, Arnowitz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Cody Wayne Seabaugh, 31, of Hannibal, MO, was sentenced to 84 months    in prison for possession with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.  Seabaugh appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

According to court documents, in July 2017, the Hannibal Missouri Police Department initiated an investigation into Seabaugh’s methamphetamine possession and distribution activities.  As part of that active and on-going investigation, Hannibal police officers received information on October 4, 2017, that, among other things, Seabaugh had been involved in a vehicle accident, ran from the scene holding a bag, and was beating on residential doors in the area.  When police eventually located Seabaugh, he was lying in the street.  Officers observed plastic bags strewn about around Seabaugh in the roadway.  Officers also saw a black and pink zip up bag lying in the street.

Inside the black and pink zip up bag, officers found and seized several bags containing approximately 126 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, more baggies, and U.S. currency.  Seabaugh was arrested and a subsequent search of Seabaugh’s mobile phone discovered additional information confirming Seabaugh’s drug trafficking activities.

The Hannibal Police Department investigated this case, assisted by the Illinois State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case.

St. Louis, MO – Abayomi Martin, 43, of Lake St. Louis, MO, pled guilty to one  count of wire fraud relative to a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Baltimore Ravens player Brandon Carr.  Martin appeared today before U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry who accepted his plea and set sentencing for June 3, 2020. 

According to the plea agreement and statements made in Court, Martin owned and operated a company known as NUCO Group Holdings.  Martin solicited an investment from Brandon Carr and Carr’s business manager for a purported part ownership in a separate clothing company known as Famous Nobodys.  Martin falsely represented to Carr and his business manager that Martin had an ownership interest in Famous Nobodys, and that Carr’s investment in NUCO Group Holdings would provide Carr a 17.5% ownership interest in NUCO, which would own and operate Famous Nobodys.  On September 12, 2016, after Martin presented him with what appeared to be a legitimate operating agreement setting out Carr’s purported ownership interest and NUCO’s interest in Famous Nobodys, Carr wired $250,000 to Martin for the purpose of owning as an equity holder and operating Famous Nobodys.  However, the true owner of Famous Nobodys never knew of this purported agreement by Martin, never received any of Carr’s investment money, and never agreed to turn over any ownership interest in Famous Nobodys to Martin or NUCO.  Instead, Martin used the investment funds provided by Brandon Carr for his own personal use and expenses, including cash withdrawals and personal credit card payments.  Martin also used a portion of Brandon Carr’s funds to pay for the expenses and training costs of several professional boxers in Las Vegas, Nevada, all without the knowledge and authority of Carr.  Martin continued the fraud by sending Carr and Carr’s business manager false and fraudulent email communications and text messages purporting to update them on Carr’s purported investment in Famous Nobodys.  Brandon Carr had intended to use any profits from his investment in Famous Nobodys to fund his broad based charitable foundation, Carr Cares.  Instead, Carr never received any funds back from Martin, who fraudulently used Carr’s entire investment for personal expenses and uses unrelated to any true investment in NUCO or Famous Nobodys.

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

St. Louis – U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen of Eastern District of Missouri joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep.  In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.

“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”

This https://www.justice.gov/civil/elder-fraud-sweeps-2020 interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement.

 

Elder Fraud Hotline

Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.

These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

St. Louis, MO – Naim Muhammad, 56, of St. Charles, MO, was sentenced today to 18 months of imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to one count of making a false claim to Medicaid on November 18, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.  Mr. Muhammad was also ordered to pay $366,185 as restitution to the Missouri Medicaid program, a health care benefit program that provides medical items, benefits, and services to low income citizens of Missouri.

According to the plea agreement, Mr. Muhammad was the President of a business named Community Behavior Health (“CBH”).  CBH maintained an office in the City of St. Louis, Missouri.  Mr. Muhammad had no psychiatric training or license.

Mr. Muhammad billed the Missouri Medicaid program for mental health therapy services to a patient identified by her initials as W.W.  Mr. Muhammad told Medicaid that a licensed provider with the initials D.P. had provided the therapy to W.W. on June 21, 2017.  However, Mr. Muhammad’s statements were false and fraudulent in that patient W.W. was not treated by the licensed provider D.P. on June 21, 2017, the date of service shown in defendant’s therapy records for W.W.  Mr. Muhammad’s statements were material to the Missouri Medicaid program because the program does not pay for services that are not actually provided to the patient, and does not pay for mental health services that are provided by unlicensed individuals. 

The Indictment in this case further alleged that Mr. Muhammad repeatedly billed the Missouri Medicaid program for therapy services allegedly provided on dates when the patient was actually deceased, and therefore unable to receive any services.  For example, patient W.W. died on June 8, 2017, before the alleged June 21, 2017 session that was billed to the Missouri Medicaid program.       

“When individuals rig the Medicaid system for personal gain, it hurts those who legitimately require treatment and the taxpayers who pay into the system. I’m pleased that our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the U.S Attorney’s Office are able to work together to root out and prosecute this fraud” said Eric Schmitt, the Attorney General of Missouri.  

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Professional Registration of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance.

St. Louis, MO – Dr. Brij R. Vaid, M.D., 58, of Ladue, MO, was sentenced today to 24 months of imprisonment and order to pay restitution of $176,912.86 to the Medicare and Missouri Medicaid programs.  Dr. Vaid previously pleaded guilty on October 29, 2019, to making a false claim to Medicare.  Dr. Vaid’s co-defendant in this case was Nurse Practitioner Donna Waldo.  Waldo was sentenced on February 10, 2020, to four years probation, a $4000 fine, and $48,669 as restitution to Medicaid.  The Honorable Audrey G. Fleissig imposed the sentence today. 

According to court documents, Dr. Vaid was a medical doctor who operated St. Louis Internal Medicine (SLIM), where he saw patients at his medical office in St. Louis County, Missouri.  Waldo was a nurse practitioner and advanced practice registered nurse.  Waldo worked under the supervision of Dr. Vaid at SLIM. 

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, Dr. Vaid had a large number of patients who received Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions typically every 30 days, including opioid pain relief drugs such as Oxycodone® and Hydrocodone and anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax®.  Dr. Vaid was the only person at his office who had the credentials to legally prescribe these pain management and anti-anxiety drugs. 

Dr. Vaid traveled frequently, including trips to New Jersey and India.  Given the number of patients needing drugs and his own scheduling challenges, Dr. Vaid often signed numerous prescriptions for controlled substances in advance of patients' visits -- before patients had even visited the office or had an examination. Dr. Vaid instructed his staff, including Waldo, to provide these pre-signed prescriptions for controlled substances to patients later, while he was absent from the office.  After patients visited his office, Dr. Vaid and Waldo caused claims for reimbursement to be presented to Medicare and Medicaid in which they represented that Dr. Vaid had met face-to-face with the patients and engaged in complex medical decision-making during the office visits.  

In his plea agreement, Dr. Vaid admitted that on February 23, 2015, he was out of the country in India.  Waldo saw patient B.T.  Dr. Vaid knew that Ms. Waldo would be seeing patient B.T. while Dr. Vaid was in out of town.  Dr. Vaid caused the presentation of a false claim to Medicare related to the February 23, 2015, office visit. This claim, submitted under CPT code 99214 to Medicare, falsely stated that Dr. Vaid had provided a face-to-face office visit with patient B.T. when he was really out of town.  Before imposing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig ruled that Dr. Vaid’s conduct created a reckless risk of bodily injury to his patients, given the powerful prescription opioid drugs that he repeatedly provided to patients.

In his plea agreement, Dr. Vaid further admitted that he violated the terms of his probation agreement with the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts when committing this offense.

“The Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit works tirelessly every day to root out, investigate, and aggressively prosecute instances of healthcare fraud in Missouri. Working with our federal partners, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is a crucial component of that effort, and this case is a great example of how state and federal partnerships can lead to great results" said Eric Schmitt, the Attorney General of Missouri.  

“Dr. Vaid threatened the health and lives of his patients by prescribing powerful drugs, including opioids, without even a simple examination,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “Together with our State and Federal law enforcement partners, we will guard taxpayer-funded government healthcare programs and those dependent on their services.”

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, with critical assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs.

St. Louis, MO – Craig Gustafson, 45, of Grover, MO, pled guilty to twenty  counts of failing to remit employee withholding taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, and four counts of failing to file personal income tax returns.  Gustafson appeared today before U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel who accepted his plea and set sentencing for June 5, 2020. 

According to the plea agreement, Gustafson owned and operated Consumers Periodical Service of Missouri, Inc., a magazine subscription business in St. Louis County, Missouri.  From 2013 through 2017, Gustafson withheld quarterly federal income and social security taxes from his employees, but failed to remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service as required.  Gustafson issued annual W-2 forms to his employees which reflected the withheld taxes in order to lull those employees into believing that their withheld taxes had been properly remitted to the Internal Revenue Service.  Further, for the tax years 2013 through 2016, Gustafson failed to file his own annual personal income tax forms and failed to pay personal income taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service.  During that period, Gustafson earned at least $670,400 from his company, and the tax loss to the United States from his failure to file tax forms and pay over required taxes was $131,296.

“Employers have a responsibility to their employees to withhold the proper amount of taxes and pay those taxes over to the IRS,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Karl Stiften.  “When employers fail to do so, it results in a loss of revenue to the United States government, but more importantly, it could affect their employees’ Medicare and Social Security benefits.”

The failure to remit employee withholding taxes charges each carry a maximum possible penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000 or both imprisonment and a fine.  The failure to file annual tax forms charges each carry a maximum possible penalty of one year imprisonment, a fine of $25,000, 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 Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Venita Sedodo, 32, of St. Charles, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud related to her former position as Treasurer of Velda City, Missouri, and two counts of mail fraud related to her former position as Trust Secretary for the Travelers Protective Association of America, Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired. Sedodo appeared today in front of United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark who set her sentencing hearing for May 28, 2020.

According to the court documents, 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.  Sedodo obtained approximately $156,100 from TPA Scholarship Trust through her fraudulent scheme.         

"Venita Sedodo abused her position as Velda City treasurer to embezzle tax funds, resulting in bounced paychecks for hard-working co-workers and vendors who depend on Velda City for their livelihood," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In addition, Sedodo exploited her treasurer’s job at a charity to embezzle money intended for the deaf or hard of hearing. She is now being held accountable for her financial self-dealings.”

Sedodo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.  Restitution is also mandatory. 

In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

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

ST. LOUIS – Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon today announced that the DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. While continuing to focus on stopping drugs being smuggled across the border, DEA’s Operation Crystal Shield will ramp up enforcement to block their further distribution into America’s neighborhoods.

DEA has identified eight major methamphetamine transportation hubs where these efforts will be concentrated: Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, and the St. Louis Division. Together, these DEA Field Divisions accounted for more than 75 percent of methamphetamine seized in the U.S. in 2019.

Operation Crystal Shield builds on existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels that are responsible for the overwhelming majority of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States. From fiscal year 2017 to 2019, DEA domestic seizures of methamphetamine increased 127 percent from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds. The St. Louis Division seizures were up 56 percent from fiscal year 2018 to 2019. During the same timeframe, the number of DEA arrests related to methamphetamine rose nearly 20 percent.

“For decades, methamphetamine has been a leading cause of violence and addiction – a drug threat that has never gone away,” said Acting Administrator Dhillon. “With a 22 percent increase in methamphetamine-related overdose deaths, now is the time to act, and DEA is leading the way with a surge of interdiction efforts and resources, targeting regional transportation hubs throughout the United States. By reducing the supply of meth, we reduce the violence, addiction, and death it spreads.”

The DEA St. Louis Division covers the entire states of Missouri, Kansas and the southern portion of Illinois, which encompasses hundreds of miles of interstate roadways.  “These roadways are routinely utilized by drug trafficking organizations to transport methamphetamine and other deadly drugs into Missouri and Kansas,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan. “Operation Crystal Shield will allow our DEA agents and law enforcement partners the opportunity to strengthen our enforcement strategies in an effort to interdict drugs and disrupt drug trafficking organizations causing harm to the citizens of our region.”

Special Agent in Charge Callahan added, “The DEA seeks to hold methamphetamine drug traffickers accountable through multi-jurisdictional investigations which target all facets of the drug trafficking organizations, and bring them to justice by United States Attorneys in our area of operation.”

“Methamphetamine is by far the most prevalent illegal drug being sold on the streets of our community, and therefore warrants a focused plan of attack,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. “Meth trafficking makes up more than 60 percent of the federal drug cases we prosecute in the Western District of Missouri. Operation Crystal Shield provides a strategy to stanch the flow of methamphetamine being smuggled into our state by the Mexican cartels. If we can reduce the supply of methamphetamine, we can reduce the violence and other criminal activity associated with drug trafficking.”

“Methamphetamine use has historically been extremely prevalent in the Midwest.  After successful legislation restricting access to precursors, we have seen an uptick in the production and distribution of methamphetamine from Mexico. Because St. Louis has become a transportation hub city for this activity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri remains committed to partnering with DEA to combat the flow of this dangerous drug,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.

Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country. It is often found in poly-drug loads, alongside cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

St. Louis, Missouri – Eleven individuals were indicted today by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute controlled medications, such as oxycodone, without a legitimate medical purpose; obtaining controlled medication by deceit and subterfuge; paying and receiving illegal kickbacks for referrals to lab for urine tests of the patients; and submitting false claims to Medicare and other health insurers.

ASIM MUHAMMAD ALI, M.D., 49, of Creve Coeur;

ALEXIS DORJAY BUTLER, 32, of Bellefontaine Neighbors;

SHAUNTA C. CROSBY, 33, of Ferguson;

ERIN MELISSA HERMAN, 35, of Oakville;

VLADIMIR KOGAN, 39, of Afton;

JERRY DALE LEECH, D.C., 47, of Creve Coeur;

STANLEY L. LIBRACH, M.D., 58, of Chesterfield;

DENIS J. MIKHLIN, 40, of Chesterfield;

EBONY R. PRICE, 37, of St. Louis;

ERICA T. SPATES, 32, of Berkley; and

TIJUANA A. SPATES, 36, of Jennings.

According to the indictment, Dr. Asim Muhammad Ali and Dr. Stanley Librach, medical doctors, and Dr. Jerry Dale Leech, a chiropractor, and Denis J. Mikhlin illegally wrote and distributed hundreds of prescriptions for oxycodone, oxycontin, hydromorphone, and fentanyl for patients whom Dr. Ali and Dr. Librach did not see, examine, or evaluate. One day a week for about two hours, Dr. Ali or Dr. Librach came into the American Pain Institute (API) and later Institute for Pain Management (IPM) and pre-sign stacks of prescriptions, which were given to API and IPM patients during the next week or two. Dr. Ali and Dr. Librach continued to write prescriptions for controlled substance drugs although many patients repeatedly tested negative for the prescribed drugs and positive for illegal street drugs.

According to the indictment, Dr. Leech, an owner of API and chief of staff for IPM, Denis Mikhlin, the owner of Doctors on the Go, and the other defendants bought and sold prescriptions for controlled substances written in the name of Dr. Librach and other doctors. Dr. Leech received between $200 and $500 for each script he sold, receiving on some occasions as much as $5000.  Dr. Leech and Mikhlin also identified or had other co-defendants identify persons whose names could be used on fraudulent scripts.  The patients were paid in cash or with some of the pills. Dr. Ali, one of the co-owners of Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) paid illegal kickbacks to Dr. Leech, Dr. Librach, and Mikhlin for the referral of drug tests that they sent to CDL.

“Doctors and trained practitioners know better than anyone the twin dangers of addiction and overdose that come with powerful narcotics,” said DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge William Callahan. "DEA will investigate doctors, like these ones, who prescribe a controlled substance outside the normal course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose to stop their illegal practices."

“As Attorney General, it’s my duty to protect all six million Missourians. To that point, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit works diligently with both state and federal partners to root out and prosecute fraud. When doctors are abusing the healthcare system and irresponsibly doling out potentially addictive medications for personal gain, we need to hold them responsible. I’m grateful for the chance to work with our federal partners on this case.”

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of overdose deaths in this country involved prescription or illicit opioid," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "It is appalling that any health care professional would knowingly fuel this epidemic rather than help stop it."

“Doctors who prescribe medically unnecessary and potentially addictive drugs are a threat to their patients, and their actions will not be tolerated,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “We will continue working closely with our State and Federal law enforcement partners to protect patients and the government healthcare programs on which they depend.”

If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Department of Health and Human Services – OIG are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy McMurtry is handling this case.

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 – Dallas Richardson, 25, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a home invasion where he shot co-defendant Kyle Phillips.  Richardson appeared today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

According to court documents, between January 2016 and February 2018, Richardson was part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed multi-pound amounts of marijuana within the Eastern District of Missouri.  Richardson received some of the marijuana.  The organization then collected the proceeds of the marijuana sales and utilized MoneyGrams purchased at various outlets, including Wal-Mart stores within the Eastern District of Missouri, to send the proceeds to the source of supply, Cedric Davis, in California.

Both co-defendants Joseph Hope and Jack Huck supplied marijuana to co-defendant Kyle Phillips.  In December 2016, Phillips received bulk quantities of marijuana from Hope but refused to pay.  As a result, Hope planned a robbery and retaliation against Phillips.

On January 12, 2017, Hope recruited Richardson to conduct the robbery of Phillips in order to retrieve either the marijuana or proceeds derived from the sale of the marijuana.  Richardson and his associate drove from St. Louis to Phillips’ residence in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Wearing masks and armed with firearms, including an assault rifle, Richardson forcibly entered the front door of the residence while his associate entered the residence through a bedroom window.

During the robbery, Richardson shot Phillips in the abdomen.  Both Richardson and his associate assaulted Phillips, including with the stock of their firearms.  The two men also kicked and assaulted with their firearms three other individuals that were present.  Richardson and his associate took the safe, small amounts of marijuana, and the victims’ wallets, which contained small amounts of cash and exited the residence.

               The following co-defendants in this drug conspiracy have been sentenced:

               Jack Huck – 89 months in prison;

               Seth Ault – 36 months in prison;

               Cedric Davis, Jr. – 46 months in prison;

               Cody Henderson – 3 years probation;

               Joseph Hope – 96 months in prison;

               Deven Huck – 48 months in prison;

               Zach Hunter – 3 years probation;

               Dakota McCain – 32 months in prison;

               Dustin Puckett – 3 years probation;

               Collin Weber – 3 years probation; and

               Jacob Wolff – 3 years probation.

Richardson pleaded guilty in October to one count of robbery and one count of possessing a firearm that was discharged and Phillips is awaiting trial.

The Missouri Highway Patrol, the Ste. Genevieve Police Department, the Homeland Security Investigation, the Warrenton Sheriff’s Department, the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Major Case Squad investigated this case. 

Saint Louis, MO – Johnzell Moorehead, 30, of Saint Louis, MO, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.  Wines appeared today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross who imposed the sentence. 

According to court documents, Moorehead and an associate, Daryaun Wines, were travelling inside a vehicle in the early morning hours of October 12, 2017.  Earlier that day, Moorehead and Wines had been involved in an altercation with another individual resulting in that individuals being shot. 

Concerned about possibly retaliation from that earlier shooting, Moorehead and Wines were being followed by two additional associates who were in a separate vehicle.  Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Federal Officer Archie Shaw was on-duty and, as part of an on-going investigation into drug distribution activity, began to follow the second of the two vehicles.  Special Federal Officer Shaw was utilizing an unmarked law enforcement vehicle. 

Moorehead and Wines noticed Special Federal Officer Shaw’s vehicle.  Moorehead and Wines split-up from their other associates (who were being followed by Special Federal Officer Shaw).  The vehicle being followed by Special Federal Officer Shaw intentionally led Special Federal Officer Shaw to the intersection of Miami and Iowa streets within the City of Saint Louis.  As Special Federal Officer Shaw drove through the intersection, Wines and Moorehead shot Special Federal Officer Shaw.  Wines and Moorehead traveled to that location for the purpose of committing the shooting.

Special Federal Officer Shaw’s vehicle was struck several times by the gunfire.  Special Federal Officer Shaw himself was also struck by gunfire.  After being shot, Special Federal Officer Shaw was able to drive himself to safety.  Moorehead and his associates fled the area.

“Officer Shaw has shown great courage throughout this investigation and during his almost 30 years of service and dedication to the citizens of St. Louis. The St. Louis Police Department appreciates the continued support and assistance we’ve received from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and all our federal partners in this case,” state Chief John Hayden, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

"The importance of Officer Archie Shaw to this community can be understood by law enforcement’s relentless and wide ranging response in the immediate aftermath of his October 12, 2017, shooting and throughout the almost three years since the incident occurred,” said Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Rea after today's proceeding. 

Rea continued, “Law enforcement has held Mr. Moorehead and Daryaun Wines accountable for their actions.  In the course of doing so, officials also dismantled an entire drug organization resulting in five additional federal prosecutions.  That is a total of seven federal prosecutions arising out of the shooting of Officer Shaw.  Offense conduct such as this cannot and will never go unchecked by the United States Attorney’s Office.  We hope that these sentences of 25 years for Mr. Moorehead and 17 years for Mr. Wines make that clear.” 

The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, investigated this case. 

St. Louis, MO – Bryan G. Vonderahe, 45, of Kirkwood, Missouri, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison, and ordered to pay approximately 3.8 Million Dollars in restitution to his former employer following his conviction for wire fraud.  Vonderahe appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White. 

According to court documents, beginning during January 2012 and continuing through January 2019, Vonderahe schemed to defraud The Boyd Group and its affiliated companies where he was employed as chief financial officer and controller.  After setting himself up as a sham vendor, Vonderahe issued approximately 500 company checks to himself during that period of time, totaling approximately 3.8 million dollars, without the knowledge or authority of the company’s ownership.  Vonderahe falsified internal company records and issued false financial statements to the company’s outside auditors in order to cover up and conceal his lengthy and substantial fraud scheme.  Vonderahe used the stolen and embezzled funds for his own personal use, unrelated to the legitimate business of the company, including to pay for luxury automobiles; to pay for travel for himself and his family to locations such as Florida, Colorado, and Nevada; to make payments on his personal residential mortgage; and to pay for gambling and related activities.  The United States forfeited several of Vonderahe’s luxury automobiles, including a Range Rover and a Cadillac Escalade, as well as his personal residence at 1943 Windy Hill Road in Kirkwood, Missouri.

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

St. Louis, MO –Kate Palos, 32, of Affton, Missouri, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for her involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme. 

According to court documents, Palos was the human resource manager for Express Medical Transporters (EMT), which transported Medicaid patients to medical appointments. In order to receive reimbursements for the transports, EMT had to use drivers who had complied with certain defined requirements. Drivers had to receive CPT and other safety training and not have a history of criminal or other violations that could jeopardize the safety of patients. When EMT did not have compliant drivers, non-compliant drivers would transport the patients. Palos changed, or directed other employees to change, the names on the trip logs and use the names/signatures of compliant drivers. In some instances, Palos used the names of drivers, who were no longer working for EMT at the time the transports were made. These fraudulent documents were submitted to support requests for payment.

Palos faces a penalty up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dorothy McMurtry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Saint Louis, MO – Daryaun Wines, 27, of Saint Louis County, MO, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.  Wines appeared today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross who imposed the sentence. 

According to court documents, Wines and an associate, Johnzell Moorehead, were travelling inside a vehicle in the early morning hours of October 12, 2017.  Wines and Moorehead were being followed by two additional associates who were in a separate vehicle.  Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Federal Officer Archie Shaw was on-duty and, as part of an on-going investigation, began to follow the second of the two vehicles.  Special Federal Officer Shaw was utilizing an unmarked law enforcement vehicle. 

Wines and Moorehead noticed Special Federal Officer Shaw’s vehicle.  Wines and Moorehead split-up from their other associates (who were being followed by Special Federal Officer Shaw).  The vehicle being followed by Special Federal Officer Shaw led Special Federal Officer Shaw to the intersection of Miami and Iowa streets within the City of Saint Louis.  As Special Federal Officer Shaw drove through the intersection, Wines and Moorehead shot Special Federal Officer Shaw.  Wines and Moorehead traveled to that location for the purpose of committing the shooting.

Special Federal Officer Shaw’s vehicle was struck several times by the gunfire.  Special Federal Officer Shaw himself was also struck by gunfire.  After being shot, Special Federal Officer Shaw was able to drive himself to safety.  Wines and his associates fled the area.

"We cannot lose sight of the many threats awaiting dedicated members of law enforcement every day.  FBI Special Federal Officer Shaw is the paramount example of a courageous officer dedicated to his work and community.  He is lucky to be alive, and we are so grateful that he is.  This was an unconscionable ambush.  Today’s stiff sentence makes clear that this type of conduct will never go unchecked by the Department of Justice," said Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Rea after today's proceeding.

Moorehead will be sentenced on February 13, 2020.

The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, investigated this case.

St. Louis, MO – Jack Huck, 23, of Ste. Genevieve, MO, was sentenced to 89 months in prison for his role as a leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed marijuana and laundered drug proceeds.  Huck appeared yesterday before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

According to court documents, between January 2016 and February 2018, Huck and his co-defendants were part of a drug conspiracy to distribute marijuana.  They then laundered the drug proceeds via MoneyGram.  In order to avoid detection, Huck and his co-defendants had the marijuana sent via U.S. Mail and other means to various addresses in the Eastern District of Missouri.  Upon receipt, Huck or his co-defendants would pick up the packages.  Once distributed, they collected the drug proceeds and utilized MoneyGrams purchased at various outlets to send the drug proceeds to co-defendant Cedric Davis in California.  The MoneyGrams were payment for previously shipped marijuana as well as for impending marijuana shipments.

On August 8, 2017, Huck orchestrated a robbery in which he recruited co-defendants Dakota McCain and Seth Ault, along with a minor, to commit a home invasion of an individual identified only as “A.R.,” who had refused to pay Huck for marijuana.  Wearing masks and armed with various blunt objects, the three individuals forcibly entered the residence of A.R. in Warrenton, Missouri, and attempted to recover the marijuana or cash.  The robbery quickly ended when A.R.’s roommate arrived on scene with a firearm. 

               The following co-defendants in this drug conspiracy have been sentenced:

               Seth Ault – 36 months in prison;

               Cedric Davis, Jr. – 46 months in prison;

               Cody Henderson – 3 years probation;

               Joseph Hope – 96 months in prison;

               Deven Huck – 48 months in prison;

               Zach Hunter – 3 years probation;

               Dakota McCain – 32 months in prison;

               Dustin Puckett – 3 years probation;

               Collin Weber – 3 years probation; and

Jacob Wolff – 3 years probation.

The Missouri Highway Patrol, the Ste. Genevieve Police Department, the Homeland Security Investigation, the Warrenton Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Major Case Squad investigated this case. 

St. Louis - Aaron Mitchell, 31, of the 8700 block of Oriole in St. Louis, was sentenced today to 34 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges involving a federal income tax refund scheme.  Mitchell appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who also ordered him to pay $99,576.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

At the time of his guilty plea, Mitchell admitted to preparing over 160 tax returns for the years 2013 through 2015.  He filed those returns electronically from his residence on the 8700 block of Oriole in the City of St. Louis.  The returns contained false W-2 wage and withholding information as well as false claims of tax credits for education expenses including the American Opportunity Credit.  According to court papers, the IRS lost $99,576.00 in tax refunds paid as a result of Mitchell’s actions.

In sentencing Mitchell, the judge noted his many fraud convictions and his pending fraud charges in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County and Madison County, Illinois.   The court also noted that Mitchell had been taken off bond in the tax case after being arrested for shoplifting at a Walmart store in Granite City on New Year’s Eve.  The judge told Mitchell that he was a “one man financial wrecking crew.”   

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation office in St. Louis as assisted by the United States Postal Inspection Service.  This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in St. Louis.  

St. Louis, MO – A federal indictment was returned today against Lashawn Travion Clayburn, 18, of Saint Louis County, for his role in the January 5, 2019 death of victim Naomi Miller, 61, of Pine Lawn.  The indictment specifically charges Clayburn with one count for carjacking victim Miller’s 2014 red Ford Escape and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of that carjacking that resulted in victim Miller’s death.

If convicted, both charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.  As is always the case, 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.

Clayburn has been in state custody since March 2, 2019, when he was charged in Saint Louis City Circuit Court with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, kidnapping, and armed criminal action in connection with the death of Chrishaun Hilliard on January 17, 2019.

“Today’s indictment is an example of what happens when law enforcement joins together at every level to make our communities safer and bring those responsible for these senseless acts of violence to justice,” said Marino Vidoli, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division.

“We are pleased that the coordinated effort of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners involved in the investigation of this horrible crime resulted in this federal indictment,” said North County Police Cooperative Major Ron Martin after the return of today’s indictment.  “Ms. Miller was a cherished member of this community.  We hope today’s indictment brings some small solace to her family and many friends.”

“The Major Case Squad of the greater St. Louis Area is dedicated to responding rapidly to assist in solving these homicides.  Our investigators will continue to work tirelessly with local, state, and federal authorities to make sure perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes,” stated Bruce Hayes, Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the North County Police Cooperative, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, and the Ferguson Police Department are investigating this case.

Saint Louis –Monte Clayton Lynch, 49, of Saint Louis County, Missouri, was indicted today on one felony count of bank robbery stemming from a string of bank robberies that occurred last summer.   

According to court documents, on July 26, 2019, Lynch entered the St. Louis Community Credit Union on Chippewa Street in Saint Louis, passed a teller a note demanding cash, and threatened that he had a gun.  The teller handed Lynch approximately $5,100 in cash, which he took from the credit union after ensuring it had no dye packs.

This bank robbery was the first of at least six bank robberies that Lynch performed over 17-days.  In total, he robbed banks in Saint Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Tyrone, Georgia; and Prattville, Alabama.  Lynch later confessed to his crime and noted that the motivation for robbing the banks was to pay for his cocaine addiction.

If convicted, the charge of bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel is handling the case. 

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. 

Saint Louis, MO –Justin McGee, 38, of Saint Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to his role in 12 robberies.  He appeared today before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for May 13, 2020. 

According to the plea agreement, on September 12, 2018, McGee, armed with a firearm, entered the Cricket Wireless store located at 10006 W. Florissant and approached an employee stating that he needed a phone repaired.  While the employee was looking at the phone, McGee pulled a firearm from his pocket, pointed it at the employee and demanded that he open the cash register.  The employee was ordered to the floor as McGee stole money from the register and then fled the store.

On October 10, 2018, McGee entered the Game Stop on Maplewood Commons Drive armed with a firearm, pointed it at the employee and demanded that she open the cash register.   After grabbing money from the register, McGee ordered the employee to the ground and left.

On October 12, 2018, McGee entered the T-Mobile store on N. Highway 67, engaged an employee in conversation, then pointed a firearm at her and told her he would kill her.  He then confronted the store manager and had both employees lie on the floor.  McGee had one of the employees crawl to the office to show him where the cash was located.  McGee took money and left the store. 

On October 17, 2018, McGee entered the Game Stop located on South Kingshighway, engaged an employee in conversation, pushed him to the floor as he pointed a firearm at him and demanded the cash register be opened.  A second employee opened the register.  McGee grabbed the store’s money and left the store.

On October 19, 2018, McGee entered the Boost Mobile store on Manchester, rushed towards an employee and pointed a firearm at her.  He pushed her to the floor and poked her back with the firearm.  She opened the cash register; McGee grabbed the store’s money and ran out the door. 

On November 23, 2018, McGee entered the Smoothie King on Forest Park as the employees were preparing to close for the day.  McGee placed his hand in his pocket as if he had a firearm and told them he wanted no problems.  After he ordered the employees to kneel on the floor, McGee grabbed the store’s money and left. 

On December 15, 2018, McGee entered Kings Beauty Supply on Aubert and engaged an employee in a conversation about a hair clipper.  McGee produced a firearm and announced a robbery.  Pointing the firearm at two employees, McGee ordered one to lie on the ground.  He grabbed the store’s money and hair clippers and left the store.

On February 4, 2019, McGee entered the Boost Mobile Store in North Oaks Plaza and engaged an employee in a conversation before pulling out his firearm and walking behind the counter.  The employee pulled his own firearm and fired a shot striking McGee in the head.  McGee was able to flee. 

On March 7, 2019, McGee entered the BP gas station on Olive Road and began to climb over the counter to open the cash register.  As he climbed over the counter, he pointed an air pistol at the employee.  A fight ensued.  The employee was able to grab the air pistol and McGee ran from the store. 

On March 26, 2019, McGee entered the Family Dollar on North Grand, approached a cashier and told her to open her cash drawer.  When she told him she could not, he pointed a caliber firearm at her.  At that time, the manager opened the cash register.  McGee took money and fled the store.

On March 29, 2019, McGee entered the Qdoba Restaurant on Lindell and approached the cashier as if to place a food order.  McGee brandished a firearm and demanded money. McGee took money and left the store. 

On April 7, 2019, McGee entered the Dollar Tree on Aubert, approached the cashier and told him not to “trip” as he pointed a firearm at him.  The cashier gave McGee money and McGee left the store. 

Each robbery count carries a penalty of not more than 20 years and a fine of $250,000.  Each brandishing of a firearm count carries a penalty of not less than seven years nor more than life, consecutive to any sentence imposed for all counts, and a fine of not more than $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. 

The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case.

St. Louis, MO –Mary Ann Gibson, 63, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 22 months in prison for her role in embezzling from her former employer.  Gibson appeared this morning in front of United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

According to court documents, Gibson obtained a line of credit for Mozaic Group Ltd. from Enterprise Bank and Trust and subsequently drew down on that line of credit to run the business.  From approximately January 2016 through August 2017, Gibson falsely and fraudulently inflated the cash flow of the company she reported to the bank in order to maintain and increase the line of credit from Enterprise Bank and Trust. Mozaic and Gibson thereafter defaulted on the loan because Mozaic did not, in fact, have the cash flow Gibson reported to the bank. Gibson’s fraud resulted in a loss of approximately $2.5 million to the bank.

"Fraud schemes like this victimize more than just the financial institutions, which have a finite amount of money to lend," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this case, the embezzled $2.5 million could have been used by other honest businesses that grow our economy."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Bradley A. Seyer, D.D.S., 53, of Florissant, Missouri, was sentenced today to 18 months of imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.  Previously, on June 26, 2019, Dr. Seyer pleaded guilty to two felony charges of making false statements to Medicare and illegally issuing prescriptions for narcotic opioid drugs, including Hydrocodone, without a legitimate medical purpose. 

According to the plea agreement, Dr. Seyer provided a prescription for Hydrocodone to a woman identified by her initials E.A.  Dr. Seyer had a personal relationship with E.A. that lasted over ten years.  Dr. Seyer gave E.A. money and jewelry, and took her on vacation trips.  During their relationship, defendant prescribed E.A. with over 14,000 units of various anti-anxiety and opioid narcotic pain relief drugs.  Dr. Seyer prepared and kept some dental treatment records for E.A., but they were incomplete.  Dr. Seyer’s records failed to contain all of the prescriptions that he issued for E.A.  Further, the records did not document office visits and examinations by Dr. Seyer of E.A. before he issued some of the prescriptions to her.

In his plea agreement, Dr. Seyer admitted that he and E.A. together consumed some "street" and prescription drugs for recreational purposes.  E.A. often requested prescription drugs by text, leading Dr. Seyer to call in the prescriptions at her request.  E.A. was depressed and had suicidal ideation, and had a history of mental illness.  On several occasions during the Summer of 2018, Dr. Seyer and E.A. discussed her desire to commit suicide.  Ultimately, E.A. died at her home during July, 2018 of a fentanyl overdose, although Dr. Seyer did not prescribe fentanyl to E.A. 

Further, in the plea agreement, Dr. Seyer admitted that he prescribed Tramadol® to E.A.’s father, identified by his initials in the plea agreement as G.A.  G.A. has Medicare coverage.  Dr. Seyer had no records showing any dental treatment for G.A.  However, Dr. Seyer issued five prescriptions to E.A. using G.A.'s name, and Medicare paid for these five prescriptions, including a Tramadol® prescription dated December 2, 2015.

Shortly after Dr. Seyer pled guilty in this case, effective August 28, 2019, the Missouri Legislature restricted the ability of dentists to write prescriptions for long-acting, extended release, or high dosage opioids.  Mo. Rev. Stat. § 332.361(4)-(5).   

“The DEA will utilize all the enforcement tools we have against medical professionals who knowingly and willfully prescribe opioid prescriptions improperly,” said Special Agent in Charge William Callahan of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division. “I commend the Missouri Legislature for recognizing this opioid prescribing challenge by regulating the ability of dentists to write prescriptions for certain kinds of opioids.”

Curt Mueller, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Kansas City Region, stated, “Our office will continue to vigorously pursue healthcare providers who submit improper claims for reimbursement to publicly funded healthcare programs and, more specifically abuse their position by irresponsibly prescribing narcotics that endanger the well-being of their patients.”

“The Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit works tirelessly every day to ensure that Missouri citizens are protected from Medicaid fraud and fraudulent actors are held accountable. I appreciate the opportunity to work with our federal and local partners on this case,” said Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

This case was investigated by the Department of Public Safety for the City of Des Peres, Missouri and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs of the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. 

St. Louis, MO –Frank Brothers, 30, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 114 months in prison for his role in robbing the Steak and Shake in Maplewood and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Brothers appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. 

According to court documents, on October 24, 2018, Brothers entered the Steak and Shake located in Maplewood.  Brothers pointed a firearm at the manger, forced her to the floor and then demanded she open the safe.  The manager handed Brothers the U.S. currency in the safe.  Brothers then fled out the rear door to his vehicle.

“This conviction is another shining example of the fantastic working relationship between municipalities like Maplewood, the outstanding men and women of the FBI, and U.S. Attorney’s Office”, said Lieutenant John LeClerc, Maplewood Police Department.

The Maplewood Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case.

St. Louis, MO – Timothy Blassingame, 19, of Belleville, IL, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for armed carjacking.  Blassingame appeared today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White. 

According to court documents, on May 31, 2018, at approximately 4:30 p.m., victim R.W. was sitting in his 2003 Trailblazer at the BP station at 1401 Chouteau Avenue in the City of St. Louis.  Timothy Blassingame and another male, Andre King, approached R.W.  King pointed a revolver at R.W. and ordered R.W. out of the vehicle.  Blassingame and King took R.W.’s cell phone and drove off in the Trailblazer. 

Later that evening, East St. Louis Illinois police observed the stolen Trailblazer and attempted to stop it.  Blassingame and King led police on a high-speed pursuit from East St. Louis, Illinois into St. Louis, Missouri.  They also rammed a police car during the pursuit, which ended after the Trailblazer crashed near Jennings Station Road in North St. Louis County.  Both Blassingame and King attempted then flee on foot but were eventually apprehended by police.  Blassingame was 17 years old at the time he committed these crimes.

Blassingame pleaded guilty in July to one count of carjacking and another count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  This prosecution and 84-month sentence were part of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of Missouri and Southern District of Illinois.  More specifically, Blassingame’s sentence was ordered to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed in the Southern District of Illinois.  Those proceedings, which charge Blassingame and King with interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and armed robbery, remain on going.   

“To the young people in our community, know that you have a choice when it comes to guns: Pick one up or put it down.  We want you to put it down,” said United States Attorney Jeff Jensen after today’s sentencing.  “In the last two years, this office has doubled the number of federal prosecutions of individuals who have chosen to pick-up firearms and commit violent acts with them.  This specifically includes increased prosecution of juveniles.”

Jensen continued, “If you choose to take other people’s property and endanger the citizens of this district by using a firearm, federal prosecution, a lengthy prison sentence far away from the Saint Louis area, and intense court supervision afterwards awaits.” 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department; Saint Louis County Police Department; North County Police Cooperative; Illinois State Police; and East Saint Louis Police Department investigated this case which was prosecuted in cooperation with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois.  

The emergency prohibition of fentanyl analogues expires on February 6.  Without action by Congress, law enforcement will not have the tools needed to protect Missouri families from the onslaught of these extraordinarily dangerous substances.

Illicit fentanyl and its analogues kill hundreds of Missourians annually.  Fentanyl is 80 times more powerful than heroin and only a few grains can cause a fatal overdose. Additionally, distributors are now mixing fentanyl with other drugs which increases the risk for unsuspecting buyers and for overdose deaths.  

Examples of the problem can be found in this courthouse constantly.  Within the last two weeks, law enforcement officers seized a shipment of 10 kilograms of fentanyl on Interstate 44 in Saint Louis County, Missouri.  That is roughly 22 pounds of poison capable of killing tens of thousands of Missourians.  The courier from Arizona was 18 years old and now could face decades in prison.  Just yesterday, Shannon Rennee Bradley, 25, of Washington, Missouri, pled guilty for her role in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl that killed a 24-year old Washington, Missouri woman. 

If Congress fails to act, this office and our law enforcement partners will lose an effective tool that we need to protect Missouri families from the onslaught of these extraordinarily dangerous substances.  Congress must take action immediately to extend the scheduling of these dangerous substances because this fight is far from over.

St. Louis – Shannon Rennee Bradley, 25, of Washington, Missouri, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute, and aiding and abetting in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl, which resulted in the death of victim A.C. She appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. Sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2020. 

According to court documents, on October 21, 2017, Bradley and co-defendant Jacob Brewer met victim A.C. and her boyfriend at a gas station in Washington, Missouri, where the distribution took place.  A.C. and her boyfriend shared the drugs sold by Bradley and co-defendant Brewer later that evening.  A.C.’s boyfriend woke up and discovered A.C. unresponsive.  A.C. was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Co-defendant Brewer pleaded guilty in May 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 12, 2020.

Bradley faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of not more than $1,000,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorneys James Delworth and Sara Koppenaal are handling the case.

St. Louis, MO – Brandon Mardell Woods, 35, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in two robberies in the Central West End.  Woods appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

According to court documents, on June 17, 2018, a victim was walking to her vehicle when Woods approached her, pointed a firearm at her, and ordered her into her vehicle.  Woods entered the driver’s seat and directed the victim into the passenger seat.  The victim complied and Woods drove the victim’s vehicle to an ATM where he withdrew $500.00 from the victim’s bank account.

On June 19, 2018, two victims were seated in their vehicle when Woods entered the backseat, pointed a firearm at them, and ordered one of the victims to drive him to an ATM.  Once at the ATM, Woods directed one of the victims to withdraw money from her bank account.  She withdrew $200.00 from her account and gave it to Woods.

On June 20, 2018, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department arrested Woods and found him to be in possession of a firearm.

“The continued collective effort among the St Louis Police Department, FBI, Circuit Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s office will definitely hold violent criminals accountable,” said Chief John W. Hayden, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with the assistance of the Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – Michael L. Cooper, 40, of O’Fallon, Illinois, was charged in a federal complaint with distribution of child pornography. 

According to the complaint, on or about January 21, 2020, an undercover officer, utilizing a false persona, was contacted on a social media applications by an individual later identified as Michael Cooper.  Cooper sent the undercover officer multiple child pornography videos and images via the internet containing depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in various sexual acts.  Cooper advised the undercover officer on several occasions that he was sexually attracted to minor males, and desired to engage in sexual acts with minor males. 

As agreed upon with the undercover officer utilizing his false persona, Cooper responded to a local hotel to meet the undercover officer and purportedly engage in sexual acts with him while watching child pornography.  However, upon his arrival at the hotel room, Cooper was taken into custody.  Cooper indicated that there was child pornography on his laptop in his residence and on his cellular telephone. Cooper also admitted to being in possession of and distributing child pornography.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Saint Louis County Police Department are investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case.

St. Louis, MO –Angela K. Williams, M.D., 34, of Brentwood, Missouri, pleaded guilty today to one felony charge of fraudulently obtaining oxycodone, a narcotic opioid prescription drug. 

According to the plea agreement, Dr. Williams wanted to obtain prescription drugs that contained controlled substances for her own personal use, outside the bounds of professional medical practice and not for legitimate medical purposes.  Accordingly, Dr. Williams used her own prescription pad to write and sign numerous prescriptions for controlled substances using other persons’ names, including prescriptions for the narcotic opioid pain relief drugs hydrocodone and oxycodone.  Dr. Williams then went to the pharmacies and presented the prescriptions for the drugs, posing as a patient.  Dr. Williams also fraudulently used another doctor’s prescription pad, name, and Drug Enforcement Administration number to write herself some additional controlled substance prescriptions.

“The DEA Diversion Control Program’s purpose is to maintain the integrity of the supply chain of prescription drugs to the American public,” said DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge William Callahan. “The diversion of prescription drugs outside the bounds of professional medical practice puts the supply chain at risk. This case showcases the far-reaching impact of opioid abuse and its destructive power.”

Dr. Williams pled guilty before Chief United States District Court Judge Rodney W. Sippel.  Sentencing has been set for April 23, 2020.  Dr. Williams’s crime carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florissant Police Department, the Town and Country Police Department, and the St. John Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs of the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s office, and the St. Louis County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.