Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis, MO – Steven Walters, 52, of St. Peters, Missouri, was sentenced to six months in prison, 90 days of home confinement and three years of supervised release in prison for embezzling from an employee benefit plan.  Walters appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel. 

According to court documents, Walters began his employment with Synergy Concepts Inc. on or about August 2001. In 2014, Walters was the Vice-President and Secretary of Synergy Concepts Inc.  Walters, on behalf of Synergy Concepts Inc., acted as the co-trustee for a company retirement plan that was funded from voluntary contributions by the employees. From May of 2015 through August 2016, Walters, as an officer of Synergy Concepts, Inc., failed to transfer withheld funds destined for the retirement plan and instead diverted the funds for other purposes, including his own personal use. Walters did knowingly embezzle, steal and unlawfully and willfully abstract and convert to his own use the money, funds, securities, premiums, properties and other assets of the employee pension plan that resulted in a total loss of $72,817.27.  

“Prosecuting those who misuse funds from employee benefit plans is a vital aspect of this agency’s mission to protect the rights of America’s workers,” said Jim Purcell, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Regional Director in Kansas City. “EBSA will continue to aggressively investigate such crimes on behalf of workers nationwide.”

“Steven Walters embezzled employee contributions and loan repayments from the Synergy Concepts Retirement Plan for his own personal use. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration to protect the integrity of employee benefit plans,” stated Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

The case was investigated by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Dywane Upchurch, 39, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 60 months for his role in robbing the Richmond Heights Post Office and assaulting a Postal employee while committing robbery.  Upchurch appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry. 

According to court documents, on December 6, 2018, Dywane Upchurch entered the rear door of the U.S. Post Office in Richmond Heights located on Big Bend Boulevard.  He was armed with a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.  Once inside, Upchurch brandished the firearm and forced both employees into a restroom.  Upchurch then went to the cash register and stole approximately $8,800 in cash.

On January 17, 2019, Upchurch was taken into custody after United States Postal Inspectors executed an arrest warrant at a residence on Blakemore Place, St. Louis, Missouri. A firearm possessed by Upchurch was seized from the residence.

Upchurch pled guilty in October to felon in possession of a firearm and assault while committing a robbery. 

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Richmond Heights Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware is handling the case.

St. Louis, MO – Lawrence Warfel, 76, of Moberly, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft.  Warfel appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Henry A. Autrey who ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $11,688.11.

According to court records, in September 2017, Lawrence Warfel’s wife, Penny, disappeared.  Prior to her disappearance, Penny had been receiving monthly Social Security benefits deposited directly into her bank account.  After Penny’s disappearance, her Social Security benefits were withdrawn at an ATM, and investigators retrieved surveillance footage showing Lawrence withdrawing money from that ATM using the debit card connected to the bank account where Penny’s Social Security benefits were being deposited.  In September 2018, Lawrence admitted he had been using Penny’s debt card in order to withdraw her Social Security benefits following her disappearance.

Warfel pled guilty in October 2019.

This case was investigated by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the Social Security Administration.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane Klocke handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Elijah Roberts, 19, of St. Louis City, was sentenced to 134 months in prison for his involvement in a February 2018 carjacking.  Roberts appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey who imposed the sentence. 

            According to the court documents, on February 13, 2018, the victim was securing her two minor children in their car seats.  When she got into the driver’s seat, Roberts, who was 17 years old at the time, yanked open her car door.  Roberts pointed a firearm at her and demanded her keys.  The victim handed over her keys and removed her infant daughter from the vehicle.  Before she could remove her second child -- a fifteen-month old boy -- from his car seat, Roberts drove off in the stolen vehicle.  Police responded and found the toddler unharmed in an alley.

            Police eventually located Roberts who was still inside the carjacked vehicle.  Roberts fled from police officers for approximately 45 minutes – ramming two police cars and injuring one police officer during the pursuit.  After driving through parks and over curbs, the vehicle broke down.  Roberts was arrested.

            Roberts pleaded guilty in October to carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.

            “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.  “Whether you are 17 or 70, if you choose to commit a violent crime in this district, you will be aggressively prosecuted at the federal level.  A federal prosecution means no parole; significant prison time; serving that prison sentence far from Saint Louis; and intensive supervised release once prison is over.” 

            Jensen continued, “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.” 

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

St. Louis, MO – Antonio Ball, 21, St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 102 months in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.  Ball appeared today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White. 

According to court documents, on May 19, 2018, the victim stopped at the Elite Market on North Broadway in a rental vehicle.  Ball approached the victim with a handgun and demanded the car keys.  When the victim complied, Ball and two other males jumped into the vehicle and drove off.  Ball was later arrested by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case. 

St. Louis, MO –Corrina Wester, 48, of St. Louis City, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of theft of government funds. 

According to the Indictment, Wester grandmother, Dorothy Carlock, passed away on February 22, 2017. Carlock’s death was not reported to the Social Security Administration, and her Social Security benefits continued to be direct deposited into her bank account, which was held jointly with Wester. Carlock’s Social Security record showed that her direct deposit information was changed to this account only 15 days prior to her death.

As of May 1, 2019, the bank account was closed and the Social Security benefits had all been withdrawn. The total amount of Social Security funds deposited following Carlocks’ death was $39,961.00.

The charge of Theft of Government funds carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine of $250,000.   Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The Social Security Administration is investigating the case.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane Klocke is handling the case.

St. Louis – Dean Allen McBaine, 31, of Jefferson City, MO, was sentenced to 60 months in prison following his conviction by a jury in October for one count of possessing an unregistered destructive device.  McBaine appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who ordered McBaine to pay restitution in the amount of $34,705.21.

According to testimony at trial, McBaine was involved in a domestic dispute with his current wife at their residence in Jefferson City. During the incident, McBaine discharged several rounds from a handgun into the bedroom where his then 13-year-old son was sleeping. Consequently, McBaine’s former spouse and mother of the boy retrieved him from Jefferson City and moved him to her home in St. Louis. Orders of protection against McBaine were issued for the former spouse and son. 

Approximately three weeks later, on September 2, 2018 in St. Louis City, an explosion that also damaged two adjacent homes destroyed the former spouse’s red Mini Cooper automobile.   

The co-defendant, Michael Bushman, pled guilty and was sentenced on November 22, 2019 to 13 months in prison.  Bushman admitted to preparing a “sparkler bomb” with McBaine and detonating it under the vehicle in the victim’s driveway.  A neighbor’s security camera system captured the explosion.

The case was investigated by the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department, the St. Louis Fire Department, and the St. Louis division of the FBI.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys John Davis and Paul D’Agrosa. 

St. Louis, MO –Reanna Danielle Campbell, 26, of Franklin County, MO, pleaded guilty to her involvement in conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Campbell appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge John A. Ross who accepted her plea and set her sentencing date for April 23, 2020.

According to the plea agreement, Campbell and her co-defendant Joshua Spencer were engaged in the sale of crystal methamphetamine in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, as well as in Franklin and Jefferson County, Missouri.  Investigators conducted controlled buys of methamphetamine from Campbell and Spencer in and around the area.  Also during the course of the investigation, Spencer and Campbell crashed a vehicle while fleeing from police near the Interstate 44 entrance at South Elm Avenue in Webster, Missouri, and fled on foot.  Two handguns were recovered by law enforcement near the scene of the crash and investigators seized five other firearms from the crashed vehicle, along with knives and additional firearms magazines and drug paraphernalia. 

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

Spencer remains charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Those charges remain merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Multi-County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating this case, with assistance from the Kirkwood and Webster Police Departments.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Darryl Black, 28, of Ferguson, MO, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his involvement in a multi-defendant conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin.  Black appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.

According to court documents, Black was part of a heroin conspiracy involving the shipment of heroin by mail from Phoenix to St. Louis.  Black is the last of the 11 charged in the indictment to be sentenced.

Defendants also sentenced in the conspiracy are as follows: 

Ricardo Ramos-Estrada, aka Riki, 34, of Phoenix, AZ, 70 months in prison;

Armando Ramos-Estrada, aka Gordo, 36, of Phoenix, AZ, fugitive;

Cristian Samuel Aripez Nunez, 22, of Phoenix, AZ 48 months in prison;

Arieawn Rishaud Dillon, 24, of St. Louis, 40 months in prison;

Daviyon Antwon Thomas, aka Big Boy, 30, of Wellston, 80 months in prison;

Gregory Hampton, aka Greasy, 34, of St. Louis, 84 months in prison;

Travis Jacquez Roberts, 30, of St. Louis, 84 months in prison;

Jerome Anthony Thomas, 47, of St. Louis, 30 months in prison;

Troy Parker, aka Nelly, of St. Louis, released on time served; and

Jermaine Joseph Johnson, aka J, of St. Louis, released on time served.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service     investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Granger handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  

St. Louis, MO – Mitchell Finley, 57, of St. Louis County, was sentenced to fifty-one (51) months in prison for his role in robbing a bank.  Finley appeared today in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.   

According to court documents, on April 13, 2019, Finley walked into the Midwest Bank Centre on Lemay Ferry Road in south St. Louis County.  He went up to the teller, placed a white bag on the counter and told the teller that this is a robbery.  The teller complied, placing $4,131.00 in the bag.  Finley left the bank and went to a restaurant in the same plaza as the bank.  Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and found Finley in the restaurant with a backpack next to him. The backpack contained the clothing he word during the bank robbery and the stolen money.  Finley possessed an unloaded Beretta pistol in his waistband. 

Finley pleaded guilty on September 30, 2019 to one count of committing a bank robbery and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO - The Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Service, and multiple law enforcement agencies arrested 15 people, including five St. Louis area residents, today on charges that they conspired to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.  Among those charged were:

Miguel Silva-Torres, Jr., 31, of St. Ann;

Frank Stogsdill, Sr., 57, of O’Fallon, Missouri;

David Henderson, 58, of Bonne Terre;

Royce Spann, 35, of St. Louis; and

Randall Bryant, 48, of DeSoto.

The five men were added in a sealed Superseding Indictment dated January 9, 2020, that details the seizures of drugs, money, and firearms from the group.  It was unsealed today following the arrests.  They join Ramon Gonzalez, 47, of St. Peters, Missouri, who was charged in April 2019.  According to the Superseding Indictment, the conspiracy reached nearly halfway across the country, and included significant seizures in St. Louis, Kansas City, and California.  The investigation culminated in April and May 2019, with the seizure of more than $150,000 in May alone.

“As today’s unsealed indictment demonstrates, when someone chooses to sell drugs, support or join a drug trafficking organization that distributes drugs, there is an entire network of federal, state and local law enforcement officers ready to stop them,” said United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen.  “In the last year, this office has doubled the number of federal firearm- and drug-related prosecutions as a result of cooperative and wide-reaching investigations like this.” 

“We know there is a correlation between drugs and violence in the St. Louis Metro area. This is the kind of drug and weapons trafficking criminal organization the DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, seek to dismantle,” said DEA St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge William Callahan.  “By taking out the entire organization with operations extending beyond Missouri’s borders, these charges today are another step toward making the St. Louis Metro area a safer place.”

St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar added, “On behalf of the St. Charles County regional Drug Task Force, we are extremely proud to have worked in partnership with the DEA in bringing down one of the largest drug distribution networks in our region’s history.”

Echoing those sentiments was Chief Rick Struttmann of the St. Peters Police Department, who noted, “The St. Peters Police Department is appreciative of the collaborative efforts and partnership between the DEA and state and local law enforcement officers. Operations of this nature are a clear demonstration of how federal, state and local task forces work when it comes to identifying and arresting criminals who are willing to participate in the distribution of controlled substances in our communities. These investigative efforts have a great impact on making our communities safer.”

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.

St. Louis, MO –Robert Fountaine, 56, of St. Louis City, pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds.  Fountaine appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey who accepted his plea and set sentencing for April 14, 2020. 

According to the plea agreement, Fountaine was cashing the Social Security checks of Ethel Barbee, who died in September 1999. Ms. Barbee was reportedly Fountaine’s step-mother, and Fountaine was receiving her benefit checks in the mail as her representative.  Following Ms. Barbee’s death, Fountaine reported to the Social Security Administration that the monies received were continuing to go to Ms. Barbee, or to her care. In 2018, Fountaine stopped cooperating with the Social Security Administration reporting requirements, and only then were Ms. Barbee’s benefits were suspended. Due to the concealment of Ms. Barbee’s death and the continued collection of her SSA benefits, Fountaine received $144,465.30 in government benefits to which he was not entitled.

The Social Security Administration is investigating the case.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane Klocke is handling the case.

A St. Louis resident was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for his role in a tax fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri.

According to documents and information provided to the Court, Babatunde Olusegun Taiwo, co-conspirator Kevin Williams and others, engaged in a scheme to file false tax returns in the names of individuals whose personal identifying information they obtained without authorization. In particular, Taiwo, Williams, and others accessed from a data breach at a payroll company the information of hundreds of individuals, including school district employees in Alabama and Mississippi. The co-conspirators then used the information to file false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They sought to conceal their fraud by filing the tax returns under electronic filing identification numbers that the IRS issued to tax return preparation businesses that they obtained without authorization. The conspirators directed that the claimed refunds be mailed to their residences in St. Louis. In total, Taiwo and his co-conspirators filed more than 2,000 fraudulent tax returns that claimed more than $12 million in refunds, of which the IRS paid out $889,712.

“The Department remains committed to prosecuting those who use stolen identities to steal money from the United States by filing false tax returns and claiming fraudulent tax refunds,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman.  “As today’s sentence makes clear, there is a heavy price to pay for such criminal conduct.”

“Today’s sentencing of Babtunde Taiwo highlights how seriously IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners take the issue of identity theft,” said Thomas Holloman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “We will continue to pursue criminals who prey on innocent victims and we will continue to enforce our nation’s tax laws. Today’s sentencings should send a clear message to would-be criminals — you will be caught and you will be punished.” 

In addition to the term of imprisonment, Senior U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry ordered Taiwo to serve a term of three years of supervised release and to pay restitution to the United States in the amount of $889,712.  

Co-conspirator Williams was previously sentenced to 78 months in prison for his role in this scheme as well as voter fraud and re-entering the United States after having been removed.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Jensen commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service, as well as the Dothan Alabama Police Department and Alexander City Alabama Police Department, who investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Grace Albinson of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Missouri and the Middle District of Alabama.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website. 

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

St. Louis, MO – Karen Dickerson, 70, of St. Louis County, pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft of government funds.  Dickerson appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel who accepted her plea and set her sentencing date for April 8, 2020.

According to court documents, Karen Dickerson’s mother, Bernadine Dickerson, received monthly retirement payments through the Civil Service Retirement System, as she was retired from the federal government.  Bernadine Dickerson died on April 25, 1995.  Her monthly federal pension payments continued to be deposited into a bank account that was held jointly with her son, Warren Dickerson, who passed away in 2012.  At that point, Karen Dickerson became Power of Attorney on the account.  The federal government was not notified of Bernadine’s death during 1995, and Karen continued to collect her deceased mother’s pension benefits from the bank account until she finally reported her mother’s death to the federal government during September 2017.  The total monthly pension payments made following Warren Dickerson’s death was approximately $107,383.

Karen Dickerson faces a maximum penalty of 10 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 U.S. Office of Personnel Management is investigating this case.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Duianete Moore, 38, of St. Louis City, MO, pleaded guilty to federal felony charges of robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Moore appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for April 7, 2020.

According to court documents, Moore engaged in on-going criminal activity throughout the spring and summer of 2018, including the theft of firearms from vehicles on four separate occasions.  Further, on June 26, 2018, Moore and a female rushed into Crazy Cheap Fireworks tent in St. Charles County.  Moore pointed a firearm at the employees, demanded they lay on the ground and not to look at him.  Victims had their wallets and cell phones taken by Moore and the female.  Three cash registers were taken containing U.S. currency from the proceeds of fireworks sales.  At the time of Moore’s subsequent arrest, Moore possessed a backpack containing a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a drum magazine.    

Moore faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge.  In addition, Moore faces between seven years and life in prison on the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and not more than ten years on the felon in possession charge.  Each count carries 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case.

St. Louis – Daniel Cervantes Felix, 18, of Maricopa, Arizona, was charged in a criminal complaint for his involvement in the possession with the intent to distribute 10 kilograms of fentanyl. 

According to the complaint, on January 6, 2020, St. Louis County police officers pulled over a GMC Sierra vehicle being driven by Felix after he violated various traffic laws.  Felix granted consent to search his vehicle.  Officers discovered multiple kilo size bricks totaling 10 kilograms of fentanyl. 

Felix has been charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.  He faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted.  He is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

“This is a fine example of the productive, collaborative relationships we enjoy with our Federal partners,” Colonel Jon M. Belmar, Chief of Police, stated. “I am incredibly proud of the work by the officers and agents. They stopped the distribution of this deadly substance before it could reach our communities and poison our families, friends, and neighbors.”

“The allegations in this case involves the second largest seizure of fentanyl in this district.  This amounts to millions of doses of fentanyl – enough to destroy or end the lives of hundreds of thousands of Missourians.  This conduct simply will not be tolerated by law enforcement.  We are grateful to the St. Louis County police and DEA agents involved in this on-going investigation.  Their seizure of this poison has saved many, many lives,” stated U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.

The charge is the result of a joint investigation between the St. Louis County Police Department’s Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

St. Louis, MO –Paul “Paco” Garcia, 40, of Barnhart, MO, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Garrett appeared today before U.S. District Judge Catherin D. Perry who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for April 24, 2020.

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

On September 14, 2018, a Jefferson County police officer stopped Defendant 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 area of car where Defendant was previously seen reaching, and they located a silver baseball bat and a black firearm in the glove compartment.  The firearm was a black, Rock Island Armory .38 SPL revolver with wood grips.  A 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 from being robbed in connection with his methamphetamine trafficking activities

Garcia faces a penalty up to 10 years imprisonment and a 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.

This case is being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling this 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 in connection with throwing a Dachshund from his car window after binding its muzzle and legs with tape in February of 2019.  Those charges remain merely 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 Department and prosecuted by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Loren “Sensei” Copp, 50, former owner of Dojo Pizza located at 4601 Morganford Road, St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 65 years in prison for production and attempted production of child pornography; possession of child pornography; and the use of interstate facilities to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. Copp appeared today before U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Fleissig who also ordered restitution in the amount of $294,000.

In December 2018, Copp was convicted of eight counts of child sexual exploitation and enticement involving four victims. 

According to testimony presented at trial, for several years defendant Copp groomed and sexually abused two minor females who had been in his custody since 2009. The grooming process began when defendant Copp began touching the victims’ buttocks while playing “the butt game,” which then led to him touching their vaginas and breasts. Eventually, Copp began raping both girls, and he would record the sex acts with a cell phone or video recorder. While at the Dojo Pizza property, Copp would rape each girl multiple times a week, and while there he took pornographic pictures of one victim’s genitals and breasts. Copp would also watch pornography with one of the victims in his office at the Dojo Pizza property.

During trial, there was also evidence of Facebook chats between three minor female victims and a Facebook account utilized by Copp, which purported to be used by a 13 year-old named “Chrissy.” The Facebook account depicted a facial image of a minor female for the profile picture, and this same Facebook profile picture of “Chrissy” was found on Copp’s computer, along with multiple pornographic images of the three victims that were sent to the “Chrissy” Facebook account. Additionally, within the Facebook chats between “Chrissy” and the minor victims, there were multiple references to sexual activity and/or sexually explicit conduct occurring between the victims, as well as one particular victim and Copp. Also, there were coercive and deceptive emails sent from a Yahoo email account directed towards one minor victim, which were between Copp’s Gmail account and the Yahoo account. The majority of the Yahoo emails were sent from the same IP address attached to emails sent/received from Copp’s Gmail account. The subscriber information and backup emails used for the “Chrissy” Facebook account, as well as the Yahoo email account, were linked to Copp.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Regional Computer Crime Education and Enforcement Group (RCCEEG) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), investigated the case.

                                                       

St. Louis, MO – Antoine Adem, M.D., 49, of Festus, MO, and his company, Midwest Cardiovascular, Inc., were sentenced today.  Dr. Adem was sentenced to a prison term of 45 days and ordered to pay restitution of $149,199 and a fine of $55,000 for his involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme.  Midwest Cardiovascular was sentenced to a term of probation of 3 years and ordered to jointly pay restitution with Dr. Adem of $149,199 and a fine of $120,000.  Midwest Cardiovascular has offices in Festus and Farmington, Missouri.  Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular appeared today in federal court before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.  Both previously entered guilty pleas on August 20, 2019.

According to court documents, from January 2014 to December 2018, Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular submitted or caused to be submitted numerous false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Missouri Medicaid. The reimbursement claims falsely indicated that Dr. Adem performed two vein procedures, known as vascular embolization and occlusions, on patients on two different days, when he actually performed the two procedures on the same day. As a result, Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular received approximately $2000 more per patient than they would have received if they had informed Medicare and other insurers that the two procedures were performed on the same day.  As a result of these fraudulent claims, Medicare and Missouri Medicaid paid Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular $149,199 more than they were entitled to receive.

Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular also entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States and have paid $1.2 million.  The civil settlement resolves allegations that Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular violated the civil False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare, including claims that failed to comply with Medicare regulations, claims for office visits that were upcoded, and claims that falsely indicated that surgical services for vascular embolization and occlusion were provided on two separate days.  The civil settlement includes the dismissal of a qui tam complaint that was filed by whistleblower Elaine Taylor, a former employee of Midwest Cardiovascular.  United States of America, ex rel., Elaine Taylor v. Antoine M. Adem, M.D. and Midwest Cardiovascular, Inc., et al, Case No. 4:17CV858-PLC (E.D. Mo.).  Under the False Claims Act, the whistleblower, also known as a Relator, is entitled to a share of the civil settlement.  Ms. Taylor will receive $240,000. 

“Dr. Adem calculated that committing health care fraud was his path to riches. He was wrong, as he now pays the price for his crimes,” said Curt Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect government healthcare programs and the taxpayer dollars on which they depend.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Missouri Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dorothy McMurtry and Suzanne Moore are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – A federal indictment was returned today against Jalen Exavier Simms, 24, of Saint Louis, for his role in the June 3, 2019 death of victim Jabari Clark.  The indictment specifically charges Simms with one count of the attempted carjacking of victim Clark’s 2012 Dodge Ram truck and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of that carjacking that resulted in victim Clark’s death.

If convicted, the both charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the imposition of death.  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.

“Gun violence and carjackings remain top priorities of this office.  We continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to prevent these senseless acts of violence but, when they occur, we are committed to holding each and every perpetrator accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney Jeff Jensen following the indictment’s return.

This case is being investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

St. Louis, MO –Christopher Gibbon, 48, of Florissant, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud; four counts of mail fraud; and one count of bank fraud.

According to the Indictment, Gibbon, a Jamaican National who resided in St. Louis County, Missouri, participated in a lottery scheme targeting residents over the age of 60 residing in various parts of the country. He participated in the scheme as early as 2012 through July 2018.

The scheme involved individuals in Jamaica calling United States residents to inform them that they had won money and prizes in a lottery.  Gibbon’s role was to mail letters to fraud victims advising them that the lottery winnings were legitimate.  Because the letters were purportedly written by United States government officials, and mailed from within the United States, the recipients believed the fraudulent representations.  In exchange, Gibbon received 20% of the illegal proceeds mailed to him while he forwarded the balance to his counterparts in Jamaica.  Those proceeds ranged from $190.00 to as much as $50,000.00.   

If convicted, Gibbon faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.  Restitution is also mandatory.

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

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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, MO – Quentin Bryant, 32, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison today for felon in possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry. 

According to court documents, on July 18, 2018, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call for an individual armed with a firearm in the 4400 block of West Pine.  Officers observed Bryant and approached him.  He began to run.  During the foot pursuit, Bryant discharged his firearm at the officers who were required to return fire in defense of themselves and for the safety of the public.  The foot pursuit ended when Bryant reach a dead end and threw his nine millimeter handgun to the ground.

“This case is another example of the everyday dangers the men and women of law enforcement face and the incredible courage and bravery they display day-in and day-out, said United States Attorney Jeff Jensen after today’s sentencing.  “You have a choice when it comes to a gun.  Pick it up or put it down.  We want you to put it down.  If you do, you save your life and the lives of others, including kids.  If you don’t, you will be aggressively prosecuted federally.  In the last year, this office has doubled the number of federal prosecutions of individuals who refused to put down the gun.  Today’s sentence is another example of those efforts,” Jensen continued.   

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St Louis – Gary Scott Hancock, 30, of St. Louis, Missouri, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death before the Honorable Ronnie L. White today.  Hancock is scheduled to appear for sentencing on March 25, 2020.

According to court documents, 19-year-old T.G. was found unresponsive in a relative’s home in Chesterfield, Missouri on October 13, 2018.  She was pronounced deceased, and a subsequent post-mortem examination revealed that she died as a result of acute fentanyl intoxication.  An examination of T.G.’s phone and text messages revealed that on the evening of October 12, 2018, T.G. had exchanged text messages with a person who identified himself as “Scott.” “Scott” agreed to sell T.G. “5 beans” of “raw fenny [ ] mixed [ ] with some sort of cut” for $20.  “Scott” texted T.G. that she would have to meet him at his home, and he provided her his street address in the 4300 block of Delor.  Between the time of the messages and her death, evidence placed T.G. in the area of the 4300 block of Delor.

Hancock was arrested in February 2019 after he was located at his home in the 4300 block of Delor.  During a video recorded interview, Hancock admitted that he had communicated with T.G. on the night of October 12, 2018, and that he typically went by his middle name, Scott.  Hancock confirmed that he agreed to sell T.G. “5 beans” of fentanyl on October 12, 2018 and that T.G. had come to his residence and made the purchase.

Hancock now faces a 20-year mandatory minimum federal prison sentence.  “Every individual has a clear choice when it comes to the poison that is fentanyl.  Pick it up or put it down.  We want you to put it down.  If you do, you save your life and the lives of others.  Sadly, that didn’t happen here.  And when it doesn’t, you will be prosecuted federally and serve significant prison time in a facility far from the Saint Louis area,” said United States Attorney Jeff Jensen following today’s guilty plea.

The case was investigated by the Chesterfield Police Department, assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A United Kingdom national appeared today in federal court on charges of aggravated identity theft, threatening to damage a protected computer, and conspiring to commit those and other computer fraud offenses, related to his role in a computer hacking collective known as “The Dark Overlord,” which targeted victims in the St. Louis, Missouri, area beginning in 2016. 

Nathan Wyatt, 39, was extradited from the United Kingdom to the Eastern District of Missouri and arraigned on Dec. 18 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shirley Padmore Mensah.  He pleaded not guilty and was detained pending further proceedings.

A federal grand jury indicted Wyatt on Nov. 8, 2017.  According to court records, beginning in 2016, Wyatt was a member of The Dark Overlord, a hacking group that was responsible for remotely accessing the computer networks of multiple U.S. companies without authorization, obtaining sensitive records and information from those companies, and then threatening to release the companies’ stolen data unless the companies paid a ransom in bitcoin.  Victims in the Eastern District of Missouri included healthcare providers, accounting firms, and others. Among other things, Wyatt is alleged to have participated in the conspiracy by creating email and phone accounts that he used to send threatening and extortionate emails and text messages to certain victims, including victims in the Eastern District of Missouri.  

“Today’s extradition shows that the hackers hiding behind The Dark Overlord moniker will be held accountable for their alleged extortion of American companies,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “We are thankful for the close cooperation of our partners in the United Kingdom in ensuring that the defendant will face justice in U.S. court.”

“Cyber criminals who harm victims in the Eastern District of Missouri cannot hide behind international borders to evade justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen of the Eastern District of Missouri.  “Today’s case demonstrates the United States’ commitment to unmasking criminal hackers and bringing them to justice, no matter where they may be located.”

“Cyber hackers may no longer use territorial borders to shield themselves from accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI’s St. Louis Field Office. “This case is another example of how the FBI successfully works with international law enforcement partners to bring alleged perpetrators to justice.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s St. Louis Field Office.  The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office also provided support.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs coordinated the extradition of Wyatt. The department thanks law enforcement and international cooperation authorities in the United Kingdom for their substantial assistance in the investigation.

Senior Counsel Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gwendolyn Carroll and Matthew Drake of the Eastern District of Missouri are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Indictment St. Louis – A United Kingdom national appeared today in federal court on charges of aggravated identity theft, threatening to damage a protected computer, and conspiring to commit those and other computer fraud offenses, related to his role in a computer hacking collective known as “The Dark Overlord,” which targeted victims in the St. Louis, Missouri, area beginning in 2016. 

Nathan Wyatt, 39, was extradited from the United Kingdom to the Eastern District of Missouri and arraigned on Dec. 18 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shirley Padmore Mensah.  He pleaded not guilty and was detained pending further proceedings.

A federal grand jury indicted Wyatt on Nov. 8, 2017.  According to court records, beginning in 2016, Wyatt was a member of The Dark Overlord, a hacking group that was responsible for remotely accessing the computer networks of multiple U.S. companies without authorization, obtaining sensitive records and information from those companies, and then threatening to release the companies’ stolen data unless the companies paid a ransom in bitcoin.  Victims in the Eastern District of Missouri included healthcare providers, accounting firms, and others. Among other things, Wyatt is alleged to have participated in the conspiracy by creating email and phone accounts that he used to send threatening and extortionate emails and text messages to certain victims, including victims in the Eastern District of Missouri.  

“Today’s extradition shows that the hackers hiding behind The Dark Overlord moniker will be held accountable for their alleged extortion of American companies,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “We are thankful for the close cooperation of our partners in the United Kingdom in ensuring that the defendant will face justice in U.S. court.”

“Cyber criminals who harm victims in the Eastern District of Missouri cannot hide behind international borders to evade justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen of the Eastern District of Missouri.  “Today’s case demonstrates the United States’ commitment to unmasking criminal hackers and bringing them to justice, no matter where they may be located.”

“Cyber hackers may no longer use territorial borders to shield themselves from accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI’s St. Louis Field Office. “This case is another example of how the FBI successfully works with international law enforcement partners to bring alleged perpetrators to justice.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s St. Louis Field Office.  The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office also provided support.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs coordinated the extradition of Wyatt. The department thanks law enforcement and international cooperation authorities in the United Kingdom for their substantial assistance in the investigation.

Senior Counsel Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gwendolyn Carroll and Matthew Drake of the Eastern District of Missouri are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

St. Louis, MO – Donald L. Robison, 57, Ballwin, MO, was sentenced to 75 months in prison for wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.  Robinson was fined $125,000 and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He appeared today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark.

According to court documents, from August 1998 through November 2018, Robison stole over $7.5 million dollars allocated for New and Retained Job Training Programs established by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.  Robison stole program-allocated funds from both the Missouri Department of Revenue and St. Louis Community College.  Robison subsequently moved the stolen funds between bank and investment accounts to conceal their origin.

"The FBI is pleased to be able to recover the stolen money to return for restitution," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "That said, we should never forget that for 20 years, Don Robison abused his position of trust to deny Missouri workers and taxpayers' money intended for them.  He will now be held to account by forfeiting his time and ill-gotten gains."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with the assistance and cooperation of St. Louis Community College and the State of Missouri.  Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today against three St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) Police Officers for their conduct in connection with the arrest and assault of a fellow SLMPD police officer who was working undercover in downtown St. Louis during protests following the 2017 acquittal of a former SLMPD officer of a first-degree murder charge brought by the State of Missouri relating to the shooting death of a civilian. 

The superseding indictment added Officer Steve Korte, 42, charging him with civil rights violations and providing false statements to the FBI.  Officers Dustin Boone, 36; Christopher Myers, 28; Randy Hays, 32; and Bailey Colletta, 26, were indicted in the initial indictment filed on November 29, 2018.  The charges include deprivation of constitutional rights, obstruction of justice and perjury.

During the protests, SLMPD officers were deployed throughout the area to monitor protest activity and respond if necessary.  According to the indictment, on the evening of September 17, 2017, a SLMPD police officer was working in an undercover capacity in downtown St. Louis in order to document any criminal activity being committed during the protests.  Around 10:00 p.m. in the area of 14th Street and Olive Street near the St. Louis Public Library, SLMPD Officers Boone, Myers, and Korte approached the undercover officer, forcefully brought him to the ground, and violently beat him causing severe injuries that have required multiple surgeries.

Randy Hays pled guilty on November 8, 2018 to deprivation of constitutional rights and will be sentenced on March 17, 2020. Bailey Colletta pled guilty on September 6, 2019 to false statements to the grand jury and will be sentenced on April 10, 2020.

Officer Myers also faces a Destruction of Evidence charge for destroying the cellular phone of the beating victim on the night of September 17, 2017.

Officers Boone, Myers, Korte are each charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury, which is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.  That charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.

Officer Korte is also charged with providing false statements to the FBI which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.

The evidence destruction charge carries maximum penalties of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 

As is always the case, the charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

St. Louis, MO –Tammy Fox, 49, of Carrolton, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of wire fraud related to her former position as Office Manager of Explosive Professionals Midwest, Incorporated, also known as ExPro Midwest.

According to the Indictment, Fox served as the Office Manager for ExPro Midwest in St. Louis County, Missouri.  From January, 2011 through February, 2018 Fox schemed to steal approximately $420,000 from the company.  During that time, Fox issued approximately 215 unauthorized ExPro Midwest checks to herself, which she deposited into her personal bank account.  Fox forged the signature of one of the owners of ExPro Midwest to those unauthorized checks.  Fox spent the stolen funds on personal items and services such as clothing, automobile payments, rent payments, as well as making numerous cash withdrawals.  Fox also issued unauthorized ExPro Midwest company checks to a close personal friend, and deposited those checks into her personal bank account as well.  Fox also used the ExPro Midwest corporate credit card to make unauthorized purchases of personal items, such as airline tickets, general retail items, clothing, and sporting goods.  As Office Manager, Fox caused the company to pay the monthly ExPro Midwest corporate credit card bills, knowing that her unauthorized personal charges were contained in the billings.  In order to conceal her fraud scheme, Fox altered the company’s internal financial records which she then sent to the company’s outside accountants.  Altogether, Fox’s fraud scheme netted her approximately $420,000 in funds stolen from ExPro Midwest.

If convicted, as to each charge Fox 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 – Nihad Rosic, 31, of Utica, New York, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and one count of providing material support to terrorists. Rosic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for April 16, 2020. 

Also charged in the indictment are: Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, and Armin Harcevic, all of St. Louis County, Missouri, and Mediha Medy Salkicevic, of Schiller Park, Illinois.  All defendants were charged and convicted of conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists.

According to court documents, Nihad Rosic, agreed with co-defendant Ramiz Hodzic and others that they would provide material support, that being money and materials identified in the indictment, to Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others who engaged in combat against various entities and personnel in Syria and elsewhere.  Such combat necessarily involved the unlawful, willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of persons abroad. In May 2014, Defendant Rosic communicated directly with Pazara concerning Defendant Rosic’s plans to travel to Syria, meet Pazara, and join him in combat against various persons and entities in Syria. 

“Nihad Rosic tried twice to travel to Syria to fight with terrorists,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “On both occasions he was prevented from doing so by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. He will now be held accountable for providing assistance to terrorists.”

Rosic faces up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines of up to $250,000, per count.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S Attorney Jensen commended the St. Louis FBI and all of the Joint Terrorism Task Force Joint partners for their commitment and tenacity in a lengthy and complex investigation as well as their dedication to this successful prosecution.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Drake, Howard Marcus and Kenneth Tihen of the Eastern District of Missouri and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Green of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York.

Nihad Rosic, 31, of Utica, New York, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and one count of providing material support to terrorists. Rosic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for April 16, 2020. 

Also charged in the indictment are: Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, and Armin Harcevic, all of St. Louis County, Missouri, and Mediha Medy Salkicevic, of Schiller Park, Illinois.  All defendants were charged and convicted of conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists.

According to court documents, Rosic, agreed with co-defendant Ramiz Hodzic and others that they would provide material support, that being money and materials identified in the indictment, to Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others who engaged in combat against various entities and personnel in Syria and elsewhere.  Such combat necessarily involved the unlawful, willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of persons abroad.  In May 2014, Rosic communicated directly with Pazara concerning Rosic’s plans to travel to Syria, meet Pazara, and join him in combat against various persons and entities in Syria. 

Rosic faces up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines of up to $250,000, per count.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S Attorney Jensen commended the St. Louis FBI and all of the Joint Terrorism Task Force Joint partners for their commitment and tenacity in a lengthy and complex investigation as well as their dedication to this successful prosecution.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Drake, Howard Marcus and Kenneth Tihen of the Eastern District of Missouri and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Green of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York.

St. Louis, MO – Tracy Lee Cernicek, 48, of St. Charles, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one felony count of wire fraud.  Cernicek appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark who accepted her plea and set her sentencing date for March 10, 2020.

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 $179,750.96 from her employer and their customers, and successfully embezzled $134,834.56.

Cernicek 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 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 –Joseph Reed, 21, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 110 months in prison for the crimes of sale of fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Reed appeared today in front of United States District Judge John A. Ross. 

According to court documents, in October 2018, law enforcement officers began an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl by Reed and his possession and sale of firearms in the St. Louis area.  During the course of the investigation, Reed sold approximately 65 grams of fentanyl to an undercover police officer on six separate occasions.  During two of those sales, Reed also sold a firearm to the undercover officer.  Reed was eventually arrested on November 14, 2018.  At the time of his arrest, Reed was armed with a .40 caliber firearm.  Prior to 2018, Reed had been convicted of a felony crime and was prohibited from possessing a firearm, let alone selling one in connection with drug sales.

Reed pleaded guilty on August 28, 2019 to 10 counts – six counts of fentanyl distribution; three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

This sentence is the result of a joint investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Thomas Mehan handled the case.

St. Louis –Jeremy L. Dickerson, 25, of St. Louis County, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for possessing fentanyl and a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.  Dickerson appeared today in front of United States District Judge John A. Ross. 

According to court documents, Dickerson was involved in two separate instances where he possessed illegal drugs and firearms.  On March 17, 2017, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department observed Dickerson violate a stop sign.  As the officers attempted to pull Dickerson’s vehicle over, he accelerated in an attempt to flee the officers, losing control of the vehicle and stroking cement barriers.  He was taken into custody and had $1,086 in U.S. currency on his person.  A 9mm semi-automatic pistol and plastic baggies with 124 clear capsules containing heroin were found in his vehicle.

On March 13, 2018, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department identified a vehicle being driven by Dickerson that had been used to conduct illegal drug activity.  Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle, but Dickerson drove in a reckless manner and collided with another vehicle which then went airborne into a third vehicle.  Dickerson was arrested and had $1,968 in U.S. currency on his person.  Search of the vehicle revealed a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and 173 clear capsules containing fentanyl.

These charges are a result of an investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Steven Muchnick handled the case.

St. Louis, MO – Christopher Crivolio, 47, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was sentenced to a four year term of probation for knowingly using, with the intent to commit harassment, the means of identification of another person.  Crivolio appeared before U.S. District Court Judge John A. Ross who ordered him to pay $44,847.76 in restitution within 15 days as well as a $2,000 fine.   

According to court records, in August 2018, Crivolio sent unauthorized emails claiming to be someone else, an employee of “MH.”  Crivolio was previously been employed with and terminated from MH.  He sent the emails to more than 10 job applicants who had applied for positions at MH.  The rejection emails were offensive in nature.  Crivolio signed the emails using the full name of a nurse practitioner who still worked at MH.

Crivolio pled guilty in July 2019 to one count of identity theft.

The case was investigated by the F.B.I. offices in St. Louis and Milwaukee with assistance from the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Johnathan K. Esparza, 27, of Steelville, MO, pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm stemming from a police chase from Illinois into Missouri.  Esparza appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for March 13, 2020. 

According to court documents, on September 21, 2018, Brooklyn, Illinois Police Officers responded to a call regarding shots fired from a Nissan vehicle.  As Brooklyn police officers attempted to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop, the driver of this vehicle accelerated and drove at a high rate of speed from Illinois into Missouri.  Officers observed Esparza, the front seat passenger, throw a pistol out of the window of the vehicle in St. Louis and were able to recover and seize the pistol.  The Nissan was eventually stopped and Esparza was apprehended.  A computer check revealed that he was a convicted felon. 

Esparza faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of not more than a $250,000.  He may be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence greater than described.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Brooklyn, Illinois Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Steven Muchnick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – Antonio Bright, 37, of St. Louis, MO, was charged by a federal complaint for possession of firearms and drugs.

According to the complaint, a federal search warrant was executed today by FBI SWAT St. Louis and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 6526 Leschen Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63121.  Law enforcement located twelve firearms in the residence, two plastic bags containing suspected heroin and one plastic bag containing multiple large chunks of rock-like substance suspected to be heroin, two plastic bags containing multiple pills of suspected ecstasy and multiple bags and containers of marijuana.

Bright has been charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; felon in possession of a firearm; and possessing one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Bright is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

St. Louis, MO – Tayon Hutchins Fowler, 42, of Florissant, MO, pled guilty to one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration and one count of wire fraud regarding a scheme to defraud Mercedes Benz.  Hutchins Fowler appeared today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White who accepted her plea and set sentencing for March 11, 2020. 

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

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

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

The false statement charges carry a maximum possible penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both imprisonment and a fine.  The wire fraud charges carry a maximum possible penalty of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, 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 Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

St. Louis, MO –Carlos Robinson, 28, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 192 months in prison for four separate armed store robberies committed in early 2017 and ordered to pay $1,077.24 in restitution. Robinson appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

According to court documents, on February 6, 2017, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Robinson entered the Conoco Gas Station located at 3600 Big Bend Boulevard in St. Louis County.  He pulled a bandana over his mouth and pointed a silver firearm at the clerk.  Robinson instructed the clerk to open the cash register and demanded money before exiting the service station.

On February 10, 2017, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Robinson entered the Mobil on the Run gas station located at 9371 Olive Boulevard, also in St. Louis County.  He pointed a small silver firearm at the clerk, told her to open the cash register drawer and give him the money. 

On February 13, 2017, at approximately 1:39 p.m., Robinson entered the BP gas station located at 7003 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis City.  He entered the store wearing sunglasses and asked to use the bathroom key, which the cashier provided.  Robinson returned the key, walked inside the Plexiglas partition and revealed a firearm to the cashier, demanding money.  The cashier was able to physically push Robison out of the secure cashier area, close the door, and push the alarm. 

On February 15, 2017, at approximately 7:01 p.m., Robinson entered the Family Dollar located at 4344 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, also in St. Louis City.  He approached the register and asked for a pack of Newport cigarettes.  Robinson displayed a firearm, demanded money, and threatened to hurt the cashier if she did not comply. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maplewood Police Department, the Olivette Police Department, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

St. Louis, MO –Cedric T. Davis, Jr., 21, of American Canyon, California, was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to launder drug proceeds via Moneygrams.  Davis appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey.

According to court documents, from January 2016, and continuing through February 21, 2018, Cedric Davis’s co-defendants Jack Huck, Joey Hope, and others imported to the Eastern District of Missouri multi-pound amounts of marijuana from Davis, who acted as the source of the supply located in California.  Upon receipt of the marijuana, Davis’s co-defendants and others distributed it within the Eastern District of Missouri and elsewhere.   

Once distributed, the co-defendants and others at their behest collected the proceeds of the marijuana sales.  Those individuals, including co-defendants Jack Huck, Joey Hope, and others, then wired or caused to be wired the proceeds to Cedric Davis in California via MoneyGrams purchased at various outlets, including Wal-Mart stores.  The MoneyGrams were payment for previously shipped marijuana as well as for pending marijuana shipments.  Davis, or others acting as his direction, then cashed the MoneyGrams in California.  In some instances, Davis had other individuals cash the MoneyGrams on his behalf in order to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the cash proceeds.

All other co-defendants charged as part of the conspiracy have pled guilty and have been sentenced or are pending sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Missouri Highway Patrol, Ste. Genevieve Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Casey is handling the case.

 

St. Louis, MO – Former employees of Anheuser-Busch In Bev, James Williams, 68, of St. Louis County; Gary Belcher, 64, of St. Louis County; and, Gregory Vieth, 63, of Columbia, IL; pleaded guilty to conspiring with a licensed Missouri chiropractor to fraudulently obtain disability insurance payments from the Social Security Administration and Prudential Insurance Companies of America. Each appeared this morning in front of United States District Judge Ronnie L. White who accepted the guilty pleas and set sentencing for March 5, 2020.

According to court documents, the chiropractor and the defendants exaggerated the defendants’ medical conditions and ability to care for themselves in order to qualify for the disability benefits.  The chiropractor also required defendants to undergo excessive medical treatments and diagnostic evaluations beyond what was medically necessary to pad their medical records.  Beginning as early as 2011, the defendants sought the chiropractor’s assistance because it permitted them to fraudulently obtain Social Security disability insurance benefit payments; a long-term disability insurance payment of $100,000.00 from Prudential Insurance Companies; and short-term disability benefits through other private insurance companies.  In exchange, defendants paid the chiropractor as much as $3,000.00 for each of the types of disability payments they were seeking, among other forms of compensation to the chiropractor

As a result of the false and fraudulent statements to the Social Security Administration and Prudential by the chiropractor, James Williams, Gary Belcher and Gregory Vieth each received in excess of $150,000.00 from the Social Security Administration and Prudential.

Conspiracy to defraud carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment for each count and a fine of $250,000 or both.  Restitution to the victims is also mandatory.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Tracy Berry and Dorothy McMurtry are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Because the Social Security Administration provides benefits through the Disability Insurance Benefit Program to more than 8.4 million individuals a year at a monthly rate of more than $10.4 million, the Social Security Administration accepts reports of those suspected of committing fraud against the program through the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General Hotline at: 1-800-269-0271 or https://oig.ssa.gov/report/.

ST. LOUIS– Haitao Xiang, 42, formerly of Chesterfield, Missouri, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, three counts of economic espionage, one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, and three counts of theft of trade secrets. 

According to the indictment, Xiang was employed by Monsanto and its subsidiary, The Climate Corporation, from 2008 to 2017, where he worked as an imaging scientist.  Monsanto and The Climate Corporation developed a digital, on-line farming software platform that was used by farmers to collect, store, and visualize critical agricultural field data and increase and improve agricultural productivity for farmers.  A critical component to the platform was a proprietary predictive algorithm referred to as the Nutrient Optimizer.  Monsanto and The Climate Corporation considered the Nutrient Optimizer a valuable trade secret and their intellectual property.

“The indictment alleges another example of the Chinese government using Talent Plans to encourage employees to steal intellectual property from their U.S. employers,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.  “Xiang promoted himself to the Chinese government based on his experience at Monsanto.  Within a year of being selected as a Talent Plan recruit, he quit his job, bought a one-way ticket to China, and was caught at the airport with a copy of the company's proprietary algorithm before he could spirit it away.” 

“The revolutionary technology at the core of this case represents both the best of American ingenuity and why the Chinese government is so desperate to steal it for themselves” said Assistant Director John Brown. “The FBI is committed to working with a host of partners to stop individuals, like the defendant in this case, from engaging in economic espionage to acquire information and technology for a foreign government that is either unable or unwilling to compete on a level playing field. Our country’s economic security is our national security, and the FBI will always do everything in our power to protect it.”

“Stealing trade secrets can destroy a business,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “When done at the behest of a foreign government, it threatens our nation’s economic security because it robs our companies of their market share and competitive advantage.”

In June 2017, the day after leaving employment with Monsanto and The Climate Corporation, Xiang bought a one-way plane ticket to China.  Before he could board his flight, Xiang was intercepted at the airport by federal officials who seized copies on the Nutrient Optimizer. 

If convicted, each espionage charge carries up to 15 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.  Each theft of trade secrets charges carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake and Trial Attorneys Heather Schmidt and Heather Alpino in the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division are handling this case. 

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Haitao Xiang, 42, formerly of Chesterfield, Missouri, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, three counts of economic espionage, one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets and three counts of theft of trade secrets. 

According to the indictment, Xiang was employed by Monsanto and its subsidiary, The Climate Corporation, from 2008 to 2017, where he worked as an imaging scientist.  Monsanto and The Climate Corporation developed a digital, on-line farming software platform that was used by farmers to collect, store, and visualize critical agricultural field data and increase and improve agricultural productivity for farmers.  A critical component to the platform was a proprietary predictive algorithm referred to as the Nutrient Optimizer.  Monsanto and The Climate Corporation considered the Nutrient Optimizer a valuable trade secret and their intellectual property.

“The indictment alleges another example of the Chinese government using Talent Plans to encourage employees to steal intellectual property from their U.S. employers,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.  “Xiang promoted himself to the Chinese government based on his experience at Monsanto.  Within a year of being selected as a Talent Plan recruit, he quit his job, bought a one-way ticket to China, and was caught at the airport with a copy of the company's proprietary algorithm before he could spirit it away.” 

“The revolutionary technology at the core of this case represents both the best of American ingenuity and why the Chinese government is so desperate to steal it for themselves,” said Assistant Director John Brown.  “The FBI is committed to working with a host of partners to stop individuals, like the defendant in this case, from engaging in economic espionage to acquire information and technology for a foreign government that is either unable or unwilling to compete on a level playing field.  Our country’s economic security is our national security, and the FBI will always do everything in our power to protect it.”

“Stealing trade secrets can destroy a business,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division.  “When done at the behest of a foreign government, it threatens our nation’s economic security because it robs our companies of their market share and competitive advantage.”

In June 2017, the day after leaving employment with Monsanto and The Climate Corporation, Xiang bought a one-way plane ticket to China.  Before he could board his flight, Xiang was intercepted at the airport by federal officials who seized copies of the Nutrient Optimizer. 

If convicted, each espionage charge carries up to 15 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.  Each theft of trade secrets charges carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake and Trial Attorneys Heather Schmidt and Heather Alpino in the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division are handling this case. 

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

St. Louis, MO –Hammed Akande, 39, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. 

According to the Indictment, Hammed Akande, identified as “L.T.,” targeted a victim identified in court documents as “M.C.” under the guise of a romantic relationship through the online dating website “Our Time.”  During the course of the romance scam, L.T requested financial assistance from victim M.C. for the purposes of, among other things, assisting with a business opportunity in Ukraine.  In response, victim M.C. sent money pursuant to L.T.’s instructions.  Items requested by L.T. were sent to Akande’s residence and eventually received by law enforcement from Akande’s residence.

Victim M.C., who was over 60 years of age, was defrauded of over $20,000 between September and November 2019.

If convicted, Akande faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Restitution is also mandatory.

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

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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, MO – Naim Muhammad, 56, of St. Charles, MO, pled guilty to one count of making a false claim to Medicaid.  Mr. Muhammad appeared today before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and set sentencing for February 28, 2020. 

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

Mr. Muhammed billed the Missouri Medicaid program for mental health therapy services to a patient identified by initials 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 not actually provided to the patient and does not pay for mental health services provided by unlicensed individuals. 

The Indictment in this case further alleges 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, W.W. died on June 8, 2017, before the alleged June 21, 2017 session.        

This charge carry a maximum possible penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 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.

The Office of Inspector General investigated this case 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 Division of Professional Registration of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance.

WASHINGTON – Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, aka Siki Ramiz Hodzic, 45, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists.  Hodzic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry.   

According to court documents, between May 2013 and continuing to Feb. 5, 2015, Ramiz Zijad Hodzic conspired with others to support the activities of Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others, including a conspiracy to commit outside the United States an act that would constitute the offense of murder or maiming if committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.  Hodzic intended to and did provide support and resources to Pazara, knowing that he and his co-conspirators would use the support and resources in furtherance of their combat against Syrian government forces and others.  Hodzic’s support consisted of money, which was used by his co-conspirators to purchase supplies such as U.S. military uniforms, rifle scopes, combat boots, tactical gear, clothing, firearms accessories, range finders, and other supplies useful to fighters engaged in combat in Syria and elsewhere.

“In addition to eight years in federal prison, Ramiz Hodzic will also be deported," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "Hodzic was the mastermind and primary facilitator of this conspiracy to fund and support terrorists."

Co-defendant Sedina Unkic Hodzic is awaiting sentencing; Nihad Rosic is awaiting trial; Jasminka Ramic, Mediha Medy Salkicevic, and Armin Harcevic were sentenced to 36, 78, and 60 months in prison, respectively.

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

Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, aka Siki Ramiz Hodzic, 45, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists.  Hodzic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry.   

According to court documents, between May 2018 2013 and continuing to Feb. 5, 2015, Hodzic conspired with others to support the activities of Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others, including a conspiracy to commit outside the United States an act that would constitute the offense of murder or maiming if committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.  Hodzic intended to and did provide support and resources to Pazara, knowing that he and his co-conspirators would use the support and resources in furtherance of their combat against Syrian government forces and others.  Hodzic’s support consisted of money, which was used by his co-conspirators to purchase supplies such as U.S. military uniforms, rifle scopes, combat boots, tactical gear, clothing, firearms accessories, range finders, and other supplies useful to fighters engaged in combat in Syria and elsewhere.

Co-defendant Sedina Unkic Hodzic is awaiting sentencing; Nihad Rosic is awaiting trial; Jasminka Ramic, Mediha Medy Salkicevic, and Armin Harcevic were sentenced to 36, 78, and 60 months in prison, respectively.

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

St. Louis, MO –Venita Sedodo, 32, of St. Charles, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of wire fraud related to her former position as Treasurer of Velda City, Missouri, and four 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.

According to the Indictment, 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.          

If convicted, as to each charge Sedodo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  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.

Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

“I am pleased to join Attorney General Barr in announcing Project Guardian.  The initiative is aimed to reduce the threat of gun violence throughout the country.  The goal is to ensure that federal investigative and prosecutorial resources can be focused where they will have the most impact in reducing the threat of gun violence to our communities,” said Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

 “ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.” 

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1. Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
    
2. Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.
    
   Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.
    
3. Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.
    
4. Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety. 
    
   Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.
    
5. Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

 

Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.

For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.

St. Louis, MO –Tara Sabatini, 44, of St. Charles, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday, November 7, 2019, on three counts of wire fraud. She appeared this afternoon for her initial appearance.

According to the Indictment, Sabatini was employed as the “Senior Director of Sales” by “Company #1,” a company located in St. Louis, Missouri that sold wholesale amounts of food to various commercial customers, typically grocery store chains.  Company #1 provided Ms. Sabatini with a company-funded corporate credit card, and authorized her to use the credit card for official business, including work travel and some client expenses. 

During 2017-18, Sabatini used her corporate credit card to fund personal expenses, including but not limited to purchasing plane tickets for a friend of her husband, purchasing plane tickets for her parents, purchasing hotel rooms for her husband and his friends, and purchasing gift cards for personal use.

Moreover, Sabatini purchased luxury ticket packages from a Major League Baseball team that was located in New York, frequently using electronic communications with New York based employees of the team for ticket purchase and delivery purposes.  After receiving these baseball tickets, Sabatini attended some of the baseball games, and also gave some of the tickets to her friends and family.  Sabatini further sold some of the baseball tickets through an Internet service, deposited the proceeds in a joint account that she shared with her husband, and spent the proceeds of the ticket sales on her personal expenses. 

If convicted, each charge of wire fraud 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.  

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 – Morgan Bullock, 33, of Camdenton, Missouri, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and restitution in the amount of $136,458.68 for his scheme to defraud homebuyer customers of Bullock Building and Development, LLC.  He appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Bullock owned and operated Bullock Building and Development, a construction company he operated out of Camdenton, Missouri.  During 2015, Bullock and two partners purchased approximately five acres of land at 425 Emmerson Avenue, and planned to build eight residential homes in what they called Emmerson Estates.  Bullock and his partners took out a loan to purchase the land from a local bank.  Bullock then applied with the City of Kirkwood for approval of his development plan, and building permits.  Before giving approval to build the subdivision, the city required Bullock to obtain approval from the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and also to post a letter of credit as a performance guarantee from a financial institution in the amount of approximately $500,000.  Bullock never obtained approval for the construction from MSD, and he was unable to find a financial institution willing to issue him and his company the performance guarantee.  Thus, Bullock never obtained final approval from Kirkwood to develop the subdivision.  Nevertheless, during 2017, Bullock marketed the new home construction in Emmerson Estates, and obtained lot deposits from six families based upon his false representations that he would build their new homes on the selected lots.  Bullock never advised the homebuyers that he did not have approval from Kirkwood to develop the subdivision and build their promised homes.  Despite promising that he would only use their lot deposits in the construction of their new homes, Bullock instead used the victim homebuyers’ funds for his own personal use and to pay off contractors working on a separate unrelated construction project in the Camdenton, Missouri area.  Bullock made numerous false representations to the homebuyers as to why construction had not begun on their homes, blaming the delays on purported weather issues, contractor problems, and other false excuses.  Ultimately, one of the homebuyers demanded his family’s deposit back, and Bullock wrote him a $50,000 insufficient funds check, knowing that there were not sufficient funds in his bank account.  Finally, the lender foreclosed on the Emmerson Estates land for nonpayment by Bullock, and Bullock’s scheme was fully discovered.  The six victim homebuyers included families with young children as well as retirees who used substantial portions of their life savings to make the lot deposit payments to Bullock.  The total loss to the victim homebuyers was approximately $400,000.

As one victim stated in a letter to the court, “Morgan Bullock never appeared even the slightest bit remorseful about his scam.  Even when it became completely obvious that we were victims an intentional fraudulent scam, Bullock remained smug, arrogant, and unphased.  When I informed him to the authorities, he simply said, ‘Do what you think you have to do, I don’t care.  But you won’t get your money back that way.’”

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.