Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis, MO – Four Romanian nationals from Glendale, Arizona, were indicted for conspiring to commit bank fraud by using counterfeit credit and debit cards to make automated teller machine withdrawals, and to obtain the shipment of device-making equipment through U.S. Postal Service through the use of the identity of others. 

On February 13, 2019, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department discovered a package that was being mailed to a UPS store in Richmond Heights, Missouri.  After obtaining a search warrant for the package they discovered that it contained two point-of-sale terminals with skimming devices attached.  The point of sale terminals were of the type used by retail establishments when customers desire to pay with their credit and debit cards.  Through use of the attached skimming devices, individuals are able to harvest the account information of the stores’ customers, and produce counterfeit cards embedded with the stolen information. 

Stefan Unguru and wife, Gina Unguru, were arrested as they tried to retrieve the package from the UPS Store personnel.  They also sought to pick up another package mailed to Stefan Unguru.  That package contained an additional nine point-of-sale terminals.

A subsequent investigation by agents of the United States Secret Service and detectives of the St. Louis County Police Department revealed that between March 24, 2018 and March 26, 2018, Stefan Unguru, Banta Unguru, and Marcu Unguru used counterfeit cards embedded with the account information of more than nine people to make automated teller machine withdrawals in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. 

Stefan Unguru, 47, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; access device fraud; possession of device-making equipment; and, aggravated identity theft;

Gina Unguru, 46, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; possession of device-making equipment; and, aggravated identity theft;

Banta Unguru, 27, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; access device fraud; and aggravated identity theft; and

Marcu Unguru, 19, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; and aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum of: 30 years for the offenses of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud; 15 years for the crime of possession of device-making equipment; and, 10 years for the crime of access device fraud. The crime of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory term of incarceration of two years for each count of conviction.

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. 

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Louis County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Barbara “Basia” Skudrzyk, a/k/a Barbara “Basia” Najarro, 38, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for three counts of mail fraud.  She appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Court Judge Sippel and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $381,583.50.

Skudrzyk was employed as the Business Director for the Division of Medical Education at Washington University.  According to the plea agreement, beginning in May 2010 and continuing through July 31, 2018, Skudrzyk defrauded Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri of approximately $400,000 through various means.  On many occasions, Skudrzyk hired contractors and other service providers to perform personal services for her benefit, and at her personal residence.  She would then create, submit and approve false invoices and false W-9 tax forms for these contractors and other service providers to make it appear as if they had performed work for the Division of Medical Education when they had not.  Skudrzyk approved and processed payment to these contractors and other service providers from Washington University’s funds.  These service providers included a moving company, a home cleaning service, a divorce law firm, residential painters and construction companies, a jewelry boutique, a babysitter, and various other vendors and contractors.  Further, Skudrzyk purchased VISA gift cards at the Washington University bookstore, forging another Washington University employee’s signature on the receipts and charging the purchases to the Division of Medical Education.  Skudrzyk then used the VISA gift cards for her own personal use, including for purchases at restaurants, a jewelry store, and a number of other retailers.  Additionally, Skudrzyk falsified and changed invoices from two different travel companies for airline flights for herself and her family to such places as Krakow, Poland, Munich, Germany, Bangkok, Thailand, Toronto, Canada, West Palm Beach, Florida, New York City, and Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.  Skudrzyk submitted, processed and approved these falsified invoices in order to get Washington University to pay for the personal trips.   

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Washington University Police Department, with the assistance and cooperation of Washington University.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Merwin Smith, 41, of St. Louis, MO, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  Smith’s trial took place before U.S. District Court Judge John Ross who set a sentencing hearing for June 13, 2019.

According to testimony at trial, on July 17, 2016, Normandy, Missouri police were investigating a property crime at 2:00 a.m. when they observed Smith commit a traffic violation and hurriedly pull his vehicle into a driveway, striking a car that was already parked in the driveway.  A Normandy Police Department Officer, in marked car and uniform, next observed Smith exit the vehicle, lean back in, and observed Smith throw a dark object out of the car’s passenger window. Following a brief search, the officer located a fully loaded .45 caliber pistol that landed on an adjacent sidewalk with scrape marks consistent with the firearm striking concrete.  Smith has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon.

Smith faces a penalty of up to 20 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.

The case was investigated by the Normandy Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rodney Holmes and Cassie Wiemken.

St. Louis, MO – Michael Corey Williams, Jr., 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 123 months in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White.

According to court documents, on June 25, 2016, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department ("SLMPD") responded to the Stadium West Garage located at 800 Clark Avenue for a robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with victims A.W. and K.N. The victims advised that after entering A.W.'s vehicle, two white males exited a Ford F-150 that was parked to the right of A.W.'s 2010 Audi S5.  Co-defendant Christopher White ("White") approached the driver's side and pointed a small revolver at A.W., demanded his keys, and ordered him out of the vehicle and onto the ground. Michael Corey Williams, Jr. approached K.N. on the passenger side, demanded her purse, and ordered her to the ground. After White was unable to operate the vehicle, Williams re-entered the Ford F-150 and fled the scene. White fled on foot.  Officers were able to track K.N. 's phone to the intersection of South 7th Street and Cerre Street in downtown St. Louis where they located the Ford F-150 unoccupied. The Ford F-150, in which officers located various stolen items, bore stolen North Carolina plates on top of the original Arkansas license plates. Officers then determined the Ford F-150 had been stolen out of West Memphis, Arkansas, on June 20, 2016. Williams’ fingerprints were located on the driver's door of the Ford F-150. Williams’ and White's DNA were located on various items found inside the Ford F-150. During the attempted carjacking of the Audi, Williams admitted that he intended to cause death or serious bodily injury, if necessary, to steal the Audi. Williams further admitted that he aided and abetted co-defendant White's possession of a firearm in furtherance of the attempted carjacking.

Co-defendant Christopher White is scheduled for sentencing on May 15, 2019.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and assisted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Wende Terrill, 48, of Maryland Heights, MO, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for one count of wire fraud.  Terrill’s trial took place before U.S. District Court Judge Rodney Sippel and set a sentencing hearing for June 20, 2019.

According to testimony at trial, in 2017, Terrill was serving as Controller for Midwest Petroleum where she embezzled approximately $210,000.  Terrill’s scheme involved a wire transfer and numerous checks fraudulently issued by her from company funds.  The checks were then converted by her to cashier’s checks and written to “vendors” that had not actually performed any services for the company.  Terrill concealed her scheme through manipulation of internal company records and false representations to co-workers.  Some of the funds were traced overseas, but the ultimate end recipients were unable to be determined. 

"Not all criminals wear a mask and point a gun," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this case, Wende Terrill was a beloved long-time employee who abused that trust to embezzle more than $200,000 from a family-owned business."     

Terrill faces a penalty of up to 20 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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Gwen Carroll and Lindsay McClure-Hartman.   

St. Louis, MO – Fernando Reyes, 38, a resident of Florida, pled guilty today to federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud.  He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry who accepted his guilty plea and set sentencing for June 7, 2019.

According to court documents, beginning in April 2016, a Missouri resident over the age of 80 began receiving telephone calls from unknown individuals that he had won large sums of money through a sweepstakes.  In order to secure his winnings, the Missouri resident was advised to mail various amounts of money to an individual in New Hampshire and Reyes in Florida.  The callers identified Reyes was identified as a federal attorney.  That representation was false as Reyes was not, and had never been, affiliated with the United States Department of Justice or any other federal agency or department. 

Reyes received four checks totaling $53,000, and deposited them into his personal financial accounts.  After the deposits, Reyes electronically transmitted a portion of the funds to an individual in Costa Rica, and kept the remaining funds for his personal use. 

Reyes also admitted engaging in similar conduct with a resident of the Northern District of Alabama, and received $45,000 from that elderly individual. 

Reyes faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of more than $250,000 or both per count.  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 United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of the United States Department of Justice on-going effort to combat elder fraud nationwide.  Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

St. Louis, MO – Matthew Burkett, 47, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was sentenced today to one year and one day for defrauding investors and customers of Predator Tactical, LLC, his firearms manufacturing business.  Burkett was also ordered to pay $576.100.48 restitution in total to various individuals and businesses.  Burkett appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey.

            According to court documents, Burkett owned and operated Predator Tactical, LLC, a business involved in the manufacturing of custom, high-end firearms which was established in 2010 and located in Tempe, Arizona.  Burkett advertised his business across the United States.  Pursuant to those efforts, Burkett, representing Predator Tactical, LLC, attended the NRA gun show in St. Louis, Missouri in April 2012.  At the show, Burkett advertised and marketed Predator Tactical, LLC products.  An individual (referred to here as P.S.) became a customer of Predator Tactical, LLC due to interactions with Burkett at that show.

            On July 21, 2012, Burkett met with P.S. again in St. Louis for the purpose of discussing an investment of $50,000 to be paid by P.S. to Predator Tactical, LLC as an investment option, or alternatively as a deposit for future firearm purchases.  On July 25, 2012, that agreement was ratified and P.S. caused his bank to wire $50,000 from his account in St. Louis to Predator Tactical, LLC’s bank account in Arizona.

            Burkett, contrary to agreement, fraudulently misappropriated that money for personal use.  On December 4, 2012, P.S., declining to use the option to invest in Predator Tactical, LLC by the terms of the agreement, placed an order for firearm purchases previously paid for by the $50,000.  Burkett and Predator Tactical, LLC however, did not deliver any of the firearms as promised.

            This case was investigated by the St. Louis division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Assistant United States Attorney John Ware handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – James Earl Paulette, 37, of Saint Louis County, was sentenced to five years imprisonment today for charges related to heroin and fentanyl distribution and illegal firearm possession.  Paulette appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey.  Co-defendant Terrell Lee Davis, 33, of Saint Louis County, was previously sentenced to five years imprisonment on similar charges. 

            According to court documents, between August 16 and 28, 2017, Paulette and Davis repeatedly sold over 60 capsules of heroin in Saint Louis County, Missouri.  On August 28, 2017, Davis was arrested after distributing heroin.  At the time of arrest, Davis possessed a loaded pistol, ammunition, and additional controlled substances including heroin, fentanyl, marijuana and methamphetamine.

            That same day, a search warrant was executed at Paulette's residence in St. Louis County, Missouri.  Multiple firearms and controlled substances were recovered including fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.

            This case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – William Glaser, 61, of Ellisville, Missouri, pled guilty to federal charges of wire fraud.  He appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge John Ross who accepted his guilty plea and set sentencing for June 7, 2019.

According to court documents, Glaser solicited more than $1,000,000 in investments from three former clients.  The investments went to Paul Creager of Everett Builders whose St Louis County construction company was liquidated by creditors.  Between 2015 and 2016, Glaser was working as a financial advisor for and misled his clients by falsely representing he had put his own money into Creager’s company and by failing to disclose that he was receiving large commissions out of his client’s funds.  In order to liquidate his clients’ investments so that they could go to Creager, Glaser facilitated the establishment of self-directed IRAs on his clients’ behalf.  Soon after the establishment of these accounts, Creager placed large portions of his clients’ retirement portfolios into high-yield unsecured promissory notes with Creager’s company.   No payments were made on any of the notes.

Glaser faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of more than $250,000 or both per count.  Restitution to the victims is also mandatory and the government is seeking a money judgment by way of a forfeiture allegation to further facilitate the recovery of any funds available for restitution.  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 St. Louis division of the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

            St. Louis – William Gum, 49, of Potosi, Missouri, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment today for his defrauding of a federal benefits program.  He was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the Washington County Ambulance District and forfeited $95,000 to the United States of America.  In November 2018, Gum pleaded guilty to four counts of public corruption, defrauding a federal program.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry. 

            According to court documents, Gum served as District Administrator of the Washington County Ambulance District.  In addition to working full time as the District Administrator, Gum worked as a part-time Captain in the Potosi Police Department. While collecting a full-time salary from the Ambulance District, Gum also collected a salary from the Potosi Police Department.  Despite Ambulance District restrictions to the contrary, Gum consistently paid himself additional salary and benefits pulled from public funding -- while also collecting a significant salary and benefits from the Potosi Police Department. 

         More specifically and among other things, Gum paid himself more of a salary than was authorized by the Ambulance District; used Ambulance District credit cards for personal purchases; and used Ambulance District funds to pay health insurance benefits for his family members.  (Other Ambulance District employees were required to pay those premiums out-of-pocket.)  Over the course of at least ten years -- including between 2012 to 2017 -- Gum embezzled over $262,000 of public funds.

           After today’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen stated, “Abuse of the public’s trust by anyone will not go undisclosed or unpunished.  We are pleased with the sentence imposed by the Court and appreciative of the investigators’ and prosecution team’s hard work.”

            This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeannette Graviss is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis –Fatima Ciecierska, a/k/a Fatyma Minikiewicz, a/k/a Ewa Antoniewicz, 47, and Adam Dytlow, a/k/a Adam Jedynak, a/k/a Robert Antoniewicz, 50, who were both Polish Nationals, were sentenced today.  Ciecierska and Dytlow were sentenced to time served for aggravated illegal re-entry in the United States, and use of a false passport.  Both are subject to deportation and removal from the United States at the conclusion of their sentences.  Both appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig. 

Defendants are both natives and citizens of Poland.  According to court documents, on or about June 27, 2018, defendants were arrested for suspicion of stealing at a retail store in Brentwood, Missouri.  Both defendants were found to be in possession of false and counterfeit Polish passports, in false names, that included counterfeit Visas.  Both defendants had previously been deported from the United States to Poland; Ciecierska during 2007, and Dytlow during 2009.  Neither had obtained the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for admission to the United States.  

This case was investigated by the State Department Diplomatic Security Service and U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Derek Whitfield, 36, of St. Louis, pled guilty to federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.  He appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey who accepted his guilty plea and set sentencing for May 28, 2019.

            According to court documents, on November 20, 2017, Whitfield was driving behind a vehicle occupied by two individuals.  Whitfield fired shots at them as he drove past.  Whitfield then turned his vehicle around and fired additional shots at the victims.  The shots fired by Whitfield struck the victims’ car and a residence.  Responding police officers recovered 15 shell casings from the scene.     

            As part of the on-going investigation, police officers executed a search warrant at Whitfield’s house on December 21, 2017.  At the time of execution, Whitfield attempted to flee but was taken into custody.  From inside Whitfield’s residence, police officers recovered, among other things, a loaded, stolen firearm; fentanyl; cocaine base (crack); marijuana; digital scales; and drug packaging materials.   

            Whitfield faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both for being a felon in the possession of a firearm.  Each drug charge carries with it a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both.  Whitfield’s possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking is punishable by not less than five years imprisonment consecutive to all other charges.  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 St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Today, Anthony Marion, a/k/a “Bird,” 33, and Lauren Nicole Martinez, a/k/a “Nikki,” 30, both from St. Charles, Missouri, entered guilty pleas related to heroin distribution that resulted in death from the use of such heroin.  Marion pleaded guilty to one count of distributing heroin resulting in death.  Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of heroin distribution.  Both appeared before the Honorable Rodney W. Sippel to change and enter their respective guilty pleas.

According to court documents, Martinez agreed to provide two individuals with heroin on February 26, 2016.  She contacted her source, Marion, who met Martinez in the parking lot of a White Castle restaurant in St. Charles, Missouri.  There, Marion provided heroin to Martinez, who then provided it to the victim.  At the time she distributed the heroin, Martinez described it as “strong” and cautioned the victim to be careful.  During a later interview, Martinez admitted that she knew multiple people who had overdosed on heroin. 

Despite learning of the individual’s death, Martinez and Marion continued to distribute heroin in the subsequent weeks and months.  As part of the on-going investigation into the heroin-related death, investigators arranged and made a controlled purchased of heroin from Marion and Martinez in March 2016.  On May 9, 2016, Marion was arrested in the possession of heroin and a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen commended the effectiveness of the investigative team and prosecutor in achieving today’s guilty pleas, “Heroin kills.  It is as simple as that.  Heroin dealers -- whether they kill someone or not -- will be facing long sentences.”  This investigation exemplifies both of those points.”

Sentencing for Marion is set for June 14, 2019.  He faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life imprisonment and a fine $1 million.  Martinez’s sentencing date is June 7, 2019.  She faces imprisonment of up to 20 years.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the O’Fallon Police Department, and the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task.

St. Louis, MO – Armin Harcevic, 41, pled guilty today to an indictment in this case that charged him with one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and one count of providing material support to terrorists.  Harcevic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for June 7, 2019.

“Armin Harcevic admitted to sending money to terrorists overseas,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “By doing so, he actively supported those seeking to do harm to the U.S. and our allies.”

Charged in the indictment are: Armin Harcevic, Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, all of St. Louis County, Missouri, Nihad Rosic, of Utica, New York, and Mediha Medy Salkicevic, of Schiller Park, Illinois. All defendants are charged with conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists, and with providing material support to terrorists.  Ramiz Zijad Hodzic and Nihad Rosic are also charged with conspiring to kill and maim persons in a foreign country.  The remaining defendants have pled not guilty.  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.

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

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

St. Louis, MO –Antonio Adrian Minnis, Jr., 26, of St. Louis, MO, was charged today in a superseding indictment with felony charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and distributing a controlled substance which resulted in the death of another.  Minnis was originally charged with the federal gun crime in January 2019.  Today’s superseding indictment added the federal drug charge. 

According to the superseding indictment and court documents, Minnis was responsible for distributing fentanyl that caused the death of another individual on or about July 18, 2018.  Then, on September 16, 2018, Minnis possessed a Glock 19 nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol despite the fact that Minnis had been previously convicted of a felony crime.

Following the return of today’s indictment, United States Attorney Jeff Jensen commended law enforcement’s continued investigation into Minnis’ criminal activity.  “Today’s charge is another example of this Office’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic that is taking far too many lives far too often.  Just because a person is indicted does not mean that the investigation stops.  That was certainly the case here.”

If convicted, the charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  The drug distribution charge carries a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than life with a fine of not more than $1 million dollars 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 Saint Louis County Police Department.

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 – Paul “Paco” Garcia, 39, of Barnhart, was charged in a federal indictment with one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the indictment, Garcia possessed one or more firearms on September 14, 2018, despite being previously convicted of a felony crime. 

If convicted, 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.

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. 

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 the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen announced today that the Eastern District of Missouri collected $13,722,965.04 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2018.  Of this amount, $8,191,278.06 was collected in criminal actions and $5,531,686.98 was collected in civil actions. 

Additionally, the Eastern District of Missouri worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $11,198,243.98 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.  Of this amount, $5,301.98 was collected in criminal actions and $11,192,942.00 was collected in civil actions.         

As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018.  The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents is nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices.

“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice.  The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Education.

St. Louis – St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Kenneth A. Grooms, II, 38, was charged today with one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242.  According to the charging document, on or about May 5, 2018, Grooms willfully deprived “John Doe” of his constitutional right to be free from unreasonable seizure.  This crime carries a maximum possible sentence of one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Reginald Harris and Jennifer Winfield are handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

Charges set forth in the Information 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 – Jevantae Phillips, 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence and robbery charges.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White.

According to court documents, on October 17, 2017, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to 3880 Meramec, after a report of a robbery/carjacking at that location.  The victim was located and she said she had been in her 2002 Pontiac Aztek, traveling east in the 3800 block of Meramec.  She stated she stopped at the curb to make a call on her cellular phone.  While doing so she heard a knock at her driver’s window.  She then looked over and observed a male standing at the driver’s door with a military style weapon brandished at her.  She opened the door and attempted to hand over her purse; the suspect refused the purse, and ordered her out of the vehicle. 

When she complied, Phillips entered the driver’s seat.  She additionally observed the passenger door closing.  Ahmaad Ali, the second suspect, entered the passenger side of her vehicle.

The vehicle then fled east on Meramec. The stolen vehicle contained her purse, which held personal items, and her driver’s license.  Her vehicle additionally contained a GoGo Sport scooter, which was located in the rear of the vehicle.

On October 18, 2017, Phillisp, along with co-defendants Ahmaad Ali and Travion Lindsey, all armed with firearms entered the 7-11 store located on Christy Avenue in South St. Louis.  The three arrived at the 7-11 in the Pontiac Aztek that had been stolen one day earlier at gunpoint by Ali and Phillips.  They entered the store brandishing their firearms and wearing masks.  One walked around the counter and began stealing lottery tickets and money from the cash register.  He was armed with a black long barrel pistol grip firearm.  A second male jumped over the counter and began removing the cash register.  He was armed with a black handgun, containing an extended magazine.  The third male stood guard at the door and eventually walked over the counter and assisted in removing currency.  He was armed with a black handgun, which he held in his left hand the entire time.  After two minutes inside of the store, the three ran out of the store taking liquor bottles, cigarettes, and candy on their way outside.  The males then re-entered the Aztec and fled the area northbound, out of sight.

Co-defendants Ali and Lindsey are scheduled to be sentenced May 8, 2019 and April 10, 2019, respectively.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and assisted 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 Atchley, 54, of Perryville, Missouri, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Wednesday for wire fraud.  He was also ordered to pay $187,252.60 in restitution.  He appeared in federal court before U.S. District Henry Autrey. 

According to court documents, between 2008 and 2016, Atchley, who was serving as a city alderman for Olympian Village, embezzled $187,252.60 in city funds.  At no time was Atchley an authorized signatory on the Olympian Village account.  He used the account to pay personal expenses, including making checks to cash and writing checks directly to himself.  Approximately $58,000 was bought in personal merchandise using pre-authorized debit transactions and the $127,000 of checks he wrote to himself were not authorized by the Olympian Village government.

"Today's sentence is just," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "The harm of public corruption manifests itself not only in financial loss, but also the loss of faith in government and public officials."

“I’m thankful we have a U.S. Attorney that has been aggressive in addressing these types of crimes,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak.  “I commend the Detectives and Agent that worked hard to bring this case to a successful resolution. Stealing from this community is unacceptable and I’m glad that he is being held accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Dionne Lamont Gatling, a/k/a “Cuffy,” 53, of St. Charles, MO, pled guilty to various drug trafficking charges and the use of firearms resulting in death.  Gatling appeared today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for May 17, 2019.

According to court documents, Dionne Gatling was the leader and organizer of the Gatling Drug Trafficking Organization which brought heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs to the St. Louis area from 2009 to 2014.  Gatling arranged for the murders of Theodis Howard and Terrance Morgan.  Gatling organized the 2010 murder of Howard as retaliation for Howard’s previous cooperation against Gatling’s brother for drug trafficking.  Gatling directed Andre Rush, another conspirator, to kill Morgan in 2013 in order to prevent Morgan from cooperating in the present investigation.

Gatling pled guilty to the following charges:  1) conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; 2) conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin; 3) attempt to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; 4) attempt to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; and 5) possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crime, with deaths resulting.  Each of the charges includes a penalty of not less than ten years imprisonment up to life, with the firearms offense required by law to run consecutively to the drug trafficking charges.  The parties have recommended a total term of imprisonment of 27 years for all of the offenses.  United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel will determine the appropriate sentenced to be imposed.  In determining any actual sentence to be imposed, a judge is required to consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. 

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Internal Revenue Service.

St. Louis, MO –Paris John Earnest Devine, 26, pleaded guilty to three counts – carjacking; brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence; and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Devine appeared today before U.S. District Henry Autrey who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for May 14, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, in the late evening hours of September 28, 2017, J.J. was getting off work as a pizza delivery driver when he drove to a MetroLink station in search of marijuana.  After inquiring from several people, Paris Devine and Ramone Thomas, who were strangers to J.J., informed J.J. that they could assist him in procuring marijuana.  J.J. invited Devine and Ramone Thomas into his vehicle, a black 2013 Kia Forte, before J.J. drove them around for between 30 and 45 minutes.

After stopping at a gas station in the area of 5415 Virginia Avenue, Devine produced a handgun and demanded that J.J. exit his car and surrender it to Devine and Thomas.  J.J. surrendered the Kia Forte and then contacted police.  After J.J.’s Kia Forte was recovered, having been used in the herein referenced home invasion, J.J. was shown two photographic lineups containing photographs of Devine and Ramone Thomas.  J.J. positively identified both and stated that Devine was the subject who brandished the firearm at him. 

In the evening hours of October 10, 2017 and into the early morning hours of October 11, 2017, co-defendant Kathleen Hydar invited co-defendant Courtney Brown and his associates, including defendant Paris Devine, to come from St. Louis City down to Jefferson County, Missouri.  Hydar had informed Brown that she knew of a way for them to “make some money” that evening.  Brown picked up Hydar in a vehicle being driven by Ramone Thomas.  Also in the car were Paris Devine, Raymond Seay, and an unindicted subject.

When Hydar got into the vehicle, she informed Devine and other members of the group that she knew of a location where they could steal large amounts of methamphetamine, United States currency, and firearms.  Hydar instructed the driver, Ramone Thomas, to make a stop at another residence prior to going to the aforementioned target location.  While at this residence, Hydar described, in detail, where Brown, Devine, Seay, and Ramone Thomas could locate a large amount of methamphetamine, firearms, and currency within a trailer owned by Chad Coffman.  After describing where the others could locate these items, Hydar got back into the vehicle and proceeded to direct the driver, Ramone Thomas, to 765 Chancellor Drive, the address of the trailer belonging to Coffman.  Hydar also made a phone call to Coffman to ensure he would not be home when the group arrived to burglarize his trailer.

When they arrived at Coffman’s trailer shortly before 4:00am on October 11, 2017, Brown, Devine, Seay, and Thomas then exited the vehicle and kicked in the main door to the trailer and made entry.

Shortly after Seay, Brown, Devine, and Ramone Thomas entered the trailer, Coffman arrived home on his motorcycle and interrupted the burglary.  Hydar jumped into the driver’s seat of the vehicle and fled the scene with the unindicted subject in the back seat. 

While in the trailer, when Thomas, Seay, Devine, and Brown heard Coffman arrive home, Ramone Thomas passed off a firearm he had brought to the residence to co-defendant Courtney Brown, and they all attempted to flee from the trailer.  As Brown exited the residence, he turned the corner, raised the firearm, and discharged it one time, believing he was shooting at Coffman.  The projectile struck Ramone Thomas in front of the residence, killing him.

Officers arrived on scene and obtained a search warrant for the trailer.  A search of the trailer revealed that Coffman was in possession of what lab analysis confirmed to be approximately five (5) pounds of methamphetamine.  Devine was apprehended by investigators in Jefferson County, Missouri, several hours after the burglary.

Chad Coffman pled guilty last year and was sentenced to 96 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

If convicted, the charge of carjacking carries a penalty of imprisonment of not more than 15 years and a $250,000 fine; brandishing a firearm carries a penalty of imprisonment of not more than life and a $250,000 fine; and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine carries a penalty of imprisonment of note more than life, a $10,000,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Major Case Squad and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office. 

 

 

           

St. Louis, MO – Joseph Thomas, 62, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false tax returns.  Thomas appeared today before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr. who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for May 9, 2019.

In his plea, Thomas admitted that, on April 22, 2012, he filed a false 2011 United States Form 1040 which understated his income by more than $25,000 and his tax due and owing by more than $10,000.  Thomas further admitted that, on May 1, 2013, he filed a false 2012 United States Form 1040 which understated his income by more than $125,000 and his tax due and owing by more than $40,000.

“Taxpayers thinking about cheating on their tax returns should stop and look at the consequences of taking the next step,” said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.  “Those consequences can include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest.”

Thomas faces up to three years’ imprisonment per count, a fine of up to $250,000 per count or both imprisonment and a fine.  In determining the actual sentence, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.

The case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigations Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – Richard McKinnon, 38, of St. Roberts, Missouri, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Thursday for theft of Government property.  He appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh. 

According to court documents, between September of 2016 and December of 2016, McKinnon and his co-defendants, Dale Connour and Delmar Connour felled walnut trees located on federal land, from the Mark Twain National Forest in Laclede County and Pulaski County.  They removed at least 39 trees without authorization from the Mark Twain National Forest and then sold the stolen timber at a walnut sawmill located in Texas County, Missouri.  McKinnon and the Connours damaged at least 21 trees as a result of driving prohibited vehicles onto restricted areas of the Forest in order to cut down and remove the walnut trees.  The total estimated value of the National Forest timber and the cost of rehabilitation to Nation Forest land was $35,862.50.

The case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture Forest Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – United States Attorney Jeff Jensen announced today the results of this week’s Federal Grand Jury.  An additional five sealed indictments were also returned.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in an indictment returned by the Grand Jury.  The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Jennifer Cherry, 42, charged with Conspiracy to Defraud; Access Device Fraud; and Aggravated Identity Theft.

Brian Neal Collins, 42, charged with Knowingly and Intentionally Possess with intent to distribute controlled substances of 500 grams or more of mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine.

Kevin Van Dyke, 38, charged with Access Device Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft; Possession of five or more false Identification Documents and Authentication Features.

Lionerys Rodriguez, 33, charged with Access Device Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft; Possession of five or more false Identification Documents and Authentication Features.

Cloyd Evans, 48, charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Varnell E. Foote, 27, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Luis Garcia-Castaneda, 30, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of Cocaine.

Laverne C. Henderson, 36, charged with Knowingly and Intentionally possess with intent to distribute Cocaine; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; and Knowingly possess one or more Firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Janae Hoekstra, 21, charged with Bank Fraud; Social Security Fraud; Access Device Fraud; and Aggravated Identity Theft.

Craig Manning, 30, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Carjacking; and Brandishing a Firearm in furtherance of a Crime of Violence.

Willie McCranie, 49, charged with Aggravated Identity Theft; Identity Theft; and Access Device Fraud.

Courtney McDonald, 33, charged with Knowingly and Intentionally Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances of 500 grams or more of mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine.

David S. Parent, 45, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Tamika Sandford, 33, charged with Harboring a Fugitive and Making a False Statement.

St. Louis, MO – Joey P. Foster, 44, of St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm stemming from his arrest on pending assault charges in St. Louis City on May 28, 2018.  He appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White who accepted his plea and set sentencing for May 8, 2019.

According to court documents, on May 28, 2018, JH and LD were sitting in their car in the 3000 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive when a car driven by Foster pulled up and made a U-turn.  As Foster attempted to pull into a vacant space, he struck JH and LD’s parked car.  As Foster was parking his car to discuss the accident, LD (female passenger) banged her right hand on the rear of Foster’s car.  While inspecting the damage, JH, LD and Foster got into an argument.  Foster then fled the scene.  Foster was apprehended a short time later in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm and admitted he was a convicted felon.

Foster faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine 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 was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.   United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Larry Weeden, Jr., 39, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to possession of one or more firearms as a previously convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl today in United States District Court in St. Louis. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant for an apartment in the 3700 block of Wisconsin in St. Louis City.  Weeden appeared before Federal District Judge Ronnie L. White, who accepted his guilty plea and set his sentencing for May 8, 2019. 

According to the guilty plea agreement, investigators learned Weeden was distributing fentanyl and storing significant amounts of the drug in the apartment, causing them to seek a state-level search warrant in July of 2018.

During the execution of the warrant, investigators located six (6) loaded semi-automatic pistols, including a Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine and a Springfield XD .45 caliber handgun which was later determined to have been stolen.

Investigators recovered approximately 740 grams of fentanyl in total, including a large compressed brick of fentanyl and baggies of fentanyl packaged in smaller quantities, and approximately 130 grams of methamphetamine in powder and pill form.  They also located drug trafficking paraphernalia including a gas mask, cutting agents, and digital scales, as well as a money counting machine and approximately $46,000 in United States currency.

Weeden faces up to ten years imprisonment for the felon in possession charge and up to life imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which also carries a ten-year mandatory minimum term due to the quantity of fentanyl involved.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

 

St. Louis, MO – Ahmaad Ali, 24, St. Louis, pleaded guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence and robbery charges.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White and set sentencing for May 8, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, on October 17, 2017, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to 3880 Meramec, after a report of a robbery/carjacking at that location.  The victim was located and she said had been in her gold 2002 Pontiac Aztek, traveling east in the 3800 block of Meramec.  She stated she stopped at the curb to make a call on her cellular phone.  While doing so she heard a knock at her driver’s window.  She then looked over and observed a male standing at the driver’s door with a military style weapon brandished at her.  She opened the door and attempted to hand over her purse; the suspect refused the purse, and ordered her out of the vehicle. 

When she complied, co-defendant Jevante Phillips entered the driver’s seat.  She additionally observed the passenger door closing.  Ali entered the passenger side of her vehicle.

The vehicle then fled east on Meramec. The stolen vehicle contained her purse, which held personal items, and her driver’s license.  Her vehicle additionally contained a GoGo Sport scooter, which was located in the rear of the vehicle.

On October 18, 2017, Ali, along with co-defendants Jevante Phillips and Travion Lindsey, all armed with firearms entered the 7-11 store located on Christy Avenue in South St. Louis.  The three arrived at the 7-11 in a Pontiac Aztek that had been stolen one day earlier at gunpoint by Ali and Phillips.  They entered the store brandishing their firearms and wearing masks.  One walked around the counter and began stealing lottery tickets and money from the cash register.  He was armed with a black long barrel pistol grip firearm.  A second male jumped over the counter and began removing the cash register.  He was armed with a black handgun, containing an extended magazine.  The third male stood guard at the door and eventually walked over the counter and assisted in removing currency.  He was armed with a black handgun, which he held in his left hand the entire time.  After two minutes inside of the store, the three ran out of the store taking liquor bottles, cigarettes, and candy on their way outside.  The males then re-entered the Aztec and fled the area northbound, out of sight.   

Phillips pled guilty in September 2018 and is scheduled to be sentenced February 13, 2019; Lindsey pled guilty in January 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced April 18, 2019.

Carjacking carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence carries a penalty of not less than seven and not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and robbery carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Restitution to the victim is also mandatory.  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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and assisted 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, MO – Nizam Hasheem Alexander, 39, employed since 2009 as a Special Agent by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (‘FBI”) at its Little Rock, Arkansas Field Office until his resignation on January 28, 2019, pled guilty to a one count Information – embezzlement of Government property.  Alexander appeared before Judge Henry Autrey today who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for April 30, 2019.

According to his plea agreement, from September 4, 2016 through June 15, 2017, Defendant was assigned to work at FBI Headquarters and the FBI Field Office in Washington, D.C.  Defendant, as an FBI employee, was required to accurately report and certify his regular hours and his Law Enforcement Availability Pay (“LEAP”) hours worked, or excused with authorized leave, on a bi-weekly basis.

Defendant regularly submitted false and fraudulent time and attendance certifications falsely representing that he had worked certain regular and LEAP hours.  As a result of these false and fraudulent certifications, the FBI and the United States Department of Justice paid Defendant compensation for the regular and LEAP hours which he certified he had worked.  Defendant knew these certifications were false because he knew he had not worked the claimed regular and LEAP hours as represented.  Defendant well knew that, in fact, he had been away from his assigned work station, engaged in unauthorized conduct and personal activities not related to his job duties.  Defendant submitted these false and fraudulent certifications in order to conceal his unauthorized personal activities, and in order to get paid.  

During 2016, Defendant submitted and falsely certified approximately 237.75 regular and LEAP hours.  During 2017, Defendant submitted and falsely certified approximately 136 regular and LEAP hours.  These false certifications resulted in Defendant receiving compensation for unworked regular and LEAP hours in the amount of approximately $24,629.87 for which he knew he was not entitled.  The FBI and the United States Department of Justice paid Defendant the compensation for the unauthorized and unworked overtime by causing the compensation to be deposited electronically into an account in Defendant’s name at Navy Federal Credit Union in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Alexander faces not more than ten years, fine of not more than $250,000.  In determining the actual sentence, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.      

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General.  Special Attorney to the U.S. Acting Attorney General Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Donald Stewart a/k/a “OG,” 55, of St. Louis, was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and two counts of possession of a firearm (with death resulting) in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  He appeared before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

According to the evidence presented at trial, defendant Donald Stewart a/k/a “OG,” was an enforcer for the Donald White drug trafficking organization.  Over several years, White’s drug trafficking organization engaged in acts of violence with a rival drug trafficking organization.  Defendant Stewart was recruited as a shooter for the White drug trafficking organization and engaged in several acts of violence for the organization.  Additionally, defendant Stewart was a street level heroin dealer for the organization.  Defendant Stewart’s residence in the 5100 block of Northland was used as a heroin distribution hub, used to store weapons, and used to plan out various acts of violence including murder committed by Stewart and other members of the organization.

On March 26, 2010, Michael McGill was lured to the 5200 block of Maffitt where he was gunned down by members of the White organization as part of the ongoing drug war.  On July 23, 2010, Darrion Williams, Jr. was lured to an alley behind the 5200 block of Maffitt for a purported drug deal where he was gunned down by Stewart and other members.

On April 25, 2013, defendant Terrance Wilson, a/k/a “Mutt,” entered pleas to drug conspiracy and firearms charges.  According to the plea agreement defendant Wilson also served as an enforcer for the White drug trafficking organization and participated in both the McGill and Williams murders.

In May of 2018, after a ten-day trial and 62 witnesses, a federal jury returned the three guilty verdicts.  The conviction of Donald Stewart and Terrance Wilson along with previous convictions of Donald White and members of his organization has dismantled the drug organization and ended their reign of violence. 

The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Intelligence and Homicide Divisions, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

St. Louis, MO – Joseph Dixon, Jr., 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 108 months in prison for carjacking and possessing a firearm during a federal crime of violence.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.

According to court documents, on July 3, 2017, a citizen of the City of St. Louis exited his 2016 Dodge Charger, which was parked at 2406 13th Street.  Dixon armed with a semi-automatic pistol approached the citizen, pointed the pistol at him, and demanded the keys to the car.  The citizen complied and Dixon entered the Charger and drove off.  When the citizen looked around he saw a KIA Soul also drive off.  The Charger was recovered being driven by another individual in the beginning of August.

Subsequent investigation led member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to arrest the defendant in the end of May, 2018 and interview him.  He told the officers who drive the KIA Soul to the carjacking and that he used that person’s Glock 23 firearm to steal the Charger.

Dixon pled guilty on October 4, 2018 on the two counts of carjacking and possession a firearm.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Alfred L. Ford, Jr., 30, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to three counts - conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Ford appeared before Judge Ronnie White today who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for April 17, 2019.

According to his plea agreement, between May 27, 2017, and continuing until at least January 27, 2018, Ford and others stole and obtained without authorization credit and debit cards of individual patrons at the Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema in St. Louis, Missouri.  Ford and his co-conspirators then used the stolen credit and debit cards, without permission of the true account holders, to make purchases at various Walmart stores within the Eastern District of Missouri.  The total loss amount from the conspiracy to commit access device fraud is $36,514.57.

Ford faces not more than five years, fine of not more than $250,000 on the conspiracy charge; not more than 10 years, fine of not more than $250,000 on the access device fraud; and two years in addition to the punishment provided for the offenses of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Restitution to any victims of Ford’s conduct is also mandatory.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Jerris M. Blanks, 39, of Festus, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for one count of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.  Blanks’ trial took place before U.S. District Court E. Richard Webber and set a sentencing hearing for April 16, 2019.

According to testimony at trial, in 2011 a St. Louis County Detective engaged in a peer-to-peer contact with Blanks as part of an undercover operation.  Blanks was found to have over 500 pornographic images of minor children on his computer and another 60 such images on a CD.  Later in 2015, another investigation found that Blanks’ possessed more pornographic images of minor children. 

Possessing child pornography carries up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000 and receiving child pornography carries a minimum of 5 years to 20 years and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Festus Police Department.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rob Livergood and Kyle Bateman and Investigator Donya Jackson. 

St. Louis, MO – Robert Scott was sentenced today to 65 months for his part in the robbery of Jared the Galleria of Jewelry on Monday, December 4, 2017. 

According to court records, on December 4, 2017, at approximately 8:21 p.m., Robert Scott and three co-defendants, dressed in clothing intended to disguise their identities, entered the jewelry store, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, in Richmond Heights, Missouri.  While a co-defendant held the door, Scott and two other co-defendants armed with hammers, yelled for the store employees to get down.  Using the hammers to smash the glass display cases that showcased jewelry, the defendants grabbed loose diamonds and watches.  Scott, along with the three others, then fled.  However, due to the presence of police officers in the area on an unrelated incident, the four robbers were not able to reach their getaway driver and were quickly apprehended.  Grove was arrested at a nearby business behind the Boulevard St. Louis parking garage.  The diamonds and watches were recovered from a backpack carried by one of the co-defendants which were valued at approximately $60,000.

Co-defendants Tyran Gray, Darrell Lee and Xavier Grove were all previously sentenced – 42 months; 36 months; and 34 months, respectively.

The case was being investigated by the Richmond Heights Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney John Ware handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Lywayne Marquis Scott, 35, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents, prior to October 20, 1016, members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were informed that Scott was in possession of an AK-47 type firearm while occupying a vacant house on Bacon. After officers executed a search warrant, Scott was present in the house and found on the table was a loaded ROMARM SA/Cugir, WASR-10 semi-automatic firearm (a AK-47 type) and other firearms.  He admitted possessing that firearm.

On September 25, 2017, Scott was incarcerated in the Jennings jail for the above conduct.   During the guards’ investigation of an inmate using a contraband cell phone in the yard of the facility, a search of Scott’s pants revealed a golf ball size amount of white powder which fell to the ground.  The white powder was analyzed and found to be 20 grams of heroin.

Scott pled guilty in August to two counts – one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.  He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey. 

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

St. Louis, MO – After an eleven-day bench trial in May, U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Fleissig returned guilty verdicts on eight counts, involving four victims, relating to child exploitation and child pornography produced and possessed by Loren “Sensei” Copp, former owner of Dojo Pizza located at 4601 Morganford Road.

According to testimony at trial, Copp held himself out to be a trusted member of the community as a youth pastor, community activist, martial arts instructor, and business owner. He used these positions to gain the trust of parents to gain access to their children.  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 having sex with both girls, and he would record the sex acts with a cell phone or video recorder. While at the Dojo Pizza property, Copp would have sex with 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 two additional minor female victims and a Facebook account utilized by Copp, which purported to be used by a 13 year-old named “Chrissy.” The aforementioned 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 these 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. 

Copp, 49, St. Louis, MO, was indicted on April 14, 2016 on nine counts, to include 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. Sentencing has been set for April 5, 2019.   

“The bravery of the victims who testified at trial was essential to this case,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.  “Without them and the relentless work of the investigative and trial teams, these verdicts would not have been rendered.”

Three counts of production of child pornography and attempted production of child pornography carry fifteen year mandatory minimum sentences.  Two other counts of criminal enticement carry life maxima.  Therefore, Copp faces a term of fifteen years to life at sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Winfield, Colleen Lang and Investigator Donya Jackson.

St. Louis - Dennis M. Suellentrop, Jr., 38, Arnold, MO, was sentenced today to 120 years in prison for production and possession of child pornography.  He appeared today in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Catherine D. Perry.

According to court documents, between August 19, 2016 and January 1, 2017, Suellentrop produced child pornography videos of an infant and possessed other images of child pornography.

Suellentrop pled guilty in September to seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

The case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  AUSA Rob Livergood handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

Nakia Phillips, 39, of Farmington, Missouri, was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for sex trafficking crimes.  He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie White.

According to court documents, Phillips admitted he forced the girl into prostitution in St. Louis in 2016.  He also forced her to perform sex acts on him and filmed them with his cellphone.  Farmington police were called when the teen reported the rapes to the staff of a hospital.    

Phillips has prior convictions for statutory rape and sodomy in St. Louis County and a 2012 federal conviction for failing to register as a sex offender.  He violated his probation in both cases. 

Phillips pled guilty in September to three counts of possession of child pornography. 

“I commend the victim in this case, who appeared in Court today and showed incredible bravery and dignity as she offered an impact statement during the sentencing hearing.  It is impossible to understand what she was put through as a child, by this Defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.    

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Farmington Police Department.  AUSA Colleen Lang handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – Fifteen area residents were indicted yesterday in eight cases alleging health care fraud by “caregivers” and “home health care clients” purportedly receiving home health care.  In each of the cases, the workers and patients are alleged to have sought payment for services from the Missouri Medicaid Program for services not actually rendered.  In 14 of the 15 cases, the provision of services at the St. Louis area residences of the clients was an impossibility because either the caregiver and/or the home health care clients were travelling abroad during the times the services were purportedly rendered in the Eastern District of Missouri. 

Ghufran Abdallah Jaber, 51, is charged with healthcare fraud;

Hend Msallati, 33, is charged with making false statements;

Fatemeh Akbari, 73, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Pegdah Heidari, 27, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Ghufran Jaber, 51, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Haider Albab, 75, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Nouria Habeb, 67, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Hala Alalewi, 38, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Huda Mohammedjamil, 53, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Dena Ahmed, 30, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Tony Iyar, 57, is charged with healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Asal Yousif, 53, is charged with healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Kian Abdollah, 52, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;

Mohammed Abdollah, 78, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements; and

Dalia Ahmed, 27, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements.

"Home health care allows loved ones to stay at home while they receive critical assistance," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "When people defraud the program, money is diverted from folks who really need the services."

Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Kansas City Region, state, "Our office will continue to pursue those who submit false claims to our programs and hold them accountable.  Unscrupulous behavior like this drives up healthcare costs for everyone."

The charges in the Indictment are only accusations and all the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations; and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.

AUSA Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Jonathan Jamar Dickerson, a/k/a “Los,” 29, of University City, Missouri, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for distributing fentanyl to another person, resulting in a fatal overdose. 

According to court documents, on January 28, 2017, 21-year-old “D.M.” was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom in a family residence in Maryland Heights, MO.  She was pronounced deceased.  D.M. had been last seen by her sister the previous evening.  Next to D.M.’s body on the nightstand was a line of white powder which was neatly prepared.  There were empty gelatin capsules located in D.M.’s trash can. The Office of the St. Louis county Medical Examiner determined that D.M. died of fentanyl intoxication.

A search of D.M.’s phone revealed text messages between her and a person named “Los.”  The text exchange occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on January 27, 2017.  In the text message, D.M. asked “Los” whether she could “get 2?,” to which “Los” responded, “Yea.”  D.M. indicated “Okay omw.”  At 4:27 pm, D.M. advised “Los” via text, “Here.”  Five days after D.M. died, Dickerson continued to send text messages to others advertising fentanyl.

During a search of Dickerson’s apartment, police located numerous items consistent with the distribution of heroin and fentanyl.  They also located dozens of gelatin capsules that were identical to the ones located in D.M.’s trash.  Police later discovered video footage of the parking lot of the Overland apartment complex at which Dickerson had been living. The video clearly showed Dickerson and D.M. meeting in the parking lot on the afternoon of D.M.’s death.

Dickerson was arrested on February 3, 2017.  Laboratory tests on the line of white powder revealed it to be a combination of heroin and fentanyl.

Dickerson pled guilty in August to one felony count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White.  In his comments to the Court, Dickerson claimed that he was the victim of an unfair prosecution.  “Dickerson is not a victim and thanks to the Maryland Heights police department he will spend a mandatory minimum 20 year sentence in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. 

This case was investigated by the Maryland Heights Police Department.

St. Louis, MO – Dr. Philip Dean, 62, a resident of Warren County, Missouri, was sentenced today to 40 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution to the Medicare and Medicaid programs in the amount of $312,377.  Dr. Dean previously pled guilty to two felony charges, illegally distributing opiate medications and making a false statement to the Medicare program, on August 22, 2018.  Dr. Dean was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge E. Richard Webber. 

According to his plea agreement, Dr. Dean operated a medical office in Warren County, Missouri.  Dr. Dean had personal relationships with three women, living with these women for some time periods.  While engaging in personal relationships with these women, Dr. Dean also prescribed them with prescription opioid pain relief medications, including Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and several formats of Fentanyl.  The two felony charges from Dr. Dean’s plea agreement involve two of these women, referred to by their initials in the plea agreement as R.W. and C.H. 

Regarding patient R.W., before his prescribing decisions at issue in this case, Dr. Dean was aware that R.W. had lost her health care provider license after experiencing serious prescription drug abuse problems.  Dr. Dean was also aware that R.W. had been involved in motor vehicle accidents and traffic stops by police after driving while intoxicated because of prescription drugs.  Nevertheless, during 2015-16, Dr. Dean prescribed R.W. with assorted opioid medications, including a fentanyl medication that was only approved for medical use by cancer patients with break-through pain.  R.W. does not have cancer.  R.W. repeatedly consumed her thirty day supplies of these prescription drugs before thirty days had elapsed.  Recognizing that prescribing R.W. with duplicative and overlapping prescriptions for thirty day supplies of opiates would raise suspicion, Dr. Dean repeatedly prescribed R.W. with additional opiate prescriptions using the name of R.W.’s family member.  Medicare funded these prescriptions, not knowing that R.W. was ending up with these medications.  Dr. Dean personally picked up and paid a co-payment for one of these hydrocodone prescriptions that he wrote for R.W. using another patient’s name.                   

Regarding C.H., defendant issued her a prescription for Codeine, an opiate pain medication and controlled substance, on March 31, 2017 after exchanging text messages of a personal nature with her.  Dr. Dean did not examine C.H. before issuing the prescription on March 31, 2017.  According to medical records seized during the execution of a search warrant at the medical office, C.H. had not visited Dr. Dean’s office since January 24, 2017.     

Dr. Dean admitted in his plea agreement that his opioid prescribing decisions exposed these patients to a risk of serious bodily injury, given the potency and side effects of the drugs he was prescribing and the patients’ histories of drug problems. 

Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Kansas City Region, stated, “Regarding our agency’s ongoing efforts in combating our nation’s opioid crisis, our office will continue to aggressively pursue those who misuse their positions and recklessly prescribe medication to our beneficiaries.”

“Prescription opioids serve an important purpose when used legitimately for patients suffering from chronic pain and illness.  In this particular case, we had a doctor with the power to write prescriptions misrepresenting the truth, supplying narcotics to people with serious addiction issues that he was aware of and bilking all of us who pay taxes while doing it.  The Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to pursue these bad actors to bring them to justice.  Addiction to opioids is a serious illness and we will not allow doctors to abuse their authority for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Warrenton Police Department, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Mark Taylor, 49, and Marlon Caldwell, 51, admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for un-redacted accident reports while police officers with the City of St. Louis, bringing to an end an investigation that led to charges against four former police officers, a local chiropractor and his wife.

According to court documents, between 2007 and 2016, Dr. Mitchell Davis owned and operated Davis Chiropractic Clinic, now known as City Health and Chiropractic. Located on Lindell Blvd in St. Louis, the clinic primarily provided services to accident victims.  Galina Davis assisted Dr. Davis in identifying, soliciting, and scheduling potential accident victims.

According to SLMPD policy, the SLMPD will provide un-redacted accident reports only to persons involved in the accidents, the companies insuring them, or the lawyers representing them.  Un-redacted accident reports contain detailed information, including addresses, telephone numbers, birthdates, and insurance information of the occupants of the vehicles.  Dr. Davis and Galina Davis knew that the SLMPD would not disclose un-redacted police reports to them.  To get around this policy, Galina Davis and Dr. Davis recruited, solicited, and paid individual SLMPD police officers to obtain un-redacted accident reports for them.

Using the information from the un-redacted reports, Galina Davis contacted accident victims, identified herself as Gail, Allison, Kelly, Laura, or Shannon, and offered the accident victims free services at Davis Chiropractic.  Dr. Davis and Galina Davis focused on identifying accident victims from neighborhoods where there was a large concentration of low-income victims.  They believed that low-income individuals would be more receptive to their solicitations and offers of free services.

Taylor and Caldwell both admitted to facilitating this exchange of cash for reports.  Caldwell admitted to identifying other officers to continue the arrangement after his retirement.  Caldwell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to accept bribes.  Taylor admitted to a substantive count of bribery.  They appeared before Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. who accepted their pleas and set sentencing for March 6, 2019.

Caldwell faces up to five years imprisonment while Taylor faces up to ten years imprisonment.  Both defendants also face fines or up to $250,000.  The parties will recommended sentencing guidelines and terms of imprisonment well below those statutory maxima.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorneys Dorothy McMurtry and Reginald Harris are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis — Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker announced today that 16 awards will be given during the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) National Conference, including one recipient in the Eastern District of Missouri, will receive a Project Safe Neighborhoods Award. These awards recognize individuals and groups for their dedication and contribution to the success of PSN.   

In the Eastern District of Missouri, James Clark of Better Family Life will be honored with an award.

"Project Safe Neighborhoods is making our prosecutions more targeted and more effective—and that makes the American people safer," said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. "Today the Department recognizes 16 examples of those who go above and beyond the call of duty in using PSN to reduce violent crime. We had a lot of impressive nominees, but even with tough competition, these 16 stood out. I want to thank each one of them for their service and congratulate them on a job well done."

In the Eastern District of Missouri, the following individual was recognized for the following award:

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Award for Outstanding Community Involvement to the PSN Program has been awarded to James Clark, Vice President of Community Outreach, for Better Family Life, Inc. (BFL), a community development organization whose mission is to promote positive and innovative changes within the St. Louis Metropolitan area through cultural, economic, and educational programs.  With the help of staff at BFL, Clark has developed and implemented a Gun Violence De-escalation Program that has successfully thwarted numerous interpersonal feuds between individuals in and around the St. Louis area that, but for Clark’s intervention, would have devolved into violent encounters.  Clark’s and BFL’s efforts have helped to save multiple lives.  Through collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, Clark has and will continue to meet with and train other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country that seek to establish de-escalation programs in their districts. 

St. Louis, MO – Barbara “Basia” Skudrzyk, a/k/a Barbara “Basia” Najarro, 38, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud. 

Skudrzyk was employed as the Business Director for the Division of Medical Education at Washington University.  According to the plea agreement, beginning in May 2010 and continuing through July 31, 2018, Skudrzyk defrauded Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri of in excess of approximately $300,000 through various means.  On many occasions, Skudrzyk hired contractors and other service providers to perform personal services for her benefit, and at her personal residence.  She would then create, submit and approve false invoices and false W-9 tax forms for these contractors and other service providers to make it appear as if they had performed work for the Division of Medical Education when they had not.  Skudrzyk approved and processed payment to these contractors and other service providers from Washington University’s funds.  These service providers included a moving company, a home cleaning service, a divorce law firm, residential painters and construction companies, a jewelry boutique, a babysitter, and various other vendors and contractors.  Further, Skudrzyk purchased VISA gift cards at the Washington University bookstore, forging another Washington University employee’s signature on the receipts and charging the purchases to the Division of Medical Education.  Skudrzyk then used the VISA gift cards for her own personal use, including for purchases at restaurants, a jewelry store, and a number of other retailers.  Additionally, Skudrzyk falsified and changed invoices from two different travel companies for airline flights for herself and her family to such places as Krakow, Poland, Munich, Germany, Bangkok, Thailand, Toronto, Canada, West Palm Beach, Florida, New York City, and Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.  Skudrzyk submitted, processed and approved these falsified invoices in order to get Washington University to pay for the personal trips.   

Judge Sippel accepted Skudrzyk’s plea and deferred sentencing until March 8, 2019.  The maximum penalty for mail fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Restitution to the victim is also mandatory.  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 Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance and cooperation of Washington University.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Demagio Smith, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty to conspiracy to make false statements to Medicaid.  In his plea agreement, Smith admitted that he repeatedly submitted false time sheets to Medicaid that suggested that he was working as a home health care aide during 2013-17, and was taking care of two women inside their homes.  In reality, Smith was actually working at another job or traveling outside of Missouri on the dates and times indicated in his time sheets.  Smith’s out of town trips included travel to California, New Jersey, the Virgin Islands, and a voyage on a Caribbean cruise ship.  Sentencing for Mr. Smith is set for March 6, 2019.   

Smith’s co-defendant in this case, Nova Paden, also pled guilty and was sentenced in December 2017.  In her plea agreement, Paden admitted to working out of her home as a nursing aide at the same time as she was signing Medicaid time sheets indicating that she was receiving home health care in her residence.  

Previously convicted in this same investigation were Nova Paden, Regina Brown, James Smith, Benita Bell, and Tammara Bell, who all pled guilty to making false statements to Medicaid or related charges.

"Home health care is a more convenient alternative to skilled nursing facilities and it saves tax dollars because it is less expensive," said Richard Quinn, Special Agent in Charge, FBI St. Louis Division.  "People who abuse and cheat the system take money away from those who truly need the services."

Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations-Kansas City Region, stated, “Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those individuals who seek to defraud our programs and deprive our beneficiaries of the services they so need to ensure a good quality of life.” 

Each conspiracy or false statement charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.                       

These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Offices of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.  

St. Louis, MO – Demetrius Richmond, 46, of St. Louis, pled guilty to one count of being a felon in the possession of a firearm.  He appeared in federal court on Monday, December 3, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. 

            According to court documents, on December 22, 2016, two Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were patrolling in an unmarked police vehicle when the officers observed Richmond’s 2006 Lexus.  Richmond was the driver.  A female passenger was also inside Richmond’s vehicle.  As the unmarked police vehicle pulled behind Richmond’s vehicle, Richmond fired two shots from inside his vehicle.

            Officers activated their vehicle’s emergency lights.  Richmond sped away leading officers on a roughly 17-minute vehicle pursuit.  Among other reckless actions, Richmond drove at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.  Richmond eventually crashed his vehicle, injuring the female passenger.  Prior to the crash, Richmond threw his weapon from the vehicle.  

            Richmond was apprehended.  Richmond’s semi-automatic firearm was located and seized by the police.  It was loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition.

            Richmond faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  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 St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives.

Russell Eugene Wolf, 42, of Kahoka, Missouri, was sentenced today to 198 months’ imprisonment for Producing Child Pornography. The investigation showed that Wolf hid a camera in a bathroom to record an underage child while the child showered. The camera was disguised to look like a coat hook.  

The case was investigated by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Kirksville Police Department and the Ames (Iowa) Police Department.  AUSA Rob Livergood handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis – A team lead by the St. Louis Division of the DEA executed arrest warrants this morning in St. Louis and Los Angeles and took five individuals into custody for their involvement in two drug conspiracies which distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

Christopher Bryant, Jr., 43, of St. Louis, MO, and Kelvis Smith, 51, Chicago, IL, are alleged to have been a part of a heroin and cocaine conspiracy during 2016-2017 and face prison terms of 10 years to life if convicted.  Bryant is also accused of money laundering by negotiating by purchasing six cashier checks totaling $50,000 with the proceeds of illegal narcotics.  Bryant was arrested this morning in St. Louis.  In the course of the arrest, law enforcement seized four firearms, three long rifles and an assault rifle, from Bryant’s residence.

Eric White, 44, of St. Louis, MO; Jackson Uvalle, also known as “Stallion”, 30, of Diamond Bar, CA; Derrick Mitchell, 43, of St. Louis, MO; and Luis Piril, 29, of Los Angeles, CA; are alleged to have been a part of a fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine distribution ring that ran through March 2018.  They also face terms of imprisonment of 10 years to life if convicted.  White and Mitchell were arrested this morning in St. Louis.  Uvalle and Piril were arrested this morning in the Los Angeles area.

The charges in the Indictment are only accusations and all the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

William Callahan, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA St. Louis Division said “the DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts are committed to expanding investigations beyond the Missouri state line and bringing offenders who deal in dangerous drugs in our community back to face justice.”

Inspector in Charge Craig Goldberg, who heads the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service which includes the St. Louis Field Office, stated, “Today’s arrests are a testament to the commitment of the Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners to protect postal employees, customers, and the public at large from those who attempt to use the nation’s mail system to traffic dangerous illegal narcotics.”        

“Today’s arrests are a culmination of an extensive joint law enforcement effort to dismantle criminal enterprises that threaten the safety and security of the law-abiding public,” said James Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations-Chicago.

In addition to the DEA St. Louis Division, the case was investigated by the United States Postal States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Kirkwood Police Department, the St. Charles Police Department, the St. Peters Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force.  AUSA Beth Orwick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Indictment WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in St. Louis indicted four 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 last year’s protests following the 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 indictment charges Officers Dustin Boone, 35, Bailey Colletta, 25, Randy Hays, 31, and Christopher Myers, 27, with various felony charges, including deprivation of constitutional rights, conspiracy to obstruct justice, destruction of evidence, and obstruction of justice.

“Law enforcement officers have an important duty to protect the members of the communities they serve and to enforce the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute matters involving allegations of federal criminal civil rights violations.”

“These are serious charges and the vigorous enforcement of civil rights is essential to maintaining public trust in law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “The SLMPD recognized the importance of this investigation and its leadership has cooperated at every turn. I continue to have great confidence in the brave and honorable men and women of the SLMPD, Chief John Hayden, and Public Safety Director Judge Jimmie Edwards.”

“I wish to commend SLMPD leadership for its cooperation and the support of this investigation. Law enforcement and the public have a common interest in identifying and holding accountable those who dishonor the badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “To that end, I am encouraging people to contact the FBI if you are a witness in this case.”

According to the indictment, in the days and weeks that followed the acquittal, which occurred on Sept. 15, 2017, there were protests throughout the City of St. Louis. In anticipation of protests, SLMPD activated its protest-response unit, the Civil Disobedience Team (CDT), detailing more than 200 SLMPD officers to CDT. SLMPD officers assigned to CDT were tasked with controlling the crowd as needed and arresting those individuals for whom there was probable cause to believe that they had committed crimes. Defendants Boone, Colletta, Hays, and Myers were all assigned to CDT and were working in their capacity as SLMPD officers during the protests. The listed victim in the indictment, L.H., a 22-year veteran SLMPD officer, was also working during the protests, but was doing so in an undercover capacity in order to record and document criminal activity so that other SLMPD officers could lawfully arrest individuals who were committing crimes.

Count One of the indictment charges defendants Boone, Hays, and Myers with willfully violating L.H.’s constitutional rights when they used unreasonable force on L.H., actions that resulted in bodily injury to L.H. and included the use of a dangerous weapon: shod feet and a riot baton. The indictment specifically alleges that Boone, Hays, and Myers threw L.H. to the ground and then kicked and struck L.H. while he was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone.

Count Two also charges defendants Boone, Hays, and Myers with conspiracy to obstruct justice for conspiring and agreeing to engage in misleading conduct toward witnesses to prevent information about their criminal conduct from reaching federal authorities.

Count Three of the indictment also charges defendant Myers with destruction of evidence for knowingly destroying and mutilating L.H’s cellular phone with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation into the arrest and assault of L.H.

Count Four charges defendant Colletta with corruptly attempting to obstruct, influence, and impede federal grand jury proceedings by engaging in a series of misleading assertions and false statements when she testified before the grand jury.

Count One carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Counts Two, Three, and Four each carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison. All four counts carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

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

This case is being investigated by the St. Louis Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reginald Harris of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold, and Trial Attorney Emily Savner of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Criminal Section.

St. Louis, MO – Mark Van Ronzelen, 45, of Wentzville, pled guilty to impersonating a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent and felony possession of a document-making implement or authentication feature.  Sentencing has been set for March 5, 2019.

According to court documents, the Wentzville Police Department received a report that Van Ronzelen falsely represented that he was a Federal agent to an off-duty police officer.  At the time he encountered the off-duty officer, Van Ronzelen possessed and displayed a fraudulent Federal Bureau of Investigation identification card and what appeared to be a law enforcement badge.

During a search of the defendant’s residence, investigators recovered various fraudulent press and law enforcement credentials, including White House Press Pool credentials.  Investigators also recovered a laptop computer which contained images and templates used to make the various credentials.

"If someone knocking on your door identifies him/herself as an FBI special agent, you can easily verify that information," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "Ask to see FBI credentials, which includes a photo, and then call the local FBI field office to confirm."

Van Ronzelen faces a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and a fine of $5,000 on the possession of a fraudulent FBI identification card and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a document-making implement.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Wentzville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.