Eastern District of Missouri

The United States Attorney's Office announced that Darnell Moon, age 30, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, pled guilty to five felony counts of Mail Fraud and one felony count of Wire Fraud. He appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

Moon admitted he solicited individuals to pose as employees of non-existent companies for the purpose of filing false tax returns and claiming fraudulent refunds. Moon created false W-2 forms for the purported employees in the names of the non-existent companies as the "employers." Moon would then either file or help the individual file a fraudulent tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. Based on the false tax return, the IRS would issue a tax refund that the individual would then split with Moon. These non-existent companies did not employ the individuals identified on the tax returns. Moon also falsely identified dependents for the individuals and also fraudulently claimed some of those dependents as qualifying children to obtain Earned Income Credit.

Moon pled guilty on April 26, 2018. His sentencing is set for May 23, 2018. Moon faces a maximum punishment of 20 years of imprisonment for each count and fines up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Paul W. Hahn handled the prosecution for the Government.

William Glaser, 60 of Ellisville, Missouri surrendered this morning in federal court to an Indictment charging him with three counts of wire fraud in connection with his solicitation of 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 last summer. 

The indictment alleges that, between 2015 and 2016, Glaser was working as a financial advisor 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.

Creager himself has pleaded guilty to one case charging him with wire fraud in connection with the solicitation of investments for his company and faces a second case alleging similar misconduct in the solicitation of another investor and an additional fraud scheme related to the closing on one of his properties.  Glaser is not alleged to have participated in either of the fraud schemes with which Creager has been charged.

If convicted, Creager faces up to 20 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.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis division of the FBI.  Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s office.

WASHINGTON — Today, as the Department of Justice recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the nationwide rollout of an initiative aimed at increasing awareness and reporting of sexual harassment in housing. The announcement includes an interagency task force between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Justice Department to combat sexual harassment in housing, an outreach toolkit, and a public awareness campaign. This three-pronged approach will strengthen the Department’s efforts to combat sexual harassment in housing.

“Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, immoral, and unacceptable," said Attorney General Sessions. “It is all too common today, as too many landlords, managers, and their employees attempt to prey on vulnerable women. We will not hesitate to pursue these predators and enforce the law. In October, I ordered a new initiative to bring more of these cases, and we have already won relief for 15 victims. Today we announce three new steps to make the initiative more effective and to win more cases. I want to thank the dedicated and committed professionals in our Civil Rights Division and our partners in the Department of Housing and Urban Development for their hard work in this effort. We will continue to aggressively pursue harassers, because everyone has a right to be safe in their home.”

“All discrimination stains the very fabric of our nation, but HUD is especially focused on protecting the right of everyone to feel safe and secure in their homes, free from unwanted sexual harassment,” said Secretary Ben Carson. “No person should have to tolerate unwanted sexual advances in order to keep a roof over his or her head. Part of our mission at HUD is to provide safe housing and we will remain diligent in this mission to protect those we serve. I look forward to working with Attorney General Sessions and the Department of Justice as part of this task force to bring an end to this type of discrimination.”

In October 2017, the Justice Department announced an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing and launched pilot programs in Washington, D.C. and the Western District of Virginia. The initiative sought to increase the Department’s efforts to protect women from harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, security guards, and other employees and representatives of rental property owners. During the pilots, the Department developed and tested ways to better connect both with victims of sexual harassment in housing and with those organizations that victims may turn to first for help – including law enforcement, legal services providers, public housing authorities, sexual assault services providers, and shelters.  The Department also tested certain aspects of the initiative in other jurisdictions, including New Jersey, the Central District of California, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Michigan.

The two pilot programs generated an upswing in harassment reporting to the Department from both D.C. and the Western District of Virginia. In D.C., the Department generated six leads since the October 2017 launch. In Virginia, the Department generated three leads. While the Justice Department recognizes that leads and investigations do not always lead to enforcement actions, the pilot program’s results—when extrapolated across all the U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country—could lead to hundreds of new reports of sexual harassment in housing across the country.

Because of these promising results, the Department is rolling out three major components to the Initiative.

First, the new HUD-DOJ Task Force to Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing will drive a shared strategy between the Department and HUD for combatting sexual harassment in housing across the country. It will focus on five key areas: continued data sharing and analysis, joint development of training, evaluation of public housing complaint mechanisms, coordination of public outreach and press strategy, and review of federal policies.

Second, the outreach toolkit is designed to leverage the Justice Department’s nationwide network of U.S. Attorney’s Offices. The toolkit provides templates, guidance, and checklists based on pilot program feedback. It ultimately will amplify available enforcement resources and help victims of sexual harassment connect with the Department.

Third, the public awareness campaign has three major components: a partnership package with relevant stakeholders, launch of a social media campaign, and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) run by individual U.S. Attorney’s offices. The campaign is specifically designed to raise awareness, and make it easier for victims all over the country to find resources and report harassment.

More information about the Civil Rights Division and the civil rights laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment in housing should call the Department at 1-844-380-6178, send an e-mail to fairhousing@usdoj.gov, or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.  If you have information or questions about any other housing discrimination, you can contact the Department at 1-800-896-7743.

 

St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers.  Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime.  Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in March:

 

Jamacian Brown, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Keiven Cole, 32, Spanish Lake, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Tyrone Davis, 45, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jerry Hampton, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Courtney Brown, 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death.

 

Paris Devine, 25, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of carjacking.

Tracy Johnson, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dustin Lockwood, 33, Arnold, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession of a firearm in a school zone and one count of possession of a silencer.

 

Jermaine Rhodes, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; one count of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana; one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Devin Tate, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Amechie Baldwin, 31, Olivette, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Anthony Bounds, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of one or more firearms; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Shaahree Buckley, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Rafael Foster, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Paris Gordon, 47, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Shannon Jackson, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Edward McGinnist, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Shaun Bonner, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Antoine Bonnett, 42, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

 

Maurice Cooper, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Ted Moses was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500g of cocaine.

 

Cory Smith, 29, Fenton, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Eric Steward, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Deon Story, Jr., 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Christopher Walter, 44, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Zackary Ward, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Donnell Witherspoon, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Tyreece Young, 20, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Andre Adams, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Darryl Allen, 49, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Justin Cordes, 42, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Anthony Drake, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Travis Johnson, 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possess with intent to distribute fentanyl; possess one or more firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Calvin Monger, Jr., 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Corey States, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Cameron Sutton, 25, St. Ann, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Stacy Albright, 45, St. Clair, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Charles Dabney, 41, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Vernon DeFrance, 51, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lyle Deloch, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

David Ewing, Jr., St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Ernest Harris, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Shaun Jackson, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute 100g or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute 100g or more of heroin; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Daria Wright, 21, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute 100g or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute 100g or more of heroin; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Walter King, 43, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute heroin; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Carl Terry, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Derek Whitfield, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of one or more firearms; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

 

Michael E. Broom, Jr., 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Johnnie Stewart, 36, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Chad M. Jackson, 34, Florissant, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Anthony Young, 44, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Eric Thompson, 49, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Antonio Gray, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kenyetta Chapman, 22, Stockton, CA, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kenneth Johnson-Pace, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jerome Hughes, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dominique D. Simpson, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Amin Suluki-Bey, 48, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Demarye Briggs, 21, St. Charles, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Christopher Starks, 37, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Rashad Faries, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Christopher Starks, 37, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Teran Willis, 35, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Nicholas O. Johnson, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Jake Richardson, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to importing a firearm.

 

Willie McFarland, 42, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jason Baker, 41, Imperial, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Earl McNeal, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Quavon D. Williams, 22, pled guilty to carjacking and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

 

Michael Thomas-Williams, 35, Hazelwood, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Joe Edger, 43, St. Louis, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Damon D. Williams, 41, was sentenced to 90 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Armond Calvin, 20, St. Louis, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Joseph Stewart, 42, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm

 

Deangelo H. Young, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Brandon Johnson, 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Stephonne Wilder, 22, St. Ann, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dwayne Bowden, 36, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Charles Leonard, 48, St. Louis, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

 

Calvin E. Kyles, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Terrance L. Thomas, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Lamont Brison, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 29 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Ronald A. Golden, Jr., 45, University City, was sentenced to 117 months in prison for use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

 

Jeramie Blount, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Quontre Thomas, 27, Florissant, was sentenced to 110 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jon A. Parker, 29, Union, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Laron Hutchins, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jason Mitchell, 35, Fenton, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Roy C. White, 36, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possessing a firearm during the commission of a federal crime of violence.

 

Deandriss Bowden, 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lavell T. Sherman, 24, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Fidencio Lagunes-Elias, 36, Chesterfield, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Laythan Hearton, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Hollis Weaver, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

James C. Smith, 33, Florissant, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for felon in possession

St. Louis, MO – Mark Van Ronzelen, 45, of Wentzville, was arrested today on an indictment charging him with impersonation of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent and possession of a fraudulent FBI identification card. 

The indictment alleges that on March 5, 2018, Van Ronzelen followed J.W.’s vehicle to J.W.’s residence and displayed to J.W. a fraudulent FBI identification card and law enforcement badge.  Van Ronzelen advised J.W. that he was employed by the FBI.

If convicted, false impersonation of an officer carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Possession of a fake government-issued card or badge carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and a fine of $5,000.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.

The FBI encourages anyone who has any information concerning this investigation to contact the FBI at 314-589-2500.

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

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 – Michael Gladney, 41, of St. Louis, was arrested this morning after being charged in a federal criminal complaint dated March 30, 2018.

According to the affidavit submitted in support of the complaint, on March 19, 2018, at approximately 12:40 p.m., Gladney and three other people entered Vincent’s Jewelers located at 11733 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, Missouri 63141, for the purpose of committing a robbery.  These individuals ordered the workers to the rear of the business at gunpoint.  Gladney and two other individuals were armed with a firearm and the fourth individual was armed with a pipe.  

The individuals gained access to the jewelry inside the case by discharging a firearm into the case.  Gladney and another individual used the pipe to smash the glass.  He and two other individuals took numerous pieces of jewelry from the cases.

During the course of the robbery, Gladney shot himself.  As he ran away from the glass case, a trail of blood was left behind.  The trail of blood was discovered leading from the glass case outside to the location where the get-a-way vehicle was parked.

St. Louis County Police Department (SLCPD) Crime Scene Detectives responded to Vincent’s Jewelers to process the scene and obtained multiple samples of the blood from the trail of blood Gladney left after he shot himself.  SLCPD Crime Lab was able to develop a DNA profile from the blood samples and was placed into the CODIS database.  A search of the CODIS database resulted in a DNA match to            Michael Anderson Gladney.

Gladney was charged with one felony count of armed robbery and one felony count of possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Gladney was taken into custody without incident and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in St. Louis this afternoon.  The United States Attorney requested that Gladney be detained pending trial.  

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by the Creve Coeur Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Beth Orwick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Nikhil Buhecha, a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, pled guilty today and was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute counterfeit, misbranded, and adulterated Botox® into the United States, including multiple shipments to two doctors located in St. Louis County, Missouri. 

According to defendant’s plea agreement, defendant owned and operated a sophisticated wholesale drug distribution business involving multiple persons in Canada, Panama, and Turkey.  Defendant sourced Botox® from Turkey and shipped it to multiple U.S. doctors in Missouri and other states.  According to the label for Botox® Cosmetic that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unopened vials of Botox® Cosmetic should be stored in a refrigerator at temperatures between 2° to 8° Celsius before dispensing to patients.  Defendant’s drugs were adulterated because defendant’s business did not keep the Botox® at constant cold temperatures, and sometimes shipped and stored these drugs with no refrigeration or insulation.  Further, some of the Botox® sold by defendant had counterfeit exterior packaging, and the manufacturing lot numbers on the exterior of the drugs’ cartons did not match the lot numbers on the drug vials inside the cartons.    

FDA issued several public safety alerts about these events.  This ongoing investigation has led to a number of other related prosecutions in the District, including Dr. Erick Falconer, Greg Martin, Ozkan Semizoglu, and Sabahaddin Akman.  Two other Canadian nationals were convicted and sentenced under similar charges in August 2015.  Kamaldeep Sandhu received a sentence of 24 months of imprisonment, while Navdeep Sandhu received a sentence of 3 months. 

“Americans must have confidence that the FDA-regulated products they use are authentic, safe and properly labeled,” said Spencer E. Morrison, Special Agent in Charge, FDA OCI’s Kansas City Field Office. “We remain fully committed to aggressively pursuing those who place unsuspecting U.S. consumers at risk by distributing illegal drugs.”

This case was investigated by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as INTERPOL Washington and the U.S. Marshals Service.

St. Louis, MO –  Dr. Brij R. Vaid, 56, and Donna A. Waldo, 57, both of St. Louis County, Missouri, were charged by Indictment with conspiracy to submit false and fraudulent  claims to Medicare and Medicaid regarding “face to face” office visits submitted under Dr. Vaid’s personal billing number while he was actually out of town.  Dr. Vaid was also charged with six counts of making and presenting false claims to the United States.

According to the Indictment, Dr. Vaid often prescribed powerful opiate and opioid pain relief drugs to his patients, including Opana, Hydrocodone, and Oxycontin.  Dr. Vaid also employed physician assistants in his medical office, but these physician assistants could not prescribe these opiate and opioid pain relief drugs to patients.  Dr. Vaid traveled frequently during the timeframes discussed in the Indictment.  When Dr. Vaid left town, his physician assistants handed out prescriptions for these controlled substance pain relief drugs that Dr. Vaid had “pre-signed” before leaving town without first examining the patients.  Dr. Vaid then presented claims for payment to Medicaid and Medicare in which he represented that he was the person providing the “face to face” office visits with the patients that occurred while he was actually out of town.               

The conspiracy charge and the charge of making and presenting false claims to the United States both carry 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.                  

This case was investigated by the Offices of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 – Christopher Evans was sentenced to 42 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,233.76 to fifteen victims.

According to court documents, from January 1, 2015 through February 1, 2017, Evans participated in a scheme which involved identity theft, access device fraud, social security fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud.

Evans and two co-defendants stole customers’ personal identification information from a West County car dealership and used that information to produce Missouri Department of Revenue documents and obtain lines of credit and purchase merchandise at local businesses.  Evans and his co-defendants also used stolen personal identification information to access bank accounts and make unauthorized withdrawals and to create and cash counterfeit payroll checks.

Evans, 42, of St. Charles, Missouri, pled guilty in November to one felony count of conspiracy to defraud and one felony count of aggravated identity theft.  He appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge John Ross.

The case was investigated by the: U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Charles County Police Department, St. Charles City Police Department, Creve Coeur Police Department, Wentzville Police Department, O’Fallon Police Department, Florissant Police Department, and the Chesterfield Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is prosecuting the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Omar Leigh and Kolley Touray were indicted on multiple fraud counts involving a conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, the purpose of the conspiracy was to profit from the use of stolen Bank of America customers’ personal identifying information that they had purchased from the Dark Web.  Leigh used the bank’s automated telephone service to request that the bank mail new credit cards and new personal identification numbers, “PINs,” to the addresses on file for the customers.  Through use of software that allowed them to imitate the customers’ telephone numbers, the conspirators were able to defeat the bank’s verification process that relied on comparing the telephone number used to call the bank with the customers’ telephone number it had on file. 

When the bank mailed the new cards and PINs to the addresses on file for the customers, Leigh and Touray drove to the customers’ homes and stole the credit cards and PINs from their mailboxes.  Immediately after leaving the residences, Leigh and Touray drove to Bank of America automated teller machines to initiate cash advances on the accounts using the fraudulently obtained credit cards and PINs.

Omar Leigh, 25, Smyrna, GA, and Kolley Touray, 39, Milwaukee, WI, were indicted by a federal grand jury today on one felony count each of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, four felony counts of bank fraud, one felony count of possession of stolen mail, one felony count of access device fraud, and five felony counts of aggravated identity theft. 

If convicted, each count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, and bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million; possession of stolen mail carries a term of incarceration of 5 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00; and aggravated identity theft is a mandatory two years in prison consecutive to any other term of imprisonment.  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 United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 – Jabbaar Smith, 37, of St. Louis, was indicted today on seven counts of identity theft and two counts of aggravated identity theft. 

The indictment alleges between 2015 and 2016, Smith was employed as a Social Services Director at an area nursing home.  His duties included purchasing items for the residents from funds maintained in their personal accounts.  Smith would purchase items from companies through the internet on behalf of nursing home residents who were over the age of 60.  Smith then returned some of the merchandise and the vendor mailed refund checks made payable to the elderly nursing home residents.  Smith intercepted the refund checks, forged the residents’ names as endorsements, and deposited the refund checks into his personal bank account.

Smith also impersonated an elderly resident during a telephone call with the Social Security Administration and, based on information provided by Smith, the administrative agency unwittingly changed the resident’s direct deposit information to Smith’s personal bank account.   Social Security payments for that resident were then deposited into Smith’s personal bank account.

If convicted, identity theft carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count and aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment.  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 Social Security Administration and St. Louis County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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

This indictment coincides with the United States Department of Justice coordination of a nationwide elder fraud sweep. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and law enforcement partners are coordinating the largest sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  The cases involve more than two hundred and fifty defendants from around the globe who victimized more than a million Americans.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused losses of more than half a billion dollars.  The Department coordinated its announcement with the FTC and state Attorneys General, who independently filed numerous cases targeting elder frauds within the sweep period.

 

Elder fraud complaints

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 - Jacobi Temple, 27, of Saint Louis, MO, pled guilty yesterday, March 26, 2018, for his killing of James Lacey, Paige Schaefer, and Tammie Thurmond.  Mr. Lacey and Ms. Schaefer were shot and killed inside a residence located in the 4400 block of Itaska in the City of Saint Louis.  Ms. Thurmond was found by police in an alley behind the 4200 block of South 37th Street and died a short time later. 

            Temple pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and two counts of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking where deaths resulted.  He appeared before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.

            According to court documents, Temple, along with his two co-defendants, Demante Syms and Samuel Spires, traveled in a vehicle to the area of 4467 Itaska Street.  Temple went there to obtain payment for heroin previously distributed by him that had not been paid for.  Temple learned of the 4467 Itaska location from Tammie Thurmond who was the mother of Paige Schaefer.  While inside 4467 Itaska demanding payment, Temple shot and killed James Lacey and Paige Schaefer.  Brittney Brown was shot in the head and severely injured.  Shortly after, Temple, Syms and Spires located Ms. Thurmond.  Temple took Ms. Thurmond to an alley, then shot and killed her. 

            After being shot in the head inside the Itaska residence, Brittney Brown struggled to, but successfully contacted 911.  Ms. Brown survived but was hospitalized for a significant period of time.  While hospitalized (and continuing after her release), Ms. Brown provided invaluable support and assistance to law enforcement officials.  Following the change of plea proceeding, United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen praised her strength and courage, saying “Brittney Brown is a very courageous young lady who deserves our community’s respect and gratitude.”

            Temple’s guilty plea caps a three-year investigation and federal prosecution resulting in convictions of all three charged participants.  Syms and Spires previously pleaded guilty on December 2, 2016, and August 25, 2016, respectively.  Sentencing for each of the three co-defendants is as follows: Spires, May 23, 2018; Syms, May 31, 2018; Temple, June 27, 2018. 

            Likewise, this investigation resulted in the separate prosecution and convictions of Syms and his mother, Tabitha Hunt, for witness tampering in connection with the underlying homicide investigation.  Sentencing of Syms and Hunt on those witness tampering charges will also occur on May 31, 2018.

            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 as part of the on-going effort between the United States Attorney’s Office, the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to address the violent crime within the City of Saint Louis.

St. Louis, MO – After a four-day trial, a federal jury returned two verdicts for the United States finding that Asmerom “Ace” Keleta conspired to defraud the United States through tax fraud and prepared fraudulent tax returns.      

According to court documents, Keleta, 32, of St. Louis, operated University City Tax Service starting in 2012.  He conspired with employees Miyoshi Lewis and Teklom Paulos to prepare fraudulent tax returns for clients.  He directed the employees to fraudulently inflate client tax refunds by listing false American Opportunity educational tax credits and federal fuel tax credits as well as creating false Schedule C income in order to fraudulently maximize the Earned Income Credit.  The jury found that he also prepared false tax returns for clients.            

“Dishonest return preparers use a variety of methods to cheat the government, including falsifying information on tax returns to generate larger refunds for their clients,” said Andrew Thornton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.  “Return preparer fraud is like a contagious disease, it affects the preparer, but also the individuals who filed false information with the Internal Revenue Service.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Dianna Collins and Carrie Costantin. 

Cape Girardeau, MO – Cory Hutcheson, 34, of East Prairie, MO, appeared today in United States District Court in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, following his indictment on eleven felony counts of Identity Theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(7).  The indictment charges Hutcheson with illegally possessing and transferring the means of identification of others, in this case mobile telephone numbers, without lawful authority, and in connection with the commission of the state felony crime of Forgery.

Mr. Hutcheson has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and was released on bond.  If convicted, Mr. Hutcheson faces a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment on each count, and a maximum fine of up to $250,000.

United States Attorney Jeff Jensen stated, “This office will prosecute people who violate federal law regardless of their positions.”

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

St. Louis, MO – Sean McChord O’Donnell was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for charges of racketeering, involving the use of interstate facilities to promote prostitution occurring between November 2016 and January 2017.

According to court documents, in November 2016, O’Donnell travelled to the First Western Inn, 4828 North Broadway, Saint Louis, Missouri.  He did so to meet with a 21-year-old heroin-addicted prostitute and paid her to engage in commercial sex acts. He also drove her on prostitution calls, provided security for her, rented hotel rooms for her and lent her money. The defendant also posted online advertisements on her behalf on escort/prostitution websites. During the course of a late November visit, O’Donnell observed 15-year-old Jane Doe in the hotel lobby. Jane Doe had just recently left her pimp. Jane Doe was a missing juvenile and St. Louis County Police had been looking for her since September 2016.  O’Donnell handed Jane Doe his card and told her to call him. O’Donnell subsequently engaged in commercial sex acts with Jane Doe.

Between late November and January 2017, Jane Doe moved between several hotels in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, Missouri. O’Donnell rented most of the rooms for Jane Doe since she had no identification. O’Donnell began to post and pay for Jane Doe’s advertisements on Backpage.com.  The defendant took pictures of a scantily clad Jane Doe, which were included in postings. He posted the advertisements with her pictures using his email address.  O’Donnell continued to engage in commercial sex acts with Jane Doe and took explicit photos of Jane Doe and used his phone to send images to others.

Officers had been searching for Jane Doe since September 2016, and on or about January 23, 2017, observed her image on Backpage.com.  Police attempted to arrange a prostitution visit with Jane Doe and determined that she was at the Econolodge at 4576 Woodson Road, in a room rented by O’Donnell. On January 24, 2017, officers were able to locate and retrieve Jane Doe from a motel room.

O’Donnell, 53, of St. Louis, MO, pled guilty in December to one felony count of Racketeering Using Interstate Facilities to Promote, Manage, Establish and Carry on the Unlawful Activity of Prostitution.  He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, Bridgeton Police Department, St. Charles County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Howard Marcus is handling the case. 

St. Louis, MO – Philip D. Dean, M.D., 62, of Warrenton, Missouri, was indicted today   with eight felony charges for making false statements to Medicare and Medicaid and illegally distributing fentanyl, hydrocodone, and other controlled prescription drugs without a legitimate medical purpose.

According to the Indictment, Dr. Dean had personal relationships with several women, and during the relationships provided these women with prescriptions for narcotic pain relief opioid drugs.  With one woman, Dr. Dean wrote her multiple prescriptions using the name of her family member, and then Dr. Dean personally picked some of these drugs up from the pharmacy and paid the co-payment amount.  With another woman, Dr. Dean exchanged text and social media messages with sexual content before making prescription decisions for her.  Finally, Dr. Dean prescribed a drug called Subsys®, a narcotic pain relief drug that contains Fentanyl, to one of the women, causing Medicaid to pay approximately $213,000.  However, Subsys® is only approved for use in cancer patients with breakthrough pain, and the woman who received the Subsys® prescriptions did not have cancer.             

If convicted, the charges of false statements to Medicare and Medicaid carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  The drug distribution charges have maximum penalties of either 20 or 5 years in prison and a fine of either $1,000,000 or $250,000.  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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and the Warrenton Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Andy Lay is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

St. Louis, MO – Kathleen Marie Hydar, 30; Courtney Anarian Brown, 36; Paris John Earnest Devine, 25; and Raymond Christopher Seay, 39; were indicted today on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.

According to the indictment, Brown and Devine were further charged with discharging a firearm that resulted in the death of Ramone Thomas, of St. Louis, on October 11, 2017.  Ramone Thomas had been a participant in an attempted burglary of a trailer located at 765 Chancellor Lane in Jefferson County, Missouri when he was killed. Devine is further charged with an armed carjacking that occurred on September 28, 2017 in the City of St. Louis.

The owner of that trailer, Chad Coffman, 36, has been charged separately for possession with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hydar is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Brown is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death; Devine is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of carjacking; and Seay is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000,000 fine; the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death carries a penalty of death or life in prison and a $250,000 fine; the charge of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a minimum penalty of 7 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and the charge of carjacking carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Major Case Squad and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Angie Danis is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

St. Louis, MO – Dustin Lockwood, 23, of Arnold, was indicted today on charges of possessing firearms in a school zone and possession of a silencer.

On February 20, 2018, Lockwood was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri.  Arnold Police Department and ATF responded after a school staff member contacted them and advised them of a rifle case in the rear of Lockwood’s black 2001 Toyota Corolla.  Search of the vehicle revealed a .22 caliber rifle, .22 caliber revolver, multiple spent shell casings throughout the vehicle, a suspected homemade silencer, and multiple bags and boxes in the trunk of the vehicle containing explosive related material, multiple knives, a machete, and .22 and 9mm caliber ammunition.  Lockwood indicated that he was at the school to pick up his sister.  He was taken into federal custody and charged on a criminal complaint.

If convicted, the charge of possession of a firearm in a school zone carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and the charge of possession of a silencer carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 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, Arnold Police Department, St. Louis County Bomb Squad and the Jefferson County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Rodney H. Holmes is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

St. Louis, MO – Joe Moreland Edger, 43, of Saint Louis, MO, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for his involvement in the December 16, 2014, murder of victim Erin Davis and the January 15, 2016, murder of victim Juanita Davis.  (The victims were not related.)  Sentencing occurred this morning in front of the Honorable Catherine D. Perry.

            According to court documents, Edger was an associate of a known drug-dealer, Dwane Taylor.  In late 2014, Taylor was robbed of, among other things, drugs and money.  Taylor sought retaliation for the robbery and recruited Edger to assist in those efforts.  Among other things, Edger assisted Taylor in identifying and locating the victims as well as transporting Taylor in a vehicle in connection with each murder.  Edger also provided Taylor with the nine-millimeter firearm used by Taylor to commit the murder of each victim.  In exchange, Edger received a .22 caliber firearm from Taylor. 

            Edger was convicted of and sentenced for conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

            Taylor was on state parole for a prior murder at the time of the murders of victims Erin Davis and Juanita Davis.  Taylor’s parole has been revoked by the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole as a result of these crimes.

            This case was investigated by the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

St. Louis, MO – Paul Everett Creager, 39, of Wildwood, having pleaded guilty to fraud in December in association with investments he solicited for his failed residential real estate business, faces additional charges relating to that business. 

A Grand Jury sitting in St. Louis handed down two additional counts of wire fraud against Creager who developed business through a number of entities using the name “Everett Builders” and “L and P Builders.” 

The first count relates to investments solicited from an individual investor identified in the Indictment as M.L.  The indictment alleges Creager collected more than $2.5 million in investments from M.L. through false representations about Creager’s personal wealth, his planned use of investment funds and M.L.’s exclusive status as Creager’r partner.

Contrary to Creager’s representations to M.L., the Indictment alleges Creager (1) was not a multi-millionaire and had, in fact, filed for bankruptcy in the past, (2) used M.L.’s money to buy a luxury SUV, a Harley Davidson and to sustain a lavish lifestyle and (3) sold other equity positions in his business and borrowed heavily against it. 

The second count alleges that Creager intentionally filed a false affidavit at the closing of one of his homes in Kirkwood stating that all the subcontractors on the project had been paid even though he knew he still owed a storm drain subcontractor $30,000.  After pocketing nearly $50,000 at the closing, Creager refused to pay the subcontractor’s bill, forcing the subcontractor to file a mechanic’s lien against the property.  

Creager faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the wire fraud counts in addition to the 20 years he faces for the wire fraud count to which he pleaded guilty in December.  Additionally, the government will pursue an order of restitution in favor of all the victims.

The case was investigated by the St. Louis Division of the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the government.

St. Louis, MO – Jacob C. Brewer and Michelle L. Phipps pled guilty to removing aluminum stabilizing braces from railroad cars.

According to court documents, between February 1 and February 22, 2017, Brewer and Phipps disabled railroad on-track equipment by removing aluminum stabilizing braces from railroad freight cars.  The braces are designed to keep the freight cars from derailing when fully loaded and moving.  The railroad freight cars are owned by Ameren UE and were used to transport coal from the State of Wyoming to the State of Missouri.  The couple later sold the aluminum braces to local recycling centers. 

Brewer, 30, from Beaufort, Missouri, and Phipps, 27, from Washington, Missouri, both pled guilty to one felony count of disabling on-track railroad equipment.  They appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.  Sentencing has been set for June 6, 2018.

This charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both.  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 was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Gil Sison is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Jason Arnold pled guilty to bank fraud and money laundering charges related to a scheme to defraud a financial institution and the company he worked for as a controller. 

According to court documents, Arnold created a fictitious company that had the same name as his employer.  He then opened a fraudulent bank account for the fictitious company.  Between October 2009 and November 2017, Arnold deposited into the fraudulent bank account 53 checks totaling more than $7.3 million, all of which was owing to his employer.  Arnold then used the proceeds from the scheme to defraud for his personal gain, including to purchase artwork and wine.

Arnold, 38, of Clayton, pled guilty to one felony count of bank fraud and two felony counts of money laundering before U.S. District Judge Catherin D. Perry.  Sentencing has been set for June 14, 2018.

He now faces a penalty range of up to 30 years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million. 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 Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers.  Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime.  Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in February:

Jamarco Cousins, 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Darrell Gordon, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Squacar Gray, 39, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Ishmael Hargrove, 22, Florissant, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Joseph Hope, 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence during a drug trafficking crime; and interference with commerce by threat or violence.

Deven R. Huck, 20, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence during a drug trafficking crime.

Dallas M. Richardson, 23, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence during a drug trafficking crime and interference with commerce by threat or violence.

Darion Johnson, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed robbery and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Clinton Murphy, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Brandin Parott, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Glenn Reynolds, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Neavechie Patterson, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

James Richards, II, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100g or more of heroin and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Curstan Stiff, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500g of cocaine and felon in possession of firearms.

Shagretta Turner, 34, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base.

Parron Walker, 46, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Sammie Wilborn, 37, East St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Larry Benford, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Thomas Bolden, 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Demetris A. Bradley, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Charles Cherry, Jr., 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Guest, 61, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jamare Ash, 32, Jennings, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Mary Brown, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Markquis Bryant, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Steven Conner, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jorion Garrett, 19, Hazelwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed carjacking and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.

Anthony Horton, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Damon Johnson, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Nicholas Johnson, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Nicholas Luedemann, 31, Jefferson County, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Moore, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Tyrell Reed, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Charlie Robinson, Jr., 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Maurice Scott, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Donald Shaw, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Terry Stubblefield, 47, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Austin Thater, 28, Union, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Deandrea Thompson, 45, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

William Wilson, 32, Florissant, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Larry Belcarist, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Rondell Billups, 27, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Darrion Branscomb, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

James Coleman, 31, Dellwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Darnell Duff, 23, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jerome Green, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Armon Harris, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Derrick Hudson, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

James Jackson, 37, Jefferson County, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Kyle Miller, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Taylor Sanborn, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Anthoney Tucker, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Gregory Williams, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of a firearm in a federal facility; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Taylor Wilson, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a machine gun; one felony count of possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number; and one felony count of receiving and possessing a firearm not registered under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Terrell Raney, 39, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Raynard Davison, 44, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Eric Thompson, 48, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Derrick Terry, 39, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; possess, brandish and discharge a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death; obstruction of justice; and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution; conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Odell A. Pickett, Jr., 20, St. Louis, pled guilty to armed carjacking; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Darryl Easley, 47, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Maurice Thomas, 42, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Marlon Williams, 46, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Jackson, 26, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; knowingly possess one or more firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Alonzo Morris, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Kevin Boyer, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Nicholas Baldwin, 36, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Marquis Seddens, 36, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Randell M. Davis, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Demario White, 25, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Nunley, 41, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Damarlyn Stewart, 37, Shreveport, LA, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Lawrence Lee, 23, Florissant, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Rodrick Brown, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Sylvester Ivory, 40, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Carl E. Thomas, Jr., 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Bradley A. Simon, 32, Crestwood, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kevin Bishop, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 105 months in prison for felon in possession of firearm.

Alonzo Finger, 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Marquis Black, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Terrance Long, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Marcus Townley, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Jackson, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Kelvin Williams, St. Louis, was sentenced to 192 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; maintaining a drug involved premises; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kerry L. Chau, 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Douglas Druger, 40, was sentenced to 480 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possessing of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Tommie Anderson, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Dakari Coles, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Devon Guice, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Guy S. Long, 45, St. Louis, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Joseph L. Miles, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Donta Vines, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

St. Louis, MO – Michael McNeill was sentenced to 120 months in prison and Joshua Flynn was sentenced to 84 months in prison in connection with a multi-count indictment arising from a fraudulent telemarketing enterprise that often targeted elderly victims. Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the victims and to forfeit assets. Ninety-one Missouri residents are among the approximately 4,000 victims, including residents of Chesterfield, University City, St. Louis, Hannibal, Arnold, Potosi, Ballwin, Valley Park, Florissant, O’Fallon, St. Clair, and Farmington.

On November 20, 2017, Michael McNeill a/k/a Mr. White, a/k/a Todd Lockwood, 48, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering before United States District Judge John Ross.  Also on November 20, 2017, Joshua Flynn a/k/a Mr. Pink, a/k/a Jeff Thomas, 36, of Chandler, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

As organized and led by Defendant McNeill and Defendant Flynn, and others, the telemarketing enterprise sold false and fictitious business opportunities as part of a scheme that reached across the United States and Canada and generated in excess of $20,000,000 in fraudulent sales.  Missouri victims of the scheme suffered combined total losses of approximately $1,000,000. The Phoenix, Arizona based telemarketing enterprise operated under multiple business names and utilized multiple business entities over the course of the scheme, including Smart Business Pros LLC of Warson Woods, Missouri. The sophisticated money laundering activity of the telemarketing enterprise and the conspiracy included transfers of criminal proceeds to the purchase gold and silver coins ultimately distributed to McNeill and Flynn as the owners of the enterprise.

 

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of the Arizona Attorney General.  Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Birmingham and Gwendolyn Carroll are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St Louis, MO – Rickey Dee McGregory, 37, Union, Missouri, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for distributing heroin to another person causing a non-fatal overdose. 

According to court documents, on February 9, 2016, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department were investigating a non-heroin overdose.  The victim of the overdose told a deputy that she obtained the heroin from Rickey Dee McGregory.  Investigators went to McGregory’s residence where they found items consistent with the distribution of heroin.  He admitted that he gave the victim the heroin which caused her overdose.

McGregory pled guilty in October to one felony count of distributing heroin and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

This case was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.

St. Louis, MO – Carol J. Dotson, 70, St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. She appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber. 

According to court documents, from July 2003 to February 2017, Doston embezzled more than $2 million dollars from a commercial real estate property management company in Olivette, Missouri where she was the office administrator.  Dotson wrote multiple checks to herself, withdrew large sums of cash to spend on elder care for her mother, mortgage payments, home renovations, home cleaning services, law services and shopping at local stores.

Dotson faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both. 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 was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Olivette Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Timothy Murphy, a/k/a Mr. Black, a/k/a Colby Muhlberg, a/k/a Arthur Whitton, 34, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering on Thursday, February 22, 2018, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencing has been set for May 22, 2018.  All twenty defendants have now pled guilty in federal court in connection with a multi-count indictment arising from their participation in a fraudulent telemarketing enterprise that often targeted elderly victims. 

On November 20, 2017, Michael McNeill, a/k/a Mr. White, a/k/a Todd Lockwood, 48, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering before United States Judge John Ross.  Also on November 20, 2017, Joshua Flynn, a/k/a Mr. Pink, a/k/a Jeff Thomas, 36, of Chandler, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Sentencings for both are set for March 6, 2018.

As organized and led by Defendant McNeill and Defendant Flynn, and others, the telemarketing enterprise sold false and fictitious business opportunities as part of a scheme that reached across the United States and Canada and generated in excess of $20,000,000 in fraudulent sales.  The Phoenix, Arizona, based telemarketing enterprise operated under multiple business names and utilized multiple business entities over the course of the scheme, including Smart Business Pros LLC of Warson Woods, Missouri.  The sophisticated money laundering activity of the telemarketing enterprise and the conspiracy included transfers involving criminal proceeds used for the purchase of gold and silver coins, ultimately distributed to McNeill and Flynn as the owners of the enterprise.

In October 2016, nine individuals were initially indicted.  In February 2017, an additional ten individuals were indicted.  In July 2017, an additional individual was indicted.  All twenty defendants have now pled guilty to one or more offenses arising from the telemarketing enterprise and the scheme to defraud. Multiple defendants have also pled guilty to money laundering offenses.

Ashley Powell, a/k/a Brittany Wilson, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing on January 22, 2018, before United States Judge Audrey Fleissig.  Sentencing is set for May 4, 2018.

Dean Miller, a/k/a Jeffrey Wilkes, 44, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and Michael Silver, a/k/a Michael Wright, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on January 12, 2018, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencings are set for April 17, 2018.

Scott Shocklee, a/k/a Fredo, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering on January 4, 2018, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencing is set for April 10, 2018.

Jason Gallagher, 36, of Gilbert, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on December 12, 2017, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencing is set for April 19, 2018.

Donald Schnock, 34, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of money laundering on November 17, 2017, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencing is set for March 1, 2018.

Russell Hibbert, 44, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on November 17, 2017, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencing is set for March 8, 2018.

Andre Devoe, 43, of Tempe, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and Thomas Silhaa/k/a Keith Henderson, a/k/a Dave Marsh, 56, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing on November 4, 2017, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencing for Andre Devoe has been set for March 14, 2018. Sentencing for Thomas Silha has been set for March 8, 2018.

Shawn Casey, a/k/a Shawn Anderson, a/k/a Daniel Arenson, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing; and Bruce Doll, 52, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing on August 29, 2017, before United States Judge John Ross.  Sentencings have been set for March 7, 2018.

Cybill Osterman, 26, of Scottsdale, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 28, 2017, before United States District Judge John Ross.  Sentencing is set for March 7, 2018.

Brian Phillips, 28, of Tempe, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 25, 2017, before United States District Judge John Ross.  Sentencing is set for March 7, 2018.

Jennifer Hansen, a/k/a Hailee Randall, 35, of  El Mirage, Arizona, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and John Balleweg, a/k/a Trent Lombardi, 37, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on August 18, 2017, before United States District Judge John Ross.  Sentencings have been set for March 8, 2018.

Philip Hale, 37, of Brentwood, Missouri, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and Anthony Swiantek, 40, of Salina, Kansas, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on August 15, 2017, before United States District Judge John Ross.  Sentencings have been set for March 14, 2018.

As to Mr. Murphy’s offenses, wire fraud in connection with telemarketing carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine or both.   Conspiracy to commit money laundering, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a 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 is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Arizona Attorney General.  Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Birmingham and Gwendolyn Carroll are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Fernando Reyes, 37, a resident of Florida, was indicted today on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud. 

The indictment alleges that beginning in April 2016, Reyes and other individuals telephoned a Missouri resident over the age of 80 to advise the resident 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 the defendant in Florida.  During the telephone calls, the caller identified Reyes as a federal attorney.  However, Reyes is not affiliated with the United States Department of Justice or any other federal agency or department. 

Four checks totalling more than $53,000 were deposited into defendant’s 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.

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

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This indictment coincides with the United States Department of Justice coordination of a nationwide elder fraud sweep. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and law enforcement partners are coordinating the largest sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  The cases involve more than two hundred and fifty defendants from around the globe who victimized more than a million Americans.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused losses of more than half a billion dollars.  The Department coordinated its announcement with the FTC and state Attorneys General, who independently filed numerous cases targeting elder frauds within the sweep period.

Elder Fraud Complaints

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 – Dustin Lockwood, 23, was charged in a federal criminal complaint today February 21, 2018.

According to the affidavit submitted in support of the complaint, on February 20, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m, Arnold Police Department and ATF responded to Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri, after a school staff member contacted them and advised that there was a subject sitting in a black 2001 Toyota Corolla on the parking lot of the school who appeared to have a rifle case in the passenger seat of the vehicle. 

As the officers approached the vehicle, a white male identified as Dustin Lockwood was sitting in the driver’s seat and officers observed in plain view a gray and black rifle case in the rear of the vehicle. 

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a .22 caliber rifle, .22 caliber revolver, multiple spent shell casings throughout the vehicle, a suspected homemade silencer and multiple bags and boxes in the trunk of the vehicle containing explosive related material, multiple knives, a machete and .22 and 9mm caliber ammunition. 

Law enforcement officers conducted a search of Lockwood’s residence and recovered numerous chemicals and bomb making components.  During an interview of Lockwood conducted by ATF special agents and the officers from the Arnold Police Department, Lockwood indicated the explosive material in his vehicle and residence were possessed for legal purposes.

Lockwood was charged with one violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(q)(2) for possessing a firearm in a school zone.  A violation of this statute carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Lockwood was taken into custody without incident and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in St. Louis this afternoon.  The United States Attorney requested that Lockwood be detained pending trial. Lockwood will receive a preliminary hearing and a hearing on pretrial detention on Monday, February 26, 2018.

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Arnold Police Department; St. Louis County Bomb Squad and the Jefferson County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Rodney H. Holmes is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Thomas Vogt, 60, of Alton, Illinois pleaded guilty to defrauding his former employer of more than $140,000 through a double reimbursement scheme whereby he sought reimbursement for expenses his employer had already directly paid.  Vogt pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property and agreed to a forfeiture allegation as to the proceeds of the scheme.  Vogt admitted taking the proceeds of the scheme from his employer in Missouri to his bank in Illinois.

Vogt faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 or both.  Restitution to the victims is also mandatory.  Vogt appeared in St. Louis today before Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Todd Beckman was sentenced to 240 months in prison for his role in kidnapping a Maplewood man.             

According to court documents, on November 21, 2016, brothers Blake and Caleb Laubinger entered the victim’s residence and, when he arrived home, attacked and confined him with zip ties, threatening to kill him if he screamed. They transported the victim in a rental truck to Blake Laubinger’s residence, and held him in the basement in zip ties, handcuffs and duct tape. Todd Beckman and Kerry Roades arrived at the residence. Beckman and Roades beat the victim and pressed the barrel of a handgun to his head. They accused him of stealing from Blake Laubinger and demanded money. The next day, the Laubinger brothers told the victim if they did not get ransom money from his parents in Florida they would kill him. The victim was repeatedly beaten, tased, and assaulted by the kidnappers. The kidnappers made ransom calls to the victim’s parents demanding money in exchange for his life.

On November 22, Blake and Caleb Laubinger, and Todd Beckman, transported the victim in the rental truck to Todd Beckman’s property and confined him in a shipping container.  Beckman put a handgun to the victim’s head and threatened to kill him.

On November 23, the victim’s parents paid approximately $27,000 in ransom to Todd Beckman. Shortly after, the kidnappers removed the victim from the shipping container and threatened to kill him if he said anything to anyone. The kidnappers took the victim in a “St. Louis Tan Co.” van to Gravois Bluffs shopping center, where they released him.

Todd Beckman, 53 of Fenton, pled guilty on November 2 to one felony count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.  He appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

This case was investigated the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maplewood Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys John T Davis and Stephen Casey are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Heidi Jones was sentenced to 45 months in prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release and $92,401.20 in restitution to 11 different victims.

Jones admitted to using multiple identities and to obtaining goods and services using counterfeit credit cards in California, Illinois and Missouri during 2017.

Jones, 33, of Arlington, TX, pled guilty in November to three felony counts of using a counterfeit access device and one count of aggravated identity theft.  She appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.

The case was investigated by the Walnut Creek (California) Police Department, the Arnold Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is prosecuting the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – David E. Schultz was sentenced to 96 months in prison for wire fraud.  Schultz was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $452,376.00.   

David E. Schultz defrauded multiple victims by falsely stating that he could provide various legal remedies to them.  He demanded victims provide him cash or assets, such as jewelry, gold, silver, and other items of value that could quickly be converted into cash in exchange for future services. Schultz demanded victims borrow money from their family members or open lines of credit in order to provide him with money in exchange for future services.

As part of his fraudulent scheme, Schultz developed a relationship with victim R.R.  Victim R.R. was a St. Louis pharmacist whose pharmacology license was suspended in 2014.  David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim R.R. that he was a non-practicing attorney who worked closely with a Saint Louis area attorney.  Schultz told R.R. that in exchange for payments, he would be able to obtain a “Letter of Exoneration” from the Missouri Board of Pharmacy and broker a lucrative lab-testing contract with the Missouri Department of Corrections. Victim R.R. paid David E. Schultz approximately $50,000 for services which were never provided and which David E. Schultz never intended to provide.

He also developed a relationship with victim E.B.  Victim E.B. owned and operated a health care products distribution firm and was convicted of health care fraud in 2015. David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim E.B. that he was a non-practicing attorney who worked closely with a Saint Louis area attorney.  David E. Schultz represented to Victim E.B. that in exchange for payments, he would be able to have E.B.’s conviction overturned.  In July 2016, David E. Schultz presented to Victim E.B. two fraudulent and forged documents falsely representing that E.B.’s conviction was overturned.  Victim E.B. paid David E. Schultz approximately $81,000 for services which were never provided.

Schultz also developed a relationship with Victim D.G.  Victim D.G. was convicted of health care fraud in 2014.  David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim D.G. that in exchange for payments, he would have D.G.’s conviction “expunged” and falsely represented that he was in close contact with the Federal District Court Judge who sentenced Victim D.G.  Victim D.G. paid David E. Schultz approximately $17,000 for services which were never provided.

Schultz also developed a relationship with Victim O.G.  Victim O.G. was the sister of Victim D.G.  David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim O.G. that he was working with attorneys to secure her brother’s release from prison.  David E. Schultz also falsely represented to Victim O.G. that upon Victim D.G’s release from prison, he intended to open several Dollar Stores with Victim D.G.  David E. Schultz represented to Victim O.G. that in exchange for payments, he would pay attorneys to have her brother released from prison and pay for hotel and meal expenses for Dollar Store executives that he hosted.  Victim O.G. paid David E. Schultz approximately $22,000 for services which were never provided.

Schultz developed a relationship with Victim R.J.  Victim R.J. was a former cardiologist convicted of health care fraud in 2002 and 2009. David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim R.J. that he was working with attorneys to reinstate Victim R.J.’s medical license.  David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim R.J. that in exchange for payments, he would pay his personal attorney, V.A., to secure “immunity” for Victim R.J. Additionally, David E. Schultz falsely represented that he would pay attorneys to testify for R.J. during the medical license reinstatement process; hire private investigators; and make court-ordered restitution payments on R.J.’s behalf. Victim R.J. paid David E. Schultz approximately $162,000 for services which were never provided.

Furthermore, Schultz developed a romantic relationship with Victim S.M.  David E. Schultz falsely represented to Victim S.M. that he was a “hard money lender” and was a wealthy real estate investor.  David E. Schultz promised to marry Victim S.M. and provide her with a lifetime of financial security.  David E. Schultz represented to Victim S.M. that he needed to borrow money from her only until he received several large cash payments from his overseas accounts.  Victim S.M. drained her own saving and retirement accounts, borrowed money from her parents, borrowed money from her siblings and opened credit accounts to generate money for David E. Schultz.  In total, Victim S.M. paid David E. Schultz approximately $120,000.

Schultz, 50, of St. Louis County, pled guilty in November to two felony counts of wire fraud.  He appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge Ronnie White.

The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is prosecuting the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers.  Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime.  Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in January:

Kenneth Johnson-Pace, 23, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Demarco Moorehead, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Brian O’Neal, 30, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Demarquo Starks, 24, Florissant, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Kirk Wallace, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Tyrone Williams, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession of stolen firearms; possession with intent to distribute oxycodone; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Christopher Wilson, 28, Omaha, NE, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Charles Aubuchon, 47, Eolia, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (schedule II controlled substance); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Willie Bolden, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

James Bradley, 30, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Deondery Chambers, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Decoreyon Harris, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of interference with commerce by threats of violence; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Deandre Jones, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Jones, 53, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Shaun Leachman, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Trevon McClelland, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Pruitt, Jr., 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Aaron Robinson, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Silas, III, 19, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Levander Williams, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Charles Alicea, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Antwuan Allen, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Kevin Chattman, 41, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jermain Hill, 41, O’Fallon, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1kg of heroin; one felony count of possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kevin Seltzer, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Carnelius Watson, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50g or more of methamphetamine; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Kerry Bolden, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possessing with intent to distribute heroin; one felony count of possessing one or more firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

David Boxley, 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Tayler Griffin, 19, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Kelvon Hulsey, 23, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

David Lee, Jr., 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Tommie Lee, 66, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methadone; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kenneth Lynch, 22, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Pearson, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Justin Phillips, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Dyanthany Proudie, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Edward Watson, 67, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possessing with the intent to distribute heroin; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Darvell Willis, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Mascio Whitfield, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Novelle Jackson, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Marquis Gray, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Walter M. White, 46, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

James Smith, 33, Florissant, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

William Lumpkins, 34, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Olugbenga Folarin, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Israel Campos, 21, St. Louis, pled guilty to interfere with commerce by threat of violence and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Kenneth Murphy, 35, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Demetrius Lewis, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Leman H. Dobbins, Jr., 52, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm; possession with the intent to distribute heroin; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Dane Reed, 41, St. Louis pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Damon Deandre Williams, 41, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Antoine A. Cooper, 42, Florissant, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Sandy Griffin, 19, East St. Louis, was sentenced to 8 months in prison for transferring a firearm used to commit a crime.

Jacob August Niebruegge, 20, Troy, IL, was sentenced to 7 months in prison for transferring a firearm used to commit a crime.

Richard E. Scott, Jr., 25, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Cryland Robinson, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Christopher Dawkins, 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Majuan M. Bates, 40, Dallas, TX, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Dominick Brooks, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Fredderick Eason, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Leo Kent, 39, St. Louis, was sentenced to 100 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Reginald M. Higgins, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to possession with the intent to distribute heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Remmie Latchison, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Rahman V. Keyes, 28, Ferguson, was sentenced to 106 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; possess with intent to distribute heroin; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crime; and possess with intent to distribute heroin.

Anthony Kirksey, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Hillford Turner, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Calvin Davis, 55, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

John Torregrossa, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 44 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance drug.

Ivery Williams, 42, St. Louis, was sentenced to 15 months in prisons for felon in possession of a firearm.

St. Louis, MO – William T. Hopmeier, 47, St. Louis, was indicted on February 1, 2018.

The indictment alleges that Hopmeier produced child pornography. Specifically, it alleges that during the time of July 2017, to January 31, 2018, Hopmeier video recorded minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If  Hopmeier is convicted, this charge carries a maximum penalty of not more than 30 years, and not less than fifteen years, and a fine of up to $250,000, along with a supervised release of not less than 5 years. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, Des Peres Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 – Taylor Wilson, 26, St. Louis, was indicted on February 1, 2018.

The indictment alleges various firearms offenses.  Specifically, it alleges that during the time of September 2015, through December 23, 2017, Wilson possessed a fully automatic machinegun and a rifle, neither of which were registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. It also alleges that the machine gun had a defaced and obliterated serial number.

If Wilson is convicted, counts one, three and four of the indictment carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Count two of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 – Daniel Stimmel, 52, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment and ordered to pay more than $4,000,000 in restitution for running a car theft scheme while employed as a fleet manager of Emerson Network Power (ENP) of Columbus, Ohio, from 2003 to 2016.  ENP, now known as Vertiv, was formerly an operating subsidiary of Emerson Electric Company and became an independent entity after Stimmel’s scheme concluded.

Stimmel admitted in his 2017 plea agreement that he diverted hundreds of cars from the fleet management contract between ENP and two different fleet management companies through the use of fraudulent paperwork and straw parties until a car could be sold and titled in the name of a third-party buyer.  The proceeds of these sales, which were hidden from ENP, were usually returned to Stimmel in cash.

Stimmel used the proceeds of his scheme to acquire real estate and pursue his interest in motor sports.  As a part of the investigation, the St. Louis Division of the FBI, the St. Louis Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Ohio, forfeited numerous automobiles, motorcycles, a boat and a luxury automotive storage facility in Plain City, Ohio.

Tom Albus handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Mark A. Beckham was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for obstructing the administration of the internal revenue laws.

Beckham, 62, St. Charles County, was found guilty in September 2017 of one felony count of attempting to interfere with the administration of the internal revenue laws. The six-day trial was held before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White.

Beckham was a former CPA, whose license to practice as a CPA was revoked following his federal mail fraud conviction in 2006.

The evidence at trial showed that Beckham prepared 2009 and 2010 individual and corporate federal income tax returns for a client. These returns were subsequently audited by the IRS. During this audit, Beckham provided his client’s dayplanner calendar to the IRS. This dayplanner calendar had been altered to reflect that Beckham’s client worked for a company that had large tax losses, when, in fact, Beckham’s client had not worked for this company. This dayplanner calendar was given to the IRS to support deductions for non-passive losses on the tax returns that Beckham prepared for his client.

This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Muchnick and Reginald Harris are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Andre Legardy, 24, St. Louis, was indicted on December 20 and appeared today for his initial appearance after being arrested on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. 

 

The indictment alleges that on June 1, 2017, Legardy and others unknown burglarized Eagle Eye USA Shooting Sports in Wentzville, MO.  Legardy stole one or more firearms that had been transported in interstate commerce from the business inventory of the premises of Eagle Eye USA.

 

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

 

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

 

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 – Tony Pedretti was sentenced to 20 months in prison to his role in a kickback scheme that ran for three years while he supervised the HVAC shop and the John Cochran Veterans Administration Medical Center in St. Louis from 2012 to 2015. 

 

According to court documents, Pedretti conspired with Scott Geary, David Graham and others to collect kickbacks for work done at the HVAC shop.  Pedretti was authorized to pay up to $2500 to outside contractors without prior approval and most of the jobs involved in the scheme were near that limit.  It was a part of the parties’ agreement that, for each job, Pedretti would receive a cash kickback.  In all, Pedretti admitted that more than $270,000 in work was let by him in furtherance of the kickback scheme. 

 

Pedretti, 43, of Whiting, Indiana, pled guilty in May 2017

 

Scott Geary and David Graham have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles in the scheme.

 

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of the Inspector General and the FDIC – Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.   

St. Louis, MO – Olusola Luke, 38, a native of Nigeria and resident of Guatemala, was sentenced to 35 months imprisonment for his participation in a stolen identity tax fraud scheme.

 

According to court documents, Luke and others used stolen identities to unlawfully obtain data from U.S. Government computers and then used that data to seek $3.5 million in government funds by filing false tax returns in the names of the identity theft victims.  Many of the fraudulent tax refunds were stopped and not paid by the IRS.  Luke admitted he obtained more than $734,000 in fraudulent tax refunds as a result of this scheme.

 

Luke was sentenced for one felony count of conspiracy to commit theft of government funds before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.  Luke has been in federal custody since April when he was arrested by the United States Marshals Service as he attempted to enter the United States.  In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, Luke was ordered to pay $734,000 in restitution to the IRS.

 

Luke’s co-conspirator, Olefunsho Adeshina, also a native of Nigeria, is serving a sentence of 40 months imprisonment which was handed down in 2016 for his role in the conspiracy.

 

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)  Strategic Data Services Division, the Department of Treasury Inspector General for Tax and Administration (TIGTA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber Task Force as part of their Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) initiative which seeks to disrupt the multi-billion-dollar enterprise whereby Americans’ identities are compromised and used to defraud the government through the income tax system.

 

U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen also credited the investigators of the many financial institutions and the persistence of the investigators of the U.S. Customs and Immigration - Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) team with their support of the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Carol Jean Hazer was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison after pleading guilty to running an illegal gambling business and filing false tax returns that failed to list her income from the gambling business.

 

According to court documents, Hazer organized and ran an illegal high stakes sports betting operation, in part by utilizing internet websites.  She engaged in money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions, including the purchase of a house and a vehicle using the proceeds of their crimes.  Hazer also filed false tax returns trying to conceal the income from the illegal gambling business.  The gambling business accrued nearly $500,000 in revenue during its operation.

 

On January 16, 2017, Samuel Douglas Hazer, Carol Hazer’s ex-husband, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison following a plea of guilty to multiple counts of running an illegal gambling business and money laundering. 

 

Hazer, 60, of Farmington, pled guilty in October to one felony count of illegal gambling business; one felony count of interstate activity in furtherance of gambling; one felony count of money laundering; and four counts of filing a false tax return.  She appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey. 

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Michael Litz, 63, of Ladue, pled guilty today to assisting in an unlawful insider loan scheme at Excel Bank.  He appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 25, 2018.

 

Litz is the third person to plead guilty in a criminal investigation following the failure of Excel Bank in 2012.  Litz and Shaun Hayes were indicted on bank fraud and related charges involving a series of insider loans and straw party loans at Excel Bank.  Hayes was the controlling shareholder in that bank which had main offices in Sedalia, Missouri and a loan production office in Clayton.  Litz was a principal in Bellington Realty and Eighteen Investments which managed over 1,000 residential and commercial rental properties in the area and bought and sold hundreds of residential properties each year.  In 2009, Eighteen Investments was delinquent on over $100,000,000.00 in loans at banks throughout the area.  Litz and Hayes were also partners in a number of real estate development projects.  One of those was McKnight Man I which involved the development of the property at the intersection of Manchester and McKnight Roads in Rock Hill.  Litz and Hayes were guarantors on a McKnight Man loan at Centrue Bank in the amount of $900,000.00.  That loan was delinquent in July, 2009.  At the same time Eighteen Investments was delinquent on $3,600,000.00 in loans at Centrue Bank.  

 

Litz admitted that he recruited a close friend, identified in the court papers as LS, to sign on to a $3,300,000.00 loan at Excel Bank to assist Litz in his business.  LS was assured that he would not be held liable on the note and that the loan would be taken care of.  The LS loan was secured on paper by a list of Eighteen Investments loans which were not performing and were substandard.  Litz provided no details to LS on the specifics of the loan.  According to court papers, LS was simply assisting Litz as a friend.  The loan proceeds were used to pay off Litz’s and Hayes’s McKnight Man debt at Centrue Bank as well as the Eighteen Investments debt at that bank. Since Hayes was a principal at Excel Bank, the use of the LS loan funds to pay off the Hayes-Litz liability at Centrue Bank constituted unlawful self-dealing. Litz admitted that he participated in that transaction and directly benefitted from it. 

 

According to court papers, Litz and Hayes set up other straw party loans at Excel Bank to cover millions of dollars in other delinquent loans of Eighteen Investments. 

 

"Michael Litz used his connections to banker Shaun Hayes to commit fraud. The two men worked together to enrich themselves at the expense of Excel Bank," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "This type of self-dealing and fraud violates the integrity of our banking system and undermines consumer confidence."

 

“These convictions are an important step in the fight against fraud that hurt a TARP bank which lost $4 million in TARP funds,” said Christy Goldsmith Romero, Special Inspector General for TARP. “Banker Shaun Hayes, as the majority shareholder of Excel Bank, controlled the bank’s lending. He directed former executive vice president Tim Murphy to increase dramatically the bank’s commercial and real estate lending. So called “friends of Shaun” loans were approved absent Excel Bank’s normal underwriting safeguards such as appraisals—putting the bank at risk. Hayes also made the bank issue millions of dollars in loans to straw borrowers, concealing that the loans personally benefited himself and his business partner, Michael Litz.  I commend the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for its commitment to bringing justice to bankers who break the law.”

           

Bank regulators closed Excel Bank in October, 2012, and Simmons Bank succeeded it.  

Hayes pled guilty on January 3 to one count of bank fraud and one count of misapplication of Excel Bank funds and is scheduled for sentencing on April 13.

 

Murphy, former Executive Vice President at Excel Bank, pled guilty on January 11 to bank fraud and sentencing is scheduled for April 24. 

  

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.  Criminal Chief James E. Crowe, Jr. and Assistant United States Attorney Gilbert Sison are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

St. Louis, MO – Thomas Anderson was sentenced to 180 months in prison in connection with conspiracy charges involving the transportation of large quantities of marijuana and money laundering. 

 

According to court documents, from 2008 until 2014, Anderson, aided by other members of the conspiracy, acquired more than 1,000 kilograms of usually high grade marijuana from sources of supply in California and distributed it in different places, including St. Louis and Boston.  Anderson purchased multi-hundred pound amounts of marijuana from a variety of sources.  When purchased from sources of supply, Anderson caused the marijuana to be transported from California to St. Louis and elsewhere, including Boston, via various means.  In some instances, marijuana was concealed inside items, such as water heaters, large pieces of antique furniture, fixtures, and PODS moving company containers.  In other instances, Anderson arranged for marijuana to be shipped concealed in various trucks.  Anderson also utilized private aircraft to transport marijuana from California to St. Louis and elsewhere.  Regardless of the means of conveyance, the marijuana was recovered in St. Louis and in Boston by other members of the conspiracy and delivered to distributors or distributed for Anderson.

 

            The conspiracy generated millions in proceeds.  Proceeds were then delivered back to California for the purchase of more marijuana, usually in two main ways: hidden inside luggage and the luggage was transported to California via commercial airlines; or via private aircraft.  

 

            Anderson, 31, St. Louis, MO, was convicted in August 2017 of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The eight-day trial was held before United States District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. 

 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Casey, John Davis and Sirena Wissler are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Robert Barteau was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and followed by lifetime supervised release for child pornography charges before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry. 

 

According to court documents, between January 1, 2014 and June 17, 2014, Barteau possessed a laptop that contained more than 677 images of child pornography where each video is considered to be equivalent of 75 images.  He received the images and videos depicting child sexual abuse from the Internet.  All these images and videos were of prepubescent minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and some portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct, or other depictions of violence.  All of the children in these videos and images appeared to be under the age of twelve years old, with one child toddler aged.

 

Barteau, 54, of St. Louis, MO, pled guilty on October 12, 2017 to one felony count of possession of child pornography and has a prior sex conviction in Madison County, Illinois.

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis County Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang and Investigator Donya Jackson are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Timothy Murphy, 53, of St. Louis, pled guilty today to participating in a scheme to defraud Excel Bank and assisting in making illegal insider loans.  He pled guilty to one count of bank fraud.  The maximum punishment is 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.00.

Murphy appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 24, 2018.

 

Excel Bank was a federally insured bank with main offices in Sedalia, Missouri.  Shaun Hayes held a controlling stock interest in the bank which, by 2009, had opened a Loan Production Office (LPO) in Clayton.  Hayes hired Murphy as the primary loan officer for the Clayton LPO.  Murphy also became executive vice-president of Excel Bank.  Murphy worked under Hayes’s direction and control. 

 

Murphy admitted that he assisted Hayes in engaging in unlawful self-dealing by causing loans to be made which directly benefitted Hayes and his associates while concealing Hayes’s interest in the loans.  Murphy admitted that he processed a loan at Excel Bank to a straw party and caused some $906,000.00 of the proceeds of that loan to be paid to Centrue Bank to pay off a loan Hayes and his business associate, Michael Litz, had guaranteed for their entity McKnight Man I LLC.  Murphy admitted that Hayes’s interest in the loan was concealed from bank officials and that Hayes and Litz made no payments to Excel Bank. 

     

Hayes pled guilty on January 3, 2018 to one count of bank fraud and one count of misapplication of Excel Bank funds.  Hayes is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2018.

 

Litz is scheduled to go to trial on January 22, 2017 on the superseding indictment charging both him and Hayes. As is always the case, charges do not constitute proof of guilt and every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

St. Louis, MO – Dale Johansen was indicted today on mail fraud charges as part of a scheme to defraud residents of Rogue Creek in Potosi, Missouri. 

 

According to the Indictment, Johansen owned Johansen Consulting Services LLC and was appointed as the receiver for Rogue Creek Utilities, Inc. which provided all sewer, water services and management to Rouge Creek.  Rouge Creek was a vacation community containing three lakes located in Potosi and composed of approximately 90 active connections to the drinking water and sewer systems. Johansen’s duties as receiver was to collect samples and provide proper operation at Rogue Creek, including the oversight and maintenance of the water softener system.

 

On March 9, 2016, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR ) learned that the water softener system at Rogue Creek was not operational and thus for at least six months, the residents were receiving well water that was not treated for lead removal. On March 10, 2016, the water softener system was brought back on-line so that the water was again being treated to remove lead.  On March 11, 2016, the MDNR performed testing on the drinking water which resulted three of five samples testing high for lead.

 

Johansen issued invoices to customers for water services and falsely represented to residents of Rogue Creek that their well water was clean, disinfected and safe for human consumption.  He also issued monthly invoices for water services, including the removal of lead in their well water, with the knowledge that the well water was not being treated for lead removal.

 

“EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division takes any allegations involving a public drinking water system very seriously,” said Justin Oesterreich, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Missouri.  “We will continue to aggressively investigate and seek prosecution of those whose actions put public health at risk.”

 

Johansen, 63, of Jefferson City, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four felony counts of mail fraud.

 

 

If convicted, Johansen faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both on each count.  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 was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

 

As is always the case, charges set forth in an 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 - Attorney General Jeff Sessions has selected the Eastern District of Missouri to receive additional resources for the fight against violent crime.  The district will receive two additional Assistant U.S. Attorneys to focus exclusively on violent crime, one of 40 new federal prosecutors in 27 selected locations throughout the United States.

 

“Led by our 94 United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) task forces are hitting the streets across America to apprehend and bring violent criminals to justice.  I have asked Congress for additional PSN funding next year because I believe nothing will be more effective at reducing violent crime,” said Attorney General Sessions. "Under this program, I am asking a great deal of our United States Attorneys.  I am both empowering them and holding them accountable for results.  To put them in the best position to impact and reduce violent crime, it is my privilege to announce today that through a re-allocation of resources, we will be enlisting and deploying 40 additional violent crime prosecutors across the United States."

 

“We welcome the additional resources from the Attorney General.  These new prosecutors will be hired and deployed promptly to fight violent crime in our District,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.

 

More information on the locations of those 40 Assistant United States Attorneys and violent crime task forces is below:

 

AUSA Breakdown by District

Northern District of Alabama - 1
Eastern District of Arkansas - 1
Northern District of California - 2
Southern District of California - 1
District of Connecticut - 1
District of Columbia - 1
Central District of Illinois - 1
Northern District of Illinois - 3
Southern District of Indiana - 1
Eastern District of Louisiana - 1
District of Maryland - 3
Western District of Michigan - 1
Eastern District of Missouri - 2
Western District of Missouri - 1
District of Nevada - 2
District of New Mexico - 1
Eastern District of New York - 2
Western District of New York - 1
Northern District of Ohio - 2
Eastern District of Pennsylvania - 1
Middle District of Tennessee - 2
Western District of Tennessee - 2
Eastern District of Texas - 1
Northern District of Texas - 1
Southern District of Texas - 2
Western District of Texas - 1
Eastern District of Wisconsin - 2

 

St. Louis, MO – Police Officer Mark Taylor of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has been added as a defendant in the criminal case against former officers Marlon Caldwell and Cauncenet Brown.  Caldwell, Taylor, and Brown are all charged in connection with a scheme to disclose un-redacted accident reports to Dr. Mitchell Davis, a local chiropractor who has pleaded guilty to making false statements and criminal conspiracy.

 

On January 3, 2018, a Federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Caldwell, Brown, and Taylor.  All three defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  Caldwell and Taylor are also charged with one count of bribery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666.  Conspiracy carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  Bribery carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

 

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

 

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the 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, MO – Robyn Smith, 55, of Mexico, MO, pleaded guilty this morning to Credit Card fraud in connection with her embezzlement of more than $150,000 from the Mexico law firm at which she worked from 2011 to 2016.

 

Smith admitted stealing cash receipts and making unauthorized charges for her own benefit on the firm’s credit cards and using firm money to pay the bills.  Smith appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. today in St. Louis.  Judge Limbaugh accepted her plea and set sentencing for April 4, 2018.

 

At sentencing, Smith faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.  Restitution for the victim is also mandatory.

 

The case was investigated by the Kirksville office of the FBI with assistance from the Audrain County Prosecutor’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.