Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis, MO – Shaun R. Hayes, 58, of Frontenac, pled guilty today to participating in a scheme to defraud Excel Bank and to profit from illegal insider loans.  He appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2018.

 

Excel Bank was a federally insured bank with main offices in Sedalia, Missouri.  Hayes held a controlling stock interest in the bank which, by 2009, had opened a Loan Production Office (LPO) in Clayton.  Hayes controlled the loan activities at the LPO. At Hayes’s direction the commercial and residential real estate lending at Excel Bank increased dramatically through the operation of the LPO.  Hayes admitted that many of the loans made through the LPO were substandard and placed the bank at risk.  He also admitted that he engaged in unlawful self-dealing by causing loans to be made which directly benefitted him and his associates while concealing his interest in the loans.  Hayes admitted that he helped set up 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 he and his business associate, Michael Litz, had guaranteed for their entity McKnight Man I LLC.  Hayes admitted that his interest in the loan was concealed from bank officials and he and Litz made no payments to Excel Bank.  Court documents made part of the guilty plea record show that Hayes assisted in causing Excel Bank to make millions of dollars in loans to straw parties in order to cover the delinquent and substandard loans of Eighteen Investments at other banks.  According to the charges, Excel Bank lost substantial amounts on these loans. 

 

Hayes also admitted that he and Litz shared in the proceeds of another insider loan at Excel Bank in which Hayes’s and Litz’s interests were concealed.  In April, 2009, they each received approximately $300,000.00 from the proceeds of a loan made to Rolling Hills Apartments LLC which operates an apartment complex in north county.  They caused Excel Bank to loan much more than was needed by the apartment complex in order to create a pool of money for them. Hayes and Litz structured the payout through several entities so as to insure that their interests were concealed.

 

"Shaun Hayes exploited Excel Bank when he knowingly issued millions of dollars in bad loans," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "When banks fail, we all pay."

           

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

Hayes pled guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of misapplication of Excel Bank funds, both federal felonies.  The maximum punishment for each count is 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.00. 

   

Litz is scheduled to go to trial in 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 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 – 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 December:

 

Willie Curtis, 52, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Corey Felton, 46, 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 cocaine, and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Eric Jenkins, Shuqualak, MS, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jermaine Lewis and Amin Suluki-Bey, was indicted by a federal grand jury to one felony count each to armed robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Demarye Briggs, 20, St. Charles, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

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

 

Cecil Cooper, 29, 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 methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

 

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

 

Warren Johnson, 53, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jerry Massey, 25, 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, cocaine base, marijuana and fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Justin Morrow, 19, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed robbery and one felony count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Jevantae Phillips, 20, and Travion Lindsey, 19, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of carjacking; attempted carjacking; brandishing and/or discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats of violence; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Michael Smith, 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Horatio Sumrall, Jr., 28, Belleville, IL, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

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

 

Shelton Bailey, 44, 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; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

 

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

 

Christopher Rhodes, Jr., 20, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

David Staples, 48, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Calvin E. Kyles, 33, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lenard Kelly, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to two felony counts of armed robbery.

 

Darryl Richards, 43, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Max Haynes, 26, Florissant, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Andrew Henderson, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jon A. Parker, 29, Union, MO, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

James W. Newberry, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Laythan Hearton, 22, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Warren Turner, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Fidencio Lagunes-Elias, 36, Chesterfield, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Tyrone Armstrong, 44, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lamont Brison, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jason Mitchell, 34, Fenton, pled guilty to one felony count of manufacture methamphetamine and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Hollis Weaver, 25, S. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Stephen Redd, 20, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Avion Allen, 25, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lavell T. Sherman, 23, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Roy C. White, 35, pled guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Charles Leonard, 48, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

 

Joseph D. Stewart, 41, St. Louis, pled guilty to two felony counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Quontre Thomas, 26, Florissant, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Stephonne Wilder, 22, Ferguson, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Travion Brown, 20, St. Louis, pled guilty to three felony counts of carjacking; and one felony count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Brandon Johnson, 33, 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.

 

Nisean Davis, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jeramie Blount, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Devin Jones, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Andrew Henry, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jakeem Eason, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Brandon Wyatt, 38, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

 

Terrence Bevly, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kalin M. Anderson, 21, Hannibal, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Trayvon Stratton, 20, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

St. Louis, MO – Paul Creager, 39, of Wildwood, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in connection with the sale of equity in his construction business. Creager appeared before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel, and admitted to misrepresenting the financial health of his company in connection with the solicitation of $724,024.14 in investments from two individuals in 2016. Specifically, Creager admitted to omitting his company’s largest obligation from financial information provided to the investors. Without this large debt on its books, Creager’s company appeared valuable and profitable. With it, it was not. Only months after receiving the victims’ investment, Creager’s company became insolvent and the victims’ investments are now worthless.

 

Judge Sippel accepted Creager’s plea and deferred sentencing until March 21, 2018. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated in court it has additional investigations into other aspects of Creager’s business that were not resolved by today’s guilty plea.

 

At sentencing, Creager faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both for each count of wire fraud. Restitution to the victims is mandatory. The government has also seized financial accounts associated with Creager and a vehicle in the course of its investigation.

 

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 – Donald Crangle was charged with theft of government funds from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and making false statements to the Veterans Administration (VA) in relation to his receipt of disability benefits from those agencies.

In 1985, while on active duty in the United States Army, Donald Crangle sustained a back injury during a motor vehicle accident.  While the injury was disabling, the VA found that it did not render him unemployable upon his discharge.  After suffering a significant work-place accident while employed by the St. Louis Public School System, in 2003, Crangle requested additional disability benefits from the VA by claiming that the 1985 accident prevented him from working. He also requested disability benefits from the SSA.  The government agencies granted his applications in November 2003. 

 

However, when Crangle became certified to teach Concealed Carry Weapons classes by the National Rifle Association in 2009, he failed to notify either agency.  According to records seized by St. Louis County Police Officers during an investigation of his classes and those obtained from St. Charles County, between August 2009 and December 2013, Crangle’s business had gross annual earnings were as high as $130,588.  Nevertheless, Crangle made numerous false statements to the VA regarding the extent of his employment, and his income.  As a result of his conduct, Crangle received fraudulently more than $314,000 in government funds from the VA and SSA.   

               

Crangle, 57, of St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on three felony counts of theft of government funds and five counts of making false statements.

 

If convicted of theft of government funds, Crangle faces up to 10 years in prison, and 5 years if convicted of making false statements.  Both counts also carry the possibility of a fine of up to $250,000.  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. 

The case was investigated by the Offices of Inspector General of the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration. 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 – Four individuals from Michigan were indicted today for their part in the robbery of Jared the Galleria of Jewelry on Monday, December 4, 2017. 

 

Tyran Gray, 20; Xavier Grove, 33; Darrell Lee, 20; and Robert Scott, 29, were each indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count each of robbery which interfered with interstate commerce, following a criminal complaint filed on December 5.

 

According to court records, the four named defendants entered Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, located at 21 The Boulevard, Richmond Heights, Missouri.  One held the door open while the others smashed the glass cases, taking loose diamonds and watches in the presence of employees of Jared’s.  The defendants ran out of the store on foot and fled the scene.  Due to an unrelated incident, there were several police officers in the area at the time of the robbery and they pursued the defendants who were later arrested and the stolen property recovered.

 

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

           

The case is being investigated by the Richmond Heights Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney John Ware 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 – The former Administrator for the Washington County Ambulance District, William Gum, a/k/a “Mal” and his wife, Charlena Gum, a/k/a “Charli”, who also was an employee of district, were indicted on charges involving stealing from the District, an agency that receives Federal program benefits.

 

According to the indictment, William “Mal” Gum was the Administrator for the Washington County Ambulance District, an agency that receives more than $10,000 of Medicare program benefits each year.  Mal Gum’s salary was set by the Board of the District.  The indictment alleges that between 2012 and 2016, Mal Gum paid himself a salary that was higher than the salary authorized by the Board and that he used District funds to pay for health insurance for his dependents without authorization. Mal Gum is charged with stealing at least $5,000 a year from the District between 2012 and 2016. 

 

Additionally, the indictment alleges that Charlena “Charli” Gum and Mal Gum used District credit cards to purchase personal items.  Between September 1, 2014 and November 29, 2014 Charli and Mal Gum used the District credit card to purchase more than 30 gift cards in denominations of $50 and $100, music CDs, undergarments, clothing, and other personal items and groceries.  According to the indictment, Mal Gum received itemized bills for the fraudulent purchases and paid the bills from the District bank account.

 

William Gum, 58, Potosi, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on five felony counts of federal program theft, one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and one felony count of access device fraud.

 

Charlena Gum, 43, Potosi, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of federal program theft, one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and one felony count of access device fraud.

 

If convicted, each count of federal program theft carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; conspiracy to commit access device fraud carries a maximum of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; and access device fraud carries a maximum of ten 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 Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeannette Graviss 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 – William Cashel was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for production and receipt of child pornography between January 1, 2015 and August 28, 2015.

 

According to court documents, the defendant took pornographic pictures of a six-year-old girl. The photographs were located on his cell phone by law enforcement.  The defendant had also received child pornography via a social media application on his cell phone.

 

Cashel, 44, New London, MO, pled guilty in July to one felony count of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.  He appeared today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge John Ross.

 

This case was investigated the New London Police Department, the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Kirksville Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Anthony Domontay Marion, a/k/a “Bird,” 34, and Lauren Nicole Martinez, a/k/a “Nikki,” 29, were indicted on November 29th for allegedly distributing heroin to J.W. in February 2016, which caused his death.  Both appeared last week before United States Magistrate Judge John M. Bodenhausen for their initial appearances. 

 

If convicted, this charge carries a penalty range of 20 years to life 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 the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

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 – Sean McChord O’Donnell pled guilty to 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 referred to as MB and paid MB to engage in commercial sex acts. He also drove MB on prostitution calls, provided security for her, rented hotel rooms for her and lent her money. The defendant also posted online advertisements on MB’s 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, 52, of St. Louis, MO, pled guilty to one felony count of Racketeering Using Interstate Facilities to Promote, Manage, Establish and Carry on the Unlawful Activity of Prostitution before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. Sentencing has been set for March 18, 2018.

 

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

 

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

 

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St. Louis, MO - Police Officer Terri Owens of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD); Dr. Mitchell Davis, a St. Louis chiropractor; and his wife Galina Davis, all pled guilty today to federal charges arising out of a scheme to obtain un-redacted accident reports for use in Dr. Davis’s practice.

 

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

 

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

 

According to court documents, while on duty, Officer Owens accessed the SLMPD computers and thereafter disclosed the un-redacted reports to Galina Davis and Dr. Davis in exchange for cash payments.  Owens knew that she was acting contrary to the SLMPD policies.  In an attempt to conceal the bribery payments, Galina Davis met the officer on parking lots of various retail stores and paid the officers in cash for each un-redacted accident report.

 

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

 

Once the accident victims came to Davis Chiropractic, Dr. Davis encouraged and pressured them to rate their pain level as 8 or 9 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst.  Dr. Davis told the patients that the higher pain level was necessary to obtain a higher settlement amount.  Sometimes, patients would succumb to Dr. Davis’s pressure and enter a higher pain level.  At other times, Dr. Davis entered a pain level in the patient records that was higher than the patients reported.

 

Dr. Davis routinely told patients that they needed about 21 chiropractic treatments, before the patients were examined and the nature, location, and severity of any injury had been determined.  He also routinely referred accident patients to pain management doctors before there had been a determination that the patients needed the services.  Dr. Davis told the patients that the chiropractic visits and the visits to pain management doctors would increase the amount of the insurance settlement. Dr. Davis’s share of the insurance settlement depended on the type and number of services that Davis Chiropractic provided to the accident victims.

 

Dr. Davis completed and submitted patient treatment records containing false information, which he knew insurance companies would consider in making settlement decisions. 

 

Dr. Davis and the Government have stipulated that the loss resulting from the false statements in the patient health records is $550,000. The parties have further stipulated that the loss to the SLMPD is $146,000.

 

“This type of fraud affects more than the individuals involved. If the companies being defrauded pass on the cost, you end up paying more for insurance,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “It is particularly egregious when the fraud is committed by those in positions of public trust.”

 

Terri Owens, 55, appeared before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel and pled guilty to one count of accepting bribes in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666.  The bribery charges carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  Sentencing is set for March 9, 2018.

 

Dr. Mitchell Davis, 47, of St. Louis County, appeared before Judge Sippel and pled guilty to one count of false statements relating to healthcare matters in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1035, and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  The health care related fraud charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  The conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  Sentencing is set for March 9, 2018.

 

Galina Davis, 47, of St. Louis County, appeared before Judge Sippel and pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to gain illegal access to a protected SLMPD computer in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and faces up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both. Sentencing is set for March 9, 2018.

 

Two other former police officers have been charged in a related case.  On December 6, 2017, Marlon Caldwell, 50, of St. Louis City, and Cauncenet Brown, 42, of Perris, CA, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to accept bribes in return for disclosing un-redacted police reports in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  They each face a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

 

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

St. Louis, MO – William Cafarella was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to repay $201,335.25 as a result of a fraud and kickback scheme he committed in 2011 through 2013 while General Manager of West County Honda in Ellisville, Missouri.

 

Cafarella admitted to holding himself out as the owner of the dealership and demanding cash kickbacks from vendors.

 

Cafarella, 43, of Davie, Florida, pled guilty in August to one felony count of wire fraud. He appeared to today for sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.

 

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus 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 November:

 

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

 

Chad Coffman, 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury on two felony counts of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one felony count of possessing one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dedrick Conley, 26, East St. Louis, IL, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to district cocaine base; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

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

 

Domonique Israel, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, and marijuana; 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.

 

Joshua Jackson, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of one or more firearms.

 

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

 

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

 

Earl McNeal, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Marvin Williams, 42, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of forcible assault with 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.

 

Frank Hart, 44, Jennings, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of attempted carjacking by threat of force or violence; and one felony count of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Kerry Caldwell, 53, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of carjacking, attempted carjacking; one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Juan Chase, 46, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm(s).

 

Sidney Johnson, 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one felony count of making false statements to a dealer.

 

Jacqueline Scott, 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one felony count of making false statements to a dealer.

 

Martavis Hines, 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one felony count of making false statements to a dealer.

 

Lonzo Patrick, 53, 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.

 

Keith West, 59, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jurmont Clark, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (crack), heroin, and marijuana (schedule I and II controlled substances); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Melvin Cooper, 48, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

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

 

Corey Norris, Jr., 18, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute heroin; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

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

 

Joshua Brison, 23, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

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

 

Taleb Jawher, 39, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

 

Keith Miles, 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 heroin; and one felony count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Carl Nettles, 55, Park Hills, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute actual methamphetamine; one count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Marquis Black, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Arthur Jackson, 40, Florissant, pled guilty to on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and one felony count of possessing with intent to distribute heroin.

 

Kevin Bishop, 43, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Stacy L. Bonds, 54, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Majuan M. Bates, 40, Dallas, TX, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Michael Jackson, 33, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Eric Kellin, Jr., 31, Normandy, pled guilty to three felony counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Christopher Dawkins, 34, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Joseph L. Miles, 31, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

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

 

Devon Guice, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kerry L. Chau, 22, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

James Nunley, 34, Madison County, IL, pled guilty to one felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

 

Dwayne Bowden, 36, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Armond Calvin, 19, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Ronald A. Golden, Jr., 44, University City, pled guilty to one felony count of robbery of a federally insured institution and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Alonzo Finger, 34, St. Louis, pled guilty to two felony counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Arinthius Johnson, 43, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Terrance L. Thomas, 25, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute heroin; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Deandriss Bowden, 22, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Demetrius A. Simmons, Sr., 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 77 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Steven Gaines, 26, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Donnell L. Jones, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 26 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.    

 

William A. Anthony, Jr., 42, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Antonio Strong, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 137 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute heroin; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Deshaun L. Ceruti, 42, St. Louis County, was sentenced to 80 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jevon Harris, 23, St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Johnny White, 49, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for three felony counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Hassan L. Johnson, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months in prison on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Robert Neuman, 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dennis Howard, 33, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Christopher Bell, 37, Sikeston, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.  

 

Floyd Murray, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm. 

 

Robert E. Davis, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 44 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Carl L. Winston, 51, St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Marquis Hoffman, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Rico Jones, 43, St. Louis, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for one felony of felon in possession of firearm

 

Kelvin Miller, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Winford Johnson, 33, Moscow Mills, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jameel Ahman, 36, St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months for one felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

 

Kendreal Graham, 51, Collinsville, IL, was sentenced to 155 months in prison for one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and for kidnapping.

 

Michael Brooks, 34, Chesterfield, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

William Newsome, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Michael Hodge, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

James Bell, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Justin Walker, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Malcolm Johnson, 26, was sentenced to 126 months in prison for one felony count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, resulting in murder.

 

Jesse Hampton, 26, was sentenced to 264 months in prison for one felony count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, resulting in murder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

            The United States Attorney’s Office in St. Louis has announced that Seiler Instrument & Manufacturing Company, Inc., a Kirkwood-based defense contractor, will pay the United States $1,500,000.00 in forfeiture based on the company’s use of optical materials imported from China in the weapons sights which the company manufactured under a series of contracts with the Department of Defense.  The company admits that the parts were improperly certified as compliant with the Buy American Act.  Seiler Instrument has agreed to make the payment pursuant to a pretrial diversion agreement in which it further agrees to enter a plea of guilty to a false statement charge in the event that the company does not meet the full terms of the agreement.

 

            Seiler Instrument is a long-time defense contractor which specializes in the manufacture of fire control systems---sighting devices for weapons---that are used on all United States Military Howitzer and mortar systems.  The pretrial diversion agreement was reached after an investigation into the company’s business practices with respect to the full range of import and export regulations governing the procurement of materials used to manufacture defense systems.  These provisions include the Buy American Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations which place limitations on the export of restricted technical data used in the procurement and manufacturing process to countries such as China.  The agreement reflects that Seiler Instrument took measures to fix the problems and has agreed to a compliance program to be monitored by the Department of Defense.

 

            Seiler Instrument has made an initial payment of $500,000.00 as part of the agreement and will make additional payments of $500,000.00 in each of the next two years.

 

            This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General), the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Army CID Major Procurement Fraud Unit and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security - Office of Export Enforcement, Chicago Field Office.  The Defense Contract Management Agency also provided substantial assistance in this investigation. 

St. Louis, MO – Malachi Duncan, a/k/a “Demarcus Brewster,” was sentenced to 45 months in prison for charges of student loan fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Duncan was further ordered to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $57,139.00.

According to court documents, Duncan fraudulently used the pedigree information of co-conspirator “Demarcus Brewster” to enroll and gain admission as a full-time student during the 2013-2014 school year at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO.  As part of the scheme, Duncan fraudulently used Brewster’s identity to obtain federal financial aid, student housing, and on-campus employment.  Duncan ultimately was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee where he used an alias to fraudulently enroll as a student, and obtain financial assistance, at the University of Memphis.

Duncan, 32, a former resident of Hillsboro, Missouri, pled guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to commit student loan fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge John A. Ross.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Department of Education, the Office of the Inspector General/Social Security Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the Hillsboro Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jefferson College Campus Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Pierre Watson, 39, of Jennings Correction Center, was sentenced to 48 months in prison on Thursday by U.S. District Judge John Ross. Watson was sentenced in June to 84 months in prison in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig.  The two sentences which will run consecutive for a total prison sentence of 132 months.

Watson was found guilty by a bench trial in December 2016 on multiple fraud counts involving a conspiracy to commit various fraudulent schemes while he was being detained at the Jennings Correctional Center.  One of the schemes at issue included check-kiting which they term as “piggybacking.” Check-kiting occurs when an individual takes advantage of the small window of time between when checks are deposited into an account, and the financial institution upon which the checks are drawn provides notice to the depositing institution that the check will not be honored. 

The prior conviction resulted from a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Fleissig in November 2016.  Watson was found guilty of a conspiracy to produce counterfeit checks from real and fictitious businesses and to commit bank fraud.  Watson was being detained pending the trial before U.S. District Judge Fleissig when he committed the check-kiting scheme that was ultimately tried by U.S. District Judge Ross.

The cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and St. Louis County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Daniel Avetta, also known as Jessica Gables, 28, of Catawissa, MO, appeared in the Federal District Court today to answer to child pornography charges contained in a federal grand jury indictment that was filed Wednesday but remained sealed until Avetta’s court appearance this afternoon. 

 

Avetta has been indicted on four counts of production of child pornography; six counts of receipt of child pornography; and two counts of online enticement of a minor.  The indictment involved multiple victims from January 1, 2017 and April 3, 2017.

 

If convicted, production charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; receipt charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years; and online enticement of a minor charge is not less than 10 years to life. 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 Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang 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.           

U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen has announced the promotion of Reginald “Reggie” Harris to be the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.  Mr. Harris has been a federal prosecutor in St. Louis since 2002.  This role will oversee focus on Project Safe Neighborhoods, an opioid initiative, and civil rights investigations. 

 

Mr. Harris is a native of St. Louis, Missouri.  He grew up in the north St. Louis neighborhoods of Walnut Park and North Pointe.  Mr. Harris attended high school in the Lindbergh School District in South St. Louis County, through the Voluntary Interdistrict Desegregation Program.  He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of Iowa.  Mr. Harris is a 1997 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law.  Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2002, Mr. Harris was in private practice as an Associate at the St. Louis law firm of Thompson Coburn LLP, where he practiced in the litigation department.  “Harris is uniquely qualified to oversee these most important challenges facing our region and I am honored to work by his side,” said Jeff Jensen, United States Attorney.

 

St. Louis, MO – Floyd Barber, 22, Jherrica Dixon, 23, and Kurt Wallace, 25, each of Saint Louis, were indicted in a ten-count federal indictment this afternoon.

 

The indictment alleges that, between August and October 2017, Barber, Dixon and Wallace participated in at least five armed carjackings.  On September 16 and October 15, 2017, the carjacking victims were shot.  On October 16, 2017, victim Jaz Granderson, a former Desmet Jesuit High School assistant football coach, was shot and killed.

 

“This is a series of vicious and senseless crimes.  We just doubled the number of violent crime prosecutors in this office so people who commit carjackings and armed robberies in the City of St. Louis can expect very aggressive prosecution by this office and the Circuit Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.

 

If the defendants are convicted, these charges carry a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.  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 St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in cooperation with the Saint Louis Circuit 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 – Taleb Jawher was charged today in an Indictment with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

 

The charge results from events that occurred on September 26, 2017.  Jawher, a clerk at the Phillips 66 store at 2800 N. Florissant, was involved in an altercation with a customer he wrongly suspected of shoplifting.  Jawher retrieved a handgun and in a scuffle the customer was shot and killed.  Jawher was previously charged by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office with first degree murder and armed criminal action due to the death of the customer.

 

Jawher, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on one felony count of being an illegal alien possessing the firearm involved.

 

If convicted, Jawher faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

 

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Assistant United States Attorney John Ware 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 – Dr. John Dailey was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $291,413 in restitution to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

 

According to court records, Dr. Dailey, a podiatrist, was employed by Aggeus Healthcare, a Chicago company, to provide podiatry services to residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities in Missouri and other states. To justify unnecessary services to patients, Dr. Dailey stated in his treatment notes that the patients had conditions that they did not have or grossly exaggerated the conditions the patients did have. As examples, Dr. Dailey stated that patients were experiencing pain, had problems walking, and had peripheral vascular disease when these conditions did not exist.  To increase his compensation, at times, Dr. Dailey billed for procedures that would have required from 19 to 28 hours of work in a single day, which did not account for time spent traveling, eating, or sleeping.

 

Dr. Dailey, 60, currently residing in Las Vegas, pled guilty on July 6, 2017 to two felony counts of healthcare fraud and appeared on Wednesday for sentencing before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White.

 

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

St. Louis, MO – On November 13, 2017, Deborah Lee Dowden, 61, of Defiance, Missouri, pled guilty today one felony charge of making a false statement to a health care program.  In her plea agreement, Dr. Dowden admitted that her medical license suspended on June 11, 2013 because of her failure to pay her state taxes.  Dr. Dowden’s medical license later expired on January 31, 2014.  Eventually, during March or April of 2016, the defendant vacated her medical office.  However, after April 2016, Dr. Dowden continued to submit numerous office visit claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs regarding Missouri patients even though she had neither an office nor a medical license with which to provide medical services until January 30, 2017.  The plea agreement calculates a loss to various private health care programs of $304,843.  Sentencing for Dr. Dowden is set for February 21, 2018.   

 

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

 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Special Investigation Unit of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced the appointment of nine new U.S. Attorneys to serve two-year terms on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). The AGAC was created in 1973 and reports to the Attorney General through the Deputy Attorney General. AGAC represents the U.S. Attorneys and provides advice and counsel to the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys.

 

The new appointees include: U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama Richard Moore; U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah John W. Huber; U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu; U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin E. Herdman; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert Higdon; U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Robert Trent Shores; U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Joshua Minkler; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri Jeff Jensen; and Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska Bryan Schroder.

 

U.S. Attorney Richard Moore will serve as the Chair of AGAC, and U.S. Attorney John W. Huber will serve as the Vice Chair.

 

“I am pleased to announce the first members of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee under this administration. These U.S. Attorneys will play an important role in carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission to reduce violent crime, combat transnational criminal organizations, secure our southern border, end the devastating opioid crisis, and return to the rule of law,” said Attorney General Sessions.

 

A brief bio on each nominee is below:

 

Richard Moore (Chair)

The Senate confirmed Richard Moore’s appointment as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama in September 2017.  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Moore served as the Inspector General for the Tennessee Valley Authority.  From May 2009 to March 2011, Mr. Moore was the Chairman of the Investigations Committee for the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.  Prior to this position, Mr. Moore served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama from 1985 to 2003.  From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Moore was an Atlantic Fellow in Public Policy at Oxford University in England.  Mr. Moore received his B.S., summa cum laude, from Spring Hill College and his J.D. from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law.

 

John W. Huber (Vice Chair)

Since June 2015, John Huber has served as the United States Attorney for the District of Utah, and in August 2017, the Senate again confirmed his appointment.  Prior to being United States Attorney, Mr. Huber served as an Assistant United States Attorney for thirteen years.  Mr. Huber began his prosecutorial career in the Weber County (Utah) Attorney’s Office, and later served as the Chief Prosecutor for West Valley City, Utah, before joining the United States Attorney’s Office in 2002.  Mr. Huber received his B.A. from the University of Utah and his J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law.

 

Justin E. Herdman

The Senate confirmed Justin Herdman’s appointment as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio in August 2017.  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Herdman was a partner at Jones Day and an Assistant United States Attorney in Cleveland, Ohio.  Mr. Herdman previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York City from 2001 to 2005 and as an associate at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP.  He is currently a Judge Advocate General in the United States Air Force Reserve.  Mr. Herdman received his B.A. from Ohio University, his Master of Philosophy from the University of Glasgow and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

 

Robert Higdon

The Senate confirmed Robert Higdon to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in October 2017.  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Higdon was a partner at the law firm of Williams Mullen.  He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in both the Western and Eastern Districts of North Carolina.  In the Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Higdon served as Chief of the Criminal Division for more than 11 years.  Mr. Higdon also served as senior trial counsel in the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice.  He received his B.A., cum laude, from Wake Forest University and his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.

 

Jeff Jensen

The Senate confirmed Jeff Jensen to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri in October 2017.  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Jensen was a partner at Husch Blackwell LLP.  He served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri starting in 1999, and was Executive United States Attorney from 2005 to 2009.  Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Jensen was an FBI Special Agent from 1989 to 1999.  While working at the FBI, Mr. Jensen attended St. Louis University School of Law at night, graduating magna cum laude.  He also received his B.A., cum laude, from Indiana University School of Business.

 

Jessie K. Liu

The Senate confirmed Jessie Liu to be United States Attorney for the District of Columbia in September 2017.  Ms. Liu was previously Deputy General Counsel for the United States Department of the Treasury and a partner at the law firms of Morrison & Foerster LLP and Jenner & Block LLP.  In addition, she has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia and in several senior positions in the United States Department of Justice, including as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division, counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, and deputy chief of staff for the National Security Division.  Ms. Liu clerked for then-Chief Judge Carolyn Dineen King of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  She received her A.B., summa cum laude, from Harvard University and her J.D. from Yale Law School.

 

Joshua Minkler

The Senate confirmed Joshua Minkler to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana in October 2017.  Since June 2015, Mr. Minkler had served as the interim United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.  Prior to that position, he served for 21 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Indiana.  Before he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Minkler served for five years as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Office of the Kent County Michigan Prosecuting Attorney.  Mr. Minkler received his B.A. from Wabash College, and his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.  

 

Bryan Schroder

Bryan Schroder’s nomination to be United States Attorney for the District of Alaska is pending in the Senate.  Mr. Schroder is currently the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Alaska, and previously served as the First Assistant United States Attorney and Criminal Chief.  Mr. Schroder has served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for more than 11 years.  Mr. Schroder is a retired Captain in the U.S. Coast Guard, having served for 24 years.  Mr. Schroder graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the University of Washington School of Law.

 

Robert Trent Shores

The Senate confirmed Robert Trent Shores to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma in September 2017.  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Shores was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Oklahoma.  Mr. Shores previously served as First Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma and deputy director for the Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice, where he developed initiatives to promote public safety in Indian Country.  Mr. Shores received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

St. Louis, MO – Ayman Barghouty, 55, of Maryland Heights, was sentenced to 13 months in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud.  SNAP was formerly known as the food stamp program. 

                According to court documents, the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD) issues Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards (EBT) for SNAP Authorized grocery retailers can only accept and redeem SNAP benefits for the sale of eligible food items.  They are not permitted to exchange or redeem SNAP benefits for cash or other ineligible items such as household goods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cellular telephones or other non-food items.

                Ayman Barghouty managed the Express Lane Market located at 3846 Keokuk, St. Louis, MO.  He employed and trained employees Steven Holman and Timothy Zollner on the SNAP rules. 

                On March 28, 2012, Express Lane was permanently disqualified from the SNAP by the U.S.D.A. and prohibited from accepting EBT cards or SNAP benefits for payment. To continue to obtain money from the SNAP program, Barghouty, Holman and Zollner agreed to engage in a scheme to purchase food with other individuals’ EBT cards at local stores and place that food in Express Lane for sale in spite of being barred by the USDA from participating in SNAP.  They engaged in this scheme from approximately March 2010 to November 2015 and purchased approximately $145,107.75 of food for resale in Express Lane

               Barghouty pled guilty in August to conspiracy to commit SNAP fraud.  He appeared yesterday before United States District Judge Catherin D. Perry. 

Zollner pled guilty in September and was sentenced to 5 years’ probation and Holman will be sentenced in December.

                This case was investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services, United States Department of Agriculture, and Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony L. Franks and Gwen Carroll handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – David E. Schultz, 50, of St. Louis County, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White.

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 faces up to 20 years imprisonment on each of two counts of wire fraud, a $250,000 fine or both. Restitution for the victims will also be sought.

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 – Patrick Darrell Smith, 35, Hannibal, MO, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges of producing child pornography.

 

According to court documents, in August 2016 Smith took sexually explicit videos of his girlfriend’s minor daughter.  After discovering the videos on Smith’s cell phone, the girlfriend called police who obtained a search warrant for the phone. Located on the phone was an app called “Smart Calculator Gallery Lock” which was disguised to look like a calculator but was actually an app to store photos or videos. 

 

Smith pled guilty in June to two felony counts of production of child pornography and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

St. Louis, MO – Denise Rea Barner was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 15 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for fraudulently using her employer’s debit card for personal gain.  Barner was further ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $125,576.80. 

According to court documents, from July 1991 to February 25, 2016, Barner was an employee of the Robert L. Kyle Center Home for Semi-Independent Living Inc. She was named as a “Director” of the Kyle Center in about November of 2004 and her duties included general accounting.      

Beginning in about November 2007 and ending in February 2016, Barner falsely and fraudulently used the Kyle Center debit cards to make unauthorized personal purchases and ATM withdrawals.  The Kyle Center sustained a loss of between $95,000.00 and $150,000.00.

Barner, 54, Rolla, Missouri, pled guilty in July to one felony count of access device fraud and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.   

Access device fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00 or both.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.   

This case was investigated by the Rolla Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Ramon “Trey” Luina III was sentenced to 41 months in prison in connection with his embezzlement of approximately $2.8 million from CMS Communications Inc.  In addition to the prison sentence, Luina was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,257,413.04.  The loss amount differs from the restitution order because Luina began restitution payments prior to sentencing.

 

According to court documents, from approximately July 2006 through August 2016, Luina wrote checks from CMS to himself and other entities for personal benefits such as the construction of his lake house, vehicles for private use, professional services, rent for other business ventures not related to CMS, vacations, and credit card payments.  Luina used CMS funds, via wire transfers and ACH payments, to make payments to his personal credit cards and invoices related to construction on his lake house.  Luina also created fictitious vendors and listed these companies as consultants to CMS.  Luina then directed payments, for fictitious work, to the vendors as another route to direct funds from CMS to Luina.  Additionally, Luina fraudulently increased his payroll salary which was received via direct deposit.  This, in turn, falsely inflated his 401k match and bonuses.  Additionally, Luina falsely took partnership disbursements for CMS Partnership although he never completed the process of partnership. 

           

In total, Luina embezzled over $2.8 million from CMS for his personal benefit, and the benefit of others, during the relevant timeframe.

 

Luina, 42, Chesterfield, MO, pled guilty in July to one felony count of mail fraud.

 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

           

St. Louis, MO – Todd Beckman, owner of Tan Co., pled guilty on Thursday to federal kidnapping charges on a Maplewood man.  Beckman appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig, who set sentencing for Friday, February 9, 2018 at 10:00AM.              

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 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 the night of November 21, Zachary Smith arrived at the residence and observed the victim secured in the basement but failed to notify the authorities.

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.

“The crime was brutal and protracted.  For almost three days, the victim was secured to a pole in a basement, physically assaulted and told of a plan to wrap him in plastic wrap, shoot him and deliver his body to California.  In the end, the kidnappers released the victim in exchange for $27,000 ransom money supplied by his parents,” said John T Davis, Assistant United States Attorney.

 

Todd Beckman, 53 of Fenton, pled guilty on November 2; Co-defendants Caleb Laubinger, 27, of Pacific, pled guilty on November 1; Blake Laubinger, 25, of Pacific, pled guilty today; and Kerry Roades, 56, of Fenton, pled guilty today – each to one felony count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping; Zachary Smith, 25, of Eureka, pled guilty in May to misprision of a felony (helping conceal a crime) and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20.

Conspiracy to commit kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.  In addition, each of the defendants agreed to forfeit multiple pieces of real property, several vehicles, and numerous firearms all connected with this offense.

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

Clarence Bradford, 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 controlled substances; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Darryl Easley, 47, 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 marijuana; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

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

 

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

 

Harold Perkins, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and one felony count of felon in possession of ammunition.

 

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

 

Calvin W. Davis, 55, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Anthony Kirksey, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Ivery Williams, 48, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Donta Vines, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Eric L. Clark, 54, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Raymond Pargo, 38, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Victor Wilson, 41, Hazelwood, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Richard E. Scott, Jr., 35, pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilos of cocaine; one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of 100 grams of heroin; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Brandon A. Campbell, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Shon Sanders, 43, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Cary Washington, 47, St. Ann, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Taron Scott, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Roland Robinson, 22, Florissant, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dominique Darden, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Pierre Underwood, 29, was sentenced to 65 months in prison for possession of a stolen firearm.

 

Donvie S. Eddington, 29, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Cleave Abbott, 45, St. Louis, was sentenced to 76 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Cary W. Washington, 47, St. Louis was sentenced to 41 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

George Gholston, 25, Florissant, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Joseph A. Tolcou, 27, Union, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

St. Louis, MO – Justin X. Carroll, was sentenced today to 54 months in prison for viewing 15 child porn videos and more than 600 images of children engaged in sex acts.

 

According to court documents, federal investigators discovered a group of child pornography sharers and were able to identify Carroll as one of the participants by tracing IP addresses to computers at his residence and Washington University, where Carroll served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.  Washington University has cooperated with the investigation. 

 

Carroll, 67, of University City, pled guilty on July 31, 2017, to one felony count of access with intent to view child pornography.

 

This case was investigated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

St. Louis, MO – Darren Small was sentenced to 8 months in prison in connection with his theft of funds from the Kinloch Fire Protection District.

 

According to court documents, Darren Small, who was Chief of the Kinloch Fire Department and Mayor of the City of Kinloch, conspired with his wife and co-defendant, Jayna Small, to divert funds from the District’s bank account for their own personal use, including to purchase clothing, food, liquor, cigarettes, and to pay their personal household utility bills.  Jayna Small was the President of the Board of Directors for the District. 

 

Darren Small, 51, Kinloch, pled guilty in August to one felony count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and one count of access device fraud.  He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine Perry.  Last week, Jayna Small was sentenced to 5 years’ probation for her role in the theft.

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Reginald Harris is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

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St. Louis, MO – Olusola Luke, 38, a citizen of Nigeria and resident of Guatemala pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal government funds and to commit identity theft today.  Luke appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey who accepted his plea and deferred sentencing until January 17, 2018.

“Investigating refund fraud and identity theft is a priority for IRS Criminal Investigation,” said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge.  “Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers.  The conviction of Mr. Luke should serve as a strong warning to those who are considering similar conduct.”

 

In his plea agreement, Luke admitted that he and others misused the identifiers of dozens of individuals to seek and obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in government funds by filing false tax returns in the names of the identity theft victims.  In all, the conspiracy obtained more than $734,000 in government funds.  Luke also acknowledged his conviction may subject him to removal from the United States. 

 

Luke was arrested as he entered the United States at Dulles International Airport late on the evening of April 6, 2017 and was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service at that time and will remain in custody until sentencing.

 

The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation as part of its 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.  The U.S. Marshals Service assisted with the apprehension of the Defendant.

 

St. Louis, MO – Carol Jean Hazer, 60, of Farmington, pled guilty to running an illegal gambling business and filing false tax returns that failed to list her income from the gambling business. She appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey and set her sentencing for January 17, 2018. 

 

According to her plea agreement, Hazer organized and ran an illegal high stakes sports betting operation, in part by utilizing internet websites.  She admitted to engaging 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.

 

Hazer now faces up to 20 years in prison and/fines up to $500,000. 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 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.

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

 

Joshua Burton, 32, Arnold, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

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

 

Jake Richardson, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Guy S. Long, 45, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

John Torregrossa, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

 

Cryland Robinson, 28, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

William Bowen, 38, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm, one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Donald Dyson, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison to one felony count of possession of a firearm during commission of a crime of violence.

 

Devon Michael Branch, 24, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Rodney Morgan, Jr., 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Ronald Houston, 39, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Leneko Waller, 23, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Antjuan D. Cannon, 35, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Nicholas W. Davis, 28, Hillsboro, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of a controlled substance.

 

Anthony Braziel, 38, St. Louis, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Trayondres Clark, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Daren Hill, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 200 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jermain Morgan, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Terry J. Williams, 20, St. Louis, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for one felony count of brandishing a firearm during commission of a federal crime of violence.

 

Larence Perry, 47, St. Louis, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Philip Roberts, 38, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Sylvester Clay, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

 

 

 

St. Louis, MO – Angela Huskey, was sentenced to 63 months in prison on mail fraud charges in connection with her embezzlement of approximately $1.6 million from the Grandview R-2 School District. She was ordered to pay $1,813,900.63 in restitution.

 

According to court documents, Huskey worked for Grandview for more than 20 years, being elevated to the position of business manager in 2009. In court today, Huskey admitted that she embezzled no less than $1.6 million from the school district during that time, falsifying the school district’s records to conceal her crimes. In some cases, Huskey admitted, she concealed her embezzlement by inflating the reported wages for other employees of the school district, causing those individuals to pay excess taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. As a result, those individuals paid an additional $13,368.28 in income taxes they did not in fact owe.

 

Huskey, 51, DeSoto, MO, pled guilty in June to one felony count of mail fraud and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

St. Louis, MO – Jerry Bean was sentenced to 96 months in prison for the armed robbery of a Dunbar Armored truck.

 

On April 4, 2016, Jerry Bean, Charles Johnson and Shayne Kier Jones robbed Dunbar Armored Company shortly after a money pickup.  The money was taken from a Dunbar Armored employee at gun point.  Jones was employed by Dunbar, and his duty was to exit the armored truck to do the pickup and delivery of US currency.  A second employee (CT) was assigned as the driver.  At the end of the day’s route, CT was told by Jones that he, Jones would drive the armored truck back to Dunbar.  Jones then decided to stop for gas.  After getting the gas, Jones acted like he was lost and stopped the truck at Antelope and Switzer in the City of St. Louis. He got out of the truck and two individuals with guns rushed him and demanded the money in the truck.  As threats of violence were being made, Jones began to throw the money bags out the back door to Johnson and Jerry Bean.  CT said that there was a white Buick vehicle right next to the armored car.  CT and Jones then drove the truck from the scene of the armed robbery.

 

On April 14th, the owner of the white vehicle, Jerry Bean, which was used in the robbery was interviewed and finally admitted his involvement in the robbery.  He told law enforcement that Johnson contacted him with the concept of the robbery.  Johnson told Bean that he had a cousin who worked for the armored truck company and would help in the robbery.  Bean’s role was to be the driver of the getaway car, the white car.  Johnson provided the Dunbar shirts used in the robbery, skull caps and sunglasses.  On April 4th, Bean and Johnson drove to the site they had picked out for the robbery.  Jones drove the armored truck to that location, got out of the truck which allowed Bean and Johnson to approach and demand money.  Bean did not know that Jones was the inside employee until he saw him outside the truck.  Bean realized that he had seen Jones as a customer at Bean’s work.  Johnson also worked at the same place.  After the robbery, Bean and Johnson drove the white car loaded with the stolen money to Bean’s residence where the money was transferred to another car.  They then drove to Bean’s mother’s house and divided the stolen money into three shares.  As Jones was still being interviewed by law enforcement, Johnson took two shares of the stolen money for himself and Jones.

 

Bean, 26, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty on July 6, 2017, to one felony count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats of violence and on one felony count of possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.  He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

 

Johnson and Jones were both sentenced in April 2017 to 141 months each.

 

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

 

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St. Louis, MO – Jacob Brewer and Michelle Phipps were arrested today on an Indictment charging them with removing aluminum braces from railroad cars owned by Ameren UE. 

 

According to the Indictment, 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.

 

Brewer, 29, Beaufort, MO, and Michelle Phipps, 27, Washington, MO, were indicted by a federal grand jury on July 19 on one felony count of violence against railroad carriers.  They appeared in federal court this morning.

 

If convicted, Brewer and Phipps face up to 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.

 

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 – John Mac Sells, 53, of St. Peters, Missouri, was sentenced today to 41months in prison and ordered to pay $667,201.85 in restitution. 

 

According to court documents, between 2013 and 2016, John Sells was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Benchmark Healthcare of Festus, Inc. (Benchmark), and a number of long-term care facilities in Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee.  Sells stole the funds provided by Medicaid which he was to use to provide care for elderly and disabled residents at Benchmark. Because of Sells’ diversion of funds to his own use, the residents did not receive medication, food, and needed dietary supplements. On one occasion, the residents were only given a clear bowl of broth soup and a very small cookie. Another meal consisted of 1-2 ounces of lunchmeat, half of a baked potato, and a small muffin. Neither of these meals was substantial and did not meet the nutritional needs of the residents. On some occasions, Benchmark staff had to use their own money to buy food when there was no or inadequate food at the facility.

 

Medical laboratory services, medical record services, and pharmacy services were also disrupted because of non-payment. Additionally, trash piled up and flies quickly infested the facility and the surrounding area in the absence of pest control services. The facility was dirty and unsafe because routine maintenance and repairs because were not performed.  

 

While these substandard conditions existed at Benchmark, Sells used the stolen Medicaid funds to support his life style, including spending $184,889 at adult entertainment and strip clubs, $11,566 at this country club, $14,614 for pet care, and $4,513 at casinos.

 

Sells pled guilty in April to two counts of health care fraud and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge John A. Ross.

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

 

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James Clay Waller, II, age 45, pled guilty today to one felony count of Interstate Domestic Violence.  He appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig. 

 

At the plea, Waller admitted he had on numerous occasions threatened his wife, Jacque Sue Waller, that if she divorced him, she would be signing her death warrant.  On May 31, 2011, the day before he and Jacque were to meet with her divorce attorney, Waller dug a grave on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River near Devil’s Island in which to bury his wife.    He then spent the night with his girlfriend in Illinois.  The next day, June 1, 2011, he traveled from Illinois to Cape Girardeau to attend the meeting with her attorney.  When Waller traveled in interstate commerce from Illinois to Missouri that day, he admitted that did so with the intent to kill his wife.

 

Following their meeting with the divorce attorney, Jacque Waller went to the defendant’s residence located in Jackson, Missouri.  Inside the residence, Waller strangled and beat Jacque to death.  Waller then transported her body across the Mississippi River by boat and buried her in the grave he had dug the day before. 

 

As part of the plea agreement, if accepted by the court, Waller will receive a sentence of 420 months imprisonment in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  Sentencing has been set for January 16, 2018. 

 

In the plea agreement, Waller agreed to forfeit any proceeds received or to ever be received from any contract relating to a depiction of his crime in a movie, book, newspaper, magazine, radio or television production, including a manuscript authored by the defendant entitled “If You Take My Kids, I’ll Kill You?’: The Public Confession of Missouri’s Most Notorious Wife Killers”.

 

This case has been investigated by a host of law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cape Girardeau County Major Case Squad, the Jackson City Police Department, the Cape Girardeau City Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Department.

 

 The federal prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Larry H. Ferrell.

Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced several Department of Justice actions to reduce the rising tide of violent crime in America. Foremost of those actions is the reinvigoration of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

 

In announcing this recommitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Attorney General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001.

 

In a statement on the program, the Attorney General said:

 

"According to the FBI, the violent crime rate has risen by nearly seven percent over the past two years, and the homicide rate has risen by more than 20 percent. We cannot be complacent or hope that this is just an anomaly: we have a duty to take action.

 

“Fortunately, we have a President who understands that and has directed his administration to reduce crime. The Department of Justice today announces the foundation of our plan to reduce crime: prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been proven to work.

 

“Let me be clear – Project Safe Neighborhoods is not just one policy idea among many. This is the centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy.

 

“Taking what we have learned since the program began in 2001, we have updated it and enhanced it, emphasizing the role of our U.S. Attorneys, the promise of new technologies, and above all, partnership with local communities. With these changes, I believe that this program will be more effective than ever and help us fulfill our mission to make America safer."

 

The Attorney General also announced the following Department of Justice initiatives to help reduce violent crime:

 

 

-Additional Assistant United States Attorney Positions to Focus on Violent Crime – The Department is allocating 40 prosecutors to approximately 20 United States Attorney’s Offices to focus on violent crime reduction.

 

-More Cops on the Streets (COPS Hiring Grants) – As part of our continuing commitment to crime prevention efforts, increased community policing, and the preservation of vital law enforcement jobs, the Department will be awarding approximately $98 million in FY 2017 COPS Hiring Grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

 

-Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) National Gang Strategic Initiative –The National Gang Strategic Initiative promotes creative enforcement strategies and best practices that will assist in developing investigations of violent criminal groups and gangs into enterprise-level OCDETF prosecutions.  Under this initiative, OCDETF provides “seed money” to locally-focused gang investigations, giving state, local, and tribal investigators and prosecutors the resources and tools needed to identify connections between lower-level gangs and national-level drug trafficking organizations.

 

-Critical Training and Technical Assistance to State and Local Partners –The Department has a vast array of training and technical assistance resources available to state, local and tribal law enforcement, victims groups, and others.  To ensure that agencies in need of assistance are able to find the training and materials they need, OJP will make available a Violence Reduction Response Center to serve as a “hot line” to connect people to these resources.

 

-Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC) – The Department has provided grant funding to support a comprehensive approach to identifying the most violent offenders in a jurisdiction, using new technologies such as gunshot detection systems combined with gun crime intelligence from NIBIN, eTrace, and investigative efforts.  These FY 2017 grants were awarded to Phoenix, AZ, and Kansas City, MO.

 

-Expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program – The Department will expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program nationwide by the end of the year.  Through this program, any firearm submitted for tracing that is associated with a NIBIN “hit” (which means it can be linked to a shooting incident) will be designated an “urgent” trace and the requestor will get information back about the firearm’s first retail purchaser within 24 hours, instead of 5 to 6 business days.

 

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St. Louis, MO – George Patino, 57, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today to 40   months of imprisonment and a $95,000 fine.  Patino was previously convicted by a jury on June 8, 2017 after a three-day trial of conspiracy, distributing Human Growth Hormone (“HGH”) for unauthorized medical purposes, and smuggling. 

 

According to Court documents, under federal law, doctors can lawfully prescribe HGH for several narrow medical uses, for example to patients with wasting diseases associated with AIDS or Prader-Willi syndrome.  HGH cannot be prescribed to help patients with body-building, anti-aging, or weight loss treatments.  From April 2014 through June 2015, the evidence showed at trial that Mr. Patino sent numerous packages of HGH to a local St. Louis, Missouri doctor and many local patients.  The local patients receiving the HGH hoped to increase their energy, strength, endurance, and athletic ability.  The HGH smuggled here to Missouri by Mr. Patino was misbranded in that the drugs’ dosage and use instructions were in Spanish not English, and the drugs came from a Korean drug manufacturer that has not been approved by the U.S. Government to sell this drug in the United States. 

 

A local doctor, Dr. Michael “Ted” Mimlitz, previously pled guilty in this same investigation to providing misbranded HGH drugs to numerous local patients who were experiencing a lack of energy, decreases in strength or endurance, or decreased athletic ability. 

 

“For drugs that enter the U.S. from outside the FDA-regulated distribution system, there is no guarantee that the drugs are safe and effective for patients to use,” said Special Agent in Charge, Spencer Morrison, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to work to protect the health of patients who rely on prescription drugs and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of those drugs.”

 

This case was investigated by the Office of Criminal Investigation for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.

Laythan Hearton, 21, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dominique Simpson, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Avion Allen, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Deangelo Bledsoe, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Alonzo Finger, 34, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Hollis Weaver, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Derrick Perryman, 30, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Antonio Gray, 30, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Marquis Gray, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Luther Hall, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

Dormond Hampton, 34, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Derrick Host, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Johnnie Stewart, 35, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Carl Thomas, Jr., 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Trayvon Stratton, 20, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Brandon Wyatt, 38, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

 

Jakeem Eason, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kenya Taylor, 18, St. Louis, was sentenced to156 months in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Michael Isaac, 27, Hazelwood, MO, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Anthony T. Caruthers, 36, St. Louis, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for armed robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

St. Louis, MO – Dejuan Wingard, 22, of Chicago, Illinois was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for his role in a “smash and grab” theft of Chanel handbags at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Plaza Frontenac on November 26, 2016. Wingard is the seventh of thirteen individuals to have pleaded guilty in connection with the offense.

 

In addition to the November 26th theft, Wingard acknowledged participating in a similar theft at the same Saks Fifth Avenue on August 2, 2016.

 

After his prison sentence, Wingard was ordered to serve three years supervised release and pay more than $200,000 in restitution to the store. Wingard appeared before Judge Audrey G. Fleissig in U.S. District Court in St. Louis this afternoon.

 

The case was investigated by the St. Louis FBI and the Frontenac Police Department.

 

St. Louis, MO - William “Chuckie” Clarett was sentenced to 120 months in prison after having been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder for hire.

 

According to court documents, on April 22, 2015, Travis Hayden was murdered in Berkeley, MO. A witness identified William Clarett, a/k/a “Chuckie” as the shooter. That same day, the witness gave a written statement to police and picked Clarett out in a photospread. On December 31, 2015, investigators arrested Clarett for the murder of Travis Hayden. A complaint was issued on January 1, 2016, charging Clarett with Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. Clarett was detained at the St. Louis County Justice Center.

 

On February 10, 2016, the witness testified before a grand jury in St. Louis County and the Grand Jury returned a true bill on the murder and ACA counts. The witness’ name and address were publicly disclosed in connection with the indictment. While Clarett was detained in the Justice Center on the murder, Clarett began talking to an inmate that he knew from the neighborhood. The inmate advised authorities that Clarett was asking him to help find someone to kill the witness. ATF then arranged to have an Undercover Officer (UC) pose as a potential hitman. Between June 14, 2016 and June 30, 2016, Clarett spoke to UC six times over the phone about killing the witness. On July 1, 2016, Clarett met with UC at the Justice Center and told him he would provide UC with the down payment for the murder. Thereafter, Clarett released $500 from his commissary which was later given to the UC along with the photograph of the witness.

 

Clarett, 34, Berkeley, MO, was convicted in May to one count of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, and appeared today for sentenced before United States District Judge Audrey Fleissig.

 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Cottleville Police Department.

 

Terrence Akins, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Israel Campos, 21, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for interfering with commerce by threat of force or violence and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Deandre Jackson, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for carjacking; discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Alonzo Morris, 24, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Virgil Pruitt, 41, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Warren Turner, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Marvin Woolfolk, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), cocaine and fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Lamont Brison, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Frank Hart, 43, Jennings, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

Andrew Henderson, 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Michael Payne, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kalin Malik Anderson, 20, Hannibal, MO, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Terrence Bevly, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kelvin Miller, 37, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jevon Harris, 23, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Rico Jones, 42, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Deshawn Denton, 27, Joilet, IL, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and kidnapping.

 

Brandon Knighten, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

St. Louis, MO – Julian Campbell, 23, of Chicago was sentenced to 40 months today in U.S. District Court for his role in stealing more than $150,000 in luxury handbags from Saks Fifth Avenue at Plaza Frontenac. Campbell is the sixth of eight defendants to be sentenced in U.S. v. Dejaun Wingard et al. An additional five defendants await trial in U.S. v. William Curry et al.

 

Campbell admitted to traveling from Chicago on November 26, 2016 with a group of associates, stealing the purses and leading police on high-speed chase before being apprehended near Litchfield Illinois. Campbell also acknowledged conducting similar heists in Cincinnati, Ohio; Northbrook, Illinois and at Plaza Frontenac earlier in 2016.

 

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Frontenac Police Department, the Illinois State Police, the Montgomery (Il.) County Sheriff’s Department, the Montgomery (Il.) County Prosecutor’s Office and the St. Louis County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

 

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St. Louis, MO – Deshawn Denton was sentenced to 20 years in prison for armed carjacking and kidnapping charges.

 

On February 7, 2016, Denton committed an armed carjacking by pointing a firearm at the operator of a vehicle in the area of South 14th Street and Spruce. Denton threatened to kill the victim and ordered the victim out of the vehicle. Denton and an accomplice fled in the vehicle.

 

Two days later, in the early morning hours of February 9, 2016, Denton committed another armed carjacking by pointing a firearm at two occupants of a vehicle parked on Washington Avenue in downtown Saint Louis. Denton approached the vehicle and pointed a firearm at the two victims. Personal items were demanded and taken. Denton ordered the two victims to get into the vehicle’s backseat. Denton and an accomplice took the vehicle and victims to East Saint Louis, Illinois, where, among other things, Denton demanded that one of the victims make an ATM withdrawal. The two victims were later released outside the Casino Queen. During the kidnapping, Denton repeatedly threatened to kill the victims.

 

Denton, 27, of Joliet, IL, pleaded guilty on May 15, 2017, to one felony count of armed carjacking and one felony count of kidnapping. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.

 

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

 

St. Louis, MO – Jessie Hampton, 26; and Malcom Johnson, 26, both of St. Louis City, pled guilty to one felony count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, resulting in murder. Hampton appeared today before United States District Judge E. Richard Webber. Johnson pled guilty on August 11, 2017. The sentencings have been set for November 8, 2017.

 

According to court documents, during 2012, Hampton and Johnson were engaged in drug trafficking. In the early morning hours of July 15, 2012, Hampton, Johnson and two others robbed Scipio Vaughn. During the course of the robbery, Hampton shot and killed Vaughn.

 

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, resulting in murder carries a penalty of life 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney John Bird is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

Raymond Pargo, 37, St. Louis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Roy White, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Andre Meadows, 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Mark Richardson, Jr., 19, St. Louis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Demetrius Richmond was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana and cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lywayne Scott, 34, St. Louis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Byron Mischeaux, 24, St. Louis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jermayne Welch, 37, St. Louis, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Michael Thomas-Williams, 34, Hazelwood, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, heroin and marijuana; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

 

 

Marquis J. Hoffman, 32, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Christopher Bell, 36, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Malcolm Johnson, 26, pled guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, resulting in murder.

 

Michael Hodge, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Floyd Murray, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and possess with the intent to distribute heroin.

 

Keonta C. Douglas, 19, Lebanon, IL, pled guilty to one felony count of carjacking and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance

 

Dwayne Harris, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Robert Neuman, 34, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dennis Howard, 32, pled guilty to one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Jacob A. Niebruegge, 19, pled guilty to one felony count of transferring a firearm, knowing that the firearm would be used in a crime of violence that is, armed robbery.

 

Michael T. Jones, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Khylon Hampton, 22, was sentenced to 155 months in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

 

Eddie Randolph, 35, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Marquel Simmons, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lamontae Oliver, 26, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Kenneth Kulage, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Keenan McCaleb, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 49 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Dion T. Hampton, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Cape Girardeau, MO – Larry White, Sr., 63, and Erica White, 35, both of Sikeston, were sentenced today – Larry to 33 months in prison and Erica to 1 year and 1 day in prison on charges of misusing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program.

According to court documents, the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD) issues Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards (EBT), for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps. Authorized grocery retailers can only accept and redeem SNAP benefits for the sale of eligible food items. They are not permitted to exchange or redeem SNAP benefits for cash or other ineligible items such as household goods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cellular telephones or other non-food items.

Larry White was manager of Stop-n-Go Fish Market in Sikeston, and his daughter Erica White was manager of Stop-n-Go Mini Mart Store in New Madrid. Both admitted that they illegally redeemed up to $549,000 in SNAP benefits between December 2010 and March 2014 by exchanging SNAP benefits for cash and illegible items.

Both pled guilty in May to multiple felony counts of unauthorized use of SNAP benefits and conspiracy. Both appeared today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., in Cape Girardeau.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General-Investigations, Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony L. Franks is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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