Western District of Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed at least 12 pounds of methamphetamine in the Joplin area, as well as for illegally possessing numerous firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Mark E. Burdge, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 24 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Burdge to forfeit to the government $44,850 seized by law enforcement as the proceeds of drug trafficking.

On Nov. 3, 2020, Burdge pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of distributing methamphetamine on premises where children are present or reside. 

Burdge admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 9, 2018, to July 18, 2019. Burdge imported at least 12 pounds (approximately 5.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine into southwest Missouri from a source in Oklahoma.

On May 9, 2018, investigators with the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at Burdge’s residence. Officers seized a total of 71.96 grams of methamphetamine and approximately $20,550 from a bedroom in the residence. Officers also searched an outbuilding and seized six rifles, five shotguns, four pistols, a revolver, a .22-caliber Magnum derringer, and 4,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.

On July 18, 2019, investigators again executed a search warrant at Burdge’s residence, where they encountered a 10-year-old child among a number of individuals at the residence. Officers seized a total of 159.66 grams of methamphetamine and $24,300.

According to court documents, Burdge’s serious criminal history began when he was 29 when he was arrested with methamphetamine and marijuana in 1999. Felony convictions since then have included three convictions for possession of a controlled substance, as well as felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine L. Stockard and Byron Black. It was investigated by the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol., Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

OCDETF
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.  The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy.  OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.  Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A performer at a Branson, Missouri, theater pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing more than $85,000 from hundreds of his own audience members who donated to his non-existent charity for foster children.

“For several years, this performer took advantage of his own audiences by pulling at their heartstrings while stealing from their pockets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore. “He cynically and greedily victimized donors who falsely believed they were helping foster children. There’s no way to know how much cash was actually stolen, but we intend to seek restitution for the victims law enforcement has identified, as well as prison time and a hefty fine.”

James Patrick Garrett, 65, of Branson, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty to a federal information that charges him with one count of wire fraud.

“Today’s plea is a reminder that the United States Secret Service is committed to aggressively investigating and pursuing those who commit financial crimes,” said Brandon C. Bridgeforth, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Kansas City Field Office. “This defendant used his theater and platform as a performer, to prey on the generosity of those attending his performances. The defendant took advantage of these people who thought they were helping children in need, and then defrauded them. This investigation is a testament to the strong partnership between the Secret Service, the Branson, Mo., Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

“The Branson Police Department is always looking out for the best interest of our residents and visitors,” said Branson Police Chief Jeff Matthews. “We initiated this investigation and presented it to our federal partners at the United States Secret Service last year. They adopted the case and were successful in presenting it to the U.S. Attorney for prosecution. These kinds of relationships and partnerships help us protect our community and the values Branson is known for.”

Garrett performed the John Denver Tribute at the Branson IMAX. The show, which Garrett performed approximately six days a week throughout the year, consists of musicians covering songs made popular by the late John Denver and other classic country artists.

On Nov. 3, 2012, Garrett created Diamond Jym Ranch, Inc., with himself as president and a member of its board of directors. According to its articles of incorporation, Diamond Jym Ranch was ostensibly created for “the purpose of establishing homes for displaced or homeless boys or girls, to provide training and education for such children, to provide them with food, lodging, and their well being.”

By pleading guilty today, Garrett admitted that he victimized his audience members through a fraud scheme that lasted from March 2016 to August 2020. At the conclusion of each John Denver Tribute, Garrett solicited members of his audience to donate to Diamond Jym Ranch. Garrett falsely told audiences that he had created homes for foster children in Branson and Texas. Garrett told audience members their donations to Diamond Jym Ranch would go to support the foster homes and to support foster children. None of those claims were true, and Garrett knew they were false at the time he made the representations.

Garrett placed a donation box at the exit of the theatre where he performed the John Denver Tribute. Hundreds of audience members left their donations in the donation box. Garrett also directed audience members who wanted to make monthly or regular donations to Diamond Jym Ranch to mail their checks to his home address in Branson.

Garrett admitted that he used the money that he raised for his personal living expenses, which included frequently dining out at Branson restaurants, credit card debt, rent, taxes, mortgage payments, health insurance, and automobile insurance.

In total, over the course of many years, Garrett induced hundreds of John Denver Tribute audience members to make financial donations to Diamond Jym Ranch for the purpose of supporting foster children and homes for foster children. Garrett’s scheme to defraud resulted in a collective loss to his victims of at least $85,525.

The specific charge to which Garrett pleaded guilty today involves a $1,000 contribution made by an audience member identified in court documents as “D.C.,” a resident of Illinois. Garrett used D.C.’s donation for his own personal purposes and not to the benefit of foster children.

Under federal statutes, Garrett is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Branson, Mo., Police Department, as part of the U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Belton, Missouri, man whose lost cell phone containing child pornography was found at a truck stop, was sentenced in federal court today.

Christopher Lee Caven, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Caven to 12 years of supervised release following incarceration.

On Feb. 13, 2020, Caven pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the internet. Caven admitted that he used his cell phone to distribute child pornography via Kik, an online sharing application.

Caven’s cell phone was found at the Flying J Truck Plaza in Peculiar, Missouri, on March 5, 2017. The person who found the cell phone was unable to locate the owner and attempted to conduct a factory reset of the phone in order to set it up for his own use. In the process, however, he discovered a large amount of child pornography in the photo folder and contacted law enforcement.

Investigators found 402 video files of child pornography and 302 images of child pornography on Caven’s cell phone. Many of the images depicted children as young as toddlers posed in sexual positions or being sexually violated by others.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography.

Brian M. Turner, 38, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 14, 2020, Turner pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography.

The investigation began in December 2018 when law enforcement received a Cybertipline report that Facebook had identified an image of possible child pornography sent by Turner via his Facebook Messenger account to another user in Australia. On Jan. 29, 2019, a law enforcement officer located Turner at a Springfield McDonald’s restaurant. Turner admitted to viewing child pornography for the past 10 years. He explained that he received the child pornography from others utilizing Facebook Messenger. Turner also admitted that he stored images of child pornography in his Google Photos account.

Investigators conducted a forensic examination of Turner’s cell phone and found 236 images and one video of child pornography.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Wan and Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department. 

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for engaging in a $6 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded dozens of victim investors.

Matthew R. Peterson, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to eight years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Peterson to pay $2,516,010 in restitution to his victims.

On Sept. 10, 2020, Peterson pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.

Sports Wagering Investment Fraud

Peterson admitted that he operated an investment fraud scheme from 2012 to November 2016. During this scheme, Peterson persuaded at least 37 victims to invest approximately $6 million into sporting wagers.

Peterson lied to prospective investors about being an expert in sports betting in order to carry out his investment fraud scheme. Peterson created fictitious spreadsheets, financial statements and betting reports that indicated the investments were yielding large returns. Peterson, for the most part, did not invest funds on behalf of the investors. Instead, Peterson perpetrated a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme through which he fraudulently transferred new investor money to earlier investors, falsely representing these payments as profits earned on their funds invested with him. Peterson used about $3.3 million of the approximately $6 million obtained from investors to make Ponzi-type payments to existing investors. 

Peterson spent approximately $565,000 of investor funds on luxury vacations for himself and his family, personal gambling, retail, automobiles, credit card payments, a house, and made cash withdrawals of more than $90,000 of investor money.

Peterson’s widespread criminal activity caused significant financial harm to numerous victims, who invested amounts ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. One of the investors, identified in court documents as T.C., went into business with Peterson. T.C. liquated his 401(k) retirement account and gave the net proceeds to Peterson. Peterson used T.C.’s personal identifiable information without T.C.’s knowledge or consent to obtain an American Express card. Peterson also made additional charges to the card, charging over $248,862 on this card without T.C.’s knowledge. Due to his scheme, financial institutions and credit card companies also incurred a loss of approximately $461,000.

Church Travel Fraud Scheme

According to court documents, Peterson also used his business to establish credibility within his church community as someone with great connections.

Peterson owned and operated AIS Travel, which attempted to find discounted deals for people who wanted to travel. Peterson approached his pastors about helping the church save money with his travel business. Peterson requested the church staff promote his business to church members and, in return, he would donate a portion of the profits to the church. 

The pastors declined Peterson’s proposal, but told him they would consider using his business for church staff travel. In November 2016, Peterson approached church staff with a proposal that they should hold their staff retreat in Cancun, Mexico. The cost for approximately 20 people would be $18,000. The church paid Peterson over $16,000 for the airline tickets and room reservations before the date of travel. However, upon arrival at the airport, the church group learned that the tickets had never been purchased, and no reservations were made.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the FBI.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for using SnapChat to contact 12- and 13-year-old girls in Canada to induce them to engage in sexually explicit behavior.

Michael David Miller, 40, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On June 2, 2020, Miller pleaded guilty to the coercion and enticement of a minor.

On May 23, 2019, law enforcement in Ottawa, Canada, received multiple reports from 12-to-13-year-old girls that an older man – later identified as Miller – was communicating with them on SnapChat. Miller asked them to engage in sexually explicit activity, sent videos and images of child pornography, and masturbated while on video chat with some of the minors. SnapChat submitted to law enforcement 25 files of suspected child pornography that had been sent between Jan. 6 and May 29, 2019.

Local law enforcement began investigating after Miller was identified. Investigators also received information from an adult woman regarding Miller’s conduct via text messages and video chat through the Duo application. Officers executed a search warrant at Miller’s residence on July 18, 2019, and seized multiple devices. A forensic examination of those devices found videos and images of child pornography on his laptop computer.

Miller also admitted that he engaged in similar criminal conduct with children in Nebraska and Wisconsin.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department. 

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – It has come to our attention that a number of residents in various parts of the state have received scam calls that falsely claimed to be from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jefferson City, Mo. In some instances, the caller claimed to be with Cyber Crimes and said they (the receiver of the call) had a phone that was identified as a phone used in a cyber crime. 

The public should be on the alert for such calls, and aware that the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not contact the public in this manner. If you receive such a call, please contact the FBI at 816-512-8200.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm following a brief armed standoff with police officers and a foot chase.

Michael D. Moore, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Moore was arrested on Monday, Aug. 17. Officers who had been surveilling Moore followed him into a parking lot near 2310 E. 9th St., Kansas City, Mo. As officers drove into the parking lot with their red and blue lights flashing, Moore got out of the BMW SUV, took cover behind the vehicle, and drew a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun from his waistband. Moore pointed his firearm directly at police officers as he attempted to take a position of cover behind his vehicle. Moore fled as additional police cars entered the parking lot, throwing away his handgun. Moore then laid on the ground about 15 feet away from the firearm, and was taken into custody. Officers recovered the firearm, which was loaded with 16 live rounds in the 16-round high-capacity magazine and one live round in the chamber. Officers identified the firearm as having been reported stolen.

According to court documents, Moore was involved in two armed robberies that led to the issuance of the arrest warrant and surveillance.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Moore has a prior felony conviction for robbery.

Under federal statutes, Jones is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A corrections officer at the Jackson County Detention Center was charged in federal court today for taking bribes to smuggle illegal drugs to inmates of the facility.

Daniel Coach, 26, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. The complaint charges Coach with one count of using a telephone to facilitate the unlawful activity of acceding to corruption.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, an undercover police officer communicated over the phone with Coach on Wednesday, March 3. During the telephone conversation, Coach allegedly agreed to transport 25 oxycontin pills into the detention center and deliver them to an inmate. In return, the affidavit says, Coach wanted six extra pills for himself and $100 cash. On that same evening, the undercover officer met Coach in person at a gas station. The undercover officer got into Coach’s vehicle; Coach accepted the illegal drugs (inert oxycontin pills) and the cash. Coach allegedly talked about how he gets contraband past checkpoints, and said he would attempt to give the pills to the inmate. The undercover officer got out of the vehicle, and when Coach left the parking lot he was stopped and arrested.

According to the affidavit, that planned operation was in response to a previous interview conducted by a law enforcement officer with an inmate at the Jackson County Detention Center. 

During that interview on Feb. 2, 2021, the inmate identified Coach and said that Coach coordinated his smuggling efforts with friends or family members of inmates on several occasions. Coach told these individuals where his car was parked, the inmate said, and they would drop the contraband through Coach’s car window. Coach usually smuggled in Percocet, K2, ecstasy, and cocaine, according to the inmate. They allegedly would transfer a bribe payment of $100 to $150 to Coach through Cash App. Coach would then arrange to get placed on the inmate’s floor and find a way to provide the contraband to the inmate, often during a cell check. The inmate told officers that one of his last orders to Coach was 50 Percocet pills.

The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the FBI and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Marionville, Missouri, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, was charged in a three-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Feb. 23, 2021. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Hubert’s arrest and initial court appearance. Hubert remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Monday, March 8.

The federal indictment alleges that on Jan. 7, 2021, Hubert threatened to assault and murder U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II, with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with Cleaver while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties, and retaliate against Cleaver on account of the performance of his official duties. Cleaver represents the Fifth Congressional District in Missouri.

The indictment also alleges that on May 6, 2019, Hubert threatened to assault and murder U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with Cohen while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties, and retaliate against Cohen on account of the performance of his official duties. The indictment alleges this threat occurred when Hubert called Cohen’s office in Washington, D.C. Cohen represents the Ninth Congressional District in Tennessee.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Marionville-Aurora, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing several firearms, including the firearm used in a drive-by shooting.

Eric L. Harper, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to five years and six months- in federal prison without parole. Today’s sentence reflects an upward variance from the recommended federal sentencing guidelines due to Harper’s connection to a shooting that occurred 41 days prior to his arrest.

On Aug. 7, 2020, Harper pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Harper has a 2014 state felony conviction for an attempted robbery in which he shot the victim in the back four times.

According to court documents, a black Dodge Charger – later identified as belonging to Harper – followed the victim, who had been given a ride from work on the evening of Feb. 22, 2019, to a residence in the 1700 block of East 80th Street in Kansas City. A witness told police officers they saw the black Charger with tinted windows parked nearby when they were leaving work. As they drove from work, the Charger followed them. When they arrived at the residence, the victim got out of the car and started to walk up to the house. The witness told investigators he heard and saw gunfire coming from the Charger. The witness fled the area in his car, with the Charger following him. Eventually, the witness told investigators, he lost sight of the Charger.

Police officers were called to the residence and noticed multiple bullet holes in the front door and along the exterior wall of the house. They also noticed bullet holes and fragments inside the house, including the foyer area and the kitchen. The victim was transported to a local hospital and officers recovered two .45-caliber shell casings from the scene. Investigators spoke with the victim at the hospital. Hospital staff advised detectives that the victim was in critical but stable condition and would need to undergo surgery to remove a bullet.

Investigators retrieved surveillance video from a nearby business that captured the license plate of the Charger and they were able to identify Harper as the owner of the vehicle.

On April 4, 2019, Harper and two other individuals were stopped by law enforcement while traveling in Harper’s Charger. Harper had been seen by law enforcement shooting two handguns and a semi-automatic rifle at a firing range in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Officers seized from Harper’s car an American Tactical Omni-Hybrid AR .223-caliber rifle, loaded with 21 rounds in an extended magazine; a Glock .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, loaded with one round in the chamber and 26 rounds in an extended magazine; and a Glock .357-caliber semi-automatic handgun, loaded with one round in the chamber and 12 rounds in the magazine. Harper admitted that he had fired the weapons at the range, and that he had shot multiple firearms at the range on several occasions.

The Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory compared shell casing recovered from the scene of the shooting on Feb. 22, 2019, and determined that one of the shell casings had been fired from the Glock .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun recovered from Harper on April 4, 2019.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eight defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $4.1 million conspiracy to distribute more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Tina Marie Bailey, 36, and Martin Lee Williams, 58, both of Kansas City, Mo.; Mark Williams Hildebrand II, 31, and Harry Richard Watson Jr., also known as “Ricky,” 35, of St. Joseph, Mo.; Derek Sean Freese, 53, Carl Dewey Williams, 47, and Angeliqua Teresa Collins, 35, all of Moberly, Mo.; and  Joshua Lee Laws, 44, of Unionville, Mo., were charged in a five-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 23, 2021. The indictment has been unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants this week.

Collins, Laws, and Watson were arrested today. Martin Williams was arrested on Monday, March 1. The remaining defendants were already detained in state custody in separate and unrelated cases.

The federal indictment alleges that all eight defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2017, to Feb. 22, 2021. The indictment also alleges that all eight defendants participated in a related money-laundering conspiracy.

In addition to the conspiracy counts, Bailey, Freese, Laws, Carl Williams, and Martin Williams are charged together with one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug-trafficking crimes. Freese, Carl Williams, and Martin Williams are also charged together in one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Bailey and Laws are also charged together in one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The firearms cited in the indictment include a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun with a magazine containing 16 live rounds with one round in the chamber; a Tisas 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a Smith & Wesson .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Ruger .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a High-Point 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber, semi-automatic handgun, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and various other firearms identified by witnesses, including those traded for methamphetamine.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture count, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government $4,160,000, which allegedly was received in exchange for the unlawful distribution of more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average street price of $8,000 per kilogram. The defendants must also forfeit the firearms that were seized by law enforcement officers during the investigation.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

OCDETF
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.  The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy.  OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.  Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A registered sex offender in Raytown, Missouri, was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the internet.

Joseph L. Smith, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Smith to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration. Smith must pay $33,000 in restitution to his victims.

Smith is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 1992 for forcible oral sodomy of an 8-year-old female. Smith was also convicted of failure to register as a sex offender in 2001.

On Oct. 15, 2020, Smith pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the internet. Smith admitted to participating in chat rooms and to receiving various links which included images and videos that depicted child pornography.

On March 15, 2018, investigators obtained a search warrant to seize Smith’s laptop and hard drive. A forensic analysis disclosed a total of approximately 13,036 suspected child pornography files on the laptop and hard drive. Of those files, 11,205 were still images and 1,831 were videos. Approximately 1,327 images and 428 videos depicted infants, toddlers, and prepubescent children. Approximately nine images and 52 videos depicted minor children subjected to bondage, torture, sadomasochistic behaviors, or other violence. Approximately 10 images and eight videos depicted minor children engaged in bestiality or sexual acts involving animals.

The investigation began on March 20, 2017, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip from Dropbox, Inc., regarding 49 files of child pornography uploaded into Smith’s account. Additionally, on June 8, 2017, the Toronto, Canada, Police Service executed a criminal code search warrant on the residence of an individual in Scarborough, Canada. During the search, the individual’s computers were examined and hundreds of images of child pornography were discovered. The police also reviewed approximately 30,000 Kik chats and identified Smith as one of a number of suspects whom the individual either sent to or received child pornography from.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the Western Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Merriam Village, Missouri, couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography.

Mark John Millman, 36, a citizen of Great Britain and a legal alien resident, and his wife, Tara Sau Millman, 41, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Mark and Tara Millman on January 29, 2021. The Millmans have been in federal custody since their arrest, and remain detained without bail.

The federal indictment charges the Millmans together in one count of using a minor to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when agents with Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, California, began investigating users of a cloud storage platform (identified in court documents as “Cloud Platform A”). The cloud platform provides encrypted, cloud-based services that enable private, secure online storage, communication, and collaboration for business and individuals. During the investigation, the agents accessed a weblink to an encrypted chat room with approximately 145 registered users. Files containing child pornography were uploaded/posted by participants in the chat room, the affidavit says, including Mark Millman.

A search warrant was executed at the Millmans’ residence in Taney County, Mo., on January 28, 2021. According to the affidavit, images and videos of child pornography were found on both Mark and Tara Millman’s cell phones. Among those photos, the affidavit says, were images of the Millmans’ sexual abuse of child victims.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase down Grand Avenue was indicted by a federal grand jury today for two armed bank robberies.

Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Watkins on Feb. 5, 2021.

Today’s indictment charges Watkins with the armed robbery of Central Bank in Claycomo, Mo., on Feb. 1, 2021, and the armed robbery of Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty, Mo., on Feb. 2, 2021.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaints, Watkins entered Central Bank at 11:24 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021, and approached a teller window. Watkins handed the teller a note that stated "HAND OVER ALL THE MONEY AND I WON'T SHOOT." She allegedly pulled a gun out of her purse and pointed it at the teller. When the teller pulled the money out of the drawers and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says, Watkins took the money and ran out of the bank. The bank reported a loss of $1,819.

Surveillance video footage from an exterior ATM of the bank captured video footage of a white Hyundai, four-door sedan. This vehicle appears to be the same vehicle that was involved in a bank robbery that occurred the next day, on Feb. 2, 2021.

According to the affidavit, Watkins entered Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021. Watkins took a note out of her bag and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says. The note stated: "HAND ME ALL THE MONEY OR I WILL SHOOT." While the teller was reading the note, Watkins allegedly stated: "All of it, hurry up, all of it!" The teller began opening her cash drawer, the affidavit says, when she heard the noise of a heavy object hitting the counter. The teller saw that Watkins had a black semi-automatic handgun in her hand, resting on the counter and pointed at the teller. When the teller took money out of the drawer and placed it on the counter, Watkins allegedly took the money, put it in her bag, and left through the main door of the lobby. The bank reported a loss of $971.

Surveillance video cameras captured footage of the white Hyundai four-door sedan (and license plate number) allegedly driven by Watkins when she arrived at the bank, and when she left the bank.

Law enforcement officers located the vehicle on Feb. 4, 2021. Kansas City police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Watkins, however, drove around the officers in an attempt to flee. A vehicle pursuit ensued, during which officers attempted to immobilize Watkins’ vehicle on three occasions, but she continued to drive around the officers and flee. The pursuit continued at high rates of speed, up to 70 miles per hour while going northbound on Grand Avenue. During the pursuit, traffic was congested at different points along Grand Avenue. The pursuit ended when Watkins lost control of the vehicle in the area E. 21st Street and Walnut Street. Watkins attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by police officers. As she exited the vehicle, the affidavit says, Watkins reached into her waistband, then pointed at officers with her index finger extended forward, and her thumb extended upward, possibly attempting to imitate a handgun.   

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing methamphetamine and a firearm.

Michael Allen Dicks, Jr., 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to his plea agreement, a Platte County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a Nissan Altima driven by Dicks on March 16, 2020, after Dicks failed to stop at a red light at the intersection of N.W. Cookingham and N. Ambassador in Kansas City, Mo. Dicks failed to stop, and during the ensuing vehicle pursuit the Altima reached speeds of 130 miles per hour. Dicks also drove the wrong way on 152 Highway in an attempt to elude law enforcement. During the pursuit, the Altima crashed in the area of N.W. 92nd Terrace and N.W. Old Tiffany Springs Parkway. Due to his injuries from the crash, Dicks was taken to a local hospital by ambulance.

Inside Dick’s vehicle, deputies found a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm semi-automatic handgun and four bags that contained a total of 462.7 grams (more than one pound) of pure methamphetamine.

Under federal statutes, Dicks is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the DEA and the Platte County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kansas, man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing methamphetamine.

Jeffery N. Sharp, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 10, 2020, Sharp pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sharp sold methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer on five separate occasions from Aug.6 to Nov. 1, 2018.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg R. Coonrod and Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing the firearm he used in a drive-by shooting.

Javier Guerrero-Garcia, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to eight years and six months in federal prison without parole. 

On June 29, 2020, Guerrero-Garcia pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Guerrero-Garcia admitted that he fired a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun into a residence early in the morning of Nov. 19, 2017.

A Kansas City, Missouri, resident contacted police officers after Guerrero-Garcia fired multiple shots at her house at approximately 3:45 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2017. When the resident went outside she saw Guerrero-Garica’s red BMW driving away. Shortly thereafter, Guerrero-Garcia returned and fired more shots at her home and vehicles. Police officers arrived at the scene and learned that bullets had entered the home, and three vehicles had been struck by bullets.

About an hour later, Kansas City police officers conducted a traffic stop of the red BMW Guerrero-Garcia was driving. When he and two passengers got out of the vehicle, officers saw the Glock handgun as well as an extended magazine inside the vehicle. The handgun had been reported as stolen.

A forensic examination was performed on the .40-caliber shell casings recovered from the scene of the shooting and the Glock handgun recovered from the vehicle. This examination confirmed the .40-caliber shell casings recovered from the scene of the shooting were fired from the Glock handgun.

Guerrero-Garcia has a prior federal conviction in Kansas for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, for which he was sentenced in 2018 to 14 months in prison.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United States Attorney Tim Garrison has submitted to President Biden his resignation as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Western District of Missouri, effective Feb. 28, 2021.

“It has been the privilege of my career to lead the office where I began my service as a federal prosecutor 14 years ago,” Garrison said in his letter.  “The lawyers and staff of my office accomplished a great deal for the people of Missouri in the last three years … The dedicated public servants in this office represent the United States in criminal and civil matters with excellence and integrity, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside them.”

Garrison was appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney on Jan. 3, 2018, and began serving as U.S. Attorney for the district following unanimous confirmation by the Senate on April 26, 2018. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the district’s Springfield office. As a federal prosecutor, Garrison focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals. He also prosecuted firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration.  

“Western Missouri is consistently a national leader among the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in combatting violent crime, child exploitation, and drug trafficking,” Garrison said.  “I am particularly gratified by our work in Operation LeGend, in which we arrested more than 500 violent criminals in and around Kansas City and took hundreds of illegal firearms out of their hands, serving as a catalyst for similar state and federal collaboration in eight other American cities.”

Garrison led several initiatives to target violent crime, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses:

Operation LeGend

Operation LeGend brought an unprecedented surge of federal agents to Kansas City, Mo., to work collaboratively with the Kansas City Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in the city. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings.

Operation LeGend, which became a model for eight more cities to follow, resulted in 518 arrests. During the 10 weeks from the announcement of Operation LeGend on July 8 through Sept. 16, homicides in Kansas City were down 22 percent, non-fatal shootings were down 24 percent, and aggravated assaults were down 44 percent, as compared to the 10 weeks before July 8. Among those arrests were 37 homicide cases (including a defendant charged in state court with the murder of LeGend Taliferro). In addition to the arrests, agents and officers seized 176 firearms, large quantities of illegal drugs, and several stolen vehicles during Operation LeGend.

OCDETF Strike Force

A new Kansas City Metro OCDETF Strike Force was launched in April 2019 to target drug traffickers and violent criminals on both sides of the state line. This new Strike Force presents a united front, with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from Missouri and Kansas working under the same roof, armed with additional investigative resources, to combat drug trafficking and violent crime throughout the metropolitan area.

Operation Triple Beam

Operation Triple Beam, an initiative led by the U.S. Marshals Service to track down some of the metropolitan area’s most violent and persistent offenders, resulted in hundreds of arrests and the seizure of dozens of firearms and illegal drugs. Operation Triple Beam brought a laser focus by all levels of law enforcement – federal, state, and local – to combat violent crime by targeting the worst offenders. Armed and dangerous fugitives were located, arrested, and taken off the street to face justice in state and federal court. During Operation Triple Beam, which ran from May to August 2019, law enforcement officers made 355 state and federal arrests for outstanding warrants, violent crimes, and drugs. Many of the arrestees were among the most violent and active offenders in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and many of these fugitives had multiple outstanding warrants from more than one agency. Law enforcement officers seized 69 firearms, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 4.4 kilograms of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.

Additional Federal Prosecutors

In June 2018, the Department of Justice announced a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice allocated 311 new Assistant U.S. Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Among the 190 violent crime prosecutors were three new prosecutors being added to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the Western District of Missouri. A new federal prosecutor was added to the staff in each of the Kansas City, Springfield and Jefferson City offices.

Safer Streets Initiative

Additional state prosecutors from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt have been designated as new Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Kansas City and Springfield to prosecute violent offenders in federal court.

Alongside these initiatives, some of the significant cases prosecuted under Garrison’s leadership in the Western District of Missouri included:

James Samuels, a former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department, was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole for illegally selling dozens of firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons. 

Raynal King, 27, and Howard R. Ross, III, both of Kansas City, Mo., were each sentenced to multiple life terms in federal prison for the kidnapping and murder of another man. King and Ross each were found guilty at trial of multiple counts related to the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton.

Shannon R. Thomas of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 72 years in federal prison without parole, for his role in a three-months-long conspiracy that included more than 27 armed robberies, culminating in the armed robbery of a Walgreens in Blue Springs, Mo., in which a suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers. Thomas was found guilty at trial of participating in the conspiracy as well as participating in 10 armed robberies. He was also found guilty of 10 counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The life sentence was imposed for Thomas’s conviction of brandishing a firearm during the Walgreens robbery that resulted in the death of Jermon Seals. Several co-defendants have also been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms in this case.

Two Kansas City, Kansas, men were sentenced for a violent, hours-long crime spree in which they kidnapped, robbed, and terrorized three women. Anthony B. Williams was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in federal prison without parole. Jamerl M. Wortham was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison without parole. Williams was sentenced as an armed career criminal and “three strikes” violent felon, due to his prior felony convictions for crimes of violence. Williams and Wortham were found guilty at trial of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, three counts of kidnapping, one count of carjacking, one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, one count of distribution of PCP, three counts of possession of a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, one count of being felons in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Zaragoza-Navarrette of El Paso, Texas, and Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon of Kansas City, Kan., were among nine co-defendants convicted of their roles in a conspiracy that distributed more than 720 kilograms of cocaine in the metropolitan area. The drug-trafficking organization transported cocaine to the Kansas City metropolitan area from Mexico. Armendariz-Rascon admitted that he distributed 360 kilograms of cocaine per year in 2015 and 2016.

Jorge A. Rodriguez-Gonzalez, of Kansas City, Missouri, was charged with drug trafficking after investigators seized 144 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in automobile wheels inside his shed.

Jovan J. Denson, of Springfield, Missouri, was sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison without parole for leading a drug-trafficking organization that distributed as much as 10 kilograms of heroin in Greene County, Mo., over a 15-month time period.

Six Texas men were convicted and sentenced for stealing 654 firearms from United Parcel Service trailers in Springfield, Mo., en route to Bass Pro Shops.  They admitted they stole 600 Beretta .380-caliber handguns and 54 Beretta 12-gauge shotguns from United Parcel Service (UPS) trailers in Springfield in October 2017. The cargo was being shipped across state lines, from Beretta USA in Maryland to the state of Missouri. Raynord Hunt was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Frank McChriston, Derrick White, Quinton Haywood, and Eric White were each sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison without parole. Keith Lowe was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered each of the defendants to pay $206,132 in restitution, for which they are jointly and severally liable.

Lester Brown, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with using a GPS tracking device to assist in the murder of a rival drug trafficker who was fatally shot in front of his 8-year-old daughter.

In a case Garrison personally indicted prior to his appointment as United States Attorney, Yovanny Aroldo Mendivil-Balderama, a Mexican national, was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison without parole for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the murder of a co-conspirator. Co-defendant Brooke Danielle Beckley, of Nixa, Mo., was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Anthony Edward Donovan, of Springfield, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Nathaniel Austin Lee, of Seymour, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. They all pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Dallas County, Webster County and Christian County, Mo., from April 28, 2015, to April 26, 2016. They also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, resulting in the murder of Oscar Adan Martinez-Gaxiola on April 25, 2016, in Webster County.

Paul Lloyd, of Joplin, Mo., was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole for the armed robbery of Select Jewelers in Joplin and a carjacking. Lloyd pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.

Derron D. Nevels, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with the armed robbery of a female Z-Trip driver who was shot at least 20 times.

Tim Garrison

Garrison is an eighth generation Missourian, and grew up in Greene County.  He graduated magna cum laude from Drury University with a degree in political science, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a law degree from the University of Missouri.

Garrison received his officer’s commission after graduating from Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in 2003, and served as a military prosecutor.  His active duty military career took him to duty stations on the East Coast, West Coast, and Iraq.

In 2007, Garrison left active duty and returned with his family to Missouri, where he served as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.  Garrison’s efforts focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals, but also included firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration.  He served in the district’s Springfield office until his appointment as United States Attorney.

Since leaving active duty, Garrison has continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves.  In 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as the Chief of Operational Law for an eight-nation multinational force.  Upon his return to the United States, Garrison worked on military criminal justice legislation and policy at Marine Corps Headquarters, and then served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He is currently Associate Deputy General Counsel for International Affairs at the Department of Defense. Garrison is a distinguished graduate of both the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College.  A lieutenant colonel, Garrison’s personal decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Garrison has received awards from the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School for excellence in trial advocacy, and from the Missouri Bar Foundation for his appellate advocacy before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Garrison Letter of Resignation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm after leading police officers on a high-speed chase.

Raymond L. Pierce, 22, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, Pierce admitted that he illegally possessed a loaded Glock 9mm handgun on Dec. 28, 2019. Pierce also admitted that he was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a Glock 9mm extended magazine on July 9, 2020.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Pierce has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

On Dec. 28, 2019, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy was working uniformed, but off-duty, patrolling the area around nightclubs that were letting out on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Mo., at 2:36 a.m. As he was trying to move people out of the street, the deputy saw in his rear-view mirror a green Ford Mustang approaching him without its headlights on at a high rate of speed. The Mustang quickly changed lanes to avoid the deputy’s car and individuals in the street moved back to ensure not being hit. The deputy attempted to pull the Mustang over, but the Mustang fled and the deputy discontinued the chase.

At 3:05 a.m., a different Jackson County sheriff’s deputy was traveling eastbound on 1-670 just east of the Broadway overpass in Kansas City, Mo., and saw a green Ford Mustang crash into the center mediate concrete barrier and guard rail. The deputy stopped to render aid. As he approached the green Mustang, he saw Pierce, who was on probation, standing outside the driver’s door. As the deputy approached him, Pierce climbed back inside the vehicle, reached across the center console, and placed his hand down near the passenger side floorboard. The deputy directed Pierce to exit the vehicle and show his hands, and Pierce refused. Once back-up arrived, officers were able to get Pierce out of the vehicle. Pierce said his leg and mouth hurt, and officers ordered EMS. The car was inventoried prior to being towed and officers found the loaded Glock 9mm handgun under the front passenger seat. The serial number on the barrel of the Glock was filed off and the serial number plate had been removed.

On July 9, 2020, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance on Pierce, who had felony arrest warrants. They saw Pierce driving a silver Dodge Avenger with two passengers. Pierce drove to a house in Raytown, Mo., where all three went into the house. When they returned to the car, they placed a backpack in the back seat. Investigators attempted to pull Pierce over, but Pierce fled, disregarding stop signs and light signals. Investigators used aerial surveillance to track Pierce to a gas station in Kansas City, Kansas, where they again attempted to take him into custody. Pierce refused to comply again and fled, striking a law enforcement vehicle in his escape.

Aerial surveillance continued to track Pierce. At one point in his flight, Pierce drove through the area of 40th Street and Genesee Street in Kansas City, Mo. Officers received a call from that area about a car traveling at a high rate of speed the wrong way, which threw out a firearm and a Louis Vuitton backpack. Officers responded to the location and found a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun. Inside the Louis Vuitton backpack, officers found the Glock 9mm handgun, the Glock 9mm extended magazine, and 115 grams of marijuana. Investigators later identified Pierce’s Facebook account. Posted to that account was a photograph of Pierce with the Louis Vuitton backpack.

Arial surveillance tracked Pierce to a Grandview residence, where he and the two passengers left the car and went into the house. Officers found Pierce hiding in the basement.

Under federal statutes, Pierce is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the FBI, the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tim Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., woman was charged in federal court today with the armed robbery of a Capitol Federal Savings Bank located in Liberty, Missouri.

Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, of Kansas City, was charged with one count of armed bank robbery in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.

Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Watkins stole approximately $971 from the Capitol Federal Savings Bank., located at 1911 Star Drive, Liberty, Missouri 64068, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Watkins approached a teller at about 3:20 p.m. and handed her a demand note. The note read, “HAND ME ALL THE MONEY OR I WILL SHOOT.” The teller reported to investigators that while she was opening the cash drawer, she heard the noise of a heavy object hitting the top of the counter.  When the teller looked up, she saw the bank robber with what appeared to be a black, semi-automatic handgun, resting on the counter.  The teller took the money from the cash drawer and placed it on the counter. Watkins allegedly took the money and left the bank.

On February 4, 2021, the FBI Violent Crime Task Force located a Hyundai four-door sedan that had been linked to the robbery.  The vehicle was located on Benton Blvd., in Kansas City, Missouri.  While observing the vehicle, law enforcement officials observed Watkins enter the vehicle.  Law enforcement officials attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Watkins allegedly fled from law enforcement at a high rate of speed.  According to the affidavit, the pursuit ended when Watkins lost control of the vehicle near E. 21st Street and Walnut Street.  When Watkins exited the vehicle, she reportedly reached into her waistband and then pointed her hand out toward a police officer with her index finger extended forward with her thumb extended upward, possibly imitating a handgun.

Garrison cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm and for making a threatening phone call that caused disruption at the Springfield National Airport.

Dustin B. Gowens, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to four years in federal prison without parole.

On Feb. 22, 2020, Gowens pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of maliciously conveying false information.

Gowens admitted that on Sept. 25, 2018, he was in possession of a Jimenez Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol. A clerk at the Kum & Go gas station called police officers when he saw Gowens pull the firearm from his pants pocket. When officers arrived, Gowens was standing outside with the gun in his hand. Gowens walked away, hiding the pistol in between a cage that contained propane tanks. The officer ordered him to lie on the ground, placed him in handcuffs, then found the firearm. Gowens, who was also in possession of four methadone pills, was arrested.

A few days later, on Sept. 28, 2018, Gowens called 911 to report that there was a group at the Springfield National Airport who had taken hostages and were in possession of a bomb. The duress alarm was sounded at the airport. When police officers responded to the airport alarm, the 911 dispatcher informed them that the phone call had originated from a pay phone at the airport. Surveillance cameras captured footage of Gowens, who was still seated on a bench nearby, making the phone call. Officers approached Gowens, who admitted making the call, and arrested him.

Gowens’s actions caused substantial disruption to the airport and caused delays of two departing flights.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Gowens has prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary, tampering with a motor vehicle, and theft of merchandise. Gowens also has eight misdemeanor convictions and faces two active warrants and five pending cases in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He has arrests or convictions in six different states.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Springfield, Mo., Airport Police.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Missouri, business owner has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to commit arson against a rival business as well as a residence, and for illegally possessing a firearm.

William “Bill” Joseph Reneau, 44, of Overland Park, Kansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Tuesday, Feb. 2, to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Reneau to pay $167,085 in restitution to his victims.

On Aug. 5, 2020, Reneau pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Reneau was the owner of Gold Rush Exchange, with locations on 40 Highway and 24 Highway in Independence.

Reneau admitted that he hired others to destroy an Independence residence and a business, Bobby Jackson’s Trading, a gold-buying business operated by a former employee of Reneau’s at 302 E. 23rd Street in Independence. Reneau hired others to damage Bobby Jackson’s Trading in July and August of 2017, then to burn the business as well as a residence owned by his wife’s ex-husband in August 2018.

Reneau also admitted that he kept a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun underneath a computer at The Gold Rush Exchange. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Reneau has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and for aiding and abetting money laundering.

Reneau paid co-defendant Randell Eugene Yeager Jr., 47, of Independence, $800 to damage the Bobby Jackson’s Trading building. On July 17, 2017, Yeager drove a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee into the front of the business, backing into the building and colliding with the front door and the front business windows. The stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee was located later by the Independence Police Department, unoccupied and still running with evidence from the damaged building still attached to the vehicle. The damage was approximately $10,000.

On Aug. 4, 2017, Yeager set fire to Bobby Jackson’s Trading. During the investigation, investigators located what appeared to be containers that were used to bring gasoline to the business and set the fire near the front doors and windows. The fire caused approximately $5,000 dollars in damage to the exterior and interior of the business. Reneau paid Yeager $800 for setting the fire.

Yeager was sentenced on June 1, 2020, to five years and three months in federal prison without parole.

Reneau also paid $500 to another co-defendant to have an Independence residence, which was unoccupied, burned down on Aug. 13, 2018.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Sedalia, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing crack cocaine.

Jeffery Wayne Taylor, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On July 6, 2020, Taylor was convicted at a bench trial of two count of distributing crack cocaine and one count of possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.

Taylor sold a total of 32.8 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant, working with law enforcement, on 10 separate occasions from March 2 to June 8, 2018. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence on June 8, 2018, and seized crack cocaine packaged for sale, which was hidden under the lowest piece of vinyl siding attached to the house.

Taylor’s initial sale of crack cocaine to the confidential informant on March 2, 2018, was approximately six months after his release on probation following his third drug-trafficking conviction in state court. Taylor had been sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment under Missouri’s shock incarceration program and was released to a term of five years of probation on Aug. 9, 2017. In addition to manufacturing crack cocaine, Taylor was also found in possession of several firearms. Although he knew he faced a 15-year prison sentence, Taylor began selling crack cocaine to the confidential informant about six months later.

Taylor’s extensive criminal history began in 1990 when he started a fight in which the victim was punched and kicked in the head, face, and chest, and suffered a broken nose, abrasion to the left cornea, laceration to the upper lip, and a number of bruises and abrasions which required hospitalization for several days. The next year, Taylor was convicted of driving while intoxicated, an offense for which he was also convicted six years later in 1997. While on probation from his 1991 felony assault conviction, Taylor was charged in four different cases with felony distribution of a controlled substance, twice in 1993, and twice again in 1996. Just a year after completing his term of probation for his felony assault conviction, in 1997, Taylor was arrested and charged with felony statutory rape, two driving while intoxicated offenses, and three counts of felony distribution of a controlled substance. That same year, in a separate case, he was convicted of three counts of distributing cocaine and one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November 1997 (the maximum sentence the state court could impose). Taylor served about seven years of his term and was granted parole in June 2004. He was also convicted in 1998 of two additional counts of distributing cocaine and sentenced to the maximum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment. Taylor was paroled in 2004 and, while on parole, arrested for stalking his ex-wife in 2010.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Jolly. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison announces a federal indictment against Patricia Derges

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An elected Missouri state representative has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a supposed stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally providing prescription drugs to clients of those clinics.

“This defendant abused her privileged position to enrich herself through deception,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. “The indictment alleges she lied to her patients and she lied to federal agents. As an elected official and a health care provider, she deserves to be held to a high standard. This grand jury indictment exposes her deception and holds her accountable for her actions.”

Patricia “Tricia” Ashton Derges, 63, of Nixa, Missouri, was charged in a 20-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The indictment was unsealed and made public today following Derges’s self-surrender and initial court appearance.

This investigation began as a result of false or misleading statements made by Derges in April 2020 to a Springfield television station regarding her potential use of stem cells to treat COVID-19. Derges was elected in November 2020 as a Missouri state representative in District 140 (Christian County). Derges, who is not a physician but is licensed as an assistant physician, operates three Ozark Valley Medical Clinic locations in Springfield, Ozark, and Branson, Mo.

“We place our hope and our trust in health care providers and government officials,” said Timothy Langan, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Kansas City. “The defendant’s actions are not only a betrayal of that trust, but her actions erode the very core of our confidence in a system we rely on. Derges vowed to do no harm as a health care professional and was elected to serve the people, not deceive them. She used her position for personal gain and damaged the public’s trust.”

“Medical professionals who knowingly abuse their power by prescribing medications, without ensuring they are for legitimate medical purposes, take advantage of the public’s trust,” said Inez Davis, St. Louis Division Diversion Program Manager for the Drug Enforcement Administration. “With the support of our enforcement partners, DEA will investigate to the maximum extent of our ability to ensure these individuals are prevented from risking lives within our communities.”

“Ms. Derges knowingly provided false information and made false claims about the medical treatment she was providing, and these falsehoods may have significant consequences for the patients she served,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “We will continue to hold accountable individuals who abuse their positions of power to prey on unsuspecting individuals.”

Wire Fraud Scheme

The federal indictment charges Derges with eight counts of wire fraud related to five specific victims (identified by their initials).These five victims were among those who lost a total of nearly $200,000 in the fraud scheme, which lasted from December 2018 to May 2020.

During this time, Derges exclusively obtained amniotic fluid, which she marketed under the name Regenerative Biologics, from the University of Utah. Derges advertised Ozark Valley Medical Clinic as a “Leader in … Regenerative Medicine,” including stem cells, and marketed her “stem cell” practice through seminars, media interviews, and social media. The federal indictment cites an August 2019 seminar in which Derges told her audience that the amniotic fluid she used in her stem cell practice was a “stem cell shot” and that it contained “mesenchymal stem cells.” According to the indictment, Derges made similar claims in personal consultations.

In fact, however, the amniotic fluid Derges administered to her patients did not contain mesenchymal stem cells, or any other stem cells. The amniotic fluid she obtained from the University of Utah was a sterile filtered amniotic fluid allograft (a tissue graft comprised of human amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid components derived from placental tissue). The amniotic fluid allograft was “acellular,” meaning it did not contain any cells, including stem cells. 

Despite being told that the University of Utah’s amniotic fluid allograft was “acellular” and did not contain mesenchymal stem cells, Derges allegedly continued to tell her patients and the public that the amniotic fluid allograft contained stem cells. 

Derges administered amniotic fluid, which she falsely claimed contained stem cells, to patients who suffered from, among other things, tissue damage, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Lyme disease, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence. In an April 11, 2020, Facebook post Derges wrote of amniotic fluid allograft: “This amazing treatment stands to provide a potential cure for COVID-19 patients that is safe and natural.”

The University of Utah sold its amniotic fluid allograft to Derges for approximately $244 per milliliter and $438 for two milliliters. Derges charged her patients $950 to $1,450 per milliliter. In total, Derges’s patients paid her approximately $191,815 for amniotic fluid that did not contain stem cells.

The Controlled Substances Act

The federal indictment charges Derges with 10 counts of distributing Oxycodone and Adderall over the internet without valid prescriptions. 

The indictment alleges that Derges, without conducting in-person medical evaluations of the patients, wrote electronic prescriptions for Oxycodone and Adderall for patients and transmitted them to pharmacies over the internet.

Because none of the assistant physicians whom Derges employed at Ozark Valley Medical Clinic could prescribe Schedule II controlled substances, the indictment says, it was the standard practice of the assistant physicians to see a patient and later communicate to Derges the controlled substances they wanted her to prescribe to their patients. Derges, allegedly without conducting an in-person medical evaluation of the patients, wrote electronic prescriptions for the patients and transmitted the prescriptions over the internet to pharmacies.

False Statements

The federal indictment charges Derges with two counts of making false statements to federal agents investigating this case in May 2020. 

Derges allegedly told agents that the amniotic fluid allograft that she used in her practice contained mesenchymal stem cells, which she knew was false. Derges also allegedly told federal agents that she had not treated a patient for urinary incontinence with amniotic fluid allograft, which she knew was false.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Assistant Physician

Derges is not a physician but is licensed as an assistant physician. An assistant physician is a mid-level medical professional in the state of Missouri. Under Missouri law, medical school graduates who have not been accepted into a residency program but have passed Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination may apply to become an assistant physician. State law mandates that assistant physicians practice pursuant to a collaborative practice arrangement with a licensed physician.

Derges obtained her medical degree from the Caribbean Medical University of Curacao in May 2014 but was not accepted into a post-graduate residency program. Derges was licensed as an assistant physician by the state of Missouri on Sept. 8, 2017.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by the FBI, Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the DEA.

Derges Indictment.pdf

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The owner of an Olathe, Kansas, clinic that treats opioid addiction has been indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking.

Trevor J. Robinson, 44, of Olathe, Kansas, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Robinson was arrested today and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

Robinson owned and operated Nuvista, LLC, a Suboxone (opioid addiction) clinic in Olathe.

The federal indictment charges Robinson with one count each of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and ecstasy.

On Oct. 22, 2020, Robinson was allegedly in possession of the illegal drugs when he was stopped by Kansas City police officers while driving his 2014 Maserati. When Robinson was arrested on an outstanding warrant, officers found a plastic bag containing 15 white round pills imprinted with “M30” in his front right pocket and $900 in his wallet. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a grey backpack on the front passenger’s seat. The backpack contained a digital scale, plastic bags containing approximately 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, plastic bags containing cocaine and heroin, several plastic bags containing various pills, including MDMA/ecstasy, a plastic bag containing marijuana, $12,548 in cash, and a leather-bound ledger notebook.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Northeast Kansas Drug Task Force.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy that distributed more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a three-county area.

Christina E. Gauger, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 17 years in federal prison without parole.

Law enforcement officers seized a total of more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from Gauger in a series of traffic stops and searches of her residence. According to court documents, Gauger obtained a pound of methamphetamine per week during the conspiracy. She travelled to Kansas City, Mo., once or twice each week to purchase $30,000 to $40,000 worth of methamphetamine each trip. She then distributed the methamphetamine to at least five co-conspirators to distribute throughout Cass, Greene, and Miller counties.

On Aug. 8, 2019, Gauger pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute on premises in which a minor was present, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Gauger admitted that she participated in the drug-trafficking conspiracy from May 14, 2017, to June 20, 2018. Gauger also admitted that she was in possession of a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Davis Industries .22-caliber derringer handgun on March 14, 2018.

Gauger was arrested during a traffic stop on May 14, 2017, and a Cass County sheriff’s deputy found a bag in her vehicle that contained 110.77 grams of methamphetamine. Gauger was arrested again during a traffic stop on Sept. 5, 2017, and a Springfield police officer found four bags that contained a total of 82.3 grams of methamphetamine in her vehicle, along with $1,446 and an additional 6.68 grams of methamphetamine in a cosmetic compartment.

Officers executed a search warrant at Gauger’s residence on Jan. 17, 2018, and found five bags of methamphetamine that weighed a total of 73.37 grams, a loaded Taurus .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol in her possession, $8,000 in a safe, $3,191 in her possession, and $1,431 in her purse.

Officers executed another search warrant at Gauger’s residence on March 14, 2018, and found a canvas bag that contained 1,985 grams (4.37 pounds) of methamphetamine and $400, a plastic bag that contained approximately one-quarter pound of marijuana, a gallon-sized plastic bag that contained 299.98 grams (.66 pounds) of methamphetamine, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol in a bathroom drawer, a Davis Industries .22-caliber derringer handgun in the trunk of her car, a DVR surveillance system with cameras mounted on the exterior of the residence, $1,008 on her bedroom floor and $268 in her purse.

Co-defendant Jordan H. Williamson, 31, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Jacob B. Piatchek, 26, of Springfield, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants Jason L. Thomas, 42, Robin L. Self, 38, and Patrick R. Waters, 33, all of Springfield, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron Black. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An assistant principal at Nixa Junior High School in Nixa, Missouri, was charged in federal court today with the sexual exploitation of a child for the purpose of producing child pornography.

Colby Fronterhouse, 41, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., with one count of producing child pornography. Fronterhouse was employed at the junior high school at the time of the alleged offense.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, a Christian County sheriff’s deputy was contacted by a 13-year-old child victim and his father in September 2020. The child victim, identified in court documents as “John Doe,” had been engaging in a series of text messages for approximately a week with Fronterhouse, whom the affidavit says posed as a 14-year-old girl. Fronterhouse, posing as a 14-year-old, allegedly encouraged John Doe to transmit sexually explicit images of himself to Fronterhouse, made specific requests for poses or types of images, and had sexually explicit conversations with John Doe.

Investigators learned that the phone used by Fronterhouse was a burner phone number with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) account, the affidavit says, but they were able to trace the account to Fronterhouse. Officers executed a search warrant at Fronterhouse’s residence on Tuesday, Jan. 26, and he was arrested. Investigators seized Fronterhouse’s cell phone and found evidence linking his cell phone to the burner account. Investigators confirmed that Fronterhouse had access to the child victim’s cell phone number through school records.

The public’s assistance is being sought in this investigation. Anyone with information regarding additional potential victims is asked to contact Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officer Joseph Fletcher at (417) 573-2606.

The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department. 

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Cuba, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for methamphetamine trafficking following a high-speed police chase.

Shannon L. Brim, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Monday, Jan. 25, to 14 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 20, 2020, Brim pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. 

A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper responded to a report of careless and imprudent driving on Missouri 291 in Cass County on Aug. 18, 2019. The trooper located the vehicle, a silver Pontiac passenger car being driven by Brim, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle accelerated and a pursuit began. The pursuit continued southbound on Missouri 291, reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour. The Pontiac repeatedly crossed the center line and passed several vehicles. The pursuit passed a golf course, and a golfer threw an orange golf ball and struck the Pontiac. The Pontiac traveled off the south side of the roadway and became disabled in a sod farm, where Brim was arrested. Brim had an active parole warrant for his arrest.

The trooper searched Brim’s vehicle and found a plastic bag wrapped in duct tape, which contained approximately 1.14 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Smith. It was investigated by the DEA, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Harrisonville, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department was sentenced in federal court today for illegally selling dozens of firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons.

James Samuels, 55, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Samuels to pay a fine of $11,282, which is the amount of cash seized by law enforcement officers at the time of his arrest.

On Aug. 31, 2020, Samuels pleaded guilty to seven counts of a federal indictment, including one count of conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, four counts of selling firearms and ammunition to persons prohibited by law from possessing them, and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm. Samuels has been in federal custody without bond since his arrest on Oct. 4, 2018.

Samuels admitted that he purchased 77 firearms from November 2013 to August 2018. Of those 77 firearms, 57 were Jimenez pistols. Samuels transferred 47 of those 77 firearms to third parties (including 43 Jimenez pistols). During this time, Samuels was not a licensed dealer of firearms.

Samuels also admitted that 10 to 20 of those firearms were sold to persons who were forbidden by law from possessing them. Samuels bought the firearms at a low price and sold them for a $40 to $50 profit.

Samuels conspired with others to make false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers by misrepresenting the identity of the actual buyer of firearms. Samuels purchased firearms then transferred ownership to another person, who later reported the firearms had been stolen.

Samuels was arrested on Oct. 4, 2018, following an undercover operation in which he sold an Armscor of the Philippines .38-caliber revolver to a confidential informant whom he knew to be a felon. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Samuels’s residence the same day and seized 28 firearms (including 22 handguns, five rifles and one shotgun). Among the firearms seized was a Glock .40-caliber pistol with a TAC Isran GLR 440 stock installed, which was not registered to Samuels, and a Colt .45-caliber pistol, which had been reported stolen. In addition to the firearms, officers seized approximately 12,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, as well as firearm parts and accessories.

The Oct. 4, 2018, transaction is one of four instances cited in Samuels’s plea agreement in which the same confidential informant, whom Samuels knew was a felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, purchased a firearm and ammunition from Samuels. In each of those four instances, Samuels accompanied the confidential informant and an undercover federal agent to a licensed firearms dealer, where the undercover agent completed the paperwork for the straw purchase of the firearm on behalf of the confidential informant. In each instance, the straw purchase was at the direction of Samuels.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mission Hills, Kansas, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to a bankruptcy fraud scheme related to his online payday loan company.

Del H. Kimball, 53, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of bankruptcy fraud.

By pleading guilty today, Kimball admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud the Bankruptcy Court by concealing assets, bank accounts, and claims against third parties, and by making false statements and material omissions regarding his assets and financial transfers to and from third parties.

Three of Kimball’s creditors filed an involuntary bankruptcy petition against Kimball, his partner, and their company, LTS, an online payday loan company, on Aug. 5, 2015. The claims of the three creditors totaled more than $15 million.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee filed a complaint to deny Kimball’s discharge on March 10, 2017, and the Bankruptcy Court conducted a trial on Jan. 11, 2018. After the trial, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Cynthia Norton ruled that Kimball had transferred property with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors, made numerous false oaths in connection with this bankruptcy case, and concealed property from the bankruptcy estate. The court found that the evidence was “overwhelming” that Kimball made false statements under oath. The court denied Kimball’s discharge.

For example, Kimball failed to disclose at least $69,000 in transfers to relatives. He undervalued collectibles by $24,000. He omitted transfers to Claw Consulting, LLC, another company he owned (with no employees). Kimball established a bank account for Claw Consulting, and caused the bank statements to be mailed to an attorney at the attorney’s business address in order to stash income and proceeds of sales he wanted to conceal from creditors.

Under federal statutes, Kimball is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee.

Federal law enforcement authorities have publicly expressed concern about the potential for violent demonstrations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia leading up to Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.

My concern, as the chief representative of the U.S. Department of Justice in the Western District of Missouri, is not with peaceful rallies or responsible public expressions of opinion. The U.S. Constitution guarantees all citizens the right “peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” My determination to protect our Constitutional rights, however, is matched by my utmost respect for law and order.

I stand with our law enforcement partners, who will take all necessary measures to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law. We will not tolerate violence, nor will we overlook criminal behavior. Those who cross the line from exercising their rights to violating the law will be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted accordingly. Political disagreement is not a license to engage in domestic terrorism, to commit acts of violence, to harm or threaten others, to illegally trespass, or to break the law in any way.

The genius of American democracy lies in the ability of its citizens to disagree with one another without resorting to violence, and to respect the peaceful transition of power following each election. We must be vigilant against those who undermine our democratic ideals by engaging in criminal violence.

We need the public’s help to keep our communities safe and protect the First Amendment rights of all Missourians. Each citizen has a role to play. Remember to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to local authorities. If you see something, say something. Submit any information you have about real or potential threats of violence at any upcoming demonstrations or events by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at http://tips.fbi.gov.

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Rolla, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing a firearm.

Ladd E. Callen, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 25, 2020, Callen pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Callen admitted that he was in possession of 371.38 grams of methamphetamine when Kansas City police officers stopped the Chevrolet Silverado he was driving on Oct. 30, 2018. Callen told officers he came to Kansas City to purchase one pound of methamphetamine, which he planned to transport back to Rolla. Officers also found a stolen and loaded Glock handgun on the floorboard directly behind the driver’s seat.

At the time of his arrest, Callen was under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole for his prior possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A registered sex offender from Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty in federal court today to crossing state lines to engage in illicit sexual activity with a 14-year-old Missouri victim he met on Facebook.

Montoryon Harris, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to one count of traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and one count of committing the felony offense while he was required to register as a sex offender.

Harris, who remains in federal custody without bond, has a 1997 felony conviction for aggravated indecent solicitation of a minor.

On Jan. 24, 2019, the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force received a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Facebook reported that Harris was suspected of engaging in the sexual exploitation of a child victim. Harris began communicating with the child victim via Facebook on Dec. 14, 2018. Soon afterward, he told her that he wanted to see her in person. Harris’s text messages quickly became sexual in nature.

A law enforcement officer contacted the child victim, who confirmed that Harris drove to her house on Dec. 17, 2018. They engaged in sexual activity in his pickup truck while parked outside her house. Afterward, Harris continued to message the child victim for the purpose of arranging another sexual encounter.

Under federal statutes, Harris is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole on the first count, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole on the second count. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Wyandotte County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department. 

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Butler, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for distributing methamphetamine and possessing a homemade firearm.

Lyle Scott Jennings, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Tuesday, Jan. 12, to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Feb. 10, 2020, Jennings pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possessing an unregistered firearm.

Jennings was stopped by officers from the Bates County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department on two occasions in June 2018. On the first stop, he was in possession of materials used to manufacture methamphetamine; on the second stop, he was in possession of a homemade firearm. Officers searched his residence and found more methamphetamine.

Jennings admitted that he purchased and distributed methamphetamine on a regular basis. He traded a 1997 Camaro for an ounce of methamphetamine and a 1971 Harley Davidson motorcycle for two ounces of methamphetamine. He gave methamphetamine to others to distribute as well.

Jennings also admitted that he manufactured the homemade firearm, a “slam-fire”-type destructive device made from three pieces of pipe and a wrench handle, in June 2018. The device was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Gregg Coonrod. It was investigated by the Bates County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm following a police chase in a stolen pickup truck.

John D. Seger, 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, Seger admitted that he was in possession of a Phoenix handgun while driving a stolen pickup truck on Jan. 18, 2017. Independence police officers saw Seger run a red light. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but Seger fled from police and stopped only after the vehicle wrecked and became inoperable. Seger fled on foot before being apprehended by police. Officers then found the handgun inside the pickup truck.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Seger has a prior felony conviction for voluntary manslaughter, two prior felony convictions for burglary, two prior convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, and a prior felony conviction for resisting arrest.

Under federal statutes, Seger is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Chillicothe, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $142 million scheme to sell non-organic grain as though it was organic.

Steven N. Whiteside, 57, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris to a federal information that charges him with falsely signing documents related to the fraud scheme. Whiteside pleaded guilty to making or giving a false official certificate or writing, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months' imprisonment and a fine up to $100,000.

Randy Constant, also of Chillicothe, the leader of the fraud scheme, was sentenced on Aug. 16, 2019, to 10 years and two months in federal prison without parole in a related case that was prosecuted in the Northern District of Iowa. John Burton of Clarksdale, Missouri, and three  farmers from Nebraska, all of whom who supplied Constant with non-organic grain, were also sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme to defraud customers across the United States.

Constant admitted the fraudulent scheme involved at least $142,433,475 in grain sales, and the vast majority of those sales were fraudulent. From 2010 to 2017, Constant misled customers into thinking they were buying certified organic grain when the grain he was selling was not organic. Constant admitted falsely telling customers the grain he sold was grown on his certified organic fields in Nebraska and Missouri when the grain was not organic either because he purchased the grain from other growers, the certified organic fields were sprayed with unauthorized chemicals, or organic grain was mixed with non-organic grain. As part of the plea, Constant also agreed to forfeit $128,190,128 in proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.

Constant’s grain was mostly used as animal feed, primarily for chickens and cattle. That livestock was then sold as organic meat or products from the livestock were sold as organic products. Because of Constant’s fraud, most of the livestock that was fed his grain was not organic, causing thousands of consumers to purchase what they thought was organic meat for a premium price across the country.

By pleading guilty today, Whiteside admitted that he signed a document on May 30, 2015, falsely claiming that he owned or farmed certain parcels of land when he actually had no affiliation or control of the property. Whiteside falsely attested in a Land Use History Verification that no chemicals had been used on the property in the preceding three years. The Land Use History Verification is a form used in conjunction with an application to have land certified as organic as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program. In order for grain to be certified as organic, the grain must have been grown through approved methods and without the use of certain substances, including synthetic chemicals, and produced and handled in compliance with the program.

At the same time Whiteside signed the document, it was co-signed by Constant, who was identified on the document as the applicant seeking the certification for the land. In addition to being the identified applicant, Constant also purchased non-organic grain from Whiteside and employed Whiteside as part of Constant’s fish farm operation.

For purposes of calculating loss for sentencing purposes, the government agreed that any calculation should only include amounts related to Whiteside's grain sales to Constant or sales from grain grown on the land identified in the Land Use History Verification. The government agreed the loss calculation for Whiteside should not include other amounts, including amounts attributable to grain Constant purchased from other farmers, which comprised the significant majority of the $140 million loss figure.

More information about the case in the Northern District of Iowa is available at:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/field-schemes-fraud-results-over-decade-federal-prison-leader-largest-organic-fraud

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/missouri-man-sentenced-nearly-two-years-prison-his-role-field-schemes-organic-grain

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Cooper. It was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Camden County, Missouri.

Stephen Joseph Sanchez, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Co-defendant Jo Marie Pollina, 37, of Kansas City, Mo.  pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 30, 2020.

According to today’s plea agreement, Sanchez was arrested at a Camdenton hotel on Oct. 31, 2017. A police officer responded to a report of a man tampering with a motor vehicle in the hotel’s parking lot, and found Sanchez on the ground beside a sport utility vehicle when he arrived. Sanchez had a bag of marijuana and $8,225 in his pocket.

The officer entered the hotel and contacted Pollina, who told the officer she and Sanchez had traveled in a Dodge Dakota truck. As Pollina attempted to check out of the hotel, the officer seized the duffel bag and backpack that belonged to Sanchez. Pollina physically resisted giving the bags to the officer before he was able to wrest the bags from her. The officer was then contacted by the room attendant, who had found a glass smoking pipe in the hotel room. Pollina was placed under arrest.

The officer seized a bag of marijuana and a Taurus 9mm pistol from the truck. After obtaining a search warrant for Sanchez’s bags, the officer found a cellphone package that contained 158.4 grams of methamphetamine.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Sanchez jointly recommend a sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole. Sanchez must also forfeit to the government $8,225 seized by law enforcement. Under federal statutes, Pollina is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Camdenton, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Fort Smith, Arkansas, man was charged in federal court today with fentanyl trafficking after law enforcement officers found seven pounds of fentanyl in his backpack when he arrived at a Kansas City, Missouri, bus station.

Daniel Bonilla, 26, was charged with possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, a police service dog indicated the presence of illegal drugs in the luggage stored underneath a bus at a local bus station on Wednesday, Dec. 16. When Bonilla picked up the luggage, a Kansas City police detective contacted him for questioning. Bonilla was acting suspiciously, the affidavit says, and a police service dog indicated the presence of illegal drugs in a backpack he was carrying. When a detective searched the backpack, he found three packages that contained a total of seven pounds of fentanyl.

The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Brackett. It was investigated by the Kansas City Interdiction Task Force.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Ohio man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for traveling to Missouri in an attempt to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 12-year-old child.

Timothy M. Zukoski, 34, of Southington, Ohio, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Zukoski on Nov. 27, 2020.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Zukoski began communicating through Instagram on Oct. 21, 2020, with a person he believed to be 12 years old. In reality, the Instagram account had been set up by a Kansas City area woman for her daughter. The woman communicated with Zukoski under the identity of her daughter, the affidavit says, before contacting the FBI. An FBI undercover employee then began communicating with Zukoski through the Instagram account, assuming the identity of the 12-year-old girl. Zukoski began making arrangements to travel to the Kansas City area so that he could meet the child victim for sex.

Zukoski allegedly made plans with the FBI undercover employee to stay in Kansas City while the child victim’s mother was purportedly out of town over Thanksgiving weekend. Zukoski also suggested, the affidavit says, that the child victim could come live with him. When Zukoski arrived in Kansas City on Nov. 27, 2020, he was arrested. Investigators found numerous images of child pornography on his cell phone.

Today’s indictment charges Zukoski with one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, one count of traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and one count of possessing child pornography.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department. 

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was indicted by a federal grand jury today for stealing mail from customers on his route and depositing their checks into his own bank account.

Lane A. Snider, 21, of Kansas City, Kansas, was charged in a 13-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

Snider was employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Kansas City, Mo., from June 13 to Aug. 6, 2020. Snider allegedly took then opened mail addressed to customers on his route. He removed checks from the opened mail, the indictment says, and deposited them into his own bank account.

Today’s indictment charges Snider with one count of stealing mail, and 12 counts of bank fraud. Each of the 12 bank fraud counts is related to the deposit of a stolen check, in amounts ranging from $25 to $500.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney R. Pratten. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Nineteen defendants, primarily from the Columbia and Kansas City, Missouri, areas, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $1.2 million insurance fraud conspiracy that involved false claims of injuries suffered in car accidents.

Lawrence Courtney Lawhorn, 32, and Latoya Marie Brown, 35, who resided in Columbia and in the Kansas City area; Lauren Courtney Luque, 34, Michael Jadon Carter, 30, Tiera Rachell Wallace, 38, Lanay Deshawn Wallace, 26, Dylan James Danielsson, 26, Larell Montez Banks, 27, Kathy Davvy Kimhang, 29, Michael Lee Gene Stapleton, 34, and Cedrick Shawndale Goldman, 44, all of Columbia; Matthew Stephen Akins, 32, who resided in Columbia and Fulton, Mo.; Michael Stuart Smith, 34, Taron Donte Ford, 35, Dontay Laray Campbell, 31, and Eriona Tyjaez Fleeks, 28, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Cornelius Deshawn Phelps, 35, who resided in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Tara Colleen Jackson, 57, of Independence, Mo.; and Maurice Frank Penny, 37, of St. Louis, Mo., were charged in a 69-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Nov. 18, 2020. 

The superseding indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants. The superseding indictment replaces an indictment returned on Aug. 19, 2020, which originally charged only Lawhorn and Luque with eight counts related to the fraud conspiracy.

The federal indictment charges all 19 defendants with participating in a conspiracy that defrauded six insurance companies of a total of $1,234,581 from June 2017 to July 2020. Conspirators allegedly submitted false claims that they had suffered bodily injuries and that they would be personally liable for any medical bills related to insurance claims. Conspirators, some of whom were involved in multiple incidents, received thousands of dollars, and in some cases tens of thousands of dollars, based on these false claims. According to the indictment, however, none of the conspirators made any payments to medical providers and instead used the funds for their personal expenses.

Lawhorn was directly involved in two incidents in which he received separate payments of $1,500 and $17,350 from insurance companies, the indictment says. In eight additional incidents, Lawhorn allegedly sent emails to insurance companies, made telephone calls to insurance companies, directed others what to tell insurance companies, reviewed insurance policies prior to incidents, witnessed release agreements, and assumed the identity of parties to the incidents or people related to parties to these incidents in communication with insurance companies.

Luque (with whom Lawhorn was in a romantic relationship), Jackson (who is Lawhorn’s mother), Carter, Banks, and Stapleton each received fraudulent insurance payments of $50,000 or more, according to the indictment. Lawhorn also was in romantic relationships with Kimhang and Brown, who has a child in common with Lawhorn. Brown was involved in three incidents, the indictment says, and received a total of $44,269 in insurance payments. Kimhang received a fraudulent insurance payment of $18,429, according to the indictment.

In addition to the wire fraud conspiracy, most of the defendants are charged with participating in a mail fraud conspiracy. Lawhorn and Carter are also charged together in a money-laundering conspiracy. The indictment also charges various defendants in 38 counts of wire fraud, six counts of attempted wire fraud, and 20 counts of mail fraud. Lawhorn is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft. Lawhorn and Luque are also charged together in one count of aggravated identity theft.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Maness. It was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm that was used to shoot another man in the leg, using the victim’s own illegally-possessed firearm.

William D. Fullbright, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, Fullbright admitted that he possessed a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol, which belonged to Colby Srite, 30, of Independence, and was used to shoot Srite in the leg. When Independence police officers responded to a residence in the 3600 block of N. Pleasant Street on Sept. 3, 2019, there was a brief standoff with the officers, which ended when Srite came running up the stairs from the basement having been shot in the leg and yelling, “He’s got a gun!” Fullbright attempted to escape through a downstairs door and fled on foot with an officer in pursuit. During the pursuit, Fullbright jumped over a fence and discarded the firearm along the fence line. As the officer searched for Fullbright, he heard a cell phone ringing near the fence line and found Fullbright attempting to hide. Fullbright was taken into custody and later showed officers where the pistol had been discarded.

Srite pleaded guilty in a separate case on Sept. 17, 2020, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Fullbright has prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon and burglary. Srite has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

Under federal statutes, Fullbright and Srite each are subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Caleb J. Aponte, who is a cross-designated prosecutor from the Missouri Attorney General’s office as part of the Safer Streets Initiative to combat violent crime. They were investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kenyan national pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a marriage fraud conspiracy.

Fidelina Mwelu Mutisya, 61, of Winchester, Ohio, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts to one count of criminal conspiracy. 

By pleading guilty today, Mutisya admitted that she participated in a conspiracy to enter into fraudulent marriages for the purpose of circumventing federal immigration laws in exchange for money. 

Mutisya entered into a fraudulent marriage to a United States citizen on June 22, 2007, for the sole purpose of acquiring permanent resident status. She paid her citizen spouse $1,000 at the time of the wedding and approximately $100 per month afterward until the immigration process was complete. Mutisya admitted that she filed a form with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services falsely representing that her marriage was valid. She also advised her citizen spouse to continue to tell investigators that the marriage was legitimate, and to never disclose she paid him for the marriage.

Mutisya, who was admitted to the United States on a visitor (B-1) visa, is a lawful resident. Today’s felony conviction may have consequences with respect to her immigration status. Under federal law, a broad range of crimes are removable offenses, including the offense to which she pleaded guilty; however, removal and other immigration consequences are the subject of a separate proceeding.

Mutisya’s fraudulent marriage was arranged by Delmar Dixon of Kansas City, Missouri, who was convicted in a separate but related case. Dixon was sentenced on July 13, 2017, to three years in federal prison without parole.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri woman was sentenced in federal court today for a Social Security and bankruptcy fraud scheme.

Carol L. Dille, 68, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Dille to pay $76,601 in restitution.

On Jan. 31, 2020, Dille pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of bankruptcy fraud. Dille admitted that she filed an online application for Social Security retirement insurance benefits in September 2013, using the identity – including the name, date of birth, and Social Security number – of her former husband, Gerald Sanders, from whom she separated in 2009. Sanders had been living overseas since the 2009 separation, and was unaware that Dille filed the application.

Dille, representing herself as Sanders, provided her own address, phone number, and email address as contact information. Dille, while still representing herself as Sanders, indicated benefits should be direct deposited into the bank account of “Alliance of Divine Love Chapel 1202,” of which she was the sole authorized signor on the account.

In June 2016, as Sanders neared his 65th birthday, Dille emailed him offering to help set up his benefits – even though she had been secretly collecting them herself for nearly three years. She pretended to help him and to be sympathetic to his financial distress while diverting $1,420 a month of his benefits to her own bank account.

In August 2016, Sanders moved from Indonesia to Guam. After his move, Sanders went into the Guam Social Security office to check on his application. At that point he was told a claim had already been filed and the Social Security Administration had been paying monthly benefits in his name since October 2013. As a direct result of the fraudulent application filed by Dille, the government paid a total of $76,601 in monthly benefits earmarked for Sanders.

In addition to the Social Security fraud scheme, Dille used the Alliance of Divine Love Chapel bank account twice to commit bankruptcy fraud.

On May 7, 2015, Dille filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. She claimed $500,001 to $1 million in estimated liabilities, but failed to list – effectively concealing – the Alliance of Divine Love bank account. Dille’s bankruptcy case was dismissed on Oct. 5, 2015, because she failed to make required payments.

On March 9, 2016, Dille again filed for bankruptcy. Dille again failed to list – effectively concealing – the Alliance of Divine Love bank account. This case was dismissed on May 5, 2016, because Dille again failed to make required payments.

The court also ruled today that Dille violated the terms of her plea agreement by committing another crime between the time of her guilty plea and today’s sentencing. Within three months of entering her guilty plea, Dille committed bankruptcy fraud again when she concealed the attempted sale of a real estate parcel that was an asset of her bankruptcy estate, and the related sale documents, from the bankruptcy court and U.S. Trustee’s Office. Dille admitted that had the sale gone through, she did not intend to use the proceeds to repay her bankruptcy creditors.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney R. Pratten and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Farmakidis. It was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An inmate at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, was sentenced in federal court today for assaulting another inmate at the facility.

Earl F. Love, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to seven years in federal prison without parole. The court ordered today’s sentence to be served consecutively to Love’s previously imposed sentence of 25 years in prison for fatally stabbing a victim with whom he was angry because the victim borrowed his scooter for too long.

On Aug. 18, 2020, Love was found guilty at trial of one count of assault causing serious bodily injury. Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Love walked into the cell of another inmate, identified in court documents as “D.W.,” on Dec. 30, 2018. Love and the victim were in an argument over a $46 sports gambling bet. As another inmate served as a lookout, Love struck D.W., fractured his nose and other bones in his face, and knocked him unconscious.

Afterward, the victim was transported by ambulance to the emergency room with potentially life-threatening injuries. D.W. was admitted to the hospital and spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit. According to court documents, the victim’s injuries not only required intubation to ensure he could continue to breathe, other serious injuries were inflicted that included a broken orbital bone, a fracture to his neck vertebrae, and facial injuries that have required several operations to reconstruct.

According to court documents, Love has a history of violent criminal behavior. While incarcerated, he has continued to amass a considerable amount of violations that includes repeatedly assaulting other inmates, disrespect to the staff, possession of contraband, and running a gambling pool.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Carney and Casey Clark. It was investigated by the FBI.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies at area businesses.

Aaron Fisher, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On June 16, 2020, Fisher pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, seven counts of armed robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Fisher was arrested on April 5, 2018, when Kansas City, Mo., police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop while he was driving a stolen 2017 Nissan Sentra. The Nissan Sentra closely matched the vehicle that was captured on surveillance footage from several of the robberies. Fisher fled in the vehicle until the vehicle became disabled, then fled from the vehicle on foot, but was ultimately arrested. His co-defendant remained in the vehicle during the incident and also was arrested.

Fisher and a co-defendant committed several armed robberies and one attempted robbery of businesses between Dec. 20, 2017, and April 2, 2018. These robberies occurred in Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Independence, Raytown, North Kansas City, Grain Valley, and Lathrop, Missouri, and in Overland Park, Kansas. Fisher committed at least five robberies by himself. Fisher and his co-defendant committed at least three robberies and one attempted robbery together (as the co-defendant robbed the businesses while Fisher was the getaway driver). In each of the completed robberies, they were armed with a black revolver and stole money.

Fisher admitted to the armed robbery of Blue Ridge Food Stop, 4704 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 20, 2017; the armed robbery of Subway, 3380 Fascination, Lee’s Summit, Mo., on Dec. 20, 2017; the armed robbery of Papa Murphy’s, 9027 E. 350 Hwy., Raytown, Mo., on Jan. 4, 2018; the armed robbery of Four Points Sheraton, 4011 Blue Ridge, Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 15, 2018; and the armed robbery of Trex Mart, 7812 E. 116 Hwy., Lathrop, Mo., on April 2, 2018.

Fisher also admitted to the armed robberies, together with his co-defendant, of Holiday Inn Express, 19901 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence, Mo., on Dec. 31, 2017; and with the armed robbery of Comfort Inn Motel, 210 N.W. Jefferson St., Grain Valley, Mo., on Jan. 21, 2018.

Fisher also admitted to brandishing an H7R .22-caliber revolver during the robberies. The loaded firearm was recovered by law enforcement officers during the execution of a search warrant at Fisher’s residence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department, the Raytown, Mo., Police Department, the Grain Valley, Mo., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department and the Clinton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Missouri, financial advisor was sentenced in federal court today for a fraud scheme in which he stole more than $1 million from two elderly clients.

Kraig Gier, 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to five years and three months in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 31, 2020, Gier pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. Gier, who operated a business called Security Planning Corporation, admitted that he stole a total of $1,087,964 from a 96-year-old client and an 84-year-old client. Through his scheme to defraud, Gier caused losses to one victim client of $879,602 and to another victim client of $208,362. According to court documents, Gier depleted the life savings of his victims, which resulted in one of his victims having to move out of the family home which she and her husband shared with her children for many years.

Gier began making fraudulent withdrawals from the various investment accounts of these clients in February 2015, and had the money deposited into either his personal checking account or his business account. This fraud scheme continued until July 2018.

Gier sometimes forged the signature of the client victims on the paperwork associated with a particular withdraw request. At other times, Gier would contain with the withdrawal paperwork a fraudulent voided check with the victim’s name on it but with his personal or business account number as the intended recipient of the requested funds.

In order to cover up his fraudulent scheme, Gier prepared false and fictitious documentation purportedly from the financial company holding the victim clients’ investment. This documentation would fraudulently represent they were making a significant profit even though he had often significantly depleted their account.

This case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ketchmark. It was investigated by the FBI and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed at least 12 pounds of methamphetamine in the Joplin area, as well as to illegally possessing numerous firearms.

Mark E. Burdge, 50, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of distributing methamphetamine on premises where children are present or reside.

By pleading guilty today, Burdge admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 9, 2018, to July 18, 2019. Burdge imported at least 12 pounds (approximately 5.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine into southwest Missouri from a source in Oklahoma.

On May 9, 2018, investigators with the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at Burdge’s residence. Officers seized a total of 71.96 grams of methamphetamine and approximately $20,550 from a bedroom in the residence. Officers also searched an outbuilding and seized six rifles, five shotguns, four pistols, a revolver, a .22-caliber Magnum derringer, and 4,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.

On July 18, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Burdge’s residence, where they encountered a 10-year-old child among a number of individuals at the residence. Officers seized a total of 159.66 grams of methamphetamine and $24,300.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Burdge must forfeit to the government $44,850 seized by law enforcement as the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Under federal statutes, Burdge is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol., Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

OCDETF
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.  The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy.  OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.  Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison today announced more than $7.7 million in Department of Justice grants to fight and prevent violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. The local grants are part of more than $458 million in funding to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime in jurisdictions across the United States.

“The Department of Justice grants announced today address a wide range of issues related to dispensing justice, from law enforcement to prosecutors to courts,” Garrison said. “This federal grant funding bolsters our efforts, and the efforts of our state and local partners, to reduce crime and improve public safety in the Western District of Missouri.”

“One of the fundamental missions of government is to protect its citizens and safeguard the rule of law,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The Department of Justice will continue to meet this critical responsibility by doing everything within its power to help our state, local and tribal law enforcement and criminal justice partners fight crime and deliver justice on behalf of all Americans.”

The following organizations received a total of $7,783,383 in federal grant funding:

• The Kansas City, Mo., Police Department received $1,428,571 under Operation Relentless Pursuit. This initiative infuses federal law enforcement resources into seven cities with violent crime levels several times the national average. Federal funds support efforts such as hiring prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, technology, and strategic planning.

• The Missouri Attorney General’s Office received $397,020 and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office received $247,236 under Project Guardian. This initiative reduces gun violence and enforces federal firearms laws. Funds will enable jurisdictions to hire prosecutors within local U.S. Attorney’s Offices who are cross-designated to bring firearms cases to federal court.

• The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office received $340,000 under Innovative Prosecution Solutions for Combatting Violent Crime. This program provides state, local, and tribal prosecutors with resources, training, and technical assistance to implement technology and develop strategies and programs to address and prosecute individuals who commit violent crime.

• The Kansas City, Mo., Police Department received $998,478 under Operation LeGend. This is an ongoing, systematic, and coordinated law enforcement initiative across all federal law enforcement agencies. It enables them to work with state and local law enforcement officials to fight the current surge of violent crime in American cities.

• The Kansas City, Mo., Municipal Court received $1 million and the Judiciary Courts of the State of Missouri received $996,466 under the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. This provides funding for innovative and research-based responses that address a range of problems within the criminal justice system. The Justice Reinvestment approach recognizes that every justice agency has a role to play in preventing crime, apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators, ensuring efficient and effective court and pretrial decision-making, facilitating appropriate sentencing and treatment and protecting community security.

• The Missouri State Highway Patrol received $1,009,423 under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program. This provides financial and technical assistance to states and tribes to improve the completeness, automation, and transmittal of records to state and federal systems used by the NICS.

• The Missouri State Highway Patrol received $1,366,189 under the National Criminal History Improvement Program. This enhances the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information to state, territory and federal systems used by the NICS and ensures the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems.

“Violence has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities,” said Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “Working with officials across the Trump Administration and with thousands of state, local and tribal crime-fighters across the country, the Department of Justice is leading the response to this urgent challenge. OJP is pleased to make these resources available to support innovative, tested and diverse solutions to violent crime.”

Of the more than $458 million awarded nationwide, OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance made 1,094 grants totaling more than $369 million to support a broad range of initiatives, including efforts in enforcement, prosecution, adjudication, detention and rehabilitation.

OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention awarded more than $10 million across 24 jurisdictions to intervene in and suppress youth gang activity as well as $1 million to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research to continue operating the National Gang Center. OJP’s National Institute of Justice awarded $7.8 million to fund research and evaluation on the prevention and reduction of violent crime. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Statistics provided more than $69 million to strengthen the quality and accessibility of records within the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.