Western District of Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former Joplin, Missouri, middle school teacher has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to enticing one of her students to engage in illicit sex.

Amanda Ruth Schweitzer, 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Tuesday, June 16, to enticing a minor for illegal sexual activity.

Schweitzer was a teacher at North Middle School in Joplin at the time of the offense.

The 13-year-old victim, who was a student of Schweitzer’s, reported Schweitzer sent nude photos of herself to the victim, with whom she primarily communicated via Instagram, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on at least two occasions in March 2017. The victim reported that he also sent a nude image of himself to Schweitzer.

Under federal statutes, Schweitzer is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, and the FBI.

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 his role in a romance fraud scheme that bilked victims across the United States and overseas of nearly $900,000.

Ronayerin K. Ogolor, 51, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Nigeria, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to three years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Ogolor to pay $871,739 in restitution to his victims.

On Oct. 23, 2019, Ogolor pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Ogolor admitted that he participated in a conspiracy since 2013 that targeted people, some of them elderly, in search of companionship or romance through online websites such as Facebook, ChristianMingle.com, or Hangout.com.

The perpetrators of the romance scams created several profiles on online dating sites. Conspirators then contacted men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, with whom they cultivated a sense of affection and often romance. Having established relationships with the victims, the perpetrators of the romance scams ultimately requested money for hospital fees, travel fees, “customs expenses,” “gold import taxes,” or investment opportunities. Conspirators directed the victims to wire transfer or deposit money into various bank accounts, including accounts established and maintained by Ogolor. Often after the victims transferred money into the specified accounts, conspirators claimed more money was needed, “to release the package” or “to pay customs expenses” on money or gold.

On other occasions, conspirators fraudulently obtained checks through business email compromise, and had the victims deposit the checks into their accounts and wire and deposit money into various accounts, including accounts established and maintained by Ogolor. In a business email compromise, the conspirators hack into a business email account, and then send an email from what appears to be an employee with authority to approve payments, instructing that a check be disbursed in the victim’s name and sent to the victim. By using victims to deposit the checks and distribute the money, the conspirators distanced themselves from the business email hacking and fraud.

In furtherance of the scheme, Ogolor opened several bank accounts in his name and in the names of sham businesses. The romance fraud victims wired and deposited their money and money from counterfeit or fraudulently obtained checks into Ogolor’s accounts. Soon after receiving the fraudulently obtained wires or deposits, Ogolor wired money to co-conspirators and/or withdrew the money in cash.

Court documents refer to 13 victims (in Alabama, Ohio, Washington, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, California, and Italy) who each sent tens of thousands of dollars to Ogolor. One victim (a widow in Indiana who received a friend request on Facebook) believed a co-conspirator was a widower working on an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana; she lost a total of $450,000 to Ogolor and others. Another victim in Texas, who believed a co-conspirator was a widower and U.S. Army general deployed in Afghanistan, lost at least $300,000.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A dozen Springfield, Missouri-area residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Greene County.

James D. Collins, also known as “Red,” 46, of Battlefield, Missouri; Darryl Turner, also known as “D,” 56, Bobby G. Rost also known as “Pop,” 62, Elmer E. Freeman Jr., also known as “Duck,” 53, Rufus H. Jones, also known as “Shorty,” 69, Jerry D. Pierson, also known as “Pops,” 73, Tia M. Melton, 48, Christopher D. Hoskin, 27, Robert D. Huddleston, 46, Heather R. Kinnison, 28, Salvador Sepulveda, 46, and Trenton J. Davis, 19, all of Springfield, Missouri, were charged in a 19-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, June 10. That indictment was unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants.

The federal indictment alleges that 10 defendants (with the exceptions of Melton and Davis) participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Greene County from Jan. 31, 2019, to May 18, 2020.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, the indictment alleges that Collins and Melton engaged in a money-laundering conspiracy that involved financial transactions of the proceeds of the fentanyl distribution. Collins and Melton are also charged together in one count of being felons in possession of a firearm. They allegedly were in possession of a Smith & Wesson .45-caliber pistol on April 20, 2020.

Collins is also charged with one count of money laundering, one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Collins allegedly was in possession of a Smith & Wesson .45-caliber pistol on April 20, 2020.

Freeman is charged with two counts related to the distribution of fentanyl, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Freeman allegedly was in possession of a Davis Industries .380-caliber handgun on April 20, 2020.

Pierson is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pierson allegedly was in possession of a Berasaluze 7.65-caliber pistol on Feb. 7, 2020.

Hoskin, Jones, Sepulveda, Turner, and Kinnison are each charged with possessing or distributing fentanyl. Davis is charged with one count of managing a premises that he made available for illegal drug trafficking.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property obtained through the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy, including $16,880 seized from Rost by law enforcement officers on Feb. 6, 2020.

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 Jessica R. Keller and Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department. 

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 North Kansas City, Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling from her employer in what was her fourth scheme to steal from a local company.

Tonya A. Topel, 42, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Topel to pay $142,606 in restitution. Today’s sentence must run consecutively to Topel’s eight-year sentence imposed on April 16, 2018.

On Jan. 21, 2020, Topel pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Topel admitted that she embezzled $116,367 from her employer, SunSource Homes.

SunSource Homes Fraud

After pleading guilty to embezzling from two local companies, according to court documents, Topel was hired by SunSource. She immediately abused her position of trust as the office manager and accountant in order to unjustly enrich herself yet again. Topel began working for SunSource as the office manager and accountant in October 2016. She started stealing from them a month later, and continued to embezzle from SunSource while she awaited sentencing for her conviction in another federal case in which she embezzled from another employer, Construction Benefits Audit Corporation (CBAC).

Topel made unauthorized purchases on company credit cards, totaling $47,665. She issued unauthorized checks to herself using one of the owner’s signature stamps, totaling $40,955. She claimed fraudulent expense reimbursements, totaling $19,713, which she added to her legitimate paychecks. Topel created $5,287 in unauthorized paychecks to herself and cashed an unauthorized check from SunSource for $2,745.

Topel used the money she embezzled from SunSource to travel to the Bahamas, Boston, Florida, and Arizona. She paid for retail purchases, restaurants, vehicles, and overdraft fees. She paid the attorney representing her in the prior federal case for embezzling from CBAC. She also presented a $20,000 check, which she fraudulently obtained from SunSource, to pay restitution in that earlier scheme to defraud CBAC. This caused management at SunSource to examine their accounting and books and discover Topel’s other thefts from their company.

Preferred Contracting Systems Fraud

Topel’s first fraud scheme occurred from October 2011 to January 2012, while Topel worked at Preferred Contracting Systems in Leawood, Kansas. In the course of those few months, she stole more than $24,000 from her employer. She was charged with five felony counts in April 2012 in Johnson County, Kansas. 

Construction Benefits Audit Corporation Fraud

Topel’s second fraud scheme began she was hired as a senior auditor for CBAC, a non-profit corporation in Kansas City, Missouri, a few months later, on June 11, 2012. Topel began stealing from CBAC soon thereafter, starting on Oct. 18, 2012, while her criminal case was still pending in Kansas. She paid her criminal defense lawyer using CBAC’s credit card on Dec. 4, 2012, and she paid her restitution in Kansas on March 6, 2014, using a combination of legitimate and stolen money. She was then discharged early from probation in Kansas.

Topel continued to embezzle from CBAC, using five separate fraud schemes until she was caught in May 2016. Over the almost four years she embezzled from CBAC, Topel caused a loss of $295,677. After her embezzlement was discovered, Topel claimed she stole the money to pay for cancer treatments. In fact, Topel spent the money she embezzled on travel to the Bahamas, Hawaii, Dallas, and Boston; restaurants; entertainment such as Royals and Chiefs tickets, golf, and spas; a 2014 Ford Mustang, which she put in her daughter’s name after being caught in 2016; jewelry; and other personal spending such as clothing, dance classes, iPads, etc. Topel’s financial records showed no payments for medical treatments of any kind. Topel pleaded guilty on Sept. 18, 2017, to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was later sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole.

U.S. Real Estate Equity Builder Fraud

Topel’s third fraud scheme occurred in between working for CBAC and SunSource. Topel worked at U.S. Real Estate Equity Builder (USREEB) from July 11, 2016, to Oct. 7, 2016. Topel has not been criminally charged for that fraud scheme. At today’s sentencing hearing for the SunSource fraud conviction, the court found by a preponderance of evidence that Topel’s $26,238 theft from USREEB constitutes relevant conduct in determining today’s sentence.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Three Columbia, Missouri, men were charged in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Boone County, Missouri.

Keveon Martez Johnson, 36, his brother, Marcus Johnson, 34, and Marcus Seawood,  38, were charged in separate but related criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Today’s complaints alleges that all three men participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Boone County from Dec. 17, 2019, to June 11, 2020.

According to affidavits filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, the Columbia Police Department utilized a confidential source to make two controlled purchases of heroin/fentanyl from Keveon Johnson. The confidential source identified Marcus Johnson as a “runner” for Keveon Johnson who shows up to complete the narcotics transactions. 

Investigators used another confidential source to purchase heroin from Seawood, the affidavits say. When the confidential source arrived for the transaction, Keveon and Marcus Johnson were in the vehicle with Seawood during the exchange.

Federal agents utilized a third confidential source, who had purchased heroin from Keveon Johnson on multiple occasions, to make four controlled purchases of heroin from Keveon Johnson and his associates in May 2020. On three occasions, the affidavits say, the confidential source purchased approximately six grams of heroin from Keveon Johnson for $450. On the fourth occasion, the affidavits say, the confidential source purchased approximately 12 grams of heroin from Keveon Johnson for $875.

On Thursday, June 11, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Keveon Johnson’s residence. Inside the pocket of a jacket in the master bedroom closet officers found a plastic bag that contained approximately 153 grams of heroin. In the same pocket, officers found $4,000. Inside the pocket of another jacket officers found a bag that contained approximately 15 grams of heroin.

Keveon and Marcus Johnson and Seawood were taken into custody on separate traffic stops on Thursday, June 11. At the time of his arrest, Marcus Johnson was in possession of approximately three grams of heroin.

The charges contained in these complaints 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.

These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Jolly. They were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Webb City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Newton County, Missouri.

Aaron S. Sutten, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 13 years and four months in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 16, 2019, Sutten pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Newton County from May 19 to Aug. 11, 2018.

Sutten was arrested on Aug. 11, 2018, when he met with co-defendant Shawna M. Smith, 28, of Joplin, at a local hotel. Officers contacted Sutten and Smith in the parking lot. They searched Sutten’s car and found approximately 83.66 grams of methamphetamine and 3.63 grams of black tar heroin concealed in a backpack sitting on the bench seat. They searched Smith’s car and found approximately 23.38 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale within a purse. 

Officers searched Smith’s hotel room, which was occupied by co-defendant Kiley R. McDonald, 30, of Joplin. Officers found a large plastic bag containing approximately 146.39 grams of methamphetamine on the bed with McDonald. They also found three mobile phones, drug paraphernalia, and a wireless camera RF detector (commonly used by drug traffickers to check suspected informants for covert surveillance equipment).

Sutten is the third and final defendant to be sentenced in this case. McDonald was sentenced on Feb. 11, 2020, to eight years in federal prison without parole. Smith was sentenced on March 11, 2020, to three years in federal prison without parole.

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Milo, Missouri, woman has been sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to sell methamphetamine in exchange for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (commonly known as “food stamps”).

Melanie A. Person, 54, was sentenced by M. Douglas Harpool on Wednesday, June 10, to six years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 1, 2019, Person pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Person admitted she and co-defendant Bobby G. Johnson, Jr., 54, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, conspired to accept SNAP benefits in the form of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards and personal identification numbers (PIN) in exchange for methamphetamine. Johnson was sentenced on March 10, 2020, to 12 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to the same charges.

Vernon County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Person’s residence on Aug. 7, 2018. In one bedroom, deputies found a Hi Point 9mm pistol in the top drawer of a dresser, 17 bags of methamphetamine in the bottom drawer of a dresser, a Wards Westernfield .22-caliber rifle in bedroom closet, and a clear bag that contained methamphetamine in the top drawer of another dresser. In another bedroom, deputies found a Savage Arms .220-caliber rifle and a box that contained approximately 750 rounds of ammunition. Deputies seized a total of 16.65 grams of methamphetamine from the residence.

Deputies also seized four SNAP EBT cards that were found in Person’s purse, which were issued to Johnson and three other persons. There were also receipts in Person’s purse from transactions completed using two additional SNAP EBT cards. Many of the transactions conducted with those SNAP EBT cards were at Walmart stores in Missouri, including the Walmart stores in Nevada and Raymore. Three of the individuals to whom those EBT cards were issued admitted that they exchanged their EBT cards and PINs for methamphetamine from Person.

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General; the Vernon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A St. Louis, Missouri, man who shot a law enforcement officer before shooting himself pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug trafficking and illegally discharging a firearm in Joplin, Missouri.

E.F. Fitchpatrick, Jr., 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of discharging a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

By pleading guilty today, Fitchpatrick admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine from Feb. 18 to March 1, 2017. Fitchpatrick, who had been released from federal prison a few months earlier, was traveling back and forth to Texas to pick up methamphetamine in the weeks before his arrest. He picked up nearly a pound of methamphetamine in February 2017, which he distributed to several individuals in Joplin.

On March 1, 2107, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Econolodge Inn and Suites at 3510 S. Rangeline Road in Joplin. After several failed attempts to open the room door with the hotel key card, officers attempted to ram the door, but were not able to get the door open. An Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team (ODET) detective used the battering ram to knock out the hotel room window. Another ODET detective reached in the window to move the curtain, and Fitchpatrick, who was standing in the bathroom doorway, shot the detective in the left side of his body before retreating to the bathroom and barricading himself inside.

Joplin police officers, utilizing a robot, were able to see that the bathroom door was closed with towels stuffed at the bottom of the door. After a couple of hours and numerous attempts and tactics, Fitchpatrick was taken into custody. Fitchpatrick had flushed the remaining drugs and shot himself in the face while barricaded inside the bathroom.

Inside the hotel room, officers found the Hi-Point .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun used in the shooting, drug paraphernalia, and items with methamphetamine residue.

Under federal statutes, Fitchpatrick 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, and the Joplin, 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.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man who pointed a loaded pistol at police officers during a car and foot chase was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.

Matthew D. Billingslea, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to nine years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 11, 2019, Billingslea pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

A Springfield police officer attempted to stop Billingslea, who was driving a Ford Taurus, for having an inoperable headlight and rear-license-plate lamp at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Battlefield Road near midnight on Dec. 7, 2018. When the officer activated his patrol vehicle’s lights, Billingslea refused to stop and accelerated away. Another officer located the vehicle and attempted to stop Billingslea, but he fled again. The officer soon found the Taurus, abandoned by Billingslea, in the front yard of a residence on South Roanoke Avenue.

A few minutes later, another officer located Billingslea walking north on Jefferson Avenue. When the officer asked Billingslea to take his hand out of his pocket, Billingslea was holding a loaded Kel-Tec .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Billingslea pointed the firearm at the officer and yelled, “Don’t do it!” The officer took cover behind his patrol vehicle, and Billingslea hid behind a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on South Jefferson Avenue. Billingslea then rose from behind the vehicle and again, pointed the firearm at the officer and yelled, “Don’t do it!”  Billingslea then fled through a fence on the north side of the residence and south through a back yard.

Officers used a police service canine to track Billingslea to the back yard of a residence located on South Jefferson Avenue. The service canine bit Billingslea’s right arm; he was holding the firearm in his left hand. An officer ordered Billingslea to drop the firearm and he refused. During the confrontation, Billingslea dropped the firearm, which was seized by an officer.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Billingslea has 23 prior misdemeanors and four prior felony convictions (including two firearms offenses). At the time of his arrest in this case, Billingslea was on probation for pointing a stolen firearm at the mother of one of his children.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, and the Springfield, 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. – An Oak Grove, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing the heroin that resulted in the overdose death of an Arizona man visiting his family in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Joshua Austin Leroux, 35, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 20 years in federal prison without parole. 

On Nov. 13, 2019, Leroux pleaded guilty to one count of distributing heroin that caused the death of a man identified in court documents as “M.A.C.”Leroux admitted that he distributed heroin to M.A.C. on Sept. 3, 2017. After M.A.C. acquired the heroin from Leroux, he ingested it at some point on Sept. 3, or the morning of Sept. 4, 2017. The Jackson County Medical Examiner, after conducting an autopsy, declared that the cause of M.A.C.’s death was heroin intoxication.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Pomona, California, woman was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Jasper County, Missouri.

Melissa R. Kivett, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 27 years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 9, 2019, Kivett pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Jasper County from March 8, 2016, through Oct. 3, 2017. Kivett also pleaded guilty to one count of distributing methamphetamine.

Kivett transported methamphetamine from California, usually through the mail, to co-conspirators in Missouri. Co-conspirators purchased multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from Kivett for about $400 per ounce (28 grams). Those co-conspirators then distributed methamphetamine to others.

When Kivett was arrested in California on Sept. 7, 2017, she was in possession of 3.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 1.3 kilograms of morphine, and 610 grams of hydrocodone.

Kivett is the fifth and final defendant in this case to be sentenced.
 
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Illinois State Police, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Duquesne, Mo., Police Department, the Pomona, Calif., Police Department, and the Ontario, Calif., Police Department. 

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 Springfield, Missouri, man with a prior conviction for transporting child pornography was sentenced in federal court today for another child pornography offense.

David Todd Beresky, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Beresky to a lifetime of supervised release following incarceration, and ordered him to pay a total of $24,000 in restitution to seven child victims.

On Dec. 2, 2019, Beresky pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

At the time of the offense, Beresky was on supervised release following his incarceration for a 2005 federal conviction of transporting child pornography. His probation officer learned he was working as a pizza delivery driver, which was not permitted. Beresky’s probation officer confronted him at work and inspected his cell phone.  Beresky’s cell phone contained multiple images of child pornography. 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI 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."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy that involved multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine transported from Arizona to Missouri.

Gregory L. Hopper, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

By pleading guilty today, Hopper admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute at least 7.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in Greene, Christian, and Taney counties from June 2017 to March 18, 2019. Hopper also admitted that he possessed 15 firearms – including four assault rifles, 10 handguns and a shotgun – in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

On Feb. 21, 2019, Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Hopper’s residence. Officers seized 220 grams of black tar heroin, a Bulldog handgun, a Dan Wesson handgun, a Jimenez handgun, a Ruger handgun, a Romak-Romarm/Cugir 10/63 assault rifle, a Smith and Wesson assault rifle, an Anderson assault rifle, and a Strum assault rifle, a drug ledger, and a plastic bag that contained methamphetamine from one bedroom. Also found in the residence were additional firearms, including a Cobray .45/410 handgun, a Walther PPS handgun, a Rock Island handgun (reported stolen), a Ruger LCP handgun, a Stevens 12-gauge shotgun, a Glock 42 handgun, and a Glock 26 handgun. Officers found a total of 63 grams of methamphetamine in the residence. Officers seized $2,257 from a safe, $1,103 from a glass jar inside a bedroom closet, and $3,423 from Hopper’s wallet.

Hopper is the seventh defendant to plead guilty in this case.

Under federal statutes, Hopper 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 Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS); the Branson, Mo., Police Department; the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department; the Ozark, Mo., Police Department; the Springfield, Mo., Police Department; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Silver City, N.M., Police Department; and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Daniel W. Pendergrass, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 14 years and one month in federal prison without parole.

On June 12, 2019, Pendergrass pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Pendergrass was an active participant in a methamphetamine distribution operation that distributed more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. He coordinated methamphetamine transactions, distributed methamphetamine to individuals, collected and counted the money received for the methamphetamine, and used his vehicle to distribute methamphetamine. When Pendergrass was arrested, he was in possession of 194 grams of methamphetamine.

Pendergrass is the second defendant to be sentenced in this case. Co-defendant Lynette Marie Roberts, 29, of Gladstone, Missouri, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for methamphetamine trafficking and illegally possessing firearms.

Tyler J. Brown, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Wednesday, June 3, to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 11, 2019, Brown pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Brown was arrested on Dec. 25, 2017, when Springfield police officers found him passed out in the driver’s seat of a Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicle was parked, with the engine running, at the intersection of North Grant Avenue and West Calhoun Street. Officers found two firearms in the car with Brown.

A loaded Pioneer Arms 7.62mm semi-automatic pistol was sitting muzzle-end down, in the passenger floorboard, with the handle of the firearm leaning toward the driver’s seat. Brown’s right hand rested next to the firearm, with his last two fingers touching the end of the firearm. While removing the first firearm, an officer saw a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol resting near Brown’s right side.

Officers were able to wake Brown up and place him under arrest. Brown was in possession of $2,666 and had a plastic baggie in his pocket that contained 1.45 grams of methamphetamine. He was wearing body armor beneath his shirt. Officers searched the car and found a black backpack in the front passenger seat. Inside the backpack was a glass jar that contained 71.44 grams of methamphetamine, a distributive amount, and a black and silver box that contained 3.46 grams of methamphetamine.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan D. Nguyen and Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department. 

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 Kansas City, Kansas, man who initially was arrested after throwing water bottles at police officers during protests at the Country Club Plaza was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing a firearm.

“Hijacking a peaceful protest by attacking police officers engaged in their duty to protect the public carries significant consequences in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. “Illegally carrying a loaded handgun to a public demonstration multiplies those consequences with federal penalties. I have no tolerance for anyone who hides behind the lawful exercise of constitutional rights as cover for their criminal acts. We are working alongside our local law enforcement partners to protect the public and maintain order.” 

Matthew E. Madden, 22, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri, with one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Madden, who is a habitual user of, or addicted to, marijuana, was in possession of a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun on June 2, 2020.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Madden traveled from Kansas City, Kansas, to participate in the protests at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday, June 2. During the protests over the previous five days, police officers who monitored the crowd and participated in crowd control reported some violent protesters threw bottles and rocks at them, causing injury to officers and damage to personal and public property. On Tuesday, law enforcement officers observed Madden throwing water bottles at officers who were providing security in the area of 47th Street and J.C. Nichols Parkway. Later the same evening, officers observed Madden throwing waters bottles from the southwest corner of Mill Creek Park (located at 47th Street and J.C. Nichols Parkway).

Police officers approached Madden as he walked away from the crowd and asked him to stop so they could talk to him.  Madden immediately ran away through the park, but officers captured him near a tree line on the east side of the park. During the pursuit, an officer saw Madden discard the black fanny pack that he had been previously observed carrying over his shoulder. Officers recovered the fanny pack, which contained a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun loaded with 15 round of ammunition, another magazine containing an additional 27 rounds of ammunition, and 1.23 grams of marijuana.  

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 Stefan C. Hughes. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Houston, Texas, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for an investment fraud scheme.

Duc Nguyen, also known as “Doug,” 56, was charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 27, 2020.

According to the federal indictment, Nguyen proposed an opportunity for high net worth individuals to invest in the purchase, refurbishing, and sale of used oil equipment. He allegedly told Phillip and Brian Hudnall that profit from these transactions would be three to five times the amount of the investment. Brian and Phillip Hudnall raised money from investors based upon these representations from Nguyen.

For example, Brian Hudnall wire transferred $415,000 to Nguyen between May 3 and Sept. 19, 2018, for the purchase, refurbishment, and shipping of the oil equipment. Phillip Hudnall transferred $1,075,000 to Nguyen between April 15 and June 17, 2019, for the purchase, refurbishment, and shipping of the oil equipment.

Nguyen did not use any of the monies for the purchase, refurbishment, and shipment of used oil equipment, the indictment says, but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The federal indictment cites tens of thousands of dollars spent at several casinos.

The federal indictment charges Nguyen with 12 counts of wire fraud related to wire transfers of funds into his bank accounts.

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 Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Jasper County, Missouri.

Kevin L. Kivett Sr., 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 1, 2019, Kivett pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Jasper County from March 8, 2016, through Oct. 3, 2017. Kivett also pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing methamphetamine and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Kivett is the fourth defendant in this case to be sentenced. Co-defendant Melissa R. Kivett, 42, of Pomona, California, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
 
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Illinois State Police, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Duquesne, Mo., Police Department, the Pomona, Calif., Police Department, and the Ontario, Calif., Police Department. 

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. – Two Kansas City, Missouri, men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to rob two banks.

Desmand W. McDaniel, 27, and Joshua J. Parker, 28, were charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, May 27. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against McDaniel and Parker on March 12, 2020.

The federal indictment alleges that McDaniel and Parker participated in a conspiracy to commit bank robberies from Feb. 3 to March 11, 2020. The indictment also charges McDaniel and Parker together in two counts of bank robbery. 

McDaniel and Parker allegedly stole $11,026 from First Federal Bank of Kansas City, 9330 E. Gregory Boulevard, Raytown, Missouri, on Feb. 22, 2020. 

McDaniel and Parker allegedly stole $10,085 from First Federal Bank of Kansas City, 3500 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri, on March 11, 2020. According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, each of the men approached a teller station and demanded cash. McDaniel allegedly approached a teller and demanded, “Give me all of your money.” The teller said she was afraid and complied with his demands; she told investigators he was “aggressive” and told her to “hurry up.” Parker allegedly approached another teller and told her to “hand over the money.” He held his hand in his pocket, which made her believe he may have a gun. She turned over the money from her teller drawer. McDaniel and Parker then ran out of the bank.

An eyewitness at the intersection of 35th Street and Noland Road noticed McDaniel and Parker run out of First Federal Bank, dropping money while they ran, and believed the bank was being robbed. The eyewitness saw them get into a black GMC SUV; the eyewitness started following them and called 911 to report the suspicious activity. McDaniel, who was driving the vehicle, led police officers on a high-speed pursuit through Independence, Raytown, Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kansas. Multiple police agencies became involved, including a Kansas City, Mo., police helicopter. McDaniel and Parker traveled in excess of 100 miles per hour, weaving into oncoming traffic. Their vehicle died near the 7-Eleven convenience store at the intersection of 95th Street and Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas. McDaniel and Parker fled from the vehicle but were apprehended and arrested after a foot chase.

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 Emily A. Morgan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department, the Raytown, Mo., Police Department, and the Grandview, 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 Kansas City, Missouri, man who stole several firearms and other items from a police vehicle has been sentenced in federal court for possessing stolen firearms.

Carvon Brown, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Tuesday, May 26, to six years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 6, 2019, Brown pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm. Brown admitted that he and co-defendant Leronte Swinton, 31, of Kansas City, Missouri, stole three firearms, two Tasers, two handheld radios, two Kevlar vests, and a case of shotgun shells from an unmarked police car that was parked in a Kansas City police officer’s driveway. At some point overnight on Nov. 9, 2018, Brown and Swinton ransacked the police vehicle. During the course of the investigation into this theft, numerous other thefts were identified that also were committed by Brown and Swinton.

Law enforcement officers tracked the Ford Fusion driven by Swinton, with Brown as a passenger, on Dec. 1, 2018, as Brown and Swinton committed numerous theft from autos in both Leavenworth County and Wyandotte County, Kansas. Numerous items were stolen from vehicles, including a Smith & Wesson .380-caliber handgun, a jump starter kit, a computer tablet, and an FNH 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Kansas City, Kansas, police officers attempted to stop them but they fled at a high rate of speed. A short pursuit took place but was terminated as the vehicle fled back toward Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri, police officers located the vehicle and also attempted to stop them. Once again, Brown and Swinton fled and a brief vehicle pursuit was initiated. Due to the weather conditions and the reckless manner in which Swinton was driving, the pursuit was again terminated.

Because they stopped for gas, investigators were able to identify them from surveillance videos and obtained a search warrant for their residence. On Dec. 3, 2018, officers executed the search warrant and arrested Brown and Swinton. Officers also seized several stolen firearms and other items found during the search.

Swinton also pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Jan. 30, 2020, to two years and six months in federal prison without parole.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former Pineville, Missouri, pastor was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography.

Ryan Daniel Crawford, 33, of Austin, Arkansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Crawford to pay $2,500 in restitution to one of the victims of his molestation, and sentenced Crawford to 20 years on supervised release following incarceration.

On Sept. 16, 2019, Crawford pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography. Crawford admitted that he had touched the 9-year-old victim’s genitals with his hands, and that he had photographed her genitals with his cell phone while she was sleeping. Investigators located sexually explicit images of the child victim on Crawford’s cell phone.

Crawford was the assistant pastor at First Baptist Church in Pineville for approximately seven years until his arrest on state charges in 2017. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019 and the state charges were dismissed. Crawford has remained in federal custody since his arrest on the federal indictment.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force, and the Pineville, 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."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a conspiracy that distributed at least 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in Laclede County, Missouri.

Deidra C. Mathews, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Laclede County from Nov. 28, 2018, to May 21, 2019. She remains in federal custody pending a sentencing hearing.

By pleading guilty today, Mathews admitted she distributed approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine between February and April 2019. She received one pound of methamphetamine each week from a co-conspirator, for which she paid $4,500. The overall conspiracy involved the distribution of at least 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

Mathews was arrested on April 22, 2019, when a Laclede County sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle in which she was a passenger. Co-defendant Rondell D. Hodges, 36, of Lebanon, Missouri, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu with expired license plates on Highway OO near Lebanon. Hodges was unable to produce proof of insurance or a driver’s license. Both Mathews and Hodges had warrants for their arrest. Mathews attempted to run from the deputy, but was apprehended after a short foot chase. Deputies found multiple bags of methamphetamine, totaling 501.46 grams, that had been thrown from the vehicle.

Hodges has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Under federal statutes, Mathews and Hodges each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller and Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron Black. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, the Laclede County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Lebanon, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy that distributed at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a three-county area.

Jason L. Thomas, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

By pleading guilty today, Thomas admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Cass, Greene, and Miller counties from May 14, 2017, to June 20, 2018. Thomas received methamphetamine to distribute from co-conspirator Christina E. Gauger, 39, of Springfield. 

According to today’s plea agreement, Gauger was obtaining at least one pound of methamphetamine for distribution every week of the conspiracy. Investigators seized approximately 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the investigation.

Thomas is the fifth defendant to plead guilty in this case. Gauger, Robin L. Self, 37, and Jordan H. Williamson, 31, both of Springfield, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Jacob B. Piatchek, 26, of Springfield, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole.

Under federal statutes, Thomas is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 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.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national who has illegally entered the United States at least seven times was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in the Kansas City, Missouri, area and in the Springfield, Missouri, area.

Armando Quintana-Galaz, 37, a citizen of Mexico residing in Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 16 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 12, 2019, Quintana-Galaz pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and to illegally reentering the United States after having been deported.

Quintana-Galaz had been deported from the United States six times before being arrested on Nov. 2, 2017, in Springfield. At that time, he was again illegally present in the United States. When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Quintana-Galaz’s residence on that day, they found approximately 3.159 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in a hamper in the master bathroom and approximately 189 grams of pure methamphetamine in a dresser in the master bedroom. They found a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Norinco SKS 762-caliber rifle, various ammunition, a bag that contained approximately four grams of cocaine, and six cell phones. They also found a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun in his Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Officers also found $40,020 in a dresser in the master bedroom, $6,295 in the pocket of his pants that were on a TV stand, and $293 in a suitcase in the master bathroom closet. According to his plea agreement, the $46,608 seized from Quintana-Galaz’s residence would convert to more than 2.6 kilograms (2,642.6 grams) of methamphetamine.

Quintana-Galaz admitted that he sold and distributed methamphetamine, that he received and transported illicit drug proceeds as part of his involvement in the conspiracy, and that he possessed several firearms found at his residence, at least in part, to further his involvement in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. His plea agreement cites several instances in which Quintana-Galaz was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine to cooperating law enforcement sources.

Quintana-Galaz is the fourth defendant in this case to be sentenced. Two more defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a Daviess County, Missouri, marijuana-growing operation where law enforcement officers seized nearly $10 million worth of plants.

Miguel Pulido-Maldonado, also known as “Mona,” 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of conspiracy to manufacture and possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants, and one count of illegally reentering the United States.

The owners of the three real estate tracts that comprise the property in Daviess County live in California. Law enforcement officers, who had been keeping the marijuana grow site under surveillance, executed a search warrant at the property on Aug. 27, 2018. The plants were in a clearing inside a large area of timber. A distinct path led from a building in the wooded area to the area containing the marijuana plants.

Officers located approximately 2,464 cultivated marijuana plants. With an approximate street value of $1,800 per pound of marijuana, this results in approximately $9,757,440 in marijuana plants seized. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Pulido-Maldonado must forfeit that amount to the government as illegal drug-trafficking proceeds. The Daviess County property must also be forfeited to the government.

Pulido-Maldonado, who ran into the woods to escape custody, was arrested on Aug. 30, 2018; he was covered in mud, his arms had numerous bites from either mosquitos or other insects and it appeared he had been outside for several days. Pulido-Maldonado had previously illegally entered the United States and was removed on Jan. 30, 2017.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Daviess County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Grundy County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Livingston County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Nogales, Arizona, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to transport large amounts of fentanyl through Kansas City, Missouri, en route to New York City aboard passenger busses.

Alejandro Rocha, also known as Alejandro Teran, 21, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

By pleading guilty today, Rocha admitted that, on two separate occasions, he attempted to transport more than three kilograms of fentanyl through Kansas City en route to New York City.

Rocha admitted that he gave more than three kilograms of fentanyl to his girlfriend, Esmeralda Castro, 21, of Perris, California, to carry aboard a bus to New York City. Three fentanyl bricks were placed in a false compartment inside a rolling bag. Castro, who has also pleaded guilty, was arrested at a Kansas City bus station on May 8, 2017, after a police service canine alerted to the bag.

Rocha also admitted that he gave another person 3.6 kilograms of fentanyl to carry aboard a bus from Denver, Colorado, to New York City. However, the bag became separated from the courier at some point on the bus trip. The bag arrived unaccompanied at a Kansas City bus station, where it was intercepted by police. 

Under federal statutes, Rocha is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of up to 40 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 D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for a bank fraud conspiracy in which he and others used stolen mail to create dozens of counterfeit checks that they attempted to cash at area banks.

Shannon Western Fields, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Fields to pay $21,279 in restitution to four banks that were victimized by the conspiracy. 

On Nov. 19, 2019, Fields pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud from February to May 7, 2018, in Greene, Christian, Jasper, and Newton counties. Fields admitted that he and others stole mail from individuals and businesses in order to obtain checks and personal identity information. Conspirators purchased blank check stock and magnetic ink from office supply stores to create counterfeit checks by using the stolen checks (typically business checks) as templates. They created checks payable to the conspirators, or used stolen identity information to create counterfeit identification such as Social Security cards and Missouri driver’s licenses, to cash the checks.

In addition to Fields, 11 unidentified co-conspirators were listed as the payees on the forged and counterfeit checks. Along with Fields, they attempted to cash dozens of checks at various financial institutions in Springfield and Branson, Missouri. Many of those attempts were unsuccessful.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Fair Grove, Missouri, man who is a member of the Southwest Honkys violent prison gang pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy in which investigators intercepted a shipment of nearly 9.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

William F. Jones, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Christian County, Greene County, and Polk County, Missouri, from Dec. 21, 2016, to Oct. 15, 2017.

According to today’s plea agreement, Jones was identified as a mid-level member of the Southwest Honkys prison gang who had declined a leadership role.

Jones, under the surveillance of law enforcement, drove to the Kansas City, Missouri area on Oct. 11, 2017, and checked into an Independence, Missouri, hotel. A few days later, co-defendant Justin L. Rhoads, 32, of Lebanon, Missouri, met Jones in the hotel’s parking lot. They put a large duffel bag in the cab of Rhoads’s pickup truck, and he left the parking lot. Rhoads was later stopped by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper on Missouri Highway 13, just south of Humansville, Missouri. The trooper searched Rhoads’s vehicle and found 10 Ziploc-style plastic bags inside the duffel bag that contained a total of approximately 9,439 grams of methamphetamine, which was determined to be at least 93 percent pure.

Rhoads pleaded guilty on Dec. 16, 2019, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Under federal statutes, Jones and Rhoads each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. 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 Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

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. – An employee of the West Plains, Missouri, R-7 School District was charged in federal court today with soliciting children to send him sexually explicit photos and videos through Snapchat and Instagram.

Cody Ashton Ary, 29, of West Plains, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Missouri, with one count of producing child pornography. Ary is employed with the West Plains R-7 School District as a paraprofessional and commonly assists with special need students.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Instagram initiated a CyberTip with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on Dec. 3, 2019, after Ary allegedly uploaded a sexually explicit video of an 8-to-10-year-old boy to his account. Investigators found a total of 92 chat conversations between Ary and other Instagram users. According to the affidavit, Ary used the screen name “15anime_boy” and identified himself as a 15-year-old male to other users. He allegedly solicited sexually explicit videos and images from other users who identified to be minor males. Ary allegedly received dozens of images and videos of child pornography through his Instagram account. Ary asked the child victims to send him videos and images of them stripping, the affidavit says, in exchange for Ary providing Internet links to folders that contained child pornography.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ary’s residence today, where he was arrested.

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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) 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 Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy that distributed at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a three-county area.

Jordan H. Williamson, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

By pleading guilty today, Williams admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Cass, Greene, and Miller counties from May 14, 2017, to June 20, 2018. Williamson received methamphetamine to distribute from co-conspirator Christina E. Gauger, 39, of Springfield. 

According to today’s plea agreement, Gauger was obtaining at least one pound of methamphetamine for distribution every week of the conspiracy. Investigators seized approximately 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the investigation.

Williamson is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in this case. Gauger and Robin L. Self, 37, of Springfield, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Jacob B. Piatchek, 26, of Springfield, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole.

Under federal statutes, Williamson is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 Byron H. 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. – A Stella, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Nathen D. Libertus, 30, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Newton County and Barry County, Missouri, from April 30, 2017, to Jan. 20, 2019.

A McDonald County, Missouri, sheriff’s deputy was passed by a vehicle on West 76 Highway on Nov 10, 2017. The black Cadillac CTS appeared to have something dragging off the back of the vehicle, causing sparks on the roadway. As the deputy attempted to get behind the vehicle, it sped off and nearly spun out. The deputy initiated his emergency lights and the vehicle, which was being driven by a woman (not identified in court documents) with arrest warrants, was stopped. The deputy searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag that contained approximately 332.74 grams of methamphetamine and a total of $6,952 in cash. Inside the bag with the methamphetamine and cash was a wallet with Libertus’s driver’s license.

On March 29, 2018, a sergeant with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department responded to an address in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Once he got there, he saw a grey/silver colored Chevrolet Camaro with Oklahoma plates in the driveway. He pulled in behind the vehicle and approached, knocking on the window and the roof to get Libertus, the driver, to exit. Libertus refused to do so and instead started the vehicle and attempted to flee by driving through the yard. The vehicle got stuck on some shrubbery, a fence, and a cinderblock, and Libertus was unable to go any farther. Libertus bailed out of the vehicle and ran west through the woods with officers in pursuit. After a quarter-mile foot chase, Libertus came to a stop but had to be tased before he could be taken into custody. Officers searched Libertus and found approximately $4,430 in his pants pockets. Officers found another $1,591 in the vehicle, along with a scale that tested positive for methamphetamine, a glass bong, two cell phones, and other drug paraphernalia. 

On April 9, 2018, investigators saw Libertus and the woman from the Nov. 10, 2017, arrest arrive together in a Chrysler 300 at a Newton County residence where they were about to execute a search warrant. The Chrysler pulled into the driveway, maneuvered around several parked vehicles, and continued about 100 yards into a wooded area immediately south of the residence. Libertus and two others attempted to conceal the Chrysler 300, which has been reported stolen, with tarps. When officers arrived, Libertus ran into the wooded area. As a Newton County detective arrived, he saw Libertus spring from the east side of the street and start running down the street. The detective drove toward him. Libertus then tried to cut back onto the property, however, there was a steep hillside and he was unable to make it up the hill. He turned around and ran across the street and into the driveway. He tried to shut the cattle gate so the detective couldn’t follow him in his vehicle, but was unable to, then attempted to run again. He tripped on some shrubbery, got up, tried to run, and then tripped on some more shrubbery and fell down again. The detective was then able to take him into custody. Libertus had $1,240 in his wallet and a key to the Chrysler 300 in his pocket.

The detective found a hollowed out railroad tie near the vehicle. Inside was a camouflage box that contained a Ziploc bag of approximately 396 grams of methamphetamine, a used methamphetamine pipe, several distribution bags with methamphetamine residue in them, a bag of suspected marijuana, several bags of suspected synthetic marijuana, and a digital scale with suspected methamphetamine residue. Another detective found a hollowed-out log nearby that contained a black box with approximately two grams of methamphetamine.

On Sept. 4, 2018, a man in Newton County called emergency services after finding Libertus passed out behind the wheel in the middle of the roadway. A Newton County deputy attempted to wake Libertus several times; he finally started awake and said “I don’t have any money.” Libertus denied consent to search the vehicle, but one of the deputies saw a green and yellow bong between the driver’s seat and the passenger’s front seat. A detective went to seize the bong and noticed a black metal combination safe. The detective picked up the safe and it fell open, revealing numerous jewelry bags commonly used to package drugs as well as bags containing methamphetamine residue, gel caps, a set of digital scales with methamphetamine residue on them, and a bag containing a distributive amount of methamphetamine. Libertus had approximately $1,245 in his pocket.

Under federal statutes, Libertus is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 FBI, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, and the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A man who escaped from a Springfield, Missouri, halfway house 17 months ago pleaded guilty in federal court today after being caught crossing the border from Mexico into San Diego, California.

Benjamin E. Garnica, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to escaping from federal custody.

Garnica was sentenced on March 20, 2014, to 100 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Garnica’s sentence was reduced to 80 months on Feb. 22, 2017, due to changes in the federal sentencing guidelines. He was transferred from federal prison to Alpha House Residential Reentry Center in Springfield on April 19, 2018. Garnica was set to be discharged from Alpha House on Oct. 15, 2018.

On Sept. 8, 2018, about five weeks prior to his discharge, Garnica signed out of the halfway house in order to go to work and did not return as scheduled by 6 p.m. that day. Garnica’s locker and his drawers had been emptied of all their contents. On Sept. 18, 2018, Garnica – whose location was unknown – was indicted by a federal grand jury and a warrant issued for his arrest.

In February 2020, Garnica was arrested in San Diego as he was reentering the United States from Mexico.

Under federal statutes, Garnica 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 Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Chicago, Illinois, man who was arrested while driving through northern Missouri was sentenced in federal court today for possessing nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine to distribute.

Kevin M. Phyfiher, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 29, 2019, Phyfiher pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped the Dodge Caravan Phyfiher was driving on Interstate 29 in Andrew County, Missouri, on May 8, 2017. In addition to Phyfiher, co-defendant Donta Mosley, 27, of Chicago, was in the cargo area of the van, and there were two female passengers. Phyfiher was not identified as a lawful driver of the vehicle, which had been rented by his cousin (who was not present).

Officers directed Phyfiher and the passengers to get out of the van while they deployed a police support canine. Mosley, who had a handgun in his waistband, was arrested. The others were instructed to get on the ground during the search. Phyfiher then fled, running into the underbrush, and law enforcement officers were unable to find him. During a later search of the vehicle, officers found two plastic baggies that contained a total of 907 grams of methamphetamine.

The next day, a vehicle was reported as stolen from Jesse’s Last Stop Gas Station in Andrew County. At about 6:19 a.m., a state trooper saw Phyfiher driving the stolen vehicle on 36 Highway. The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle and Phyfiher attempted to evade the officer. After several miles of pursuit at high rates of speed, the stolen vehicle was stopped by spike strips that were deployed in the road by other law enforcement officers. Phyfiher, who surrendered and was arrested, told officers, “I should have stayed in the bushes.”

Investigators discovered several live stream video recordings taken by Phyfiher in the days before his arrest. The videos show Phyfiher on a road trip to Las Vegas and California. In one of the videos, Phyfiher and Mosley are holding large stacks of money. In another video, Phyfiher refers to getting some “Cali dope.”

Mosley was sentenced on Jan. 30, 2019, to five years and four months in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department has received more than $5 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to support the city’s efforts to reduce violent crime, announced U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison.

“Operation Relentless Pursuit surges federal resources to help our state and local partners in their fight to drive down violent crime in Kansas City,” Garrison said. “Providing the resources to deploy additional police officers with a strategic focus will help us fight violent crime by investigating, arresting, and prosecuting drug traffickers and criminals with guns.”

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance this week announced a total of more than $61 million in grant funding to support Operation Relentless Pursuit in seven cities. Launched on Dec. 18, 2019, Operation Relentless Pursuit aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources into seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average – the Kansas City metropolitan area (including both Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas), Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, and Milwaukee.

In addition to the $3,675,522 COPS grant announced this week, the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department recently received a $1,428,571 grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Grant funding will be used to hire 18 additional positions, including nine police officers to replace experienced officers deployed to the Operation Relentless Pursuit task force. Grant funding also will be used for technological enhancements.

“While violent crime is down across the country as a whole, some communities remain caught in the grips of violent actors,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “That’s why I launched Operation Relentless Pursuit last December – an initiative to combat violent crime in seven cities where it remains stubbornly high. Today’s grant awards are critical to our mission. We cannot succeed in eradicating crime without resources – the most vital of which are the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities each day. These funds will boost the forces that need them most.” 

The COPS Office, through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), awarded a total of $51 million to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces. The recipients of the funding will deploy existing veteran officers to task force duties and use the CHP funding to hire new recruits to backfill those positions. Officers deployed to Operation Relentless Pursuit task forces as a result of CHP funding must be sworn, career law enforcement officers of the awarded agency. In addition, they are required to work with their respective U.S. Attorney’s Office and relevant federal agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects involved in gangs, drug trafficking, and other violent crime-related issues.

“Successful strategies to target and reduce violent crime are extremely resource intensive,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “There is no greater resource than additional men and women on the front lines of the relentless fight against gangs, drug traffickers, and those that mean harm to our nation’s communities. The funding announced today is greatly needed for the Operation Relentless Pursuit jurisdictions and the COPS Office is honored to dedicate resources for this effort.”

For more information on the COPS Hiring Program ORP grants, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf
 
The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. These funds will support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, mobile data terminals and modern technological platforms, and development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.

“The responsibility for fighting crime and violence belongs to agencies at every level of government, and winning that fight turns on our ability to deploy our collective resources wisely and effectively,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are eager to make these funds available so that our federal, state, and local partners can continue the vital and noble work of protecting America’s most dangerous communities.” 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and tribal law enforcement. The week is being observed this year from Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020. 

“Although we are grateful we did not witness any line-of-duty deaths of law enforcement officers in the Western District of Missouri in 2019,” Garrison said, “we are observing National Police Week in the shadow of the recent death of Springfield, Missouri, police officer Chris Walsh, who will be honored in Washington, D.C., at the national law enforcement memorial in 2021. We honor the memory of all of our nation’s law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve their communities.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve. 

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 PM (EDT).  The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A southern Missouri high school teacher has been charged in federal court with the sexual exploitation of a minor after he blackmailed a 14-year-old victim in New Jersey to force her to send him sexually explicit photos and videos.

Brandon Lane McCullough, 31, of Branson, Missouri, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Missouri, on Thursday, May 7. McCullough, formerly a business teacher at Cassville High School, had accepted a position at Hollister High School for next year.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, McCullough originally portrayed himself as a 15-year-old boy when he began chatting via Kik with the child victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, in May 2019.

McCullough allegedly threatened to send the sexually explicit images and videos to the victim’s family and friends. McCullough became more aggressive, the affidavit says, demanding additional images and videos. Jane Doe repeatedly pleaded with McCullough to stop, according to the affidavit, telling him “can you please (just) leave me alone now,” and “can you just stop” and “I … don’t wanna do that.” McCullough allegedly threatened to “post everything.”

McCullough allegedly continued to coerce the victim and demanded images and videos of her engaged in sexual acts with other people. Jane Doe told McCullough she was considering killing herself. She told McCullough that she had taken half a bottle of her mother’s pills.

Jane Doe also engaged in a Kik conversation with another user, who was actually McCullough portraying himself as a 17-year-old boy. When Jane Doe told this false persona that she was being blackmailed, the affidavit says, he told her to continue meeting his demands.

The federal investigation began on Feb. 14, 2020, when a police detective in New Jersey contacted federal agents in Missouri. On May 7, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at McCullough’s residence. They seized an external hard drive that was concealed beneath a basket under a bathroom sink in the basement. According to the affidavit, the hard drive contained dozens of Kik folders, which contained chats as well as images and videos of child pornography that were self-produced by the child victims. McCullough told officers he could not recall how many minors he had chatted with or how often he had done it, because he was engaging in the conduct so frequently.

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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Florham Park Borough, New Jersey, 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."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man has been charged in federal court with sexually assaulting three teenagers and recording the abuse on his cell phone.

William Shane Berg, 47, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield on Wednesday, May 6, with one count of producing child pornography.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, law enforcement officers confronted Berg on April 12 regarding allegations that he had been sexually assaulting three teenagers – ages 15, 17, and 19 – for several years. One of the child victims also told investigators that Berg gave him marijuana and acid to facilitate the sexual abuse.

Investigators found images of the sexual abuse on Berg’s cell phone and laptop computer, the affidavit says.

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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the FBI 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. – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison and Special Agent in Charge Karl Stiften, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), St. Louis Field Office, are warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists  trying to use the COVID-19 economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money.  

Garrison and Stiften made the announcement today in an effort to prevent taxpayers from falling victim to criminals using the recently approved economic impact payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.

“We want the public to be informed and alert so they don’t fall prey to these criminal schemes,” said Garrison. “Economic impact payments are intended to assist honest citizens, not enrich greedy fraudsters.”

“The existence of a deadly national pandemic will not stop criminals seeking to capitalize on the fears and difficulties faced by the public as they try to line their own pockets by stealing your money or your personal information,” warned Stiften.

Automatic COVID-19 economic impact payments started being deposited into taxpayers’ accounts on April 11. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into their bank accounts. Those without bank accounts, retirees, or other groups who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check will receive their economic impact payment in this manner as well. Scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them or use this as an opportunity to get you to “verify” your filing information in order to receive your money, and then use your personal information at a later date to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme. Because of this, everyone receiving a COVID-19 related economic impact payment from the government is at risk.

Garrison and Stiften offered the following information and tips to spot a scam and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued:

•    The IRS will deposit your check into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
•    The IRS will not call or send an email or text to ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out your bank account or any other account information - even if someone claims it's necessary to get your check. It's a scam.  
•    If you receive a call, don't engage with scammers or thieves, even if you want to tell them that you know it's a scam, or you think that you can beat them. Just hang up.
•    If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Don't click on any links in those emails or texts.
•    Reports are also swirling about bogus checks.  If you receive a check that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud.

In these uncertain and trying times, we need to stand together united with purpose.  Don’t become a victim by allowing criminals to exploit your emotions. Stay strong, tell your family, friends and neighbors about these scams.  

“IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are prioritizing these types of investigations to help protect taxpayers and the tax system, especially those looking to prey on vulnerable taxpayers,” said Stiften.  “Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.”

For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus.  You can always report scams to the IRS on the website at https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Missouri, man who was arrested yesterday, the same day he shared pornographic images over the internet that he had just taken of a 5-year-old child victim, was charged in federal court today.

Justin Swift, 35, was charged in a two-count criminal complaint with producing child pornography and with distributing child pornography over the internet. Swift, who was arrested on Tuesday, April 28, remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Monday.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Swift shared 11 images of child pornography on Tuesday, April 28, with another person using the Kik message application on his phone. Swift falsely claimed the child victim was his 5-year-old daughter, the affidavit says, and commented that he took the photos either the night before or a few minutes before distributing them.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Swift’s residence later on the same day. Swift, an unidentified woman, and four children – including the child victim – were present. Officers seized Swift’s phone, the affidavit says, which contained numerous sexually explicit images of the child victim, including the same photos Swift had previously distributed via the Kik application. Swift was placed under arrest.

The charges contained in this complaint 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 Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Independence, 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. – A Columbia, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing methamphetamine and a firearm.

Anthony Maurice Malin, 39,  pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to today’s plea agreement, a Columbia police officer spotted Malin in a parking lot near the intersection of Broadway and Stadium Boulevard in Columbia on Jan. 30, 2019. The officer, aware that Malin was wanted on arrest warrants in Taney County, Missouri, began to follow him. Law enforcement tracked Malin to his residence and officers surrounded the residence and directed Malin to come out. After 50 minutes, Malin and two other individuals left the residence and were arrested. Malin had a small bag of methamphetamine in his pocket.

Officers searched Malin’s residence and found smoking devices and baggies with drug residue in almost every room of the house. Inside a kitchen drawer, they found a loaded Smith and Wesson .40-caliber handgun. Officers also found a small bag of cocaine, scales, pipes, and a .40-caliber round in the upstairs master bathroom. Throughout the residence, officer found over 150 various sized and used plastic bags with methamphetamine and marijuana residue. Officers also found marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, and more ammunition in the residence.

The downstairs toilet was clogged, according to the plea agreement. Malin told officers he tried to flush approximately a quarter pound of methamphetamine down the toilet when he heard the officers at the front door.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and the defendant will jointly recommend a sentence of eight years in federal prison without parole. 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 Aaron M. Maness. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Public safety agencies in the Western District of Missouri are eligible for more than $3.2 million in Department of Justice grants announced today to aid their response to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation, will allow eligible state and local and governments to apply immediately for a total of $850 million nationwide. A total of more than $5.5 million is available statewide for agencies in Missouri, with $3,259,369 of that amount allocated for the Western District. The Justice Department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

“Law enforcement officers working on the front lines of this public health crisis are being called upon, like never before, to face daunting challenges and take significant risks,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison of the Western District of Missouri. “We support these brave men and women every way possible, including this critical funding to help provide the resources they need to protect our communities.”

“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”

The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs, and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/. 
    
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or writing to the NCDF email address at disaster@leo.gov.

The Department of Justice is committed to preventing, pursuing, prosecuting, and punishing individuals and businesses that take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to engage in criminal fraud.

“I have no tolerance for criminals who seize upon this public health crisis as an opportunity to prey on anxious Missourians,” said Garrison. “In contrast to the many citizens who are courageously and generously coming forward to help their neighbors, the actions of a few criminals threaten to make a difficult situation more dangerous. I am therefore making it a priority to investigate and prosecute those who try to profit by selling bogus cures, soliciting fake donations, engaging in online or email phishing scams, or engaging in any other fraud.”

Some examples of these fraud schemes include:  •    Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
•    Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
•    Malicious websites and apps that appear to share coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. 
•    Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. 
•    Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.      

Garrison announced the appointment of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Mahoney as the designated Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator. Mahoney, who is the chief of the Fraud and Corruption Unit, will serve as the legal counsel on matters relating to the coronavirus, direct the prosecution of coronavirus-related crimes, and conduct outreach and awareness activities.

The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes.  The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state attorneys general and local authorities. 

To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Arizona man has pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Taney County, Missouri.

Darcell M. Mills, 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Friday, March 13, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

On Jan. 14, 2019, law enforcement received information that Mills had arrived in Branson, Missouri, with approximately five pounds of methamphetamine to sell. Officers searched a hotel room and a truck associated with Mills and found 303 grams of methamphetamine in the hotel room and 500 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the truck. Officers followed Mills to a residence in Lampe, Missouri, where he was arrested. After Mills was arrested, he admitted that he brought methamphetamine from Tucson to sell in Branson for $500 per ounce.

Mills also admitted that during a four-month stay in Branson in 2018, he was selling approximately 15.5 pounds of methamphetamine every week and a half. Mills sold approximately 165 pounds of methamphetamine while he was in Missouri. Mills said he left Branson in October 2018, after two loads of methamphetamine were seized by law enforcement.

Under federal statutes, Mills is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Branson, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ozark, Mo., Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Republic, Missouri, truck driver pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting two Missouri teenagers across state lines and sexually assaulting them.

Cleveland Lee Crumsey, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity.

By pleading guilty today, Crumsey admitted that he transported two child victims across state lines from Missouri to Iowa in his truck. Crumsey also admitted that he had sexual intercourse with both of the child victims.

Under federal statutes, Crumsey is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Monett, Mo., Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Fremont County, Iowa, 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 total of 17 defendants, primarily from the Kansas City metropolitan area, have been indicted for their roles in a nearly $10 million conspiracy to distribute almost 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Fahrudin F. Fejzic, also known as “Frank,” 48, Steven M. Lyons, also known as “Pops,” 60, Shelly Marie Exton, 38, Mary L. Corona, 38, and Jesus Banuelos Jr., 21, all of Kansas City, Missouri; Jessica E. Ashworth, also known as “Barbie,” 30, of Kansas City, Kansas; Justin D. Warren, 31, and Crystell A. Smith, 34, both of Independence, Missouri; John W. Tatom, 48, of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Lesley A. Wilkerson, 45, of Clinton, Missouri, were charged in a 44-count second superseding indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, March 11. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants.

The second superseding indictment adds those 10 defendants to previous indictments that included seven additional defendants: Mirza Alihodzic, also known as “Poni Boi” and “Russian,” 34, a citizen of Bosnia residing in Kansas City, Missouri; Jason D. Rice, 42, Brandy N. Foster, 37, and Keith Dale Hughes, 48, all of Kansas City, Missouri; Michael B. Becher, 38, of Raytown, Missouri; Joshua A. Brown, 36, of Leavenworth; and Amy S. Janish, 44, of Lincoln, Missouri.

The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Sept. 1, 2018, to Nov. 5, 2019. The indictment also charges all of the defendants with a related money-laundering conspiracy.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require payment of a money judgment representing all of the proceeds each defendant obtained as a result of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy. The forfeiture is based on a conservative street price of $2,300 for 226 grams (a half-pound) of methamphetamine and the total conspiracy distribution of nearly 979 kilograms (978,859 grams) of methamphetamine, totaling approximately $9,961,839.

In addition to the two conspiracy counts, Alihodzic is also charged with two counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, illegally possessing a machine gun, two counts of possessing a stolen firearm, possessing an unregistered firearm, possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and three counts related to distributing methamphetamine.

The indictment also charges various other defendants in the remaining counts with illegally possessing firearms and with possessing and distributing methamphetamine.

According to an affidavit filed in the original criminal complaint, Alihodzic made arrangements with a confidential source to pilot an airplane to California to purchase 40 kilograms of methamphetamine from a Mexican national who is wanted by federal law enforcement for drug trafficking. On Nov. 5, 2019 – the day of the trip – Alihodzic and the confidential source went inside Alihodzic’s residence. Federal agents heard popping noises similar to that of a firearm and the screaming sound of human voices. Investigators determined, based upon the safety of the individuals inside of the residence, to enter the residence. Alihodzic was taken into custody; no evidence of a violent act was immediately observed.

The affidavit also cites previous instances in which Alihodzic was confronted by law enforcement.

Law enforcement investigators were conducting surveillance at Alihodzic’s residence on Feb. 19, 2019. On that day, the affidavit says, investigators seized approximately six pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms, including an AK-47 type assault pistol with two high capacity magazines. Investigators also executed a search warrant at Alihodzic’s residence and seized additional methamphetamine and firearms. They also seized 18 firearms from Alihodzic’s vehicle, including a fully automatic machine gun, two sawed-off shotguns, and a stolen firearm.

Alihodzic was also involved in a shooting on July 5, 2019, in the area of 6th Street and Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, according to the affidavit. Alihodzic was the driver of a Ford F250 pickup from which law enforcement officers seized two firearms. Officers also found a number of spent shell casings on top of the truck, in the street, and in a nearby residence’s front yard.

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 Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force.

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.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms and methamphetamine to distribute.

Jacob Winterhawk Ryder, 38, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Springfield police officers noticed suspicious behavior and approached Ryder, the driver of a Ford Ranger that was parked beside another vehicle in a parking lot, on Jan. 21, 2016. When it appeared as if Ryder was attempting to conceal something underneath the front seat, an officer directed him to step out of his vehicle. The officer saw a live round for a 9mm handgun lying on the driver’s seat. 

Police officers searched Ryder’s vehicle and found a loaded Walther .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol underneath the armrest, a loaded New England Firearms 20-gauge sawed-off shotgun under the driver’s seat, and more ammunition. Officers also found a black cloth bag with four Ziploc baggies that contained a total of 63.93 grams of pure methamphetamine, a Ziploc baggie that contained 17.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, a Rubbermaid container that contained 297.6 grams of pure methamphetamine, two LSD tabs, a Ziploc baggie containing mushrooms, a Ziploc baggie with unknown pills, and $1,175.

Under federal statutes, Ryder 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, 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.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Nixa, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today for distributing methamphetamine he received in the mail from California.

Jerry D. Thornton, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Thornton admitted that he received multiple pounds of methamphetamine through the mail from a source in California from Dec. 8, 2018, to Feb. 5, 2019. He then distributed the methamphetamine to others in southwest Missouri. Thornton received and distributed at least 11.34 kilograms of methamphetamine.

A confidential source told investigators that Thornton received approximately one shipment of methamphetamine each week, and each package contained about five pounds. On Feb. 5, 2019, postal inspectors intercepted a parcel being shipped to Thornton’s address, which contained 990.3 grams of methamphetamine. Inspectors conducted a controlled delivery of a duplicate package, which contained rock salt, to Thornton’s residence. 

When the package was retrieved from his porch, officers executed a search warrant of the residence. During a search of Thornton’s residence, agents found a Ruger .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol in the drawer of a bedside table and a loaded Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic rifle in the garage.

Under federal statutes, Thornton is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Nixa, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Joshua Hardin, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 25, 2019, Hardin pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Oct. 16, 2018, to June 3, 2019.

Hardin was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Kansas City police officers on Oct. 30, 2018. Officers seized a bag that contained 371.38 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle’s driver and a stolen Glock handgun from the floorboard directly behind the driver’s seat. Hardin had 6.8 grams of methamphetamine and 5.22 grams of marijuana in his pockets.

Officers had earlier seized a bag from Hardin that contained54.86 grams of methamphetamine. Officers were called by a homeowner on Oct. 16, 2018, who reported that he saw Hardin, whom he did not know, walk out from behind a shed on his property. The homeowner’s wife then found the bag of methamphetamine behind the shed, and the homeowner contacted the police. Hardin admitted the methamphetamine belonged to him.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man who has been charged separately in state court with multiple crimes against children was sentenced in federal court today for failing to register as a sex offender during the time he allegedly committed those state crimes.

Frank Patrick Lambert, 61, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to three years and four months in federal prison without parole, which must be served consecutively to any sentence he receives in the unrelated Greene County, Missouri, case. The court also sentenced Lambert to 20 years of supervised release following incarceration. Lambert will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

Lambert was convicted in Texas of indecency with a child and sentenced to 30 years in prison. After serving 15 years’ incarceration, he was released on parole. Lambert’s parole was revoked six months later and he served nearly another six years before being released from custody on Feb. 14, 2011. Lambert was required to register as a sex offender in Texas, to inform authorities in Texas upon moving from that state, and to maintain his registration in any state where he resided.

On Oct. 9, 2019, Lambert pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender between June 30, 2012, and July 1, 2016. Lambert admitted he moved from Texas to Missouri in 2012, but lived under the false name of “Frank Schultz” and did not register as required. During that time, according to court documents, Lambert allegedly engaged in criminal conduct that has resulted in him being charged with numerous crimes against children. Lambert has yet to be convicted of the state charges for endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs, child molestation, and statutory sodomy.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. 

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 illegally possessing a firearm.

Chris D. Page, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Page was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.

On Sept. 11, 2019, Page pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Page was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Kansas City police officers on Nov. 7, 2016. Page was carrying a Colt .38-caliber revolver in his pocket. He also had a baggie that contained crack cocaine in another pocket.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Page has prior felony convictions for murder, armed criminal action, and possessing illegal drugs, and two prior felony convictions for distributing heroin.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by 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.