Western District of Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., business owner pleaded guilty in federal court today to a more than $544,000 tax fraud scheme.

William Patrick Vogt, 39, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to a federal information that charges him with one count of false statements on a tax return.

Vogt owns and operates By The Blade, LLC, a lawn and landscape company in Parkville, Mo. By pleading guilty today, Vogt admitted that he underreported his business receipts on individual federal income tax returns for 2013-2015. This fraudulent criminal conduct resulted in a total federal tax loss of $468,587. 

According to today’s plea agreement, Vogt deposited business receipts into his personal account in order to conceal his business income. Vogt also cashed By The Blade checks rather than deposit them into his business bank account. Vogt only reported as business income the receipts he chose to deposit into his business bank account. When the IRS audited him, Vogt made false statements to the revenue agent and others.

Vogt also understated his income on his Missouri state income tax returns for 2013 – 2015. The state tax losses for those years total $75,712, for a combined federal and state total tax loss of $544,299. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Vogt must pay restitution to the IRS of $468,587 and restitution to the state of Missouri of $75,712.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit, Mo., woman is among three Kenyans indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a marriage fraud conspiracy.

Nellie Mbote, 35, of Lee’s Summit; Rogers Onyango Guche, 39, of Cypress Texas; and Fidelina Mwelu Mutisya, 59, of Winchester, Ohio, were charged in a four–count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, May 21. Mbote, who was admitted to the United States on a student (F-1) visa, is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Guche, who was admitted to the United States on a student (F-1) visa, and Mutisya, who was admitted to the United States on a visitor (B-2) visa, are lawful residents.

Mbote was arrested this morning and will have an initial court appearance today.

The federal indictment alleges that Mbote, Guche, and Mutisya entered into fraudulent marriages arranged by Delmar Dixon of Kansas City, Mo., who was charged in a separate but related case. Mbote was married in 2009; Guche and Mutisya married their spouses in 2007. The marriages were designed to circumvent federal immigration laws, the indictment says, in order to obtain permanent residency and/or United States citizenship. The three defendants allegedly paid Dixon to arrange their marriages. They allegedly paid their U.S. citizen spouses $1,000 at the time of the wedding and $100 each month until the immigration process was complete.

Dixon and others allegedly coached Mbote, Guche, Mutisya and their spouses on how to make their marriages appear legitimate, advising the couples to get to know each other and make it appear as if they were residing together.  Dixon was sentenced on July 13, 2017, to three years in federal prison after admitting he arranged 30-40 fraudulent marriages, including his own.

Mbote, Guche, and Mutisya are each charged with one count of conspiracy. Mbote is also charged with one count of making false statements, one count of making a false oath in a matter relating to naturalization, and one count of unlawfully procuring citizenship. The indictment also contains a revocation of citizenship. Upon conviction for unlawfully procuring her naturalization, Mbote’s naturalization shall be revoked and her certificate of naturalization cancelled.

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 Kimberlee L. Moore. It was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in conspiracy to illegally transfer ownership of firearms.

Iesha T. Boles, 43, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to a federal information that charges her with conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms.

By pleading guilty today, Boles admitted that she made false statements regarding the purchase or transfer of six firearms between Nov. 22, 2013, and June 11, 2017. Boles admitted that she was not the actual transferee/buyer for each of the firearms, but was acquiring the firearms on behalf of another person.

According to today’s plea agreement, a co-conspirator purchased a Jimenez 9mm pistol on Nov. 22, 2013; a Jimenez .380-caliber pistol on Nov. 13, 2013; a Jimenez .380-caliber pistol on Nov. 22, 2013; and a Jimenez .380-caliber pistol on Dec. 10, 2013. Those four firearms were all shipped to Conceal & Carry, a federal firearms licensee in Kansas City, Mo. Ownership was transferred to Boles, who later reported the firearms were stolen. In one instance, she reported a firearm was stolen within two days after purchase.

On Nov. 14, 2013, a Jimenez 9mm pistol was transferred to the same co-conspirator, who then transferred ownership to Boles. On Oct. 27, 2016, that co-conspirator purchased  a Jimenez .380-caliber pistol and transferred the firearm to Boles, who reported the firearm stolen 41 days later.

Boles admitted that, on each of those six occasions, she made a false representation to the federally licensed firearms dealer in order to complete the firearm transfer.

Under federal statutes, Boles 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 Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Four Texas men were sentenced in federal court today for stealing 654 firearms from United Parcel Service trailers in Springfield, Mo., en route to Bass Pro Shops.

Frank McChriston, 35, and Derrick White, 33, both of Dallas, Texas; Quinton Haywood, 27, of Glenn Heights, Texas; and Eric White, 28, of Arlington, Texas were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips. McChriston was sentenced to seven years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Derrick and Eric White were each sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Haywood was sentenced to seven years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered the defendants to pay $206,132 in restitution, for which they are jointly and severally liable.

All four defendants admitted they aided and abetted each other to steal cargo that was being shipped across state lines, from Beretta USA in Maryland to the state of Missouri. They also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting each other to possess stolen firearms.

Co-defendants Raynord Hunt, 36, and Keith Lowe, 29, both of Dallas, have pleaded guilty to the same charges and await sentencing.

According to court documents, the defendants stole 600 Beretta .380-caliber handguns and 54 Beretta 12-gauge shotguns from United Parcel Service (UPS) trailers in Springfield in October 2017.

The firearms were in the process of being shipped from Beretta Firearms in Maryland to Bass Pro Shops in Springfield. The trailers in which the firearms were shipped had been parked in the UPS freight lot in a configuration to prevent access to the trailer doors, by being parked back-to-back, with the roll-up doors facing each other. The trailers were then blocked by longer trailers, which should have acted as a preventative measure from someone backing a truck-tractor to the trailer and pulling it forward.

Sometime between noon on Oct. 28, 2017, and 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2017, thieves hot-wired two truck-tractors and used them to push and pull various trailers around the lot, allowing the thieves access to the trailer doors. UPS employees discovered the theft on Oct. 29, 2017, and notified law enforcement.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Dallas, Texas, Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A registered sex offender in Independence, Mo., has been sentenced in federal court for possessing and exchanging child pornography over the internet.

Harrison Elliot Combs, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Wednesday, May 15, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Combs to 20 years of supervised release following incarceration.

Combs, a registered sex offender, has a prior conviction for possessing child pornography.

On Aug. 10, 2018, Combs pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography over the internet, eight counts of attempting to distribute child pornography over the internet, and one count of possessing child pornography.

This investigation began when a law enforcement officer was conducting an investigation into a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. On three separate occasions, Combs’s computer was downloading child pornography from the network. On Sept. 23, 2016, officers executed a search warrant at Combs’s residence and seized his cell phone and other items. Examiners discovered approximately 1,631 images and 168 videos of child pornography on those items. The majority of the images appeared to be of infant- to toddler-aged females involved in sexually explicit conduct by adults. In addition to his cell phone, child pornography files were also associated with computers, a gaming system, a thumb drive, and optical discs belonging to Combs. 

In January 2017, Combs’s computer was again identified by law enforcement as downloading child pornography from a peer-to-peer file-sharing network on several occasions. There were approximately 1,962 image and video files downloaded between Jan. 7 and Jan. 16, 2017. The files included prepubescent males and females as young as toddlers involved in sexually explicit conduct by adults. Officers executed a search warrant at Combs’s residence, where they arrested Combs and seized his cell phone.

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

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

The names of five Missouri heroes have been engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., this year. Their sacrifice, and the dedicated service of their fellow law enforcement officers, is being honored during National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18. Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“During National Police Week, our nation pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and agents who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison.

“Four law enforcement officers in the Western District of Missouri were killed in the line of duty in 2018,” said Garrison. “They made the ultimate sacrifice, and we owe them our undying gratitude. As we honor their memory, we offer our unwavering support and appreciation to all those who are sworn to protect and serve our communities.”

Flags are being flown at half-staff today in recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 158 law enforcement officers died in line-of-duty incidents in 2018, including Officer Christopher Ryan Morton, Special Agent Melissa S. Morrow, Deputy Sheriff Casey Lee Shoemate, and Deputy Sheriff Aaron Paul Roberts in the Western District of Missouri.  A fifth law enforcement officer, Agent Thomas Jefferson Greer, was killed in the line of duty in 1971 and is also being honored.

Each year during National Police Week, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, D.C., to participate in a number of events to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Les Kerr, Law Enforcement Coordinator for the Western District of Missouri, is attending this year’s events.

During a candlelight vigil last night on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the names of fallen officers added to the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial were formally dedicated. Among the names engraved on the wall are the four law enforcement officers from the Western District of Missouri who were killed in the line of duty in 2018 as well as the name of Agent Greer.

“These officers and agents remind us of the risks we ask our law enforcement officers to take every day,” said Garrison. “We can show our appreciation for their sacrifice by supporting their brothers and sisters in uniform who continue that good, essential work.”

In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the president signed, declaring May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice. For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.

Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
Western District of Missouri

Officer Christopher Ryan Morton
Clinton Police Department
End of Watch: March 6, 2018

A domestic disturbance call turned into a deadly ambush for Clinton Police Department officers on the night of March 6, 2018.

Officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 9:20 p.m. The call taker could hear screaming in the background on the call, but the caller did not otherwise communicate and hung up before officers arrived on scene. When the officers arrived they made contact with a woman who came out of the front door of the residence. She told the officers that no one was inside. Shortly after, the officers (all of whom were wearing body armor) entered the residence to perform a public safety check and were fired upon by an individual hiding in the bathroom with a 9mm semi-automatic rifle.

Officers returned fire and quickly retreated outside the residence. The gunfire continued after the officers left the building. Officer Morton, however, had been struck and was still inside the residence, incapacitated. Two patrol officers also had been wounded.

Officer Morton remained in a bedroom for approximately 15 minutes before being rescued by a joint effort of the Bates County Sheriff’s Response Team and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A Swat Team. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The shooter barricaded himself inside the home. A SWAT team entered the home shortly after midnight and located the shooter, who had committed suicide.

The ensuing investigation revealed that the original 911 call had been made from a home approximately 15 miles away; officers were dispatched to the wrong location when the call was traced to a different address. The man who opened fire on the officers was out on bail for weapons and methamphetamine charges and was under investigation for a rape.

Officer Morton had served as both a reserve officer and full-time officer with the Clinton Police Department for three years. He had recently returned to full-time status following the line-of-duty death of Police Officer Gary Michael on Aug. 6, 2017. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard and is survived by his parents and siblings.

Special Agent Melissa S. Morrow 
Federal Bureau of Investigation
End of Watch: March 22, 2018

Special Agent Morrow died as the result of brain cancer that she developed following her assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. She was assigned to FBI Washington Field Office’s Evidence Response Team and spent 10 weeks recovering and processing evidence from the site in hazardous and contaminated conditions.

Special Agent Morrow had served with the FBI for 22 years and was assigned to the Kansas City Field Office at the time of her passing. She is survived by her parents and sister.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 72 officers from eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and a field near Shanksville, Penn. After the impact of the first plane into the World Trade Center's North Tower, putting the safety of others before their own, law enforcement officers along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety. Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved.

As the evacuation continued, the south tower unexpectedly collapsed as a result of the intense fire caused by the impact. The north tower collapsed a short time later. Seventy-one law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site.

A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer, who was a passenger on the plane, was killed in that crash.

The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel.

Deputy Sheriff Casey Lee Shoemate 
Miller County Sheriff’s Department
End of Watch: April 20, 2018

Deputy Shoemate was killed in a vehicle crash on Route Y while responding to a structure fire at a fellow employee’s house. He collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle during the response. Deputy Shoemate was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was flown to a local hospital in serious condition.

Deputy Shoemate had served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office for one year. He is survived by his two children, parents, and several siblings.

Deputy Sheriff Aaron Paul Roberts 
Greene County Sheriff’s Department
End of Watch: September 7, 2018

Deputy Roberts drowned after his patrol car was swept into the swollen Pomme de Terre River in the area of Cabin Creek Road and Farm Road 2. He had responded to a 911 hang-up call in the area and was returning into service. He made an emergency radio broadcast when his vehicle was swept off of the road in floodwaters. After an intensive search, rescue crews located his vehicle approximately 50 yards downstream and recovered Deputy Roberts’ body from inside.

Deputy Roberts had served with the Greene County Sheriff's Department for one year and had previously served with the Willard Police Department. He is survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter, and parents.

Agent Thomas Jefferson Greer
Missouri Department of Liquor Control 
End of Watch: February 11, 1971

Agent Greer collapsed and died of a heart attack after crossing a muddy field with a state trooper to investigate a report of a prowler in a barn.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of illegally possessing firearms, including purchasing firearms advertised on the internet, and of stalking two female victims associated with massage parlors in Kansas.

Robert J. Gross, 67, of Kansas City, was found guilty of two counts of stalking victims across state lines, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of receiving a firearm while under indictment.

Gross was under investigation in 2017 for destroying property and harassing and stalking women associated with massage parlors in Kansas, which led to him being placed under surveillance by law enforcement. While under surveillance in December 2017, Gross purchased handcuffs and other items from a surplus store, visited a gun show twice, and purchased two shotguns from a private seller advertising on the internet.

On Oct. 1, 2017, Gross visited two Olathe, Kan., massage parlors – A+ Health Massage and Alpha Massage – but was told to leave because he was asking for inappropriate sexual favors. He then went to Tea Spa Massage in Lawrence, Kan., where he paid for a massage. When Gross took all his clothes off, the masseuse told him she wouldn’t do anything sexual and he was told to leave the business. She called the manager, who also managed the other two businesses in Olathe. Video surveillance depicts Gross walking around the business completely naked, harassing and threatening the masseuse. The video also shows Gross grabbing and groping her. She left the store and flagged down a passing man for assistance in getting Gross out of the business. Gross then got dressed and left the business.

The manager told investigators that she saw Gross driving through the residential neighborhood where she lived on the same day.

Law enforcement investigators began surveillance of Gross after these incidents.

On Dec. 2, 2017, officers saw Gross purchase four sets of handcuffs, two black shirts with “SECURITY” written on them with badges on the front, and two balaclavas (a garment used to conceal facial identity) from a surplus store in Kansas City, Kan. The manager of the business told investigators that Gross had purchased two sets of handcuffs the week before.

On Dec. 16, 2017, officers saw Gross inquiring about the purchase of firearms at the Kansas City Gun Show located at the KCI Expo Center. Gross picked up and handled a 9mm Velocity “Uzi”-type firearm at one of the booths. The dealer at the booth told investigators that Gross, who approached his booth multiple times throughout the day, had asked about purchasing up to three firearms. The next day, Gross visited the gun show again and was seen inquiring about the purchase of firearms. Gross visited a different booth, where he picked up a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun.

At that time, Gross was a convicted felon and also under indictment in the state of Kansas for aggravated sexual battery. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony, or who is under indictment, to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Gross has prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and making terroristic threats to a former girlfriend.

On Dec. 22, 2017, Gross returned to the surplus store in Kansas City, Kan., and was observed purchasing four more sets of handcuffs and a balaclava. Gross also asked about purchasing a bulletproof vest.

On Dec. 22, 2017, officers observed Gross purchase two shotguns from an individual in the parking lot of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Liberty, Mo. Gross first drove to the Pizza Ranch parking lot, where he removed the license plate from the front of his car. The rear license plate had been removed as well. Then Gross drove to the nearby Lowe’s store, where he was met by an individual driving a white pickup truck. The unidentified individual sold Gross two shotguns, which he handed to Gross from his truck. As Gross was putting two shotguns in the trunk of his car, officers arrested him for being a felon in possession of firearms.

The individual who sold the shotguns to Gross told investigators that Gross called him the day before, after seeing the Savage 12-gauge shotgun and Winchester 12-gauge shotgun advertised for sale on a website. Gross told him he wanted to buy the two shotguns for $350 and they arranged to meet at Lowe’s to conduct the sale.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately two hours before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner, ending a trial that began Monday, May 13, 2019.

Under federal statutes, Gross is subject to a sentence of up to 55 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. Attorneys Jess Michaelsen and Alison D. Dunning, with cooperation from the Platte County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Olathe, Kan., Police Department, the Lawrence, Kan., Police Department, and the Douglas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Eldon, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for traveling to North Carolina on five occasions to engage in illicit sexual activity with a child victim over a two-year period.

James Anthony Guthrie, III, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 27, 2018, Guthrie pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Guthrie admitted that he traveled to North Carolina on five occasions for work and, while there, met the then-15-year-old child victim at various hotels for sex. Guthrie admitted that he picked up the child victim from school or at her house; once, the victim’s father brought her to the hotel.

According to court documents, Guthrie met the child victim online when she was 14 years old. Guthrie engaged in sexual communications with her and groomed her by sending gifts, including jewelry, a cellular telephone, food delivery, a life-size teddy bear, shopping trips and nights in a hotel room. Guthrie manipulated the child victim and exploited the fact that others had abused her.

Guthrie also admitted that he communicated about sexual matters with the child victim and received pornographic images and videos from her. Investigators examined Guthrie’s laptop, hard drive and DVD-R disks, which contained images of child pornography. Guthrie admitted to communicating with other individuals he believed to be minors in a sexual manner, and to receiving self-produced pornographic images from 13-to-14-year-old children.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lebanon, Mo., Police Department and the Lake Area ICAC 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. – Six southern Missouri residents are among 15 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy that involved multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine transported from Arizona to Missouri.

Gregory L. Hopper, 34, and Amanda L. Robinson, 27, both of Springfield, Mo.; Leslie T. Ray, 49, and Melissa D. Melencamp, 42, both of Branson, Mo.; Olivia L. Fluke, 34, of Reeds Spring, Mo.; Jason C. Brookshire, 37, of Aurora, Mo.; Manual Edgardo Cortez, also known as “Manny,” 44, Mel Chevez Arnold, 57, Estelle E. Lawson, 50, and George G. Galaz, Jr., 45, all of Tuscon, Ariz.; Christopher K. Perez, also known as “Wombat,” 31, of Silver City, N.M.; Jedediah L. Selke, 44, of Silver City, N.M.; Diandre Valentine, 32, of Chicago, Ill.; Daniel D. Rhea, 32, of Naples, Texas; Joshua S. Speakes, 39, of Mountain Home, Ark.; were charged in a 12-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Thursday, May 9. This superseding indictment replaces a March 26, 2019, indictment that charged only Cortez and Arnold.

The federal indictment alleges that all 15 defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene, Christian, Polk, and Taney counties from June 2017 to March 18, 2019.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when law enforcement officers seized nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, allegedly supplied by Cortez, from a Branson hotel room. Cortez allegedly used couriers to transport multi-pound loads of methamphetamine from Arizona to Branson. On several of those trips, says the affidavit, couriers transported 15-pound loads of methamphetamine.

On Feb. 20, 2019, Arizona state troopers seized approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine from Arnold during a traffic stop near Phoenix, the affidavit says. The methamphetamine allegedly was supplied by Cortez and destined for Springfield.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Hopper, Robinson, Ray, Melencamp, Fluke, Valentine, Rhea, and Galaz are charged in individual counts related to the distribution of methamphetamine.

Hopper and Robinson are also charged together in one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. They allegedly possessed 15 firearms – including four assault rifles, 10 handguns and a shotgun – on Feb. 21, 2019.

Speakes is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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 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.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Binghamton, N.Y., man who posed online as a teenage girl was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to produce child pornography by tricking children – including three victims in Sedalia, Mo. – into sending him nude images of themselves.

Brandon David Cuddihe, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Cuddihe to 30 years of supervised release following incarceration.

On Oct. 16, 2018, Cuddihe pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to produce child pornography. Cuddihe admitted that he posed on Facebook as a 14-year-old girl named “Hannah Richards.” Using that false identity, he conversed with more than 150 people, many of whom were between 10 and 16 years of age. Three minors, including two 10-year-olds and a teenager, are from the Sedalia, Mo., area. The mother of one of those victims contacted the Sedalia Police Department when she learned that her 10-year-old daughter had sent nude photos and videos via Facebook Messenger. Federal agents were able to identify and interview eight additional victims between the ages of 10 and 16.

Using the “Hannah Richards” Facebook account, Cuddihe told investigators, he would pick a random individual to befriend. Cuddihe would go through all of their friends and add a bunch of their friends to his friends list. If an individual accepted his friend request, then he would begin chatting with them through Facebook Messenger. In some cases, according to court documents, Cuddihe redistributed a victim’s images in order to convince other children to produce child pornography. The “Hanna Richards” Facebook account is over 2,000 pages long and is dedicated almost entirely to soliciting pornographic images from children.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department, the Binghamton, N.Y., Police Department, and the Broome County, N.Y., 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 Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of his role in a three-months-long conspiracy that included at least 27 armed robberies, culminating in the armed robbery of a Walgreens in Blue Springs, Mo., in which a suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers.

 

Shannon R. Thomas, 28, was found guilty of participating in the conspiracy as well as participating in ten armed robberies. He was also found guilty of ten counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Thomas faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 70 years in federal prison without parole. 

 

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Thomas and co-conspirators robbed 27 businesses in Blue Springs, Independence, North Kansas City, Raytown, Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan., at gunpoint from Jan. 2 to March 24, 2016. In addition to the armed robberies charged in the indictment, evidence was introduced during the trial of other, uncharged robberies that were committed in furtherance of the conspiracy. Victim businesses included convenience stores, pharmacies, and other businesses.

 

The robberies followed a similar pattern: Two or three conspirators entered the business armed with handguns, wearing gloves, hoodies, and/or masks. The hoodies were drawn tightly over their faces to obscure their features. The employees were forced at gunpoint to hand over money from the cash register and the safe. The thieves wore the same hoodies in nearly all the robberies; Thomas wore a blue Kansas City Royals hoodie for the majority of the robberies he committed.

 

The spree of robberies culminated on March 24, 2016. Thomas, along with co-defendant Deonte J. Collins-Abbott, 24, of Grandview, Mo., and Jermon Seals of Shawnee, Kan., robbed the Walgreens at 7 Highway and Duncan in Blue Springs. Thomas placed a Springfield Armory .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol to the back of an employee’s head and took money from the front register. Collins-Abbott and Seals went over the pharmacy counter and took prescription grade cough syrup at gunpoint from the pharmacist. They left the business but were confronted by law enforcement officers as they were walking back to the vehicle. They failed to comply with the officers’ commands; Seals turned towards the officers, pointing a gun in their direction. Officers returned fire and Seals was fatally struck in the exchange. Thomas and Collins-Abbott were apprehended by officers after a short foot chase.

 

Collins-Abbott pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Collins-Abbott admitted that he committed eight armed robberies between Feb. 3, 2016, and March 24, 2016.

 

Co-defendants Kevin T. Thompson-Randell, 23, and Demetrius Nelson, 26, both of Kansas City, Mo.; and Parrise K. Black, also known as “Kilo,” 26, and Frank A. Garner, Jr., 25, both of Grandview, have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

 

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately three hours before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Monday, May 6, 2019.

 

Under federal statutes, Thomas is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for participating in the conspiracy, and up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for each of the ten armed robberies. Thomas is also subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole for each of the ten counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which must be served consecutively. 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 Adam Caine and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the North Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury 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, 42, was charged in an 11-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint against Fields that was filed on May 2, 2019.

The indictment alleges that Fields participated in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud from February to May 7, 2018, in Greene, Christian, Jasper, and Newton counties. In addition to the conspiracy, Fields is charged with 10 counts of bank fraud.

According to the indictment, Fields 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, the indictment says, to create counterfeit checks by using the stolen checks (typically business checks) as templates. They allegedly 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.

The indictment refers to 11 unidentified co-conspirators who were identified as the payees listed on the forged and counterfeit checks and who, along with Fields, attempted to cash those checks at area financial institutions. Fields and his co-conspirators allegedly attempted to cash 41 counterfeit checks at financial institutions in Springfield and Branson, Mo. Many of those attempts were unsuccessful, according to the indictment.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of illegally possessing a firearm.

Dionandre Ganter, 30, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and of receiving a firearm while under indictment. Ganter has been detained in federal custody without bond since his arrest.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Ganter was in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol on March 22, 2017. Ganter, a convicted felon, received that firearm while under indictment for tampering and resisting arrest in Jackson County, Mo.

At 2:55 a.m. on March 22, 2017, Kansas City, Mo., police officers responded to a reported shooting at the intersection of Van Brunt Boulevard and Anderson Avenue. An officer saw Ganter, who was not wearing a shirt and had his right wrist bandaged, leaving the area. The officer saw Ganter place a handgun in a flowerpot on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Ganter was detained for further investigation and the firearm was retrieved from the flowerpot.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Ganter has two prior felony convictions for domestic battery and a prior felony conviction for obstruction of legal process.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, ending a trial that began Monday, May 6, 2019.

Under federal statutes, Ganter is subject to a sentence of up to 15 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 Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for producing child pornography.

William Lee Potts, 21, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint filed against Potts on May 3, 2019.

The federal indictment charges Potts with one count of using a minor to produce child pornography from April 26 to May 1, 2019.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Potts was found in a Joplin motel room with the 16-year-old child victim on May 1, 2019. Investigators searched his cell phone and found sexually explicit images and a video of child pornography.

The charge contained in this indictment 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Waynesville, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes 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."

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison presents the annual Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Award to Missey and Greg Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tim Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, presented the annual Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award today to Greg and Missey Smith, founders of the Kelsey Smith Foundation.

“Kelsey Smith should have celebrated her 30th birthday last Friday,” said Garrison. “Tragically, she was abducted and murdered a few days after graduating from high school in 2007. Her parents, Greg and Missey, have honored her memory and inspired us all by promoting public policies that can save lives. They have devoted themselves to educating people across the country about crime prevention and safety awareness.”

Greg and Missey Smith started the foundation, also known as Kelsey’s Army, after Kelsey was abducted from a local department store on June 2, 2007. Surveillance video showed Kelsey leaving the store after making a purchase and being abducted when she walked to her car. The effort to find Kelsey grew so large the volunteers became known as “Kelsey’s Army.”

Four days after Kelsey’s abduction, Verizon Wireless agreed to hand over the approximate location of Kelsey’s cellphone. Her body was found less than an hour later in Grandview, Mo. Her killer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

As a result of that experience, Greg and Missey Smith began advocating to change the law to require phone companies to provide cellphone location data to law enforcement agencies in an emergency. First passed in Kansas in 2009 and later in Missouri, versions of the bill have now been signed into law in 24 states.

The Smiths also have lobbied for the Kelsey Smith Act, a proposed federal law that has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The Kelsey Smith Act provides law enforcement with a way to quickly ascertain the location of a cell phone if a person is kidnapped or if a missing person is at risk of death or serious physical harm.

The Kelsey Smith Foundation also provides seminars on such topics as safety awareness, an overview for parents, and programs for the law enforcement community.

Missey Smith was one of 12 people and programs honored by the Department of Justice at the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 12. She received the Ronald Reagan Public Policy Award, which honors those whose leadership, vision and innovation have led to significant changes in public policy and practice that benefit crime victims.

The Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award

This is the 16th year for the award to be presented in memory of Crystal Kipper and Ali Kemp, two young women who were both fatal victims of tragic crimes. Crystal Kipper was an 18-year-old Gladstone, Mo., resident who was murdered after her car broke down on Interstate 29, just north of Platte City, on Feb. 24, 1997. Ali Kemp was a 19-year-old Blue Valley North High School graduate who was murdered on June 18, 2002, while she worked at the Foxborough neighborhood swimming pool in Leawood, Kan.

The Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office each year to recognize the outstanding work of an individual or organization in recognition of a valued contribution to preventing and responding to the exploitation of children.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An El Dorado Springs, Mo., woman and a North Plainfield, New Jersey, man were indicted by a federal grand jury today for producing child pornography.

Amanda Errin Hunt, 39, and Daniel Thomas Baggott, 36, were charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed on April 11, 2019. Hunt and Baggott remain in federal custody.

The federal indictment charges Hunt and Baggott with one count each of using a child victim to produce child pornography from Aug. 5, 2017, to April 9, 2019. The indictment also charges each of the defendants with one count of using a cell phone to induce the child victim to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when Facebook initiated a CyberTip with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on April 7, 2019. Facebook reported that Hunt and Baggott exchanged images of child pornography through Facebook Messenger. Investigators also discovered sexually explicit messages, along with shared images of child pornography, between Hunt, Baggott, and the 15-year-old victim. Hunt told investigators that Baggott was her boyfriend.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Southwest Missouri Cybercrime Task Force, and the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A woman carrying more than five pounds of fentanyl in her suitcase as she traveled through Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today.

Evelyn C. Sanchez, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

According to court documents, Sanchez was traveling from Los Angeles, Calif., en route to New York, N.Y. Her bus stopped briefly at a Kansas City bus station on Aug. 21, 2018. After Kansas City police detectives interviewed Sanchez at the bus station, they became suspicious that she was not being truthful about her trip and purpose for going to New York. A police service canine alerted to a grey, hard-sided suitcase under one of the seats near where Sanchez had been seated on the bus, and she eventually acknowledged that that suitcase belonged to her.

When detectives searched Sanchez’s suitcase, they found two bundles wrapped in several layers of plastic, which contained a total of 2.4 kilograms (5.3 pounds) of fentanyl. When officers searched Sanchez’s purse, they discovered a false bottom to the purse that contained five separate baggies of cocaine that weighed a total of 5.64 grams.

Under federal statutes, Sanchez 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 Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Ohio university professor pleaded guilty in federal court today to traveling to Kansas City, Mo., to engage in sexual activity with a person whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

Kevin Connor Armitage, 53, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Armitage was a professor of American studies at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

According to today’s plea agreement, Armitage maintained a profile on a website that allows registered members to exchange information regarding commercial sex activity. The website’s public posts contain detailed accounts of sexual encounters between members and commercial sex workers, including prices and specific locations for sexual encounters. Links to well-known sex trafficking websites were posted with reviews of sexual encounters. Members of the website are able to contact the posters by private message to obtain contact information for the commercial sex workers described in the posts.

Armitage was a senior member of the website, with 576 postings that detail his prior experiences with prostitutes in Ohio, Arizona, Kansas, Colorado, and Tijuana.

On May 22, 2018, an undercover federal agent responded to a discussion thread posted by Armitage. Armitage indicated that he would be visiting the Kansas City area and was interested in recommendations. Armitage was provided a phone number for a female FBI agent, who was posing as a 14-year-old female.

After several conversations, Armitage agreed to meet the 14-year-old’s cousin at a restaurant on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City on May 30, 2018, in order to discuss payment. Once he arrived at the restaurant, Armitage was told, he would be given the address where he could meet the 14-year-old. An FBI undercover employee, posing as the cousin, met Armitage at the restaurant and he was arrested.

Under federal statutes, Armitage is subject to a sentence of up to 30 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 Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General 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 Sedalia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and prescription opioids.

Jackie R. Shelledy, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Shelledy to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration.

Shelledy was convicted at trial on Nov. 2, 2018. According to court documents, Shelledy possessed or distributed at least 2.3 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as prescription opioids during the drug-trafficking conspiracy that lasted from Jan. 1, 2015, to Feb. 14, 2018. Shelledy purchased and redistributed methamphetamine in Kansas City, Sedalia, Springfield, Warsaw, and other locations.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Shelledy, a member of the Galloping Goose Motorcycle Club, sold methamphetamine and prescription pills to co-defendant Teresa A. Wolfe, 53, of Sedalia. Wolfe then distributed the illegal drugs to other individuals. Shelledy also purchased methamphetamine and prescription pills from Wolfe.

An undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made a series of undercover purchases of methamphetamine as well as some prescription pills from Wolfe.

A search warrant was executed at Shelledy’s residence on Feb. 13, 2018. Officers seized drug paraphernalia and a bottle of prescription pills in someone else’s name.

Wolfe and co-defendants Joseph E. Whitlow, 42, of Sedalia, and James “Manny” Smith, 56, of Clinton, Mo., have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and await sentencing. Wolfe also pleaded guilty to 14 additional counts related to distributing methamphetamine. Whitlow also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Smith testified at trial that he introduced Shelledy to his source of methamphetamine in exchange for a motorcycle. During this introduction, Shelledy received a pound (453.6 grams) of methamphetamine from Smith’s supplier. Other individuals, who were not charged in the same conspiracy, testified during the trial that they sold pound quantities of methamphetamine to Shelledy.

The court also found that Shelledy attempted to obstruct justice when he tried to persuade a fellow inmate to falsely testify during the trial that another witness had lied to the jury.

Co-defendant Randall L. Rozier, 57, of Sedalia, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to being an illegal drug user in possession of firearms. Rozier was in possession of seven handguns when he was stopped by a Sedalia police officer for a traffic violation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Edwards and Emily A. Morgan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man and woman who were involved in a fatal shooting during a drug deal, which they attempted to cover up by falsely claiming an attempted rape, both appeared in federal court today.

Orval L. Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to three counts of distributing cocaine, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

Co-defendant Latasha M. Alexander, 27, was sentenced in a separate hearing to eight months in federal prison without parole. Alexander, who pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, has been in federal custody since her bond was revoked in October 2018.

By pleading guilty today, Johnson admitted that he sold cocaine to an undercover detective with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department on three separate occasions in 2017. During the third drug transaction, Johnson was armed with a loaded Glock .357-caliber pistol with an extended magazine. Johnson told the undercover detective that someone recently tried to rob him and threatened to kill him and his girlfriend. “I had to kill (him),” Johnson said, “I blew half his … face off.”

According to court documents, Johnson was referring to a homicide investigation in the Knob Hill neighborhood of Kansas City, Mo. Alexander falsely claimed that a man, identified in court documents as “R.B.,” came to her residence on March 9, 2017, to smoke marijuana and tried to rape her. She told law enforcement officers that R.B. fired a shot at her, then she shot and killed him in self-defense. Investigators believed her lie, according to court documents, until Johnson bragged about the killing to the undercover detective.

Alexander later admitted that she falsely reported the attempted rape in order to conceal Johnson’s drug-trafficking offense. Alexander pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony on Oct. 23, 2018.

Johnson and Alexander told investigators that R.B. came to their apartment to purchase cocaine. He attempted to rob Johnson, and a struggle ensued. Johnson yelled at Alexander to grab the gun; she retrieved a firearm and shot R.B., who then attacked her. Johnson grabbed the gun and shot R.B. several times, killing him. According to court documents, both Johnson and Alexander consistently claimed self-defense, which is not refuted by the physical evidence at the scene.

Johnson was arrested on March 14, 2017. The day after his admission to the undercover detective, the undercover detective contacted Johnson to arrange for the purchase of 3.5 grams of cocaine for $170.  Johnson was arrested when he left a nearby residence on his way to conduct the drug transaction. He had a Glock .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol, which had been reported as stolen, in his right front pants pocket and 3.39 grams of cocaine in his left coat pocket.

Johnson admitted to law enforcement officers that he had been making deliveries of cocaine five to 10 times a day, every day since November 2016. Johnson said he had been using about a gram of cocaine a day since November of 2016.

Under federal statutes, Johnson is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five 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 Adam Caine. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Cameron, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Jalie J. Brinlee, 29, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Monday, April 29, to 18 years in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 4, 2019, Brinlee pleaded guilty to participating in a drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Brinlee is among five defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. Co-defendant Robert J. Keegan, 27, of Harrisonville, Mo., was sentenced on Wednesday, April 24, to 18 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants Benjamin W. Clark, 27, and Felicia C. Ward, 23, both of Cameron, and Frank E. Hundley, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

All five of the defendants admitted they participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from January to May 24, 2017. Clark and Brinlee purchased methamphetamine from various suppliers and distributed it to customers in Cameron, Kansas City and elsewhere.

On May 12, 2017, Keegan was stopped by law enforcement and was found in possession of a Hi-point .40-caliber handgun and a duffel bag containing approximately 3.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.

On May 24, 2017, a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Ward, who was carrying a Glock 9mm handgun in her purse. Ward had retrieved the handgun from the vehicle where Clark and Brinlee were located, and Brinlee admitted to possessing the firearm prior to transferring it to Ward. Also found in Ward's purse was approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, which Brinlee also admitted to possessing at the time of the traffic stop.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A California man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a scheme to steal tax refund checks from the mail and cash them at banks by using fake driver’s licenses.

Sharieff A. Sylvester, 27, of Moreno Valley, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to three years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Sylvester to pay $20,416 in restitution.

On Jan. 4, 2019, Sylvester pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. In April of 2016, Sylvester and several others traveled through Colorado and Kansas into Missouri in a scheme to defraud Academy Bank using tax refund checks stolen from the mail and fake driver’s licenses. Using fraudulent identification documents, they presented the stolen checks in order to open bank accounts and withdraw funds at various branches of Academy Bank in Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri.

The conspiracy defrauded Academy Bank and the U.S. Treasury of a total of $447,517.

For example, on April 22, 2016, Sylvester used a counterfeit driver’s license to pass a stolen tax refund check at an Academy Bank branch in Parker, Colo. Sylvester presented the stolen check for $3,838 as a deposit into a newly created bank account. Sylvester then withdrew $3,808, leaving only $30 in the account.

Sylvester cashed six stolen tax refund checks in this manner, totaling $20,416. Each of these transactions was captured on bank security video, including a transaction at an Academy Bank in St. Joseph, Mo.

On April 24, 2016, police officers in Denver, Colo., recovered 19 counterfeit California driver’s licenses, including one bearing a photo of Sylvester and the name of the victim whose stolen check was passed two days earlier in Parker, from a room at the Renaissance Hotel.

Two co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Mistie Smith, 29, of Moreno Valley, Calif., pleaded guilty on Jan. 25, 2019, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft. Joseph R. Hooks, 26, of Bloomington, Calif., pleaded guilty on Jan. 25, 2019, to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute as much as 45 kilograms of methamphetamine.

David McKinnie, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to money laundering.

By pleading guilty today, McKinnie admitted that he distributed as much as 45 kilograms of methamphetamine in Greene and Jasper counties from May 2016 to Feb. 20, 2018. McKinnie also admitted that he transmitted a $3,000 money gram to his supplier in Oklahoma, which involved the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

According to McKinnie’s plea agreement, he purchased up to three pounds of methamphetamine from his supplier each week for three years, for which he paid approximately $6,000 to $9,000 per pound.

Under federal statutes, McKinnie 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 Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Gladstone, Mo., woman was charged in federal court today with attempting to hire an arsonist to destroy her commercial building in Kansas City, Mo., which contained several businesses.

Mia Lee Jamison, 67, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., with one count of the attempted malicious destruction of property. Jamison remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, Jamison met an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives on Tuesday, April 23. She allegedly offered to pay the undercover agent $150,000 to burn her commercial building. Mia Plaza is located near the corner of 39th Street and Bell Avenue in Kansas City. Three businesses currently operate at that location – 39th World of Spirits (a liquor and grocery store), Bob Wasabi Kitchen (a sushi bar), and Sahara Sheesha Lounge (a hookah lounge).

Jamison allegedly told the undercover agent that she was going to be losing ownership of the building. She had a $1.6 million insurance policy on the building, which she told the undercover agent was worth more than the value of the building. Jamison wanted the fire to look like an accident, the affidavit says, and the undercover agent agreed to set the fire between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. to limit the risk to the tenants.

The next day, on Wednesday, April 24, Jamison again met the undercover agent at her residence. They drove to the bank together and then to her building. Jamison allegedly paid the undercover agent $3,500 upfront; the rest would be paid after she collected her insurance money. According to the affidavit, Jamison told the undercover agent that she had previously discussed burning her building down with another potential arsonist, but then decided to find someone else.

On Friday, April 26, Jamison allegedly told the undercover agent she needed her building burned before Monday because she discovered she would no longer own her building after that day due to an ongoing civil lawsuit. She told the agent she would be willing to pay more money than the original agreement, the affidavit says, because she was accelerating the date to destroy the building.

On Sunday, April 28, Jamison met with the undercover agent for the last time. She allegedly told the undercover agent that she had removed the video surveillance cameras at the building in preparation for the fire. 

Investigators recorded all of the meetings between Jamison and the undercover agent by either audio or video recording equipment, or both. At approximately 4 a.m. today, investigators contacted Jamison at her residence to conduct a ruse interview. Following the interview, they told Jamison her building had not actually been damaged by a fire and was still standing, and placed her under arrest.

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 Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine following the shooting of a co-conspirator at his residence.

Brian Keith Davis, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Columbia, Mo., police officers were called to Davis’s residence on Dec. 3, 2017, after he reported that someone broke into his residence and shot a co-conspirator. A man with several gunshot wounds was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. Davis told officers that two men, one wearing all black and the other wearing a green camo mask, had pushed the co-conspirator from behind and forced their way into the residence. Davis said he heard three or four shots and saw that his co-conspirator had been shot in the head.

Officers executed a search warrant at Davis’s residence the next day, Dec. 4, 2017, and found a five-gallon bucket in his bedroom closet that contained five packages with a total of more than two kilograms of methamphetamine. There were two additional packages that contained approximately 390.9 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and two additional packages that contained a total of 680.4 grams of cocaine. Also in the closet, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special handgun and a safe that contained $73,553, which Davis must forfeit to the government.

Under federal statutes, Davis 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 Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Grain Valley, Mo., man who was already under investigation for distributing child pornography over the internet pleaded guilty in federal court today to traveling to North Dakota for illicit sex with a 14-year-old child, who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.

Andy Earl Crook, 63, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography, and traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

FBI agents in Washington executed a search warrant at a residence in that state on Feb. 21, 2018. A review of the suspect’s electronic devices indicated that he had exchanged images and videos of child pornography with others via the internet, including Crook.

On April 5, 2018, Google, Inc. submitted two separate incident reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline reporting that Crook had uploaded and stored possible child pornography images in Google Photos online. An FBI agent, acting in an undercover capacity, communicated with Crook via Kik Messenger. Crook sent images and a video of child pornography to the undercover agent.

On May 4, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Crook’s residence and seized his electronic devices. On Crook’s cell phone, investigators found numerous sexually explicit photos of Crook, 190 images and 13 videos of child pornography (including infants and toddlers), and chat conversations involving child exploitation.

Following the search and seizure, and his interview with an FBI agent, Crook contacted an undercover law enforcement officer in North Dakota, who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, on Sept. 1, 2018. Crook’s communication with the undercover officer, via Facebook Messenger and Kik Messenger, became increasingly sexually graphic.

Crook made plans to travel to North Dakota to meet the person whom he believed was a 14-year-old girl, so they could engage in illegal sexual conduct. Crook rented a vehicle and drove to North Dakota for a planned meeting on Sept. 22, 2018. When Crook arrived for the meeting, he was arrested. Officers found multiple sex toys in his vehicle.

Under federal statutes, Crook is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 70 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 David Luna. It was investigated by 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."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Garden City, Mo., woman and a Licking, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Lisa A. Fletcher, 51, and Ricky F. Hazen, 63, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Co-defendant Tony L. Ryerson, 52, of Duke, Mo., pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2018, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents, Fletcher supplied Hazen with at least a pound of methamphetamine each week between June 28, 2015, and Nov. 28, 2016. Hazen then distributed methamphetamine to Ryerson and others. Ryerson distributed ounce quantities of methamphetamine to other distributors.

According to court documents, the conspiracy distributed at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. The defendants’ plea agreements cite several controlled buys of methamphetamine from Hazen and Ryerson by law enforcement officers utilizing confidential informants. One confidential informant saw Ryerson pull out a shotgun and shoot a hole in the wall of the residence during a transaction. The confidential informant also saw three additional firearms on Ryerson’s table.

Another source told investigators that he purchased at least a pound of methamphetamine from Hazen each week for four months, for which he paid Hazen $1,000 per ounce. Officers executed a search warrant at Hazen’s residence on Sept. 18, 2015, and found 522 grams of methamphetamine in an ammunition can on a trailer outside the house, as well as a total of 1.4 grams of methamphetamine in baggies on the kitchen counter.

Hazen told investigators he had been buying pounds of methamphetamine for three months from a source that was introduced to him by Fletcher. Ryerson was averaging a pound a week from this source until that source was “busted” in August. Hazen then began getting pounds from a new source in the Kanas City, Mo., area. Ryerson would call Fletcher and tell her how much methamphetamine he needed. Fletcher would then call Hazen to tell him when to come to her residence to retrieve the methamphetamine. Hazen paid Fletcher $13,000 per pound of methamphetamine.

On Oct. 9, 2015, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper conducted a stop of a Ford Crown Victoria, driven by Fletcher, in Polk County, Mo. Inside the vehicle, the trooper found a suitcase that contained 443.7 grams of methamphetamine. Fletcher admitted she was delivering the methamphetamine to Hazen.

Under federal statutes, Fletcher, Hazen and Ryerson 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 Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Central Drug Task Force, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

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

Robert J. Keegan, 27, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 years in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 28, 2018, Keegan pleaded guilty to participating in a drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Keegan is among five defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. Co-defendants Benjamin W. Clark, 27, Jalie J. Brinlee, 29, and Felicia C. Ward, 23, all of Cameron; and Frank E. Hundley, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

All five of the defendants admitted they participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from January to May 24, 2017. Clark and Brinlee purchased methamphetamine from various suppliers and distributed it to customers in Cameron, Kansas City and elsewhere.

On May 12, 2017, Keegan was stopped by law enforcement and was found in possession of a Hi-point .40-caliber handgun and a duffel bag containing approximately 3.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.

On May 24, 2017, a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Ward, who was carrying a Glock 9mm handgun in her purse. Ward had retrieved the handgun from the vehicle where Clark and Brinlee were located, and Brinlee admitted to possessing the firearm prior to transferring it to Ward. Also found in Ward's purse was approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, which Brinlee also admitted to possessing at the time of the traffic stop.

Under the terms of their plea agreements, subject to acceptance by the court, Clark and Brinlee each will be sentenced to 18 years in federal prison without parole. Under federal statutes, Ward and Hundley 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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm following an 11-hour standoff with law enforcement officers.

Terrance T. Brown, 41, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on Monday, April 22, to 10 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum penalty for this offense.

On Dec. 3, 2018, Brown was found guilty at trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Brown was in possession of a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol on Sept. 13, 2017.

Brown threatened his wife with a firearm on July 12, 2017, according to court documents, and was involved in a shooting on Sept. 3, 2017. On Sept. 12, 2017, Brown shot at law enforcement officers while fleeing arrest. He then barricaded himself in a St. Joseph neighborhood residence, where he was arrested following an 11-hour standoff.

Officers with the St. Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department established a perimeter around the residence. After several minutes, three individuals (including a juvenile) came out of the residence, but Brown – armed with the handgun – remained inside. Officers used portable cameras to locate Brown in the attic of the residence. Eventually, Brown left the attic and ended up on the roof of the house; he surrendered to officers and was arrested. The loaded Ruger 9mm pistol with an extended magazine was found during a search of the attic. Officers also found ammunition and an empty box for a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber firearm, which contained some ammunition.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Brown has a prior federal conviction in the District of Kansas for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brown has two prior felony convictions for robbery in Wyandotte County, Kan., as well as prior felony convictions for aggravated assault, criminal possession of a firearm, and attempted possession of a controlled substance. Brown was under supervision by Missouri Probation and Parole for felony drug possession in Jackson County, Mo., at the time of the offense.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Morgan and Adam Caine. It was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing methamphetamine and a stolen firearm that had been used in two recent shootings.

Jeremy G. Helton, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 11 years in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 4, 2019, Helton pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Helton was asleep in the driver’s seat of a stolen Hyundai Elantra, which was obstructing a lane of traffic as it was sitting half on the grass and half on the roadway, at about 4:45 a.m. on May 28, 2018. When St. Joseph police officers arrived, the engine was running and the vehicle was in gear with the brake lights illuminated. Officers used their vehicles to box in Helton’s vehicle, then an officer focused his spotlight on Helton, who started to wake up.

As officers opened the driver’s door, Helton started thrashing about grabbing for his waistband, the steering wheel, windshield wiper controls, and the gear shifter. Officers were able to pull him from the vehicle as another officer took the vehicle out of gear and turned off the engine. As Helton was being removed from the vehicle, a loaded Sig Sauer .40-caliber pistol fell to the ground. The firearm had previously been reported as stolen.

Officers arrested Helton and searched him. Officers found a large baggie with approximately 47.8 grams of methamphetamine in his shorts pocket, as well as a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue and a digital scale. Officers also searched Helton’s vehicle and found four cell phones, a box of ammunition, two more glass pipes, and a suspected cutting agent for the methamphetamine.

Helton, who has a prior felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, told officers, “Felon or not, I’m always going to have a gun on me.” According to court documents, investigators later learned the firearm recovered from Helton was used in two shootings in St. Joseph a few days earlier, on May 20 and May 25, 2018, based upon a comparison of recovered cartridge casings from the shootings.

Helton was on probation supervision for a Missouri felony non-support case at the time of these federal offenses. In addition to his prior felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Helton has previously been convicted of the felony offenses of non-support, fraudulent use of a credit device, first-degree tampering (twice) and receiving stolen property (two counts).

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashleigh A. Ragner and Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court today after transporting nearly eight kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in his luggage aboard a bus.

Carlos Q. Palafox, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 19, 2018, Palafox pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Palafox arrived at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station aboard a bus originating in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2017. A police service dog conducted a sniff check of the luggage under the bus and alerted to two suitcases belonging to Palafox. Palafox was questioned, and law enforcement officers searched the suitcases. Inside each suitcase were two flat bundles that contained a total of nearly eight kilograms of methamphetamine.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., in-home health care nursing assistant was sentenced in federal court today for stealing bank account information from one of her clients in order to illegally transfer more than $207,000 out of her account.

Ashley N. Garr, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to five years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum penalty. The court also ordered Garr to pay $249,999 in restitution to her victims.

On Aug. 8, 2018, Garr pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Garr worked as a home health aide for the victim in St. Joseph for approximately one year beginning in 2014. In late October 2016, Garr stopped at the victim’s residence to introduce her children. Garr excused herself to use the bathroom during the visit, and found the victim’s checkbook and purse (with her identification) in a home office located near the bathroom. Garr used the stolen information to withdraw approximately $224,000 from the victim’s bank account. Garr used the money to pay her student loans, her credit card bills, and other personal and household expenses.

In the spring of 2017, the victim’s bookkeeper was reviewing the bank statement from Nodaway Valley Bank and noticed charges to RENT-A-CENTER and the Lexington law firm, which both seemed odd to her. She pointed them out to the victim and the victim stated that she did not make these charges. The bookkeeper contacted Nodaway Valley Bank to report the fraud.

A review of the bank account showed that Garr wrote three $700 checks to herself on the victim’s bank account on Oct. 27, 2016. There were also numerous transfers from the bank account to pay Garr’s personal expenses, for a total theft in 2016 of $187,152.

Garr also admitted that she filed fraudulent tax returns for 2014 and 2015. Garr inflated her income and tax withholdings to generate a larger refund than she was entitled to receive. Additionally, Garr did not report the money she stole as income on her 2016 tax return. According to court documents, Garr also filed false tax returns using stolen identities from disabled individuals that she obtained through her work as a home health aide.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for a scheme to file false tax returns, resulting in more than $180,000 in fraudulent refunds being issued.

Tanisha Williams, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Greg Kays to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Williams to pay $182,410 in restitution to the government.

On Sept. 19, 2018, Williams pleaded guilty to filing a false claim with the IRS and wire fraud. Williams participated in a scheme to defraud the IRS by helping in the filing of false income tax returns on behalf of others who claimed refunds to which they were not entitled.  Her criminal conduct involved the fraudulent tax returns for four tax years (2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014) for 26 separate individuals. Williams’s scheme to defraud the IRS resulted in a significant loss to the government of $182,410.

At times, Williams recruited individuals to file federal income tax returns under their own names and Social Security numbers. At other times, Williams used stolen identity information to file federal income tax returns. 

Fraudulent tax returns claimed bogus wages, fictitious tax withholdings, fraudulent dependents, and earned income credits. These fraudulent refunds would then be deposited onto pre-paid debit cards. Once the funds were deposited to the debit cards, the money was withdrawn as cash or the cards were utilized for personal expenses. 

This case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Ketchmark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer was sentenced in federal court today for a wire fraud scheme in which she filed dozens of fraudulent tax returns that resulted in more than $238,000 in refunds being issued to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.

Onrea Knox-Lewis, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Knox-Lewis to pay $238,666 in restitution to the government.

On Sept. 26, 2018, Knox-Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Knox-Lewis, a self-employed tax return preparer, admitted that she filed income tax returns for the tax years 2012 through 2014 claiming false refunds. The fraudulent tax returns reported bogus wages, income tax withholdings and/or fraudulent dependents as well as the Earned Income Credit. In some instances, Knox-Lewis prepared and filed tax returns using stolen personal identification information.

After she filed the fraudulent tax returns over the internet, Knox-Lewis had the bogus refunds loaded onto prepaid debit cards; she utilized all, or in some cases only a portion, of the funds for her own personal expenses.

According to court documents, Knox-Lewis’s criminal conduct involved the fraudulent tax returns for three tax years (2012, 2013, and 2014) for 25 separate individuals. Her scheme resulted in $238,666 in refunds being issued to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.

In addition to this fraud scheme, according to court documents, Knox-Lewis has an extensive history of fraudulent activity, including forgery and identity theft.

This case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Ketchmark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former St. Joseph, Mo., Boy Scout leader was sentenced in federal court today for distributing child pornography over the internet.

Michael R. Goeller, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Goeller to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration.

Goeller, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2018, served as an assistant scout master with the Boy Scouts of America at the time of his arrest. In 2005, Goeller was employed as a counselor by the Marillac Center of Kansas City, a facility that provides youth services and community outreach. He was also previously employed as a counselor at the Family Guidance Center in St. Joseph, working with at risk youth.

The investigation began on Feb. 15, 2017, when a law enforcement officer in Arkansas downloaded a video file that contained child pornography through a peer-to-peer file-sharing network that was later linked to Goeller’s computer.

On Sept. 20, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Goeller’s apartment and seized a laptop computer and other digital electronic devices and digital media storage devices. Goeller admitted to officers that he used his laptop to access pornographic websites to obtain images and videos of nude children, ranging from 10 to 15 years old.

Investigators conducted a forensic examination of the devices seized from Goeller and found approximately 60 images and more than 60 videos of child pornography. Investigators also determined that Goeller was a distributor of child pornography who knowingly shared images and videos with others by utilizing a file-sharing network.

After the completion of the search warrant, the affidavit says, investigators learned that Goeller had made contact with a local priest to confess to child pornography having been found on his computer. Goeller also immediately resigned as an assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America due to his interaction with this criminal investigation.
  
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by 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 Conifer, Colo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm and marijuana.

Curtis David Barker, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 15 in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 19, 2018, Barker pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing marijuana and cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in connection with a drug-trafficking crime.

On Jan. 31, 2016, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper pulled over Barker, who was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram truck, for speeding on Interstate 29. The trooper smelled marijuana and Barker admitted he had a small amount of marijuana, which a female passenger handed to the trooper. As Barker was being arrested and searched, the trooper found a loaded Cobray Firearms double-barrel derringer pistol and a plastic baggie that contained cocaine in the front pocket of Barker’s hoodie, as well as $4,100 in the pocket of his leather vest.

After being placed under arrest, handcuffed, and seated in the passenger seat of the trooper’s vehicle, Barker said, “Oh well, it is all over now.”

Troopers searched Barker’s vehicle and found an extra-large camouflage duffle bag in the back passenger seat. The duffle bag contained several vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana; the duffle bag weighed about 40 pounds. A trooper unlocked the cover of the bed of the truck and found several trash bags. Inside the trash bags there were more vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana that weighed about 70 pounds. The total weight of marijuana found in the truck was approximately 44.257 kilograms.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Barker has a prior felony conviction for carrying a concealed weapon in Florida; two prior felony convictions for breaking and entering and a conviction for manufacturing marijuana in North Carolina; and five prior felony convictions for burglary, four prior felony convictions for grand larceny, and prior felony convictions for failing to stop for an officer, receiving stolen goods, breaking and entering, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a pistol by a violent crime offender in South Carolina.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who reportedly struck and dragged a police officer with his vehicle and stockpiled a large number of firearms in preparation for a shootout with officers was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing methamphetamine and firearms.

Todd R. Leroy, 37, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 29, 2018, Leroy pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Law enforcement officers responded to the home of Leroy’s parents on Nov. 15, 2016, to attempt to locate him following a report of his involvement in the assault of a law enforcement officer in Kansas City, Kan., earlier that morning. According to reports, a motorcycle officer with the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department had stopped Leroy, who was driving a BMW, after Leroy’s vehicle struck a road sign. As the officer was standing in the open door of Leroy’s vehicle, Leroy began to speed away. The officer was struck and thrown to the ground, then dragged 30 to 40 feet. Leroy fled from the scene; the officer sustained minor injuries.

When officers searched the basement of Leroy’s parents’ residence, where he was living, officers saw a firearm and a plastic bag of marijuana protruding from a black backpack. Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and seized, from the basement, a Palmetto .223-caliber rifle, a DPMS .223-caliber rifle, an Intratec 9mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver, a Sig Sauer .357-caliber pistol, a Springfield Arms .45-caliber pistol, multiple live rounds of ammunition, and a ballistic vest. Officers also seized methamphetamine, marijuana, pills, drug paraphernalia, and several cellular telephones.

Leroy was arrested on Aug. 23, 2017. Officers saw Leroy exit a Winnebago recreational vehicle that was parked in a lot at 4900 Raytown Road. A 2012 Ford F-150 pickup truck was parked in the driveway. Leroy, who returned to the Winnebago, started the truck remotely and refused to come out. Tear gas canisters were deployed into the front passenger side of the vehicle, after which Leroy opened the door, holding his girlfriend from behind. Leroy’s right hand was behind her back and he was wearing a holster, but did not have a gun. Leroy was arrested by the officers. 

Inside the pickup truck, officers found a safe on the rear floorboard that contained a Heritage Rough Rider .22-caliber revolver, an AR Model 15 .223-caliber rifle, a Smith & Wesson .44-caliber revolver, a Ruger .22-caliber handgun, a Walther .22-caliber handgun, a Ruger .380-caliber handgun, an AP-MBP 7.65x25mm semi-automatic handgun, an FEG Model AP .765mm, a Cimmaron .22-caliber two-shot derringer, and various ammunition. Officers also found a bulletproof vest in the truck and $60,100 in a black nylon bag. 

Officers searched the Winnebago and found a bullet-proof vest, a Mossberg pump shotgun with no serial number, a Taurus .40-caliber handgun, a Taurus .38-caliber revolver, a Mossberg 20-gauge pump shotgun, a Marlin lever action 30x30 rifle, a Winchester .22-caliber rifle, a Cobra Arms .380-caliber handgun, and $380.

According to court documents, Leroy reportedly obtained a large number of firearms in the event he became engaged in a standoff with police officers. 

According to court documents, Leroy was involved in multiple drug sales. Additionally, Leroy has three prior felony convictions for possessing methamphetamine, two prior felony convictions for burglary, and prior felony convictions for property damage and tampering.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

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 Monett, Mo., woman and a Mexican national have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Rebecca Castillo, 37, and Heradio Rios-Zarate, 27, a citizen of Mexico, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Monday, April 15. Castillo was sentenced to nine years in federal prison without parole. Rios-Zarate was sentenced to 10 years and three months in federal prison without parole.

Castillo and Rios-Zarate have both pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from March 8 to April 20, 2017.

Castillo admitted that Rios-Zarate was her direct source of supply for methamphetamine. On March 8, 2017, Rios-Zarate transported five plastic containers that contained a total of more than 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine (4.87 pounds), with a purity level of 98 percent, from Texas. He was stopped for speeding on Interstate 40 in Texas. A police service dog alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. Officers found the methamphetamine in a plastic sack on the floor behind the front passenger seat.

When Rios-Zarate saw one of the officers pull out his handcuffs, he began running into an open field. One officer pursued him on foot and the others followed into the field in their patrol cars. Rios-Zarate was apprehended without further incident. Rios-Zarate admitted that at least one pound of the methamphetamine was to be delivered to Castillo.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Monett, Mo., Police Department, and the Mesa County, Colo., Sheriff’s Department.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for recording his sexual abuse of a child victim.

George Ralph Pollock, 77, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 30 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 3, 2018, Pollock pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child. Pollock admitted that he sexually abused a child victim from the age of 12 until she was 17 years old, and had been exchanging nude images via email and text since she was 15 years old. The child victim told investigators that Pollock had sexually abused her more than 100 times.

The investigation began on Aug. 16, 2016, when officers received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Pollock had attempted to upload and email an image of child pornography. Officers executed a search warrant at Pollock’s residence and seized two cell phones and computers. Images of child pornography were found on those devices, as well as a VHS tape that depicted Pollock and the child victim engaged in sexual activity.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm after being arrested for shoplifting at Home Depot.

Joachim B. Jagetz, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to seven years and eight months in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 28, 2018, Jagetz pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jagetz was arrested for shoplifting on June 19, 2018, after he tried to leave the Home Depot store at 111 E. Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Jagetz had placed items from the hardware section inside a red backpack he carried on his shoulder, and walked out of the store without paying for those items. Jagetz was stopped by store employees and waited in the security office until police officers arrived.

An officer placed Jagetz in handcuffs and arrested him for shoplifting. Officers searched Jagetz and found a loaded SCCY 9mm semi-automatic pistol inside his pants.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Jagetz has a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also has two prior felony convictions for assaulting law enforcement officers. The two officers were shot during the incident and two other officers were also shot at during the incident. Additionally, Jagetz has a prior felony conviction related to drug trafficking while he was incarcerated. 

Six weeks prior to Jagetz’s arrest for shoplifting, he possessed a stolen  Sig Sauer .45-caliber handgun while in possession of methamphetamine. Under the terms of his plea agreement, those charges were dismissed but considered by the court as relevant conduct for purposes of sentencing. Jagetz was previously verified as a member of the Freemont Hustlers.

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

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Scheronn Scott, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, April 10, to 17 years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Scott to forfeit to the government $25,000, which represents the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

On June 25, 2018, Scott pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, to distributing heroin, and to using a cell phone to facilitate illegal drug trafficking.

Scott participated in the conspiracy to distribute heroin from October 2012 to September 2016. Scott admitted that he sold heroin to an undercover agent on numerous occasions. Additionally, two confidential sources stated they purchased approximately 260 grams of heroin from Scott over a two and one-half year period.

Scott has 26 adult criminal convictions, five of which are felony convictions with the remaining being misdemeanor convictions. The five felony convictions are all drug-related offenses.

Scott is one of five defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case, four of whom have been sentenced.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rudolph R. Rhodes IV and Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Excelsior Springs, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and attempting to distribute child pornography.

Gabriel Valencia, Jr., 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 30, 2018, Valencia pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography over the internet and to possessing child pornography.

The investigation began when another person admitted to possessing and distributing images of child pornography, chatting online with likeminded individuals, and ultimately giving Valencia the password to a cloud-based storage site containing child pornography images. A federal agent, acting in an undercover capacity, contacted Valencia. On Sept. 22, 2016, Valencia sent the undercover agent a video of child pornography.

On Oct. 3, 2016, members of the FBI Cybercrimes Task Force executed a search warrant at Valencia’s residence. Officers seized two laptop computers, a mini tablet, and two cell phones, one of which contained a 4GB micro sim card. One of the laptop computers had contained approximately 300 images of child pornography. The sim card contained 606 images of child pornography and six videos of child pornography.

One of the cell phones had thousands of chat messages, including dozens of chats in which Valencia engaged in sexually explicit conversations with numerous individuals, many of whom claimed to be under the age of 18. Valencia asked for, and received, explicit photos on numerous occasions, sometimes posing as teenage female. In one of his Skype messages, Valencia stated, “with the type of porn I look at I could go to prison for the rest of my life.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Barnes. It was investigated by 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 Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today after his wife returned a rental vehicle with nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine in the trunk.

Milton Tyron McGruder, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 18, 2018, McGruder pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

On Aug. 4, 2017, employees at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Columbia found a black toiletry bag in the back trunk area of a GMC Yukon that had been returned by McGruder’s wife. Inside the bag was a vacuum-sealed Ziploc bag that contained approximately 934 grams of methamphetamine. 

 After returning the rental car, but before the black toiletry bag had been found, McGruder’s wife called Enterprise and claimed that $700 in cash had been left in the Yukon. She asked if Enterprise employees had found it. Nothing had been found at that point, so she was told that nothing had been recovered. She then asked if she could re-rent the Yukon, but was told that the vehicle had already been rented.

After the call from McGruder’s wife, an Enterprise employee went back outside to the Yukon and searched it. The toiletry bag containing methamphetamine was located in the trunk of the Yukon in the long, rectangular, spare tire compartment. Enterpise employees then called the police department.

McGruder and his wife came to Enterprise and acted as if they wanted to rent another vehicle. An Enterprise employee accompanied them outside to show them another vehicle; however, McGruder went straight to the Yukon and proceeded to search it. McGruder went back  inside and asked an employee if they had found a small black toiletry bag. When told that no such bag had been found, McGruder and his wife left Enterprise without renting another vehicle.

McGruder returned while police officers were speaking with Enterprise employees and he was arrested. He told officers that his wife had returned the car while he was still asleep. After a drug canine alerted to the vehicle driven by McGruder, officers searched it and found a loaded SCCY, CPX-2 9mm pistol, nine Adderall pills, marijuana, methamphetamine, and assorted cell phones.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.

Two former executives of a Springfield, Missouri-based charity and a former Arkansas state senator have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a multi-million-dollar public corruption scheme that involved embezzlement, bribes and illegal campaign contributions for elected public officials in Missouri and Arkansas, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison of the Western District of Missouri.

Bontiea Bernedette Goss, 63, her husband, Tommy Ray Goss, aka “Tom,” 63, both residents of Springfield, Missouri, and Boulder, Colorado, and Jeremy Young Hutchinson, 45, of Little Rock, Arkansas, were charged on March 29, 2019, in a 32-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield, which was unsealed today.

The indictment alleges that the Gosses, who were high-level executives at Preferred Family Healthcare Inc. (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities Inc.), and Hutchinson, who is an attorney and served as a state senator in the Arkansas Senate from 2011 to 2018, along with others, participated in a conspiracy from 2005 to November 2017 to embezzle and misapply the funds of a charitable organization that received federal funds, to pay bribes and kickbacks to elected officials (including Hutchinson), and to deprive the citizens of Arkansas of their right to the honest services of those elected officials.  According to the indictment, in exchange for the bribes and kickbacks offered by the Gosses and other co-conspirators, Hutchinson and other elected officials allegedly provided favorable legislative and official action for the charity, including directing funds from the state’s General Improvement Fund (GIF).

The indictment also alleges that the Gosses and others defrauded the charity, and the governmental entities that funded the charity, by embezzling and misapplying charity funds for their personal benefit, including, but not limited to:

• causing the charity to pay for chartered air flights for the Gosses to commute between their home in Colorado and their work at the charity’s office in Springfield;
• providing millions of dollars in interest-free loans to their for-profit companies;
• charging the charity inflated prices to lease vehicles from their for-profit companies;
• renting charity-owned commercial real estate to one of their for-profit companies at below-market rates or, in some instances, for free; and
• using charity funds to pay for personal services for themselves, including child and pet care, housekeeping and cleaning their personal residences, picking up and delivering groceries, and shoveling snow, among other personal services paid for by the charity.

 

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the Gosses and Hutchinson to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the alleged offenses.

The charity was known as Alternative Opportunities Inc. from its founding in 1991 until its 2015 merger with Preferred Family Healthcare.  The charity, which is cooperating with federal investigators, provided a variety of services to individuals in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, including mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities and medical services.

An indictment contains only allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  This is a combined investigation by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Western District of Arkansas and the Eastern District of Arkansas.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Marco A. Palmieri of the Public Integrity Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich of the Western District of Missouri, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff of the Western District of Arkansas and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Mazzanti of the Eastern District of Arkansas.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two former executives of a Springfield, Mo.-based charity and an Arkansas state senator have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a multi-million-dollar public corruption scheme that involved embezzlement, bribes and illegal campaign contributions for elected public officials in Missouri and Arkansas, announced U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison of the Western District of Missouri  and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Bontiea Bernedette Goss, 63, her husband, Tommy Ray Goss, also known as “Tom,” 63, residents of Springfield, Mo., and Boulder, Colo., and Jeremy Young Hutchinson, 45, of Little Rock, Ark., were charged on March 29, 2019, in a 32-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., which was unsealed today.

The indictment alleges that the Gosses, who were high-level executives at Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc.), and Hutchinson, who is an attorney and served as a state senator in the Arkansas Senate from 2011 to 2018, along with others, participated in a conspiracy from 2005 to November 2017 to embezzle and misapply the funds of a charitable organization that received federal funds, to pay bribes and kickbacks to elected officials (including Hutchinson), and to deprive the citizens of Arkansas of their right to the honest services of those elected officials. According to the indictment, in exchange for the bribes and kickbacks offered by the Gosses and other co-conspirators, Hutchinson and other elected officials allegedly provided favorable legislative and official action for the charity, including directing funds from the state’s General Improvement Fund (GIF). 

The indictment also alleges that the Gosses and others defrauded the charity, and the governmental entities that funded the charity, by embezzling and misapplying charity funds for their personal benefit, including, but not limited to:

•    causing the charity to pay for chartered air flights for the Gosses to commute between their home in Colorado and their work at the charity’s office in Springfield; •    providing millions of dollars in interest-free loans to their for-profit companies; •    charging the charity inflated prices to lease vehicles from their for-profit companies; •    renting charity-owned commercial real estate to one of their for-profit companies at below-market rates or, in some instances, for free; and
•    using charity funds to pay for personal services for themselves, including child and pet care, housekeeping and cleaning their personal residences, picking up and delivering groceries, and shoveling snow, among other personal services paid for by the charity.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the Gosses and Hutchinson to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the alleged offenses.

The charity was known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc. from its founding in 1991 until its 2015 merger with Preferred Family Healthcare. The charity, which is cooperating with federal investigators, provided a variety of services to individuals in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Illinois, including mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities and medical services.

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 the culmination of a two-and-a-half-year investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich of the Western District of Missouri; Trial Attorney Marco A. Palmieri with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff of the Western District of Arkansas; and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Mazzanti of the Eastern District of Arkansas. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This is a combined investigation with the Western District of Arkansas, the Eastern District of Arkansas, and the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing the firearm he used in two shootings.

Marcus D. Mack, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 10 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum penalty for this offense.

On Dec. 3, 2018, Mack pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mack was under surveillance after being identified in two separate shootings that occurred at a gas station on 10th Street on June 4, 2018, and at an apartment on June 5, 2018. In addition, Mack had active warrants for his arrest. On June 6, 2018, Kansas City police detectives followed him to a gas station on Prospect Avenue, where he got out of his vehicle and got into the rear passenger’s seat of a Buick Regal. Police officers attempted to stop the Buick to arrest Mack. The driver of the Buick attempted to flee through the parking lot of the gas station but eventually stopped and Mack was arrested. Officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded Glock 10mm semi-automatic handgun wrapped up in a jacket, lying on the rear floorboard where Mack had been sitting. DNA analysis concluded that Mack was a major contributor of the DNA located on the firearm.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Mack also must plead guilty to Jackson County charges of assault and armed criminal action.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mack has three prior felony convictions for armed criminal action, and prior felony convictions for robbery, attempted robbery, and assault.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. 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.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to filing a false tax return.

Ashwini Kumar, 54, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to a federal information that charges him with one count of filing a false tax return.

By pleading guilty today, Kumar admitted that he filed false tax returns for 2014, 2015, and 2016. Kumar filed a tax return for the year 2014 in which he falsely claimed $32,000 in taxable business income, when he knew his true taxable business income was $174,996. Kumar filed a tax return for the year 2015 in which he falsely claimed $19,218 in taxable business income, when he knew his true taxable business income was $157,596. Kumar filed a tax return for the year 2016 in which he falsely claimed $26,081 in taxable business income, when he knew his true taxable business income was $173,421.

The false tax returns filed by Kumar for those three years resulted in a total tax loss to the government of $136,277. This does not include interest or penalties that may be assessed by the IRS. After the federal investigation was initiated Kumar paid $136,277 in restitution to the IRS.

According to today’s plea agreement, those tax returns were utilized in relation to the filing of false Pell Grant applications from 2014-2018.

Under federal statutes, Kumar is subject to a sentence of up to three 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 Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Brazilian national who has repeatedly transported large amounts of methamphetamine to the Kansas City, Mo., area was sentenced in federal court today.

Evandro DaCruz-Mendes, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to nine years and seven months in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 24, 2018, DaCruz-Mendes pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

According to court documents, DaCruz-Mendes arrived aboard a bus from Dallas, Texas, at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station on Feb. 3, 2015. He was stopped by Kanas City police detectives as he was about to get into a taxi. When the detectives questioned him, DaCruz-Mendes was acting in a nervous manner; his hands were shaking, and he was breathing heavily. Detectives searched his carry-on bag and found two plastic-wrapped containers that contained a total of nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, DaCruz-Mendes has traveled six times from Dallas to Kansas City, transporting a total of nearly 12 kilograms of methamphetamine.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Clark. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing the firearm he used in the armed robbery of a Pizza Hut.

Teandre L. Wilson, 39, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of armed robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, Wilson admitted he robbed the Pizza Hut at 9515 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Wilson entered the Pizza Hut at about 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2018. He approached the register, made brief small talk with the cashier, then lifted the right side of his shirt to reveal a firearm tucked in his waistband. “Give me your money,” he told the cashier, “or I’ll pop ya.” The cashier emptied the register and handed the money to Wilson, who fled from the premises.

On Aug. 24, 2018, Kansas City police officers responded to a report of gunshots in the area of 6th Street and Benton Boulevard. The caller told officers he heard shots from his residence, then looked out his window and saw a man later identified as Wilson hiding behind a car. Wilson was found by officers in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven store. Wilson was arrested and officers seized a loaded Springfield Armory .45-caliber pistol from his right waistband.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Wilson has three prior felony convictions for possessing a controlled substance, and prior felony convictions for robbery, leaving the scene of an accident and distributing marijuana.

Under federal statutes, Wilson is subject to a sentence of up to 30 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 Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man still on supervised release from a prior felony conviction was sentenced in federal court today for possessing heroin to distribute and illegally possessing a firearm.

Vernon Deandre Jordan, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to nine years in federal prison without parole. Today’s sentence includes a two-year term for violating his supervised release in an unrelated case.

On Jan. 31, 2019, Jordan pleaded guilty to possessing heroin to distribute and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Jordan also pleaded guilty to violating the terms of his supervised release by committing those offenses. In that earlier case, Jordan pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2015, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release.

Probation officers conducted a search of Jordan’s residence on Nov. 15, 2017, based upon Jordan’s conditions of supervised release. Jordan asked for a coat from his closet, and one of the officers searched the coat before handing it to him. Inside the coat pockets, an officer found a handcuff key, approximately 25.2 grams of heroin, and $888.

Inside the top drawer of a nightstand, officers also found a loaded Glock .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, a box that contained 47 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and approximately 50 grams of heroin separated into two plastic baggies.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Probation Office and the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.