Western District of Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A St. Louis, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute at least a kilogram of heroin in Greene County, Mo.

Michael L. Hester, 38, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to his role in the conspiracy to distribute heroin in Greene County from Sept. 1, 2012, to April 3, 2017.

Conspirators purchased heroin in Chicago, Ill., and St. Louis then transported it to the Springfield, Mo., area by vehicle. Hester admitted that he personally transported heroin from St. Louis to Springfield and supplied mid-level heroin dealers, including co-defendant Kenneth M. Smith, 60, of Springfield. Hester also admitted that he distributed heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer on several occasions.

Smith had multiple suppliers of heroin, including Hester and co-defendants Roosevelt Simpson, 60, and Najee Boston, 37, both of Springfield. Smith would in turn supply other mid-level heroin dealers, including co-defendant Antonio J. Jones, 43, of Springfield.

Hester, Smith, Simpson, Boston and Jones are among six defendants to plead guilty in this case. Co-defendant Romele E. Freeman, 53, of Springfield, also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Under federal statutes, Hester 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 Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A nurse who falsely claimed to provide health care services to Carl DeBrodie, a Medicaid beneficiary in Fulton, Mo., who was found deceased and his body encased in concrete, pleaded guilty in federal court today to health care fraud.

Melissa Denise DeLap, 49, of Columbia, Mo., waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps to a federal information that charges her with one count of health care fraud.

DeLap, a Community Registered Nurse, was contracted to provide services to four beneficiaries participating in an individualized supported living program at a residence operated by Second Chance Homes in Fulton, Mo. Her duties included performing face-to-face evaluations of the four beneficiaries, reviewing their physicians’ orders, monitoring their medications and reviewing their records (including weight, vitals, blood sugar, etc.).

Second Chance Homes submitted monthly claims to Medicaid for DeLap’s services. Medicaid paid Second Chance Homes $38 for each of DeLap’s visits, and this amount was then paid to DeLap. During the time under investigation, DeLap was paid approximately $2,500 for her services to the four Medicaid beneficiaries.

Among the four beneficiaries was Carl DeBrodie, who died approximately in early September 2016 while under the care of Second Chance Homes. DeBrodie’s disappearance was reported on April 17, 2017. His body was found on April 24, 2017, leading to the federal investigation.

From at least September 2016 (the time of DeBrodie’s death) through March 2017 (shortly before DeBrodie’s body was discovered), DeLap completed and signed DeBrodie’s Community RN Monthly Health Summary for every month in that period, falsely stating that she had performed a face-to-face assessment of DeBrodie and provided the other services she was required to do as a CRN. During this same period, DeLap also did not provide the services she was paid for to the other three residents at Second Chance Homes, as she was paid to do.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, DeLap must pay $106,795 in restitution to Medicaid. She also must surrender her nursing license within six months. She will not seek licensing again to practice as a nurse in any state of the United States or any of its territories.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cindi Woolery and Gregg Coonrod and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the FBI and the Fulton, Mo., Police Department.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Eight men and one woman were indicted by a federal grand jury this week for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Greene County, Mo. 

Dangelo P. Moore, 30, of Willard, Mo., James D. Elbert, 36, Jerry R. Blue, 29, Keilan A. Murray, 25, and Presley A. Pike, 26, all of Springfield, Mo., Michael K. Johnson, Jr., 32, of Ozark, Mo., Rodriguez R. Bradley, 35, of Fordland, Mo., Kevin D. Paine, 28, of Cahokia, Ill., and Kewan J. Rogers, 35, of St. Louis, Mo., were charged in a 22-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. This week’s superseding indictment replaces the original indictment returned under seal on July 11, 2018, and adds Pike as a co-defendant.

This week’s indictment alleges that all nine of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin in Greene County from Oct. 2, 2015, to Nov. 13, 2017.

Elbert is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Elbert allegedly was in possession of a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and an HS Products (Springfield Armory) .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol on April 24, 2017.

Paine is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Paine allegedly was in possession of a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 5, 2017.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, the remaining counts of the indictment allege specific instances in which various defendants distributed heroin.

The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, which would require Moore, Elbert and Bradley to forfeit to the government a total of $34,332 and the various firearms and ammunition that were seized by law enforcement officers during the course of the investigation.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Ozark, Mo., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tim Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that Detective Sgt. Ryan Glidden of the Maryville Department of Public Safety has received the 2018 Enoch B. Morelock Award.

The Enoch B. Morelock Award is an annual recognition of outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and service to the community. Glidden was honored on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, during the 16th Annual LECC Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo. The prestigious law enforcement award, presented annually by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, is named in honor of Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock, who was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847.

Glidden has 21 years of law experience, including 13 years with the Maryville Department of Public Safety.

Following an event earlier in his career, Glidden recognized the need for equipment and training so law enforcement officers could assist victims of gunshot wounds and severe trauma to stop bleeding. He wanted to equip every officer in his agency with a “go-bag” trauma kit. Glidden collaborated with a local medic to conduct the training and began the ambitious project of raising money to pay for the kits, as his agency could not afford to purchase them. Through hard work and his leadership, $24,000 was raised to fully fund the project for his agency.

Realizing that the local sheriff’s office faced the same financial restraints as his own agency, Glidden directed his attention to seeking funds and assisted in raising nearly $18,000 to fully equip that agency with trauma kits.

Not done giving yet, Glidden realized that the regional dive team that assists agencies in multiple states needed assistance in securing additional equipment. He set out to raise over $21,000 to purchase a much-needed rescue boat with a motor capable of transporting a six-person dive crew as well as protective equipment. This equipment provides greater capability of providing the necessary lifesaving operations, which would not have been possible without this funding.

In light of the increase in school shootings, Glidden reached out to public and private schools, not only in his city but across the entire county, inquiring if trauma kits would be of value. One administrator asked him the cost for these kits and he responded with his own question: “What would be the cost if we needed them and didn’t have them?”  With overwhelming support from parents, teachers, administrators and the general public, Glidden began raising funds and secured 450 trauma kits, one for each classroom in the county, at a cost of more than $28,000. He also organized in-service training with a trained paramedic to provide hands-on training with staff in each school.

Glidden spends a lot of his free time volunteering as a Big Brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nodaway County.  This is something he takes very seriously.  He has a unique connection not only to his little brother but also to his little brother’s mother, helping her navigate life, especially when things aren’t going well. 

Glidden was nominated by two different individuals from two different law enforcement agencies. Among the nominations and 10 letters of support for Glidden, it was written, “When our program has a need, Ryan is always one of the first people to step up when asked. He leads by example. His kindness to others and calm nature make him an excellent mentor, friend and law enforcement officer. Beyond what he brings to our organization, he is an endearing individual with an obvious passion for our community and a drive to help others.” 

Enoch B. Morelock Award

Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847. He was appointed the first sheriff of Sullivan County, Mo., in 1845. He was in office a little over two years, but he was known to be an honorable, hardworking man intent on protecting the residents of his community. Sheriff Morelock was shot and killed during a court ordered sale of the accused=s property. The accused killer, Patrick McIntry, was charged with 1st Degree Murder but was later acquitted. Within a year Mr. McIntry was found shot to death on the banks of a local river.

The annual Enoch B. Morelock Award recognizes individuals with outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and to the community outside of law enforcement. Recipients may include officers from local police departments, sheriffs= offices, state agencies, or federal agencies as well as investigators from prosecutors= offices.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man and an Independence, Mo., man have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved the kidnapping and torture of an Independence, Mo., man.

Gerald L. Holmes, also known as “Jerry” or “Joker,” 26, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana and one count of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Jeremy R. Bond, 40, of Independence, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2018, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Co-defendant Randal G. Holmes, also known as “Peckerwood” or “Wood,” 54, the father of Gerald Holmes, pleaded guilty on July 10, 2018 to the same charges as his son – one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana and one count of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to today’s plea agreement, co-conspirators purchased at least 120 pounds of marijuana from a source in Colorado, for which they made more than a dozen trips between Colorado and Kansas City. Gerald Holmes paid their source between $1,600 to $2,400 per pound, depending on the type and quality of marijuana available.

During the conspiracy, which lasted from May 1 to Sept. 13, 2016, Bond invested $10,000 into the marijuana operation. In return, he received $1,000 a week as interest and free marijuana until the entire principal investment was repaid in full. This investment allowed Gerald Holmes and a co-conspirator, identified in court documents as “C.H.” (who had made four trips to Colorado with Gerald Holmes), to purchase greater quantities of marijuana per trip. Once it reached the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, the marijuana was then resold by Gerald Holmes and C.H.

On Sept. 12, 2016, Gerald and Randal Holmes agreed to kidnap C.H. because he stole money that was intended for the purchase of marijuana.

Holmes arrived at the Independence, Mo., residence of the victim’s father, identified as “W.H.,” on Sept. 12, 2016. During their conversation, Gerald Holmes removed a firearm from his waistband and placed it on a table in front of W.H. Conspirators told W.H. to call C.H. and tell him he was being held at gunpoint and that C.H. needed to come to the residence right away. When C.H. arrived at the residence, Randal Holmes pointed a firearm at him and told him to get into his vehicle. While in the vehicle, Gerald Holmes struck, punched and choked C.H. as Randal Holmes drove away.

They took C.H. to Randal Holmes’s residence, where they were met by a third co-conspirator. C.H. was taken to the basement, where Gerald Holmes continued to assault him with fists, a hammer and tin snips/clippers. During the assault, Randal Holmes repeatedly demanded that C.H. disclose where the duffle bag containing the money was located. Gerald and Randal Holmes left to retrieve the duffle bag while a co-conspirator held C.H. at gunpoint.

Randal Holmes later drove C.H. to a rural residence near Edwards, Mo. As Randal Holmes drove them to the residence, Gerald Holmes continued to strike C.H. with fists and the butt of a firearm. When they arrived at the residence, C.H. was told to call his father and to tell him that he was okay, that he had taken a beating, that he would be home in a couple of days and that he deserved what had happened. 

Law enforcement officers were able to trace the telephone call and on Sept. 13, 2016, officers were able to locate C.H. and arrest Gerald and Randal Holmes. Officers observed that C.H. had suffered multiple, visible injuries to his face, head, hands and feet. Officers noted that C.H. had trouble walking, that his face was black and blue, as well as swollen with traces of dried blood. Upon receiving medical treatment, it was determined that C.H. had also suffered a fracture in his left hand.

Officers found a Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol in Randal Holmes’s vehicle and a Hi-Point 9mm pistol in the residence where C.H. had been held. Officers also found an FN Herstal .40-caliber pistol, a Remington .270-caliber rifle, an RG .22-caliber revolver, a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, a Mossberg .20-gauge shotgun, 36.4 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Gerald Holmes’s residence.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Gerald Holmes is subject to a minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 35 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Benton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tim Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that local and federal law enforcement officers were recognized for their work on two significant cases as recipients of the 2018 Guardian of Justice Award.

Kansas City, Mo., Police Detective Leland Blank and FBI Special Agent Ryan Williams were recognized for their investigation of two men who were convicted after a week-long trial of charges related to the kidnapping and murder of another man.

Kansas City, Mo., Police Detective Don Stanze and U.S. Postal Inspector Justin Lewis were recognized for their investigation into a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of PCP, which was shipped in gallon-sized containers from California. This successful investigation resulted in the trial conviction of the California supplier as well as the successful prosecution of numerous local defendants.

The award recipients were honored on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2017, during the 16th Annual LECC Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo.

USA v. King and Ross

Raynal King and Howard R. Ross III were each sentenced to multiple life terms in federal prison without parole for the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton, following the investigation by Blank and Williams.

Patton was returning home from the hospital, where he had been caring for a family member, sometime after 5 a.m. that day when King and Ross kidnapped him and stole his 2014 Jeep Patriot. They held Patton at gunpoint and drove him around in his Jeep to ATM machines, attempting to force him to provide his PIN number for his debit card so they could withdraw cash from his bank account. Patton was unable to provide a working PIN number to withdraw cash. King and Ross became upset with the lack of cooperation from Patton and shot him in his upper thigh to make sure he knew they were not playing around.

King and Ross then drove Patton in his Jeep south on Holmes Road while they discussed what to do with him. At approximately 6:30 a.m., shortly after traveling south on Holmes Road through the intersection with 135th Street and further out of the city, Patton jumped out of his Jeep while it was moving. Patton was shot multiple times while attempting to jump and he fell to the roadway. King and Ross then fled from the area in Patton’s Jeep, leaving him to die on the side of the road.

Blank and Williams expended tremendous investigative efforts in this case and further demonstrated their dedication to justice during trial preparations and throughout the trial. It is important to note that after the jury was excused, several members of the jury were compelled to personally commend the dedication to seeking justice and thoroughness of the investigative efforts by law enforcement in this case. This type of acknowledgement by members of our community who were randomly selected to serve as jurors in this case is truly an honor.

USA v. Hamilton

Ladronal S. Hamilton, a resident of Hawthorne, California, was sentenced to life in federal prison following the investigation by Stanze and Lewis. Hamilton was the organizer and supplier to large-scale Kansas City PCP distributors, each of whom has been convicted and sentenced in federal court. He organized and arranged the cross-country shipment of numerous multi-kilogram containers of PCP from California.

Investigators made three seizures of PCP from Hamilton that totaled approximately 14 kilograms. In addition, the testimony of cooperating witnesses during the trial established that Hamilton distributed additional amounts in excess of 37 kilograms of PCP. Hamilton also possessed firearms in relation to drug trafficking during the timeframe of the conspiracy. One investigator testified that he recovered cocaine and three firearms from Hamilton’s California residence.

PCP is an exceptionally dangerous and volatile hazardous material requiring hazmat units or certified laboratories for proper handling.  PCP in the mail creates a tremendous safety risk for postal employees and customers.

Hamilton was identified as the supplier in two additional federal investigations that resulted in the convictions of 31 defendants in separate cases.

In seeking the life sentence for Hamilton, the government’s court filings refer to the serious nature of the crime and to Hamilton’s extensive prior criminal record, which includes felony convictions for armed bank robbery, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed criminal action and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. A career offender for violent crimes and narcotic offenses, Hamilton’s s interstate distribution of large quantities of PCP began within three years of his release from federal prison for armed bank robbery as a result of his second revocation from supervised release.

Stanze joined the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department following his service as a soldier in the United States Army. During his 20-year career as a police officer, Stanze has become a subject matter expert in narcotics trafficking. As an undercover drug detective, Stanze purchased nearly every type of illegal drug available on the streets of Kansas City. He has used that experience to build long-term, federal investigations against some of Kansas City’s most prolific and violent drug dealers. Stanze has been sought out by federal investigators to lead or assist on multiple OCDETF investigations due to his experience and work ethic.

Lewis has worked for the U.S. Postal Service almost his entire adult life. He began working for the Post Office in college and spent approximately eight years working as a clerk, branch supervisor, and in the accounting department, before he became an inspector with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, where he has served for 15 years. As an inspector, Lewis has focused his career on seizing illegal drugs and conducting investigations for the successful prosecution of high-level drug dealers. Lewis is also one of a select few postal inspectors who is qualified as a Dangerous Mail Specialist and since 2003, Lewis is one of a select few inspectors trained to respond to mail or parcels containing hazardous materials. Based on his extensive experience, Lewis has been a subject matter expert in narcotics interdiction and an instructor for drug interdiction for new U.S. Postal Inspectors for approximately five years. Were it not for his focus and keen insight into Hamilton’s use of the mail to facilitate his PCP shipments, the evidence to prosecute the case may have never been discovered.

Guardian of Justice Award

The annual Guardian of Justice Award recognizes a state or local officer as well as a federal agent for investigative excellence, selfless collaboration, tireless trial support, commendable diligence and professionalism, and noteworthy assistance to prosecution. The prestigious law enforcement award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office each year during the law enforcement training conference.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A prior sex offender residing in Fulton, Mo., has been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Michael James Collins, 21, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Collins, who was a resident at the Community Supervision Center in Fulton, has a prior felony conviction for sexual misconduct involving a child.

The federal indictment charges Collins with using the internet and a cell phone from July 21 to Dec. 10, 2017, to attempt to entice a minor under the age of 14 to engage in illegal sexual activity. Collins is also charged with one count of transporting a minor under the age of 14 across state lines with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. The indictment also alleges that Collins committed those felony offenses when he was required to register as a sex offender.

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 Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Callaway County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Fulton, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Callaway County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office and the Callaway County Children’s Division.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Additional charges were filed against three Indiana men who were indicted by a federal grand jury today for the armed robbery of a Walgreens pharmacy in Jefferson City, Mo.

Jerome Scott King, 19, of Speedway, Indiana, and Raymond Allen Craig, 20, and Daijahn Antwan Reed,19, both of Indianapolis, Indiana, were charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against the three men on Aug. 16, 2018, and contains additional charges.

Today’s indictment alleges that King, Craig and Reed committed an armed robbery on July 25, 2018. The indictment alleges they pointed a loaded firearm at two store employees and tied one employee’s hands behind his back with zip-ties. They allegedly stole $9,264 worth of drugs, including more than 3,000 oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets.

In addition to the robbery, King, Craig and Reed are each charged with one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly brandishing a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. 

King, Craig and Reed are charged together in one count of committing an armed robbery that involved the theft of a controlled substance. They are charged together in one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and one count of possessing oxycodone with the intent to distribute.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Jefferson City police officers responded to Walgreens, located at 2002 Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, in reference to a robbery in progress on July 25, 2018. Craig, Reed and an unidentified man allegedly had entered the store wearing medical masks over the faces and medical style gloves on their hands. 

Officers arrived as King, Craig, Reed, and another person ran out of the business. Three of the four men fled the scene in a vehicle. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, the affidavit says, but King, the driver, led officers on a pursuit eastbound on U.S. Highway 54. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers deployed spike strips, which caused the vehicle to slow, leave the highway, cross the outer road and crash near Jazel Lane in Holts Summit, Mo. King and Craig ran from the vehicle but were apprehended. The third man, who remains unidentified, was not apprehended.

A witness called the police later that afternoon to report that Reed had knocked on his door and asked to use the telephone. Officers located Reed on the roof of O’Reilly Auto Parts, 1010 Missouri Blvd. in Jefferson City, and arrested him.

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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today on charges related to the kidnapping and murder of another man.

Raynal King, 27, and Howard R. Ross, III, also known as “Lil’ Howard” and “Shooter,” 23, each were sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to multiple life terms in federal prison without parole.

On Feb. 12, 2018, King and Ross each were found guilty at trial of multiple counts related to the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton on Sept. 6, 2016.

King and Ross were convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of aiding and abetting a kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a kidnapping that resulted in a first degree felony murder, one count of robbery of a motor vehicle (carjacking) resulting in death, one count of using a firearm in furtherance of carjacking that resulted in a first degree felony murder, and one count of aiding and abetting each other as felons in the possession of a firearm.

Patton was returning home from the hospital, where he had been caring for a family member, sometime after 5 a.m. that day when King and Ross kidnapped him and stole his 2014 Jeep Patriot. They held Patton at gunpoint and drove him around in his Jeep to ATM machines, attempting to force him to provide his PIN number for his debit card so they could withdraw cash from his bank account.

Patton was unable to provide a working PIN number to withdraw cash. While held at gunpoint by King and Ross in the Mazuma Credit Union parking lot, he called his wife to obtain the working PIN number, but was he unable to do so. King and Ross became upset with the lack of cooperation from Patton and shot him in his upper thigh to make sure he knew they were not playing around.

King and Ross then drove Patton in his Jeep south on Holmes Road while they discussed what to do with him. At approximately 6:30 a.m., shortly after traveling south on Holmes Road through the intersection with 135th Street and further out of the city, Patton jumped out of his Jeep while it was moving. Patton was shot multiple times while attempting to jump and he fell to the roadway. King and Ross then fled from the area in Patton’s Jeep, leaving him to die on the side of the road.

According to evidence introduced during the trial, King and Ross began planning to commit a robbery a couple of days earlier. King had recently purchased a silver Pontiac Grand Prix but was unable to make his car payments or pay the sales tax fees. Text messages between King and Ross (recovered from their phones) shows that only days before the kidnapping King communicated with Ross about his problems and about a potential robbery.

Ross, who was on state probation for robbery at the time of the crime, was held in the Jackson County Jail after his arrest. While in the Jackson County Jail, Ross made multiple recorded phone calls to others regarding disposing of various items of evidence. Ross discussed with friends and family the location of his iPhone, which led to search warrants and the recovery of Ross’s iPhone and further evidence on his iPhone.

Investigators recovered evidence from Ross’s iPhone that showed weeks before the kidnapping Ross had a Springfield Armory .45-caliber pistol. Patton was murdered with a .45-caliber bullet. Ross took photos of himself carrying the pistol; he messaged those photos to others and posted photos on social media sites. Shortly after the murder, Ross attempted to sell the pistol to an acquaintance.

When forensic examiners were able to search King’s Android phone, several messages, photographs, and relevant Internet searches were recovered as evidence. King took photos of the stolen Jeep and messaged with others in an attempt to sell the Jeep to obtain sufficient money to make his own car payment on his Silver Pontiac Grand Prix before it would be repossessed.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jess E. Michaelsen and Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kan., man was charged in federal court today with stealing dozens of firearms from an Independence, Mo., gun store.

Keyon D. Johnson, 21, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., with one count of stealing firearms from a federal licensee and one count of transporting stolen firearms across state lines. Johnson remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Aug. 20, 2018.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Johnson stole 64 firearms from Armory KC, 10531 E. US 40 Hwy. in Independence. The firearms were stolen during a break-in at the business that occurred about 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018.

The store’s video surveillance shows a group of thieves smashing out the glass on the front door of the business, the affidavit says, then attaching a chain to the front door of the business and to the rear of a pickup truck in order to rip the door off. The thieves entered the store and used hammers to break the glass on the display cases, then placed the firearms in bags.

A cooperating source identified Johnson as one of the thieves, according to the affidavit. On Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, investigators located a vehicle connected to the theft and attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of 27th Street and Parallel Parkway. The vehicle fled the area and was later found parked in a driveway. An officer saw two persons flee the area on foot and run into a wooded area. Additional officers responded to the area to assist and located Johnson, who was placed under arrest.

Officers located a Glock 9mm handgun laying near where Johnson was arrested. It was determined that the firearm had been among those stolen from Armory KC. Investigators searched Johnson’s apartment and found eight additional firearms, all of which had been stolen during the Aug. 9, 2018, burglary of Armory KC.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the ATF-KCPD Illegal Firearms Squad and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a meth-trafficking conspiracy.

Marcell Shavers, 27, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 40 years in federal prison without parole.

On March 1, 2018, Shavers was convicted by a trial jury of participating in a conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

On Jan. 1, 2014, Kansas City, Mo., police officers responded to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of Jose Medellin, who had been fatally shot. They also found several shell casings at the scene as well as two plastic bags containing more than 55 grams of methamphetamine in Medellin’s possession.

The person who reported the shooting had gone to Discount Smokes on Independence Avenue to obtain some cigarettes. While at the store, he was approached by co-defendant James P. Roberts, 27, of Kansas City, Mo., who asked about obtaining methamphetamine. He replied that he knew a source and would set up a meeting.

The witness contacted Medellin, then picked up Roberts at Discount Smokes and they drove to Medellin’s apartment building. He told Medellin that Roberts wanted to buy $1,000 of methamphetamine, and Medellin told him to bring Roberts inside the apartment building. The three men met in the laundry room on the ground floor, but when a car alarm went off, the witness went out to shut it off. He could not re-enter the laundry because it locked automatically and could only be opened from the inside.

Although he could not reenter the building, the witness could see through the windows and saw Roberts with an unknown man, later identified as Shavers. He witnessed Medellin being shot. Medellin tried to run from the shooter but was unable to escape. Medellin was shot in the abdomen, turned to run, was shot in the right buttock, fell to the ground and was shot in the back while on the ground. After Medellin fell, the witness ran to a nearby Quik Trip and called the police.

Shavers later told another person that he and Roberts had met with Medellin to conduct a drug deal.

Roberts pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2018, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, which resulted in the killing of Medellin. Roberts admitted that, while he possessed a handgun during the drug transaction, he never fired at Medellin. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Roberts will be sentenced to between 20 and 30 years in federal prison without parole.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Jacksonville, Fla., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a scheme with two Nixa, Mo., residents to market an all-natural male enhancement supplement that actually contained the same active ingredient found in Viagra.

Michael S. Schindele, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of wire fraud and one count of delivering adulterated or misbranded food.

Schindele, the owner and operator of Executive Image International, operated a website that sold dietary supplements and drugs to the general public. He worked through businesses owned and operated by co-defendants John G. Schindele, 41 (his brother), and Jennifer S. Travis, 45, both of Nixa, Mo., to sell dietary supplements, which they claimed contained only all-natural ingredients. John Schindele and Travis both pleaded guilty, in separate but related cases, on Feb. 21, 2018.

Among the many supplements sold by Michael Schindele was Silver Bullet, marketed as an “all-natural male performance enhancer,” an “Extreme Male Stimulant,” and a “dietary supplement.” In reality, Silver Bullet contained materially different ingredients than what was listed, including sildenafil, a synthetic pharmaceutical ingredient that was not disclosed to consumers purchasing the product. 

Sildenafil is the active pharmaceutical that is commonly used in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The labeling for Silver Bullet failed to provide adequate warnings about the use of a sildenafil-containing product, which is only legally available with a prescription from a doctor. Michael Schindele was not authorized or licensed to sell this pharmaceutical.

Silver Bullet was purchased and shipped from a supplier in the People’s Republic of China, then resold by Michael Schindele and others to consumers throughout the United States and worldwide.

Michael Schindele’s misrepresentations resulted in him, Executive Image International, Schindele Enterprises, and Midwest Wholesale obtaining money in the amount of at least $150,000 from consumers.  Michael Schindele, personally, received at least $47,930, which must be forfeited to the government.

According to his plea agreement, John Schindele fraudulently received $210,000 for the misrepresented and mislabeled dietary supplements from April 16, 2012, to July 8, 2015. According to her plea agreement, Travis fraudulently received $152,862 for the misrepresented and mislabeled dietary supplements from June 2, 2014, through Jan. 31, 2017.

During the time of the fraud scheme, which operated from Oct. 11, 2011, through Jan. 6, 2014, Michael Schindele also pleaded guilty in a separate and unrelated case to the misdemeanor offense of introducing an unapproved animal drug. Schindele admitted that he sold heartworm tablets that were produced in Australia and had not been approved for sale in the United States, and which required a veterinarian’s prescription. Federal agents seized 1,368 doses of the heartworm tablets from Schindele’s EZBody store in Springfield. Schindele was sentenced on July 17, 2012, to one year of unsupervised probation.

Under federal statutes, Michael Schindele is subject to a sentence of up to 23 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan D. Nguyen and Patrick Carney. They were investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for making a bomb threat at the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Mount Vernon, Mo.

Richard Leslie Turner III, 48, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Turner on July 19, 2018.

The federal indictment alleges that Turner threatened on July 13, 2018, to blow up the Community Based Outpatient Clinic located at 600 N. Main St. in Mount Vernon.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Turner arrived at the clinic on July 13, 2018, for an appointment but was told the appointment had been changed. Turner became angry and left the clinic, the affidavit says, then shortly afterward another patient informed a staff member that Turner was in the parking lot making statements about obtaining explosives and blowing up the clinic. When Turner was contacted by authorities about making the threats, he allegedly became angry and stated that he really intended to blow up the clinic because the police had called him.

On July 17, 2018, Turner allegedly called the clinic and told a staff member that he intended to travel to the clinic and kill him.

The charge contained in this indictment is 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 Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI, the Mount Vernon, Mo., Police Department, the Veteran’s Affairs Police Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm and making threats following a confrontation with law enforcement officers at the Richard Bolling Federal Building.

James E. Everett, Jr., 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 8, 2018, Everett was found guilty at trial of threatening a federal law enforcement officer, forcibly resisting a federal law enforcement officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Everett arrived at the Richard Bolling Federal Building, 601 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo., at about 8:30 a.m. on March 10, 2016. He parked in an emergency vehicle-only parking space on 12th Street. At the building’s lobby entrance, Everett began yelling and demanded to speak to a federal judge. Four Federal Protective Service officers responded and encountered Everett on federal property, approximately 10 yards from the entrance. During the encounter, Everett threatened the officers, stating that he was going to “blow (their) brains out.” The officers then attempted to arrest Everett who fought them as they attempted to put him in handcuffs. It took all four FPS officers, as well as two Kansas City, Mo., police officers who responded to the scene, to restrain Everett.

During his arrest, Everett attempted to bite one FPS officer and spit on another. Three FPS officers received medical treatment following the encounter. After identifying the car in which Everett had arrived, a police officer found a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol underneath the driver’s seat.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Everett has prior felony convictions for aggravated robbery and arson.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Courtney R. Pratten. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Protective Service.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine that was shipped via UPS from Arizona.

Jennifer M. Conant, 38, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On March 28, 2018, Conant pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Conant admitted that she had a package shipped via UPS, which contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine, to a residence in Seneca, Mo. On May 6, 2017, law enforcement officers tracked the suspicious package from its origin in Arizona and upon its arrival at the Joplin UPS conducted a search to confirm the package contained methamphetamine. 

A federal agent conducted a controlled delivery of the package to its Seneca destination on May 7, 2017. Shortly after the package was delivered, officers executed a search warrant and located the package in a bedroom of the residence. An occupant of the residence told investigators that Conant had the package shipped to his address and that she had inquired about the package just prior to law enforcement executing the search warrant. He then contacted Conant, who arrived at the residence approximately 45 minutes later to pick up the package and was arrested.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who attempted to elude a DWI checkpoint while he was intoxicated was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.

Derrick J. White, 30, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to eight years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

On Feb. 5, 2018, White pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. White admitted that he was in possession of a Ruger 9mm handgun, which was found by Independence, Mo., police officers who searched his vehicle following a pursuit when he attempted to elude a sobriety checkpoint.

White was driving a vehicle while intoxicated when he encountered a DWI checkpoint near U.S. 24 Highway and Vassar Road in Independence at about 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2016. White refused to stop at the checkpoint, and instead accelerated and fled. Officers deployed stop-sticks and disabled White’s vehicle. 

According to court documents, officers observed many of the physical signs of someone under the influence of an intoxicant. White failed the standard field sobriety tests and refused to provide a breath sample to determine his blood alcohol content. During this encounter, he was uncooperative and argumentative with the officers. White was arrested for driving while intoxicated and fleeing. When officers searched his vehicle, they found the Ruger 9mm, with an obliterated serial number, underneath the driver’s seat.

According to court documents, White was arrested by Kansas City, Mo., police officers on May 8, 2017, after officers were dispatched on a disturbance involving the defendant. When the officers approached him, White refused to stop and fled on foot. Ultimately, White was detained, but throughout his detention, he was combative, uncooperative, and belligerent. Upon being arrested, he was found in possession of a High Point Arms, semi-automatic firearm.

Officers attempted to book White into the Jackson County Detention Center, but he was so intoxicated that the booking process could not be completed, so officers were forced to take him to a hospital. While at the hospital, White was belligerent to the hospital staff and security officers. He also made direct and indirect threatening comments about shooting the officers. Those statements included that he was happy each time he heard an officer had been shot and killed. He also threaten an officer directly by saying “when I get out in 10 or 15, shootin you is a cold fact.”

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. White has two prior criminal felony convictions for illegally possessing a firearm and prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. Additionally, White has 27 misdemeanor convictions, including two offenses that involved firearms, three offenses that involved resisting arrest, nine driving offenses and three offenses that involved alcohol or drugs. White has been incarcerated, on parole, probation, or supervised release for approximately 10 of the past 11 years.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

A Springfield, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing several firearms following a police pursuit yesterday afternoon.

Clinton Demetrius McDonald, 30, was charged in the U.S. District Court in Springfield with being a felon in possession of firearms. McDonald, a convicted felon, was allegedly in possession of a loaded Palmetto 5.56-caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a J.P. Sauer and Sohn .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. McDonald is in federal custody.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaint, Springfield police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the 2006 BMW McDonald was driving near the intersection of Cherry and National at about 3:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. Officers were attempting to arrest McDonald in reference to a recent shooting incident. McDonald, the affidavit says, fled from the officers at a high rate of speed. His vehicle crashed moments later into the concrete steps of St. Agnes Cathedral near Cherry and Jefferson streets.

Officers arrived at the crash scene and found McDonald in the driver’s seat of the crashed vehicle. One passenger had been thrown forward onto the dash and windshield area. Another passenger was in the rear passenger seat.

The loaded J.P. Sauer and Sohn pistol was lodged in the windshield on the passenger side. Officers found a loaded Glock .40-caliber pistol in the front passenger side floor board of the vehicle, as well as a pill bottle on the driver’s side floor that contained suspected heroin. Officers had observed the loaded rifle being thrown out of the driver’s side window of the vehicle during the chase, the affidavit says, and also recovered the Glock 9mm pistol (which had been reported stolen) that a witness reportedly saw thrown from the vehicle during the chase.

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

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 Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A North Carolina man was sentenced in federal court today for the sexual exploitation of a child in Joplin, Mo. 

David Lee Perkins, 34, of Winston-Salem, N.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to life in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Perkins to pay $6,325 in restitution to his victim.

On Jan. 18, 2018, Perkins was found guilty following a bench trial of crossing state lines into Missouri with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a child victim under the age of 12 from April 16, 2014, to Dec. 11, 2016. 

Additionally, Perkins had already pleaded guilty on Jan. 3, 2018, to two additional counts contained in the Jan. 18, 2017, federal indictment. Perkins admitted that he used the child victim to produce child pornography and that he distributed child pornography.

Joplin police officers were dispatched to a local hotel where Perkins was staying on Dec. 11, 2016. A female acquaintance of Perkins told officers that she found several videos on an iPad of Perkins engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the child victim. Officers contacted Perkins in his hotel room and placed him under arrest.

Perkins told investigators he used his iPad and iPhone to photograph and create videos of the sexually explicit conduct he engaged in with the child victim in various hotels and motels in Joplin. Investigators found three video files on Perkins’s iPad. Perkins shared those images and videos of child pornography with at least one other person by attaching them to text messages.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ami Harshad Miller and Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Newton, N.C., Police Department.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who led police officers on a high-speed chase after escaping from the hospital where he was confined pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.

Johnny K. McDaniel, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, McDaniel admitted that he was in possession of a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol at the time of his arrest. McDaniel was placed under guard at a local hospital after his arrest but escaped and, when found a week later, led law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit before being recaptured.

Kansas City police officers saw McDaniel, who was driving a grey Pontiac, fail to stop for a stop sign on Feb. 20, 2017. Officers turned around to get behind his vehicle, but he drove off at a high rate of speed. The officers discovered the Pontiac crashed a short time later at the intersection of 23rd Street and Poplar Avenue. McDaniel, who was unconscious, was seated in the driver’s seat with the vehicle still running and in drive.

One of the officers reached into the vehicle, put it in park and turned off the ignition. McDaniel woke up; he appeared to be startled and attempted to put the vehicle back into drive. In response, the officer grabbed him, pulled him from the driver’s seat, and tried to handcuff him. McDaniel immediately began resisting by pulling his hands away from both officers. He tried to turn to face the officers several times, kicked and placed his hands and arms under his chest and stomach. McDaniel was eventually handcuffed and arrested for attempting to flee the scene of an accident and resisting arrest. 

McDaniel had a baggie that contained 42.4717 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket at the time of his arrest. Officers also found the Ruger pistol on the driver’s side floorboard of the Pontiac (along with a live round and a spent shell casing) and a plastic baggie that contained 1.4443 grams of marijuana on the driver’s seat.

McDaniel was transported to Truman Medical Center where he was to remain under guard. The next day, however, on Feb. 21, 2017, he escaped from the hospital.

Investigators found McDaniel on Feb. 27, 2017, driving a GMC Envoy. Officers attempted to conduct a car stop but McDaniel fled into Kansas City, Kan. During the car chase, officers saw McDaniel commit numerous traffic violations including speeding, swerving into oncoming traffic and failing to stop for traffic signals. McDaniel drove over two sets of “stop sticks” deployed by officers before finally crashing the vehicle. McDaniel and his passenger, co-defendant Victoria Harness, 27, of Kansas City, Mo., fled from the vehicle, but both were apprehended a short time later. Officers found 27.3370 grams of methamphetamine on the driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle.

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

Harness pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced on July 30, 2018, to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole.

Under federal statutes, McDaniel 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 Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., in-home health care nursing assistant pleaded guilty in federal court today to 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, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays 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.

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. 

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Garr must pay $207,638 in restitution to the victim of her fraud scheme and $151,589 in restitution to the IRS. Garr must forfeit to the government $207,638, which represents the proceeds of her criminal conduct.
 
Under federal statutes, Garr is subject to a sentence of up to three years in federal prison without parole for filing a false tax return, as well as a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. 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 the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An inmate at the Jackson County Detention Center was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to smuggle contraband cell phones and other items into the jail.

Carlos Laron Hughley, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. 

The court ordered today’s federal sentence be served consecutively to any sentence that may be imposed in an unrelated state case in which Hughley is charged with domestic assault, armed criminal action, careless and imprudent driving, possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest. 

On Feb. 14, 2018, Hughley pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of unlawful activity. While he was an inmate in the Jackson County Detention Center, Hughley was the ringleader of a scheme to smuggle contraband (including a cell phone and charging cable) into the jail. Aided and abetted by minions outside the jail acting at his direction, Hughley bribed a former corrections officer, Jalee Caprice Fuller, 30, of Independence, Mo., to smuggle contraband to inmates at the detention center between May 2 and June 26, 2017.

Hughley is the father of an infant child he conceived with Fuller. According to court documents, Hughley used the affections Fuller had for him to convince her to violate the trust placed in her as a corrections officer and participate in the contraband smuggling scheme.

Fuller, as well as co-defendant Marion Lorenzo Byers, also known as “Cuddy,” 36, of Kansas City, Mo., also have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Co-defendant Janikkia Lashay Carter, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., also has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Each defendant participated in multiple recorded telephone calls where various aspects of the contraband smuggling scheme were discussed. Byers, an associate of Hughley’s, delivered the contraband to Carter, one of Hughley’s former love interests. Knowing that Carter still had feelings for him, and despite the fact that Hughley was professing to Fuller that he only wanted to be with her, Hughley used the affections Carter had for him to convince her to commit the crime of smuggling contraband into the jail. Carter in turn delivered contraband to Fuller. Fuller used her position as a corrections officer to smuggle the contraband to Hughley inside the detention center.

In a separate case arising from the federal investigation, another former corrections officer, Andre Lamonte Dickerson, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty to two counts of using a telephone in furtherance of the unlawful activity of acceding to corruption, related to a public servant taking a bribe in return for violating his legal duty. Dickerson admitted that he told a confidential informant that he would smuggle two packs of cigarettes, a cell phone and a cell phone charger to an inmate in the detention center for $500. Dickerson is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 31, 2018.

These cases are being prosecuted by Deputy U.S. Attorney Gene Porter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. They were investigated by the FBI and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Missouri Department of Corrections, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Detention Center. 
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Buhler, Kan., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for traveling to Kansas City, Mo., to meet with an undercover law enforcement officer whom he believed was a teenage prostitute.

Bradley D. Voth, 55, was charged with one count of traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Today’s indictment replaces a July 20, 2018, criminal complaint that charged him with the same offense.

The investigation began in June 2018 when an undercover employee with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was monitoring public message threads on a website known to be used to host discussion forums and private messaging services for the purpose of allowing men and women to communicate regarding prostitution. 

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the undercover employee posted a review for a prostitute in Hutchinson, Kan., and received a private message from Voth in response. Voth, says the affidavit, is a senior member of the website with over 500 posts detailing his experience across south-central Kansas and at Asian Massage Parlors. The undercover employee provided Voth with the phone number for an FBI agent who was acting in an undercover capacity as a 16-year-old female.

Voth allegedly contacted the undercover agent, who told him that she was staying in Kansas City with her cousin’s boyfriend and her 13-year-old sister. Voth asked for the 13-year-old’s phone number and for photos of both juveniles. Voth agreed to meet with her and the 13-year-old on July 19, 2018, for sexual activity in exchange for $140. When Voth arrived at a coffee shop in Kansas City, Mo., he was arrested.

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 Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Officer of Inspector General, the FBI and the Wichita, Kan., Police Department.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Three Springfield, Mo., residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Greene and Webster counties. 

Demarko Hinkle, 28, Victor Walton, 29, and Kimberly Robinson, 33, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Hinkle and Walton were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Robinson was sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison without parole. 

Hinkle, Walton and Robinson each have pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin in Greene and Webster counties from Jan. 1, 2012, to Feb. 25, 2016. Hinkle and Walton also have pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Hinkle and Walton admitted they traveled to St. Louis, Mo., at least three times during the course of the conspiracy and transported back approximately a half ounce (12-14 grams) of heroin each trip. Hinkle was directly involved in the distribution of at least 133 grams of heroin.

Hinkle and Walton also admitted they were in possession of a Dan Wesson Arms .22-caliber revolver and an Armscor of the Philippines .22-caliber rifle on April 28, 2015, during a drug transaction with an undercover law enforcement officer.

Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Robinson’s residence on June 12, 2013, and seized approximately .7 grams of heroin. Robinson admitted that she was selling heroin. On March 28, 2014, officers executed another warrant at two apartments associated with Robinson, where they found a large amount of cash. On Dec. 28, 2014, Robinson was arrested after she was found unresponsive in a public restroom with approximately .14 grams of heroin in her purse. Robinson admitted that she directly distributed or obtained for distribution at least an additional 50 grams or more of heroin during the course of the conspiracy.

Co-defendants Laura Brown, 25, and Brittany Jones, 26, both of Springfield, also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms following a high-speed police chase that ended when he drove through a back yard and crashed into a residence.

Randall Hale, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to nine years in prison without parole.

On Jan. 9, 2018, Hale pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Greene County sheriff’s deputies found Hale passed out behind the steering wheel of a stolen Chevrolet truck at 5092 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, on Nov. 21, 2016. Deputies parked behind the truck, got out of their vehicles and approached the truck. As one of the deputies approached the passenger window, Hale put the truck into reverse and slammed into another deputy’s patrol vehicle. Hale then drove over a sidewalk and struck a building before leaving the parking lot.

Hale fled eastbound on Sunshine Street at about 85 miles per hour with additional law enforcement officers in pursuit. The chase continued to a backyard on South Newton Street, where Hale crashed the truck into the residence. Hale ran from his vehicle and was apprehended a short distance away by Springfield police officers.

During a search of the stolen truck, officers found a loaded Springfield Arms Company .45-caliber pistol, a loaded Browning Arms Company 7mm rifle and a loaded O.F. Mossberg and Sons .243-caliber rifle, all of which had been reported stolen, as well as multiple rounds of ammunition.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. Hale has prior felony convictions for vandalism, burglary, grand theft, petit theft, receiving stolen property, and sale of marijuana. He was on probation at the time of the federal offense.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to sex trafficking a minor and illegal sexual activity.

Kenneth Ronald Jones, 26, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to one count of the sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity by coercion and enticement.

By pleading guilty today, Jones admitted that he induced three victims, including a minor, to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution and illicit sexual activity between May 1 and June 1, 2016.

On June 28, 2016, a 17-year-old victim from Wisconsin – identified in court documents as “FV1” – contacted her social worker and reported that she was being held against her will by Jones. She was located at a residence in Columbia that was known for prostitution and removed by law enforcement officers.

FV1 told investigators that she met Jones and another victim, identified as “FV2,” in May 2016 at a party in Milwaukee, Wis., and agreed to travel with him to Columbia to engage in prostitution. As soon as she arrived in Columbia, she was expected to see clients. Jones, who knew she was 17 years old, instructed FV1 to tell everyone at the house she was 18 years old. Jones had her charge $120 for half an hour, or $160 for a full hour. FV1 gave $20 to the owners of the residence and the rest of the proceeds of her prostitution to Jones.

FV2 told investigators that she met Jones in March 2016 at a party in Milwaukee and accompanied him to Columbia because she believed she would be assisting Jones with selling narcotics. FV2 estimated that she earned about $2,500 for engaging in prostitution, but was not allowed to keep any of the money. After about two weeks in Columbia, FV2 and Jones returned to Milwaukee to pick up FV1, after which they returned to the same brothel in Columbia.

Jones arranged for a third victim, identified as “FV3,” to join them in Columbia. FV3, after communicating with Jones on Facebook, agreed to come to Columbia to help him with his drug business. After she arrived in Missouri, Jones told FV3 she needed to make money and threatened to kick her to the streets if she did not do what he wanted. FV3 agreed and did a prostitution “date.” FV3 stated Jones directed her to charge clients $120 per half hour and $200 per hour. FV3 gave a door fee to the owners of the brothel and the rest of the money to Jones.

Under federal statutes, Jones 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 Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the Greendale, Wis., Police Department, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Warrensburg, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for using a 13-year-old victim to produce child pornography.

Thomas Johnson, 25, of Warrensburg, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Johnson to serve the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On Jan. 17, 2018, Johnson pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. 

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on Sept. 25, 2015. Officers found several explicit photos of minor females, including the 13-year-old victim, on Johnson’s cell phone. Officers also seized computers and other electronic media from his residence. On a later date, a laptop computer that Johnson had submitted to a local computer shop for repair was also seized and submitted for forensic examination.

During the forensic examination of Johnson’s electronic media, child pornography was located. Examiners found videos from Skype communications with the child victim. Johnson admitted that he communicated via Skype with the child victim and saved videos from those sessions, which contained sexually explicit content. Johnson also admitted that he had engaged in illicit sexual activity with the child victim on several occasions.

According to court documents, the investigation began in the Eastern District of Virginia when law enforcement agents were monitoring a child pornography Web site where Johnson had an account. Johnson was identified when he logged onto the Web site and accessed images of child pornography.

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

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Leavenworth, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for sexually abusing a 14-year-old victim and recording the abuse on his cell phone.

Cole Ryan Marshall, 19, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Marshall to serve the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On April 12, 2018, Marshall pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child. Marshall admitted that he engaged in illicit sexual conduct with a 14-year-old child victim and recorded images and videos on his cell phone. The images and videos were taken at a location in Polk County, Mo.

Marshall also admitted that he used Dropbox’s online cloud storage program to store and share child pornography.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas 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 Kansas City, Mo., man and woman were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a three-month-long spree of armed robberies at metropolitan area businesses.

Isaac J. Williams, also known as “Dat Flyguy,” 25, and Rahnice J. Clay, 25, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Williams was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole. Clay was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole. 

On Jan. 31, 2018, Clay pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting robbery and two counts of aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. Clay admitted that she was involved in the Sept. 11, 2015, armed robbery of a metroPCS store at 723 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., and the Sept. 12, 2015, armed robbery of a GameStop store at 906 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.

On May 24, 2017, Williams pleaded guilty to participating in an armed robbery conspiracy, two counts of robbery and two counts of aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Williams admitted that he participated in a conspiracy from July 25 to Oct. 20, 2015, that involved 13 armed robberies of businesses in the metropolitan area. Approximately $19,500 in proceeds and property were stolen during the course of the conspiracy.

Williams also admitted that he was involved in the Aug. 18, 2015, armed robbery of the MetroPCS store at 4513 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo., and the Aug. 21, 2015, armed robbery of the Phillips 66 gas station at 7531 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 

Co-defendant Deitra M. Turner, also known as “Detrix Mob Turner,” 25, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Williams and was sentenced on April 12, 2018, to eight years in federal prison without parole.

Co-defendant Donald L. Boggess, also known as “Old School,” 56, of Kansas City, Mo., has pleaded guilty to one armed robbery and awaits sentencing. 

In the Aug. 18, 2015, metroPCS robbery, Boggess was armed with a silver handgun while Williams stood by the door looking out. When Boggess demanded money, the sales clerk motioned to the cash register and Boggess opened the drawer, took approximately $2,627, and stuffed it into his hooded sweatshirt pocket. While taking the cash from the drawer, Boggess continued to point the handgun at the clerk and another employee. Williams and Boggess then fled the store and got into the getaway car with the Turner and Clay. All four divided and shared in the proceeds from the robbery.

In the Aug. 21, 2015, Phillips 66 robbery, Williams and Turner entered the store, while Clay was at the gas pump as the lookout and Boggess remained in the car, as he was the getaway driver. The cashier was in the middle of a transaction with a customer who had just handed her a $100 bill when Williams pushed the customer out of the way and demanded the money in the register. He then pulled out a silver handgun that was wrapped in a t-shirt and pointed it at her. The cashier opened the cash register and took out all of the cash and placed it onto the counter. Williams grabbed the cash, then he and Turner (who was standing by the door as a lookout) left the store. They got into Boggess’s vehicle and Boggess drove away. The money from the robbery was split equally among the four of them.

Clay admitted that, in two robberies, she entered the store prior to the robbery then left the store when there were no other customers. A short time later, Williams and Turner entered the store. Williams, armed with a handgun, demanded money.

In the Sept. 11, 2015, metroPCS robbery, Turner grabbed a blue metroPCS bag from the store to put the money in to. The employee handed over approximately $312. Williams and Turner ordered her to the back to unlock the safe, but she was unable to unlock the safe.

In the Sept. 12, 2015, GameStop robbery, Turner took one of the employees to the back and collected game systems. The employee stated he handed over approximately $555 and games. Two witnesses outside the GameStop store saw Williams and Turner run to and get into Clay’s red Toyota; Clay, the getaway driver, was already in the car. Williams, Turner, and Clay split the money and video game systems.

Boggess pleaded guilty to the Aug. 30, 2015, armed robbery of a 7-Eleven store at 1701 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Grandview, Mo., Police Department, the Roeland Park, Kan., Police Department and the FBI.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former employee of the Jasper R-5 School District was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $145,000 from the district.

Karla Justice, also known as Karla Jessee, 56, of Columbus, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Justice to pay $145,726 in restitution.

On Feb. 7, 2018, Justice pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of credit card fraud. Justice admitted that she embezzled a total of $145,726 from the school district over a three-year period from September 2013 to September 2016. Her criminal conduct involved hundreds of individual acts of fraud and embezzlement against the school district.

According to court documents, Justice’s fraudulent scheme not only bled the school district of essential resources, her actions aggravated the financial distress of the district as well. Justice’s fraud and embezzlement had grown to the point that the school district’s reserve account was all but entirely drained, while teaching positions were eliminated, salaries were capped and cut, programs were eliminated or reduced, and children were denied essential educational resources. The school district cut its weekly school calendar to four days, placed all support staff on part-time status, and eliminated their healthcare benefits.

Justice was employed as the head bookkeeper, payroll secretary, superintendent secretary, and board secretary for the Jasper R-5 School District from 2009 until her resignation on Sept. 22, 2016. Justice’s positions with the school district gave her unrestricted access to the account and payroll systems for the school district, as well as the district’s petty cash checkbook and signatory authority for this account. Justice essentially had unlimited access to every aspect of the account and human resources functions for the district. 

Justice admitted that she paid herself $80,858 in additional payroll above and beyond the amount allowed under her employment contract. As a result of the fraudulently received payroll, Justice also received an additional $6,731 in employer retirement contributions and $6,530 in Social Security and Medicare contributions that she would not have received otherwise.

The investigation also discovered numerous transactions involving the petty cash account, including checks and E-checks that totaled $13,929 in transactions that were conducted by Justice to pay for personal expenses that were unrelated to the activities of the district, and were not authorized by the district.

Justice also opened and used a Home Depot credit card in the name of the district, without authority or the approval of any district official. Justice used the fraudulently opened Home Depot credit card to conduct several personal purchases between Jan. 6 and Sept. 1, 2016, totaling $2,133.

The investigation revealed numerous checks that had been written on the operating account for the district. Justice did not have authority to write checks to this account but she did have access to the signature stamps for school officials, who did have signatory authority over this account. Several district employees informed investigators that Justice repeatedly asked them to cash checks for her. School officials told investigators that each of the checks discovered during the investigation were fraudulently created and Justice’s request that other employees cash these checks and give her the money was done to bypass safety measures created to prevent employees from directly cashing checks made out to themselves.

According to court documents, school officials began analyzing the district’s budget when the district experienced financial difficulties. During this analysis, officials noted irregularities in payroll payments, unexplained credit card payments, and missing monies from the petty cash account. When asked to reconcile the irregularities, Justice immediately wrote out a letter of resignation.
 
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Raytown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing a credit union with a plastic gun.

Stephen McCrary, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 11 years in federal prison without parole.

On Feb. 14, 2018, McCrary pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. McCrary admitted that he stole $3,815 from the Community America Credit Union located in the Research Medical Center, 2316 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

Surveillance footage showed McCrary approach the teller at about 3 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2016. According to court documents, McCrary approached the teller counter, put a plastic bag on the counter, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm, pointed it at the teller, and demanded “all of the money in the drawer.” The victim teller initially froze out of fear and then complied with his demands and turned over $3,815. After taking the money, McCrary fled.

A hospital security officer saw McCrary leave the hospital property and proceed towards a nearby street. Officers eventually stopped and arrested him in the neighborhood adjacent to the hospital. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying two plastic bags that contained the clothing he wore during the robbery, a black plastic replica firearm and the stolen money.

McCrary has 13 prior felony convictions in state court, four of which are convictions for first-degree robberies. All of the robberies were of businesses while McCrary was armed with a firearm, or what appeared to be an operable firearm. He has been incarcerated, on parole, or on probation for 34 of the past 39 years (since his first robbery in 1977). He was on parole for first-degree robbery when he committed the credit union robbery, having been released from state prison three months earlier.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his sixth bank robbery and for illegally possessing a firearm.

Anthony Carlton Dunlap, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 18 years in federal prison without parole. Dunlap was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.

On Nov. 15, 2017, Dunlap pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Dunlap entered Bank of America, 633 W. Kearney St., Springfield, at about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2017. Dunlap, wearing his hoodie up covering his head, approached a teller and handed her a piece of paper that said, “stay calm.” Dunlap looked toward his hand that was in his coat pocket, causing the teller to believe he made the gesture to indicate he was armed.

The teller removed cash from her teller drawer and placed it on the counter in front of Dunlap. He then demanded more money, so the teller removed more cash from her teller drawer. Dunlap stuffed the cash into his pockets and left the bank. An audit of the victim teller’s drawer revealed that $3,910 was taken in the robbery.

Dunlap was found a short time later, hiding in the back seat of his girlfriend’s car, which was parked in front of a Springfield residence. As Dunlap was removed from the car, a large amount of loose cash was dragged out with him. Cash was also on the back floor boards of the car. The total amount recovered was $3,910. A loaded Hi Point .40-caliber pistol was also located on the backseat of the car. Dunlap told law enforcement officers that he robbed the bank in order to get money to buy heroin.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Dunlap has five prior felony convictions for five separate bank robberies committed between Nov. 19, 2001, and Feb. 19, 2002.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., man and a Philippi, West Virginia, man were sentenced in federal court today for sexually abusing a child. 

Ronald Lee Fields, 56, of Joplin, and Shannon Calhoun, 33, of Philippi, formerly of Joplin, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. Fields was sentenced to 20 in federal prison without parole. Calhoun was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Fields and Calhoun to each spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

Fields and Calhoun each pleaded guilty in November 2017 to one count of the sexual exploitation of a child.

Officers with the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at Fields’s residence on July 31, 2017, and seized various electronic devices, including a computer. Images of child pornography were found on those devices, which depicted Fields in a motel room with a child about five years old. Some photos depicted Fields and Calhoun sexually abusing the child. The photographs were taken at a variety of locations in Jasper and Newton Counties between April 20 and July 21, 2014.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Oronogo, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography.

Casey Robert Caudle, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 16, 2017, Caudle pleaded guilty to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. Caudle admitted that he used the KIK application to trade child pornography.

According to court documents, Caudle was sending sexually explicit images of an 11-year-old victim, whom he falsely claimed to be his daughter that he was molesting. Caudle sent the images to an individual who reported it to law enforcement. Investigators found 49 images and 49 videos of child pornography on Caudle’s cell phone, including children as young as four or five years of age.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man who worked as a paramedic and EMT for several emergency medical transportation companies pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing fentanyl and morphine and replacing the drugs with saline solution.

Zachary L. McCleary, 30, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges him with two counts of tampering with a consumer product.

McCleary worked at several health care facilities as an emergency medical technician (EMT) between Sept. 25, 2015, and Feb. 21, 2018. During this time, McCleary worked for the Grove, Okla., Emergency Medical Service as an EMT, as a paramedic for Cox Health in Springfield, as a paramedic for Mercy Health in Carthage, Mo., and as a paramedic with Barton County, Mo., Emergency Medical Service.

According to today’s plea agreement, 18 separate adverse event reports were filed by individuals who received emergency medical services from Barton County EMS. In each of those reports, individuals advised that various opioid drugs were administered to provide pain relief, but due to McCleary’s theft of the drugs, and tampering by replacing the drugs with saline solution, each of these individuals did not receive the pain relief intended and experienced continued pain that resulted from McCleary’s reckless disregard to risk of serious bodily injury and harm to these patients.

In February 2018, agents with the Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) opened an investigation regarding the repeated theft and dilution of opioid drugs from various health care providers throughout southwest Missouri. Agents learned that while McCleary was employed as either an EMT or paramedic, various vials containing opioid-based drugs, including fentanyl, morphine, hydrocodone and ketamine, were stolen.  Medical service officials advised agents that in some instances the vials were stolen and in other instances, the vials were tampered with so that the drugs were removed and saline was injected to the vials to make it appear that the drugs had not been stolen.

McCleary specifically pleaded guilty to tampering with vials that contained fentanyl and morphine sulfate, by removing those drugs from their vials and replacing them with saline solution, while working for Barton County Emergency Medical Service between Jan. 20 and Feb. 21, 2018. McCleary also specifically pleaded guilty to tampering with vials that contained fentanyl and morphine sulfate, by removing those drugs from their vials and replacing them with saline solution, while working for Cox Health from April 1 to May 19, 2017.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing eight firearms.

Adrian Lamont Levy, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 12 years and four months in federal prison without parole.

On April 9, 2018, Levy pleaded guilty to three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Levy admitted that he was in possession of a Ruger 9mm pistol on July 4, 2015. Levy admitted that he was in possession of six firearms on Sept. 2, 2015, including a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, a Kel Tec 9mm rifle, a Century Arms rifle, an SWD pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol and a Metro Arms .45-caliber pistol. Levy admitted that he was in possession of a Kel Tec 5.56-caliber pistol on Nov. 28, 2016.

Levy, who was a fugitive from justice following his original indictment, was confronted by federal authorities in a parking garage in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 28, 2016. Levy drove through the parking garage, attempting to flee from the officers, but the exits were blocked. Levy got out of his vehicle, which was still in gear and struck another vehicle owned by his girlfriend. He was eventually apprehended after a foot chase. Officers searched the vehicle Levy had been driving and found the Kel Tec handgun, loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition in a high-capacity magazine, inside a backpack.

Levy was originally indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm on Aug. 19, 2015, after law enforcement officers found the loaded Ruger 9mm pistol in the glovebox of his car during a sobriety check point. When officers went to his residence to arrest him, he was not present, but the six loaded firearms that he later admitted to possessing were discovered at the residence. Levy was charged with possessing the six additional firearms in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Oct. 28, 2015.

Levy was a fugitive from justice from the time of the original indictment on Aug. 19, 2015, to the time of his arrest on Nov. 28, 2016. He was charged with illegally possessing the Kel Tec pistol in a second superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Dec. 7, 2016. 

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Levy has two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, as well as prior felony convictions for distribution of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for sharing child pornography over the Internet.

Michael Vandergriff, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 11 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Vandergriff to supervised release for the rest of his life following incarceration.

On Feb. 6, 2018, Vandergriff pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography. Vandergriff admitted that he shared videos and images of child pornography over the Internet via peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. 

On April 2, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Vandergriff’s residence and seized numerous electronic items. According to court documents, a forensic examination established that Vandergriff had no less than 6,500 video and image files depicting child pornography. The seized media also included obscene images depicting minors in bondage and bestiality. Vandergriff appeared to utilize a hidden camera to record images of minors.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers downloaded a total of at least 1,821 video and image files of child pornography, some of which was particularly graphic, on seven separate occasions from Vandergriff’s computer during their investigation from Sept. 17, 2014, to Feb. 26, 2015.

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

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., couple pleaded guilty in federal court today to failing to pay more than $328,000 in payroll and other taxes for their construction business.

William Mack Gilreath, also known as “Billy,” 38, and his wife, Malaika Samantha Gilreath, 42, each waived their right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to a federal information that charges them with failure to pay employment tax.

The Gilreaths are co-owners of M.S. Consulting, L.L.C., a construction business in Kansas City, Mo. 

Despite notification by their tax preparer of their tax responsibilities, and nine notices from the IRS, the Gilreaths willfully failed to pay a total of $328,351 in employment and other taxes that were due. In today’s plea agreement, Billy Gilreath acknowledged that he was more involved in the day-to-day operations of the business than his wife. Both Billy and Malaika Gilreath admitted they each were aware and responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying over trust fund taxes.

By pleading guilty today, the Gilreaths admitted that they deducted and collected $209,597 in federal income taxes and FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) from their employees in 2014, 2015 and 2016. However, they failed to pay over those taxes to the IRS. During this time, the number of employees ranged from 16 to 37 employees.

In addition to the employees’ share of taxes collected, the Gilreaths also admitted that they failed to pay over the employer portion of FICA taxes, which totaled $90,173, and the Missouri Division of Employment Security Outstanding State Unemployment Tax of $28,581.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreements, the Gilreaths are jointly and severally liable to pay $328,351 in restitution to the IRS and the state of Missouri. 

Under federal statutes, the Gilreaths are each 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 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 Gregg Coonrod. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Slater, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for transporting a 16-year-old victim across state lines for illegal sexual activity.

Daniel Lee Kirby, 34, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Wednesday, July 11, 2018. The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Kirby on July 3, 2018.

The federal indictment alleges that Kirby transported an individual under the age of 17 between March 4, 2018, and June 25, 2018, with the intent to engage in sexual activity.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the 16-year-old victim was discovered missing from her bedroom in East Ridge, Tenn., at approximately 1:20 a.m. on March 4, 2018. Kirby was employed as a truck driver with Celadon Trucking, who reported their GPS tracking of Kirby’s rig showed him at a nearby parking lot, with its motor off, at approximately the same time. Kirby denied having contact with the child victim. Celadon Trucking searched Kirby’s rig for the child victim on multiple occasions.

On June 25, 2018, law enforcement received information that the child victim was living with Kirby in Slater. She was located with Kirby, who was arrested, and placed into emergency foster care by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division.

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 Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Slater, Mo., Police Department, the FBI and the State Technical Assistance Team.

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. – An Independence, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to producing child pornography.

Travis Howard White, 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to the charge contained in a June 1, 2017, federal indictment.

By pleading guilty today, White admitted that he used a 13-year-old victim to produce child pornography on May 14, 2016. White met the child victim on Facebook and they engaged in sexually explicit online chats. During one of those chats, White directed the child victim to produce a pornographic image, which she sent to him.

Under federal statutes, White is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 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 Patrick D. Daly. 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."
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition that had been stolen in a recent burglary.

Deangelo Wayne Joe, Jr., 23, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Columbia police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of The Links apartment complex in the 1500 block of Clark Lane at approximately 11:42 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2018. When they arrived, the officers located Joe and told him to put his hands up. Joe looked at the officers and took off running into an apartment in the complex.

Police officers surrounded the building. For approximately 30 minutes, officers gave commands over the PA for the residents to exit the apartment into which Joe had run. When Joe exited the apartment he was arrested on outstanding warrants. Officers who searched him found .22-caliber ammunition, including a fired shell casing, in his pants pocket.

Officers searched the apartment and found a stolen Browning .22-caliber handgun and a stolen FMK .22-caliber rifle. In a bedroom closet they also found a range bag, which contained multiple rounds of .22-caliber ammunition. Both firearms and the range bag full of ammunition were reported stolen in a July 8, 2018, burglary.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Joe has two prior felony convictions for burglary.

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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine to distribute during a law enforcement operation in which another individual was fatally shot.

Michael J. Wilkins, 27, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

Wilkins pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, 2018, to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Wilkins admitted that he was a leader of a major methamphetamine distribution operation. Wilkins, under surveillance by law enforcement, was seen entering a known methamphetamine stash house in the 3000 block of S. Bellefontaine Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., on June 8, 2016. When Wilkins left the house, he was carrying a box and a backpack, which he placed in his vehicle.

Law enforcement officers approached Wilkins while he was getting into his vehicle and attempted to detain him. Wilkins fled on foot and was subsequently taken into custody. In his path of flight, which was captured by the National Guard counterdrug helicopter surveillance, officers recovered one of his shoes, his cell phone and a handgun.

Officers executed a search warrant on Wilkins’s vehicle and found 4,764 grams of methamphetamine and $12,363 in the box and backpack he had carried from the stash house.

During the foot chase of Wilkins, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Bellefontaine residence. That operation led to an hours-long standoff when persons inside the house fired shots at law enforcement officers. Luis Carlos Garcia-Aguilar, also known as “Moe,” fired several shots at officers then ran from the house with his rifle aimed at the officers; he was fatally shot.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and 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 and to illegally possessing a firearm.

Gary Deangelo Warren, 32, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime.

Co-defendant Michael Scott Bilderback, 39, pleaded guilty on May 31, 2018, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Warren was arrested on May 8, 2017, when he arrived at the arranged meeting place to sell methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Warren was carrying two plastic baggies with a total of approximately 16.1 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Jimenez Arms .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol. Officers also found a plastic bag containing approximately 445.2 grams of pure methamphetamine inside a shoebox on the rear passenger floorboard of the vehicle Warren was driving.

Bilderback, who was arrested on the same day, received methamphetamine from Warren to distribute to others. Bilderback admitted to selling at least eight ounces of methamphetamine a day during the two months prior to his arrest. Columbia police officers seized approximately 112.7 grams of methamphetamine during the execution of a search warrant at Bilderback’s motel room in Columbia.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Warren agree to a sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole. 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 and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly. 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. – An Ohio man who defrauded multiple NFL players – including a player for the Kansas City Chiefs – out of nearly $25,000 earmarked for charitable causes, pleaded guilty in federal court today.

Camario A. Richardson, 39, of Maple Heights, Ohio, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of mail fraud.

Richardson claimed to have contacts with Nike and agreed to deliver Nike-branded merchandise to five NFL players. None of the victim players are identified by name in court documents.

The specific charge to which Richardson pleaded guilty involved a Kansas City Chiefs player who paid $6,000 to Richardson to provide 300 Nike-branded backpacks. The backpacks were for a “Book Bag Giveaway” charitable event for children in need of a school backpack at the start of the 2016 school year. Richardson was paid in April 2016, but never delivered any backpacks.

Richardson also admitted that he engaged in the same fraud scheme by taking $17,280 from the players of three other NFL teams, all as payment for backpacks those players planned to give away at similar charitable events. In June 2016, Richardson took $6,480 from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player and $6,480 from an Indianapolis Colts player, each of whom were promised 300 backpacks that Richardson failed to deliver, and $4,320 from a Cincinnati Bengals player who was promised 200 backpacks that Richardson failed to deliver. 

As a result of Richardson’s fraud scheme, all four victim players purchased backpacks from another source for their charitable events.

Richardson also admitted that he engaged in a fraud scheme by taking $1,500 from a San Diego Chargers player in March 2016 for athletic shoes that he failed to provide. 

The total fraud loss caused by Richardson’s criminal conduct was $24,780. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Richardson must pay $24,780 in restitution to his victims.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Criminal Division Chief Gene Porter. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Kentucky truck driver and prior sex offender was indicted by a federal grand jury today for transporting child pornography.

Gregory Marshall, 57, of Paducah, Ky., was charged by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., with one count of transporting child pornography. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Marshall on June 21, 2018. Marshall was convicted of sodomy involving a 14-year-old victim in Kentucky in 1995.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped the tractor trailer Marshall was driving on U.S. Highway 60 in Wright County, Mo., on June 17, 2018. While searching the sleeper berth of the tractor, the affidavit says, the trooper discovered a laptop computer and an external hard drive that contained 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 Missouri State Highway Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

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 pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to kidnap and torture an Independence, Mo., man.

Randal G. Holmes, also known as “Peckerwood” or “Wood,” 53, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana and one count of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

According to today’s plea agreement, Holmes’s co-conspirators purchased at least 120 pounds of marijuana from a source in Colorado, for which they made more than a dozen trips between Colorado and Kansas City. Holmes received $100 for every pound of marijuana brought back to Kansas City because of his prior connection to the source in Colorado. On Sept. 12, 2016, Holmes and other conspirators agreed to kidnap the victim, a co-conspirator in the drug-trafficking conspiracy identified in court documents as “C.H.,” because he stole money that was intended for the purchase of marijuana.

Holmes arrived at the Independence, Mo., residence of the victim’s father, identified as “W.H.,” on Sept. 12, 2016. Conspirators told W.H. to call C.H. and tell him he was being held at gunpoint and that C.H. needed to come to the residence right away. When C.H. arrived at the residence, Holmes pointed a firearm at him and told him to get into his vehicle. While in the vehicle, a co-conspirator struck, punched and choked C.H. as Holmes drove away.

They took C.H. to Holmes’s residence, where they were met by a third co-conspirator. C.H. was taken to the basement, where he was assaulted with fists, a hammer and tin snips/clippers. During the assault, Holmes repeatedly demanded that C.H. disclose where the duffle bag containing the money was located. Holmes left to retrieve the duffle bag while a co-conspirator held C.H. at gunpoint.

Holmes later drove C.H. to a rural residence near Edwards, Mo. As Holmes drove them to the residence, a co-conspirator continued to strike C.H. with fists and the butt of a firearm. When they arrived at the residence, C.H. was told to call his father and to tell him that he was okay, that he had taken a beating, that he would be home in a couple of days and that he deserved what had happened. 

Law enforcement officers were able to trace the telephone call and on Sept. 13, 2016, officers were able to locate C.H. and arrest Holmes. Officers observed that C.H. had suffered multiple, visible injuries to his face, head, hands and feet. Officers noted that C.H. had trouble walking, that his face was black and blue, as well as swollen with traces of dried blood. Upon receiving medical treatment, it was determined that C.H. had also suffered a fracture in his left hand.

Officers found a Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol in Holmes’s vehicle and a Hi-Point 9mm pistol in the residence where C.H. had been held. Officers also found an FN Herstal .40-caliber pistol, a Remington .270-caliber rifle, an RG .22-caliber revolver, a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, a Mossberg .20-gauge shotgun, 36.4 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a co-conspirator’s residence.

Under federal statutes, Holmes is subject to a sentence of up to 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 Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Benton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Fulton, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting an individual across state lines as part of his prostitution business.

Sanchez Monroe Walker, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie E. Epps, Jr., to transporting an individual across state lines to engage in prostitution.

In early 2015, Walker was working as the “manager” for “CR,” then a prostitute. Walker and CR made money by traveling about Missouri and temporarily serving customers from a hotel at each location for a day or two before moving on. Potential customers could find their services on advertisements posted to “Backpage,” an internet classifieds site. In January or February of 2015, Walker met a female victim, “FV,” at a party in Columbia, Mo., and soon thereafter, FV joined Walker and CR in the business of prostitution.

On April 9, 2015, the trio traveled from Jefferson City, Mo., to St. Louis, Mo., and posted two ads on Backpage. After checking into a hotel, they received a request for an “outcall” in the vicinity of Fairview Heights, Ill. (An “incall” is when a client comes to the hotel of a prostitute, and an “outcall” is when a prostitute travels to a client.) Walker drove CR and FV across the Mississippi River to a hotel near Fairview Heights (about seven miles into Illinois). Walker waited in the car for about an hour while CR and FV visited a client inside the client’s hotel room. Once the “outcall” was complete, Walker drove both CR and FV back to the hotel in Missouri. At the conclusion of the two-day trip, they returned to Columbia, which was their base of operations.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the FBI.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former pharmacy technician at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today for stealing fentanyl and morphine from the pharmacy and replacing the drugs with saline solution.

Marc F. Musil, 36, of Springfield, Mo., was charged with two counts of tampering with a consumer product in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.

Today’s indictment alleges that Musil removed fentanyl from syringes on July 12, 2017, and replaced the fentanyl with saline solution. The indictment also alleges that Musil removed morphine from syringes and replaced the morphine with saline solution.

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 Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Desloge, Mo., man, who was arrested after a high-speed chase in Callaway County, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to two separate indictments that charge him with robbing four banks and with illegally possessing a firearm. 

James Todd Hulsey, 53, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to one count of bank robbery involving Adams Dairy Bank in Blue Springs, Mo., in which he brandished a loaded firearm. Hulsey also pleaded guilty to the charges contained in a separate indictment, related to three additional bank robberies in Springfield, Ill.

Hulsey admitted that he robbed Adams Dairy Bank, 651 N.E. Coronado Dr., Blue Springs, on Oct. 14, 2016. Hulsey approached the teller counter at approximately 12:15 p.m., displayed a loaded Diamondback Arms 9mm pistol, presented a demand note to the teller and threatened to kill her. The teller turned over $7,845 and Hulsey fled from the bank on foot. Descriptions of the robber and the associated vehicle used in the robbery were broadcast to law enforcement agencies.

A couple of hours later, a state trooper saw Hulsey’s vehicle traveling eastbound on I-70 in Callaway County, Mo., and attempted to stop the vehicle. A vehicle pursuit ensued, reaching speeds over 120 miles per hour. Hulsey’s vehicle got a flat tire and ran off the road. Hulsey fled from the vehicle on foot and a 75-yard foot pursuit took place before Hulsey was taken into custody. The pistol was found inside Hulsey’s vehicle; officers also saw U.S. currency blowing out of the driver’s side door of the vehicle as well as located throughout the front passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Hulsey also admitted that he stole $13,634 from Chase Bank in Springfield, Ill., on Sept. 28, 2016. He stole $4,750 from PNC Bank in Springfield, Ill., on Oct. 3, 2016. He stole $2,104 from Chase Bank in Springfield, Ill., on Oct. 7, 2016. Hulsey provided the teller with a note indicating that he was robbing the bank in each of the three robberies and implied that force would be used if necessary. During the Oct. 7, 2016, robbery a semi-automatic handgun can be seen in Hulsey’s hand in a video recording of the robbery.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas agrees not to file charges based upon Hulsey committing a bank robbery on Sept. 23, 2016, at First National Bank, 4650 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kan.; however, Hulsey must pay the restitution related to this uncharged bank robbery.

Hulsey has five prior felony convictions for bank robbery and felony convictions for an illegal weapon and for receiving stolen property. 

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Hulsey will be sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole and must pay restitution to each of the victim banks. 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 Emily A. Morgan, Western District of Missouri, Greg Gilmore, Central District of Illinois and Leon Patton, District of Kansas. It was investigated by the FBI, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Callaway County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Ill., Police Department and the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A reserve deputy sheriff for Christian County, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to tax fraud.

Marty Layne Brickey, 47, of Republic, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of failure to pay over to the IRS the payroll taxes he collected from his employees. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Brickey has agreed to pay $114,449 in restitution to the IRS and $539,260 in restitution in connection with some investments made to Brickey or his companies.

Brickey has been commissioned as a reserve deputy sheriff in Christian County since 2012. Brickey owned and operated several companies that marketed, promoted and managed software development. Interzone Entertainment, LLC, had offices located in Springfield, Mo., Chicago, Ill., Perth, Australia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and in China before it ceased operations in February 2010. Big Collision Games, LLC, had offices in Texas and in Dublin, Ireland. MasterTitle Games, Inc., and Spectacle Games maintained offices in Austin, Texas. Brickey also owned Zoonik USA, Inc., and Studio Avenue, Inc.

By pleading guilty today, Brickey admitted that he voluntarily and intentionally failed to pay over to the IRS $15,031 in payroll taxes tax (including federal income taxes, Medicare and Social Security taxes) that he collected from Interzone employees during the second quarter of 2009. Brickey acknowledged that the total tax loss, including all relevant conduct, is $114,449.

 Restitution payments to various investors are related to funds solicited by Brickey to bring a video game to market, which did not come to fruition. Although Brickey will pay restitution to the investors, today’s plea agreement does not constitute any admission of criminal culpability or civil liability on his part, and the government does not allege any criminal culpability with respect to the investments.

Under federal statutes, Brickey 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. Attorneys Patrick Carney and Casey Clark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former professional basketball player was sentenced in federal court today on charges related to an extensive charity fraud scheme.

Kermit Alan Washington, 66, of Las Vegas, Nev., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Washington to pay $967,158 in restitution. Washington was taken into federal custody at the conclusion of today’s sentencing hearing.

“This former NBA player abused his fame and status to promote a charity scam by which he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that he diverted to personal spending on lavish vacations, shopping sprees, and even plastic surgery for his girlfriend,” said Garrison. “Although he told his donors that 100 percent of all donations would go to support charitable work in Africa, including a medical clinic for needy families and HIV-positive children, in fact he spent most of the donated funds on himself. His fraud scheme also victimized law-abiding taxpayers by stealing from the public treasury rather than paying taxes owed.”

On Nov. 30, 2017, Washington pleaded guilty to two counts of filing a false tax return and one count of aggravated identity theft. Washington is among 11 defendants who have been convicted in several cases arising from the investigation of one of the largest software piracy schemes ever prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Investigators seized more than $20 million in assets from conspirators who are estimated to have sold in excess of $100 million worth of illicit, unauthorized and counterfeit software products to thousands of online customers.

eBay/PayPal Software Piracy Fraud Scheme

Washington’s charity, The Sixth Man Foundation, doing business as Project Contact Africa, operated an eBay store and used a PayPal account to facilitate payments. Approximately $12 million in items, including unauthorized, illicit, and counterfeit software and software components were sold on the Project Contact Africa eBay store.

In a separate but related case, Reza Davachi of Damascus, Md., pleaded guilty to a fraud scheme for abusing the benefits afforded a charity in these sales on Project Contact Africa’s eBay store.

Customers of the charity’s eBay store were under the impression that “100 percent” of the proceeds of sales were intended to go to the charity when, in fact, only a portion of the proceeds actually went to the charity. Washington admitted that he diverted funds from the charity’s bank account to pay himself or for personal spending, such as rent, credit card payments, vacation trips and plastic surgery for his then-girlfriend. Washington claimed to pay the rent and school fees for a family in Africa when, in fact, these payments were to a former prostitute, and rose and fell depending on their level of sexual intimacy.

By using the charity’s account to sell items through the eBay charity store, conspirators saved thousands of dollars per month that would have otherwise been paid to eBay in the form of various fees. As a result, eBay/PayPal sustained losses of approximately $908,231 due to the waived fees.

Workers’ Compensation Referral Scheme

Washington also admitted that he referred professional athletes to attorney Ronald Jack Mix, 80, of San Diego, Calif., so that Mix could file workers’ compensation claims in the state of California on behalf of the athletes. Mix then agreed to make donations to Washington’s charity.

Washington accepted approximately $155,000 in donations to his charity, which were actually illegal referral payments from Mix and his law firm. Washington diverted those funds from the charity’s bank account to pay himself or for personal spending. Washington admitted that he failed to account for this income to the charity on Project Contact Africa’s IRS filings during those years.

In a separate but related case, Mix pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. Mix admitted that he made donations ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for referrals of athletes, some of whom lived in the Western District of Missouri. Mix then claimed those payments as charitable contributions on his individual tax returns from 2010 to 2013. Mix was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $49,543 in restitution.

False Tax Returns, Identity Theft

According to court documents, Washington diverted charity proceeds and failed to declare this income on federal income tax returns from 2010 to 2014. During this time, Washington also improperly claimed tens of thousands of dollars in personal charitable deductions. Washington’s additional tax due for his underreported income is $90,181. 

Additionally, Washington is assessed $876,977 in excess benefit taxes related to the payment of excess benefits to a disqualified person (the use of charity funds for personal purposes by an officer of a charity). Washington’s accumulated tax loss for 2010 through 2014 thus totals $976,158.

Washington specifically pleaded guilty to filing a materially false individual tax return on Feb. 18, 2014, and to filing a materially false Form 990-EZ for his tax-exempt organization on Aug. 20, 2012.

Washington also specifically pleaded guilty to using the name, personal address and business address of another person without lawful authority in numerous state and federal filings on behalf of the charity. The identity theft victim, identified in court documents as “T.G.”, was a resident of Oregon. Washington admitted that he used her identity information so that Project Contact Africa could maintain its active status within the state of Oregon, which enabled the charity to receive the charitable donations and to maintain the charity store on eBay.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Daly and Curt Bohling in the Western District of Missouri and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould of the Middle District of Tennessee (formerly of the Department of Justice Tax Division). It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.