Western District of Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two Joplin, Mo., men have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in separate and unrelated cases, for receiving and distributing child pornography.

Both investigations originated with a series of CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children related to hundreds of images of child pornography uploaded to Google accounts in February 2018.

USA v. Snavely

Wyatt Max Snavely, 20, of Joplin, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Snavely on April 3, 2018.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers received three CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children related to hundreds of images of child pornography uploaded to Snavely’s Google account in February 2018.

Officers executed a search warrant at Snavely’s residence on March 29, 2018, and seized four cell phones, a laptop computer, and various digital media storage devices. During a forensic preview of one of Snavely’s SD cards that was seized from his bedroom, the affidavit says, investigators identified more than 1,000 images of child pornography.

USA v. Daggett

Jack D. Daggett, 29, of Joplin, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Daggett on April 3, 2018.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers received six CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children related to hundreds of images of child pornography uploaded to Daggett’s Google account on Feb. 17, 2018.

Officers executed a search warrant at Daggett’s residence on March 29, 2018, and seized a tablet computer and a desktop computer. During a forensic preview of the tablet, the affidavit says, investigators identified numerous files containing child pornography.

The charge contained in each of these indictments 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.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. They were 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."
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Honduran national pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally reentering the United States for the eleventh time.

Jose Salazar-Aguilar, 33, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays to illegally reentering the United States after having been deported for an aggravated felony. This is Salazar-Aguilar’s second conviction for this offense.

Salazar-Aguilar was arrested by Kansas City, Mo., police officers on Feb. 19, 2017, for driving while under the influence and resisting arrest. After he was released on bond, federal agents apprehended him during a traffic stop on Feb. 27, 2017.

Salazar-Aguilar was convicted in Oregon in 2003 of the felony offense of delivery of a controlled substance, after which he was deported. Salazar-Aguilar also has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, forgery and illegally reentering the United States after having been deported for an aggravated felony.

Salazar-Aguilar has been deported from the United States on 10 previous occasions. He was last removed on Aug. 8, 2013. 

Under federal statutes, Salazar-Aguilar 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberlee L. Moore. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former high school teacher and swim team coach has been indicted by a federal grand jury for sexually exploiting seven minor victims.

James Russell Green, Jr., 53, of Blue Springs, Mo., was charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Green’s arrest and initial court appearance. Green remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

Green was formerly a teacher at Oak Park High School and several middle schools in the North Kansas City School District and at Blue Springs South High School. Green was also a head swimming coach in those school districts and at Hallbrook Country Club in Leawood, Kan.

Green is charged with secretly recording illicit sexual encounters with at least six of his child victims. Court documents allege he engaged in the sexual contact and exploitation of minors over a period of at least 20 years.

The federal indictment alleges that Green attempted to entice one of his victim’s, identified as Minor Victim 1, to engage in illegal sexual activity between Nov. 1, 2016, and April 9, 2017.

The indictment also charges Green with one count of producing child pornography involving a 13-year-old victim, identified as Minor Victim 2, between Dec. 25, 2013, and March 31, 2014. Green is charged with six counts of attempting to produce child pornography, involving four additional minor victims, in February 2014. The indictment also charges Green with one count of possessing child pornography (including a video he allegedly produced of a seventh minor victim) on April 14, 2017.

Court documents allege that Green produced images and videos of child pornography and engaged (or attempted to engage) in sexual encounters with several minor victims on numerous occasions over a period of 20 years, ending in 2017. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Green’s residence on April 14, 2017, and seized videos that allegedly were secretly recorded by Green with a hidden video camera. These videos, which depict several nude minors (from 14 to 17 years old) undressing and/or preparing to shower, were recorded beginning in the late 1990s until approximately 2014 or 2015. These videos, according to court documents, are the basis for the six attempted production counts of the indictment.

During the search of Green’s residence, according to court documents, investigators also located a device that contained an approximately 45-minute video that was also secretly recorded by Green with a hidden camera. The video graphically depicts Green having a sexual encounter with Minor Victim 2 in his residence. Green allegedly can be heard encouraging the minor victim to recruit other minors for sexual activity. This video recording is the basis for the production count of the indictment.

Investigators also located another video recording on one of Green’s devices, according to court documents. The video, also taken secretly with a hidden camera, graphically depicts Green having a sexual encounter with a different minor victim. This video is one of several images of child pornography that are the basis for the possession count of the indictment.

According to court documents, numerous other images of child pornography were also located on Green’s computer and media storage devices. Some of the images appear to have been downloaded from the Internet, but other images appear to have been sent to Green by minors with whom he was acquainted. Numerous sexually graphic chats that Green saved were also discovered on some of his media devices, according to court documents. In some chats, Green allegedly solicited sexual encounters with persons who identified themselves as minors. Pornographic images allegedly were exchanged via chats with apparent underage victims.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force and the Blue Springs, 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 Kearney, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a $4.3 million conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin throughout Jackson, Clay, Ray, Clinton and Buchanan counties.

Sabrena Lynn Morgan, 41, of Kearney, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to nine years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Morgan to pay the government a money judgment of $1,490,000 based upon her drug responsibility.

On June 9, 2017, Morgan pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and maintaining a premises for the purpose of storing, distributing and using methamphetamine.

In 2010, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the DEA initiated an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. Gregory Bullock, 49, Jose Luis Ruiz-Salazar, 39, and his brother, Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar, 35, all of Kansas City, Mo., have admitted to being the primary sources that supplied co-conspirators with large amounts of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. Conspirators distributed methamphetamine throughout Jackson, Clay, Ray, Clinton and Buchanan counties in Missouri.

Morgan admitted that she was among the conspirators who received large amounts of methamphetamine from the Ruiz brothers and others. She distributed the methamphetamine to others, who in turn re-distributed it. Morgan was responsible for the distribution of more than five kilograms of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers recovered a pink pump-action shotgun from Morgan’s residence after her arrest.

Bullock was sentenced to 15 years and five months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay the government a money judgment of $365,000 based upon his drug responsibility. Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Jose Ruiz-Salazar awaits sentencing.

According to court documents, conspirators sold $4,359,600 worth of methamphetamine and heroin from 2010 to 2015. That estimate is based on a conservative street price of $1,200 for an ounce of 50 percent pure methamphetamine and the total conspiracy distribution of at least 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, and a conservative street price of $2,500 per ounce of heroin and an overall conspiracy distribution of approximately three pounds.

Morgan is among 21 co-defendants who have been sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Elgin Eugene Dothage, also known as “Butch,” 41, of Kearney, Mo., was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court ordered the federal sentence to be served consecutively to a nine-year sentence for his conviction in an unrelated state case. Ryan A. Battagler, 39, of Kearney, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

Jason Lee Kirtley, 45, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years and 11 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to forfeit to the government $28,800, which represents the proceeds of drug trafficking. Steven Lee Schreier, Jr., 33, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Jackie R. Love, 61, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison without parole. Anthony Ray Stevenson, 46, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to 22 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Paula Rae Scott, 48, of Excelsior Springs, four years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. Marion Eugene Brammer, 54, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison without parole. Rodney Earl King, 52, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to five years and two months in federal prison without parole. Darin Gene Berry, 52, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to four years and five months in federal prison without parole.

Bryan D. Carroll, 29, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. Franklin Charles Carter, also known as “Frankie,” 29, of Grandview, Mo., was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole.

Jason Daniel Davis, 44, of Liberty, Mo., was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Taylor Lee Syas, 25, of Polo, Mo., was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Ronald Louis Roberts, 55, of Lathrop, Mo., was sentenced to 10 years and six months in federal prison without parole.

Brian Michael Bowers, 35, of Richmond, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Jay Harrison Lee Carder, 31, of Cowgill, Mo., was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Gary Dewayne Brown, 38, of Cowgill, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Brittney James Brehm, 39, of Bland, Mo., was sentenced to six years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. 

Four co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. In addition to Jose Ruiz-Salazar, co-defendants William Dean Campbell, 37, of Excelsior Springs; Joshua Keith Bowers, 34, of Polo; and Caleb Dean Hayes, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., are among 26 defendants indicted in this case who have pleaded guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades, Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Clay County Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the DEA. 
 

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

Theodis Dewan Johnson, 42, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 4, 2018, Johnson pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as heroin from Oct. 21, 2015, until his arrest on Sept. 28, 2016. Co-defendants Erin R. Markley, 36, and Evelyn Leona Cooper, 46, both of Kansas City, Mo., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Markley was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole and Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2018.

A confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Johnson and Cooper, the leader of the conspiracy, on several occasions. When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at their residence, they found multiple handguns, approximately 76.5 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 17 grams of heroin. 

Johnson acted as a narcotics runner, money collector and as protection for Cooper’s narcotics operation. Johnson was directly responsible for the distribution of 705.64 grams of methamphetamine. Johnson was in possession of a loaded Taurus .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol at the time of his arrest.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today after he distributed a video of himself holding a gun to the head of a blindfolded man.

Sean A. Winston, 41, of Kansas City, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

Today’s indictment alleges that Winston was in possession of a Rossi .38-caliber revolver and a Springfield Armory .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun on April 10, 2018. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Winston on April 11, 2018.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, an individual contacted law enforcement on April 8, 2018, to report that Winston sent him a video, via text message, in which Winston was holding a handgun to the head of a blindfolded man. Police officers contacted family members, who said they also had received the video. The video showed an unidentified man, who was blindfolded and was sitting on a couch with his hands in the air in a surrendering posture. In the video, the affidavit says, Winston said the blindfolded man should be dead. The blindfolded man replied with “I love you, Sean. I love you, Sean.” According to the affidavit, Winston appeared to be angry and agitated in the video. 

Winston’s family members said the blindfolded man appeared to be one of Winston’s associates, who was later identified and located. The man acknowledged that he was in the video, but he did not want to want to cooperate with the prosecution.

On April 10, 2018, police officers arrested Winston and searched his residence, where they found both of the firearms.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Winston has prior federal felony convictions for distributing a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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 Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

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

Christopher James Lane, 32, of Humansville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Aug. 31, 2017, Lane pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography between Sept. 13 and Sept. 15, 2016.

According to court documents, Lane came to the attention of law enforcement because his roommate observed child pornography on his cell phone. Investigators searched Lane’s cell phones and laptop computer and found hundreds of images of child pornography. Law enforcement also located animated child pornography, child erotica, and animated bestiality on the devices.

Lane’s collection, according to court documents, included animated child pornography (anime) that depicted animals having sexual intercourse with children featuring such characters as Inspector Gadget, Lilo and Stitch, and Scooby Doo. 

The federal offense occurred after Lane had previously been under investigation for two separate instances of child molestation, at which time law enforcement officers located his Internet history revealing that Lane had logged onto child pornography websites.

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

Project Safe Childhood

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

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to an investment fraud scheme.

Billings Chapman, 78, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.

Chapman owned an interest in CheckmarcUSA, LLC, a company formed to provide bad check collection services to banks. He also owned Federal Financial Services, LLC (FFS), which he used to solicit investors.

By pleading guilty today, Chapman admitted that he engaged in a scheme from May 26, 2011, to April 30, 2014, to defraud investors by making materially false representations and using investment funds for his own personal benefit. Chapman guaranteed monthly payments to investors and misrepresented to investors his financial condition and the financial condition of FFS. Chapman falsely claimed that large numbers of banks had signed up for CheckmarcUSA’s services and that FFS was accruing substantial income as a result.

Chapman did not tell investors that he had been barred from engaging in the securities industry in 1970 by the National Association of Securities Dealers, or that he had been issued cease and desist orders in 1991 and in 2004 from the Missouri Commissioner of Securities for engaging in fraudulent or illegal practices in the securities business. Chapman, who was not registered to sell securities in Missouri, used investor money for his own personal gain and to make payments to prior investors. 

The money laundering charge to which Chapman pleaded guilty is related to the transfer of $100,000 that was derived from the fraud scheme.

Under federal statutes, Chapman 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 Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the FBI.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

“I am honored to be confirmed as the United States Attorney and I look forward to serving the residents of Missouri,” said Garrison. “As a federal prosecutor, I have had the privilege of working with some of the best federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the country. As U.S. Attorney, I will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to fulfill the mission of the Department of Justice.”

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday, April 26, 2018, by unanimous consent to confirm Garrison’s nomination. Garrison has been serving as the interim U.S. Attorney since his appointment by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Jan. 3, 2018.

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

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

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

Since leaving active duty, Garrison has continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves.  In 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as the Chief of Operational Law for an eight-nation multinational force.  Garrison is a distinguished graduate of both the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College.  He currently serves as Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.  A lieutenant colonel, Garrison’s personal decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three men have been sentenced in federal court this week for their roles in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies by luring their victims with online advertisements and ambushing them.

Rodney E. Brock, 21, of Blue Springs, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays today to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Sage Harrison, 36, of Independence, Mo., was sentenced on Thursday, April 26, 2018, to five years in federal prison without parole. Kenneth W. Sexson, 34, of Sugar Creek, Mo., was sentenced on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

Brock, Harrison and Sexson each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies from April 1, 2015, to June 7, 2016. Brock also pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robberies committed in October 2015 and one count of carjacking. Harrison also pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robberies committed in October 2015. Sexson also pleaded guilty to six counts of armed robberies committed in October 2015, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Co-conspirators posted ads on several websites in order to entice customers to meet in person at area hotels, residences and apartments in Kansas City, Mo. When the customers arrived, co-conspirators were lying in wait, armed with firearms and weapons that appeared to be firearms. They ambushed and robbed the customers at gunpoint.

According to court records, the proceeds of the robberies was divided up and usually used to pay for narcotics or to pay for a room where the co-conspirators could use narcotics. When confronting the victim, the co-conspirators used verbal threats, pointed real and fake guns at them, physically hit them, and intimidated them by photographing or taking identifications off of the victim. Records obtained from social media services and hotels corroborate statements by participants that only a small percentage of the victims called the police to report their robbery.

Brock and Sexson admitted that they participated in the most violent of the robberies, which occurred on Oct. 9, 2015. Co-defendant Melissa C. Cummins, 23, of Independence, Mo., posted an online ad then directed the customer who responded to an address to meet her in person. When she let him into the apartment, Brock, Sexson and other conspirators were waiting armed with firearms to rob him at gunpoint. Brock forced the victim into his own vehicle and searched it for more items to steal. Brock threatened to shoot the victim if he didn’t produce the title to the vehicle. Brock forced the victim to ride in the passenger seat while a co-conspirator drove his vehicle. Brock again threatened to shoot him if he didn’t produce the title. While driving at highway speeds on 71 Highway, the victim jumped from the moving vehicle in fear for his life and sustained injuries.

The next day, Independence police officers arrested co-defendant Devon Davis-Aumua, 23, of Independence, prowling cars in the parking lot of the Quality Inn at approximately 3:33 a.m. Davis-Aumua was in possession of methamphetamine, a stolen Springfield XDS .45-caliber pistol, and the keys to the victim’s stolen truck, which was discovered nearby out of gas.

Sexson was arrested on June 7, 2016, when the U-Haul cargo van he was driving was mistakenly identified by a woman who had loaned a similar van to an acquaintance without it being returned. She attempted to get the van to stop by pulling in front of it, then followed the van and ended up striking the van multiple times with her vehicle. She told police officers that co-defendant Ray J. Mahurin, 34, of Blue Springs, who was in the back of the van, fired multiple shots at her vehicle with a handgun.

Independence police officers located the U-Haul cargo van near Highway 291 and Truman Road. They initiated a pursuit in which the U-Haul cargo van reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Sexson’s van ran a red light and drove in opposing lanes of traffic. During the pursuit, officers saw Sexson and Mahurin throw two long guns from the vehicle. They later recovered a loaded Marlin 30-30 lever action rifle and a camouflaged Mossberg pump action shotgun in the area of the chase. Both firearms had been reported as stolen. Officers recovered a Springfield Armory XDS-9 handgun.

The pursuit continued toward Leavenworth County, Kan. Tire deflation devices were deployed against the U-Haul van multiple times. The pursuit ended only after the U-Haul van became disabled as a result of the damage suffered during the pursuit. Sexson, Mahurin and co-defendant Nicole Covey, 35, of Sugar Creek, were arrested. During a search of the U-Haul van, officers discovered a ballistic vest, a Covert CXI crossbow, four pairs of black gloves, bandanas, assorted hand and cordless tools, a collapsible baton and multiple chainsaws.

Officers also located photos from Mahurin’s Facebook account, which shows Mahurin and Sexson inside the van on the day before the police chase, and from inside the van during the police 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. Sexson has eight prior felony convictions. Sexson was convicted in 2004 of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 40 months in federal prison. Sexson also has several prior state convictions, including three counts of assault, possession of a controlled substance and leaving the scene of an accident.

Brock, Harrison and Sexson are the first defendants to be sentenced in the robbery conspiracy. Mahurin, who pleaded guilty to being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, was not charged in the robbery conspiracy. Mahurin was sentenced on April 10, 2018, to three years and one month in federal prison without parole.

Cummins, Davis-Aumua and Covey are among five co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing, also including Daphne J. Fruean, 37, of Independence, and Michele R. Shatto, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew P. Wolesky. It was investigated by the FBI, and the Independence, Mo., Police Department, with assistance from the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the North Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Overland Park, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to ship $3 million worth of marijuana through the mail for distribution in the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Justin Polson, 29, of Overland Park, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to five years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Polson to forfeit to the government $1.5 million, which represents the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking.

On Sept. 19, 2017, Polson pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana and to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy. Co-defendant James Mack, 38, of Westminster, Colorado, was sentenced on March 6, 2018, to five years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to the same charges. The court also ordered Mack to forfeit to the government $1.5 million.

Mack sent multiple pounds of high grade marijuana in five-gallon plastic buckets through the mail to Polson. Mack was sending anywhere from two to six buckets a week from September 2012 through May 2014. The buckets usually contained three pounds of marijuana per bucket. Between June 2014 and May 2015, Mack would send 40 pounds of marijuana per month to Polson.

Over the course of this conspiracy, Polson deposited approximately $3 million into Mack’s bank account as payment, in structured amounts below $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements.

Polson has already forfeited to the government a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LT in a related civil case.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three more defendants have been sentenced for their roles in a $4.3 million conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin throughout Jackson, Clay, Ray, Clinton and Buchanan counties.

Gregory Bullock, 49, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, to 15 years and five months in federal prison without parole. Bullock was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions. The court also ordered Bullock to pay the government a money judgment of $365,000 based upon his drug responsibility.

Steven Lee Schreier, Jr., 33, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., was sentenced on April 10, 2018, to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Jay Harrison Lee Carder, 31, of Cowgill, Mo., was sentenced on March 6, 2018, to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole.

Bullock, Schreier and Carder each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Carder also pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin.

In 2010, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the DEA initiated an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. Bullock, along with co-defendants Jose Luis Ruiz-Salazar, 39, his brother, Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar, 35, both of Kansas City, Mo., have admitted to being the primary sources that supplied co-conspirators with large amounts of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. Co-conspirators then distributed the methamphetamine throughout Jackson, Clay, Ray, Clinton and Buchanan counties in Missouri.

Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Jose Ruiz-Salazar awaits sentencing.

According to court documents, conspirators sold $4,359,600 worth of methamphetamine and heroin from 2010 to 2015. That estimate is based on a conservative street price of $1,200 for an ounce of 50 percent pure methamphetamine and the total conspiracy distribution of at least 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, and a conservative street price of $2,500 per ounce of heroin and an overall conspiracy distribution of approximately three pounds.

Bullock, Schreier and Carder are among 21 co-defendants who have been sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Elgin Eugene Dothage, also known as “Butch,” 41, of Kearney, Mo., was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court ordered the federal sentence to be served consecutively to a nine-year sentence for his conviction in an unrelated state case. Ryan A. Battagler, 39, of Kearney, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

Jason Lee Kirtley, 45, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years and 11 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to forfeit to the government $28,800, which represents the proceeds of drug trafficking. Jackie R. Love, 61, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison without parole. Anthony Ray Stevenson, 46, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to 22 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Paula Rae Scott, 48, of Excelsior Springs, four years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. Marion Eugene Brammer, 54, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison without parole. Rodney Earl King, 52, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to five years and two months in federal prison without parole. Darin Gene Berry, 52, of Excelsior Springs, was sentenced to four years and five months in federal prison without parole.

Bryan D. Carroll, 29, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. Franklin Charles Carter, also known as “Frankie,” 29, of Grandview, Mo., was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole.

Jason Daniel Davis, 44, of Liberty, Mo., was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Taylor Lee Syas, 25, of Polo, Mo., was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Ronald Louis Roberts, 55, of Lathrop, Mo., was sentenced to 10 years and six months in federal prison without parole.

Brian Michael Bowers, 35, of Richmond, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Gary Dewayne Brown, 38, of Cowgill, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Brittney James Brehm, 39, of Bland, Mo., was sentenced to six years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. 

Five co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. In addition to Jose Ruiz-Salazar, co-defendants William Dean Campbell, 37, of Excelsior Springs; Joshua Keith Bowers, 34, of Polo; Sabrena Lynn Morgan, 41, of Kearney; and Caleb Dean Hayes, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., are among 26 defendants indicted in this case who have pleaded guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades, Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Clay County Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the DEA. 
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Four more defendants have been sentenced in federal court this week for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1 million worth of methamphetamine in southern Missouri and in the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Travis Lee Bethel, 46, of Urbana, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays today to nine years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Bethel to pay the government a money judgment of $1,060,070.

Jake Ian Nixon, 20, of Springfield, Mo., was sentenced on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole ordered to pay the government a money judgment of $181,000. Two co-defendants, Tara L. Harken, 45, of Marion, Ill., and Kara Rene Baze, 25, of Springfield, were each sentenced on the same day to five years of probation and each ordered to pay the government a money judgment of $302,000.

On Aug. 11, 2017, Bethel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2014, to Nov. 17, 2016, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Co-defendant Kenneth Bryant Lake, 57, of Strafford, Mo., was the original head of the drug-trafficking organization, coordinating vehicle transport shipments of methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel source in Texas to Springfield. Conspirators in Springfield divided the methamphetamine for distribution to the Lebanon, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., areas. Lake has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Co-defendant Michael Ryan Nevatt, 28, of Springfield, subsequently became the head of the organization. Nevatt was convicted at trial on April 6, 2018, of all seven counts contained in a Nov. 17, 2016, federal indictment.  Nevatt and other conspirators made regular trips, and sometimes travelled several times a week, to pick up multiple-pound supplies of methamphetamine. For example, Nevatt traveled to Texas regularly to pick up 10 pounds of methamphetamine and bring it back to Springfield. Nevatt would later return to Texas with approximately $100,000 in cash to pay for it. On one occasion, Nevatt met sources in Dallas, Texas, to purchase 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Mexican sources also delivered multiple-pound shipments of methamphetamine by truck or car to Springfield.

Bethel assisted Nevatt with distributing more than 50 kilograms of methamphetamine for Nevatt’s organization and with collecting drug proceeds for methamphetamine delivered. Bethel also provided Nevatt and others with salvage title vehicles. These vehicles were traded for methamphetamine and/or paid for with drug proceeds. Bethel also assisted Nevatt with repairs for vehicles, again paid for with methamphetamine or drug proceeds.

Nixon was arrested by Springfield police officers on July 15, 2015, for possession of approximately three ounces of methamphetamine and a .32-caliber handgun. Nixon had been purchasing quarter pound quantities of methamphetamine in Springfield every other day for $3,400. Nixon was arrested on three more occasions in 2016; at the time of each of those arrests, Nixon was in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. He was arrested again on June 9, 2016, for possession of methamphetamine.

Nixon pleaded guilty on Aug. 8, 2017, to the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies and to possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes.

Harken, who is Nevatt’s mother, and Baze, who is the mother of one of Nevatt’s children, both pleaded guilty to traveling across state lines in aid of a racketeering enterprise. Harken and Baze admitted that they facilitated the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies. Harken moved and stored property purchased with drug proceeds or used in Nevatt’s money-laundering and drug-tracking conspiracy, stored drug proceeds, and rented a storage unit used in the conspiracy. Baze stored drug proceeds and rented facilities, rooms and cars used in the conspiracy.

On Aug. 28, 2015, Baze and Lake were arrested during a search at a hotel room in Springfield. Officers recovered $102,787, a loaded handgun and a small amount of methamphetamine. Nevatt and co-defendant Jarub Ray Baird, 27, of Carthage, arrived in a black Corvette and after a brief chase were apprehended.

Bethel, Nixon, Harken and Baze are among 15 defendants who have been convicted in this case. Baird was sentenced on April 18, 2018, to 11 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Scott Bryan Sands, 53, of Springfield, was sentenced on April 12, 2018, to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Aaron Randall Stull, 53, of Springfield, was sentenced on Feb. 8, 2018, to eight years in federal prison without parole.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner. It was investigated by the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Central Oklahoma Metro Interdiction Team.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former corrections officer at the Jackson County Detention Center pleaded guilty in federal court today to smuggling contraband cell phones and other items to inmates at the Jackson County Detention Center.

Andre Lamonte Dickerson, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough 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.

By pleading guilty today, 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 met the informant at a Church’s Fried Chicken restaurant on June 2, 2017, where he received the payment and the contraband items. 

The next day, June 3, 2017, Dickerson entered the inmate’s cell and put the contraband on the bed. They engaged in a conversation regarding potential future contraband transactions. Dickerson asked if the inmate would be interested in paying him a monthly fee of $2,500. In exchange, Dickerson would ensure he would be the only inmate on the fifth floor to receive contraband cigarettes, narcotics and telephones. Other inmates would then shop through him for their contraband.

The inmate smoked one of the packs of cigarettes and exchanged the second pack of cigarettes with other inmates for food from the commissary. On the same day, detention center personnel searched his cell and found the phone and phone charger.

On June 18, 2017, a corrections officer found Dickerson’s cell phone in the fifth floor control station. Text messages contained information recording drug deals between Dickerson and inmates within the Jackson County Detention Center.

Dickerson was arrested on June 27, 2017. At the time of his arrest, Dickerson had two cell phones in his possession while he was on duty in the inmate area of the detention center. Corrections officers are not allowed to have cell phones in their possession while on duty and in the areas of the detention center where inmates are housed.

In a separate but related case, another former corrections officer at the Jackson County Detention Center, Jalee Caprice Fuller, 30, of Independence, Mo., has also pleaded guilty. Fuller admitted that she conspired with others – including co-defendant Carlos Laron Hughley, 32, of Kansas City, an inmate at the Jackson County Detention Center – to smuggle contraband to inmates between May 2 and June 26, 2017. Fuller also admitted that she actually smuggled contraband into the Jackson County Detention Center and delivered the contraband to an inmate.

Hughley, as well as co-defendants Marion Lorenzo Byers, also known as “Cuddy,” 36, and Janikkia Lashay Carter, 36, both of Kansas City, have pleaded guilty.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Dickerson will be sentenced to one year and four months in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy U.S. Attorney Gene Porter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was 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 Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing the firearm he used to shoot another person.

Rico V. Gilliam, 34, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 2, 2017, Gilliam was found guilty at trial of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Gilliam was in possession of a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun on Oct. 17, 2014, and again on Nov. 6, 2014.

Kansas City police officers responded to a residence at about 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 17, 2014, to investigate a shooting. The victim told officers that Gilliam, who had come into the victim’s home, fired two shots at him during an argument that occurred about 3 a.m. One shot had struck him in the leg. He also said Gilliam pointed the gun at him and threatened to shoot him in the face if he did not leave his own residence. The victim and his girlfriend then walked to a nearby car lot. They jumped a fence and hid inside a Jeep until they called the police later that morning. Investigators interviewed several witnesses who confirmed the victim’s account.

On Nov. 6, 2014, officers located Gilliam inside a Kansas City, Mo., apartment. The apartment’s resident and several guests left the building while officers attempted to contact Gilliam. Another apartment also was evacuated. A tactical squad negotiated with Gilliam through a loudspeaker to come out of the residence. After approximately 30 minutes, Gilliam left the residence and was arrested. Officers searched the apartment and found the Glock handgun in the attic.

Gilliam, while incarcerated, directed a female friend to draft an affidavit and falsely claim that she placed the Glock handgun in the attic. Additionally, during some of the other intercepted jail calls Gilliam repeatedly threatened to beat up several women he spoke to.

According to court documents, while incarcerated Gilliam beat another inmate so severely that he had to be hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. On another occasion during his incarceration, Gilliam heated up cleaning chemicals in a microwave and threw the heated chemicals on another inmate, who was admitted to the hospital due to his injuries.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Gilliam has two prior felony convictions for armed criminal action and prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon, burglary, attempted robbery and robbery.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stefan C. Hughes and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Moore. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man and a Seymour, Mo., man were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the murder of a co-conspirator.

Anthony Edward Donovan, 21, of Springfield, and Nathaniel Austin Lee, 20, of Seymour, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. Donovan was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison without parole. Lee was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

Donovan and Lee both pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Dallas County, Webster County and Christian County, Mo., from April 28, 2015, to April 26, 2016. They both also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, resulting in the murder of Oscar Adan Martinez-Gaxiola on April 25, 2016, in Webster County.

According to court documents, co-defendant Yovanny Aroldo Mendivil-Balderama, 23, a Mexican national, and Martinez-Gaxiola obtained large amounts of methamphetamine from either Arizona or Mexico and transported it to Missouri. They supplied methamphetamine to co-defendant Brooke Danielle Beckley, 21, of Nixa, for distribution in the Springfield area. Beckley met Mendivil-Balderama and Martinez-Gaxiola in January 2016, and Beckley and Mendivil-Balderama started a sexual relationship shortly afterwards.

On April 6, 2016, law enforcement officers seized from Beckley’s hotel room approximately 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, a loaded 20-gauge shotgun with a sawed off barrel and stock, four rounds of additional shotgun ammunition, a .22-caliber pistol, a drug ledger and $3,662.

The loss of the 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine created a $44,000 debt that Beckley owed to both Mendivil-Balderama and Martinez-Gaxiola. According to court documents, text messages between Mendivil-Balderama and Beckley revealed they both wanted to kill Martinez-Gaxiola as a way to reduce, or extend, the debt and to prevent Martinez-Gaxiola from possibly killing Beckley. Mendivil-Balderama suggested in a text to Beckley that he had “an idea of how we can do so you do not have to pay me everything.” Beckley, in a text on April 21, 2016, asked what he needed her to do. Mendivil-Balderama responded, “I just need someone to help me get rid of someone I need gone like now.” Subsequent text messages suggested that the person that needed to be “gone” was Martinez-Gaxiola. 

Beckley then recruited Donovan to assist in killing Martinez-Gaxiola, and offered to pay him $6,000. Donovan recruited Lee to assist in the murder and allow for the use of Lee’s property in rural Webster County, Mo., in exchange for part of the $6,000. Lee then recruited Joshua Applegate (who was a minor under federal law at the time of the offense, and therefore charged as an adult in state court rather than in the federal indictment).

On April 24, 2016, Beckley, Donovan and Lee practiced for the murder of Martinez-Gaxiola by discharging various firearms at the Lee residence. On April 25, 2016, Mendivil-Balderama traveled with Martinez-Gaxiola to the Lee residence on the pretext that Beckley would pay the drug debt. Beckley, Donovan, Lee and Applegate were waiting at the residence; Donovan and Lee were armed with handguns. Upon arrival, Mendivil-Balderama got out of the vehicle first. When Martinez-Gaxiola exited the vehicle, Donovan and Applegate opened fire and Martinez-Gaxiola fell to the ground. Eventually, Donovan went up to where Martinez-Gaxiola lay and shot him once in the head. Martinez-Gaxiola was armed with a handgun but did not discharge it during his murder.

Lee’s neighbors reported the shots fired at the residence (it is estimated that the co-conspirators expended 30 to 60 rounds of ammunition during the murder). Webster County deputies responded to the location. Hearing the emergency sirens, the co-conspirators attempted to conceal Martinez-Gaxiola under a piece of tin siding, and then fled area. When the deputies arrived, they found Martinez-Gaxiola, who was still alive but critically hurt and who died before transportation to the hospital. Law enforcement officers captured all the co-conspirators by the end of the day on April 25, 2016.

Donovan and Lee are the final co-defendants to be sentenced in this case. Mendivil-Balderama pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced on March 8, 2018, to 50 years in federal prison without parole. Beckley pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced on Feb. 26, 2018, to 40 years in federal prison without parole.

Co-defendant Jourdan Ashley McGinnis, 29, of Nixa, pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. McGinnis was sentenced on Dec. 18, 2017, to seven years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

This case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Garrison and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Webster County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Seymour, Mo., Police Department, the Rogersville, Mo., Police Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET).
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Romanian national has been charged in federal court related to a scheme to covertly steal and utilize illicitly obtained debit card data by placing skimming devices on ATMs inside QuikTrip stores in Olathe, Kan., and Riverside, Mo.

David Velcu, also known as Luca Antoni, 23, a citizen and national of Romania residing in Anaheim, Calif., was charged in a criminal complaint filed Thursday, April 19, 2018, in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Velcu remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on April 24, 2018.

The federal criminal complaint alleges that Velcu, with the intent to defraud, possessed unauthorized access devices – approximately 78 re-encoded magnetic strip gift cards.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, a manager at an Olathe QuikTrip store noticed on April 7, 2018, that a metal piece was not sitting evenly along the card slot of the ATM. He subsequently pushed the metal piece with a key and it popped out of the card slot. Upon doing so, he noticed that one side of the metal was a mag strip reader and a circuit board was glued to the reverse side of the metal. There was also a piece of molded plastic fascia with pinhole camera that was applied directly above the keyboard designed to capture Personal Identification Numbers (PIN’s) of unwitting victims. Footage from the store’s surveillance cameras captured two unidentified juveniles responsible for placing the skimming device earlier that day.

Velcu entered the store later on the same date, the affidavit says. He wore a jacket exactly like one of the two unidentified suspects, and proceeded directly to the ATM, which had signage indicating that it was “Out-of-Service.” After staring at the ATM for an unusual amount of time, the affidavit says, Velcu purchased some food items and left the store in a sliver Audi A6 with California license plates. Surveillance video captured the same vehicle in a nearby parking lot where the two juvenile suspects had been seen earlier that morning.

Investigators used the license plates on the Audi A6 to identify the vehicle’s owner, Velcu (using the alias of Luca Antoni). Investigators determined the vehicle had recently had an oil change in Independence, Mo., and an employee of the business identified Velcu from a photo obtained from the QuikTrip surveillance camera. An Olathe, Kan., police detective then drove to several motels in the area on the hunch that perhaps he might be able to locate the suspect vehicle in a motel parking lot. The detective found Velcu’s vehicle in the parking lot of American Inn in Independence.

According to the affidavit, the motel manager told investigators that a large group of Romanians had checked into the motel on April 8, 2018, and that the group had three vehicles.

On April 9, 2018, an ATM skimmer device configuration was discovered at a QuikTrip in Riverside, Mo.

On April 10, 2018, Velcu, one of the juvenile suspects from the Olathe QuikTrip surveillance video, and an unidentified woman (with an infant) walked out of the hotel and left in Velcu’s vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle. Velcu initially presented a counterfeit Italian driver’s license, but officers later located his Romanian ID card. The woman told officers that she is Velcu’s wife, and the unidentified juvenile suspect (who had a Romanian ID card) is her brother; she and her brother entered the United States illegally via the Mexican border over a year ago.

Officers searched the vehicle and found three re-encoded mag strip cards with stickers on the front depicting 4-digit codes, three tubes of Super Glue, and two small crowbars. Upon deploying a card reader to ascertain the track 2 data on the mag strips, investigators ascertained that each one of them contained a different 16-digit account number than the 16-digit number embossed on the cards. 
One of the other vehicles that arrived with the group of Romanians, bearing a temporary Texas tag, pulled in the motel’s parking lot soon afterward. The driver of the vehicle initially presented a counterfeit Italian driver’s license but officers later located a genuine Republic of Ireland passport with a photo that matches the driver. Officers searched the vehicle and found re-encoded gift cards with 4-digit stickers applied, surface skimmers, circuit boards, gray and silver paint for fascia plates, memory cards, lithium battery packs, super glue and cutting tools.

Officers searched Velcu’s motel room and found 78 re-encoded gift cards, memory chips/cards, circuit boards, super glue, plastic fascia plates, lithium battery packs, cutting tools, cables, and three laptop computers. In this case, 16-digit account numbers were put onto plastic magnetic strip gift cards in order to fraudulently apply credits derived from various bank Visa debit card checking accounts. In addition, each of the plastic magnetic strip cards had a circular sticker applied to the front suggesting the corresponding PIN affiliated with the 16-digit re-encoded account number on the magnetic stip. Both elements are necessary in order to steal cash from ATMs.

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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberlee L. Moore. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service the Olathe, Kan., Police Department, the Riverside, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a $718,000 tax fraud conspiracy.

Nancy Lorine Walker, 56, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to seven years and eight months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Walker to pay $317,498 in restitution (the amount of refund actually received).

On Aug. 10, 2017, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government, one count of presenting a false claim, one count of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Co-defendants Carolyn Alice Cobb, 56, and Clementine Lockett, 43, both of Springfield, have also pleaded to their roles in the conspiracy. In addition to the conspiracy, Cobb pleaded guilty to two counts of presenting a false claim and one count of theft of government property. Lockett also pleaded guilty to two counts of presenting a false claim. Cobb was sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison and ordered to pay $215,184 in restitution. Lockett is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2018.

Walker, Cobb and Lockett participated in a conspiracy, which operated from January 2010 to April 23, 2013, to submit false federal income tax returns and make false claims for federal income tax refunds for the 2009-2012 tax years.

Conspirators used the means of identification of individuals, including their names and Social Security numbers, and Turbo Tax to prepare and electronically file federal income tax returns. Those returns were false and fraudulent in that they included fictitious IRS Form W-2 information, listing employers who did not employ the individual listed on the return and reporting wages not earned and employment taxes not withheld from the individual.

The conspiracy resulted in a total of $718,927 in false claims for federal income tax refunds. Conspirators actually received a total of $317,498 in refunds.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Carthage, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1 million worth of methamphetamine in southern Missouri and in the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Jarub Ray Baird, 27, of Carthage, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

On July 31, 2017, Baird pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2014, to Nov. 17, 2016, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Co-defendant Michael Ryan Nevatt, 28, of Springfield, was convicted at trial on Friday, April 6, 2018, of all seven counts contained in a Nov. 17, 2016, federal indictment. Co-defendant Kenneth Lake, 56, of Strafford, Mo., was the original head of the organization, coordinating vehicle transport shipments of methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel source in Texas to Springfield. Conspirators in Springfield divided the methamphetamine for distribution to the Lebanon, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., areas. Lake has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Nevatt subsequently became the head of the organization. Nevatt and other conspirators made regular trips, and sometimes travelled several times a week, to pick up multiple-pound supplies of methamphetamine. For example, Nevatt traveled to Texas regularly to pick up 10 pounds of methamphetamine and bring it back to Springfield. Nevatt would later return to Texas with approximately $100,000 in cash to pay for it. On one occasion, Nevatt met sources in Dallas, Texas, to purchase 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Mexican sources also delivered multiple-pound shipments of methamphetamine by truck or car to Springfield.

Baird assisted Nevatt with obtaining and distributing more than five kilograms of methamphetamine and with collecting drug proceeds for the methamphetamine that was distributed. On Aug. 28, 2015, Lake and co-defendant Kara Rene Baze, 25, of Springfield, were arrested during a search warrant at a hotel room in Springfield. Officers recovered $102,787, a loaded handgun and a small amount of methamphetamine. Nevatt and Baird arrived in a black Corvette and after a brief chase were apprehended. Baze has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Baird is among 15 defendants who have been convicted in this case, and the third defendant to be sentenced. Scott Bryan Sands, 53, of Springfield, was sentenced on April 12, 2018, to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Aaron Randall Stull, 53, of Springfield, was sentenced on Feb. 8, 2018, to eight years in federal prison without parole.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner. It was investigated by the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Central Oklahoma Metro Interdiction Team.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lexington, Mo., business owner was sentenced in federal court today for failing to pay over to the IRS nearly $1.7 million in payroll taxes.

Randy K. Small, 51, of Lexington, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to three years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Small to pay $1,694,725 in restitution.

On June 20, 2017, Small pleaded guilty to failure to pay over to the IRS the payroll taxes of his employees.

Small is the owner of RSB Leasing, a transportation business that has provided school bus service to multiple school districts in Missouri (including the Buchanan County R-IV School District, the Lexington, Mo., R-5 School District and the Hardin-Central C-2 School District). Small operated the business under three different names, and failed to fully pay employment taxes for each of the three businesses. At the time of his guilty plea, Small admitted that his criminal conduct resulted in an aggregate tax loss of at least $1,457,483.

According to court documents, however, Small has continued to violate tax laws since his change-of-plea hearing. IRS investigators uncovered $237,242 in additional tax harm for employment taxes that were not paid over to the IRS for employees of RSB Leasing, resulting in a total tax liability amount of $1,694,725.

Small operated the business under the name Hill Transportation, Inc., from 2005 through February 2010. After accruing over $300,000 in employment tax liability, Small discontinued operations under Hill Transportation and began operating under the name SPYKE, LLC. After accruing over $1 million in employment tax liability, Small discontinued operations under SPYKE in 2012. Finally, Small operated under the name RSB Leasing which has continued to accrue tax liability.

Small admitted that he did not deposit the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and Medicare (FICA) taxes or the income taxes that he withheld from his employees’ wages, nor did he pay the employer portion of FICA.

While accruing employment tax liabilities, Small withdrew significant amounts of cash, purchased new buses and maintained a personal collection of cars. From 2009 through 2011, Small withdrew $286,052 from the business bank account in the form of cash and cashier’s checks payable to himself. Small spent an additional $147,000 to purchase new buses for the business.

During the time period when Small was not paying his taxes, he purchased and maintained a 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV. On April 13, 2017, about two months prior to his guilty plea, Small sold the Lamborghini for approximately $115,000 and had the proceeds from the sale wired to the business bank account of RSB Leasing. Small failed to disclose the transaction to the government and he has not used any of the proceeds to pay the taxes he owes. Instead, according to documents provided by the IRS, Small engaged in a series of banking transactions to further conceal the proceeds and evade payment to the IRS.

According to court documents, Small filed for bankruptcy with the intent to hinder the collection efforts of the IRS and obstruct the IRS’s ability to collect payment from the foreclosure sale of a parcel of land. The bankruptcy petition was dismissed on Oct. 30, 2017.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for  a fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $1 million from her employer.

Janee C. Rosenthal, 56, of Kansas City, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Friday, April 13, 2018, to three years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Rosenthal to pay $1,097,000 in restitution.

On Sept. 22, 2017, Rosenthal pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

Rosenthal worked as a controller and later as a division director for Firestone Optics, Inc., as wholesaler of contact lenses located in Kansas City, Mo. Rosenthal admitted that she embezzled $1,097,448 from the company over an approximately nine-year period from June 2007 to May 2016 in order to pay down balances on her personal credit card account. She used the funds for travel (including a Norwegian cruise), dining, house expenses, clothing, entertainment (including tickets for the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs), utilities, vehicle and fuel expenses, health and cosmetics, groceries, taxes, computer and electronics, jewelry and pet expenses.

Rosenthal issued and signed checks drawn on the company’s bank account and made payable to her personal credit card account. She also made wire fund transfers from the company’s bank account to her personal credit card account for personal goods and services that had been charged on her credit card. Rosenthal, who made 88 fraudulent transactions as part of her scheme, falsely represented in Firestone Optics’s accounting ledgers that certain of her personal expenditures were legitimate business expenses.

As of the date of the sentencing hearing, according to court documents, Rosenthal has not made a single payment towards the amount she owes her victims nor has she offered an apology to them.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former IRS employee has been sentenced in federal court for filing false tax returns.

Carla Lachelle Mitchell, 49, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Monday, April 16, 2018, to one year and one day in federal prison. The court also ordered Mitchell to pay $137,483 in restitution.

Mitchell worked as a lead contact representative at the IRS Service Center in Kansas City, Mo., from 2006 to 2015. Mitchell admitted that while employed by the IRS she prepared false federal income tax returns for 2011, 2012 and 2013 for 13 of her friends and family, as well as herself.

When preparing tax returns, Mitchell included several false entries (such as fraudulent wages or dependents) to lower the individual tax liability or to increase their refunds. Mitchell has been linked to 27 fraudulent returns through her admissions, witness statements and IP addresses. According to court records, Mitchell also filed tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds in the names of two people without their authorization, stealing their identities in order to do so.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A North Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $290,000 from her former employer.

Tonya A. Topel, 40, of North Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to eight years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Topel to pay $293,193 in restitution, which includes losses from the four fraud schemes to which Topel admitted in her plea agreement as well as additional loss, discovered after her guilty plea, which resulted from another scheme in which Topel fraudulently received tuition reimbursements for non-existent college courses.

On Sept. 18, 2017, Topel pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Topel was a senior auditor at Construction Benefits Audit Corporation (CBAC), a Kansas City, Mo., non-profit corporation that conducts employer audits of union contracts for employers making payments into fringe benefit plans, and ensures fringe benefit payments are made correctly. Topel, who earned approximately $68,000 a year, managed audits and staff and presented ongoing audits. She handled expense payments and had sole access to CBAC’s QuickBooks.

Topel admitted that she conducted four fraudulent embezzlement schemes while employed at CBAC. She began her first scheme, in which she created false invoices for toner cartridges, on Oct. 18, 2012, just a few months after she started working at CBAC. She then added three more fraud schemes, which continued until CBAC discovered her embezzlement and she resigned in May 2016.

According to court documents, Topel stole from employers before and after she worked for CBAC. Topel had an unrelated criminal case pending in Johnson County, Kan., for stealing from her previous employer and was on pretrial supervision at the time she was hired by CBAC. Topel pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in that case, and paid her criminal defense lawyer using CBAC’s credit card. She was sentenced to probation and paid restitution with money she stole from CBAC. According to court records, Topel reportedly stole $26,000 from yet another employer after leaving CBAC.

Through her four admitted fraud schemes, Topel embezzled a total of at least $277,681 from CBAC. Topel spent the embezzled funds on a lavish lifestyle that included travel to Hawaii, Dallas, Boston, and the Bahamas; restaurants; entertainment, including golf, spas, tickets for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs and Worlds of Fun; a 2014 Ford Mustang; and personal spending such as cash, clothing, dance classes, utility bills, jewelry, transfers to relatives, bank fees/NSF fees, iPads, groceries, and other living expenses.

In Topel’s first scheme to defraud CBAC, she created false invoices for toner cartridges and correspondingly altered CBAC American Express monthly statements to make it appear the toner invoices were being charged to CBAC’s American Express account. Topel submitted the invoices and altered American Express bills to CBAC. CBAC then paid for the false toner invoices to American Express. In reality, Topel made personal charges to the CBAC American Express card, which CBAC paid. Topel submitted her first false toner invoice on Oct. 18, 2012, and continued this scheme through May 2015, during which time she embezzled approximately $45,809.

In her second scheme to defraud CBAC, Topel falsely inflated her payroll checks and made payments to a false IRA plan (which was actually her own bank account). Topel began this scheme in March 2013 and continued it into 2016, during which time she embezzled approximately $24,777.

In her third scheme to defraud CBAC, Topel used a former vendor’s name to create a false email address, false street address, 72 false invoices, and false IRS forms. Topel created the false invoices in amounts ranging from $1,080 to $4,680, made payable to bank accounts controlled by her. Through this scheme, Topel embezzled approximately $188,599.

In her fourth scheme to defraud CBAC, Topel misused a company credit card by charging personal expenses, such as a vacation to the Bahamas, to the card beginning in 2016. Topel then paid the CBAC’s company credit card bill using CBAC’s bank account. Topel created at least five false paystubs in which she showed deductions from her paycheck in order to reimburse CBAC, however, she made no reimbursements for her use of the company credit card. Through this scheme, Topel embezzled approximately $19,780.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man and a Blue Springs, Mo., man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for embezzling more than $388,000 from their employer in a scheme to redeem scrap metal.

Russell R. Fotovich, 46, of Kansas City, Mo., and Thomas Ray Jones, 48, of Blue Springs, Mo., were charged in a 13-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of Fotovich and Jones.

The federal indictment alleges that Fotovich and Jones embezzled $388,645 from their employer, DST Systems, Inc., by redeeming scrap metal belonging to DST and keeping most of the proceeds for themselves. They did not declare the embezzled income on federal income tax returns, according to the indictment.

Fotovich and Jones worked at DST as facilities engineers at the DST Winchester Data Center. When the facility underwent major renovations from 2011 through 2016, copper wire and other metals were removed and redeemed at a local scrap dealer. Fotovich and Jones conducted all but one of the 138 scrap redemptions. According to the indictment, they turned in only 39 of 137 receipts. Of the total $563,556 in proceeds from the scrap redemption, the indictment says, they turned in only $174,910, causing a $388,645 loss to DST.

Fotovich owned two businesses apart from his DST employment – R&T Heating and Cooling and R&T Mechanical (R&T). Jones did some work for R&T. The indictment alleges they declared little of their income from R&T on federal income tax returns.

According to the indictment, Fotovich and Jones requested that the scrap dealer make checks payable to them personally rather than to DST, and that redemption tickets be split, in order to conceal the total amount of scrap redeemed. Sometimes Fotovich and Jones received as many as four receipts and corresponding checks in one day.

Fotovich and Jones requested that DST buy an industrial wire-stripping machine to improve and expedite the scrap redemption. The machine cost approximately $5,000, and allowed Fotovich and Jones to receive a higher redemption value for the DST-owned scrap they sold. (Non-stripped copper wire carried a lower redemption value.) After DST purchased the wire-stripping machine in early 2014, the indictment says, Fotovich and Jones increased their fraudulent thefts more than ten-fold. From 2014-2016, Fotovich and Jones embezzled $355,146 in scrap redemptions from DST.

Fotovich and Jones both purchased vehicles with proceeds from the conspiracy, including a 2010 Ford Mustang (purchased for $34,743), a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle (purchased for $29,000), a 2017 Chevrolet pickup truck (purchased for $49,350) and a 2016 Polaris Victory motorcycle (purchased for $23,626). They also paid personal expenses, including a home mortgage, with the proceeds.

In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges Fotovich and Jones together in one count of wire fraud. Fotovich also is charged with one count of money laundering and five counts of filing a false tax return. Jones also is charged with one count of money laundering and four counts of filing a false tax return.

The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, which would require Fotovich and Jones to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, including $388,645 (representing the proceeds of the alleged fraud conspiracy), Fotovich’s residential property, a 2010 Ford Mustang and 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle owned by Fotovich, and a 2017 Chevrolet pickup truck and 2016 Polaris Victory motorcycle owned by Jones.

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 Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The former chief financial officer of a Kansas City, Mo., company was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $6.5 million from his employer.

Douglas Lee Ferrell, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to five years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Ferrell to pay $1,940,462 in restitution to his victims, which is the remaining loss amount after Ferrell’s partial repayment of restitution.

On Aug. 3, 2017, Ferrell pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering.

Ferrell, hired as a family friend of his employer, began working for Scarbrough International at its headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., in 2005 as an account representative and became the company’s chief financial officer in 2012. Scarbrough International is a privately owned, U.S. Customs Broker and international freight forwarder.

Ferrell admitted that he embezzled approximately $6,523,742 from the company for his own use and enjoyment. Over a nearly eight-year period, from Sept. 1, 2006, to June 10, 2014, Ferrell engaged in a scheme to embezzle company funds by making unauthorized personal charges to the company’s credit card and PayPal accounts, and then using company funds to pay those charges.

Ferrell also made a number of financial transactions of funds that he knew were the proceeds of fraud, including a $650,000 wire transfer (that contained at least $475,625 in fraud proceeds) to Cayman National Bank in the Cayman Islands to purchase a beach house. Ferrell wired a total of more than $2,250,000 to purchase that property. Ferrell also used embezzled funds to ship furnishings from the United States for the property and for additional construction and improvements to the property, including over $77,000 in payments to a Cayman Islands tile company. After the improvements, paid for with additional embezzled funds, the property was valued at over $2.6 million.

According to court documents, Ferrell concealed his embezzlement through the years of controlling the company’s financial affairs and finding ways to blame others for the company’s financial woes. For example, Ferrell would scour the expenses of other employees, calling them out for their wastes of company funds, while he embezzled substantially greater sums. Ferrell also was involved in recommending persons to lay off while the company was going through the financial crisis in 2010, even though during 2010, Ferrell stole roughly $600,000. While not all of the 11 layoffs resulted from Ferrell’s fraud, a meaningful number did.

Ferrell’s fraud only stopped when American Express cancelled the company’s credit card on Friday, June 6, 2014. The following Monday, June 9, Ferrell told the Scarbroughs that he was leaving the company because he was pursuing the deal of a lifetime. That same week, American Express contacted the company and explained that the company’s American Express card was cancelled due to Ferrell’s charges. At that point, the company reviewed records and disclosed the fraud. Shortly thereafter, the Scarbroughs confronted Ferrell by phone about his embezzlement. On June 12, 2014, Ferrell met with the Scarbroughs and their attorneys, confessed to his fraud, and outlined a plan to liquidate assets to repay what he embezzled.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Seligman, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for possessing methamphetamine to distribute following a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement officers that ended at a chicken farm.

Jeffery B. Stout, 37, of Seligman, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, to seven years in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 13, 2017, Stout pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Stout was arrested on July 7, 2016, following a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement officers. A Barry County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Stout, who had been reported driving a red Camaro on the wrong side of the road, after the vehicle’s license plates did not match. Stout led officers on a chase with speeds up to 102 miles per hour. Stout eventually stopped after he entered a chicken farm, drove into a field, lost control, and spun out the wheels. As the wheels were spinning, officers blocked Stout from pulling forward and pulled Stout and a passenger out of the vehicle.

Officers searched the vehicle and found a Jack Daniels tin can that contained 24.6 grams of pure methamphetamine, seven baggies that contained methamphetamine, four baggies that contained methamphetamine residue, more than $1,000 in cash, various drug paraphernalia and a sparkler bomb device.

Stout has committed seven drug offenses since 2002. Those convictions started with a municipal conviction with a suspended sentence in 2002. He then went to prison for drugs in 2008 in Arkansas. In 2013, he was convicted again for drugs in Missouri, where he was put in a drug court program. His probation was then revoked concurrent to a new drug conviction in 2014 and he was sent to the 120-day treatment program in the Missouri Department of Corrections. He was discharged from probation on April 13, 2016, less than three months before the events of this case.

Stout also has a prior conviction for aggravated assault on a family member, where he pointed a shotgun at his live-in girlfriend during an argument and threatened her. He has eight prior convictions for driving without a valid license, along with prior convictions for failure to appear in court, trespassing, leaving the scene of an accident, criminal contempt and resisting arrest.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody Larison. It was investigated by the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.

Kenneth R. Friend, 47, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to participating in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene, Polk, Christian, Jasper, Laclede, and Webster Counties from June 1, 2013, through Nov. 29, 2014.

Beginning in 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by other agencies, investigated one of the largest methamphetamine distribution rings in southwest Missouri. The investigation resulted in the indictment of 29 co-defendants.

During the conspiracy, Friend was responsible for the distribution of more than 45 kilograms of methamphetamine. He obtained large amounts of methamphetamine from various sources.

For example, Friend paid one source $20,000 in early November 2014 for two pounds of methamphetamine. Friend also intended to purchase a large amount of methamphetamine from one of his sources on Nov. 27, 2014. As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers arrested Friend, his then-girlfriend and one of his suppliers. During the execution of a federal search warrant at the supplier’s residence in Springfield, agents found approximately $20,000 and approximately five and a half pounds of methamphetamine. Friend admitted that he intended to purchase at least two of the five and a half pounds seized from this source of supply. Agents also seized $34,310 from Friend, which he had intended to use to purchase the two pounds of methamphetamine.

Friend is among 28 co-defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case; 18 of those defendants have been sentenced.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Friend will be sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Friend must forfeit to the government $34,310 that was seized by law enforcement and a 1992 Harley Davidson motorcycle, which Friend used to distribute methamphetamine, and which he purchased with proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine. 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 Randall D. Eggert, Nhan D. Nguyen and Cynthia J. Hyde. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Lebanon, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing methamphetamine that was hidden in computer hard drives that were mailed to a neighbor’s residence.

Adam E. Billings, 43, of Lebanon, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 24 years and four months in federal prison without parole.

Billings pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2017, to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. He admitted that he had received methamphetamine through the mail 10 times, with quantities ranging from a couple of ounces to a pound. Billings paid a neighbor $100 for allowing the packages to be delivered to his residence.

The investigation began on Jan. 20, 2016, when the Lebanon Post Office received a suspicious package on which a K-9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance. The next day, two envelopes arrived at the post office, addressed to the same residence. A K-9 again indicated the presence of a controlled substance in both envelopes.

Investigators arranged for a controlled delivery of the envelopes. A resident at the address took possession of the parcels, then took the parcels next door to Billings’s residence. Law enforcement officers searched Billings’s residence and found the two envelopes, which had been emptied, as well as another envelope that contained 110.1 grams of pure methamphetamine. Billings stated that he took the hard drives out of the just-delivered envelopes, removed the methamphetamine from the hard drives, and placed the methamphetamine in the third envelope.  In the master bedroom, an officer found a methamphetamine pipe on top of a dresser, a black bag containing a digital scale with visible powder residue on a nightstand and four computer hard drives which had been opened.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former treasurer of the Gladstone, Mo., firefighters union pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling more than $26,000 from the union.

Charles E. Duddy, 58, of Platte City, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer to an information that charges him with the embezzlement and theft of union funds.

Duddy was the treasurer of the Gladstone Firefighters IAFF Union Local 3228 from 2012 through April 2016. In his capacity as treasurer, Duddy had access to Local 3228’s debit card and was authorized to use the debit card only for Local 3228’s expenses.

By pleading guilty today, Duddy admitted that he used Local 3228’s bank account to make $26,479 in personal expenditures, including expenditures for the payment of his property taxes, title loans, groceries and dining.

Duddy has paid $10,000 in restitution to Local 3228 for the stolen funds. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Duddy must pay a money judgment for the remaining balance of $16,479.

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

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

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The former administrator of the Pettis County Ambulance District was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $227,000 from the district.

Michael Paul Gardner, 62, of Sedalia, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Gardner to pay $227,649 in restitution to the ambulance district.

Gardner, who was hired as the administrator of the Pettis County Ambulance District in December 2012, pleaded guilty to bank fraud on Dec. 14, 2017. Gardner admitted that he forged board members’ signatures on 44 checks totaling $123,721. Gardner also admitted that he received $103,928 in unapproved payroll expenses from 2015 to 2017. The total amount embezzled by Gardner from the ambulance district was $227,649.

Gardner was arrested on March 29, 2017. Two board members of the ambulance district came to the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department on March 24, 2017, to present suspicious checks and financial transactions made by Gardner. The board had been notified by Central Bank of Sedalia that there was suspicious activity being conducted on the district’s bank accounts. The board members presented several ambulance district checks to police investigators in which Gardner was the payee and upon which the signatures of two board members had been forged. Board members also presented several checks made out to another person, identified in court documents as “T.R.,” which also contained forged board members’ signatures.

Gardner admitted to investigators that he had been forging board members’ signatures on checks payable to himself or to T.R., then depositing them into either his or her personal bank accounts, for about a year.

The ambulance district employed an independent auditing firm to conduct an intensive fraud investigations to determine the amount of funds misappropriated by Gardner. The firm identified 44 forged checks totaling $123,721.
  
 This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department and the Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1 million worth of methamphetamine in southern Missouri and in the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Michael Ryan Nevatt, 28, of Springfield, was found guilty of all seven counts contained in a Nov. 17, 2016, federal indictment. Nevatt was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and three counts of money laundering.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Nevatt participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2014, to Nov. 17, 2016. Co-defendant Kenneth Lake, 56, of Strafford, Mo., was the original head of the organization, coordinating vehicle transport shipments of methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel source in Texas to Springfield. Conspirators in Springfield divided the methamphetamine for distribution to the Lebanon, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., areas. Lake has pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Nevatt subsequently became the head of the organization. Nevatt and other conspirators made regular trips, and sometimes travelled several times a week, to pick up multiple-pound supplies of methamphetamine. For example, Nevatt traveled to Texas regularly to pick up 10 pounds of methamphetamine and bring it back to Springfield. Nevatt would later return to Texas with approximately $100,000 in cash to pay for it. On one occasion, Nevatt met sources in Dallas, Texas, to purchase 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Mexican sources also delivered multiple-pound shipments of methamphetamine by truck or car to Springfield.

Nevatt was stopped by Springfield police officers on one occasion while operating a motorcycle without a valid motorcycle endorsement or insurance. Officers seized $66,960 in the saddle bag of the motorcycle. On another occasion, Springfield police officers seized $97,390 from a hotel room rented in Nevatt’s name, which was occupied by his girlfriend and Lake.

Nevatt is among 15 defendants charged in the indictment; 13 have pleaded guilty and one has been sentenced.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for just short of three hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Monday, April 2, 2018.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner. It was investigated by the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Central Oklahoma Metro Interdiction Team.

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

Robert L. White, 46, of Kansas City, was found guilty of all 16 counts contained in a July 19, 2016, federal indictment. White was found guilty of nine counts of distributing crack cocaine, three counts of possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On two occasions in 2013, White was arrested in a traffic stop and officers found crack cocaine either on him or in his vehicle. On nine occasions in 2016, White distributed crack cocaine to sources who were cooperating with a law enforcement investigation.

On June 6, 2016, White was arrested after Kansas City police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. White fled in his vehicle, then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, but was found and arrested. When officers searched his vehicle they found a clear plastic baggie that contained 22 individually-wrapped baggies of crack cocaine.

Officers executed  a search warrant at White’s residence on the same day and seized $5,000, cocaine, and a loaded Kel Tec 9mm handgun.

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 three prior felony convictions for possession of controlled substances and prior felony convictions for theft, conspiracy to possess cocaine and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for four hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Monday, April 2, 2018.

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

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two more members of a large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., were sentenced in federal court today.

Eduardo Diaz, 53, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Amber Vantuyl, 36, of Springfield, Mo., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool. Diaz was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole. Vantuyl was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

Both Diaz and Vantuyl pleaded guilty participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In total, the quantity of pure methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy, which lasted from October 2013 to Feb. 29, 2016, weighed in excess of 4.5 kilograms. The methamphetamine distributed during the conspiracy, according to court documents, primarily originated from Mexico and was smuggled to Missouri.

According to court documents, a steady stream of purchasers came to the home of the conspiracy’s leader, Patrick R. Brigaudin, 55, of Springfield, to purchase methamphetamine from him, or to deliver methamphetamine to him. On Feb. 29, 2016, Diaz transported approximately 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine and six pounds of heroin to Brigaudin’s residence. When he arrived in Missouri, Diaz picked up co-defendant Adrian Ortiz-Corrales, 43, also of Las Vegas, and they traveled together to Brigaudin’s residence to deliver the methamphetamine and heroin. While they were removing the methamphetamine from a vehicle, they and Brigaudin were arrested.

Vantuyl admitted that she possessed methamphetamine, which she had obtained from Brigaudin, and some or all of which she intended to distribute to another person.

Brigaudin was sentenced on March 21, 2018, to 30 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to a related money-laundering conspiracy. Ortiz-Corrales also pleaded guilty to the drug-trafficking conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

Seven defendants have been sentenced in this case. Richard Todd Sherwood, 59, of Willard, Mo., was sentenced on March 27, 2018, to eight years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Jennifer Minor, 42, of Springfield, was sentenced on March 14, 2018, to seven years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. William Frank Eft, 67, of Springfield was sentenced on March 21, 2018, to six years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Gayla Rochelle Phillips, 42, of Willard, Mo., was sentenced on March 21, 2018, to three years in federal prison without parole. 

Eight co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Timothy A. Garrison and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Eggert. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Ozark, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, COMET (the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team) and the South Central Drug Task Force.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man along with his three sons and a daughter, another Springfield resident and a Columbia, Mo., woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Lucian Robinson, also known as “OG,” 60, of Springfield; his three sons, Charles A. Robinson, also known as “Big C,” 37, of Springfield, Corey L. Robinson, also known as “C Money,” 34, address unknown, and Brian M. Robinson, also known as “Bubba,” 34, of Memphis, Tenn.; his daughter, Brandie R. Robinson, also known as “Pooh,” 37, of St. Louis, Mo.; and Cordny D. Adams, 29, of Springfield, and Crystal D. Birdsong, also known as “Crystal D. Brinkley,” 34, of Columbia, Mo., were charged in a 20-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public upon the arrest and initial court appearance of Lucian Robinson on Tuesday, April 2, 2018. 

Each of the seven co-defendants is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin in Cole, Callaway and Greene Counties from July 1, 2015, to March 27, 2018. 

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Brandie Robinson is charged with three counts of distributing heroin in Greene County.

Brian Robinson is also charged with three counts of distributing heroin in Greene County and two counts of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. 

Corey Robinson is also charged with one count of distributing heroin in Greene County and two counts of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute in Greene County. Corey Robinson is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Corey Robinson, who has been convicted of a felony, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol on March 7, 2017.

Lucian Robinson is also charged with two counts of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute in Greene County. Lucian Robinson and Crystal Birdsong are charged together in one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.

Adams is also charged with two counts of distributing heroin in Greene County and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute in Greene County.

Charles Robinson is also charged with one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute in Greene County.

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. Attorneys Randall D. Eggert and Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for leading a $1.5 million tax fraud scheme.

Dinorah Lynn Stoll-Weaver, 50, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Stoll-Weaver to pay $1,493,991 in restitution to the government for unpaid personal and business taxes.

On July 28, 2017, Stoll-Weaver pleaded guilty to failing to pay over employee payroll taxes to the IRS.

Beginning in 2001, Stoll-Weaver owned and operated Homeward Bound Health Services, Inc., a home health provider located in St. Joseph. Her sister and co-defendant, Dawn Langlais (formerly Ankrom-Brown), 60, of St. Joseph, was vice president and helped to operate the business. Between 2001 and 2010, Homeward Bound collected employment taxes from employees but did not pay them over to the IRS. The IRS notified Homeward Bound as early as 2004 that employment taxes were not paid. Revenue investigators had regular contact with Stoll-Weaver. From 2004 to 2009, Homeward Bound failed to pay $326,209 in employment taxes it had withheld from employees.

To avoid responsibility for their debts and theft of tax money, Stoll-Weaver and Langlais converted Homeward Bound into Silver Linings in 2010, using their parents as straw owners and operators.

For 13 years, from 2002 to 2012, Homeward Bound/Silver Linings withheld and failed to pay a total of $1,459,727 in Social Security, Medicare, and federal income tax.

Stoll-Weaver also withheld employees’ IRA contributions, medical and dental insurance payments and child support, and kept those withholdings as income for herself and other relatives. The theft of these payments had negative collateral consequences for their employees. Two employees filed lawsuits against Homeward Bound for money that Homeward Bound withheld from their paychecks, such as for child support, but did not pay as obligated. Stoll-Weaver retaliated against one of the employees by firing her; when the employee filed for unemployment benefits, her request was denied because Homeward Bound had not paid unemployment taxes.

Over the years, Stoll-Weaver represented to the IRS that the business was losing money, however, each of the principal employees, including Stoll-Weaver and her husband and co-defendant, Thad Weaver, 46, of St. Joseph, paid themselves well, in both reported and unreported income. From 2007 to 2012, Stoll-Weaver earned a total of $579,674 in unreported income.

During the course of the conspiracy, Stoll-Weaver filed false income and expense reports with IRS collections regarding her outstanding tax debts. 

Langlais also pleaded guilty to failing to pay over employee payroll taxes to the IRS and was sentenced on Jan. 30, 2018, to 18 months in federal prison without parole. 

Langlais and Stoll-Weaver admitted they received income from Homeward Bound and Silver Linings, which they failed to report on their individual federal income tax forms, and as a result, underpaid their federal income taxes. Langlais willfully failed to make an income tax return or pay personal income taxes from 2010 to 2012, for a total personal tax loss of $56,860. 

Weaver and Stoll-Weaver were married and filed individual income tax returns for 2010 through 2012; Stoll-Weaver filed a separate return in 2009. Their combined unreported income was at least $257,827. Weaver’s total personal tax loss was at least $27,488. Stoll-Weaver’s personal tax loss was $34,264. 

Langlais employed her daughter, co-defendant Jennifer Sturgis, 39, of St. Joseph, at Homeward Bound and Silver Linings. Weaver and Sturgis each pleaded guilty to making false statements on a tax return and were sentenced to five years of probation.

Weaver and Sturgis admitted they received income from Homeward Bound and Silver Linings, which they failed to report on their individual federal income tax forms, and as a result, underpaid their federal income taxes. 

Sturgis willfully failed to make an income tax return or pay personal income taxes from 2007 to 2012, for a total personal tax loss of $148,347, including relevant conduct. 

Additionally, from 2009 to 2012, Stoll-Weaver, Weaver and Sturgis each claimed personal federal income tax refunds, knowing that Homeward Bound and Silver Linings had not paid any income taxes to the IRS. 

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

v

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Clinton, Mo., man has been indicted in a $4.7 million investment fraud scheme in which he defrauded 89 investors who believed they were purchasing cattle for resale at a profit.

Cameron J. Hager, 42, of Clinton, was charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Hager’s arrest and initial appearance at the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo.

The federal indictment alleges that Hager, who operated 5A Holdings, LLC, engaged in the fraud scheme from July 17, 2015, to March 28, 2018. Hager allegedly induced victims to invest in a “cattle fund” that was used to purchase herds of cattle to be sold later at a substantial profit, although he never actually purchased or intended to purchase any cattle.

According to a federal forfeiture complaint, filed in a separate but related civil proceeding, Hager received approximately $4.7 million dollars from approximately 89 investors. Investment amounts ranged from $1,000 to $267,000.

According to the indictment, Hager told victim investors that he would arrange to purchase herds of cattle from farmers or ranchers who had reasons to sell their herds because of financial distress and inability to maintain their herds. Hager and his organization, he allegedly claimed, evaluated the cattle, including having the cattle examined by a “seasoned veterinarian,” and determined that a predictable profit could be realized by maintaining and feeding the cattle until an optimum time for marketing the cattle. Hager allegedly claimed that 5A Holdings realized net returns greater than 20 percent on investments in herds of cattle during 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Hager induced other individuals to recruit investors, the indictment says, although he knew the representations they made to potential investors were false. Hager used money obtained from investors to pay commissions, for the purpose of perpetuating referrals of additional investors.

Before the scheme unraveled, according to court documents, Hager used the majority of investor funds for his personal living expenses, including paying his home mortgage, travel expenses, lodging, airfare, payments for religious conferences, numerous Amazon purchases, ATM withdrawals, building supplies, credit card payments, paying taxes and purchasing personal vehicles.

In some cases, money obtained from investors was used to provide “returns” to other investors with the false representation that the “returns” of money resulted from the sale of cattle. Any money that was returned to investors was money that had been supplied by other investors and not money resulting from sales of cattle. As a result of Hager’s misuse of investors’ funds, the total loss to his victims is currently estimated at $3.5 million dollars.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Hager to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, including $394,074 in an Equity Bank account, his 46.6-acre residential property (currently listed for sale with an asking price of $899,000), a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck, a 2006 Toyota 4Runner and two 2017 Winnebago travel trailers.

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 First Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Ketchmark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Larson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Perkins Rock is handling the forfeiture. This case was investigated by the Missouri Secretary of State, Securities Division and the FBI.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Southwest Honkeys gang member pleaded guilty in federal court today to operating a methamphetamine conspiracy from his prison cell.

Nathaniel R. Eisenhour, 30, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Dec. 15, 2016, to April 20, 2017. Eisenhour was incarcerated in the custody of either the Greene County jail or the Missouri Department of Corrections for almost the entire period of the conspiracy.

Eisenhour, a member of the Southwest Honkeys prison gang, admitted that he communicated with associates while he was incarcerated to sell methamphetamine and to collect money for past drug debts. 

Eisenhour was arrested on Dec. 21, 2015, on an outstanding parole violation warrant. Eisenhour, while incarcerated, instructed one of his associates to take the money from drug sales to a family member. On Jan. 30, 2017, federal agents seized $31,800 from the family member who was holding the money for Eisenhour. In a jail call, Eisenhour had previously authorized another family member to obtain $200 from that same stash. The total of $32,000, including the seized amount and the $200 that was removed before the seizure, represented approximately 2.2 kilograms in methamphetamine sales, based on the price Eisenhour discussed with one of the associates who distributed for him after his arrest.

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

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo.-area man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing four banks in Independence, Mo., Liberty, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo., over a span of five months.

Tam Henry Holmes, 57, of the Kansas City metropolitan area, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Holmes to pay $25,005 in restitution.

On Oct. 23, 2017, Holmes pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery.

Holmes robbed Central Bank of Kansas City, 2301 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 16, 2016. Holmes approached the teller counter and placed a note up against the bullet-proof glass and whispered “700.” The teller told investigators she could not read what was printed on the note, but Holmes continued to whisper “700” and she realized it was a robbery. The teller turned over $450 to Holmes, who then left the bank.

On April 1, 2017, Holmes robbed Bank of the West, 850 S. 291 Hwy., Liberty. When he entered the bank, Holmes held up a spiral notebook containing hand-written notations. The teller told investigators that she read the first couple of lines, which she recalled were, “this is a robbery, give me all your large bills.” The teller gathered money from her drawer and gave it to Holmes and he left the bank. The bank reported a loss of $8,300.

On April 3, 2017, Holmes robbed Greater Kansas City Public Safety Credit Union, 19341 E. US 40 Hwy., Independence. Holmes walked up to a teller counter and showed the teller two hand-written notes on two yellow Post-it notes. The notes said, “this is a robbery. Don’t pull any dye packs, bail or alarms. I know where you live.” The teller removed cash from her drawer and handed it to Holmes, and he left the bank. The credit union reported a loss of $12,205.

On April 15, 2017, Holmes robbed First Federal Bank of Kansas City, 3500 Noland Rd., Independence. Holmes held up a handwritten note that said, “give me all the money, hurry up, or I will hurt you.” The teller opened her drawer and handed Holmes $100 and $50 bills. She then stared at Holmes, who stated, “hurry up or I’ll do what the note says.” The teller then gave Holmes $20, $10 and $5 bills. Holmes took the money, put it in his pockets and walked out of the bank. The bank reported a loss of $4,050.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the FBI.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department paramedic has been indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing fentanyl and morphine from ambulances and replacing fentanyl with another substance.

Michael L. Fostich, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Fostich’s arrest and initial court appearance.

Fostich is charged with one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud (related to the theft of fentanyl and morphine) and one count of tampering with a consumer product (related to the replacement of fentanyl with another substance).

Fostich was employed at the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) as a paramedic from August 2014 to Dec. 11, 2016. Fostich had access to fentanyl and morphine, which were stored in sealed narcotics boxes and locked in safes on KCFD ambulances. Each sealed narcotics box contained two vials of fentanyl, each containing 100 micrograms of liquid fentanyl, two syringes of morphine, each containing 10 milligrams of liquid morphine, and two vials containing 5 milligrams of liquid midazolam. As a paramedic, Fostich was able to unlock the electronic safe and open the sealed narcotics boxes in order to administer controlled substances to patients, if necessary.

The federal indictment alleges that Fostich engaged in a scheme from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 11, 2016, to fraudulently obtain fentanyl and morphine. As part of the scheme, Fostich allegedly prepared patient care records and state reporting forms that contained misrepresentations regarding his use of fentanyl and morphine.

According to the indictment, Fostich reported he was responsible for the use of 806 doses of fentanyl, which accounted for approximately 39 percent of all of the KCFD’s total reported use during that period of time. Fostich also reported he was responsible for the use of 636 doses of morphine, which accounted for approximately 63 percent of all of the KCFD’s total reported use of morphine during that period of time.

The federal indictment also alleges that Fostich tampered with a container of fentanyl on Dec. 11, 2016. Fostich removed fentanyl from the vials contained in a KCFD narcotics box and replaced them with another solution in the vials, the indictment says, with reckless disregard for the risk that another person would be placed in danger of death or bodily injury. Fostich allegedly placed the vials back in the narcotics box, attempted to reseal the narcotics box, and then placed the narcotics box back in a safe located on a KCFD ambulance.

The charges contained in this indictment are 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. Attorneys Jess E. Michaelsen and Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigation.
 

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

Jennifer M. Conant, 38, of Joplin, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

By pleading guilty today, 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.

Under federal statutes, Conant is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, 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 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 Raytown, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for engaging in a bankruptcy fraud scheme in order to prevent dozens of rental properties from being sold by the county for failure to pay property taxes. 

Kenneth Mabrie, 68, of Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Thursday, March 22, 2018, to five years of probation. The court also ordered Mabrie to pay $92,040 in restitution.

On Sept. 14, 2017, Mabrie pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting bankruptcy fraud.

Mabrie was an intercity landlord who did not pay his Jackson County property taxes nor the city assessments on the properties he owns and rents. When the properties went into foreclosure by Jackson County in 2009 and again in 2011, Mabrie filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding shortly before the sale of the properties at the annual August auction. The bankruptcy petitions were soon dismissed for failure to file required information, but prevented the foreclosure and Mabrie continued to collect rent from the properties (including money from the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also known as the Section 8 tenant-based assistance program). 

According to court documents, Mabrie’s conduct had a broader negative impact on the community. In a letter to the court, the Director of Neighborhood Housing Services for the City of Kansas City, Mo., stated that “Kenneth Mabrie, and his associated limited liability companies and business entities, have failed to maintain their properties for many years. His failure to maintain its properties has resulted in both a quantifiable monetary loss to taxpayers and pervasive blight throughout the city.”

Co-defendant Curtis Jones, 55, of Kansas City, Mo., also pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and was sentenced to three years of probation.

Jones filed for bankruptcy on Aug. 22, 2012, five days before the date of the auction sale. Jones listed 31 tax delinquent properties in his bankruptcy petition. Jones was deeded 17 of those properties from Mabrie one day prior to the filing. Seven of those properties were included in Mabrie’s 2011 bankruptcy petition. An additional two properties listed by Jones were privately owned by Mabrie at the time of the filing. The remaining 12 properties were deeded to Jones one day prior to filing from other persons. The majority of the remaining 12 properties had some sort of nexus to Mabrie; for example, of the remaining 12 properties, Mabrie owned 10 of the properties previously, and one of the properties was deeded from Mabrie’s daughter. Jones’s bankruptcy petition was dismissed on Sept. 7, 2012, for failure to file information.

Jones filed for bankruptcy again on Aug. 23, 2013, the same day of the auction sale. Jones listed 29 tax delinquent properties in his bankruptcy petition. Two of those properties were deeded from Mabrie on the day of the filing and 26 of the properties had been included in the 2012 petition. This bankruptcy petition was dismissed on Sept. 13, 2013, for failure to file information.

The loss amount to Jackson County was $92,040, for which the court ordered Mabrie to pay restitution. This represents only the most recent tax bill as included in the bankruptcy filings (2010 or 2011 or 2012), less any money Mabrie or Jones paid to Jackson County following the bankruptcy filings (as of September 2015).

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with using a GPS tracking device to assist in the murder of a rival drug trafficker who was fatally shot in front of his 8-year-old daughter.

Lester Brown, 30, of Kansas City, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Brown remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

The federal criminal complaint charges Brown with using a GPS tracking device with the intent to commit a crime of violence, which resulted in the death of Christopher Harris, to further Brown’s marijuana trafficking operation.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Brown and Harris had a long-standing dispute over marijuana trafficking. Brown allegedly murdered Harris in front of Harris’s 8-year-old daughter on March 14, 2018, as Harris was returning his daughter to her mother’s residence. The murder, says the affidavit, was the culmination of conflicts between Brown and Harris’s competing marijuana distribution activities.

Independence police officers were dispatched to a residence on March 14, 2018, regarding a report of shots fired near the residence. Harris’s girlfriend, the mother of his daughter, reported that her boyfriend had been shot. When officers arrived, they discovered Harris suffering from a wound to the head. Harris was unresponsive, and was ultimately pronounced deceased.

An anonymous source told investigators that Brown orchestrated the shooting assault on Harris and enlisted the assistance of two other persons as shooters. Brown allegedly used a GPS tracking device, covertly placed on Harris’s vehicle, to track Harris’s movements.

The anonymous source described a long-standing grievance between Brown and Harris, and indicated it was this conflict which likely resulted in the assault and death of Harris. Harris’s former girlfriend and the mother of his 8-year-old daughter told investigators that Harris had recently told her about a confrontation between himself and Brown at a local shopping center within the two weeks preceding Harris’s death.

The anonymous source also told investigators that Brown distributes high-grade marijuana on his own and has attempted to join other distributors in the metropolitan area to expand his enterprise. Brown has allegedly engaged in robberies of other drug traffickers with the intent of stealing bulk quantities of high-grade marijuana and other illegal drugs to distribute himself. Brown allegedly enlisted the same two shooters to assist him in these robberies.

A second anonymous source told investigators that Brown also had deployed GPS tracking devices on the vehicles of other known distributors of illegal drugs that he intended to target for robberies.

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 Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the FBI.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing methamphetamine to distribute and for possessing marijuana.

Christopher J. Kessler, 30, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 21 years and six months in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 27, 2017, Kessler was convicted at trial of one count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing marijuana.

Kessler was arrested on March 5, 2016, following a high-speed vehicle pursuit and foot chase by Independence and Kansas City, Mo., police officers. At about 12:37 a.m., an Independence officer attempted to stop a Ford Explorer driven by Kessler, which was traveling at a high rate of speed and made an abrupt turn without signaling. When Kessler pulled over, the officer was notified that the license plate on his vehicle belonged to another vehicle that had been reported as stolen. The officer, using his exterior speaker, twice ordered Kessler to place the vehicle in park. Instead, Kessler rapidly accelerated. The officer pursued Kessler, who reached a speed of 105 miles per hour, at times driving in the opposite lanes of traffic without his vehicle lights on and traveling through several residential lawns.

Police officers called off the pursuit but helicopter surveillance observed Kessler enter a hotel. Kessler led officers on a pursuit through the hotel and back out to the street. An officer eventually tackled Kessler to the ground; he continued to resist officers by placing his hands around and under his face. Kessler bit one of the officers on the finger and on the wrist, breaking the skin. Additional officers assisted in securing Kessler in handcuffs.

Officers searched Kessler and found a clear plastic baggie that contained at least 50.9 grams of pure methamphetamine in his right front pocket, as well as a smaller clear plastic baggie that contained seven grams of marijuana.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers also pursued Kessler on at least two more occasions after a federal arrest warrant was issued in this case. On July 18, 2016, while under surveillance, Kessler fled the area in excess of 90 miles per hour and the pursuit was terminated. Then on Aug. 2, 2016, detectives were able to surround Kessler when he stopped the stolen motorcycle he was operating in the bay of a carwash. But Kessler did not comply with the officers’ commands, and instead fled the area on foot. He was eventually tackled and taken into custody.

Kessler, who has a significant criminal record of 41 convictions in 25 separate cases, also has a lengthy history of resisting police while operating vehicles at high rates of speed, resulting in accidents, erratic driving behavior, and fleeing on foot. Kessler was on supervision for a Johnson County, Kansas District Court theft case at the time of his arrest in this case.
 
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Morgan and Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man and three Compton, Calif., men were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine that was shipped to Columbia through the mail.

Zachary Troy Fennell, 39, of Columbia, and Fernando Chavez, 33, Favbion Dawayne Holmes, 40, and Dijon Rasheed Brown, 25, all of Compton, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough. Fennell was sentenced to 23 years and four months in federal prison without parole. Chavez and Brown were each sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Holmes was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

Fennell, Chavez and Holmes each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Fennell also pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brown was convicted at trial of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and of being a felon in possession of a firearm. They are among 10 defendants who have been convicted and sentenced in this case.

According to court documents, Fennell – the leader of the conspiracy – began receiving methamphetamine through the mail and distributing it in Columbia as early as December 2014. In October and November 2015, investigators seized four parcels intended for delivery to Fennell that were found to contain a total of 3.55 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Fennell, a former gang associate of his co-defendants from Compton, has been involved in criminal activity throughout his lifetime and has lived a violent, gang-related lifestyle. 

According to court documents, Chavez mailed packages containing large quantities of almost pure methamphetamine to Fennell to distribute. Chavez was a gang member and heavily involved in criminal activities associated with gang affiliation. Holmes’ role in the conspiracy was to provide armed protection for Fennell. Holmes usually kept armed watch by the front door of Fennell’s residence, and accompanied Fennell on drug deals. Holmes has had lifelong affiliation with a street gang. Brown provided armed protection to Fennell and distributed methamphetamine. Brown has been an active gang member, and participated in the violent criminal lifestyle associated with gang affiliation. Brown has been involved in extensive criminal activity, including crimes of violence and weapons offenses.

In October 2015, according to court documents, Fennell was the victim of a home invasion robbery by rival drug dealers. His money, drugs and guns were stolen. He called his associates from California — Brown, Holmes and co-defendant Kameron Terrell Howard, 27, of Compton, to come to Columbia to help protect his drug enterprise. These men were present when investigators made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing methamphetamine to Fennell’s residence on Nov. 10, 2015.

Postal inspectors identified a suspicious parcel on Nov. 6, 2015, that was mailed from California to the residence of Fennell and co-defendant Melissa Guerra, 36, of Columbia, which was suspected to contain a controlled substance. Federal agents recovered 444.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, valued at more than $11,000, from the parcel inside a hollowed-out book.

Federal agents executed a controlled delivery of the parcel on Nov. 10, 2015. Officers conducting surveillance of the residence saw two men leave the house at approximately 9:55 a.m. in a white Chevrolet Suburban. The parcel was delivered at 10:04 a.m. and placed next to the front door. A man inside the residence was observed opening and closing the front door of the residence several times, viewing the package through the screen of the storm door.

The white Chevrolet Suburban, which had previously left the residence, was observed driving past the residence at approximately 10:31 a.m., conducting what appeared to be counter-surveillance. After passing the residence one time, the vehicle returned and parked in the driveway of the residence at approximately 10:33 a.m. Brown and the driver got out of the vehicle; Brown took the parcel off the front porch and brought it inside the residence. At approximately 10:36 a.m., Fennell was observed bringing the parcel back outside the residence and placing it next to the front door. Several occupants of the residence were observed sitting near the front porch.

Shortly thereafter federal agents, assisted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, approached the residence to execute the search warrant. Brown ran to the front door of the residence, opened it, and shut the door behind him. SWAT members were unable to breach the door as it had been reinforced. SWAT members entered at another location and agents saw Brown along with Holmes and Howard running out the back door of the residence attempting to evade law enforcement. They hopped the backyard fence and continued running into an area of overgrown vegetation. Holmes was apprehended a short distance on the other side of the fence. Howard and Brown were apprehended hiding in a pool shed approximately one-quarter to a half-mile away, after a brief manhunt which resulted in the lockdown of a nearby elementary school. Fennell was apprehended in the front yard of the residence. 

Law enforcement officers also located three loaded firearms inside the residence, a small amount of methamphetamine in the freezer and in an upstairs bedroom dresser, and various documents that appeared to be ledgers for narcotics transactions.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim Lynn and Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for producing and possessing child pornography. 

Justin Gene Hull, 33, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

Hull, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2017, admitted that he used a child victim to produce child pornography on Dec. 9, 2015. Hull also admitted that he was in possession of child pornography from December 2014 to December 2015.

A detective in the Boone County Sheriff’s Department Cyber Crimes Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on Oct. 6, 2015, regarding a complaint from Dropbox. Hull had uploaded approximately 71 videos believe to contain child pornography to his Dropbox account. Investigators examined Hull’s Dropbox records, which indicated that approximately 390 videos (with titles consistent with child pornography) had been uploaded between July 2014 and July 2015.

On Dec. 10, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hull’s residence and seized a cell phone. During an examination of the phone, the Kik application was found to be installed on the phone, and numerous chats of a sexual nature were discovered. During various Kik chats, Hull claimed to have 400 child pornography videos, and during the chats he provided links to child pornography files stored on Dropbox. The content of the messages indicated that Hull was exchanging child pornography with other Kik users.

During a Dec. 9, 2015, conversation with a 16-year-old Kik user, Hull requested and received pornographic images she took of herself.

A total of 478 images depicting child pornography were found on Hull’s cell phone, the majority of which were thumbnail images associated with Dropbox. Other child pornography images were found associated with Skype and Kik. Numerous videos were found on the phone, as well as cached videos related to Kik and Dropbox.

According to court documents, Hull also engaged in a sexual relationship with another 16-year-old girl.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the FBI, the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the St. Charles Cyber Crimes Forensic Laboratory.

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. – The leader of a large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today along with two of his co-conspirators.

Patrick R. Brigaudin, 55, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant William Frank Eft, 67, of Springfield was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Gayla Rochelle Phillips, 42, of Willard, Mo., was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole.

Brigaudin, Eft and Phillips each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Brigaudin and Phillips also pleaded guilty to a related money-laundering conspiracy.

In total, the quantity of pure methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy, which lasted from October 2013 to Feb. 29, 2016, weighed in excess of 4.5 kilograms. The methamphetamine distributed during the conspiracy, according to court documents, primarily originated from Mexico and was smuggled to Missouri.

In March 2015, a shipment of approximately 15 pounds of pure methamphetamine was interdicted by law enforcement officers. Three persons were arrested following a controlled delivery of the methamphetamine to a Springfield hotel. Brigaudin admitted that he attempted to possess some or all of the methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute to others. Brigaudin also admitted to distributing methamphetamine on several occasions in 2015 and 2016.

According to court documents, a steady stream of purchasers came to Brigaudin’s residence to purchase methamphetamine from him, or to deliver methamphetamine to him. On Feb. 29, 2016, co-defendants Eduardo Diaz, 53, and Adrian Ortiz-Corrales, 43, both of Las Vegas, Nev., transported approximately 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine and six pounds of heroin to Brigaudin’s residence. While they were removing the methamphetamine from a vehicle, they and Brigaudin were arrested.

Today’s sentencing reflects the court’s finding that Brigaudin made his living by drug trafficking. During 2016, Brigaudin lost tens of thousands of dollars at casinos, paid the mortgage on his residence and purchased a 2006 Lincoln Mark LT pickup truck for $15,700. Although he worked as a taxi driver during this time, law enforcement surveillance found that he hardly ever picked up fares for his taxi.

Eft obtained methamphetamine from Brigaudin, which he then distributed to others.  On at least one occasion, Phillips also obtained methamphetamine from Brigaudin to distribute to another person. According to court documents, Phillips received user amounts of methamphetamine from Brigaudin, her boyfriend, free of charge. She assisted Brigaudin to launder drug proceeds by helping to arrange the purchase of a vehicle using $15,700 of drug proceeds. She also accompanied Brigaudin to various casinos to gamble using drug proceeds.

Brigaudin, Eft and Phillips are among four defendants who have been sentenced in this case. Co-defendant Jennifer Minor, 42, of Springfield, was sentenced on March 14, 2018, to seven years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Eleven co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Timothy A. Garrison and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Eggert. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Ozark, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, COMET (the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team) and the South Central Drug Task Force.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for possessing methamphetamine that was found in the trunk of his car after it stalled at an intersection in Grandview, Mo.

Michael A. Green, 57, of Jefferson City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 25 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Green was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior criminal convictions.

On Aug. 23, 2017 (the day his trial was scheduled to begin), Green pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Green admitted that he was behind the wheel of a vehicle parked at an intersection of a city street in Grandview. The vehicle was not running and had its hood up. Grandview police officers decided to tow the vehicle and therefore conducted an inventory search before the towing. During the search of the vehicle’s trunk, officers discovered a shoebox that contained more than 400 grams of methamphetamine.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Grandview, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City, Mo., men have pleaded guilty in federal court to a series of armed robberies following their arrests after a head-on collision with a police vehicle in a Quik Trip parking lot. 

Roy L. House, Jr., 38, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to conspiracy to commit robbery and to brandishing a loaded firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. Co-defendant Curlie Pruitt, III, 39, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty to the same charges on Feb. 22, 2018.

House and Pruitt both admitted they participated in a conspiracy to rob four businesses at gunpoint in December 2016. They stole $500 and at least one carton of cigars (as well as $150 from an employee) from Road Star Gas Station, 11100 E. US 40 Hwy., Independence, Mo. They stole $200 and an undetermined amount of cigars (as well as an employee’s wallet) from Beeline Mini-Mart, 1005 Isley Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. They stole $300 (as well as $200 from an employee) from Discount Smokes, 4718 N.E. Vivion Rd., Kansas City, Mo. They also robbed the Phillips 66 Gas Station at 3636 Randolph Road, Randolph, Mo.

House and Pruitt also admitted they used an American Tactical .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun during those robberies.

House and Pruitt were arrested on Dec. 20, 2016. Independence police officers were contacted by an employee at the Super 8 Hotel, 4031 S. Lynn Court Drive, in regard to two men – later identified as Pruitt and House – who were acting suspiciously. The employee feared the men were going to rob the hotel. They left the hotel but returned at approximately 9:05 p.m.

When officers arrived at the hotel, House and Pruitt were in a blue Ford 500 and were leaving the area, with Pruitt driving. A police officer activated the emergency equipment on his patrol vehicle to initiate a traffic stop, however, Pruitt accelerated the vehicle and drove through the parking lot of the Quik Trip at 4024 S. Noland Road. As Pruitt’s vehicle continued at a high rate of speed through the parking lot, traveling toward S. Noland Road, it collided head-on with the patrol vehicle of another officer who was responding to assist. The collision was severe enough to disable both vehicles. 

Pruitt immediately attempted to exit his vehicle and flee, but was trapped by a third police vehicle that pinned the driver’s side door closed. Pruitt and House were placed under arrest. Officers found the loaded American Tactical .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun on the floor board of the front passenger seat area.

Under federal statutes, House and Pruitt are each 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 Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Excelsior Springs, Mo., Police Department.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Sedalia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.

Justin Lee Denny, 27, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, Denny admitted that he was in possession of a Kel-Tec .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 21, 2017.

A Sedalia police officer was conducting a traffic stop on Nov. 21, 2017, but when the officer activated his emergency lights, Denny accelerated away from the patrol car. The officer activated his sirens and pursued Denny for about two blocks before Denny abruptly pulled over.

During the pursuit, the officer could see that Denny appeared to be moving something with his hands in the middle of the seat. When the officer approached his truck, Denny was nervous and his hands were visibly shaking. The officer noticed that Denny appeared to be attempting to conceal something under a bag next to him.

After the officer told Denny to step out of the truck, he admitted that there was a gun in the seat. The officer searched the truck and recovered the pistol, which had been reported stolen out of Sedalia, as well as a black pouch that contained several plastic Ziploc bags, including one baggie with suspected methamphetamine.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Denny has three prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and two prior felony convictions for driving with a revoked/suspended license.

Under federal statutes, Denny 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 Sedalia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.

Lorenzo Dwayne Kemp, 20, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to being a felon in possession of firearms. 

By pleading guilty today, Kemp admitted that he was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a Rohm .22-caliber revolver on Oct. 25, 2017.

Columbia police officers located a stolen vehicle, occupied by Kemp in the driver’s seat and another person in the passenger’s seat, on the morning of Oct. 25, 2017. The vehicle’s owner had reported earlier that morning that her 2003 Ford Expedition was stolen from her residence after she left the vehicle running and unlocked prior to going to work so that it would be warm for her commute.

Kemp and the passenger of the stolen vehicle both fled from police officers on foot. After a short pursuit, both men were arrested. As the officer who handcuffed Kemp assisted him off the ground, he noticed a black bag that was directly underneath him. The bag contained both firearms as well as 16 baggies of marijuana, which weighed approximately 28.75 grams.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Kemp has a prior felony conviction for forgery. He was sentenced in that state case on Oct. 23, 2017 (two days prior to his arrest in this federal case) to four years with a suspended execution of sentence and five years of probation.

Under federal statutes, Kemp 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 Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.