Northern District of Oklahoma

TULSA, Okla.— U.S. Attorney Trent Shores recognizes and is thankful for the work our law enforcement partners perform every day in communities throughout northeastern Oklahoma. During National Police Week—Sunday, May 10 through Saturday May 16, 2020—the contributions and selfless sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement will be honored.

Law enforcements’ dedication to Oklahoma’s communities continues, regardless of natural disasters or pandemics.  Recently sheriffs, chiefs, troopers, agents, marshals and officers joined together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma to create a public service announcement, letting the public know: We have your back and our work continues.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

"I salute the unrelenting commitment of our police officers to serve and protect our communities. Every day, the courageous men and women of America’s police forces put their lives on the line so that others may enjoy their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.  “The sacrifice of our law enforcement officers does not go unnoticed. Police officers answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed, including in times of a public health crisis. In 2019 alone, 89 officers were killed in the line of duty, and this year, 92 law enforcement officers have died from coronavirus nationwide. I acknowledge their sacrifice; I acknowledge their deeply felt losses, and I mourn with their families.”

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

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

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

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

The Department of Justice and federal prosecutors remain vigilant in investigating and prosecuting landlords and property managers who sexually harass tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic, warned U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. Anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing should report that conduct to the Department of Justice.

As the pandemic continues to impact the ability of many people to pay rent on time, it has also increased worries over housing insecurity. The Department of Justice is investigating reports of housing providers responding to requests to defer rent payments with demands for sexual favors and other acts of unwelcome sexual conduct.

“Sadly, the COVID-19 public health crisis has financially impacted many of our friends and neighbors here in northeastern Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “While so many good Samaritans and landlords in our community have risen to the occasion to support those experiencing financial hardship, others have abused their authority by sexually harassing tenants. That is unacceptable. Rest assured that this U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold bad actors accountable for violating the Fair Housing laws. Victims should contact (844) 380-6178 or email fairhousing@usdoj.gov to report these crimes.”

“The Fair Housing Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice take swift action against anyone who sexually harasses tenants,” said Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Landlords, property owners, and others who prey on vulnerable tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic should be on notice. We will bring the full resources of the United States Department of Justice to the fight against sexual harassment in housing. We will defend the right of tenants and their families to live peacefully and securely in their homes without the added stress, pain, fear, and turmoil of dealing with sexual predators.”

The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.

Launched in 2017, the Initiative has filed lawsuits across the county alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years.  Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.

The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.

The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov.

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma by contacting our Affirmative Civil Enforcement attorneys at (918) 382-2748.

Individuals may also file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through HUD’s website or by calling (800) 669-9777.

For more information, go to www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative.  A Department of Justice public service announcement on sexual harassment in housing can be found here.

President Donald J. Trump today proclaimed May 5, 2020, as Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day. The proclamation reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to reverse the trend of violence affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives and to remember those missing or lost. Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Trent Shores shared their commitment to providing justice to these victims and their families.

“American Indian and Alaska Native people have suffered injustices for hundreds of years, including today’s rampant domestic and sexual violence carried out primarily against women and girls. Today, President Trump has proclaimed a day to remember all those missing and lost to this unacceptable violence," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "Through the Presidential Task Force – co-chaired by Katie Sullivan, who heads our Office of Justice Programs – and in partnership with Tribal Nations, we are all committed to ending this cycle of violence.  To that end, we have brought unprecedented resources to support public safety and victim services, including $270 million in grant funding in fiscal year 2019.  The department is also hiring 11 coordinators to consult with tribes and develop common protocols to address this scourge of violence.  From this day forward, today’s proclamation marks a time for all of us to honor Native Americans who have been lost and rededicate ourselves to what President Trump has called ‘our mission to bring healing, justice, hope, and restoration’ to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”

“Today, I hope to give attention to the voices of American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls who have been the victims of violent crime. We should listen to their experiences. We should heed the concerns of their families and friends in Indian Country. We should be inspired to take action and confront this tragic victimization. During this Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, United States Attorneys reaffirm our commitment to stop the cycle of violence against the first Americans, and we honor all those impacted by these terrible crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

In November 2019, critical initiatives were launched, in collaboration with Native American and Alaska Native communities, to develop robust protocols and programs to better protect and find justice for indigenous women and girls. In November, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores was appointed to the task force. The task force is working to develop protocols, procedures, and best practices to address new and unsolved missing and murdered cases. It is co-chaired by the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Interior. Also launched in November was the Justice Department's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person's Initiative, which places MMIP coordinators in U.S. Attorneys’ offices in 11 states, including Oklahoma. The plan also calls for the deployment of the FBI’s most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts. You can learn more about the Operation Lady Justice here and about the Justice Department’s MMIP initiative here.

Originally, the U.S. Senate designated May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls in 2017. The observance shined a light on the high rates of homicides of American Indian and Alaska Native women, as well as other forms of violence, including sex trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, affecting Native communities throughout the United States. The Senate resolution was drafted in memory of Hanna Harris (Northern Cheyenne), whose birthday was May 5. Harris was found murdered in Montana in 2013.

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services throughout the week.  This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”

“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need.  We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”

“I am proud to publicly reaffirm our commitment to victims’ rights. The men and women of the United States Attorney’s Office work tirelessly to secure justice for victims of crime and to support them throughout a prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “From victims of violent crime to white collar crime, my team will ensure every victim’s voice is heard and their rights are protected.”

“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs.  “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”

Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda.  He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.  President Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.

Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.  The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory.  Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.  This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.

This year’s commemoration began yesterday, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others.  The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.

“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart.  “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival.  I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”

This year, the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be postponed until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person.  During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims.  The awardees will be selected from public nominations in 11 categories, including federal service, special courage, public policy, and victim services.  Visit www.ovc.gov/gallery to learn more about past recipients.

For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html.

A Louisiana physician assistant entered into settlement agreement this week with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for allegedly accepting illegal payments from OK Compounding, LLC, in return for recommending and prescribing compounded drugs produced by the pharmacy, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Stephen Ryan Honeycutt, 44, agreed to pay the government $620,508.36 for allegedly accepting the illegal kickback payments from Jan. 8 through June 10, 2013, while practicing at Bone & Joint Clinic in Marrero, Louisiana. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Honeycutt had illegal financial relationships with OK Compounding concerning pain creams.

“Stephen Honeycutt knowingly violated the ethical standards he swore to uphold. He did not pursue courses of treatment based on his patients’ needs, he did so based on his greed for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My office is committed to ensuring federal health care dollars are spent in accordance with the law and will not tolerate the deliberate misuse of federal health care programs.”

Honeycutt prescribed pain creams for his patients, facilitating the sale and distribution of the creams.  As compensation for his services, OK Compounding paid Honeycutt what was characterized by the parties as “medical director fees” based upon an hourly rate.  However, the payments he received from OK Compounding were, in actuality, “kickbacks.” Because some of the patients were insured by Medicare and TRICARE, federal health insurance programs, the kickbacks were in violation of the False Claims Act. It is illegal to pay or receive “kickbacks” in conjunction with federal healthcare insurance.

Prohibitions against kickbacks are crucial to ensure that financial motives do not undermine the integrity of the medical judgment of physicians and other health care providers.  The civil False Claims Act is an important tool used to protect the integrity of taxpayer-funded health care programs against health care providers.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle with the Affirmative Civil Enforcement unit and is the product of the collaborative investigative efforts of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor–Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS–Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Service–OIG, FBI, Department of Veterans Affairs–OIG and the Department of Health and Human Services–OIG.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

“First responders and law enforcement officers are on the front lines in our communities, regardless of the crisis. While so many of us shelter at home, they answer the call to help those in need wherever they may be. I am thankful for the dedication of these men and women,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “These public safety funds will provide critical resources needed for law enforcement to carry out their public safety mission in communities across Oklahoma.”

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

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

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

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.  

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

TULSA, Okla. TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Trent Shores today announced that grants from the Department of Justice, worth more than $83 million, are available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.

“Every child deserves an environment where they can flourish, but sadly, so many of our youth face violence within neighborhoods, homes and schools,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Communities and schools must have tools to protect children from deadly shootings and other violence and to support those who experience trauma. These grants promise to benefit innovative and diverse programs that daily act as safety nets for our children.”

The funding is available through the Office of Justice Programs, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats. 

“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs.

A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open:

--Research and Evaluation on School Safetyhttps://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308

Total Available $5 million                                         Deadline 4/13/2020       

--STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20) https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308

Total Available $71.4 million                                    Deadline 4/13/2020

--Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926

Total Available $7 million                                           Deadline 4/27/2020

--For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants are available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.

“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

“This critical funding in the fight against drug addiction is a lifeline to help the sick,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I encourage agencies to apply for these grants to fund Oklahoma tailored programs that can make a real difference to Oklahomans suffering with addiction.”

The funding is available through the Office of Justice Programs, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime. 

A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open: 

--Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098

Total Available $1.75 million                                    Deadline 5/14/2020       

--Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20

Total Available $27 million                                       Deadline 5/21/2020

--Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf

Total Available: $19 million                                      Deadline: 5/4/2020

--Family Drug Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090

Total Available $18.2 million                                    Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)

--Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754

Total Available $28.1                                                 Deadline 5/5/2020

--Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051

Total Available $7.2 million                                      Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)

--Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930

Total Available $48 million                                       Deadline 4/13/2020  

--Opioid Affected Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352

Total Available $9 million                                         Deadline 4/20/2020

--Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275

Total Available $1 million                                         Deadline 4/20/2020       

--Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20

Total Available $4.5 million                                      Deadline 4/6/2020

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the District of Northern Oklahoma today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Barr directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus-related fraud schemes.  In a follow-up memorandum issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen further directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator or Team to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness.

“Oklahomans should be wary of fraudsters seeking to exploit the Coronavirus crisis for criminal profit. Across the country, we’ve seen hucksters selling fake testing kits and miracle cure-all treatments, as well as internet scammers stealing personally identifiable information by setting up fake websites for individuals trying to cancel airline tickets or make a charitable donation,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I encourage the public to report these scams to law enforcement and the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Rest assured, our law enforcement partners and my Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team are committed to protecting Oklahomans.”

The District of Northern Oklahoma’s Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) consists of Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Régal, of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marianne Hardcastle and Kristin Harrington, of the Civil Division.

Some examples of these schemes include:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
• Individuals, emails, and websites seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

• Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.      

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

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

A man who committed two carjackings in Tulsa was sentenced Thursday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Kameron Todd Myers, 32, to 168 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In December 2019, Myers pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking; two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

“Kameron Myers’ decision to engage in a carjacking will cost him 14 years in federal prison. Other criminals should take notice. My office fights for victims and holds violent criminals accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Johnston and Mark Morgan, along with the Tulsa Police Department and FBI, should be commended for bringing Myers to justice.”

In his plea agreement, Myers admitted that on June 2 and June 4, 2019, he used force, fear and intimidation during two carjackings. Myers stated that he brandished a pistol and threatened to harm the owners of the vehicles during the crimes. On June 10, Tulsa Police officers found a Glock .45 caliber pistol in the car driven by Myers at the time of his arrest. Because he was previously convicted of a felony, Myers is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric O. Johnston and Mark R. Morgan prosecuted the case.

As the United States Attorney’s Office continues its public safety mission, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores cautions the public to be aware of fraud schemes seeking to exploit the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure mission critical operations continue and that public safety is guarded,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Unfortunately, as our community takes steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, there are fraudsters who would seek to exploit fear and anxiety during this public health crisis. Attorney General Barr charged U.S. Attorneys across our nation to hold accountable any profiteer seeking to exploit the public, and we will do so. Rest assured, my office is committed to pursuing justice for any Oklahoman victimized by a COVID-19 scam.”

Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. Some examples of scams linked to COVID-19 include:

• Treatment scams:  Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
• Supply scams:  Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
• Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
• Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19. 
• Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
• App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information. 
• Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information. 
• Bank/ FDIC scams: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has reported an uptick in fraudulent calls, text messages, letters and emails from scammers pretending to be FDIC employees. The scammers falsely claim that banks are limiting access to deposits or that there are security issues with bank deposits. The scammers, along with trying to create distrust, are also after bank account and other personal information. The FDIC does not send unsolicited correspondence asking for money or sensitive personal information. It never will contact people asking for personal details, such as bank account information, credit and debit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords.

The public can take the following steps to help protect themselves against these scams:

• Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19. 
• Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.” 
• Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
• Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device. 
• Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
• Ignore social media and email offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
• Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies.  Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
• Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website. 
• Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail.  Don’t send money through any of these channels.
• Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus.  If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand.  For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
• For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites.

If anyone believes they have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud scheme, they are encouraged to contact federal, state, and local authorities. You can also report scams to the FBI at ic3.gov.

A federal judge found a Quapaw man guilty Monday of sexually abusing a child under 12 years of age in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Wilkie Bill Burtrum, 60, was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under 12 in Indian Country and with abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 in Indian Country.

“Wilkie Burtrum was a very real danger to children. Today he was convicted of child sex abuse for the second time in his life. He previously spent 14 years in prison for sexually abusing two children, and my office will be asking that he now spend the rest of his life in prison,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “No child should ever suffer at the hands of a pedophile nor endure abuse in silence. Along with the Quapaw Tribal Marshals Service and Miami Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office commends this young victim for his courage to come forward to report these horrific crimes.”

Burtrum abused the victim between August 2018 and October 2019. The prosecution contended that the defendant paid extra attention to the victim and offered him special privileges in order to gain the child’s trust. During the time the defendant and victim were together, Burtrum purposefully touched the victim sexually both over his pants and under his clothing. The child eventually confided in a relative then his father. The father immediately reported the crimes to authorities.

During the trial, the prosecution introduced into evidence a 1993 sexual abuse conviction, establishing a pattern of behavior by the defendant.  In that case, Burtrum served 14 years in prison for four counts of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country with children under 12. An additional victim testified Monday about abuse he suffered at the hands of Burtrum approximately five years ago. He recently came forward to report the crime.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell presided over the trial and set sentencing for June 25, 2020.

The Quapaw Tribal Marshals Service and Miami Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shannon Cozzoni and Scott Proctor are prosecuting the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) hosted tribal partners this week for Special Law Enforcement Commission training. The course was provided to officers who will be cross commissioned to work with the BIA.

“I am proud to partner with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to host tribal officers for Special Law Enforcement Commission training. Successful completion of this course allows tribal officers to enforce federal law in Indian country,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This collaboration is critical to fight violent crime in Indian Country and to help better provide justice to victims and their families.”

Tribal Officers from Chickasaw, Muscogee (Creek), Choctaw, and Sac and Fox Nations attended the training. Assistant U.S. Attorneys taught sessions covering Indian Country jurisdiction, report writing and testifying, court amendment issues and discovery obligations.

On day one of the training, Tribal Liaison Shannon Cozzoni, discussed Indian Country Jurisdiction and elements of federal crimes, including homicide, assault, and assault on federal officers. She further addressed domestic abuse, sex crimes and child abuse. Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy Faerber reviewed key participants and procedural tools available to federal investigators, procedural steps in a federal prosecution, and procedural requirements that protect the rights of the accused.

On day two of the training, Victim Specialist Gayla Stewart provided an overview of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act and how to comply with the law. The law specifically outlines victims’ rights during the prosecution process. The Victim Specialist communicates with a victim about his or her case progression through the federal judicial system, helping to ensure the law is fulfilled and the victim receives needed support.

Also on day two, Criminal Chief Allen Litchfield discussed important legal considerations for comprehensive report writing. He further discussed courtroom testimony and the importance of accurately describing evidence and its relevance to the case. Appellate Chief Leena Alam instructed officers about practical applications of the Fourth Amendment. Her session was designed to help law enforcement officers ensure that they conduct traffic stops, searches, and seizures consistent with the Constitution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Roberts exposed the officers to the ethical, procedural, and Constitutional requirements concerning the criminal discovery process. Finally, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Gallant ended the day with a session on civil liability, litigation, and the Federal Torts Claim Act process, which involves the legal principles concerning civil liability for law enforcement agents. 

Tribal officers finished training on day three with a review and qualifying exam.

This week in federal court, two men were sentenced for attempting to sexually exploit minors and a third man was sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

“The sexual predation of children by adults is perverse and sickening. Social media platforms are the primary means of communication by America’s youth, and, in turn, how predators hunt and seek to exploit vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The immutable nature of child sex predators underscores the important work by cybercrimes detectives. From outreach and education to investigation and enforcement, our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers are working day and night to protect Oklahoma’s children. I commend their work and assure you we will continue to bring child predators to justice.”

Arthur James Mann, 34, of Bristow, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. A federal jury convicted Mann of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor on Dec. 17, 2019. Mann communicated with an individual he believed to be 13 years of age but instead was an undercover officer. From July 29 to Aug. 17, 2018, Mann communicated with the “girl” on Facebook, telling her that his name was Andrew Mason and that he was 16 years old. Mann initiated multiple sexual conversations with the “girl” and requested nude photos. Mann further suggested the two meet in order to have sex on Aug. 17, 2018. Mann arrived that night in his pajamas and slippers to meet the 13-year-old girl. Instead, he was met by officers from the Bristow Police Department and taken into custody. The Bristow and Sapulpa Police Departments conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Snow and Scott Proctor prosecuted the case.

Casey Adam Parker, 40, of Afton, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison to be followed by seven years of supervised release. Parker pleaded guilty Dec. 11, 2019, to attempted receipt of child pornography. On July 2, 2019, Parker used a social media app to engage with an individual he believed to be a minor. In actuality, he was speaking to a law enforcement officer. Parker knowingly attempted to persuade the “minor” to engage in sexual activity and to send him sexually explicit pictures. Parker was arrested July 2, as part of Operation Independence Day, a month-long operation to apprehend child predators and recover victims of child exploitation and sex trafficking. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella prosecuted the case.

Additionally, a third man was sentenced this week for failing to register as a sex offender. Kacey J. Hamilton, 29, of Tulsa, aka Brandon Bickford, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Hamilton pleaded guilty Dec. 11, 2019, to failure to register as a sex offender. Hamilton resided in Oklahoma since August 2018, and knowingly failed to register and update his registration as a sex offender. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal prosecuted the case.

TULSA, Okla. –A man who was discovered transporting methamphetamine into Oklahoma in his vehicle’s engine compartment was sentenced Tuesday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Juan Luis Atayde, 26, of Stockton, California, to 84 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Following his release from prison, he will spend four years on supervised release. Atayde pleaded guilty in December 2019.

Atayde admitted that on March 30, 2018, he drove from California to Tulsa with at least 50 grams of methamphetamine concealed in his pickup’s engine area, which he later planned to retrieve and distribute to an individual in Tulsa. Atayde was scheduled to appear in court on June 4, 2018, but instead fled from prosecution. He was later arrested in October 2019 in California on a bench warrant issued by Judge Eagan. At Atayde’s sentencing, the prosecutor noted that the total amount of methamphetamine in the pickup was approximately seven pounds.

“More than a year ago, we brought federal drug trafficking charges against Juan Atayde. Before his trial, he disappeared. But the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Attorney’s Office did not give up,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “We relentlessly pursued him, found him, and held him accountable in a court of law. Now, he is headed to federal prison.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel-lyn A. McCormick and Thomas E. Duncombe prosecuted the case.

A federal grand jury in Tulsa, Oklahoma, returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Bristow, Oklahoma, business owner with filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

According to the indictment, David Ellis Fisher owned and operated A-1 Power Tongs and Casing Crews LLC, a business that provided equipment and services to oil and gas extraction companies. From 2013 through 2015, Fisher allegedly willfully underreported his income on his tax returns for 2013 through 2015 by depositing a portion of the payments to his business into a bank account that Fisher did not disclose to his bookkeeper or tax return preparer.

If convicted, Fisher faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison on each count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Shores commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant Chief Andrew Kameros of the Tax Division, who is prosecuting the case.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.

TULSA, Okla. –United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the March Federal Grand Jury A.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Johnny Fay Armer and William Norman Moore. Possession of Methamphetamine With the Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Armer, 36, and Moore, 42, both of Green Forest, Arkansas, are charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. They are further charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of their drug trafficking crime. The Bixby Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Indian Affairs are the investigative agencies.

Demonte Bell. Threatening to Murder a Member of the Immediate Family of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer; Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. Bell, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with threatening to murder the children of two Deputy U.S. Marshals when the deputies were engaged in official duties. Bell is further charged with threatening to murder the two Deputy U.S. Marshals while they were engaged in official duties. The threats were allegedly made on Dec. 27, 2019. The U.S. Marshals Service is the investigative agency.

William Joseph Booth III. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Booth III, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly failing to register as a sex offender. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service are the investigative agencies.

Jamie Campa-Quinones. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Campa-Quinones, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported Feb. 25, 2016, at or near Del Rio, Texas. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) are the investigative agencies.

David Ellis Fisher. Willfully Making and Subscribing a False Income Tax Return. Fisher, 63, of Bristow, is charged with filing false tax returns. According to the indictment, Fisher owned and operated A-1 Power Tongs and Casing Crews, LLC, a business that provided equipment and services to oil and gas extraction companies. From 2013 through 2015, Fisher allegedly willfully underreported his income on his tax returns by depositing a portion of the payments to his business into a bank account that Fisher did not disclose to his bookkeeper or tax return preparer. The IRS-Criminal Investigation Division is the investigative agency.

Antonio Gonzalez and Paul James Lankford. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Gonzalez, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and 31 rounds of associated ammunition. Lankford, 32, of Broken Arrow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson Airweight .38 caliber revolver and 56 rounds of associated ammunition. The Tulsa Police Department, FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.

Jacob Wayne Little. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. (superseding indictment) Little, 26, of Kellyville, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and associated ammunition when he was arrested on Nov. 4, 2019. Little is further charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus .380 ACP caliber pistol and associated ammunition during a separate incident on Feb. 10, 2020. The Tulsa Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.

Ryan David Miller. Sexual Exploitation of a Child by a Parent or Guardian; Advertising Child Pornography; Distribution of Child Pornography; Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Tampering with a Victim. Miller, 33, of Sapulpa, is charged in Count 1 with producing child pornography of his minor children. In Count 2, he is charged with knowingly using electronic means to advertise the child pornography. In Count 3, he is charged with knowingly distributing the child pornography through electronic means. In Count 4, Miller is charged with knowingly receiving child pornography. In count 5, Miller is charged with knowingly possessing and accessing child pornography that involved the use of two minors below the age of 12. In Count 6, Miller is charged with tampering with, or intimidating, a victim. The FBI, Broken Arrow Police Department, and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.

Dallas Gray Morton. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition (superseding indictment) Morton, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson .40 S&W caliber semi-automatic pistol and associated ammunition on Oct. 1, 2019. He is further charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock GMBH 9x19 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition on Feb. 24, 2020. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.

Brian James Susi. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition). Susi, 32, of Broken Arrow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson .380 ACP caliber semi-automatic pistol and associated ammunition on Dec. 30, 2019. He is further charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock GMBH 9x19 caliber semi-automatic pistol and associated ammunition on Jan. 15, 2020. The Owasso Police Department, Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.

Vernard Earl Tucker.  Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Tucker, 50, of Wyandotte, is charged with knowingly failing to register as a sex offender. The U.S. Marshals Service is the investigative agency.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Bristow, Oklahoma, business owner with filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

According to the indictment, David Ellis Fisher owned and operated A-1 Power Tongs and Casing Crews LLC, a business that provided equipment and services to oil and gas extraction companies. From 2013 through 2015, Fisher allegedly willfully underreported his income on his tax returns for 2013 through 2015 by depositing a portion of the payments to his business into a bank account that Fisher did not disclose to his bookkeeper or tax return preparer.

If convicted, Fisher faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison on each count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Shores commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant Chief Andrew Kameros of the Tax Division, who is prosecuting the case.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of Northern District of Oklahoma joined Attorney General William P. Barr in announcing today the Department of Justice’s National Nursing Home Initiative, which will coordinate and enhance civil and criminal efforts to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents. 

This initiative is focusing on some of the worst nursing homes around the country, and the Department has already initiated investigations into approximately thirty individual nursing facilities in nine states as part of this effort. 

“Millions of seniors count on nursing homes to provide them with quality care, and to treat them with dignity and respect when they are most vulnerable,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “Yet, all too often, we have found nursing home owners or operators who put profits over patients, leading to instances of gross abuse and neglect. This national initiative will bring to justice those owners and operators who have profited at the expense of their residents, and help to ensure residents receive the care to which they are entitled.” 

“Elder Americans in nursing homes trust that they will receive the critical care they need to continue living full lives. Unfortunately, that is not always the case,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “When senior citizens suffer neglect and abuse at a nursing home, there must be accountability. That is why I have designated Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin Harrington and Rick Cella to lead our local nursing home enforcement initiative. I encourage elder Oklahomans who are victims of nursing home neglect and abuse to report their experience to law enforcement.”

The department considers a number of factors in identifying the most problematic nursing homes.  For example, the department looks for nursing homes that consistently fail to provide adequate nursing staff to care for their residents, fail to adhere to basic protocols of hygiene and infection control, fail to provide their residents with enough food to eat so that they become emaciated and weak, withhold pain medication, or use physical or chemical restraints to restrain or otherwise sedate their residents.  These care failures cause residents to suffer in pain and to be exposed to the great indignities.  Care failures cause residents to develop pressure sores down to the bone, to lie in their own waste for hours, to starve because they cannot reach the food on their trays and to remain unwashed for weeks at a time.  Nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care also force vulnerable elderly residents who cannot leave the facilities to live in filthy and dangerous conditions where there are leaks in the roofs, mold is found growing and rodents found living in residents’ rooms.  These are some of the actions and the inactions that the department intends to pursue.

The National Nursing Home Initiative reflects the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, coordinated by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.  The Elder Justice Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are essential to the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. 

The Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices also support the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources, and information.  Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at http://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/.

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep.  In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.

“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”

“Millions of dollars are stolen or defrauded from senior citizens every year. Just last November, my office charged ten men with laundering proceeds acquired through online romance scams operated from Nigeria. In total, three elder Americans, including one from Oklahoma, lost $1.5 million to the fraudsters,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My team of dedicated prosecutors will continue to fight for justice and shut down illicit operations targeting elder Americans.”

In addition to the defendants charged as part of the Nigerian fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Hillary Victoria Ginn in October with theft of mail which resulted in financial losses for senior citizens. Also in 2019, Crystal Lynn Clark was charged with aggravated identity theft. Clark allegedly used credit card information from multiple senior victims to purchase gift cards. She then provided her associates with the gift card information. Clark also allegedly used the victims’ credit cards to make numerous personal purchases.

In partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has helped lead the fight against crimes targeting seniors. The Inspection Service is the law enforcement and crime prevention branch of the Postal Service.  Postal Inspectors enforce more than 200 federal laws to protect the nation’s mail and its customers.

“Scams targeting seniors are always evolving and only limited by the imagination of the suspect,” said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Fort Worth Division. “The Inspection Service would encourage seniors, as well as their friends and family, to visit USPIS.GOV to see examples of scams, equip themselves with prevention techniques, and report a crime. You’re not in this fight alone; we are here to help.”

This interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement. 

Elder Fraud Hotline

Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.

Also in 2019, the Oak Ridge Boys, Department of Justice, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma teamed up to fight elder fraud. You can see the Oak Ridge Boys in a public service announcement here.

These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

TULSA, Okla. – A Commerce man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Jorge Alberto Moreno, 39, admitted that in March 2019, he distributed 25 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $400. He further acknowledged that in September 2019 he possessed with the intent to distribute both methamphetamine and cocaine.

“Jorge Moreno was a high volume distributor earning profits from others’ addiction. Along with methamphetamine and cocaine, investigators discovered more than $32,000 in cash hidden in a closet at his home in Commerce,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I commend Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Duncombe and investigators from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Commerce Police Department for shutting down Moreno’s dangerous drug operation and bringing him to justice.”

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell set sentencing for June 2, 2020.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Commerce Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Duncombe is prosecuting the case.

A Broken Arrow woman pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to charges related to the embezzlement of $654,579 while she was employed with the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority (TCPFA).

Brandy Okey, 40, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to signing a false tax return. In her written plea agreement, Okey admitted that from December 2015 to September 2018, she carried out a scheme in which she embezzled funds while employed with the TCPFA then later failed to report illegally obtained funds on a tax return.

“Greedy Brandy Okey embezzled from the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority box office sales at Expo Square. Her scheme wasn’t particularly complex, but she used her position of trust to gain access to the funds and cover it up,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Roberts, the credit for holding Ms. Okey accountable goes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. I’m thankful the TCPFA reached out to let us know something was amiss. I hope other public authorities or corporate boards see this as an example of how federal justice officials can help them recover stolen money, hold accountable wrongdoers, and deter white collar crime.”

In her position with TCPFA, Okey was responsible for accounting and financial management. Okey admitted that she used her access to the Expo Square box office cash collections to take cash funds. She then deposited a portion of the embezzled cash funds into personal bank accounts for her own use. Okey further used a portion of the cash funds to directly pay for personal expenses without depositing the funds. In order to conceal her scheme, Okey shredded the original deposit slips or prepared new slips showing a lower deposit amount. To further hide her scheme, Okey admitted that she did not accurately record box office collections on TCPFA financial statements. The fraudulent statements were emailed to the company’s Board of Directors.

Okey also admitted that she made and signed a false tax return for the year 2017 when she knowingly failed to report approximately $294,450 of income acquired through the scheme that year.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell scheduled Okey’s sentencing for June 8, 2020.

The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Roberts is prosecuting the case.

A former associate scientist was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison in federal court today for stealing proprietary information worth more than $1 billion from his employer, a U.S. petroleum company.

In November 2019, Tan pleaded guilty to theft of a trade secret, unauthorized transmission of a trade secret, and unauthorized possession of a trade secret. From June 2017 until December 2018, Tan was employed as an associate scientist at the petroleum company and was assigned to work in a group with the goal of developing next generation battery technologies for stationary energy storage, specifically flow batteries. In his plea agreement, Tan admitted to intentionally copying and downloading the technologies’ research and development materials without authorization from his employer.

“This investigation and prosecution uncovered another instance of China’s persistent attempts to steal American intellectual property,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “The department of justice will continue to confront this type of illicit behavior to safeguard American industry and protect American jobs.”

“American ingenuity inspires advances in science and technology and drives world markets. Nowhere is that more true than in Oklahoma’s energy industry. Unscrupulous individuals like Hongjin Tan seek to steal American trade secrets to take home to China so they can replicate our technology,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “United States Attorneys from coast stand ready to combat China’s economic aggression that criminally threatens American industry.”

"American companies invest heavily in advanced research and cutting-edge technology. Trade secret theft is detrimental to our national security and free-market economy.  It takes profits away from companies and jobs away from hard working Americans," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “The sentencing of Hongjin Tan underscores the FBI’s commitment to protecting our country's industries from adversaries who attempt to steal valuable proprietary information.”

According to the plea agreement, Tan used a thumb drive to copy hundreds of files containing the proprietary information on Dec. 11, 2018. He subsequently turned in his resignation and was escorted from the premises on Dec. 12, 2018. Later that day, he returned the thumb drive, claiming that he had forgotten to do so before leaving his employer’s property. Upon examination, it was discovered that there was unallocated space on the thumb drive, indicating five documents had previously been deleted. Investigators with the FBI searched Tan’s premises and found an external hard drive. They discovered that the same five missing files from the thumb drive had been downloaded to the hard drive. Tan maintained the files on a hard drive so he could access the data at a later date. Further accessing the material would have been financially advantageous for Tan but caused significant financial damage to his Oklahoma employer.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Hongjin Tan, 36, a Chinese National and U.S. legal permanent resident, to 24 months in federal prison and ordered the defendant to pay $150,000 in restitution to his former employer. Following his release from prison, Tan will spend three years on supervised release.

Tan was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons Facility.

The FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick of the Northern District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Matthew R. Walczewski and Assistant Deputy Chief Brian J. Resler of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

TULSA, Okla. –A former associate scientist was sentenced Thursday in federal court for stealing proprietary information worth more than $1 billion from his employer, a U.S. petroleum company.

In November 2019, Tan pleaded guilty to theft of a trade secret, unauthorized transmission of a trade secret, and unauthorized possession of a trade secret. From June 2017 until December 2018, Tan was employed as an associate scientist at the petroleum company and was assigned to work in a group with the goal of developing next generation battery technologies for stationary energy storage, specifically flow batteries. In his plea agreement, Tan admitted to intentionally copying and downloading the technologies’ research and development materials without authorization from his employer.

“American ingenuity inspires advances in science and technology and drives world markets. Nowhere is that more true than in Oklahoma’s energy industry. Unscrupulous individuals like Hongjin Tan seek to steal American trade secrets to take home to China so they can replicate our technology,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “United States Attorneys from coast to coast stand ready to combat China’s economic aggression that criminally threatens American industry.”

“This investigation and prosecution uncovered another instance of China’s persistent attempts to steal American intellectual property,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “The department of justice will continue to confront this type of illicit behavior to safeguard American industry and protect American jobs.”

According to the plea agreement, Tan used a thumb drive to copy hundreds of files containing the proprietary information on Dec. 11, 2018. He subsequently turned in his resignation and was escorted from the premises on Dec. 12, 2018. Later that day, he returned the thumb drive, claiming that he had forgotten to do so before leaving his employer’s property. Upon examination, it was discovered that there was unallocated space on the thumb drive, indicating five documents had previously been deleted. Investigators with the FBI searched Tan’s premises and found an external hard drive. They discovered that the same five missing files from the thumb drive had been downloaded to the hard drive. Tan maintained the files on a hard drive so he could access the data at a later date. Further accessing the material would have been financially advantageous for Tan but caused significant financial damage to his Oklahoma employer.

"American companies invest heavily in advanced research and cutting-edge technology. Trade secret theft is detrimental to our national security and free-market economy.  It takes profits away from companies and jobs away from hard working Americans," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “The sentencing of Hongjin Tan underscores the FBI’s commitment to protecting our country's industries from adversaries who attempt to steal valuable proprietary information.”

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Hongjin Tan, 36, a Chinese National and U.S. legal permanent resident, to 24 months in federal prison and ordered the defendant to pay $150,000 in restitution to his former employer. Following his release from prison, Tan will spend three years on supervised release.

Tan was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick of the Northern District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Matthew R. Walczewski and Assistant Deputy Chief Brian J. Resler of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

A man illegally residing in the United States was sentenced in federal court Monday for attempting to persuade an 11-year-old online to engage in sexual activity. Two years earlier, the defendant also molested the child while she stayed at a friend’s house.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Agustin Nieto Regalado, 47, of Tulsa, to 292 months in federal prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and for possession of a false lawful permanent resident card. Following his prison sentence, Nieto will be removed from the United States.

“Augustin Nieto Regalado sexually abused multiple children while in the United States on a fake green card. The United States asked the court for a sentence of life imprisonment because we believed a life sentence was the only way to ensure Regalado could never hurt another child. We take solace, however, knowing he is headed to prison for a long time and that a jury held him accountable for his despicable acts,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “During this trial, an eleven-year-old sexual abuse victim took the witness stand and courageously faced her abuser, Regalado. It was a powerful moment to see and a reminder that the American justice system gives a voice to victims of crime. I am humbled by the efforts of law enforcement, victim advocates, and prosecutors who worked tirelessly on this case.”

“Investigating, prosecuting and eradicating perpetrators of these horrendous crimes from our communities is one of our highest priorities,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas. “HSI special agents are resilient and committed to relentlessly defending the most vulnerable among us from child predators.”

In April 2019, the victim’s mother grew suspicious of a Facebook message her daughter received from a man she knew as “Marcos Diaz.” The mother conversed with Diaz, pretending to be her daughter. Diaz acknowledged the child’s age and described sexual acts he wanted to engage in with the victim. He further offered to pay for the sex acts, asked for explicit pictures and described how he had previously molested the child. Marcos Diaz, who was really Agustin Nieto Regalado, also took sexually explicit photos of himself and sent them to the girl. The mother reported the encounter to authorities.

During the trial, Lieutenant Jeremy Noland of the Tulsa Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit explained that detectives took over the girl’s Facebook account once the mother reported Regalado. He described how the defendant continued to message the girl, not knowing that he was actually messaging detectives. A meeting location was set by the parties. When Regalado arrived at the location, he was taken into custody by detectives. The defendant was found in possession of a forged permanent resident card with the alias of Marcos Diaz and immigration documents with the name Agustin Nieto Regalado.

During the trial, testimony was heard that Regalado was also caught several times engaging in suspicious activity with other children.

The Tulsa Police Department’s Cyber Crimes and Child Crisis Units and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Nassar and Edward Snow prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Attorney General William P. Barr and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon announced Thursday that the DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. While continuing to focus on stopping drugs being smuggled across the border, DEA’s Operation Crystal Shield will ramp up enforcement to block their further distribution into America’s neighborhoods.

DEA has identified eight major methamphetamine transportation hubs where these efforts will be concentrated: Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, and St. Louis. Together, these DEA Field Divisions accounted for more than 75 percent of methamphetamine seized in the U.S. in 2019.

“While meth is not a new drug, it has seen a troubling resurgence over the past few years,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Manufactured mostly in Mexican labs and smuggled into the United States across the southwest border, meth is a drug that is both cheap and potent, creating a deadly combination. Just as the Trump Administration has acted swiftly to stem the tide of opioid fatalities, it will use every weapon in its arsenal – such as the DEA’s Operation Crystal Shield - to stop dangerous methamphetamine from reaching American neighborhoods and harming American families.”

“Methamphetamine is the most abused illicit drug in our state. It flows over our country’s southern border with Mexico and into hubs like Phoenix, Dallas, and Houston, where it is then trafficked to Oklahoma and other interior states,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration do work that is critical to the general welfare of Americans. Working with federal prosecutors in my office, DEA identifies, investigates, and dismantles drug trafficking organizations that bring this deadly drug into Oklahoma. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be an active participant in Operation Crystal Shield, along with our partners in the Dallas-based and local DEA offices.”

Operation Crystal Shield builds on existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels that are responsible for the overwhelming majority of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States. From FY 2017 to FY 2019, DEA domestic seizures of methamphetamine increased 127 percent from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds. During the same time frame, the number of DEA arrests related to methamphetamine rose nearly twenty percent.

“For decades, methamphetamine has been a leading cause of violence and addiction – a drug threat that has never gone away,” said Acting Administrator Dhillon. “With a 22 percent increase in methamphetamine-related overdose deaths, now is the time to act, and DEA is leading the way with a surge of interdiction efforts and resources, targeting regional transportation hubs throughout the United States. By reducing the supply of meth, we reduce the violence, addiction, and death it spreads.”

“Seizures of methamphetamine in the Dallas Field Division, which includes North Texas and Oklahoma, have increased over 430% from 2018 to 2019. This staggering number reflects both the threat we face and the resolve of the DEA to keep methamphetamine out of our neighborhoods.  With our nationwide, concerted effort through Operation Crystal Shield, we will be partnering with other DEA offices across the globe to identify those transportation networks and command structures to ensure their greed is met with swift justice,” said DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez.

Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country. It is often found in poly-drug loads, alongside cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

DEA Methamphetamine B-Roll links:

Meth: https://vimeo.com/383988359

DEA Raid: https://vimeo.com/39127106

 A man who threatened to destroy his apartment building by means of fire and explosive materials during a domestic dispute has been sentenced today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Charles Michael Fox, 44, of Tulsa, to 35 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Fox pleaded guilty in December 2019, to receiving and transporting explosive materials with intent to intimidate.

“In an effort to intimidate his wife, Charles Fox sprayed propane on her and throughout his apartment, threatening to blow them up. This fit of domestic rage put at risk the lives of others and resulted in a nearly three year federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I especially want to commend the first responders who quickly and professionally handled this potentially life threatening situation. Job well done by the Tulsa Police Department’s Bomb Squad and Special Operations Division; Tulsa Fire Department’s Engine and Ladder 23 and HAZMAT crews; Emergency Medical Services Authority; and the ATF.”

The incident began on Sept. 29, 2019, at the French Villa Apartments, located on Harvard Avenue in Tulsa, and lasted until early the next morning. In his plea agreement, Fox admitted to possessing propane contained in two propane tanks, one of which was modified with a gas hose attached to a regulator valve, enabling it to spray propane. Fox took the propane tanks into his apartment where he sprayed the propane and threatened to blow up the apartment complex in an effort to intimidate his wife.

The Tulsa Police Department’s Bomb Squad and Special Operations Division; Tulsa Fire Department’s Engine and Ladder 23 and HAZMAT crews; Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA); and Oklahoma Natural Gas responded to the incident. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley prosecuted the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma.

A Tulsa man was charged this week in U.S. District Court with defrauding five federally insured financial institutions and two investor families of more than $5 million dollars, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores

William Brian Mulder, 61, is charged with 26 counts of Bank Fraud; 41 counts of Causing the Interstate Transmission of Moneys Taken by Fraud, and five counts of Engaging in Unlawful Monetary Transactions.

According to a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury, Mulder is alleged to have repeatedly represented himself to banks and investors as a person of high net worth who owned and controlled assets that, in fact, did not exist.  Mulder pledged these assets as collateral for loans and lines of credit that totaled approximately $4 million.  Among the phony assets were life insurance policies that Mulder represented to have been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

The superseding indictment also charged Mulder with having fraudulently obtained over $1 million from investors. Mulder allegedly told the investors that they could invest through his own family trust and also in specific ventures, such as the financing of a doctor’s home that, Mulder claimed, was being built in the Joplin, Missouri, area.  The superseding indictment alleges that, in fact, the purported investment opportunities were bogus and that Mulder used the investor funds for his own purposes. 

“The superseding indictment in the Mulder case touches upon two important aspects. First, Mr. Mulder is alleged to have defrauded financial institutions that are the mainstay of commercial activity in our communities. Second, Mr. Mulder is alleged to have defrauded individuals who sought to invest in commercial ventures,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Our next step is to hold this white collar criminal accountable in a court of law, and we are prepared to do so.”

The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Mulder faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and fines of twice the amount of loss caused by his actions, if convicted at trial.  

The FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Treasury-Office of Inspector General, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-Office of Inspector General are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Leitch is prosecuting the case.

TULSA, Okla. – A man who believed he was communicating online with a 13-year-old girl but in reality was messaging law enforcement officers was sentenced today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Thomas Kyle Williams, 40, of Sand Springs, to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Williams pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2019.

From March 21, 2019, to June 10, 2019, Williams used his cell phone and two social media apps to attempt to coerce an individual he believed to be a minor into engaging in sex acts with him. In reality, Williams was speaking to a Tulsa Police Department Cyber Crimes Unit detective, and he was later arrested after he arranged to meet the “minor” on June 10, 2019. 

“Child predators like Thomas Williams think the apparent anonymity of the Internet can hide their identity along with their perverse motives and deeds. But they are mistaken. The dedicated men and women of law enforcement are on the job and protecting our children,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I commend Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Gallant, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for this child exploitation investigation and prosecution. Justice was served today.”

The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Gallant prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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.justice.gov/psc.  Internet safety education can be found on the tab labeled "resources” on the left column of the page.

The United States Attorneys from Oklahoma share Attorney General William Barr’s concerns with sanctuary policies in some cities across our nation expressed yesterday at the National Sheriffs' Association conference.  (See remarks here.) U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing, Western District of Oklahoma, U.S. Attorney Brian J. Kuester, Eastern District of Oklahoma, U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores, Northern District of Oklahoma, and U.S. Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dallas Field Office Director Marc J. Moore collectively make the following statement:

Sanctuary city policies, however well intended, are misleading, uninformed, and detrimental to public safety. In reality, only criminals find sanctuary in sanctuary cities.

In partnership with the Field Office Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, we want to express our gratitude to the state, tribal, and local law enforcement authorities throughout Oklahoma that partner with federal agencies to improve public safety by enforcing federal immigration laws that were passed by Congress. These collaborative law enforcement relationships make Oklahomans safer by ensuring that dangerous criminals who are also unlawful aliens in our country are held accountable and removed from our communities.

Law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma understand that effective law enforcement includes immigration enforcement. However, there is a growing public-safety concern that sanctuary city policies seen in other states could find a foothold here in Oklahoma. 

Despite claims to the contrary, so-called sanctuary policies do not protect illegal immigrants who came to our country but have otherwise been peaceful and productive members of society. Rather, the express purpose of sanctuary policies is to shelter illegal aliens whom local law enforcement have already arrested for other crimes. In short, sanctuary policies protect criminals and hurt immigrant communities.

Over the past year in Oklahoma, the vast majority of illegal aliens who have faced federal criminal charges and potential deportation have been previously convicted of felony offenses.  Examples of those felony convictions include:

• Aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 years of age
• Failure to register as a convicted sex offender
• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon- automobile
• Assault and battery with dangerous and deadly weapons
• Battery with serious bodily injury
• Aggravated assault on a peace officer
• Domestic assault and battery
• Domestic assault and battery by strangulation
• Domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
• Domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor
• Possession of illegal drugs
• Possession of drugs with intent to distribute (heroin, crack, cocaine, methamphetamine and more) 
• Money laundering
• Trafficking of illegal drugs
• Attempted armed robbery
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Conspiring to perform an act of violence

Individuals who engage in criminal activity, regardless of their immigration status, pose a danger in every community.

When state or local jurisdictions have custody of known or suspected illegal aliens, federal law enforcement may issue a detainer – a formal request to hold that criminal – so it can take appropriate action, including deportation, following the conclusion of the immigrant’s pending state proceeding.  Honoring detainers is not anti-immigrant; rather, honoring detainers is anti-criminal and critical to protecting all Oklahomans, including immigrants.

The fact of the matter is that when sanctuary jurisdictions ignore lawful detainers, they release criminal aliens onto the street. These catch and release policies imperil the safety of every person in a community. Moreover, it puts into harm’s way law enforcement officers who are often tasked with locating released criminal aliens and executing arrest warrants.  Importantly for Oklahomans, the consequences of sanctuary city policies do not exclusively impact sanctuary jurisdictions.  Indeed, known criminal aliens released into so called “sanctuary cities” have traveled to neighboring jurisdictions, where they have committed heinous, violent crimes.

For these reasons, we stand with Attorney General Barr in his rejection of sanctuary city policies. We support Oklahoma’s immigrant communities and look forward to working with them to improve public safety. As such, we will continue working with our law enforcement partners and community leaders to hold accountable all criminals who violate our laws and harm our communities.

-U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing, Western District of Oklahoma

-U.S. Attorney Brian J. Kuester, Eastern District of Oklahoma

-U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores, Northern District of Oklahoma

- Field Office Director Marc J. Moore, U.S. Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dallas Field Office

SEE remarks from Attorney General William P. Barr regarding protecting public safety by enforcing immigration laws at the National Sheriffs’ Association Winter Legislative and Technology Conference

United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the February Federal Grand Jury A.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Jennifer Louise Bruce. Theft of Mail by United States Postal Service Employee. Bruce, 43, of Jennings, is charged with theft of mail by a U.S. Postal Service employee. In her position as a sales and services associate in Bristow and Jennings, Bruce allegedly stole hydrocodone tablets from packages by VA Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics on five different occasions. She is also alleged to have stolen $20 cash from a letter. The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service is the investigative agency.

Kevin Dewayne Burris. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Burris, 54, of Tulsa, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender. The U.S. Marshals Service and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.

Leslie Michelle Clark. Bank Fraud (Counts 1-29); Aggravated Identity Theft (Counts 30-58). Clark, 52, of Tulsa, is alleged to have knowingly executed a scheme to defraud a financial institution, and to obtain funds under the custody and control of the financial institution by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, that is, by causing checks to be paid from a company’s customer account to Alliance Consulting, a fictitious consulting firm, for fabricated services never rendered, Clark is further charged with 29 counts of aggravated identity theft for allegedly using another individual’s name and signature on the checks which were paid over to Alliance Consulting. The FBI is the investigative agency.

Pablo Gino Hernandez. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute. Hernandez, 27, is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute more than 100 grams or more of heroin. The Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.

Calvin Johnson. Wire Fraud (Counts 1 and 2). Johnson, aka “Lakeshia Johnson” and “Keyshia Johnson”, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Starting on approximately February 18, 2018, Johnson was employed in the Northern District of Oklahoma by a call center outsourcing company.  Through her employment with the company, Johnson allegedly performed call center services for a financial institution, answering calls from customers concerning suspicious activity on their accounts. During the calls, Johnson gained access to the customers’ account information, including account and routing numbers. Johnson, without the knowledge or consent of the financial institution or its customers, allegedly caused monies to be transferred from customer accounts to various business and financial institutions, such as Best Buy, Verizon Wireless, and several banks. It was part of the Scheme that Johnson used the nearly $20,000 in stolen monies for her own personal expenses. The wire communications were between servers located in the Northern District of Oklahoma and account servers in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania; Little Rock, Arkansas; and other financial institutions. The FBI is the investigative agency.

Victor Manuel Martinez-Luna. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Martinez-Luna, 35, unlawfully in the United States, is charged with knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.

Jeffrey Rahn Reetz. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Reetz, 65, of Claremore, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Mosin-Nagant bolt-action 7.62 caliber rifle; a Kimber .45 caliber pistol; a Beretta 9 mm pistol; a Springfield Arms bolt-action .30 caliber rifle; a Derringer .32 caliber pistol; a New Haven Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun; a Savage Arms .223 caliber rifle; an Olympic Arms 12 gauge shotgun; a Hopkins & Allen .22 caliber revolver; and 1,421 rounds of ammunition. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency.

Jamal Rucker. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Rucker, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Heritage Arms .38 caliber revolver The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.

Wesley Scott Stonebarger. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition; Drug Conspiracy (Methamphetamine); Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Drug Conspiracy (Fentanyl); Possession of Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute; Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking Crimes; Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute (Count 7 and 8). Stonebarger, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and associated ammunition. He is also charged with conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and to distribute 500 grams or more of the drug as early as October 2019. He is also charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on Dec. 20, 2019. Stonebarger is also charged with conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and to distribute fentanyl. He is also charged with knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl on Dec. 20, 2019. He is also charged with carrying a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol during and relation to drug trafficking crimes. Finally, Stonebarger is charged with attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (Counts 7 and 8). In Count 7, Stonebarger allegedly attempted to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine contained in a U.S. Postal Service parcel. In Count 8, Stonebarger allegedly attempted to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine contained in a second U.S. Postal Service parcel. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.

Daniel Nathan West. Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography. From May 17, 2019, to Dec. 17, 2019, West, 47, of Claremore, is alleged to have knowingly distributed and received child pornography. He is also charged with knowingly possessing and accessing with intent to view one or more graphic image or video files of child pornography.  The production of the visual depictions involved the use of at least one prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies.

TULSA, Okla. – A man charged with a 2015 murder occurring in Osage County pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to murder in the second degree, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Jeremy Keith Reece, 35, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, admitted that he intentionally shot and killed the victim in Osage Nation Indian Country on Sept. 5, 2015. During the change of plea hearing and according to the plea agreement, Reece took the victim from his residence then transported him to Osage Nation Indian Country where Reece shot the victim three times. Reece then dug a shallow grave, placed the victim in the grave, and set the victim’s body on fire.

“In 2015, Jeremy Reece callously murdered Rick Holt on the lands of the Osage Nation. Heinous acts such as those committed by Reece will not go unpunished in the Northern District of Oklahoma. This United States Attorney’s Office takes seriously its special trust responsibility to prosecute violent crimes in Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.  “Assistant United States Attorney and Tribal Liaison Shannon Cozzoni worked closely with Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher to move this case forward and secure justice for the victim and his family. I would note that this investigation is ongoing and we will not rest until we have held accountable all those responsible for this senseless act of violence.”

"While there can never be a resolution to Mr. Holt's murder that can return him to his family and friends, the District Attorney's Office is thankful for the tireless efforts and assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office in bringing some closure to those who knew and cared about Rick," said Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher.

The murder case was originally filed in state court but in 2017, following an adverse ruling at the district court level that the State of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to prosecute the case, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals issued a ruling staying the case until jurisdictional issues were resolved.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell remanded Reece into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and set sentencing for May 6, 2020.

This prosecution is the joint effort of the Osage County District Attorney and the United States Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Pawhuska Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Osage Nation Police Department and the FBI.

The Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released over $500 million in grant solicitations under the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) and several other grant programs that advance community policing, keep school students safe and promote the health and safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers. 

“There is no more noble a profession than serving as a law enforcement officer and putting your life on the line to protect your community. Our police officers fight an unrelenting fight, and it is more important than ever to support them,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “This funding will provide critical support to state, local, and tribal agencies so that they can bolster their ranks and reinforce community policing strategies and programs, and further our commitment to reducing violent crime.”

“In many communities, funding can be difficult to come by for critical public safety initiatives or law enforcement training and resources,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Over the last year, the Department of Justice has released a record amount of available grant funding. I encourage our Oklahoma partners, whether in urban or rural areas, to go to the COPS Office website to learn more and apply for these grants or to reach out to my office for application assistance.”

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to keep their communities safe. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction, which was recently lifted.

The 2020 Community Policing Development Program will fund projects related to a Law Enforcement Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Program Toolkit; Recruiting the Next Generation of Officers and Deputies; Promising Practices in Law Enforcement Victim Support; Rural Law Enforcement Training Center; and Managing High-Risk Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuits.  This grant program provides guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.

The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program provides funding to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, and implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring mental health and wellness programs. This year’s program will fund projects related to Peer Support Implementation Projects and a National Peer Support Program for Small and Rural Agencies.

The Preparing for Active Shooter Situations Program provides funding for scenario-based training that prepares officers and other first responders to safely and effectively handle active-shooter and other violent threats. This year’s program will train at least 20,000 first responders through scenario-based, multi-disciplinary training classes.

The COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement to locate and investigate illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

The COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program is designed to investigate illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Funding must be used to locate or investigate illicit activities such as precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine traffickers.

The STOP School Violence Prevention Program provides funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the grantees’ jurisdictions through evidence-based school safety programs.

For more information on COPS Office funding, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants.

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

A Tulsa woman was sentenced today in federal court for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and maintaining a drug involved premises, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Amy Lee Davis, 38, to 210 months in federal prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release for her role as the primary source of supply in the Tulsa methamphetamine distribution operation.

“Amy Davis was a ‘top-tier’ trafficker who funneled 20 pounds of methamphetamine into Tulsa and the surrounding communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Meth continues to be the top problem drug for Oklahomans. I’m proud of the agents and prosecutors who shut down a supplier like Davis. The relentless efforts of the DEA, Tulsa Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys culminated in a just result in the courtroom.”

A jury convicted Davis on Oct. 23, 2019. During the investigation, officers with the Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigations Division discovered that Davis consistently supplied a group of drug dealers with pound quantities of methamphetamine for distribution and was suspected of routinely traveling to Oklahoma City in order to re-up her supply of the drug. Davis was further found to have maintained a commercial property in Tulsa where she regularly stored and sold the drug.

Davis remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The Tulsa Police Department Special Investigations Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel-lyn A. McCormick, Thomas E. Duncombe, and Vani Singhal are prosecuting the case for the United States. AUSA McCormick serves as the lead attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force unit.

You can find the trial press release here.

A Mexican national was sentenced Thursday to 600 months in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of a child and for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Upon release from prison, Rogelio Hernandez Rodriguez, 30, will be placed on supervised release for life and required to register as a sex offender. When handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell noted that the law is insistent that such acts are severely punished.

“Rogelio Hernandez was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He will now spend the next 50 years in prison for his crimes against a child victim,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Investigators, attorneys, and victim advocates are committed to providing justice and healing resources for this young child. Our Project Safe Childhood initiative gets child predators off the streets, and it will continue full speed ahead.”

A federal jury convicted Hernandez on Oct. 24, 2019, of exploiting the minor victim and inducing the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Rodriguez was further found guilty of knowingly possessing child pornography. The 524 sexually graphic images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of the prepubescent victim and were stored on hard drives and multiple SD cards.

"Rogelio Hernandez willfully preyed upon a child victim and exploited their innocence," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively investigate child predators who sexually exploit and abuse young victims."

"The safety of children is priority for our officers here at the Wagoner Police Department. No child should have to endure sexual abuse. Our office initially investigated Hernandez's crimes, and we are thankful for today’s sentence," said Lt. Detective Benjamin Blair of the Wagoner Police Department.

Hernandez remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The Wagoner Police Department and FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reagan V. Reininger, Dennis A. Fries and Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.

TULSA, Okla. – Two men have pleaded guilty in January for their roles in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

The two were among 29 individuals indicted for drug conspiracy and other crimes. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced the indictment at a press conference held in May 2019. The investigation was given the name Operation Smack Dragon.

“The heroin in this case was trafficked from Mexico to Oklahoma by a criminal organization with no respect for our laws or borders. They profit from American addiction. Hartzell and Adams willingly took part in the conspiracy with little regard for the communities they harmed,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am thankful for the collective efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick.”

Devin Hartzell, 25, of Catoosa, pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Hartzell stated that he conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin beginning in January 2018 and continuing until June 2019.  During that time, he admitted to purchasing up to one kilogram of heroin multiple times a week from Jose Garcia and Edson Garcia-Velasquez. He would then redistribute the heroin to third parties who redistributed the drug to others.

Marquis Adams, 30, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy on Jan. 29.  In his written plea agreement, Adams, admitted that he conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin from January 2018 to June 2019. Adams stated that he purchased 3.5 grams of heroin roughly every day from Devin Hartzell. He then redistributed the heroin to third parties.

According to the May 2019 Indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. According to the Indictment, the criminal organization smuggled heroin into the United States and transported the drug to storage locations in Tulsa where they prepared it for distribution throughout the United States. After preparing the heroin, the coconspirators would repackage it for distribution to mid-level distributers, who would then redistribute it to street-level dealers until it eventually found its way into the hands of customers.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting this case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

You can find the May 2019 Indictment announcement here

A New Jersey man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to conspiring with others to purchase, transport and sell more than 1,000 box turtles that were unlawfully collected from the state of Oklahoma, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced William T. Gangemi, 27, of Freehold, New Jersey, to two years of probation. The Court also ordered Gangemi pay $250,000 in restitution to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and a $100,000 fine to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Gangemi was part of a syndicate of wildlife smugglers that exchanged three-toed and western box turtles back and forth between the United States and China. I can’t say that I ever expected we’d be announcing a turtle smuggling prosecution, but I’ve learned just how prevalent this criminal enterprise is globally and the detrimental impact it has on our wildlife population in Oklahoma, not just today but for future generations,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I’m proud of this case and the result it achieved to better protect Oklahoma wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service teamed up with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to investigate this case from Oklahoma to New Jersey. Their hard work is to be commended.”

“This case is an excellent example of how state and federal law enforcement agencies work together to combat the illegal wildlife trade," said Phillip Land, a Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "We will vigorously investigate wildlife crime in Oklahoma and in our great nation to hold traffickers accountable and protect imperiled species for future generations.  We would like to thank the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the U. S. Attorney's Office for their assistance with this case."  

From May 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018, Gangemi knowingly facilitated the purchase and transport of unlawfully collected three-toed and western (ornate) box turtles from Oklahoma to New Jersey in order to sell them for profit. 

By smuggling the turtles, Gangemi violated the Lacey Act, a federal law which makes it a felony to engage in the sale or purchase of protected wildlife with a market value in excess of $350 knowing that the wildlife was taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of laws or regulations of any state. In Oklahoma, the collection of both types of box turtles for commercial purposes is against the law. Box turtles reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 years of age and have a high nest and juvenile mortality rate. Due to these factors, the harvest of the turtles can have highly detrimental effects on populations.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts prosecuted the case.

A man arrested as a result of a report from Facebook to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children was sentenced Monday in federal court for sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Thomas Dustin Daughtry, 43, of Sperry, to 15 years in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for illegally engaging with the minor online from Feb. 18, 2019 through June 25, 2019.

In his written plea agreement from October 2019, Daughtry stated that he knowingly enticed a 15-year-old into engaging in sexually explicit conduct and persuaded the minor to send sexual images to him.

“Daughtry’s crimes came to light when Facebook reported ongoing contact by the defendant and the minor victim. This underscores the importance of ensuring law enforcement has a means to identify online predatory behavior and to lawfully access their electronic communications. Facebook’s development and implementation of end-to-end encryption could result in wholly blocking law enforcement’s ability to obtain evidence of Facebook facilitated communications even though a child predator has been identified,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am thankful that investigators and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni brought Thomas Daughtry to justice. He will spend the next 15 years in prison thinking on his crimes against children.”

In October, Attorney General Barr and law enforcement partners from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia published an open letter urging the social media company to rethink its development of end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption would preclude access to content even for preventing and investigating serious crimes. In the letter, the officials highlighted Facebook’s critical assistance in identifying child predators. In 2018, Facebook made 16.8 million reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse content to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), 12 million of which it is estimated would be lost if the company implements end-to-end encryption. As well as child abuse imagery, these referrals included more than 8,000 reports related to attempts by offenders to meet children online and groom or entice them into sharing indecent imagery or meeting in real life.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.

This case resulted from Operation Independence Day, an investigation conducted the month of July that resulted in nine individuals being charged federally in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The nationwide operation relied on the 86 FBI-led Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces, which leverage the resources and intelligence of other federal, state, local and tribal partners. In total, law enforcement recovered or identified 103 child victims and arrested of 67 sex traffickers across the nation.

TULSA, Okla. –A federal jury today returned a guilty verdict against a man who trafficked a woman through force and coercion then attempted to obstruct the investigation into his crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Ramar Travelle Palms, 31, was convicted of the sex trafficking through the use of force, fraud and coercion; attempted obstruction of sex trafficking enforcement; and transporting an individual for prostitution.

“The jury got it right, and I thank them for their service. Human trafficking is a vile and repugnant crime, and it’s happening right here in Oklahoma. So called “pimps” like Mr. Palms dehumanize victims through psychological abuse and sexual exploitation. They control victims with violence and threats,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The victim in this case, however, was also a survivor. She testified in this case, facing her tormentor as he sat across the courtroom. I hope her courage and this guilty verdict will give hope to others that help is out there. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office remain deeply committed to ensuring every victim’s voice is heard. Together, we will work tirelessly to eradicate human trafficking in our community. From the traffickers who supply commercial sex to the ‘Johns’ who demand it, you will be prosecuted.”

During the four-day trial, the United States showed that Palms trafficked the victim in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Houston. Palms forced the victim to advertise on CityXGuide.com and book hotel rooms in her name, particularly in areas that were closer to higher paying, wealthier johns. He provided the money to advertise and book the rooms but did not allow his name to be associated with the activity in an effort to distance himself legally from the activity.

A Tulsa Police officer testified that he originally met the victim in November 2018 in Tulsa. The Vice officer answered an online advertisement for a “$100 Quick Visit” with the victim, which indicates a short prostitution visit. When the officer arrived, he noticed Palms at the bottom of the stairs watching him enter the hotel. Once with the victim, the officer identified himself and the two discussed the trafficking operation. The victim revealed that she did not willingly participate in prostitution.

The United States argued that the victim did not simply enter into a mutual agreement with Palms to participate in the sex trade as the defense contended. Prosecutors showed that Palms glorified the pimp lifestyle and bragged about making money from selling women. They argued that Palms controlled the victim, the trafficking operations and the money he received from exploiting the victim. They stated that Palms was a “finesse pimp” who used charm to gain the victim’s trust and affection. Then he also began to use control, fear and violence to force and keep the victim in a life of prostitution. The victim described how Palms abused her, often strangling her, when he was angry or she did not produce enough money. The victim also testified that she witnessed Palms violently abusing another female he trafficked.

In the prosecution’s closing, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Nassar and Edward Snow reminded the jury that this trafficking case was about money, violence, fear and control. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nassar described how Palms targeted a vulnerable woman, isolated her, degraded her and imposed his will and force upon her, leading the victim to live in fear if she ever “stepped out of line.” He reminded the jury that the only thing Palms cared about was using the victim to make money. The prosecutors asked the jury to follow the evidence and find Palms guilty.

The Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Nassar and Edward Snow prosecuted the case.

Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the establishment of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. On Oct. 28, 2019, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order No. 13896, authorizing and designating the Attorney General to create such a Commission that would explore modern issues affecting law enforcement that most impact the ability of American policing to reduce crime.

“There is no more noble and important profession than law enforcement. A free and safe society requires a trusted and capable police force to safeguard our rights to life and liberty,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “But as criminal threats and social conditions have changed the responsibilities and roles of police officers, there is a need for a modern study of how law enforcement can best protect and serve American communities. This is why the President instructed me to establish this critical Commission, whose members truly reflect the best there is in law enforcement. Together, we will examine, discuss, and debate how justice is administered in the United States and uncover opportunities for progress, improvement, and innovation.

“This commission is relevant to my district because Oklahomans champion the rule of law and respect law enforcement. The commission will review and address the needs of those on the front lines of public safety. The Attorney General has challenged the commission to think boldly and to consider diverse perspectives and approaches to the administration of justice throughout America,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I believe this commission will prove crucial to the identification of resources needed by law enforcement to perform their job at the highest level. Moreover, I hope to see the commission address the physical and mental health needs of officers. The spate of officer suicides is troubling and must be discussed to ensure the provision of resources to meet the need.”

The Executive Order instructs the Commission to conduct its study by focusing on the law enforcement officers who are tasked with reducing crime on a daily basis. It also directs the Commission to research “important current issues facing law enforcement and the criminal justice system,” and recommends a variety of subjects for study, such as, but not limited to:

• The challenges to law enforcement associated with mental illness, homelessness, substance abuse, and other social factors that influence crime and strain criminal justice resources;
• The recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of law enforcement officers, including in rural and tribal communities;
• Refusals by State and local prosecutors to enforce laws or prosecute categories of crimes;
• The need to promote public confidence and respect for the law and law enforcement officers; and
• The effects of technological innovations on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, including the challenges and opportunities presented by such innovations.

The Commission will principally conduct its study through a series of hearings, panel presentations, field visits, and other public meetings. At these events, the Commission will hear from subject matter experts, public officials, private citizens, and other relevant stakeholders and institutions who can provide valuable insight into these issues.

The Commissioners, appointed by the Attorney General and announced today, are urban police chiefs, state prosecutors, county sheriffs, members of rural law enforcement, federal agents, U.S. Attorneys, and a state attorney general. In addition to their diverse experiences and backgrounds, each member brings to the Commission an expertise in formulating and shaping law enforcement policy and leading police departments and law enforcement organizations.

Commissioners on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice include:

• Chair: Phil Keith, Director, Community Oriented Policing Services
• Vice-Chair: Katharine Sullivan, Acting Director, Office of Justice Programs
• David Bowdich, Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Donald Washington, Director, United States Marshals Services
• Regina Lombardo, Acting Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
• Erica Macdonald, United States Attorney, District Of Minnesota
• D. Christopher Evans, Chief of Operations, Drug Enforcement Administration
• James Clemmons, Sheriff, Richmond County, North Carolina
• Frederick Frazier, City Council, McKinney, Texas/ Police Officer, Dallas Police Department
• Robert Gualtieri, Sheriff, Pinellas County, Florida
• Gina Hawkins, Chief of Police, Fayetteville, North Carolina
• Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General
• Nancy Parr, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Chesapeake, Virginia
• Craig Price, South Dakota Secretary of Public Safety
• Gordon Ramsay, Chief of Police, Wichita, Kansas
• David B. Rausch, Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
• John Samaniego, Sheriff, Shelby County, Alabama
• James Smallwood, Police Officer, Nashville Metropolitan Police Department

The Commission will meet monthly for the next year and then report its findings to the Attorney General, who will submit a final report to the President.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years

A federal grand jury returned an indictment this week charging a Tulsa man with possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and with lying to a firearms dealer, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Kai Lamar Walela, 34, is charged with possessing a Rock River Arms 5.56 mm caliber rifle and 72 rounds of associated ammunition after a June 2018 misdemeanor domestic assault and battery conviction in Tulsa County District Court.

He is further charged with knowingly making a false statement to Advanced Combat LLC, a licensed firearms dealer, in July 2018, by lying on the ATF Form 4473.  When he attempted to purchase a SOTA multi-caliber lower receiver, the defendant allegedly failed to acknowledge that he was previously convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence

Walela is being prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian, an initiative that focuses on reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws. Individuals who have been previously convicted of crimes of domestic violence or who have a protective order issued against them are prohibited from possessing firearms.

“The presence of a gun during a crime of domestic violence means the chances are five times greater that the victim will be fatally shot. It also increases the chances that other victims, including children, will suffer the same fate. Project Guardian is a new initiative that we believe will save lives,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Every gun related crime or tragedy prevented through Project Guardian prosecutions is a victory for our community. We will also focus our investigative efforts on those who lie on federal firearms forms and try to buy a firearm. In these “lie and try” cases, there is no better partner than the dedicated men and women of the ATF.”

In February 2019, Walela was among six “lie and try” defendants charged in separate criminal complaints. All of the defendants were prohibited from possessing firearms and allegedly lied on the AFT From 4473. U.S. Attorney Shores and ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II announced charges against the other five defendants at a press conference in February. At the time, Walela remained at large, but in December 2019, authorities took Walela into custody in New Mexico based on an arrest warrant associated with the complaint.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal is prosecuting the case.

Project Guardian draws upon the Justice Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; and improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This includes taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.        

A woman who operated a Tulsa spa was indicted this week on charges related to the use of prescription drugs purchased from unauthorized sources from November 2012 to April 2018, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment charging Elisa Kaye Sanders, 60, of Tulsa, with two counts of mail fraud and 13 counts of wire fraud.

Sanders was a majority owner and operator of L’Chaim Medical Spa, previously known as Enhance Skin and Body Medical Spa. Sanders participated in and oversaw the spa’s purchase, receipt, holding, and administration of drugs and devices used for the treatment of clients, including Botox and Juvederm.

According to the indictment, Sanders defrauded clients seeking treatment from her spa; her staff; and state and federal regulatory agencies responsible for the oversight of the spa. Sanders is alleged to have obtained Botox and Juvederm Ultra 3 and 4 from unauthorized sources who diverted it from the legitimate prescription drug supply chain. The indictment alleges the defendant failed to advise her clients of the sources of the prescription drugs and devices used at the spa.

“A federal grand jury indicted Ms. Sanders for her alleged criminal actions associated with the administration of drugs, like Botox and Juvederm,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This United States Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue cases against healthcare providers who skirt FDA regulations developed to ensure the safety of individuals receiving prescription drug treatments.”

In September 2016, Sanders was advised by Food and Drug Administration representatives that purchasing prescription drugs and devices from unauthorized sources was illegal, but soon after, she continued to purchase the prescription drugs from unauthorized sources. From October 2016 to May 2018, Sanders sold approximately 30,000 units of Botox. Approximately 3,000 of those units were purchased from the unauthorized sources.

In count one of the indictment, Sanders is charged with mail fraud. She is alleged to have purchased Botox in 2015 from an unauthorized source in Mumbai, India, which was then shipped to Tulsa. When purchasing the drug, Sanders claimed it was for her own use. The indictment alleges that Sanders actually used the drug on spa clients.

In count two, Sanders is also charged with mail fraud for sending altered medical records to a client’s physician. The records were altered to show that Juvederm Ultra Plus XC had been administered to the client when, in fact, Juvederm Ultra 4 was administered. Juvederm Ultra 3 and 4 are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States.

In counts three through ten of the indictment, Sanders is charged with wire fraud related to eight payments made by customers for the Botox and Juvederm received from unauthorized sources.

Finally, in counts eleven through fifteen, Sanders is charged with wire fraud related to five payments made to Global Health for the purchase of Botox from unauthorized sources. Shortly after the Food and Drug Administration representative’s warning in 2016, Sanders allegedly directed an individual to purchase the Botox from unauthorized sources and have the drug mailed to the individual’s business. Sanders would later pick up the drug and reimburse the individual with cash.

Sanders faces a maximum of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a maximum of three years of supervised release for each count of mail fraud and wire fraud.

The Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shannon Cozzoni  and Scott Proctor are prosecuting the case.

United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the January Federal Grand Jury A.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Rodney Lavvone Burton. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition (Superseding Indictment). Burton, 44, of Broken Arrow, is charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a Colt .357 revolver and 26 rounds of associated ammunition.  The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.

Christopher Scott Cole. Aggravated Assault of Federal Officer Resulting in Bodily Injury; Assault Within Territorial Jurisdiction Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Cole, 41, of Pryor, is charged with assaulting a federal officer and causing bodily harm. The crime took place at Claremore Indian Hospital. The FBI is the investigative agency.

Luis Eduardo Garcia and Gustavo Garcia. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Luis Garcia, 30, and Gustavo Garcia, 22, both of Tahlequah, are charged with possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more a methamphetamine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigative agency.

Regina Faye Holmes. Carjacking. Holmes, 38, of Miami, is charged with taking a 2001 Ford F-150 through the use of force, violence and intimidation with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm. The Quapaw Marshals and Wyandotte Nation Police are the investigative agencies.

Zaccheaus Ramone Jackson. Theft of Mail by United States Postal Service Employee; Obtaining Mail by Fraud and Deception. Jackson, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with the theft of two monetary bank deposits from a local business that were mailed to the business’ bank in first class mail packages. Count One alleges that on Nov. 25, 2019, when he was employed as a U.S. Postal Service city carrier assistant at the Chimney Hills Annex Post Office, Jackson stole a bank deposit package that had been collected from the business by another U.S. Postal Service carrier.  The defendant resigned from his position on Dec. 6, 2019.  Jackson is charged in Count Two with obtaining mail by fraud and deception. The second count alleges that on Dec. 9, 2019, Jackson impersonated a city carrier assistant by wearing his old U. S. Postal Service uniform to deceive the employees at the business and steal the monetary bank deposit package.  The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.

Cory Wayne Kilgore. Distribution and Receipt of a Visual Depiction of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. Kilgore, 41, of Owasso, is charged with knowingly receiving and distributing child pornography through electronic means. Kilgore was also convicted of possession and attempted possession of child pornography in the Northern District of Oklahoma in April 2010. The Tulsa Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies.

Anthony John Michalski.  False Information About Bombs at Airport. Michalski, 64, of Tulsa, is charged with conveying false and misleading information about explosives. On Dec. 24, 2019, Michalski allegedly made a phone call to the Tulsa Police Department Dispatch, stating that a suitcase nuclear bomb would be left in a vehicle at the Tulsa International Airport within the next three hours. Upon investigation, law enforcement found no credible threat. The Tulsa Airport Police Department, Tulsa Police Department, FBI, and Transportation Security Administration are the investigative agencies.

Darren Patrick Reames. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.  Reames, 45, of Tulsa, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service are the investigative agencies.

Elisa Kaye Sanders. Mail Fraud (2 Counts); Wire Fraud (13 Counts). Sanders, 60, of Tulsa, was a majority owner of the spa named Enhance Skin and Body Medical Spa which was later renamed L’Chaim in 2017. Sanders participated in and oversaw the spa’s purchase, receipt, holding, and administration of drugs and treatment articles used for the treatment of clients, including prescription drugs and devices such as Botox and Juvederm. In count one of the indictment, Sanders is charged with mail fraud. She is alleged to have purchased Botox in 2015 from an unauthorized source in Mumbai, India, which was then shipped to Tulsa. When purchasing the drug, Sanders claimed it was for her own use. The indictment alleges that Sanders actually used the drug on spa clients. In count two, Sanders is also charged with mail fraud for sending altered medical records to a client’s physician. The records were altered to show that Juvederm Ultra Plus XC had been administered to the client when in fact Juvederm Ultra 4 was administered. Juvederm Ultra 3 and 4 are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. In counts three through ten of the indictment, Sanders is charged with wire fraud related to eight payments made by customers for the Botox and Juvederm received from unauthorized sources. Finally, in counts eleven through fifteen, Sanders is charged with wire fraud related to five payments made to Global Health, for the purchase of Botox from unauthorized sources. Soon after the Food and Drug Administration representative’s warning in 2016, Sanders allegedly directed an individual to purchase the Botox from unauthorized sources and have the drug mailed to the individual’s business. Sanders would later pick up the drug and reimburse the individual with cash. The Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations is the investigative agency.

Kai Lamar Walela. Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition After Conviction of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence; False Statement to a Firearms Dealer.  Walela, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a Rock River Arms 5.56 mm caliber rifle and 72 rounds of associated ammunition after a 2018 misdemeanor domestic assault and battery conviction in Tulsa County District Court.  Walela was also charged with knowingly making a false statement to Advanced Combat LLC, a licensed firearms dealer, by lying on the ATF Form 4473. On the form, Walela knowingly did not acknowledge that he was previously convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.

A man who helped transport 1,500 pounds of marijuana from California to sell in Tulsa was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Kong Meng Vang, 36, of Tulsa, to time served and two years of supervised release. As a condition of his supervised release, he must serve four months of home detention.

“Kong Meng Vang chose to transport and deal massive amounts of marijuana in the Tulsa area. Now, unsurprisingly, he has been held accountable by the criminal justice system. That is a common path for those who choose to participate in the illegal drug business,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The Tulsa Police Department broke this case wide open. And thanks to the unified effort of those officers, the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Marshals, we dismantled a multi-state illicit marijuana network.”

In August 2018, Vang pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and money laundering. The defendant admitted to transporting 1,500 pounds of marijuana from California to sell in the Tulsa area. As part of the plea agreement, the United States and Vang agreed to the forfeiture of 21 of the defendant’s vehicles along with seven residences, firearms and ammunition.

This case resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Tulsa Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Department of Treasury, IRS-Criminal Investigation; and U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph F. Wilson prosecuted the case as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force.

A Tulsa man pleaded guilty Monday to four firearms charges, including illegally possessing and manufacturing machine guns and silencers, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Christopher Joseph Kiss, 29, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegal possession of a machine gun, making unregistered machine guns and silencers, and possession of unregistered silencers. The case is being prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian, a nationwide initiative leveraging critical law enforcement partnerships to enforce federal firearms laws. The initiative was announced by the Attorney General in November 2019.

“Firearms that have been illegally modified to fire in fully-automatic mode pose a serious risk to public safety. Individuals who illegally possess these modified firearms in Oklahoma will meet a federal prosecutor in a court of law. Christopher Kiss learned this the hard way,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “He modified and possessed firearms, silencers, and nearly 100 pounds of ammunition, and in doing so threatened the safety of our community.”

In his plea agreement, Kiss, a felon, admitted that he possessed, manufactured, and modified multiple firearms. Kiss possessed a .25 auto caliber pistol and a container with a sampling of 95 pounds of ammunition. He also possessed a homemade Glock-style .22 caliber pistol equipped with a Glock switch that enabled the pistol to fire in fully-automatic mode. In addition, investigators discovered an AR-15 style short-barreled 9 mm rifle that Kiss modified to fire in fully-automatic mode. The defendant further illegally manufactured at least four silencers and possessed a total of 26 silencers. In his statement, Kiss agreed that he failed to properly register these machine guns and silencers in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

“Mr. Kiss is a convicted felon prohibited from manufacturing, possessing, transferring or shipping firearms and ammunition,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “His disregard of the Gun Control and National Firearms Acts impacts every community by placing firearms into commerce illegally, sidestepping required background checks and impeding law enforcement efforts to trace and investigate recovered firearms and devices.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian draws upon the Justice Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This includes taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.             

United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that 17 law enforcement agencies will receive $2 million in seized funds from the drug operation Killa Gorilla. U.S. Attorney Shores also highlighted the essential work performed by the men and women of law enforcement and thanked them for their service to the people of Oklahoma. The announcement came at a press conference held on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Broken Arrow Police Department.

“It is a privilege for me and my team to work daily with these agents and officers. Law enforcement is an honorable profession. These brave men and women embody a dogged, unrelenting spirit. They face obstacles and impending danger, providing for the safety of our communities. They have my gratitude and respect,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Operation Killa Gorilla is just one example of the essential collaborative work officers and agents are performing to disrupt the sale of illegal drugs in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Criminals do not get to keep their ill-gotten gains. It is only appropriate that the forfeited funds go back to the departments to supplement needed training, equipment and other public safety initiatives.”

Eight law enforcement agencies from Oklahoma will each receive a portion of the seized money. The $2 million was seized from profits made by the defendants from the illegal sale of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2 or Spice. The IRS, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and five Texas law enforcement agencies will also receive a portion of the funds for their work in the operation.

The Department of Justice and Department of the Treasury Asset Forfeiture Programs remove the tools of crime from the criminal organizations, deprive wrongdoers of the proceeds for their crimes, recover property that may be used to compensate victims, and deter crime. An ancillary benefit of asset forfeiture is the potential to share federal forfeiture proceeds with cooperating local law enforcement agencies through equitable sharing. 

These monies supplement and enhance, not supplant, appropriated agency resources. Oklahoma law enforcement agencies receiving seized funds are:

Broken Arrow Police Department- $255, 716

Cherokee Nation Marshal Service- $85,000

Claremore Police Department- $85,000

Owasso Police Department- $85,000

Rogers County Sheriff’s Office- $225,716

Sapulpa Police Department- $262, 716

Tulsa Police Department- $262, 716

Army National Guard- $19,893

“This is an important victory for communities of the Tulsa metropolitan area.  Not only were the criminals prosecuted for their crimes, but the government has seized a significant portion of their illegal proceeds through asset forfeiture,” said Kevin Caramucci, IRS Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office.  “The role of IRS Criminal Investigation is to follow the money so we can financially disrupt and dismantle these criminal organizations.  This investigation is a great example of local and Federal law enforcement working together to stop a criminal activity that is causing harm to our communities.”

“Today serves as a great reminder to any and all drug traffickers operating in Northeastern Oklahoma.  The DEA will not tolerate your actions and will work tirelessly with our state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement counterparts to arrest you and seize your illicit funds derived from drug trafficking and/or money laundering.  This case is the perfect example of the importance of joint investigations and how leveraging each other’s resources while working toward a common goal can result in tremendous success and keep the citizens of Oklahoma safer,” said John P. Scott, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA Oklahoma District.

In 2013, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tulsa metropolitan area police departments began their own investigations in response to systemic problems in their communities resulting from the sale and use of synthetic cannabinoids. Area officers and agents discovered the drug was being sold out of smoke shops, owned in part by John James, operating on Indian Land. The Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS were notified and joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs in launching the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Killa Gorilla. The investigation’s name reflected the name one of the propriety brands manufactured by one of the defendants.

During the investigation, the DEA agents and task force officers assigned from local police departments conducted additional undercover purchases of the cannabinoids and executed search and arrest warrants. The IRS and financial analyst U.S. Attorney’s Office analyzed the money trail. The final defendants pleaded guilty in August 2017.

Learn more about the Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program here.

A Broken Arrow woman was arraigned Wednesday in U.S. District Court for stealing $654,579 from her employer. Brandy Okey, 39, is charged with wire fraud and filing a false tax return.

“The marketplace is dependent, in part, on the ethical, honest and lawful actions of those who work within it. That is especially true for someone in the position of chief financial officer,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Unfortunately, as in this case, there are those who criminally exploit their positions of trust. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute white collar criminals who thieve, embezzle, and otherwise defraud.”

According to court documents, Okey had access to finances and cash deposits in her position at a company in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Okey allegedly took the company’s cash deposits or a portion of the deposits for her own personal gain from December 2015 to September 2018. As part of her scheme, Okey shredded the original deposit slips or prepared new slips showing a lower deposit amount. On April 27, 2017, Okey is alleged to have transmitted a false report to the company’s board of directors in order to hide her crimes. Okey is further charged with filing a false tax return for the year 2017 when she failed to report approximately the $294,450 in income that she acquired through the scheme.

The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

A Tulsa man has been charged by Criminal Complaint for allegedly reporting that a drive-up nuclear suitcase bomb would be detonated at Tulsa International Airport, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Anthony John Michalski, 64, of Tulsa, is charged with providing false information about bombs at an airport. According to the Criminal Complaint, Michalski called in the anonymous tip to the Tulsa International Airport at 2:33 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2019, stating the bomb would arrive within three hours of his phone call. At the end of the call, he stated that he needed to hang up before he was caught or killed.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners take seriously any terroristic threat that could put our community at risk. In this case, Mr. Michalski is charged with falsely claiming a nuclear device would be delivered and detonated at Tulsa International Airport on Christmas Eve,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Law enforcement officials from the Tulsa Airport Police Department, Tulsa Police Department Explosive Detection K-9 Unit, FBI, and Transportation Security Administration immediately investigated the threat, canvassing the airport and surrounding garages. They found no credible threat to public safety. To have this team of agents and officers come together on Christmas Eve to ensure the safety of the public was most impressive. It’s also a reminder of the selfless sacrifice of law enforcement officers. They spend time away from their families to ensure ours are safe.”

On Dec. 28, 2019, Michalski was arrested. According to the Criminal Complaint, Michalski allegedly admitted to making calls related to the bomb threat at the airport. He claimed that he made the calls because he was being held hostage by a terrorist organization. Officers also discovered a cell phone call placed to the airport at 2:33 p.m. in the defendant’s call history.

The Tulsa Airport Police Department, Tulsa Police Department, FBI, and Transportation Security Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case.  AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma.

This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the Criminal Complaint is currently pending. A Criminal Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Skiatook man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Tuesday to attempted receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Corey Daniel Vessar, 31, is the final defendant to enter a guilty plea in the Northern District of Oklahoma after being arrested as a result of Operation Independence Day, a month-long operation to apprehend predators and recover victims of child exploitation and sex trafficking.

“Corey Vessar tried to convince someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl to send him sexually graphic images. Thankfully it was an undercover officer and not actually someone’s child,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I respect the investigators and prosecutors willing to perform the difficult work of investigating these predators. Every day, these officers bear witness to the perverse actions of predators who seek to groom and exploit our children. The service of police officers and federal agents who pursue justice for children - the most innocent among us - is to be commended.”

In his plea agreement, Vessar admitted that from June 11 to June 18, 2019, he attempted to receive child pornography from an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old female. Instead, he was communicating with an undercover officer. During the discussions, Vessar sent the “girl” sexually explicit pictures and videos of himself and also requested she send explicit images.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for April 13, 2020.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.

Operation Independence Day is part of the broader Project Safe Childhood initiative. PSC combats the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse and was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

 A Tulsa man was sentenced today for making a false statement in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Michael J. Fletcher, 64, to three years probation for lying during his bankruptcy proceeding.

“Mr. Fletcher defrauded the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and creditors. He corrupted the bankruptcy process by lying to the court and convincing family members to lie on his behalf. He further showed a history of avoiding substantial income and payroll tax obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This prosecution should serve as a warning to white collar criminals that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will diligently pursue justice and hold unscrupulous individuals accountable for their crimes.”

According to the information and written plea agreement filed in the case, Fletcher filed a bankruptcy petition in August of 2011 in which he stated that he had no legal or equitable interest in any real property. In November 2011, the Department of Justice filed a complaint objecting to the discharge of Fletcher’s federal income tax debts on the grounds that Fletcher had concealed his $235,000 interest in real property located on 110th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  During the trial in that matter in October 2014, Fletcher testified that his parents owned the house on 110th Street and that the down payment for the purchase was funded by a loan from his daughters to his father.  In pleading guilty, Fletcher admitted that he was the source of the funds used for the down payment, and that he lied during his bankruptcy court testimony when he denied this fact

The case was investigated by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant Chief Andrew Kameros of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. McLoughlin and Victor A.S. Régal prosecuted the case.

Additional information about the Justice Department’s Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.