District of South Carolina

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Donald Howard Smiley, age 38, of Gaffney, was sentenced today in federal court in Anderson, for  possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2255A.  Senior United States District Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr. of Anderson sentenced Smiley to 78 months imprisonment and ordered that he be on supervised release for five years.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement discovered that a cell phone in the Gaffney area was being used to store and receive child pornography.  Further investigation revealed that the mobile device belonged to Smiley.  A search of the device led to the discovery of 138 still images and 26 videos of child pornography. After being confronted with the evidence, Smiley waived his Miranda rights and admitted to his involvement with child pornography.

The case was investigated by agents of the Gaffney Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today thatDaniel Rodriguez, age 26, of Lilburn, Georgia, and Jesus Buruca-Martinez, age 22, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, were found guilty yesterday afternoon in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.  Rodriguez was also found guilty of two counts of using a communication device (telephone) to facilitate the commission of a drug felony, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b).  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs presided over the trial and will impose sentence after she has reviewed pre-sentence reports which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at trial established that, beginning in early 2012, agents and task force officers with the DEA in Greenville, began investigating an upstate-based methamphetamine distribution network that was being sourced with pounds of methamphetamine from individuals in the Atlanta-area.  Ultimately, over a two-year investigation and some seven superseding indictments, twenty-seven defendants were indicted in the conspiracy, with twenty-five entering guilty pleas.  The investigation revealed that two members of this conspiracy, Dustin Tiller and Nicanor Perez-Rodriguez, both inmates in the South Carolina Department of Corrections at the time, contacted members of their families on the outside to arrange for methamphetamine to be transported from Georgia into South Carolina for further distribution.

After identifying Daniel Rodriguez as a Georgia-based member of the conspiracy who was making frequent trips to South Carolina to bring methamphetamine as well as collect drug proceeds, members of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and Anderson City Police Department were able to establish surveillance on Rodriguez, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, as Rodriguez met with other members of this conspiracy, to include Jesus Buruca-Martinez, in the parking lot of a restaurant, located off of Exit 19, Interstate 85, in Anderson County.

Agents then maintained surveillance on Rodriguez and Buruca-Martinez as they traveled in tandem, both driving separate vehicles, to a residence in Belton, South Carolina.  Maintaining surveillance on the Belton residence, agents observed Buruca-Martinez leave the residence, followed by Rodriguez’s departure some twenty minutes later.  Traffic stops were conducted on both vehicles and law enforcement seized $20,240 in cash from Buruca-Martinez.

Following the execution of a federal search warrant at the Belton residence and the arrest of Rodriguez, Buruca-Martinez, and others, that evening, agents reviewed a home surveillance system seized in the search.  The surveillance system had an operational camera imaging the living room of the residence, attached to a digital video recording (DVR) system.  In reviewing the images on the DVR, which dated back some two weeks from the incident date, agents observed Rodriguez arriving at the residence on two previous occasions in July 2012.

Regarding the activity inside the residence on August 5, 2012, a review of the video revealed Rodriguez, Buruca-Martinez, and third co-conspirator, who rode with Rodriguez that day from Georgia, counting, for several minutes, over $20,000 in cash. Witnesses testified that this cash was partial payment applied to the overall drug debt owed to Rodriguez and others for pounds of methamphetamine previously provided on consignment.  As the money count concluded, the video showed Buruca-Martinez bundling two cash parcels, placing one in each cargo short pocket, and exiting the residence, ultimately heading south on Interstate 85 before he was stopped by law enforcement.

Nettles stated that Rodriguez and Buruca-Martinez both face a maximum penalty of life in prison and are both subject to a statutory mandatory minimum of ten years in prison.

Nettles stated that the case was investigated and prosecuted by members of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a taskforce coordinated by the United States Attorney’s Office.  Members of the task force involved in this investigation included the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson City Police Department, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andy Moorman and Lance Crick of the Greenville office handled the prosecution.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following: Greenville Resident Indicted for Conspiracy
Sandy Ann Emery,  age 33, of  Greenville, South Carolina, was charged with conspiracy to steal mail and to possess stolen mail, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  The maximum penalty Emery could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or five years imprisonment. This case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Foreign Nationals Charged with Illegal Re-entry
Benancio Gonzalez-Perez, Gonzalo Antonio Mejia-Urutia, Jose Matias Vicente, Mateo Betancourt-Serrano, Duly Orellano-David and Faris Lagos-Ramos are each charged with illegal re-entry to the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty each could receive, depending on his prior criminal history, is two to twenty years imprisonment. These cases were investigated by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents and are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following: Goose Creek Man Indicted for Child Pornography
Matthew Bormann, age 28, of Goose Creek, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.  The maximum penalty that Bormann could receive is 20 years imprisonment.  The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Walterboro Men Indicted for Counterfeiting
Johnathan Needham, age 27, Kerry Needham, age 52, Kerry Canady, age 26, and Dustin Beach, age 20, all of Walterboro, were charged in a 2 -count Indictment with Making and Passing Counterfeit Currency, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 471 and 472.  The maximum penalty that Needham, Needham, Canady, and Beach could receive is 20 years imprisonment.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and the Colleton County Sheriff=s Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Clarence L. Rhodes, age 37, of Rock Hill, South Carolina was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 120 months (10 years) imprisonment today in federal court.  Earlier this year, Rhodes plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1).  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. imposed the sentence, which will be followed by three (3) years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that at approximately 11:34 pm on June 15, 2013, York Police Department officers received a call about an intoxicated man in the roadway.  Officers responded to the scene and found Rhodes, who appeared to be grossly intoxicated, staggering in the roadway.  Rhodes attempted to flee, but fell.  Rhodes was placed under arrest for public intoxication and a search incident to arrest revealed a Smith and Wesson .32 caliber handgun in his back right pocket, along with 1.9 grams of crack cocaine.  The firearm was loaded with one live round and five spent casings.  Rhodes admitted that the firearm belonged to him.

Rhodes is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which include convictions for assault of a high and aggravated nature (2 separate convictions), conspiracy to violate SC drug laws, distribution of crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine near a school, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine 2nd offense, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine near a school, assault and battery (3 separate convictions), malicious injury to real property, receiving/possessing stolen goods, trespassing, false information to police, unlawful carrying of a pistol, unlawful communication/unlawful use of telephone (2 separate counts), resisting arrest, and stalking.

The case was investigated by the York Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.  Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

Contact Person: Brad Parham (843) 665-6688

Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Kevin Michael Stehlik has been sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Production of Child Pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), and Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B).  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Stehlik to 396 months (33 years) imprisonment, to be followed by supervised release for life, and restitution in the amount of $25,000.00.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Stehlik  made numerous video recordings of himself while engaging in sexually explicit acts with a six–year-old child.   Agents discovered the videos during the execution of a search warrant at Stehlik’s residence.  During a search of Stehlik’s computer, agents also uncovered a significant amount of child pornography depicting sexually explicit images of prepubescent children.

The case was investigated by agents with ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Charleston.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

“While it is heartbreaking to see a registered sex offender gain access to and subsequently sexually abuse a young child, it is a relief to know that Kevin Stehlik will spend the next three decades behind bars,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “This investigation displayed terrific work by our special agents, who were able to positively identify Stehlik as the child’s abuser in pornography videos by comparing scars and other distinguishing features. Hopefully this lengthy sentence will bring some peace to the victim and family as they work to heal from the damage he so callously inflicted upon them.”   United States Attorney Bill Nettles expressed his thanks for “the outstanding investigative work by the Charleston HSI agents which resulted in this predator being brought to justice.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Contact Person: Rhett DeHart (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that William Martin, age 59, of Yemassee, Keith Gebhardt, age 54, of Yemassee, and Mark Argetsinger, age 63, of Beaufort, were sentencedin federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for the unlawful trapping and killing of migratory birds at Mackay Point Plantation in Jasper County.  This crime is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act under Title 16, United States Code, Section 703.  United States Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant of Charleston sentenced Martin, Gebhardt, and Argetsinger to six months probation, community service, a one-year ban on trapping, and a fine.  In addition to the guilty pleas of Martin, Gebhardt, and Argetsinger, Mackay Point Plantation LLC. has agreed to pay $250,000.00 in community restitution.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina and the Fish and Wildlife Service will divide these funds among local animal charities such as the Center for the Birds of Prey and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Evidence presented in this case established that Mackay Point Plantation is an 8,000 acre plantation in Jasper County.  It is a state-of-the-art hunting preserve that has twenty-six (26) miles on intra-coastal rivers, two large guest houses, horse stables, and a hunting dog kennel.  The plantation is divided into different hunting areas for deer, quail, doves, and ducks, and it has twelve (12) employees who manage the hunting preserve.  It is a private plantation and is used only by the owners and their family and friends.

William Martin is the general manager of Mackay Point. Keith Gebhardt trains the horses and the hunting dogs. Mark Argetsinger handles the heavy equipment.  These employees release approximately 6,000 quail each year on the plantation for the owners to hunt.  Red-tail Hawks and Great Horned Owls are native to South Carolina, and these birds of prey eat quail as natural predators.  In order to improve the quail hunting, Martin, Gebhardt, and Argetsinger placed dozens of baited, steel traps to kill hawks and owls.  These hawks and owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be killed without a permit.

This case came to the attention of the authorities based on a confidential tip.  Soon thereafter, a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officer saw a dead hawk near the river bank on the plantation.  The DNR and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) agents installed cameras on the plantation over a two-year period, and the surveillance footage shows Argetsinger and Gebhardt trapping and shooting more than 30 hawks and owls.  The trapping and killing occurred only during quail season.  This trapping is more gruesome than shooting the hawks and owls because the birds were often trapped for several days being killed.

In February 2014, a federal search warrant was executed at Mackay Point Plantation, and more traps and dead birds of prey were uncovered.  Argetsinger and Gebhardt were interviewed and confessed to unlawfully trapping and killing hawks and owls in order to improve the quail hunting.  Martin, the plantation manager, was also implicated in the trapping.  There is no evidence that the owners of Mackay Point were involved in the killing of the hawks and owls.

The killing of birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, to improve quail hunting has become a widespread problem in the Southeast.  The $250,000.00 in community restitution is one of the largest financial penalties in the history of the Fish and Wildlife Service.  U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles stated after the guilty plea and sentencing that the “Federal Government has a strong interest in protecting our nation’s natural resources, including wildlife.”  Nettles further stated that “Today's sentence sends a strong message to unscrupulous hunters and landowners who think they are above the law.” 

Luis Santiago, Special Agent-in-Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said of today’s plea: “This case is an excellent example of the cooperative investigative efforts between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and each agency’s strong commitment to investigate violations of wildlife laws. We take very seriously our mission to support our state counterpart wildlife enforcement agencies, and we will continue to aggressively pursue individuals as well as corporations who are involved in the illegal take of protected species of wildlife”.

Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.  The case was investigated by agents of Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Contact Person: Stacey Haynes or William Witherspoon (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today that a federal grand jury returned a nine-count Indictment charging Florence resident Willard Lester “Les” Willard, age 51, with conspiracy, smuggling and violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  The Indictment alleges that beginning in 2010, Willard ran a fulfillment center for foreign drug companies that illegally sold unapproved pharmaceutical drugs to US residents.  He is also accused of selling unapproved prescription drugs to US customers through a website, www.click1market.com, that he maintained and controlled.  The Indictment alleges that Willard shipped more than 10,000 packages containing the smuggled drugs.

The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, working with Homeland Security Investigations and Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Eric Klumb is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney stated that the charges alleged in the Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Peter Phillips (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today thatShonni Abernathy, age 41, of Berkeley County, South Carolina, was sentenced by the Honorable Richard M. Gergel to 30 years imprisonment for (1) conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine; and (2) manufacturing methamphetamine where children reside.  Abernathy had previously pled guilty on April 29, 2013.

The investigation began on May 31, 2012, after a suspicious fire occurred at the Pine Harbour Apartments in Goose Creek, South Carolina, which resulted in three deaths and the displacement of numerous residents.  The investigation revealed a used, one-pot methamphetamine lab in the apartment where the fire began, as well as other chemicals and tools used for the manufacture of methamphetamine.  The investigation further revealed that Shonni Abernathy and his codefendant, Jerald McCabe, manufactured methamphetamine in that apartment on numerous, previous occasions.

Mr. Nettles stated that the case was investigated by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Peter T. Phillips of the Charleston Office handled the prosecution.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles will announce a significant development in the Ronnie Gene Wilson and Atlantic Bullion & Coin case.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned an Indictment alleging a conspiracy to obstruct justice and to hide assets in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. The following individuals were charged in the indictment: Ronnie Gene Wilson, age 67, of the Coleman Federal Corrections Institution in Sumterville, Florida; Cassandra Kendall Wilson, age 66, of Woodruff, South Carolina; and

Timothy L. Wilson, age 60, of Martin, Tennessee.

In addition, Mr. Nettles said that Ronnie Gene Wilson was also charged with making false statements to federal agents in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.  

The maximum penalty the Defendants could face for the conspiracy charge is 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The maximum penalty Ronnie Gene Wilson could face for false statement charge is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations, and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Mr. Nettles further stated that since the original charges brought against Wilson and Atlantic Bullion & Coin in 2012, three individuals have been convicted of charges related to the Ponzi and the hiding of assets. 

On February 26, 2014, Wallace Lindsey Howell, age 62, of Mauldin, South Carolina, was sentenced for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Greenville imposed a 12 month sentence and ordered Howell to pay $3.5 million in restitution.

On March 31, 2014, Benton T. Hall, age 22, of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced for  conspiracy to obstruct justice, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.    United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Greenville imposed a 24 month sentence and ordered Hall to pay $172,000 in restitution.

On April 28, 2014, Gordon L. Hall, age 61, of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced for conspiracy to obstruct justice and wire fraud, violations of Tile 18 United States Code, Sections 371 and 1349.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Greenville imposed a 180 month sentence and ordered Hall to pay $172,000 in restitution.

By way of background, Benton T. Hall and Gordon L. Hall were co-conspirators with Wallace Lindsey Howell.  Howell recommended Wilson’s investment program to numerous people and received “commissions” from Wilson for investors he brought in.  The indictment charging Howell focused on two clients introduced to Wilson’s investment scheme by Howell.

In April 2006, Atlantic Bullion & Coin statements showed these two clients made a profit because of silver trades that Wilson allegedly had made.  (Of course, Wilson never made any real trades for any of his clients and was, in fact, operating a Ponzi scheme.)  Howell told Wilson that since the two clients belonged to Howell, Wilson should put the profits earned in a separate account in Howell’s name. Thus, Howell was able to steal money belonging to his clients.

Once Howell learned that Secret Service was investigating the Ponzi scheme, he sought assistance from Benton T. Hall and Gordon L. Hall in hiding assets that had been acquired with Ponzi money.  Howell was afraid that the federal receiver working to marshal assets related to the Wilson Ponzi fraud would “claw back” these assets so they could be distributed to the victims of the Ponzi scheme.

Howell transferred to the Halls approximately $1.5 million in property, gold and silver coins, equipment, and cash.  The Halls then worked to hide this money from the federal receiver and law enforcement.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today that a federal grand jury returned a nine-count Indictment charging Florence resident Willard Lester “Les” Willard, age 51, with conspiracy, smuggling and violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  The Indictment alleges that beginning in 2010, Willard ran a fulfillment center for foreign drug companies that illegally sold unapproved pharmaceutical drugs to US residents.  He is also accused of selling unapproved prescription drugs to US customers through a website, www.click1market.com, that he maintained and controlled.  The Indictment alleges that Willard shipped more than 10,000 packages containing the smuggled drugs.

The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, working with Homeland Security Investigations and Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Eric Klumb is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney stated that the charges alleged in the Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following: Spartanburg County Resident Indicted for Wire Fraud
MARGUERITE L. HOLT, age 61, of  Moore, South Carolina, was charged with wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.  The maximum penalty HOLT could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or twenty years imprisonment. This case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Foreign Nationals Charged with Illegal Re-entry
UDENCIO TECUN-CALI, RAMON ARRIAGA-HERNANDEZ, CARLOS DIAZ-HERNANDEZ, IVAN MARES-RUIZ, LEONEL REYNOSO-DIONICIO, NERY HUMBERTO DE LEON-LOPEZ, JOSE MANUEL FERMAN-AGUILAR, PERFECTO PEREZ-TOLEDO, ABDON GARCIA-GUILLEN, GILBERTO MICHOA-RAMIREZ, MAURO CORDOVA-BURGOS, JOSE VERULA MARTINEZ-SALDANA and MARTIN GONZALEZ-CASTRO are each charged with illegal re-entry to the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty each could receive, depending on his prior criminal history, is two to twenty years imprisonment. These cases were investigated by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents and are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution. The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced that Larkin Thaddaeus Viers, age 36, of Horry County, South Carolina has been charged in a 14-count indictment.  Larkin Thaddaeus Viers was charged with money laundering, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1957, conspiracy to launder money, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1956(h), and false statements to federal agents, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1001.  The maximum penalty Viers could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service and Secret Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day II of the Florence office for prosecution.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Alice Boland, age 30, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was recently ordered to be civilly committed to the custody of the Attorney General pending further court order as explained below. 

After the incident at Ashley Hall on February 4, 2013, and her subsequent arrest on state charges, a federal grand jury charged Boland in a four (4) count Indictment with

• making a false statement in order to purchase a firearm,
• illegally possessing a firearm given her status as a person who had been previously committed to a mental institution or who had been adjudicated as mentally incompetent,
• possession of a firearm in a school zone, and
• attempted discharge of a firearm in a school zone.

Contact Person: Nathan Williams (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Wendy Annette Moore, age 38, and Christopher Austin Latham, age 51, both of Sullivan’s Island, were sentenced for their roles in a Murder for Hire plot that took place in April 2013. 

Following a February 2014 jury trial Moore was convicted of Conspiracy and Use of Interstate Facilities in the Commission of Murder for Hire under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958(a), 1958(b); Solicitation of Murder for Hire under 18 U.S.C. § 373; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence under 18 U.S.C. §924(c).  Latham was convicted of a single count of Use of Interstate Facilities in the Commission of Murder for Hire under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958(a).  Both were sentenced this week by United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel.  Moore was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.  Latham was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  

The convictions and sentences are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigations; and the City of Charleston Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:

3 Men Indicted for Kidnapping/Firearms Charges
Juan Manuel Fuentes-Morales, age 26, of Monteray, Mexico; Ruben Ceja-Rangel, age 57, of Mexico; and Luis Castro-Villeda, of Garland, North Carolina were charged in a 5-count indictment.  All three defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1201(c); substantive kidnapping, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1201(a); hostage taking for ransom, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1203; and two counts each for brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crimes of violence, violations of Title 18, U. S. C. §924(c)(1)(A)(ii). The defendants face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on each of the 5 charges in the indictment and a maximum fine of $250,000.00 on each charge of the indictment. 

The case was investigated by numerous law enforcement agencies including the Columbia FBI Field Office; FBI Field Offices in Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Newark, New Haven, Norfolk, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond and Washington D.C.; LEGAT Mexico City; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED); the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office; the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office; the South Carolina Department of Public Safety; the City of Columbia Police Department; the Richland County Sheriff’s Office; the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office; the University of South Carolina Police Department; Bladen County, North Carolina Emergency Services; the Bladen County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office; the Cumberland County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office; the Sampson County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office; the Durham County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office; the Durham Police Department; the North Carolina Department of Public Safety; the Raleigh Police Department; the  Fayetteville, North Carolina Police Department; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S.  Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; and the U.S. Office for the District of South Carolina.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia, South Carolina office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Jim May (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Leland Victor Nielsen, III, age 32, of Sumter, South Carolina, was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing a young girl. Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Nielsen today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, after a jury previously convicted Nielsen of multiple counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child (18 U.S.C. § 2241(c)) and Sexual Abuse of a Minor (18 U.S.C. § 2243).

Evidence presented over a four-day trial established that for six months Nielsen systematically and methodically performed more and more sexual acts with the child, culminating with forcible sexual assault of the child on numerous occasions. “The protection of children, is an obligation of any civilized society,” stated United States Attorney Bill Nettles.  “This conviction and sentence underscore the fact that people who commit crimes against children have no place in society.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

Contact Person: Nathan Williams (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina -----Sentencing hearings have been scheduled in connection with United States v. Moore et. al., a case involving Conspiracy, Murder for Hire and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.  United States District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel will preside over the proceedings, as indicated below.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014, 9:00 a.m.
Hollings Judicial Center
83 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401
Courtroom 1

Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that RICHARD A. WILLIAMS, age 42, of Columbia, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court to 180 months (15 years) imprisonment, to be followed by five (5) years of supervised release.  WILLIAMS plead guilty this past May to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e).  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour imposed the sentence after finding that WILLIAMS was an armed career criminal subject to enhanced penalties based upon his extensive prior record in state court.

Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that at approximately 7:18 pm on July 30, 2013, officers with the Columbia Police Department responded to the Fast Point Convenience Store on Fairfield Road, in reference to an alarm call.  Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed WILLIAMS on the side of the building with his hand tucked into his waistline underneath his shirt.  WILLIAMS, after making eye contact with officers, abruptly turned and ran.  Despite officers yelling for him to stop, WILLIAMS continued running and dropped two firearms to the ground before ultimately being stopped by officers.  Officers recovered the two firearms dropped by WILLIAMS, a Smith & Wesson .32 caliber revolver and a Glock 9mm pistol loaded with 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and also recovered a small amount of marijuana in two plastic baggies in WILLIAMS’ right pocket, along with two box cutter knives.

The investigation revealed that WILLIAMS is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior state convictions.  WILLIAMS was deemed an armed career criminal based upon his prior record, which includes convictions for assault and battery with intent to kill (stemming from shooting in November 1990), assault & battery, voluntary manslaughter (stemming from a shooting in June 1990), and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.  Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney William N. Nettles, stated today that two Aiken men, Jesse James Quarles, 33, and Kenneth Islar, 27, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in separate indictments, charging each with felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). During arraignment hearings this last Tuesday morning in federal court in Columbia, the government requested that both men be detained.  Quarles and Islar entered not guilty pleas, waived their right to a detention hearing, and remain in custody.

Mr. Nettles stated the penalty for felon in possession is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, plus a special assessment of $100.  However, should either Quarles or Islar be classified based on prior criminal history as an Armed Career Criminal, they would be subject to enhanced penalties--a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, a five-year term of supervised release, and a special assessment fee of $100.  Both cases have been assigned to United States District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs in Columbia, South Carolina.

Launched in early 2013, the Aiken Safe Communities Initiative is a unified, proactive community approach to engage, educate, and encourage recurring offenders to change their behavior and make healthy life choices.  The initiative also bands together local, state, and federal law enforcement to expedite the investigation and prosecution of individuals who reoffend, despite opportunities and assistance offered by the community during public notification meetings held at Aiken City Hall to support a law abiding path.  From 2012-2013, the city of Aiken experienced an 86% reduction in murders.  Earlier this year, the South Carolina Community Development Association presented the city of Aiken with its 2014 Award of Excellence, recognizing community development efforts that have significantly improved the quality of life in the community.  Nettles said, “I drove to Aiken and sat in the room with both of these individuals looked them in the eye and promised them that if they were ever found to have a gun I was going to prosecute them.  This office is following through on the promise I made to them and to the people of South Carolina.”

Both cases were investigated by the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the 2nd Circuit Solicitor’s Office (Aiken, Bamberg, and Barnwell counties), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  These prosecutions as well as the United States Attorney’s Office ongoing commitment to the Aiken Safe Communities Initiative are part of Operation CeaseFire.   CeaseFire is a joint local, state, and federal initiative which seeks to prosecute aggressively individuals who unlawfully use, possess, or transfer firearms.  Both cases are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Izzat M. Khalil, age 54, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1955, which prohibits the operation of an illegal gambling business.  Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced Khalil to one year and one day imprisonment and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.  According to his plea agreement, Khalil is forfeiting $194,522.00 in gambling proceeds to the United States.

Evidence at the change of plea hearing established that during the dates set forth in the indictment, Khalil conducted an illegal gambling business in and around Greenville, South Carolina.  Five or more persons were involved in this activity and the business was in continuous operation for more than 30 days.  The headquarters of Khalil’s business was 6129 Augusta Road, in Greenville South Carolina.  Law enforcement used a number of confidential informants to make controlled purchases from Khalil’s gambling locations.  For example, on January 31, 2012 and March 13, 2013, a confidential informant who was wired for video and audio made controlled gambling bets at 6129 Augusta Road.  Each time the informant received a slip memorializing the transaction.  Khalil employed individuals making the betting tickets, recording the wagers, and paying out when necessary.  This activity was in violation of S.C. Code Ann. 12-21-2710 and 16-19-130.

The case was investigated by deputies of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

Contact Person: Nick Bianchi (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Roqel Connors, age 23, of Garnett, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for discharging a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  Senior United States District Judge Sol Blatt, Jr. of Charleston sentenced Connors to 10 years to be followed by 5 years supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on December 11, 2011, Connors arranged to sell marijuana to a man in Beaufort, SC.  As Connors was conducting the transaction with an individual in the back seat of a vehicle, an argument ensued and Connors fired her Glock handgun into the vehicle. The shot fired by Connors struck the driver of the vehicle, Mark Kevin Jones, in the back of the head, killing Jones.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

Contact Person: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Andrew Stephen Jackson, age 44, of Florence, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, to possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2) .  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Jackson was trading child pornography with an individual in Australia in October 2010. A search warrant was executed at Jackson's residence and thousands of images of child pornography were found on Jackson's computers.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI.  Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

# # #

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Walter T. Alexander, age 31, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, to possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252A.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will sentence Alexander once a pre-sentence investigation report has been prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement began an investigation of Alexander after learning that an e-mail address associated with him had uploaded an image file containing child porn.  The file was uploaded on October 10, 2012.  A state law enforcement officer reviewed the upload and concluded that it did indeed contain child porn.  Further investigation traced the IP address connected to the e-mail account to Alexander’s residence. 

On April 22, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Alexander’s residence.  They seized his computer and conducted a forensic examination of it.  Approximately 90 child porn videos and 170 still images were found-- that is, images and videos of minors under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the lascivious display of the genitals.  Some of the minors had not attained the age of 12 and were prepubescent. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations, and the State Law Enforcement Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Michael L. Wolfenbarger, age 42, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, to wire fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1343.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will sentence Wolfenbarger once a pre-sentence investigation report has been prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Wolfenbarger acted as the middleman between various automotive dealerships and private individuals in the purchase and sale of used vehicles.  Wolfenbarger utilized bank accounts at Branch Banking & Trust Company and The Palmetto Bank in his business affairs.  Wolfenbarger would write checks drawn on bank accounts with insufficient funds or create counterfeit instruments and deposit these checks into other accounts. The pattern of depositing insufficient funds (“NSF”) checks and counterfeit instruments resulted in the books and records of the Banks showing inflated balances that permitted these NSF checks or counterfeit instruments to be honored rather than returned unpaid. Wolfenbarger would then withdraw monies from the Banks and/or write checks for goods and services based on inflated balances and thus take advantage of the time required for a check deposited in one bank to be physically presented for payment at the bank on which it was drawn.  It was further part of the scheme and artifice to defraud that Wolfenbarger, rather than remitting funds to the automotive dealerships once a used vehicle had been sold, would deposit these funds in accounts with the Banks in an effort to perpetuate the kite and cover bad checks that he had written.  Through this scheme an artifice, the victims lost in excess of $1 million.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

# # #

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that James A. Newton, age 54, of Easley, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, to possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252A.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will sentence Newton once a pre-sentence investigation report has been prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 17, 2013, an agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations, was conducting an investigation of individuals sharing child pornography.  The agent logged onto a peer-to-peer file sharing program and downloaded child pornography from a user in Easley, SC.  Further investigation revealed that this IP address was associated with Newton’s residence. 

On July 9, 2013, agents executed a federal search warrant at his residence.  Multiple computers and storage devices were seized.  Newton had 121 child porn videos and 2,517 still images—that is, images and videos of minors under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the lascivious display of the genitals.  Some of the minors had not attained the age of 12 and were prepubescent.

The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Contact Person: DeWayne Pearson (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Jerry Elmo Hartsoe, age 57, of West Columbia, James Chappel Dew, age 59 of North Myrtle Beach, and Mark Shannon Manuel, age 49 of Franklin, Tennessee, were sentenced to 10 years incarceration by United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia for their convictions on eight counts of mail fraud.  Facts presented at trial proved that the three men defrauded victims through their West Columbia business, Eden Gifted Properties. The men claimed to be able to eliminate their customers’ debt using a series of secret government accounts. 

According to the testimony presented in the case, Hartsoe, Manuel and Dew claimed to have access to a secret government account worth approximately $100 billion.  For a fee or “donation” of 10% of the value of the debt, the men claimed to be able to satisfy and pay off mortgages, credit cards and any other types of debt.  Using connections within various religious and political groups, the defendants traveled across the United States to host seminars and presentations.  After identifying potential victims at these seminars and presentations, the defendants would solicit several thousand dollars from each victim and begin mailing a series of bogus documents to banks and other lenders.  Witnesses testified that the men encouraged customers to seek cash advances from credit cards and to raid retirement accounts in order to pay Eden Gifted Properties’ fees.  The court found that the men took over $675,000.00 from their victims and intended to cause over $83,000,000.00 in losses to banks and other financial institutions.

Claims made by the men during the trial and during sentencing are similar to arguments presented by so-called “sovereign citizens.” Sovereign citizens” are U.S. citizens who reject their citizenship status and claim that the government is operating outside of its jurisdiction.  They generally do not recognize the authority of federal, state or local governments and renounce their obligation to adhere to the laws, policies or regulations created by those governments

The investigation and convictions were pursued in furtherance of the FBI’s national strategy aimed at disrupting the criminal activity of individuals claiming to be sovereign citizensand prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys T. DeWayne Pearson and John Potterfield of the Columbia office.

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Christopher E. Miller, age 26, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, for possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252A.  Senior United States District G. Ross Anderson, Jr., sentenced Miller to 97 months imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment fee. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that agents received information that someone located in Greenville, South Carolina, was using peer-to-peer software to download child pornography via the internet.  Investigative efforts allowed law enforcement to determine the IP address that was utilized to download the child pornography.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation then traced the IP address to Miller’s home. 

Agents executed a search warrant at Miller’s home in Greenville. They seized computers from the home and conducted a forensic examination.  Agents discovered hundreds of still images and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. 
  
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Contact Person: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Steven Mickey Bunker, age 47, of Aynor, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for theft of government funds, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641, and conspiracy to make false statements when purchasing a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Bunker to imprisonment for 24 months, 3 years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $108,489.36.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the Department of Veterans Affairs began an investigation of Steven Mickey Bunker after the Sun News interviewed Bunker and published an article concerning injuries he claimed to have sustained while serving in the military in Iraq.  After the news article was published, the Department of Veterans Affairs was notified because the newspaper received so much negative feedback indicating that Bunker had made false statements concerning his injuries.  At the time, Bunker was receiving total disability from the VA as a result of his claims that he was paralyzed and unable to walk, drive, eat, or otherwise take care of himself without assistance. Bunker’s total disability included payment for others to take care of him at his home. Bunker also received over $40,000 to purchase a vehicle to be driven by someone without the use of their legs, which Bunker promptly traded for a Hummer.  The VA’s investigation revealed that Bunker was able to walk, drive, and otherwise take care of himself.  As a result of Bunker’s false claims, he received over $159,000 in VA benefits.  In addition, Bunker had purchased twenty-three firearms using straw purchasers.  The straw purchasers falsely stated on the ATF forms that they were purchasing the firearms for themselves when in fact Steven Bunker picked out and paid for the firearms.  Steven Bunker was not permitted to purchase firearms because of a prior felony conviction for lewd act or attempted lewd act upon a minor less than 16 years of age.          

The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day II prosecuted the case.

Contact Person: George Conits (864) 282-2100

Tax Preparer Filed Returns for Others that Overstated Tax Refunds by Claiming Fabricated IRA Deductions and Bogus Education Credits

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, permanently barred Sandra Burton from preparing federal income tax returns for others, the U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles announced today. 

According to the complaint, from 2006 through 2008, Burton operated her own tax preparation business, Burton Tax Service, and then worked as a tax preparer at J. Moss Financial Services through 2012.  While operating Burton Tax Service in 2007 and 2008, Burton allegedly prepared returns for others that improperly claimed fabricated IRA deductions and bogus education credits to reduce her customers’ tax liabilities and/or increase the size of their refunds.  The complaint further alleges that Burton closed her tax preparation business after the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) executed a search warrant on her business in 2008. 

According to the complaint, even after closing Burton Tax Service, Burton continued to prepare returns for others.  As alleged, Burton prepared over 1500 returns in 2011 and 2012 as a tax preparer at J. Moss Financial Services.  The complaint further alleges that Burton continued to claim unsubstantiated education credits on returns she prepared while employed at J. Moss Financial Services. 

In December 2012, Burton pleaded guilty to ten counts of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of materially false income tax returns for returns she prepared while operating Burton Tax Service.  Burton was sentenced to serve 21 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $355,529 in restitution to the IRS.

Burton consented to entry of the injunction.

Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS' Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2014.  The IRS has some tips on their website for choosing a tax preparer.  In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers.  Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department website.  An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page.  If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

Contact Person: Jim May (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Raheem Fitzgerald Bethel, age 27, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, to a term of imprisonment of 35 months in federal prison. On January 15, 2013, Bethel, a previously convicted felon who was on bond for attempted murder, was arrested by the Columbia Police Department with two pistols, one of which was stolen.  After being released again on bond, Bethel was arrested on September 14, 2013 in possession of another stolen pistol.  A federal Grand Jury subsequently indicted Bethel on February 5, 2014.  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour sentenced Bethel to 35 months in prison.

This prosecution is part of the United States Attorney’s ongoing efforts with the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to identify and prosecute violent felons who possess firearms. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay N. Richardson.

Contact Person: Jim May (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Sandra A Stroupe, age 67, of Clover, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, to a term of imprisonment of 24 months in federal prison.  Stroupe was the secretary/bookkeeper at the Clover ARP Church for over 38 years.  Beginning in at least 2006 and continuing until April of 2013 Stroupe embezzled over $600,000 of church money.  

Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour sentenced Stroupe and ordered that Stroupe pay restitution to her victim.

The case was investigated by agent Devon Mahoney of the FBI.  Assistant United States Attorney James (Jim) Hunter May of the Columbia Office prosecuted the case.

Contact Person: Bill Day(803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Archie Larue Evans was sentenced late yesterday afternoon in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Mail Fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and conspiracy to Structure Transactions with a Financial Institution and to Launder Money, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Evans to seven years imprisonment; three years supervised release and ordered Evans to pay restitution of $3,763,339.53.

Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing established that Evans was the pastor of Tilley Swamp Baptist Church located in Conway, South Carolina.  Evans also owned a limited liability corporation, Gold & Silver, LLC. Beginning in 2004, members of the congregation of the Tilley Swamp Baptist Church and others entered into investment contracts with Evans and Gold & Silver, LLC, which guaranteed the investors much higher interest payments than the rate being paid by financial institutions.  From January 2009 to October 2011, Evans was involved in a Ponzi scheme and hid the fact that he had lost or spent the money invested with him by paying investors what he claimed to be their earned interest payments using funds he received from new investors.  Evans continued to collect money from investors and caused losses of more than $2,500,000.00. 

From May 2010 until October 2011, Evans was also involved in a conspiracy with others to structure currency deposits with Anderson Brothers Bank and First Citizens Bank, both in Conway.  The deposits were structured in order to avoid the bank’s reporting requirements so that Evans’ conspirators’ income would not be reported. One of the individuals involved with Evans in structuring the deposits was involved in a lawsuit with an insurance company that had issued a bond on the individual’s business.  The individual had pledged his investments with Evans as collateral and was attempting to hide assets from the insurance company.  Evans opened three checking accounts with Anderson Brothers Bank and structured deposits in excess of $500,000.00 through the accounts.  Evans structured approximately $340,000.00 into the accounts he had with First Citizens Bank.

Evans was taken into custody immediately after being sentenced because he attempted to bring a firearm to the sentencing hearing.

The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day II of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Izell D. Grissett, a/k/a ABuddy@, age 27, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court by United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia.  Grissett was sentenced to LIFE imprisonment plus 120 months (10 years) consecutive on charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of Acrack@ cocaine, robbery affecting interstate commerce (Hobbs Act), brandishing and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and a drug trafficking offense (924(c)), possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of “crack” cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence presented at the trial and in other hearings connected to the case, established that from 2005 until his arrest in 2013, Grissett sold multi-kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around the Columbia area.  In 2010, Grissett and a co-defendant (who previously pled guilty and was sentenced to 30 years) robbed their drug suppliers of two kilograms of cocaine.  In executing the robbery Grissett shot two persons, killing one person.  The second victim sustained life-threatening injuries.  

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Richland County Sheriff=s Department and the City of Columbia Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys William Witherspoon and Nancy Wicker of the Columbia office handled the case.

Contact Person: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Tyrone King, a/k/a “Tyrone Leonard,” age 39, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250(a).  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that King was convicted in September 2008 for Committing a Lewd Act on a child Under 16 Years Old in South Carolina. After serving his sentence, King resided in North Carolina but failed to register as a sex offender and committed Common Law Robbery so was sentenced again in June 2012. When King was paroled in September 2013, he absconded his supervision and moved to Orangeburg without registering as a sex offender in either North or South Carolina. King was arrested in Orangeburg on April 4, 2014.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Marshal.  Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.

Contact Person: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that ABIZAHI GARDUNO-RIVERA, a/k/a “Afrain Guzman,” age 34, of Mexico, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-Entry.  United States District Judge Childs of Columbia, South Carolina sentenced to eighteen months in federal custody to be followed by three years supervised release. The Defendant is also required to surrender for Deportation by Homeland Security when he completes his sentence.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Garduno-Rivera is a citizen of Mexico and was initially deported in October 1998. In September 2002, he was located in Georgia where he was serving a 12 year sentence for Trafficking in Cocaine. Following completion of his sentence, Garduno-Rivera was again deported in May 2006. On September 5, 2013, he was arrested by the Aiken County Sheriff's office for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Hydrocodone, and 3 counts of Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted when it was discovered Garduno-Rivera was in the United States illegally.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for illegal re-entry is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Aiken County Sherriff's Office and ICE.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.

Contact Person: JD Rowell (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----The United States Attorney’s Office announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts in the case of United States v. JONATHAN PINSON.  The jury considered 45 counts of  a  Superseding Indictment charging JONATHAN PINSON, age 44, of Greenville, South Carolina with various violations of federal law, including §18 USC §1962(d) (commonly called a RICO conspiracy), theft of federal funds, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, making false statements, extortion under color of law and state law bribery. The Superseding Indictment specifically alleged that PINSON used his position as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of South Carolina State University (SCSU) to commit illegal acts on behalf of the enterprise.  Co-defendant, ERIC ROBINSON, age 44, of Greenville was acquitted of 7 counts in which he was charged. The jury considered evidence that PINSON was engaged in four different schemes.  One scheme revolved around the 2011 homecoming concert at SCSU and PINSON’s efforts to steer the concert promotion contract to his close friend and former SCSU roommate, ROBINSON, in exchange for a kickback. 

Other schemes included PINSON’s theft of government funds earmarked for the installation of a diaper plant in Marion County.  Evidence showed that proceeds from the grant, intended to create jobs in rural Marion County, were instead pocketed by PINSON and his associates, Lance Wright, Tony Williams, and Phil Mims, each of whom has pled guilty to charges related to the fraud. 

PINSON was also convicted of theft of government funds received from a 10 million dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant (commonly known as stimulus money) intended for the development known as the Village at Rivers Edge (VRE).

In the final scheme PINSON again used his position as Chairman of the Board of SCSU to influence officials at SCSU to purchase land known as “Sportsman’s Retreat”.  The seller of the property, Richard Zahn, PINSON’s  business partner, testified that he agreed to pay a kickback to PINSON in the form of a new Porsche Cayenne, an SUV valued at approximately 90 thousand dollars.   

During the two and one-half week trial, the Government called twenty witnesses, introduced approximately 200 exhibits and played 118 secretly recorded telephone calls.  The calls, authorized by a court-ordered wiretap, covered from July 21 to November 20, 2011. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy C. Wicker, Jane B. Taylor, J.D. Rowell, and T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office prosecuted this and other related cases stemming from this investigation.

PINSON will be sentenced at a later date after the United States Probation Office has completed their presentence investigation and report.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney's Office announces today that Warren Dominque McDaniel, age 27, of Gaston, South Carolina was arrested today after being charged in a 2-count federal indictment.  McDaniel was charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty McDaniel could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The indictment stems from an April 14, 2014, shooting incident in Gaston and from a July 22, 2010, incident in Columbia.  The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia Police Department, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Contact Person: Will Lucius (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that DANIEL PASUI, age 43, of Easley, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, to eight counts of failing to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service taxes that had been withheld from employees of his dental practice as well the practice’s share of FICA contributions, each a violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7202. Senior United States District Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr. accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed a presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Had the case gone to trial, the Government was prepared to show that during eight quarters between March 2009 and June 2011, PASUI collected employment taxes, accounted for the collections on filed returns, but failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service a total of approximately $308,781.00.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty PASUI can receive on each count is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, plus a special assessment of $100.00.

The case was investigated by Criminal Investigation agents of the Internal Revenue Service.  Assistant United States Attorney William C. Lucius of the Greenville office handled the case.

# # #

Contact Person: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina -----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that John Lanier Britt, age 52, of Columbia, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.  United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Britt was involved in the illegal distribution of oxycodone, a powerful prescription pain medication, for more than three years. Audio and video recordings of Britt selling oxycodone were made during the investigation. A search of Britt's house was conducted when Britt was arrested resulting in drugs being seized and evidence being found that Britt had sold almost 300 pills in the three days before he was arrested.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone is imprisonment for 30 years and/or a fine of $2,000,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney William N. Nettles announced today that a federal magistrate judge arraigned Rory Severin, age 45, William Scott Powell, age 40, Chad Edward Moore, age 42, Marie Higgins, age 36, and Angel Miranda Luna, age 24, on federal narcotics and firearms charges.

A federal grand jury has charged these individuals with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute in excess of 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.  Chad Edward Moore also has been charged with felon in possession of a firearm, and Powell, Moore, Higgins, and Miranda Luna have been charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking charge.

The investigation culminated on two dates: April 22, 2014, and May 5, 2014.  On April 22, 2014, law enforcement officers arrested Severin, Powell, Moore, and Higgins, and seized in excess of two pounds of methamphetamine and four firearms.  On May 5, 2014, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle which Luna Miranda was driving in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.  After arresting Luna Miranda, officers seized approximately 26 pounds of methamphetamine, $90,000 in cash, and a firearm Luna Miranda was using in his residence to protect the drugs and drug proceeds.

If convicted on the charges in the indictment, the defendants face 10 years to life imprisonment.  The Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Douglasville, Georgia, Police Department, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Andy Moorman with the U.S. Attorney=s Office will be prosecuting.

#####

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today that Paul Michael Gibson, age 57, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Billy John Mills, Jr., age 45, of Huntersville, North Carolina, have pled guilty as charged to a three count Federal Wire Fraud Indictment.  The pleas were accepted by District Judge Timothy M. Cain sitting in the G. Ross Anderson Federal Courthouse in Anderson, South Carolina.  Gibson and Mills join seven others who have entered pleas of guilty for their roles in the operation of Suzuki dealerships operating in Spartanburg and Gaffney, South Carolina, under the name of Joe Gibson Suzuki. (Names, ages and addresses of these seven are at the end of this release.)  All nine will be sentenced after the preparation of Presentence Reports.  Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of Greenville was in charge of the prosecution of the case and presented the guilty pleas to the Court.

USA Nettles advised that the copy of the indictment attached hereto sets forth in detail the facts of the case, but that in summary Joe Gibson Suzuki, at one point one of the most productive Suzuki dealerships in the country, was an organization riddled with illegal practices. These practices included false advertising, false statements to induce banks to finance uncreditworthy purchasers, and false reporting of sales to cause bonuses to be paid by Suzuki of North America.  Mr. Gibson was the owner of the dealership and Mr. Mills ran the day to day operations of the business.  At the guilty plea hearing, AUSA Stephens stated that there was a “culture of corruption” that permeated the entire business.  Joe Gibson Suzuki is no longer in business.

Mr. Nettles commended agents of the United States Postal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their years of work in investigating this case.  Mr. Nettles stated that many aspects of this case were novel and that he was unaware of other criminal prosecutions of car dealers for misleading advertisements as in this case.

The following is a list of others convicted in this case:

#####

Contact Person: Jay Richardson (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Alvis Damon Williams, age 27, of Sumter, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, to a term of imprisonment of 180 months in federal prison.  The defendant was convicted by a federal jury on February 18, 2014. Williams was sentenced for dealing in crack cocaine and cocaine (21 U.S.C. §841), possessing a firearm in furtherance of narcotics trafficking (18 U.S.C. §924(c)), and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (18 U.S.C. §922(g)). Williams had multiple prior felony drug convictions and was sentenced by The Honorable Joseph F. Anderson, United States District Judge.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment on August 20, 2013, based on Williams’ actions in June of 2013, when Williams possessed a firearm while distributing cocaine in Sumter.  Officers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office observed Williams distributing cocaine and stopped Williams’s Chevrolet Impala finding a .40 caliber Colt pistol.  In addition to the pistol, Williams had $1,600 in cash, crack and powder cocaine secreted inside a false-bottom canister, marijuana, a scale, three cell phones, plastic baggies, and creatine, which is used to cut or dilute cocaine.  

The case was the result of a collaborative effort between the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  “The cooperation of local and federal law enforcement ensures that dangerous criminals are caught and prosecuted,” said United States Attorney Bill Nettles. “The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies were integral in the investigation of Williams.  This case demonstrates the United States Attorney’s Office’s dedication in joining with local law enforcement agencies to remove violent drug offenders from the streets.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay N. Richardson.

# # #

Contac Persont: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Andrew Stephen Jackson, age 44, of Florence, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, to possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2) .  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Jackson was trading child pornography with an individual in Australia in October 2010. A search warrant was executed at Jackson's residence and thousands of images of child pornography were found on Jackson's computers.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI.  Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

# # #

Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that MICHAEL JUAN SMITH, a/k/a “Flame,” a/k/a “Junior,” age 21, of Columbia, South Carolina was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) imprisonment today in federal court.  Following the term of imprisonment, SMITH will be on federal supervised release for three (3) years. SMITH pled guilty on February 19, 2014, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. imposed the sentence after a contested sentencing hearing.  The sentence is the maximum sentence allowed under federal law for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. SMITH still faces pending charges in state court for the actual shooting that occurred on October 13, 2013. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing in federal court established that shortly after 2:00 am on October 13, 2013, SMITH, along with several friends, was in the Five Points area of Columbia.  Surveillance videos show SMITH, a gang member, and his friends walk up Harden Street towards the Library nightclub.  At one point, surveillance video shows SMITH adjusting a handgun in his jacket pocket as he walks up the street, transferring it from one pocket to another.  SMITH and the group return down Harden Street a short time later and after passing by the fountain area where taxis pick up customers, SMITH and his group become involved in a confrontation with another group of individuals.  At this point, SMITH fires his handgun striking an innocent bystander standing in line at the taxi stand.  That bystander, an 18 year old college student, was paralyzed as a result.  SMITH attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was immediately apprehended on Harden Street by a Columbia Police Department officer responding to the shooting.  SMITH refused demands to take his hand from his jacket pocket and a search revealed a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun in SMITH’s front jacket pocket.   At the scene, SMITH voluntarily uttered, “I did not mean to shoot.”  SMITH later told officers that people shot at him and he picked up the Glock from the ground as he ran away from them.  Witnesses at the scene, however, identified SMITH as the shooter.  An analysis of gunshot residue from SMITH’s hand was consistent with him having fired a gun and ballistics testing determined that a .40 caliber shell casing recovered at the scene of the shooting was consistent with being fired from SMITH’S .40 caliber handgun.   A check of a law enforcement database revealed that the firearm had previously been reported as stolen during a burglary in Richland County.

The investigation revealed that SMITH, who was on state probation and also on state parole at the time of the incident, is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior state conviction for attempted burglary 2nd degree of a dwelling and a separate state conviction for burglary 2nd degree.

The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.  Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####

Contac Persont: Bill Day (803) 929-3000

Florence, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Webster Douglas Williams, III, age 55, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, to producing child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e).  Additionally, Williams, III entered a guilty plea to travel in interstate commerce to engage in sexual acts with a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2423(b) and to possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2252A.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Williams   produced child pornography for more than five years by filming his activities with children who were from four to eleven years old at the time. Williams also took children to Florida where he engaged in sexual activities with one of the children. When Williams' house was searched by the Horry County Police Department  in November 2011, more than one million images of child pornography were found in the form of pictures and videos on computers, cd's and elsewhere. Hidden cameras, computers, cd's and other material used by Williams in producing and collecting child pornography were also found and seized.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for producing child pornography is imprisonment for 30 years and/or a fine of $250,000, the maximum penalty for travel in interstate commerce to engage in sexual acts with a minor is also imprisonment for 30 years and/or a fine of $250,000, and the maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Horry County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

# # #

Contac Persont: Carrie Fisher (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Michael Todd Parker (37) of Cherokee County, South Carolina, pled guilty to one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 666.   Parker is a former deputy sheriff of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (“CCSO”).  Between 2010 and 2012, Parker corruptly seized a number of illegal poker machines from local businesses and then redistributed the same illegal poker machines from which he personally benefitted financially.  Parker was terminated from the CCSO in 2012.  The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Fisher Sherard.

# # #

Contac Persont: Winston Holliday (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Steven Leonard Smart, age 32, of Cayce, Joshua Kendrell Smart, age 25, of Fairfax, and Frederick Shante Redfearn, 25, of Columbia, were sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for participating in a Conspiracy to Make, Forge, and Pass Counterfeit Money, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia sentenced Steven Smart to 38 months imprisonment; Joshua Smart to twenty months imprisonment; and Redfearn to four years of probation. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Redfearn was a salesman for Sears.  Steven and Joshua Smart, who were brothers, purchased flat screen televisions and an Xbox from a Columbia-area Sears using counterfeit money, and then attempted to return the goods at the Sears in Aiken for genuine currency.  Redfearn knew about the fake money but facilitated the sale in exchange for $800 counterfeit money that he could spend himself.  Sears employees in Aiken identified the bogus transactions and contacted law enforcement officers.  Counterfeiting equipment and additional bogus bills were found at an apartment frequented by the Smart brothers.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston Holliday of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

# # #

Contact Person: Bill Nettles (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that James R. Metts (68), of Lexington, SC, was charged by a federal grand jury in a 10-count indictment. According to allegations in the Indictment, Metts accepted bribes from friends in return for using his position, power, and influence as Sherriff to interfere with the proper identification and processing of certain illegal aliens detained at the Lexington County Detention Center. Two others, Danny Frazier (46) and Greg Leon (47), both of Lexington, SC, have been charged by the State Grand Jury with bribing Metts.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles was joined in making the announcement by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kenneth R. Burkhart of Homeland Security Investigations; and Chief Mark Keel of the State Law Enforcement Division.

“Public corruption at any level will not be tolerated,” said United States Attorney Bill Nettles.  “These indictments are a product of a new team at the United States Attorney’s Office whose goal is to use an unprecedented level of cooperation with state and federal agencies in routing out public corruption and returning public trust to the people.”    

Metts was charged with Conspiracy to Violate Federal Law and Interfere with Government Function (18 U.S.C. §371), Use of Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery in violation of South Carolina Code Sections 8-13-705 and 16-9-220 (18 U.S.C. §1952), Use of Interstate Wire to Defraud the Citizens of Lexington County of Their Right to Honest Services (18 U.S.C. §1343, 1346), and Conspiracy to Harbor Illegal Aliens (8 U.S.C. §1324).

The charge of Conspiracy to Violate Federal Law and Interfere with Government Function carries a maximum sentence of 5 years and a $250,000 fine; each charge of Use of Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery carries a maximum sentence of 5 years and a $250,000 fine; each charge of Use of Interstate Wire to Defraud the Citizens of Lexington County of Their Right to Honest Services carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine; and the charge of Conspiracy to Harbor Illegal Aliens carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. Additionally, these charges include a maximum term of supervised release following imprisonment of 3 years.

This multi-agency investigation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; State Law Enforcement Division (SLED); and South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy Wicker, Julius N. Richardson, and James H. May for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

View Full Indictment Here

#####