Western District of Tennessee

Jackson, TN – Reggie Carnell James, Jr., 26, of Denmark, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon-in-possession of a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney, Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on August 20, 2019, the United States Marshals Service and the Jackson Police Department Gang and Street Crimes Unit, were completing the execution of a search warrant on North Parkway in Jackson, TN, when an investigator observed James driving a vehicle. James, who had a suspended driver’s license, was observed pulling into apartment building and was the only occupant in the vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and charged with driving on a suspended license.

After being taken into custody, James’s person was searched and officers located five hydrocodone pills in his front right pocket, and 4.48 grams of marijuana and $495 in cash in his front left pocket.

Officers also observed in plain view, a Glock pistol in the floorboard of the driver’s seat, which had been reported stolen by its owner. The officers searched James car and found a drum magazine that was loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition and a backpack in the front passenger seat which contained eight individually wrapped baggies of marijuana that totaled approximately 203.41 grams, a clear bag containing approximately 3.45 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and 16 THC vape cartridges. The backpack also contained an unloaded Taurus 9mm handgun and a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver.

James is a convicted felon, having been previously convicted of aggravated burglary, arson, and evading arrest in Madison County, Tennessee in 2014. As a result of his felony convictions, James is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On March 31, 2021, U.S. District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced James to serve 100 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department, the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Following a four-day trial, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on all seven counts of the indictment this afternoon of former Memphis Attorney George E. Skouteris, Jr. 56. Acting U.S. Attorney, Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., announced the verdict today.

According to the indictment, between 2007 and March 2013, Skouteris engaged in a scheme to defraud his clients by settling cases without notifying them and forging their endorsements on the settlement checks made jointly payable to him and the client. The indictment alleges that Skouteris then deposited the checks to bank accounts he maintained at TrustOne Bank. Skouteris fraudulently obtained in excess of $250,000 during the scheme.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., on August 19, 2021. Skouteris faces a mandatory maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000 and five years supervised release as to each count. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carroll L. André III and David N. Pritchard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Acting United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in announcing that on April 24th, DEA will hold its 20th

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held at thousands of collection sites around the country. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous.

With robust public participation, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens.

Now in its 20th year, DEA’s October 2020 Take Back Day brought in a record-high amount of expired, unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating most abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential.

"It’s important to keep our own homes safe by regularly cleaning out medicine cabinets and any other areas where we store our pharmaceuticals," said Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans. "Bringing unused or expired medications to a local collection site for safe disposal helps protect your loved ones and the environment."

"As the nation’s overdose death toll continues to rise, it’s now more important than ever to safely dispose of any medications you no longer need in your home medicine cabinet," said Special Agent in Charge Todd Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. "This is a great opportunity for all of us to work together, to make our communities safer by keeping prescription drugs out of the wrong hands."

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Most prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.

Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one-way DEA is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.

Learn more about the event at www.deatakeback.com or by calling 800-882-9539.

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Jackson, TN – Saul Vega Flores, 51, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. Acting U.S. Attorney, Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in March 2017, DEA agents in the Nashville, TN office began an investigation into Rolando Lopez and his drug trafficking organization. Agents discovered Lopez and other co-conspirators were trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and other illegal substances from Texas to Tennessee. Investigators utilized several Title III wiretaps along with physical surveillance, confidential sources, traffic stops, and search warrants to investigate this organization, which was responsible for trafficking hundreds of pounds of actual methamphetamine/ICE. Saul Flores was found to have taken part in this conspiracy.

In early November 2017, investigators discovered through wiretap interceptions of Lopez's phone calls that he and Flores were meeting with individuals involved in the drug trafficking organization to pass out telephones. On November 13, 2017, Lopez and Flores met with Kenneth Garrett who transported Flores to Ronald Parham’s residence in Martin, Tennessee where Flores cooked methamphetamine/ICE.

On December 1, 2017, DEA agents developed information that Lopez was arranging a shipment of a significant amount of methamphetamine from Mexico to Tennessee. The shipment was to be picked up in Mexico by Virginia Torres and delivered to Parham's residence in Martin. This address was being used to convert liquid and powder methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine.

On December 3, 2017, DEA agents set up surveillance at Parham’s residence. Investigators also followed Garrett and Flores from Nashville to Martin and Union City, TN. Through wiretap interceptions of phone calls between Lopez, Garrett, Flores, and Torres, investigators tracked Torres from Mexico to a Days Inn in West Memphis, Arkansas. Investigators observed Garrett and Flores meet with Torres who was driving a 2004 Lincoln Navigator. All three suspects left the Days Inn and headed toward Martin, Tennessee along Highway 51. DEA agents and members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on the vehicles on Highway 51 in Obion County.

On December 5, 2017, investigators searched the Lincoln Navigator and discovered a large quantity of methamphetamine/ICE in a hidden lead compartment in the tires and wrapped around the wheels. A DEA forensic laboratory examination revealed that Torres was carrying 44.85 kilograms of 98% pure ICE. Investigators confirmed that Parham's garage was being used to store and convert methamphetamine, and that either Flores or Parham would convert the powder or liquid methamphetamine to crystal methamphetamine.

Investigators also learned from cooperating witnesses that Flores is an "expert" at converting methamphetamine and that Lopez arranged for him to be transported from Mexico to Tennessee to convert methamphetamine into crystal form for distribution.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated this case.

On April 2, 2021, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Flores to 100 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. The co-defendants in this case received the following sentences: Kenneth Garnett was sentenced to 200 months; Ronald Parham was sentenced 120 months; Virginia Torres was sentenced to 60 months and Ronald Lopez was sentenced to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Morrow and Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – James Howard, 43 has been sentenced to federal prison for 92 months for possession of a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 21, 2019, Memphis Police officers responded to an Aggravated Assault/Domestic Violence call in the 3700 block of Weaver Road. Upon arrival, the victim A.W. advised that her boyfriend, Howard, was intoxicated and acting irrationally. She reported they were in an argument, when Howard "racked" a shotgun and stated he was "going to plant her." Howard left the residence, the victim's sister, S.H. removed her from the residence.

As the victim and her sister were driving, Howard called the victim from the house phone and threatened to kill her and himself. Realizing that Howard had again broken into her home, the victim and her sister drove to a nearby fire station to call law enforcement. After repeated attempts to enter the home, the officers finally gained access and removed Howard, who was taken into custody without further incident. While searching the home officers recovered a Remington Arms 16-gauge shotgun under a dresser.

Howard is a convicted felon having previously been convicted of felony drug trafficking offenses, Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence, and Battery Upon a Peace Officer. As a result of his felony convictions, Howard is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On November 3, 2020, Howard pled guilty to possessing the weapon.

On April 7, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Howard to 92 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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Memphis, TN – Jeremy Lewis, 23, of Ripley, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on April 11, 2019, the Ripley Police Department responded to an aggravated assault complaint where Lewis threatened to shoot his stepfather with an AR-15. Ripley Police quickly located Lewis and the assault rifle. Lewis admitted to possessing the weapon. He had previously been found guilty of other violent felonies such as aggravated assault and robbery.

On September 22, 2020, Lewis pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). As a result of his felony convictions, Lewis is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition and was determined to be an armed career criminal under the federal sentencing guidelines and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.

On March 22, 2021, U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Lewis to 180 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Ripley Police Department, and the Brownsville Police Department investigated this case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean G. Hord prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Hord is currently assigned from the 25th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

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Memphis, TN – Brandon Guffin, 25, has been sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for committing multiple armed business robberies. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information in presented in court, from December 9, 2018 through December 31, 2108, Guffin committed nine armed robberies of businesses throughout the greater Memphis area. He targeted such businesses as Mapco, Circle K gas stations, Family Dollar and KFC.

On April 25, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an 18-count indictment against Guffin charging him with brandishing a firearm during nine business robberies. Guffin pleaded guilty to 13 counts of the indictment on November 4, 2019.

On March 25, 2021, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Guffin to 360 months in federal prison to be followed by five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Bernard M. Jones, 35, has been sentenced to 132 months in federal prison for aggravated assault of a federal employee and discharge of a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 4, 2019, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Jones was in the process of committing the crime of burglary of a motor vehicle. Meanwhile, the victim, a U.S. Postal Service employee, was preparing to take First Class mail from the Jet Cove Annex to the Memphis Processing & Distribution Center in downtown Memphis. While loading the mail into his USPS staff vehicle, the victim, observed someone moving around inside his personal vehicle parked approximately 50 yards away in the employee parking lot at the Memphis Priority Mail Annex. The victim drove the staff vehicle near his pickup truck and saw the defendant exit his pickup truck.

The defendant shot multiple times at the victim as he escaped in his postal vehicle. As the victim drove away, the defendant followed him in a Nissan Sentra and continued to shoot. During the investigation, United States Postal Inspectors determined two bullets struck the hood and several other locations on the postal vehicle. Law enforcement located two 9MM Luger shell casings from the shooting scene. The suspect, along with a female accomplice, fled the scene in a blue Nissan Sentra. Postal Inspectors later identified Bernard M. Jones as the shooter. Jones, a convicted felon, is also a member of the Gangster Disciples Street Gang, and as a result of his prior felony conviction history, is prohibited by federal law from possession of firearms or ammunition.

"Armed assaults on employees of the Postal Service" said Acting United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., "will not be tolerated and our office will prosecute these cases to the full extent of the law."

"Our agency is very pleased with the sentence Judge Lipman imposed. There is no excuse for the acts of violence that the defendant inflicted upon a U.S. Postal Service employee engaged in his official duties. The United States Postal Inspection Service will not tolerate anyone who assaults a postal employee engaged in their official duties and we will aggressively investigate these cases," said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector In Charge of the Atlanta Division.

Jones pled guilty on December 18, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman. On March 24, 2021, Judge Lipman sentenced Jones to 11 years in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – After demanding a federal jury trial last year and having pled guilty to bank robbery before the completion of proof in the case, Arnold Eden, 54 has now been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 3, 2017, at approximately 1:17 p.m., the Hope Federal Credit Union located at 2923 Ridgeway Road, was robbed by threatened force and coercion. Hope Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. A male entered the credit union, approached the teller, and provided a note demanding money. The teller recalled the note stating, "I have a gun. I have nothing to lose. I want two stacks of hundreds." The teller complied and provided $2,602 in cash. The suspect then fled the scene.

The robber was described on video surveillance wearing a black "Kangol" hat; a white t-shirt turned inside out, black shorts, and tennis shoes. The robber was described as 6’2", weighing 160-170lbs, 55-60 years of age, with a gray beard.

While exiting the credit union, video depicts the robber touching the interior glass door. Officers with the Memphis Police Department lifted latent fingerprints which were identified as belonging to the defendant.

On March 24, 2021, U.S. District Judge Mark Norris sentenced Eden to 72 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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Memphis, TN – Convicted felon Anthony Holmes, 29, has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a weapon. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Acting U.S. Attorney, announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on March 3, 2019, while conducting a late-night routine campus patrol, University of Memphis Police officers observed a vehicle running with a male in the passenger seat. After some time, the officers became concerned with the condition of the person in the vehicle, who appeared immobile. As one officer approached the vehicle, he could see a handgun in the waistband of the male in the passenger’s seat. The male did not have any identification and gave only his name as "David Johnson", which the officers could not verify. He was initially charged with Carrying a Weapon on School Property and was booked and processed at 201 Poplar.

Further investigation revealed him as being Anthony Holmes, and that he had an outstanding warrant for attempted murder, resulting from an alleged shooting on I-240 on June 21, 2018. His name and picture had appeared in the news regarding this incident. The charges regarding the shooting on I-240 are still pending in state court.

In 2011 Holmes was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in Shelby County Criminal Court. As a result of his felony conviction, Holmes is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Mark Norris where he faces up to ten years in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office to prosecute violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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Memphis, TN – Antonio Bunting, 23, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for committing multiple carjackings and brandishing a firearm during those crimes of violence. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Acting U.S. Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on June 28, 2018, victim R.D. was driving southbound on Shelby Drive when flagged down by two males with children asking for a ride. The victim pulled over, and one of the males pointed a handgun and told him to get out of the vehicle, a 2014 Toyota Corolla. When the victim did not immediately comply, the men assaulted him with a firearm. The males fled in his vehicle, leaving him with injuries to his knee, lip, and face. On July 1, 2018, the vehicle was located on Sanford Road. Angelo Bunting’s fingerprints were discovered on the vehicle. The victim observed Bunting in a photo lineup and stated he resembled the man with a firearm at the driver’s window.

On July 6, 2018, victim E.S. was at the Shell station on Millbranch Road when he observed two males exit a red vehicle and approach him as he returned to his car after paying inside. The first suspect pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded his keys, while the second suspect put a firearm to the victim’s back and demanded money. The victim gave the suspects his keys, wallet, and cell phone. Both fled in the victim’s vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet Impala; an unidentified individual drove the red vehicle away separately. The victim’s vehicle was later located on Elvis Presley Boulevard. The victim identified Bunting in a photo lineup and stated that he looked similar to one of the suspects.

On July 13, 2018, victim J.M. was washing his car, a 2013 Volkswagen Passat, at a carwash on Holmes Road when approached by two suspects, both of whom pointed firearms at him and demanded his vehicle. The victim complied, and the suspects left the scene. The vehicle was tracked by GPS in Southaven, Mississippi. Bunting’s fingerprints were found in the interior of the vehicle. Victim J.M. positively identified Angelo Bunting as one of the suspects who carjacked him.

On July 31, 2018, Bunting was arrested by officers with the Memphis Police Department’s Victim Crime Unit and the Multi Agency Gang Unit in connection with these crimes, as well as other robbery charges, which are still pending in state court. Bunting was originally indicted for these violent crimes on October 23, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/five-men-indicted-carjacking-and-armed-robbery-memphis. On October 26, 2020, Bunting pleaded guilty to the offenses as charged.

On March 17, 2021, U.S. District Judge Mark Norris sentenced Bunting to 20 years in federal prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Memphis Police Department–Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office to prosecute violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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Memphis, TN – Henly Dolmon, Jr., 38, has been sentenced to 15 months for filing a false federal income tax return. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, Dolmon, the former owner of Simple Tax Solutions, failed to report most of the income he derived from Simple Tax Solutions on his 2012 federal income tax return.

On March 10, 2o21, U.S. District Judge Mark Norris sentenced Dolmon to a total of 15 months imprisonment, ordering Dolmon to serve 8 months in federal prison to be followed by 7 months of home detention. Dolmon was also ordered to serve 1 year of supervised release after his in-custody sentence. He will also be required to pay $124,000 in restitution to the IRS. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony R. Arvin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Joseph Robert DiMarco, 47, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of actualmethamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Acting United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 10, 2018, during a routine traffic stop in Madison County, DiMarco was found in possession of over 80 grams of actual methamphetamine, approximately 1.5 grams of heroin, multiple firearms, and drug paraphernalia. DiMarco also admitted to selling $40.00 worth of methamphetamine to an individual in the parking lot of a gas station on Airways boulevard in Jackson just before he was stopped.

During a search of DiMarco’s person and vehicle, law enforcement officers seized three ounces of methamphetamine and six guns. One of the guns (a pistol) was loaded and was found in a bag with most of the drugs. All of the drugs belonged to DiMarco.

On November 6, 2020, DiMarco pled guilty to possessing over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On March 4, 2021, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced DiMarco under the federal sentencing guidelines, to the mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months on the drug count and 60 months on the firearms count, to run consecutively for a total of 180 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Jackson Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Morrow and Dean DeCandia prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Orlando Mays, 41, has been sentenced to 88 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Acting United States Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on October 24, 2019, after an investigation by the 28th Judicial West Tennessee Drug Task Force and the Brownsville Police Department, a search warrant was executed at Mays’ residence in Brownsville, Tennessee where law enforcement recovered in the master bedroom a Smith & Wesson, model M&P Shield, .40 caliber, an American Tactical 5.56/.223 caliber AR-style pistol with a large capacity drum and additional ammunition, a Glock Model 22 firearm with an extended magazine, two digital scales with marijuana residue, a Food Saver Vacuum Sealer with bags, sandwich bags, oven bags, a money counter, and more than $20,000 in currency.

Also found in Mays’ wallet were his U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Identification Card and Tennessee Identification Card. A search of vehicles belonging to Mays yielded a FN Five Seven, model 5.7x28 caliber firearm. The defendant pled guilty to possessing the Smith & Wesson, model M&P Shield.

Mays is a convicted felon having previously been convicted of Use of a Facility in Interstate Commerce in the Commission of Murder-For-Hire in which he was hired by the leader of a drug trafficking organization to murder two individuals. As a result of his felony convictions, Mays is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On March 4, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Mays to a total of 88 months imprisonment; 64 months for the firearm offense, and 24 months for violating the terms of his supervised release. He will also serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Mays is a convicted "hit man" and enforcer for the largest drug trafficking organization ever in the state of Tennessee. He was on supervised release from federal prison, living outside of his ordered requirements and trying to hide in small town Tennessee to conduct his criminal enterprise. However, small town Tennessee utilizes big town law enforcement who came together to put Mays back where he belongs, federal prison. I commend my Agents and all of those who participated on a job well done," said John Carter, Director of the West TN Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.

This case was investigated by the 28th Judicial West Tennessee Drug Task Force; the Brownsville Police Department; the Gibson County SWAT Team; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and U.S. Secret Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hillary Parham and Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Antonio Buffington, 45, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Acting United States Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on November 23, 2018, Memphis Police Department officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 4200 block of Gladstone Road. The officers were met by the wife of the defendant, Q.B., who advised that she and her husband were in an argument regarding money.

Buffington reportedly retrieved a firearm from a bedside table, pulled the hammer back, and demanded his wife withdraw money from a local ATM. The pair went to a nearby gas station where Q.B. withdrew money from an ATM and provided some to the defendant. The defendant then dropped his wife off at her house and left.

Later, when Buffington returned to the house, his wife called law enforcement. When officers arrived, they recovered an Interarms Industries .44 caliber revolver on the front seat of his vehicle. The defendant was taken into custody. After waiving his Miranda rights, Buffington informed officers that he was in possession of the gun and did take the gun from the nightstand to his vehicle.

Buffington is a convicted felon having previously been convicted of Criminal Attempt: Aggravated Assault, as well as having convictions for Aggravated Robbery. As a result of his felony convictions, Buffington is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition, and was determined to be an armed career criminal under the federal sentencing guidelines and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.

On March 2, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Buffington to 180 months in federal prison followed by two years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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Memphis, TN – Effective March 1, 2021, First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., will succeed former United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act.

Murphy, a graduate of Lambuth College and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Memphis office since 1989. He was named as the office’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney in July of 2018. Prior to being named First Assistant, Murphy served as the office’s Criminal Chief beginning in 2011. In that role he supervised 28 Assistant U.S. Attorneys who investigated and prosecuted criminal cases in the Memphis office and 10 support staff. He also served as Chief of the office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force for three years before being named Criminal Chief. Between 1991 and 2007, Murphy served as a line assistant in both the office’s criminal division and drug task force.

During his career with the Justice Department, Murphy has tried approximately 125 felony cases to verdict in U.S. District Court. These cases included prosecutions of health care professionals for illegally distributing controlled substances; mail and wire fraud cases; and theft cases involving pension funds and interstate shipments. Murphy has also represented the government in over 200 cases litigated before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and he has argued approximately 48 cases before that court.

A Memphis resident, Murphy has been married to Sandy Murphy for 32 years and has two adult children. Active in community and legal affairs, he is a member of the Leo Bearman, Sr. Inn of the American Inns of Court and a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and has served as a volunteer with the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

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Memphis, TN – Linda Williams, 52, of Memphis, Tennessee, an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax examiner, was indicted for defrauding the IRS by filing false tax returns for various tax payers in the Memphis area. Williams claimed over $500,000 in false deductions for these citizens. Many of these citizens were unaware of the false deductions discovered on their tax returns. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney, announced the indictment today.

According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2017, Williams executed a scheme to prepare and file false tax returns for friends and family members. The tax returns contained false deductions to inflate tax payers’ refunds. Specifically, these deductions were pertaining to medical expenses, charitable contributions and business expenses. Williams would then take a portion from the refunds and transfer the funds to her personal bank account.

Williams was indicted for filing (10) false tax returns. She faces up to three years imprisonment for this offense and a fine in the amount of $250,000. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Protection of the United States Treasury and individual taxpayers is a core value and critical mission for this office and the Department of Justice. Whenever there is fraud against our tax system, we will use all available resources to expose, punish, and deter such dishonest criminal behavior. I commend the outstanding investigation by our federal law enforcement partners in this important case."

The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon K. Griffin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Two Texas men were charged in a complaint unsealed today for their alleged participation in a drug distribution conspiracy perpetrated over the Darknet.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Erik P. Breitzke of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of HSI Houston, and Special Agent in Charge Charles Grinstead of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kansas City Field Office made the announcement.

Kevin Ombisi, 31, and Eric Russell Jr., 35, both of Katy, were each charged in a complaint filed in the Western District of Tennessee. Ombisi is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, and Russell is charged with one count of conspiracy. Ombisi and Russell were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearance this afternoon.

The complaint alleges that Ombisi and Russell used a marketplace on the Darknet and an encrypted messaging service called Wickr to sell pills that were made to resemble the drug branded as Adderall. In reality, the pills were not Adderall. Instead, they contained methamphetamine.

In conjunction with the arrests, the government seized more than $5 million in assets alleged to be connected to the drug trafficking activity.

A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Nashville District Office Tactical Diversion Squad, HSI El Paso and Houston, and the FDA. Trial Attorney Jillian Willis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Parks of the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case with assistance on forfeiture matters from Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Cotten. 

The Fraud Section leads the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force has charged more than 85 defendants who are collectively responsible for distributing more than 65 million pills.  Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for approximately $19 billion.

Note: A copy of the affidavit can be obtained here.

MEMPHIS, TN – Two Texas men were charged in a complaint unsealed today for their alleged participation in a drug distribution conspiracy perpetrated over the Darknet.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Erik P. Breitzke of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of HSI Houston, and Special Agent in Charge Charles Grinstead of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kansas City Field Office made the announcement.

Kevin Ombisi, 31, and Eric Russell Jr., 35, both of Katy, were each charged in a complaint filed in the Western District of Tennessee. Ombisi is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, and Russell is charged with one count of conspiracy. Ombisi and Russell were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearance this afternoon.

The complaint alleges that Ombisi and Russell used a marketplace on the Darknet and an encrypted messaging service called Wickr to sell pills that were made to resemble the drug branded as Adderall. In reality, the pills were not Adderall. Instead, they contained methamphetamine.

In conjunction with the arrests, the government seized more than $5 million in assets alleged to be connected to the drug trafficking activity.

A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Nashville District Office Tactical Diversion Squad, HSI El Paso and Houston, and the FDA. Trial Attorney Jillian Willis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Parks of the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case with assistance on forfeiture matters from Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Cotten.

The Fraud Section leads the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force has charged more than 85 defendants who are collectively responsible for distributing more than 65 million pills. Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for approximately $19 billion.

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Memphis, TN – D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, has announced his resignation, effective February 28, 2021. U.S. Attorney Dunavant has served in office since September, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Dunavant was appointed by President Donald J. Trump as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. Dunavant was sworn in as the 50th person to serve as the United States Attorney on September 21, 2017. In that capacity, Dunavant supervised a total office staff of 85 federal employees, including 45 Assistant U.S. Attorneys; managed, oversaw, and implemented a total annual operating office budget of over $10 million; and oversaw the investigation, prosecution, and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States in West Tennessee.

"Nearly three and a half years ago I was provided the professional honor of a lifetime," U.S. Attorney Dunavant said. "To be able to serve the district where I was born, raised and educated, and for which I have tremendous love and respect, was a remarkable experience. I am tremendously grateful to President Trump, Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and Congressman David Kustoff for placing their trust in me. I am confident that the extraordinary professionals of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will remain tirelessly devoted to the unwavering cause of justice on behalf of the citizens of West Tennessee and our great nation. I am proud of the consequential work we have accomplished in the Trump administration, including achieving justice for victims, consequences for criminals, support for law enforcement, resources for communities, protection of the U.S. Treasury, better public safety results for citizens, and respect for the rule of law. I am also exceedingly proud to have worked alongside the brave and dedicated men and women of law enforcement as they have selflessly served and sacrificed to make our communities safer. As I step away from this esteemed post, I remain committed to being actively engaged in serving our state and nation in the future."

When he assumed the role as U.S. Attorney in 2017, Mr. Dunavant committed himself to protecting the nearly 1.6 million citizens that comprise West Tennessee through the vigorous enforcement of federal laws and prosecution of high-impact cases in all 22 counties of the district. Mr. Dunavant operated a full service U.S. Attorney’s Office which faithfully executed all applicable laws of Congress, including the Armed Career Criminal Act, the Controlled Substances Act, the False Claims Act, the First Step Act, and the Migratory Bird Act.

Some of Mr. Dunavant’s many highlights during his tenure as U.S. Attorney include the following initiatives, priorities, and programs:

• He reinvigorated the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force in Memphis, recruiting the addition of new agents and resources from partner law enforcement agencies. In the first year in office, he dramatically increased the number of federal firearms cases filed by over 58%, and the number of defendants charged with firearms offenses by over 68%, leading to a two-year total decrease of 13.1% in overall violent crime and reported gun crime rates from 2017-2019.

• He led the DOJ Public Safety Partnership (PSP) Initiative with local team stakeholders in West Tennessee to receive federal resources for law enforcement training and technical assistance in an innovative framework to enhance data-driven, evidence-based local strategies for violence reduction; and led and hosted the National PSP Symposium on Violent Crime in Memphis in September 2019.

• He served on the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Executive Board, which continued funding to implement and sustain the Heroin Initiative, a joint coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, DEA, and the MPD Organized Crime Unit that exclusively targets crimes and overdoses involving the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids. Also while serving on the HIDTA Executive Board, Dunavant coordinated and supported a successful proposal to add and designate Madison County, Tennessee as a new county in the Gulf Coast HIDTA Region, which will significantly expand the law enforcement resource footprint in West Tennessee for drug investigations and interdiction.

• He participated in the DOJ Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force, working closely with other state and federal law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and prosecute cases involving healthcare fraud and unlawful distribution and diversion of prescription opioids by medical professionals, resulting in the indictments of 16 medical professionals in Memphis and Jackson in 2019.

• He created and sustained a new Carjacking Initiative with ATF and local law enforcement agencies for coordinated, targeted, and increased federal prosecution of armed carjacking offenses in Memphis and Shelby County.

• He served on the Executive Board of the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU), which is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officials, with a common goal of combating criminal gang activity in Memphis and Shelby County.

• He initiated and led a combined multi-agency law enforcement operation, "Bluff City Blues" with the U.S. Marshals Service in Memphis and Jackson that resulted in a total of 214 arrests, including 79 identified gang members, 65 individuals for aggravated assault, 34 individuals for homicide, 69 individuals for weapons offenses, and 40 individuals for drug offenses, and the seizure of 28 firearms.

• He initiated and led the "Operation Crime Driver" anti-violence initiative in Tipton County, TN, partnering with multiple state and local law enforcement agencies to target violent offenders with outstanding arrest warrants. The operation resulted in the federal indictments of six individuals from Tipton County, TN for firearms and drug offenses, including Maurice Nash, A/K/A "Monster," of Atoka, TN who was sentenced as an armed career criminal to over 17 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

• He hosted Attorney General Sessions, Attorney General Barr, and Acting Attorney General Whitaker in Memphis for announcements of major DOJ initiatives, including PSP, ATF Gun Strike Force & Crime Gun Intelligence Center, Project Guardian, and Operation LeGend.

• After the Attorney General designated Memphis as one of a few select cities to receive enhanced federal resources to combat violent crime, Mr. Dunavant led the law enforcement efforts of both the Operation Relentless Pursuit and Operation LeGend initiatives, coordinating with the ATF, FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to surge and deploy 40 new temporary and permanent federal agents into Memphis to work with the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office in a sustained and systematic task force model to fight high levels of violent crime.

• He secured the allocation of DOJ federal grant funding for local law enforcement agencies in support of Operation LeGend and related efforts: City of Memphis Police Department – $9,823,624 (COPS Hiring Program funds, to hire 50 new officers); Shelby County Sheriff’s Office - $1,628,571 (Operation Relentless Pursuit/Operation LeGend); City of Memphis - $500,000 (Real Time Crime Center); Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office - $398,864 (Project Guardian).

• He led public awareness efforts at the onset and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage reporting and investigation of hoarding and price-gouging of critical medical supplies, PPP fraud, treatment and vaccine scams, and COVID relief/stimulus fraud.

• He coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement to protect critical infrastructure sites and mitigate threat risks to significant events, including election security, federal buildings and property, and the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination (MLK 50 – April 4, 2018).

• He developed and launched three new video public service announcements (PSAs) providing targeted messaging to educate and inform the public to raise awareness and increase reporting about the Department of Justice priority areas of violent crime, elder fraud, and opioids.

• He joined with ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to launch the "Don’t Lie for the Other Guy" public awareness campaign to warn about the seriousness of the crime of purchasing a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so, and to deter potential straw purchases.

With a focus on aggressively prosecuting cases involving violent crime, child exploitation, immigration offenses, health care fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, public corruption, gang conspiracies and racketeering, drug trafficking organizations, and unlawful firearm possession, prosecutorial highlights and case examples during Mr. Dunavant’s tenure include:

• Patricia Parsons, of Brighton, Tennessee, was sentenced to sixty months in federal prison for aiding and abetting solicitation to commit the kidnapping of a State Court Judge and County Sheriff.

• Jeremy Drewery, former Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for Hobbs Act Extortion, Receipt of a Bribe by a Government Agent, and Solicitation to Tamper with a Witness.

• Byron Montrail Purdy, a/k/a "Lil B" or "Ghetto," of Jackson, Tennessee, was sentenced to 360 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release for leading and conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise, as part of a large RICO conspiracy case known as "Operation .38 Special", charging and convicting a total of 16 members of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise with racketeering and other crimes, resulting in the disruption and dismantlement of the Gangster Disciples organization, including several governors, enforcers, and ranking members of the gang.

• Marvin "Pookie" Foster, of Lauderdale County, TN, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for distributing heroin resulting in a fatal overdose.

• Deon Brown, Sr., a/k/a/ "Pleezy," of Bolivar, TN, was sentenced to 275 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (ICE).

• WellBound of Memphis agreed to pay a $3,246,000 settlement of a False Claims Act complaint against the healthcare company for false claims to Medicare, TriCare, and TennCare for services rendered to home dialysis patients that were due to illegal inducements paid in violation of the Anti-Kickback statute.

• Quenton Irwin White, former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee as well as the former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction, was sentenced to federal prison for a mail fraud scheme to defraud black farmer clients.

• Cornelius Richmond, of Memphis, was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison for committing armed robberies of a Brink’s Armored Truck and Circle K store.

• Calvin Bailey, Sandra Bailey, and Bryan Bailey, of Milan, TN, were sentenced to a total of 249 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare resulting in millions of dollars of loss to federal health care programs.

• Gloria Harris, of Memphis, was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison on bank fraud charges arising from her theft of approximately $292,500 from her former employer, Crescent Medical Corporation.

• Ronda Hopkins Richards, owner of Ronda’s Travel Corner, in Jackson, TN, was sentenced to federal prison for a wire fraud scheme in which she defrauded approximately 100 clients/victims of funds related to their travel, with a total loss of approximately $410,280.25.

• Dimitar Petlechkov, a Bulgarian national, was sentenced to federal prison for mail fraud in a scheme to defraud FedEx, resulting in over $800,000 in financial losses.

• Cleve Collins, aka Milton Cleve Collins of Memphis was sentenced to federal prison for major fraud involving a scheme to defraud the United States on a construction contract valued at approximately $1.5 million administered by the General Services Administration for the replacement of the roof and the air conditioning system at the Ed Jones Federal Courthouse and Post Office in Jackson, TN.

• Guy Randal Stockard, a/k/a Randy, owner of Southern Meat Market in Memphis, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for defrauding the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, of more than $1.2 million over an approximately 28-month period.

• Antonio Hawkins, of Memphis, was was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison on five counts related to sex trafficking, including sex trafficking of a minor victim and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.

• Michael Jay Harris, of McNairy County, TN, was sentenced as a career drug offender to life imprisonment for methamphetamine trafficking.

• Kevin Coleman and Terrion Bryson, both former Memphis Police Officers, were sentenced to federal prison for narcotics, weapons, and extortion offenses committed while on duty.

• Zachary M. Baker was sentenced to federal prison in connection with theft of over $800,000 from his former employer, Masterson Farms, a horse breeding farm located in Somerville, Tennessee.

• Michael Beamish, of Obion County, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for solicitation and enticement of a minor for sexual activity.

• Brian Black, former Crockett County 911 Director, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for embezzlement of $178,000 from the trust account of a decedent’s estate.

• Michael and Tawni Boutin, featured marijuana farmers on a television show called "Weed Country" in Oregon, were both sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute high-grade marijuana from Oregon to West Tennessee.

• Marlon Pruitt a/k/a "Big Putt", of Memphis, was sentenced as an armed career criminal to 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and drugs.

• Marcus Danner a/k/a "Poncho", of Memphis, was sentenced to 352 months imprisonment for his leadership role of an armed robbery crew and a member of a drug trafficking organization.

• Cortez Armstrong, of Memphis, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing a lethal dose of fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose.

• Christino Alcazar-Ortiz and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz, of Union City, were both sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and Illegal Reentry into the United States after having been previously deported.

• Jason King, a former employee and cast member of the TV series, the "Deadliest Catch," was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

• Willie Somerville, of Tipton County, TN, was sentenced to life in federal prison plus 10 years for his leadership role in the home invasion attempted robbery and murder of Timothy Edwards in Covington. Co-defendants Armoni Hall, Eddie Poindexter, Christian Sherrill, and Darrell Owens were also convicted for their participation in the robbery, and each received significant federal sentences.

• Brandon Albonetti, of Memphis, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the armed robberies and attempted robberies of five CVS stores and one Burger King during the summer of 2018.

• Marlon "Jazz" Taylor, of McKenzie, TN, was sentenced to life in prison for his leadership role in a conspiracy to distribute multiple kilograms of actual methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and firearms.

• James Nelson, of Memphis, was sentenced as an armed career criminal to 405 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm he used in the domestic shooting death of his child’s mother.

• Roland Jackson and Taveyon Turnbo, both from Chicago, Illinois, were sentenced to a total of 109 months in federal prison for transporting and possession of 366 stolen firearms taken from the United Parcel Services ("UPS") facility in Memphis.

• SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. (SK), one of the largest engineering firms in the Republic of Korea, pled guilty to wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain U.S. Army contracts through payments to a U.S. Department of Defense contracting official and the submission of false claims to the U.S. government, resulting in the payment by the defendant of $60,578,847.08 in criminal fines, the largest fine ever imposed against a criminal defendant in the Western District of Tennessee.

• James Jackson, of Memphis, known as the "Father of Identity Theft", was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for multiple counts of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud and theft of mail resulting in losses to victims of over $300,000.

• Olufolajimi Abegunde, an extradited citizen of Nigeria residing in Atlanta, and Javier Luis Ramos-Alonso, a citizen of Mexico residing in California, were sentenced to federal prison for an international cyber fraud scheme involving online dating and business email compromises.

• Sequna Copeland a/k/a "Cutthroat", of Ripley, Tennessee, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm that was used in the murder of a pregnant woman.

• Michael Love, of Horn Lake, MS, was givenmultiple life sentences in federal prison after having been found guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting six women in Memphis and attempting to kidnap and rape a seventh between 2008 and 2015.

• Jamal Cherry and Wendy Thomas were sentenced to federal prison for robbery of mail, money or other property of the United States and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, arising out of the armed robbery of a United States Postal Letter Carrier.

• Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr. was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Commit multiple business robberies, Hobbs Act business robbery, possession of a firearm during a robbery, and receiving firearms while under indictment during 3 business robberies and 2 shooting incidents in the Brownsville, Haywood County area.

• Isaiah Miller, of Memphis, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for participating in multiple (4) armed carjackings and brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence.

• Keith Norris, of Weakley County, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking organization in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

• Gene Allen Howell, of Selmer, Tennessee, was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison for two armed bank robberies in McNairy and Henderson counties.

• Calvin Cole a/k/a "Fathead," of Jackson, TN, was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison for being a leader in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances from a residence in Alamo, TN.

• Argel Hernandez-Escobar was sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm as an illegal alien which was used in the fatal shooting of his minor child, and illegally re-entering the United States.

• Cortez Young was sentenced to a total of 52 years in federal prison for committing nine (9) armed business robberies across Memphis over a period of 44 days.

• Richard Farmer, a psychiatrist in Memphis, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.

• Former TDOC Correctional Officers Tommy Morris, Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, Carl Spurlin, Jr., Cadie McAlister, and Jonathan York, were charged and convicted for their roles in the civil rights violations during the assault of an inmate, and the conspiracy to obstruct the investigation by covering up evidence and providing false information.

Mr. Dunavant also led successful investigations and federal prosecutions of multiple criminal gang organizations, including the Gangster Disciples, Major Stackz Entertainment, Stackz Squad, Vice Lords, Kitchen Crips, Bloods, Conservative Vice Lords/Concrete Cartel, Peda Roll Mafia, Fast Cash Boyz Entertainment, Young Mob, Grape Street Crips, and the Stendo gang.

Between 2017 and 2021, Mr. Dunavant supervised a Financial Litigation Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office that collected more than $76 million in criminal and civil actions for victims of crime and the United States Treasury.

In 2019, Mr. Dunavant initiated and joined a legal action with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein and U.S. Attorney colleagues in Tennessee to challenge, oppose, and stay the effectiveness of BPR Formal Ethics Opinion 2017-F-163, which expanded a Tennessee prosecutor’s duty of disclosure of information beyond that which is required by well-established substantive federal law. Dunavant drafted and signed the DOJ Amicus Brief to the Tennessee Supreme Court which ultimately vacated the formal ethics opinion and clarified that prosecutors’ ethical duties under Rule 3.8(d) are coextensive with their legal obligations under Brady and its progeny.

In addition, Mr. Dunavant served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s (AGAC) Violent & Organized Crime Subcommittee, Native American Issues Subcommittee, and the Controlled Substances Subcommittee, where he provided input and guidance on a Parcel Interdiction Initiative recommendation to the Attorney General.

Mr. Dunavant was responsible for fully staffing both the Memphis and Jackson divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office by hiring nearly half of the Office’s current Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs), along with one-third of the Office’s support staff. He created and appointed a dedicated Appellate Division responsible for handling all appeals in both criminal and civil matters in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals; restructured the Criminal Division of the Memphis office into three distinct subject matter units for greater efficiency; increased the appointment and allocation of Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs) from state prosecutor offices; and designated an Elder Justice Coordinator to target elder fraud and financial exploitation cases. He was able to accomplish these milestones while navigating his staff through several unprecedented challenges, including the longest government shutdown in American history (from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019), a worldwide pandemic health crisis, nationwide civil unrest, contentious elections, and an unprecedented and unwarranted backlash against law enforcement. In 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office was recognized by The Commercial Appeal with a Memphis Area Top Workplace Award.

Prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Dunavant served as the elected District Attorney General for the 25th Judicial District of Tennessee from 2006-2017. For eleven years prior to that, he was a partner in the law firm of Carney, Wilder & Dunavant in Ripley, Tennessee.

Effective March 1, 2021, First Assistant United States Attorney Joe Murphy will succeed Dunavant as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act.

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Jackson, TN – Bobby Earl Oliver, 33, of Adamsville, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 26, 2019, an officer with the Selmer Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Oliver's vehicle for speeding. During the course of the traffic stop, Oliver admitted to having a pistol located beside the driver’s seat. While searching the vehicle, law enforcement located a Jennings .380 caliber pistol beside the driver's seat.

Oliver is a convicted felon, having been previously convicted of three counts of burglary in October 2008 and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver in April 2018 in Hardin County. Additionally, after he committed the present offense in September 2019, Oliver was convicted of delivery of methamphetamine in McNairy County in January 2020.

As a result of his felony convictions, Oliver is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition, and was determined to be an armed career criminal under the federal sentencing guidelines and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.

On January 26, 2021, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Oliver to 180 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and in this case, the Oliver was an armed career criminal who continued to commit crimes and possess a firearm despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this sentence removing him from the community for 15 years will make McNairy County and West Tennessee a safer place."

The Selmer Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN –Danny Joe Ivy, 55, of Buena Vista, Tennessee, has been indicted for selling a firearm to a convicted felon and making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the filing of the indictment today.

According to allegations contained in the January 14, 2021 two-count indictment, Ivy is charged with selling a firearm to convicted felon, Jason Autry, and also for knowingly making materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements to an ATF Special Agent during the criminal investigation.

During the same grand jury session, Jason Autry's previous indictment returned on December 10, 2020 for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm was superseded to add and include a second count for possession of ammunition while being a convicted felon. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/jason-autry-federally-indicted-being-convicted-felon-possession-firearm.

If convicted, Ivy faces up to ten years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Selling or providing a firearm to a known prohibited person such as a convicted felon is a serious violation of federal law with significant consequences. The government has a strong interest in preventing dangerous and prohibited persons from obtaining firearms, and this office will always vigorously prosecute any persons who sell guns to felons."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Morrow and Beth Boswell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Tennessee State Senator Katrina Robinson, 40, has been federally charged in a new case, along with two other co-defendants, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the unsealing of the new federal criminal complaint today.

According to information presented in Court, the Healthcare Institute ("THI") is a post-secondary educational provider located in Memphis, Tennessee. It purports to provide training programs for jobs in the healthcare field, including certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, and licensed practical nurse. It was founded in January 2015 as a Tennessee for-profit LLC, with Katrina Robinson as director. THI received more than $10,000 in federal funds each year between 2015 and 2019. During that period, Robinson is alleged to have stolen, converted, and intentionally misapplied property of THI for her own use. As a result, on July 30, 2020, she was indicted in Case No. 2:20-cr-20147-SHL, which is currently pending trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/federal-grand-jury-returns-indictment-charging-tennessee-state-senator-katrina-robinson

The charges in this new federal complaint arise from a completely separate fraud scheme in which Robinson, Katie Ayers, 59, and Brooke Boudreaux, 32, are alleged to have conspired to use THI to defraud victim R.S. out of $14,470.00, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 and 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).

As set forth in more detail in the complaint affidavit, while investigating the charges in the 2020 case, the FBI also uncovered a scheme in which the defendants convinced R.S. that Boudreaux, with whom he had an existing relationship, needed the money for tuition and expenses to attend THI. R.S. agreed and tendered $14,470.00 to THI for that purpose. In fact, the investigation revealed that Boudreaux was never a student at THI, and the conspirators split the money among themselves for their personal benefit and unjust enrichment.

If convicted, the defendants each face a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date to consider an indictment against the defendants.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris E. Cotten is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

​ Robinson Complaint 21-20003 ​

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Memphis, TN –Patrick Vaughn, 35, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on January 4, 2019, detectives with Memphis Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) were conducting surveillance for a suspect in a carjacking that occurred on December 21, 2018 at the Gold Club in Memphis, Tennessee. Detectives were in the area of Poplar Ave and Hollywood Street, when they observed Vaughn, driving a 2006 Kia Amanti. In an attempt to avoid the traffic stop, Vaughn began making several U-turns at a high rate of speed, ultimately striking several vehicles. He was apprehended after a short foot chase.

A search of the vehicle revealed a Ruger .380 pistol on the passenger's side floorboard. The front seat passenger advised law enforcement that the firearm did not belong to her. Vaughn waived his Miranda rights and admitted to possessing the firearm.

Vaughn is a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Identity Theft, and Carjacking. As a result of his prior felony convictions, Vaughn is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On January 13, 2021, U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Vaughn to 84 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As a fleeing felon in possession of a firearm, Vaughn presented a danger to the public and to law enforcement in multiple ways. The seven year sentence imposed in this case rightly punishes him for his recidivist behavior, removes him from the community, and makes Memphis a safer place."

The Memphis Police Department - Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office to prosecute violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee collected a total of $65,969,200.04 in criminal and civil actions during Calendar Year 2020. Of that amount, $1,314,912.06 was collected through civil actions and $64,654,287.98 stemmed from fines and restitution ordered as part of criminal convictions.

One case that generated significant collection efforts was United States of America v. SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. (SK), which generated $60,578,847.08 in criminal fines, the largest fine ever imposed against a criminal defendant in the Western District of Tennessee. On June 10, 2020, SK Engineering, one of the largest engineering firms in the Republic of Korea, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain U.S. Army contracts through payments to a U.S. Department of Defense contracting official and the submission of false claims to the U.S. government. SK was also ordered to pay $2,601,883.86 in restitution to the U.S. Army, and serve three years of probation, during which time SK agreed not to pursue U.S. federal government contracts.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Protection of the United States Treasury and taxpayer resources is a core value and critical mission for this office and the Department of Justice. Equally as important is the priority of collecting restitution for victims of crime in order to punish offenders and provide justice for the harm and loss suffered by victims. I commend the outstanding work of our Criminal Division, Civil Division, and Financial Litigation Unit in aggressively pursuing and effectively collecting this significant total amount on behalf of victims of crime and the United States in 2020."

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the U.S. Department of Justice’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Calendar year 2020 collections include recovery of government money lost to criminal fraud and other misconduct, and recovery of money lost by victims as a result of individual and corporate misconduct. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Education, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Total civil collections were reduced in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted the suspension of many civil collections, such as student loans, SBA loans and all Social Security Treasury Offset Program (TOP) payments.

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Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced today that his office, in coordination with the Memphis Field Division Office of the FBI, will investigate and charge any potential violations of federal law at the United States Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021 committed by individuals from the Western District of Tennessee.

"The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack on our Government and the rule of law face the full consequences of their actions under the law. We are working closely with our partners at the FBI, who are actively investigating to gather evidence, identify perpetrators, and charge federal crimes where warranted," Dunavant said. "Any person who traveled from West Tennessee to commit federal crimes in Washington, D.C., as well as anyone who conspired with them or aided or abetted such lawlessness will be aggressively prosecuted by this office."

Individuals in the Western District of Tennessee with any information related to the identity of those involved in the commission of federal crimes at the Capitol are asked to contact the FBI Memphis Field Division Office at 901-747-4300. Additionally, tips may be submitted to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Dunavant noted federal statutes that may be applicable, including:

• 18 United States Code section 231 – Civil Disorder, which prohibits adversely affecting any federally protected function or obstructing any law enforcement officer from the performance of official duties, or any person who transports a firearm, explosive, or incendiary device to be used in furtherance of civil disorder. This federal crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.

• 18 United States Code section 2101 – The Federal Riot Act, which applies to anyone who travels in interstate commerce to incite, promote, or participate in a riot. This includes anyone who aided or abetted individuals who carried on a riot or committed any act of violence in furtherance of a riot. This federal crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.

• 18 United States Code section 1361 – Damage to Federal Property, which applies to anyone who willfully injures or causes damage to or against any property of the United States. This federal crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

• 18 United States Code section 2383 – Rebellion or Insurrection, which provides that whoever incites, assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the United States faces up to 10 years in prison.

###

Memphis, TN – On December 23, 2020, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the results of Operation LeGend, which was first launched in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 8, 2020, and then expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, on August 6, 2020; and to Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 14, 2020.

"Operation Legend removed violent criminals, domestic abusers, carjackers and drug traffickers from nine cities which were experiencing stubbornly high crime and took illegal firearms, illegal narcotics and illicit monies off the streets. By most standards, many would consider these results as a resounding success—amid a global pandemic, the results are extraordinary. I commend our federal law enforcement and prosecutors for seamlessly executing this operation in partnership with state and local law enforcement," said Attorney General Barr. "When we launched Operation Legend, our goal was to disrupt and reduce violent crime, hold violent offenders accountable and give these communities the safety they deserve in memory of LeGend Taliferro, whose young life was claimed by violent crime, undoubtedly, we achieved it."

Since Operation LeGend’s launch on July 8, 2020, over 6,000 arrests – including approximately 467 for homicide – were made; more than 2600 firearms were seized; and more than 32 kilos of heroin, more than 17 kilos of fentanyl, more than 300 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 135 kilos of cocaine, and more than $11 million in drug and other illicit proceeds were seized.

Of the more than 6,000 individuals arrested, approximately 1,500 have been charged with federal offenses. Approximately 815 of those defendants have been charged with firearms offenses, while approximately 566 have been charged with drug-related crimes. The remaining defendants have been charged with various offenses.

The Attorney General launched the operation as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. Operation LeGend is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) provided a total of $60 million to fund 290 officers as part of Operation LeGend and related efforts. Additionally, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded nearly $9 million in grant funding to support Operation LeGend.

Since the official launch of Operation LeGend here in Memphis on August 6, 2020, a total of 266 arrests were made, and 124 defendants were charged with federal offenses: 53 for drug crimes; 46 for gun crimes; and 24 for other violent crimes such as carjacking, business robbery, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. A total of 210 firearms were seized by federal agencies and federal task forces; $670,270 in criminal proceeds were seized; and a large quantity of illegal drugs were removed from our streets, as follows:

31,063 grams of methamphetamine

1,572 grams of cocaine

4,665 grams of fentanyl

5,021 grams of heroin

9,205 grams of marijuana

2,822 pills of various controlled substances, primarily opioids

The following local agencies in Memphis received federal grant funding from the Department of Justice in support of Operation Legend and related efforts:

City of Memphis Police Department – $9,823,624 (COPS Hiring Program funds, to hire 50 new officers)

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office - $1,628,571 (Operation Relentless Pursuit/Operation LeGend)

Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office - $398,864 (Project Guardian)

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "These are outstanding national and local results that have undoubtedly saved lives. Although this marks the end of the formal DOJ Operation LeGend initiative, we will continue our targeted enforcement actions and coordination in the future with the federal agents permanently reassigned to Memphis, as well as our LeGend Task Force model. Despite rising violent crime rates in 2020, as a result of Operation LeGend, drug traffickers, trigger-pullers, gang members, and violent offenders are going to prison, law enforcement is energized, and the public is better protected. I am proud of our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Memphis for their urgent and relentless efforts in this Operation, and I am grateful for their active participation and sustained partnerships during a most unusual and challenging time in our nation’s history."

Breakdown of Operation Legend charges in other cities:

Kansas City, MO.

• 196 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 75 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 107 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• 14 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Chicago, Ill.

176 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 40 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 130 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• Six defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Albuquerque, NM.

167 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 60 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 85 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• 22 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Cleveland, OH.

119 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 60 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 55 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• Four defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Detroit, MI.

100 defendants have been charged with federal offenses outlined below.

• 33 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 64 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• Three defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Milwaukee, WI.

74 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 34 defendants have been charged with firearm related offenses;

• 32 defendants have been charged with narcotic related offenses;

• Eight defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

St. Louis, MO.

450 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 193 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 231 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• 26 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Indianapolis, IN.

94 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 18 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;

• 64 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and

• 12 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

###

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the results of Operation Legend, which was first launched in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 8, 2020, and then expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, on August 6, 2020; and to Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 14, 2020.

"Operation Legend removed violent criminals, domestic abusers, carjackers and drug traffickers from nine cities which were experiencing stubbornly high crime and took illegal firearms, illegal narcotics and illicit monies off the streets. By most standards, many would consider these results as a resounding success—amid a global pandemic, the results are extraordinary. I commend our federal law enforcement and prosecutors for seamlessly executing this operation in partnership with state and local law enforcement," said Attorney General Barr. "When we launched Operation Legend, our goal was to disrupt and reduce violent crime, hold violent offenders accountable and give these communities the safety they deserve in memory of LeGend Taliferro, whose young life was claimed by violent crime, undoubtedly, we achieved it."

Since Operation Legend’s launch on July 8, 2020, over 6,000 arrests – including approximately 467 for homicide – were made; more than 2600 firearms were seized; and more than 32 kilos of heroin, more than 17 kilos of fentanyl, more than 300 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 135 kilos of cocaine, and more than $11 million in drug and other illicit proceeds were seized.

Of the more than 6,000 individuals arrested, approximately 1,500 have been charged with federal offenses. Approximately 815 of those defendants have been charged with firearms offenses, while approximately 566 have been charged with drug-related crimes. The remaining defendants have been charged with various offenses.

The Attorney General launched the operation as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. Operation Legend is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) provided a total of $60 million to fund 290 officers as part of Operation Legend and related efforts. Additionally, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded nearly $9 million in grant funding to support Operation Legend.

Breakdown of Operation Legend charges:

Kansas City, MO.

196 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 75 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 107 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• 14 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Chicago, Ill.

176 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 40 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 130 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• Six defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Albuquerque, NM.

167 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 60 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 85 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• 22 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Cleveland, OH.

119 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 60 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 55 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• Four defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Detroit, MI.

100 defendants have been charged with federal offenses outlined below.

• 33 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 64 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• Three defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Milwaukee, WI.

74 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 34 defendants have been charged with firearm related offenses;
• 32 defendants have been charged with narcotic related offenses;
• Eight defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

St. Louis, MO.

450 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 193 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 231 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• 26 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Memphis, Tenn.

124 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 53 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 47 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• 24 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

Indianapolis, IN.

94 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.

• 18 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
• 64 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
• 12 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
   

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Memphis, TN - Joseph Morris, 39, has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on May 2, 2018, investigators from the Memphis Police Department went to a residence on St. Charles Street in search of the defendant who was located hiding in a back bedroom. As Morris was being placed into custody, officers smelled burnt marijuana in the house, and observed in plain view a red glass pipe laying on a television table in the living room. The glass pipe had burnt residue, which was believed to be marijuana. Officers also observed 2 boxes of ammunition and a black digital scale on top of the table behind the couch.

Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and recovered a loaded Taurus 9 MM underneath the living room couch cushion, a common tool of the trade which drug dealers use to protect their stash and themselves from robbery. Officers recovered two clear bags of 5.60 grams of methamphetamine with a 99% purity level in a coat pocket behind the couch that the defendant hid from law enforcement.

Once detained, Morris admitted to ownership of the handgun and methamphetamine. Morris also admitted that he had been selling methamphetamine for 2 months, that he sells for approximately $50 a gram, and that he placed in the coat pocket behind the couch when he heard officers at the door.

Morris is a convicted felon, having been previously convicted of aggravated assault and a felony drug offense. He is currently on parole until July 28, 2021, for his felony drug conviction in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As a result of his prior felony convictions, Morris is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On August 20, 2020, the defendant pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On December 21, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl L. Lipman sentenced Morris to 150 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "We know that drugs and crime go hand-in-hand, and that drug trafficking is an inherently violent business. If you want to collect a drug debt, you can’t file a lawsuit in court; you collect it by the barrel of a gun. If you are a drug dealer with a gun, we will hold you accountable and remove you from our streets."

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force. The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Justice Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wendy K. Cornejo and Michelle Kimbril-Parks prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Bernard Jones, 35, has pled guilty to aggravated assault of a federal employee and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on September 4, 2019, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Jones was in the process of committing the crime of burglary of a motor vehicle. Meanwhile, the victim, a U.S. Postal Service employee, was preparing to take First Class mail from the Jet Cove Annex to the Memphis Processing & Distribution Center in downtown Memphis. While loading the mail into his USPS staff vehicle, the victim, observed someone moving around inside his personal vehicle parked approximately 50 yards away in the employee parking lot at the Memphis Priority Mail Annex. The victim drove the staff vehicle near his pickup truck and saw the defendant exit his pickup truck.

The defendant shot multiple times at the victim as he escaped in his postal vehicle. As the victim drove away, the defendant followed him in a Nissan Sentra and continued to shoot. During the course of the investigation, United States Postal Inspectors determined two bullets struck the hood and several other locations on the postal vehicle. Law enforcement located two 9MM Luger shell casings from the shooting scene. The suspect, along with a female accomplice, fled the scene in a blue Nissan Sentra. Postal Inspectors later identified Bernard M. Jones as the shooter. Jones, a convicted felon, is also a member of the Gangsters Disciples Street Gang, and as a result of his prior felony conviction history, is prohibited by federal law from possession of firearms or ammunition.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2021, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl Lipman. For the aggravated assault offense, Jones faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison followed by three years supervised release and a fine of $250,000. For the firearm offense, he faces a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment; a $ 250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the safety of United States Postal Service employees and the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail. This case reflects our commitment to hold offenders accountable for brazen and disturbing acts of violence that endanger and victimize federal employees. We commend the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS in this case."

"Protecting the safety of our USPS employees is the United States Postal Inspection Service’s most important mission. Postal Inspectors will stop at nothing to identify those responsible for assaulting postal employees and will bring them to justice," said Tommy D. Coke, U.S. Postal Inspector In Charge of the Atlanta Division.

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Xavier Demetrius James, 35, of Jackson, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 252 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in March 2017, DEA agents began an investigation into Rolando Lopez and his drug trafficking organization. Agents discovered that Lopez and other co-conspirators were trafficking in methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and other illegal substances from Texas to Tennessee. Investigators utilized six Title III wiretaps along with surveillance, confidential sources, traffic stops, and search warrants to investigate this drug trafficking organization, which was responsible for trafficking hundreds of pounds of actual methamphetamine.

James was found to have taken part in this conspiracy. He helped transport four loads of actual methamphetamine totaling around 45 kilograms to co-defendant Ronald Parham's residence in mid-2017, and he was found in possession of 20 kilograms of actual methamphetamine during a traffic stop in the Atlanta, Georgia area on November 27, 2017. It was later determined that James was there to buy methamphetamine while on his way to Knoxville, Tennessee, to distribute the drugs to others when he was stopped by the police. In all, James was held responsible for distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute 75 kilograms of actual methamphetamine.

On December 15, 2020, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced James to 252 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Use and trafficking of methamphetamine continues to destroy lives, families, and communities across West Tennessee. The joint cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement in this case demonstrates our ability and resolve to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, including those that distribute narcotics from locations outside the country. The significant sentence in this case sends a clear message to those drug dealers who distribute poison in West Tennessee: You cannot prey upon our citizens for your selfish personal gain with impunity; there will be a reckoning."

This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Rolando Lopez, Saul Vega Flores, Virginia Torres, Ronald Lynn Parham, Tammy Ranger, Marcus Jones, and Xavier Demetrius James on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

On July 9, 2019, Chief U.S. District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Lopez to life in federal prison to be followed by five years supervised release.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/rio-grande-texas-man-sentenced-life-imprisonment-conspiracy-distribute-methamphetamine.

Co-defendant Ronald Parham was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/kenton-tennessee-man-sentenced-200-months-conspiracy-distribute-methamphetamine

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Morrow and Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Christopher C. Brown, 43, of Cordova, Tennessee has been federally indicted for a fraudulent scheme to unlawfully obtain $5.9 million dollars from multiple insurance companies. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney, announced the indictment today.

According to allegations in the indictment, Brown defrauded multiple insurance companies over several years by making false representations, including submitting false, forged, and altered documents, to get the victim companies to pay his fraudulent claims.

Brown is charged with four counts of mail fraud and, if convicted, faces up to eighty years in federal prison and a fine of $1,000,000. The indictment also contains an asset forfeiture count seeking to recover all proceeds from the alleged illegal scheme and behavior. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Insurance fraud schemes negatively affect interstate commerce and victimize innocent companies and customers. Wherever fraud occurs in the Western District of Tennessee, this office will be prepared to hold offenders accountable for such crimes of dishonesty."

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are only accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tony Arvin and David Pritchard are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN - Jeremy Fitzgerald, 34, and Turliscea Turner, 29, both of Memphis, Tennessee, have been federally charged in a criminal complaint with kidnapping a two-year-old boy whom they later abandoned at a Goodwill Store in Southaven, Mississippi. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the kidnapping charge in the federal complaint today.

According to information presented in the complaint, Fitzgerald offered to have Turner, posing as Fitzgerald's sister, babysit the child while Fitzgerald and the child's mother went to Nashville, Tennessee overnight on December 13, 2020. Turner agreed to watch and keep the child with her overnight. While Fitzgerald and the child's mother were in Nashville, Fitzgerald demanded that the child's mother work for him as a prostitute. When she refused, Fitzgerald left her in Nashville. He did not answer her repeated telephone calls.

Fitzgerald did, however, speak to the child's aunt. In that conversation, Fitzgerald demanded money for the return of the child. Turner was aware that Fitzgerald had demanded money in exchange for the child's return.

The next morning, Fitzgerald, Turner, and an unknown subject drove and transported the child across a state boundary from Memphis to Southaven, Mississippi. When they stopped at a gas station, Fitzgerald took the child out of the car to a nearby Goodwill store and abandoned him there. Turner went into the gas station; she knew that the child had been left at the Goodwill store.

Southaven Task Force Officers recovered surveillance video that showed the maroon vehicle that Fitzgerald and Turner had driven to Southaven with the child. The suspect vehicle was observed on Germantown Parkway in Shelby County on the afternoon of December 14, 2020. When law enforcement responded to the area, Fitzgerald crashed the vehicle, and was later transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Deputies found Turner inside a nearby Kroger, wearing the same clothing as in the surveillance video. Both subjects were taken into custody without further incident.

If convicted of kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201, the defendants each face a possible sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison, 5 years to life of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date to consider an indictment against the defendants, where additional federal charges may be added.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Southaven Police Department are continuing to investigate this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Delery is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

###

 

Memphis, TN – Kathryn Nikole Russell, 41, of Memphis, has been sentenced to 29 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances. The defendant was charged in an April 2019 indictment as part of the first Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force Takedown. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/us-attorney-dunavant-along-federal-state-and-local-partners-continue-efforts-combat D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented at sentencing, Russell was an advance practice registered nurse licensed by the State of Tennessee with a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Registration Number. Between March and April of 2018, Russell issued prescriptions for controlled substances, including the Schedule II controlled substances of Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, and the Schedule IV controlled substances Alprazolam and Clonazepam, at Dillon Russell Health Care Professionals, Inc. in Memphis, outside the usual scope of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. The illegitimate prescriptions included issuing prescriptions for Schedule II drugs for friends and others with whom she had no medical relationship and without ever seeing the patients or conducting examinations, prescribing dangerous combinations of drugs, and failing to monitor patients for signs of addiction.

On April 16, 2019, Russell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Russell wrote prescriptions for opioids and dangerous drug cocktails that had no legitimate medical purpose and that were outside the usual course of professional practice. In an eight-week period, Russell prescribed more than 7,800 oxycodone pills, more than 6,000 benzodiazepine pills, and more than 1,000 pills of carisoprodol. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/second-appalachian-region-prescription-opioid-strikeforce-takedown-results-charges.

On December 10, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Russell to 29 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part by the over-prescribing and diversion of potent opioids. We will not stand by and allow the harmful and oftentimes deadly practice of over-prescribing and diversion of highly addictive drugs to continue unchecked. Along with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold accountable any medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to blatantly disregard and endanger others’ very lives for their own financial gain."

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Jillian Willis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean DeCandia of the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The Fraud Section leads the ARPO Strike Force. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force, which operates in 10 districts, has charged more than 70 defendants who are collectively responsible for distributing more than 50 million pills. The ARPO Strike Force is part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force Program, led by the Fraud Section. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for approximately $19 billion. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

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

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Memphis, TN – Aaron Whitley, 21, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for multiple Hobbs Act business robberies and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to those crimes of violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 30, 2019, at 10:50 pm, Whitley stole a Silver 2010 GMC Terrain parked outside of Circle K on North Germantown Parkway. The owner of the SUV reported that he left his car running while he walked inside the business, and turned around just in time to see someone drive away in his car. The owner worked as a security guard and his uniform, security badge and loaded 9mm pistol were in the car at the time. Whitley took the car, security guard uniform and the gun, and within twenty minutes committed three armed robberies of various convenience store businesses on Austin Peay Highway.

Specifically, Whitley took at gunpoint $190.00 and 6 packs of Newport 100 cigarettes from Marathon gas station; he then drove to Exxon where he took at gunpoint approximately $250.00-$300.00 in cash and 6 packs of Newport cigarettes; And finally, Whitley took at gunpoint $36.00 from Circle K. The clerk at Circle K managed to put a tracking device in the bag he gave Whitley. Moments after the third robbery, deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop for speeding on the GMC Terrain. Whitley, the driver was the only person in the car.

Evidence found in the car from all three robberies included, but was not limited to, 12 packs of Newport cigarettes, $430.55 in cash, a tracking device, a security guard shirt, and the 9mm pistol that matched the description given by the victims.

On December 9, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Whitley to 240 months in federal prison followed by four years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Robberies of businesses with a firearm are especially dangerous and violent due to the high risk of death and serious bodily injury by the simple squeeze of a trigger. Within the short span of 20 minutes, this young violent offender’s selfish and impulsive greed terrorized multiple victims – and rightly earned him a long sentence of 20 years in a federal prison."

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Crow and Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Jason Wayne Autry, 46, of Holladay, Tennessee, has been federally indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the return of the indictment today.

According to allegations contained in a previously filed federal criminal complaint, on December 3, 2020, a Benton County Sheriff’s deputy encountered Autry, who was known to be a convicted felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms under state and federal law. The deputy initially observed a male subject, later identified as Autry, lying down in a field. Autry was searched and no weapons were found on his person. He then left the scene on foot.

After Autry walked away, the deputy noticed a Marlin 30/30 rifle where Autry had been lying on the ground in the field. The deputy secured the firearm, returned to his patrol vehicle, and followed Autry, who was located walking down the driveway to his residence in Holladay, Tennessee. The deputy ordered Autry to stop, and Autry complied. The deputy then asked Autry about the rifle, and Autry stated he was attempting to shoot a deer with the gun, and that he hid in the field when he observed the deputy’s patrol car.

Autry has several prior felony convictions, including Facilitation of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping and Solicitation of First Degree Murder, which arose out of the abduction and murder of Holly Bobo in Decatur County, Tennessee in April 2011. Autry also has prior state convictions for Aggravated Burglary, Burglary, Theft over $10,000, and Manufacturing a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Autry also has a prior federal conviction for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, wherein he received a sentence of 100 months imprisonment. Autry is still under supervision in his prior federal case, and faces imprisonment in that case due to his illegal possession of a firearm on December 3, 2020.

If convicted, Autry faces up to ten years in federal prison followed by three years supervised release and a fine of $250,000. If he is found to qualify as an armed career criminal under federal law, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Prohibited persons in possession of firearms are always a public safety concern, but especially so when there is a known history of violent crime convictions. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal and local law enforcement partners in quickly responding to remove the firearm from this offender and safely bring him into custody."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the federal complaint and indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Donnie Ray King, 41, of Whiteville, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on December 5, 2018, a Haywood Co. Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a residence in Whiteville, Tennessee to follow up on a stolen car report. Earlier that day, King’s mother reported to law enforcement that King had stolen her vehicle and her phone. When law enforcement arrived at King’s mother’s home, she said that King had returned her car and left walking on Hillville Road. The deputy later observed a male standing on the property of an old school nearby who identified himself as "Donnie King." King advised that he had a gun in his boot and was immediately placed into custody. The deputy then recovered an unloaded Ruger, Model SR9, 9mm pistol in King’s left boot, and a magazine containing 15 rounds of ammunition for the Ruger in his right boot.

King is a convicted felon, having been previously convicted of two counts of statutory rape in Crockett County in 2000, aggravated assault in Shelby County in 2007, Violation of the Sex Offender Registry in Crockett County in 2008, and manufacturing methamphetamine in Carroll County in 2012. As a result of his felony convictions, King is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On December 8, 2020, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced King to 70 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As a multiple prior convicted felon, King has already disrespected the law and shown a manifest disregard for the rights of others. As a result, his possession of firearm and ammunition continues to threaten the security of his fellow citizens. This sentence accomplishes what his prior state sentences and probation could not – just punishment for his recidivism and incapacitation that will protect public safety."

The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant is pleased to announce that Assistant District Attorney Lance Webb has been appointed as a new Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) in the Jackson Branch Office. Thanks to an agreement with 29th Judicial District Attorney General Danny Goodman, ADA Lance Webb will now serve as a SAUSA in the Jackson office on a part-time basis, and will be cross-designated and dedicated to the prosecution of federal offenses originating and occurring in Dyer and Lake counties, in the 29th Judicial District of Tennessee.

General Webb has served as an Assistant District Attorney General in the 29th Judicial District since 2001, and has handled and successfully prosecuted all types of state criminal offenses, from misdemeanors to capital cases. Prior to joining the District Attorney’s Office, Lance served as Associate General Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services from 2000-2001, and prior to that, he was engaged in the private practice of law at Fowler, Prince & Webb in Union City, Tennessee.

General Webb obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1992, and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Middle Tennessee State University in 1989. Lance and his family live in Dyersburg, where he is active in the community and his church.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “We are very excited to have Lance join our office, and I am thankful to District Attorney General Goodman for his commitment to this SAUSA position. With his many years of distinguished service and successful experience as a state prosecutor, Lance will be immediately effective and productive in furthering the mission of the Department of Justice in Dyer and Lake counties. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to providing full service in all counties of West Tennessee, and General Webb’s knowledge of the public safety issues in the 29th Judicial District and his good relationship with local law enforcement will be key in our collective efforts to combat violent crime, gang activity, and drug trafficking in Northwest Tennessee.”

District Attorney General Danny Goodman said, “I am excited that the 29th Judicial District has been allowed to partner with the United States Attorney’s Office and want to thank U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for giving us this enormous opportunity. This will place Dyer and Lake Counties in the unique position of having the authority to evaluate and prosecute cases on both the State and Federal level. This partnership will be an important tool to be used in our judicial district to combat crime and continue our commitment to make our communities safe.”

U.S. Attorney Dunavant Announces Appointment of ADA Lance Webb as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney

 

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Jackson, TN – Jeffery Garvin Townsend, 60, of Paris, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on March 20, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at Townsend’s residence in Henry County, Tennessee. During a search of the garage, officers found a large locked firearms safe. A search of the residence yielded another large firearms safe in the basement that was also locked. Townsend refused to speak with the officers, and instead requested an attorney.

Officers then spoke with Townsend’s son about the combinations to and contents of the safes. He stated that he only knew the combination to the safe in his father’s bedroom in the basement. The son also informed law enforcement that the safe in the bedroom had guns in it, and the safe in the garage contained ammunition. The safe in the basement was opened and contained 13 guns (6 shotguns, 6 rifles, and one handgun), two barrels, and ammunition. One of the guns, a Century Arms AK-47, had a full magazine in it. One of the other guns, a Winchester Super X3, had the serial number filed off. Two other guns (a Bushmaster AR-15 and a Browning Invector Gold 10 gauge shotgun) were previously reported stolen. The officers had to force open the safe in the garage, which contained a large amount of ammunition.

The son also told law enforcement that several of the firearms in the safe belonged to his father, and that he had seen his father shoot several of the guns recently. He also said his father had acquired some of the guns in the last few months.

Townsend is a convicted felon, having been previously convicted in federal court of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in 2008, and attempting to possess wildlife taken in violation of federal law in 2002. Townsend was also convicted of aggravated assault in 1985. As a result of his prior felony convictions, Townsend is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On December 4, 2020, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Townsend to 78 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The government has a strong interest in preventing people who already have disrespected the law, including felons, from possessing guns. As a prior convicted felon, Townsend’s possession of a large cache of firearms and ammunition, including stolen guns and one with obliterated serial numbers, continued to threaten the security of his fellow citizens. This sentence accomplishes the public safety goals of removing firearms from dangerous offenders and providing just punishment, incapacitation, and deterrence for repeated violations of law."

The Paris, Tennessee Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Isca Johnson, 24 of Covington, Tennessee has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. This case was developed as part of the first "Operation Crime Driver" in Tipton County. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

Johnson’s arrest was part of "Operation Crime Driver", a joint federal, state and local law enforcement anti-violence initiative led by the District Attorney General’s Office for the 25th Judicial District, and conducted between February and May 2019, where law enforcement targeted offenders wanted on arrest warrants for violent criminal offenses in Tipton County, Tennessee. Johnson was among 6 defendants from the first phase of "Operation Crime Driver" to be indicted in federal court in October, 2019 for various drug and gun offenses. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/operation-crime-driver-targets-violent-criminals-tipton-county

According to information presented in court, on May 3, 2019, Tipton County Sheriff’s deputies encountered Johnson as they smelled marijuana emanating from his apartment. He gave consent to search, and deputies found marijuana, alprazolam, a loaded handgun, and ammunition. He admitted to owning the items and to being a regular user of illicit drugs. Johnson was charged in federal court in Memphis with possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

On December 9, 2019, Johnson pled guilty to being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3).

On November 30, 2020, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Jon McCalla sentenced Johnson to 21 months in federal prison followed by two years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Studies amply demonstrate the connection between chronic drug abuse and violent crime, and illuminate the nexus between Congress’s attempt to keep firearms away from habitual drug abusers and its goal of reducing violent crime. We are pleased to join with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to focus on the priority areas of firearms and narcotics cases that impact public safety in our rural communities, and we are glad to support this successful joint operation by adopting these cases for federal prosecution."

Other defendants sentenced in Operation Crime Driver include:

• Danny Muex, 32, of Tipton County was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/tipton-county-probationer-arrested-during-operation-crime-driver-sentenced-federal

• Maurice Nash, A/K/A "Monster," 47, of Atoka, TN was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/tipton-county-armed-career-criminal-sentenced-over-17-years-federal-prison

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean G. Hord prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Hord is currently assigned from the 25th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

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Jackson, TN - Justin Tyler Bynum, 32, of South Fulton, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for conspiring with others to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on April 25, 2018, when deputies with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department attempted a traffic stop on Bynum's vehicle, he turned into a driveway, stopped his vehicle, and fled on foot. Deputies eventually caught Bynum and recovered approximately an ounce of methamphetamine. Bynum later admitted to selling methamphetamine for the previous four months, in the amount of at least two ounces per week.

On June 25, 2019, Bynum pled guilty to conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Bynum has an extensive criminal history, including his current offense, which involved his distribution of approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine, prior burglary, theft and vandalism convictions that occurred a few years before his current offense.

On December 1, 2020, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Bynum to 100 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. Drug dealers who profit from the pain, addiction, violence and death caused by these dangerous substances deserve proper punishment, and this sentence does just that."

This is the third sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants, including Justin Tyler Bynum, Keith Norris, Robert Thomas, Charles Settles, and Solomon Clay on charges of conspiracy to distribute actual methamphetamine. On August 6, 2019, Robert Thomas was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release for his role in the conspiracy. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/martin-tennessee-man-sentenced-108months-imprisonment-conspiracy-distribute

On July 13, 2020, Norris was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison followed by five years supervised release. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/weakley-county-man-sentenced-23-years-federal-prison-conspiracy-distribute

This case was investigated by the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant is pleased to announce that Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth C. Boswell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Musselwhite have successfully completed and been certified as instructors of the Department of Justice Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. G.R.E.A.T. is a gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula, intended to guide children away from delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. The program certifies instructors around the country to give interactive educational presentations and teach an approved curriculum to 4th through 8th grade students. The G.R.E.A.T. Program began in 1991 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and in 2004 the program administration was transferred from the ATF to the DOJ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

The G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (GOT) process is very rigorous, and requires a commitment of 10 hours of online training and 36 hours of classroom training. AUSAs Boswell and Musselwhite have demonstrated significant commitment to complete the program, and will now be available to represent the U.S. Attorney’s Office in classrooms across West Tennessee in order to proactively prevent youth violence through this certified program. AUSAs Boswell and Musselwhite also have the notable distinction of being the first federal prosecutors to become certified instructors of the G.R.E.A.T. program. They join certified instructors from 30 district and state attorneys’ offices in 11 states, including the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office in Memphis, as well as a strong contingent from the ATF and other law enforcement officers from the United States Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and every branch of the U.S. Military.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Having Assistant U.S. Attorneys as certified instructors of the G.R.E.A.T. program is an important part of our efforts to proactively prevent future criminal behavior and gang membership. We are proud of Beth and Jennifer for their commitment, achievement, and ground-breaking work in this important initiative, and I am confident that their leadership in the G.R.E.A.T. program will promote positive relationships between law enforcement and the community, help young people avoid delinquent behavior and bad decisions, and ultimately improve public safety in West Tennessee."

For more information about the G.R.E.A.T. program, visit: https://www.great-online.org/GREAT-Home

Pictured from left to right are: AUSA Jennifer Musselwhite, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, and Criminal Chief AUSA Beth Boswell.

 

Former Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) Corporal Tommy Morris, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up the beating of an inmate and to encouraging other officers to provide false information to investigators, the Justice Department announced today.

“The State of Tennessee entrusted this defendant with the responsibility to act lawfully as a corrections officer by supervising those in his chain of command and by treating inmates humanely and in a manner that complies with the U.S. Constitution and other laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Instead of acting lawfully, this defendant violated the public trust, stood by and did nothing as junior officers unjustly beat an inmate, lied repeatedly about the beating, and tried to persuade other corrections officers to lie about what happened. This defendant’s criminal misconduct violates both our law and common decency, and the U.S. Department of Justice will not stand for it. The Justice Department will continue to work hard to ensure that all Americans are held accountable for breaking the law, especially those who abuse their position of authority in the law to do so.”

“Correctional officers must abide by and adhere to the same laws they take an oath to uphold and enforce,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. “Instead of serving and protecting the public, this officer actively participated to conceal the use of physical force by other officers to violate the civil rights of an individual. As a result, he will now be held accountable, vividly illustrating that no one is above the law.”

“When a correctional officer violates the civil rights of an inmate whose safety he is charged with, it undermines the respect and reputation of all law enforcement officers,” said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field Office of the FBI. “This plea should be a reminder that the FBI takes the allegation of civil rights violations seriously, and will vigorously investigate these kinds of cases, and bring to justice any law enforcement officer who violates the constitution and the trust of the people.”

With his guilty plea, Morris admitted that, on Feb. 1, 2019, he and other correctional officers entered the cell of R.T., an inmate in the mental health unit at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. Morris stood by as a junior officer instructed another officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell. Morris then watched as three officers punched R.T. in retaliation for R.T. spitting earlier.  

After the officers left R.T.’s cell, Morris, who was the ranking officer, suggested that they should falsely claim that R.T. injured himself while he was on suicide watch. Morris and another officer then directed the others to adopt the false and misleading story. The officers agreed to cover up the unlawful use of force on inmate R.T.

Morris knew that the officers’ use of force should be reported to TDOC authorities, but he did not report the incident, fill out any paperwork, or instruct any of the other officers to take those steps. Instead, when a junior correctional officer asked Morris if he needed to fill out any paperwork, Morris falsely claimed that it would be handled and there was no need to do anything.  

With today’s guilty plea, Morris admitted that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 371 when he conspired to cover up the beating of R.T. and that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b) (3) when he knowingly encouraged correctional officers to provide investigators with false and misleading information. The maximum penalty for the conspiracy offense is five years imprisonment and 20 years imprisonment for the obstruction offense.

Previously, former TDOC Correctional Officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, Carl Spurlin Jr., Cadie McAlister, and Jonathan York entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T. Morris is the sixth and final defendant to enter a guilty plea.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI with the support of the TDOC, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

Memphis, TN – Former Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) Corporal Tommy Morris, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up the beating of an inmate and to encouraging other officers to provide false information to investigators, the Justice Department announced today.

“The State of Tennessee entrusted this defendant with the responsibility to act lawfully as a corrections officer by supervising those in his chain of command and by treating inmates humanely and in a manner that complies with the U.S. Constitution and other laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Instead of acting lawfully, this defendant violated the public trust, stood by and did nothing as junior officers unjustly beat an inmate, lied repeatedly about the beating, and tried to persuade other corrections officers to lie about what happened. This defendant’s criminal misconduct violates both our law and common decency, and the U.S. Department of Justice will not stand for it. The Justice Department will continue to work hard to ensure that all Americans are held accountable for breaking the law, especially those who abuse their position of authority in the law to do so.”

“Correctional officers must abide by and adhere to the same laws they take an oath to uphold and enforce,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. “Instead of serving and protecting the public, this officer actively participated to conceal the use of physical force by other officers to violate the civil rights of an individual.  As a result, he will now be held accountable, vividly illustrating that no one is above the law.”

“When a correctional officer violates the civil rights of an inmate whose safety he is charged with, it undermines the respect and reputation of all law enforcement officers,” said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field Office of the FBI. “This plea should be a reminder that the FBI takes the allegation of civil rights violations seriously, and will vigorously investigate these kinds of cases, and bring to justice any law enforcement officer who violates the constitution and the trust of the people.”

With his guilty plea, Morris admitted that, on Feb. 1, 2019, he and other correctional officers entered the cell of R.T., an inmate in the mental health unit at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. Morris stood by as a junior officer instructed another officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell. Morris then watched as three officers punched R.T. in retaliation for R.T. spitting earlier. 

After the officers left R.T.’s cell, Morris, who was the ranking officer, suggested that they should falsely claim that R.T. injured himself while he was on suicide watch. Morris and another officer then directed the others to adopt the false and misleading story. The officers agreed to cover up the unlawful use of force on inmate R.T.

Morris knew that the officers’ use of force should be reported to TDOC authorities, but he did not report the incident, fill out any paperwork, or instruct any of the other officers to take those steps. Instead, when a junior correctional officer asked Morris if he needed to fill out any paperwork, Morris falsely claimed that it would be handled and there was no need to do anything. 

With today’s guilty plea, Morris admitted that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 371 when he conspired to cover up the beating of R.T. and that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b) (3) when he knowingly encouraged correctional officers to provide investigators with false and misleading information.  The maximum penalty for the conspiracy offense is five years imprisonment and 20 years imprisonment for the obstruction offense.

Previously, former TDOC Correctional Officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, Carl Spurlin, Jr., Cadie McAlister, and Jonathan York entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T.  Morris is the sixth and final defendant to enter a guilty plea.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI with the support of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

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Memphis, TN –After a four-day jury trial with proper COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Terry Benson, 47, of Senatobia, Mississippi, has been found guilty as charged of Theft of Government Funds, Mail Fraud, and Passing Fictitious Instruments. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the conviction today.

Benson was found guilty of defrauding the IRS by submitting fictitious financial instruments in the amounts of $393,053.78 and $1.3 million and other numerous fraudulent documents, causing the IRS to send him a refund check for $297,311.12. He then used those funds to open accounts with Morgan Stanley and Regions Bank and purchase a mobile home and other personal items. In addition, he was found guilty of using the U.S. Mail in furtherance of these crimes.

According to the indictment, Benson executed a scheme to steal funds from the IRS. Benson sent the IRS a fictitious money order as a “Tax Account Settlement Payment” which was applied to balances he owed for tax years 2006, 2007, and 2010 to settle his debt. The IRS issued him a refund check in the amount of $297,311.12 for the overage amount after applying amounts to his IRS debt and debt owed by Benson to the Tennessee Office of Child Support Enforcement Services. Benson filed many fraudulent documents with the IRS naming public officials, organizations or other entities in the documents. In some instances, Benson filed UCC-1 financing statements with the Tennessee Secretary of State naming Regions Bank, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Shelby County Juvenile Court, the IRS and an employee of the IRS as debtors while identifying himself as the creditor.

On March 19, 2019, Benson was indicted for theft of government funds, mail fraud, and passing a fictitious financial instrument. A sentencing hearing is set for February 25, 2021, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark Norris, where Benson faces possible sentences of up to 10 years for the theft of government funds; up to 20 years for the mail fraud; and up to 25 years for passing fictitious instruments. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Protection of the integrity of the United States Treasury and the sanctity of the U.S. Mail system is a top priority for the Department of Justice and this office. This guilty verdict demonstrates our ability and resolve to expose fraudulent schemes against the government, hold offenders accountable for their dishonest criminal conduct, and to recover ill-gotten proceeds on behalf of the United States."

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon K. Griffin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Kuo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Christopher Pipken, 39, has been indicted for possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine; and distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl resulting in death. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictment today.

According to the indictment, in late August of 2019, the victim was found deceased at a house in Bartlett, apparently the result of an overdose. On November 12, 2020, a federal grand jury charged Pipken with distributing the drugs that led to the death of the victim. In addition, Pipken was charged with three other separate distributions of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

If convicted for the drug distribution counts, Pipken faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. If convicted for the distribution count resulting in death, Pipken faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The U.S. Attorney’s Office has developed a district-specific strategy to prioritize and aggressively prosecute cases involving heroin and fentanyl distribution causing overdose deaths, and this indictment demonstrates that commitment to address the opioid epidemic in West Tennessee. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our law enforcement partners at the FBI and the Bartlett Police Department in this important case."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bartlett Police Department investigated this case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. This case is part of the Heroin Initiative in collaboration with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Memphis, TN – Today, United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant is launching three Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness and increase reporting about the Department of Justice priority areas of violent crime, elder fraud, and opioids. The campaign employs targeted messaging to educate and inform the public with a series of public service announcements (PSAs) that will run on television, radio, social media and streaming platforms urging individuals to rethink committing violent crimes that could be federal offenses, and to guard against becoming victims of elder fraud or opioid abuse or overdose. The PSAs can be found at the links below to 30 and 60-second YouTube videos.

U.S. Attorney Dunavant said: "These PSAs are a proactive way for our office to provide education, deterrence, harm reduction, cooperation with law enforcement, community outreach, and federal assistance resources to citizens in West Tennessee. All federal crimes are important to our office, but these three priority areas of violent crime, elder fraud, and opioids are having an immediate and significant impact on our communities, and we have designed these PSAs to make it easier for victims to find resources and report crimes."

The first PSA is aimed at discouraging violent crime, specifically robbery and gun crimes, through our Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. It warns potential offenders of the legal consequences of committing a federal gun crime: "Put the guns down and turn your life around, because if my office can prosecute you, we will." The PSA also encourages members of the community to report criminal activity in their neighborhoods to law enforcement: "If you see something and say something, we WILL do something."

PSN 30: https://youtu.be/fUeO1VI0WdQ

PSN 60: https://youtu.be/zemHXkKyitE

The second PSA focuses on the growing problem of Elder Fraud and Financial Exploitation. Earlier this year, Attorney General William Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate service. The online link to the hotline is: https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/. This Elder Fraud PSA warns potential victims and their loved ones about the types of scams targeting older Americans for financial fraud and theft, and encourages them to take action by reporting suspicious activity to the FBI: "Don’t let a scammer cheat you or your loved ones out of money or your peace of mind."

Elder Abuse 30: https://youtu.be/uMS73NKuRxs

Elder Abuse 60: https://youtu.be/t4AtXQzVZ9s

The third and final PSA targets the dangers of Prescription Opioid abuse and misuse. Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. Deaths from drug overdoses are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages, with more than three out of five drug overdose deaths involving an opioid. This PSA warns of the addictive and deadly dangers of opioid abuse: "Abusing prescriptions and buying pills on the street is gambling with your life. Your first one may be your last." It also encourages everyone to properly lock away prescriptions, safely dispose of unused and expired medications, and provides contact information about help available to those struggling with addiction: "You might just save a life."

Opioids 30: https://youtu.be/I2Bz4UT6pN4

Opioids 60: https://youtu.be/-Jjrgo6rFLU

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Jackson, TN – Jamieson Maurice Esquivel, 27, of Huntingdon, TN has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 30, 2017, officers with the Huntingdon Police Department attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Esquivel’s father, James H. Brown, Jr., at a residence in Huntingdon, TN. The officers subsequently obtained a search warrant for that residence, and during the search they discovered two firearms -- a Smith & Wesson Model M&P 9C 9mm pistol and a Rohm Model RG10 .22 caliber revolver. Further investigation revealed that both guns belonged to Esquivel.

Esquivel has an extensive criminal history, including prior felony convictions for Robbery in Madison County in 2012, and Sale of a Schedule II controlled substance in Carroll County in 2012. Esquivel was still on probation in both cases at the time he committed the present offense on September 30, 2017. As a result of his prior felony convictions, he is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On June 16, 2020, the defendant pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

On November 10, 2020, U.S. District Court Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Esquivel to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Chief Judge Anderson also ordered that the federal sentence run consecutive to the state sentence that Esquivel is currently serving for violating his probation in his prior Carroll County felony drug case, which is not scheduled to expire until August 2026. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As a prior convicted felon, Esquivel has already disrespected the law and shown a manifest disregard for the rights of others. As a result, his possession of firearms continues to threaten the security of his fellow citizens. This sentence accomplishes what his prior state sentences and probation could not – just punishment and incapacitation that will protect public safety."

The Huntingdon Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN –Princess Terry, 27, has been sentenced to 65 months in federal prison for healthcare fraud and aggravated identity theft, and has also been charged with wire fraud and making a false statement in connection with a loan application. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence and the new unsealed complaint today.

According to the federal indictment in the healthcare fraud case, Terry owned and operated Caring Hearts Memphis, a home healthcare services business, which purported to provide healthcare services to mostly elderly patients, including home health aides, skilled nursing, and physical and occupational therapy.

Between approximately January 1, 2016 and June 27, 2019, Terry submitted over $2 million in fraudulent billing to Humana, a private health insurance provider, for services that were not actually rendered. Terry's fraudulent billing practices included numerous instances of billing for home health services on days when patients were actually hospitalized, billing for services in excess of 24 hours in a given day for the same patient, and billing for services purportedly rendered after the patient was deceased.

In executing this scheme, Terry also committed aggravated identity theft by forging patients' signatures without their knowledge or permission on consent-for-services forms and progress notes containing fraudulent misrepresentations about services not actually performed. On September 17, 2019, she was indicted based on that scheme; and on August 25, 2020, she entered a plea of guilty to charges of healthcare fraud and aggravated identity theft.

On November 6, 2020, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Parker to 65 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a criminal forfeiture money judgment of $2 million on charges of healthcare fraud and aggravated identity theft. The Court reserved ruling on the question of restitution for a later date.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Fraudulent schemes and crimes of dishonesty do not pay, and will be exposed. This case represents our commitment to expose healthcare fraudulent schemes, protect the integrity of the health insurance system, hold offenders accountable for their dishonest criminal conduct, and to recover ill-gotten proceeds on behalf of victims. Likewise, protection of the United States Treasury is a top priority for the Department of Justice, and our office is absolutely committed to bringing to justice those who would seek to take unfair advantage of critical government resources through PPP fraud during this challenging and uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic."

While she was on pretrial release in that case, Terry was also further charged with wire fraud and making a false statement in connection with a loan application. According to information in the unsealed criminal complaint, Terry allegedly executed a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a loan program enacted in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis which provides forgivable loans to small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic.

In April and May of 2020, it is alleged that Terry falsely represented to the SBA and two different financial institutions that Caring Hearts Memphis was still a going business with employees and payroll obligations, despite the fact that it had not been in active operation since 2017 and had no employees. She also falsely certified that she was not under indictment, and submitted forged bank statements to document her loan applications. In this manner, Terry fraudulently obtained $290,000 in PPP loan funds.

The new charges will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date to consider an indictment against the defendant. If convicted on the new wire fraud charge, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, three years supervised release and a $1 million dollar fine. For the offense of making a false statement in connection with a loan application, Terry faces a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison, 3 years supervised release and a $1 million fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated both of these cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cotten is prosecuting both cases on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Reginald Dontae Williamson, Jr., 26, has been sentenced to 77 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on August 20, 2019, investigators with the Jackson Police Department Gang Unit were assisting the U.S. Marshals Service while serving an arrest warrant at the defendant’s residence in Jackson. As agents with the USMS were inside the residence securing Williamson, JPD officers saw two partially smoked marijuana cigarettes in an ashtray in the living room. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the home, which revealed a black 12-gauge shotgun and a Mac-10 pistol in a bedroom closet. The shotgun had been stolen in 2017 during an automobile burglary in Jackson. Both guns were loaded.

As a result of his prior felony convictions, including aggravated burglary, theft of property, aggravated riot and vandalism, Williamson is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On July 21, 2020, Williamson pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of the 12-gauge shotgun and the Mac-10 pistol.

On November 6, 2020, U.S. Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Williamson to 77 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across West Tennessee, including Jackson. Congress enacted the statutory prohibitions of federal firearms laws to keep guns out of the hands of presumptively risky people, and the government has a strong interest in preventing people who already have disrespected the law, including felons, from possessing guns. This sentence removes two dangerous threats from the streets: a risky recidivist felon, and stolen firearms."

The Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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