Western District of Tennessee

JACKSON, TN - Shannon Pettigrew, 35, has been sentenced to 92 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition on two separate occasions. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on December 22, 2017, officers with the Benton County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call indicating a man was going to kill his girlfriend. At the house they found the defendant, his girlfriend and two children. Pettigrew had his girlfriend by the neck and refused commands. Just before the woman and children were released, the girlfriend yelled to officers to back up, because Pettigrew had a gun.

After the standoff, law enforcement recovered a 20 gauge sawed-off shotgun in the residence with a shell casing. The victim confirmed to law enforcement that she noticed the firearm in the house earlier that day and assumed the defendant went to get it because he was going to call the cops and "commit suicide by cop." A neighbor also told law enforcement that she heard a shot at Pettigrew’s house and saw him with an object believed to be a shotgun.

On October 5, 2018, officers with the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Benton County Sheriff's Office were conducting an undercover operation when Pettigrew drove by their unmarked car in a parking lot. One officer gestured and Pettigrew pulled out a black pistol and pointed it at the officers. Being familiar with the defendant’s previous felony convictions, the officers attempted to apprehend the defendant.

A car chase ensued with the defendant crashing his vehicle; officers saw something thrown from the vehicle. Officers recovered a box from a Phoenix Arms Black pistol with two rounds of .22 LR ammunition. They further searched the area along the roadway traveled during the chase, but were unable to locate the firearm. Officers did execute a search warrant for Pettigrew's phone and discovered a photo of a black .22 LR pistol matching the description of the firearm pointed at the officers.

Pettigrew has prior felony convictions for Grand Theft Auto, False Imprisonment, Escape, and Evading Arrest, and was on state probation and bond release status for new criminal offenses at the time of these federal firearms offenses. As a result of his prior felony conviction history, Pettigrew is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On July 8, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Pettigrew to 92 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Violent crime committed by felons with firearms affects and endangers all communities in West Tennessee, both urban and rural. Pettigrew’s brazen and disturbing conduct terrorized his domestic violence victims and endangered law enforcement officers. Now he will have plenty of time in federal prison to suffer with the consequences of his recidivist criminal conduct, and the citizens of Benton County and West Tennessee will be safer for it."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Benton County Sheriff’s Department; and the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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MEMPHIS, TN –Kerrell Jackson, 33, has been sentenced to 84 months imprisonment for being a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on April 16, 2018, a Memphis Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. Jackson, the driver of the vehicle, was driving 84 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone. The Officer asked Jackson to produce his driver’s license. When Jackson reached for his wallet in his back pocket, the Officer saw a Taurus .40 caliber pistol on his person.

On September 9, 2018, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Jackson and an unknown female went to a residence on Neely Road in Memphis, Tennessee, in search of an individual who owed him money from a prior drug debt. A 73 year-old woman answered the door and informed Jackson that the person he was looking for was not there. Jackson became upset and began to wave and point a black firearm at the elderly woman and another man present. Upon leaving the residence Jackson fired three to four shots towards the house and in the direction of both victims.

Jackson has prior violent felony convictions for aggravated assault and facilitation of second degree murder, and was on state probation at the time of these new firearms offenses. As a result of his prior felony conviction history, Jackson is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On November 1, 2019, Jackson pled guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On July 1, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Mark. S. Norris sentenced Jackson to 84 months imprisonment followed by 2 years 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 the community, and in this case, Jackson was a violent offender who repeatedly possessed and violently discharged a firearm despite his prior felony conviction history and probation status. There is a consequence for such brazen criminal behavior, and we will aggressively use and enforce federal law to incapacitate violent offenders, protect victims, and uphold the rule of law."

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force. This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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 Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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MEMPHIS, TN– Elden Collins, 25, KolonjiWarren, 24, and Kristopher Harris, 23, have been indicted for the federal offenses of carjacking and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictment today.

According to the indictment, on July 17, 2019, the victim was seated inside his vehicle at the Pump and Munch gas station on East Shelby Drive in Memphis, TN. Collins and his two accomplices drove a tan Jeep SUV to the gas station, and pulled alongside the victim's vehicle.

Harris, pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim, firing one shot into the front passenger-side window of the vehicle. After the victim fled, Warren entered the victim's vehicle and drove away. One shell casing left at the scene was collected as evidence.

Part of the carjacking incident was captured on video surveillance, which confirmed the suspect’s vehicle in the area and showed Warren enter the gas station prior to the carjacking. During the course of the investigation the defendants were all positively identified.

If convicted of the carjacking offense, the defendants each face sentences of up to 15 years imprisonment; a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. If convicted of using a firearm during a crime of violence offense, the defendants each face an additional mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years 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, "Under our Carjacking Initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to coordinate with our federal and local law enforcement partners to prioritize and target carjacking cases for aggressive federal prosecution. This indictment demonstrates our resolve to incapacitate the most violent offenders, uphold the rule of law, deter criminal conduct with a strong message of significant consequences, and make our community safer."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

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

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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MEMPHIS, TN – Dwayne Tullous, 57, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in death. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 30, 2018, victim Larry House was found deceased in his Lakeland, Tennessee residence from a heroin and fentanyl overdose. Investigators from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service responded to the scene and conducted an investigation which revealed that the victim had been visited by a drug dealer, Tullous, earlier that evening. Tullous sold the victim various amounts of black tar heroin and fentanyl. A few hours later, the victim died from using the heroin and fentanyl distributed to him by the defendant, Tullous.

Investigators with the Postal Inspection Service determined that Tullous received packages from the Los Angeles, California area to a house in Cordova. Upon further investigation and after execution of a search warrant, investigators recovered black tar heroin, fentanyl, a firearm, and oxycodone pills from Tullous' residence. The heroin and fentanyl found at Tullous' residence was wrapped in the same packaging as the substances found at the residence of the victim. An autopsy revealed that the cause of victim's death was a heroin and fentanyl overdose.

On March 12, 2020, Tullous pled guilty, admitting he caused the death of Larry House by distributing heroin and fentanyl to him in July 2018.

On June 25, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Tullous to 20 years imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Distribution of illegal narcotics is NOT a victimless crime, and poses an immense threat to public safety. The drug seller, at every level of distribution, is at the root of the pervasive cycle of drug abuse. Measured thus by the harm it inflicts upon the addict, and, through him, upon society as a whole, drug dealing of heroin and fentanyl in its present epidemic proportions is a grave offense of high rank. In order to prevent needless addiction, injury, violence, and death in our communities, we must act with urgency to stop and punish drug dealers that deliver this deadly poison to citizens in West Tennessee. This case demonstrates the significant penalty that we will use to hold dealers accountable, deter others from dealing death to our citizens, and save lives. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal and local law enforcement partners, and we hope this sentence will achieve some measure of justice for the House family."

Heroin and fentanyl are extremely dangerous substances that have caused the deaths and non-fatal overdoses of thousands of people every year. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and a dosage less than a grain of table salt is enough to cause death. This year in Shelby County, over 200 people have died and over 2,000 people have suffered a non-fatal overdose as a result of the continued availability and distribution of heroin and fentanyl in our community. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please call the Tennessee Redline for help at 1-800-889-9789, or visit the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition at https://memphisprevention.org for information and resources.

This case was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

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

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Memphis, TN– Jaime Walsh, 53, has been charged in an eight-count federal indictment for multiple forms of fraud, including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and fraudulent claims against the government. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictment today.

According to the indictment, between June of 2013 and March of 2019, Walsh carried out a scheme to defraud various organizations including charities, nonprofit entities, and the Peace Corps. Walsh’s scheme was to make an online donation to an organization, contact the organization claiming the donation amount was in error, and ask for a refund to correct the error.

For example, Walsh would make an online donation of $4500 to an organization. He would then contact the organization, claiming he intended to donate only $45, and ask for a refund of $4455. The organization would issue the requested refund and Walsh would immediately withdraw the money from his account. Meanwhile, the original donation made by Walsh would be rejected due to insufficient funds and the targeted organization would suffer a complete loss of the refunded amount.

If convicted, Walsh faces up to 20 years imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Fraudulent schemes that steal precious resources from nonprofit victims represent the very worst acts of dishonesty and betrayals of trust. We commend our federal and state law enforcement partners for their outstanding investigation in this disturbing case."

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), U.S. Secret Service, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Peace Corps Office of the Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Smith is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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

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MEMPHIS, TN -Maurice Nash, A/K/A "Monster," 47, of Atoka, TN has been sentenced to 210 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 May 3, 2019, members of the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Board of Probation and Parole and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, conducted a parole check at the residence of Maurice Nash and his brother Henry Nash in Atoka, Tennessee. Maurice was home. The parole check 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.

Officers found a loaded .40 caliber handgun in a shoebox in the closet of the master bedroom. They also found $10,500 in $100 bills in a black pouch in a sleeve of a black jacket that hung beneath the firearm; and 90 suspected MDMA pills (that were ultimately determined by TBI drug chemistry lab testing to be methamphetamine), along with $180. Nash told police that everything in the house belonged to him. Officers also found 8 small marijuana plants in a planter behind the house that were between 1 and 3 inches tall.

A K-9 unit on scene indicated a positive alert on two vehicles at the residence. One of the vehicles was a Tahoe registered to Nash’s mother; however, it contained Nash’s ID and other documents confirming the Tahoe belonged to Nash. Police found 3 bags of compressed marijuana, each weighing about one pound, on the floor by the front passenger seat of the Tahoe. Police also found an unloaded rifle similar to a SKS on the floor behind the passenger seat in the Tahoe. Nash exercised his right to remain silent concerning the drugs and rifle found in the Tahoe.

Nash’s mother told police that she did not know anything about the gun or drugs in the vehicle. She also acknowledged that her son Maurice had insurance for the Tahoe in his name. Nash was ultimately 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

On February 12, 2020, Nash pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Due to his extensive criminal history which included prior felony convictions for aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and possession of MDMA, cocaine, and marijuana with intent to deliver, Nash was classified as an armed career criminal under federal law and was therefore subject to an enhanced, mandatory minimum sentence.

On June 25, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Nash to 210 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. Because Nash was on state parole release status at the time of this new arrest, this federal sentence will be served consecutively to the remainder of his state custodial sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction as a result of parole revocation. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This defendant has a long criminal history of felony convictions, and was on parole when he was found in possession of firearms and illegal narcotics. Nash has devoted his adult life to a career of repeated criminal conduct, and that prior history has finally caught up with him. ‘Monster’ was a real crime driver, but will no longer terrorize Tipton County. This sentence removing him from the community for more than 17 years is well-deserved, and will make Tipton County and West Tennessee a safer place."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Tipton County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole.

Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Neal Oldham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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MEMPHIS, TN – The Department of Justice‘s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) today announced nearly $42 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and prescription opioids.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) will receive a total of over $3 million in funding to support investigations into trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids, as well as to combat the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine across the State of Tennessee.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The Department of Justice is committed to providing meaningful resources to our state and local law enforcement partners, and this announcement of crucial public safety grant funding from the COPS Office will allow TBI to focus on the priority areas of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine trafficking that continues to destroy lives and contribute to our violent crime rates. The TBI is an outstanding partner with our office in the fight against dangerous drug distribution, and we look forward to working with them as they put these new tools and resources to use."

"I am proud to announce the 2020 COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) and the Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program awards to the TBI," said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey. "Our nation continues to face the constant insurgence of substance abuse and addiction, which threatens our communities daily. This epidemic is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities, and this funding will allow the TBI to continue to provide coordination and training and maintain the critical relationships among our law enforcement partners and the communities they serve."

"The TBI/Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force has been a driving force in Tennessee’s efforts to combat meth and heroin abuse," said U. S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee. "As dangerous substances like fentanyl continue to cause alarming overdoses and deaths in our communities, these additional funds will allow the task force to increase prevention and enforcement efforts at a most critical time."

"One of our top priorities is addressing the drug epidemic impacting families across the state," said TBI Director David Rausch. "This funding will go a long way in helping us track down those distributing dangerous drugs in our communities. We are grateful to the Department of Justice and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for their continued support and investment in TBI."

"The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s communities," said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. "By providing these resources to law enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public health and safety crisis."

Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. Deaths from drug overdose 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. More than 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, while methamphetamine continues to be one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world and is the drug that most contributes to violent crime.

The COPS Office is awarding more than $29.7 million in grant funding to 14 state law enforcement agency task forces through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides three years of funding directly to state-level law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and interdisciplinary team (e.g., task force) structures, in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. Under the AHTF Program, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been awarded $2,133,216.00 in grant funding.

Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office is also awarding $12 million to 12 state law enforcement agencies. These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. State agencies are being awarded three years of funding through CAMP to support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine trafficking. Under the CAMP Program, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been awarded $1,000,000.00 in grant funding.

The AHTF and CAMP funding has a tremendous impact on state investigative and seizure work. During the five month period between October 2019 and February 2020, current AHTF

grantees reported the seizure of over $4 million in cash and 1,213 firearms. Similarly, for CAMP, grantees reported seizures of more than $7 million in cash and 1,577 firearms.

The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/ahtf/Award_List.pdf.

The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/camp/Award_List.pdf.

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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

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MEMPHIS, TN – Isaiah Miller, 19, has been sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for participating in multiple carjackings and brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court:

• On October 10, 2018, at about 9:45 p.m., two victims were walking to their vehicle on South Cooper Street in Memphis, Tennessee, when four males approached them. One suspect pointed a small black handgun and demanded their property. The suspect told them to "lie on the ground facedown." As one of the victims attempted to get down, one of the suspects punched him twice in the left jaw. The suspects took the victims’ wallets, cell phones, and the keys to the victims’ vehicle. They left in the 2013 Mazda headed northbound on Cooper. After notifying law enforcement about the crime, one of the victims positively identified Miller as one of the individuals who carjacked him. The victim said "Miller was the man who hit him in the face and told another man to shoot him."

• On October 11, 2018, at around 10:19 p.m., a victim was sitting in her silver Honda Civic charging her phone. She saw a group of five males approach her, point a gun at her, and demand that she get out of the vehicle. The victim exited the vehicle and one of the men snatched her cell phone from her hand. She asked if she could keep her purse from the car, and one man responded, "Hell naw." The males got into the Honda Civic and were last seen going west on Mynders Avenue. The victim positively identified Miller as the person responsible for the carjacking who brandished the weapon. Fingerprints belonging to Miller were found on the hood and passenger side rear door glass of the recovered vehicle.

• On October 13, 2018, a victim was pulling into the driveway of his girlfriend’s house on Venable Avenue when another vehicle blocked in their vehicle. Three males approached and demanded he exit the vehicle. The two men on the driver’s side of the vehicle both had firearms, one black and one silver. One of the suspects then pistol whipped the victim and pulled him out of the vehicle. The armed male then pointed the gun at the victim’s girlfriend and told her to get out of the vehicle. They took a phone and a gold ring from the victims. They then drove away from the scene in the victim’s Honda Accord. The victim positively identified Miller as the person who pulled her out of the vehicle.

• On October 17, 2018, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a victim was walking at Walker Avenue and Tanglewood toward his car after visiting friends. The victim was approached by three males armed with firearms who demanded that he give them his car keys, wallet, and cash. The victim initially did not comply, so one of the suspects hit him in the face and head with the firearm. The victim then gave the suspects his wallet and ran. The suspects were unable to find victim’s keys in his wallet so they fled from the scene. The victim positively identified Miller from a photo lineup as the suspect who demanded his keys and struck him in the face with the pistol.

• On Friday, October 19, 2018, Mt. Moriah task force officers were on enhanced patrol looking for a silver Honda Civic that had been seen driving recklessly through the area of South Perkins and Cottonwood. Law enforcement observed a silver Honda matching the description in the area and attempted to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop. Officers chased the vehicle to the Cedar Mills apartment complex, when all four males jumped out of the car and ran in different directions. Miller was apprehended after jumping from a balcony. Ultimately, Miller gave a statement to the police, admitting to at least one of the carjackings.

On June 18, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Miller to 300 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "In the short period of just one week, this young offender not only injured and terrorized multiple victims, but he also senselessly wasted his own life by committing successive violent gun crimes. There is a heavy price to pay for such violence and lawlessness, and Miller will now pay that price with 25 years in a federal prison. This case demonstrates our ability and intention to aggressively prosecute violent carjackings, no matter the age of the offender. Hopefully, it will also send a strong deterrent message to others to avoid throwing their lives away by senseless gun violence."

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers 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’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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MEMPHIS, TN – A federal grand jury has indicted Bernard M. Jones, 35, for attempted murder and aggravated assault of a federal employee with a deadly weapon. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictment 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 located in downtown Memphis. While loading the mail into his USPS staff vehicle, the victim observed someone moving around inside his personal vehicle which was parked approximately 50 yards away in the employee parking lot at the Memphis Priority Mail Annex located at 3300 Jet Cove in Memphis. 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 also 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. As a result of his prior felony conviction history, Jones is prohibited by federal law from possession of a firearm or ammunition.

Jones has been indicted for the offenses of Assault of a federal employee with a deadly weapon; Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon; Use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence; and Attempted murder of a federal employee.

If convicted on counts 1, 4, and 5 Jones faces sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment on each; a $250,000 fine; and 3 years supervised release. On count 2, he faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment; a fine of $250,000 and 3 years supervised release. On count 3, he faces a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment; a $ 250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.

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 indictment 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."

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

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

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 – After a three-day trial in February 2020, and jurors having deliberated for less than 40 minutes, a federal jury found Carlos Landeros-Salcedo, 26, guilty of being a prohibited person (alien) in possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Carlos Landeros-Salcedo has now been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on March 29, 2016, Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives were called to a residence regarding a drug complaint. The homeowner and the defendant were informed of the complaint. The homeowner gave verbal and written consent for law enforcement to search the residence.

The defendant informed officers that he had a gun and powder in his bedroom. He then showed officers his room, where a gray Tanfoglio 10mm caliber pistol on the defendant’s bed was in plain view. The firearm was loaded with approximately 10 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, detectives recovered 21 small bags containing powder cocaine inside a jar in a dresser drawer, an assortment of baggies, and a black digital scale. The defendant provided a written statement admitting to possession of the drugs.

In May of 2016, when federal agents interviewed the defendant, he admitted to being a citizen of Mexico and illegally present in the United States. After being indicted in September 2016 on federal charges, the defendant avoided capture until August 2019. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was in possession of fake immigration documents.

On June 10, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Carlos Landeros-Salcedo to 60 months in federal prison. The defendant will be subject to deportation and removal upon completion of his federal custodial sentence.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal aliens not only threaten the sovereignty of our nation, but also threaten the safety of our communities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prioritized and renewed our commitment to immigration enforcement, and this case demonstrates our focus on those violent and dangerous criminal aliens who continue to violate our laws after illegal entry. We commend the outstanding investigative work of HSI and ICE in this case."

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations – Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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MEMPHIS, TN – Today, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.

The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic and targeting seniors offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we continue the fight to keep seniors safe a top priority.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "It is a top priority for this office to protect our senior population across the district. To halt the scourge of abuse, exploitation and financial fraud against older citizens, we are pleased to join with the Attorney General in our firm commitment to investigate, prosecute, punish and deter crimes against our vulnerable seniors. Those who target or victimize the elderly will receive the full attention of our office and law enforcement officials in West Tennessee."

Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared "Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud" to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities.

Two cases from the Western District of Tennessee were included as part of the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history earlier this year:

• Keith L. Dobbs, 39, disbarred Memphis attorney, has been charged with sixty-seven counts federal felony violations. Dobbs misappropriated funds from 26 victims who received veteran’s benefits and nine Social Security recipients. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/federal-grand-jury-returns-two-indictments-charging-disbarred-memphis-attorney-total

• Stephen Douglas Fry, 72, a financial advisor who stole and embezzled approximately $1.3 million from a client who had given him power of attorney to prepare tax returns and manage and invest monies following the death of her husband. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/financial-advisor-pleads-guilty-fraud-charges

Additionally, major strides have already been made to support this Department of Justice Agency Priority Goal:

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11

Earlier this year Attorney General 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 services.

• Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.

• Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/department-justice-charges-unprecedented-number-elder-fraud-defendants-nationwide-and

• Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.

• Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.

For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

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MEMPHIS, TN – On June 9, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Bruce Matthews, 27, on several charges, including engaging in a firearms business without a license. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictment today.

According to information presented in court, between November of 2019 and January of 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted a criminal investigation of Matthews for engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user; use or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense, and distribution of methamphetamine.

During the course of this investigation, ATF special agents while undercover conducted several controlled purchases of firearms and methamphetamine from Matthews, recording each transaction.

If convicted on counts 1, 2, 3, Matthews faces sentences on each of up to 5 years imprisonment; a $ 250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. On counts 4, 5, 6, and 7, he faces sentences of each of up to 10 years imprisonment; a fine of $ 250,000 and 3 years supervised release. On count 8, he faces an additional sentence of up to 5 years imprisonment; a $ 250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. On counts 9 and 10, he faces sentences on each of up to 40 years imprisonment; a $5,000,000 fine and 4 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Under the new Project Guardian initiative announced by Attorney General Barr in Memphis in November, 2019 https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/attorney-general-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan-reduce-gun, we have intensified our focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous offenders from our streets. We have no better partner in this fight against gun crime than the ATF, and under Project Guardian, we will aggressively investigate and prosecute the trigger-pullers, traffickers, straw purchasers, and prohibited persons who violate federal firearms laws in West Tennessee."

This case was being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

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

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

###

MEMPHIS, TN –Marcus Christian, 33, has been sentenced to 130 months imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentencing today.

According to information presented in court, law enforcement received and developed information about a subject who works for a local Pizza Hut and sells marijuana and Percocet in Cordova. On December 3, 2018, law enforcement arranged an undercover buy at which time they observed Christian selling drugs to both the undercover law enforcement and several other individuals.

On December 5, 2018, Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies executed and served a search warrant at Christian’s residence and found a loaded stolen Sig Sauer .40 caliber pistol along with 9mm cartridges, marijuana, Suboxone strips and 98 Percocet pills. A small amount of marijuana was found in a satchel in the bedroom, for a total of 41 grams of marijuana and $6,672 in U.S. currency seized. The defendant gave a recorded statement to law enforcement admitting to being a drug dealer and owning the evidence collected from the house, including the firearm, ammunition, and controlled substances.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted an interstate nexus search on the .40 caliber Sig Sauer pistol and verified that the firearm was manufactured outside of the State of Tennessee, and therefore traveled in and affected interstate commerce. Prior to the December 5, 2018 arrest, the defendant had been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was therefore prohibited by federal law from possession of a firearm or ammunition.

On June 11, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Christian to 130 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D, Michael Dunavant said, "This defendant has a long criminal history of felony drug convictions, and was on felony probation when he was found in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Mr. Christian has devoted his adult life to a career of repeated criminal conduct, and that prior history has finally caught up with him. This sentence removing him from the community for more than 10 years is well-deserved, and will make Memphis and West Tennessee a safer place."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) 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 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 Neal Oldham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. (SK), one of the largest engineering firms in the Republic of Korea, pleaded guilty today 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 entered the plea, pursuant to a plea agreement with the United States, before U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker in the Western District of Tennessee, who sentenced SK to pay $60,578,847.08 in criminal fines, the largest fine ever imposed against a criminal defendant in the Western District of Tennessee, 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.  The U.S. Army previously suspended SK by order dated Nov. 17, 2017, from future contracting throughout the executive branch of the U.S. Government. 

As part of SK’s plea agreement, SK agreed to, among other things, cooperate fully with the United States in all matters relating to the conduct covered by the plea agreement and other conduct under investigation by the United States, to report violations of U.S. federal law, and to continue to implement a compliance and ethics program designed to effectively detect and deter violations of U.S. federal law throughout its operations.  Separately, SK has entered into a False Claims Act settlement with the United States, under which it is obligated to pay $5,200,000 in civil penalties to the United States, which the department credited against SK’s criminal fine. 

“SK paid millions of dollars to secure contracts with the Army and submitted false claims to conceal those illicit payments,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Today’s guilty plea and substantial criminal penalty sends a clear message: companies who voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, cooperate, and remediate will receive appropriate credit for their efforts.  But companies like SK – which withheld and destroyed documents, attempted to persuade a witness not to cooperate, and failed to discipline any responsible employees – will pay a price.”

“This settlement demonstrates our commitment to root out corrupt practices that harm our military and American taxpayers, and to hold contractors accountable for their corruption,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“Protecting the U.S. Treasury and the interests of the federal government abroad is a top priority of this office, and this guilty plea and sentence shows our commitment to hold foreign actors accountable for major fraud committed against the United States,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee.  “The scheme committed by the defendant in this case is a serious crime of dishonesty and deceit that strikes at the very heart of those national interests and will not be tolerated.  The Army-CID, the FBI, and DCIS are to be commended for their diligent investigative work in uncovering and exposing this fraud, and I am pleased that we have achieved justice by holding the defendant legally and financially accountable.”

“American contracts are not for sale in the United States, nor abroad,” said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.  “This case should send a message to companies and officials domestically and overseas that the FBI and our partners will hold accountable those who threaten the integrity of our military operations and who abuse their position to profit personally at the expense of American taxpayers.”

“This plea demonstrates the great cooperation among our federal investigators and prosecutors,” said Director Frank Robey of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command's (CID) Major Procurement Fraud Unit.  “It also holds SK responsible for their actions and sends a strong message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated.”

“This sort of abhorrent behavior is a serious threat to the integrity of the DoD acquisition process and a gross betrayal of the public trust” said Special Agent in Charge Stan Newell of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Transnational Operations Field Office.  “The special agents of the DCIS, along with our partner agencies, will vigorously investigate and bring to justice those who pilfer taxpayer dollars and shamelessly enrich themselves through corruption and deceit.”

According to plea documents, SK obtained a large U.S. Army construction contract at Camp Humphreys, South Korea in 2008 worth hundreds of millions of dollars.  SK paid millions of dollars to a fake Korean construction company named S&Teoul, which subsequently paid that money to a contracting official with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  In order to cover approximately $2.6 million in payments to S&Teoul, and ultimately to the contracting official, SK submitted false documents to the U.S. Army. 

SK also admitted that its employees obstructed and attempted to obstruct federal criminal investigations of the fraud and bribery scheme.  SK admitted that, in April 2015, its employees burned large numbers of documents related to U.S. Army contracts, in order to hamper U.S. and Korean investigators.  Further, SK admitted that, in the fall of 2017, its employees obstructed a federal criminal proceeding by attempting to persuade an individual not to cooperate with U.S. authorities.

A number of relevant considerations contributed to the United States’ criminal resolution with SK, including that SK frustrated the United States’ investigation by withholding requested documents and information, destroying documents relevant to a pending federal investigation, and attempting to persuade a potential witness not to cooperate with the investigation.  In addition, SK did not discipline any employees responsible for the misconduct, either through direct participation or failure in oversight, or those with supervisory authority over the area in which the criminal activity occurred, and failed to retain business records and otherwise failed to prohibit the improper destruction and deletion of business records.

In November 2018, two SK employees, Hyeong-won Lee and Dong-Guel Lee, were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee on charges of conspiracy, major fraud against the United States, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and obstruction of justice for their alleged roles in the scheme. 

The indictment is only an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty by a court of law. The case is U.S. v. Lee (2:18-cr-20378-TLP). Hyeong-won Lee and Dong-Guel Lee are currently fugitives of justice.

Army-CID, DCIS, and the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office investigated this case.  Assistant Chief Justin Weitz and Trial Attorney Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin of the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.  Trial Attorney Andrew Steinberg of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section represented the government in the civil case.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Public Integrity Section and the Korean National Police Agency provided assistance in connection with the case.

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.

 

MEMPHIS, TN– SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. (SK), one of the largest engineering firms in the Republic of Korea, pleaded guilty today 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 entered the plea, pursuant to a plea agreement with the United States, before U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker in the Western District of Tennessee, who sentenced SK to pay $60,578,847.08 in criminal fines, the largest fine ever imposed against a criminal defendant in the Western District of Tennessee, 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. The U.S. Army previously suspended SK by order dated Nov. 17, 2017, from future contracting throughout the executive branch of the U.S. Government.

As part of SK’s plea agreement, SK agreed to, among other things, cooperate fully with the United States in all matters relating to the conduct covered by the plea agreement and other conduct under investigation by the United States, to report violations of U.S. federal law, and to continue to implement a compliance and ethics program designed to effectively detect and deter violations of U.S. federal law throughout its operations. Separately, SK has entered into a False Claims Act settlement with the United States, under which it is obligated to pay $5,200,000 in civil penalties to the United States, which the department credited against SK’s criminal fine.

"SK paid millions of dollars to secure contracts with the Army and submitted false claims to conceal those illicit payments," said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "Today’s guilty plea and substantial criminal penalty sends a clear message: companies who voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, cooperate, and remediate will receive appropriate credit for their efforts. But companies like SK – which withheld

and destroyed documents, attempted to persuade a witness not to cooperate, and failed to discipline any responsible employees – will pay a price."

"This settlement demonstrates our commitment to root out corrupt practices that harm our military and American taxpayers, and to hold contractors accountable for their corruption," said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

"Protecting the U.S. Treasury and the interests of the federal government abroad is a top priority of this office, and this guilty plea and sentence shows our commitment to hold foreign actors accountable for major fraud committed against the United States," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee. "The scheme committed by the defendant in this case is a serious crime of dishonesty and deceit that strikes at the very heart of those national interests and will not be tolerated. The Army-CID, the FBI, and DCIS are to be commended for their diligent investigative work in uncovering and exposing this fraud, and I am pleased that we have achieved justice by holding the defendant legally and financially accountable."

"American contracts are not for sale United States, nor abroad," said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "This case should send a message to companies and officials domestically and overseas that the FBI and our partners will hold accountable those who threaten the integrity of our military operations and who abuse their position to profit personally at the expense of American taxpayers."

"This plea demonstrates the great cooperation among our federal investigators and prosecutors," said Director Frank Robey of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command's (CID) Major Procurement Fraud Unit. "It also holds SK responsible for their actions and sends a strong message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated."

"This sort of abhorrent behavior is a serious threat to the integrity of the DoD acquisition process and a gross betrayal of the public trust" said Special Agent in Charge Stan Newell of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Transnational Operations Field Office. "The special agents of the DCIS, along with our partner agencies, will vigorously investigate and bring to justice those who pilfer taxpayer dollars and shamelessly enrich themselves through corruption and deceit."

According to plea documents, SK obtained a large U.S. Army construction contract at Camp Humphreys, South Korea in 2008 worth hundreds of millions of dollars. SK paid millions of dollars to a fake Korean construction company named S&Teoul, which subsequently paid that money to a contracting official with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In order to cover approximately $2.6 million in payments to S&Teoul, and ultimately to the contracting official, SK submitted false documents to the U.S. Army.

SK also admitted that its employees obstructed and attempted to obstruct federal criminal investigations of the fraud and bribery scheme. SK admitted that, in April 2015, its employees burned large numbers of documents related to U.S. Army contracts, in order to hamper U.S. and Korean investigators. Further, SK admitted that, in the fall of 2017, its employees obstructed a

federal criminal proceeding by attempting to persuade an individual not to cooperate with U.S. authorities.

A number of relevant considerations contributed to the United States’ criminal resolution with SK, including that SK frustrated the United States’ investigation by withholding requested documents and information, destroying documents relevant to a pending federal investigation, and attempting to persuade a potential witness not to cooperate with the investigation. In addition, SK did not discipline any employees responsible for the misconduct, either through direct participation or failure in oversight, or those with supervisory authority over the area in which the criminal activity occurred, and failed to retain business records and otherwise failed to prohibit the improper destruction and deletion of business records.

In November 2018, two SK employees, Hyeong-won Lee and Dong-Guel Lee, were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee on charges of conspiracy, major fraud against the United States, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and obstruction of justice for their alleged roles in the scheme.

The indictment is only an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty by a court of law. The case is U.S. v. Lee (2:18-cr-20378-TLP). Hyeong-won Lee and Dong-Guel Lee are currently fugitives of justice.

Army-CID, DCIS, and the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office investigated this case. Assistant Chief Justin Weitz and Trial Attorney Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin of the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Andrew Steinberg of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section represented the government in the civil case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Public Integrity Section and the Korean National Police Agency provided assistance in connection with the case.

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.

# # #

Jonathan York, 33, pleaded guilty to using unlawful force on an inmate and then conspiring to cover up the incident while York was serving as a correctional officer with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee D. Michael Dunavant, and FBI-Memphis Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers.

“The Justice Department does not tolerate assault by correctional officers of the people they are charged with protecting,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “We work tirelessly to protect the civil rights of all citizens.”

"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 used unlawful and excessive physical force to violate the civil rights of an individual by repeatedly punching and injuring him. As a result, he will now be held accountable, vividly illustrating that no one is above the law.”

With his guilty plea, York admitted that, on Feb. 1, 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. York asked a fellow officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell. R.T. was seated in the cell and did not pose a threat to the officers. York punched R.T. in retaliation for R.T. spitting earlier. York punched R.T. in the neck, face, back, and chest. York admitted to punching R.T. around 30 times. York’s punches caused visible injury to R.T. and caused him to bleed.

With his guilty plea, York admitted that two other correctional officers punched R.T. York stood by and watched as those officers assaulted R.T. The supervisory officer in the cell also did not intervene to stop York or the other officers from punching R.T.

After the assault of R.T., York spoke with other correctional officers and the supervisory officer. The supervisory officer told the group to say that R.T.’s injuries were self-inflicted. York understood that the supervisory officer was directing them to relay a false cover story. When York spoke to other staff members immediately after the incident, he did not provide complete information about what happened inside R.T.’s cell. In the days after the assault, York spoke to a correctional officer who had also been in R.T.’s cell. They agreed to falsely claim that R.T. injured himself.

With today’s guilty plea, York admitted that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 242 when he repeatedly punched and injured inmate R.T. without legal justification and that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 371 when he conspired to cover up the incident. The maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment for the civil rights offense and 5 years imprisonment for the conspiracy offense. Sentencing is set to take place on Jan. 5, 2021.

Previously, former correctional officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, Carl Spurlin, Jr., and Cadie McAlister entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T.

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.

MEMPHIS, TN – Jonathan York, 33, pleaded guilty to using unlawful force on an inmate and then conspiring to cover up the incident while York was serving as a correctional officer with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee D. Michael Dunavant, and FBI-Memphis Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers.

"The Justice Department does not tolerate assault by correctional officers of the people they are charged with protecting," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. "We work tirelessly to protect the civil rights of all citizens."

"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 used unlawful and excessive physical force to violate the civil rights of an individual by repeatedly punching and injuring him. As a result, he will now be held accountable, vividly illustrating that no one is above the law."

With his guilty plea, York admitted that, on Feb. 1, 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. York asked a fellow officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell. R.T. was seated in the cell and did not pose a threat to the officers. York punched R.T. in retaliation for R.T. spitting earlier. York punched R.T. in the neck, face, back, and chest. York admitted to punching R.T. around 30 times. York’s punches caused visible injury to R.T. and caused him to bleed.

With his guilty plea, York admitted that two other correctional officers punched R.T. York stood by and watched as those officers assaulted R.T. The supervisory officer in the cell also did not intervene to stop York or the other officers from punching R.T.

After the assault of R.T., York spoke with other correctional officers and the supervisory officer. The supervisory officer told the group to say that R.T.’s injuries were self-inflicted. York understood that the supervisory officer was directing them to relay a false cover story. When York spoke to other staff members immediately after the incident, he did not provide complete information about what happened inside R.T.’s cell. In the days after the assault, York spoke to a correctional officer who had also been in R.T.’s cell. They agreed to falsely claim that R.T. injured himself.

With today’s guilty plea, York admitted that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 242 when he repeatedly punched and injured inmate R.T. without legal justification and that he violated 18 U.S.C. § 371 when he conspired to cover up the incident. The maximum penalty for the civil rights offense is 10 years imprisonment and 5 years imprisonment for the conspiracy offense.

Previously, former correctional officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, Carl Spurlin, Jr., and Cadie McAlister entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T.

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 United States Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

# # #

MEMPHIS, TN – Angelo Bell, 37, has been sentenced to 68 months imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentencing today.

According to information presented in court, on April 12, 2019, Memphis Police Officers were patrolling the area of Leland and Kerr, where they saw Angelo Bell, a suspect they knew from prior encounters, and knew to have active warrants. Officers verified that Bell had several misdemeanor warrants, made contact with the suspect, and detained him. Officers recovered a loaded black handgun in Bell’s waistband. Bell had several prior felony convictions, including one for aggravated assault.

On January 13, 2020, Bell pleaded guilty. On April 12, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Bell to 68 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to the community, and in this case, Bell was a violent offender who continued to 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 is one more gun-toter that will be removed from our streets."

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 K. 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 – Former Memphis attorney Michael Constantine Skouteris, age 50, entered a guilty plea to a charge of bank fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud clients. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty plea today.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Skouteris in August 2019, alleging that between 2011 and January 2016, Skouteris engaged in a scheme to defraud his clients by settling cases without notifying his clients and forging their endorsements on the settlement checks made jointly payable to him and the client. The indictment alleged that Skouteris then deposited the checks to bank accounts he maintained at Suntrust Bank and First Tennessee Bank. According to the indictment, Skouteris fraudulently obtained in excess of $600,000 during the course of the scheme.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Licensed attorneys who steal from their clients betray the trust of that fiduciary relationship, and are a threat to the public. This guilty plea holds Skouteris accountable for that breach of trust, and will hopefully achieve justice by recovering restitution for the victims and reminding the legal community of the high standards of their profession."

A sentencing hearing is currently set for September 24, 2020, before United States District Judge Mark S. Norris. Skouteris faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and five years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll L. André III is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN - The Department of Justice today announced nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.

"The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities."

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

Of the nearly $400 million awarded nationwide, over $11 million is directly earmarked for individual cities in West Tennessee, including:

• City of Bolivar Police Department - $116,980 to hire 1 officer

• City of Covington Police Department - $375,000 to hire 3 officers

• City of Memphis Police Department - $9,823,624 to hire 50 officers

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Good government is about priorities, and includes putting resources where they are needed most. In West Tennessee, we know that whether citizens live in urban, suburban, or rural communities, having strong and fully staffed police departments is vital to their communities. We are pleased and thankful that these local police departments were selected by the Attorney General to receive this officer hiring funding, and we know they will put it to good and immediate use to improve public safety."

CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. 43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.

The complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more out CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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

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 chp_2020_final_funding_list.xlsx

 

MEMPHIS, TN– Daniel Moore, 33, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition and possession of ammunition after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on January 28, 2019, at approximately 10:58 PM, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call at a McDonald’s restaurant on Houston Levee road.

The restaurant manager observed a male exiting a light blue Toyota Camry appear to have a seizure. The male was later identified as the defendant, Daniel Moore. According to the manager, Moore left the doors to the vehicle open and there appeared to be a child in the backseat with no coat, socks or shoes. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed the Toyota Camry occupied by a crying four-year-old female child in the rear-driver seat. The child was later released to the custody of her grandmother.

Officers also observed a non-responsive adult female, 31, in the front driver’s seat. Law enforcement extracted her from the vehicle and carried her into the restaurant and administered CPR and Narcan, at which time she started to breathe. Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported her to Regional One for medical treatment. She was later arrested for the felony offense of child abuse and neglect; however, that charge was dismissed in state court.

Shortly thereafter Moore entered the McDonald’s restaurant and inquired about his daughter and wife. He admitted to law enforcement on body worn camera footage that he and the adult female had just ingested heroin. Officers asked if he had any more heroin in the vehicle. Moore answered "no." Officers also asked Moore for oral consent to search his vehicle, and he gave consent.

Deputies recovered a box of 5.56 ammunition in the glove compartment of the Toyota Camry. The defendant admitted that he was attempting to sell the ammunition. Officers also recovered a used syringe, a spoon containing a small-dirty cotton ball, an electronic scale and a kit containing cotton, alcohol swabs, and tourniquets.

On May 15, 2019, law enforcement examined the recovered ammunition and determined it was not manufactured in the State of Tennessee and therefore, at some point, traveled in interstate and/or foreign commerce. Moore is a prohibited person with approximately eight prior felony convictions and a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Reducing violent crimes committed with firearms is the top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. Prohibited persons in possession of firearms or ammunition, such as convicted felons, persons with histories of domestic violence, and unlawful users of illegal narcotics present a known and immediate risk of violence to their families and the community at large. This is exactly the type of dangerous offender that the PSN Task Force is designed to target, and I commend their work in holding Moore responsible and removing him from our streets."

Sentencing is scheduled for September 3, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman where the defendant faces up to 10 years imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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 Wendy K. Cornejo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury has indicted a registered sex offender, Rodney Allen Patterson, 54, for new federal child exploitation charges. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictment today.

According to information presented in court, Patterson has lived in both Benton and Carroll Counties in West Tennessee. The indictment alleges that in February 2020, Patterson was found to be in possession of a cell phone that contained images and videos of child pornography. Further investigation resulted in identification of the children depicted, and Patterson's role in producing the images and videos, which were made between December 2019 and February 2020. The children were all under twelve years of age, and at least one was younger than ten.

Patterson was indicted for multiple counts of Production and Possession of Child Pornography, for which the mandatory minimum sentence for each count is 15 years, and up to 30 years in federal prison. Because Patterson was required to register as a sex offender due to a prior state conviction at the time the images were produced, he also faces a ten-year sentence consecutive to any sentence imposed on the underlying charges. Patterson is also facing state criminal charges in Benton County.

Benton County Sheriff Ken Christopher said that investigating crimes against children is a top priority for his Department, and urged that anyone who knows about crimes of this nature should come forward and report because "the safety and welfare of our children is our duty and obligation, in partnership with the citizens of Benton County." Pursuant to Tennessee State law, any person who has knowledge of any sexual abuse against a minor child has a mandatory statutory duty to immediately report the same to law enforcement or the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/child-safety/reporting/hotline-faq.html.

FBI Memphis - Jackson Resident Agency and the Benton County Sheriff's Department continue to investigate, and search for any other children who may have been victimized. Please contact Benton County Sheriff Ken Christopher at 731-584-4633 or the FBI at 901-747-4300 to make a report.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "The U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners are still open, and remain proactive and vigilant in our investigations. Let this indictment serve notice to those who exploit, abuse, and victimize minor children: You cannot hide, we will track you down, and you will be held accountable for such disturbing and predatory criminal conduct."

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra K. Ireland is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Today, the Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) have awarded more than $61 million in grant funding to support the Attorney General’s Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP) initiative. Of that $61 million, the Memphis Police Department will receive over $9.8 million dollars to fund the hiring of 50 new officers, and Shelby County will receive over $1.4 million dollars to provide manpower, technology, equipment, and support for the sustained efforts of the Operation Relentless Pursuit Task Force to target and reduce violent crime in Memphis and Shelby County.

Launched on Dec. 18, 2019, ORP aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources into seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average - Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, and Milwaukee. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-operation-relentless-pursuit

Of the seven selected ORP cities, the Memphis Police Department received the largest amount ($9,823,624) of COPS Hiring Program funds, to hire the most new officers (50).

"While violent crime is down across the country as a whole, some communities remain caught in the grips of violent actors," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "That’s why I launched Operation Relentless Pursuit last December – an initiative to combat violent crime in seven cities where it remains stubbornly high. Today’s grant awards are critical to our mission. We cannot succeed in eradicating crime without resources – the most vital of which are the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities each day. These funds will boost the forces that need them most."

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Good government is about priorities, and includes putting resources where they are needed most. As we observe National Police Week this week, I can think of no better way to support law enforcement than to direct these resources to help them in the fight against violent crime, the Department of Justice’s highest priority. Operation Relentless Pursuit reflects a coordinated team approach, and we applaud our law enforcement partners at the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for their commitment to this partnership and continued utilization of these resources. We are thankful to be selected by the Attorney General as one of the seven ORP cities for this targeted enforcement action, and we will put these grant dollars to good and immediate use to improve public safety."

The COPS Office, through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), awarded a total of $51 million to be used to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces. The recipients of the funding will deploy existing veteran officers to task force duties and use the CHP funding to hire new recruits to backfill those positions, as practical. Officers deployed to Operation Relentless Pursuit task forces as a result of CHP funding must be sworn, career law enforcement officers of the awarded agency, and their work on the task force must benefit their jurisdiction. In addition, they are required to work with their respective U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and relevant federal agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects involved in gangs, drug trafficking, and other violent crime related issues.

"Successful strategies to target and reduce violent crime are extremely resource intensive," said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. "There is no greater resource than additional men and women on the front lines of the relentless fight against gangs, drug traffickers and those that mean harm to our nation’s communities. The funding announced today is greatly needed for the Operation Relentless Pursuit jurisdictions and the COPS Office is honored to dedicate resources for this effort."

For a breakdown of the awards, please click here. For more information on the COPS Hiring Program ORP grants, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf.

Shelby County was also awarded $1,428,571 in grant resources by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in order to support the strategic mission of the Operation Relentless Pursuit Task Force in Memphis and Shelby County. The BJA grant award will provide 1) overtime funding for Multi-Agency Gang Unit (and partner agency officers) officers to participate in ORP task force operations in addition to current commitments of officers to other task force operations such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Department Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN); 2) a prosecutor for the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office to handle ORP arrests vertically through the state criminal justice system to ensure that ORP arrests are followed by strategic prosecution; 3) vehicles for MGU operations; and 4) technological solutions to enhance investigation and prosecution of violent offenders.

The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. BJA funds will support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations,

mobile data terminals and modern technological platforms, and development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.

"The responsibility for fighting crime and violence belongs to agencies at every level of government, and winning that fight turns on our ability to deploy our collective resources wisely and effectively," said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. "We are eager to make these funds available so that our federal, state and local partners can continue the vital and noble work of protecting America’s most dangerous communities."

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 – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

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

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Law enforcement officers are society’s problem solvers when no other solution is apparent or available. These brave men and women run toward danger as we all run away, in order to protect us. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to serve alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in order to enforce the rule of law and promote public safety. We honor the memory of those officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and we thank them for their valor which gives us hope for a safer America."

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

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law

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

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

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

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 PM (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please visit https://Nleomf.org/Programs-Events/National-Police-Week/Candlelight-Vigil.

To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.

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Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity. The Department of Justice has heard reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and the Department of Justice stands ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.

"Every person in this district deserves the right to live in a place of their choosing without fear of sexual harassment. This is not a small town issue or a big city issue, but an issue of respect and dignity. We want the women and men throughout all of West Tennessee to know that there’s someone they can turn to if you feel unsafe in your home – no matter where their home is," said D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with state and local partners to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing.

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

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

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

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

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

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Western District of Tennessee at (901) 544-4231.

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

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Memphis, TN – The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee will join communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services throughout the week. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, "Seek Justice | Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope."

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

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

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Victims of crime deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, compassion, and sensitivity in the criminal justice system. At the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, we are committed to providing victims with the highest level of support, protection, and assistance during the often difficult and confusing legal court process. Achieving justice for victims and protecting their rights is our highest duty and we are honored to participate in the National observance of this special week to honor victims and victim advocates."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee works to protect victims through enforcement efforts, and the services and resources of our Victim Witness Program. For more information, including contact information, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/victim-witness-program

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 – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today sent the following letter to all Hospital Leaders and Executives in West Tennessee, requesting assistance and information regarding hoarding and price-gouging of critical medical supplies:

Dear Hospital Leaders and Executives:

As the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, I am the chief federal law enforcement officer in the area encompassing all of West Tennessee. My office’s primary responsibility is to enforce the laws of the United States on behalf of the citizens we serve. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our office is prioritizing the deterrence, investigation, and prosecution of wrongdoing related to the COVID-19 pandemic – including those engaged in hoarding and/or price-gouging with regard to critical medical supplies. These practices are not only morally repugnant in light of the pandemic we are facing, but also, if left unchecked, can inhibit hospitals, physicians and other health care professionals, governmental agencies, and the public from fully implementing measures designed to save lives and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.

By Executive Order dated March 23, 2020, President Trump delegated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority to designate materials critical to our the fight against COVID-19 as "scarce" pursuant to the Defense Production Act of 1950. On March 25, 2020, the HHS Secretary designated 15 categories of health and medical supplies as "scarce," thus triggering both criminal prohibitions and civil enforcement remedies that my office will aggressively enforce. These categories currently include:

• N-95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators; • Other Filtering Facepiece Respirators (e.g., those designated as N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, or P95, P99, P100); • Elastomeric, air-purifying respirators and appropriate particulate filters/cartridges; • Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR); • Portable Ventilators; • Chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine HCl; • Sterilization services for certain medical devices and certain sterilizers; • Disinfecting devices and other sanitizing and disinfecting products suitable for use in a clinical setting; • Medical gowns or apparel, e.g., surgical gowns or isolation gowns; • Personal protective equipment (PPE) coveralls, e.g., Tyvek Suits; • PPE face masks; • PPE surgical masks; • PPE face shields; • PPE gloves or surgical gloves; • Ventilators, anesthesia gas machines modified for use as ventilators, and positive pressure breathing devices modified for use as ventilators, ventilator tubing connectors, and ventilator accessories.

In this time of critical shortage, we are asking for your assistance in identifying individuals and companies that may have acquired vital medical supplies in excess of what they would reasonably use, or for the purpose of charging exorbitant prices. My office is committed to investigating and prosecuting any such incidents as well as any other fraudulent conduct designed to benefit from this pandemic (e.g., false treatments, tests, and/or vaccinations for COVID-19). In furtherance of this goal, I have created a federal COVID-19 Task Force, led by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Tony Arvin, to investigate and prosecute these crimes. If you have any information related to this topic, I ask that you please contact AUSA Arvin at 901-601-0599 or tony.arvin@usdoj.gov.

With help from institutions like yours, the Department of Justice is using every available measure to ensure that these scarce materials are available to treat those affected by the coronavirus. I am very thankful for the vital work that you do on a daily basis and for your institution’s commitment to the people of Tennessee. I look forward to collaborating with you to protect the citizens of our community and enforce the laws of the United States during this time of national emergency.

Respectfully,

D. Michael Dunavant
United States Attorney
Western District of Tennessee

The public is also urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDC) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail disaster@leo.gov.

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

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, " Unfortunately, because criminal activity does not engage in social distancing or voluntary quarantine, law enforcement agencies and correctional institutions must continue their duties in in order to protect public safety during this challenging time. Much like the nurses and doctors fighting this virus, law enforcement officers and agents cannot self-isolate. They are among the essential employees expected to endanger their own well-being in service of the greater good. The Department of Justice is committed to providing significant resources to support and protect our public safety professionals, and these much needed funds will be put to good and immediate use in West Tennessee.""

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

"Of the $850 million available nationwide, over $7 million is directly earmarked for individual cites and counties in Tennessee, with $3,049,546 targeted to nine cities and counties in the Western District, including:

• $41,960 for Bartlett
• $35,126 for Covington
• $58,008 for Dyer County
• $46,100 for Dyersburg
• $138,850 for Jackson
• $58,008 for Madison County
• $2,523,880 for Memphis
• $114,695 for Shelby County
• $32,919 for Tipton County

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

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

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

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

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Memphis, TN – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDC) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail disaster@leo.gov.

In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys nationwide to remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting criminal activity associated with the Coronavirus crisis, and to prioritize the prosecution of COVID-19 fraud schemes. The NCDF Hotline can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes.

As part of the COVID-19 strategy, U.S. Attorney Dunavant has appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin, a veteran federal prosecutor and Senior Litigation Counsel in the office, to serve as the district’s COVID-19 Coordinator. The coordinator serves as legal counsel for the district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, prosecute or assist in the prosecution of Coronavirus cases, and conduct public outreach and awareness related to the virus.

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Our office is absolutely committed to bringing to justice those who would seek to take advantage of our friends, family, and neighbors during this challenging and uncertain time, but we need the public’s help. If you see, hear of it, or suspect it - report it. Like everything else we are doing as a nation right now, we can combat COVID-19 fraud, but we have to do it together. The message is clear: Good guys - we have your back and need your help. Bad guys - we are coming after you."

Some examples of these schemes include:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.

• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.

• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

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

In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The Western District of Tennessee Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin.

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

MEMPHIS – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of Western District of Tennessee today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.

"Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions."

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "The mission of the Department of Justice is to reduce crime by using all available strategies and resources. One of the best ways to reduce recidivism is to provide meaningful support and resources to offenders upon release so that they will have the best chance of successful reentry into the community. Our office is committed to reentry programs that impact public safety in a positive way, and these OJP grant opportunities will facilitate success for reentrants by providing services to released felons that promote successful reintegration into society, education and employment opportunities, and the ability to lead productive, law-abiding lives."

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.

A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.

Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million                           Deadline 4/27/2020

Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million                              Deadline 4/28/2020

Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million                         Deadline 4/27/2020

Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million                              Deadline 5/4/2020

Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million                              Deadline 5/5/2020

Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection    Deadline 4/10/2020

Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million                         Deadline 5/4/2020

Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million                              Deadline 4/28/2020

Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million                             Deadline 4/28/2020

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

MEMPHIS – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.

"School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions."

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

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Promoting school safety and preventing targeted violence against our school faculty, administrators and students is a top priority, and demands urgent actions to strengthen school security and provide accurate assessment, identification, and quick response to potential threats. These grant resources from the Office of Justice Programs will allow our state and local partners to focus on the emerging area of school safety in a comprehensive way."

A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:

Research and Evaluation on School Safety https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million                     Deadline 4/13/2020

STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20) https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million                Deadline 4/13/2020

Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million                     Deadline 4/27/2020

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

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MEMPHIS – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.

"Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions."

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Human trafficking of minors and adults for commercial sex purposes is an unconscionable crime that preys on the most vulnerable in our society. The Department of Justice is committed to providing meaningful resources to our state and local law enforcement partners to strategically combat human trafficking by finding and rescuing victims, and imposing severe consequences on offenders. We appreciate the commitment of Attorney General Barr and the Office of Justice Programs in providing enhanced financial support to help us better address some of the most pressing issues impacting public safety in communities across West Tennessee."

A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.

Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million          Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)

Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million           Opens week of 3/16/2020

Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million          Opens week of 3/16/2020

Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million          Deadline 4/20/2020

Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million        Opens week of 3/16/2020

Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million             Opens week of 3/16/2020

Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million             Opens week of 3/16/2020

Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million             Opens week of 3/16/2020

Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million            Opens week of 3/16/2020

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

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Memphis – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.

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

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

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs, but also for their families, friends, and communities. Addressing the opioid crisis in our communities requires a comprehensive approach which includes prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement. Thanks to these OJP grant opportunities, crucial resources will be provided to identify and stop sources of supply, punish and deter drug dealers, prevent new users, refer addicts to evidence-based treatment options, deploy Narcan to hotspots, reduce overdose deaths, and save lives."

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

Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million           Deadline 5/14/2020

Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million              Deadline 5/21/2020

Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million             Deadline: 5/4/2020

Family Drug Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million           Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)

Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1                       Deadline 5/5/2020

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million            Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)

Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million             Deadline 4/13/2020

Opioid Affected Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million               Deadline 4/20/2020

Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million               Deadline 4/20/2020

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million            Deadline 4/6/2020

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

Memphis, TN –In response to the rapidly changing situation surrounding the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee is implementing the Contingency Plan and Guidance of the Department of Justice, White House Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Management and Budget, and Office of Personnel Management to mitigate risks to individual employees and the general public.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "In uncertain times, the rule of law is more important than ever. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee is committed to the continuity of operations and the critical mission of the Department of Justice."

Specifically, the U.S. Attorney provides the following update regarding the operational status of the Department of Justice and other agencies and components:

1. Our mission to protect the citizens of West Tennessee and the United States is not changed by the COVID-19 outbreak. While we have adapted operations to optimize the health and safety of our employees, we have ensured that those employees have the resources and flexibility to continue to safeguard the District and the American people from violent crime, opioids and other dangerous drugs, financial and sexual exploitation, threats against our national security, and other criminal activity.

Our offices in Memphis and Jackson remain open, and we are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the public and ensure that mission-critical law enforcement operations continue uninterrupted. Based upon guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., we are maximizing the telework program and options for our employees. Non-high risk employees will continue to cover office and court responsibilities as needed and on a rotating basis. All non-mission critical travel by employees has been suspended.

2. Yesterday, the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee issued the following notice and Administrative Order:

Due to exigent circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, all civil proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee are continued until after April 17. All criminal proceedings other than initial appearances, arraignments, bond and detention hearings, and other in-person criminal proceedings presided over by magistrate judges, are continued until after April 17. All civil and criminal jury trials scheduled to commence now through April 17 are continued until further notice. Courthouses otherwise remain open for business. Please see Administrative Order 20-12 for further details: https://www.tnwd.uscourts.gov/pdf/adminorders/20-12.pdf

3. For the next 30 days, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) will implement nationwide modified operations to maximize social distancing and limit group gatherings in their facilities. Other issues, including social, legal, and volunteer visits, inmate movement, tours, and staff training and travel has been suspended. Enhanced health screening of staff, contractors, and inmates has been implemented, and facilities are well prepared with on-site medical professionals to test, treat, and isolate symptomatic inmates with exposure risk factors.

The BOP is coordinating with the U.S. Marshals Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on these initiatives to ensure that those agencies can adjust for impact to their operations. BOP will also be sharing this guidance with its private prison contractors.

For more information regarding COVID-19, and the BOP's Modified Operations, see the following link: https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/covid19_status.jsp

4. Unfortunately, because criminal activity does not engage in social distancing or voluntary quarantine, federal law enforcement agencies and components must continue their duties in criminal investigations, enforcement operations, and response to critical public safety incidents during this challenging time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to closely coordinate with all federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI, ICE, CBP, USPIS, and U.S. Secret Service to safely and effectively execute our mission and uphold the rule of law. Additionally, during this national emergency, DEA Diversion Control Division is working with registrants to ensure the nation’s drug supply is adequate and uninterrupted. See this link for more information: https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/coronavirus.html

5. Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to make it an absolute priority to detect, deter, investigate, prosecute, and punish all criminal conduct related to the coronavirus crisis. In particular, there have been reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud, reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and reports of malware being inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus. Other scams and exploitation schemes include price gouging and price fixing, as well as antitrust violations involving the manufacture, distribution, and sale of public health products. The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division remains open for business, and will continue to carry out its mission to protect competition and the American consumer.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-antitrust-civil-process-changes-pendency-covid-19-event

Citizens should remain vigilant and discerning-- scammers and fraudsters never let an opportunity to scam and defraud go to waste. When it comes to the COVID-19 situation, whether it’s a fake "charitable" cause or a fake "cure," don’t be duped. Use common sense, never give out your personal or banking information or Social Security number, and never buy a gift card because someone wants to be paid "right now." Protect yourself and do your research before donating or contributing to a crowdfunding campaign.

If you suspect a coronavirus treatment of cure scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov You can also learn more about the signs of a scam here:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing

Report any suspicious activity, fraud, and attempted fraud at FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov

The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public fear and panic, and this conduct will not be tolerated. This office will be working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that all appropriate enforcement tools are made available to stop and punish wrongdoers.

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Memphis, TN –"The Department of Justice is comprised of about 40 components that have a broad array of national security, law enforcement, and criminal justice system responsibilities. Therefore, a significant portion of the Department’s mission relates to the safety of human life and the protection of property.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee is closely monitoring the situation surrounding the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), and is implementing the Contingency Plan and Guidance of the Department of Justice, White House Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Management and Budget, and Office of Personnel Management to mitigate risks to individual employees and the general public. However, citizens can be assured that the essential federal law enforcement, criminal prosecution, and national security functions of this office will continue as usual in order to preserve and protect public safety in West Tennessee."

Earlier today, the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee issued the following notice and order:

Due to exigent circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, all jury trials and jury selections in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee scheduled for now through March 27 are continued until further notice. Courthouses otherwise remain open for business. Please see Administrative Order 20-11 for further details.

https://www.tnwd.uscourts.gov/pdf/adminorders/20-11.pdf

Jackson, TN –Cedric Townsend, 38, has been sentenced to 320 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of Actual Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants, including Pedro Fuentes, Jr., Ruben Gomez, Anthony French, Amanda Day and Connie Stephens for federal charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to information presented in court, on October 6, 2018, Townsend was stopped by Dyersburg Police officers for a traffic violation. Townsend’s driver’s license was suspended and he failed a field sobriety test. A search of his vehicle revealed two baggies of methamphetamine/ice, weighing 17.9 grams. On January 3, 2019, agents conducted a controlled drug purchase of methamphetamine/ice from Townsend utilizing a confidential source (CS), weighing 5.06 grams at 96% purity. On January 25, 2019, agents conducted a controlled drug purchase from a co-defendant, Connie Stephens by a CS for 13.5 grams of methamphetamine/ice at 99% purity. Townsend was present and distributed 42 grams to Stephens. Townsend was later arrested as he left Stephens’ residence and found to be in possession of 285 grams of methamphetamine at 96% purity and a .45 caliber Hi-Point pistol. Townsend gave a statement of admission to law enforcement officers admitting to distributing 8.16 kilograms of methamphetamine/ice during the conspiracy.

During the sentencing hearing, the government presented proof that Townsend attempted to escape custody from the agents after his arrest. He was apprehended a short time later in Fowlkes, South of Dyersburg, TN.

On March 10, 2020, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Townsend to 320 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. Co-Defendant Connie Stephens was previously sentenced on February 24, 2020 to 168 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/ripleywoman-sentenced-14-years-federal-prison-conspiracy-distribute-over-50-grams

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Armed drug dealers pose a significant public safety risk to our communities, and must be punished and incapacitated in a meaningful way. Individuals who distribute harmful drugs into our rural communities can no longer hide. We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners to use significant federal laws and sentencing to remove this dangerous offender from the streets, and we will continue to do so to reduce the threat of addiction, injury, violence, and death across West Tennessee."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, Dyersburg Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Jackson, TN – After a three-day jury trial in August 2019, Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr., 23, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit multiple business robberies, Hobbs Act business robbery, possession of a firearm during a robbery, and receiving firearms while under indictment. Nixon has now been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Dunavant announced the sentencing today.

According to information presented in court, during a period of 5 days in 2016, two masked men armed with pistols robbed three businesses in the Brownsville, Haywood County area: the F&D Quick Stop, the Discount Tobacco and More, and the Bells Express Truck Stop. Also during this time, there were two different shootings where 9mm shell casings and .22 LR shell casings were recovered by the Brownsville Police Department.

On April 25, 2016 after the Bells Express Truck Stop robbery, deputies with the Haywood County Sheriff's Department collected clothing on a nearby road that was worn by the armed masked men observed in the surveillance footage. Deputies forwarded those items of evidence to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for DNA analysis, which in 2018 linked Lacey Jeter and Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr. to the clothing.

On April 26, 2016, Officers with the Brownsville Police Department observed a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle seen leaving the scene of the Bells Express Truck Stop robbery and initiated a traffic stop. After a brief chase, the vehicle crashed in rural Haywood County. The occupants of the vehicle ran into nearby woods leaving behind two pistols similar to the ones described in the recent robberies. Officers with the Brownsville Police Department collected the firearms from the scene and submitted them to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for comparison to the shell casings recovered from the recent shootings. TBI Agents were able to confirm that the shell casings recovered after the shootings were fired from one of the firearms recovered near the scene of the crash. Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr. was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2019.

During the three-day trial, evidence was presented showing Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr. and co-conspirators used the proceeds from the robberies to illegally purchase the firearms used in the shootings and ultimately at least one robbery, and also participated in the conspiracy to commit the robberies and were present during the robbery of the Bells Express Truck Stop and possessed a firearm during the robbery.

On February 27, 2020, U.S. District Court Senior Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Nixon to 160 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Violent crime affects and endangers all communities in West Tennessee, both urban and rural. Robberies of businesses with a firearm are especially dangerous and violent due to the high risk of death and serious bodily injury to innocent victims. Business robberies also have a substantially negative impact on the local economy and commerce, which victimizes the entire community. As a result of this sentence, Nixon will have plenty of time in federal prison to suffer the consequences of his criminal conduct, and the citizens of Haywood County will be safer for it."

Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett, Jr., said: "Special thanks to the hard working people of our U.S. Attorney’s Office for helping our office keep the law-abiding citizens of Haywood county safe. I appreciate the teamwork and look forward to working with you again."

"The City of Brownsville is grateful for the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Haywood County Sherriff’s Office and the Brownsville Police Department in the prosecution and conviction of Johnny Nixon. Nixon was a danger to society with his lengthy criminal history of robberies, domestic assaults and weapons violations. Working together, Brownsville is a much safe place," said Brownsville Police Chief Barry Diebold.

This case was investigated by the Brownsville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Haywood County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

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

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Memphis, TN - Demarcus Deon Crawford, 36, a/k/a/ "Trip," has been sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

This sentencing is the latest reckoning in a large RICO conspiracy case, "Operation .38 Special", which was originally indicted in May, 2016, charging a total of 16 members of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise with racketeering. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/16-alleged-gangster-disciples-members-indicted-federal-racketeering-charges.

According to the superseding indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly-organized national gang active in more than 35 states. The scope of the Gangster Disciples’ crimes is wide-ranging and consistent throughout its national operation. The gang protects its power through threats, intimidation, and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault, and obstruction of justice. The Gangster Disciples promotes its enterprise through member-only activities and provides support to members charged with or incarcerated for gang-related offenses.

The Gangster Disciples were organized into different positions, including board members, and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers and chief of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group. The State of Tennessee was divided into specific area codes that defined the separate divisions or "sets" of the Gangster Disciples. The Knoxville set was known by its area code "865," Chattanooga by its area code "423," Nashville by its area code "615," Columbia by its area code "931," Jackson by its area code "731," and Memphis by its area code "901." Crawford was the Gangster Disciples’ "Chief Enforcer" for the State of Tennessee, meaning he was responsible for Gangster Disciple criminal activity in all of those regions.

The RICO count of the superseding indictment that Crawford pled guilty to states that: members and associates of the Gangster Disciples are subject to a strict code of discipline and are routinely fined, beaten, or even murdered for failing to follow the gang’s rules; that as Chief Enforcer, Crawford was responsible for enforcing the gang’s rules and for the administration of punishment to members who violated gang rules and for ensuring that people who claimed to be members of the Gangster Disciples were in fact members in good standing; and that Chief Enforcers often maintained close physical and verbal communication with the Governor of the State and traveled with the Governor around his zone of responsibility. During the change of plea hearing on June 7, 2019, Crawford admitted that he ordered the shooting of rival gang members for retaliation and to maintain his position within the Gangster Disciples, and that he participated directly and indirectly in the activities of the gang, including acts of attempted murder and narcotics trafficking.

On March 9, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Crawford to 300 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This case demonstrates our ability and resolve to aggressively prosecute and hold accountable those who engage in organized criminal enterprises and gang conspiracies in furtherance of racketeering. This office is proud to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to disrupt the Gangster Disciples gang and punish their leaders and members for the violence and lawlessness that they perpetrate across West Tennessee. Crawford will now take a long ‘trip’ to the federal penitentiary for his violent gang leadership and activity."

This prosecution was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, 28th Judicial District West Tennessee Drug Task Force, 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorney’s General Offices, Sheriff’s Offices for Tipton, DeSoto, Madison and Fayette Counties, Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia, TN.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth C. Boswell and Annie Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Jose Nelson Orellana-Callejas, 41, of El Salvador, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after removal. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

According to the facts revealed during the plea hearing and at sentencing, on August 26, 2019, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents received information that Orellana-Callejas was at the Greyhound Bus Station in Memphis, Tennessee. Agents determined that Orellana-Callejas was a citizen of El Salvador and had previously been removed from the United States after being convicted of multiple felony offenses. Specifically, it was determined that Orellana-Callejas had the following history:

• October 07, 1998, Orellana-Callejas was ordered removed from the United States to El Salvador by an immigration judge in San Antonio, Texas.

• In 2007, Orellana-Callejas was convicted of two felonies for possession of cocaine in Georgia.

• November 10, 2011, he was removed from the United States pursuant to the original immigration removal order.

• August 8, 2016, Orellana-Callejas was again taken into immigration custody after serving a sentence for identity theft in Virginia.

• September 2, 2016, he was again removed to El Salvador.

• October 2016, Orellana-Callejas was arrested by Border Patrol agents in Texas and was subsequently convicted of felony illegal reentry.

• September 14, 2017, he was again removed to El Salvador. Orellana-Callejas has never obtained the consent or permission from immigration officials to reenter into the United States.

On March 5, 2020, U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. sentenced Orellana-Callejas to 46 months imprisonment. He also faces possible deportation after completion of his sentence of confinement.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal aliens not only threaten the sovereignty of our nation, but also threaten the safety of our communities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prioritized and renewed our commitment to immigration enforcement, and this case demonstrates our focus on those criminal aliens who continue to illegally reenter and violate our laws after deportation. We will aggressively and unapologetically enforce U.S. immigration laws and seek stiff penalties against those who violate them."

The United States Department of Homeland Security- Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hall prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Memphis, TN – Attorney General William P. Barr announced today the launch of the Department of Justice’s National Nursing Home Initiative, which will coordinate and enhance civil and criminal efforts to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents.

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

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

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Residents of nursing homes are some of our most vulnerable citizens. When nursing homes break the law by defrauding the government for substandard or worthless services we will use our resources to combat this fraud, neglect and abuse, hold them accountable, and protect patients."

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

"The Department of Justice has a long history of holding nursing homes and long-term care providers accountable when they fail to provide their Medicare and Medicaid residents with even the most basic nursing services," said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt for the Civil Division. "Through this National Initiative, we will more effectively and quickly pursue nursing homes that are jeopardizing the health and well-being of their residents."

"The Administration for Community Living was created to help ensure that older adults and people with disabilities are able to live the lives they want, with the people they choose, fully participating in their communities," said Administrator Lance Robertson for the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Our mission includes supporting their basic right to live with dignity, free from abuse. We appreciate the Department of Justice’s leadership on this important Initiative, and we are proud to work side by side with DOJ and all of our partners in the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to prevent elder abuse in all forms."

"The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) continues to pursue nursing home operators who provide potentially harmful care to residents who are often unable to protect themselves," said Chief Counsel to the Inspector General Gregory Demske of HHS. "Creating this Initiative sends a message to those in charge of caring for these beneficiaries that grossly substandard care will not be tolerated."

The National Nursing Home Initiative reflects the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, coordinated by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. The Elder Justice Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are essential to the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices also support the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources, and information. Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at http://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

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

Two cases from the Western District of Tennessee were included as part of the sweep:

• Keith L. Dobbs, 39, disbarred Memphis attorney, has been charged with sixty-seven federal felony violations. Dobbs misappropriated funds from 26 victims who received veteran’s benefits and nine Social Security recipients.

• Stephen Douglas Fry, 72, a financial advisor who stole and embezzled approximately $1.3 million from a client who had given him power of attorney to prepare tax returns and manage and invest monies following the death of her husband.

Attorney General Barr made the announcement at an event in Florida entitled "Keeping Seniors Safe," which outlined his vision for protecting older Americans from financial harm. The event focused special attention on the threat posed by foreign-based fraud schemes that victimize seniors in large numbers. During the event, the Attorney General declared "Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud" to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities.

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

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "It is an important priority for this office to protect our senior population across the district. To halt the scourge of abuse, exploitation and financial fraud against older citizens, we are pleased to join with the Attorney General in our firm commitment to investigate, prosecute, punish and deter crimes against our vulnerable seniors. Those who target the elderly will receive the full attention of our office and law enforcement officials in West Tennessee."

"The charges announced today demonstrate the great success of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to identify and stop those who are targeting our senior communities from overseas," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "We’re committed to continuing our efforts to keep our elderly citizens safe, whether they’re being targeted door-to-door, over the phone, or online."

"Every day, American consumers, particularly older Americans, receive offers that sound just too good to be true," said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. "Some come through the mail; others by telephone or the Internet. These offers have one objective – to rob you of your hard-earned money. Fraud costs Americans millions of dollars each year. The good news is most frauds can be prevented. It’s one of the few crimes in which potential victims can just say "No!" So hold on to your money and report scams to Postal Inspectors."

This interactive map provides state by state information on the elder fraud cases and education and prevention community outreach efforts highlighted by today’s sweep announcement.

Elder Fraud Hotline

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

Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force

The Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force prosecuted more than one quarter of the defendants charged as part of the announced sweep. Established in June 2019, the Strike Force is composed of the department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices (Central District of California, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, Eastern District of New York, Southern District of Texas), along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants. FBI and the Postal Inspection Service served as lead agencies in the Strike Force and committed substantial investigative resources to pursuing elder fraud cases as part of Strike Force efforts. The Strike Force has held dozens of meetings with industry, victim groups, and law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels to identify the most harmful schemes victimizing American seniors and to bolster preventive measures against further losses.

Law Enforcement Actions Swept from Coast to Coast

U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in every federal district took part in the Elder Fraud Sweep announced today. Many federal prosecuting offices filed cases against perpetrators and/or facilitators of elder fraud. Others conducted outreach to law enforcement, community groups, seniors, or private industry. Other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices demonstrated exceptional devotion to the cause of elder justice by both filing cases and conducting outreach.

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

In addition to announcing the sweep cases, Attorney General Barr and others at the Keeping Seniors Safe event also thanked department personnel — especially the Elder Justice Coordinators appointed in each U.S. Attorney’s Office — for conducting dozens of outreach events across the nation to warn seniors of fraud schemes and to engage with industry representatives and state and local authorities on fraud-prevention measures. These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.

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

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 – Isaiah Miller, 19, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on October 10, 2018, at about 9:45 p.m., two victims were walking to their vehicle on South Cooper Street in Memphis, Tennessee, when four very young black males approached them. One suspect pointed a small black handgun and demanded their property. The suspect told them to "lie on the ground facedown." As one of the victims attempted to get down, one of the suspects punched him twice in the left jaw. The suspects took the victims’ wallets, cell phones, and the keys to the victims’ vehicle. They left in the 2013 Mazda headed northbound on Cooper. After notifying law enforcement about the crime, one of the victims positively identified Miller as one of the individuals who carjacked him. The victim said "Miller was the man who hit him in the face and told another man to shoot him."

On October 11, 2018, at around 10:19 p.m., a victim was sitting in her silver Honda Civic charging her phone. She saw a group of five black males approach her, point a gun at her, and demand that she get out of the vehicle. The victim exited the vehicle and one of the men snatched her cell phone from her hand. She asked if she could keep her purse from the car, and one man responded, "Hell naw." The males got into the Honda Civic and were last seen going west on Mynders Avenue. The victim positively identified Miller as the person responsible for the carjacking who brandished the weapon. Fingerprints belonging to Miller were found on the hood and passenger side rear door glass of the recovered vehicle.

On October 13, 2018, a victim was pulling into the driveway of his girlfriend’s house on Venable Avenue when another vehicle blocked in their vehicle. Three black males approached and demanded he exit the vehicle. The two men on the driver’s side of the vehicle both had firearms, one black and one silver. One of the suspects then pistol whipped the victim and pulled him out of the vehicle. The armed male then pointed the gun at the victim’s girlfriend and told her to get out of the vehicle. They took a phone and a gold ring from the victims. They then drove away from the scene in the victim’s Honda Accord. The victim positively identified Miller as the person who pulled her out of the vehicle.

On October 17, 2018, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a victim was walking at Walker Avenue and Tanglewood toward his car after visiting friends. The victim was approached by three black males armed with firearms who demanded that he give them his car keys, wallet, and cash. The victim initially did not comply, so one of the suspects hit him in the face and head with the firearm. The victim then gave the suspects his wallet and ran. The suspects were unable to find victim’s keys in his wallet so they fled from the scene. The victim positively identified Miller from a photo lineup as the suspect who demanded his keys and struck him in the face with the pistol.

On Friday, October 19, 2018, Mt. Moriah task force officers were on enhanced patrol looking for a silver Honda Civic that had been seen driving recklessly through the area of South Perkins and Cottonwood. Law enforcement observed a silver Honda matching the description in the area and attempted to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop. Officers chased the vehicle to the Cedar Mills apartment complex, when all four males jumped out of the car and ran in different directions. Miller was apprehended after jumping from a balcony. Ultimately, Miller gave a statement to the police, admitting to at least one of the carjackings.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker. Miller faces up to 15 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release for each of the four carjackings. He faces mandatory minimum consecutive sentences of 7 years and up to life imprisonment for each of the firearm offenses.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "In the short period of just one week, this young offender not only injured and terrorized multiple victims, but he also senselessly wasted his own life by committing successive violent gun crimes. There is a heavy price to pay for such violence and lawlessness, and Miller will now pay that price with decades in a federal prison. This case demonstrates our ability and intention to aggressively prosecute violent carjackings, no matter the age of the offender. Hopefully, it will also send a strong deterrent message to others to avoid throwing their lives away by senseless gun violence."

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

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

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Memphis, TN – Jeffery P. Meadows, 37, along with co-defendants, Rita Sandoval, 49 and Christopher Orozco, 32, have been sentenced to a total of 246 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentences today.

According to information presented in court, on August 30, 2018, a seven-count federal indictment charged Meadows and two co-defendants, Sandoval and Orozco with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. All 3 defendants ultimately pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

On February 7, 2017, Sandoval met and sold 4.23 grams of meth while Meadows waited in his vehicle. Sandoval referred to Meadows as the "main man." On February 8, 2017, Orozco sold 1.30 grams of meth to undercover agents. Later, at the same location, Orozco met Meadows where there was short conversation before Meadows handed Orzoco the narcotics. Orozco sold 4.3 grams of meth to undercover agents on March 12, 2017.

On March 14, 2017, a Tipton County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Meadows. Because Meadows refused consent to search the vehicle, law enforcement requested the assistance of the canine unit. The canine gave a positive alert, and a plastic bag containing 26.56 grams of meth, a glass pipe, and digital scale were seized. Meadows advised that he used the glass pipe to smoke meth. He was taken into custody on several outstanding warrants.

On January 28, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Meadows to 144 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.

On January 29, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Sandoval to 72 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. On the same day, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Orozco to 30 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Distribution of illegal narcotics is NOT a victimless crime. 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 these sentences do just that. Thanks to the great investigative work by our local law enforcement partners at the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, these drug dealers have been held accountable and will be removed from the community."

The Tipton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

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

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Memphis, TN –Harry French, 21, has been sentenced to 246 months in federal prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in two separate criminal episodes. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on August 4, 2017, as Teresa Lee-Moore was preparing to leave for work from her residence at the Lamar Crossing Apartment Complex she looked out the window and saw three young black males in the parking lot. She waited until they were gone to exit her apartment. Lee-Moore got into her vehicle, a 2015 Dodge Journey, and began to leave when one of the men got in front of her vehicle’s path and pointed a firearm at her and ordered her to stop the car. Once she unlocked the car, the man kept the gun pointed at her as he ordered her to get out of the car. He told her to "leave the keys and her purse or he would shoot her" as he kept the gun pointed at her. She watched as the two other men got into her vehicle, and all three fled the complex.

On August 7, 2017, a juvenile co-defendant gave a full confession to his participation in the carjacking of Lee-Moore. The juvenile stated that De’Quaun Blackmon, an accomplice, used a 9mm black firearm during the carjacking.

On August 23, 2017, after visiting family members, Robert Featherson returned to his gated retirement community at 1 a.m. and noticed three young black males in the parking lot. Featherson exited his vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, and walked toward his unit with the assistance of a cane. As he approached his front door, the three young men approached him, two armed with firearms. One man struck him in the head with the gun, causing Featherson to fall to the ground. The suspects then got on top of him and told him "to shut up or they would kill him." The suspects went through his pockets, taking his keys, cell phone, and wallet. They then fled, and Featherson watched as they drove away in his vehicle. Featherson was transported by ambulance and remained in the hospital overnight due to his injuries.

On August 28, 2017, De’Quaun Blackmon gave a full confession to the carjackings, and admitted that French and the juvenile were with him during the carjackings. Blackmon stated that he approached Lee-Moore’s vehicle and pointed a loaded firearm at her and told her to get out of the car. Blackmon said that he used a loaded 9mm firearm during the carjackings, and that he had left with Harry French.

After the trial but before sentencing, French, from the federal detention facility in Mason, used a contraband cellphone to post witness statements on his social media account. Judge Norris took this conduct into account when making his sentencing decision.

On January 16, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced French to 246 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Under our Carjacking Initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to coordinate with our federal and local law enforcement partners to prioritize and target carjacking cases for aggressive federal prosecution. This 20-year sentence confirms that there is a significant consequence for sowing lawlessness and violence in our communities, and French will now reap a long prison sentence for his brazen and dangerous behavior that victimized innocent citizens."

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Rogers and P. Neal Oldham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Connie Stephens, 43, a Ripley, Tennessee resident, has been sentenced to 168 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute actual methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, beginning in late 2018 until Stephens’ arrest on January 25, 2019, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Dyersburg Police Department investigated multiple individuals transporting and distributing actual methamphetamine to the Western District of Tennessee. Stephens distributed actual methamphetamine to an undercover confidential informant on three separate occasions at a residence in Dyersburg. Stephens obtained different quantities from her supplier, a co-defendant, for distribution.

On January 25, 2019, Stephens distributed 13.5 grams of methamphetamine/ice to a confidential informant (CI). During the transaction, Stephens’s source of supply was present and after Stephens distributed the 13.5 grams of methamphetamine/ice to the CI, the source then sold Stephens an additional 42 grams of methamphetamine/ice.

After the distribution by the source of supply to Stephens, investigators arrested the parties. Found in the source of supply’s backpack was an additional 306.18 grams of methamphetamine/ice and a .45 caliber Hi-Point pistol. Stephens was held responsible for distributing over 150 grams of methamphetamine/ice.

Agents used confidential sources, search warrants and other investigative techniques to dismantle this drug trafficking organization.

On February 21, 2020, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Stephens to 168 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Drug distribution conspiracies are NOT victimless crimes. Methamphetamine causes significant human pain, loss, and destruction in countless ways, including addiction, injuries, and deaths. Individuals who distribute harmful drugs into our rural communities can no longer hide, and those who choose to engage in such lawlessness will pay the price with a long prison sentence."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Residence Agency Safe Streets Task Force, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Dyersburg Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Memphis, TN –Artavius Burnett, 21, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of two businesses, theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee, the disposing and selling of stolen firearms, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on November 20, 2017, Artavius Burnett, together with a juvenile accomplice, robbed the Pawn Plus on 5851 Winchester, which is a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). Both Burnett and his accomplice wore hoodies and red bandannas over their faces. Burnett pointed a pistol at the two employees and demanded they put handguns in his backpack while the juvenile stood as a lookout. The employees complied and Burnett took 17 handguns from the store, and then fled.

On November 27, 2017, Artavius Burnett, again together with a juvenile accomplice, robbed the Family Dollar at 9109 Highway 64. This robbery followed the same pattern as the first robbery, with Burnett pointing a pistol at multiple employees and the juvenile standing at the door as a lookout. One of the store clerks gave Burnett $1,783 and they fled the store.

Burnett was developed as a suspect based upon a Crime Stoppers tip. He later admitted to law enforcement to being a member of the Vice Lords gang, to robbing both businesses, and to selling some of the stolen firearms "on the street."

On November 25, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Jasmine Meabon, a co-defendant who served as the getaway driver during both robberies and who also sold and distributed some of the stolen firearms, to 168 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

On August 1, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Breanna Shields, a co-defendant who assisted Meabon by hiding and disposing some of the stolen firearms and later threatened a potential witness, to 24 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

On February 21, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Artavius Burnett to 180 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Armed business robbery that threatens and harms store owners must be dealt with swiftly and certainly. Likewise, the theft of multiple firearms is especially dangerous, and threatens the lives of countless citizens when stolen guns hit the streets. Any robbery of a FFL will be met with aggressive federal prosecution in order to protect public safety, and these sentences are just punishment that will incapacitate these violent offenders."

The Memphis Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

First Trial Guilty Verdict for ARPO Strike Force

Memphis, TN – A federal jury found a west Tennessee doctor guilty today for unlawfully distributing opioids to purported patients and to others who were never his patients. The defendant was charged in an April 2019 indictment as part of the first Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force Takedown, and this was the first trial guilty verdict for the ARPO Strike Force.

Following an eight-day trial, Richard Farmer, M.D., 83, of Memphis, Tennessee, a licensed psychiatrist, was found guilty of three counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. Sentencing is scheduled for May 22 by U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker of the Western District of Tennessee, who presided over the trial.

"The Department of Justice will not relent in its pursuit of those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic in the Appalachian region," said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "Today’s verdict, which shows that our efforts are yielding tangible results, is a credit to the hard work of the Criminal Division’s ARPO Strike Force and our U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners."

"Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part by the over-prescribing and diversion of potent opioids," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee. "This guilty verdict demonstrates our resolve to aggressively prosecute medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to exploit the very people coming to them for help."

"Doctors who take advantage of patients suffering from addiction are no different than street corner drug dealers," said Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Louisville Division Office. "I am proud of the dedicated men and women of DEA who worked tirelessly to bring Dr. Farmer to justice."

According to the evidence presented at trial, Farmer prescribed opioids to three sisters with whom he had ongoing sexual contact during the time he was prescribing. The evidence showed that between July 2016 and January 2019, Farmer prescribed over 1,200 pills, even though the three sisters showed clear signs of addiction. The evidence further showed that he kept almost no patient files on these women, and that he also wrote opioid prescriptions for the women’s friends and neighbors without any office visits.

The DEA, along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department, investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Jillian Willis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon Griffin of the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.

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 40 million pills. There have thus far been 24 guilty pleas as a result of the ARPO Strike Force’s efforts.

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

A federal jury found a west Tennessee doctor guilty today for unlawfully distributing opioids to purported patients and to others who were never his patients.  The defendant was charged in an April 2019 indictment as part of the first Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force Takedown, and this was the first trial guilty verdict for the ARPO Strike Force. 

Following an eight-day trial, Richard Farmer, M.D., 83, of Memphis, Tennessee, a licensed psychiatrist, was found guilty of three counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.  Sentencing is scheduled for May 22 by U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker of the Western District of Tennessee, who presided over the trial.

“The Department of Justice will not relent in its pursuit of those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic in the Appalachian region,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Today’s verdict, which shows that our efforts are yielding tangible results, is a credit to the hard work of the Criminal Division’s ARPO Strike Force and our U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners.”

“Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part by the over-prescribing and diversion of potent opioids,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee.  “This guilty verdict demonstrates our resolve to aggressively prosecute medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to exploit the very people coming to them for help.”  

“Doctors who take advantage of patients suffering from addiction are no different than street corner drug dealers,” said Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Louisville Division Office.  “I am proud of the dedicated men and women of DEA who worked tirelessly to bring Dr. Farmer to justice.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, Farmer prescribed opioids to three sisters with whom he had ongoing sexual contact during the time he was prescribing. The evidence showed that between July 2016 and January 2019, Farmer prescribed over 1,200 pills, even though the three sisters showed clear signs of addiction.  The evidence further showed that he kept almost no patient files on these women, and that he also wrote opioid prescriptions for the women’s friends and neighbors without any office visits.

The DEA, along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department, investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Jillian Willis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon Griffin of the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.

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 40 million pills.  There have thus far been 24 guilty pleas as a result of the ARPO Strike Force’s efforts.

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.

Memphis, TN – Constance Pritchett, 59, has pleaded guilty to the federal offense of depositing of refuse in navigable waters. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, Pritchett, the owner of Pritchett, Inc. d/b/a Crossroads Mobile Service ("Crossroads") had a contract with the United States Postal Service to wash postal service vehicles and postal service locations throughout the Memphis, Tennessee area. The contract required Crossroads to collect all wastewater in accordance with federal law.

An investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General determined that Crossroads employees failed to properly collect wastewater, which then entered the City of Memphis sewer system. The wastewater then entered the Mississippi River which is a navigable waterway of the United States.

"The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General works closely with Postal Service procurement officials to help safeguard the contracting process. When contract irregularities arise, OIG special agents work aggressively to gather the facts and present relevant information to federal prosecutors. In this instance, contractual obligations related to important environmental matters were ignored altogether," said Special Agent in Charge Scott Pierce, Contract Fraud Investigations Division.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is a full-service federal prosecution office, and we have the ability and intention to charge any violations of federal law, no matter where or how they occur in the Western District of Tennessee. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to upholding the rule of law, and to pursuing any cases that harm and impact our waterways and environment."

Sentencing is scheduled for April 10, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., where Pritchett faces up to one year imprisonment followed by one year supervised release.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy S. Robbins is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

 

Memphis, TN – Mark J. Whitaker, 49, has pleaded guilty to misprision of wire fraud. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, from 2004 until August 13, 2014, Whitaker actively concealed a scheme directed by his co-defendant, Charles "Chuck" Jones, to defraud the federal E-Rate Program. The E-Rate Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that distributes money to schools and libraries for internet access, telecommunication services, and related equipment. There are specific rules and regulations that govern schools’ and vendors’ participation in that program, which include requiring vendors to certify that no kickbacks have been paid to participating schools or their agents, and requiring vendors to certify that participating schools have been invoiced for their share of the contracted-for services and equipment.

Whitaker helped manage two of Jones' companies: Integrated Computer Solutions ("ICS") and Technology Associates. Those companies participated as E-Rate Program vendors for several public school districts in Tennessee and Missouri. Whitaker's job was to submit false certifications to the E-Rate Program at Jones’ direction.

Those certifications falsely stated that Jones' companies had complied with the E-Rate Program’s rules and regulations, including: (1) falsely certifying that the schools had been invoiced for their required E-Rate Program "co-pay"; and (2) falsely certifying that Jones' companies had not paid any kickbacks to the schools or their agents.

Whitaker submitted those false certifications despite knowing that Jones paid the schools’ consultant, "A.J.," bribes and gave A.J. valuable gifts while A.J. worked with and for the schools in Crockett County, Tennessee and Missouri. He also knew that Technology Associates and ICS did not bill the Missouri schools for their full required co-pays. Despite that knowledge, Whitaker did not report the fraud to the E-Rate Program

or to law enforcement. If the E-Rate Program had known that the schools were not being invoiced for their correct co-pays and that Jones was paying kickbacks to A.J., the program would not have paid ICS and Technology Associates.

According to the Superseding Indictment, the E-Rate Program allegedly paid Jones and his companies approximately $6.9 million as a result of the fraud. Wire fraud and conspiracy charges against Chuck Jones are still pending.

Sentencing for Whitaker is scheduled for July 23, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris, where Whitaker faces a maximum of 3 years imprisonment, 1 year supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Protection of federal grant programs that provide needed services and equipment to our schools in West Tennessee is a top priority of this office. When dishonest offenders conspire to defraud these programs for their own selfish gain and unjust enrichment, they not only steal tax dollars, but also hurt local schools in the process. We will continue to work with our federal partners to root out and expose such fraud against the government, to hold offenders accountable, and to recover ill-gotten gains."

This case was investigated by the Federal Communications Commission - Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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

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