Middle District of Alabama
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Three Florida Residents Sentenced for Operating an Illegal Steroid and Counterfeit Prescription Drug LabRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Three Chipley, Florida residents were sentenced yesterday to serve time in federal prison for their involvement in a steroid and counterfeit prescription drug lab in Northwest Florida, announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
Ryan Anthony Sikora (24) was sentenced to 41 months in prison, Ariel Anna Murphy (29) to 12 months, and John Joseph Bush, II (26) was sentenced to 8 months. The three received their sentences after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges for importing, manufacturing, and distributing anabolic steroids as well as counterfeit prescription drugs.
The investigation began when United States Postal Inspectors determined that large amounts of steroid and counterfeit prescription drug ingredients were being shipped from China to various locations in South Alabama and Northwest Florida. The defendants mass-produced counterfeit pills at a lab near Chipley, Florida using two large-scale pill presses. They marketed the counterfeit drugs online using the brand name “Future Pharma” and they would typically process the orders through encrypted email, and then use the United States Postal Service to send the contraband products across the United States.
U.S. Attorney Franklin would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this case: The United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Washington County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, and the Chipley, Florida Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
Colorado Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Robbing the Same Montgomery Bank TwiceRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Richard Allen Evans (50), of Arvada, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in federal prison for bank robbery, announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. In addition to 20 years in prison, Evans is subject to 3 years of supervised release once he completes his sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
In June of 2017, Evans entered the BBVA Compass Bank near Eastdale Mall in Montgomery, Alabama. He approached a bank teller and repeatedly demanded that she turn over all of the money in her bank drawer. The teller complied out of fear for her life and Evans got away with more than $1,900 in cash. He then fled to Florida where he was arrested the following day.
Court records indicate that this was the second time Evans robbed the bank. Approximately ten years ago, Evans was convicted of robbing the same bank along with six other banks. He was ordered to serve 125 months in prison and was released when his sentence was complete. Evans was still on supervised release for those prior convictions at the time he committed the June 2017 bank robbery.
“A twenty-year sentence is the maximum allowed by statute for this crime,” stated U.S Attorney Franklin. “This case is a statement of the excellent work law enforcement does to protect our communities and my office will continue to prosecute these violent offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Bret Kirby stated, “These types of cases are a prime example of the good work that is done every day in this country by our agents as well as our state and local partners. This type of team work will ensure these repeat offenders will remain incarcerated.”
U.S. Attorney Franklin would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) for investigating this case. The Suwanee County Sheriff’s Office (Florida) and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted with this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford prosecuted the case.
Three Clerical Workers Charged for Participating in the Operation of a Montgomery “Pill Mill”Read the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – This week, Misty Michelle Fannin, 41, of Tallassee, Alabama, Jacqueline Suzanne Brownfield, 33, of Wetumpka, Alabama, and Akash Kumar, 27, of Montgomery, Alabama, were arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation and prosecution of a “pill mill,” announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.
All of the defendants are alleged to have assisted Dr. Gilberto Sanchez in operating a “pill mill,” out of Family Practice, a medical clinic located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, previously a Montgomery physician, owned Family Practice. In November 2017, Dr. Sanchez pled guilty in federal court to drug distribution, health care fraud, and money laundering charges.
The indictment in this case alleges that Fannin worked as an office administrator for Sanchez and, in that role, helped Sanchez to launder the money generated by the illegal drug distribution. It also states that Brownfield and Kumar worked in the practice’s billing office and used their positions to commit health care fraud by overbilling for services provided by the nurse practitioners.
If convicted, Fannin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering charges. Brownfield and Kumar face maximum sentences of 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted of health care fraud. All defendants could also be assessed substantial fines and other monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The Montgomery County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department, the Opelika, Alabama Police Department, and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley are prosecuting the case.
Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Health Care Fraud Charges in Ongoing “Pill Mill” CaseRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – On Monday, January 22, 2017, Steven Edwin Cox, 61, of Tallassee, Alabama, pleaded guilty to drug distribution conspiracy and health care fraud charges arising out of the ongoing investigation and prosecution of a Montgomery “pill mill,” announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. The “pill mill” at issue was the Family Practice medical office located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery, Alabama.
According to court documents, until 2017, Cox worked at the Family Practice with Dr. Gilberto Sanchez. In November of 2017, Sanchez pled guilty to drug distribution, health care fraud, and money laundering charges arising out of the same scheme. Cox’s role in the scheme was to see patients originally prescribed unnecessary controlled substances by Sanchez and to give those patients refills on their prescriptions. Cox did so knowing that the patients did not actually need the medicine he was prescribing to them. Cox also helped Sanchez to fraudulently bill health insurance companies for the time he spent seeing the patients.
At sentencing, Cox faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the drug distribution conspiracy charge, and 10 years’ imprisonment on the health care fraud charge. He also faces substantial monetary penalties and restitution.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The Montgomery County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department, and the Opelika, Alabama Police Department all assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley are prosecuting the case.
Two Former Tuskegee Police Lieutenants Charged with Civil Rights Offenses for Assaulting ArresteeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – The Justice Department today announced that two former Tuskegee Police Department lieutenants, Alex Huntley, 53, and Darian Locure, 44, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in the beating of an arrestee and an attempted cover-up.
The five-count indictment charges that on or about December 24, 2014, Huntley physically assaulted an arrestee, while Locure willfully failed to intervene to stop Huntley’s assault. The assault caused the arrestee to suffer bodily injuries.
Huntley and Locure are also charged with directing and encouraging other Tuskegee Police Department officers and recruits who witnessed the assault to keep it a secret. Finally, the indictment charges that Huntley gave false testimony under oath about the assault in a state court proceeding regarding criminal charges against the arrestee.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation has also assisted the investigation. The matter is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Samantha Trepel of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant United States Attorney Denise Simpson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Montgomery Woman Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Her Role in Identity Theft and Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, Kidiamond Sharagnes Pearson, 25, of Montgomery, Alabama received a sentence of 54 months in prison for her participation in a scheme to steal identities and then file fraudulent tax returns, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. There is no parole in the federal system.
Through her job position, Pearson had access to identifying information of individuals who applied for jobs with her employer. The identifying information included names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. Pearson would steal paperwork containing the identifying information from her employer, and give the documents to a co-conspirator, James Vernon Battle. Battle, also from Montgomery, then used the stolen information to file fraudulent federal income tax returns claiming more than $400,000 in undue tax refunds.
After committing her offense, Pearson pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. James Battle was previously sentenced to 61 months in November of 2016 for his role in the scheme.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross prosecuted the case.
Twenty-One Suspected Drug Traffickers Arrested on Federal and State Charges in the Enterprise and Dothan AreasRead the Press Release
Enterprise, Alabama– Today, twenty-one suspected methamphetamine and heroin traffickers from the Enterprise and Dothan areas have been arrested during pre-dawn roundups, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. from the Middle District of Alabama. These arrests follow two federal grand jury indictments that charge five federal defendants with various narcotics trafficking crimes, including conspiracy, distribution, and possession of methamphetamine and heroin. The remaining sixteen defendants were arrested on related state charges.
The following individuals were arrested on federal charges: Antonio Tyrell Pouncey, 38, of Enterprise, AL; Kimberly Christina Pouncy, 28, of Enterprise, AL; Ervin Gene Bradham, 53, of Enterprise, AL; Lynn Renfroe Donaldson, 51, of Enterprise, AL; and Rudyver Garcia, 30, of Sandy Springs, GA.
The following suspects from the Coffee County area are facing state charges of criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime: Alesia Cain, Authur Davis, Jimmy Farthing, Betty Grantham, Vincent Gray, James Johnson, Lashonda Jones, Taurence Marshall, Darnell Martin, Pierre Martin, Penny Martinez, Charee Perkins, Gerald Deondra Pouncy, David Reeves, Jason Scott, and Stevie Speigner.
These arrests are a part of a long-term federal drug and money laundering investigation based out of Dothan and Enterprise. The federal investigation has led to the seizure of heroin and multiple kilograms of methamphetamine. The investigation also led to the seizure of firearms and a vehicle equipped with a device to conceal narcotics.
The federal defendants will face a minimum of ten (10) years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life.
In addition to today’s arrests, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant in Enterprise, which targeted members of the drug trafficking organization. Several federal, state and local agencies participated in these arrests and the search.
An indictment is merely a method of charging a defendant. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigating agencies include: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Dothan Police Department, the Enterprise Police Department, the Ozark Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Georgia State Police, the Clayton County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office, the Poarch Creek Tribal Indian Police Department and the Washington County, Florida Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Curtis Ivy, Jr. and R. Randolph “Rand” Neeley.
Evergreen Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama– On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, Kelvin Carnell Golden, 32, of Evergreen, Alabama, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for armed robbery, announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to 20 years in prison, Golden will be subject to 5 years of supervised release when his sentence is complete.
On March 20, 2017, Golden entered the Trustmark Bank in Georgiana. He approached a teller, pointed a handgun at her and demanded large bills. The teller complied and Golden escaped with over $10,000. The break in the case came when the Georgiana Police Department received an anonymous tip from someone who saw surveillance video of the robbery on Crime Stoppers and recognized Golden.
While the Georgiana investigation was ongoing, Golden entered the Hilltop Food Mart in Greenville on April 4, 2017 and pointed a handgun at the clerk. He demanded money from the register and left with nearly $900. When surveillance footage was reviewed, investigators realized it was the same person who had robbed the Trustmark Bank in Georgiana.
Golden was ultimately apprehended by the United States Marshals in Pensacola, Florida, and confessed to both robberies. Golden’s sentence was 156 months for the robberies, with an additional 84 months for brandishing a firearm while committing a crime of violence, for a total of 240 months.
“First and foremost, we are thankful that the victims were not harmed, because this situation could have been much worse,” said U.S. Attorney Franklin. “This type of violent crime is our top priority, and I hope that this 20 year sentence sends the message that my office will prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their hard work, as well as the citizens who helped break this case.”
"The FBI will continue to make this type of violent crime a priority and are also thankful for the public's assistance with this offender,” stated FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Bret Kirby. “The continued cooperation between the dedicated state and local law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the FBI will continue to strengthen the ability to combat these violent offenders who defy the laws of our great country."
“I would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for assisting in this investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the case,” said Georgiana Police Chief Carlton Cook. “I would also like to thank Crime Stoppers for their assistance. If not for the tip we received from them, this investigation would have taken a lot more time and resources. The individual that provided the tip did a great service for our community, and I am grateful that the community was patient while this case was being investigated.”
“This was a very dangerous individual who was committing violent felonies in multiple communities,” said Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn. “I am thankful for the combined efforts of all the agencies involved. The public is safer with him off the streets”
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Georgiana Police Department and the Greenville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Bates prosecuted this case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced for Shooting at Maxwell Air Force BaseRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Matthew Elliott Shashy, 29, of Montgomery, Alabama was sentenced today to 4 years of probation for discharging a firearm outside of Maxwell Air Force Base, announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
The sentence comes after an August 2017 trial where a federal jury found him guilty on charges of impeding, intimidating, and interfering with Air Force personnel working at Maxwell. At trial, the jury heard testimony that during the 2017 New Year’s weekend, Shashy went to the Montgomery Police Department, the Alabama Statehouse, and the Day Street entrance of Maxwell Air Force Base where he spray-painted anti-government graffiti.
After he did not receive enough press coverage of his graffiti, Shashy returned to Maxwell Air Force Base on January 3, 2017, which was the first workday following the New Year’s Day holiday. During the height of morning rush hour, Shashy placed his pickup truck in park, got out, and fired a shotgun three times in the general direction of the Day Street entrance. He then quickly returned to his vehicle and left. A civilian passing by the base observed Shashy shooting and followed him in his vehicle. The civilian was able to obtain a photograph of the truck’s license plate before Shashy slammed on his brakes causing the civilian to rear-end him. Shashy then fled the accident scene.
Ultimately, Shashy was identified as the suspect and law enforcement came to his residence where he had barricaded himself inside. He finally surrendered to law enforcement after lengthy negotiations. Located in the residence were additional firearms and ammunition, anti-government literature, and other evidence connecting him to the Maxwell shooting.
The Montgomery Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Todd A. Brown prosecuted the case.
Another Montgomery “Pill Mill” Doctor Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – On Friday, December 8, 2017, Dr. Shepherd A. Odom, 78, of Alexander City, Alabama, pleaded guilty to charges of drug distribution and conspiracy to commit money laundering, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. Dr. Odom’s guilty plea was a part of the ongoing investigation and prosecution of those involved in operating a “pill mill” through the Family Practice medical office located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery, Alabama.
According to court documents, until 2013, Dr. Odom was a part owner of Family Practice. In 2013, he sold his interest in the business to his partner, Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, who recently pled guilty to drug distribution, health care fraud, and money laundering charges arising out of the same scheme. After selling his ownership interest in Family Practice, Dr. Odom remained involved in the business’s affairs. For example, records show that in 2014 Dr. Odom issued an illegitimate and unnecessary prescription for fentanyl patches to a patient. Additionally, in or about 2013, Dr. Odom agreed with Dr. Sanchez and others to launder the proceeds of the practice’s drug distribution operations. The money laundering was accomplished by Dr. Sanchez frequently issuing sizable checks from the practice’s bank account that were payable to Dr. Odom.
On March 22, 2018, Dr. Odom is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court where he faces up to 20 years on each count. Dr. Odom also faces substantial monetary penalties and restitution.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The Montgomery County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department, and the Opelika, Alabama Police Department all assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley are prosecuting the case.
One Physician and Three Nurse Practitioners Charged for Participating in the Operation of a Montgomery “Pill Mill”Read the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – On Tuesday, December 5, 2017, four individuals were arrested after being indicted by a federal grand jury for their role in operating a “pill mill,” out of a Montgomery, Alabama medical office, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. A “pill mill” is a medical clinic that is dispensing controlled substances inappropriately, unlawfully, and for non-medical reasons.
Those four individuals were: (1) Lillian Akwuba, 38, a nurse practitioner residing in Montgomery; (2) Julio Delgado, 55, a physician residing in Homewood, Alabama; (3) Steven Cox, 62, a nurse practitioner residing in Tallassee, Alabama; and (4) Elizabeth Cronier, 69, a nurse practitioner residing in Montgomery.
The indictment alleges that each defendant worked at Family Practice, located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery with Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, previously a Montgomery physician, who owned Family Practice. Last week, Dr. Sanchez pleaded guilty in federal court to drug distribution, health care fraud, and money laundering charges.
The indictment in this case alleges that the defendants conspired with Dr. Sanchez to unnecessarily and illegitimately prescribe controlled substances to the patients of Family Practice. Additionally, the indictment charges the defendants with committing health care fraud by causing insurance companies to be billed for unnecessary office visits. The only purpose of those visits were to refill unnecessary medications. Lastly, the indictment alleges that Akwuba conspired with Dr. Sanchez to launder money.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment on the drug conspiracy and distribution counts. They face maximum sentences of 10 years imprisonment on the health care fraud counts. Akwuba faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment on the money laundering counts. All defendants also could be assessed substantial fines and other monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The Montgomery County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department, and the Opelika, Alabama Police Department assisted with this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley are prosecuting the case.
Hayneville Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Assaulting a Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama- Harry Larmont McCall, 54, of Hayneville, Alabama was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. McCall was found guilty of the charge after a trial that took place in June 2017. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
At trial, the jury heard testimony that in December of 2015 McCall arrived at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Montgomery Regional Office on Perry Hill Road for a scheduled appointment. McCall had previously made threats to VA employees, so his appointment was scheduled at this location because of the security measures present at its entry point.
When entering the building for his appointment, he was required to go through a security checkpoint to ensure no prohibited items were brought into the facility. During the security check, VA employees discovered that McCall had an unauthorized item and would not allow him to enter the facility with it.
At this point, McCall began to cause a disturbance and the VA police were required to intervene. When a VA police officer tried to investigate the incident further, McCall attempted to leave in his car. The officer, who was standing near the rear of McCall’s car, ordered McCall to stop and exit the vehicle. McCall refused and instead put his car into reverse and sped backwards toward the officer. The officer attempted to move out of the way, but he was ran over by McCall and suffered serious injuries to his leg that caused a permanent disability. McCall fled, but was later arrested by authorities.
“We hope this sentence sends a message that endangering the lives of our federal law enforcement partners will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Franklin. “Our office will prosecute those who do so to the fullest extent of the law. In addition, we are committed to providing a safe environment for our veterans who visit VA facilities in the Middle District. We hope for the continued recovery of the victim in this incident, who also happens to be a veteran himself, and thank him for his service.”
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon W. Bates.
Montgomery “Pill Mill” Doctor Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution, Health Care Fraud, and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, 56, of Cecil, Alabama, pleaded guilty to drug distribution conspiracy, health care fraud, and money laundering charges, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. from the Middle District of Alabama.
According to court documents, beginning on an unknown date and continuing until he was arrested on August 1, 2017, Dr. Sanchez operated a “pill mill” through Family Practice, a medical clinic he owned located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery, Alabama. A “pill mill” is a medical clinic that is dispensing controlled substances inappropriately, unlawfully, and for non-medical reasons. At Family Practice, Dr. Sanchez conspired with other health care providers working for him to prescribe controlled substances to patients even though they did not actually need the medicines. Among the controlled substances Dr. Sanchez and his colleagues unnecessarily prescribed were oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, hydromorphone, amphetamine, and fentanyl.
As for the health care fraud charge, the court documents indicate that Dr. Sanchez and his colleagues required patients of Family Practice to return for monthly physical examinations before the patients could receive prescription refills. Such monthly examinations were not medically necessary, as the patients had no real medical condition that required the prescribing of controlled substances in the first place. Dr. Sanchez and the Family Practice employees would then bill health insurance companies and government health insurance programs (including Medicare and Medicaid) for the cost of these unnecessary monthly examinations.
The money laundering charges stem from Dr. Sanchez’s spending the proceeds of his operation of a pill mill. Court documents describe Dr. Sanchez using those proceeds to purchase at least one vehicle and one personal residence located in Montgomery.
Dr. Sanchez’s sentencing date has not yet been set. At sentencing, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on the drug conspiracy count and maximum sentences of 10 years imprisonment on the health care fraud and money laundering counts. There is no parole in the federal system. He also faces substantial monetary penalties, restitution, and forfeiture of assets purchased with the proceeds of his crimes.
“We have seen first-hand in Montgomery the harm that our country’s opioid epidemic causes,” stated United States Attorney Franklin. “Too many lives have been destroyed as a result of the illegitimate prescribing of these pills. Dr. Sanchez, and others like him, have led us to this point and I am proud that he will face the consequences of placing profit over the well-being of his patients and our community.”
“The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem in our communities’ said Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton. “All too often, this abuse leads to addiction, shattered lives, or even death. For the health and safety of our citizens, the Drug Enforcement Administration and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continue to target those who illegally distribute these dangerous drugs.”
“Drug diversion is a growing epidemic in our society that is amplified when trusted professionals abandon their ethical code in the name of greed. These unethical practices are damaging the lives of individuals and families throughout this country,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey. “IRS CI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners in an effort to prosecute those illegally dispensing drugs for profit.”
"We depend on doctors to be part of the prescription drug abuse solution—not part of the problem. Dr. Sanchez’s greed-fueled pill mill put the lives of his patients and the integrity of federal health care programs at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. "Our investigators, working with our law enforcement partners, will continue to uproot such dangerous schemes."
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The Montgomery County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department, and the Opelika, Alabama Police Department all assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross, R. Rand Neeley, and Kevin P. Davidson are prosecuting the case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama- Keyon Montez Butler (24) of Montgomery, Alabama was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition. Butler was found guilty of the charge after a trial that took place in June 2017
At trial, the jury heard testimony that Butler and a co-defendant, Demarcus Cordarious Parker (25) also from Montgomery, were both convicted felons who possessed firearms that they intended to sell. During an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Montgomery Police Department, Parker made multiple gun sales to undercover law enforcement agents in August of 2016. ATF also discovered that Butler had placed an advertisement for the sale of a firearm on Facebook and they arranged to meet him at Oak Park in Montgomery to make the purchase. Butler drove to Oak Park in an SUV with Parker in the passenger seat. In the vehicle, Butler had possession of a .40 caliber pistol and sold it to law enforcement who were working undercover.
Butler’s lengthy sentence for this conviction was due to his significant criminal history, which included prior convictions of robbery in the first degree, possession of a controlled substance, and felony murder. Following his sentence of 10 years in prison, Butler will be subject to 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Demarcus Parker pled guilty to his charges in June and will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.
U.S Attorney Franklin would like to thank the ATF Montgomery Field Office and the Montgomery Police Department for investigating this case and for combating the illegal sale of guns on our streets. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise O. Simpson.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison After Shootout at Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Christopher Gilcrest (34) of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition.
A jury found Gilcrest guilty of the charge after a trial in June of this year. Evidence presented at the trial showed that on October 23, 2016, Gilcrest went to the Value Gas Food Store on Highland Avenue in Montgomery just after midnight. After approaching the store, he began to argue with a man in the parking lot. During the argument, Gilcrest pulled out a gun. At this point, the other man produced his own firearm and Gilcrest shot him in the leg. Several shots were exchanged between them and Gilcrest fled the scene after firing his weapon at least six times. A total of three people were struck by bullets during the gunfire, including the defendant and an innocent bystander.
Although Gilcrest’s gun could not be recovered, the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) was able to collect spent shell casings from the scene immediately after the shooting. After seeing surveillance camera footage of the shooting and the ballistics examination of the casings, the jury found that the casings came from the gun that Gilcrest was firing.
Court records show that this is not the first time that Gilcrest has faced charges of being a felon in possession of firearms or ammunition. In 2009, he was convicted of illegally possessing a handgun as a felon.
Following his prison sentence of 10 years in prison, Gilcrest will be subject to 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“It is unfortunate that as a nation we have experienced a significant increase in violent crime and, unfortunately, Montgomery is not immune from this problem,” stated U.S Attorney Franklin. “We are committed to aggressively prosecuting all violations of the federal firearms laws to combat this disturbing and dangerous trend. We will use every tool in our law enforcement arsenal to protect the citizens of this district and deter others from using a gun to resolve conflict.”
“This successful prosecution and sentencing speak to the importance of the cooperative relationships within the criminal justice system,” said Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley. “We appreciate working with the U.S. Attorney and his staff to increase safety throughout the City of Montgomery and to achieve justice.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge, Steve Gerido remarked, “Protecting the public by the removal of the criminal element that commits acts of violence with a firearm was the result of the combined efforts by ATF, Montgomery Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office”
U.S. Attorney Franklin would like to thank the following entities for their assistance in investigating this case: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Montgomery Police Department (MPD). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley Bodiford and Ben Baxley.
Phenix City Resident Convicted in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Schemes that Sought $26 MillionRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama –A Phenix City, Alabama resident was convicted Thursday by a federal jury for his part in two stolen identity refund fraud schemes, announced U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. for the Middle District of Alabama and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
William Anthony Gosha III, a/k/a Boo Boo, was convicted of one count of conspiracy, 22 counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and 25 counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to the evidence presented at trial, between November 2010 and December 2013, Gosha ran a large-scale identity theft ring with his co-conspirators, Tracy Mitchell, Keshia Lanier, and Tamika Floyd, who were all previously convicted and sentenced to prison. Together they filed over 8,800 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that sought more than $22 million in fraudulent refunds of which the IRS paid out approximately $9 million.
In November 2010, Gosha stole IDs of inmates from the Alabama Department of Corrections and provided the IDs to Lanier who used the information to seek fraudulent tax refunds. Gosha and Lanier agreed to split the proceeds. Gosha also stole employee records from a company previously located in Columbus, Georgia. In 2012, Lanier needed an additional source of stolen IDs and approached Floyd, who worked at two Alabama state agencies in Opelika, Alabama: the Department of Public Health and the Department of Human Resources. In both positions, Floyd had access to the personal identifying information of individuals, including teenagers. Lanier requested that Floyd primarily provide her with identities that belonged to sixteen and seventeen year-olds. Floyd agreed and provided thousands of names to Lanier and others at Lanier’s direction.
After receiving the additional stolen IDs, Gosha recruited Mitchell and her family to help file the fraudulent returns. Mitchell worked at a hospital located at Fort Benning, Georgia, where she had access to the personal identification information of military personnel, including soldiers who were deployed to Afghanistan. She stole soldiers’ IDs and used their information to file fraudulent returns.
In order to electronically file the fraudulent returns, Gosha, Lanier, and their co-conspirators applied for several Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFIN) with the IRS in the names of sham tax preparation businesses. Gosha, Lanier, and their co-conspirators then used these EFINs to file the returns and obtain tax refund related bank products from various financial institutions, which provided them with blank check stock. Gosha and his co-conspirators initially printed out the fraudulently obtained refund checks using the blank check stock.
However, the financial institutions halted Gosha’s and his co-conspirators’ ability to print checks, and as a result they recruited U.S. Postal employees who provided Gosha and others with addresses on their routes to which the fraudulent refund checks could be mailed. In exchange for cash, these postal employees collected the refund checks and provided them to Gosha, Lanier, Mitchell and others. Gosha also directed tax refunds to prepaid debit cards and had them sent to addresses he controlled. Gosha used the prepaid cards to withdraw the refunds.
In addition, between January 2010 and December 2013, Gosha participated in a separate stolen identity refund fraud scheme with Pamela Smith and others, in which Gosha sold the IDs that he had stolen from the Alabama Department of Corrections to Smith and others. Smith and others used the IDs to file returns that sought approximately $4.8 million in fraudulent refunds of which the IRS paid out approximately $1.85 million. Smith was previously convicted and sentenced to prison.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Watkins did not set a date for sentencing. Gosha faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy to file false claims, a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire and mail fraud and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft. The defendant also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and monetary penalties. He was remanded into custody.
U.S. Attorney Franklin and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended special agents of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Gregory P. Bailey of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who are prosecuting the case.
Alabama Resident Convicted in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Schemes That Sought $26 MillionRead the Press Release
A Phenix City, Alabama resident was convicted today by a federal jury sitting in Montgomery, Alabama in two stolen identity refund fraud schemes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. for the Middle District of Alabama.
William Anthony Gosha III, a/k/a Boo Boo, was convicted of one count of conspiracy, 22 counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and 25 counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to the evidence presented at trial, between November 2010 and December 2013, Gosha ran a large-scale identity theft ring with his co-conspirators, Tracy Mitchell, Keshia Lanier, and Tamika Floyd, who were all previously convicted and sentenced to prison. Together they filed over 8,800 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that sought more than $22 million in fraudulent refunds of which the IRS paid out approximately $9 million.
In November 2010, Gosha stole IDs of inmates from the Alabama Department of Corrections and provided the IDs to Lanier who used the information to seek fraudulent tax refunds. Gosha and Lanier agreed to split the proceeds. Gosha also stole employee records from a company previously located in Columbus, Georgia. In 2012, Lanier needed an additional source of stolen IDs and approached Floyd, who worked at two Alabama state agencies in Opelika, Alabama: the Department of Public Health and the Department of Human Resources. In both positions, Floyd had access to the personal identifying information of individuals, including teenagers. Lanier requested that Floyd primarily provide her with identities that belonged to sixteen and seventeen year-olds. Floyd agreed and provided thousands of names to Lanier and others at Lanier’s direction.
After receiving the additional stolen IDs, Gosha recruited Mitchell and her family to help file the fraudulent returns. Mitchell worked at a hospital located at Fort Benning, Georgia, where she had access to the personal identification information of military personnel, including soldiers who were deployed to Afghanistan. She stole soldiers’ IDs and used their information to file fraudulent returns.
In order to electronically file the fraudulent returns, Gosha, Lanier, and their co-conspirators applied for several Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFIN) with the IRS in the names of sham tax preparation businesses. Gosha, Lanier, and their co-conspirators then used these EFINs to file the returns and obtain tax refund related bank products from various financial institutions, which provided them with blank check stock. Gosha and his co-conspirators initially printed out the fraudulently obtained refund checks using the blank check stock.
However, the financial institutions halted Gosha’s and his co-conspirators’ ability to print checks, and as a result they recruited U.S. Postal employees who provided Gosha and others with addresses on their routes to which the fraudulent refund checks could be mailed. In exchange for cash, these postal employees collected the refund checks and provided them to Gosha, Lanier, Mitchell and others. Gosha also directed tax refunds to prepaid debit cards and had them sent to addresses he controlled. Gosha used the prepaid cards to withdraw the refunds.
In addition, between January 2010 and December 2013, Gosha participated in a separate stolen identity refund fraud scheme with Pamela Smith and others, in which Gosha sold the IDs that he had stolen from the Alabama Department of Corrections to Smith and others. Smith and others used the IDs to file returns that sought approximately $4.8 million in fraudulent refunds of which the IRS paid out approximately $1.85 million. Smith was previously convicted and sentenced to prison.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Watkins did not set a date for sentencing. Gosha faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy to file false claims, a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire and mail fraud and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft. The defendant also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and monetary penalties. He was remanded into custody.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Franklin commended special agents of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Gregory P. Bailey of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Three Florida Residents Plead Guilty to Operating an Illegal Steroid and Counterfeit Prescription Drug LabRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Three people have pled guilty for their involvement in a steroid and counterfeit prescription drug lab in Northwest Florida, announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
Ryan Anthony Sikora (24), John Joseph Bush, II (26), and Ariel Anna Murphy (29), all of Chipley, Florida, have pled guilty to conspiracy charges for importing, manufacturing, and distributing anabolic steroids as well as counterfeit prescription drugs. On Thursday, October 26, 2017, the last of the three defendants, John Bush, pled guilty before a Federal Judge in Montgomery, Alabama.
According to court documents, United States Postal Inspectors determined that large amounts of steroid and counterfeit prescription drug ingredients were being shipped from China to various locations in South Alabama and Northwest Florida.
During the investigation, law enforcement found the defendants’ illegal drug lab near Chipley, Florida. In the lab, investigators uncovered a hefty amount of steroids, including over 42,000 pills, over 3,000 liquid vials, and more than a kilogram of raw powders used to make the steroids. Law enforcement also discovered over 35,000 counterfeit prescription pills labeled as Viagra, Cialis, Accutane, and Clomid. Each of these four drugs are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are exclusively produced by major pharmaceutical companies. They also require a prescription to be legally dispensed. The defendants mass-produced the pills at the lab using two large-scale pill presses.
The defendants marketed the counterfeit drugs online using the brand name “Future Pharma” and they would typically process the orders through encrypted email, and then use the United States Postal Service to send the contraband products across the United States.
Sikora’s sentencing is scheduled for January 18, 2018. The other two defendants are expected to be sentenced at the same time. Each defendant faces a maximum term of 15 years in federal prison, as well as significant fines and restitution.
U.S. Attorney Franklin would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this case: The United States Postal Inspection Service, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Washington County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, and the Chipley, Florida Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing the Same Bank TwiceRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Richard Allen Evans (50), of Arvada, Colorado, pled guilty on Friday, October 27, 2017, to bank robbery, announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
On the morning of June 14, 2017, Evans entered the BBVA Compass Bank located at 3508 Eastdale Circle, in Montgomery, Alabama. He approached a bank teller and repeatedly demanded that she turn over all of the money in her bank drawer. The teller complied out of fear for her life and gave Evans more than $1,900 in cash from the drawer. Evans then fled the scene and drove to Florida where he was arrested the following day.
Court records show that this was not the first time Evans has robbed the BBVA Compass Bank on Eastdale Circle. Approximately ten years ago, Evans was convicted of robbing the same bank on October 18, 2006. Evans was sentenced to over ten years of incarceration for that and six other bank robberies. He was still on supervised release for those prior convictions at the time he committed the June 14th bank robbery.
Evans will be sentenced in the next few months and is facing up to twenty years in federal prison for the new bank robbery, as well as two additional years for violating his supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Franklin would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) for investigating this case. The Suwanee County Sheriff’s Office (Florida) and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted with this investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
State Legislator Micky Ray Hammon Pleads Guilty to Mail FraudRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – State Representative Micky Ray Hammon, 60 years old, of Decatur, Alabama, pleaded guilty on Monday, September 25, 2017 to devising a scheme to commit mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. Hammon has represented the Fourth District in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2003. Until earlier this year, Hammon served as the House of Representative’s majority leader.
According to court documents, Hammon, through his mail fraud scheme, used campaign money to pay his own personal expenses. Specifically, in 2013, Hammon created a principal campaign committee through the Secretary of States Office. This principal campaign committee allowed Hammon to begin raising money for his reelection campaign. Alabama law strictly limits the ways that Hammon’s campaign could use that money. Generally speaking, the campaign could use donations only to support Hammon’s reelection or legislative work. He was not supposed to use the money for his own personal expenses. After registering with the Secretary of State, Hammon’s campaign raised money from various donors. Some of these donors mailed their donations to Hammon’s campaign office.
Upon receiving a campaign donation check, Hammon would endorse the check and deposit it into his campaign’s bank account. Hammon would then write a check drawn on the campaign account to himself. After doing so, Hammon would deposit that check into his own personal bank account and use the money to pay for his own personal expenses.
In the coming months, United States District Myron H. Thompson will sentence Hammon. At sentencing, Hammon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as well as monetary penalties.
“Self-dealing by elected officials erodes society’s confidence in its governmental institutions,” stated Untied States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. “Self-dealing is precisely what occurred here. Those who donated to Representative Hammon’s campaign expected that the campaign would use those resources lawfully and to foster an informative public debate. Instead, Representative Hammon placed those funds into his own personal piggy bank. I am proud of my office’s efforts to root out this corruption and I am most grateful for the tireless work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, which investigated this case. I hope that this prosecution will, in some small way, restore Alabamians’ trust in their state legislature.”
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross is prosecuting the case.
Louis V. Franklin, Sr. Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Middle District of AlabamaRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Long-time federal prosecutor Louis V. Franklin, Sr., has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Mr. Franklin was nominated by President Donald Trump on June 15, 2017 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 14, 2017. He was sworn in at 11:30am today by Chief United States District Judge W. Keith Watkins.
“Having been with the U. S. Attorney’s Office for 26 years, I am fully aware of the extraordinary work this office does for the Middle District of Alabama,” stated Mr. Franklin. “I am honored to now serve as United States Attorney and I look forward to improving upon the great work the office is doing for the citizens of the Middle District.”
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Franklin is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Middle District of Alabama which includes Montgomery, Auburn, and Dothan. The U.S Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Mr. Franklin, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, has served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama for 26 years, including 16 years as Chief of the Criminal Division. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2001. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Franklin was an associate at Sirote and Permutt, where he defended public and private organizations in State and Federal civil litigation. He began his career as a staff attorney at the Legal Services Corporation of Alabama from 1987 to 1990.
Mr. Franklin received his juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law in 1987, his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in 1981, and a master’s degree from Auburn University at Montgomery in 1983. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions Announces Reinvigoration of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Other Actions to Reduce Rising Tide of Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
Washington- Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced several Department of Justice actions to reduce the rising tide of violent crime in America. Foremost of those actions is the reinvigoration of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
In announcing this recommitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Attorney General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001.
In a statement on the program, the Attorney General said:
"According to the FBI, the violent crime rate has risen by nearly seven percent over the past two years, and the homicide rate has risen by more than 20 percent. We cannot be complacent or hope that this is just an anomaly: we have a duty to take action.
“Fortunately, we have a President who understands that and has directed his administration to reduce crime. The Department of Justice today announces the foundation of our plan to reduce crime: prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been proven to work.
“Let me be clear – Project Safe Neighborhoods is not just one policy idea among many. This is the centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy.
“Taking what we have learned since the program began in 2001, we have updated it and enhanced it, emphasizing the role of our U.S. Attorneys, the promise of new technologies, and above all, partnership with local communities. With these changes, I believe that this program will be more effective than ever and help us fulfill our mission to make America safer."
The Attorney General also announced the following Department of Justice initiatives to
help reduce violent crime:
-Additional Assistant United States Attorney Positions to Focus on Violent Crime – The Department is allocating 40 prosecutors to approximately 20 United States Attorney’s Offices to focus on violent crime reduction.
-More Cops on the Streets (COPS Hiring Grants) – As part of our continuing commitment to crime prevention efforts, increased community policing, and the preservation of vital law enforcement jobs, the Department will be awarding approximately $98 million in FY 2017 COPS Hiring Grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
-Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) National Gang Strategic Initiative –The National Gang Strategic Initiative promotes creative enforcement strategies and best practices that will assist in developing investigations of violent criminal groups and gangs into enterprise-level OCDETF prosecutions. Under this initiative, OCDETF provides “seed money” to locally-focused gang investigations, giving state, local, and tribal investigators and prosecutors the resources and tools needed to identify connections between lower-level gangs and national-level drug trafficking organizations.
-Critical Training and Technical Assistance to State and Local Partners –The Department has a vast array of training and technical assistance resources available to state, local and tribal law enforcement, victims groups, and others. To ensure that agencies in need of assistance are able to find the training and materials they need, OJP will make available a Violence Reduction Response Center to serve as a “hot line” to connect people to these resources.
-Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC) – The Department has provided grant funding to support a comprehensive approach to identifying the most violent offenders in a jurisdiction, using new technologies such as gunshot detection systems combined with gun crime intelligence from NIBIN, eTrace, and investigative efforts. These FY 2017 grants were awarded to Phoenix, AZ, and Kansas City, MO.
-Expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program – The Department will expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program nationwide by the end of the year. Through this program, any firearm submitted for tracing that is associated with a NIBIN “hit” (which means it can be linked to a shooting incident) will be designated an “urgent” trace and the requestor will get information back about the firearm’s first retail purchaser within 24 hours, instead of 5 to 6 business days.
Note: For more information, please see memo from the Attorney General here.
Three Florida Residents Arrested After Law Enforcement Discovers Steroid and Fake Prescription Drug LabRead the Press Release
Montgomery Alabama – Three people have been arrested for their involvement in a steroid and fake prescription pill lab in North-West Florida, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
Ryan Anthony Sikora (25), John Joseph Bush, II, (26), Ariel Anna Murphy (28), all of Chipley, Florida, were indicted in August by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to import, manufacture, and distribute anabolic steroids and fake prescription drugs across the United States. On Friday, September 8, 2017, the last of the three defendants made their initial appearance before a Federal Judge in Montgomery, Alabama.
According to court documents, United States Postal Inspectors determined that large amounts of steroid and fake prescription drug ingredients were being shipped from China to various locations in South Alabama and North Florida. It is alleged that Sikora, Bush, and Murphy were using these raw materials and two large scale pill presses to mass-produce pills in an illegal drug lab discovered near Chipley, Florida. In the lab, law enforcement found a large amount of steroids in the form of vials, finished pills, and raw powder. Four types of fake prescription drugs were also discovered that were falsely labeled as Viagra, Cialis, Accutane, and Clomid. Each of those four drugs are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are exclusively produced by major pharmaceutical companies. They also require a prescription to be legally dispensed. Sikora, Bush, and Murphy were allegedly advertising the drugs for sale online.
If convicted, Sikora, Bush, and Murphy each face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years as well as significant fines and restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
An indictment is merely a method of alleging that a crime has been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this case: The United States Postal Inspection Service, The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Alabama Law Enforcement Agent (ALEA), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Washington County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, and the Chipley, Florida Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
Florida Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund FraudRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama- A Jacksonville, Florida resident was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for her role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama, and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to documents and information provided to the court, from approximately February 2014 through February 2015, in Duval County, Florida and Pike County, Alabama, Comone Denise Ross, 58, and others obtained stolen IDs, including the personal identifying information of prisoners. They used the information to file over 100 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking approximately $411,914 in fraudulent refunds. One co-conspirator, Devon Tucker, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 32 months in prison for selling Ross identification information relating to inmates at the Troy, Alabama City Jail.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ordered Ross to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $285,412 in restitution to the IRS. Ross pleaded guilty in April 2017 to conspiring to defraud the government and aggravated identity theft.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Gregory P. Bailey and Michael P. Hatzimichalis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who prosecuted this case.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Florida Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund FraudRead the Press Release
A Jacksonville, Florida resident was sentenced to 42 months in prison for her role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama.
According to documents and information provided to the court, from approximately February 2014 through February 2015, in Duval County, Florida, and Pike County, Alabama, Comone Denise Ross, 58, and others obtained stolen IDs, including the personal identifying information of prisoners. They used the information to file over 100 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking approximately $411,914 in fraudulent refunds. One co-conspirator, Devon Tucker, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 32 months in prison for selling Ross identification information relating to inmates at the Troy, Alabama City Jail.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ordered Ross to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $285,412 in restitution to the IRS. Ross pleaded guilty in April 2017 to conspiring to defraud the government and aggravated identity theft.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Gregory P. Bailey and Michael P. Hatzimichalis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who prosecuted this case.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Florida Woman Found Guilty in Gas Station Debit Card Skimming Operation that Involved Multiple StatesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama- Eunises Llorca-Menses (30), of Naples, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury Friday for her part in a scheme to use skimming devices on gas pumps to steal credit and debit card numbers, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, and Steven T. Marshall, Attorney General for the State of Alabama. The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation that was initiated by the Ozark Police Department, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the United States Secret Service, and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 15, 2017, Llorca Menses and her co-defendant Reiner Perez-Rives (34), of Houston, Texas, were charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Perez-Rives pled guilty in July to conspiracy and identity theft charges.
As part of the scheme, Llorca-Menses and Perez-Rives, would rent vehicles and travel between Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia. During their travels, they would visit several gas stations and install a skimming device inside gas pumps. Through the skimming device, they collected gas station customers’ credit/debit card information and used that information to activate or reactivate credit, debit, or gift cards, and make unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals at gas stations and purchases at several places around the Southeast.
Law enforcement was able to uncover this scheme following multiple reports from victims concerning the unauthorized use of their debit cards. Working with financial institutions, the Ozark Police Department, along with state and federal partners, discovered that many of the victims had used their cards at the same gas station in Ozark, Alabama. At this station, they found a skimming device with Bluetooth capability installed on a gas pump. The Bluetooth technology allowed the defendants to collect a gas customer’s credit/debit information while sitting up to thirty-feet away from the gas pump.
At the time of their arrest on December 21, 2016, Llorca-Meneses and Peres-Rives were found to be in possession of thirty-nine credit/debit cards that had been re-encoded with stolen credit/debit card numbers, along with an additional 317 gift cards. A Wal-Mart gift card that contained the stolen account information from a victim’s Capital One credit card and a key used to gain access to the inside of a gas pump was found in Llorca-Meneses’ purse. Law enforcement also found a homemade device with connectors that matched the connections on the skimming device found in the gas pump in Ozark in their luggage.
Llorca-Menses and Perez-Rives each face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and payment of restitution to their victims. Their sentencings will take place within the next few months.
“It is incredibly difficult for the average person to determine if a gas pump has a skimmer,” stated Acting U.S Attorney Morris. “This is because many are placed inside the gas pump with no visible evidence of tampering. While the crooks may be getting smarter, law enforcement continues to work hard to stay a step ahead. This conviction shows that our office will continue to work with our partners to identify criminals that seek to victimize our citizens.”
"This conviction should send a strong message to debit card skimmers seeking to target unsuspecting Alabamians: you will be caught and brought to justice,” said Attorney General Marshall. “Special thanks to agents of the Alabama Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Secret Service, the Ozark Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office for their teamwork in quickly uncovering this multi-state electronic crime spree and capturing the criminals, and to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama for this successful prosecution."
“I would like to thank all law enforcement partners who brought these criminals to justice,” stated Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker. “This is a win for all our communities as well as the men and women who stand up for justice every day. Teamwork is essential to the very being of a law enforcement professional. The Ozark Police Department was happy to do our part and will continue the fight against crime and disorder.”
Resident Agent in Charge Clayton Slay, with the United States Secret Service Montgomery Resident Office, stated, “the Secret Service has established an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes with local and state law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Through this effort, Mrs. Llorca-Menses was successfully prosecuted and found guilty by a jury of her peers.” RAC Slay also stated that he “would like to personally thank the Ozark Police Department, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for their work and assistance in this case.”
To avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud, customers should pay inside the store or use pumps that are visible to store employees and video surveillance cameras. Criminals commonly target pumps that allow them to install skimming devices undetected. Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent all types of fraudulent charges from taking place. This is why early detection is so important. Citizens are encouraged to monitor their bank and credit card accounts frequently and immediately report any unusual activity to their financial institution.
This case was a joint investigation involving the Ozark Police Department, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the United States Secret Service, and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Denise O. Simpson and Assistant United States Attorney Steven Lee prosecuted this case.
Tuskegee Man Sentenced to Life Plus 282 Years in Federal Prison for Multiple Armed Robberies and CarjackingRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama—Today, Tariq Khalil Jones, 35, of Tuskegee, Alabama, was sentenced to life in federal prison plus 282 years for committing numerous armed robberies and a carjacking, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
His crime spree began on January 16, 2016, and ended May 4, 2016, and included the following ten businesses:
• Dollar General on Notasulga Road in Tallassee, Alabama;
• Tiger Spirits on Webster Road, in Auburn, Alabama;
• Chevron Store 10 on West Longleaf Drive in Auburn, Alabama;
• QuikTrip convenience store on East Highway 34 in Newnan, Georgia;
• Marathon Service Station on Lafayette Parkway in LaGrange, Georgia;
• Wing N’ Burger Factory on Hogansville Road in LaGrange, Georgia;
• Papa John’s restaurant on South Memorial Drive in Prattville, Alabama;
• Family Dollar on 2nd Avenue in Opelika, Alabama;
• Family Dollar on Broadnax Street in Dadeville, Alabama; and
• Dollar General on County Road 89 in Camp Hill, Alabama.
Jones used a firearm during each of the crimes and while fleeing one of them, he shot at a vehicle with a father and his 3-year old daughter inside. Luckily, neither were harmed. After another robbery, he carjacked a vehicle from a woman in the store’s parking lot.
The sentences were handed down after his June 2017 trial where a jury found Jones guilty on each of the twenty-three counts in his indictment. Eleven of the counts carried a mandatory life sentence and included the ten robberies and carjacking. Twelve counts were for using a firearm during the robberies, carjacking, and shooting. The first of the firearms counts resulted in a 7-year sentence. For the remaining eleven firearms counts, he was sentenced to 25 years each. The 7 year and 25 year sentences run consecutive to each other for a total of 282 years. The 282 years run consecutive to his life sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
The life sentences for Jones were triggered due to his four previous robbery convictions in state court. Federal law imposes a mandatory life sentence if the defendant is convicted in federal court of a serious violent felony, and has two or more previous convictions for serious violent felonies.
“Tariq Jones terrified innocent people by putting a gun in their faces and demanding money,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “He showed no regard for human life when he shot at a vehicle with a father and his 3 year old daughter inside just because he thought he was being followed. He is a violent criminal and I hope this sentence sends a clear message to other offenders that my office will use all of its power and resources to combat violent crime in our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Auburn Police Division, the Camp Hill Police Department, the Coweta County Sheriff's Office (Newnan, GA), the Dadeville Police Department, the LaGrange, Georgia Police Department, the Opelika Police Department, the Prattville Police Department, and the Tallassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys John Geer and Brandon Bates prosecuted the case.
Tallassee Woman Faces Federal Charges for Defrauding Online ShoppersRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama- On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, 42 year old Tanya Lee English (a/k/a Tonya Roberts), from Tallassee, Alabama, was arrested on federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
According to court documents, it is alleged that English orchestrated a scheme to defraud numerous individuals and businesses using the popular online marketplaces Craigslist and eBay. She carried out the scheme by posting ads on those two websites that listed high-end baby strollers such as “Uppababy Vista” and “Bugaboo Donkey” for sale at prices far below their retail value. English would include her contact information and a brief description of the items, but unknown to the buyers, she did not actually have the strollers to sell.
Buyers were required to pay for the strollers using PayPal accounts that were either created in her name, or accounts she created using the stolen identities of unsuspecting individuals. After a buyer deposited money into one of English’s PayPal accounts for the purchase of a stroller, nothing was shipped and she would have no further contact with the buyer. According to the indictment, payments received by English from her victims ranged from $300 - $725. PayPal would eventually refund the purchaser’s money because they were the victim of a fraudulent transaction. It is further alleged that English used the money deposited in the accounts she controlled by transferring the funds onto prepaid credit cards and then making ATM withdrawals or purchasing other merchandise.
The charges alleged are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
If found guilty, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and a minimum of 2 years for each of the two aggravated identity theft counts. She will also be subject to a fine of up to $250,000 and the payment of restitution to the victims.
The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Tallassee Police Department, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) investigated this case, with assistance from PayPal’s Global Asset Protection Team investigators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson is prosecuting this case.
Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Take Down East Alabama Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Twenty-six suspected drug traffickers with ties to East Alabama were arrested in a joint federal, state, and local narcotics investigation, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Thirteen suspects were arrested on federal narcotics and money laundering charges. An additional thirteen suspects were arrested on state narcotics charges.
According to the six-count federal indictment, the suspects listed below conspired to possess with intent to distribute or did distribute a variety of drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, Xanax and methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (also known as MDMA or ecstasy). In addition to the drug charges, the indictment alleges four of the defendants committed the crime of money laundering.
The thirteen federal suspects are:
1) Alfred Lorenzo Cole – 36 years old, Santa Rosa, California;
2) Sakeya Monique Donaldson, 38 years old, Atlanta, Georgia;
3) Leanne Grimmett, 31 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
4) Jermichael Lamar Hart, 31 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
5) Worldly Dieago Holstick – 35 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
6) Mackenzie Leigh Keith, 23 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
7) Tyesha Lanise Lockhart – 20 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
8) John Willie Maddox, Jr. - 27 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
9) Marquis Lanez Miller – 36 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
10) Timothy Lamar Spinks, 42 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
11) Erin Kristen Turner – 23 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
12) Lateasha Lashun Williams, 30 years old, Auburn, Alabama; and
13) Lester Stephen Young, 34 years old, Auburn, Alabama;
For the conspiracy count, defendants Holstick, Miller, Maddox, Cole, Lockhart, Turner, Donaldson, Young, Spinks, and Hart are facing no less than 5 years imprisonment, and not more than 40 years. In addition, they are subject to a fine of not more than 5 million dollars.
For the money laundering conspiracy, defendants Holstick, Turner, Cole and Grimmett face not more than 20 years imprisonment. In addition, they are subject to a fine of not more than $500,000.00 dollars.
Defendants Maddox, Williams, Keith and Miller face not more than 20 years imprisonment for distribution charges. In addition, they are subject to a fine of not more than 1 million dollars.
The following suspects are facing state charges of criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.
1) Shedrick Taryl Cannon, Notasulga, Alabama;
2) Travis Lamar Dowdell, Auburn, Alabama;
3) Carlton Antonio Goodman Jr., Dadeville, Alabama;
4) Blakely Elizabeth Kilgore, Huntsville, Alabama;
5) Samson Jermon Logan, Auburn, Alabama;
6) Keuntae Rajhun Mabson, Tuskegee, Alabama;
7) Adam Lee McPheeters, Auburn, Alabama;
8) Antonio Jermaine Mitchell, Opelika, Alabama;
9) Eric Kendall Smith, Auburn, Alabama;
10) Alexander White Jr., Thomasville, Alabama; and
11) Caleb Andrew Whitworth, Notasulga, Alabama.
Two more individuals are facing state charges: Eric Lamar Kellum of Opelika, Alabama is being charged with distribution of a controlled substance, and Quentin Eugene Turner of Auburn, Alabama is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
An indictment is merely a method of charging a defendant. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These cases are being investigated by the following agencies: DEA – Montgomery Resident Office, Auburn Police Division, Eufaula Police Department, Prattville Police Department, Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Alabama Law enforcement Agency, Alabama HIDTA Task Force, Alabama National Guard, Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, Central Alabama Drug Task Force (CADTF), Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Millbrook Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County District Attorney’s Office, Opelika Police Department, Troy Police Department, and the United States Marshals.
The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Verne Speirs and John Geer. The state case is being prosecuted by the Lee County District Attorney’s Office.
Former Deputy Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal Prison for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Kevin Wayne Taylor (40), a resident of Phenix City, Alabama and former Lee County Deputy Sheriff, was sentenced on Thursday, July 27, 2017 to 240 months in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) arrested Taylor on these charges in August 2016 following an investigation that began when a 10-year-old victim reported that he had inappropriately touched her and taken pictures of her genital area with a cell phone. After receiving the report, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office immediately forwarded it to the SBI who executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence and seized several computer devices. Some of the devices contained images and videos of child sexual abuse. Evidence indicates that Taylor had been collecting these images for approximately eleven years. When learning of the evidence in this case, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones promptly terminated Taylor’s employment.
The cell phone used to take pictures of the child victim was not located during the search. Taylor told law enforcement that he had lost the phone and it was damaged. Prior to the investigation, Taylor had applied for a position as a School Resource Officer.
Following his 20-year prison sentence, Taylor will be subject to supervised release for the remainder of his life. Taylor remains in the custody of the United States Marshals pending placement by the Bureau of Prisons.
“Kevin Taylor was a child predator disguised as a law enforcement officer who was charged with protecting our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “Taylor not only failed to protect our community, but infected our community by preying on children. I thank the agents and prosecutors in this case for their hard work in obtaining such a strong sentence. This prosecution should send a message to others that the protection of our children will always be a priority, and those that victimize our children will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
“No matter who you are, ALEA will pursue criminals that target children,” stated Alabama’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor. “While the vast majority of our law enforcement serve with honor and integrity, those officers that break the law will be treated like every other criminal we investigate.”
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones stated, “My office will continue its work to identify threats to the community and we will not tolerate anything but professional conduct from those who serve in our ranks. When matters such as this are brought to our attention, we will take swift action and assist agencies in any way possible to ensure these types of crimes are dealt with properly.”
This case was investigated by the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Hollie Worley Reed and Curtis Ivy, Jr., prosecuted the case.
Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama- Today, Johntarance Henriquis McCray (23), a former Alabama Corrections Officer from Hope Hull, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for smuggling multiple drugs into a state correctional facility, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. At the time of the offense, McCray was a prison guard at Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore County.
In addition to the four and half year prison sentence, McCray will also be subject to three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In October 2015, McCray’s superiors at Draper received information that he was smuggling drugs into the prison. When McCray reported for his shift on October 15, 2015, his supervising officers confronted and searched him. During the search, they found two large bundles hidden in McCray’s underwear that contained six different controlled substances: crack cocaine, powder cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanax, and Suboxone. When McCray’s vehicle was searched, officers found a duffle bag containing additional drugs, a loaded 9 mm handgun, and over $400 in cash.
McCray had been with the Alabama Department of Corrections for approximately nine months before committing this crime.
“Correctional officers are there to maintain order and ensure prisoner safety,” stated Acting U.S Attorney Morris. “Corrupt guards who sneak drugs into prison are not only putting the safety of inmates at risk, they are also jeopardizing the safety of their fellow officers. The U.S Attorney’s Office recognizes that most correctional officers serve with honor and integrity. However, my office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate and prosecute those that abuse their position.”
"Law enforcement has to be held to a higher standard,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Lasky. “Our Department of Corrections partners are working hard to stop this kind of behavior and the FBI will use every resource available to assist in this struggle."
“The Alabama Department of Corrections is served by committed and dedicated law enforcement professionals who put their lives on the line each and every day while keeping the public safe, and it’s unfortunate that a small percentage choose to compromise their integrity for personal gain,” said Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “Our partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies is important to public safety, and we appreciate the assistance we received throughout the investigation.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Alabama Department of Corrections Investigations and Intelligence Division investigated this case, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
Phenix City Man Indicted in Alleged $19 Million Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – A Phenix City man was arrested today after being indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiring to file fraudulent refund claims, mail fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama, and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to the indictment, between November 2010 and December 2013, William Anthony Gosha III aka Boo Boo, and his co-conspirators used stolen IDs to file over 7,000 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking more than $19 million in fraudulent refunds. The indictment alleges that Gosha obtained IDs of inmates from the Alabama Department of Corrections and that his co-conspirators obtained IDs from multiple sources, including an Alabama state agency. The indictment charges that they used these IDs to file the fraudulent tax returns. Gosha and his co-conspirators also allegedly obtained several Electronic Filing Identification Numbers in the names of sham tax preparation businesses in order to file the fraudulent returns and apply for tax refund-related bank products from financial institutions.
The indictment alleges that Gosha and his co-conspirators directed the IRS to issue the refunds to prepaid debit cards, U.S. Treasury checks and financial institutions. The indictment further alleges that Gosha and his co-conspirators recruited U.S. Postal Service employees to provide addresses on their mail routes to which the fraudulently obtained refund checks could be sent. According to the indictment, Gosha and his co-conspirators cashed the refund checks at several businesses in Alabama and Georgia.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Gosha faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy count, a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire and mail fraud and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and monetary penalties.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended special agents of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Gregory P. Bailey of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who are prosecuting the case.
Alabama Man Indicted in Alleged $19 Million Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury sitting in Montgomery, Alabama returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging a Phenix City, Alabama resident with conspiring to file fraudulent refund claims, mail fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama.
According to the indictment, between November 2010 and December 2013, Anthony Gosha aka Boo Boo, and his co-conspirators used stolen IDs to file over 7,000 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking more than $19 million in fraudulent refunds. The indictment alleges that Gosha obtained IDs of inmates from the Alabama Department of Corrections and that his co-conspirators obtained IDs from multiple sources, including an Alabama state agency. The indictment charges that they used these IDs to file the fraudulent tax returns. Gosha and his co-conspirators also allegedly obtained several Electronic Filing Identification Numbers in the names of sham tax preparation businesses in order to file the fraudulent returns and apply for tax refund-related bank products from financial institutions.
The indictment alleges that Gosha and his co-conspirators directed the IRS to issue the refunds to prepaid debit cards, U.S. Treasury checks and financial institutions. The indictment further alleges that Gosha and his co-conspirators recruited U.S. Postal Service employees to provide addresses on their mail routes to which the fraudulently obtained refund checks could be sent. According to the indictment, Gosha and his co-conspirators cashed the refund checks at several businesses in Alabama and Georgia.
If convicted, Gosha faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy count, a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire and mail fraud and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Morris commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Gregory P. Bailey of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Nigerian Citizen Pleads Guilty in Missouri to $12 Million Tax Refund Fraud, Voter Fraud and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
A Nigerian citizen, who resided in St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, voter fraud and illegally re-entering the United States after having been removed, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Carrie Costantin for the Eastern District of Missouri.
According to documents filed with the court, Kevin Kunlay Williams aka Kunlay Sodipo, 56, and others stole public school employees’ IDs from a payroll company and used them to electronically file more than 2,000 fraudulent federal income tax returns seeking more than $12 million in refunds. He also stole several return preparer’s Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) and used them to secure tax-related bank products and services that facilitated the issuance of tax refunds, to include blank check stock and debit cards. Williams used the blank stock to print checks funded by the fraudulent refunds and directed some of the refunds onto debit cards.
Williams previously entered the United States from Nigeria under the name Kunlay Sodipo, but was deported in 1995. In 1999, Williams illegally returned to the United States from Nigeria using the last name Williams. In 2012, Williams registered to vote in federal, state and local elections by falsely claiming that he was a U.S. citizen and voted in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections.
Williams remains in federal custody and his sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 13 before Chief U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. Williams faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for mail fraud, 10 years in prison for illegal reentry, five years in prison for each voter fraud count and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. Williams also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and deportation.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Costantin commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as well as the Dothan, Alabama Police Department and Alexander City, Alabama Police Department, who investigated this case, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Charles M. Edgar, Jr. of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Missouri and Middle District of Alabama.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Tuskegee Man Found Guilty in Federal Court for Multiple Armed Robberies and CarjackingRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama—Yesterday, a federal jury found Tariq Khalil Jones, 35, of Tuskegee, Alabama, guilty of 23 separate charges stemming from numerous armed robberies in Alabama and Georgia while brandishing and discharging a firearm, and an attempted carjacking, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. During his crime spree, Jones robbed various convenience stores and other cash-heavy businesses, including:
- Dollar General on Notasulga Road in Tallassee, Alabama;
- Tiger Spirits on Webster Road, in Auburn, Alabama;
- Chevron Store 10 on West Longleaf Drive in Auburn, Alabama;
- QuikTrip convenience store on East Highway 34 in Newnan, Georgia;
- Marathon Service Station on Lafayette Parkway in LaGrange, Georgia;
- Wing N’ Burger Factory on Hogansville Road in LaGrange, Georgia;
- Papa John’s restaurant on South Memorial Drive in Prattville, Alabama;
- Family Dollar on 2nd Avenue in Opelika, Alabama;
- Family Dollar on Broadnax Street in Dadeville, Alabama; and
- Dollar General on County Road 89 in Camp Hill, Alabama.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Jones used a firearm during each of these crimes and pointed it at the victims. However, during two of the robberies, he went even further. After the robbery in Prattville, he shot at a vehicle with a father and his 3-year old daughter inside because he thought it was following him. Then, while fleeing the robbery of the Dollar General in Camp Hill, he attempted to carjack a Volkswagen Beetle from a woman in the parking lot.
Jones faces mandatory life sentences for the robberies and attempted carjacking, plus 282 years for multiple counts of brandishing and discharging a firearm during these crimes. The life sentences for Jones were triggered due to his four previous robbery convictions in state court. Federal law imposes a mandatory life sentence if the defendant is convicted in federal court of a serious violent felony, and has two or more previous convictions for serious violent felonies. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to taking trigger pullers and violent criminals off the streets,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “Each one of the crimes that Tariq Jones committed placed the lives of innocent people in jeopardy, including a 3-year old girl. I commend each law enforcement agency that worked together to bring him to justice and make our communities safer.”
“This case is a perfect example of cooperative effort in law enforcement with over ten federal, state, and local agencies coming together when the stakes are extremely high,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Lasky. “The jury’s decision today says they approve of law enforcements efforts to stop dangerous individuals like Tariq Khalil Jones from continuing his extremely hazardous multi-state crime spree.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Auburn Police Division, the Camp Hill Police Department, the Coweta County Sheriff's Office (Newnan, GA), the Dadeville Police Department, the LaGrange, Georgia Police Department, the Opelika Police Department, the Prattville Police Department, and the Tallassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys John Geer and Brandon Bates prosecuted the case.
Trucker Sentenced to Prison for Hauling CocaineRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama--On Thursday, June 22, 2017, Robert Francis Kelly (56), of Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 64 months in prison for possessing approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. In addition to the more than five-year prison sentence, Kelly will also be subject to five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In August 2016, Kelly was driving a tractor-trailer truck on Interstate 85 when he was pulled over by an Alabama State Trooper in Montgomery County for having suspicious registration information. During the stop, he told the State Troopers that he was driving down from Delaware. Troopers confronted Kelly with contrary log records and Kelly admitted that he had lied to them. Kelly actually started his trip just a few miles from the Mexican border, and was headed to Atlanta, Georgia.
The State Troopers then performed a search of the vehicle and found a suspicious section of the rear truck axle. They discovered that part of the drive shaft and rear differential had been completely removed from Kelly’s truck to create a compartment. When the Troopers looked inside this compartment, they found the cocaine. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that the street value of 15 kilograms of cocaine is approximately a half-million dollars.
“We took 15 kilograms of cocaine off the street; that is 15 kilograms of poison that will not reach our citizens,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “These well-trained State Troopers are to be commended for their ability to locate and seize drugs that are hidden in sophisticated secret compartments. Because of their perseverance, the poison Kelly was hauling will not make it to our communities.”
“This case is an example of the good that comes from law enforcement working together,” stated Bret Hamilton, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “Alabama State Troopers and DEA worked side-by-side to seize these drugs and put the drug dealers behind bars. Now, justice is served and our communities are safer.”
“This case demonstrates how effective teamwork is to combating the distribution of illegal narcotics,” said Acting Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Hal Taylor. “Our Troopers are trained to recognize situations that go beyond the routine traffic stop, some of which lead to such successful prosecutions as this.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris would like to thank the following entities for their assistance with this case: the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
Montgomery Man Found Guilty of Federal Firearms Charges after Shootout at Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Christopher Gilcrest (34), of Montgomery, Alabama, was found guilty in federal court of being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on October 23, 2016, Gilcrest went to the Value Gas Food Store on Highland Avenue in Montgomery just after midnight. As Gilcrest approached the store, he began to argue with another man in the parking lot. During the argument, Gilcrest pulled out a gun. At this point, the other man produced his own firearm and Gilcrest shot him in the leg. Several shots were exchanged between them and a total of three people were struck by bullets during the gunfire, including the defendant. Gilcrest fled the scene after firing his weapon at least six times.
Although Gilcrest’s gun could not be recovered, the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) was able to collect spent shell casings from the scene immediately after the shooting. Surveillance cameras showed Gilcrest was shooting from the exact spot the casings were found. A ballistics examination showed that all of the shell casings recovered where Gilcrest was shooting were fired from the same gun. The jury ultimately concluded that the casings came from Gilcrest’s gun, and he was found guilty.
Gilcrest now faces a maximum punishment of ten (10) years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system. He is currently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing, which is expected to occur in the next few months.
“One of the main priorities of the U.S Attorney’s Office is removing violent criminals from our communities,” stated acting U.S Attorney Morris. “This shootout placed the lives of innocent people in jeopardy. We are thankful that both MPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) share our commitment to identifying dangerous trigger pullers and bringing them to justice.”
“ATF, along with its partners, work diligently to protect the public from these senseless acts of violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Steve Gerido. “ATF will remain vigilant as we engage with the community and foster a safe environment. Support from the public is crucial as the reporting of illegal activity is encouraged through ATF’s ‘report it’ phone app.”
“At MPD, we appreciate our close working relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and want to thank our federal partners for bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion with the conviction of Mr. Gilcrest,” stated Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris would like to thank the following entities for their assistance in investigating this case: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Montgomery Police Department (MPD). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley Bodiford and Ben Baxley.
Florida Corporation Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Related to Falsified Water TestingRead the Press Release
Dothan, Ala. – Last Thursday, June 8, 2017, Roberson Excavation, Inc. (Roberson Excavation), a company headquartered in Milton, Florida, pled guilty to committing wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney A. Clark Morris. The conviction stemmed from a company employee falsifying water samples during the installation of new water lines in Dale County, Alabama. That employee, Darin Lewis, 46, of Crestview, Florida, previously pled guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud.
The company initially proceeded to trial but changed its plea before it concluded. According to the trial evidence, in 2014, the Dale County Water Authority hired Roberson Excavation to install new water lines in the Marley Mill area of Dale County. Roberson Excavation was supposed to complete the project by November of 2014, however it failed to do so. As a result, the company began paying penalties of $500 for each day the project went incomplete. In January of 2015, Roberson Excavation hired Lewis to serve as the project’s foreman. In an effort to speed along the completion of the project, Lewis devised a scheme to falsify the bacteriological testing required to place the new water lines into service.
Specifically, on February 17, 2015, Lewis, acting on behalf of Roberson Excavation, submitted to a laboratory water from a portion of the new lines that had already been tested and shown to be clear of bacteria. When he did so, Lewis falsely claimed that he had drawn the water from an untested portion of the line. As a result of Lewis’s actions, Roberson Excavation was able to place into service water lines that had never been properly tested for harmful bacteria.
“Roberson Excavation clearly placed profit over the well-being of an entire community,” stated Acting United States Attorney Morris. “We are thankful that no one became sick as a result of this unlawful corner-cutting and the responsible parties deserve to be held accountable for their potentially dangerous actions. Access to clean drinking water is essential for our daily living—my office, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency— will work diligently to ensure that the residents of our district are not deprived of such a basic necessity.”
"The falsification of laboratory data, which was funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) state revolving funds, is completely unacceptable," said Sean Earle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office, EPA, Office of Inspector General. "This guilty plea by Roberson Excavation, Inc. demonstrates the OIG's commitment to work successfully with our law enforcement partners."
On September 11, 2017, United States District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza will sentence Roberson Excavation and Lewis. Roberson Excavation faces a maximum fine of $250,000.00. Lewis faces a sentence of up to five years in prison. Additionally, as restitution, Roberson Excavation has agreed to release to the Dale County Water Authority up to $154,000 in money that Roberson Excavation had previously claimed.
This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigations Division and Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley are prosecuting the case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to Prison for Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns Using Stolen IDsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – A Montgomery resident was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Tavarious Jackson, aka Terrell Carson or Hog, participated in a conspiracy using stolen IDs to file fraudulent 2010 through 2012 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The conspiracy sought at least $149,455 in fraudulent tax refunds.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, Jackson was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release, with the condition that he is not permitted to accept employment where he may have access to personal identifiable information, and ordered to pay $97,566.82 in restitution to the IRS. Jackson pleaded guilty in November 2016 to aggravated identity theft and theft of government property.
Jackson’s co-conspirators Jacorey Giddens, Rodrickus Howard and Cruz Burnett previously pleaded guilty in connection with this scheme. Each was sentenced to prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Gregory P. Bailey and Robert J. Boudreau of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who prosecuted the case.
Alabama Man Sentenced to Prison for Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns Using Stolen IDsRead the Press Release
A Montgomery County, Alabama resident was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama.
Tavarious Jackson aka Terrell Carson or Hog participated in a conspiracy using stolen IDs to file fraudulent 2010 through 2012 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The conspiracy sought at least $149,455 in fraudulent tax refunds.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, Jackson was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release, with the condition that he is not permitted to accept employment where he may have access to personal identifiable information, and ordered to pay $97,566.82 in restitution to the IRS. Jackson pleaded guilty in November 2016 to aggravated identity theft and theft of government property.
Jackson’s co-conspirators Jacorey Giddens, Rodrickus Howard and Cruz Burnett previously pleaded guilty in connection with this scheme. Each was sentenced to prison.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris commended special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Gregory P. Bailey and Robert J. Boudreau of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Montgomery Woman Sentenced for Using Stolen Identities to Cash Bad ChecksRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – On Wednesday, May 10, 2017, Luciana Mekele Jackson (40) of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison for wire fraud and identity theft, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Her prison sentence will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Jackson carried out her identity theft scheme by traveling to various Wal-Mart store locations across central and east-central Alabama to cash fraudulent checks, some made out for more than one thousand dollars. Wal-Mart required a valid social security number (SSN) to be provided when checks were cashed in their stores, so Jackson resorted to using the SSN of others when cashing the bad checks. She would use a SSN until it became red-flagged, and then she would begin using the next victim’s information. By the time she was caught, Jackson had used the personal identity of 93 victims.
Over the course of a nine month period, 367 fraudulent transactions were attempted by Jackson. Although the total amount of attempted transactions were well over $250,000.00, actual losses suffered by Wal-Mart were approximately $25,000.00.
Jackson had previously been charged with similar crimes at the state level, including possession of a forged instrument and intentionally cashing worthless checks. Within two weeks of bonding out of jail for those charges, Jackson continued this scheme and was eventually arrested on federal charges. She still has state charges pending in Elmore County and Douglas County in Georgia.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Certegy Check Services’ Fraud Department. Assistant United States Attorney Rand Neeley and Bradley Bodiford prosecuted the case.
Phenix City “Pill Mill” Doctor Receives a Ten-Year Sentence for Participating in a Drug Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – On Tuesday, May 9, 2017, Dr. Robert M. Ritchea, 54, of LaGrange, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison for operating a “pill mill” through his medical practice and for money laundering, announced Acting United States Attorney A. Clark Morris. A “pill mill” is a medical clinic created to dispense controlled substances inappropriately, unlawfully, and for non-medical reasons.
According to court documents, Dr. Ritchea operated a family medical practice in Phenix City, Alabama. At that practice, Dr. Ritchea wrote prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, and hydromorphone, knowing that his patients did not actually need the drugs prescribed. Dr. Ritchea laundered the proceeds of his unlawful drug dealing by purchasing Schedule II pain medications—specifically, hydromorphone and hydrocodone—directly from a drug manufacturer. Dr. Ritchea then distributed the pills directly out of his medical practice. This was necessary to keep his “pill mill” operational since many pharmacists in and around Phenix City refused to fill the illegitimate and unlawful prescriptions Dr. Ritchea wrote.
At the sentencing hearing, the Government introduced evidence that, in at least one case, one of Dr. Ritchea’s patients died as a result of a methadone overdose just days after receiving a prescription for that drug from Dr. Ritchea.
The sentencing court also heard testimony from former patients of Dr. Ritchea’s who had maintained their addictions to prescription drugs by obtaining monthly prescriptions from him. These patients testified that they made cash payments to Dr. Ritchea of at least $150 each month in exchange for office visits and prescriptions. The patients described the horrible impact the addiction had on their lives and families.
Additionally, members of the medical community in the Phenix City-Columbus area testified. A pharmacist described the unusually large prescriptions Dr. Ritchea’s patients brought to his pharmacy. A physician who operated an addiction rehabilitation clinic told the court that he had given his patients an ultimatum—they could not remain in his rehabilitation program if they were simultaneously receiving prescription drugs from Dr. Ritchea.
When he imposed the sentence, Chief United States District Judge W. Keith Watkins told Dr. Ritchea that his conduct was not far removed from the conduct of a drug dealer operating on a street corner. The judge also stressed the need to deter other doctors from overprescribing prescription drugs. The 120-month sentence reflects one of the largest ever imposed by a federal judge in Alabama on a doctor for operating a pill mill.
“The abuse of opiates destroys careers, divides families, severs relationships, and, as we saw in this case, it takes lives,” said Acting United States Attorney Morris. “In exchange for monthly cash payments, Dr. Ritchea poured poison into his community. Society trusted Dr. Ritchea to care for the sick, not make people sick. Dr. Ritchea violated that trust and the harm he caused was immense. I believe the ten-year sentence was certainly justified.”
“IRS-CI, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Alabama, our local and federal partners, is dedicated to eradicating pill mill operations,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge, James E. Dorsey of IRS-Criminal Investigations. “The prescriptions obtained from pill mill clinics are most often sold or diverted on the streets feeding this epidemic and devastating communities. The laundering of these illegal profits enriches those who perpetuate the scheme. IRS-CI will remain committed to investigating those entrusted with patient well-being, who seek self-enrichment by promoting substance abuse through pill mills.”
“Opiate abuse is a major problem across the Nation, including throughout the Middle District of Alabama,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton. “The diversion of prescription pain medication contributes to the widespread abuse of opiates, is a gateway to heroin addiction, and is devastating our communities. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue anyone that illicitly distributes these drugs. And this sentencing is evidence to how egregious federal courts view these charges."
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tactical Diversion Squad and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division (IRS-CI), with assistance from the Opelika Police Department, the Chambers County Drug Task Force, the Auburn Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley prosecuted the case.
Former Corrections Officer Cadet in Elmore, Alabama Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Handcuffed ManRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Jeremy Walker (26), a former corrections officer cadet with the Elmore Correctional Facility in Elmore, Alabama pleaded guilty in federal court to a civil rights violation for assaulting a handcuffed man, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama A. Clark Morris, and Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Walker is a resident of Montgomery, Alabama.
As a part of his plea, Walker admitted that on July 3, 2014, while he was on duty as a corrections officer trainee at the Elmore Correctional Facility, he argued with, and then pushed, an inmate. Walker and the inmate went to the ground and other corrections officers intervened. The inmate was handcuffed and placed in a holding cell. Walker’s brother, who was also a corrections officer, attempted to enter the holding cell, but other officers restrained him. Walker admitted that while the other officers were focused on keeping his brother from entering the holding cell, he ran into the cell and punched the handcuffed inmate in the head several times. Walker then threw the victim to the floor. Other officers entered the cell and restrained Walker. Walker acknowledged that his assault caused injury to the victim.
“The vast majority of law enforcement and corrections officers are dedicated to protecting and serving the public with honor,” said A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. “They walk a tough line every day they are on duty. However, when they cross the line and assault an individual that poses no threat, they will be held accountable for their actions.”
“Law enforcement is always held to a higher standard,” stated Robert Lasky, Special Agent in Charge of the Mobile Division of the FBI. “Due to our strong relationship with the Department of Corrections, these cases will continue to be a priority for our office."
“The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute corrections officers who abuse their power to break the law and violate the constitutional rights of others,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Actions such as the defendant’s threaten the public’s confidence in our criminal justice system, and we will not allow such conduct to stand.”
Walker will be sentenced in federal court at a date to be determined. He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Mobile Field Office with the cooperation of the Alabama Department of Corrections. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rand Neeley for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Gabriel Davis of the Civil Rights Division.
Former Corrections Officer Cadet in Alabama Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Handcuffed ManRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that Jeremy Walker, a former corrections officer cadet with the Elmore Correctional Facility in Elmore, Alabama, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to a civil rights violation for assaulting a handcuffed man.
As a part of his plea, Walker admitted that on July 3, 2014, while he was on duty as a corrections officer trainee at the Elmore Correctional Facility, Walker argued with, and then pushed, an inmate. Walker and the inmate went to the ground and other corrections officers intervened. The inmate was handcuffed and placed in a holding cell. Walker’s brother, who was also a corrections officer, attempted to enter the holding cell, but other officers restrained him. Walker admitted that, while the other officers were focused on keeping his brother from entering the holding cell, Walker ran into the cell and punched the handcuffed inmate in the head several times. Walker then threw the victim to the floor. Other officers entered the cell and restrained Walker. Walker acknowledged that his assault caused injury to the victim.
“The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute corrections officers who abuse their power to break the law and violate the constitutional rights of others,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Actions such as the defendant’s threaten the public’s confidence in our criminal justice system, and we will not allow such conduct to stand.”
“The vast majority of law enforcement and corrections officers are dedicated to protecting and serving the public with honor,” said Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama. “They walk a tough line every day they are on duty. However, when they cross the line and assault an individual that poses no threat, they will be held accountable for their actions.”
Walker will be sentenced in federal court at a date to be determined. He faces a statutory maximum of up to 10 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Mobile Field Office with the cooperation of the Alabama Department of Corrections. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rand Neeley for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Gabriel Davis of the Civil Rights Division.
Two Alabama Men Arrested and Indicted on Sex Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Two Alabama men have been arrested and charged in an indictment unsealed today with crimes related to sex trafficking of a minor, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris of the Middle District of Alabama.
Michael Lowe, 24, and Joshua Rose, 28, both of Prattville, Alabama, were charged in an indictment returned on April 26, 2017, by a federal grand jury sitting in Montgomery, Alabama, with one count each of sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Lowe was arrested yesterday, and Rose has been in custody since Aug. 5, 2016. According to the indictment, beginning on an unknown date through June 2016, Rose and Lowe conspired to recruit, entice and transport a minor victim, knowing that the victim was a minor and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.
The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Prattville, Alabama, and the Montgomery, Alabama, Police Departments are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Leslie Williams Fisher of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hollie Reed of the Middle District of Alabama are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Prescription Drug Take Back to be Held Saturday, April 29, 2017Read the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - On April 29, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its thirteenth opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The common methods for disposing of unused medicines - flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - pose potential safety and health hazards. Therefore, citizens are encouraged to bring their prescription drugs to a disposal site in their area. Participants should note that the DEA can only take tablets, pills, patches, or other solid dosage forms. They cannot accept liquids, needles, or “sharps.” The service is free and anonymous and there will be no questions asked. To locate a disposal site near you, go to the link below or call the DEA at 1-800-882-9539.
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback
Last October, Alabama citizens turned in 3,545 pounds of prescription drugs at 69 sites around the state that were operated by DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners. There are more than 80 sites around Alabama available for drug turn in this Saturday. Since the first Take Back event in 2010, over 47,000 pounds of prescription drugs have been collected in Alabama. The drugs collected will be destroyed by DEA at EPA-approved incinerators.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. There were over 52,000 deaths in 2015 due to drug overdoses, or nearly 91 per day.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The abuse of opioid prescription pain medications has exploded nationwide as those drugs are being prescribed more frequently. In fact, the U. S. consumes 80% of the world’s pain medication while only having 5% of the world’s population. Unfortunately, the overwhelming abuse of prescription opioids in the U.S. has resulted in an increase in new heroin users.
“This Take Back day is one way that citizens can help combat the growing threat of prescription drugs,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Clark Morris. “We ask all of our citizens to use this day to help make their homes a safer place for their family and friends.”
Three Defendants Sentenced for Their Involvement in Identity Theft RingRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Patrick Rashaud Thomas (24) of Milledgeville, Georgia, Patience Denise Minor (51) of Phenix City, Alabama, and Shameka Lashay Thomas (27) of Sylvester, Georgia were sentenced in federal court yesterday for their involvement in an identity theft ring, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Patrick Thomas was sentenced to 28 months in prison, Patience Minor received a sentence of six months in prison, and Shameka Thomas received three years of supervised release for her participation in the scheme.
Over the course of two years, these three conspirators used the personal information of more than 30 victims to open up 87 fraudulent credit card accounts. They collectively stole more than $13,000, and gained access to over $75,000 worth of credit before being caught by law enforcement.
The identity theft scheme was carried out by obtaining stolen personal identifying information and then using that information to apply for Capitol One credit cards under false pretenses. They would then direct those credit cards to be sent to addresses used by other conspirators. Patrick Thomas, who was aiding the other conspirators from inside a Georgia prison where he is serving time for unrelated felony convictions, would sometimes have proceeds from the credit cards placed on his prison commissary account.
Patience Minor was on probation for insurance fraud at the time of this offense. Court records indicate that she used the fraudulent credit cards from this scheme to pay off some of her probation costs from her previous conviction.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris would like to thank the following entities for their assistance with this case: the United States Postal Inspector’s Service, and the Capitol One Bank, N.A. Fraud Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.
Dothan Woman Sentenced for Medicaid FraudRead the Press Release
Montgomery Alabama – Catrina R. Copeland, 43, of Dothan, Alabama, was sentenced to five months in prison and five months of home confinement on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 for defrauding the Alabama Medicaid Agency and the federal government, announced Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris, Alabama Attorney General Steven T. Marshall, and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson.
Copeland was the owner of The Counseling Place, a Dothan company that contracted with the Alabama Medicaid Agency to provide counseling services to at risk youth. Records indicate that the Counseling Place received most of its business through referrals from schools and juvenile courts. Copeland also worked for the business as a counselor. An investigation by the Alabama Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit found that Copeland was billing the Alabama Medicaid Agency for counseling services that were never actually provided.
“When you defraud Medicaid, you are stealing from every taxpayer,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to identify this type of criminal activity and bring the wrongdoers to justice.”
“Medicaid fraud not only targets taxpayers, but also victimizes the most vulnerable of our state who rely on Medicaid services for their well-being,” said Attorney General Steven T. Marshall. “I applaud the partnership of the Alabama Medicaid Agency, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working as a team to secure a conviction in this case. Medicaid fraud will not be tolerated and those who commit such crimes will be held to account.”
"This investigation is an excellent example of collaboration between the state and federal law enforcement community working together to serve the American taxpayer,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The Office of Inspector General will continue to work aggressively to eliminate this type of greed in our health care system.”
The Program Integrity Division of the Alabama Medicaid agency referred this case to the Alabama Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) for investigation. MFCU and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated this case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross and Assistant Attorney General Bruce Lieberman prosecuting.
Mongomery Heroin Dealer Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Lamont Raynell Thompson (34), of Montgomery, Alabama pled guilty earlier today to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
According to court documents, Thompson possessed and distributed heroin in the Montgomery area. His indictment alleges that Thompson distributed heroin on four separate occasions in 2014. Then, on December 2, 2014, law enforcement recovered more heroin from his residence. Today, Thompson admitted to possession with intent to distribute the heroin recovered from his residence.
Thompson is currently facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for this offense. His sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the next few months.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to taking these poisonous substances off of our streets. The heroin and opioid crisis is a clear danger to our children, parents, family, friends and community. All too often, these drugs are laced with other lethal substances that can lead to serious injury and death. We will continue to vigorously prosecute the pushers of these poisons in hopes of making our community safer and free from these dangerous drugs,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “We are working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montgomery Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Verne Speirs.
Florida Woman Arrested on Charges of Forging Prescriptions While Working in the Pharmacy at Fort Rucker, AlabamaRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Holly Jean Cox, 43, of Citrus Springs, Florida, was arrested in Florida on Wednesday after being indicted on seven counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud or deception, announced Acting United States Attorney A. Clark Morris.
According to court documents, Cox worked as a pharmacy technician at the Lyster Army Health Clinic at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The allegations indicate that Cox accessed the post’s computer system and entered fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances. Cox then filled those fraudulent prescriptions herself and pocketed the pills she obtained. The indictment alleges that Cox did this on at least seven different occasions between December 29, 2015 and March 4, 2016. She obtained primarily oxycodone and hydrocodone.
If convicted, Cox faces a maximum prison sentence of four years on each count.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Army – Criminal Investigation Command. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross is prosecuting the case.