Middle District of Alabama
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Nine Elmore County Residents and One Montgomery County Resident Arrested in Early Morning Drug RaidRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Nine Elmore County residents and one Montgomery County resident were arrested today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Alabama Drug Task Force (CADTF) for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. announced today. The arrests stemmed from a federal indictment that charged 14 people from Elmore and Montgomery Counties.
During this morning’s raid, law enforcement arrested Terry Tyrone Humphrey, 41, of Montgomery; Tristan Travis Rawls, 33, of Wetumpka; Jacky Sagers, 32, of Wetumpka; Arthur Rodrequis Young, 41, of Wetumpka; British Tremaine George, 34, of Wetumpka; Damichael Orlane Chapman, 23, of Wetumpka; Duke George, 33, of Wetumpka; Patrick Demond Hicks, 35, of Wetumpka; and Robert McKenzie, 22, of Wetumpka. Kevin Levan Elmore, 36, of Montgomery; Stacy Rodrekus Calloway, 24, of Wetumpka; Markevius Jerrell Calloway, 22, of Wetumpka; and Tyrone Devontae George, 24, of Wetumpka are all already in custody on other charges. Carlos Montrell Harris , 25, of Wetumpka is still at large.
The 57-Count Indictment charges Kevin Levan Elmore, Stacy Rodrekus Calloway, Terry Tyrone Humphrey, Tristan Travis Rawls, Markevius Jerrell Calloway, Jacky Sagers, Tyrone Devontae George, Arthur Rodrequis Young, British Tremaine George, Damichael Orlane Chapman, Carlos Montrell Harris, Duke George, Patrick Demond Hicks, and Robert McKenzie conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Defendants Terry Humphrey, Stacy Calloway, Markevius Calloway, British Tremaine George, Robert McKenzie, Tyrone Devontae George, Arthur Rodrequis Young, and Damichael Orlane Chapman are also charged with distributing crack or powder cocaine on specific dates between June 2011 and January of 2012. A number of the defendants are charged with using cellular telephones to facilitate drug trafficking. Stacy and Markevius Calloway are also each charged with possessing firearms in relation to their drug trafficking offenses.
“These people were spreading poison to our residents and to our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “To make a profit from poisoning your community with drugs is horrendous. Those that spread this poison should be and will be prosecuted”
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, Stephen E. Richardson, stated: “This investigation is an example of the collaboration between the FBI, DEA and the Elmore County Drug Taskforce’s efforts to ensure that our streets and communities continue to be protected against those who traffic in illegal drugs.”
“Today's arrests show what successful cooperation between all levels of law enforcement can accomplish,” said Elmore County Sheriff, Bill Franklin. “This case has delivered a tremendous blow to both drug dealers and violent criminals that attempted to operate in Elmore County and the county is safer because of it.”
If convicted, the defendants are facing a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation of this case was spearheaded by the FBI and the CADTF. Other law enforcement agencies assisted with the execution of the arrest warrants, including the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon K. Essig.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Man Sentenced to Forty Months in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery and Attempted Bank Robbery of Two Banks in Coffee CountyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Benjamin Michael Smith, a resident of Coffee County, Alabama, was sentenced to forty months in federal prison for federal felony charges for bank robbery and attempted bank robbery, United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced today.
In October 2012, the United States Attorney filed a felony information against Smith alleging the federal charges. During Smith’s guilty plea hearing, he admitted that on February 16, 2010, he attempted to rob Citizen’s Bank located in Coffee County. Smith also admitted that on December 5, 2011, he robbed CB&T Bank located in Coffee County.
United States District Judge Mark E. Fuller sentenced Smith to a total term of forty months in federal prison and three years of supervised release following his release from prison. Smith remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending placement by the Bureau of Prisons.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Enterprise Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jerusha T. Adams prosecuted the case.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Second Fort Deposit, Ala., Officer Sentenced to 37 Months for Federal Civil Rights Violations in Connection with Thefts on HighwayRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Former Fort Deposit, Ala., police officer Carlos Tyson Bennett, 37, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to 37 months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $500 in restitution. Bennett was sentenced for stealing money from motorists during traffic stops, with another former Fort Deposit police officer, Jessie Alan Fuller, on Interstate 65 in 2009.
Bennett pleaded guilty on Aug. 29, 2012, to one count of conspiracy against rights and four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law. During his plea, Bennett admitted that he and Fuller pulled over vehicles under the guise of legitimate law enforcement activity and stole cash from drivers and passengers in violation of their Fourth Amendment rights. Bennett acknowledged that he and Fuller worked together, cooperating with each other, and typically sharing the stolen money. In May and June 2009, Bennett committed four specific thefts, taking between $100 and $200 per victim. Bennett further acknowledged that he and Fuller tried to cover up their crimes when authorities began to investigate.
Fuller previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Aug. 28, 2012.
“This defendant betrayed the public trust when he took advantage of his position of authority to steal from those he pledged to serve,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting those who abuse their authority and violate the Constitution.”
“Police officers are here to protect public, not exploit the public,” stated U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr.. “When law enforcement officers take advantage of people they are supposed to be serving, they must be punished. This case shows that my office will continue to do everything under law to protect public from criminals, even when the criminal is a law enforcement officer.”
This case was investigated by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation; the Butler County, Ala., Sheriff’s Office; and the Lowndes County, Ala., Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Chiraag Bains from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Alabama Residents Indicted on Stolen Identity Refund Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Mary and Christian Young and Octavious Reeves were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama on a variety of charges stemming from an identity theft and tax fraud conspiracy, announced George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The alleged conspirators were charged in a 31-count indictment that was returned on December 18, 2012, and unsealed today.
Mary and Christian Young and Octavious Reeves, all of Elmore County, Ala., were charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, along with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Mary Young was also charged with several counts of wire fraud. According to the indictment, the defendants’ conspiracy lasted from January 2012 through June 2012 and involved using stolen identities to file tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds.
The indictment further alleges that Mary Young obtained the names and Social Security numbers of individuals that were then used to electronically file false tax returns. Mary Young would direct the false tax refunds to bank accounts linked to prepaid debit cards. Mary and Christian Young and Octavious Reeves would then use the prepaid debit cards to withdraw cash or pay for personal items.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Mary Young faces face a maximum potential sentence of 328 years in prison, Christian Young faces a maximum of 27 years in prison, and Octavious Reeves faces a maximum of 78 years in prison.
IRS-Criminal Investigation agents investigated this case, and Justice Department Tax Division trial attorneys Charles M. Edgar Jr. and Michael Boteler are prosecuting the case.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Three Are Sentenced After Being Convicted of Carjacking and Kidnapping Three Children, Ages 2 ½, 1 ½ and 2 MonthsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Joshua Roland Fuller Gilley, 26, of Enterprise, Alabama, and Westly Robert Rogers, 25, of Ozark, Alabama, and Melissa Lynn Mione McGee, 37, of Daleville, Alabama have all been sentenced after pleading guilty to carjacking an Isuzu Rodeo in which three children, ages, 2 ½ years, 1 ½ years, and 2 months old were riding in the backseat; and to kidnapping those same three young children, announced U.S. Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr..
Gilley was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to 46 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to carjacking. Rogers was sentence by Judge Fuller to 32 months imprisonment after pleading to carjacking and McGee was sentence by the same judge to 210 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to kidnapping.
Around May 21, 2011, the victims, J.G. and A.L. were first introduced to McGee by someone they had met over the internet named “Nate.” McGee claimed to be a human resources representative from Memphis, Tennessee and offered to help the couple find jobs and a residence near Ozark, Alabama. As a result of this offer, the victims traveled to Ozark. In Ozark, the victims and their three children stayed in a motel room at the Ozark Inn paid for by McGee. During their stay at the Ozark Inn, McGee personally met with the couple, provided them small amounts of money and food and promised to get J.G. a job paying $17 an hour.
On Sunday, June 5, 2011, the victims and the three children drove to a rural area outside of Brundidge, Alabama to meet with McGee and take possession of a mobile home McGee had promised them. When they arrived, McGee introduced them to Rogers and Gilley, who McGee referred to as “Mike” and “Nate”. Rogers and Gilley immediately assaulted the young couple and forcibly removed them from their Isuzu Rodeo. Rogers and Gilley then climbed into the Isuzu and drove off with the three children still in the back seat. McGee drove a white SUV ahead of Rogers and Gilley and later took custody of the two month old baby, while the 2 ½ year old and the 1 ½ year old were dumped in the driveway of a residence in Black, Alabama. Upon finding the two older children, the occupants of the residence brought the children to a nearby hospital.
Less than 48 hours after the crime occurred, law enforcement officers were able to track down the baby to a private residence in Dothan, Alabama. The woman who lived there told authorities that she had agreed to watch the baby for McGee, who had claimed the stolen baby was her own child.
“These three defendants, not only endangered these young children by kidnapping them from their mother, but they dumped the two older children in a driveway in rural Alabama, showing no concern for their welfare,” said U.S. Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr.. “Their behavior was inexcusable and they should spend substantial time in prison. We are proud of our judiciary in this case for sending a message that these crimes will not be tolerated.”
“The defendants’ predatory nature and their willingness to expose this family to such peril and harm is a serious criminal act which will not be tolerated by society,” stated Stephen E. Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division. “The FBI’s commitment to protect and ensure the safety of families and children is unwavering. We are pleased that these criminals face serious prison time.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is being assisted by the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Ozark Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dothan Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other law enforcement partners. This case has been prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kent Brunson and Nathan Stump.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Stolen Identity Refund FraudRead the Press Release
Washington - Kenneth Jerome Blackmon Jr., a resident of Montgomery, Ala., pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today.
According to court documents, Blackmon was involved in a scheme to use stolen identities to file false federal income tax returns with the IRS. Blackmon admitted to acquiring identity information, to using that information on false tax returns, and to directing fraudulent tax refunds onto debit cards. He admitted to possessing at least fifteen Social Security numbers for the purpose of obtaining fraudulent tax refunds from the IRS.
Blackmon faces a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison for the access device fraud count and a mandatory two-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft count. He is also subject to fines and mandatory restitution.
This case was investigated by special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation. Trial Attorneys Justin Gelfand and Jason Poole of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found at justice.gov/tax.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Georgia Woman Indicted for Stealing Identities to Obtain Tax RefundsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Ala., returned a superseding indictment charging Deatrice Smith Williams and Quentin Collick for their roles in a stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy, Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The thirteen count indictment charges Williams and Collick with conspiracy to file false claims, theft of public funds, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
On August 9, 2012, Quentin Collick was indicted for his role in the conspiracy. In November 2012, pursuant to a criminal complaint, Williams was arrested for her role in the conspiracy. The superseding indictment was unsealed today.
According to court documents, Williams worked for a debt collection company in Georgia. As part of her employment, Williams had access to names and social security numbers. She provided several names and social security numbers to her son-in-law, Quentin Collick. Collick and his co-conspirators used those names to file false tax returns from the Middle District of Alabama. Collick and his co-conspirators, in turn, cashed several fraudulent federal refund checks.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Collick and Williams each face maximum potential sentences of 10 years imprisonment for the conspiracy count, up to 20 years imprisonment for each wire fraud count, and a mandatory 2-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft counts. Collick also faces up to 10 years imprisonment for each theft of public funds count. They are also subject to fines and mandatory restitution if convicted.
The case was investigated by Special Agents of the IRS - Criminal Investigation. Tax Division Trial attorneys Jason H. Poole and Michael Boteler and Assistant United States Attorney Todd Brown are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/tax.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Darrin J. Bell, 32 years old, of Montgomery, Alabama, pled guilty today to one count of bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a violent crime, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
On October 5, 2011, Bell walked into the Community Bank and Trust located at 9190 East Chase Parkway in Montgomery. He pulled a gun from his duffle bag and demanded money from the teller. The teller complied and gave him approximately $1500. Bell then left the bank area on his motorcycle. Bell was indicted and pled guilty to bank robbery. Because Bell used a firearm during the bank robbery, he was also charged and pled guilty to using a firearm during a violent crime.
“Most everyone uses banks and most everyone has to visit their bank from time to time,” said U.S. Attorney Beck. “When a criminal uses a gun and endangers the innocent patrons and tellers at that bank, we will prosecute. This is a serious crime, which requires serious punishment. My office is unrelenting, and we will not let up on these criminals, we will continue to utilize all the resources possible to prosecute and bring these criminals to justice.”
"The collaboration between federal and municipal law enforcement agencies paved the way for the successes of this investigation," stated Stephen E. Richardson, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Mobile Division.
The maximum punishment for bank robbery is 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $250,000.00, and a period of supervised release not to exceed three years. The maximum punishment for using a firearm in a violent crime is a term of imprisonment of at least seven years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a period of supervised release of not more than three years.
The United States Attorney thanks the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Montgomery Police Department and the Opelika Police Department for their hard work and dedication on this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan R. Redmond.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Wetumpka Woman Indicted for Stealing over $750,000 from MedicaidRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Lashawn Denise Anthony, 41, of Wetumpka was arraigned today on charges that she stole over $750,000 from Alabama Medicaid, announced George L. Beck, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
The 10-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Anthony with committing health care fraud through her business, Youth Enhancement and Family Services, Inc. Youth Enhancement and Family Services, Inc. is a non-profit corporation which provides psychotherapy services to students and families as part of the Medicaid Program in Alabama. The specific program was designed to provide counseling services to children with behavioral problems as well as to give their families living skills training.
Specifically, Anthony committed health care fraud by falsely billing claims as if a psychologist with a doctoral degree had actually provided services, when, in fact, the therapist who performed the service had only a master’s degree. Thus, Anthony made more money from Medicaid than she was legally owed. In July 2010, Alabama Medicaid sent out billing instructions that explained how to bill Medicaid for the services rendered by a person with a doctoral degree and how to bill Medicaid for services provided by a person with only a master’s degree. After receiving these instructions, Anthony falsely billed Medicaid, thereby getting more money from Medicaid than she was legally due. By submitting these false bills to Medicaid, Anthony made false statements to the Medicaid Program.
“The Medicaid Program is in place to provide health care for needy families,” Beck said. “Anyone who fraudulently bills Medicaid, drives up the cost of Medicaid. This limits the ability of the Alabama Medicaid Agency to provide medical care to those in need. This office will continue to investigate and prosecute health care fraud aggressively and thoroughly. I want to especially thank the Benefits Integrity Division of Alabama Medicaid for their discovering this scheme. This joint investigation shows the importance of law enforcement cooperation among federal and state authorities,” stated Beck.
Each count of the health care fraud scheme carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine, while each of the false statement counts carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bob Anderson and Denise Simpson are prosecuting the case, which is set for trial in April.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Bonner Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Using Debit Cards to Steal Income Tax RefundsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama - Robert Bonner, 29, of Montgomery, Alabama, pled guilty to charges stemming from his part in a fraudulent income tax refund scheme, announced U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. Specifically, Bonner pled guilty to one count of identity theft and one count of access device fraud.
This fraudulent tax ring stole people’s names, dates of birth and social security numbers and used those stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns. They then received the tax refunds from the IRS on pre-paid debit cards and cashed the money out on the pre-paid debit cards for their own use. Bonner’s role in this scam was to cash out the pre-paid debit cards that had the fraudulent tax returns on them.
“Identity theft is a rising problem in this district and across the country,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “Businesses that store the personal information of employees, clients, or customers must protect it. We must train and carefully screen those who have access to personal names, addresses and social security numbers. Much identity theft can be prevented if businesses, agencies and individuals act together.”
“Identity theft is an ongoing problem in the United States and the Montgomery, Alabama area is one of the top cities where the stolen identities are being used to file fraudulent tax returns”, stated Resident Agent in Charge Clayton Slay, U.S. Secret Service in Montgomery, Alabama. Slay continued by saying “This was a collaborative effort between the Montgomery Police Department, local bank investigators, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Internal Revenue Criminal Investigative Division and the U.S. Secret Service dating back to October 2010. The stolen identities in this case were obtained from local Montgomery high schools and from hospitals in Montgomery and Troy, Alabama, and the Atlanta, Georgia, area through collusive employees, security guards and U.S. Postal Delivery Personnel. The stolen identities were then utilized to file fraudulent tax returns which were distributed through U.S. Treasury checks or through pre-paid debit cards. These funds were then converted to cash or used to make lavish purchases by the defendants in this case. With the 2013 tax filing season approaching, the U.S. Secret Service, along with the Internal Revenue Criminal Investigative Division, will remain proactive in the investigation of individuals and groups associated with these types of crimes.”
“IRS, Criminal Investigation, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners will continue to pursue individuals and organizations that are determined to benefit from the fruits of their illegal activity.” said Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation. “We are very serious about enforcing the laws against those who attempt to defraud our nation’s tax system.”
At sentencing, Bonner faces a possible sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years for the access device fraud charge. On the identity theft fraud charge, Bonner faces a two-year sentence in addition to any sentence he receives for the access device fraud, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to one year. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Brent Woodall is prosecuting the case.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Justice Department Settles Sex Discrimination and Retaliation Lawsuit Against the City of Millbrook, AlabamaRead the Press Release
January 1, 2013Montgomery, Alabama - The Department of Justice announced today that it has entered into a Consent Decree with the city of Millbrook, Ala., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, will resolve the department’s complaint alleging sex discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. The complaint, which was filed along with a proposed consent decree, alleges that Millbrook discriminated against Kristen Spraggins, a female officer employed by the Millbrook Police Department, by subjecting her to harassment and disparate treatment based on her sex, and then terminating her in retaliation for her opposition to the discrimination.
Spraggins began employment with Millbrook as patrol officer in January 2008 and, at the time, was Millbrook’s only female police officer. According to the complaint, Spraggins received excellent performance evaluations from her superiors in the Millbrook Police Department until she rejected unwanted sexual advances by a co-worker and reported those advances to her superiors. The complaint alleges that Millbrook violated Title VII by failing to take effective disciplinary action against the co-worker who harassed her, a male sergeant, and instead subjecting Spraggins to unwarranted disciplinary actions. The complaint further alleges that Millbrook eventually terminated Spraggins from employment with the Police Department in retaliation for her pursuing internal complaints with the department about the sexual harassment and because she filed a charge of sex discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Under the terms of the consent decree, Millbrook must pay Spraggins compensatory damages as part of the settlement with the department. The consent decree also provides for injunctive relief requiring Millbrook to revise and enforce its policies and procedures that prohibit sex discrimination and retaliation, and to train its officers and other employees on the prevention of sex discrimination and retaliation.
“The Justice Department is committed to the vigorous enforcement of all federal civil rights laws under its jurisdiction, including Title VII’s prohibition against harassment and retaliation in the workplace,” said Jocelyn Samuels, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit should send a clear message that the Department will take necessary action to eliminate and remedy the effects of unlawful harassment in our public sector workplaces.”
The enforcement of Title VII and other federal employment discrimination laws is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and its work is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617Child Predator Is Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for His Massive Online Sextortion SchemeRead the Press Release
January 1, 2013Montgomery, Alabama - Christopher Patrick Gunn, age 31, of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to 35 years in prison for producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spans the globe, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced. Because there is no parole in the federal system, Gunn will serve a minimum of 30 years in the federal penitentiary.
Over a period of more than two years, Gunn repeatedly used computers, chat rooms and other social media outlets to threaten hundreds of young girls, ages 9 to 16, located throughout the United States and internationally. Gunn used those threats to pressure a number of the children and teenagers to produce elicit and pornographic material of themselves. Gunn pled to charges brought in the Middle District of Alabama as well as the Northern District of Florida, and his plea included two counts of making child pornography, fifteen counts of interstate extortion, and seven counts of internet stalking.
The investigation of Gunn started in April 2011 by officers of the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, after female students at Prattville Junior High School complained that someone using the screen name “Tyler Mielke” had been asking them for sexually explicit pictures over Facebook. Prattville investigators were able to trace an IP address for the bogus “Tyler Mielke” account back to Gunn’s residence in Montgomery and obtained and executed a state search warrant for his residence on April 14, 2011. The seized computers revealed evidence of the online sextortion plot under the account names “Tyler Mielke” and “Jason Lempke.”
Separate investigations conducted in September 2011 by the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office revealed that someone in the Montgomery area had been committing the very same crimes against young girls in those areas using Facebook accounts with the names “C.J. Harper” and “Dalton Powers.”
Based upon the information obtained from these investigations, the FBI was able to determine that Gunn was the person behind all of the criminal conduct. On March 20, 2012, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Gunn’s residence, where they discovered a cell phone and a laptop computer containing images and videos of child pornography.
Among the pictures that Gunn possessed were several of young girls posing in various states of undress and which appear to have been produced by the girls themselves using their cell phones cameras. These images confirmed the information that the FBI’s investigation had already uncovered – that for over a year Gunn had been repeatedly using fake Facebook profiles to obtain nude and partially nude photos and videos from young girls in numerous states, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Gunn used two principal schemes to obtain photos of these young girls in various states of undress.
The first scheme – dubbed “The New Kid Ruse” –began sometime in 2009 and continued until at least August 2011. Under that scheme, Gunn contacted the minor victims by sending them a message over Facebook. He then pretended to be a new kid in town looking for friends. For this purpose, Gunn allegedly established and used a number of different online aliases, including Tyler Mielke, Jason Lempke, CJ Harper, Dalton Powers, Dalton Walthers, Daniel Applegate, and Daniel Rodgers. Once he had gained their trust through chatting, Gunn would ask the girls a series of personal questions, such as their bra size, their sexual history, intimate details about their bodies, and so on. When they had finished divulging that personal information, Gunn would then ask the girls to send him a topless photo. If they refused, he would threaten to e-mail their intimate conversation to the school principal or post it on Facebook for everyone to see.
The second scheme – dubbed “The Justin Bieber Ruse” –began sometime in November 2011, or possibly even earlier, and continued until shortly before Gunn was arrested in March of this year. Under that scheme, Gunn pretending to be the internationally famed pop star, Justin Bieber, contacted the minor victims primarily by using internet-based interactive video chat services, such as Omegle and Skype. Once he had convinced the minor victims that he was, in fact, Justin Bieber, Gunn would allegedly offer them free concert tickets, backstage passes, or some other fan-related benefits if they would agree to send him a webcam transmission or a photo of themselves with their breasts exposed.
Some of the minor victims of Gunn’s two extortion schemes complied to varying degrees with his demands; others did not. For those who complied, Gunn continued sending further demands and more threatening communications. For example, girls who provided a photo of themselves in nothing but underwear were extorted for topless photos. Those who provided topless photos were extorted for pictures of themselves completely naked. And for the minor victims who continued to accede to his demands, Gunn would require them to appear on webcam and perform sexually explicit acts on themselves. If any of his demands were not met, Gunn would threaten to withhold the benefits he had promised the girls and/or to injure the girls’ reputations by publishing their compromising images and videos over the internet.
During the sentencing hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Morris described conversations that occurred over the computer between Gunn and his young victims. During those conversations, the victims begged and pleaded for Gunn to allow them to stop performing degrading, humiliating, and sexually explicit acts. Each time the victims wanted to stop, Gunn threatened to send the sexually explicit, nude or degrading pictures to the victim’s friends and family. Mr. Morris further described one incident when the victim begged to stop because the act was hurting her. Gunn would not relent.
At the sentencing hearing, Mr. Morris read a transcript of a conversation between Gunn and a 13 year old victim. In the transcript, the victim told Gunn that she did not want to take her shirt off in front the webcam. Gunn replied that if she doesn’t, he will push send, meaning send the prior pictures to the victim’s friends and family. The victim responded that she is only 13 years old. She further stated that she has “a life, please do not ruin it.” Gunn responded “I am sending it now since u won’t do what I want.” The victim then told Gunn that if he pushes send, she will kill herself. Gunn completely disregarded her cry for help and demanded that she take off her top. The victim complied.
Gunn asked the Court for mercy. To which, Mr. Morris replied that “as a prosecutor, he believed in justice tempered with mercy. However, Gunn showed no mercy to these young victims and Gunn’s sentence should reflect such.” Judge Fuller agreed and gave Gunn the 420 month sentence.
“The actions of these child predators like Gunn will never be erased in the minds of the children that he victimized,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “Gunn not only preyed upon children in our community, but in communities across the United States. This long prison sentence serves as a warning to child predators that these crimes will be discovered, will be prosecuted and will be punished severely. I also want to especially thank the Prattville Police Department for initiating this case and for all of their hard work.”
“One of the most important things law enforcement does is protect our children’s innocence and wellbeing from internet predators,” said Stephen Richardson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, Mobile Division. “The success of this investigation is directly related to our law enforcement partner’s cooperation and commitment to our children.”
This case was investigated by the Montgomery field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department, the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department, and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jared H. Morris.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc/resources.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617