Middle District of Alabama
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping and Carjacking in Alabama’s Wiregrass RegionRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Iziquel Pasheng Vang, 23, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, received a sentence of 30-years in prison for kidnapping and carjacking. The federal judge also ordered that Vang serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, in 2021, Vang was living in Alabama’s Wiregrass area. During that time, he became friends with a 16-year-old girl from Slocomb, Alabama. The friendship eventually ended when Vang became aggressive. In early May of 2021, Vang began watching the girl’s house. On May 9, 2021, Vang entered the home and threatened the girl and her mother with a gun. Vang forced the girl to drive him in her family’s car to Georgia. They later left Georgia and headed south to Florida. Law enforcement in southern Georgia spotted Vang and the victim in the stolen vehicle and attempted to pull them over. Vang refused to stop. Instead, Vang led law enforcement on a chase into Florida at excessive speeds, shooting at the pursuing officers multiple times. Vang ultimately wrecked the vehicle and was apprehended. The girl suffered minor injuries during the crash.
On November 30, 2022, Vang pleaded guilty to kidnapping and carjacking. Vang’s sentencing hearing occurred on March 10, 2023. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The defendant in this case inflicted unimaginable terror upon a minor and her parents,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “No family should be forced to endure events like those caused by Vang. Moreover, by trying to run from law enforcement, Vang placed at risk the lives of countless individuals. Given the disturbing facts of this case, the 30-year sentence is certainly appropriate.”
The FBI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case, with assistance from: the Geneva County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; the Slocomb, Alabama Police Department; the Dale County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Police Department; the Brooks County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; the Georgia Highway Patrol; the Lowndes County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; the Morven, Georgia Police Department; the Florida Highway Patrol; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission; and the Madison County, Florida Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin P. Davidson prosecuted this case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking and Federal Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that William Kennedy Allen, II, 37, from Montgomery, Alabama, received a 23-year prison sentence for carjacking and federal gun crimes. The judge also ordered that Allen serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to Allen’s plea agreement and other court records, on August 9, 2021, an Alabama State Trooper attempted to stop a motorcycle traveling through Chilton County on Interstate 65 with no tag. The motorcycle driver, later found to be Allen, refused to stop and accelerated to speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour. The trooper followed and the pursuit continued as Allen exited the interstate and drove into a Clanton mobile home park. There, Allen abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot. By this time, other law enforcement officers were assisting in the pursuit. One officer caught up with Allen and took him to the ground. Once on the ground, Allen discharged a shot from a pistol he was holding in his hand. Luckily, the bullet did not strike anyone.
Roughly one month later, on September 10, 2021, agents with the United States Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force were looking for Allen to arrest him pursuant to a state warrant. Agents observed Allen driving in east Montgomery and attempted to block Allen’s car with their vehicles. Allen rammed the law enforcement vehicles and struck at least two other cars before leaving his vehicle behind and running through an assisted living facility located off Taylor Road. Allen then stepped into the middle of Taylor Road and forced a man out of his truck by pointing a gun at him. Once the man was out, Allen sped away in the victim’s vehicle. Next, Allen drove to Tuskegee and stopped at a gas station. There, he approached a man who was getting into his car. Allen grabbed the car door handle and put a gun in the man’s midsection, then Allen drove away in the vehicle. Law enforcement officers responding to the Tuskegee carjacking pursued Allen on Interstate 85. Eventually, Allen crashed the second stolen car and officers then took him into custody.
On September 1, 2022, Allen pleaded guilty to carjacking, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. On March 8, 2023, the judge imposed the 23-year sentence.
“The disregard for the safety of others in this case is disturbing,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “During just a few weeks, Allen endangered the lives of so many individuals. I am grateful for the combined effort of the local, state, and federal law enforcement officials involved. Together, they apprehended a dangerous person and made multiple communities safer as a result.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Clanton Police Department, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Justin L. Jones prosecuted this case.
Montgomery Man Convicted of Illegally Possessing Ammunition Used During Shooting at a FuneralRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Gerald Dyron Little, 41, from Montgomery, Alabama, was found guilty of illegally possessing ammunition he used during a shooting at a funeral.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on June 26, 2021, Little attended a memorial service for one of his relatives at the municipal complex in Fort Deposit, Alabama. During the gathering, Little caused a disruption and family members asked him to leave. Little complied and left the facility. After the memorial service, family members and attendees gathered in a nearby cemetery for a graveside service. Witnesses testified that Little was in the front passenger seat of a white SUV parked at the cemetery near the burial site. The windows of the SUV were down and loud music was coming from the vehicle, disturbing the service. Family members went to the vehicle and asked Little and the driver of the SUV to leave, as they were being disruptive. The two failed to do so. Instead, Little began arguing with the family members. The driver then grabbed a handgun. Little took the handgun from the driver and then fired the weapon from the open window of the SUV. Officers from the Fort Deposit Police Department were nearby and rushed to the scene after hearing the shots. However, Little fled before they arrived. Four funeral attendees, including the brother of the deceased, were struck by bullets during the shooting.
Investigators interviewed witnesses and soon identified Little as the shooter. Law enforcement also recovered four discharged shell casings from the scene. The State of Alabama issued an arrest warrant for Little and he was arrested in Montgomery by the United States Marshals Service during the early morning hours of July 1, 2021. That same day, federal agents obtained a complaint and arrest warrant charging Little with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
In reaching its verdict on March 8, 2023, the jury found that the shell casings recovered from the scene came from ammunition possessed by Little during the shooting. Little had a previous felony conviction and is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Following this conviction, Little faces a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison with no parole. State charges related to the shooting are pending.
The Fort Deposit Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case, with assistance from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen K. Moulton and Brandon W. Bates are prosecuting the case.
Tuskegee Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Crimes Committed While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Shaheyne Phillip Thomas, 28, from Tuskegee, Alabama, received a 100-month prison sentence. Thomas had previously pleaded guilty to committing federal gun and drug offenses while on supervised release from a previous conviction. The judge also ordered that Thomas serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to Thomas’s plea agreement and other court records, on March 30, 2021, officers from the Alexander City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Thomas was driving. When speaking with Thomas, the officers noticed the smell of alcohol. They also saw an open container inside the car. When the officers asked Thomas for a driver’s license and proof of insurance, he was unable to produce either. The officers then searched Thomas’s vehicle and found methamphetamine, $657 in cash, and a 9mm handgun, which was located under the floormat on the driver’s side of the vehicle. On November 18, 2022, Thomas pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The 100-month sentence was ordered on February 23, 2023.
At the time of the March 2021 arrest, Thomas was on federal supervised release. He had previously served approximately three years in prison following a 2018 federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Soon after the March 2021 arrest, in June of 2021, a judge revoked Thomas’s supervised release and sentenced him to 24 months in prison for violating the terms of his release. Thomas will serve the 100-month sentence imposed last week only after he finishes serving the 24-month sentence imposed in June of 2021.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alexander City Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney Russell T. Duraski prosecuted this case.
Dothan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Evasion, Mail Fraud, and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Kenneth Cherden Glasgow, also known as “Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow,” 57, from Dothan, Alabama, pleaded guilty to tax evasion, mail fraud, and drug conspiracy charges, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to the plea agreement and other court documents, Glasgow founded the Ordinary Peoples Society and the Prodigal Child Project, both 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations. Glasgow solicited donations for these two organizations from other nonprofits and foundations, representing that he would use those donations for charitable purposes. Instead, as Glasgow admitted in his plea agreement, during the 2018 calendar year alone, he withdrew $407,450.00 in cash from the bank accounts of one of his nonprofit organizations and used the money for his own benefit. Because he used the money for personal expenses, he was legally required to report the funds as income on his tax return. However, Glasgow failed to even file a return for that year. Glasgow also attempted to conceal this activity by causing his tax preparer to complete inaccurate IRS 990 forms for Glasgow’s nonprofit organizations that vastly understated the income of the organizations and omitted the financial benefits Glasgow received from them. In his plea agreement, Glasgow specifically acknowledged committing this fraudulent conduct during the 2018 tax year. He also agreed to pay the IRS $376,720.00 in restitution for tax years 2016 through 2019.
During today’s plea hearing, Glasgow also admitted to mailing documents containing false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) so that he could continue receiving SSA disability benefits and related health benefits under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Glasgow made written statements on various SSA forms describing his physical abilities and daily activities as being very limited, despite reporting on IRS 990 forms for his nonprofits that he worked 50 to 60 hours per week. In some SSA forms, Glasgow claimed that, due to physical limitations, he had difficulty driving and had to ride with someone. These statements were not true. In his plea agreement, Glasgow admitted that he leased a vehicle using funds from one of his nonprofits and listed himself as the sole authorized driver. In addition, between February 5, 2015, and August 11, 2020, Glasgow received traffic citations relating to approximately 27 different traffic stops, all of which indicated that Glasgow was the driver.
Glasgow also pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. According to the plea agreement, the drug conspiracy started with others at an unknown date and continued through August 2020.
Glasgow was indicted for the drug conspiracy charge in October 2021. The additional charges of tax evasion and mail fraud were recently filed on February 13, 2023. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming months. At that hearing, Glasgow will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with substantial fines and restitution.
“Mr. Glasgow caused immeasurable harm,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “Through his drug dealing, he released dangerous, addictive substances to the streets of his own community. By failing to pay his taxes and then fraudulently obtaining government benefits, he took from every American taxpayer. I am grateful to each agency involved in this investigation. Their combined effort ensures that the Dothan community is safer and that public funds will be put to the public’s benefit—instead of being put into Mr. Glasgow’s pocket.”
“Kenneth Glasgow's actions not only endangered the community, but defrauded the American taxpayers,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI. “His guilty plea should help to dissuade others from following this same path."
“The guilty plea today serves as a notice to those who believe committing crimes comes with no consequences, it is only a matter of time before they are held accountable,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to bringing justice to those who try to avoid their federal income tax responsibilities.”
"Defrauding federal health care programs not only wastes valuable taxpayer dollars, but it also diverts resources meant to pay for medically necessary care for eligible enrollees," said Tamala E. Miles, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "HHS-OIG is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters who exploit these programs accountable."
“For several years, Mr. Glasgow managed his non-profit organizations while pretending he had a qualifying disability with the Social Security Administration; he concocted this scheme to receive SSA benefits that he was not entitled to receive,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for SSA. “His guilty plea holds him accountable for theft and demonstrates that my office will continue to work to protect SSA benefits and taxpayer funds. I thank our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecuting this case.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS - Criminal Investigation, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Dothan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan A. Kirkpatrick, Stephen K. Moulton, and Brandon W. Bates are prosecuting the case.
Two Defendants Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in Central Alabama PrisonRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that two defendants received prison sentences for conspiring to bring methamphetamine into an Alabama prison. On February 1, 2023, a judge sentenced Lamar Graves, Jr., 42, from Attala, Alabama, to 168 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Previously, on January 27, 2023, Derrick Antwon Traylor, 44, a resident of Gadsden, Alabama, received a sentence of 262 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Before their sentencing hearings, Graves and Traylor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court records, sometime prior to 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) began to suspect that Graves, then an inmate at Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore, was involved in an effort to bring drugs into the facility. Further investigation revealed that Graves was using friends and family members, including Traylor, who were not incarcerated to assist him in smuggling drugs into the prison. Two other co-defendants have federal cases that are still pending.
“The presence of drugs in a prison creates an immediate threat to the safety of prisoners and corrections officers alike,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “Corrections officers have challenging jobs. Those challenges increase exponentially when inmates are using methamphetamine and other dangerous controlled substances. I am grateful for the work of the DEA and the Alabama Department of Corrections in identifying this drug trafficking organization and putting a stop to its activities.”
“The presence of illegal drugs is a challenge faced by correctional systems across the country,” said Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm. “Criminals often go to significant lengths to bypass our security systems and seek to introduce drugs and other types of illegal contraband into our system. The ADOC is committed to enforcing our zero-tolerance policy on contraband and works very hard to eradicate it from our facilities, including referral for prosecution of those interdicted.”
“The successful prosecution and sentencing of members of this drug trafficking organization should put on notice those who engage in this type of illegal activity,” stated DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James. “DEA will continue to collaborate with our state and local counterparts to ensure that those who attempt to flood the prison system with illicit substances face federal charges and a lengthy prison sentence.”
As noted, this case was investigated by the DEA and the Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division. Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Andreu is prosecuting the case.
Two Dale County Residents Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting a ChildRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On January 25, 2023, John Hason Bright, 52, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography. Previously, on December 4, 2022, co-defendant Tiffany Diane Hughes, 34, received a 20-year sentence for the sexual exploitation of a child. Bright and Hughes are both residents of Ozark, Alabama.
In addition to their lengthy prison sentences, the judge ordered Bright and Hughes to serve five years on supervised release. Bright and Hughes are also required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
In making the announcement, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart noted that the substantial sentences ordered in this case reflect the seriousness of the crimes Bright and Hughes committed against a child. U.S. Attorney Stewart also expresses her gratitude to each of the numerous law enforcement agents and investigators involved in bringing them both to justice.
This case was investigated by the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Four Defendants Sentenced for Drug Trafficking in Geneva CountyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – A fourth defendant was sentenced this week for his role in selling methamphetamine in Alabama’s Wiregrass region, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. This concludes a series of federal sentencings that resulted from a Geneva County drug trafficking investigation beginning in 2019.
The following provides more detail about the various defendants convicted and sentences imposed.
- On January 18, 2023, Shanna Collins, 44, a resident of Hartford, Alabama, received a 77-month prison sentence followed by four years of supervised release for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute the drug. Collins pleaded guilty to the charge on September 16, 2022.
- On December 14, 2022, Dewey Gibson, 34, a resident of Enterprise, Alabama, received a 92-month prison sentence followed by four years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Gibson pleaded guilty to the charge on August 2, 2022.
- On December 6, 2022, Jarmaricue Williams, 33, also a resident of Hartford, received a 92-month prison sentence followed by four years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on June 8, 2022.
- On March 1, 2022, Larry Jerome Hilliard, Jr., 48, a resident of Slocomb, Alabama, received a 63-month prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Hilliard pleaded guilty to the charge on September 24, 2021. The judge also ordered that Hilliard’s federal sentence run consecutive to any related state sentence he may receive.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Geneva Police Department, and the Hartford Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin P. Davidson prosecuted the case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to over 26 Years in Prison for Committing Multiple Armed CarjackingsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Johnnie Leeanozg Davis, 36, from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 315 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. The judge also ordered Davis to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
In October of 2022, following a two-day trial, a jury convicted Davis of carjacking three vehicles and using a firearm during the commission of the crimes. As the trial evidence established, following each carjacking, Davis used the stolen vehicle to commit an armed robbery of a Montgomery business.
First, on January 23, 2020, a woman was about to load her two grandchildren into a car outside a home in Montgomery. Davis approached the vehicle, displayed a gun in his waistband, and told the woman, “Don’t move or say anything, all I want is the car.” Once Davis took the vehicle, he robbed the Sunoco gas station located at the corner of Carmichael Road and East Trinity Boulevard in Montgomery.
Several months later, on October 30, 2020, a man and his 15-year-old son had just parked on the street near a Montgomery residence when the father got out of the driver’s side and walked around to the passenger side only to find Davis there pointing two guns at the teenager. The father and son quickly moved away from the vehicle, Davis got into it, and he drove away. Shortly thereafter, Davis used the stolen vehicle to rob the Dollar General on Perry Hill Road in Montgomery.
The third carjacking and ensuing robberies occurred in Montgomery on November 11, 2020. On that day, Davis approached a vehicle outside a business, pointed a gun at the man sitting inside the car, and demanded that he get out. The man did so, and Davis stole the vehicle. Within 20 minutes of the carjacking, Davis robbed both the Fresh Market grocery store on Perry Hill Road, and a Dollar General store on the Eastern Boulevard.
The FBI investigated this case, with assistance from the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin P. Davidson and John J. Geer, III prosecuted the case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to 184 Months Following Carjacking and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Steven Michael Wehr, 33, from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 184 months in federal prison for carjacking and using a firearm during a federal crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. In addition to imposing a sentence of more than 15 years, the judge ordered Wehr to serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on the morning of February 8, 2022, an employee of the Jackson Hospital Urgent Care Clinic on Pine Street in Montgomery was arriving to work when an unknown individual, later identified as Wehr, approached her car. Wehr held a gun against the driver’s window and ordered the victim to open the door. The victim complied and attempted to flee. However, Wehr pushed the victim back into the car and began driving with her in the passenger seat. Soon thereafter, the victim managed to jump out of the moving car as it traveled down Mulberry Street, near the Interstate 85 overpass. The victim’s action caused Wehr drive off the road and strike a pillar supporting the overpass before continuing south bound. Luckily, the victim did not sustain any major injuries.
Shortly after the carjacking, Montgomery Police officers located the stolen vehicle abandoned in the area of McGehee Road and Hermitage Drive. Fingerprints found in the vehicle were a positive match to Wehr. An arrest warrant was issued for Wehr on February 17, 2022, and he was taken into federal custody shortly thereafter. In September of 2022, Wehr pleaded guilty to carjacking and using a firearm to commit the crime.
During Wehr’s sentencing hearing today, the judge noted that, at the time of the Jackson Hospital Clinic carjacking, Wehr was on probation from previous state convictions for the very same type of crime. Specifically, in 2016, Wehr was convicted in state court for committing two carjackings on the same day. During the commission of those crimes, Wehr shot into both vehicles with a firearm, striking one of the victims in the back.
The FBI and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the United States Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
Samson Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, ALABAMA – On Friday, December 16, 2022, Harley Dakota Wambles, a 25-year-old from Samson, Alabama, received a 72-month prison sentence after being convicted of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. In addition to imposing a 6-year prison sentence, the judge ordered Wambles to serve 5 years on supervised release and to pay a total of $18,000.00 in restitution to 6 victims. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, in 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip that there were images of child pornography being uploaded using the instant messaging application, Snapchat. The NCMEC provided the information to the FBI and agents identified Wambles’s Internet Protocol address as being associated with the uploads. Agents then examined various electronic devices belonging to Wambles and found, stored on the devices, numerous images containing suspected child pornography. During his plea hearing, Wambles specifically admitted that some of the images were sexually explicit depictions of children under the age of 12.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the NCMEC. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Nine East Alabama Residents Sentenced for Running a Drug Trafficking Operation in Macon CountyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – The ninth and final defendant was sentenced this week for his role in a Macon County-based drug trafficking operation. This concludes a series of sentencings involving nine members of a violent, neighborhood-based organization called the “31 Boys,” named for County Road 31 in Notasulga, Alabama.
The following provides more detail about the various defendants convicted and sentences imposed:
- On December 7, 2022, Trenton Rashad Daniel, 28, a resident of Pike Road, Alabama, was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Trenton Daniel pleaded guilty to the charges on February 24, 2022.
- On November 16, 2022, Jerrod Moss, 28, a resident of Opelika, Alabama, was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Moss pleaded guilty to the charges on July 29, 2022.
- On September 9, 2022, Davorious Marquise Ferrell, 26, a resident of Auburn, Alabama, was sentenced to 111 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Ferrell pleaded guilty to the charges on April 22, 2022.
- On August 25, 2022, Kiam Tyrek Lowery, 23, a resident of Tuskegee, Alabama, was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Lowery pleaded guilty to the charge on May 24, 2022.
- On August 23, 2022, Ricardo Devon Sheriff, 37, also a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sheriff pleaded guilty to the charge on April 27, 2022.
- On June 30, 2022, Michael Javon Daniel, 28, also a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises. Michael Daniel pleaded guilty to the charge on April 1, 2022.
- On June 17, 2022, Ladarius Dontae Davis, 33, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises. Davis pleaded guilty to the charge on January 21, 2022.
- On May 31, 2022, Tre’von Miquel Lyles, 22, also a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises. Lyles pleaded guilty to the charge on January 26, 2022.
- On April 21, 2022, Marcus Joquin Williams, 24, also a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 147 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Williams pleaded guilty to the charges on January 7, 2022.
All nine defendants were charged in a single indictment in Montgomery on August 17, 2021. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and records, in 2018, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the FBI began an investigation of the 31 Boys for the suspected sale of illegal drugs in Macon County. Using various investigative techniques, agents were able to identify individual members of the organization and connect the conduct of each member to the overall drug trafficking venture. Investigators soon discovered that Michael Javon Daniel, who received the 240-month sentence, was the leader of the group and directed many of the individuals’ roles. Statements made by law enforcement in various court hearings indicated that the Notasulga location used by the organization frequently operated like a “flea market,” with numerous other dealers, essentially functioning as independent vendors, selling a variety of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. Some of the methamphetamine seized from the defendants tested at a purity level of 99 percent. This high purity level resulted in some of the defendants being subject to increased advisory Sentencing Guidelines ranges.
“The safety of our communities is a top priority for my office,” said United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. “So often, violence results when individuals sell drugs and arm themselves while doing so. Communities suffer from the dangerous and harmful operations of organizations like the one at the center of this prosecution. I am grateful for the exceptional work of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case.”
“As law enforcement officers we have a duty to protect and serve the citizens of this great state, but we also have a fundamental responsibility to preserve the communities in which they live,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Shortly after assuming my role as Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), I charged Special Agents with our State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with this, no matter what area an Alabama citizen called home, they would feel safe and live without fear, and not suffer the adverse impacts which often plague communities where the sell and use of these illegal narcotics occur. I am truly grateful to all our law enforcement partners at both the local and federal level. If not for their cooperation and diligent work this drug trafficking organization and the individuals associated with it would never have been brought to justice.”
“The number of defendants in this case is a testament to the tremendous work being done all over the state of Alabama and in particular Macon County,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “Removing the people that sell drugs in our communities alongside our partners from ALEA will make our quality of life continue to improve.”
This case was investigated by ALEA and the FBI, with assistance from the Tuskegee Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Kevin P. Davidson prosecuted the case.
- On December 7, 2022, Trenton Rashad Daniel, 28, a resident of Pike Road, Alabama, was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Trenton Daniel pleaded guilty to the charges on February 24, 2022.
Prattville Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearms Discovered After a Hit and Run Incident in Montgomery CountyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Daniel Cole Ahearn, 28, from Prattville, Alabama, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Ahearn’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Ahearn’s plea agreement and other court documents, on January 13, 2021, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that a truck had struck another vehicle and then fled the scene. Thereafter, a deputy spotted a truck matching the description of the suspected hit-and-run vehicle speeding down a highway nearby and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Ahearn, refused to stop and instead led law enforcement on a short chase that ended abruptly when Ahearn lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Two stolen handguns were found inside the truck. Ahearn is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Ahearn pleaded guilty to the firearms-possession charge on August 22, 2022.
The case was investigated by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick prosecuted the case.
Seven Chilton County Residents Sentenced for Felony Violations of the Animal Welfare Act, Ending One of the Largest Cockfighting Operations in the CountryRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – A seventh and final Verbena, Alabama, resident was sentenced yesterday for violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting ventures in connection with an expansive cockfighting operation. This marks the end of a series of sentencings in which the Court held four Alabama residents accountable for their roles in operating a large-scale cockfighting arena (cockfighting pit) and massive fighting-bird breeding businesses, and for conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and to operate an illegal gambling business. The Court determined that the illegal conduct involved animal fighting on an “exceptional scale” and imposed sentences which reflect the unusual cruelty of a business model that relies on the death or injury of thousands of birds for entertainment and profit.
The court issued the following sentences for four defendants who pleaded guilty to multiple felonies on August 5:
- On Dec. 6, George William “Billy” Easterling, 56, was sentenced to 22 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting and for conspiring with others to violate the Act in connection with the cockfighting pit and the Swift Creek Gamefarm fighting-bird breeding operation.
- On Nov. 30, Brent Colon Easterling, 38, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting and for conspiring with others to violate the Act in connection with the cockfighting pit and the L&L Gamefarm fighting-bird breeding operation.
- On Nov. 30, William “Tyler” Easterling, 30, was sentenced to 20 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting and for conspiring with others to violate the Act in connection with the cockfighting pit and the Swift Creek Gamefarm fighting-bird breeding operation.
- On Nov. 30, William Colon “Jim” Easterling, 77, was sentenced to two years of home detention — rather than incarceration which the court determined would be “extremely detrimental” to his declining health — and a fine of $8,000 for violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting ventures and for conspiring with others to violate the Act and to operate an illegal gambling business in connection with the cockfighting pit.
Three other residents of Verbena, Alabama, who are also members of the Easterling family, pleaded guilty on June 3 to conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act or to a substantive violation of the Act. On Oct.13, the following individuals were sentenced:
- Kassi Brook Easterling, 39, was sentenced to two years of probation, including six months of home detention, for conspiring with others to violate the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting ventures, including the sale of cockfighting knives, and for her involvement with the L&L Gamefarm fighting-bird breeding operation.
- Amber Nicole Easterling, 25, was sentenced to one year of probation for her involvement with the cockfighting pit.
- Thomas Glyn “Junior” Williams, 34, was sentenced to one year of probation for his involvement with the cockfighting pit and the Swift Creek Gamefarm fighting-bird breeding operation.
“These sentences demonstrate the importance of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act to ensure the humane treatment of animals and prohibit cruel practices such as cockfighting,” said United States Attorney Sandra Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama.
“As these sentences vividly show, the Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable those who encourage and profit from forcing animals to fight each other for human entertainment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) actively investigates allegations of animal abuse and any associated gambling activities,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the USDA-OIG. “This agency has made animal fighting a high priority to demonstrate that these blatant acts of cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. We would like to thank the Justice Department for aggressively prosecuting perpetrators of animal fighting and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for assisting in enforcing these federal statutes.”
According to court documents and information in the public record, from at least January 2018 through June 11, 2021, illegal cockfighting events were held at the cockfighting pit, which consisted of an arena with stadium-style seating for approximately 150 people which faced several cockfighting pits and several nearby outbuildings including a merchandise stand. The illegal derbies involved a series of cockfights in which at least two or more roosters fought each other, each with a sharp blade attached to its leg. These fights were conducted for the purpose of sport, wagering, and entertainment. Participants were charged expensive fees to enter their birds in the derbies – such as $1,500 to fight seven roosters – and told what weapons to strap to the roosters’ legs, such as short knives, long knives, or spurs. Consistent with his plea agreement, William Colon Easterling dismantled and destroyed the entire cockfighting arena and associated outbuildings.
Near the cockfighting pit, members of the Easterling family ran two large fighting-bird breeding businesses known as Swift Creek Gamefarm and L&L Gamefarm at which thousands of birds were bred and sold to be used in fights between two or more birds for the purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment.
Combined, the seven convicted members of the Easterling family helped run one of the largest cockfighting enterprises in the country. With the help of six of his family members, Jim Easterling owned and operated the cockfighting pit for many years, even enlisting his granddaughter, Amber Easterling, to sell weapons used to kill birds in cockfights at the merchandise stand. Brent Easterling was one of the most widely known fighting-bird breeders in the country, running L&L Gamefarm with his wife Kassi Easterling and charging $1,500 for three chickens because they were birds of select fighting pedigrees. Brent Easterling also promoted the cockfights at his father’s, Jim, cockfighting pit. Tyler Easterling helped his father, Billy Easterling, operate a vast fighting-bird breeding business known as Swift Creek Gamefarm where they employed their in-law, Junior Williams, and others to help maintain and ship fighting birds. Tyler Easterling also promoted several cockfights at his grandfather’s, Jim, cockfighting pit.
The USDA-OIG and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina provided invaluable assistance to federal law enforcement officers.
Trial Attorney Leigh Rendé and Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross for the Middle District of Alabama prosecuted the case.
Montgomery Defendant Sentenced to 60 Years and Ordered to Pay over $950,000 in Restitution for Sex Trafficking Scheme Involving Forced ProstitutionRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – Today, U.S. District Court Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama, sentenced defendant Lonnie Mitchell, 36, of Montgomery, Alabama, to 60 years in prison for coercing several victims, including a minor, to engage in prostitution over the course of several years. There is no parole in the federal system. The judge also ordered the defendant to pay over $950,000.00 in restitution to the victims.
In June 2022, following a five-day trial, a jury convicted the defendant of sex trafficking five victims by force, fraud and coercion. The jury also found the defendant guilty of sex trafficking a minor, and three counts of coercing and enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution purposes.
“Today’s sentence reflects the defendant’s horrific treatment and abuse of his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. “Although their physical injuries will heal, the emotional damage caused by their suffering will last a lifetime. I am thankful for all of the agencies that worked together on this case, and for the courageous victims that testified at his trial. I hope this sentence will provide at least some consolation to the victims knowing that the defendant has been held accountable for his crimes.”
“The defendant used unspeakable violence and manipulation of the victims’ substance abuse problems to control their every move and exploit them for his own financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Human trafficking is an atrocious crime that targets some of the most vulnerable members of our society, cruelly robbing them of their dignity and freedom. The Department of Justice remains committed to prioritizing human trafficking prosecutions and vindicating the rights of the victims of these heinous crimes.”
“Mr. Mitchell’s crimes were particularly atrocious, which was reflected in the severity of his sentencing,” said DHS Homeland Security Investigations (DHS-HIS) Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger. “We hope this outcome will contribute to the victims’ healing process, but also serve as a warning to others who would victimize others for their own financial gain. HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect our communities from illegal trafficking and narcotics activity.”
According to the evidence presented in court, defendant Lonnie Mitchell targeted vulnerable victims who struggled with substance abuse issues, and then manipulated their substance abuse problems for his benefit. He increased the victims’ use of heroin and encouraged them to use it intravenously. He then withheld heroin from the victims, causing extremely painful withdrawal sickness, if they violated one of his many controlling rules or otherwise did not provide services to enough commercial sex clients. Mitchell also used violence, threats of violence, and threats to send embarrassing information, photos, or videos to the victims’ loved ones in order to coerce compliance with his rules and to ensure that the victims provided him with sufficient money from prostitution. In addition, defendant Mitchell regulated the how much and when the victims could eat and confiscated their identity documents and credit cards as part of his coercive scheme to control them.
Two co-defendants, Nettisia Mitchell and Donna Emmons, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Nettisia Mitchell is the sister of defendant Lonnie Mitchell, and the court previously sentenced her to 120 months confinement and ordered her to pay $2,000 in restitution for her role in her brother’s coercive scheme. Specifically, Nettisia witnessed her brother’s violence against a victim, yet harbored the victim and received the proceeds from the victim’s involvement in commercial sex. The court previously sentenced Emmons to 151 months confinement and ordered her to pay $3,500 in restitution.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart and HSI Special Agent in Charge Berger made the announcement.
DHS-HSI, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Patrick Lamb and MaryLou Bowdre for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
Alabama Defendant Sentenced to 60 Years and Ordered to Pay over $950,000 in Restitution for Sex Trafficking Scheme Involving Forced ProstitutionRead the Press Release
U.S. District Court Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama sentenced defendant Lonnie Mitchell, 36, of Montgomery, Alabama, to 60 years in prison for coercing several victims, including a minor, to engage in prostitution over the course of several years. The judge also ordered the defendant to pay over $950,000 in restitution to the victims.
In June 2022, following a five-day trial, a jury convicted the defendant of sex trafficking five victims by force, fraud and coercion. The jury also found the defendant guilty of sex trafficking a minor, and three counts of coercing and enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution purposes.
“The defendant used unspeakable violence and manipulation of the victims’ substance abuse problems to control their every move and exploit them for his own financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Human trafficking is an atrocious crime that targets some of the most vulnerable members of our society, cruelly robbing them of their dignity and freedom. The Department of Justice remains committed to prioritizing human trafficking prosecutions and vindicating the rights of the victims of these heinous crimes.”
“Today’s sentence reflects the defendant’s horrific treatment and abuse of his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. “Although their physical injuries will heal, the emotional damage caused by their suffering will last a lifetime. I am thankful for all of the agencies that worked together on this case, and for the courageous victims that testified at his trial. I hope this sentence will provide at least some consolation to the victims knowing that the defendant has been held accountable for his crimes.”
“Mr. Mitchell’s crimes were particularly atrocious, which was reflected in the severity of his sentencing,” said DHS Homeland Security Investigations (DHS-HIS) Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger. “We hope this outcome will contribute to the victims’ healing process, but also serve as a warning to others who would victimize others for their own financial gain. HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect our communities from illegal trafficking and narcotics activity.”
According to the evidence presented in court, defendant Lonnie Mitchell targeted vulnerable victims who struggled with substance abuse issues, and then manipulated their substance abuse problems for his benefit. He increased the victims’ use of heroin and encouraged them to use it intravenously. He then withheld heroin from the victims, causing extremely painful withdrawal sickness, if they violated one of his many controlling rules or otherwise did not provide services to enough commercial sex clients. Mitchell also used violence, threats of violence and threats to send embarrassing information, photos or videos to the victims’ loved ones in order to coerce compliance with his rules and to ensure that the victims provided him with sufficient money from prostitution. In addition, defendant Mitchell regulated how much and when the victims could eat, and confiscated their identity documents and credit cards as part of his coercive scheme to control them.
Two co-defendants, Nettisia Mitchell and Donna Emmons, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Nettisia Mitchell is the sister of defendant Lonnie Mitchell, and the court previously sentenced her to 120 months confinement and ordered her to pay $2,000 in restitution for her role in her brother’s coercive scheme. Specifically, Nettisia witnessed her brother’s violence against a victim, yet harbored the victim and received the proceeds from the victim’s involvement in commercial sex. The court previously sentenced Emmons to 151 months confinement and ordered her to pay $3,500 in restitution.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Stewart and HSI Special Agent in Charge Berger made the announcement.
DHS-HSI, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Patrick Lamb and MaryLou Bowdre for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
Former Montgomery Physician at the Center of an Oxycodone Prescription Scheme Sentenced to over 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – Yesterday, former physician D’livro Lemat Beauchamp, 56, of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 135 months in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally distribute oxycodone, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, from 1996 to 2020, Beauchamp practiced medicine at a Montgomery medical practice named Obelisk Healthcare. Sometime around 2012, Beauchamp agreed to write illegitimate and unnecessary oxycodone prescriptions. For writing each prescription, Beauchamp received $350. From 2012 to 2020, various organizers of the scheme recruited individuals to fill these illegitimate prescriptions at assorted pharmacies. Beauchamp wrote prescriptions to these recruits that he knew served no legitimate medical purpose. Recruits were typically paid between $100 and $250 per prescription filled, and the organizers then collected the oxycodone pills to sell to other distributors. Beauchamp wrote nearly 1,600 illegal prescriptions as part of the scheme, causing the illegal distribution of approximately 4,000,000 milligrams of oxycodone. In total, 38 individuals were charged for their roles in this conspiracy.
Beauchamp pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in October of 2020. Beauchamp’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“By allowing them to prescribe powerful medications, society places a great deal of trust in physicians,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “Not only did the defendant’s unlawful actions violate his oath to provide care for his patients, but they also contributed to the vicious cycle of addiction that is destroying lives and families. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad did an excellent job of identifying Beauchamp’s alarming prescribing pattern. The thorough investigation that followed resulted in the dismantling of a drug supply line that led straight to our communities.”
“The successful prosecution of D’livro Lemat Beauchamp should put on notice those who engage in this type of illegal activity,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James. “We will work together with state and local law enforcement to see that anyone involved in the diversion of pharmaceuticals will be brought to justice”
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad investigated this case, with assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, the Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General, and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen K. Moulton, B. Chelsea Phillips, and Jonathan S. Ross prosecuted the case.
Daleville Man Sentenced to 130 Months in Prison Following Second Conviction for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Nathan Alan Westbrook, a 44-year-old resident of Daleville, Alabama, received a 130-month prison sentence for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to court records, in 2015, Westbrook was convicted in federal court for possessing child pornography. At that time, he received a 33-month prison sentence. Westbrook completed that sentence in September of 2017 and was under the supervision of the United States Probation Office. In December 2021, after deception was detected during a polygraph examination, Westbrook’s probation officer began to suspect that Westbrook had been viewing child pornography. Westbrook’s internet-accessible devices were then seized from his Daleville residence pursuant to the terms of his supervised release. Analysis of the devices confirmed that Westbrook had collected images and videos of children who were engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The probation officer then filed a petition to revoke Westbrook’s supervised release. Westbrook was arrested shortly thereafter. In June of 2022, based on the probation officer’s findings, a federal grand jury indicted Westbrook for possession of child pornography. Westbrook pleaded guilty to the new charge on August 16, 2022. In his plea agreement, Westbrook specifically admitted to using the dark web to view child pornography and that “some images were of prepubescent minors who had not yet attained 12 years of age.” Images were provided to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to identify victims.
The judge sentenced Westbrook to 120 months on the new charge and ordered this sentence to run consecutively to the 10-month sentence he received for violating the terms of his supervised release. Following his prison sentence, Westbrook will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life. There is no parole in the federal system. The judge also ordered that Westbrook pay $60,000.00 to identifiable victims that have requested restitution payments.
This case was investigated by the Middle District of Alabama’s United States Probation Office, with assistance from the FBI and NCMEC. Assistant United States Attorney MaryLou E. Bowdre prosecuted the case.
Chilton County Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm Following a ShootoutRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Paul David Chapman, 50, from Verbena, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his prison sentence, Chapman will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, around 10:44 p.m. on October 9, 2019, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office went to a residence in Verbena after receiving multiple 911 calls, including one from Chapman, that shots had been fired. When deputies arrived, they found Chapman sitting on a couch inside the house with a gunshot wound. A handgun was next to Chapman on the couch. Chapman stated that he had exchanged gunfire with another individual after the two argued over Chapman’s dog being struck and killed by a car. Chapman was taken from the residence for medical treatment. After searching the area, investigators discovered Chapman’s wife deceased in the front yard. She had been hit by a stray round during the exchange of gunfire. Investigators also found an additional firearm in the residence. Chapman has previous felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case was investigated by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon W. Bates prosecuted the case.
Enterprise Man Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms After a Fatal ShootingRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Thursday, November 3, 2022, Dorian Lamont Bell, 42, from Enterprise, Alabama, was sentenced to 92 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his prison sentence, Bell will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on May 25, 2021, the Enterprise Police Department went to a residence in response to a reported altercation between two men. When officers arrived, they discovered that one of the men involved in the argument had been shot and killed in the front yard. Bell’s sister resided at the house and told the officers that, after the shooting, her brother ran from the front yard, through the house and out of the back door, leaving a gun inside. The officers arrested Bell nearby. They later found two handguns inside the sister’s residence. During Bell’s federal plea hearing on June 7, 2022, he admitted to possessing the two guns found at his sister’s house. Before these events occurred, Bell had been convicted of numerous felony offenses and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. A state murder charge and related drug charges are pending against Bell in the Circuit Court of Coffee County.
This case was investigated by the Enterprise Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
Florida Woman Convicted for Her Role in a Conspiracy to Sell Methamphetamine in Southern AlabamaRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Lashana Nakiah Foreman, 36, from Crestview Florida, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Foreman’s conviction is a part of a larger drug conspiracy including seven other co-defendants and spanning multiple Alabama counties, including Covington and Crenshaw.
During the two-day trial, federal prosecutors presented evidence of a March 2019 phone call between Foreman and another co-conspirator, Devarlos Quantrel Shanklin. The call featured Foreman agreeing to purchase five ounces of the methamphetamine for $1,625.00 from Shanklin. Later, Foreman and Shanklin met at a Burger King in Opp, Alabama to conduct the transaction. Once the transaction was completed, Foreman left the restaurant and law enforcement attempted to make a traffic stop of her vehicle, but Foreman refused to stop and continued driving. Officers pursued until she crossed the Florida state line, then the pursuit was terminated. Later that night, agents monitored another call during which Foreman admitted to Shanklin that she fled from law enforcement and had thrown something from her vehicle. Agents searched the area where Foreman had traveled and located a yellow plastic bag containing approximately five ounces of methamphetamine and a firearm.
The jury found Foreman guilty on October 18, 2022. Following this conviction, Foreman faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The seven other individuals involved in the overall conspiracy have all pleaded guilty. Each played a role in bringing methamphetamine and cocaine to southern Alabama.
- Travis Lavon Broughton, from Brantley, Alabama, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in August 2021. He was sentenced on March 23, 2022, to 111 months in prison,to be followed by three years of supervised release.
- Robert Curtis Willis, from Opp, Alabama, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in January 2022. He was sentenced on May 18, 2022, to 168 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Eddie Nunley, from Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in March 2022. He was sentenced on July 14, 2022, to 151 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Errick Rodgers, from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in January 2022. He was sentenced on August 26, 2022, to 92 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Kelvin Lamar Jones, from Luverne, Alabama, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm in May 2022. He was sentenced on September 29, 2022, to 180 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
- Devarlos Quantrell Shanklin and Caneatra Shante Shanklin, both from Luverne, Alabama, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in January 2022, and will be sentenced on November 10, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Opp Police Department, the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and B. Chelsea Phillips are prosecuting the case.
Montgomery Tax Preparer Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Filing False ReturnRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey announced that a Montgomery tax preparer was sentenced for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return. On Friday, October 14, 2022, Lashunda Deann Crittenden, 43, received a 16-month sentence to be followed by one year of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to her prison sentence, Crittenden was also ordered to pay a fine of $20,000.00 and $11.993.00 in restitution to the IRS.
According to her plea agreement and other court records, Crittenden operated a tax preparation service located on South Court Street in Montgomery. At her business, Crittenden prepared federal income tax returns for customers. During her plea hearing in September of 2021, Crittenden admitted that on February 26, 2018, she prepared and electronically transmitted a tax return that claimed a client incurred $8,726.00 in qualified solar electric property costs, $6,358.00 in medical and dental expenses, and $8,364.00 in gifts to charity, despite knowing that the client was not entitled to claim these items for calendar year 2017. The IRS subsequently paid a larger refund to the taxpayer based on these misrepresentations and Crittenden profited from the falsely inflated amount.
U.S. Attorney Stewart applauds the IRS for its efforts to identify tax fraud like this and to hold offenders accountable. U.S. Attorney Stewart also encourages all taxpayers to review their returns and to confirm that they recognize the items to be reported to the IRS. If a tax preparer refuses to let a customer examine his or her tax return before the return is filed, or if a customer reviews a tax return and sees a deduction or an expense that the customer does not recognize, the customer should ask for clarification or seek a second opinion from a different return preparer. For additional guidance, see the IRS fact sheet on its website at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/fs-08-10.pdf.
“Return preparer fraud is like a contagious disease; it affects not only the preparer, but the individuals who have filed false information with the Internal Revenue Service.” said Special Agent in Charge Dorsey with the Atlanta Field Office. “It is our hope that this sentence sends the strong message that tampering with the integrity of our nation's tax system will result in jail time.”
This case was investigated by the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan A. Kirkpatrick and Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
Deatsville Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years in Prison for the Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that a 34-year-old man from Deatsville, Alabama, Matthew Aaron Windsor, received a 210-month prison sentence for the sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old child. Following his sentence, Windsor will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Windsor’s plea agreement and other court records, this case arose from an April 2020 tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that obscene images of a minor had been uploaded from an online account. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency began an investigation and that investigation revealed that Windsor was linked to the images. During his plea hearing in July of 2022, Windsor specifically admitted to enticing a five-year old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of recording and creating images of the exploitation. In his plea agreement, Windsor also admitted to possessing at least 600 illegal images.
This case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, and the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center in Montgomery and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced Following Federal Gun and Drug ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On October 5, 2022, Michael Daniel Ruff, 64, from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the methamphetamine offense, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Ruff’s plea agreement and other court documents, on January 26, 2022, an Alabama State Trooper patrolling Elmore County initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle Ruff was driving. During the stop, Ruff agreed to allow the trooper to search the vehicle. The search resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and a handgun inside the vehicle. Ruff admitted both belonged to him.
On June 3, 2022, Ruff pleaded guilty to the methamphetamine and firearm offenses. During the sentencing hearing, the federal prosecutor noted to the court that law enforcement agents found on Ruff’s phone multiple text messages referring to selling methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the FBI, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
Lee County Man Sentenced to 38 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Two ChildrenRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Brandon Thomas Hart, 33, from Smiths Station, Alabama, was sentenced to 38 years in prison for sexually exploiting two children.
According to Hart’s plea agreement and other court records, an investigation began in September 2020 when law enforcement in Dallas, Texas became aware of sexually explicit images—images that appeared to include minors— being shared through a messaging app called Kik. FBI agents in Texas were able to trace the origin of the messages back to Smiths Station and Hart was identified as a potential suspect. Further investigation by the Lee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office and the FBI confirmed those suspicions. In his plea agreement, Hart specifically admitted to inducing two minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct for him to photograph. Hart also admitted that he recorded explicit images of the two minors while they were not conscious and distributed the images online using Kik.
On June 29, 2022, Hart pleaded guilty to the charges. Three months later, on September 30, Hart received the 38-year sentence. Following his prison sentence, Hart will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system. Related state charges remain pending.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Announces New Public Reporting Procedure for Environmental Justice and Environmental CrimesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced new ways for individuals within the Middle District of Alabama to report environmental justice concerns to federal officials.
Members of the public who have concerns about environmental matters can now report them to the Department of Justice by sending an email to [email protected].
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is implementing this public reporting procedure under the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy. This strategy is intended to provide “timely and effective remedies for systemic environmental violations,” while advancing environmental justice in underserved communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened.
The new public reporting procedure seeks to complement other avenues for reporting environmental concerns to the federal government, such as the online portal maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations.
“Environmental justice and public health issues are priorities of the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Stewart. “My office is committed to ensuring safe living and working conditions for all. I encourage concerned individuals and organizations in our community to utilize the new reporting procedures so that federal agencies can better address environmental harms caused by violations of our laws and regulations.”
Two Coosa County Residents Sentenced for Charges Relating to the Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, Michael Ochoa, 27, and Chasity Breanna Harris, 22, were sentenced for their roles in sexually exploiting a five-year old child, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Ochoa was sentenced to 60 years for the sexual exploitation of a child and advertising child pornography. Harris was sentenced to 25 years for the sexual exploitation of a child. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to their plea agreements and other federal court documents, in January of 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report originating in Alabama describing activity related to child pornography on Twitter. Based on that report, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) began an investigation. Ochoa and Harris, who were residing together in Coosa County, soon became suspects. When law enforcement agents searched electronic devices belonging to Ochoa and Harris, they found evidence of child pornography.
During their June 6, 2022, plea hearing, Ochoa and Harris specifically admitted that they took pictures of a five-year-old child’s genitalia and subsequently uploaded the images to social media sites. Ochoa also admitted that he recorded the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct and that he offered to, and ultimately did, share child pornography on the Kik messaging app with another user.
“The conduct that occurred here was horrendous—there is no place for it in our communities,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “The defendants harmed their victims in immeasurable ways, and the damage cannot be undone. It is my hope that the significant prison sentences imposed in this case will deter others who might prey on vulnerable children.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown stated, "This case demonstrates the FBI's commitment, along with our partners, to protect children, who are the most vulnerable and innocent members of our community, and to bring to justice those who victimize them."
This case was investigated by ALEA and the FBI, with assistance from NCMEC and the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Montgomery Man Convicted of Committing Multiple Armed CarjackingsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Friday, August 12, 2022, a federal jury found defendant Johnnie Leeanozg Davis, 36, from Montgomery, Alabama, guilty of committing three armed carjackings.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence of Davis, in 2020, stealing three vehicles for use in alleged robberies at various Montgomery businesses, then abandoning the vehicles afterwards. First, the jury heard testimony showing that on January 23, 2020, Davis approached a vehicle in Montgomery with a woman and her two grandchildren, displayed a gun he had in his waistband and told her, “Don’t move or say anything, all I want is the car.” Once Davis took the car, he proceeded to the Sunoco at the corner of Carmichael and East Trinity. Davis put a mask on, went inside the store armed with two handguns, and demanded money.
Later, on October 30, 2020, a man and his 15-year-old son were parked on the side of the street. When the father got out of the car and walked around the other side, he saw Davis pointing two guns at the 15-year-old. The father and son quickly moved from the vehicle and Davis drove away with the car. Testimony was also provided alleging that Davis robbed the Dollar General on Perry Hill Road about 25 minutes after the carjacking.
Finally, Davis approached a man sitting in a car outside a Montgomery business on November 11, 2020. Davis pointed a gun at the man and demanded he get out. Davis then took the car, and, within 10 minutes, a robbery occurred at the Fresh Market grocery store on Perry Hill Road. Less than 10 minutes after the Fresh Market robbery, witnesses testified that Davis entered a Dollar General on the Eastern Boulevard, pointed a gun at an employee, and demanded money.
The jury found Davis guilty of three counts of carjacking and three counts of brandishing a firearm in relation to a federal crime of violence, i.e., the carjackings. Following these convictions, Davis faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 21 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life. There is no parole in the federal system.
This FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin P. Davidson and John J. Geer, III are prosecuting the case.
Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Patrick Lashone Delbridge, 38, from Montgomery, Alabama, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to court records, on February 7, 2022, officers with the Montgomery Police Department spotted Delbridge driving an SUV and knew him to have outstanding arrest warrants. Officers initiated an investigative stop and Delbridge pulled the vehicle over at a residence on Foster Street. Once stopped, Delbridge quickly got out of the vehicle and attempted to enter the house. Officers observed Delbridge toss a handgun and detained him before he entered the home. A Glock .40-caliber handgun was recovered from the scene. Law enforcement later learned that the firearm had previously been stolen.
Delbridge was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13, 2022, and his trial was scheduled to begin today at 9:00am. However, Delbridge pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm just before the trial began. During Delbridge’s plea hearing, he specifically admitted to possessing the firearm and having knowledge that it was stolen.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming months. At that hearing, Delbridge will face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Montgomery Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell T. Duraski and Joel Feil are prosecuting the case.
Two Chilton County Men Sentenced Following Federal Gun ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Two men from Chilton County, Alabama have been sentenced for illegally possessing firearms, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
On August 3, 2022, Joshua Eugean Bean, 38, from Maplesville, Alabama, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Last summer, James Ryan Little, 27, from Clanton, Alabama, was sentenced to 90 months.
According to their plea agreements and other court documents, in May of 2018, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office was on the lookout for a truck that had been reported stolen. It was also reported that there were multiple firearms inside the truck. On May 29, 2018, an investigator from the sheriff’s office spotted the truck and initiated a stop. Four individuals were in the vehicle, including Bean and Little, along with seven firearms. The investigator identified Bean and Little as suspects in the theft of the truck and the guns. Both men had previously been convicted of felony offenses and were therefore prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms. A grand jury indicted Bean and Little in October of 2020, charging each one with unlawfully possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense. Later, each pleaded guilty to the charge.
When pronouncing Bean’s sentence, the judge noted that when Bean was arrested on November 9, 2020—just two weeks after his federal indictment— he was again found to be in possession of a firearm.
Following their prison sentences, Bean and Little will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
Former Athens City Schools Administrator Sentenced in North Alabama Virtual Education SchemeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, former Athens City Schools administrator, William Richard (“Rick”) Carter, Jr., 46, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), announced the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama. Carter was convicted by a jury in March of this year on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Carter, along with his co-conspirators, William L. (“Trey”) Holladay, III, Gregory (“Greg”) Earl Corkren, David Webb Tutt, and Thomas Michael Sisk, participated in a scheme to fraudulently enroll students in public virtual schools and then falsely report those students to ALSDE. As a result of the scheme, districts received payments from Alabama’s Education Trust Fund as if the students actually attended public schools. The various defendants then received, for their own personal use, portions of the state money. The defendants skimmed the state money through direct cash payments and payments to third-party contractors owned by the various co-conspirators. Carter’s co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced last month.
Following his prison sentence, Carter will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system. The judge also ordered Carter to pay restitution in the amount of $1,303,514.28.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the United States Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross, Alice S. LaCour, and Brett J. Talley prosecuted the case.
Lake Placid, Florida Man Charged for Participating in Business Email Compromise Scheme Spanning Four StatesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – A Florida man has been arrested for his role in a business email compromise scheme that impacted at least four businesses in four different states, including Alabama. Timothy Scott Marable, 50, from Lake Placid, Florida, was arrested last week after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama on two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, a business email compromise scheme is a fraud scheme in which participants gain unauthorized access to a business email account through various means, such as hacking the account or obtaining login information through social engineering. Participants then use the compromised email account to send emails to other businesses posing as a legitimate account holder. Oftentimes, the scheme participants attempt to steal money from email recipients by fraudulently representing that the legitimate account holder had changed banking information and instructing the recipient to make future payments to a new bank account. The new bank account frequently belongs to a participant in the business email compromise scheme, who receives payment obtained by fraud and transfers the proceeds to others involved in the scheme.
The indictment alleges that from November 2019, until August 2020, Marable participated in a business email compromise scheme primarily by receiving fraudulent transfers into bank accounts to which he had signature authority. Throughout to course of the scheme, Marable allegedly received into various bank accounts under his control approximately $2,701,746.50. Companies located in Alabama, Idaho, Ohio, and Texas fell victim to this scheme.
An indictment is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“In 2021, business email compromises were one of the most widely reported cyber security issues according to IC3.gov,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown from Mobile, Alabama. “Please report any suspicious activity and assist law enforcement in the struggle to ensure cyber security."
The case was unsealed today by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. A date for Marable’s arraignment will be scheduled in the near future.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho. The case was investigated by the FBI in Alabama and Idaho. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen K. Moulton is prosecuting the case.
Georgia Man Sentenced to 130 Months in Prison for his Role in Oxycodone Prescription SchemeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, July 26, 2022, Maurice Daughtry, 38, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to 130 months in prison for his role as one of the organizers of a conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to Daughtry's plea agreement and other court records, Daughtry entered into an agreement with co-conspirator, D’Livro Lemat Beauchamp, to obtain illegitimate prescriptions for oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. At the time the conspiracy began, Beauchamp was a physician operating a medical practice in Montogmery, Alabama. Per their agreement, Dr. Beauchamp would sign oxycodone prescriptions made out to either Daughtry or one of his other co-conspirators. The co-conspirators would pay Dr. Beauchamp $350 per prescription.
Once Dr. Beauchamp signed the prescriptions, the individuals named on the prescriptions—including Daughtry—would have them filled at local pharmacies. Daughtry would then collect pills from the co-conspirators, paying each one between $100 and $250 per prescription. Daughtry would then illegally distribute the oxycodone pills he obtained.
Daughtry’s plea agreement indicates that he first received a prescription from Beauchamp as part of the scheme in August of 2012. Thereafter, Daughtry received prescriptions for 90 30-milligram oxycodone tablets approximately once a month. Daughtry specifically admitted during his plea hearing to receiving and filling 54 prescriptions representing a total of 145,800 milligrams of the drug. Documents indicate that the conspiracy continued until April of 2020 and involved numerous co-conspirators, some of whom were operating at Daughtry’s direction.
Daughtry’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad investigated this case, with assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen K. Moulton, Jonathan S. Ross, Alice S. LaCour, and B. Chelsea Phillips prosecuted the case.
Four Defendants Sentenced in North Alabama Virtual Education SchemeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – This week, four individuals were sentenced to federal prison for their part in a scheme to fraudulently enroll students in Alabama virtual schools, announced the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
Today, the former superintendent of the Athens City Schools district, William L. (“Trey”) Holladay, III, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,865,948.60 in restitution to Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). During the same hearing, Gregory (“Greg”) Earl Corkren received a sentence of 22 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $1,303,514.28 in restitution to ALDSE. Finally, David Webb Tutt was also sentenced today to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $15,000.00, plus $258,920.04 in restitution to ALDSE.
Earlier this week, Thomas Michael Sisk, formerly the superintendent of the Limestone County School district, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $15,000.00 and restitution in the amount of $13,000.00 to ALDSE. Each defendant will be subject to three years of supervised release after serving his sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
All four defendants had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to fraudulently enroll students in public virtual schools and then falsely reporting those students to ALDSE. As a result of this conduct, districts received payments from Alabama’s Education Trust Fund as if the students actually attended public schools. The various defendants then received, for their own personal use, portions of the state money. The defendants skimmed the state money through direct cash payments and payments to third-party contractors owned by the various co-conspirators. Corkren also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft.
In March of this year, another defendant charged in the scheme, William Richard (“Rick”) Carter, Jr., was found guilty after a four-week trial of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Carter’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 3, 2022.
Texas Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of an Alabama ChildRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, John David Twomey, a 24-year-old from Brownwood, Texas, was sentenced to 324 months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to Twomey's plea agreement and other court records, this sentence is the result of an investigation that began in Ozark, Alabama in October of 2021. During that investigation, multiple law enforcement agencies in Alabama and Texas worked together to find and recover a missing person. Those efforts led to the discovery of Twomey’s sexual exploitation of a minor.
Twomey was indicted and pleaded guilty to the charge on April 6, 2022. Following his 27-year prison sentence, Twomey will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system. Related charges remain pending in Texas.
This case was investigated by the Ozark Police Department, the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Brownwood, Texas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Opelika Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison Following Federal Gun ConvictionRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Thursday, July 7, 2022, Thaddeus Dimarggio Holstick, a 43-year-old from Opelika, Alabama, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to Holstick’s plea agreement and other court records, in June of 2020, an officer with the Opelika Police Department (OPD) saw Holstick inside a convenience store having an argument with another man. Holstick and the other man eventually went outside and starting fighting. The OPD officer ordered the men to stop and, while attempting to separate them, saw a handgun tucked into Holstick’s waistband. Holstick has multiple felony convictions and is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.
Following his prison sentence, Holstick will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the OPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon W. Bates prosecuted the case.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Robbing a Bank and Discharging a Firearm While Committing the CrimeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Thursday, June 30, 2022, John Adam Vinson, Jr., 32, from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 360 months in prison following convictions for bank robbery and discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to the plea agreement and other court documents, Vinson entered the Regions Bank branch located near Eastdale Mall in Montgomery on December 14, 2020. Vinson then pulled out a handgun and fired a shot into the desk of an empty teller station. A bank employee came out of her office and into the lobby area upon hearing the shot. Vinson immediately grabbed the employee and moved her to the door that accesses the teller counters. When Vinson realized the employee could not open the door, he jumped over the counter and began opening the teller drawers. Vinson put money from the drawers into a bag, jumped back over the teller counter, and ran out of the bank. A Montgomery police officer spotted Vinson as he fled from the bank. When the officer confronted the fleeing suspect, Vinson fired his gun a second time—this time at the officer. Fortunately, the officer was not injured. When law enforcement officers took Vinson into custody, they seized from him a total of $18,378.00 in United States currency.
Vinson’s 30-year prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The court also ordered that the proceeds of the robbery be returned to Regions Bank.
This case was investigated by the Montgomery Police Department, the FBI, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark E. Andreu prosecuted the case.
Enterprise Man Sentenced to 74 Months in Prison Following Federal Gun and Drug ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Willie Frank Harvis, a 62-year-old from Enterprise, Alabama, was sentenced to 74 months in prison for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of multiple firearms, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his prison sentence, Harvis will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to his plea agreement and other court documents, in late January 2019, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office began to suspect that Harvis was selling drugs from his Enterprise home. After obtaining a search warrant, on February 1, 2019, law enforcement searched Harvis’s residence and found crack cocaine along with eleven firearms. Harvis has multiple felony convictions and is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.
This case was investigated by ATF, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Enterprise Police Department, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
Dothan Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years in Prison for Attempting to Send Pornographic Images to a MinorRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Kevin Wayne Willett, a 31-year-old from Dothan, Alabama, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for the attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor and attempted distribution of child pornography to a minor, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his 17.5-year prison sentence, Willett will be on supervised release for five years and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to his plea agreement and other court documents, on May 3, 2018, Willett, using an online dating site, communicated with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. In reality, Willett was communicating with an undercover FBI agent posing as a minor. At some point during the exchange, Willett sent the agent an obscene image of an adult. Over the following days, Willet exchanged text messages with the undercover agent. In those messages, Willet indicated his intent to share lewd and sexual images. Willett then sent the agent an image containing child pornography. On March 7, 2022, Willett pleaded guilty to the charges.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Eighteen Arrested on Federal Gun and Drug Charges as Part of a United States Marshals Service Led, Multi-Agency OperationRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Eighteen individuals were indicted on federal gun and drug charges as part of a United States Marshals Service led, multi-agency operation to combat violent crime in Central Alabama’s River Region. Other participating agencies include: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Montgomery Police Department; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office; the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles; and the United States Probation Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
Nationwide, gun crimes, gang activity, and shootings are on the rise. Law enforcement officers work every day to make our neighborhoods safer and our citizens more secure. Operations like this one, conducted from June 6th - 17th, are part of a combined effort to focus resources on violent offenders. Numerous state arrests were made during this operation as well.
As part of this operation, the following individuals from the Montgomery area were indicted on federal charges:
- Mario Aguilera, 38, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Antonio Bailey, 39, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance;
- Christopher Shay Barron, 45, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of an unregistered firearm;
- Patrick Bass, 42, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense;
- Julius Calhoun, 27, for possession of a stolen firearm;
- Rodricko Davis, 30, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Christopher Duncan, 39, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Antwon Fisher, 38, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Arthur Hamilton, 34, on three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Deshunquez Harris, 27, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Eric Hoskins, 27, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute;
- Willie Thomas Luckie, Jr., 56, for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon;
- Kendarius Powell, 23, for possession of a stolen firearm;
- Marcus Salter, 26, for possession of a stolen firearm;
- Tadarius Salter, 22, for possession of a stolen firearm;
- Adrian Fitzgerald Talley, III, 29, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Jeremiah Trammer, 32, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance; and
- Christopher Washington, 41, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of an unregistered firearm charges each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum sentence of five years to be served consecutively to any other sentences. The maximum sentence for those charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute varies depending on the type of controlled substance, weight of the substance, and other factors specific to the charge. There is no parole in the federal system.
All federal cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama pursuant to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program in which U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Recently, the Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN as part of its renewed focus on targeting armed violent criminals and gang members.
Montgomery Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Offenses Tied to a Scheme to Compel Victims, Including a Minor, to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, a federal jury found defendant Lonnie Dontae Mitchell, 36, from Montgomery, Alabama, guilty of numerous offenses relating to the defendant’s involvement in coercing several victims, including a minor, to engage in prostitution over the course of several years. Following a five-day trial, the jury convicted Mitchell of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion of five victims. The jury also found the defendant guilty of sex trafficking a minor, and three counts of coercing and enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution purposes. Two other defendants previously pleaded guilty.
According to the evidence presented in court, defendant Lonnie Mitchell targeted vulnerable victims who struggled with drug addictions, and then manipulated their drug addictions for his benefit. He increased the victims’ use of heroin and encouraged them to use it intravenously. He then did not provide heroin to the victims if they violated one of his many controlling rules or otherwise did not see enough commercial sex clients. Other consequences of violating defendant Mitchell’s rules or failing to provide him with sufficient money from prostitution included violence, threats of violence, and threats to send embarrassing information, photos, or videos to the victims’ loved ones. In addition, defendant Mitchell regulated the amount of food the victims could eat, when they could eat, and also confiscated their identity documents and credit cards all as part of his coercive scheme to control the victims.
Defendant Mitchell’s co-defendant and sister, Nettisia Mitchell, was aware of her brother’s scheme and facilitated it. Nettisia Mitchell had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. According to court documents, Nettisia witnessed Lonnie’s violence against a victim, yet harbored the victim and received the proceeds from the victim’s involvement in commercial sex. A third co-defendant, Donna Emmons, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Both Nettisia Mitchell and Emmons await sentencing. They face a maximum sentence of life in prison and mandatory restitution.
“Motivated by control, power, and greed, this defendant targeted and recruited vulnerable victims who were struggling in life, and used their vulnerabilities and unspeakable violence to sell them over and over again for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sex trafficking and forced prostitution are heinous crimes that have no place in our society today. The Department of Justice remains committed to using our human trafficking laws to protect those who are the most vulnerable members of society and vindicate their rights.”
“Mitchell beat, threatened, manipulated, and exploited his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. “He took advantage of their suffering and addictions to force them into prostitution and drug dealing, all for his own personal gain. The damage caused was not only physical, but also emotional. Undoubtedly, the victims will long be haunted by Mitchell’s actions. My office is committed to helping our law enforcement partners identify and prosecute those who prey on the young and vulnerable. I am grateful for today’s verdict and for the victims who told their stories during the trial. Because of their bravery, Mitchell will be held accountable for his crimes.”
“This verdict means Mitchell is facing justice for the many horrors that he inflicted upon his victim, in the name of profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thankfully, he will no longer be able to prey upon innocent children. This is another example of not only the great partnership HSI has with its law enforcement partners, but also the great work we do to protect our communities.”
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled in this matter. Defendant Mitchell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and a maximum sentence of life. Restitution is also required under federal law.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama made the announcement.
Lonnie Mitchell was previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm when law enforcement found him with a handgun while executing a search warrant connected with this case in September 2020. He was sentenced to 108 months in prison for that crime last week.
This case was investigated by HSI, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Patrick Lamb, and Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryLou Bowdre for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, Steven Anthony Jackson, a 21-year-old from Hartford, Alabama, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his 30-year prison sentence, Jackson will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to his plea agreement and other federal court documents, Jackson specifically admitted that, in 2019, he enticed a 12-year-old girl to send nude photos to him via computer or smartphone. Jackson pleaded guilty to the charge on April 18, 2022.
This case was investigated by FBI offices in Mobile, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Columbus, Ohio, along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Geneva County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; and the Knox County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Enterprise Man Sentenced for Receiving Methamphetamine Through the MailRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Eric Michael Caylor, a 40-year-old man from Enterprise, Alabama, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his prison sentence, Caylor will be on supervised release for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Caylor’s plea agreement and other court records, in early 2019, Postal Inspectors noticed that Caylor was receiving suspicious packages through the mail. Further investigation revealed that Caylor was ordering controlled substances on the dark web and paying for them using Bitcoin. During Caylor’s plea hearing in February of 2022, he specifically admitted that, on May 2, 2019, he attempted to possess a package that he knew contained methamphetamine. Caylor also admitted to previously receiving packages containing controlled substances and sharing or trading the drugs with others.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
Auburn Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Evasion and Agrees to Pay Nearly $1 Million in RestitutionRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Monday, May 23, 2022, Clifford R. Lange, Jr., 62, from Auburn, Alabama, pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion, announced U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, from 2011 to 2019, Lange filed false tax returns on behalf of himself and his spouse that significantly underreported each years’ taxable income. By failing to report the additional income, Lange illegally lowered his federal tax liability by approximately $654,021.00 over the nine-year period. As part of his plea agreement, Lange has agreed to pay nearly $1 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, which includes the actual tax loss to the United States as well as penalties and interest that have accrued.
A sentencing hearing will take place in the coming months. At sentencing, Lange is facing up to five years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.00, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen K. Moulton and Megan A. Kirkpatrick are prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Files Proposed Settlement in Chambers County, Alabama School Desegregation CaseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice, together with the Chambers County Board of Education and private plaintiffs represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, filed a proposed consent order designed to provide equal educational opportunities for all students and allow the district to fulfill its obligations in a longstanding school desegregation case. The proposed consent order, which requires approval by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, would require the school district to build a new, consolidated high school; create a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) magnet school; appoint a Desegregation Advisory Committee; and take other corrective action.
“This proposed consent order reinforces the Civil Rights Division’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all students receive the equal educational opportunities to which they are entitled regardless of their race or color,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This week marks 68 years since the Supreme Court declared in Brown v. Board of Education that ‘separate but equal has no place’ in our society, yet too many students find themselves in racially segregated schools. We will continue working to deliver on the unmet promises of Brown v. Board for the students of the Chambers County School District and for others across the country.”
“Education is the cornerstone of American society,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama. “My office fully supports the Civil Rights Division’s efforts to ensure that equal educational opportunities are available to all students, and I am pleased that this case is close to a final resolution.”
The proposed consent order is part of a desegregation case monitored and enforced by the United States. In reviewing the district’s compliance with the previous court orders in this case, the United States found that the district failed to meet earlier commitments to build a single, consolidated high school and maintained racially identifiable Black schools with fewer academic and extracurricular offerings than most of the other district schools. If approved, the order will require the district to, among other steps:
- Build and operate a single, consolidated high school on a neutral site to serve all district students in grades nine through twelve;
- Establish a STEAM Academy for all district kindergarteners through eighth graders and later renovate an existing facility to accommodate the magnet school;
- Make information about academic course offerings, extracurricular activities, and special programs, including gifted and talented programming, available on the district’s website and provide that information directly to parents;
- Ensure non-discrimination on the basis of race in its discipline practices by engaging technical assistance and revising the code of conduct;
- Improve its practices for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff at each school; and
- Work with a newly-created and diverse Desegregation Advisory Committee to mitigate any desegregation-related issues that may arise.
The order would also require regular reporting to the court, the Justice Department, and private plaintiffs. The court would retain jurisdiction over the consent order during its implementation, and the Justice Department would monitor the district’s compliance with the consent order.
This week marked the 68th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The Civil Rights Division continues to prioritize enforcement of desegregation orders in school districts formerly segregated by law, to ensure that all children can build a foundation of educational success. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/.
Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Advertising Child Porn, and Distribution of Child PornRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, Rocky Shay Franklin, a 36-year-old residing in Greenville, Alabama during the commission of his crimes, was sentenced to 480 months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, advertising child pornography, and distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Paul W. Brown. Following his 40-year prison sentence, Franklin will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Franklin’s plea agreement and other court records, an investigation began in 2019 when law enforcement received numerous reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) identifying an IP address associated with suspected online child porn activity. The IP address was affiliated with a residence in Greenville, Alabama. While investigating the reports at the suspected location, Franklin was identified as a person of interest and multiple electronic devices were searched. Analysis of the devices confirmed Franklin’s involvement.
During a plea hearing that took place on July 28, 2021, Franklin specifically admitted that in the summer of 2018, he used, induced, and enticed two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. In addition, Franklin acknowledged that from May 30, 2019, through October 11, 2019, he uploaded multiple videos to a pornography website. Franklin did so from various locations in Greenville, Alabama and Montgomery, Alabama. The videos contained visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Franklin advertised these files through the website and requested a monetary fee for distribution. Franklin also admitted to distributing child pornography on at least three occasions using various online accounts and platforms. First, on February 15, 2019, Franklin used a messenger app to send videos of two minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Then, on October 11, 2019, Franklin sent links to another individual knowing that the linked websites contained pornographic images and videos of children. Lastly, Franklin admitted that, on May 11, 2019, he knowingly transported child pornography, by uploading the files to one of his online accounts.
Based on this conduct, during the July 2021 plea hearing, Franklin pleaded guilty to two counts of the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of advertising child pornography, and two counts of distribution of child pornography.
“Protecting children from exploitation by predators is one of law enforcement’s most important responsibilities,” stated U.S. Attorney Stewart. “Producing and trading in child pornography is a particularly devastating crime because it robs children of their innocence and inflicts long lasting harm. Although my office can never fully repair the damage inflicted by these predators, we can ensure that justice is served on those who commit these terrible crimes. I applaud the efforts of all the agencies involved in investigating this case for identifying Franklin’s criminal activity and putting a stop to it before more children were victimized.”
“Today’s sentence ensures Rocky Shay Franklin will be unable to harm children in our community for a very long time, and we hope his victims will be able to recover from the emotional scars left by his actions,” stated Special Agent in Charge Brown. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice those intent on harming children.”
The FBI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated this case, with assistance from NCMEC. Assistant United States Attorneys James Patrick Lamb and MaryLou E. Bowdre prosecuted the case.
Elmore County Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Transferring Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, Jesse Lemar McCormick, a 24-year-old man from Wetumpka, Alabama, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child and transferring obscene material to a minor, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. In addition to his 17.5-year prison sentence, McCormick was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to McCormick’s plea agreement and other court records, McCormick was involved with several youth groups and organizations in Autauga and Elmore counties. In April 2020, an investigation began when detectives from the Prattville Police Department received a report concerning inappropriate communications between McCormick and a minor. The victim reported that on April 4, 2020, McCormick requested explicit images of the victim’s genitals in a “Snapchat” conversation. Further investigation quickly confirmed this communication, along with many others, and additional minor victims were identified.
During McCormick’s July 29, 2021, plea hearing, he specifically admitted that on at least five occasions, between March and April 2020, he engaged in electronic communications requesting obscene images or videos from minor victims. During the same period, McCormick also sent images and videos of his own genital area to minors, along with videos of McCormick engaging in sexual acts. Victims of the crimes ranged in age from 12 to 15 years old. McCormick pleaded guilty to five counts sexual exploitation of a child, and three counts of transferring obscene material to a minor.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Prattville Police Department, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wetumpka Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
U.s. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“The men and women that serve in law enforcement play a critical role in the safety and prosperity of our nation,” stated U.S. Attorney Stewart. “Day after day they watch over our communities and confront crime and violence where it happens, placing their own lives at risk in the process. We take time this week to honor and recognize those we have lost and thank those that continue to serve. I encourage all citizens to do just that, not only this week, but each week to come.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
Six Individuals from Phenix City Indicted on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama announced that six individuals from Phenix City, Alabama have been arrested following indictments on federal drug charges.
Andre Tremayne Franklin, 29, Khourtney Jakeith Brown, 33, Xavier Toombs, 33, Ryan Brown, 32, and Kahlia Nichelle Washington, 26, were indicted by a federal grand jury last month for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In the same indictment, Khourtney Brown and Katshalliam Gosha, 43, were also charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance commonly known as “crack cocaine.”
An indictment is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All individuals named above made an initial appearance in federal court this week. If convicted on the conspiracy charge, each of the accused, except Washington, are facing 10 years to life in prison. Washington’s potential sentence is 5 to 40 years. The possession with intent to distribute count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years for Khourtney Brown and Katshalliam Gosha. There is no parole in the federal system.
These cases are part of a partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce drug trafficking and violent crime, making our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart would like to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Abbeville Police Department, the Auburn Police Division, the Eufaula Police Department, the Phenix City Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office for investigating these cases, with assistance from the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Alabama National Guard Counterdrug Program, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Millbrook Police Department, the Montgomery Police Department, the Prattville Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Muscogee County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin P. Davidson is prosecuting the cases.
District Court Appoints Sandra J. Stewart to Remain as United States Attorney for the Middle District of AlabamaRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – The United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama has appointed Sandra J. Stewart to continue serving as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Chief United States District Judge Emily C. Marks administered the oath of office on April 22, 2022. Stewart’s appointment became effective on April 25, 2022.
“It is a privilege and honor to serve the people of the Middle District of Alabama,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “I am grateful for the confidence the Court has placed in me to lead an office filled with dedicated professionals devoted to impartially and ethically enforcing the rule of law on behalf of the United States. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our state, federal, and local law enforcement partners to make our communities safer for all.”
As United States Attorney, Ms. Stewart is the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States within the Middle District of Alabama. The Middle District consists of 23 counties and includes the cities of Montgomery, Dothan, Auburn, and Phenix City.
United States Attorney Stewart has served the Department of Justice since 2002. Initially, she worked for the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. During her time in the Northern District, Ms. Stewart served as Chief of the Appellate Division and as First Assistant United States Attorney. After completing a one-year detail as an attorney advisor with the Department’s Professional Responsibility Advisory Office, in 2007, Ms. Stewart came to the Middle District. During her time in the office, she has served multiple terms as the First Assistant United States Attorney and worked as the Criminal Division Appellate Chief.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, United States Attorney Stewart spent approximately 16 years working for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. While there, she served as the Chief Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals and Capital Litigation Divisions, and as an Assistant Attorney General with the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
United States Attorney Stewart began her legal career in 1985 serving as a law clerk for Judge Edward B. McDermott in Mobile, Alabama. She attended the University of Alabama School of Law, where she received her J.D., and before that Auburn University, graduating with a B.S. in Public Administration.