Western District of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Rudy Mancia (aka Rudy Espinoza), age 31, of Springdale, was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in the summer of 2015, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that methamphetamine was being distributed in Northwest Arkansas by Mancia.  In February of 2017, the DEA arranged and conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Mancia.  The substance purchased was sent to the DEA South Central Laboratory for testing. The lab determined that the substance contained 27.19 grams of actual methamphetamine.

 

Mancia was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2017 and entered a guilty plea in August 2017.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Assistant United States Attorney Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Brandon Jackson, age 32, of Proctor, Oklahoma, was sentenced today to 480 months in federal prison followed by twenty years of supervised release on one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

 

According to court records, in June of 2017, an 11-year old male living in Northwest Arkansas disclosed to his mother that JACKSON had been molesting him. The subsequent investigation determined that over an approximate three year period, Jackson transported the minor victim to and from his Oklahoma residence, where he would then force the minor to engage in sexual activity. In July of 2017, JACKSON was arrested in Washington County, Arkansas. During a post-Miranda statement, he admitted to sexually abusing the minor victim. JACKSON was indicted in July 2017 on federal charges and plead guilty in September 2017.

 

“This sentencing is an excellent example of how the combined efforts of federal and state partners is used to combat the heinous crimes committed against our children,” said Thomas M. Annello “HSI continues to work with our partner law enforcement agencies to take those who would harm our children off the streets.”

Annello is the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans field office of Homeland Security Investigations with responsibility for Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

This case was investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas State Police, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.

Fayetteville, AR – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation, and Diane Upchurch, Special Agent in Charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today that Darrell Rosen, age 59, formerly of Fayetteville, Arkansas, has pleaded guilty to one count of Money Laundering and one count of Filing a False Income Tax Return. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks accepted the plea in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, from October 2010 through August 2014, Rosen solicited individuals in Arkansas, Texas, and elsewhere to invest in a business centered on training dogs.  Rosen represented that he had contracts with governmental entities as well as some private companies that would allow him to train and then sell dogs to the government for profit.  Rosen intentionally made false promises that he would invest the money in the dog training business when, in fact, he used much of the money on his personal expenses.  In addition, Rosen caused his 2013 Federal Income Tax Return to be filed with false information by both failing to report income he received from investors and also claiming Schedule A deductions for which he was not entitled.

“IRS Criminal Investigation’s primary mission is investigating and prosecuting individuals that attempt to defraud the tax system, but we also play a role in investigating various financial fraud schemes,” said Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge.  “Today’s plea demonstrates how federal law enforcement will band together to help put an end to the criminal behavior of those who prey on investors for their personal financial gain.  With tax season approaching, I hope this case will also serve as a reminder that all income is taxable, regardless of the source.”

 

The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court. In this case, Rosen faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for the money laundering charge and a maximum sentence of three years in prison for filing a false tax return. 

 

The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brice R. White prosecuted the case for the United States.

FORT SMITH - Duane (DAK) Kees has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Mr. Kees was nominated by President Donald Trump on September 28, 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 20, 2017. He took the oath of office today at 4 p.m. from United States District Court Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III and began work immediately after the ceremony.

 

U.S. Attorney Kees stated, “I am honored and excited to begin serving the people of Arkansas as U.S. Attorney for the Western District. I am grateful to Senators Boozman and Cotton for their support. I look forward to working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of the citizens of Arkansas.” 

 

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Kees is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Western District of Arkansas, which includes six divisions and 34 counties within Arkansas, with its primary office in Fort Smith. He oversees a staff of 41 employees, including 21 attorneys and 20 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

 

Born in Little Rock, Mr. Kees is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas School of Law. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2001 and rose to the rank of Captain while earning numerous awards and decorations.

 

During his military career, Mr. Kees served as a legal assistance attorney, trial counsel, brigade judge advocate and senior defense attorney. Mr. Kees is currently serving with the Arkansas National Guard at Camp Robinson in Little Rock and hold the rank of Major.

 

Mr. Kees succeeds Kenneth Elser, who had served as acting U.S. Attorney

since Conner Eldridge’s resignation on August 21, 2015.

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jose Luis Vaca, age 32, of Claremore, Oklahoma, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $3,000.00 fine on one count of Possession with intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records,  on October 12, 2016, the Fourth Judicial Drug Taskforce (4th JDTF)  received a tip from a confidential informant that a Hispanic male would be traveling from Tulsa, OK to a residence in Springdale, AR with approximately one-half pound of Methamphetamine. The residence was known to detectives as a drug trafficking residence. At 9:03pm, detectives observed a known white Infiniti M45 approach the aforementioned residence. After confirming the license tag on the vehicle, detectives made contact with the driver and sole occupant, Jose Vaca. Vaca initially provided a false name to law enforcement officers but confirmed that he intended to visit the residence he parked in front of although he did not know the occupants. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, detectives located approximately one-half pound of Methamphetamine, in two separate packages, concealed inside the glove compartment. Vaca admitted to possessing the Methamphetamine, stating he regularly drives around with amounts of Methamphetamine in his vehicle.

 

The substance seized was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for testing. The lab determined that it was a mixture of a substance that contained methamphetamine weighing approximately 163.98 grams.

 

Vaca was indicted by a federal grand jury in March, 2017 and plead guilty in August, 2017.

This case was investigated by the 4th JDTF.  Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Marco Deandre Smith, age 41, of Van Buren, was sentenced today to 135 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, namely methamphetamine, with Intent to  Distribute.  The Honorable Chief United States District Court Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in Fort Smith. 

According to court records, on February 17, 2017, Officer’s with the Fort Smith Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Smith for a traffic violation.  After speaking with Smith, the officer had him step out of the vehicle, handcuffed him for officer safety and had Smith sit down by the vehicles. A search of Smith’s vehicle resulted in the officer locating marijuana. As the officer went back to speak with Smith, the officer saw Smith flee on foot. The officer caught Smith and escorted him back to the vehicle. Once back at the vehicle, the officer resumed the search of Smith’s vehicle.  The Officer found multiple bricks of marijuana and four large bags of (445.4 grams) actual methamphetamine inside Smith’s vehicle. 

 

Smith was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in March, 2017 and plead guilty on May 9, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Fort Smith Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Pradis Lee Benton, aka Benton, age 42, of El Dorado, was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.

According to court records, on April 14, 2016, investigators with the United States Marshal Service (“USMS”) and 13th Drug Task Force (“DTF”) received information that a fugitive was inside of a mobile home on Nick Springs Road in El Dorado, Arkansas, which is located in the Western District of Arkansas.

 

Investigators went to that residence and knocked on the front door.  A female opened the door and stated that the fugitive the investigators were seeking was not at the residence.  She told investigators that they were free to go inside the home and look around.  Investigators took her up on that offer and once inside the residence, encountered Benton in the restroom.  The officers asked Benton to go into the living room while they completed a search of the residence.

 

While attempting to ascertain and confirm Benton’s identity, an officer with the DTF noticed a large bulge at Benton’s ankle that he thought, in his training and experience, resembled an ankle holster containing a firearm.  The officer asked Benton what was at his ankle and Benton immediately reached for the item.  The officer stepped towards Benton and stopped Benton from grabbing the item.  Benton pushed the officer away and went for the item at his ankle again.  During the struggle, the officer’s foot caused the item to fall from Benton’s pants.  The item turned out to be three bags of suspected methamphetamine.

 

Benton then began to struggle with officers over the bags.  Benton ripped open one of the bags and threw the suspected methamphetamine in the officers’ faces. After the struggle, Benton was taken into custody for the possession of the methamphetamine. 

 

Benton was named in a federal indictment in August of 2016 and pled guilty to the charge in October of 2016. 

The United States Marshal Service and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jeremy Lynn McGrew, age 36, of Springdale, was sentenced today to 75 months in federal prison followed by fifteen years of supervised release on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

 

According to court records, in December of 2016, members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) identified an IP address that was making files of child pornography available for download. As a result, members of the ICAC Taskforce executed a federal search warrant on April 5, 2017, at the residence of Jeremy Lynn McGrew, which is located in the Western District of Arkansas, Fayetteville Division. At that time, law enforcement confiscated multiple items of digital evidence that contained child pornography. While on the scene, law enforcement also encountered McGrew. After being informed of his Miranda rights, McGrew admitted viewing and accessing child pornography for fourteen years.

 

McGrew was indicted in June 2017 and pled guilty in August 2017.

 

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).  Assistant United States Attorney Amy Driver prosecuted the case for the United States.

Texarkana, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Brian Tremayne Porter, age 29, of Texarkana, Texas, was sentenced November 15, 2017 to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Texarkana.

According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force learned that methamphetamine was being distributed in Southwest Arkansas by Brian Porter.  In the early months of 2017,  Porter conspired with another to distribute two (2) ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential source in exchange for $1400 in Miller County, Arkansas. The substance purchased was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for testing. The lab determined that it was a mixture of a substance that contained methamphetamine and weighed approximately 53.4 grams  

Porter was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2017 and pled guilty to the charge in June 2017. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Driver prosecuted the case for the United States.

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Hjestie Olitta Sommer, age 40, of Fayetteville, was sentenced today to 77 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $1,900.00 fine on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in August of 2016, the Fourth Judicial District Drug Taskforce (4th JDTF) learned that methamphetamine was being distributed in the Springdale, Arkansas area by Sommer. In August of 2016, the 4th JDTF arranged and conducted a controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Sommer. The substance purchased was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for testing. The lab determined that it was a mixture of a substance that contained methamphetamine weighing approximately 7.1 grams.

 

Sommer was indicted by a federal grand jury in March, 2017 and plead guilty in May, 2017.

This case was investigated by the 4th JDTF. Assistant United States Attorney Sydney Butler prosecuted the case for the United States.

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Christian Rodriguez, age 27, of Rogers, was sentenced today to 130 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $2,400.00 fine on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in January, 2017, the Rogers Police Department performed a traffic stop on Christian Rodriguez for not wearing a seat belt. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Rodriguez exited the car and fled the scene. After a short pursuit, Rodriguez was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers locating, two zip lock bags with approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, a set of digital scales and almost $4,000 in cash. The drugs were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where they were confirmed to contain methamphetamine.

Rodriguez was indicted by a federal grand jury in March, 2017 and pleaded guilty in May, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Rogers Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Amelia Marie Spiotto, age 32, of Fort Smith, was sentenced today to 60 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole followed by a lifetime of supervised release on Two (2) Counts of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing hearing took place before the Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to the court records, in February 2016, agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, in conjunction with Department of Homeland Security, were conducting an investigation into the online trafficking of child pornography in the Fort Smith Area. As a part of the investigation, law enforcement obtained a federal search warrant for the residence of James Spiotto. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement located a computer hard drive that had been thrown from a second story window. A subsequent forensic examination of the hard drive revealed numerous videos under a file entitled “for Daddy” in which Amelia Spiotto recorded herself sexually abusing a 3-month-old male and an 11-month-old female. Law enforcement also discovered recordings of a co-defendant, James Spiotto, molesting the same 11-month old female. During a post-Miranda interview, James Spiotto admitted that Amelia Spiotto arranged to babysit a friend’s daughter, and thereafter they separately made videos of themselves sexually abusing her. James Spiotto further admitted that Amelia Spiotto recorded herself preforming oral sex on a 3-month-old male. During the investigation, law enforcement located numerous text messages between James and Amelia Spiotto, in which they were directing and encouraging each other to perform certain sexual acts on the minors.

“Sexual predators who prey on the most vulnerable in our society are especially heinous,” said Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans field office Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. “HSI will continue to diligently work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the perpetrators of these horrific crimes are brought to justice.”

 

Amelia and James Spiotto were indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2016. James Spiotto subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts involving sexual exploitation of minors and was sentenced to serve sixty (60) years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant United States Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Ashleigh Buckley prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and their Criminal Division Child Exploitation and Obscenity Sections (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Mauro Gonzales, age 38, of Arlington, Texas was sentenced yesterday to 235 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, in August of 2012, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, learned that large quantities of methamphetamine were being distributed out of the Fort Smith area. During the investigation, Agents were able to identify Mauro Gonzales and co-conspirator Gerardo Gamboa along with other members of the drug trafficking organization. On May 20, 2013, Gamboa was traffic stopped in Sequoya County, Oklahoma for speeding. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 4.7 pounds (2,138grams) of methamphetamine concealed in the back seat of the vehicle Gamboa was driving.

 

Gonzales was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in 2013 and pled guilty on February 16, 2017.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Fort Smith Police Department and the Oklahoma Highway Police. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Terrance Quartez Jarrett, aka Boopie, age 34, of Little Rock, was sentenced last week to 180 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, on counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana. The Honorable P.K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, in May of 2016, officers with the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) received information that Terrance Jarrett , a/k/a Boopie, had been selling narcotics out of his residence. On May 17, 2016, a parole search was conducted at Jarrett’s residence. During the search, Officers located approximately 104 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 223 grams of marijuana and three firearms.

Jarrett was named in a federal indictment in June of 2016. In January of 2017, a jury found Jarrett guilty of Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

The Fort Smith Police Department investigated this case with the assistance of Arkansas Department of Community Correction Probation and Parole and the Department of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney’s Candace Taylor and Aaron Jennen prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

Fort Smith , Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Gerardo Olivares, age 31, of Fort Smith, Arkansas was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were able to purchase multiple ounces of methamphetamine (135.0 grams of actual methamphetamine) on several different occasions throughout the months of April and June of 2014 from Olivares in the Fort Smith Arkansas area.

 

Olivares was indicted October 2015 and plead guilty March 2017.

 

Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case, the Fort Smith Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Spiotto, age 29, of Fort Smith, was sentenced today to 60 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole followed by life of supervised release for Conspiring to Produce and Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing hearing took place before the Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to the court records, in February 2016, agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, in conjunction with Department of Homeland Security, were conducting an investigation into the online trafficking of child pornography in the Fort Smith Area. As a part of the investigation, law enforcement obtained a federal search warrant for the residence of James Spiotto. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement located a computer hard drive that had been thrown from a second story window. A subsequent forensic examination of the hard drive revealed a video of James Spiotto orally and digitally raping an 11-month-old female. Law enforcement also located videos of an adult female, later identified as Amelia Spiotto, molesting the same 11-month old female, and separately molesting a 3-month-old male. During a post-Miranda interview, James Spiotto admitted that he and Amelia Spiotto arranged to babysit a friend’s daughter, and thereafter made videos of themselves sexually abusing her. James Spiotto further admitted that Amelia Spiotto separately recorded herself preforming oral sex on a 3-month-old male. Law enforcement also located text messages between James Spiotto and Amelia Spiotto, in which James Spiotto was directing and encouraging Amelia to perform certain acts while she molested the minor male. James Spiotto was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2016, and pleaded guilty in May of 2016. His co-defendant, Amelia Marie Spiotto, pleaded guilty in February of this year and will be sentenced at a later date.

“HSI will continue to aggressively pursue individuals that prey on innocent children,” said Nicholas C. Nelson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. “This case should serve as an example to others that we are committed to bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the River Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant United States Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Ashleigh Buckley prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and their Criminal Division Child Exploitation and Obscenity Sections (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

 

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Oscar David Zuniga-Chavez , A/K/A Oscar David Chavez-Zuniga age 37, of Tolleson, Arizona, was sentenced today to 121 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $2,400.00 fine on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

 

According to court records, in November 2017, during the course of an investigation into the criminal activities related to the distribution of methamphetamine, the Drug Enforcement Administration, (DEA) identified Oscar David Zuniga-Chavez as a source of supply of methamphetamine. During the investigation, agents were able to seek and obtain a federal search warrant for Zuniga's residence in Peoria, Arizona as well as a federal arrest warrant for Zuniga. On December 8, 2016, agents with the DEA Fayetteville Resident Office traveled to Arizona, where they assisted DEA agents and task force officers from Phoenix, Arizona in the execution of the search warrant and arrest warrant. Agents made contact with the Zuniga at the residence, and advised him of his Miranda rights. During the interview with Zuniga, he waived his Miranda rights and admitted to sending multiple pounds of methamphetamine to the Western District of Arkansas for distribution.

 

Zuniga was indicted by a federal grand jury in January, 2017 and pleaded guilty in March, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Howard Christopher Melton, age 36, of Farmington, was sentenced today to 80 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. Melton also was ordered to pay $3,600.00 in fines. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

 

According to court records, in August 2016, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task-force received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an individual later identified as Howard Christopher Melton, was using a Twitter account to upload images of child pornography to the internet.

 

On September 12, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant of Melton 's residence in Farmington Arkansas. A search of a hard drive seized from Melton's residence yielded numerous images depicting child pornography.

 

On November 21, 2016, Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) interviewed Melton where he admitted to searching for, downloading, receiving and saving child pornography from the internet.

 

Melton was indicted in January 2017 and plead guilty in March 2017.

 

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, and Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, announced that Lisa Van Genderen, age 53 of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced today to three years of probation on one count of Willful Failure to Collect or Pay Over Tax. Van Genderen pled guilty in March 2017. As a part of the sentence, Van Genderen was ordered to pay $76,829.54 in restitution. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, Van Genderen was the Chief Financial Officer of Pedross USA, LLC, a flooring business in Rogers, Arkansas. As a part of her duties as CFO, Van Genderen was responsible for handling the Pedross’ employment taxes by filing Forms 941 and paying over all employment taxes owed, including trust fund taxes. Van Genderen intentionally failed to file Form 941 and pay over taxes due for the tax quarter ending on December 31, 2012.

The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

 

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

 

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that George Hagadone, age 52, of Elkins, was sentenced yesterday to 56 months in federal prison followed by a 10 years of supervised release on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, beginning in June 2016, Homeland Security Investigations (H.S.I.) identified a computer uploading videos depicting child pornography. During the course of the investigation the LP address associated with that computer came back to the residence of George Hagadone, located in Elkins, which is located in the Fayetteville Division, Western District of Arkansas.

On January 12, 2017, H.S.I. executed a search warrant of Hagadone's residence where a computer containing child pornography was seized. Special Agents with H.S.I. interviewed Hagadone who admitted to downloading and possessing child pornography.

Hagadone was pled guilty to a one-count Information on March 31, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov

 

El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that all Defendants in Operation Three Amigos announced on February 3, 2015, have now been sentenced in Federal Court. A joint operation by the Camden Police Department, Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, United States Attorney’s Office, and the FBI resulted in the ultimate arrest and prosecution of 11 Federal Defendants. The investigation resulted in the initial seizure of firearms, ammunition, four vehicles and over $10,000.00 in United States currency from members of the organization and combined sentences of over 111 years for trafficking methamphetamine and crack cocaine in Camden.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI Task Force Officers began their investigation into drug trafficking in Ouachita County and Camden in particular in 2011. The investigation included witness interviews, controlled purchases of methamphetamine and crack cocaine, surveillance and monitoring, and other investigative techniques. Several Defendants were prosecuted for conspiracy as well as distribution charges.

The most recent sentencings took place on the conspiracy charge as Christopher “Tank” Turner was sentenced on June 13, 2017, to 210 months in prison after have been found to be responsible for conspiring to distribute over 20 kilograms of crack cocaine from 2012 through 2014. Kim “2Lou” Williams received a sentence of 77 months on June 23, 2017 for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine along with his brother, Will Williams who received a sentence of 30 months on June 22, 2017.

Several Defendants were charged and sentenced for distribution of large quantities of crack cocaine in the operation: Mario Thomas aka “Hoolie” was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison on January 26, 2016, Orlando Mitchell, aka “Stunna” received 140 months on February 14, 2017, Jeffrey Haywood, aka “Woodchuck” received 127 months on July 25, 2016, Carlos Morgan aka “Li’l Gafford” received 120 months on July 20, 2016, Darren Dee Atkins aka “Noonie” received 84 months on June 30, 2017, and Sheldon Mitchell aka “Yak” received a sentence of 63 months on January 21, 2016.

Also in this operation, methamphetamine distributors were apprehended and prosecuted. On January 26, 2016, Senica Howard aka “Big Howard” was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. Mario McGeilberry aka “Y.A.” aka “Dollar” received 140 months on July 28, 2016, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine with his wife, Tamar McGeilberry aka “Angel” in February of 2015. “Angel” received a sentence of 48 months on December 13, 2016, for using a wireless communication device in furtherance of shipping several packages of methamphetamine through the United States mail.

U. S. Attorney Kenneth Elser stated, “Drug distribution organizations are one of the biggest threats to the safety and security of our communities. Our citizens in south Arkansas feel the impact that crack and meth have on the street. Most of the time, the cost of the narcotics trade is borne not by the distributor but by the children and families of users. Our law enforcement partners in the DEA and FBI are cooperating with outstanding state and local partners to ensure that the risks of dealing crack and meth are placed back on the distributors who hopefully determine that these activities are not worth the consequences.”

“Today’s sentencing highlights the impact multiple agencies can have when they join forces in efforts to seek out and prosecute those who bring drugs into our Arkansas communities,” commented Diane Upchurch, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Little Rock, “We at the FBI are happy to have had this opportunity to work with U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas, Camden Police Department, Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force.”

“Methamphetamine and crack cocaine are destructive poisons that can cause terrible harm to the quality of life in any community,” said Stephen G. Azzam, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s New Orleans Field Division. “Side by side with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, DEA is holding drug dealers accountable. We are seizing their profits, shutting down their distribution networks, and putting dealers where they belong- behind bars. This investigation demonstrates our unending resolve to remove drug dealers from the communities here in south Arkansas and across the country. These lengthy sentences will put these criminals out of commission for a long time.”

David Butler, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas and head of the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force commented, “This investigation demonstrates the outstanding results that come from joint investigations involving state, federal, and local agencies. Thanks for the hard work by officers.”

 

All terms of federal prison were followed by a three year term of supervised release to begin immediately upon their release from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in El Dorado and Texarkana.

Operation Three Amigos was a joint operation between the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Camden Police Department, the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, the Little Rock FBI Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ouachita County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the cases for the Western District of Arkansas.

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Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that David Hurl Lemmon, age 44, of Alma, Arkansas was sentenced today to 420 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and 180 months in federal prison to be served concurrently on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Lemmon’s conviction was obtained after a 3-day jury trial last December.

Two of Lemmon’s co-defendants were also sentenced today. Pedro Valle, age 31, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Co-defendant Lisa Zamora, age 24, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by 2 years of supervised release for one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, on January 22, 2016, a deputy with the Potter County, Texas Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 near Amarillo, Texas. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle from the driver, Lisa Zamora, and the passenger, Hector Vasquez, the deputy located a suitcase in the trunk that contained approximately 50 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. Testing conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) South Central Laboratory determined that it was 22.11kg of 98.7% pure methamphetamine.

 

Law enforcement investigation determined that the transport of the methamphetamine was being facilitated by Pedro Valle, and that the methamphetamine was to be delivered to David Hurl Lemmon, who resided in Alma, Arkansas. The investigation also resulted in law enforcement recovering seven firearms, including a .40 caliber pistol, a 20-guage shotgun, and an AR-style assault rifle at Lemmon’s residence. Lemmon has at least one prior felony conviction that prohibited him from being in possession of firearms.

 

Lemmon, Valle, and Zamora were indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in March 2016. Valle, Zamora, and another co-defendant, John Spencer, pled guilty. Spencer is set for sentencing on June 27, 2017. Hector Vasquez failed to appear for trial and is currently a fugitive.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Potter County, Texas Sheriff’s Office, the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Smith Police Department, and the Bernalillio County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney’s Aaron Jennen and Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Johnny Wayne Callen, age 49, of Harrison, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 355 months in federal prison on one count of Enticing a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity. Greg Chiello, age 47, of Harrison, Arkansas, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on one count of Accessing a Device with Intent to View Child Pornography. The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, in June of 2016, the Harrison Police Department began investigating Callen for soliciting minors online to produce sexually explicit images. After obtaining a search warrant for Callen’s Facebook records, law enforcement determined that Callen specifically exchanged sexually explicit images with a 14-year old minor. In February of this year, Callen pleaded guilty in federal court. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with proof that Callen had previously been convicted of Rape.

According to court records, in June of 2016, the Berryville Police Department received reports that Chiello was in possession of a cellular phone that contained images of minors being sexually abused. Chiello was subsequently located and arrested by the Berryville Police Department. An examination of his cellular devices revealed over 800 images of child pornography that were deleted from Chiello’s phone just prior to his arrest. Chiello pleaded guilty in February of this year. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court proof that Chiello had previously been convicted of a Child Pornography related offense.

These cases were investigated by the Harrison Police Department, the Berryville Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Gregory A. Taylor, age 51 of Clanton, Alabama, was sentenced on Monday to 66 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. Along with his co-defendants, Taylor was ordered to pay $1,274,163.84 in restitution. Taylor was one of eight defendants indicted in 2014 as part of an investigation into a tax fraud and identity theft scheme in El Dorado and Crossett. Taylor pled guilty in December 2015. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.

According to court records, between 2009 and 2011 Taylor conspired with his co-defendants to defraud the United States by filing fraudulent income tax returns using the personal identifying information of others. During 2011, IRS-CI, U.S. Secret Service, and the El Dorado Police Department obtained evidence that Taylor and his co-defendants were involved in a large scale identity theft and tax refund scheme. As a part of the scheme, the co-defendants would use the names, social security numbers, and dates of birth, of numerous individuals to claim fraudulent tax refunds from the federal government. The evidence revealed that Taylor, a return preparer in Crossett, Arkansas, was working with and assisting his co-defendants with the filing of fraudulent tax returns to obtain false refunds. As part of his plea agreement, Taylor admitted that as a result of the conspiracy, he and his co-defendants fraudulently claimed refunds totaling $1,101,478. Other members of the conspiracy admitted to filing at least 665 fraudulent tax returns requesting more than $2,300,000.00 in refunds.

Taylor’s co-defendants Shawna D. Carey, Clarisse Carey, and Erica Browning were sentenced in January, 2016 to a total of 77 months imprisonment. Co-defendants Venus Ford, Sanjana Aaron, Whitney Charles, and Ecko Scott have pled guilty to their part of the conspiracy and await sentencing.

“Misusing his position of trust as a tax return preparer, Mr. Taylor knowingly used stolen identities to file false tax returns with the IRS. ” said Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “The sentence handed down highlights the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct. We will remain vigilant in identifying and investigating those who seek to defraud the American taxpayers by stealing identities and filing false tax returns.”

The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, El Dorado Police Department, and the Crossett Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Ross and Brice White prosecuted the case for the United States.

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El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Christopher J. Turner, aka Tank, age 41, of Camden, was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on two counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.

According to court records, in 2014 the Camden Police Department, the 14th Judicial Drug Task Force, and the FBI were investigating drug trafficking in the Camden area. With the help of confidential informants, investigators were able to conduct two controlled purchases from Turner in the Spring of 2014. Turner was named in a four-count federal indictment in July of 2015 and pled guilty to two charges of Distribution of Cocaine Base in April of 2016.

At sentencing, the District Court found that Turner conspired with others who obtained crack cocaine from Little Rock for distribution in the Camden area. The Court determined that under the Sentencing Guidelines, Turner was responsible for the distribution of over 20 kilograms or 44 pounds of crack cocaine over a three-year period from 2012 through 2015. In arriving at a sentence, the Court also took into account Turner’s prior felony convictions for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Forgery, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Camden Police Department, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Ben Wulff and Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.

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Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Myers, age 38 of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 188 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Robert T. Dawson presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, officers with the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence Springdale, Arkansas. Inside, officers found Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms. Myers later admitted that he was in possession of a Remington 12 Gauge Shotgun at the time officers executed the warrant. At the time, Myers had at least one prior felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms. Myers was indicted by a federal grand jury in November, 2016 and pleaded guilty in February, 2017.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of firearms and improving the safety of residents in the Western District of Arkansas. Participants in the initiative include federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

This case was investigated by the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

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Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Oscar Ceballos, age 31, of Rogers, was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $2,400 fine on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in early 2016, investigators with the Springdale Police Department received information from a confidential source concerning Ceballos distributing methamphetamine. According the source, Ceballos facilitated his distribution by moving between high end hotels in the area. In February of 2016, officers observed Ceballos loadings items into a UHAUL truck. After making contact officers detected the smell of marijuana. A subsequent search revealed drug paraphernalia, a firearm, $4,950.00, and 96.9 grams of actual methamphetamine.

Ceballos was indicted by a federal grand jury in November, 2016 and pleaded guilty in January, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Springdale Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Edward Garcia, age 23, of Rogers, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $2,400 fine on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, on October 30, 2016, Springdale police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Garcia. After Garcia was arrested for an outstanding warrant officers conducted a vehicle search. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers locating a flashlight and inside the battery compartment of the flashlight officers located a plastic bag containing methamphetamine. The drugs seized were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where they were confirmed to contain 9.5 grams of actual methamphetamine.

 

Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in November, 2016 and pleaded guilty in February 2017.

 

This case was investigated by the Springdale Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Lee Hill, age 47, of Dayton, Tennessee, was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The Honorable United States District Court Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in August 2016, the mother of a seventeen (17) year old female reported that her daughter’s cellular phone and other personal property were stolen near Dayton, Tennessee. Thereafter, the minor’s contacts, including other minors, began receiving obscene images and videos along with requests to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Law enforcement was ultimately able to trace the stolen cellular phone to Berryville, Arkansas. Carroll County Sherriff’s deputies ultimately arrested Hill, who was found in possession of the stolen phone. A federal grand jury indicted Hill in November 2016 for attempting to entice and coerce the 17 year old minor to produce sexually explicit images of herself in exchange for the return of her stolen property. Hill pleaded guilty in January 2017.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Collier County Florida Sherriff’s Department, and the Carroll County Sherriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Clarence C. Garretson, age 66, of Van Buren, Arkansas, was sentenced today to a term of LIFE in federal prison for his conviction on one count of transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was also sentenced to a term of 15 years imprisonment each on four other counts of transporting minors in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, with those terms to run concurrently and concurrent with the term of LIFE imprisonment on Count One. The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated an investigation after a minor female (Minor #1) disclosed in May, 2016 that she had been raped by Garretson when he took her on a multi-state trip two years earlier. Garretson was an over-the-road truck driver for C & T Trucking company in Van Buren and he had requested and received a “rider waiver” from the trucking company so that the minor could accompany him on the trip. The minor was ten-years-old in 2014 and Garretson was 63 years old. Garretson stipulated and agreed in the plea agreement that he transported the minor in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her and the sexual activity he engaged in with her was Rape, a Class Y felony.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that in 1998 Garretson and his wife were approved by Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to operate a foster home and later to become an adoptive home. The FBI Special Agent learned that DHS had received a report in 2002 from a foster child then living in the home that she had been sexually assaulted by Garretson. Based on that information, the agent began locating individuals who had been in foster care at the Garretson residence. Minor #2 was interviewed in June, 2016 and was a foster child in the home from 2000 to 2004. She disclosed that Garretson had taken her on over-the-road truck trips when she was his foster child. Garretson stipulated and agreed that he transported the minor in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her, and that the sexual activity he engaged in with her was Violation of a Minor in the First Degree, a Class C felony. At the time of the offense, she was over 13 years of age, and less than 18 and the conduct engaged in was sexual intercourse. Garretson stipulated and agreed that Minor #2 was a foster child in his care, custody, and control when he transported her in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her.

In 1999, DHS placed Minor #3 and his two older sisters in the Garretson home, and Minor #3 was legally adopted by them in 2001. Minor #3 was interviewed by the FBI Special Agent in July, 2016 and disclosed that Garretson had taken him on long distance truck trips starting in the summer of 2001 when he was 11 years old and that he had sexually assaulted him on multiple trips during summer vacation from school in 2002 and 2003. Garretson stipulated and agreed that he transported the minor in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with him, that the sexual activity he engaged in with him was Rape, a Class Y felony. Garretson stipulated and agreed that Minor #3 was in his care, custody and control when he transported him in interstate commerce with intent to engage in sexual activity with him.

In 1999, DHS placed Minor #5 and her two siblings in the Garretson home and she remained there until 2004. She was interviewed by the FBI Special Agent in July, 2016 and disclosed that she was sexually assaulted by Garretson on an over-the-road trip to California during the summer of 2000 when she was 13 years old. Garretson stipulated and agreed that he transported Minor #5 in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her, that the sexual activity he engaged in with her was Rape, a Class Y felony, and that Minor #5 was in his care, custody, and control when he transported her in interstate commerce with intent to engage in sexual activity with her.

Minor #8 was born in 1993 and was interviewed by the FBI Special Agent in September, 2016. She stated that Garretson transported her and her siblings between Arkansas and California as a favor to her family since their parents lived in different states. She disclosed that in 2002 when she was 9 years old, Garretson had her sleep nude or partially nude in the bed with him inside the truck and engage in sexual activity with her. Garretson stipulated and agreed that he transported Minor #8 in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her, and that the sexual activity he engaged in with her was Rape, a Class Y felony. He stipulated and agreed that Minor #8 was in his care, custody and control when he transported her in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her.

Garretson was charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on October 4, 2016 and pleaded guilty on August 9, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and assisted by the Van Buren Police Department, Fort Smith Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General as well as Law Enforcement Officers in the states of California, Colorado and Oregon. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Larry Jesus Navarete, aka NICA, age 35, of Los Angeles, California was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentence was ordered to be served consecutively to a 38 year prison sentence that Navarete received in California in 2008 after conviction for Second Degree Robbery in Association with a Criminal Street Gang and False Imprisonment by Violence in Association with a Criminal Street Gang. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in 2015 local law enforcement officers with the DEA drug task force began investigating a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation in Springdale and Rogers, Arkansas. In March, 2015, officers purchased seven grams of methamphetamine from a local distributor, Sebastian Garcia-Mojica. A search of Mojica’s apartment revealed boxes that had been shipped from an address in Los Angeles associated with Guadalupe Duran containing disfigured stuffed animals addressed to Esmeralda Quintana.

Upon further investigation, officers traveled to Quintana’s residence where they were greeted by co-conspirator Francisco Martinez-Guzman who consented to a search of the residence. Inside officers found one pound of methamphetamine and wire receipts that showed Quintana had wired Duran $1,300.00. A package coming from California to Quintana’s address was later intercepted and found to contain approximately two pounds of methamphetamine. These individuals were subsequently convicted and sentenced as follows: Guzman 120 months imprisonment, Duran 72 months imprisonment, Quintana 48 months imprisonment, and Mojica 41 months imprisonment.

Following the arrest of Mojica, Guzman, and Quintana information was received that Jaime Monge was distributing methamphetamine that he was receiving from the same source in California. After a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Monge, officers received authorization for a wiretap of his phone. During the wiretap officers intercepted communications between Monge and an individual later identified as Navarete as well as several others. The investigation determined that Navarete was incarcerated in a California prison and was communicating with Monge from prison using a contraband cell phone. Court authorization was subsequently obtained to wiretap Navarete’s phone. Monge was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 120 months imprisonment.

Law enforcement officers in Arkansas were able to coordinate their investigation with an ongoing investigation of by the FBI, DEA and local law enforcement in California of MS-13 activities in California and throughout the United States. As a result of the investigation, Navarete and law enforcement was able to determine that Navarete was a member of the MS-13 and a leader of a clique within MS-13. MS-13 is transnational gang involved in drug trafficking and violence. The investigation revealed that Navarete’s role in the conspiracy was as a leader who arranged and directed shipments of methamphetamine to co-conspirators in Northwest Arkansas and other locations in the United States. The Arkansas investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 25 pounds of methamphetamine and the indictment of Navarete and 18 other individuals in the Western District of Arkansas and the indictment of several individuals in Oklahoma. The joint investigation also resulted in the indictment of numerous individuals in California.

In addition to those mentioned above, the investigation resulted in the indictment and conviction in the Western District of Arkansas of the following: Alejandro Zambrano-Trujillo, Jonas Aguirre-Zelada, Danny Orellana-Pindeda, Antonia Orellana-Pineda, Rigoberto Benavidez, Jose Lepe, Cinthia Banags-Ruiz, Amanda Olse, Corina Zepeda-Patino, Hado Zepeda-Garcia, Rosalio Laredo-Garcia, and Mario De Jesus Montoya –Perlera. These prosecutions have been carried out across the country and led to more than 91 years of total imprisonment.

“This investigation resulted in the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking organization with ties to MS-13 operating in Arkansas and Oklahoma.” said Kenneth Elser, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. “This case is a model for law enforcement cooperation and would not have been possible without the countless hours of work put in by local and federal law enforcement and by Assistant United States Attorney Kim Harris. Their dedication to the mission of the Department of Justice has been tremendous and their determination to work together has ultimately made the Western District of Arkansas a safer place.”

“The drug enforcement administration stands ready, arm in arm, with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to combat violent drug trafficking organizations operating in Arkansas. This investigation is a prime example of the teamwork that all of these agencies put forth to rid Northwest Arkansas of these criminal organizations.” DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rogers Police Department, the Springdale Police Department, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Davis Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Anthony Allen Jean, age 45, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release on one count each of Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, in March 2015, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified a computer with a known IP address that was engaged in receipt of images and videos that depicted child pornography through a private, password protected website. A subsequent subpoena return of the suspect computer’s internet provider returned to the residence of Anthony Jean. The FBI executed a search warrant on Jean’s residence at which time he admitted to downloading and receiving images of child pornography on his laptop computer. A forensic examination of Jean’s computer yielded multiple images and approximately 562 videos depicting child pornography.

A federal grand jury indicted Jean in December 2015, and he pleaded guilty in December 2016.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Gary Murl Beck, age 54, of Fallbrook, California, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison to run concurrent with any sentence in the state of California followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

            According to court records, on September 29, 2015, Eureka Springs Police Department arrested co-conspirator, Jeffrey Vanroy, in Eureka Springs for possession of methamphetamine. The suspected substance was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where it was determined to be 52 grams of actual methamphetamine. Agents discovered during the investigation that the methamphetamine had originally been sent by FedEx to co-conspirator, Stephen Carufel, at his residence in Eureka Springs. Vanroy who was living with Carufel at the time took the package when it was delivered knowing it contained methamphetamine. Police were able to recover the FedEx packaging and found the sender listed as Gary Backe from Fallbrook, California; Gary Beck had used the name Gary Backe as an alias. California law enforcement identified the sender of the FedEx as Gary Murl Beck from Fallsbrook, California. They discovered 12 packages had been sent from Beck to Carufel between January 2015 to September 2015. Agents executed a search warrant on Beck’s residence on October 6, 2015 where they found over one pound of methamphetamine along with the receipt for one of the packages that Beck had shipped to Carufel. Agents retrieved messages between Beck and Carufel from Beck’s cell phone wherein they discussed what day and time the methamphetamine would arrive in Eureka Springs and how the payment for the methamphetamine was to be sent. A search warrant executed on Carufel’s residence produced MoneyGram receipts, cancelled personal checks, and wire transfers made out to Beck for the methamphetamine for the time period between April 2014 and October 2015. Beck was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 9, 2016 and pleaded guilty on October 25, 2016.

            Co-conspirator Stephen Carufel pleaded guilty to Aiding and Abetting Money Laundering and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on June 7, 2016. He was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison on October 27, 2016.

            Co-conspirator Jeffrey Vanroy pleaded guilty to Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on June 9, 2016 and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison on November 9, 2016.

            Homeland Security Investigations assisted the Eureka Springs Police Department in the investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jason Lee Pyles, age 44 of Barling, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on one count of Knowingly Possessing a Firearm After a Felony Conviction. The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

            According to court records, Jason Lee Pyles was convicted in Sebastian County Circuit Court in May 1995 of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, a class Y felony. He was sentenced to 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, and because of that conviction, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

            On or about April 25, 2016, Barling Police Department assisted Arkansas Probation and Parole in a compliance check at Pyle’s residence in Barling. He was not at home but his mother showed law enforcement the bedroom that he lived in. Officers searched the bedroom and found a .380 caliber pistol, a .22 caliber revolver, and a .38 caliber revolver in an unlocked rifle box.

            Pyles was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2016 and pleaded guilty in November 2016.

            This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of firearms and improving the safety of residents in the Western District of Arkansas. Participants in the initiative include federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

            This case was investigated by Barling Police Department, Arkansas Probation and Parole and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

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            Hot Springs, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Keri Burroughs, age 39, of Hot Springs, was sentenced this week to 151 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

            According to court records, on January 28, 2016, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations and the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force obtained an arrest warrant for Keri Burroughs for a narcotics offense. On February 1, 2016, an Arkansas State Trooper conducted a traffic stop on her vehicle for several traffic violations. After a narcotics canine gave a positive alert for the presence of drugs, Burroughs granted consent for a search of her vehicle where the trooper found and seized eight bags of a crystalline substance totaling over 218 grams, a 9mm handgun with two loaded magazines, one of which was inserted in the firearm, a digital scale, and two meth pipes. One of the bags, weighing over 27 grams was tested by the Arkansas State Crime Lab and was determined to be 100% pure methamphetamine. After being advised of and waiving her Miranda rights, she admitted the methamphetamine was hers and that she intended to distribute it. Burroughs was indicted by a federal jury in March, 2016 and pleaded guilty in May, 2016.

            Homeland Security Investigations, the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Arkansas State Police assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Driver prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Hot Springs, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Mark A. Hudson, age 43 of Hot Springs, was sentenced this week to 110 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on each count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine. The sentences are to run concurrent with each other. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

            According to court records, in August 2014, law enforcement began investigating Mark Hudson for the distribution of heroin. Agents used a confidential source to arrange for and conduct at least six controlled purchases of heroin from Hudson in Hot Springs exchanging funds for the purchase of the heroin. In November 2014, the confidential source exchanged $200 for a quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine from Hudson. The suspected substance sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration South Central Laboratory and was determined to be 4.2 grams of actual methamphetamine. Hudson was indicted by a federal jury in July 2015 and pleaded guilty in February 2016.

            Hudson’s co-defendant, Titus D. Denton, age 33, of Benton, was sentenced on July 29, 2016 to 60 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.

            “We will continue to attack the scourge of methamphetamine and heroin distribution in Arkansas and beyond,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden. “The sentencing of Mark Hudson should send a message to those who want to sell drugs. We are going to catch you and put you in federal prison if you distribute this poison in our communities. ”

            The Drug Enforcement Administration, 18th Judicial Drug Task Force, and Hot Springs Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

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           Texarkana, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that David E. Haskell, age 28, of DeKalb, Texas, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Texarkana.

           According to court records, on March 11, 2016, investigators with the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, the Texarkana Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation utilized a confidential informant to arrange a purchase of methamphetamine from David Haskell.  Officers conducted surveillance on the residence of Haskell as the transaction occurred.  The confidential informant provided Haskell with $430.00 in exchange for one-half ounce of methamphetamine.  The suspected substance was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where it was determined to be a total of 12.8 grams of methamphetamine with a 90.4% purity level.

             Haskell was indicted by a federal grand jury in May, 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charge in October, 2016. 

             This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miller County Sheriff’s, and the Texarkana Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.

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            Texarkana, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that two men were sentenced this week on one count each of Failure to Collect or Pay Over Tax.  James R. Cheek, age 68, of Waleska, Georgia and Herschel J. Breig, Sr., age 69, of Nixa, Missouri were each sentenced to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Restitution of $6,000,000 is ordered jointly and severally between the two defendants.  Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District court in Texarkana. 

            According to court records, as principals of Hope Medical Park Hospital, both Cheek and Breig were responsible to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over the hospital’s payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service during the calendar years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.  They failed to pay approximately $6,000,000 in payroll taxes as was required. 

            Both men were indicted by a federal grand jury in July, 2015 and both pleaded guilty in September, 2016.

            "Corporate executives have a responsibility to withhold federal income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the IRS on their behalf. Employment tax evasion not only results in the loss of tax revenue to the United States government, employees also lose future social security or Medicare benefits” stated Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge. "Failure to pay over withheld taxes is a serious offense, and continues to be an investigative priority for IRS Criminal Investigation."

            This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Candace Taylor and Jonathan D. Ross prosecuted the case for the United States.

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            Fayetteville, AR – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation, and L. Diane Upchurch, Special Agent in Charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today that Connie Guild, age 52, of Gravette, Arkansas, has pleaded guilty to a 2-count Information charging her with Theft Concerning Programs that Receive Federal Funds and Filing a False Income Tax Return. Judge Timothy L. Brooks accepted the plea in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

            According to court records, beginning in 2005, Guild began working in the Benton County accounting department as an Accounting Specialist, and most recently as the Accounts Payable Manager until she was terminated in September 2016. Starting in 2007, Guild was in charge of the Benton County Travel Fund. This fund consisted of cash stored in a vault and was used to advance cash to county employees for approved travel. To receive the cash, county employees submitted approved travel request forms to Guild. Once the travel was completed, the employee would submit receipts to Guild that were reconciled with the travel request forms, and any unspent cash was returned to Guild to be placed back into the Travel Fund.

            Periodically, Guild would compile the reconciled travel request forms and submit a claim to the Benton County Treasurer, who would issue a check to Guild payable to the Travel Fund. Guild would then cash the check, and the cash was supposed to be deposited into the Travel Fund vault, reimbursing the Travel Fund for the previously advanced cash.

            Beginning in 2007, Guild began submitting false claims for the Travel Fund to the Treasurer, inflating the amount of money dispersed from the Travel Fund. As a result, the Treasurer issued checks payable to the Travel Fund in amounts that exceeded the amount necessary to reimburse the Travel Fund. Guild cashed the checks and deposited the excess funds into her personal bank account, where she used the funds to pay personal expenses.

            From 2007 to 2015, Guild also failed to report the embezzled funds as income on her personal federal income tax returns. Count 2 of the Information charges Guild with underreporting the income reported on her 2010 IRS Form 1040, by approximately $118,560.00 in embezzled funds, resulting in a tax loss of $33,505.00. In total, Guild agreed that the total tax loss for all years was greater than $250,000.00 but less than $550,000.00.

            As part of the plea agreement, Guild has agreed to a money judgment of $1,033,762.20, which represents the proceeds of her illegal conduct. Guild will be sentenced at a later date. As to Count 1, Guild faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. As to Count 2, Guild faces a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $100,000.

            The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brice R. White prosecuted the case for the United States.

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            Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Mohammed Abed Joudeh, II age 28, of Fort Smith, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison to run concurrent with any undischarged state sentence followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

            According to court records, on or about July 12, 2016, Fort Smith police officers assisted Arkansas Parole officers in the search of a residence in Fort Smith where Mohammed Joudeh lived with his mother. Officers made contact with Joudeh and entered the residence. Upon searching the residence, officers seized approximately three grams of methamphetamine hidden in an air vent in the bedroom. After being arrested and placed in the patrol car, Joudeh stated that he was worried about his mother being charged for the drugs and said there were three ounces and a .38 caliber revolver under his mother’s bed. Officers located a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver and a safe containing zip lock bags with approximately 156 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and $100 cash. In the living room chair where Joudeh had been sitting, they found $4,243 banded together in $1,000 increments. Searching further, they located a drug ledger with initials and dollar amounts written next to the initials, another set of digital scales, and two loaded .38 caliber magazines.

            Joudeh was named in a federal indictment in August of 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charge in October of 2016.

            This case was investigated by the Fort Smith Police Department and the Arkansas Department of Probation and Parole. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Danny Paul Cummings, age 47, of Charleston, was sentenced today to 90 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Child Pornography. The Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

            According to court records, in April of 2016, the Fort Smith Arkansas Crimes Against Children Taskforce identified a Twitter user who was using a computer with a known I.P. address to upload images and videos depicting child pornography to the internet. A subsequent subpoena return from the suspect’s internet provider returned to the residence of Danny Paul Cummings. On or about April 28, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cummings residence at which time he admitted to using his computer to distribute, trade, and download images and videos depicting child pornography through Twitter and a KIK account. Agents seized an I-Phone, cell phone, laptop computer, and a hard drive from the residence. A subsequent forensic examination of the devices yielded 565 pictures and 131 videos depicting child pornography. One of the videos depicted an adult male having vaginal sex with a female child approximately four-to-six years of age. The video was over a minute long, and records obtained reflect the video was distributed to others through the internet using Cumming’s KIK account.

            “Protecting our nation remains a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas C. Nelson. “In this case, we worked jointly with our partners at the Greenwood Police Department and Ozark Police Department to successfully remove a violator from our local community.” Nelson is the Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations with responsibility for Arkansas.

            Cummings was named in a federal indictment in August of 2016 and pleaded guilty in November of 2016.

            This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Greenwood Police Department and Ozark Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Charles Ray Smith, age 31, of Winslow, was sentenced late yesterday to 210 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

            According to court records, on or about September 15, 2016, law enforcement arrested Charles Ray Smith at his residence on charges of sexual abuse. During a post-Miranda interview, Smith stated that he had been downloading child pornography on the cell phone in his possession and would then transfer it to his laptop computer. Smith subsequently consented to a search of his bedroom where officers located and seized two laptop computers. A subsequent forensic examination of the seized items revealed numerous images of child pornography.

            Smith was named in a federal indictment in October of 2016 and pleaded guilty in December of 2016. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with proof that Smith had a 2006 conviction for Sexual Assault 2nd Degree.

            “Identifying and arresting sexual predators remains a top priority for HSI,” said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. “HSI appreciates the teamwork of the Siloam Springs Police Department in ensuring this multiple offender was brought to justice.” Parmer is the Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans field office with responsibility for Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

            This case was investigated by the Siloam Springs Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jimmy Dale King, aka OG Zeek Woods, age 42, of Marianna, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession With Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance that Contained Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

            According to court records, in September of 2016, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in conjunction with the Springdale Police Department received information that Jimmy Dale King was in Springdale distributing methamphetamine. Agents learned that King was from out of town and staying in a local hotel and obtained a description of the vehicle he was driving. On September 15, law enforcement used a confidential source to arrange for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from King. Agents set up surveillance and observed as King arrived at the predetermined meeting location. Because King was on parole, there was a valid search waiver on file. After searching and arresting him, officers found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and $327 cash on his person. Further searching his hotel room, officers located and seized a digital scale, $860 cash and two additional bags of methamphetamine. The suspected substance was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for testing.

            King was named in a federal indictment in October of 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charge in December of 2016.

            The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springdale Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Davis Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Antonio “TBoi” Nash, age 23, of Springdale was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Transporting Individual to Engage in Prostitution. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

            According to court records, in January of 2015, officers with the Springdale Police Department encountered a 17-year-old female naked inside a hotel room with an adult male. During an interview with the officers, the minor explained that she had been recruited just before Christmas of 2014 through Facebook by a pimp named “Tboi,” who was later identified as Antonio Nash, to work as a prostitute. She stated that Tboi had picked her up from her residence in Missouri, driven her to Springdale, and introduced her to two other females who explained to her how to be an escort. She said he helped her to create an online advertisement on Backpage.com, and she started working for him. She explained that he would give her marijuana for payment and let her keep some of the money she made from the sexual encounters, but later he took all of the money she made. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), obtained a search warrant for Nash’s Facebook account, and the Facebook records corroborated the statements of the minor. On or about May 26, 2016, a search warrant was issued on Nash’s residence. At the time, Nash, after being advised of his rights, admitted to being in the business of facilitating sexual encounters for money and, specifically, to recruiting and transporting the 17-year-old female.

            Nash was indicted by a federal grand jury in June, 2016 and pleaded guilty in October, 2016.

            This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Springdale Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Hot Springs, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Prentice Jerel Daniels, aka “PJ”, age 29, of Mountain Pine, was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

            According to court records, on two separate occasions in July of 2015, members of the 18th Judicial East Drug Task Force conducted a controlled purchase of one ounce of methamphetamine from Prentice Jerel Daniels, recording the transactions each time. Daniels was a known distributor of methamphetamine in the Mountain Pine area. On August 6, 2015, officers executed a state search warrant on Daniel’s residence and located a large amount of methamphetamine and over $12,000 in cash. The drugs seized were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where they tested positive to be 663 grams of actual methamphetamine.

            Daniels was named in a federal indictment in September, 2015 and pleaded guilty in August, 2016.

            This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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            Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Robert Loper, age 42, of Greenwood, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 324 months in federal prison on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography and 240 months in federal prison on one count of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentences are to run concurrent with each other and Loper was sentenced to a lifetime term of supervised release. The Honorable Chief Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

            According to court records, on August 13, 2016, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an individual in the Fort Smith area who was uploading known images of child pornography to a Twitter account. Through the cell phone provider, agents were able to identify the phone number as being associated with James Robert Loper, a convicted sex offender. On September 15, 2016, law enforcement officers along with federal probation officers executed a search of Loper’s residence. At that time, he admitted to using the Twitter account to receive images and videos of child pornography and to being in possession of three cell phones containing child pornography. Loper also shared sexually explicit images with a 16-year-old girl using Twitter. A forensic examination revealed the phones to contain over 200 images and 30 videos of child pornography. One of the videos depicted sexually explicit conduct involving female children under the age of three-years-old. Loper had previously been convicted of Possession of Child Pornography and was on federal supervision when the offenses were committed. Loper was named in a federal indictment in October, 2016 and pleaded guilty in November, 2016.

            “Identifying and arresting sexual predators remains a top priority for HSI,” said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. “HSI appreciates the teamwork of the Greenwood Police Department and the U.S. Probation and Parole, along with our other law enforcement partners, in ensuring this multiple offender was brought to justice.” Parmer is the Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans field office with responsibility for Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

            This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Greenwood Police Department, Arkansas Probation and Parole, and the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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WASHINGTON – A former Arkansas state senator, a college president and a consultant were charged in an indictment filed for perpetrating a bribery and fraud scheme involving tens of thousands of dollars in bribes provided to the senator and another legislator in exchange for directing approximately $600,000 in government funds to two non-profit entities, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser of the Western District of Arkansas.

 

            Jonathan E. Woods, 39, of Springdale, Arkansas, was charged with 11 counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of honest services mail fraud and one count of money laundering. Oren Paris III, 49, also of Springdale, and Randell G. Shelton Jr., 37, of Alma, Arkansas, were each charged with nine counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services mail fraud. The defendants’ arraignments will be scheduled at a later date.

 

            As alleged in the indictment, Woods served as an Arkansas state senator from 2013 to 2017. Between approximately 2013 and approximately 2015, Woods used his official position as a senator to appropriate and direct government money, known as General Improvement Funds (GIF), to two non-profit entities by, among other things, directly authorizing GIF disbursements and advising other Arkansas legislators – including former state representative Micah Neal – to contribute GIF to the non-profits. Specifically, Woods and Neal authorized and directed the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, which was responsible for disbursing the GIF, to award a total of approximately $600,000 in GIF money to the two non-profit entities. The indictment further alleges that Woods and Neal received bribes from officials at both non-profits, including Paris, who was the president of a college. The indictment alleges that Woods initially facilitated $200,000 of GIF money to the college and later, together with Neal, directed another $200,000 to the college, all in exchange for kickbacks. To pay and conceal the kickbacks to Woods and Neal, Paris paid a portion of the GIF to Shelton’s consulting company. According to the indictment, Shelton then kept a portion of the money and paid the other portion to Woods and Neal. Paris also bribed Woods, the indictment alleges, by hiring Woods’s friend to an administrative position at the college.

 

            For his part in the scheme, Neal pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

 

            The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

            The FBI and the Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Trial Attorney Sean Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and U.S. Attorney Elser and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Ben Wulff of the Western District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.

 

            Any information regarding public corruption can be provided to the FBI in Little Rock through their public corruption hotline, which is 501-221-8200.

 

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A former Arkansas state senator, a college president and a consultant were charged in an indictment filed for perpetrating a bribery and fraud scheme involving tens of thousands of dollars in bribes provided to the senator and another legislator in exchange for directing approximately $600,000 in government funds to two non-profit entities, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser of the Western District of Arkansas.  

Jonathan E. Woods, 39, of Springdale, Arkansas, was charged with 11 counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of honest services mail fraud and one count of money laundering.  Oren Paris III, 49, also of Springdale, and Randell G. Shelton Jr., 37, of Alma, Arkansas, were each charged with nine counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services mail fraud.  The defendants’ arraignments will be scheduled at a later date.

As alleged in the indictment, Woods served as an Arkansas state senator from 2013 to 2017.  Between approximately 2013 and approximately 2015, Woods used his official position as a senator to appropriate and direct government money, known as General Improvement Funds (GIF), to two non-profit entities by, among other things, directly authorizing GIF disbursements and advising other Arkansas legislators – including former state representative Micah Neal – to contribute GIF to the non-profits.  Specifically, Woods and Neal authorized and directed the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, which was responsible for disbursing the GIF, to award a total of approximately $600,000 in GIF money to the two non-profit entities.  The indictment further alleges that Woods and Neal received bribes from officials at both non-profits, including Paris, who was the president of a college.  The indictment alleges that Woods initially facilitated $200,000 of GIF money to the college and later, together with Neal, directed another $200,000 to the college, all in exchange for kickbacks.  To pay and conceal the kickbacks to Woods and Neal, Paris paid a portion of the GIF to Shelton’s consulting company.  According to the indictment, Shelton then kept a portion of the money and paid the other portion to Woods and Neal.  Paris also bribed Woods, the indictment alleges, by hiring Woods’s friend to an administrative position at the college.   

For his part in the scheme, Neal pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.  Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. 

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI and the Internal Revenue Service investigated the case.  Trial Attorney Sean Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and U.S. Attorney Elser and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Ben Wulff of the Western District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.  

Any information regarding public corruption can be provided to the FBI in Little Rock through their public corruption hotline, which is 501-221-8200. 

Woods Indictment

            Hot Springs, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that on February 27, 2017, Lynn Terrance Breckenridge, II, age 26, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to one count of Kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(2) and one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 2241(a). According to the plea agreement, in the early morning hours of October 5, 2014, Breckenridge picked up the victim on Park Avenue in Hot Springs, claiming to offer a ride to the victim’s residence. Breckenridge then refused to take the victim to her residence and continued to drive around Hot Springs and the Hot Springs National Park, which is under exclusive federal jurisdiction. While driving in the Hot Springs National Park, Breckenridge used a handgun to force the victim to perform a sexual act. Breckenridge eventually released the victim, and she reported the assault to the Hot Springs Police Department. The change of plea was accepted by the Honorable Susan O. Hickey, in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

            The offenses to which Breckenridge pled guilty carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing will occur at a later date.

            This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Hot Springs Police Department and the National Park Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

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            Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Thanousorn Kongmanivong, age 45, of Springdale, was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

            According to court records, in the spring and summer of 2016, Kongmanivong was being investigated by the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force for trafficking methamphetamines in the Northwest Arkansas area. Detectives received information in July of 2016 that Kongmanivong had a large quantity of methamphetamine in a locked tool box in his garage. After obtaining a federal search warrant, a search was made on his residence, where officers located approximately 268 grams of methamphetamines in 12 separate packages inside the toolbox. The substance was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where it was confirmed to contain at least 150 grams of actual methamphetamines. Kongmanivong was indicted by a federal grand jury in August, 2016 and pleaded guilty in October, 2016.

 

            This case was investigated by the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

 

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