Western District of Arkansas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Men Arraigned on Charges of Failing to Pay over Hospital Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James R. Cheek, age 67, formerly of Douglasville, Georgia, and Herschel J. Breig, Sr., age 68, formerly of Nixa, Missouri, appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Barry A. Bryant for arraignment on nine (9) counts of Failure to Pay Over Employment Tax in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7202. The Indictment alleges that 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 throughout the calendar years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, failed to pay approximately $6,000,000 in payroll taxes as was required.
The charges in an indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross is prosecuting the case for the United States.
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Fort Smith Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Adelina Magana Fernandez, aka Adenlina Magana Hernandez, age 28, of Fort Smith, was sentenced this week to 168 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Aiding and Abetting Distribution of More than five (5) Grams of Methamphetamine. She was also ordered to pay a $7,500.00 fine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
Adelina Fernandez was arrested by the DEA on October 13, 2015, indicted by a federal grand jury on October 28, 2015, and pleaded guilty to the charge in November, 2015.
Luis Calderon-Fernandez pleaded guilty to the same charges as Magana-Fernandez in February, 2016 and is currently awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Springdale Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter 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
California Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Hot Springs - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jacob Spurlin aka John Ray Monroe, age 32, of Turlock, California, was sentenced this week to 84 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 Hot Springs.
According to court records, on February 27, 2015, while investigators with the 18th East Judicial Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations were conducting screening of multiple packages utilizing a canine at the FedEx store located in Hot Springs, the canine alerted on a package being sent from California to Michelle Ratliff. After obtaining a search warrant for the package, investigators opened the package and located four candles that had been hollowed out and filled with vacuumed sealed bags of methamphetamine. Michelle Ratliff had called FedEx earlier that day and advised that she would be picking up her package on her lunch break. She later arrived, showed her identification, and picked up the package. When she left the store, she entered the passenger side of a black Cadillac Escalade driven by Jacob Spurlin. As they attempted to leave the parking lot of FedEx, officers stopped the Escalade, arrested both subjects and took them into custody. A review of text messages from Ratliff’s phone revealed that Spurlin had been communicating with her about picking up the package which contained 256 grams of methamphetamine. On April 16, 2015, Spurlin was arrested on a federal warrant out of the Western District of Arkansas and interviewed by agents with Homeland Security Investigations. Spurlin admitted to being involved in drug trafficking in the Hot Springs area and explained his role in receiving packages from out of state for further distribution. Spurlin was indicted by a federal grand jury in April, 2015 and pleaded guilty in August, 2015.
The co-defendant Michelle Ratliff also pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in August, 2015, and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
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Springdale Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Julian Rivera, age 21, of Springdale, was sentenced today to 600 months in federal prison without the possibility of parole and twenty five years of supervised release on one count of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing hearing took place before the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in February, 2015, the Springdale Police Department was contacted by a family member of a minor female reporting that a Hispanic male attempted to kidnap and sexually assault her as she walked home from school. After a subsequent investigation, the Springdale Police Department arrested the defendant, Julian Rivera. At the time of his arrest, Rivera’s IPhone was seized pursuant to a search warrant. A subsequent forensic examination of his IPhone revealed numerous videos of the defendant masturbating in front of and sexually assaulting minors, the youngest of which was approximately five (5) years of age. Rivera was indicted by a federal grand jury in October, 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge in December, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Springdale Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts 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
Mineral Springs Man Arraigned for Making Threats by MailRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Maverick Dean Bryan, age 55, of Mineral Springs, Arkansas, appeared for arraignment today on seven counts of mailing threatening communications. The arraignment hearing was before Judge Caroline M. Craven in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
Bryan was indicted by a federal grand jury on all seven counts on March 16, 2016. The file marked indictment states that Bryan mailed letters to the mayors of seven different cities within the state of Arkansas containing a threat to injure said mayors. The detention hearing for Bryan has been set for Monday, March 28 at 10:00 a.m.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Howard County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris is prosecuting the case for the United States.
The charges in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Rogers Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Trent Douglas Ferrell, age 30, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $4,700.00 fine on one count of Knowingly Accessing The Internet With The Intent To View Material That Contains An Image Of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in August of 2014, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations identified a specific computer that contained a number of suspected child pornography images available for download and determined that the computer was located at Ferrell’s residence in Benton County. On September 18, 2014, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ferrell’s residence and Ferrell admitted to using file sharing software to download images depicting child pornography onto his computers. A subsequent forensic examination of Ferrell’s hard drives yielded over 30 still images and over 160 video images depicting child pornography. Ferrell was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 16, 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 4, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and 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
Texas Men Sentenced to Combined Total of 200 Months in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Adan Sanchez, age 45, of Rosenberg, Texas, and Omar Sanchez-Vasquez, age 49, of Guy, Texas, were sentenced today on one count each of Distribution of more than 50 Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine. Sanchez and Sanchez-Vasquez were sentenced to 100 months each in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. The Honorable P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
Sanchez and Sanchez-Vasquez were both indicted by a federal grand jury on September 16, 2015 and both pleaded guilty to the charges in November, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter 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
Kansas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Darnell James Winston, age 23, of Leavenworth, Kansas, was sentenced to 120 months in prison without the possibility of parole and five years of supervised release for one count of Sex Trafficking of a Child. The sentencing hearing took place before the Honorable P. K. Holmes, III in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, on August 26, 2015, the Fort Smith Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information from an individual that a 17-year-old female was being worked as a prostitute in the Fayetteville area. Law enforcement was able to identify the Facebook profile of the 17-year-old girl, which contained photographs of her with two men one of whom was identified as Darnell James Winston. An undercover Fort Smith Police detective began communicating with Winston online. Winston recruited the undercover to work as a prostitute for him and continued to do so even after the undercover advised Winston that they were only 16 years old. Winston stated that it was ok because the girl currently working for him was only “17”, referring to the minor female law enforcement had previously identified. Winston continued his recruitment of the undercover officer and discussed backpage.com, an internet website commonly used by sex traffickers to advertise prostitution. Arrangements were made between the undercover officer and Winston to meet at a hotel in Alma on August 28, 2015. When Winston arrived at the hotel with the 17-year-old female and another adult male, he was arrested, and she was recovered by police. Winston was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 16, 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Fort Smith Police Department, the Alma Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Jennen 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
Two Northwest Arkansas Men Sentenced to Total of Almost 14 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Oscar Alonzo, age 23, of Springdale, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. He was also ordered to pay a $3500.00 fine. Co-Defendant, Francisco Mejia-Galdamez, age 37, of Fayetteville, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on February 24. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
A federal grand jury issued an indictment for Mejia-Galdamez and Alonso on July 22, 2015. They each pleaded guilty to the charges in November, 2015.
These cases were investigated by the Rogers Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Brice White 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
Rogers Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Donnie Vest, age 61, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography and ordered to pay a $15,000.00 fine. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in January, 2014, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce identified an account with a known IP address that was receiving child pornography using a file sharing program. The IP address returned to Vest’s address located in Rogers. On or about June 26, 2014, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Vest’s residence, at which time he admitted to downloading and receiving images of child pornography onto his computer. A subsequent forensic examination of the hard drive on his computer revealed multiple images of child pornography. Vest pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2015.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.
The 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
Fayetteville Arkansas Man Sentenced in Federal Tax CrimeRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - A Fayetteville, Arkansas man was sentenced to 14 months in prison following his plea of guilty to four counts of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser of the Western District of Arkansas and Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to court documents, Randall Acton West, a former real estate appraiser, failed to file federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the years 2007 through 2010 despite earning gross income in excess of the tax return filing threshold. According to court documents, West’s conduct resulted in a tax loss to the government of $95,825.56.
West was sentenced on February 24, 2016 by U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas. In addition to the prison sentence, West was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $95,825.56.
Acting U.S. Attorney Elser and Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo commended special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case and Trial Attorneys Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Davis of the Western District of Arkansas, and Robert Kemins and David Zisserson of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records Website at www.Pacer.gov
Illinois Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Offense with a MinorRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that David S. Duffin, age 44, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 420 months in prison followed by supervised release for life and a $15,000 fine on one count of Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Activity. Duffin was found guilty of the charge following a three day jury trial in August, 2015. Duffin was sentenced on February 19, 2016 by the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to evidence presented at the trial, on April 4, 2015, a 13-year-old female was reported missing from her home in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Police Department later developed evidence that the minor was with Duffin, who had driven her from her home in Chicago to a motel in Bentonville, Arkansas. On April 9, 2015, the Benton County Sheriffs’ Office located Duffin and the minor in Benton County. Evidence at trial showed that Duffin had created a Facebook profile of a teenage boy which he used to meet and communicate with the minor victim and that he had engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor victim both in Chicago and later after bringing her to Arkansas.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chicago Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Dustin Roberts 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 Man Appears in Court on Criminal Complaint for Defrauding Insurance CustomersRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Samuel Bowron Phillips, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Mark E. Ford for his initial appearance on a Criminal Complaint that charged Phillips with eleven counts of Mail Fraud, one count of Wire Fraud, and 3 counts of Money Laundering. The Criminal Complaint alleged that beginning in or about 2013 and continuing through and including November 2015, Phillips devised and executed a scheme to defraud customers of his insurance business by withdrawing funds from their annuity and insurance policies without their consent and knowledge, and used the money for his personal benefit and gain.
The charges in a criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigative Division, the Postal Inspection Service, the Arkansas Department of Insurance, and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner is prosecuting the case for the United States.
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Hot Springs Woman Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Hot Springs - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Susan Marie Sheets, age 42, of Hot Springs, was sentenced this week to 87 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 Hot Springs.
According to court records, on or about October 16, 2013, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of $2,400 worth of methamphetamine from Sheets that occurred at her residence in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Aaron Jennen and David 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
Van Buren Man Sentenced to over 8 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Kenneth Elser
Western District of Arkansas
_______________________________________________________FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Joyce Snow
February 3, 2016 PHONE: (479) 494-4066TWITTER: @WDARnews
VAN BUREN MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 8 YEARS FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Fort Smith - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Brad Middleton, age 29, of Van Buren, was sentenced yesterday to 100 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Child Pornography. The Honorable P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, between March 22, 2015, and April 30, 2015, the defendant sent an undercover detective links to thirty one videos depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Records reflect that the IP address from which the videos were sent was associated with the defendant and show that the videos were sent by the defendant while he was in the Fort Smith Division of the Western District of Arkansas. Middleton was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 22, 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge in September 30, 2015.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Internet Crimes Against Children, and the Russellville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ashleigh Buckley prosecuted the case for the United States.
The 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
Two Men Sentenced to a Total of 119 Months Imprisonment for Bank Robbery in Hot SpringsRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Kenneth Elser
Western District of Arkansas
_______________________________________________________FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Joyce Snow
February 3, 2016 PHONE: (479) 494-4066TWITTER: @WDARnews
TWO MEN SENTENCED TO A TOTAL OF 119 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR BANK ROBBERY IN HOT SPRINGS
Hot Springs, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that two men were sentenced on one count each of Bank Robbery, Aiding, and Abetting in connection with a 2014 bank robbery in Hot Springs. Nicholas Tolerson, age 36 of Little Rock, was sentenced yesterday to 77 months in prison and three years supervised release. James Pritchett, age 30 of Maumelle, was sentenced on January 27, 2016 to 42 months imprisonment and three years supervised release. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court records, on April 4, 2014, officers with the Hot Springs Police Department responded to a bank robbery at Bancorp South. Upon their arrival, officers spoke with witnesses who observed a man running out of the bank carrying a red bag and getting into a silver Cadillac. Witnesses were also able to relay the tag number of the vehicle to officers. Later that day, officers located the suspect’s vehicle in front of the Oaklawn Race Track and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle crashed, and after a foot pursuit, both suspects were taken into custody. The driver was identified as James Pritchett, and the passenger was identified as Nicholas Tolerson. Officers were also able to locate the red bag that Tolerson used during the robbery and had thrown out of the vehicle during the pursuit. A Federal Grand Jury issued an indictment for Tolerson and Pritchett on May 7, 2014. Tolerson pleaded guilty on March 18, 2015. Prichett pleaded guilty on May 21, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney David 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
Man Sentenced to over 3 Years in Prison for Post Office RobberyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Kenneth Elser
Western District of Arkansas_______________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Joyce Snow
February 2, 2016 PHONE: (479) 494-4066TWITTER: @WDARnews
MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 3 YEARS IN PRISON FOR POST OFFICE ROBBERY
Hot Springs, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Calk, age 38, of Norphlet, Arkansas, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years supervised release for Robbery of a Post Office. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court records, on or about October 2, 2014, officers responded to a robbery at a Hot Springs post office. During the robbery, a man later identified as Calk approached the clerk as a customer and then demanded all of the cash in the drawer. The clerk initially refused, but then complied after Calk indicated that he had a gun. Calk pleaded guilty to the charge on June 26, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department and United States Postal Inspectors. Assistant United States Attorney Sydney Butler 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 Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Immigration and Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Kenneth Elser
Western District of Arkansas
_______________________________________________________FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Joyce Snow
Febryary 1, 2016 PHONE: (479) 494-4066TWITTER: @WDARnews
FAYETTEVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 11 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR IMMIGRATION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENSE
Fayetteville - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Melquaides Lopez-Del Angel, aka Eduardo Lopez-Corpus, aka Nacho, age 40, of Fayetteville, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 500 Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a) and (b)(1)(A)(viii) and 120 months on one count of Illegal Reentry by Removed Alien Following a Felony Conviction. Lopez’s sentence will run concurrently and be followed by five years of supervised release. The Honorable Timothy O. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, Lopez was caught by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the parking lot of a Rogers, Arkansas restaurant waiting to make a delivery of methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle in which he was traveling yielded what was later confirmed to be 646 grams of actual methamphetamine. When interviewed by investigators, Lopez admitted he had come to the restaurant to deliver the methamphetamine to another person, and that he had done so on two or three previous occasions. After arrest, it was also determined by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement that Lopez had been previously removed from the United States by deportation in 2013 and was currently in the country without lawful permission. Lopez pleaded guilty to the charges in September, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter 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
Three Hot Springs Arkansas Men Sentenced to Total of 15 Years for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Hot Springs - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jerry Lee Rudkin, age 30, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine; Jasmer West, age 26, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine; Brian Robbins, age 34, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings this week in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
Jerry Lee Rudkin: According to court records, in September 2014, officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Little Rock began receiving information from the 18th East Drug Task Force that Rudkin was a distributor of methamphetamine in Hot Springs and surrounding areas. On October 8, 2014, agents made a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Rudkin. A federal grand jury issued an indictment for Rudkin on November 19, 2014, and he pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on March, 27, 2015.
Jasmer West: According to court records, On October 2, 2014, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the 18th East Drug Task Force made a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from West. A federal grand jury issued an indictment for West on November 19, 2014, and he pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on April, 23, 2015.
Brian Robbins: According to court records, on August 25, 2014, Homeland Security Investigations and the 18th East Drug Task Force made a controlled purchase of methamphetamine and a.45 caliber pistol from Robbins. On August 27, 2014, investigators executed a search warrant at Robbins’ residence based upon the drug transaction and located and seized two .22 rifles, two small bags of cocaine, and one small bag of methamphetamine. On September 9, 2014, the defendant was located and arrested. During an interview of Robbins, he admitted that all of the guns and drugs found in his house belonged to him. Robbins was charged on November 19, 2014 and pleaded guilty on June 5, 2015.
These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the 18th East Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney David 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
Former Arvest Bank Executive Sentenced to over Eight Years in Federal Prison for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Henry Dennis Smiley, Jr., age 52, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison followed by two years supervised release, and ordered to pay over $4,900,000.00 restitution on one count of Bank Fraud. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville. Smiley pleaded guilty to the charge on August 25, 2015.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. Acting United States Attorney Kenneth Elser 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 Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a 16 Year OldRead the Press Release
Fayetteville - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Gregory Lynnell Gibson, age 23, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 144 months in prison without the possibility of parole and ten years of supervised release for one count of Sex Trafficking of Children. He was also ordered to pay a $4,900.00 fine. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
In January, 2014, detectives with the Springdale Police Department were notified that a 16 year old runaway (“Jane Doe”) was at a hotel in Springdale working as a prostitute for Gibson. Officers confirmed that Gibson had rented two rooms there and made contact with a sixteen year old female who confirmed that she was working for Gibson as a prostitute. She told officers that she had known Gibson since the 8th grade and recently reconnected with him via Facebook. She said Gibson had convinced her to quit school and offered to split the proceeds from her prostitution with her 50/50, however, she stated she gave all of her money from her prostitution to Gibson. A search of Gibson’s phone revealed text messages relating to sixteen year old female’s prostitution detailing prices, time limits, and specific sex acts. There were also text messages on the phone relating to prostitution dating back to November, 2013 with other individuals in addition to the sixteen year old female, as well as messages between Gibson and the sixteen year old female discussing the fact that she was under the age of 18. Gibson pled guilty to the charge in August, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Springdale Police Department, the Fort Smith Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Jennen prosecuted the case for the United States.
The 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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Former Tyson Employee Sentenced to 28 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing over $550,000 from CompanyRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Brenda Blair age 48 of Gentry, Arkansas was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release on one count of Wire Fraud. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $551,343.52. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to the plea agreement, Blair was an employee of Tyson Inc. in Springdale, Arkansas for over twenty five years. As the Special Benefits Plan Manager, Blair managed contributions into and handled administrative duties related to the Tyson Foods Inc. Pre-65 Retiree Health Insurance Benefit Plan. From June 2005 to September 2014, Blair devised and implemented a scheme to defraud money from Tyson Inc. by generating fraudulent payments in the name of actual participants in the Pre-65 Retiree Health Insurance Benefits Plan and directing these payments to her own bank accounts. The scheme resulted in defrauding Tyson Inc. of over $550,000.00.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Labor. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly N. Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Three Men Sentenced to a Total of over 17 Years for Theft of Firearms from Berryville, Arkansas Gun StoreRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that three men were sentenced today on one count each of Aiding and Abetting the Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Taz Bibey, age 19, of Tillamook, Oregon was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release; Timothy Brown, age 50, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release; Andrew Davis, age 26, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release. The three defendants were also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,734 jointly and severally. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III handed down the sentences in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, on May 8, 2015, Kings River New and Used Guns located in Berryville, Arkansas was burglarized, and 55 guns were stolen. On May 11, it was determined by the ATF that all of the firearms had traveled in interstate commerce. On May 13, officers from the Branson, Missouri Police Department responded to the Four Seasons Inn regarding two individuals that would not leave the business. The two individuals, Andrew Davis and Taz Bibey, agreed to leave the inn after police arrived. Officers then received a second phone call from the hotel that one of the individuals was trying to get back into the room to retrieve a gun. Hotel Management entered the room and retrieved a Glock .45 caliber model 21 handgun. Subsequent investigation revealed the handgun was stolen from Kings River on May 8 and that the serial number had been defaced. Officers learned that Davis and Bibey had been associating with Timothy Brown who was also staying at the Inn. Brown was located and stated that Davis and Bibey had come to his room and were showing off some guns they had. Officers located some ammunition, several syringes with methamphetamine residue, and a smoking pipe in Brown’s room. Brown was arrested and taken into custody for the drugs. Davis and Bibey were interviewed and both admitted their role in the offense and implicated Brown by stating that the idea to burglarize the gun shop was his. They admitted to entering the business and loading the guns into boxes and transferring them to Brown’s van where he was waiting. The guns were then transported to Missouri for distribution. An individual in Missouri admitted to purchasing three guns from Brown. In his interview, Brown admitted to being with Davis and Bibey on the day in question and to disposing of at least one of the firearms in exchange for methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Branson Police Department, and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the cases for the United States.
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Sex Offender Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Plus Additional Ten Years in Federal Child Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
Fort Smith - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jack Lambeth, age 58 of Midwest City, Oklahoma, was sentenced today to Life In Prison without the possibility of parole on charge of Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage in Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2241(c). An additional ten (10) years was imposed per statute due to the defendant’s status as a sex offender. The sentencing took place before the Honorable P.K. Holmes, III in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
Court records reflect that in March of 2015, the Fort Smith Police Department began an undercover investigation directed at individuals who were using the internet to target minors for sexual activity. During the operation, an undercover officer entered an internet chat room utilizing an online persona of an adult mother offering her 8 and 9 year old children for sexual exploitation. Lambeth, a registered sex offender from Oklahoma, began chatting with the undercover officer about the possibility of having a sexual encounter with the children. During the month of March, Lambeth made specific plans to travel to Arkansas to engage in such sexual acts, and also sent the undercover officer sexual devices to be used on the minors. On or about March 28th, Lambeth was arrested by the Fort Smith Police Department after he contacted the undercover officer stating he was at a local motel. In August, Lambeth pleaded guilty to crossing a state line with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor under 12 years of age. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with evidence that Lambeth had previously been convicted of raping a minor and, in a subsequent case, a federal child pornography offense.
This case was investigated by Fort Smith Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.
The 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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Texas Man Guilty of Federal Child Sex OffenseRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Shilo Watts age 40 of New Braunfels, Texas appeared today in The United States District Court in Fayetteville before The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks and pleaded guilty to the charge of Interstate Transportation of a Minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a).
According to court records, on or about October of 2012, Special Agents with the Homeland Security Office in San Antonio, Texas, began investigating the sexual abuse of a minor Marshallese male living in Northwest Arkansas by Shilo Watts. Based on this investigation, Homeland Security Agents were able to determine that Watts had lived in the Marshall Islands for several years, and had helped bring several young Marshallese males to the United States. A subsequent interview of one of the minors revealed that WATTS began sexually abusing him at a young age and continued when the minor was living in Springdale, Arkansas. Specifically, the minor stated that between 2008 and 2012, Watts would take him and other young men from Arkansas to a residence in Texas. On at least one occasion, Watts sexually abused the minor while there.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing will be held on a later date.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation and the Springdale Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts is prosecuting the case for the United States.
The 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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Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Conveying False Information Regarding a Bomb at Church in RogersRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Allen Ward, age 51, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty today to one count of Maliciously Conveying False Information in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(e) . According to the plea agreement, On October 21, 2012, Ward used a cell phone to knowingly provide false information to the Bentonville Police Department by telling a dispatcher that there might be a bomb located at the Fellowship Bible Church, a church located in Rogers, Arkansas that Ward’s ex-wife attended. The change of plea was accepted by the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks, in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
The offense to which Ward pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Sentencing will occur at a later date.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations-Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI-JTTF), the Bentonville Police Department, and the Rogers Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brice White prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Missouri Man Sentenced to More Than 14 Years in Prison for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, AR - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Travis Allen Blount, Jr., age 57, of Kirbyville, Missouri formerly of Harrison, Arkansas, was sentenced to 175 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on five counts to include: Mail Fraud; Wire Fraud; two counts of Money Laundering; and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Blount was also ordered to pay victim restitution totaling more than $900,000 to more than 80 victims. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith on January 5, 2016.
According to court records, from approximately 2012 until January 2015, Blount operated car lots in Malvern and Hot Springs, Arkansas, Corvettes and Classics in Harrison, Arkansas and Al’s Hot Rod’s in Kirbyville, Missouri. Blount solicited owners of classic and vintage vehicles to place their valuable vehicles with him on consignment, promising to pay the owners after the sale of their cars. Blount defrauded the owners by selling their cars and keeping the money for himself. Blount also defrauded car buyers by accepting payment for the cars he sold and not delivering the vehicles or the car titles to the buyers. Blount was previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, and therefore, was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Financial Crimes Task Force in the Western District of Arkansas, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Harrison Police Department, and the Taney County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Return Preparer Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
El Dorado, AR – Kenny Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Tamera D. Cantu, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Nashville Field Office, and Brian T. Marr, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the United States Secret Service announced that Gregory A. Taylor, 51, of Clanton, Alabama (formerly Crossett, Arkansas), pleaded guilty today to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims. Mr. Taylor was one of eight defendants indicted on June 24, 2014 by a Federal Grand Jury as part of an investigation into a tax fraud and identity theft scheme in El Dorado and Crossett. The change of plea was accepted by the Honorable Susan O. Hickey in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado.
“The defendants who perpetrated this scheme systematically defrauded the government and the taxpaying public,” said Tamera D. Cantu, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “At the IRS, protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take very seriously. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to vigorously pursue those who unjustly enrich themselves by preparing false claims for refunds.”
Additional defendants involved in this case who have pleaded guilty are as follows:
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Venus M. Ford, 34, pleaded guilty August 5, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft.
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Shawn D. Carey, 35, pleaded guilty June 23, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft.
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Whitney M. Charles, 26, pleaded guilty August 6, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft.
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Sanjuana N. Aaron, 35, pleaded guilty August 26, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft.
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Erica R. Browning, 36, pleaded guilty March 20, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims, one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, and one count of Theft of Public Money.
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Ecko Scott, 35, pleaded guilty August 5, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims, one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, and one count of Theft of Public Money.
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Clarrise R. Carey, 34, pleaded guilty August 3, 2015, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims and one count of Theft of Public Money.
Mr. Taylor’s plea agreement revealed that, beginning in January 2009 through December 2011, Mr. Taylor willingly and knowingly conspired with others to defraud the United States by obtaining or aiding to obtain the payment or allowance of false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims, in particular the filing of false fraudulent 2008, 2009, and 2010 U.S. Individual Income Tax Forms 1040 (tax returns) by unlawfully using the personal identifying information of others.
During 2011, IRS-CI, U.S. Secret Service, and the El Dorado Police Department obtained evidence that Mr. Taylor and his co-defendants were involved in a large identity theft and tax refund scheme to obtain fraudulent tax refunds using the personal identifying information, specifically names, social security numbers, and dates of birth, of numerous individuals to claim fraudulent tax from the state and federal government. The evidence revealed that Mr. Taylor, a return preparer in Crossett, Arkansas, was working with and/or assisting other defendants with the filing of fraudulent tax returns to obtain false refunds. As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Taylor admitted that as a result of the conspiracy, he and his co-conspirators fraudulently claimed refunds totaling $1,101,478.
The sentence for each defendant will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the each defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), each defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations. In addition to prison time, each count carries a mandatory period of supervised release and maximum fine of $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, El Dorado Police Department, and the Crossett Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ross prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Rogers Man Sentenced to 12 ½ Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Juan Valenzuela, age 41, of Rogers, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $2,800.00 fine on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville. Valenzuela was found guilty of the charges after a two day jury trial in July, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brice White and Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Gurdon Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Kidnapping Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Hot Springs, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Kevin Bolton, age 39, of Gurdon, Arkansas, (formerly of Spartanburg, South Carolina) was sentenced today in the United States District Court in Hot Springs to life in prison without the possibility of parole for one count of Kidnapping Resulting in Death. United States District Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing.
According to court records, on March 12, 2013, the victim visited an apartment in Gurdon, Arkansas, where she encountered the defendant, Kevin Bolton, a Gurdon resident. According to statements made by witnesses, Bolton and the victim left the apartment together around midnight in her vehicle. The victim’s mother, after repeatedly and unsuccessfully trying to contact her daughter the next day, became alarmed and filed a missing person’s report with the Gurdon, Arkansas Police Department.Because Bolton was the last person known to be seen with the victim, law enforcement began searching for Bolton, the victim, and her vehicle. Law enforcement officials learned that Bolton had friends on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina and sent the information regarding Bolton, the victim and the vehicle to the Cherokee Indian Police Department.
On March 20, 2013, Cherokee Indian Police officers located Bolton driving the victim’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. After smelling a strong odor, officers opened the trunk of the car where they found the victim’s body.Bolton was arrested and taken into custody.Bolton was interviewed on several occasions by Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson and other law enforcement officers. During the interviews, Bolton admitted that he and the victim had left together from the apartment around midnight on March 12th. He stated that they drove in the victim’s vehicle to an area in Clark County and parked.He stated that he and the victim argued, that after the victim got out of the vehicle he grabbed her around her neck and choked her until she fell to the ground.He stated that he choked her until he believed she was dead and then put her in the backseat of her car. He stated that after a period of time he stopped the car, choked the victim again, and put her in the trunk of her vehicle.Bolton stated that he then drove the vehicle to Little Rock, Arkansas and eventually to Cherokee, North Carolina where he stayed with friends until his arrest.
This case was investigated by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the FBI, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, and the Jackson County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Siloam Springs Man Sentenced to over 9 Years in Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine with a FirearmRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Manuel Patrick Camarillo, aka “Sick”, age 25, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas was sentenced yesterday to 52 months in federal prison for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, and to 60 months in federal prison for one count of Carrying a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Crime, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentences will run consecutively. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
In his plea agreement, Camarillo admitted that in April 2015 he twice distributed methamphetamine in exchange for money, and during one transaction produced a .40 caliber Ruger P94 handgun.
This case was investigated by the Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Fort Smith Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Transporting Two Minors to Houston to Work as ProstitutesRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Odis Charles Grant, Jr., age 30, aka “Flawless”, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of Transportation of Minors with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity. The Honorable P.K. Holmes III presided over the hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
In his plea agreement, Grant admitted to transporting two juveniles from Fort Smith to Texas in November, 2014 with the intent that the two minor females engage in prostitution in the Houston, Texas area. Grant utilized Facebook to recruit and communicate with the minors. Grant also admitted to directing another individual to take photographs of the minors which were used in ads posted in the escort section of a website. According to the minors, they engaged in prostitution while in Houston and provided the money to Grant.
This case was investigated by the Fort Smith Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Jennen 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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Missouri and Arkansas Physician Sentenced to 15 Years for Online Sexual Enticement of a ChildRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Donald Wayne Lamoureaux, age 69, of Hardy, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison and ten years of supervised release on one count of Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith. Lamoureaux previously practiced family medicine in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas and Dexter, Missouri and was also employed at the VA Medical facility in West Plains, Missouri.
According to court records, officers with the Fort Smith Police Department began an undercover online investigation on January 4, 2015 directed at individuals who were using the internet to target minors for purposes of engaging in illegal sexual activity. During the operation, an undercover officer entered an internet chat room posing as an adult mother offering her four year old daughter for sexual exploitation. The undercover officer then made contact with the Defendant, later identified as Donald Wayne Lamoureaux. During the online conversation, Lamoureaux stated that he was a family practice doctor living in Northeast Arkansas, and provided the undercover officer with a picture of himself. From the information and picture provided, the undercover officer was able to identify the individual as Donald W. Lamoureaux. Lamoureaux then expressed that he would like to meet the undercover officer and her four year old daughter for sexual purposes. Following more discussion, the undercover officer and Lamoureaux scheduled a meeting for February 6, 2015 at a hotel in West Plains, Missouri with the supposed and stated purpose for him to sexually abuse the child. On February 2, 2015, Lamoureaux asked the undercover officer to set up a bank account so he could deposit money for expenses associated with the transportation of the four-year-old child to meet with him. Lamoureaux made the deposit in the amount of $300.00 on February 4, 2015. He was arrested in West Plains, Missouri on Friday, February 6, 2015, when he arrived at the meeting location.
This case was investigated by the Fort Smith Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Northwest Arkansas/ River Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the West Plains Police Department, and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Taskforce. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.
The 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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Internet Stalking Nets Northwest Arkansas Man over Eight Years (8.75 Years) in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Steven Lesmeister, age 39, of Green Forest, Arkansas, was sentenced on three counts of Stalking. Lesmeister was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for count one and 60 months in federal prison for count two, with these two terms to run concurrently with each other; He was sentenced to 45 months in federal prison for count three with this term to run consecutively to the terms for the first two counts for a total of 105 months imprisonment and ordered to three years supervised release for each of the three counts to run concurrently. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, on several occasions from June, 2014 to April, 2015, a 16 year old minor female in Virginia, a 19 year old female in New York, and a 14 year old minor female in North Carolina all began receiving sexually explicit and threatening text messages and sexually explicit videos of an unknown man on their phones from multiple email accounts. The man in the video would call them by their first name and told at least one of the victims that he knew her full name, address, type of car she drove, place of employment, and where she attended school. Lesmeister was subsequently located and arrested; officers seized and searched his IPad and IPhone revealing numerous email and social media accounts that he had created. His IPad contained the videos that had been sent to some of the victims. It was discovered that Lesmeister had sent hundreds of friend requests to teenage girls on Facebook where he was able to obtain their personal information that he then used to stalk them.
This case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security and the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant United States Attorney Ashleigh Buckley prosecuted the case for the United States.
The 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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El Salvadorian Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Timothy Colhour, age 24, of Otis, Oregon, was sentenced today to a total of 170 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $4,800.00 fine on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine and one count of Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in December, 2014, as part of an investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine in the region, a confidential source indicated to officers that he or she could purchase methamphetamine from the defendant, Timothy Colhour. On December 21, 2014, Colhour distributed methamphetamine, and later arranged to conduct a second transaction on December 23, 2014. When investigating officers arrived at the location where Colhour was to distribute the methamphetamine, they made contact with Colhour, and found him to be in possession of approximately 26.16 grams of pure methamphetamine hydrochloride and a loaded 9 mm handgun.
This case was investigated by the Rogers Police Department, the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Oregon Man Sentenced to over 14 Years in Prison for Use of a Firearm While Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Timothy Colhour, age 24, of Otis, Oregon, was sentenced today to 170 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $4,800.00 fine on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine and one count of the Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in December, 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation, officers with the Rogers Police Department purchased methamphetamine from the defendant, Timothy Colhour. During one arranged transaction with Colhour, officers made their presence known to the defendant and placed him under arrest. At that time Colhour admitted to the officers that he had a gun in his waistband. Officers then located a loaded Beretta 9 mm in Colhour’s waistband and a bag in his front shirt pocket that contained approximately one ounce of methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine was properly stored and sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis where it tested to be approximately 26 grams of pure methamphetamine hydrochloride.
This case was investigated by the Rogers Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Final Defendant from Operation "Spa City Special" Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Tyrong Godbold, aka “Bull”, age 43, of Hot Springs, was sentenced today on one count of Distribution of Cocaine Base to 108 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.
Beginning in March of 2012, the Hot Springs Street Crimes Unit in conjunction with the ATF launched an investigation in response to the emerging gang violence and drug trafficking. Over 80 controlled buys of crack cocaine and methamphetamine were conducted during the course of this investigation. The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 500 grams of crack cocaine, seven vehicles valued at over $50,000, 17 firearms, methamphetamine, and over $15,000 in cash. 24 defendants were originally charged in state and federal court in this operation called the Spa City Special. Godbold was the final defendant to be sentenced.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Fort Smith Chiropractor Sentenced in Federal Tax CrimeRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – A Fort Smith chiropractor was sentenced today to serve 17 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release announced Acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser and Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that the department, working with its law enforcement partners, will aggressively pursue and prosecute those individuals who willfully seek to obstruct the Internal Revenue Service and evade their tax obligations,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo.
According to court documents, Philip Roberts, 60, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, had an outstanding federal income tax liability of over $2,000,000, for tax years 1991 through 2004. In 2008, Roberts filed a series of false and fraudulent documents with the IRS in an effort to obstruct and impede the tax laws, including filing false financial instruments that claimed millions of dollars of transactions with both the Secretary of the Treasury and the IRS Commissioner, and filing forms that falsely reported payments to the IRS.
Roberts pleaded guilty on June 22 to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the IRS. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas also ordered Roberts to pay a $3,000 fine. This is Roberts’ second conviction for income tax related offenses. In 2000, after a jury trial, Roberts was convicted of two counts of willfully failing to file federal income tax returns and sentenced to serve 16 months in prison.
“An important part of our mission is to protect the integrity of the Federal tax system,” said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “TIGTA will vigorously investigate individuals who attempt to corruptly interfere with the administration of the Internal Revenue laws through fraudulent means, and will do everything within its power to ensure that those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and Acting U.S. Attorney Elser commended the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, who investigated the case, as well as Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Davis of the Western District of Arkansas, who prosecuted the case.
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Booneville Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Erik Andrew Lotvedt, age 30, of Booneville, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the one-count Information, charging the defendant with using, persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The Honorable P.K. Holmes III presided over the hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
In his plea agreement, Lotvedt admitted to using his cell phone to produce an image of child pornography which involved a minor victim who was less than 12 years old.
This case was investigated by the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with assistance from the Booneville Police Department and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorney 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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Jury Finds Springdale Man Guilty of Drug Conspiracy and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Gilberto Ray Ramos, age 41, of Springdale, was found guilty on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, three counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm following a two day jury trial. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the trial in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to evidence presented to the jury, during the course of an ongoing operation, investigators learned that Ramos was distributing suspected methamphetamine from his residence in Springdale. Detectives then obtained and executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic baggies, a large amount of U.S. currency, and a Kimber .45 caliber handgun were discovered. In a separate DEA investigation agents learned that Ramos was conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in the Northwest Arkansas area.
Ramos will be sentenced at a later date. The maximum sentence for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine are not more than 30 years imprisonment, not more than $2,000,000 fine, or both. The maximum sentence for felon in possession of a firearm is not more than 10 years imprisonment, not more than $250,000 fine, or both. The sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations.
This case was investigated by the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force, the DEA and the ATF. Assistant United States Attorneys David Harris and Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Former Associate Pastor Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Defraud InvestorsRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Thomas Edward James, age 34, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Fort Smith, pleaded guilty today to one count of Mail Fraud and one count of Making a False Tax Return . The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III, accepted the plea in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, the defendant, Thomas Edward James, was a part-time associate pastor at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was previously employed as a broker for Merrill Lynch, but was terminated for lack of production. His broker license went inactive on September 3, 2010. James was not registered with the Arkansas Securities Department as a broker, dealer, agent, or in any other capacity since he was terminated from Merrill Lynch. After his termination from Merrill Lynch, James continued to sell securities to investors and misappropriated the investors’ funds. As part of his scheme, James approached potential investors, a majority of whom were retired and members of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, with proposals to make investments through him. James then fraudulently induced investors to invest funds through false representations that their funds would be invested in a U.S. Treasury Bond, which were insured and guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. James however did not invest the funds in a U.S. Treasury Bond, but instead converted the funds to his personal use. It was further part of the scheme that James sent statements to investors via U.S. Mail providing investors with false assurances that their funds had been invested in U.S. Treasury Bonds. As a result of the scheme to defraud, James defrauded investors of approximately $200,000. During a deposition, James admitted that the funds were never invested in a U.S. Treasury Bond, but were placed in his personal account. Additionally, James admitted that he filed false tax returns from 2008-2012, and that he owed the United States additional taxes in the amount of $205,566.46.
This case was investigated by The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Financial Crimes Task Force officers from the Fort Smith and Fayetteville Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Webb prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Three Carroll County Men Plead Guilty to Role in Theft of 55 Firearms from Kings River New & Used GunsRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas – Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Timothy Brown, age 51, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Taz G. Bibey, age 19, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and Andrew T. Davis, age 26, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, each entered a guilty plea to one count of Aiding and Abetting the Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. The Honorable Chief Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the change of plea hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Eureka Springs Police Department, the Branson, Missouri Police Department, and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the cases for the United States.
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Jury Finds Chicago Man Guilty of Knowingly Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that David S. Duffin, age 44, of Chicago, Illinois, was found guilty on one count of Knowingly Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce with Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity following a three day jury trial in Fayetteville. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “This defendant used the internet to target a child, abducted her, and sexually abused her while traveling through several states. This conduct is frightening, and today he has been held accountable. We thank the jury for their attention to this case, as well as the team of law enforcement and prosecutors for their work. Those who seek out and prey on children threaten the core of our communities. I am proud of the work we have done prosecuting defendants such as this, and we should continue to remain focused on this horrific criminal activity.”
According to evidence presented at the trial, on April 4, 2015, a 13-year-old female was reported missing from her home in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Police Department later developed evidence that the minor was with the defendant, David Duffin, who had driven her from her home in Chicago, to a motel in Bentonville, Arkansas. On April 9, 2015, the Benton County Sheriffs’ Department located Duffin and the minor in Benton County. After being interviewed at the Benton County Sherriff’s department, Duffin admitted to meeting the minor by pretending to be a teenage boy online, and then engaging in sexual intercourse with the minor both in Chicago and later after bringing her to Arkansas.
Duffin was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on June 3, 2015. Sentencing will be held at a later date. The maximum penalty is not less than 10 years imprisonment or for life, not more than $250,000.00 fine, or both. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chicago Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner and Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.
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A-CHANCE School Initiative Announced in Six Arkansas CountiesRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - United States Attorney Conner Eldridge announced the A-Chance Initiative that will be implemented in 13 schools throughout six counties in the Western District of Arkansas in the upcoming school year. Beginning when school starts on August 17, the A-Chance Program will ensure that when children are present at a violent, criminal, or traumatic event, police will notify their school by the next morning. The school will then be better able to interact with and educate the child. This program will be implemented in Washington, Sebastian, Crawford, Union, Clark, and Ouachita Counties.
Eldridge was joined at the announcement by Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck, Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder, Crawford County Sheriff Ron Brown, Alma Chief of Police Russell White, Fayetteville Chief of Police Greg Tabor, Farmington Chief of Police Brian Hubbard, Lincoln Chief of Police Russell Morphis, Springdale Interim Chief of Police Mike Peters, West Fork Chief of Police Bryan Watts, and Johnson Chief of Police Vernon Sizemore. Also present were the following representatives: Sergeant Frank Petra, Van Buren Police Department; Sergeant Dawn Sprayberry, Fort Smith Police Department; Farmington Freshman Academy Principal Bob Echols; Greenland Principal Alan Barton; Lincoln Assistant Principal Stan Karber; Farmington Resource Officer Chad Parrish and Fayetteville School Associate Superintendent Dr. Kim Garrett.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Children throughout Arkansas are exposed to horrible, unconscionable situations and we must do something about it. The A-Chance program brings together those on the front lines of many of these situations: law enforcement and schools. By improving communication between these vital community leaders, kids throughout Arkansas will be more likely to receive the help and support they need in order to succeed in school and in life.”
“A-Chance” stands for Arkansas Cultivating Healthy Attitudes and Nurturing Children to Excel, and is part of a larger initiative of the Department of Justice to address children exposed to violence and trauma. The A-Chance Program directly addresses the goal of mitigating negative impacts on children exposed to violence and trauma by identifying children that have come into contact with law enforcement and ensuring that school personnel are aware of that fact. The program is simple and requires no funding, but the commitment of these law enforcement agencies and school administrators is essential in making it a success. Any time a police officer responds to the scene of a “traumatic event” and a child is present, the officer will fill out a simple form with the child’s name and the school they attend. The police will forward a the information to the school’s district office who will then forward a “Handle With Care Notice” to the appropriate school principal by the beginning of the next school day. The child’s teacher and counselor will also be notified.
The “Handle With Care Notice” contains only the child’s name, school, and that police encountered the child at a traumatic event. Potential measures schools could take when receiving the notice may include but are not limited to notifying the child’s teacher(s) that the child may need special attention; re-teaching important lessons and/or postponing testing; permitting the child time to rest if he/she has trouble focusing or staying awake; or referring the child to the school counselor if he/she exhibits behavioral or emotional problems in the classroom.
Law enforcement agencies and school districts that will participate in the A-Chance Program are as follows:
Clark County:
Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Amity Police Department
Arkadelphia Police Department
Arkadelphia Public Schools
Centerpoint Public Schools
Gurdon Police Department
Gurdon Public Schools
Crawford County:
Crawford County Sheriff’s Office
Alma Police Department
Alma Public Schools
Van Buren Police Department
Van Buren Public Schools
Ouachita County:
Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office
Camden Police Department
Camden Public Schools
Sebastian County:
Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office
Fort Smith Police Department
Fort Smith Public Schools
Union County:
Union County Sheriff’s Office
El Dorado Police Department
El Dorado Public Schools
Washington County:
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Fayetteville Police Department
Fayetteville Public Schools
Springdale Police Department
Springdale Public Schools
Greenland Police Department
Greenland Public Schools
Lincoln Police Department
Lincoln Public Schools
Greenland Police Department
Greenland Public Schools
Farmington Police Department
Farmington Public Schools
West Fork Police Department
West Fork Public Schools
Johnson Police Department
This program is available to any school and law enforcement agency in the Western District of Arkansas. We are asking that interested parties please contact us to get started in the program.
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Two California Men Sentenced to Combined Total of over 13 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Fort Smith - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Elijah Buckhalter and Alberto Gonzalez were sentenced today to a combined total of over 13 years in federal prison for drug trafficking charges. Buckhalter, age 23, of Compton, California was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Gonzalez, age 33, of Lynwood, California was sentenced to 140 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and 140 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 500 grams of Methamphetamine. The sentences are to run concurrent with each other. The Honorable P. K. Holmes, III presided over each of the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The dream that these drug traffickers envisioned of bringing large quantities of methamphetamine into our state and setting up shop came to an end today. Arkansas children and families deserve a safe place to live without the threat of crime and violence that this type of criminal activity brings. Today’s sentence should send a message loud and clear to others that commit these crimes that our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute them.”
“We will continue to attack the scourge of methamphetamine distribution in Arkansas and beyond,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing. “The lengthy sentencing of these defendants should be taken as a message to those who want to sell drugs. We are going to catch you and put you in prison for a long time if you distribute this poison in our communities. ”
According to court records, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force had been conducting an investigation involving the transportation of methamphetamine from the Compton, California area to Springdale, Arkansas. During the investigation, they were made aware of a source of supply, later positively identified as Alberto Gonzalez. Several recorded phone calls were made to Gonzalez in October, 2014 to arrange for 4 (four) pounds of meth to be transported from California to Northwest Arkansas on October 30, 2014. Gonzalez advised he would be bringing an associate, Elijah Buckhalter, from California with him and that the meth would be arriving about the same time he arrived. He said Elijah’s cousin, Jacob Buckhalter, was a truck driver and that he would pay him to transport the meth to Arkansas. On October 30 as investigators watched by surveillance, Gonzalez and a man later identified as Jonathan Madrigal got off the bus and into the car of a confidential informant who drove them to a rented hotel in Springdale. In the car they discussed the shipment of meth that was to arrive later that day and Gonzalez indicated that he planned to set up a drug trafficking business in the northwest Arkansas area that would involve receiving large quantities from California for distribution in Arkansas. He stated Madrigal and Elijah Buckhalter would be staying in Arkansas to help with the distribution of the meth. The confidential informant left the hotel and advised that Gonzalez and Madrigal were going to wait for Elijah and Jacob to arrive. Gonzalez wanted the informant to come back to the hotel once Elijah arrived to pick up money to pay Jacob and to transport Elijah and the meth back to the hotel. The informant went back to the hotel and picked up Gonzalez and traveled to a truck stop in Springdale where they met with Elijah and took bags out of the truck and placed in the informant’s vehicle. The informant and Gonzalez got back in the vehicle and traveled to the Dollar General Store where they were going to purchase bags to break down the meth into smaller quantities. Once in the store, the informant called officers who arrived and arrested both of them while other officers arrested Elijah and Jacob Buckhalter and Madrigal who were near the hotel. The officers located a red and black bag containing the suspected meth inside the vehicle. The substance field tested positive for meth and weighed approximately 4 (four) pounds. The suspected meth was sent to the DEA lab where it tested to be 97% pure meth. Both Gonzalez and Elijah Buckhalter were indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, 2014, and both pleaded guilty on March 12, 2015.
The third defendant, Jonathan Madrigal, age 26, of Compton, California was also indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, 2014 and pleaded guilty on April 20, 2015. Madrigal was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and will be sentenced at a later date.
These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Davis prosecuted the cases for the United States.
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Rogers Man Found Guilty on Four Counts of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Juan Valenzuela, age 40, of Rogers, was found guilty on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, one count of Delivery of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine, and two counts of Delivery of more than fifty (50) grams of Methamphetamine following a two day jury trial. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the trial in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “I want to thank the investigators that worked so hard on this case and the jurors that took time out of their busy lives to see that justice was served. Children in Benton County and across the Western District of Arkansas deserve to grow up in communities free from illegal drug trafficking and the violence and other crime that comes with it. With the defendant’s conviction, another positive step forward has been taken for the citizens of the Western District of Arkansas.”
“Methamphetamine is a destructive poison that can cause terrible harm to the quality of life in our communities,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing. “Side by side with our local law enforcement partners, DEA is holding meth dealers accountable. Together, we are putting dealers where they belong – behind bars. Let this guilty verdict be a loud and clear message to any and all remaining drug dealers: you will be identified, you will be investigated and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Downing.
According to evidence presented to the jury, during the course of an ongoing investigation, it was learned that Valenzuela was selling large quantities of suspected methamphetamine out of his Rogers residence. On January 15, 2015, May 18, 2015 and May 22, 2015, Valenzuela sold over a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine collectively to an informant working for the DEA. A federal search warrant was obtained and executed on May 27, 2015, at the home where Valenzuela had previously sold methamphetamine to the informant. Additional evidence indicative of methamphetamine trafficking was located at the residence. Valenzuela was arrested at the scene and booked into jail. Valenzuela was indicted by a federal grand jury June 3, 2015. .
Sentencing will be announced at a later date. The defendant faces a maximum sentence on counts one and two of 20 years imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, or both. He faces a maximum sentence on counts three and four of 10 years to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine or both. The sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brice White and Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Jury Finds Southwest Arkansas Man Guilty on Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Bobby Joe Hampton, age 28 of Texarkana, was found guilty of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm following a two day jury trial in Texarkana. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the trial in the United States District Court in Texarkana. Hampton was previously indicted on the charge by a federal grand jury on March 19, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This defendant, a convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm and was physically assaulting another person when he was taken into custody. Every day, the lives of our police officers and ordinary citizens are jeopardized by this dangerous criminal activity. We will continue to investigate and prosecute these cases to hopefully prevent violence in Southern Arkansas and throughout the Western District of Arkansas.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on February 3, 2014, the Texarkana Police Department received a 9-1-1 call regarding a disturbance at a residence in Texarkana, Arkansas. As the officer responded to the address and identified himself, he witnessed the defendant, Bobby Hampton, physically assaulting a female victim. As the officer was attempting to take Hampton into custody, he heard two females yelling that Hampton had a gun in his jacket pocket. Once the officer had placed him into custody, he located a Rossi .38 caliber revolver bearing serial number TK72314 in the pocket of the jacket. Hampton later admitted to possessing the firearm which was found to have been manufactured outside the state of Arkansas and had previously traveled in interstate commerce; he is prohibited from possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense carrying a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
The defendant will be sentenced at a later date, and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000 fine, or both. If the defendant has three or more felony convictions for a violent and/or serious drug offense, then the defendant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, not more than $250,000 fine, or both. The sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations. The sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum for each count in this case, and in most cases will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney’s David Harris and Kim Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Two Northwest Arkansas Sex Offenders Sentenced to Combined 60 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Ronald John Griffin, age 47, of Huntsville, Arkansas, and Harry Robinson, age 51, of Springdale, Arkansas, were sentenced today to a combined total of 60 years in federal prison for unrelated sexual crimes involving minors. Griffin was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole followed by 20 years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Child Pornography. Robinson was sentenced to 40 years in prison without parole followed by a lifetime of supervised release on one count of Production of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Our office is focused on prosecuting individuals that abuse children, create pornography from that abuse, and traffic in images of these children. Such conduct is horrific, despicable, and reprehensible. As a result of their abhorrent conduct in these cases, these two individuals are going off to prison for a very long time, as well they should.”
"These investigations highlight the continued successful partnership between HSI, the Springdale Police Department, and state and local members of the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force," said Cindy M. Johnson, acting special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. "Identifying and investigating those who prey on innocent children via the Internet will continue to be one of HSI's highest priorities."
Ronald Griffin: According to court records, on January 1, 2015, Griffin contacted an undercover investigator with the Queensland Australia Police Service. Griffin then engaged the undercover officer in sexually explicit conversation, and subsequently emailed the undercover officer multiple images of child pornography. Among the images emailed by Griffin were two videos of a two-year-old child being sexually assaulted by an adult male. This information was sent to Homeland Security Investigations in Northwest Arkansas. On January 5, 2015, Homeland Security Agents executed a search warrant at the Madison County residence of Ronald Griffin, and at that time, Griffin admitted to setting up and utilizing the suspected email account which had been used to email the images of child pornography to the undercover investigator. In April of this year, Griffin pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with evidence that at the time of this offense, Griffin was required to register as a sex offender due to a previous state conviction related to Possessing Child Pornography.
Harry Robinson: According to court records, in October, 2014, the Springdale Police Department began investigating Robinson for secretly video-recording a minor while she showered. During the investigation, the Springdale Police department executed a search warrant on Robinson’s home. While executing the search warrant, officers confiscated an Olympus Digital Camera and a PNY brand flash drive. During a subsequent forensic examination of the flash drive, law enforcement discovered multiple nude images of minor females that were taken by Robinson at his residence. The images included minors from eight (8) years of age to approximately 14 years of age. At the time of this offense, Robinson was required to register as a sex offender due to a previous state conviction for Sexual Misconduct involving a minor.
These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Springdale Police Department, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force of Northwest Arkansas. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the cases for the United States.
The cases were 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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Missouri and Arkansas Physician Convicted of Online Sexual Enticement of a ChildRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Donald Wayne Lamoureaux, age 68, of Ash Flat, Arkansas, appeared today in The United States District Court in Fort Smith before The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III to enter a Change of Plea of Guilty to the charge of Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. Lamoureaux previously practiced family medicine in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas and Dexter, Missouri and was also employed at the VA Medical facility in West Plains, Missouri.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The conduct exposed in this case is reprehensible and shows that the threat of abuse to young and innocent children is serious, ever-present, and very real. Our office will continue to work with law enforcement to identify what these criminals do behind closed doors and then prosecute them and bring them to justice.”
According to court records, officers with the Fort Smith Police Department began an undercover online investigation on January 4, 2015 directed at individuals who were using the internet to target minors for purposes of engaging in illegal sexual activity. During the operation, an undercover officer entered an internet chat room posing as an adult mother offering her four year old daughter for sexual exploitation. The undercover officer then made contact with the Defendant, later identified as Donald Wayne Lamoureaux. During the online conversation, Lamoureaux stated that he was a family practice doctor living in Northeast Arkansas, and provided the undercover officer with a picture of himself. From the information and picture provided, the undercover officer was able to identify the individual as Donald W. Lamoureaux. Lamoureaux then expressed that he would like to meet the undercover officer and her four year old daughter for sexual purposes. Following more discussion, the undercover officer and Lamoureaux scheduled a meeting for February 6, 2015 at a hotel in West Plains, Missouri with the supposed and stated purpose for him to sexually abuse the child. On February 2, 2015, Lamoureaux asked the undercover officer to set up a bank account so he could deposit money for expenses associated with the transportation of the four-year-old child to meet with him. Lamoureaux made the deposit in the amount of $300.00 on February 4, 2015. He was arrested in West Plains, Missouri on Friday, February 6, 2015, when he arrived at the meeting location.
Sentencing will be held on a later date. The charge of Coercion and Enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 10 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole and up to a life sentence, not more than $250,000 fine, or both, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years which begins after release from prison.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Fort Smith Police Department, the West Plains Police Department, and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts is prosecuting the case for the United States.
The 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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Co-Conspirators Sentenced to over 10 Years for Federal Bank Fraud and Stolen Mail SchemeRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Shawn Dewayne Cox of Prairie Grove, Christopher Joseph Evans of Colcord, Oklahoma, Spencer Mason of Bentonville, and Erick Picker-Ramirez of Fayetteville were sentenced this week on one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Possession of Stolen Mail. Benjamin Ramsfield, of Greenland, had previously been sentenced to one count of Bank Fraud and one count of Possession of Stolen Mail. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Fraud and theft of mail are serious crimes that involve the personal finances of hard-working individuals and can have long lasting impacts on numerous victims. We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who perpetrate fraud and swindle others out of their hard earned money.”
In June and July 2014, numerous persons in the Northwest Arkansas area began reporting to law enforcement that checks they had placed in the mail to pay bills were coming through their bank accounts with altered information. The checks had been altered to be made payable to people they did not know and for amounts other than the amounts the checks were made out for. On July 11, 2014, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for a residence in Springdale which they had identified being used to “wash” checks. During a search of that residence, law enforcement recovered numerous pieces of opened and unopened mail that was not addressed to any of the occupants or that address, multiple personal checks belonging to persons other than the occupants that had been “washed”, checks that had not been “washed” and were made payable to persons to other than the occupants, and chemicals commonly used in the “washing” process. The residence belonged to Spencer Mason and his girlfriend. Mason, Christopher Evans, and several others were at the residence at the time of the search.
Shawn Cox was arrested and during a post-Miranda interview admitted that he had been involved with other individuals in stealing checks from mailboxes in Northwest Arkansas, altering the stolen checks, and then cashing them at area banks. Cox estimated that he had passed 2-3 checks per day, and obtained $400-800 per check over the course of a few months, totaling approximately $24,000. After his arrest, Erick Picker-Ramirez admitted he had stolen numerous checks and “washed” them along with Cox, Mason and Evans. Mason admitted to stealing mail from residential mailboxes in the Northwest Arkansas area with Picker-Ramirez, Evans, and Cox. Evans also gave a post-Miranda statement admitting that he had stolen mail from approximately 100 residential mailboxes in the Northwest Arkansas area along with Mason and Picker-Ramirez. All of the banks where the checks were passed were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. During the investigation of that mail theft ring law enforcement identified another group operating in the same area during the same time, the leader of which was determined to be Benjamin Ramsfield. Investigators learned this group was operating out of a hotel room in Fayetteville and obtained a search warrant. During the search officers located a bleach pen and bleach, numerous pieces of stolen mail, and personal checks that had been “washed.” Ramsfield was arrested, interviewed, and admitted to stealing mail from area mailboxes in order to obtain personal checks. Ramsfield estimated he passed 40-50 checks and obtained approximately $20,000. Ramsfield also admitted to having several other individuals pass stolen and washed checks for him.
The defendants were sentenced as follows:
Shawn Dewayne Cox, age 31, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $20,870.28 in restitution -jointly and severally with co-defendants.
Christopher Joseph Evans, age 31, of Colcord, Oklahoma was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $20,870.28 in restitution -jointly and severally with co-defendants, and $850 restitution.
Spencer Mason, age 34, of Bentonville was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $20,870.28 in restitution - jointly and severally with co-defendants.
Erick Picker-Ramirez, age 35, of Fayetteville, Arkansas was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $20,870.28 in restitution -jointly and severally with co-defendants.
Benjamin David Ramsfield, age 34, of Greenland, was charged separately and sentenced on May 15, 2015 to 41 months imprisonment, three years supervised release, and $8,353.82 restitution.
These cases were investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Fayetteville Police Department, the United States Postal Service and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney, Aaron Jennen prosecuted the cases for the United States.
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Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov