Western District of Arkansas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Gurdon Man Convicted of Federal Kidnapping Charge Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Hot Springs, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Kevin Bolton, age 39, of Gurdon, Arkansas, pleaded guilty today to one count of Kidnapping Resulting in Death. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey accepted the change of plea in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This was a horrendous, despicable crime. We will not tolerate acts of violence in our communities, and we will stand up for victims of crime and their families across Arkansas. I appreciate all of the hard work by Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson and Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Blake Batson in cooperating to see that justice was done in this case.”
“This was an extraordinary investigation conducted by Sheriff Jason Watson, his deputies, and Special Agent, Scott Clark with the Arkansas State Police,” stated Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Blake Batson. “Their efforts and the work of U. S. Attorney Conner Eldridge brought justice to this case. We are hopeful that this sentence will bring some closure to this family.”
“I believe justice has been served today for Cassie and her family,” stated Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson. “I appreciate the work by U.S. attorney Eldridge, Prosecuting Attorney Blake Batson, and everyone involved in this case. There were multiple agencies involved throughout Arkansas and North Carolina. Without their assistance this would not have been possible.”
According to court records, on March 12, 2013, the now deceased victim, visited an apartment in Gurdon, Arkansas, where she encountered the defendant, Kevin Bolton, a Gurdon resident. According to statements made by witnesses, the defendant 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, a BOLO was issued 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 BOLO to the Cherokee Indian Police Department there.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, officer’s opened the trunk of the car where they found the victim’s body.Bolton was arrested and taken into custody; he waived extradition and agreed to return to Arkansas for prosecution.Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson, traveled to Cherokee, North Carolina, to interview Bolton and transport him back to Arkansas. After being read his Miranda warning, Bolton told Sheriff Watson that he had accompanied the victim around midnight on March 12th.He admitted that he and the victim had argued outside her parked car and that 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. After he was arrested and returned to Arkansas, Bolton led Sheriff Watson to the place where he had choked her and put her in the backseat of her car. That location is in Clark County, Arkansas, within the Western District of Arkansas, Hot Springs Division.Bolton told Sheriff Watson he drove the victim’s vehicle until he heard gagging and choking, so he stopped the car, choked her again, and put her in the trunk of her vehicle.Bolton stated that he believed she was still alive when he placed her inside the trunk and began driving out of Clark County towards Little Rock, Arkansas, where he claimed he spent time with strangers he met on the street. He stated he next drove with her inside the trunk to Cherokee, North Carolina to visit a friend, where he parked the vehicle to hide the rear license plate, and told people the trunk of the vehicle could not be opened because it was bolted shut. An autopsy conducted in North Carolina identified the victim through dental comparison, and ruled the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
On January 29, 2014, a Federal Grand Jury issued an indictment against Bolton charging him with one count of kidnapping resulting in death. Bolton will be sentenced on a later date. The statutory penalty for the offense is life imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the FBI and the Sheriff’s Office of Cherokee, North Carolina. United States Attorney Conner Eldridge and Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner are prosecuting the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Rogers Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Prison for Kidnapping Texas WomanRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Theron Vance, age 22, of Rogers, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping and one count of Kidnapping, Aiding and Abetting. Vance was found guilty of both counts following a two day jury trial on March 18, 2015. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “With today’s sentence, we hope the victim in this case can rest comfortably knowing that justice has been served to those who terrorized her. Vance and his co-defendants spent four months planning an elaborate scheme to kidnap the victim, which they then carried out in order to prevent her from testifying against one of them in a pending criminal case. I commend our local and federal law enforcement partners for their terrific work in this case. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who commit violent crimes in order to make the Western District of Arkansas a safer place for all.”
“A violent kidnapping and impersonation of a FBI agent will not be tolerated and this is reflected in Vance’s sentencing today,” stated Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Shepard, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Little Rock. “Our communities will now be safer thanks to the diligent work of our partners, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Bentonville and Dallas Police Departments.”
According to evidence presented during the trial, On June 14, 2014, the Bentonville Police Department received a 911 call from an employee at the Walmart Supercenter that a woman had been kidnapped. Once officers arrived on scene they were able to determine the victim entered the restroom at Walmart and handed an employee a note informing them that she had been kidnapped from Dallas, Texas by her ex-boyfriend Michael Roberts. By the time officers arrived at Walmart, Roberts had fled the scene. According to an interview of the victim, the previous night between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. she was walking into her apartment in Dallas, Texas, when she was attacked from behind by Michael Roberts and physically assaulted. The defendant, Theron Vance, was present and assisted Roberts by acting as the lookout. Roberts forced the victim into her apartment and began restraining and choking her when Vance entered the apartment and identified himself as an FBI agent. The victim was told she could either go with the two men or she would be killed. The victim cooperated and packed a bag with her belongings. She was also told to write a note to her roommate explaining her disappearance. She did so, but also left another note in the refrigerator that said “call 911.” The victim was then transported against her will to the Western District of Arkansas in Bentonville by Roberts and Vance. Prior to leaving the Dallas area, defendant Vance took the victim’s phone and broke it on the sidewalk, making it inoperable. On the way to Bentonville the victim advised they stopped in Eufaula, Oklahoma at a gas station, where she left another note in the restroom identifying the vehicle in which she was being transported (this note was later recovered by Oklahoma Police). The victim was brought to the defendant’s residence located at 807 Southwest Krug in Bentonville during the early morning hours of June 14th. Later that day the victim was taken to Walmart where the employee was notified that she had been kidnapped.
While interviewing the victim officers noted that her lip appeared to be busted on the inside of her mouth and she had a large bruise on her right forearm.According to the victim, she was told by Roberts and Vance that she had been kidnapped because they did not want her to testify against Roberts in a pending criminal case in Texas and that they were going to keep her until the proceedings were over. The victim was able to positively identify defendant Vance as one of the individuals that kidnapped her and transported her from Dallas, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas against her will.
As the Bentonville Police Department was investigating the case, Detectives with the Dallas Police Department searched the victim’s apartment and located the two notes and discovered a blood stain on the carpet.Bentonville Detectives then executed a search warrant at defendant Roberts’ residence, where they located the victim’s bloody clothing.
On June 16, 2014, Vance was located and arrested.Subsequent to being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights he admitted his role in the kidnapping.Specifically, Vance admitted that approximately four months prior to the kidnapping he and Roberts began planning; Vance admitted that a week prior to the abduction, he and Roberts drove to Dallas to scout the area; Vance admitted to wearing a fake FBI badge during the abduction and breaking the victim’s cell phone so they would not be tracked.In addition, Vance disclosed to investigators the location of several items used in the kidnapping, including a blonde wig, razor blades, zip ties and a book on human anatomy.These items were subsequently recovered by investigators.Furthermore, Vance’s vehicle was used to transport the victim from Texas to Arkansas.
Vance’s co-defendants, Michael Roberts, age 25, of Bella Vista, and Jason Petit, age 25, of Fayetteville, were previously sentenced in March.Roberts pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping on November 3, 2014, and was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.Petit also pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping on October 21, 2014, and was sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Bentonville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris and Assistant United States Attorney Kim Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Fort Smith Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax CrimeRead the Press Release
An Arkansas chiropractor pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Arkansas to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge of the Western District of Arkansas and Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. He was previously convicted of federal tax crimes and sentenced to prison.
According to court documents, Philip Roberts, 60, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, filed a series of false and fraudulent documents with the IRS in an effort to obstruct or impede the due administration of the internal revenue 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 IRS forms that falsely reported payments. 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 federal prison.
Roberts’ sentencing hearing has not been scheduled yet before the Honorable U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas. Roberts faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for obstructing and impeding the IRS.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge and Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo commended special agents of the IRS and 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 are prosecuting the case.
Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Combined 46.5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced the final defendants tied to a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in the Fort Smith area were sentenced this week. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “These defendants brought a significant amount of methamphetamine into the Western District of Arkansas where they sold and distributed it into our communities. The drug trafficking organization responsible has now been dismantled, and its members have been held responsible for their actions. We remain committed to working with our partners in law enforcement to identify and aggressively prosecute those who bring drugs and crime into our communities.”
“Methamphetamine has the ability to destroy entire communities,” stated DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, David Downing. “The victims are often children and families who live in neighborhoods where meth dealers pedal their poison. This investigation is a prime example of law enforcement working together to halt those responsible for and profiting from the spread of this vicious drug. DEA is proud to be a part of the law enforcement efforts that have helped free this area of these drug dealers who tried to take this community as their own,” said Downing.
According to court records, as early as November of 2013, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that large quantities of methamphetamine were being distributed out of the Fort Smith area by a multi-state drug trafficking organization led by William Alexander. During the course of the investigation agents made more than ten controlled buys and executed at least five search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine.
The defendants were sentenced as follows:
William Joseph Alexander, aka “Weenie”, age 33, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was previously sentenced to two hundred and ten months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Randall Jernigan, age 31, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was previously sentenced to eighty four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Bobby Chanthavong, age 32, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced to thirty seven months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute.
Blake Bronson Wright, age 28, of Van Buren, Arkansas, was sentenced to twenty four months followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Gary Nathaniel Rogers, age 29, of Huntington, Arkansas, was sentenced to twenty one months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Gentry Alan Rainwater Sr., age 55, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced to fifty seven months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Kevin Dale Hatley, age 35, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced to thirty three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Joshua Wade Russell, age 30, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, was sentenced to twenty one months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Larry Dale Batt, aka “Spooky”, age 32, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced to twenty one months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Theresa Susan Thompson, age 51, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced to fifteen months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Rosa Sharon, age 50, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced to thirty seven months in prison followed by one year of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fort Smith Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Northwest Arkansas Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – A Springdale, Arkansas, man was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for multiple tax crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge of the Western District of Arkansas and Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Doyle Smith, 56, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $5000 fine. On Feb. 11, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas, a jury found Smith guilty of four counts of filing a false tax return, one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws and one count of presenting a fictitious financial obligation.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in 2008 and 2009, Smith submitted four false individual federal tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2008, which falsely reported a total of more than $1.4 million in fictitious federal tax withholdings. Based on these fictitious withholding amounts, Smith claimed a total of $1,021,457 in income tax refunds that he was not entitled to receive. Smith also submitted false claims and correspondence to both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and third-parties in an attempt to cause the IRS and U.S. Treasury to pay his debts to third parties and to obstruct the IRS’ tax administration efforts. For example, in January 2010, Smith mailed to the Department of Arkansas Finance and Administration a fictitious financial instrument titled “U.S. Treasury Trust Account Money Order.” This fictitious document purportedly obligated U.S. Treasury funds in the amount of $129,439 to pay for outstanding sales taxes that Smith owed to the state of Arkansas.
“Smith, in his fraudulent scheme, attempted to steal taxpayer money from the U.S. Treasury for his own benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Eldridge. “Those who steal from the U.S. Treasury steal directly out of the pockets of the hard-working people of the Western District of Arkansas. With today’s sentence, a strong message has been sent that our office and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue fraud wherever we find it.”
“Individuals like Doyle Smith, who commit criminal tax offenses and attempt to use the U.S. Treasury as their personal slush fund, will be identified, investigated, prosecuted and incarcerated,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “The message from today’s sentencing is clear: those who attempt to cheat the system will pay a heavy price for their criminal conduct.”
“Today’s sentencing is a reminder of the penalties individuals face when submitting false claims for federal income tax refunds,” stated Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Henry of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI). “IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our nation’s tax system, and our unwavering commitment to protecting the interests of law-abiding taxpayers.”
“It is the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s mission to protect the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service and promote the fair administration of our federal tax system,” said Special Agent in Charge Ruben Florez of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA’s) Mid-States Field Division. “TIGTA and its law-enforcement partners will vigorously investigate individuals that 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. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that our justice system will not tolerate these types of actions.”
U.S. Attorney Eldridge and Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo commended the special agents of IRS-CI and TIGTA, who investigated the case, as well as Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Fayetteville Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Federal Prison for Felon in Possession of Firearm ViolationRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James VanValkenberg, age 22, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This defendant, a convicted felon, was in possession of a loaded handgun and fleeing from law enforcement near a busy intersection when he was taken into custody. Felons in possession of firearms pose a serious threat of harm to police officers and citizens in our communities. Our office, along with our partners in law enforcement, will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute these types of cases in order to keep communities throughout the Western District of Arkansas safe from senseless violence.”
According to court records, on November 5, 2014, patrol officers with the Fayetteville Police Department heard a vehicle collision and went to investigate. As the officers approached the scene, they observed VanValkenberg digging around inside of his vehicle. Once VanValkenberg saw the officers, he began walking away from the scene of the accident. Officers gave VanValkenberg repeated verbal commands to stop; however, VanValkenberg quickly fled from the officers and the accident scene. The officers pursued VanValkenberg on foot, and after tasing him twice, were able to catch and subdue him. Once the officers were able to take him into custody, VanValkenberg was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, specifically a Beretta .25 caliber pistol. The Beretta in VanValkenberg’s possession was determined to have been manufactured outside the state of Arkansas. VanValkenberg has five prior felony convictions, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. On February 4, 2015, VanValkenberg pleaded guilty to one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Eleven Sentenced to Combined 97.5 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced the final defendants tied to a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Northwest Arkansas were sentenced today. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “These defendants transported large amounts of methamphetamine from California to Arkansas where they sold and distributed it into our communities. The drug trafficking organization responsible has now been successfully dismantled, and its members brought to justice. Our office remains focused on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for bringing drugs onto our streets and crime into our communities.”
“Methamphetamine is a plague that drug traffickers inflict upon law-abiding communities without any regard for the violence and destruction that often accompanies its use,” said Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Jerry Templet. “This case illustrates the successful ongoing partnership between HSI, ATF, the DEA, and local law enforcement partners with the Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department, Eureka Springs Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office that continue to identify and bring Arkansas drug traffickers to justice.”
"These sentences mark the final blow reflecting the successful dismantling of this large scale methamphetamine trafficking organization," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing. "By removing these criminals from the streets of Arkansas, they can no longer distribute this toxic poison to our communities. Through remarkable partnerships with HSI, ATF, and local law enforcement partnerships with Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department, Eureka Springs Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office, we are making major progress in preventing meth trafficking from taking hold in our communities. This investigation is a compelling example of that success." said Downing.
As early as April, 2014, investigators with United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Rogers, Arkansas Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization involving the distribution of methamphetamine in Northwest Arkansas. Numerous controlled buys, surveillance, search warrants, and monitoring were used during the course of the investigation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine and eight weapons, including one fully automatic rifle. Investigators were able to track approximately $150,000.00 in cash deposits made into Arkansas banks which were later withdrawn in California.
The defendants were sentenced as follows:
Rudy Richard Sanchez, aka “Lil Man”, 36, of Lowell, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 5, 2015, to 151 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Delivery of More Than Five Grams of Actual Methamphetamine. At sentencing, Sanchez was found to be a Career Offender.
Jarvis Miranda, aka “Crazy”, 35, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 28, 2015, to 293 months in prison, 240 months on count one, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and 120 months on count two, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, with 53 months on count two to run consecutively to count one, and 67 months on count two to run concurrently with count one, followed by three years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently. At sentencing, Miranda was found to be a Career Offender.
Fabian Uribe, aka “Sporty”, 28, of Arleta, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, a $12,500.00 fine and a five year denial of federal benefits on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Substance Containing Detectable Amounts of Methamphetamine. Uribe is a member of the “Project Boys” (Sureno faction) a violent street gang based in Pacoima, California.
Cruz Eduardo Segundo, aka “Eddie”, 26, of North Hills, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 135 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a five year denial of federal benefits on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Substance Containing Detectible Amounts of Methamphetamine.
Joey Jonathon Morse, aka “Red”, 30, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 26, 2015, to 72 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
Tara Marie Hickman, 39, of Burbank, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Substance Containing Detectible Amounts of Methamphetamine.
Sara Chaisson, 26, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced on March 19, 2015, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Henry Alonzo Diaz, aka “Hank”, 34, of Montebello, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, and a $25,000.00 fine on one count of Interstate or Foreign Travel or Transportation In Aid of Racketeering Enterprises.
Karen Vasquez-Benitez, 27, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $15,000.00 fine on one count of Interstate or Foreign Travel or Transportation In Aid of Racketeering Enterprises.
Nichole Rana Hayes, 27, of Riverside, California, was sentenced on May 27, 2015, to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Roxanna Hernandez, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 27, 2015, to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on one count Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Rogers, Arkansas Police Department, the Springdale, Arkansas Police Department, the Eureka Springs, Arkansas Police Department, the Washington County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Carter and Kenny Elser prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Three Men Sentenced in Federal Court to Combined Total of over Twenty-One (21) Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Fayetteville/Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Gerald Cain, Edward McMahon, and Matthew McMullen were sentenced this week to a combined total of 254 months in federal prison without the possibility of parole for unrelated child pornography offenses, specifically, Receipt of Images of Child Pornography. Cain, 53 of Springdale, was sentenced to 97 months in prison; McMahon, age 61 of Lincoln, was sentenced to 97 months in prison; McMullen, age 32 of Fayetteville, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks and the Honorable P.K. Holmes, III, presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, respectively.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “There is no higher priority in our office than protecting our children. The sentences announced today send a strong message that we will continue to aggressively prosecute those involved in child pornography offenses. Those that possess and view images of child pornography perpetuate this despicable trade and empower those that directly abuse kids. We will continue to fight these horrendous crimes.”
“Child pornography steals the innocence of children and destroys lives. By downloading and possessing images showing the sexual abuse of minors these defendants re-victimized multiple innocent children, and supported the producers who committed child rape,” said HSI New Orleans Acting Special Agent in Charge Cindy M. Johnson. “Sexual abuse scars children for life, and HSI will continue to use all the tools in its arsenal to identify the perpetrators of these horrendous acts and seek justice on behalf of their victims.” Johnson oversees a five-state area of operations to include Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
With respect to Cain, in August, 2014, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce identified a computer that was engaging in the distribution of child pornography via an internet file sharing program. A subsequent investigation revealed that the subscriber information related to the suspect internet user account returned to the Springdale residence of the defendant, James Cain. In October of 2014, a federal search warrant was executed on Cain’s home where law enforcement seized numerous computers and digital storage devices. Cain admitted at that time to owning the seized equipment and using it to search for and download images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further, he stated he had being downloading child pornography for approximately 15 years. A subsequent forensic examination of his computer revealed one thousand images and/or videos of minors engaging in such sexually explicit conduct. Cain was arrested on December 3, 2014 and pleaded guilty to the charge on February 4, 2015. Cain was also sentenced to 15 years supervised release following his prison term and a $1,750.00 fine.
With respect to McMahon, in September, 2014, the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning an individual residing in Northwest Arkansas being involved in the posting of child pornography pictures online. As a result, members of the ICAC Taskforce executed a federal search warrant at the home of the defendant, Edward McMahon, in Lincoln, Arkansas. At McMahon’s residence, law enforcement confiscated multiple items of digital evidence that contained child pornography. Additionally, McMahon admitted to law enforcement to owning the seized equipment and to using it to trade child pornography. A subsequent forensic examination of his computer revealed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. McMahon was arrested on November 21, 2014 and pleaded guilty to the charge on February 4, 2015. McMahon was also sentenced to 10 years supervised release following his prison term and a $1,750.00 fine.
With respect to McMullen, in April, 2014, the Northwest Arkansas/River Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce executed a federal search warrant at the Fort Smith residence of McMullen related to the possession and distribution of child pornography. While at the scene, the defendant admitted to downloading child pornography from the internet. A subsequent forensic examination of his computer revealed over 400 videos of minors engaging in sex acts. McMullen was arrested on December 2, 2014 and pleaded guilty to the charge on January 20, 2015. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with evidence that many of the minors depicted were under 10 years of age. McMullen was also sentenced to five years supervised released following his prison term.
These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Northwest Arkansas and River Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the cases for the United States.
These 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Louisiana Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jonathan Taylor, aka “N.O.”, age 30, of Violet, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 108 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “With today’s sentence, another drug dealer has been brought to justice. The eradication of drug trafficking is vital to the growth and well-being of Hot Springs and communities across the Western District of Arkansas. Our office remains focused on investigating and prosecuting drug trafficking activity in order to make our state a safer place for all of our citizens.”
According to court records, on May 27, 2014, members of the 18th Judicial East Drug Task Force and the Hot Springs Police Department were contacted by staff members of a Hot Springs hotel, regarding possible controlled substances found in a guest room while the room was being cleaned by the housekeeping staff. The substance was field tested on the scene by members of the 18th Judicial East Drug Task Force, which provided a positive result for the presumptive identification of methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that the room in question had been rented by Jonathan Taylor. Subsequently, Taylor was encountered by investigators as he arrived back at the hotel. Taylor stated that he came to the hotel to retrieve a PlayStation game console that he left in the hotel room. Taylor was advised that controlled substances had been found in the room he rented, to which Taylor spontaneously responded that the controlled substances belonged to him. At that point, Taylor was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to make a statement. During his interview, Taylor admitted that he was the current renter of the hotel room in question, and that the methamphetamine found in the room belonged to him. The substance was later determined to have an approximate weight of 6.4 ounces and was confirmed by the State Crime Lab as methamphetamine. Taylor was arrested on July 2, 2014, and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department, the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Two Men Sentenced to Combined Total of over 25 Years for Unrelated Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Christian Archer and Brandon L. Waller were sentenced today to a combined total of over 25 years in federal prison for unrelated drug trafficking charges. Archer, age 30, of Hope, Arkansas, was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of the Use and Carrying of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime; Waller, age 27, of Wake Village, Texas, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 280 grams of Cocaine Base, commonly known as “Crack Cocaine”. The Honorable Harry F. Barnes presided over Archer’s sentencing hearing, while the Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over Waller’s, both in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The fact that both of these defendants have previous felony convictions, and that one of them is a “career offender”, shows a blatant disrespect for the law. These two cases exemplify the threat of violence that drug trafficking poses in our communities; one defendant fired shots into a home, while the other led an officer on a high speed chase, each situation placing innocent lives at risk. Our office remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute those who commit these crimes.”
Christian Archer: According to court records, investigators with the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Department were contacted by witnesses on September 26, 2013, regarding a shooting that had taken place on that date. The witnesses stated that prior to the shooting they had purchased methamphetamine from Christian Archer. After a dispute over the price of methamphetamine, Archer and two other co-conspirators threatened the witnesses with a firearm, and fired several rounds at them, resulting in multiple bullets striking the witnesses’ residence. On that same date, based on evidence recovered at the scene and statements of witnesses, investigators obtained a court-ordered search warrant for Archer’s residence in Hope, Arkansas. During the execution of the search warrant at Archer’s home, investigators located a set of digital scales on the kitchen counter, two bags of methamphetamine, and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Archer was arrested on March 6, 2014, and pleaded guilty to the charge on July 25, 2014. At sentencing, it was determined that Archer is a Career Offender.
Brandon Waller: According to court records, Troopers with the Arkansas State Police were conducting a sobriety check point in Hempstead County, Arkansas, on September 26, 2013. While operating the check point, an Arkansas State Trooper observed a vehicle heading east-bound on the highway that was traveling partially in the ditch. Based on his observation of traffic violations, the Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle made a U-Turn in the highway and fled west-bound. The Trooper initiated pursuit of the vehicle, activating his emergency lights and sirens, but the vehicle continued to flee at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour. During the chase, the pursuing Trooper observed a white plastic bag thrown from the passenger window of the vehicle. The location of the bag was radioed in, and the bag, which contained a large quantity of crack cocaine, was recovered near the highway. Officers were ultimately able to stop the vehicle, identify the driver as Brandon Waller, and take Waller into custody. Subsequent to his arrest and after being advised of his Miranda rights, Waller provided a statement to investigators in which he admitted to possessing the crack cocaine recovered from the bag, and throwing it from the vehicle during the pursuit. Waller further stated that he was taking the crack cocaine to Magnolia, Arkansas. Waller was arrested on September 26, 2013, and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2014.
These cases were investigated by the FBI, the South Central Drug Task Force, the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Quinn and Jonathan Ross prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Two Arkansas Brothers Honored Today at National Crime Victim’s Rights Service Awards Ceremony in Washington D.c.Read the Press Release
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HONORS 12 INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS FOR ADVANCING RIGHTS AND SERVICES FOR CRIME VICTIMS
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Matthew Smith of Little Rock, and Dr. Marc Smith of Texarkana, were honored with the Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award today at the National Crime Victim’s Rights Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Smith brothers selflessly and courageously spearheaded a change in the law in the State of Arkansas to eliminate the statute of limitations on prosecution of child sex offenders. This extraordinary piece of legislation removed an obstacle to prosecution of those that abuse kids and makes the legal landscape more victim-friendly for future generations of Arkansans.
The Smith brothers had been serially abused by the same coach, Walter Richard Roberts, in their childhood. In 2012, Dr. Smith encountered the perpetrator working with youth at a local baseball field. Dr. Smith contacted law enforcement which led to an investigation in which more than ten adult men were identified as victims of the coach. The state statute of limitations at that time precluded prosecution of the coach for crimes committed when the men were minors in the 1980’s and 1990’s. According to court records and testimony in court, during that time period, Roberts made several trips across state lines with minor children, all under the age of 12 at the time, in order to engage in sexual activity. During one instance, Roberts transported two victims from Arkansas to a business in Texarkana, Texas, where he had the minors get into the back of his van and sexually abused them. Roberts transported one of these same minors again on a separate trip to Wright Patman Lake in Texas, telling the youth to get into the back of his van, where he proceeded to sexually molest the victim. Finally, during the summer of 1988 or 1989, Roberts transported a third victim on a fishing trip to Beard’s Lake in Arkansas. Roberts sexually abused the victim while driving on Highway 71 from Texarkana. During interviews with investigators, Roberts admitted to further sexual abuse of the minor victims. Specifically, Roberts stated that he continued to abuse one of the minors over a five-year period. Roberts was originally indicted on August 22, 2012. He pleaded guilty on November 1, 2012 and was sentenced in May, 2013 to ten years in prison., the statutory maximum.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, "Thanks to leadership of the Smiths, a barrier to the pursuit of justice on behalf of victims of childhood sexual abuse in Arkansas has now been removed. As a result, those that abuse kids in Arkansas will be subject to prosecution for the rest of their lives, regardless of when the abuse is discovered. We should all thank the Smith brothers for their efforts, and we should also continue the fight against child sexual abuse armed with this enhanced ability to bring abusers to justice."
Attorney General Eric Holder presided over the National Crime Victims’ Rights Service Awards ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21. The event honors 12 individuals and programs for their extraordinary actions to bring positive and lasting changes in the lives of crime victims.
"The Department of Justice is proud to recognize the tremendous contributions of dedicated colleagues, passionate advocates and extraordinary partners in the field of victim services," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "From safeguarding survivors of sexual violence to assisting victims of mass marketing fraud, the recipients of today’s awards have been instrumental in our nationwide effort to protect the most vulnerable among us, to prevent and combat crime, and to help victims find hope and seek justice."
The Department’s Office for Victims of Crime leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and hosts an award ceremony each year. President Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, calling for greater sensitivity to the rights and needs of victims. For 2015, the week is observed from April 19 through 25, with the theme Engaging Communities - Empowering Victims.
Following is a list of the award recipients, who were nominated by their colleagues in the field and selected by the Attorney General:
The Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award honors leadership, innovation and vision that leads to noteworthy changes in public policy that benefit crime victims. Recipients: Dr. Marcus Smith and attorney Matthew Smith, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Director of Victim Services Suzanne Breedlove of the District Attorneys Council in Oklahoma City.
The Allied Professional Award recognizes an individual or organization outside the victim assistance field for services or contributions to the victims’ field. Recipients: Mary Kay Inc. of Addison, Texas, and Assistant District Attorney Norman A. Gahnof the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
The Crime Victims Financial Restoration Award recognizes individuals, programs, organizations or teams that developed innovative ways of funding services for crime victims or instituted innovative approaches for securing financial restoration for crime victims. Recipient: A team of representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the department’s Asset Forfeiture Money Laundering Section and U.S. Postal Inspection Service for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The National Crime Victim Service Award honors extraordinary efforts in direct service to crime victims. Recipients: Karen Kalergis, a victim advocate from Austin, Texas, and Executive Director Alecia "Lisa" Thompson-Heth of Wiconia Wawokiya Inc., of the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation, Fort Thompson, South Dakota.
The Crime Victims’ Rights Award honors those whose efforts to advance or enforce crime victims’ rights have benefited crime victims at the state, tribal or national level. Recipient: Laurel Wemhoff, a survivor and advocate from Washington, D.C.
The Professional Innovation in Victim Service Award recognizes a program, organization or individual who has helped to expand the reach of victims’ rights and services. Recipient: Judge Paul M. Herbert of the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio.
The Special Courage Award recognizes extraordinary bravery in the aftermath of a crime or courageous act on behalf of a victim or potential victim. Recipients: Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The Vision 21 Crime Victims Research Award recognizes individual researchers or research teams that make a significant contribution to the nation’s understanding of crime victims’ issues. Recipient: Rebecca Campbell, of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.
The Volunteer for Victims Award honors individuals for their extraordinary and selfless efforts resulting in positive and lasting changes in the lives of crime victims. Recipient: LaWanda Hawkins, of San Pedro, California.
Descriptive narratives and videos of the contributions of recipients are available at Office for Victims of Crime’s Gallery.
About the Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
OJP, headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.
* * * E N D * * *
Northwest Arkansas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Fernando Canales-Mendoza, age 52, a Mexican citizen living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute more than fifty (50) grams of Methamphetamine, and one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Mendoza was originally indicated by a federal grand jury in September, 2014 and found guilty in February, 2015 following a two day jury trial. The Honorable Robert T. Dawson presided over both the trial and today’s sentencing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, "With this sentence, another positive step has been taken to assure that the families, especially children, in Carroll County can live in a community free of illegal drug trafficking and the violence and other crime that comes with it. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those responsible for bringing methamphetamine and other drugs into the Western District of Arkansas."
According to evidence presented to the jury, on April 30, 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation, an undercover agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) purchased one ounce of methamphetamine from the defendant, Canales-Mendoza, in his home in exchange for $1,400.00, and was provided an additional ounce to be paid for at a later time. On May 7, 2014, the undercover agent paid the defendant $1,500.00 for that ounce, and purchased an additional ounce of methamphetamine for $1,400.00. On August 27, 2014, the undercover agent met with the defendant again, and requested an additional four ounces of methamphetamine. The defendant then showed the undercover agent approximately three to three and a half ounces of methamphetamine he did have, which prompted the agent to respond that he would leave in order to get additional funds to purchase the methamphetamine. Once the agent left the meeting with the defendant, DEA agents executed an arrest warrant on Canales-Mendoza and a search warrant on his place of business, where they confiscated approximately 137 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Carter and Sydney Butler prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Media AdvisoryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Conner Eldridge to participate in Oklahoma City Bombing 20th Anniversary Commemoration Events and The National Summit on Homeland Security Law in Oklahoma City, OK
From Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge chairs the Domestic Terrorism Working Group of United States Attorneys, which advises the Attorney General of the United States on Domestic Terrorism issues and, along with the FBI, and Department of Justice National Security Division, co-chairs the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, which works to ensure cooperation and collaboration on domestic terrorism issues and is comprised of 20 different federal law enforcement agencies and Department of Justice components.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge will be available for interviews by phone from today through Sunday or in person in Northwest Arkansas on Sunday afternoon. Please call the above phone # to coordinate interviews.
* * * E N D * * *
Two Members of El Dorado Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to a Combined Total of over 14 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
El Dorado, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Kendall J. Dykes, aka “KD”, age 43, of El Dorado, Arkansas, and Jewel E. Easter, age 34, of Little Rock, Arkansas, were sentenced today to a combined total of over 14 years in federal prison. Dykes was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Easter received a sentence of 92 months in 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 hearings in the United States District Court in El Dorado.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Like many towns in South Arkansas, El Dorado has been plagued by drug trafficking. With this operation, these two defendants, along with numerous others, have been prosecuted and will spend a significant portion of their lives in federal prison. Cleaning up drug activity is critical to the success and growth of El Dorado, as it is for all communities. We appreciate the hard work and dedication on behalf of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of this case, and we will continue to vigorously prosecute drug traffickers across the Western District of Arkansas. ”
“These sentencings are a result of the concentrated efforts by United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the FBI Task Force and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, who partner together to disrupt and dismantle drug networks that threaten our neighborhoods,” commented David T. Resch, Special Agent In Charge of the Little Rock FBI, “Together we will continue to diligently investigate the movement and sale of drugs in our state.”
According to court records, beginning in January, 2013, agents with the FBI and FBI Task Force initiated an investigation targeting gang members who were involved in the trafficking of narcotics and firearms in El Dorado, Arkansas and surrounding areas. During the investigation, agents identified Antoine Cook and his drug trafficking organization as a major distributor of methamphetamine in and around Union County, Arkansas. Jewell Easter was identified as one of Cook’s sources of supply for methamphetamine, while Kendall Dykes was identified as a distributor of the methamphetamine for the organization. During the summer of 2013, pursuant to a court order, agents intercepted numerous wire and electronic communications of a cell phone used by Antoine Cook. During the course of the court-ordered
interception, investigators intercepted communications between Cook and Easter discussing the distribution of pound quantities of methamphetamine, and between Cook and Dykes in which Dykes discussed the purchase and distribution of ounce quantities of methamphetamine from Cook. In many of the wire and electronic communications between Cook and the defendants, coded language was used in an attempt to disguise their drug trafficking activities. Throughout the investigation, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases of ounce quantities of methamphetamine from Dykes, and were able to determine through physical surveillance and cell phone recordings that Dykes obtained methamphetamine directly from Cook for distribution. Additionally, during the investigation, agents learned that Easter was responsible for the distribution of multiple pound quantities of methamphetamine to Cook in the Western District of Arkansas. Dykes was arrested on October 10, 2013, and pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on August 27, 2014. Easter was arrested on October 3, 2013, and pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 9, 2014.Information regarding defendants related to this case follows:
Antoine C. Cook, aka “Twan”, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute More than 500 grams of Methamphetamine on February 4, 2014, and was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison.
Amos K. Moore, aka “Johnny”, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on March 10, 2014, and was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison.
Ronald E. Brown, aka “Caveman”, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on April 24, 2014, and was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison.
Jeffery Ekowa pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on January 27, 2014, and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison.
Varten Jaqoub Varentian pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on September 8, 2014, and is currently awaiting sentencing.
These cases were investigated by the FBI, the FBI Task Force, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison Following Operation Crystal ClearRead the Press Release
El Dorado, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jamie B. Martin, age 36, of Waldo, Arkansas, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine as part of “Operation Crystal Clear”, an investigation into large-scale drug trafficking of methamphetamine throughout Columbia County, Arkansas, and surrounding areas. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “With the sentence announced today, another drug trafficking organization has been successfully dismantled, and its leader brought to justice. The criminal activity involved in this case victimized the people of Waldo, Magnolia, and the surrounding area. Our office remains committed to vigilantly and aggressively prosecuting drug trafficking organizations across the Western District of Arkansas in order to eradicate the crime and violence they bring into our communities.”
“Martin earned this sentence,” stated Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Little Rock. “The FBI, FBI Task Force, and our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, the Magnolia Police Department, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force will continue to work to dismantle dangerous drug trafficking organizations in our communities.”
According to court records, beginning in 2011, agents with the FBI and FBI Task Force initiated an investigation, known as “Operation Crystal Clear”, into Jamie Martin and his drug trafficking organization. During the investigation, agents identified Martin as a source of supply in Columbia County, Arkansas. Pursuant to a court order, agents intercepted the wire and electronic communications of a cell phone used by Jamie Martin. Over the course of the court-ordered interception, investigators received numerous wire and electronic communications between Martin and his co-conspirators discussing the distribution of methamphetamine and collection of drug debts. In many of the communications, Martin and co-conspirators used coded language to disguise their drug trafficking activities. Through their investigation, agents learned that Martin was responsible for the distribution of ounce quantities of methamphetamine to various customers in the Western District of Arkansas. Additionally, during the course of the investigation, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Martin. During the course of those controlled buys, Martin sent various co-conspirators to deliver the methamphetamine on his behalf. As a result of this investigation, agents seized over three pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, and approximately $160,000 in cash. Martin and his co-conspirators were originally charged in a 15-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury which was filed on March 6, 2013. Martin pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 11, 2013. During sentencing, it was determined that Martin was an organizer or leader of a criminal activity that involved five or more participants and that Martin possessed a dangerous weapon during the commission of the offense.
Following are Martin’s co-conspirators who were charged in federal court and their sentences for their involvement in “Operation Crystal Clear”. Numerous other co-conspirators were charged in the state court system.
Claudie J. Miller, aka “June Bug”, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 140 months in prison.
Chevis D. Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine and Aiding and Abetting and was sentenced to 180 months in prison.
Courtney K. Loudermill pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 48 months in prison.
Curtis J. Cole, aka “Peetie”, pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of More than 50 grams of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 168 months in prison.
Ervin K. Moss, aka “Kelso”, pleaded guilty to one count of the Use of a Communication Facility in Furtherance of the Distribution of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 6 months in prison.
Monte V. Dismuke pleaded guilty to one count of Use of a Communication Facility in Furtherance of the Distribution of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 48 months in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the FBI Task Force, the Magnolia Police Department, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records Website at www.Pacer.gov
New Jersey Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethmaphetamineRead the Press Release
El Dorado, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Anthony F. Winters, age 51, of Longvalley, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 48 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 El Dorado.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “With today’s sentence, Arkadelphia and the surrounding community have become a safer place for all residents. Our office is committed to eliminating the trafficking of illegal drugs and the violence and other crime it brings with it. I would like to thank the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas State Police, the Group 6 Task Force, and the DEA for all their hard work throughout this entire investigation.”
Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson praised the efforts of all the special agents, investigators and officers involved in this extended investigation. Watson commented, “The public expects and deserves the kind of collaboration that was involved in this case. This was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Clark County Prosecutor’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Police, Group 6 Task Force, Arkadelphia Police Department, and Clark County Sheriff’s Department that would not have been possible by any one of these agencies alone.” Watson stated further "The investigation involved hundreds of hours by officers too numerous to mention, but they all deserve credit for their efforts in this investigation; I am very proud of this positive outcome.” Clark County Prosecutor Blake Batson and Sheriff Watson thanked U.S. Attorney Eldridge for his continued assistance in combating drug trafficking in Clark County.
“By working together, DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are utilizing our respective resources and expertise to achieve results that we could not accomplish on our own. Our combined efforts are making communities in the Western District of Arkansas safer by disrupting the flow of dangerous drugs to our neighborhoods. The sentencing today should put others who engage in this type of activity on notice: if you distribute illegal drugs you will face federal charges and a lengthy prison sentence,” state DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing.
According to court records, beginning in October 2013, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Group 6 Drug Task Force and the Arkansas State Police initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine in Southwest Arkansas. During the investigation, agents learned that Anthony Winters was an out-of-state distributor of multi-ounce quantities of methamphetamine that originated in Clark County. After further investigation, DEA began setting up an undercover sting operation in Clark County targeting Winters. During April, 2014, Winters traveled from New Jersey to Arkansas in order to pick up a supply of methamphetamine and take it back to New Jersey for distribution. Upon his arrival at the agreed upon location in Clark County, Winters was provided with a shrink wrapped block of counterfeit substance represented to be a half pound (or eight ounces) of methamphetamine. In exchange for that counterfeit substance, Winters exchanged two signed business account checks, and mentioned that he priced the methamphetamine out for $3,000 an ounce to another distributor in New Jersey. After the transaction was completed, Winters was stopped in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, by an Arkansas State Trooper and arrested on a federal warrant. The shrink-wrapped counterfeit substance was found wrapped in a red sleeping bag in the rear passenger area of the pickup truck Winters was driving. Winters was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on May 7, 2014, and pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 1, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Group 6 Drug Task Force, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Arkadelphia Police Department, and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Little Rock Woman Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison in Scheme to Defraud Undocumented WorkersRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Wendy Espinoza, a 32 year old foreign national from Honduras who was living in Little Rock, was sentenced to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release on each count of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud. The sentences are to run concurrent with each other. Espinoza was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $541,520.00. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “With today’s sentence, justice has now been served on behalf of the vulnerable and unsuspecting victims drawn into the devious trap set by Ms. Espinoza. The means in which she represented herself to them and the methods of intimidation that she used in order to enrich herself is nothing short of heartless. She threatened these victims with things she knew would most deeply affect them; arrest, deportation, and the loss of their children. Our office remains dedicated to pursuing fraud cases in the Western District of Arkansas and holding accountable those who swindle and take advantage of others.”
“Criminals routinely make false promises and seek to exploit individuals hoping to gain legal status in the United States,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Cindy M. Johnson. “This case illustrates the importance of being cautious when dealing with service providers, and also shows that Homeland Security Investigations will investigate and seek prosecution of those who prey on individuals to commit fraud.”
Beginning in 2007 and continuing through July, 2014, Espinoza devised a scheme to defraud illegal immigrants and to take their money by falsely representing that she could provide legal advice and services for them to obtain legal resident status in the United States. Specifically, Espinoza misrepresented that she worked with or for an immigration attorney and that she and or the attorney would prepare legitimate immigration documents for a fee. Espinoza in fact has no legal training and has never been associated with an immigration attorney. She would then state that she needed the individuals to pay various illegitimate “fees” and “fines” to continue the immigration process, such as a $10,000.00 “state pardon fee” and a $10,000.00 IRS fine. If those payments were not forthcoming, Espinoza threatened arrest, deportation, and, in one case, losing custody of their children. In order to comply with Espinoza’s demands, the defrauded individuals arranged for payment from family members to accounts designated by Espinoza. During a search of Espinoza’s residence in Little Rock, federal investigators found counterfeit documents that resembled the bogus Social Security Administration and immigration documents Espinoza had provided to some of the victims. Espinoza pleaded guilty to the charges in September, 2014.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records Website at www.Pacer.gov
Two Co-defendants Sentenced to A Total of 13 Years and 10 Months in Prison for Kidnapping Texas WomanRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Michael Roberts, age 25, of Bella Vista and Jason Petitt, age 25, of Fayetteville, were sentenced today on one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping. Roberts was sentenced to 120 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $3,500.00 fine and $1,832.00 in restitution to be paid jointly and severally with the co-defendants. Petitt was sentenced to 46 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $2,000.00 fine and $1,832.00 in restitution to be paid jointly and severally with the co-defendants. They, along with Theron Vance, age 22, of Rogers, were indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2014. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “With the sentences announced today, it is our hope that the victim in this case can rest easier knowing that justice has prevailed over the terror that she once faced. The elaborate planning that these defendants went to in order to keep her from testifying against one of them is unthinkable. We will continue to hold those that commit these violent crimes accountable so that the residents of the Western District of Arkansas can live in a community free from fear.”
"Roberts and Petitt terrorized the victim and have earned their place in a federal prison,” commented Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch with the FBI in Little Rock. “We are proud of our partnership with the United States Attorney, the Bentonville Police Department, and the Dallas Police Department in bringing them to justice.”
According to court records, on June 14, 2014, the Bentonville Police Department received a 911 call from an employee at the Walmart Supercenter that a woman had been kidnapped. Once officers arrived on scene they were able to determine the victim entered the restroom at Walmart and handed an employee a note informing them that she had been kidnapped from Dallas, Texas by her ex-boyfriend Michael Roberts. By the time officers arrived at Walmart, Roberts had fled the scene. According to an interview of the victim, the previous night between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. she was walking into her apartment in Dallas, Texas when she was attacked from behind by Michael Roberts and physically assaulted. Theron Vance, a co-defendant in this case, was present and assisted Roberts by acting as the lookout. Roberts forced the victim into her apartment and began restraining and choking her when Vance entered the apartment and identified himself as an FBI agent. The victim was told she could either go with the two men or she would be killed. The victim cooperated and packed a bag with her belongings. She was also told to write a note to her roommate explaining her disappearance. She did so, but also left another note in the refrigerator that said “call 911.” The victim was then transported against her will to the Western District of Arkansas in Bentonville by Roberts and Vance. Prior to leaving the Dallas area, Vance took the victim’s phone and broke it on the sidewalk, making it inoperable. On the way to Bentonville the victim advised they stopped in Eufaula, Oklahoma at a gas station, where she left another note in the restroom identifying the vehicle in which she was being transported (this note was later recovered by Oklahoma Police). The victim was brought to the residence of Michael Roberts, located at 807 Southwest Krug in Bentonville during the early morning hours of June 14th. Later that day the victim was taken to Walmart where the employee was notified that she had been kidnapped.
While interviewing the victim officers noted that her lip appeared to be busted on the inside of her mouth and she had a large bruise on her right forearm. According to the victim, she was told by Roberts and Vance that she had been kidnapped because they did not want her to testify against Roberts in a pending criminal case in Texas and that they were going to keep her until the proceedings were over. The victim was able to positively identify Vance as one of the individuals that kidnapped her and transported her from Dallas, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas against her will.
As the Bentonville Police Department was investigating the case, Detectives with the Dallas Police Department searched the victim’s apartment and located the two notes and also found a blood stain on the carpet. Bentonville Detectives then executed a search warrant at defendant Roberts’ residence, where they located the victim’s bloody clothing. Prior to executing the warrant, officers located Petitt at the residence. During his interview with detectives, Petitt informed officers that he and Roberts had been roommates, that he knew Roberts had an ex-girlfriend in Dallas that he hated, and that Roberts told him he was going to “take care of it.” Petitt also admitted to assisting Roberts in the commission of the kidnapping. Specifically, Petitt stated that Roberts and Vance had been planning to abduct and kill the victim; Petitt admitted that Roberts gave him his debit card, car, and cell phone to make it look like Roberts never left town; Petitt admitted that he did use Roberts’ cell phone and debit card to establish an alibi for him and make it appear as though Roberts was still in the Bentonville area while Roberts and Vance traveled to Dallas to kidnap the victim. Roberts and Petitt were both arrested on September 5, 2014. Roberts pleaded guilty November 3, 2014, and Petitt pleaded guilty October 21, 2014.
On June 16, 2014, defendant Vance was located and arrested. Subsequent to being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights he admitted his role in the kidnapping. Specifically, Vance admitted that approximately four months prior to the kidnapping that he and Roberts began planning; Vance admitted that a week prior to the abduction, he and Roberts drove to Dallas to scout the area; Vance admitted to wearing a fake FBI badge during the abduction and breaking the victim’s cell phone so they would not be tracked. In addition, Vance disclosed to investigators the location of several items used in the kidnapping, including a blonde wig, razor blades, zip ties and a book on the human anatomy. These items were subsequently recovered by investigators. Furthermore, Vance’s vehicle was used to transport the victim from Texas to Arkansas.
This case was investigated by the Bentonville Police Department, The Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris and Assistant United States Attorney Kim Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Fort Smith Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Bankruptcy Fraud and Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Randall Bee “Randy” Blythe, age 58, of Fort Smith, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $468,309.58 in restitution on three counts of Bankruptcy Fraud and one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. On November 20, 2014, a jury found Blythe guilty of the charges following a four day jury trial. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in The United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This defendant fraudulently concealed assets from his creditors and from the Bankruptcy Court. This type of fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent in the Western District of Arkansas. People who use the bankruptcy system to discharge debts while hiding assets tarnish the system and do a disservice to the honest petitioners seeking a second chance.”
“The Defendant’s efforts to deceive the Federal Bankruptcy Court as to his true financial condition undermine the integrity of the system,” stated Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch, Little Rock Federal Bureau of Investigation. “We will continue to work together with the United States Attorney’s Office to send a clear message to those that participate in fraud of this nature.”
According to court records, beginning in September, 2008 and continuing through July, 2009, Blythe, in contemplation of a bankruptcy case, knowingly and fraudulently transferred property belonging to himself, including six collector automobiles and over $150,000 in checks, to his mother’s company, Classic Cars of Northwest Arkansas, thereby concealing it from his creditors and the Bankruptcy Court. Blythe also fraudulently submitted a Statement of Financial Affairs in which he omitted those transfers and income. Blythe was originally indicted by a federal grand jury on March 19, 2014, charging him with devising a scheme and artifice to defraud his creditors, the bankruptcy trustee and the Bankruptcy Court. On April 17, 2009, Blythe filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Arkansas on behalf of his wife, Greta Blythe, and himself doing business as entities Tri-Eagle Enterprises, Inc., Dewalt Acceptance, Inc., Western Arkansas Motor, WD&G Properties, LLC, Elizabeth Hilton Management, Inc., and Western Motorsports, Inc. On July 27, 2009, Blythe and his wife were granted a discharge by the Bankruptcy Court of the Western District of Arkansas. Blythe misled the Bankruptcy Court and the Bankruptcy Trustee by disclosing assets of only $460,090.28. Blythe operated and controlled various business entities primarily involved in the sale of used vehicles, many of which were classified as “classic” or “collector” cars. Blythe created multiple entities which were owned in whole or in party by Blythe or other entities controlled by Blythe; these entities in addition to the above ones listed included Randy Blythe Dream Cars, Vento Motorcycles USA of Fort Smith, Vento Motorcycles USA of Northwest Arkansas, and Western Arkansas Motor Company. On December 22, 2008, “Classic Cars of Northwest Arkansas, Inc.” (“Classic Cars”) was created by Blythe’s mother. Classic Cars opened a First Western Bank Account on January 15, 2009, and between February 4, 2009, and April 13, 2009, in checks payable to Blythe and his various entities, $96,467.72 was deposited into that First Western Bank account. These funds were fraudulently omitted from Blythe’s Bankruptcy schedules and statements of financial affairs and not disclosed to the Bankruptcy Court as required. Between April 20, 2009, and July 27, 2009, the date of Blythe’s bankruptcy discharge, an additional $30,489.86 in checks payable to Blythe and his various entities were deposited into the First Western Bank Account. No accounts receivable were listed in Blythe’s Bankruptcy filings. Additionally, between December 22, 2008 and June 10, 2009, five vehicles owned by Western Arkansas Motor were transferred to Classic Cars and were fraudulently omitted from Bankruptcy filings and not disclosed to the Bankruptcy Court as required. An additional vehicle and a valuable set of collectible firearms were kept by Blythe and fraudulently omitted from the statement of financial affairs and were not disclosed to the Bankruptcy Court as required. Blythe, who was convicted of 21 counts of bank fraud in 2011, was also convicted of being a felon in possession of 11 collectible firearms. .
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jennen prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * END * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records Website at www.Pacer.gov
Travel Agent Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Stealing over $272,000 from Fort Smith Southside High School BandRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Calliope “Ope” Rocky Saaga, age 40, of Eagle Mountain, Utah, was sentenced today to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of Wire Fraud. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $272,235.89. This sentence is to run concurrent with the sentence imposed in the Western District of Missouri for a similar charge. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith. Saaga was indicted in May, 2014 by a federal grand jury for stealing the money from the Fort Smith Southside High School Band.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Approximately 260 students, parents, and chaperones, were denied a-once-in-a-lifetime band trip because of this defendant’s greed in using the funds he was entrusted to handle for his own personal use. The students were to travel to Hawaii to perform as part of the Southside High School Band. Justice has now been served on behalf of the students, and our office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting this type of fraudulent activity in Fort Smith and throughout all of the Western District of Arkansas.”
“Saaga is a thief who stole from hardworking citizens and their children,” stated Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch, FBI Little Rock. “The sentencing today serves as a reminder that our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office and the IRS will continue to work together to identify these predators and their victims.”
According to court records, in August 2011, Saaga was doing business through his companies, Performing Hawaii Tours, LLC and Present America Tours, LLC, when he contracted with the Southside High School Band in Fort Smith, Arkansas to provide travel arrangements for a 2012 trip to Hawaii. The Southside High School Band wired him three payments between September 2011 and February 2012. Instead of arranging the trip, Saaga converted the money for his personal use, and the band trip to Hawaii was subsequently canceled due to a lack of funds. The scheme resulted in defrauding the Fort Smith Southside Band, students, and parents of over $272,000.00. Saaga pleaded guilty to the Wire Fraud charge on October 16, 2014.
In a separate case, Saaga was indicted on May 7, 2014 and charged with 12 counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri
for stealing $360,000.00 from the Willard High School Band Boosters, which forced the cancellation of a trip to Hawaii for more than 300 students and chaperones. Saaga was sentenced on March 12, 2015 to five years in federal prison and ordered to pay $780,000.00 in restitution in that case.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Webb prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Two Men Sentenced to A Total of 55 Years in Prison for Unrelated Sexual Crimes Involving MinorsRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Doncouri Wells and Jason Delbosque were sentenced today to a combined total of 55 years in federal prison for unrelated sexual crimes involving minors. Wells, aka “D”, age 38, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Sex Trafficking of Children; Delbosque, age 40, of the Atlanta, Georgia area, was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release on one count of Knowingly Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The two defendants sentenced today committed appalling, despicable crimes involving sexual activity with minor children, and as a result, each will now spend a significant portion of their lives in federal prison. Protecting children across the Western District of Arkansas remains the top priority of our office and we will not waver in our commitment to prosecute those who commit crimes against them. I would like to thank the FBI, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and other local and state law enforcement agencies for all their hard work in bringing these two to justice. ”
“Today’s sentencings demonstrate the resolve of law enforcement to halt the deplorable exploitation of innocent children and the trafficking of humans,” commented David T. Resch, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock FBI Field Office, “Along with our partners, United States Attorneys’ Office, Fayetteville Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, The Comanche County, Texas Sheriff’s Department and the De Leon, Texas Police Department, we will continue to aggressively investigate those who participate in sex trafficking.”
With respect to Wells, according to court records, on June 8, 2014, the Fayetteville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations in Northwest Arkansas were alerted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an advertisement for prostitution was posted on the website Backpage.com under the “escort” section that depicted a suspected minor from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Law enforcement later located the female depicted in the “Backpage” posting and confirmed that she was in fact 16 years of age. During a subsequent interview with the minor, she stated that she had been engaging in commercial sexual acts in Northwest Arkansas and she identified her “pimp” by the street name of “D” who lived in Fayetteville. Specifically, she stated that “D” took digital photographs of her and posted them to Backpage.com under his account for the purposes of prostitution, and that in early June of 2014 she had sexual intercourse with multiple different adult males in exchange for money in a room rented by “D” at a local motel in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Additionally, she informed officers that she told “D” she was 16 years of age before posting her images on Backpage.com. The minor female later identified her “pimp” that she knew as “D” as Doncouri Wells from a photo lineup. During the subsequent law enforcement investigation, FBI agents were able to positively identify the user of the Backpage.com advertisements that depicted the minor female as Doncouri Wells. Wells was arrested by the Fayetteville Police Department on July 11, 2014 for promoting prostitution. On July 17, 2014, Wells admitted to promoting the prostitution of the minor female. Wells pleaded guilty to the charge on November 21, 2014. At the time of this crime, Wells was on parole following a guilty plea for Possession of Methamphetamine and because Wells has at least two prior felony convictions for a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense, he is a career offender.
With respect to Delbosque, according to court records, on June 13, 2014, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the parents of a 16 year old female, reporting that their daughter, who was at home the night before, had been missing ever since. During the subsequent investigation, officers obtained the minor’s cell phone records, which reflected that the minor was in contact with an individual, later identified as Jason Delbosque, just before her disappearance. Officers then obtained Delbosque’s cell phone records, which reflected that on or about June 12, 2014, Delbosque traveled from Georgia to the minor’s residence in the Western District of Arkansas, and that his cell phone last activated near a cell tower close to Stephensville, Texas. Following an extensive state and federal law enforcement search, on June 23, 2014, the minor was located approximately 26 miles from Stephensville. Later that day, law enforcement officers located Delbosque in the same area and took him into custody. The minor was subsequently interviewed and stated that she and Delbosque began communicating approximately six months prior via an internet application known as “kik”. She informed officers that that around June 11, 2014, Delbosque told her that he was leaving and wanted her to go with him. Approximately one day later, she said Delbosque picked her up at her parent’s house in Carroll County, Arkansas, at approximately 1 a.m. and drove them to Texas. While in route to Texas, the minor stated that Delbosque told her to disable her phone and give it to him. She never used her phone again. Additionally, the minor stated that Delbosque was aware that she was 16 years of age when he picked her up from her parent’s house in Arkansas. Delbosque pleaded guilty to the charge on November 24, 2014. At sentencing the Government presented the Court with evidence that at the time of this crime, Delbosque was required to register as a sex offender due to a previous conviction for Aggravated Sexual Assault, which involved the sexual abuse or sexual contact with a minor less than 14 years of age.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Fayetteville Police Department, the Carrol County Sheriff’s Office, the Comanche County, Texas Sheriff’s Department, and the De Leon, Texas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the cases 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Fort Smith Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that William Joseph Alexander, aka “Weenie”, age 33, of Fort Smith, was sentenced today to 210 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Kids in Fort Smith and across our district deserve to grow up in an environment free from drug trafficking and the crime and violence it brings with it. The sentence announced today reinforces our commitment to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to prosecute and dismantle drug trafficking organizations across the Western District of Arkansas.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with our partners in law enforcement, in this case specifically the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Arkansas and the Drug Enforcement Administration,” stated Major Mark Hallum with the Fort Smith Police Department, “We are committed to strengthening our regional cooperation to bring to justice those who choose to engage in narcotics trafficking.”
According to court records, in November of 2013, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that large quantities of methamphetamine were being distributed out of the Fort Smith, Arkansas area by a drug trafficking organization that involved William Alexander. During the investigation, agents learned that Alexander was obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine from sources of supply outside of the Western District of Arkansas. On July 13, 2014, agents with the DEA followed Alexander and another co-conspirator, Rosa Sharon, from Oklahoma to Fort Smith. At approximately 2:00 a.m., an officer with the Fort Smith Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle being driven by Rosa Sharon in which Alexander was a passenger. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the officer located approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine. Alexander and Sharon were then arrested and taken to the Fort Smith Police Department for interviews. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Alexander admitted to possessing the methamphetamine located in his vehicle with the intent to distribute it to others. Alexander pleaded guilty to the charge of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute on November 24, 2014. Alexander’s co-conspirator, Rosa Sharon, age 50 of Fort Smith, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on November 24, 2014, and will be sentenced at a later date. Randal Jernigan, age 31 of Fort Smith, a co-defendant in the case, was arrested on July 15, 2014, and pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on September 30, 2014. Jernigan was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fort Smith Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website@ www.pacer.gov
Former Lafayette County Treasurer/tax Collector Sentenced to 24 Months for Embezzlement of Public FundsRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Keesha Rose, age 37, of Lewisville, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds. Rose served as the County Treasurer and Tax Collector for Lafayette County. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $282,036.97. The Honorable Harry F. Barnes presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “The conduct by this public official is shameful and a disgrace to all other public officials who are dedicated to the service to which they have been elected; such an abuse of public trust is offensive to other honest elected officers that are loyal to their positions. We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who embezzle public funds throughout the Western District of Arkansas.”
“Arkansas deserves and is blessed with so many public servants who do the right things for the right reasons. However, corrupt public officials erode the trust necessary for our democracy to function,” stated Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch with the Little Rock FBI, “We appreciate our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Arkansas State Police as we continue to confront public corruption as a top priority in Arkansas.”
According to court records, Keesha Rose was elected as Treasurer and Tax Collector for Lafayette County, Arkansas in November, 2010 and was responsible for collection and administration of all funds collected and disbursed on behalf of Lafayette County. Lafayette County received benefits in excess of $10,000 under a Federal program for the both 2011 and 2012. On May 31, 2013, The Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit reported that a comparison of cash receipts to cash bank deposits revealed that $162,275.00 was not deposited in the county’s bank accounts by Rose for a period of January 1, 2011 through September 20, 2012. The auditors noted numerous issues with accounting processes and recordkeeping that were consistent with the embezzlement of funds. In addition to the $162,275.00, auditors determined that for the time period between September 20, 2012 and November 7, 2013, an additional $81,618 in public funds was embezzled by Rose, bringing the total amount known prior Ms. Rose’s change of plea to $243,893.00. Rose pleaded guilty to the charge on October 29, 2014. Subsequent to Ms. Rose’s change of plea, auditors determined that for the time period between November 7, 2013 and April 30, 2014, and additional $38,143.97 in public funds was also embezzled, bringing the total amount of embezzled funds to $282,036.97.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant U. S. Attorney Jonathan Ross prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records [email protected]
First of Eight Defendants Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme in El Dorado & Crossett, ArkansasRead the Press Release
Texarkana, AR – Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Erica R. Browning, age 35, of El Dorado, pleaded guilty today to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims, one count of Theft of Public Money, and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft. Ms. Browning was one of eight defendants indicted on June 24, 2014 by a Federal Grand Jury on multiple counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to defraud the government. Additionally, some of the defendants were charged with theft of public money, possession of unauthorized access devices, wire fraud, and making and presenting a false claim. The change of plea was accepted by The Honorable Harry F. Barnes in the U.S. District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “This case involves a scheme in which the defendants fraudulently used the identity of others in order to steal money from the United States Treasury for their own personal gain. Fraud and identity theft are serious crimes that have lasting effects on the victims and are an insult to hard-working, law abiding citizens and taxpayers. Our office remains committed to prosecuting these crimes on behalf of the state and our country.”
"Today's announcement exemplifies IRS Special Agents' intense focus on the rigorous pursuit of identity theft and refund fraud," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Henry, IRS Criminal Investigation. "These unscrupulous defendants perpetuated an elaborate scheme driven by insatiable greed and a blatant disregard for the tremendous damage inflicted on innocent victims. Be assured that IRS Criminal Investigation, together with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney's Office, will hold those who engage in similar behavior fully accountable."
Additional defendants involved in this case who have pending charges are as follows:
• Gregory A. Taylor, age 50 of Clanton, Alabama (formerly from Crossett, Arkansas)
• Venus M. Ford, age 34 of El Dorado
• Shawn D. Carey, age 34 of El Dorado
• Clarrise R. Carey, age 33 of El Dorado
• Whitney M. Charles, age 25 of El Dorado
• Ecko Scott, age 35 of North Little Rock
• Sanjuana N. Aaron, age 34 of El Dorado
The Superseding Indictment revealed that, from 2009 until approximately December 2011, the defendants unlawfully obtained the names and social security numbers belonging to others, including prison inmates and homeless individuals. The defendants unlawfully used the names and social security numbers to prepare and electronically file false 2009 and 2010 tax returns that claimed fraudulent refunds from the IRS. In many cases, the individuals were not aware the defendants had obtained their personal identifying information or that a tax return was filed using their name and social security number. The defendants received tax refunds via refund checks, direct deposits to bank accounts, and prepaid debit cards and often split the refunds amongst themselves and others.
The defendants were originally charged in a thirty-five count indictment on September 18, 2013 and were subsequently arrested. The Superseding Indictment added thirteen additional counts against Gregory A. Taylor, a paid tax return preparer from Crossett, Arkansas, for charges including aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and a fraudulent claim for refund on his personal 2009 tax return.
Ms. Browning will be sentenced at a later date. Her 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. In addition to prison time each count carries a mandatory period of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, El Dorado Police Department, and Crossett Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross is prosecuting the cases for the United States.
* * * END * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Garland County Jail Escapee Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison on Firearms Charges in Connection with Robbery and CarjackingRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas – Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Derrick Estell, age 35, of Hot Springs, was sentenced today on two counts of Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Estell pleaded guilty on December 1, 2014 to charges in connection with a Bank Robbery that occurred in Hot Springs on March 1, 2013 and a Carjacking that occurred on March 7, 2013. Estell was sentenced on one count to 84 months in prison and on the other count to 300 months in prison; the sentences are to run consecutive for a total of 384 months. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release on each count to run concurrent and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,478.00. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in The United States District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Armed and dangerous, this defendant terrorized multiple innocent victims during his reckless crime spree. Thanks to the dedicated work of several law enforcement agencies, he was apprehended and has now been held accountable for this criminal activity that threatened the Hot Springs community. Our office remains committed to ensuring that justice is served on behalf of all of the residents of the Western District of Arkansas by prosecuting violent crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
"Estell is a criminal who terrorized and victimized people and businesses," stated Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch with the Little Rock Federal Bureau of Investigation, "He will now go to federal prison. This demonstrates the commitment between the United States Attorney, Garland County Sheriff’s Office, the Hot Springs Police Department, the ATF, and the FBI to work together and should send a strong message to anyone who would use intimidation and violence against the people of Arkansas.”
“We should all applaud the hard work of the investigators and deputies of the Garland County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with federal and state law enforcement agencies that Derrick Estell will spend a great deal of his life behind bars,” said Garland County Sheriff Mike McCormick. “The people of Garland County have spoken by saying that lawlessness will no longer be tolerated in their communities. His sentencing should send a message to other criminals that they will receive the same punishment if they plan to prey on the people of Garland County.”
According to court records, on March 1, 2013, Estell, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, a black ski mask, brown gloves and brandishing a small dark revolver, entered the Hot Springs Bank & Trust in Hot Springs, Arkansas and pointed the firearm at a customer, ordering the customer to the floor. Estell then announced the hold up, demanded money, pointed his weapon at the branch manager, and produced a paper bag demanding the money to be placed in it. Once money had been placed in the bag, Estell retrieved it and fled the bank. As 911 was called, employees of the bank observed Estell drive away in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from the surrounding area the previous day. The loss to the bank was over $11,000.
On March 7, 2013, officers with the Garland County Sheriff’s Office established surveillance on the Super 8 Motel in Hot Springs where they believed Estell to be staying. Officers were able to confirm the room Estell was staying in, the car he was driving, and that he was armed with at least three firearms. While investigators were attempting to isolate Estell in the motel, he emerged from a back door and fled on foot with officers in pursuit. Estell then carjacked a motor vehicle at gunpoint and took possession of the victim’s truck to continue his flight. According to the victim, Estell brandished a pistol, put it next to his side and demanded the keys. While fleeing from the officers at a high rate of speed, Estell struck at least three other vehicles before wrecking the stolen truck and running into nearby woods.
While officers were attempting to establish a perimeter around the woods, Estell was spotted running into an adjacent apartment complex where he broke into an apartment by kicking open the back door. The Garland County SWAT team and the Hot Springs Police Department officers isolated Estell in the apartment and after he refused commands to surrender, deployed gas to drive him out and ultimately took him into custody.
At the scene, officers recovered a loaded .38 revolver which was used by Estell during the carjacking and that matched the description of the firearm used in the bank robbery. In addition, officers obtained a search warrant for Estell’s motel room, in which they recovered a black hooded shirt, black neoprene ski mask, dark colored gloves that matched the clothing worn during the robbery, three other loaded pistols, and an assortment of ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Garland County Sheriff’s Office, the Hot Springs Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Texarkana Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that William Gauld, age 33 of Texarkana, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison without the possibility of parole, followed by ten years of supervised release for Receipt of Images of Child Pornography, a charge he pleaded guilty to in September, 2014. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Susan O. Hickey in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “Children are the number one priority for our office, and we will not rest in our efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who commit these despicable crimes against them. Every time a video or image involving sexual abuse of children is downloaded or viewed, those children are re-victimized. We appreciate the hard work of law enforcement to bring these sexual predators to justice.”
“This case shows anyone involved in the trade of child pornography can and will be held accountable for their criminal actions,” said Cindy M. Johnson, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans. “Sexual abuse scars children for life and HSI will continue to use all the tools in its arsenal to identify and seek prosecution of these criminals, and to seek justice on behalf of their victims.”
According to court records, in March of 2014, during the course of an investigation into the online trafficking of Child Pornography, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and Internet Crimes Against Children’s Taskforce conducted an interview with Gauld concerning pictures and sexually explicit comments he posted to the internet. During the interview, Gauld admitted to downloading child pornography on both his cell phone and his laptop computer. A subsequent forensic examination of those items revealed multiple images and videos of child pornography. One of the videos depicted three nude minor males, approximately nine to twelve years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with evidence that at the time of this offense, Gauld was required to register as a sex offender based on a previous conviction.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts and Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ross 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Jury Finds Rogers Man Guilty of Kidnapping Texas WomanRead the Press Release
Crime planned over four months to prevent woman from testifying in criminal case
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Theron Vance, age 22 of Rogers, was found guilty on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping and one count of Kidnapping, Aiding, and Abetting after 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, “The sheer terror that this victim faced at the hands of the defendants involved in this case is unimaginable. For four months they planned a methodical scheme that they then played out in order to keep her from testifying against one of them. We will not rest in our efforts to hold those that commit these violent crimes accountable so that the residents of the Western District of Arkansas can live in a community free from fear.”
“Vance is a criminal who conspired to kidnap and impersonated a FBI Agent while carrying out this violent act,” stated Special Agent in David T. Resch with the Little Rock FBI Field Office. “He has earned the consequences of his decisions, and we once again appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s steadfast pursuit of justice.”
According to evidence presented at the trial, On June 14, 2014, the Bentonville Police Department received a 911 call from an employee at the Walmart Supercenter that a woman had been kidnapped. Once officers arrived on scene they were able to determine the victim entered the restroom at Walmart and handed an employee a note informing them that she had been kidnapped from Dallas, Texas by her ex-boyfriend Michael Roberts. By the time officers arrived at Walmart, Roberts had fled the scene. According to an interview of the victim, the previous night between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. she was walking into her apartment in Dallas, Texas when she was attacked from behind by Michael Roberts and physically assaulted. The defendant, Theron Vance, was present and assisted Roberts by acting as the lookout. Roberts forced the victim into her apartment and began restraining and choking her when Vance entered the apartment and identified himself as an FBI agent. The victim was told she could either go with the two men or she would be killed. The victim cooperated and packed a bag with her belongings. She was also told to write a note to her roommate explaining her disappearance. She did so, but also left another note in the refrigerator that said “call 911.” The victim was then transported against her will to the Western District of Arkansas in Bentonville by Roberts and Vance. Prior to leaving the Dallas area, defendant Vance took the victim’s phone and broke it on the sidewalk, making it inoperable. On the way to Bentonville the victim advised they stopped in Eufaula, Oklahoma at a gas station, where she left another note in the restroom identifying the vehicle in which she was being transported (this note was later recovered by Oklahoma Police). The victim was brought to the defendant’s residence located at 807 Southwest Krug in Bentonville during the early morning hours of June 14th. Later that day the victim was taken to Walmart where the employee was notified that she had been kidnapped.
While interviewing the victim officers noted that her lip appeared to be busted on the inside of her mouth and she had a large bruise on her right forearm. According to the victim, she was told by Roberts and Vance that she had been kidnapped because they did not want her to testify against Roberts in a pending criminal case in Texas and that they were going to keep her until the proceedings were over. The victim was able to positively identify defendant Vance as one of the individuals that kidnapped her and transported her from Dallas, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas against her will.
As the Bentonville Police Department was investigating the case, Detectives with the Dallas Police Department searched the victim’s apartment and located the two notes and also found a blood stain on the carpet. Bentonville Detectives then executed a search warrant at defendant Roberts’ residence, where they located the victim’s bloody clothing.
On June 16, 2014, defendant Vance was located and arrested. Subsequent to being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights he admitted his role in the kidnapping. Specifically, Vance admitted that approximately four months prior to the kidnapping that he and Roberts began planning; Vance admitted that a week prior to the abduction, he and Roberts drove to Dallas to scout the area; Vance admitted to wearing a fake FBI badge during the abduction and breaking the victim’s cell phone so they would not be tracked. In addition, Vance disclosed to investigators the location of several items used in the kidnapping, including a blonde wig, razor blades, zip ties and a book on human anatomy. These items were subsequently recovered by investigators. Furthermore, Vance’s vehicle was used to transport the victim from Texas to Arkansas.
Vance was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in August 14, 2014. Sentencing will be held at a later date. The maximum penalty for each count is Life in Prison or any term of years, not more than $250,000 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. The sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum for each count in this case, and in most cases will be less than the maximum.
The other two defendants involved in this case, Michael Roberts and Jason Pettit have both pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Bentonville Police Department, The Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris and Assistant United States Attorney Kim Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Investigation into Drug Trafficking Organization in Carrol County Results in Six Defendants Being Sentenced to A Total of over 50 YearsRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that six individuals have been sentenced this week to a combined total of over 50 years in prison for drug-trafficking offenses stemming from an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization active in the Carroll County, Arkansas, area. The defendants were originally charged in an indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury on May 7, 2014. The Honorable Robert T. Dawson, United States District Judge, presided over the sentencing hearings in Fort Smith.
The defendants sentenced this week are as follows:
Bryan McClelland, 51, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Shellie McClelland, 50, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to 50 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Shane Stephenson, 37, of Berryville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Chad Mott, 35, of Oak Grove, Arkansas, was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Andrew Crane, 34, of Clinton, Missouri, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and to 60 months in prison for Travel in Interstate Commerce to Aid Drug Trafficking, to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release.
William Adcock, 40, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Children across our district deserve to grow up in communities free from trafficking in drugs and the violence and other crime that comes with it. We remain focused on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for bringing large amounts of methamphetamine and other drugs onto our streets. I appreciate the cooperative effort of local, state, and federal law enforcement who worked together to make certain that these defendants were brought to justice.”
“Drug traffickers inflict significant harm upon law-abiding communities without any regard for the violence and destruction that often accompanies their illegal activities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Cindy M. Johnson. “This case illustrates the successful partnership between HSI, the DEA, and local partners with the Eureka Springs Police Department, Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department to identify and bring Arkansas drug traffickers to justice.”
"We are relentless in our pursuit of drug trafficking organizations who prey on young people and ruin neighborhoods and communities. This organization kept the flow of methamphetamine steady into rural areas of Arkansas. The DEA and its law enforcement partners have long been dedicated to pursuing and weeding out these drug trafficking organizations by applying continuous pressure. We will continue to combine our resources to improve the safety of our communities for the good citizens of Arkansas and increase knowledge of the dangers of methamphetamine use,” stated DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing.
According to court records, in 2013, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in Carroll County, Arkansas, headed by Bryan McClelland that had ties to Kansas and Missouri. During the course of the investigation, agents learned that Andrew Crane was supplying large quantities of methamphetamine to Bryan McClelland from a source in Kansas. After corroborating this information, agents were able to interview Crane, who after waiving his Miranda rights, admitted to agents that he had been delivering methamphetamine to Bryan McClelland. After receiving this methamphetamine, Bryan McClelland would distribute or sell quantities of methamphetamine to drug dealers under him who would then sell smaller quantities of methamphetamine to users, or McClelland himself would sell directly to users. Law enforcement made several controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Adcock, Stephenson, Mott, and Bryan McClelland. Agents were able to identify Shellie McClelland as a co-conspirator in the organization with her husband, Bryan McClelland. On May 8, 2014, law enforcement executed a search warrant which resulted in the seizure of 18 firearms and over $24,000 in United States currency. Shellie McClelland, Bryan McClelland, and Chad Mott were each arrested on May 8, 2014, and pleaded guilty to their respective charges on September 29, 2014. Stephenson was arrested on May 27, 2014, and pleaded guilty September 18, 2014. Adcock was arrested July 1, 2014, and pleaded guilty September 18, 2014. Crane was arrested June 2, 2014, and pleaded guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on September 18, 2014, and to the charge of Travel in Interstate Commerce to Aid Drug Trafficking on November 6, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Eureka Springs Police Department, the Rogers Police Department, the Springdale Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Due to its impact on multiple states, this investigation was designated an OrganizedCrime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Fort Smith Man Arraigned for Sex Trafficking of Two Minor FemalesRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Odis Charles Grant, Jr. age 29 of Fort Smith, appeared today in Magistrate Court before United States Magistrate Judge Mark E. Ford for arraignment on two counts of knowingly transporting minors with the intent that the individuals engage in prostitution.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Human trafficking and child sex trafficking are horrendous, despicable crimes. We will vigorously enforce federal criminal laws against human trafficking, including against those who seek out, promote, and use minors for prostitution. We will do so across the Western District of Arkansas.”
On November 23, 2014, two juvenile residents of Fort Smith Arkansas were transported from the Western District of Arkansas to Texas by Grant with the intent that the two minor females engage in prostitution in the Houston, Texas area. In doing so, Grant utilized the internet service of backpage.com to promote prostitution of the minors. The statutory penalty for sex trafficking is not less than ten years and not more than life, not more than $250,000 fine, or both.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Smith Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Jennen and Assistant United States Attorney Ashleigh Buckley are 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Springdale Man Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Octavio Torres-Rivas, aka Cesar Torres, age 46, a Mexican citizen residing in Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced today on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, namely Methamphetamine. Torres-Rivas was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $2500.00 fine. The Honorable Robert T. Dawson presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs represents a colossal problem in our communities, bringing crime and violence onto our streets and exposing our children to grave risks. The sentence announced today shows that our office, joined by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, remains committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal drug trafficking in Springdale and across the Western District of Arkansas.”
“Methamphetamine is a plague that drug traffickers inflict upon law-abiding communities without any regard for the violence and destruction that often accompanies its use,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer Jr. “This case illustrates the successful ongoing partnership between HSI and its partners with the Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office that continue to identify and bring Arkansas drug traffickers to justice.”
“The collaborative effort of federal and local law enforcement in Arkansas, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, has led to the sentencing of a Mexican drug dealer and ultimately safer streets within our community,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing. “Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that ravages many communities in our nation. Because of the positive results in this investigation, other meth traffickers in Arkansas are being put on notice that DEA and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate their continued efforts to distribute this insidious drug.”
According to court records, in 2010, Homeland Security Investigations began an investigation into a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in Northwest Arkansas that was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine. During the investigation, agents received information that implicated Torres-Rivas in the conspiracy. Specifically, agents learned from a confidential source that on at least one occasion, the confidential source had received methamphetamine after texting and requesting it from Torres-Rivas. Homeland Security Agents were able to corroborate this information by reviewing telephone records from Torres-Rivas’ phone, the confidential source’s phone, and by conducting surveillance. Additionally, agents were able to examine a cellular phone used by Torres-Rivas which contained text messages between Torres-Rivas and the confidential source that further corroborated this drug transaction. Torres-Rivas was arrested July 1, 2013, and plead guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on July 1, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rogers Police Department, the Springdale Police Department, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Jury Finds Fayetteville Businessman Guilty of Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Andrew C. Judkins, age 42, of Bixby, Oklahoma, formerly of Fayetteville, was found guilty on two counts of Bank Fraud following a five day jury trial. During the trial, the jury was presented with over 300 exhibits and heard from 39 witnesses. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the trial in United States District Court.
According to evidence presented at the trial, in June of 2008, Judkins executed a scheme to obtain money and funds owned by and under the custody and control of First Security Bank by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises. Namely, Judkins submitted a fake invoice representing A. Camp Equipment’s purchase of two dump trucks in the amount of $500,000.00 to First Security Bank. A. Camp Equipment was a business in Fayetteville, owned and operated by Judkins, which sold, rented, and serviced new and used heavy equipment such as dump trucks and bulldozers. Judkins purchased the two trucks in 2007 for $30,000.00 each, and in 2008, represented to First Security Bank that each truck was worth $250,000.00. In August of 2009, Judkins knowingly executed a scheme to defraud First Security Bank, by delivering to the First Security Bank representative conducting an on-site floor plan audit at A. Camp Equipment in Fayetteville, a false and fraudulent rental agreement that showed one of the dump trucks, in which First Security Bank held a $250,000.00 security interest, had been rented to Keepes Construction in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. This false rental agreement was delivered in order to conceal from First Security Bank that one of the dump trucks had actually been sold in July, 2008, for $74,000.00, without Judkins repaying First Security Bank.
Judkins was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in December of 2013. Sentencing will be held at a later date. The maximum penalty for each count is not more than 30 years imprisonment, not more than $1,000,000.00 fine, or both imprisonment and fine. 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. 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 Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Steve Snyder prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov* * * E N D * * *
Husband and Wife Arraigned on Charges of Fraud and Money Laundering Related to Classic Car SchemeRead the Press Release
Law Enforcement Seeking Assistance From Potential Victims
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Travis Allen Blount, Jr., aka Travis Allen, or Allen Blount, age 56, of Kirbyville, Missouri and his wife Sandra J. Blount, age 47, of Kirbyville, Missouri, each appeared separately this week in United States District Court for arraignment on charges related to a scheme to defraud involving classic and vintage cars. The Honorable Mark E. Ford presided over both hearings; each defendant pleaded not-guilty to all charges. Travis Blount previously lived in Harrison and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Prior to moving to Arkansas, Blount lived in Louisiana. The defendants are scheduled for trial on April 6, 2015 before United States District Judge P.K. Holmes III.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “We are committed to identifying and prosecuting all types of fraudulent schemes that prey on innocent people. We ask for the public’s help with identifying all of the victims in this case, to ensure that justice is pursued for all fraudulent conduct involved. Potential victims should contact Law Enforcement at the telephone number below with any relevant information.”
As alleged in the complaint, the Blounts operated two car lots, “Corvettes and Classics” in Harrison, Arkansas and “Al’s Hot Rods” in Kirbyville, Missouri. The Blounts made agreements with victims to sell classic and vintage vehicles on consignment. Instead of compensating victims, the Blounts frequently sold cars without paying the owners and accepted payments from buyers without delivering the vehicle or title. Please contact Special Agent Tim Arsenault at 479-571-9763 if you have any information in this case.
A Federal Grand Jury charged Travis A. Blount, Jr. with the following: one count of Conspiracy to Defraud, three counts of Mail Fraud, four counts of Wire Fraud, two counts of Interstate Transportation of Goods to Conceal a Scheme to Defraud, and four counts of Money Laundering. Sandra J. Blount was charged with the following offenses: one count of Conspiracy to Defraud, one count of Aiding and Abetting Mail Fraud, one count of Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud, one count of Aiding and Abetting Interstate Transportation of Goods to Conceal a Scheme to Defraud, and one count of Aiding and Abetting Money Laundering.
This case is being 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, and the Harrison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyra Jenner is prosecuting the case for the United States.
The charges in the 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Fort Smith Career Offender Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Joe Gordon, age 30, of Fort Smith, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Our office remains steadfast in our commitment to rid our communities of those who choose to participate in the trafficking of illegal narcotics. As a career offender, this defendant’s actions displayed a lack of respect for law enforcement and his fellow citizens. His history of committing crimes merited the lengthy sentence that he received, and his removal from our community will make the Western District of Arkansas a safer place.”
“Today’s sentencing closes the door on a career criminal who felt untouchable and beyond the reach of aggressive, cooperative law enforcement,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing. "DEA and our law enforcement partners stand firmly to ensure that criminals who peddle in these poisons and wreak havoc in our communities will never escape from facing the consequences of their criminal activities.”
According to court records, on May 29, 2014, officers with the Fort Smith Police Department arranged for a controlled drug transaction with Joe Gordon at a local place of business in Fort Smith. During the transaction, Gordon provided what he represented to be methamphetamine in exchange for U.S. currency. Following the transaction, officers sent the recovered substance to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where it tested positive for methamphetamine. Since this instant offense of conviction is a felony that is a controlled substance offense and Gordon has at least two prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense, he is a Career Offender. Gordon pleaded guilty to the charge on October 16, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fort Smith Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Texarkana Man Sentenced to over Six Years for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Christopher Demarkus Nard, aka Joseph Nard, aka “Killa Chris”, age 29, of Texarkana, Texas, was sentenced today to 75 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Harry F. Barnes presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Felons in possession of firearms have no place in our communities as they pose a serious threat of harm to our police officers and citizens. Our office, along local, state, and federal law enforcement, will continue to relentlessly investigate and prosecute these types of cases in order to keep communities throughout the Western District of Arkansas safe from senseless violence.”
According to court records, on September 19, 2013, after receiving information that Nard was selling methamphetamine from a hotel room in Texarkana, Arkansas, detectives with the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force began conducting surveillance of the hotel room they believed Nard was located. Detectives were able to observe numerous vehicles arriving at Nard’s hotel room and leaving after a short time. Based on this suspicious behavior, detectives chose to conduct traffic stops of vehicles after they departed from Nard’s hotel room. Methamphetamine and/or other narcotics were obtained from at least four of these vehicles. Following arrests, some of the defendants stated to the detectives that they had purchased the illegal drugs from Nard at his hotel room. Detectives then made contact with Nard to speak with him concerning their investigation after observing him leave his hotel room. As a result of that contact, Nard was arrested for possession of marijuana. After detectives informed Nard that he had been under surveillance, they asked for consent to search his hotel room that he was sharing with his girlfriend. Nard signed a consent form for detectives to search his room, and explained that he was responsible for any illegal items found in the room. During the search of the room, detectives found two electronic scales, methamphetamine residue, baggies, and a loaded, semi-automatic FIE, model E28, .25 caliber pistol hidden in the coffee maker under the sink, which detectives were later able to confirm had traveled in interstate commerce. After being booked for possession of marijuana, during a post-Miranda statement, Nard admitted to detectives that he owned the handgun and was selling methamphetamine from his hotel room to two of the men previously arrested immediately after leaving Nard’s hotel room. Nard was prohibited from possessing a firearm, as he had a previous felony conviction for Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Cocaine, punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. A Federal Grand Jury issued an indictment for Nard on October 30, 2013, and Nard pleaded guilty to one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm on August 15, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ross prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Reoffender Sentenced to 85 Months in Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine and Violating Terms of Suspended SentenceRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jose Luis Martinez, age 37, of Rogers, was sentenced today to 70 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine plus 15 months imprisonment for violating the terms of his previous suspended sentence. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “This defendant was previously imprisoned for a drug trafficking offense and was still on supervised release when he committed this criminal act. Those that continually violate the law by participating in this illicit activity put our communities at risk and demonstrate a lack of respect for both the justice system and society in general. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these types of cases and hold those involved accountable.”
According to court records, in May, 2014, during the course of an ongoing investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, agents arranged for a controlled purchase of one and one-half ounces of methamphetamine from Martinez. The transaction was to take place at Jose Martinez Tile and Granite in Rogers, a business owned by Martinez. Agents set up surveillance and observed as Martinez was handed $2100.00 in U.S. currency in exchange for the suspected methamphetamine. The suspected mixture was sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory where it tested positive for methamphetamine. Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge on September 11, 2014. At the time of his arrest, Martinez was on supervised release for a previous drug trafficking offense that occurred in June, 2008.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Three Arkansas Men Sentenced to A Total of over 27 Years for Unrelated Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Antoine C. Cook, aka “Twan”, age 42, of Junction City, Arkansas, was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; James A. Barron, aka “Aunt C”, age 40, of Hot Springs, was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for Distribution of Cocaine Base; and Brodney Dixon, age 28, of Texarkana, Texas, was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey handed down the sentences in United States District Court in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The trafficking of illegal drugs represents a tremendous problem in our communities by bringing crime and violence onto our streets and exposing our children to serious risks. These sentences pronounced today show that our office, joined by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively identifying, investigating, and prosecuting illegal drug trafficking in communities across the Western District of Arkansas. ”
“The law enforcement organizations in our state and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have successfully collaborated in order to put these three defendants in jail for a very long time as a result of their desire to supply methamphetamine and crack to citizens in Western Arkansas,” stated Assistant Special Agent in Charge James Hendricks, “We are here, we are working together, and we are committed to investigating these illegal operations.”
“Once again, thanks to the efforts of the state, federal and local law enforcement agencies in investigating and bringing to justice upper level drug offenders,” said David Butler, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District. “These cases demonstrate the benefits associated with the multi-agency task force approach in apprehending and prosecuting drug dealers.”
Further information concerning each defendant is below:
Antoine Cook: Agents with the FBI and FBI Task Force initiated an estimated one year investigation targeting gang members who were involved in the trafficking of narcotics and
firearms in El Dorado, Arkansas and surrounding areas. During the investigation, agents identified the defendant, Antoine Cook, as a major distributor of methamphetamine in Union County, Arkansas and elsewhere in the Western District of Arkansas. From June 17, 2013 until August 16, 2013, pursuant to orders of United States District Judge Susan O. Hickey of the Western District of Arkansas, agents intercepted numerous electronic and wire communications in which Cook, using coded language, discussed the distribution of methamphetamine and collection of drug debts. During the investigation, agents were able to make a controlled purchase of approximately four ounces of methamphetamine from Cook for $4,400. A Federal Grand Jury issued the indictment for Cook on September 18, 2013, and in February, 2014, Cook pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that he was responsible for distributing between 1.5 kilograms and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine. As a five time convicted felon with at least two prior felony convictions of a controlled substance offense, Cook is a career offender.James Barron: According to court records, in October, 2012, during the course of an ongoing investigation, law enforcement arranged for a controlled purchase of a quarter ounce of crack cocaine from Barron. With officers maintaining surveillance, Barron arrived at a local Hot Springs business to conduct the drug transaction. Officers were then able to observe Barron exchange crack cocaine for U.S. currency. The suspected crack cocaine was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime lab where it was confirmed to contain cocaine base. During the course of the investigation, several other purchases of crack cocaine were arranged and made with the defendant before and after October, 2012. Barron pleaded guilty to the charge on August 15, 2014.
Brodney Dixon: According to court records, law enforcement agents utilized a confidential informant to arrange for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Dixon on May 2, 2012. While under officer surveillance, the informant met with Dixon in Hempstead County, Arkansas, where Dixon provided a baggie containing a substance he represented to be methamphetamine in exchange for U.S. currency. The suspected methamphetamine was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where it was confirmed to contain methamphetamine. A Federal Grand Jury issued an indictment for Dixon on January 29, 2014, and he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on August 21, 2014.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hot Springs Police Department, the South Central Drug Task Force, and the Arkansas State Police. The investigation into Cook’s Drug Trafficking Organization was a joint operation between the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado Police Department, the FBI, the FBI Task Force, the Camden Police Department, the Magnolia Police Department, the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashley County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenny Elser, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Northwest Arkansas Man Found Guilty of Federal Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – A Springdale, Arkansas man was convicted by a jury today in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, of tax crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge of the Western District of Arkansas and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Doyle Smith, 56, was found guilty following a three-day trial before the Honorable U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks on four counts of subscribing a false tax return, one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the administration of the Internal Revenue Laws, and one count of presenting a fictitious obligation.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in 2008 and 2009, Smith submitted four false individual federal tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2008, which falsely reported a total of more than $1.4 million in fictitious federal tax withholdings. Based on these fictitious withholding amounts, Smith claimed a total of $1,021,457 in income tax refunds to which he was not entitled to receive for those tax years. Smith also submitted false claims and correspondence to both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and third-parties in an attempt to cause the IRS and U.S. Treasury to pay his debts to third parties and to obstruct the IRS’ tax administration efforts. For example, in January 2010, Smith mailed to the Department of Arkansas Finance and Administration a fictitious financial instrument titled “U.S. Treasury Trust Account Money Order.” This fictitious document purportedly obligated U.S. Treasury funds in the amount of $129,439 to pay for outstanding sales taxes that Smith owed to the state of Arkansas.
“This case involves a scheme in which the defendant attempted to steal taxpayer money from the U.S. Treasury for his own personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Eldridge. “This type of fraud is a serious crime, and an insult to hard-working, law abiding citizens and taxpayers. Today’s conviction sends a strong message that our office and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue fraud wherever we find it.”
“Today’s jury verdict makes it clear that individuals who steal from the government through the filing of false and fraudulent claims for refunds and fictitious financial instruments will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “The Department of Justice’s Tax Division is committed to working with its federal and state law enforcement partners to identify those who seek to manipulate and abuse our federal tax system, and to hold such individuals accountable.”
“At the IRS, protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take extremely seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Henry of the IRS-Criminal Investigation. “An integral part of the agency’s mission involves detecting and catching fraudulent tax refund claims. The object of these schemes is to defraud the government and the taxpaying public. Today’s conviction should serve as a warning to those that would attempt to enrich themselves by fraudulent means.”
“It is the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) mission to protect the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service and promote the fair administration of our federal tax system,” said Special Agent in Charge Ruben Florez of TIGTA’s Dallas Field Division. “TIGTA and its law-enforcement partners will vigorously investigate individuals that 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.”
In this case, the statutory maximum sentences are three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of filing a false tax return; three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of impeding the internal revenue laws; and 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of presenting a fictitious financial obligation.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo commended the special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the TIGTA who investigated the case, as well as Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson of the Tax Division who are prosecuting the case.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Missouri and Arkansas Physician Charged with 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 W. Lamoureaux, age 68 of Ash Flat, Arkansas, appeared today in Fort Smith before United States Magistrate Judge Mark E. Ford on a complaint for charges of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor for Sexual Purposes. According to public information, Lamoureaux practiced family medicine in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas and Dexter, Missouri and was also employed at the VA Medical facility in West Plains, Missouri. Lamoureaux resided in Sharp County, Arkansas and was arrested in West Plains, Missouri on Friday, February 6, 2015, by the West Plains Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The conduct at issue in this case is frightening. The threat of abuse to young and innocent children is serious, ever-present, and very real. We must and will do everything in our power to bring those involved in these despicable crimes to justice.”
Chief Kevin Lindsey stated, “Through the efforts of the Fort Smith Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and their subsequent investigation into the activities of Lamoureaux, a suspected predator of young children has been apprehended and will be held accountable by our judicial system. The law enforcement officers directly involved in this investigation can take pride and satisfaction that their efforts have protected at least one child from an alleged predator.”
"This investigation highlights the continued successful partnership between HSI and the Fort Smith Police Department," said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. 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."
According to the complaint, in January of 2015, Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department began an undercover online investigation 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 and 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, the Defendant 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. The Defendant 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 the Defendant scheduled a meeting for February 6, 2015 at a hotel in West Plains, Missouri. The
ostensible and stated purpose for the meeting was for the Defendant to sexually abuse the child. On February 2, 2015, the Defendant 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 the Defendant. A deposit in the amount of $300.00 was made by the Defendant on February 4, 2015. Lamoureaux was arrested in West Plains, Missouri on Friday, February 6, 2015, when he arrived at the meet location.This case is being 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 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. The charge of Attempted Coercion and Enticement carries a punishment of not more than 20 years imprisonment, not more than $250,000.00 fine, or both. If convicted, 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. The sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum for each count in this case, and in most cases will be less than the maximum.
* * * E N D * * *
Media AdvisoryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Conner Eldridge will hold a press conference today immediately following the arraignment of Donald Wayne Lamoureaux, the Missouri physician who was arrested on a complaint following an investigation for online sexual solicitation of a child on Friday, February 6, 2015.
WHO:Conner Eldridge, U.S. Attorney, Western District of Arkansas
Chief Kevin Lindsey, Fort Smith Police Department
Representative from Homeland Security InvestigationsWHAT: Press Conference
WHEN:
Monday, February 9, 2015
Immediately Following Conclusion of Arraignment Hearing
which begins at 2:00 p.m.WHERE:
U. S. Attorney’s Office
414 Parker Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72901* * * E N D * * *
Northwest Arkansas Man Sentenced to over Nine Years for Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Joe Chantharath, aka “Joe Psycho”, aka “Psycho”, age 32, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced today on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. Chatharath was sentenced to 116 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “We will not waver in our commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs in Northwest Arkansas and across the Western District. With the continued cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement, we will work to ensure those who choose to participate in this type of illegal activity are held accountable so that Arkansans can be confident that our communities are safe.”
On five occasions in May 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force arranged for controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Chantharath. The collective weight of methamphetamine of purchased on these five occasions was approximately 85 grams. On May 23, 2014, agents of the DEA, Rogers Police Department and Springdale Police Department served a search warrant on the defendant’s residence. During the service of the search warrant, the defendant was arrested and found to be in possession of approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine, over $2,500 in cash attributable to the sales of controlled substances, and five firearms. Chantharath was indicted for this conduct on June 25, 2014, and pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on October 17, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rogers Police Department and the Springdale Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Northwest Arkansas Man Found Guilty on Four Counts Related to Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Fernando Canales-Mendoza, age 52, a Mexican citizen living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was found guilty on two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute more than fifty (50) grams of Methamphetamine, and one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine following a two day jury trial in Fort Smith. The Honorable Robert T. Dawson presided over the trial in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Children in Carroll 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 today, another positive step forward has been taken for Arkansans. Our office remains devoted to aggressively prosecuting those responsible for bringing methamphetamine and other drugs into our communities.”
According to evidence presented to the jury, on April 30, 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation, an undercover agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) purchased one ounce of methamphetamine from the defendant, Canales-Mendoza, in his home in exchange for $1,400.00, and was provided an additional ounce to be paid for at a later time. On May 7, 2014, the undercover agent paid the defendant $1,500.00 for that ounce, and purchased an additional ounce of methamphetamine for $1,400.00. On August 27, 2014, the undercover agent met with the defendant again, and requested an additional four ounces of methamphetamine. The defendant then showed the undercover agent approximately three to three and a half ounces of methamphetamine he did have, which prompted the agent to respond that he would leave in order to get additional funds to purchase the methamphetamine. Once the agent left the meeting with the defendant, DEA agents executed an arrest warrant on Canales-Mendoza and a search warrant on his place of business, where they confiscated approximately 137 grams of methamphetamine.
The defendant faces a sentence of ten years to life in prison, up to a $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. 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 Drug Enforcement Administration and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Carter and Sydney Butler prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Hackett Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Fort Smith - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Raymond Freitas, age 42, of Hackett, was sentenced today to 75 months in prison followed by seven years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place before the Honorable P. K. Holmes, III in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “We will not rest in our efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who commit these despicable crimes against our children. Every time a video or image involving sexual abuse of children is downloaded or viewed, those children are re-victimized. We appreciate the hard work of law enforcement to bring these sexual predators to justice.”
“Criminals who prey on our children remain a top priority for HSI and our law enforcement partners. This predator will be locked away from society thanks to the collaborative efforts of HSI and our law enforcement partners at the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office and the Hackett Police Department,” said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans.
According to court records, in May 2014, agents with Homeland Security Investigations identified a computer that was being used to download suspected child pornography via the internet. A subsequent investigation revealed that the subscriber information for that computer returned to Freitas whose residence is in Hackett. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant on the residence where they seized a computer and several DVD’s. Freitas admitted at that time to downloading images and videos of child pornography on several different occasions. A subsequent forensic examination of the confiscated items revealed numerous images and videos of child pornography. On September 29, 2014, Freitas pleaded guilty in Federal Court to receiving child pornography.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Fort Smith Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Randal Jernigan, age 31, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced today on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. Jernigan was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. United States District Court Judge P. K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
United States Attorney Eldridge commented, “The trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs represents a tremendous problem in our communities, bringing crime and violence onto our streets, and exposing our children to serious risks. Today’s sentence shows that our office, joined by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, remains committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal drug trafficking in Fort Smith and across the Western District of Arkansas.”
According to court records, on April 30, 2014, a confidential informant working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) met with Randal Jernigan at a local business in Fort Smith to discuss arrangements for a drug deal later that day. During their meeting, Jernigan agreed to meet with the confidential informant at a local Fort Smith residence to conduct the drug deal. Later that day, the confidential informant met with Jernigan at the agreed upon local residence, where Jernigan provided approximately one ounce of methamphetamine in exchange for $1,000.00. The methamphetamine was then sent to the DEA Crime Laboratory, which determined the substance provided by Jernigan contained 27.5 grams of actual methamphetamine. Jernigan pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on September 30, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fort Smith Police Department, and the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Eight Defendants Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Operation Three AmigosRead the Press Release
Camden, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas; David Resch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI; David Downing, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA; David Butler, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas; and the Arkansas State Police, announced today that eight (8) individuals have been charged with state and federal crimes involving large scale drug trafficking of methamphetamine and crack cocaine in Camden, Arkansas, and surrounding areas.
The investigation, known as Operation Three Amigos, resulted in five arrests today by local, state, and federal law enforcement as part of a roundup of the charged defendants. Previously, three defendants were arrested and charged in the operation. The investigation has resulted in the seizure of two firearms and several rounds of ammunition, four vehicles and over $10,000.00 in United States currency from members of the organization.
Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI Task Force Officers began their investigation into drug trafficking in Ouachita County in 2011. The investigation included controlled purchases of methamphetamine and crack cocaine, surveillance and monitoring, and other investigative techniques.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “The members of this drug trafficking operation brought methamphetamine and crack cocaine into Camden and surrounding areas. I thank our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for continuing to work with this office to pursue and prosecute those who bring criminal activity and the fear and violence that come with it into our communities in the Western District of Arkansas.”
“The arrests today are a result of concentrated efforts from the Camden Police Department, Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, United States Attorney’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and the FBI,” states David T. Resch, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Together, we are committed and focused to stopping the movement and sale of drugs on the streets of Arkansas.”
“We have taken another step in our fight against drug trafficking”, said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing. “Thanks to the cooperative success of this investigation with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, we have identified a significant drug trafficking organization and disrupted their ability to operate throughout Arkansas and beyond. Our citizens are now safer as this organization lies in shambles,” said Downing.
David Butler, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas commented, “In addition to praise for the officers associated with federal, state, and local agencies who
participated in the joint drug investigation, thanks to the many officers from across the state who assisted local law enforcement officials in apprehending the suspects and executing the search warrants.Each defendant was charged with at least one count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance - namely cocaine base, a schedule II controlled substance. They are all from Camden. The defendants arrested on federal charges today are as follows:
Sheldon “Yak” Mitchell, age 34 - 3 counts
Kim “2Lou” Williams, age 39 - 3 counts
Willie “Will” Williams, age 41 - 3 counts
Jeffrey “Woodchuck” Haywood, age 51 - 2 counts
Other defendants that are part of this operation are as follows:
Carlos “Li’l Gafford” Morgan, age 32 - of Camden was previously arrested and arraigned on 4 counts of same.
Senica Howard, age 36 of El Dorado was previously arrested and arraigned on 2 counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Mario “Hoolie” Thomas, age 36 - Thomas is currently set for trial and charged with 2 counts of Distribution of more than 28 grams of a Controlled Substance - namely cocaine base, a schedule II controlled substance.
An additional defendant was arrested on state charges today, Calvin Williams, age 42 of Camden, Arkansas.
The most serious charges for distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and for conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine have maximum penalties of life in prison. If convicted, 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.
Operation Three Amigos was a joint operation between the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Camden Police Department, the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, the Little Rock FBI Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ouachita County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff is prosecuting the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
An indictment is merely an accusation. An arrest warrant represents a finding of probable cause. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Mountain Home Co-defendants Sentenced and Ordered to Pay over $500,000 in Restituion for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Charles Edward Elliott and Nicholas Krug, both of Mountain Home, Arkansas, were sentenced today on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Elliot, 81 years old was sentenced to 42 months of probation with the first 36 months being home confinement. Krug, age 64, was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Elliot and Krug were also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $539,000.00 jointly and severally. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
United States Attorney Eldridge commented, “These two defendants swindled investors out of their hard-earned money, a crime that will not be tolerated in the Western District of Arkansas. With today’s sentence, justice has been served, and these two defendants have been held accountable for their abhorrent conduct. We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting fraudulent schemes that are designed to defraud unknowing victims.”
“Today's sentences demonstrate our resolve to put an end to fraud schemes such as those perpetuated by Elliot and Krug,” states David T. Resch, Special Agent in Charge, Little Rock Federal Bureau of Investigation, “We appreciate our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office and will continue to work together to aggressively investigate and prosecute such violations.”
According to evidence presented at the trial, in early 2007, a California woman was approached by Elliott, who was a partner with Krug in a business called “Sovereign International”, regarding an investment opportunity. They claimed to be raising money for a trading program involving a large group of investors stating that the investment would pay interest of 10% per month for one year, and at the end of the year investors would get their principal investment back. The California woman, after receiving instructions, wired $500,000 to Sovereign International’s checking account. Bank records confirm that prior to that deposit, the account held only $201.26. With that deposit, Elliott and Krug made numerous payments to other investors and wrote a $50,000 check to Krug International, another company of Elliott and Krug’s. On April 19, 2007, only $9,232.23 remained in the Sovereign International account. On April 20, 2007, an individual from Mountain Home, who was solicited by Krug for the same investment opportunity, gave Sovereign International $100,000 check that was subsequently deposited into the Sovereign International account. Elliott and Krug used the Mountain Home person’s money to send the first 10% interest check to the California woman. Approximately $10,000 was sent to the California woman a year later. The principal investment amount of $500,000 was never returned.
Elliott and Krug were originally indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on October 30, 2013. They were convicted by Jury Trial on October 7, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys’ Candace Taylor and Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Three Defendants Sentenced to over 32 Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Leonel Padilla, Andres Diaz and Jonni Diaz were sentenced yesterday in Northwest Arkansas to a total of over 32 years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses. Padilla, age 27, of Springdale, was sentenced to 87 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine; Andres Diaz, age 49, of Barstow, California, was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine; and Jonni Diaz, age 47, of Barstow, California, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
United States Attorney Eldridge commented, “These sentences handed down represent significant prison time for those that brought methamphetamine onto our streets and into our communities. Drug trafficking and the violence it brings will not be tolerated in Northwest Arkansas, or anywhere across the Western District. We remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping our children and our communities safe from drugs and other illegal activities by assuring that those responsible for this type of criminal behavior will be brought to justice.”
“Methamphetamine brings turmoil into the lives of those who are addicted to or live around it,” stated David Downing, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Little Rock District Office. “The sentences imposed in this case should be a warning to anyone thinking of polluting our communities with this addictive substance. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating illegal organizations that profit from the distribution of methamphetamine and other illegal and dangerous narcotics,” said Downing.
According to court records, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were conducting an ongoing narcotics investigation known as “West End Gambler” into an organization that was involved in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Northwest Arkansas when they determined Leonel Padilla to be a suspect. During the investigation, DEA agents arranged a controlled purchase of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine on August 9, 2013 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas from Padilla in exchange for $1,500.00. DEA agents recovered the methamphetamine and sent it to the DEA Crime Laboratory where testing confirmed the substance contained actual methamphetamine. Padilla entered a plea of guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on April 7, 2014.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration began another investigation in March of 2014 after learning that large quantities of methamphetamine were being distributed out of the Springdale, Arkansas area by an individual named Andres Diaz. DEA agents utilized a confidential informant to conduct a recorded conversation with Diaz on March 11, 2014, where Diaz agreed to meet with the informant’s friend who was looking to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine. As a result, a Task Force Officer with the DEA, acting in an undercover capacity, placed several phone calls and exchanged text messages with Diaz where Diaz agreed to meet with the undercover officer and provide him or her with an ounce of methamphetamine in exchange for $1,400.00. A few days later, agents with the DEA watched and listened as the undercover officer met with Diaz at a local business in Springdale, Arkansas where Diaz provided the undercover officer with approximately one ounce of methamphetamine in exchange for $1,400.00. Diaz then provided an additional two ounces of methamphetamine to the undercover officer with the agreement that the undercover officer would pay Diaz at a later date. The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA Crime Laboratory where it was determined that the substance sold did contain actual methamphetamine. Andres Diaz was arrested on April 18, 2014, and at that time agreed to provide a statement to officers regarding his drug trafficking activities. During the interview, Andres Diaz admitted to the distribution of methamphetamine in Springdale, Arkansas. Andres Diaz pleaded guilty to one charge of Distribution of Methamphetamine on September 22, 2014.
While investigating Andres Diaz, and as a result of the same recorded conversation that took place on March 11, 2014, a Task Force Officer with the DEA, acting in an undercover capacity, placed several phone calls and exchanged text messages with Andres Diaz. Through the text messages, Diaz agreed to meet with the undercover officer on March 26, 2014, and provide him or her with two ounces of methamphetamine in exchange for $2,400.00. On March 26, 2014, other agents with the DEA watched and listened as the undercover officer went to a local business in Springdale, Arkansas to meet with Andres Diaz. Once there, the officer noticed Diaz’s vehicle in the parking lot. Andres Diaz was driving the vehicle and Jonni Diaz was sitting in the front passenger seat. During the transaction, Andres Diaz placed two ounces of methamphetamine onto Jonni Diaz’s purse, which was sitting in her lap. Jonni Diaz then picked up the methamphetamine and handed it to the undercover officer. The undercover officer then paid Andres Diaz for the methamphetamine. The substance was sent to the DEA Crime Laboratory where it was determined the substance did contain actual methamphetamine. Jonni Diaz was arrested on April 18, 2014, and agreed to provide a statement regarding her drug trafficking activities. During the interview, Jonni Diaz then admitted to aiding and abetting in the distribution of methamphetamine. Jonni Diaz pleaded guilty to one charge of Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine on July 31, 2014.
These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Springdale Police Department, and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the cases for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Rogers Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Fayetteville - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Craig Goettsch, 53, of Rogers, Arkansas was sentenced today to 60 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Today’s sentence is a reminder that we will not rest in our efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who commit crimes against our children. Every time a video or image involving sexual abuse of children is downloaded or viewed, those children are re-victimized. We appreciate the hard work of law enforcement to bring these sexual predators to justice.”
According to court records, in May 2013, members of the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce identified a computer that was engaging in the distribution of child pornography via an internet file sharing program. A subsequent investigation revealed that the subscriber information related to the suspect internet user account returned to a residence in Rogers, Arkansas, and a subscriber name of Craig Goettsch. In response, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the Goettsch’s residence. The warrant was executed in January of 2014, at which time law enforcement seized numerous computers and other digital storage devices. Goettsch was later interviewed and admitted to using the internet to download and view child pornography. A subsequent forensic examination of the confiscated items revealed thousands of images of child pornography. On October 2, 2014, Goettsch pleaded guilty in Federal Court to possessing child pornography. At sentencing, the Government presented the Court with evidence that some of the minors depicted in the images were as young as 8 years old.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on Public Access to Electronic Records Website @www.Pacer.gov
Springdale Man Sentenced to Five Years for Felon in Posession of Firearm ViolationRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that James Ray King Jr., age 57, of Springdale, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison with three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
United States Attorney Eldridge commented “Felons in possession of firearms pose a serious threat of harm to police officers and citizens in our communities. Our office, along with local authorities, will continue to relentlessly investigate and prosecute these types of cases in order to keep communities throughout the Western District of Arkansas safe from senseless violence.”
According to court records, on March 26, 2014, officers with the Springdale Police Department were dispatched to a disturbance at Johnson Meadows Apartments in Springdale. Upon arrival, officers observed King outside of his apartment in possession of a firearm. King was taken into custody at that time, and officers determined that the firearm was stolen. At King’s residence, officers located pipes, digital scales, and numerous plastic baggies used for packaging drugs. Outside of King’s apartment, officers located 14 grams of methamphetamine in yard debris near the location where King was taken into custody. King has previously been convicted of two felony drug charges coming out of Howard County, Arkansas, and as a prior felon is prohibited from possessing firearms. The stolen firearm in King’s possession was determined to have been manufactured outside the state of Arkansas. On July 8, 2014, King pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Springdale Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Man Arrested on Charges of Fraud in Harrison and Hot Springs, ArkansasRead the Press Release
Law Enforcement Seeking Assistance From Potential Victims
Harrison, AR - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Travis Allen Blount, Jr., aka Travis Allen, or Allen Blount, age 56, of Kirbyville, Missouri, appeared in United States Magistrate Court in Springfield, Missouri for an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on a complaint for charges of three counts of Mail Fraud, one count of Wire Fraud, and two counts of Money Laundering. The charges stem from a scheme to defraud involving classic and vintage cars. Blount previously lived in Harrison and Hot Springs, Arkansas and is formerly from Louisiana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated, “As alleged, this case involves a fraudulent scheme designed for personal gain. In a case such as this where multiple aliases are used in multiple areas, it is difficult to identify all of the victims. For that reason, we are reaching out to try to identify these victims so that justice can be done for all that may have been affected, and ask that you contact Law Enforcement at the phone number below with any pertinent information. Our office remains dedicated to pursuing fraud cases and holding accountable those who swindle honest and vulnerable people out of their hard-earned money by their deceitful schemes.”
According to the complaint, Blount operated two car lots, Corvettes and Classics in Harrison, Arkansas and Al’s Hot Rod’s in Kirbyville, Missouri. Blount would tell victims he would sell their classic and vintage vehicles on consignment, but he would frequently sell a car and not pay the owner, or he would accept payment from a buyer and then not deliver the vehicle or the title to the buyer. Please contact Special Agent Tim Arsenault at 479-571-9763 if you have any information in this case.
This case is being 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, and the Harrison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyra Jenner is prosecuting the case for the United States.
The charges in the 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.
* * * E N D * * *
Hot Springs Felon Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Distribution of Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Cletus Davis, age 39, of Hot Springs, was sentenced today to 70 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release on two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Crack Cocaine. The sentencing took place before the Honorable Susan O. Hickey in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in Texarkana.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Those who bring illegal drugs onto our streets threaten our communities and the families that live in them. Hot Springs, one of Arkansas’s most beautiful cities, has been plagued by violence escalated by this criminal activity. We will remain focused on investigating and prosecuting these crimes and hold those involved accountable.”
According to court records, during the course of an ongoing investigation, on two separate occasions in August, 2013, detectives with the Hot Springs Police Department Street Crimes Unit arranged for a controlled purchase of crack cocaine from Cletus Davis in exchange for U.S. currency. On each occasion after the exchange, the suspected substance was field tested and showed to be positive for cocaine. The substance was then sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where it was confirmed to be cocaine base. Davis pleaded guilty to two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Crack Cocaine on August 15, 2014. He was previously convicted of 3 felony drug offenses between 1997 and 2007.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
* * * E N D * * *
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov