Western District of Arkansas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Little Rock Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Little Rock man was sentenced today to 121 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, on June 26, 2023, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) dispatcher advised ASP troopers of a reported incident that occurred on Interstate 49. The caller advised dispatch that he believed the defendant, Richard Joseph Price, age 59, had a firearm. Both parties involved in the accident had relocated to a motel in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) Officers and ASP Troopers responded to investigate the reported incident. In speaking to Price, law enforcement suspected that Price was under the influence of alcohol and ultimately arrested him for Driving While Intoxicated. ASP Troopers along with FPD officers continued to investigate and searched Price’s truck. Inside the truck, law enforcement found an open container of alcohol, a loaded, stolen .9mm pistol with a filed off serial number, and two additional loaded magazines. Law enforcement determined that Price was a felon at the time of this incident.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Arkansas State Police, Fayetteville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More Than 75 Years Combined in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings for the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, beginning in approximately October of 2022, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), along with Investigators with the Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force (JDTF) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in the Fayetteville Division responsible for distributing methamphetamine. During the course of their investigation, investigators identified Charles Grinder as a leader of this local group. Grinder was further identified as an incarcerated, gang member who was a source of supply for methamphetamine into the Western District of Arkansas.
Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:
Charles Grinder: age 44, McAlester, Oklahoma – Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of More than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine – 420 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.
Chelsea Dray: age 30, Bentonville, Arkansas – Distribution of Methamphetamine– 96 months months and 3-year term of supervised release.
Paige Johnson: age 33, Claremore, Oklahoma - Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine – 87 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
James Johnson: age 40, Wagoner, Oklahoma – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine – 188 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Destiny McGinnnis: age 29, Stillwater, Oklahoma – Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of More than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine – 46 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Christopher Outlaw: age 39, Tulsa, Oklahoma – Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of More than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine – 72 months imprisonment and 4-year term of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Fayetteville Resident Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Briana Robbins and Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Two Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Sentenced to Prison for Federal Civil Rights OffencesRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH - Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies, have been sentenced
to federal prison for federal civil rights offenses for using unlawful force on a man they arrested.
The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings, which took
place in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
Today, Zackary King, age 28, was sentenced to 12 months, in federal prison followed by one year
of supervised release for Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. On October 9, 2024, Levi
White, age 33, was sentenced to 63 months, in federal prison followed by two years of supervised
release for Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.
According to court documents, White, King, and a third officer approached a man identified as R.W.
in a gas station parking lot on August 21, 2022, during their investigation into a person threatening
a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued
R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the
officers, King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. At
approximately the same time, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s
head and slammed it into the pavement. The third officer did not strike R.W. R.W. suffered head
injuries from the assault.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The FBI Little Rock Field Office, Arkansas State Police, and ARKTrust Task Force investigated the
case.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas and
Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorney Lia Rettammel of the Civil Rights
Division prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at
www.pacer.gov.Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violations for Violently Assaulting Subdued ManRead the Press Release
Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies were sentenced for using unlawful force on a man they arrested. Levi White, 34, was sentenced yesterday to 63 months in prison, and Zackary King, 28, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison.
Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for a retaliatory assault on R.W., a 26-year-old man. On Aug. 21, 2022, White, King and a third officer approached R.W. in a gas station parking lot during their investigation into a person threatening a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the officers, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s head and slammed it into the pavement. King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. Following the announcement of a federal investigation into the assault, White obstructed the investigation by wiping all data from his county-issued cell phone and selectively deleting text messages about the incident from his personal phone. White asked King if King was also going to wipe his cell phone, but King declined to do so.
“Punching a man in the head, slamming their head repeatedly on the concrete pavement, kicking them in the back and striking them in the midsection — this kind of gratuitous and unjustified violence at the hands of law enforcement runs contrary to the oath that officers take in our country to protect and serve,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendants swore an oath to uphold the law, then violated that oath and abused their power as law enforcement officers by assaulting a person in their custody. At the time of the assaults, three officers had already subdued the victim, and further force was unnecessary and unlawful. White added fuel to the fire by taking steps to obstruct the investigation into the violent assault. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute officers who abuse their authority and violate the rights of people in their custody.”
“Levi White and Zackary King’s sentencings prove that no law enforcement officer is above the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. “FBI Little Rock, alongside our trusted partners at Arkansas State Police, will continue to investigate potential abuses of power and civil rights violations throughout our state. We encourage anyone who has information about abusive or corrupt law enforcement to contact the FBI’s ArkTrust Task Force immediately.”
The FBI Little Rock Field Office and Arkansas State Police investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorneys Lia Rettammel and Anna Gotfryd of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted this case.
Northwest Arkansas Woman Ordered to Pay More Than $3.4 Million in Restitution for Money Laundering and Filing of False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE - A Springdale woman was sentenced on August 15, 2024, to 13 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Yesterday, she was ordered to pay over $3.4 million in restitution on one count of money laundering and one count of Filing a False Income Tax Return. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, Shelly Jo Ketcher, age 58, waived indictment by a grand jury and pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging her with money laundering and filing a false income tax return. Ketcher, worked as a bookkeeper and accountant at a Northwest Arkansas company for approximately 5 years. During that time Ketcher embezzled over $2.5 million from the company. Ketcher carried out her scheme in multiple ways including unauthorized and unearned payments to herself, unauthorized payments to credit card companies as well as unauthorized and unearned payments to others who were not employees of the company. In reference to the Filing a false income tax return charge, Ketcher reported false wages and salaries on her personal federal tax returns.
Ketcher’s criminal history showed a prior conviction out of the Northern District of Oklahoma in 2006 for Wire Fraud as well as two Oklahoma state convictions for Embezzlement.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Fayetteville Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Marshall prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Baxter County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking & Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS - A Baxter County (Salem) man was sentenced yesterday to a total of 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of More Than Fifty Grams of Actual Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, beginning in January of 2021 and into May of 2021, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Michael Steven Benedict, age 45. On April 21, 2021, the Special Agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine, four (4) stolen firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from Benedict. The suspected methamphetamine was submitted to the DEA Southeast Laboratory and determined to be a total of 361.03 grams of actual methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in FederalRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville man was sentenced on Thursday, September 26, to 147 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in October of 2023, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force seized over 500 fentanyl pills, a Glock pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device and a large amount of U.S. currency from Jaylin Williams, age 24. At the sentencing hearing the Court received evidence that one-month prior, Williams fled from the Arkansas State Police on Interstate 49, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour before stopping his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Williams was in unlawful possession of a firearm during that incident. The Court also considered evidence at the hearing that Williams previously shot one of his customers in relation to a drug deal in April of 2022. Williams has been a convicted felon since 2019, when he was convicted in Washington County of robbery.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Fayetteville Police Department, Arkansas State Police and ATF investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Madison County Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug PossessionRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Madison County, Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 50 Grams of Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in October of 2023, Arkansas Community Corrections (“ACC”) officers learned that Clint Eugene Phillips, age 47 of Huntsville, Arkansas, was violating multiple conditions of his active parole supervision. In response, ACC officers arranged a parole office visit for Phillips. When Phillips arrived at the parole office, he possessed 279.19 grams of actual methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. ACC officers and Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies subsequently searched Phillips’ residence and found multiple items of drug paraphernalia- such as clear bags and digital scales; various amounts of suspected methamphetamine; and stash bottles. An examination of Phillips’ cell phone revealed conversations discussing methamphetamine distribution and financial transactions that corroborated those conversations.
Phillips was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On May 22, 2024, he pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine. At sentencing, the United States provided the Court with evidence that Phillips was a sex offender who had a lengthy criminal history, which included prior convictions related to controlled substances and domestic violence.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Arkansas Community Corrections Division of Community Corrections, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Madison County Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug PossessionRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Madison County, Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 50 Grams of Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in October of 2023, Arkansas Community Corrections (“ACC”) officers learned that Clint Eugene Phillips, age 47 of Huntsville, Arkansas, was violating multiple conditions of his active parole supervision. In response, ACC officers arranged a parole office visit for Phillips. When Phillips arrived at the parole office, he possessed 279.19 grams of actual methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. ACC officers and Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies subsequently searched Phillips’ residence and found multiple items of drug paraphernalia- such as clear bags and digital scales; various amounts of suspected methamphetamine; and stash bottles. An examination of Phillips’ cell phone revealed conversations discussing methamphetamine distribution and financial transactions that corroborated those conversations.
Phillips was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On May 22, 2024, he pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine. At sentencing, the United States provided the Court with evidence that Phillips was a sex offender who had a lengthy criminal history, which included prior convictions related to controlled substances and domestic violence.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Arkansas Community Corrections Division of Community Corrections, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
El Dorado Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
EL DORADO – An El Dorado man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado.
According to court documents, Wallace Kenya Cutter Sr, a/k/a “Kilo”, age 47, was identified by law enforcement to be distributing methamphetamine in El Dorado, Arkansas area.
During March of 2023, investigators were able to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Cutter.
On March 27, 2023, a search was conducted at Cutter’s residence, resulting in investigators locating and seizing approximately 1,162.79 grams of pure methamphetamine. The methamphetamine seized during the search warrant and from the controlled purchases was subsequently forwarded to the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory for confirmatory testing.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Daniels and Graham Jones prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Hot Springs Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs woman was sentenced on August 20th to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, Crystal Megan Huckaby, age 39, was identified by law enforcement to be distributing methamphetamine in Hot Springs, Arkansas area.
In March of 2022, while conducting a narcotics investigation on Huckaby, detectives with the Hot Springs, Police Department (HSPD) and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), were able to complete a controlled purchase of 54.68 grams of pure methamphetamine from Huckaby.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Hot Springs Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Hot Springs Woman Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs woman was sentenced yesterday to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, Teri Lee Patton, age 41, was identified by law enforcement to be distributing methamphetamine in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area.
Between the months of February of 2023 and March of 2023, investigators were able to conduct multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Patton.
On March 15, 2023, a search was conducted at Patton’s residence, resulting in investigators locating and seizing approximately 448.54 grams of pure methamphetamine. The methamphetamine seized during the search warrant and from the controlled purchases was subsequently forwarded to the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory for confirmatory testing and determined to be a total of 523.27 grams of pure methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Hot Springs Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Career Offender Sentenced to More Than Eleven Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA – A Colombia County, Arkansas man was sentenced today to 140 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine in south Arkansas. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which took place in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
According to court documents, Joseph Edward Lowe, age 37, of Magnolia, Arkansas, sold high-purity methamphetamine during multiple ‘controlled buy’ operations conducted by state and federal investigators in 2021 and 2022. A federal grand jury indicted Lowe in September 2022, and he later pleaded guilty to two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine on October 10, 2023. Lowe’s sentence was enhanced due to his status as a Career Offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Magnolia Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Three Nashville Men Forfeit $180,886 in Drug Proceeds Seized After Traffic StopRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH — On August 6, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas ordered $180,886 in cash seized from three Nashville men to be forfeited to the United States, upholding a civil complaint by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The complaint, filed on Jan. 31, 2024, alleged that the funds, seized in an Arkansas State Police traffic stop, should be forfeited because they were the proceeds of or were involved in drug crimes.
According to court documents, this case began the afternoon of Jan. 17, 2023, when an Arkansas State Police trooper stopped a gray Nissan Armada for a traffic violation as it traveled westbound on I-40 in Crawford County, close to the Oklahoma state line. During the stop, the Nissan’s three occupants were visibly nervous and made inconsistent and contradictory statements about where they were going and what they planned to do. All three denied having any drugs or large amounts of cash in the vehicle.
However, 13 minutes after the initial stop certified police canine “Beau” arrived on the scene, and in an “open air sniff” alerted on the vehicle—indicating the odor of illegal drugs. During the subsequent probable cause search, Arkansas troopers found two semi-automatic handguns, one of which had been reported stolen, personal-use quantities of illegal drugs and $180,886 in cash—most of it bundled for ease of counting. The driver, Shapour Saberi, and his two passengers, Redeer Ali Haji and Aryan Rasul Ibrahim, were arrested by the troopers and interviewed by agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The guns, drugs and cash, along with seven cell phones, were seized from them as evidence.
Further investigation by the DEA revealed that Saberi, Haji and Ibrahim operated a thriving mail-order drug business in which they solicited customers to order high-grade marijuana and marijuana “edibles” through Snapchat, Instagram, and other social media platforms. Customers placed their orders and paid for the orders in advance. Once a customer’s payment was received, often another co-conspirator in California would send that customer’s order by way of a common carrier such as UPS or FedEx, or via the U.S. Postal Service. On other occasions, the three transported the high-grade marijuana and edibles from California to Tennessee using common carriers and, on at least one occasion, a rented cargo van filled with trash bags full of marijuana.
The three individuals also memorialized many aspects of their illegal enterprise on their cell phones which contained pictures of internet advertisements for known strains of high-grade marijuana, close-ups displaying the marijuana, pictures of price lists for known strains of high-grade marijuana and marijuana edibles, photos of packages and mailing labels, records of conversations with customers and suppliers, photos of drug ledgers, text exchanges with co-conspirators that included arguments over business matters and selfies taken by all three subjects.
Significantly, one of Ibrahim’s phones had photos of drug ledgers that included one dated “1/15.” In this photograph, the total profit shown on the drug ledger was $178,450—only $2,436 less than the amount seized from Saberi, Haji and Ibrahim on their Jan. 17, 2023, road trip.
According to court papers, Saberi, Haji and Ibrahim filed administrative claims with the DEA seeking the return of their seized funds, alleging “ownership of the assets were obtained legally without felonious conduct,” and claiming most of the cash came from car sales rather than drug distribution. However, once the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a formal complaint for civil forfeiture of the funds, complete with pictures of evidence gathered in the investigation, none of the subjects chose to challenge the forfeiture in court. Under the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program, the funds—now in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service—will be used to compensate crime victims, support law enforcement efforts, and support communities.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Arkansas State Police investigated the case. The U.S. Marshals Service manages the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich civilly prosecuted the case for the United States.
The Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program
The Asset Forfeiture Program was created in 1984 when Congress passed the Comprehensive Crime Control Act, which provided federal prosecutors and agents the legal and regulatory tools necessary to keep up with, and ahead of, those who commit crime for economic benefit. The U.S. Marshals Service plays a critical role in identifying and evaluating assets that represent the proceeds of crime as well as efficiently managing and selling assets seized and forfeited by Department of Justice.
The Marshals manage a wide array of assets including real estate, commercial businesses, cash, financial instruments, vehicles, jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, vessels and aircraft. Proceeds generated from asset sales are used to operate the program, compensate victims and support various law enforcement efforts. The Marshals manage the distribution of proceeds and payments to victims of crime and other innocent third parties, all of which helps to mitigate the financial damage inflicted by criminal activity. The agency employs best practices from private industry to ensure that assets are managed and sold in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
The Asset Forfeiture Program also supports communities by transferring certain types of forfeited assets to state, local and nonprofit organizations. Through the Operation Goodwill program, forfeited real or personal property of marginal value can be transferred to state or local governments in support of drug abuse treatment, drug crime prevention and education, housing, job skills and other community-based public health and safety programs.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Hot Springs Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS - A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute of More Than Fifty Grams of Actual Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, on March 15, 2023, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by Stacy Childs, age 33, after Childs delivered fentanyl to another individual. A search of the vehicle yielded a total of 3,416.15 grams, or approximately 7.53 pounds, of pure methamphetamine, the bulk of which was concealed in a compartment underneath the center console of the vehicle. Childs was arrested on a Federal Complaint and later indicted by a Grand Jury seated in the Western District of Arkansas.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Arkansas Man Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute More than 400 Grams of FentanylRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A federal jury convicted a Newport, Arkansas man yesterday of Conspiracy to Distribute more than 400 grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Fentanyl.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl pills in Fayetteville, Arkansas from May to June 2023. The investigation identified Claude Dukes, Jr., age 42, of Newport, Arkansas, as the source of supply for fentanyl being distributed by co-conspirator, Justin Alexander Ellis, age 36, of Fayetteville. The pills distributed by this group contained fentanyl made or pressed to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills. Dukes was found to be responsible for over 400 grams of fentanyl distributed in the conspiracy through his own conduct and the conduct of co-conspirators.
Duke is scheduled to be sentenced on a later date. Conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl is punishable by a minimum term of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Justin Ellis pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl on February 28, 2024, and is awaiting a sentencing date. Distribution of Fentanyl is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and were assisted by the following agencies: Benton County Drug Unit, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers Police Department, Bentonville Police Department, Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Arkansas Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections, and the Newport, Arkansas Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydney Stanley, Kevin Eaton, and Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Arkansas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Little Rock man was sentenced yesterday to the maximum sentence of 120 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, on June 23, 2022, a deputy with the Garland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of East Grand Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The deputy made contact with the driver, and sole occupant, of the vehicle Chantze T. Howze, age 30. As the deputy returned to his vehicle to investigate the information provided by Howze, Howze fled the scene in his vehicle. The deputy began pursuing Howze at speeds more than 100 miles per hour.
A trooper with the Arkansas State Police assisted in the pursuit of Howze, whose vehicle traveled in and out of traffic and traveled into the oncoming lane. Howze ultimately lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a motel located at the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Coy Street in Hot Springs causing damage to the building. A search of the vehicle yielded 795 grams of marijuana and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 18 live rounds. Howze was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction of Possession with Purpose to Deliver Controlled Substance Schedule IV and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Manufacture.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Garland County Sheriff’s Department, 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police and the 18th East Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH – A Van Buren man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release on one count of Transportation of Child Pornography. The Honorable P.K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court documents, James Allen Price, age 42, is a registered sex offender. In July 2023 law enforcement was alerted by NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) that someone had emailed child pornography from one email account to another. Subsequent law enforcement investigation identified Price as the owner of both email accounts. A federal search warrant was conducted on Price’s residence and electronic devices were seized. Price was interviewed by law enforcement where he admitted to emailing himself child pornography. Price possessed images of children under the age of twelve years old.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Van Buren Police Department and Joplin, Missouri Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Marshall prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Barling Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Federal Judge and Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH – A Barling man pled guilty today to one count of Threatening a Federal Official and one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The Honorable Judge Mark E. Ford presided over the change of plea hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to the plea agreement, Fort Smith Police Department was dispatched to a local shopping establishment pursuant to a 911 call wherein the caller stated the defendant, Rodney Dewayne Sheffield, age 40, had traveled to the shopping establishment in Fort Smith, Arkansas with the intent to shoot people.
Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department subsequently made a traffic stop on Sheffield for operating his vehicle in a reckless manner on Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith. During the traffic stop, the officer observed a rifle on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. The Officer separated Sheffield from the rifle and located ammunition on his person.
Further investigation showed Sheffield had a pending Social Security disability claim and was upset at the status of the claim. A witness stated Sheffield had traveled to the building where the Social Security administration offices were located and told him, “I’ve had enough, I can’t take it anymore.” The individual further stated Sheffield told him he was going to shoot the Social Security Administrative Law Judge. Sheffield stated he wanted to do this to “teach the Government a lesson.” The individual stated he called 911 after speaking to Sheffield.
Subsequently a search warrant was obtained for Sheffield’s phone. Officers located images and videos of child pornography including children as young as approximately 5 years old on Sheffield’s phone.
Sheffield’s sentencing date will be set at a later time. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment for Threatening the Federal Official and a minimum of 5 years imprisonment, maximum of 20 years for the Receipt of Child Pornography. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Inspector General Social Security Administration and Fort Smith Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Marshall is prosecuting the case.
West Texas Man Sentenced to Fourteen Years in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA – A West Texas man was sentenced yesterday to 168 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for methamphetamine trafficking. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which took place in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
According to court records, on September 28, 2020, Ray Cornelius Calvert, age 43, of El Paso, Texas was the driver of a rental vehicle stopped by the Arkansas State Police on Interstate 30, in Hempstead County. During the traffic stop, a Trooper asked the vehicle’s renter, passenger Anita Marie Hughes, age 47, for consent to search it, which she granted. During the ensuing search, Troopers found approximately 1.5 pounds of pure methamphetamine in the vehicle, which Calvert and Hughes had been transporting to Memphis, Tennessee, for distribution. Subsequent investigation also revealed that, at the time of his arrest in Arkansas, Calvert was on pre-trial release for a separate federal methamphetamine indictment then pending in another state.
On July 21, 2023, Calvert pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in the Western District of Arkansas. Hughes also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 72 months in prison in January 2022, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes made the announcement.
The Arkansas State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Methamphetamine Traffickers Sentenced to a Combined 368 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA – A central Arkansas man and woman were sentenced yesterday to a combined total of more than 30 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking and related crimes. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings, which took place in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
According to court records, on February 28, 2021, Lynnel Antwan Watkins, age 36, of North Little Rock, and Haillie Marie Hendrickson, age 25, of Lonoke, were in a vehicle stopped by the Arkansas State Police on Interstate 49, in Miller County. The driver, Watkins, accelerated away from the scene of the stop at high speed, resulting in a short vehicle pursuit. When their vehicle became disabled, Watkins and his passenger, Hendrickson, were taken into custody on outstanding warrants. Officers then recovered more than nine (9) pounds of methamphetamine from the vehicle’s rear seat. Three firearms were also found in the vehicle, including two stolen AR-15’s, one of which was equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum magazine.
On July 20, 2023, Watkins pleaded guilty to Possession of More than 500 Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and to Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. One day later, Hendrickson plead guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
For those crimes, Watkins was sentenced today to 248 months, in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Hendrickson was sentenced to 120 months, in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes made the announcement.
The Arkansas State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Fort Smith Arms Dealer Neil Ravi Mehta and his company Federal Armament LLC Sentenced for Various Criminal ViolationsRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH – A Fort Smith man, Neil Ravi Mehta, age 32, was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $659,825.52 in restitution, on one count of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm that was a Destructive Device, one count of Fraud and False Statements related to Tax Returns, and one count of False Declaration Before a Court.
In a separate case, Federal Armament LLC, which was owned by Neil Ravi Mehta, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $500,000.00 on one count of Unlawfully Importation and Receipt of Firearms and one count of Filing False or Misleading Electronic Export Information. Federal Armament LLC was also ordered to forfeit the illegally imported firearms.
The Honorable Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearings, which were held in the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court documents in the Neil Ravi Mehta case, on January 31, 2023, federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Mehta’s residence in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mehta was present at the residence when officers announced their intent to enter the residence but fled from the residence prior to officers making entry into the residence. Mehta was later arrested after a six-day manhunt, in which the public’s assistance was solicited in locating the defendant, who was assumed to be armed and dangerous.
During the execution of the search warrant, officers discovered and seized a destructive device located in the top left corner of the kitchen island of the residence. The destructive device was not registered as required by law and therefore unlawfully possessed by Mehta.
As to the tax charge, Mehta substantially underreported his income by failing to report millions of dollars of business activities for Federal Armament LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas which engaged in the manufacturing and selling ammunition, firearms, and other related items. None of the gross receipts of Federal Armament LLC were reported on any of Mehta’s IRS Forms 1040 for 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
As to the charge of False Declaration Before a Court, on December 14, 2021, a deposition under oath was taken from Mehta in connection with a civil suit brought against Mehta and Federal Armament LLC by the United States Department of Labor alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. During the deposition Mehta made false statements under oath regarding matters that were material to the civil suit.
According to court documents in the Federal Armament LLC case, on January 31, 2023, federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Federal Armament LLC in Fort Smith, Arkansas. During the search warrant officer located and seized 3,185 firearms that Federal Armament LLC unlawfully imported due to excess magazine capacity or because the firearms lacked required engraving marks.
As to the export charge, on June 27, 2022, Federal Armament LLC submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce a license application for approval to export certain firearms to Poland. The export license application contained false and misleading information by naming an individual as contact person who was neither employed by nor acting as the contact person for Federal Armament LLC.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
This was a joint investigation involving the following federal law enforcement agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement (OEE); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General (DOL-OIG).
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Texarkana Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA – A Texarkana, Arkansas, man was sentenced today to 121 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the United States District Court in Texarkana.
According to court records, on November 9, 2021, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations served a federal search warrant at the residence of A’jene Rashodd Cornelius, age 29. Cornelius and two family members, including a small child, were present when the search warrant was executed. Inside the residence, investigators found and seized over 1.3 pounds of pure methamphetamine, multiple loaded firearms, and over $13,000 in drug trafficking proceeds. Cornelius pleaded guilty in August 2023.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Green Forest Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting and Abusing an 8-Year-Old FemaleRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Green Forest man was sentenced today to 360 months imprisonment without the possibility of parole on two (2) Counts of Sexually Exploiting a Minor via the Production of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
Per Court documents, in February of 2023, agents and task force officers with Homeland Security Investigations received information that Terencio “Junior” Perez-Cancino, age 33, had uploaded images to Snap Chat servers showing him sexually abusing an approximately eight-year-old female. Officers and agents served a search warrant at Perez-Cancino’s home, and in a post-Miranda interview, he admitted he had created the images depicting his abuse of the minor female approximately two years prior. The minor subsequently disclosed in a forensic interview that Perez-Cancino had sexually abused her over an approximately four-year period.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the Eureka Springs Police Department, and the Green Forest Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Still prosecuted these cases on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Oklahoma Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Possession of Nearly 5 Kilograms of Methamphetamine, 1,988 Fentanyl Pills, and Five FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISON – A Lawton, Oklahoma man was sentenced yesterday to 300 months in the United States Bureau of Prisons on criminal charges related to his arrest near Harrison, Arkansas on August 3, 2023, for Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute. Thompson’s sentence was accompanied by $2,000 in fines and a five (5) year term of supervised release to follow his imprisonment. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, Allen Ray Thompson, age 32, a native of Lawton, Oklahoma, was traffic stopped by the Arkansas State Police in rural Boone County, Arkansas near Harrison for failure to display a proper vehicle tag. During the traffic stop, a narcotics-detecting canine alerted on the vehicle, prompting a search which revealed 4,934.5 grams of methamphetamine, 1,988 fentanyl pills, and five firearms, one of which was stolen. Thompson, a previously convicted felon, was not permitted to possess a firearm. A later search of Thompson’s telephone text messages revealed that Thompson was delivering the controlled substances to customers in the Harrison area who had previously paid Thompson through an internet-based, peer-to-peer money transfer platform.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, State of Arkansas 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force and Arkansas State Police conducted the investigation in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .
Information regarding this case may be found at
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov, WDAR Case No. 3:23 CR 30009-002.
Hot Springs Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person – Felon. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, in June of 2020, an Officer with the Hot Springs Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being operated by Carl Lee Tate, Sr, age 44. The Officer determined that Tate was a convicted felon on parole through the State of Arkansas and that Tate had a search waiver on file. The Officer searched Tate’s vehicle and located, among other things, a loaded handgun, methamphetamine, and digital scales.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Springdale Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Springdale man was sentenced yesterday to 87 months imprisonment without the possibility of parole on one (1) Count of Transportation of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in January of 2022, agents and task force officers with Homeland Security Investigations received information that an individual from Northwest Arkansas had uploaded images of child sexual abuse material to a Google account. During the resulting investigation, law enforcement identified the user of the Google account as Jonathan David Attaway, age 32 of Springdale, Arkansas. Federal law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant at Attaway’s residence and discovered multiple devices containing images of child sexual abuse material. At sentencing, the United States presented the Court with evidence reflecting that Attaway possessed images of minors as young as 6 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Williams prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
These cases were prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Hot Springs Woman Sentenced to more than 19 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS - A Hot Springs woman was sentenced yesterday to 235 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of More Than 50 Grams of Actual Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, beginning in April of 2021 and into May of 2021, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted two (2) separate controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Melissa Kay Lane, age 46, in the Western District of Arkansas, Hot Springs Division. The suspected methamphetamine from both controlled purchases was submitted to the DEA Southeast Laboratory and determined to be a total of 219.13 grams, or approximately 8 ounces, of pure methamphetamine.
In September of 2021, Lane was arrested on outstanding drug warrants issued by the State of Texas. Subsequent to her arrest, it was determined that Lane was in possession of over seven (7) kilograms, or approximately 15.5 pounds, of methamphetamine at her residence.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance from the Hot Springs Police Department and the 18th East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Harrison Man Sentenced to 55 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting and Abusing a 5-Year-Old FemaleRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Harrison man was sentenced yesterday to 660 months imprisonment without the possibility of parole on two (2) Counts of Sexually Exploiting a Minor via the Production of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
According to Court documents, in July of 2023, a five-year old female disclosed to her mother that Aaron Micheal Ricketts, age 32, had been sexually abusing her. The minor subsequently disclosed in a forensic interview that Ricketts had also taken nude pictures of her. Law enforcement with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office later arrested Ricketts and seized his cellular phone. A subsequent forensic examination of the cellular phone revealed multiple sexually explicit images and videos documenting Rickett’s sexual abuse of the minor starting when she was four years old. At sentencing, the United States presented the Court with evidence that Ricketts also distributed images of the minor on the internet and solicited images from other purported minors in exchange.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harrison Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Still prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Fayetteville Group Sentenced to More Than 54 Years Combined in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking group was sentenced late last week for crimes related to the distribution of methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, beginning in October 2022, agents with the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating out of the Fayetteville Division responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine in the Northwest Arkansas area. During the course of their investigation, investigators identified five individuals who were responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine throughout the Western District of Arkansas.
Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:
Joe Chantharath: age 42, Springdale, Arkansas – Distribution of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine – 135 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release, plus an additional 24-month term of imprisonment to run consecutively to new sentence as a consequence of his federal supervised release being revoked.
Anthony Chantharath: age 35, Springdale, Arkansas – Possession of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute - 137 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Kevin Michael Burke: age 37, Bryant, Arkansas – Distribution of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine -235 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Ryan Seth Bruce: age 35, Clinton, Arkansas – Distribution of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine– 72 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
Destiny DeAnne Satterfield: age 25, Springdale, Arkansas – Possession of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute – 77 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Eaton prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Four Defendants Sentenced to a Combined 74 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – Four Northwest Arkansas people were recently sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation offenses. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
On May 9, 2024, Darlina Maree Jasso, age 33 of Berryville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 120 months without the possibility of parole after being convicted of Transporting a Minor across State Lines to Engage in Sexual Activity. According to court documents, in May of 2022, an officer with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations after it was discovered that Jasso had transported a 15-year-old female from the state of Missouri to her Berryville residence, with the intent that she and her boyfriend engage in sexual activity with the minor. Law enforcement ultimately discovered a surveillance video on Jasso’s phone capturing sexual activity between the two adults and the minor. Law enforcement likewise found text message communications on the phone between the boyfriend and Jasso in which they detailed their plan to bring the minor down from her home in Missouri and the sexual conduct they intended to engage in with the minor.
On May 21, 2024, Charles Merchant, Age 32 of Berryville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison without the possibility for parole after being convicted of Transporting Child Pornography. Per court documents, in August of 2022, agents and task force officers with the Homeland Security Investigations received information that Merchant had uploaded images of child sexual abuse material to the social media platform KIK. Federal law enforced subsequently executed a search warrant at Merchant’s residence and discovered multiple images of child pornography.
On May 23, 2024, Aaron Hudson, known also as Sophie Anne Hudson, age 32 of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison without the possibility for parole after being convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. Per court documents, in December of 2021, agents and task force officers with the Homeland Security Investigations received information that an individual had uploaded images of a child sexual abuse material to a website known to law enforcement as a platform for viewing and trading child pornography. During the resulting investigation, federal law enforced executed a search warrant at Hudson’s Rogers residence and discovered multiple images of child pornography along with multiple child size dolls used for sexual activity.
On May 24, 2024, Nathan Scott Wright, age 38 of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison without the possibility for parole after being convicted of both Sexual Exploitation of a Minor via the Production of Child Pornography and Transporting Child Pornography. Per court documents, in October of 2022, agents and task force officers with the FBI received information that Wright had uploaded images to Google servers of him sexually abusing an approximately 4-year-old female. Officers of the Benton County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI subsequently executed a search warrant at Wright’s Rogers residence and discovered multiple images of child pornography, including those depicting WRIGHT sexually abusing at least one minor. At sentencing, the United States presented the Court with evidence that Wright took images of himself sexually abusing a second minor.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Williams prosecuted these cases on behalf of the United States.
These cases were prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Fayetteville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville man was sentenced on Monday, May 20, to 240 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, multiple law enforcement agencies received information that Ulysses Bush, age 44, was selling large quantities of methamphetamine throughout the Northwest Arkansas area. Between November 2022 and January 2023, law enforcement conducted a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Bush. In the months following these transactions, Bush was found with additional quantities of methamphetamine during traffic stops executed by the Inola, Oklahoma, and Fayetteville Police Departments. In April 2023, the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on a storage unit in Fayetteville that Bush was using, in which officers discovered additional methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, body armor, and a firearm.
The purchased and seized methamphetamine was later submitted to the Homeland Security Investigations Crime Laboratory for testing where it was determined to be methamphetamine. Between the controlled purchases, the traffic stops, and the storage unit, Bush was held accountable for over a kilogram of methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Benton County Drug Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Inola, Oklahoma Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Eaton prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Repeat Drug Offender Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Camden man was sentenced today to 200 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge James M. Moody Jr. presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in March of 2023, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force learned that Ronald Antonio Moorehead, age 43, of Camden, Arkansas was transporting methamphetamine into Northwest Arkansas area for distribution. On May 13, 2023, detectives surveilled Moorehead inside a vehicle parked in residential neighborhood in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Thereafter, law enforcement made contact with Moorehead, who was on active parole supervision at the time. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed approximately 500 gross grams of methamphetamine and a distribution amount of cocaine.
Moorehead was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple counts related to drug trafficking. On November 3, 2023, he pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine. At sentencing, the United States provided the Court with evidence that Moorehead had a lengthy criminal history, which included multiple prior convictions related to drug trafficking.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Deputy Criminal Chief Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Oklahoma Woman Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Oklahoma woman was sentenced yesterday to 200 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge James M. Moody Jr. presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, during January of 2023, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force learned that Cerina Lynn Boehrer, age 40, of Ada, Oklahoma was transporting methamphetamine from Oklahoma to the Northwest Arkansas area for distribution. On February 3, 2023, detectives intercepted Boehrer as she was traveling in Fayetteville, Arkansas and discovered approximately one pound of methamphetamine and a firearm in her vehicle.
The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Laboratory and tested positive for methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Two Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Plead Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violations for Violently Assaulting a Man They ArrestedRead the Press Release
Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies, Levi White, 34, and Zackary King, 28, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights offenses for using unlawful force on a man they arrested.
“The defendants swore an oath to uphold the law, then violated that oath and abused their power by assaulting a person who was pinned to the ground and not resisting,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These defendants will now face the serious consequences that result from their unlawful actions. The Justice Department will continue to protect the right of every person in this country to be free of excessive force by law enforcement officers.”
“The videos from this incident are a shocking display of the violent deprivation of civil rights committed by these officers,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas. “No person in police custody should ever feel threatened or should ever experience violence at the hands of those who are sworn to protect the public. We will continue to vigorously pursue justice in cases involving the violation of civil rights in the Western District of Arkansas.”
“The violent and abusive actions of these two men, who were sworn to serve and protect our community, are unacceptable,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Law enforcement officers hold positions with significant authority and influence, and their credibility in the eyes of the American people depends on their ability to maintain integrity. These guilty pleas serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who take advantage of their positions and will always fight to protect the civil rights of all Americans.”
“Disgraceful actions, like those of the two Crawford County sheriff’s deputies, negatively impact all members of Arkansas law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. “A gun and a badge do not give someone the right to ignore the Constitution. The FBI’s ArkTrust Task Force will continue to work to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement by investigating officers who violate the civil rights of citizens in our community.”
According to court documents, White, King and a third officer approached a man identified as R.W. in a gas station parking lot on Aug. 21, 2022, during their investigation into a person threatening a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the officers, King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. At approximately the same time, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s head and slammed it into the pavement. The third officer did not strike R.W. R.W. suffered head injuries from the assault.
Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date. White faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. King faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Little Rock Field Office and ARKTrust Task Force investigated the case.
Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorneys Lia Rettammel and Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.
Two Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Plead Guilty to Federal Civil RightsRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH - Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies, Levi White, 34, and Zackary King, 28, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights offenses for using unlawful force on a man they arrested.
“The videos from this incident are a shocking display of the violent deprivation of civil rights committed by these officers,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas. “No person in police custody should ever feel threatened or should ever experience violence at the hands of those who are sworn to protect the public. We will continue to vigorously pursue justice in cases involving the violation of civil rights in the Western District of Arkansas.”
“The defendants swore an oath to uphold the law, then violated that oath and abused their power by assaulting a person who was pinned to the ground and not resisting,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These defendants will now face the serious consequences that result from their unlawful actions. The Justice Department will continue to protect the right of every person in this country to be free of excessive force by law enforcement officers.”
“Disgraceful actions, like those of the two Crawford County sheriff’s deputies, negatively impact all members of Arkansas law enforcement,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder. “A gun and a badge does not give someone the right to ignore the Constitution. The FBI's ArkTrust Task Force will continue to work to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement by investigating officers who violate the civil rights of citizens in our community.”
According to court documents, White, King and a third officer approached a man identified as R.W. in a gas station parking lot on Aug. 21, 2022, during their investigation into a person threatening a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the officers, King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. At approximately the same time, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s head and slammed it into the pavement. The third officer did not strike R.W. R.W. suffered head injuries from the assault.
Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date. White faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. King faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Little Rock Field Office and ARKTrust Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorney Lia Rettammel of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Four Men Sentenced for $18M Global Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Four men were sentenced last week for participating in an eight-year investment fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded over a dozen victims around the world out of more than $18 million.
John C. Nock, 55, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, founder of The Brittingham Group, was sentenced on March 14 to 20 years and 10 months in prison; Brian Brittsan, 67, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced on March 14 to 10 years in prison; Kevin Griffith, 68, of Orem, Utah, was sentenced on March 15 to 12 years and six months in prison; and Alexander Ituma, 57, of Lehi, Utah, was sentenced on March 15 to eight years and four months in prison.
“For nearly a decade, the defendants brazenly and repeatedly lied to investors, defrauding them out of more than $18 million and laundering the proceeds of their crime through a complex web of bank accounts around the world,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants have now been held to account for their crimes. The sentences imposed last week reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to rooting out investment fraud and protecting Americans’ financial security.”
According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, between at least 2013 and 2021, Nock, Brittsan, Griffith, and Ituma conspired to engage in an investment fraud scheme through The Brittingham Group, a purported investment firm that claimed to have access to exclusive investment opportunities, including deals involving the monetization of foreign bank guarantees. Together, the four defendants falsely represented the nature of their investment offerings and made guarantees to victims regarding the safety and security of their funds. The defendants also promised victims outsized returns, to be paid in a short period of time, which the defendants could not and did not ever produce. To promote and conceal the conspiracy, Nock and Brittsan directed victims to send their money to bank accounts that Griffith, Ituma, and other co-conspirators controlled, and created fake documents to send to victims to make the investment appear legitimate and to be progressing. Once the money was in the hands of the co-conspirators, the defendants transferred victim money through a complex web of worldwide bank accounts.
“For years, the defendants’ blatant and egregious investment fraud scheme used false promises to bilk investors out of millions of dollars of their hard-earned money,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office. “IRS-CI is proud of their joint efforts with the Justice Department and the FBI to hold Nock, Brittsan, Griffith, and Ituma accountable for their greed. The women and men of IRS-CI will continue to band together with their law enforcement partners to pursue those who commit financial crimes and steal from trusting individuals.”
“The victims in this case were promised lucrative investment opportunities, but what they got was a conspiracy of lies and fraud,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “These defendants stole more than $18 million from over a dozen victims through a years-long fraud scheme, and the sentences they received last week will help hold them accountable for their crimes.”
In August 2023, the defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Nock was also convicted of money laundering for using victim funds to pay a prior debt unrelated to The Brittingham Group.
IRS-CI and the FBI investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided invaluable assistance.
Trial Attorneys Philip Trout, Vasanth Sridharan, and Sara A. Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
Missouri Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Noel, Missouri man was sentenced on Friday, March 1, to 180 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in November 2022, detectives with the Benton County Drug Unit and special agents with Homeland Security Investigations received information that Lyle Russell White, age 46, was trafficking narcotics throughout the Northwest Arkansas area. Law enforcement subsequently conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from White. In December 2022, investigators received information that White was in Bella Vista, Arkansas and was in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. White was later observed traveling as a passenger in a vehicle heading towards Missouri by a Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputy who recognized White from a separate traffic stop the week before. During that first traffic stop, White had attempted to consume controlled substances and to conceal the bags in which the substances were contained when the vehicle in which he was traveling was pulled over. After recognizing White and witnessing a traffic infraction, the deputy conducted a traffic stop. In the vehicle, detectives discovered over 150 grams of actual methamphetamine. A criminal records check revealed that White has several prior convictions, including convictions for violations of controlled substance statutes, and that he was currently on release for another offense at the time he possessed the methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Benton County Drug Unit and Homeland Security Investigations Fayetteville investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Eaton prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Yellville Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Online Sexual Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Fayetteville – Isaac James Melder, age 42, of Yellville was sentenced on February 13, 2024, to 360 months in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of communicating with a minor through the internet to entice the minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in May of 2022, a fourteen-year-old female was reported missing after failing to get on the afternoon school bus. An extensive search involving multiple law enforcement agencies began, during which officers discovered that Melder and the victim had communicated via the internet using an Xbox. The messages revealed the two had planned to run away and live in a cave in the Marion County wilderness. The investigation further revealed that Melder had groomed both the victim and her family by providing groceries, money, alcohol, and marijuana and referred to the victim as his wife.
On June 22, 2022, an informant led law enforcement to the cave where Melder and the victim had lived since their May disappearance. Melder was immediately taken into state custody.
Melder was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District in April of 2023 and entered a plea of guilty in July 2023.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Mountain Home Police Department, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Flippin Police Department, Arkansas Department of Correction, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Harrison Police Department, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas State Parks, the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force, investigated or assisted in the search in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Still prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Benton Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Benton man was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release on one count of Possession of More Than Five Hundred (500) Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, in early 2022, Homeland Security Investigations identified Terrance O’Neal Murphy, age 45, as a large-scale methamphetamine distributer in the Central Arkansas geographical area. On April 5, 2022, Murphy was pulled over by the Arkansas State Police for traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop, officers located over three (3) kilograms of methamphetamine in Murphy’s vehicle. Murphy subsequently fled from the scene but was apprehended a short time later after a foot pursuit.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Little Rock Field Office, 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police and the 18th East Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Former Rogers Company Owner and Former CEO Sentenced in Workers’ Comp Fraud/Kickback ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE - The former owner of a Rogers-based medical supply and billing company and its former chief executive officer were both sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court for their roles in leading a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and also private workers’ compensation insurers by way of a billing and kickback fraud scheme with multiple physicians and medical clinics, and schemes with two Louisiana physicians to ship medications to them from Arkansas and distribute those medications from their clinics in violation of Louisiana laws.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentenced company owner Hunter Matthew Burroughs, age 44, to four years’ (48 months’) incarceration in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Brooks further ordered Burroughs to pay a total of $3,525,219.77 in restitution, primarily to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which handles workers’ compensation claims on behalf of federal employees, to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $4,022,873.00 representing his unlawful gain from the criminal scheme and issued him an additional $25,000 fine.
Judge Brooks sentenced company CEO Stephen Keith Andrews, age 50, to two and a half years’ (32 months’) incarceration, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Brooks further ordered Andrews to pay a total of $2,353,591.84 in restitution, primarily to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, and to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $508,838.57.
According to the defendants’ guilty pleas, Burroughs, who in 2011 founded the Rogers company, and Andrews, who first served as a sales manager for the company, and later as its chief executive officer, defrauded both federal and private workers’ compensation insurers in schemes that ran until 2017. The basic premise of the health care fraud scheme was that Burroughs, Andrews, and other individuals associated with the Rogers company recruited physicians to dispense pain creams and patches to their workers’ compensation patients by offering them a split of the profits collected from successfully billing insurers, typically 50 percent.
After signing contracts with physicians, Burroughs and Andrews caused the Rogers company to supply them with pain creams and patches, and to act as the billing agent for the physicians, handling all of the paperwork and submitting fraudulent claims to both the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which covers all federal employees, and to private insurers as well. The company billed insurers at markups of anywhere from 15 to 20 times what the medications actually cost, and then paid the physicians unlawful kickbacks on amounts collected. The company’s former billing director, Amanda Dawn Rains, pleaded guilty to her role in the same conspiracy on October 6, 2021.
Additionally, Burroughs and Andrews conspired with Louisiana physicians Robert Dale Bernauer, Sr. and Robert Clay Smith to have the Rogers company ship medications to the doctors, and bill insurers for their prescriptions, despite knowing neither physician had the required Louisiana license to dispense medications from his clinic. Bernauer, who ran a clinic in Lake Charles, La., pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on July 30, 2021. Smith, who ran a clinic in Alexandria, La. pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on March 29, 2022, but later attempted to withdraw that guilty plea, failed, and was sentenced to four years’ (48 months’) incarceration.
These two sentencing hearings bring to a close the criminal cases against Burroughs and Andrews, which began Feb. 28, 2022, when a federal grand jury in Fort Smith returned a 12-count indictment, charging with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. On Jan. 11, 2023, a second federal grand jury, also in Fort Smith, returned a superseding indictment, adding detail to the criminal allegations. And on Sept. 20, 2023, both Burroughs and Andrews waived further indictment and entered pleas of guilty to a criminal information charging the above-described conspiracy.
Because the restitution obligations are shared amongst all defendants in these related cases, the total Burroughs and Andrews must pay in restitution plus forfeitures is $8,081,931.34. This does not include a $664,176.30 payment Bernauer made in 2021 to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for his portion of the loss but does include Smith’s shared responsibility for $827,083.40 of the total restitution due in the cases. Rains and Bernauer still await sentencing for their roles in the criminal conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Louisiana Department of Justice, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hunter Bridges and Steven Mohlhenrich are prosecuting the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Two Arkansas Men Sentenced to a Combined 20 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – Two northwest Arkansas men were sentenced to federal prison this week for child exploitation offenses. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
On January 10, 2024, Earnest Dean Easley, age 72, of Gravette, Arkansas, was sentenced to 168 months without the possibility of parole after being convicted of transporting child pornography through the internet. According to court documents, on June 28, 2022, an FBI taskforce officer received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that Easley had sent an email containing images of child sexual abuse material . Officers later served a search warrant at Easley’s residence and discovered additional child pornography, some of which appeared to have been self-produced. Easley later admitted that years prior, while living in Texas, he had taken lascivious photographs of a minor female relative while she was sleeping.
On January 11, 2024, Lyle Kenneth Smith, age 53, of Gentry, Arkansas, was sentenced to 74 months in federal prison without the possibility for parole after being convicted of receiving child pornography. In August of 2021, FBI taskforce officers were conducting a nationwide investigation into Freenet, an online peer-to-peer platform. During the investigation a task force officer discovered that Smith was actively searching for child pornography through Freenet. Officers executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence and discovered multiple devices containing child pornography and forensic evidence that Smith had downloaded illegal content from Freenet. Smith later admitted to having collected child pornography for years, using Freenet and other online sources.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Bentonville Police Department investigated the cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Still prosecuted these cases on behalf of the United States.
These cases were prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Springdale Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Springdale man was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, in January 2023, detectives with the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force received information from a confidential source about ongoing methamphetamine distribution occurring in Northwest Arkansas. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Thomas Colt Boger, age 40. Subsequently, investigators learned that there was an increase in suspected drug activity occurring at Boger’s residence in Springdale. Law enforcement later successfully seized a backpack from the residence that contained two large bundles of methamphetamine.
The purchased and seized methamphetamine was submitted to the Homeland Security Investigations Crime Laboratory for testing where it was tested and determined to be methamphetamine. Between the controlled purchases and the seized backpack, Boger was held accountable for over 2.25 kilograms of actual methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Eaton prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Berryville Man Sentenced to more than 41 Years in Federal Prison on Multiple Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Berryville man was sentenced on December 18, 2023, to 500 months in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of Traveling with the Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Acts with two minor males and for Distributing Child Pornography. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
In May 2022, the Arkansas FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force received a lead from the FBI Kansas City Division that a subject under investigation admitted that he was trading child pornography online with an individual later identified as Ricky Gunter Hilburn, age 42, of Berryville and that Hilburn had even bragged about sexually abusing a minor male. A search warrant was obtained and executed at Hilburn’s residence, resulting in multiple digital devices being confiscated and Hilburn being arrested. A subsequent forensic examination of the electronic devices seized from Hilburn’s residence confirmed that Hilburn was trafficking child pornography images to others online. Further investigation revealed that Hilburn had groomed two minor males in Oklahoma and would travel across state lines to engage in sexual activity with them. At sentencing, the United States Attorney’s Office presented the Court with evidence that Hilburn had groomed a third minor male and engaged in sexual contact with him on multiple occasions.
Hilburn was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District in March of 2023 and entered a plea of guilty in June 2023.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Arkansas FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Berryville Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Marshall prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Arkansas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Shooting Officers in Hot Springs National ParkRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS, AR – An Arkansas man will serve twenty years in federal prison for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Assault with Intent to Do Bodily Harm, in connection with a July 28, 2019, shooting incident in Hot Springs National Park. On November 27, the Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey, sentenced Jonathan Allen Scott, age 36, of Hot Springs, to twenty years in federal prisons on both counts, and three years’ supervised probation after he pleaded guilty, on April 14, to Count Two and Count Four of a seven-count Indictment in which he was named.
According to court documents, on July 28, 2019, Scott entered Hot Springs National Park, along Bath House Row, east of Central Avenue, carrying a 12-gauge shotgun. Hot Springs is a United States National Park in Garland County. After receiving 911 calls regarding Scott, he was confronted by officers of the Hot Springs Arkansas Police Department and fired a slug into the ground in the direction of one of the officers. Dozens of visitors to the park and downtown area, along the sidewalks, and nearby city and park structures, were in the immediate vicinity, as well as a usually crowded Central Avenue. Two Hot Springs Officers, along with their city canine partner, approached Scott, and ordered him to drop the shotgun near park headquarters. Scott refused the orders and turned on the officers with the shotgun, discharging the weapon, and simultaneously one of the officers discharged his service weapon at Scott striking him multiple times. The second round Scott fired, struck the sidewalk in front of the officers, and the resulting slug round fragmented, striking and wounding one officer and his canine partner. Both officers recovered from their injuries sustained by gunfire. Scott was treated and later arrested at a local hospital.
A subsequent investigation by special agents of the Arkansas State Police and National Park Service-Investigative Services Branch, established the full extent of Scott’s actions and he was taken into custody after release from the hospital. Scott was later indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2019.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Arkansas State Police, National Park Service - Investigative Services Branch and U.S. Park Rangers at Hot Springs National Park, with the assistance of the Garland County Arkansas Sheriff’s Office and Hot Springs Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenny Elser prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Two Residents of Nayrit, Mexico Sentenced to a Collective 408 Months in Prison for Traffikcing in Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – The second of two Mexican nationals residing in Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced today to nineteen years in the United States Bureau of Prisons for Aiding and Abetting the Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable amount of Methamphetamine.
According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified a mobile home in rural Benton County, Arkansas as a location which was receiving packages containing controlled substances, to include methamphetamine and fentanyl. Surveillance on the location revealed that Alfredo Vladimir Andrade Medina, age 30, and Kevin Heriberto Gonzalez-Gonzalez, age 24, were regularly accessing the mobile home. Medina and Gonzalez are both of Nayarit, Mexico, but residing in Springdale under assumed names which they utilized to regularly wire United States Currency in amounts just under one-thousand dollars to Mexico.
Based upon this information, on February 8, 2023, the DEA served federal search warrants on the Benton County mobile home and the apartment where Medina and Gonzalez were residing in Springdale. Inside the kitchen of the mobile home, the DEA located quantities of controlled substances to include fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills, and over 4 kilograms of methamphetamine. Inside the Springdale apartment where Medina and Gonzalez resided, the DEA located $22,168 in United States Currency which was admitted by Medina to be cash derived from drug sales that was to be wired back to Mexico in amounts of less than one-thousand dollars per transaction.
On March 8, 2023, Medina and Gonzalez were Indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in the Western District of Arkansas for their offenses. On April 27, 2023, Medina entered a plea of guilty, followed on May 3, 2023, by a plea of guilty by Gonzalez. Both defendants were convicted of Aiding and Abetting in the Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine.
Gonzalez was sentenced on September 15, 2023, to 15 years in the United States Bureau of Prisons and $500.00 in fines and costs. On November 7, 2023, Medina was sentenced to 19 years in the Bureau of Prisons and $1,000.00 in fines and costs.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.
Today’s announcement is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov. Western District of Arkansas Case Number 5:23 CR 50008.
Hot Spring County Sheriff Arrested on Criminal Complaint for ObstructionRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS, AR – Derek Scott Finkbeiner, age 46, was arrested on November 2, 2023, by the FBI. He is charged in a Criminal Complaint with a single count of Obstruction of Justice. Finkbeiner is currently serving as the elected County Sheriff in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. A Grand Jury will later hear evidence related to this investigation and determine whether additional criminal charges will be filed against Finkbeiner. If convicted of the charge of Obstruction of Justice, Finkbeiner faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Bryan Achorn, Trent Daniels and Criminal Chief Kim Harris are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Hot Springs Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Kidnapping a Minor FemaleRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS, AR. – A Hot Springs man was sentenced to life in prison yesterday and his co-defendant was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for the kidnapping of a minor female in April 2022. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings for the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, Samuel Wayne Bolling Jr., age 40 and Dayla Diane Ferrer, age 21, entered into an agreement to kidnap a minor female in an attempt to extort money from her relatives. On April 18, 2022, Ferrer approached the minor female in the downtown area of Hot Springs, Arkansas and requested her assistance. The minor entered Ferrer’s vehicle where she was immediately attacked and restrained by Bolling. Contact was made with the minor’s family and Bolling demanded payment of $10,000 in exchange for her safe return. Bolling and Ferrer held the minor overnight before releasing her the next day.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Hot Springs Police Department, FBI, Arkansas State Police, Garland County Sheriff's Office, Hot Springs County Sherriff's Office, and the Atoka (TN) Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Achorn and Carly Marshall prosecuted the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov
Hope Man Sentenced to Twenty-Five Years in Federal Prison for Online Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS – A Hope, Arkansas, man was sentenced on October 19, 2023, to 300 months in federal prison, with credit for time served on a related state court conviction, for using the internet to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey, Chief United States District Judge, announced the sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, Jonathan Tyrell Haney, age 36, used the online social media service “Badoo” to entice a 12-year-old Ashley County girl to meet him for sexual intercourse. The victim disappeared from her mother’s home in April 2021, reappearing alone the next day at a Columbia County gas station. Haney’s DNA was later found on the victim’s clothing. Haney was apprehended near Sulphur Springs, Texas, the same day the victim was found, after learning that Arkansas authorities were looking for him.
Upon completing his prison sentence, Haney will be supervised by the United States Probation Office for the next 20 years. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes, of the Western District of Arkansas, made the announcement.
The Crossett, Arkansas, Police Department, Magnolia, Arkansas, Police Department, Hopkins County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Texarkana-Area Drug Dealer Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS – A Texas man was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in Texarkana, Arkansas. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey, Chief United States District Judge, presided over the case. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, Antonio Griffin, 40, of Wake Village, Texas, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to selling almost four ounces of pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant operating under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, in Texarkana, Arkansas.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes, of the Western District of Arkansas, made the announcement.
The Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, the Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department, and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov