Southern District of Georgia

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Alex M. Bennett, 32, of Broxton, Georgia, was sentenced yesterday by Chief United States District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 15 years in prison for possessing an assault rifle as a convicted felon.  He was also sentenced to serve 5 years supervised release upon his release from prison.

Evidence presented during the guilty plea and sentencing hearings revealed that Bennett burglarized a residence in Hazlehurst, Georgia, where he stole an SKS semi-automatic rifle with a 20 round magazine.  Because Bennett had three prior convictions for drug offenses and robberies, he was classified as an “armed career criminal” under federal law and faced a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years.

The case was investigated by the Hazlehurst Police Department and the ATF.  The case was prosecuted under Project Ceasefire, a joint federal, state and local firearms initiative involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the ATF and various local police departments.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver said: “Through project Ceasefire, the United States Attorney’s Office will be relentless in its enforcement of federal firearms laws.  Project Ceasefire has proven to be an effective tool in the Department of Justice’s efforts to rid the streets of dangerous felons who carry guns.  Felons who possess firearms can expect to be returned to prison. ”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton Bourne prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

4 Additional Defendants Have Already Pled Guilty for Their Roles in the
Operation of a Purported Garden City, Georgia Pain Clinic

SAVANNAH, GA - A federal indictment, unsealed yesterday in federal court, has charged 6 defendants with conspiring to traffic oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other drugs through a purported pain clinic known as East Health Center, which operated in Garden City, Georgia from February through May of 2011.

The indictment alleges that during the time that East Health Center was open, members of the conspiracy unlawfully prescribed and caused to be prescribed more than four million milligrams of oxycodone without any legitimate medical purpose.  During this same period, prescriptions were written for numerous “patients” who lived outside the state of Georgia, including over 130 from Kentucky; over 50 from North Carolina; over 30 from South Carolina; and over 80 from Florida.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver  said, “During the last two years, we’ve seen a number of pill-mills relocate their unlawful businesses to the State of Georgia.  These so-called clinics operate under the guise of a stethoscope and a white coat, and they prey upon their so-called ‘patients.’ Any pill mills that seek to do business in the Southern District of Georgia can expect to be investigated and prosecuted like every other drug trafficking organization that pushes poison in our communities.”

Harry S. Sommers, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the DEA, remarked, “ The DEA will continue to aggressively investigate those who cause to be dispensed addictive pain medications without legitimate medical purpose under the pretext of a medical doctor’s care.”

The indictment results from a joint investigation by the DEA, IRS - Criminal Investigations, GBI, Chatham Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT), and the United States Marshals Service.  Personnel from the Ware County Sheriff’s office assisted in making arrests.

Any defendant found guilty of the drug conspiracy charged in the indictment faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.  The money laundering count also charged carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.  The United States is also seeking to forfeit various items of personal property involved in the offenses, including $365,000 as the alleged proceeds of the defendants’ drug operation.  The indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden  to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

            The 6 defendants indicted are:

            Sean Michael Clark, 34, of Boca Raton, Florida;

            Adelaida M. Lizama, 27, of Boca Raton, Florida;

            Daniel John Wise, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida;

            Dr. Najam Azmat, 55, of Waycross, Georgia;

            Candace Anne Carreras, 25, of Boca Raton, Florida; and,

            Shelly Lynn Morford, 31, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Other targets of the investigation have already pled guilty for their role in the East Health Center pill-mill.  Adelard LeFrancois, III, 43, of Boca Raton, Florida and Francis J. Barbuscia, 36, of Plantation, Florida, entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. on August 3, 2012.  Each pled guilty to conspiring to dispense controlled substances, including oxycodone, without a legitimate medical purpose.   Konstantinos Afthinos, 32, of Florida pled guilty to misprision of felony on November 5, 2012.  On November 7, 2012, Dr. Kenneth Gossett, 51, of Rome Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiring to dispense controlled substances, including oxycodone, without a legitimate medical purpose.

Assistant United States Attorneys Karl Knoche, Greg Gilluly, and Jeff Buerstatte are prosecuting the case for the Government.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

AUGUSTA, GA: JEFFREY SPONSELLER, 47, of Augusta, Georgia pleaded guilty today before United States District Court Judge J. Randal Hall to submitting over $800,000 in fraudulent claims to Medicare.

Evidence presented at today’s guilty plea hearing showed that SPONSELLER, an optometrist and an owner of Eye Care One, located at 3152 Washington Road in Augusta, Georgia, submitted claims to Medicare for payment for eye examinations of nursing home patients. Instead of billing Medicare for the actual service he was providing at the nursing homes, SPONSELLER claimed that he was conducting the most expensive type of eye examination which typically lasts 45 minutes. An example of this health care fraud presented at today’s guilty plea hearing involved a July 27, 2009 visit by SPONSELLER to a nursing home in Americus, Georgia where SPONSELLER billed Medicare for 177 patients that he claimed to have examined individually for 45 minutes each during that one-day visit. As a result this type of fraudulent billing, Medicare paid SPONSELLER for that type of eye exam more than any other doctor in the United States in 2009.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “Health care fraud is a cancer on the financial health of our nation. In many cases, such as with this Defendant, it is committed by professionals who are well educated and highly regarded. Whether that fraud is perpetrated by an optometrist willing to claim that he worked the equivalent of 5½ days during a one-day visit to a nursing home – like this defendant did – or a medical equipment supplier that bills Medicare without authorization, the ultimate injury is to the American taxpayer. The United States Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners will actively pursue those who abuse our country’s health care programs for financial gain.”

Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General for the Atlanta region, said, “Any time false claims are submitted for payment, our nation's health insurance programs and beneficiaries suffer. Protecting precious Medicare funds remains a top priority for the Inspector General and our law enforcement partners.”

SPONSELLER faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, in addition to paying restitution. The date for SPONSELLER’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

FBI Special Agents Paul Kubala and Jason Gustin, U.S. Attorney’s Office Investigator Kimberly Reinken, HHS-OIG Special Agent David Graupner, and IRS Special Agents Roger Garland and Jeffrey Hale participated in the investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney David Stewart is prosecuting in this case. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

BRUNSWICK, GA: – John Kenneth Rosenbaum, 24, from Jacksonville, Florida, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury after a 3-day trial before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood for lying to agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service when he orchestrated a hoax concerning a Black Mamba snake.

United States Attorney, Edward J. Tarver said, “Lying to federal agents is a crime. This defendant caused an unnecessary panic and wasted the resources of dozens of law enforcement personnel. For his crime, he will now face the cell of a federal prison.”

Luis Santiago, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, stated, “Many times our investigations go well beyond violations of wildlife laws, as in this case where concern for public safety was also a key element. Causing such public concerns by making false statements concerning such a dangerous species is absolutely inexcusable.”

The evidence presented during trial revealed that on November 21, 2011, Rosenbaum went to a hospital in South Georgia and reported that he had been bitten by a Black Mamba snake. Black Mamba snakes originate in Africa, are highly aggressive, and haves toxic venom that can kill within minutes. It is a violation of the federal Lacey Act to possess a Black Mamba in Georgia. Rosenbaum told an emergency room physician that he had driven across the Florida border to Exit 3 on Interstate 95 for the purpose of buying a Black Mamba snake. Rosenbaum said the snake escaped and bit him. Because Rosenbaum had puncture wounds and had written “Black Mamba Snake” on his arm, the physician immediately began snake-bite treatment, and then called law enforcement.

Over concerns that a Black Mamba snake was on the loose in a populated area, a coordinated search and investigation by United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Kingsland Police Department, Camden County Sheriff’s Department, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was mobilized.

Rosenbaum continued to tell the story of the Black Mamba to federal agents and others for nearly five months. Over 1000 hours of law enforcement time were utilized in the search and investigation. Federal agents later determined that Rosenbaum’s story was a hoax, and that he had actually been bitten by his pet Egyptian Banded Cobra, which he kept in his home. Rosenbaum faces a maximum statutory penalty of 5 years in prison; a fine of $250,000; and, 3 years of supervised release. Rosenbaum remains in custody pending his sentence. A sentencing date will be scheduled following completion of a presentence investigation and report.

Assistant United States Attorneys T. Shane Mayes and Brian T. Rafferty prosecuted the case for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

SAVANNAH, GA – Charles Starks, 22, of Savannah, Georgia was sentenced yesterday by Senior United States District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield to 162 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for a related drug offense.  Starks was classified as a “career offender” under the federal sentencing guidelines due to his previous convictions for burglary, obstruction, firearms possession and drug trafficking.  Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing revealed that Starks distributed marijuana to an underage female while he possessed a stolen, loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver.

The case was investigated and prosecuted under Project Ceasefire, a joint federal, state and local firearms initiative involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, the ATF and the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.

United States Attorney Tarver said: “Project Ceasefire is an effective program designed to remove from our streets previously convicted felons who, after their initial release from confinement, continued to engage in criminal activity by using and carrying firearms.  The career path chosen by this very young Defendant is extremely unfortunate.  Because of his multiple felony convictions, he has qualified for designation into an exclusive category known as the “career offender.”  Felons with guns, serve hard time, for a long time.”

Assistant United States Attorney Carlton R. Bourne prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

SAVANNAH , GA: WILLIAM ELLIEN, 57, of Savannah, Georgia, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah, Georgia for felony drug charges related to the unlawful distribution of prescription drugs, including percocet and hydrocodone.  According to the Indictment and an earlier filed Criminal Complaint, Ellien, a Savannah physician, exchanged prescriptions for very addictive prescription drugs for sex acts with various women from 2009 through 2012. 

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic in Georgia and across our nation.   The indictment and other court documents in this case allege that this doctor violated his oath to‘do no harm,’ by trading prescriptions for highly addictive medications for sex.  Swift justice can be the only response to this grave violation of the trust and responsibility bestowed upon the Defendant by the people of Georgia.”

Ellien, who remains in federal custody, is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.  An indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt.  The Defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove the Defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.    

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, E. Greg Gilluly, Jr.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.        

SAVANNAH, GA: MARCUS ANTIWAN DICKERSON, aka “DAWG,” 35, a native of Vidalia, was sentenced Monday by Senior Judge B. Avant Edenfield to 25 years in prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in the Vidalia, Georgia area.. 

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “Illegal drugs are not only a problem in Georgia, they are a plague on our entire nation.  This Defendant was an enormous threat to the South Georgia communities that he targeted.  Those who peddle and profit from this scourge in our communities can expect to spend decades in federal prison.”
                                                           
DICKERSON  received the heftiest sentence of 15 defendants charged together in a 55-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in January 2012.  All 15 defendants pleaded guilty and received an average sentence of over 11 years in prison.  The convictions resulted from a two-year investigation conducted by DEA, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the East Central Georgia Drug Task Force (ECGDTF).

According to the evidence presented during several guilty plea and sentencing hearings, DICKERSON led an organization that distributed powder and crack cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana on a large scale in Toombs, Emanuel, Bulloch, Montgomery, and Treutlen Counties.  Most of the cocaine which the organization distributed was obtained by DICKERSON in the Atlanta area, where he also maintained a residence.  At the time of the offenses, DICKERSON had absconded from supervision by Georgia Department of Corrections parole for a prior cocaine trafficking sentence in 2002.  In the federal system, there is no parole.
                                               
            In addition to DICKERSON, the other Defendants convicted and sentenced as part of this prosecution included:

            Tyson Lamar Davis, 29, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 230 months in prison;             Eric Stephon McClendon, 35, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 235 months in prison;             Trenton Arlanda Kinsey, 30, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 78 months in prison;             Dexter Jamaal Fields, 25, Mount Vernon, Georgia, was sentenced to 63 months in prison;             Eddie Littles III, 32, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 188 months in prison;             Terry Powell, 27, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 148 months in prison;             Ricardo Marquis Davis, 30, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 168 months in prison;             Isaac Hurst, Jr., 25, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 63 months in prison;             Alvin C. Hamilton, Jr., 37, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 225 months in prison;             Zikomo Taheam Bostic, 28, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 96 months in prison;             Colby Terrell Williams, 28, Swainsboro, Georgia, was sentenced to 64 months in prison;             Bobby Lewis Day, 33, Lyons, Georgia, was sentenced to 73 months in prison;             Matthew Dontel Hill, 29, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 27 months in prison; and,             Kaneesha Lashay Simpson, 22, Vidalia, Georgia, was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

            The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cameron Heaps Ippolito.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

SAVANNAH, GA – A superseding indictment, returned yesterday in federal court, has added 13 more defendants for their roles in an alleged sex trafficking and prostitution ring stretching from Mexico to Georgia, to Florida, to the Carolinas, and elsewhere.  In total, 25 defendants have now been charged in the superseding indictment, which follows the original 12-defendant indictment returned in January.

 The federal charges follow a lengthy investigation dubbed “Operation Dark Night,” which was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  In addition to the number of arrests and searches in January 2013, federal authorities rescued a number of women alleged to have been forced into prostitution.  The investigation of this cases remains ongoing.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “The superseding indictment adds even more gruesome details to the allegations of an already reprehensible human trafficking ring operating within our very own communities.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will not stop until all of those responsible are brought to justice.” 

“The superseding indictment alleges that this sex trafficking ring was even more extensive and ruthless,” said Brock D. Nicholson, special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “Over a dozen new suspects, including “johns,” have now been added. Of more concern are new allegations that members of this conspiracy arranged to hold some of their victims’ children hostage in Mexico to ensure their compliance as prostitutes in the United States. The investigation in Operation Dark Night will continue until we have rooted out all of the bad actors in this conspiracy and have brought them to justice.”        According to allegations in the superseding indictment, some of the defendants would  entice women from Mexico and elsewhere to travel to the United States with false promises of the American dream.   Once inside the United States, these women were allegedly threatened and forced to commit acts of prostitution at numerous locations in Savannah, Georgia and throughout the southeast.  In particular, some members of the conspiracy are alleged to have held children hostage in Mexico to force certain women to engage in prostitution.  Women were alleged forced to perform as many as 25 acts of prostitution a day. 

Mr. Tarver stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt.  The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

HSI provides relief to victims of human trafficking by allowing for their continued presence in the United States during criminal proceedings. Victims may also qualify for a T-visa, which is issued to victims of human trafficking who have complied with reasonable requests for assistance in investigations and prosecutions.  Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking is encouraged to call the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Anonymous calls are welcome.

Operation Dark Night was led by HSI, with assistance from the FBI; the ATF; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); CBP Air and Marine Operations; Coast Guard Investigative service (CGIS); IRS-Criminal Investigations; the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department; the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office; the Garden City Police Department; and, the Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team.  Assistant United States Attorneys Tania D. Groover and E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.
          

BRUNSWICK, GA: STEPHEN A. KEATING, 52, of Jesup, Georgia, pleaded guilty Tuesday before Chief United States District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in relation to his production of numerous images of child pornography, and one count of Distribution of Child Pornography.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing showed that on numerous occasions in 2010 and 2011, KEATING sexually molested three minor children in order to create pictures and videos of that conduct. KEATING then distributed a number of the images, which were discovered in September 2012 during the arrest of a sex offender in Denmark. The charges against KEATING arose from an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from INTERPOL, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations in Savannah, CBP Air and Marine Operations in Jacksonville, Fla., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “No child should be subjected to sexual abuse and, certainly, no child should have to live with the knowledge that the abuse was captured on film for redistribution to other like-minded predators. This defendant exploited the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. Swift, aggressive prosecution of child predators is the highest priority for the Department of Justice and this United States Attorney’s Office.”

“To victimize the innocent in the manner that this child predator has pleaded guilty to is one of the most revolting crimes in our society," said Brock D. Nicholson, special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “HSI special agents will not rest until each and every child victim of sexual exploitation is rescued and defendants like Keating are behind bars.”

Each count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor to which KEATING pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. KEATING also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for Distribution of Child Pornography. If released from prison, KEATING will be required to register as a sex offender. The date for KEATING’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer G. Solari. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 341-7842.

STATESBORO, GA - Antonio Lamont Murray, 39, and Cecil DeWitt Nelson, 33, two brothers from Pembroke, Georgia, were each sentenced to life in prison today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield for their roles in two separate kidnappings in the Bryan County area. For additional firearm convictions associated with the kidnappings, Murray was also sentenced to a consecutive 57-year prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “The kidnappings committed by these defendants and others were violent and shameless. Because of timely action by the FBI and its partners in the law enforcement community, the United States Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute those responsible for these horrendous crimes. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to have as its highest priority the protection of U.S. citizens.”

Murray was convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, two kidnappings, three firearm charges and obstruction by a federal jury after a three-day trial in August, 2012. Nelson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnappings shortly before trial. The evidence presented during Murray’s trial and Nelson’s guilty plea hearing revealed that Murray, Nelson and others conspired to commit two separate kidnappings in the Bryan County area in late 2011 and early 2012. The first kidnapping occurred on December 1, 2011. During this incident, the victim was abducted at gunpoint and later released only after a ransom was paid. The second kidnapping occurred on January 12, 2012. The second victim was also abducted at gunpoint and released only after a ransom was paid. A codefendant, Gary Lenion McDonald, 36, from Pembroke, pled guilty to his role in the kidnappings and testified against Murray at trial. McDonald’s sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.

The convictions of Murray, Nelson and McDonald resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, NCIS, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Richmond Hill Police Department, the Pooler Police Department, the Pembroke Police Department and the Hinesville Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and Carlton R. Bourne, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

AUGUSTA, GA: PAULA M. PENDLETON, 54, formerly of Augusta, Georgia, was sentenced last week by United States District Court Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. to 41 months in prison for conspiring to obtain names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of other individuals to be used in false income tax returns, to prepare and file false income tax returns, and then attempt to conceal such acts.

Evidence presented at hearings in this case showed that PENDLETON taught others how to prepare false income tax returns that exploited the Earned Income Tax Credit. Two tax preparers who learned from PENDLETON are KISHA KUWANDA MCCLADDIE and LINDA PERKINS ZIEGLER who were sentenced in federal court in 2011 to 20 and 18 months imprisonment, respectively.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “This defendant not only prepared false tax returns that stole tens of thousands of dollars from our country, she taught others to do the same. Her sentence should serve as a lesson to all who are tempted to follow her example; lying on tax returns can result in a lengthy prison stay.”

IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot said, “Return preparer fraud is like a contagious disease, it affects not only the preparer, but the individuals who have filed false information with the Internal Revenue Service. It is our hope that Ms. Pendleton's sentence will send a strong message that tampering with the integrity of our nation's tax system can result in jail time.”

In addition to her prison sentence, PENDLETON was ordered to pay restitution, as well as serve three years of supervised release after she is released from prison. Regarding the length of the prison sentence, Tarver noted that there is no parole in the federal system.

IRS Special Agents Andres Hernandez and Brian Mohrmann conducted the investigation of PENDLETON. Assistant United States Attorney David Stewart prosecuted the case. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

AUGUSTA, GA - An indictment, today unsealed in federal court, has charged 12 Georgia residents for their role in a fraudulent income tax refund ring. The indictment follows a 14-month joint investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the indictment, from 2009 to 20011, the defendants conspired to file at least 90 phony income tax returns on behalf of individuals whose identities had been stolen. The income tax returns fraudulently sought refunds from the IRS totaling more than $500,000.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “These defendants are alleged to have systematically stolen the identities of others, all in an effort to steal from the United States taxpayers. The United States Attorney’s Office will hold identity thieves and fraudsters accountable, and will make sure that the only identity they’ll be able to use will be the one stitched on their prison jumpsuit.”

“Identity theft is a despicable crime that victimizes honest taxpayers and causes immense hardship,” said Veronica Hyman-Pillot, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “Identifying, investigating and vigorously prosecuting those individuals involved in tax related identity theft schemes remains a top priority for IRS Criminal Investigation. The recent indictments and arrests are just a sample of what is to come as we join forces with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s office to put an end to identity theft.”

The 12 defendants indicted include: ANGELA WILLINGHAM, 40, Hephzibah, Georgia
SANTANA WILLINGHAM, 23, Hephzibah, Georgia
JAMES BUTLER, 21, Hephzibah, Georgia
DENTAVIA MCNAIR, 23, Augusta, Georgia
BRITTNEY WRIGHT, 25, Evans, Georgia
JANICE SMALLEY, 47, Augusta, Georgia
PATRICE ROBERSON, 36, Waynesboro, Georgia
CHERYL WILLINGHAM, 37, Augusta, Georgia
MATTHEW HARRINGTON, 45, Savannah, Georgia
SANTRECE WILLINGHAM, 22, Hephzibah, Georgia
LASANDRA WHITFIELD, 42, Waynesboro, Georgia
KELLY BARTON, 35, Augusta, Georgia.

An indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove the Defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia Green Rhodes is prosecuting the case for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

“Operation Dark Night” results in the dismantling of an alleged multi-state sex trafficking and prostitution ring, and the rescuing of several women allegedly forced into prostitution

SAVANNAH, GA – A federal indictment, unsealed today, has charged 12 defendants for their roles in an alleged sex trafficking and prostitution ring stretching from Georgia to Florida to North and South Carolina. The federal charges follow a lengthy investigation dubbed “Operation Dark Night,” which was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Yesterday, in addition to a number of arrests and searches, federal authorities rescued 11 women alleged to have been forced into prostitution.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “In what essentially amounts to slavery in the year 2013, the conduct described in the indictment against these defendants is reprehensible. Human trafficking is a cancer facing our society. This indictment confirms that the United States Attorney’s Office, HSI and other federal and state law enforcement agencies are taking an aggressive stand to stop the victimization of women involved in sex trafficking.”

“ICE investigates a wide array of crimes, but the trafficking of women and girls for prostitution is among the most sinister,” said ICE Director John Morton. “Few crimes so damage their victims and undermine basic human decency. Our fight against this evil must be relentless, both here and abroad.”

According to allegations in the Indictment, Joaquin Mendez-Hernandez, aka El Flaco, conspired with each of the defendants to transport people across interstate boundaries to engage in prostitution. In addition, Mendez-Hernandez allegedly conspired with at least three others to entice women from Mexico, Nicaragua and elsewhere to travel to the United States with false promises of the American dream. Once inside the United States, these women were allegedly threatened and forced to commit acts of prostitution at numerous locations in Savannah, Georgia and throughout the southeast. In one such instance identified in the indictment, Mendez-Hernandez is alleged to have told a Mexican woman that she would be sent back to her home country unless she serviced 25 clients a day.

A copy of the indictment is attached. Mr. Tarver stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

HSI provides relief to victims of human trafficking by allowing for their continued presence in the United States during criminal proceedings. Victims may also qualify for a T visa, which is issued to victims of human trafficking who have complied with reasonable requests for assistance in investigations and prosecutions. Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking is encouraged to call the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Anonymous calls are welcome.

Operation Dark Night was led by HSI, with assistance from the FBI; the ATF; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); CBP Air and Marine Operations; IRS-Criminal Investigations; the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department; the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office; the Garden City Police Department; and, the Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team. Assistant United States Attorneys Tania D. Groover and E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Prosecutions part of Project CeaseFire, which targets dangerous felons and drug traffickers with firearms in the Savannah area

SAVANNAH, GA – Two Savannah residents, Jacques Pope, 21, and Antwan Clark, 24, were sentenced last Thursday by Senior District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield for their roles in federal firearms violations in the Savannah area. Pope was sentenced to 96 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition; Clark was sentenced to 84 months in prison for, in part, possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Judge Edenfield ordered that both sentences run consecutive to state sentences that defendants were currently serving for unrelated crimes.
Evidence during the sentencing hearings revealed that Pope, a felon, discharged a firearm on New Year’s Eve, 2011, and struck a pedestrian. While a firearm was not recovered, evidence linked the discharged ammunition to Pope. Clark was sentenced after Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team executed a search warrant at his residence where marijuana, cocaine, and loaded firearms were recovered.

Both cases were prosecuted under Project Ceasefire, a joint firearms initiative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, the ATF, and the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department. Project Ceasefire is a cooperative effort between federal and local law enforcement agencies to combat gun crime by targeting felons previously convicted of drug offenses or crimes of violence and who are found to be in possession of firearms, as well as those who commit violent gun offenses. During 2012, the United States Attorney’s Office charged 55 defendants with federal firearms offenses that were committed in the Savannah area.

United States Attorney Tarver said, “Law enforcement’s top priority is the safety of our citizens. We will bring the full force of justice on dangerous criminals who possess firearms. Those dangerous felons who possess firearms will be investigated, prosecuted, and can expect to serve lengthy prison sentences in federal prison.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tania Groover and Carlton R. Bourne prosecuted the cases against Pope and Clark for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

Government alleged that MRI procedures were conducted without adequate supervision.

SAVANNAH, GA: Diagnostic Systems, Inc. d/b/a Open MRI of Savannah; Southeast Georgia Open MRI d/b/a Open MRI at Fountain Lake, and Open MRI of Douglas, have agreed to pay the United States $1,273,126 to settle allegations that those facilities submitted false claims to Medicare, Georgia Medicaid, TRICARE, and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), for certain MRI procedures that were not supervised as required by a physician. A MRI is a common medical imaging technique. With certain MRI procedures, a contrast agent (e.g., dye) may first be injected into a patient to produce a clearer diagnostic picture. The use of contrast, however, could pose significant health risks to a patient. For this reason, under Medicare regulations, MRI procedures with contrast require a physician to be present or immediately available to handle any emergencies that may arise. MRI facilities generally receive a higher rate of reimbursement for procedures that use a contrast agent (as opposed to MRIs without contrast).

The Government alleged that from approximately January 2007 to October 2011, Open MRI facilities in Brunswick, Douglas, and Savannah performed hundreds of MRI procedures using contrast but without any physician supervision. In most instances, only clerical staff and a technician were on site during the procedures. Open MRI then billed various federal health care programs for those unsupervised procedures.United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “Health care providers cannot put profits above patient safety. Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs operate on the honesty of its providers, and this office will actively pursue those who misuse the programs for financial gain.”

“Health care providers must provide beneficiaries adequate physician supervision for services that require such standards,” said Derrick Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in Atlanta. “The OIG will vigorously pursue providers who shortcut Medicare regulations in exchange for profit.”In connection with the settlement, Open MRI also entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the Government which contains provisions intended to ensure the company’s compliance with Medicare regulations in the future.

The civil investigation and settlement were handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, with the assistance of Special Agent Mark Creamer from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Edgar Bueno.

For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney, James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

SAVANNAH, GA: The former president and six other officers of First National Bank of Savannah were indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of defrauding First National Bank and other banks out of millions of dollars. The long-running scheme allegedly contributed to the failure of First National Bank in 2010, which will cost the FDIC deposit-insurance fund over $90 million.

The 35-count indictment, returned today in federal court in Savannah, charges the following former officers of First National Bank: * Heys Edward McMath III, 58, who served as the President and CEO of the bank. McMath is charged with conspiracy, bank fraud, misapplication of bank funds and false statements to influence a bank.

* Stephen Michael Little, 65, who served as the Executive Vice President and CFO of the bank. Little is charged with conspiracy and bank fraud.

* Robert Wilson Dailey, 51, who served as the City President and Senior Lending Officer of the bank. Dailey is charged with conspiracy, bank fraud, and false entries made in bank records.

* Jay Patrick Gardner, 62, who served as a Vice President and the Chief Credit Officer of the bank. Gardner is charged with conspiracy and bank fraud.

* Isaac Jefferson Mulling, 53, who served as a Senior Vice President and commercial loan officer of the bank. Mulling is charged with conspiracy, bank fraud, false statements to influence a bank, and false entries made in bank records.

* Alan Robert Fleming, 36, who served as the City President of the Tybee Island branch and a commercial loan officer of the bank. Fleming is charged with conspiracy, bank fraud, misapplication of bank funds, false statements to influence a bank, and false entries made in bank records.

* Jeffrey Allen Farrell, 44, who served as the City President of the Richmond Hill branch and a commercial loan officer of the bank. Farrell is charged with conspiracy, bank fraud, false statements to influence a bank, and false entries made in bank records.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “The State of Georgia leads the nation in bank failures, with 84 banks failing since 2008, including First National Bank. As the nation still recovers from a banking crisis of epic proportions, citizens should know this: no matter the complexity of the scheme, bank officers who place FDIC-funds at risk through fraud and other criminal conduct will be brought to justice.”

According to the allegations in the indictment, as First National Bank’s financial condition began to deteriorate, the Defendants schemed to hide from the bank, members of the bank’s Board of Directors and from federal regulators millions of dollars in non-performing loans. The Defendants accomplished the scheme by unlawfully loaning money to unqualified nominees to make interest and other payments on other non-performing loans; enticing others to take over non-performing loans with hidden promises, side deals and other terms unfavorable to First National Bank; and recruiting other banks to fund non-performing loans based upon fraudulent misrepresentations about the quality of the loans. To assist in their scheme, the Defendants falsified and fabricated numerous bank documents and records.

This case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Office of Inspector General; the FDIC Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Secret Service; and the United States Attorney’s Office. First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham and Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Solari are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

SAVANNAH, GA - Today, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging 23 defendants with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere. One of the defendants is also charged with the unlawful possession of 23 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute it.

The indictments follow a two-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into drug trafficking activities within Savannah, Atlanta and elsewhere. Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chatham County Counter-Narcotics Team (CNT), Beaufort County South Carolina Sheriff’s Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, among other agencies conducted the joint investigation. The investigation culminated in arrests and search warrants being executed on November 29, 2012, in the following Georgia locations: Pooler, Garden City, Savannah, Atlanta, and Brunswick. Search Warrants were also executed in South Carolina. During the investigation, agents seized kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $2.7 million. Agents seized pounds of marijuana, with a street value of almost $50,000, over $300,000 in cash, and numerous automobiles. Additionally, agents seized 10 firearms from convicted felons.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “Drug dealers beware. If you are pushing poison into our community, law enforcement will unite. We will hunt you down. We will find you. We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law, and we will forfeit your property.”

The 23 defendants indicted on federal charges include: TELLY SAVALAS RILEY, (Age 37, Crescent, Georgia) a/k/a “Jack,” a/k/a “KoJak,”
GRILLY HOLLOWAY, JR., (Age 33, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Cheese,” a/k/a “Grill Cheese,”
RASHAWN AHAMD STEWART, (Age 31, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Magic,” a/k/a “Black Magic,” a/k/a “Smokey,” a/k/a/ “Spot,”
STEVEN PATRICK MCCOY, (Age 37, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Patche,” a/k/a “Scratch,” a/k/a “Lil Pat,” a/k/a “Project,”
JACK LEE BROWN, (Age 42, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Smooth,”
ANTHONY DETHER AARON, (Age 35, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “The Tire Doctor,” a/k/a “Joe Jizzle,” a/k/a “Jizzleasy,”
LEONARD ANTHONY KENNEDY, (Age 36, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Jamal Harris,” a/k/a “Bernard Anthony Gramm,”
JARVIS KING, (Age 42, South Carolina) a/k/a “Jeezy,” a/k/a “Anthony Jarvis King,” a/k/a “Anthony Heyward,” a/k/a “Timothy Monroe Hughes,” a/k/a “Ghost,”
CHAD FITZGERALD MCCOY, (Age 31, Atlanta, Georgia) a/k/a “Feezy,”
MICHAEL JERNARD SINGLETON, (Age 29, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Cheese,”
DYSHAWN JAMEL BEASLEY, (Age 34, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Aubrey Beasley,”
LEROY CHISHOLM, (Age 37, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Fats,”
RON BERNARD ALLEN, (Age 36, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Ron Low,”
VINCENT BRYANT, (Age 43, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Vincent Lonon,” a/k/a “Chill,” a/k/a “Chilly,”
RICARDO JAMAINE CRAWFORD, (Age 41, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Rico,”
JAWYANNA PORCHAI PRINGLE, (Age 29, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Jiggie,”
JOSEPH LAMAR MEDLOCK, (Age 29, South Carolina) a/k/a “Poochie Medlock,”
MICHAEL LAVON BOSTIC, (Age 33, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Mike B,”
MICHAEL DEWAYNE JACKSON (Age 40, Jacksonville, Florida)
EDWARD LEROY WILLIAMS, (Age 44, Crescent, Georgia)
GEORGE LENARD MORAN, (Age 30, Crescent, Georgia)
WILLIE JONES, (Age 30, Savannah, Georgia) a/k/a “Willie Banks,” a/k/a “Zay Glass,” a/k/a “Mike James,” a/k/a “Wille James,” a/k/a “Orlando Norvell King,” a/k/a “Willie Pollie,” and
JAMES WRIGHT (Age 38, Savannah, Georgia)

The defendants face a possible life sentence if convicted of the charges. Mr. Tarver stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant United States Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. and Karl I. Knoche are prosecuting the case for the United States. For additional information, contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.