Southern District of Georgia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Camden County man sentenced to 100 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of childrenRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Camden County man has been sentenced to 100 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting multiple children.
Michael Williams Kersey, 45, of St. Marys, Ga., was sentenced to 1,200 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Engage in Sexual Exploitation of Children; three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children; and Possession of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Michael Kersey and his co-defendant exploited vulnerable children for their warped gratification without regard for the lifelong trauma they inflicted on their innocent victims,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Their lengthy sentences help protect the community from such predatory behavior and reinforces the seriousness of these offenses.”
As described in court documents and testimony, FBI agents in Milwaukee, Wis., infiltrated a private online messaging group in which members shared images and videos of child sexual abuse. That investigation led FBI agents to Kersey’s Camden County residence, where agents found hundreds of images depicting sexual exploitation of at least four children on Kersey’s cell phone and computers. Agents also identified Lesley Henry, 47, of St. Marys, and determined she produced sexually explicit images and sent them to Kersey.
Henry is serving 420 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood has scheduled hearings to determine any restitution Henry and Kersey will be ordered to pay.
“Kersey’s determination to pursue lurid desires shows his lack of fear of the law and a willingness to harm children no matter how young they are,” said FBI Senior Supervisory Special Agent Will Clarke of the FBI's Savannah office. “Although the FBI can never fully repair the damage inflicted by these predators, we can ensure that justice is served on those who commit these terrible crimes.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Kingsland Police Department, the St. Marys Police Department, and the Camden County Sheriff's Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tania D. Groover and Jennifer J. Kirkland.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Convicted COVID-19 fraudster sentenced to federal prison, ordered to repay stolen fundsRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Georgia man has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay substantial restitution for leading a conspiracy that stole nearly $2 million in COVID-19 small business relief funding.
Bernard Okojie, 41, of McDonough, Ga., was sentenced to 64 months in prison after being convicted at trial in March of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering Conspiracy, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Okojie to pay $1,946,283 in restitution, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Bernard Okojie devised a complex and far-reaching scheme to steal federal funding intended to provide relief to small businesses struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This sentence imposes a strong measure of accountability for these blatant acts of fraud.”
As described at trial and in court documents, Okojie used information for non-existent companies to file at least 46 fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program loans for himself and others from April 2020 through May of 2021, seeking more than $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Okojie received nearly $2 million in funding directly, or was paid by other recipients of the fraudulently obtained funding for his work in submitting the EIDL applications on their behalf. Okojie then conspired to launder the fraudulent proceeds to hide the source of the funds.
Funds from the nearly $2 million Okojie and others received through the schemes were used to purchase a home, vehicles, shopping trips to Versace, for personal investments, and a toy poodle. Okojie also was intercepted as he attempted to leave the United States with nearly $40,000 in cash.
“Mr. Okojie chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds from the PPP and EIDL programs. He will now spend more than five years in prison and must pay all the money back,” said FBI Savannah’s Senior Supervisory Special Agent Will Clarke. “Theft of government funds will not be tolerated, and prosecuting PPP fraud remains a priority for law enforcement.”
“Lying to gain access to economic stimulus funds will be met with justice,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent-in-Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “This sentence showcases that SBA OIG will continue to aggressively pursue evidence of fraud against SBA’s programs to expose wrongdoers’ actions. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer A. Stanley and Matthew A. Josephson.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Georgia man sentenced for key role in drug trafficking ring that engaged in COVID fraudRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Laurens County, Ga., man identified as a drug supplier in a Southeastern drug trafficking organization has been sentenced to federal prison, and his four co-defendants are serving prison terms after all pled guilty to charges related to the conspiracy.
Dennis Rodriguez Kinchen, 46, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 150 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 500 Grams or More of Cocaine, and an Amount of Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Marijuana; and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also fined Kinchen $40,000 and ordered him to serve four years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“The defendants in this case not only distributed massive amounts of addictive, illegal drugs throughout middle and coastal Georgia, but also defrauded taxpayers through blatant abuse of COVID-19 relief programs,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “All of them deservedly have been sentenced to long prison terms for their crimes thanks to outstanding investigative work from our law enforcement partners.”
As part of his guilty plea, Kinchen agreed to forfeit an Atlanta condominium purchased with COVID-19 relief funds, and a certificate of deposit of $297,336 purchased with pandemic relief funds.
Kinchen and his co-defendants were identified during “Operation All Eyes On Me,” an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation of drug traffickers distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana in middle and south Georgia and in Florida. The five co-conspirators were identified through a series of controlled purchases, phone surveillance and searches of multiple properties conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and agents from the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team.
The investigation identified Angel Amaral, 57, of Hollywood, Fla., as the supplier of illegal drugs to Kinchen, who delivered the drugs to distributors in Georgia. Amaral is serving a 70-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Cocaine.
Kinchen used the Savannah residence of his girlfriend, former Savannah-area strip club owner Jaqueline Somesso, 54, as a stash house for drugs and firearms. Somesso is serving an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to Misprision of a Felony for knowingly allowing her home to be used in illegal activity and to Bank Fraud for submitting a fake pandemic relief application resulting in losses of $570,236.54. She was ordered to pay restitution in that amount. The court also entered a consent order forfeiting her interest in a certificate of deposit of $350,236 and a bank account of $3,520, both containing fraud money seized from her during the investigation.
Two other defendants are serving prison terms after pleading guilty in the conspiracy: Sherman Levon Scott, 54, of Pooler, Ga., who was identified as a drug distributor; and Tony Heldore, 52, of Richmond Hill, Ga., a marijuana supplier who worked at two of Somesso’s clubs – Karma Entertainment and Lux Gentlemen’s Club, in Hardeeville, S.C. Scott is serving 145 months in federal prison, and Heldore is serving a 35-month term.
“Poisonous drugs continue to flow into our communities at the expense of too many lives,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These traffickers must now face the consequences of their actions.”
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Operation All Eyes On Me was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Savannah District Office and the Savannah-Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team, with assistance from the DEA Miami Field Division, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted for the United States of America by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Bishop Ravenel and Lindsay Berman-Hansell.
Chatham County man sentenced to federal prison for distributing sexually exploitive images of childrenRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sharing images depicting sexual exploitation of children.
Jason Arthur Holloway, 43, of Savannah, was sentenced to 135 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Holloway to pay restitution of $23,000, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The digital vigilance of agencies engaged in protecting vulnerable children helps ensure that online predators are discovered and held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Removing such predators improves the safety of our communities.”
As described in court documents and testimony, a CyberTip to the Savannah Police Department’s Special Victims Unit alerted investigators to the online transfer of sexually explicit images of children. With assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, agents identified the source of those uploaded images and searched Holloway’s Savannah residence.
Investigators seized multiple electronic devices with dozens of images of child sexual abuse, and found evidence that those illegal images had been uploaded to the internet via multiple file-sharing applications.
Holloway also faces state charges of sexual exploitation of children and child molestation in a case unrelated to the federal child pornography prosecution.
“Jason Holloway shamefully exploited the most vulnerable members of our community, for his own perverse desires, and will now face the severe consequences for his actions,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI Atlanta and its law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting children from abuse and holding accountable those individuals who would victimize minors.”
The case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer J. Kirkland.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Multiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Four people have been indicted in the Southern District of Georgia on felony charges including illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges.
The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.
“Guns in the hands of convicted felons present a danger to the community,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “With our law enforcement partners, we continue to identify and prosecute individuals who violate firearms laws.”
In the past four years, more than 800 defendants have been prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia for firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Those indicted during the September term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:
- Wilbur Zaccaeus Hightower, 43, of Blackshear, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Machine Gun, referring to a pistol with an illegal “Glock switch”;
- Hunter W. Taylor, 25, of Hephzibah, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, referring to a short barrel rifle;
- Joshua Bowser, 28, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon; and,
- Zytavious Beck, 26, of Dublin, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Melvin Jamarcus Lanier, 42, of Statesboro, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Statesboro police officers arrested Lanier in January 2021 during a traffic stop after finding a pistol in his vehicle.
- Demmerio Swint, 29, of Augusta, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found a pistol in Swint’s pocket and another in his vehicle after a November 2021 traffic stop.
- Nygeria Tasheema Brown, 32, of Savannah, was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm. Brown assisted Javonte Deshawn Washington, 30, of Savannah, in buying a pistol despite knowing he was a convicted felon. Garden City police officers found Washington in possession of the gun later that month when responding to a report of a man pointing a gun at motorists outside an apartment complex. Washington is serving a 44-month term in federal prison after pleading guilty to Straw Purchase of a Firearm.
- Tekayo Spencer, 39, of Savannah, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers arrested Spencer in June 2022 during an investigation into a man brandishing a firearm during a domestic dispute.
- Caleb Earl Riggs, 38, of Claxton, Ga., was sentenced to 24 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. One of 32 defendants indicted in October 2022 as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy in Operation Carpet Ride, Riggs was found in possession of a pistol during a traffic stop by Evans County sheriff’s deputies and the Georgia State Patrol.
- Milton Parker III, 37, of Savannah, was sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers arrested Parker in September 2022 while investigating reports of shots being fired in a Savannah neighborhood, and finding Parker with a pistol in his waistband.
- Jonathan Duncan, 38, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found a pistol in Duncan’s vehicle during a November 2022 traffic stop.
- Tori Davis, 33, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone and Fentanyl. Garden City police officers found drugs and a pistol in Davis’ vehicle during a traffic stop. When Davis was federally indicted in February 2023, investigators found multiple guns and extended magazines in his residence during his arrest.
- Alvin York, 47, of Swainsboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Swainsboro police officers found multiple firearms in York’s vehicle during a December 2021 traffic stop.
- Michael Floyd, 30, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. An Oglethorpe Mall security officer contacted the Savannah Police Department after observing what appeared to be a gun inside Floyd’s clothing, and officers later determined Floyd was prohibited as a convicted felon from carrying a gun.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
Laurens County man sentenced to federal prison for possession of sexually explicit images of childrenRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Laurens County man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to possession of sexually explicit images of children.
Christopher Scott Andrews, 41, of East Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 96 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen also ordered Andrews to pay fines and restitution of $4,000, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Christopher Andrews sought and downloaded sexually explicit images of children, thereby perpetuating their victimization,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “With our vigilant law enforcement partners, we will identify and hold accountable those who engage in such predatory behavior.”
As described in court documents and testimony, investigators from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office in December 2022 received a CyberTip alerting them to potential child pornography linked to a cell phone number located in the greater Dublin area. With assistance from the FBI, investigators identified Andrews and questioned him at his residence, located in the rear of a retail store in East Dublin.
Investigators found hundreds of sexually explicit images of children in devices seized from Andrews. He was indicted on federal charges in March 2023 and pled guilty in May.
“Collecting sexually explicit images and videos of children is a despicable act,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Ozden of FBI Atlanta. “Our continued work to investigate individuals who possess, receive and distribute child pornography should serve notice to those who may consider engaging in this behavior that it will not be tolerated.”
The case was investigated by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Jason W. Blanchard.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Columbia County man sentenced to federal prison for distributing sexually explicit images of childrenRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man who serves in the U.S. Army has been sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison after uploading sexually explicit images of children to the internet.
Joshua Paul Barnhill, 41, of Martinez, Ga., was sentenced to 151 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen also ordered Barnhill to pay restitution of $21,000, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Joshua Barnhill shared sexually explicit images of young children to online messaging applications for exploitation by other viewers,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Such exploitative conduct has earned him substantial prison time.”
As described in court documents and testimony, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a CyberTip to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to alert investigators about sexually explicit images and videos of children shared by the KIK internet messaging app.
Agents learned the images originated from Barnhill’s location, and found hundreds of images and videos on devices Barnhill used to upload images to the KIK and Wickr applications.
Barnhill is a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, serving as a recruiter operating from Fort Jackson, S.C.
“The GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit will continue to work tirelessly to protect innocent victims of online exploitation,” said Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We are grateful for the partnerships we maintain with our local and federal agencies to bring these predators to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Jason W. Blanchard.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Camden County woman sentenced to more than three decades in prison for producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Camden County woman has been sentenced to more than 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to production of sexually exploitive images of a child.
Lesley Henry, 47, of St. Marys, Ga., was sentenced to 420 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood scheduled a hearing for Oct. 24 to determine restitution in the case, and ordered Henry to register as a sex offender and serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Lesley Henry and her co-defendant sentenced a child to a lifetime of devastating trauma with their horrific actions,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This prosecution will not heal that trauma, but it will protect the community from Henry for decades.”
As described in court documents and testimony, FBI agents in Milwaukee, Wis., infiltrated an online messaging group in which members shared images and videos of child sexual abuse. That investigation led FBI agents to Michael Williams Kersey, 45, of St. Marys, Ga., where agents found multiple images depicting sexual exploitation of a child on Kersey’s cell phone. Agents also identified Henry and determined she produced sexually explicit images and sent them to Kersey.
After Henry pled guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography, Kersey pled guilty to Conspiracy to Engage in Sexual Exploitation of Children; three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children; and Possession of Child Pornography. He awaits sentencing and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
“Henry's actions are the worst of depravity and no sentence can lessen the harm she has caused. But at least she will no longer be able to pursue these egregious acts,” said FBI Savannah Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Will Clarke. “We hope this sentencing sends a strong warning to predators that the FBI will go to great lengths to protect our most vulnerable citizens from those who seek to manipulate and do them harm.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States of America by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tania D. Groover and Jennifer J. Kirkland.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Key defendant in drug-distribution conspiracy sentenced to 20 years in federal prisonRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Georgia state prison inmate who participated in a drug trafficking operation while behind bars has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
Jonathan Alvin Pope, 39, of Waycross, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Heroin, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Pope to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The sentencing of Jonathan Pope represents a key victory in the investigation and prosecution of a significant drug trafficking network distributing illegal narcotics in multiple south Georgia counties,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We applaud the outstanding work of the local, state and federal agencies who collaborated to dismantle this network and make our communities safer.”
The indictment in Operation Pope’s G.O.A.L., an Organized Crime Drug Trafficking Task Force investigation, was unsealed in July 2022. The indictment charged 14 defendants involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl since as early as 2018. The drug traffickers operated in Glynn, Brantley, Bacon, Pierce, Coffee, Camden, and Ware counties, and beyond. Pope used contraband cell phones and electronic devices to participate in the conspiracy while imprisoned on unrelated state charges.
All of the defendants have pled guilty to various charges related to the conspiracy, including:
- Lena Leigh Davis, 46, of Homeland, Ga., who conducted drug transactions at Pope’s direction. She pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Fentanyl, and is serving 135 months in federal prison.
- Richard Reginald Perkins Jr., a/k/a “Reggie,” 47, of Nahunta, Ga., sentenced to 168 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine.
- Kristina Ashley Montgomery, a/k/a Kristina Ashley Crews, 38, of Hortense, Ga., who conducted drug transactions as part of the operation. She is serving 126 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Fentanyl. And,
- Clark Bennett, 51, of Blackshear, Ga., is serving 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
“Poisonous drugs, such as methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin have taken a terrible toll on our communities,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Division. “Drug trafficker Jonathan Pope must now deal with the consequences of his actions.”
“This case exemplifies our commitment to prevent drug violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities,” said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “It also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent drug enterprises.”
“Contraband cell phones in the hands of inmates as a tool to carry out crimes continues to be a challenge within correctional facilities across our state, and we are using every resource at our disposal to combat this issue,” said GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “Our Agents work closely with our law enforcement partners each and every day in our common goal of public safety, and this case is another great example of that vital collaboration at every level,” continued Oliver. “We are pleased to see justice being served on this individual for his role in jeopardizing the safe operations of our facilities and the safety of the public.”
The case was investigated under the 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.
The investigation was conducted by the Savannah Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Georgia Department of Corrections Investigative Unit; the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office; the Ware County Sheriff’s Office; the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office; the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office; the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office; and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank M. Pennington II and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo.
Savannah woman sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for violent armed robberyRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County woman has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the violent armed robbery of a vendor stocking an automatic teller machine.
Shannan Barnwell, 25, of Savannah, was sentenced to 170 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Barnwell to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“It is extraordinarily fortunate that no one was hurt during this robbery,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The sentence imposed by the court is a direct consequence of Barnwell’s decision to put innocent individuals’ lives in danger for her own financial gain.”
As described in court documents and testimony, a vendor was restocking an automatic teller machine on Burroughs Street in Savannah on Sept. 27, 2022, when Barnwell brandished a handgun and declared a robbery. As Barnwell took containers of cash from the vendor, the attendant drew his firearm and Barnwell ran away, firing two shots with one striking the ATM. No individuals were struck by gunfire, and the vendor did not fire his weapon.
Savannah police officers located and arrested Barnwell at a nearby park, and recovered the cash receptacles and two pistols that Barnwell had dropped as she fled. At the time of the robbery, Barnwell was on parole from a previous conviction for armed robbery and carjacking, and her sentence will be served consecutive to the incarceration for the state parole violation.
“Barnwell terrorized and threatened her innocent victim,” said FBI Savannah Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Will Clarke. “This lengthy prison sentence hopefully provides some peace to the victim by ensuring Barnwell cannot terrorize anyone for decades to come.”
The Savannah Police Department and the FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Criminal Division Chief E. Gregory Gilluly Jr. and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Makeia R. Jonese.
Columbia County man sentenced to federal prison for production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for creating sexually explicit images of children.
Edmund Brown, 36, of Martinez, Ga., was sentenced to 360 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Brown to pay $113,460.25 in restitution, serve 20 years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“By creating sexually explicit images of minors, Edmund Brown has sentenced these victims to a lifetime of trauma,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Although this prosecution will not erase that trauma, it will hold him accountable for his predatory behavior.”
As described in court documents and testimony, agents from Homeland Security Investigations reviewed images found on multiple electronic devices seized from Brown in May 2022 and discovered Brown had used his cell phone and a hidden camera to capture sexually explicit images of two children during a more than two-year period.
Brown later was charged via information and pled guilty in U.S. District Court in March 2023.
“Every time one of these disturbing images is shared or viewed it revictimizes a helpless child and prevents them from healing,” said HSI Atlanta acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting our vulnerable population from exploitation.”
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons.
Chatham County man sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for fentanyl and heroin traffickingRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man convicted of murder after his indictment on federal drug trafficking charges has been sentenced to federal prison for fentanyl and heroin trafficking.
Dyanta Samuels, 25, of Savannah, was sentenced to 149 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker ordered the sentence to run consecutively with the life sentence Samuels is serving in state prison, and for Samuels to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his federal prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“This investigation took an illegal drug merchant off the streets along with numerous firearms that are dangerous tools of the violent drug trade,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We commend our law enforcement partners for outstanding work in bringing Samuels and his co-defendants to justice.”
As described in court documents and testimony, the Savannah Police Department and a U.S. Marshals Task Force were conducting surveillance at a Savannah apartment complex in April 2021 regarding a suspect in a homicide when they observed activity consistent with drug trafficking. Four individuals left the apartment complex in three vehicles, and subsequent traffic stops and searches of those vehicles yielded large amounts of marijuana and fentanyl, along with cash, multiple firearms, and ammunition.
In a search of the apartment, investigators found drug trafficking paraphernalia, quantities of heroin and fentanyl, multiple firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Samuels’ plea agreement includes the forfeiture of eight firearms, including semi-automatic pistols and assault-style rifles, along with ammunition and multiple high-capacity magazines.
Samuels and three co-defendants were indicted in May 2022 by a U.S. District Court grand jury. While under indictment, Samuels was convicted in state court for the 2020 shooting death of Kareem Samuels in Savannah, and is serving a life sentence in Jenkins Correctional Facility.
One co-defendant, Shantanese Anderson, 28, of Savannah, is serving a 37-month sentence after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Two other defendants facing similar charges – Samuels’ girlfriend, Kya Key, 23, of Savannah, and Ismail Maxwell, 26, of Savannah – await sentencing after pleading guilty to similar charges.
“Our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is key to the Savannah Police Department’s ability to prevent those who choose to bring violence and drugs to our neighborhoods from being able to do so,” said Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther. “This is yet another example of how much we can accomplish through collaboration.”
The case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Frank M. Pennington II.
Burke County man sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for coercing a child into producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Burke County man has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting he coerced a child to produce sexually explicit images.
Keyshawn Omar Cooper, 21, of Waynesboro, Ga., was sentenced to 200 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Cooper to pay $3,000 in restitution, and to serve 15 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender after completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“This predatory crime represents a nightmare scenario for parents whose children connect with others to play games over the internet,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Thanks to the vigilance of one of those parents and diligent law enforcement partners, Keyshawn Cooper is no longer a danger to children.”
As described in court, in May 9, 2021, Cooper communicated via an internet application with an 11-year-old child in Missouri, and persuaded the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual depictions that the victim then sent to Cooper. The child’s mother discovered the activity and reported it to police in Cape Girardeau, Mo., who enlisted the assistance of the FBI in identifying and locating Cooper.
The investigation determined that the child and Cooper met online while playing the “Grand Theft Auto” video game, and Cooper pretended to be a young girl to persuade the child to send sexually explicit photos. Agents found those images, along with other sexually explicit images of children, saved on a phone seized from Cooper.
“The internet is a very important and useful resource, but unfortunately can also be used for illegal activity as criminals like Cooper seek to prey on the most vulnerable of our population,” said Brian Ozden, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Let this be a reminder to parents and caregivers, people can pretend to be anyone online, and you need to remain vigilant with monitoring your child’s online gaming activity and educating them about the risks of communicating with strangers.”
The case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau, Mo., Police Department and the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Southern District prosecutes nearly $11 million in COVID fraud as part of national enforcement actionsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: As part of a coordinated nationwide effort to fight COVID-19 fraud, the Southern District of Georgia has taken action against individuals who illegally obtained nearly $11 million in funds intended to help struggling small businesses during the global pandemic.
As announced by U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg, and in conjunction with the Justice Department’s nationwide effort, the Southern District of Georgia conducted more than 20 enforcement actions from May through July 2023, involving a total of $10.9 million in alleged COVID-19 relief fraud.
“Funding through the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided more than more than $650 billion to assist small businesses navigating the financial challenges of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Unfortunately, fraudsters tapped into this program for their own profit, and this nationwide effort seeks to hold them accountable for their widespread fraud.”
The CARES act provided small business assistance primarily with grants and forgivable loans available through the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with its law enforcement partners, conducted multiple enforcement actions during the May-June period including:
- Kamario Thomas, 42, of Augusta, Ga., was sentenced to 38 months in prison for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering. Thomas submitted more than 60 fraudulent loan applications for pandemic relief and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks for his fraud. Thomas was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $4,546,945.
- Bernard Okojie, 41, of McDonough, Ga., was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering after a three-day jury trial. As detailed during trial, Okojie used information for non-existent companies to file more than 20 fraudulent loan applications for pandemic relief aid, causing losses in excess of $3.5 million. He awaits sentencing.
- Jacqueline Somesso, 55, of Savannah, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for Bank Fraud and Misprision of a felony. Somesso submitted a fake pandemic relief loan application resulting in losses of $570,736.87. She was ordered to pay restitution in this amount and to forfeit a money judgment in that amount. The Court also entered a consent order forfeiting her interest in a certificate of deposit of $350,236.54 and a bank account of $3,520.91, both containing fraud money seized from her during the investigation.
- Kyle Waldron, 58, of Douglas, Ga., received service of a civil forfeiture complaint arising from his filing of numerous fraudulent loans applications for pandemic relief aid. The complaint seeks forfeiture of $326,461.33, the amount of fraud money seized from his bank account.
- A civil forfeiture complaint was filed and continues to be litigated concerning an Atlanta condominium on Peachtree Road Northwest. This property, valued at $328,000, was purchased with money obtained fraudulently through pandemic relief loans.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
These cases were investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The enforcement actions were prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew A. Josephson, Jennifer A. Stanley, Ryan C. Grover, Lindsay Berman-Hansell, J. Bishop Ravenel, Alex Hamner, Marcella Mateo, David H. Estes, and Senior Litigation Counsel Jennifer G. Solari.
Savannah man convicted at trial for armed bank robberyRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been convicted after trial for the robbery of a Savannah bank.
Omar Lockhart, 35, of Savannah, was found guilty after a two-day trial in U.S. District Court of Bank Robbery, a charge that subjects Lockhart to a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
In addition, the jury found Lockhart guilty of Using, Carrying, or Possessing a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence, which subjects him to an additional seven years in prison consecutive to the sentence for bank robbery. The jury also found Lockhart guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Omar Lockhart terrorized the employees of a business by brandishing a gun during a robbery,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We commend our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work in safely bringing him to justice.”
As described at trial, Lockhart entered the Synovus Bank on Paulsen Street in Savannah on March 7, 2022, produced a pistol, and pointed it at a teller. He declared he was robbing the bank and handed grocery bags to the teller, demanding the money in her drawer. He then took the money and left the bank, telling everyone to “have a nice day.”
Savannah Police officers and the FBI later located Lockhart at a Savannah hotel where he had paid cash to rent a room and arrested him after a brief standoff with the SWAT team.
Lockhart remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. will schedule sentencing following completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
“No one should ever be terrorized physically or emotionally, like the victims in this armed robbery, simply because they work at a business or patronize that business,” said FBI Savannah RA Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Will Clarke. “We are committed to keep our communities safe from violence and seek justice for the victims of these crimes.”
The case was investigated by the Chatham County Police Department, the Savannah Police Department, and the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and John P. Harper III.
Former bank teller pleads guilty to stealing nearly $90,000 deposited by Georgia convenience storeRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: A former Candler County bank teller faces prison time and substantial restitution after pleading guilty to skimming money from a convenience store’s deposits.
Kayla Monroe Evans, 32, of Metter, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Bank Fraud, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The guilty plea subjects Evans to a statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison, along with substantial fines and restitution, followed by up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Bank customers count on their financial institutions to operate with honesty and integrity, and Kayla Evans violated that trust,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This plea offers assurance that Evans will be held accountable for her theft.”
As described in the plea agreement and in court, Evans worked as a teller for the Synovus Bank in Metter, where a local convenience store kept its account. An auditor for the store began noticing substantial discrepancies between the amount of cash presented to the bank for deposit compared to the amount credited to the store and worked with the bank to determine the cause.
A subsequent investigation found that from July 2019 through February 2021, Evans personally handled the store’s deposits, frequently skimming large amounts of cash for her personal use from the amount presented and crediting a smaller deposit to the store. In total, Evans stole approximately $87,748 from the convenience store’s deposits. As part of her plea, Evans agrees to pay restitution for the full loss caused by her criminal conduct, and to never seek employment in any financial institution.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing in the case following a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
“We are pleased to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing to justice those who commit bank fraud for their own personal gain,” said Brian Tucker, Special Agent in Charge, Eastern Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The federal investigation was led by the Office of Inspector General for the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The investigation received support from the Candler County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office for the Middle Judicial Circuit, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Josephson.
Multiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Three people have been indicted in the Southern District of Georgia on felony charges including illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal charges including illegal possession of firearms.
The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.
“A key factor in our fight against violent crime is to remove guns from the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them – particularly convicted felons,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We commend our law enforcement partners for their diligent work in keeping our streets safe.”
In the past four years, more than 800 defendants have been prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia for firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Those indicted during the August term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:
- Tommy Cowart, 60, of Statesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Donyah Rayquan Hardaway, 27, of Statesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm; and,
- Jamell Williams, 44, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Olajuwon Raheem Williams, 25, of Augusta, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Williams after he threatened to shoot up his ex-girlfriend’s home and fled from police while firing at the pursuing officer with an AR-style pistol. Williams was previously convicted of armed robbery.
- Tyrique Marquez Mills, 25, of Waycross, Ga., was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Mills was wanted on felony warrants related to a shooting when he was arrested in July 2022 by Waycross Police officers who found a loaded pistol in his pocket.
- Horatio Trimane Bynes, 65, of Augusta, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies found drugs, cash, and a .357 caliber revolver in Bynes’ car during a traffic stop.
- Javonte Deshawn Washington, 30, of Savannah, was sentenced to 44 months in prison after pleading guilty to Straw Purchase of a Firearm. In his plea, Washington agreed that in November 2022 he aided and abetted Nygeria Tasheema Brown, 32, of Savannah, in purchasing a semi-automatic pistol for Washington from a Chatham County gun store even though he knew that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Garden City police officers found Washington in possession of the gun later that month when responding to a report of a man pointing a gun at motorists outside an apartment complex. Brown awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.
- Dequan Donte Payne, 31, of Augusta, was sentenced to 110 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Payne in March 2022 after finding drugs and guns during a search of his residence as part of a drug investigation. Payne previously was convicted of armed robbery.
- Daquan Marquise Rolack, 25, of Grovetown, Ga., was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Richmond County deputies arrested Rolack as part of Operation Grace during a June 2022 traffic stop in which they found Rolack in possession of a pistol while engaging in drug trafficking.
- Daquan Minor, 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers found a pistol in Minor’s possession during an August 2022 traffic stop. Minor previously was convicted of illegal gun possession and drug trafficking offenses.
- Joquan K. Clark, 25, of Waynesboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Waynesboro Police officers responding to a domestic dispute arrested Clark after finding a pistol in his pocket.
- Jovonn Courtney Stokes, 26, of Springfield, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to three counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and one count of Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. In his plea agreement, Stokes admitted that he brandished a handgun while robbing two Chatham County convenience stores and an Effingham County convenience store in November and December 2022.
- Stephan Dewaine Jackson, 28, of Brunswick, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Glynn County Police officers found a pistol in Jackson’s vehicle during a January 2022 traffic stop.
- Tyrell Smith, 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Smith, who had an active arrest warrant related to a Savannah shooting, ran from police who arrested him when they found him carrying a pistol.
- Isaac Wilford Stewart, 23, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Waynesboro Police officers found a pistol in the floorboard of Stewart’s vehicle in October 2022 after an attempted traffic stop led to a chase and crash.
- Tyrone Dion Lyons Sr., 39, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County deputies and U.S. Marshals found a pistol in Lyons’ vehicle while serving a warrant for his arrest on Gwinnett County, Ga., charges.
- Jared Tyrese Adger, 23, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment. In June 2022, Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies found Adger in possession of two firearms during a traffic stop as part of Operation Grace.
- William Beau Devore, 21, of Martinez, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Devore in January 2022 as a suspect in a burglary, and determined that he was illegally in possession of five guns.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
Investigators seeking potential victims of Georgia man charged with sexual exploitation of childrenRead the Press Release
Homeland Security InvestigationsBRUNSWICK, GA: A Georgia man has been indicted on multiple child exploitation charges, and investigators are seeking information from individuals who might have had prior contact with the defendant.
Todd Eric Sisk, 48, of Baxley, Ga., is charged via federal indictment with Attempted Production of Child Pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction of 15 years in prison, up to 30. He also is charged with Distribution of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
“We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will strive to keep our children and our communities safe.”
After initiating an investigation into suspicious online activity in November 2021, the Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office identified Sisk as a suspect and contacted investigators from Homeland Security Investigations in Savannah for assistance.
HSI investigators found suspected child sexual abuse material on Sisk’s cell phone and in online applications. Sisk was indicted on federal charges in July, and currently is in custody awaiting further court proceedings.
Sisk works as a truck driver with regular routes to Atlanta and Charleston, with occasional trips to Alabama and Tennessee. He previously lived in Ohio and in multiple locations in Florida and Georgia. HSI investigators are seeking information from anyone who might have had contact with Sisk. Those with information are asked to call the HSI Tip Line at 866-347-2423.
An indictment contains only charges, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Baxley Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Jason W. Blanchard.
Fourth defendant convicted in conspiracy to steal aircraft design secretsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A California man has been found guilty at trial for his role in a conspiracy to steal aircraft design and testing information in a plot to shorten the regulatory approval process for another company’s aircraft technology.
Juan Martinez, 53, of Yorba Linda, California, was convicted after a five-day trial in U.S. District Court in Savannah on one count of Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The conviction subjects Martinez to a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and restitution, and up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“The conspirators in this case schemed to abuse a position of trust inside a major company in the Southern District of Georgia in order to steal proprietary engineering information to provide an unfair advantage to competing products,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We commend the hard work of our law enforcement partners in bringing this investigation and prosecution to a successful conclusion.”
As the evidence showed at trial, Martinez was a contractor who worked as a technical lead for a small aeronautics company. He and the other co-conspirators schemed to steal proprietary trade secret information from a large aircraft company for use in developing and marketing their own technology, with the intent to market and sell that technology to the true owner’s competitors.
U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker will schedule sentencing for Martinez upon completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
Two of the conspirators are serving federal prison terms after pleading guilty in the case. Craig German, 60, of Kernersville, North Carolina, is serving 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets, plus 20 months for Perjury and False Statements to a Government Agency for providing false information during testimony given in his first sentencing. Gilbert Basaldua, 63, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is serving 80 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property.
The fourth conspirator, Joseph Pascua, 61, of Escondido, California, awaits sentencing after being found guilty at trial in February for Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets. His conviction is under appeal.
“Martinez was a part of a bold scheme to steal the secrets of a U.S. company rather than commit to putting in the money and hard work necessary to succeed on his own,” said Will Clarke, Senior Resident of FBI Atlanta's Savannah office. “As this conviction proves, the FBI is dedicated to identifying and prosecuting anyone who engages in illegal and deceptive practices to steal protected information.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darron J. Hubbard and Senior Litigation Counsel Jennifer G. Solari.
Columbia County man charged with scheme to bilk customers for purchase of cryptocurrency computersRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man has been indicted on federal charges involving a scheme to sell expensive computer equipment to more than 30 customers who never received their orders.
Steven Drawdy, 39, of Grovetown, Ga., was indicted in U.S. District Court on one count of Wire Fraud, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Conviction on the charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and restitution, and up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Even though this alleged scheme involves complicated computer technology, at its core this is still just a case of taking money for goods that weren’t provided,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “With our law enforcement partners, we will work to protect consumers from schemes designed to steal their money.”
The indictment in the case alleges that from about August 2021 through April 2022, Drawdy participated in an online cryptocurrency discussion forum, and received approximately $1 million from at least 30 victims who believed they were paying Drawdy to provide them with cryptocurrency “mining” computers.
The indictment further alleges that after receiving payment in cryptocurrency for the orders, Drawdy would eventually cease communicating with the customers. In some cases, he would offer a partial refund but would require the customer to pay a fee to receive the refund – and then would provide neither the refund nor the computer.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI is asking anyone who might have been a victim of the scheme to call 706-722-3702.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Stanley.
Indictment charges former soldier with stealing vehicle, crashing into Army facilityRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A retired U.S. Army soldier has been indicted for the July crash into Fort Stewart’s Third Infantry Division Headquarters building.
Treamon Dominic Lacy, 39, of Dublin, Ga., is charged with Damage to Government Property and Theft of Government Money, Property, or Records, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charges subject Lacy to a potential statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and restitution.
The indictment alleges that on July 10, Lacy stole a Humvee from a motor pool at Fort Stewart and drove into the front doors of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Division Headquarters, damaging the building.
Lacy had access to Fort Stewart as a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and prosecuted for the United States by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Z. Spitulnik.
Brantley County man sentenced to federal prison for distributing sexually explicit images of childrenRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A south Georgia man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for distributing sexually explicit images of children.
Gary Kreitzman, 36, of Nahunta, Ga., was sentenced to 142 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Kreitzman to register as a sex offender and to serve 10 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Children are re-victimized every time sexually exploitive images are shared,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable the predators who endanger our most vulnerable citizens.”
As described in court documents and testimony, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July 2020, alerting agents to images of child pornography being transferred through an online chat application. The investigation led the agents to Kreitzman’s residence, and during a search of the property, agents seized multiple electronic devices with hundreds of sexually explicit images of children. Kreitzman told investigators that he shared the images in the online chat application to gain access to more images.
“The GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit is committed to protecting children from these predators,” said Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “This federal prison sentence illustrates the results of a strong and united partnership amongst local, state, and federal agencies.”
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Kirkland.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Leader of Savannah-area drug trafficking conspiracy sentenced to decades in federal prisonRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: The leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed kilos of cocaine and large amounts of other illegal drugs throughout the coastal Georgia area has been sentenced to more than 25 years in federal prison, concluding prosecution of Operation Deadlier Catch.
Joseph Bulloch, a/k/a “Lil Joe,” 34, of Savannah, was sentenced to 310 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine, 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine, and Quantities of Heroin and Marijuana; Possession of a Firearms by a Convicted Felon; and Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Bulloch to serve five of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Our law enforcement partners in Operation Deadlier Catch did outstanding work in identifying and shutting down this large-scale drug trafficking network, removing a threat of illegal drugs and its attendant violence from our community,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We will continue to coordinate our efforts to protect our neighborhoods from dangerous drugs.”
Operation Deadlier Catch, as described in court documents and the December 2020 indictment in USA v. Bulloch et al., infiltrated the drug trafficking network to trace the source of supply and points of distribution in the greater Savannah area. The operation, led by investigators from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, and the Savannah Police Department, culminated in a series of searches in which agents seized more than 24 kilograms of cocaine, more than 180 pounds of marijuana, 3 kilograms of heroin, and more than a dozen firearms – many of them illegally possessed by previously convicted felons.
The indictment named 29 defendants on 27 felony counts, and with the exception of one defendant who remains a fugitive, all of the defendants pled guilty to felony charges and have been sentenced, most of them to substantial prison terms. In addition to Bulloch, key figures sentenced in the operation include:
- Ildelfonso Sanchez-Inzunza, 32, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States, sentenced to 125 months in prison followed by deportation after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Heroin; Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien; and Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. The investigation identified Sanchez-Inzunza as a representative of the California-based source of supply for the drug traffickers. Agents who searched Sanchez-Inzunza’s Savannah residence found large quantities of drugs including more than 16 kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of heroin, along with nearly $200,000 in cash.
- Kashif Collins, a/k/a “Fat Boy,” 36, of Savannah, sentenced to 220 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Cocaine; and, two counts of Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Collins managed “stash houses” and coordinated deliveries to lower-level drug dealers.
- Jontae Keel, a/k/a “Blyha,” 31, of Savannah, sentenced to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 50 Kilograms of More of Marijuana. Keel’s mother, Joann Keel Robinson, a/k/a “Ma Dukes,” 55, of Savannah, and three brothers, Javontae Parrish, 32, Joseph Parrish III, 31, and Jashavious Keel, 29, all of Savannah, also were sentenced after pleading guilty to charges in the conspiracy.
One defendant, Jarnard Williams, 32, of Savannah, remains a fugitive. He is charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine, 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine, and an Amount of Marijuana. He is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
“Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of our law enforcement partners, one of the leaders of this extensive drug distribution network will spend significant time behind bars,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Bulloch and his co-defendants were a plague in the community with their drugs, guns, and violence and the FBI is committed to removing every single one of these predators from our streets.”
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, said “This career criminal can no longer distribute dangerous drugs as he now faces serious time for both his drug crimes and violent criminal conduct.”
“This investigation is a prime example of what happens when law enforcement agencies pool their resources together to achieve a common goal of protecting communities from the many perils of illegal and dangerous drugs,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Protecting the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse is core to the mission of the Postal Inspection Service, and I commend the hard work by all of our partners to bring these individuals to justice.”
“Combating narcotics in our community continues to be our core mission. The sentencing of Mr. Bulloch and his co-defendants, along with the dismantlement of his distribution network, signifies our relentless pursuit to eradicate the presence of this poison and violent crime throughout our community,” said Michael G. Sarhatt, Director of the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team. “Today is the result of a strong working relationship between Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics, the FBI, DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Savannah Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s office. It is our promise to continue our commitment to keeping our streets safe and clean.”
“Thanks to extensive and trusting partnerships, a dangerous criminal will now be behind bars for decades,” said Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther. “Our department is committed to continued focus on partnerships and relationships to help yield similar outcomes into the future.”
Operation Deadlier Catch was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Agencies investigating the case included the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, and the Savannah Police Department. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank M. Pennington II.
Fugitive charged in scheme that misdirected millions in charitable donations intended for Christian outreach in ChinaRead the Press Release
DUBLIN, GA: A former Dublin, Ga., resident is being sought internationally on multiple federal charges alleging he orchestrated a scheme that misdirected more than $30 million donated for Christian ministry in China.
Jason Gerald Shenk, 45, is charged in a newly unsealed federal indictment with four counts of Wire Fraud; three counts of International Concealment Money Laundering; 13 counts of Concealment Money Laundering; 21 counts of Money Laundering Involving Transactions Greater than $10,000; and one count of Failure to File Report of Foreign Bank Account, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Conviction on the charges would subject Shenk to statutory penalties of up to 20 years in prison, forfeiture of any property involved in or traceable to the offenses, substantial financial penalties, and a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison sentence.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Warrants have been issued for Shenk’s arrest. He is considered innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
“When people of faith donate money for evangelistic purposes, they reasonably expect those who solicit their donations to act as faithful stewards of those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This case alleges an egregious breach of that trust at the expense of multiple charities and individual donors.”
As spelled out in the indictment, Shenk is alleged to have planned and executed a scheme in which he obtained more than $30 million from faith-based charities and individual donors, primarily from religious communities in Ohio and North Carolina, based on his promises that he would use the funds for producing and distributing Bibles and Christian literature in the People’s Republic of China.
Instead, the indictment alleges Shenk converted a significant amount of the funds to his own use, including:
- Payments of approximately $1 million to an online sports gambling website;
- Purchases of equity shares of approximately $850,000 in a privately held nuclear energy company;
- Approximately $4 million in purchases of at least 16 life insurance policies in various people’s names;
- Purchases of diamonds, gold, and precious metals in amounts totaling approximately $1 million;
- Purchases of domestic and foreign stocks totaling more than $188,000;
- Payments of approximately $7 million to the company running Shenk’s family farm;
- Purchases on at least 10 personal credit cards totaling more than $820,000; and,
- Purchases of $320,000 in real estate in the “Galt’s Gulch” development in Santiago, Chile.
The indictment alleges Shenk obtained approximately $22 million from one charitable organization and its donors, and approximately $10 million from another charity and its donors, along with other donations from individuals. The funds were directed to a variety of shell corporations as a result of Shenk’s claims to those religious communities that he was a missionary dedicated to various Christian mission projects around the world and would use the funding to produce and distribute Bibles and Christian literature in China.
Companies that served as conduits for these donations included Morning Star Ministries, with a bank account in Dublin, Ga.; Connect Connect Asia BV, with multiple bank accounts in Singapore; CLF Asia Limited, owner of a bank account in Hong Kong; Autumnvale Group Limited, owner of multiple bank accounts in Singapore; BCB International LLC, an entity registered in Georgia with bank accounts in the United States; Heartland Plantations LLC, an entity registered in Georgia with bank accounts in the United States; Global Paradigm LTD, an entity associated with bank accounts in the United States; and Shenkland LLC, an entity registered in North Carolina and owner of bank accounts in the United States.
The indictment alleges Shenk perpetrated the scheme from as early as April 2010 until July 2019, and that Shenk renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2016 to avoid financial reporting requirements under federal law.
If you believe you sent money directly or indirectly to Jason Gerald Shenk or one of the entities listed in the indictment for charitable purposes, please contact federal authorities at 478-752-6810. In addition, if you have information regarding the whereabouts of Jason Gerald Shenk, please contact federal authorities at this same number.
The case is being investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States of America by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Josephson.
us_dis_gasd_3_22cr19_indictment_as_to_jason_gerald_shenk.pdfMultiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Four people have been indicted in the Southern District of Georgia on felony charges including illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal charges including illegal possession of firearms.
The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally carry guns.
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to the safety and security of our communities,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Removing guns from the hands of violent criminals and convicted felons makes all of us safer.”
In the past four years, more than 835 defendants have been federally prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Those indicted during the July term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:
- Marqus Jamal Flanders, 37, of Brunswick, charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and MDMA; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Jonathan Duncan, 38, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Jaques B. Pope, 31, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
- Chester Morgan, 53, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firarm by a Convicted Felon.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Marshall Lee Cushman, 39, of Augusta, was sentenced to 180 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent retrieved a rifle from an Avera, Ga., residence in September 2021, and Cushman admitted leaving the gun there. Cushman has multiple prior felony convictions.
- Taipai La’Don Brewer, 43, of Augusta, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Brewer in July 2022 after finding a pistol and drugs in his car during a traffic stop as part of the Operation Grace investigation of gang-related crimes in the Augusta area.
- Trevor Elijah Walker, 24, of Augusta, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies were attempting to serve arrest warrants on Walker in November 2019 when he ran away, dropping a pistol as he fled.
- Terrance Webster Dunn, 32, of Augusta, was sentenced to 63 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Dunn was arrested in October 2022 when Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of a man riding a bike in a shopping center parking lot, taking photos of himself while holding a pistol and found Dunn with a pistol in his waistband. Dunn was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest for a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- Lear A. Williams, 33, of Savannah, was sentenced to 54 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers in September 2022 were investigating reports of a man selling drugs when they found a pistol and ammunition in Williams’ possession.
- Carl Williams, 52, of Savannah, was sentenced to 31 months in prison and fined $4,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Investigators from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division searched Williams’ residence as part of an investigation into stolen military equipment and found three semiautomatic pistols in Williams’ possession. Williams previously pled guilty and was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Connecticut on a felony charge of Conspiracy to Traffic in Stolen Government Property for receiving and reselling gun sights and night-vision equipment stolen from the U.S. Navy.
- Devonte Malik Jorame, 25, of Aiken, S.C., was sentenced to 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and 40 hours of community service after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jorame in June 2022 after finding a pistol in his vehicle during a traffic stop as part of Operation Grace. Jorame has prior state criminal convictions for domestic violence and gun possession.
- James Travon Walker, 22, of Savannah, was sentenced to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Chatham County Police officers arrested Walker while responding to a report of a vehicle break-in and found a backpack belonging to Walker containing two pistols stolen from the vehicle.
- Donald D. Walker, 28, of Hinesville, Ga., was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to False Statement During Attempted Purchase of a Firearm. Walker denied being under indictment when he signed forms required for buying a gun at a Hinesville gun store. Walker’s criminal history includes convictions for assault and family violence.
- Kerry Akeem Milledge, 37, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Milledge was charged in March 2022 by Savannah Police after a traffic stop of a car in which officers found multiple firearms, drugs and cash in the vehicle. Milledge has multiple prior convictions involving guns and drugs. A passenger in the vehicle, Antron Ozier Charles, 19, of Pooler, Ga., was sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
- Johnny Harris, 23, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was arrested in October 2022 by Savannah Police officers investigating reports of shots fired near Frazier Homes, and determined Harris possessed an assault-style pistol while fleeing the area. Harris previously was convicted of illegal gun possession.
- Danny Swinney, 29, of Buford, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During Purchase of Firearm. As described in court, Swinney acknowledged acting as a straw purchaser to buy five handguns and shotgun from a Camden County pawn shop. Those guns were recovered days later in New Jersey.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
Savannah man sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been sentenced to decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to production of child pornography.
Perry Williams III, 24, of Savannah, was sentenced to 360 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Williams to pay restitution of $3,000, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Protecting our most vulnerable citizens from harm and exploitation is of paramount importance – and that requires stopping predators and removing them from our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This substantial prison sentence will help ensure our community’s safety.”
As described in court documents and testimony, Savannah Police officers were alerted in January 2022 when a woman discovered videos on Williams’ phone showing the sexual exploitation of a child. During a subsequent search of Williams’ residence, investigators found videos and other evidence that Williams had used his phone to record four videos in which he performed sexually explicit acts on a child.
“Protecting the children in our communities remains a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “This sentence is a testament that HSI remains committed to identifying and holding accountable individuals who prey on our most vulnerable population.”
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
The case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer J. Kirkland.
Companies that employed labor whistleblower and his killers reach criminal, civil resolution with United StatesRead the Press Release
final_executed_npa_and_civil_settlement_letter_and_agreement.pdfSAVANNAH, GA: An Ohio company and its Tennessee subsidiary have agreed to pay nearly $4 million to resolve criminal and civil claims related to illegal labor practices reported by a whistleblower who was murdered for revealing the scheme.
Davey Tree Expert Company, of Ohio, and its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, Inc., entered into a non-prosecution and settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to resolve criminal and civil claims stemming from immigration and employment violations.
“Eliud Montoya attempted to expose a scheme where his employer and supervisors profited from the use of unauthorized laborers,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg. “His killers have been convicted and sentenced for their crimes, and this settlement holds the corporate entities financially accountable.”
The terms of the settlement with Davey Tree and Wolf Tree require a payment of $3,984,325.44 to the U.S. government to resolve all criminal and civil claims against the companies, which includes restitution to the victim’s estate for lost future income and to another employee for back wages. The settlement amount also includes forfeiture of $1,136,521.19 in payments from the companies’ contracts with Georgia Power, and a civil penalty of $1,500,000.
Pablo Rangel-Rubio and his brother, Juan Rangel-Rubio, along with Higinio Perez-Bravo, are citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States. Pablo and Juan Rangel-Rubio were illegally employed at Wolf Tree, a company under contract to Georgia Power to trim trees along power line rights-of-way in the Savannah, Ga., area.
As determined at trial in October 2022, Pablo Rangel-Rubio, a supervisor at Wolf Tree, led a conspiracy to employ illegal aliens to work for the company, and provided those illegal aliens with assumed identities. The conspirators routed the workers’ paychecks to their own bank accounts where they skimmed a portion of the pay for themselves and paid the illegal aliens in cash to avoid detection. They also created fake employee accounts and directed that pay to themselves.
Eliud Montoya, also an employee of Wolf Tree, reported the illegal activity to the company and to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the conspirators shot and killed him near his home. The conspirators are serving federal prison sentences for their roles in Montoya’s murder
The companies allegedly conducted an audit of their employee files and determined that a percentage of their employees did not or could not provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate their authorization to be employed in the United States. The agreement resolves the government’s allegations that the companies unlawfully employed unauthorized workers and failed to verify their authorization status. The settled civil claims are allegations only and do not constitute admissions of liability by the settling parties.
“This labor exploitation scheme not only exploited our nation’s labor laws, but also led to the death of a whistleblower. Hopefully, the settlement sends a message to anyone involved in such activity that they will not go unpunished and that there is hope for anyone experiencing this horrible situation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Protecting the integrity of the nation’s immigration and labor laws from those looking to circumvent them is of vital importance and HSI prioritizes this mission.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations. The United States was represented by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys, including AUSAs Tania D. Groover and Bradford C. Patrick.
U.S. Attorney Announces Participation in Coordinated National Health Care Fraud Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Criminal charges have been filed in the Southern District of Georgia against a Florida man as part of the Department of Justice’s 2023 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action.
“These enforcement actions, including against one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever prosecuted by the Justice Department, represent our intensified efforts to combat fraud and prosecute the individuals who profit from it,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will find and bring to justice criminals who seek to defraud Americans and steal from taxpayer-funded programs.”
“This nationwide enforcement action demonstrates that the Criminal Division is committed to fighting health care fraud and opioid abuse by prosecuting those who allegedly exploit patients and health care benefit programs for personal gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s announcement includes some of the largest and most complex cases that the Department has prosecuted, and demonstrates the Department’s commitment to seeking justice for those at all levels of the healthcare industry who put profits above patient care, from professionals in doctors’ offices to executives in corporate boardrooms.”
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting the integrity of our nation’s health care system and medical safety net programs from those who would exploit them for profit,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The charges announced during the 2023 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action are part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement sweep that resulted in criminal charges against 78 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of more than $2.5 billion in alleged false billings. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled, and, in some cases, used the proceeds of the schemes to purchase luxury items, including exotic automobiles and yachts.
In the Southern District of Georgia, Christopher Ciani, 40, of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., is charged via Information with one criminal count of Conspiracy. The information alleges that Ciani, in 2019, operated a company called Ciani Medical Solutions and conspired with others in a scheme targeted at the Medicare program. As alleged in the information, Ciani brokered relationships between laboratories and various marketing groups that recruited Medicare beneficiaries and sent doctors’ orders and specimens for genetic testing to the laboratories in exchange for approximately $1.4 million in illegal kickbacks and bribes. The case is being prosecuted by Acting Assistant Chief Brynn Schiess of the Dallas Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Grover of the Southern District of Georgia.
Criminal Informations contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Descriptions of other cases involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit/2023-national-hcf-court-documents.
The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Strike Forces in Brooklyn, Dallas, Detroit, the Gulf Coast, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, and Tampa; the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response Strike Force; the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of Georgia, Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, District of Idaho, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Southern District of Ohio, District of South Carolina, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Washington, and Eastern District of Wisconsin; and the State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Enforcement Action, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team.
The Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System to provide victims with case information and updates related to cases charged by the Fraud Section in the National Enforcement Action. Victims with questions may contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing [email protected].
Georgia bar and restaurant owner sentenced to federal prison, ordered to pay restitution for tax evasionRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: The co-owner of multiple bars and a restaurant in Georgia has been sentenced to federal prison for tax evasion.
Eugene R. Britt III, aka Trey Britt, 53, of Milledgeville, Ga., was sentenced to 24 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Tax Evasion, as jointly announced by Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg of the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randall Hall also ordered Britt to pay $362,249.53 in restitution and a fine of $10,000, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Trey Britt created a scheme to illegally withhold profits that should have been remitted to the U.S. Treasury,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Avoiding the obligation of paying taxes places a greater burden on all law-abiding taxpayers, and Britt is being held accountable for his actions.”
As described in court documents and testimony, Britt engaged in a scheme to evade taxes owed to the IRS on income from multiple bars and a restaurant he and others owned near college campuses in Georgia. As part of the scheme, Britt and others disguised their ownership in the bars by causing each establishment to be owned on paper by a single person. Britt and the other true owners then shared in the profits by skimming cash and disbursing it amongst themselves.
Britt personally controlled the distribution of cash for three of the establishments. As part of his guilty plea, Britt acknowledged that for approximately two decades he skimmed cash from his bars and restaurants and did not report it on his tax returns.
Additionally, Britt admitted to engaging in a similar cash skimming operation with respect to sales of beer at a music festival in 2015. Britt ensured that his individual tax return was false because he did not inform his accountant of the cash he received from the bars and the music festival during this year.
“Business owners have a responsibility to accurately report their income and not doing so is unlawful,” said Lisa Fontanette, acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents will pursue those who disregard that responsibility in order to steal from taxpayers and the federal government.”
“Hard-working taxpayers should not have to shoulder the burden for people like Trey Britt who fail to pay their taxes because of greed,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will work with our partners to make sure there are serious consequences for those who intentionally avoid their tax obligations.”
IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant Chief David Zisserson and Trial Attorney Casey Smith of the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, and the Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Augusta man sentenced to prison for COVID-19 scheme that netted more than $4.5 million in loans and grantsRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: A Richmond County man has been sentenced to federal prison for conducting a scheme to submit fraudulent applications for COVID-19 small business relief funding that netted more than $4.5 million in payments.
Kamario Thomas, 42, of Augusta, was sentenced to 38 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Thomas to pay $4,546,945 in restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we continue to pursue those who illegally profited from a COVID-19 program designed to help struggling small businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Kamario Thomas defrauded the government and aided other individuals in stealing money from the taxpayers, and this sentence holds him accountable.”
The 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided more than $650 billion in funding for qualifying small businesses facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with grants and forgivable loans available through the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
As described in court documents and testimony, Thomas completed false and fraudulent EIDL applications for himself, and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in return for completing and submitting fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications on behalf of others. To create those applications, Thomas fabricated IRS forms and tax records.
In total, the scheme caused the disbursement of more than $4.5 million in fraudulent CARES Act loans and grants.
“Individuals who provided fraudulent information to gain access to SBA funds intended to support eligible small businesses will face justice,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
“IRS-CI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who fraudulently received funds from programs under the CARES Act,” said Lisa Fontanette, acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Kamario Thomas’ sentencing sends a clear message that individuals who defraud the government will be held accountable.”
“Greed has no place in the relief programs intended to aid the nation’s hardworking small business owners who struggled during the pandemic,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence should serve as an example to others that the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to stop people like Thomas who illegally profit from these programs and hurt law abiding business owners.”
The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer A. Stanley.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Former Augusta city commissioner sentenced to prison for destroying records, lying to federal investigatorsRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A former Augusta city commissioner was sentenced to prison after being found guilty at trial of destroying records in a federal investigation, and then lying about it to federal investigators researching the case.
Sammie Lee Sias, 68, of Hephzibah, Ga., the former District 4 Augusta Commissioner, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after being found guilty in July 2022. Sias was convicted of Destruction, Alteration, or Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations and False Statement or Representation Made to a Department or Agency of the United States, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Sias to pay a fine of $5,000, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“The community trusted Sammie Sias to be an upstanding public official, and saw him as someone their community could count on for leadership,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This sentence not only will serve to deter Mr. Sias from committing any similar conduct in the future but it will also serve to deter others in similar positions from betraying the community’s trust. It’s important for the citizens of Richmond County and the Southern District of Georgia to know that their trusted public officials will be held accountable when they engage in illegal conduct. No one is above the law.”
As described in court documents and testimony, the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 2019 were investigating then-Commissioner Sias’ role in expenditures of Richmond County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds. An FBI special agent served Sandridge Community Association (SCA) and Sias, the SCA president, with federal subpoenas for records regarding the SCA, Jamestown Community Center, Jamestown Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), SCA Board of Directors, and SCA Summer Camp. SCA is a private organization that operates the Richmond County government-owned Jamestown Community Center, and Sias served for several years as its leader.
Within hours of the agent’s visit, Sias deleted approximately 7,000 relevant files from a laptop in his possession that belonged to the Jamestown Community Center.
Shortly thereafter, during a recorded interview with an FBI agent, Sias falsely stated that he told the agent that he had provided all files in his possession related to the investigation. A forensic examination later found evidence of those missing files on the laptop, and a U.S. District Court grand jury named Sias in a two-count felony indictment.
After four days of trial testimony, a jury deliberated for just two hours before delivering guilty verdicts on both counts of the indictment.
“This cover-up was not only a violation of the oath taken by Sias, but a theft of the public’s trust,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top priorities and we will do everything in our power to pursue officials who abuse their positions.”
“The conviction and sentencing of former Augusta City Commissioner Sammie Lee Sias clearly conveys that no one is above the law, especially public officials entrusted with maintaining higher ethical standards,” said Mike Register, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “Sias’s deliberate destruction of records and subsequent false statements to federal investigators demonstrate a complete disregard for the principles of accountability and transparency. The GBI, alongside our partners at the FBI, worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and ensure justice was served.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the GBI and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Division Chief Patricia G. Rhodes, and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons.
Multiple defendants indicted, prosecuted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Three people have been indicted in the Southern District of Georgia on felony charges including illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal charges including illegal possession of firearms.
The cases were investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally carry guns.
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to the safety and security of our communities,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Removing guns from the hands of violent criminals and convicted felons makes all of us safer.”
In the past four years, more than 830 defendants have been federally prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Those indicted during the June term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:
- Ashley Chase Lee, 40, of Alma, Ga., charged in a superseding indictment with Escape from Custody; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Stolen Firearm; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
- Thomas Antonio Heard, 36, of Washington, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
- Isaac Wilford Stewart, 23, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Ricky Maurice Johnson, 35, of Swainsboro, Ga., sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In June 2022, Johnson sped away from a Georgia State Patrol trooper attempting a traffic stop and was arrested after a brief foot chase. Savannah Police officers found a pistol Johnson dropped during the chase. Johnson has a prior felony conviction for illegal firearms possession.
- Robert Triche, 40, of Savannah, sentenced to 110 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In connection with a vehicle stop, Triche was determined to be in possession of a firearm. Triche, who previously was convicted on state drug trafficking charges, was on state parole at the time of his arrest.
- Titus Nathaniel Travis, 23, of Augusta, sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Travis was on probation from a prior felony conviction in June 2022 when Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents and officers from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision searched Titus’ residence and found two pistols and a rifle. Travis is a member of a Bloods-affiliated criminal street gang.
- Antonio D’Avaris Bowens, 35, of Gray, Ga., sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, relating to a prior conviction for domestic violence. U.S. Customs and Border Protection found a pistol in Bowens’ vehicle as Bowens attempted to enter the Port of Savannah in May 2022.
- Kevon Quantae Davis, 23, of Augusta, sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Davis in January 2022 as part of Operation Grace, a gang-focused investigation in coordination with the FBI. A member of the Bolt Alley Drive Boyz street gang, Davis dropped a pistol while running on foot from deputies.
- Amir Dontell Foreman, 27, of Augusta, sentenced to five years’ probation and fined $1,200 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Foreman in August 2022 after finding a pistol in his vehicle during a traffic stop as part of Operation Grace.
- Christopher Washington, 53, of Savannah, sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Washington was charged after a Georgia Ports Authority officer found a firearm in Washington’s vehicle during a routine screening at a port facility in Port Wentworth, Ga. Washington has prior felony convictions for domestic violence, gun possession, and robbery.
- Kenneth Sallen, 43, of Savannah, sentenced to 56 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Sallen was arrested in July 2022 when Pooler police officers found a pistol in his waistband during a traffic stop. Sallen previously was convicted of armed robbery and was on probation for a firearms charge at the time of his arrest.
- Nicholas Robinson, 22, of Savannah, sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers arrested Robinson in March 2022 after finding two pistols in Robinson’s pockets while investigating a domestic disturbance at a motel.
- Calvin Lomont Powell Jr., 22, of Waynesboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Georgia State Patrol troopers found a pistol, drugs, and cash in Powell’s car during a June 2022 traffic stop.
- Javonte Deshawn Washington, 30, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Straw Purchase of a Firearm. In his plea, Washington agreed that in November 2022 he aided and abetted Nygeria Tasheema Brown, 32, of Savannah, in purchasing a semi-automatic pistol for Washington from a Chatham County gun store even though he knew that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Garden City police officers found Washington in possession of the gun later that month when responding to a report of a man pointing a gun at motorists outside an apartment complex. Brown awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.
- Tekayo Spencer, 39, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers arrested Spencer in June 2022 during an investigation into a man brandishing a firearm during a domestic dispute. Spencer has convictions for assault and gun possession.
- Melvin Jamarcus Lanier, 42, of Statesboro, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Statesboro police officers arrested Lanier in January 2021 during a traffic stop after finding a pistol in his vehicle.
- Lyondo Larell Ware, a/k/a “China,” 43, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Ware was on felony probation when Richmond County deputies found a loaded pistol while searching his residence in September 2021.
- Tavares L. Freeman Jr., 22, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Freeman was arrested in August 2022 after he was seen tossing a pistol from a window of his home as Richmond County sheriff’s deputies and agents from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision arrived to conduct a search of the residence. Freeman was on probation from a state felony conviction at the time.
- Todd Joseph Harbuck, 47, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Harbuck was arrested on an outstanding warrant after a domestic violence incident in Columbia County. Harbuck has a previous federal conviction for gun possession by a convicted felon, and multiple state-level convictions for violent felonies.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
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Ware County man sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Ware County man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine.
Jarvis Godwin, 39, of Homerville, Ga., was sentenced to 188 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Godwin to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Methamphetamine and other highly addictive illegal drugs deliver devastation to communities, no matter how rural or populous,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The Ware County area will be much safer with this meth merchant behind bars.”
As described in court documents and testimony, investigators from the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation of Godwin’s drug trafficking activity in 2020 and documented multiple instances of Godwin selling large quantities of methamphetamine. The investigation culminated in Godwin’s indictment and arrest in September 2022. Godwin pled guilty to one count of methamphetamine distribution in December of 2022 and was scheduled for sentencing in April of 2023.
Godwin’s sentencing was delayed after investigators recovered evidence of Godwin’s continued involvement in the illicit drug trade. While in custody pending sentencing, Godwin engaged other individuals, through the use of jail communication facilities, in a conspiracy to import distributable quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana. The investigation resulted in the successful recovery of the illegal drugs before they could be further distributed.
Godwin has a long history of criminal convictions for drug offenses.
“Driven by greed, the defendant’s trafficking of methamphetamine on multiple occasions was a significant threat to the quality of life,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “As a result, he will have to deal with the consequences with significant time behind bars.”
“The sentencing of Jarvis Godwin for methamphetamine distribution underscores our commitment to combating the devastating impact of illegal drugs on our communities. Godwin's repeated convictions for drug offenses demonstrate his disregard for the well-being of our communities, but this outcome will contribute to a safer Ware County area,” said Mike Register, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We commend the collaborative efforts of the Ware County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and our own investigators for their dedication in bringing Godwin to justice.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Marcela C. Mateo.
Two defendants plead guilty to multiple charges concerning child sexual exploitationRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Camden County man and woman face substantial prison terms after pleading guilty to multiple charges that concern the sexual exploitation of children.
Michael Williams Kersey, 45, of St. Mary’s, Ga., and Lesley M. Henry, 47, of Kingsland, Ga., each await sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple charges before U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Kersey faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to 140 years, after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Engage in Sexual Exploitation of Children; two counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children; and Possession of Child Pornography. Henry faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to 60 years, after pleading guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography. Each defendant also is subject to pay a special assessment of $5,000 and substantial financial penalties and restitution, serve a period of supervised release upon completion of their prison terms, and to register as sex offenders.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“It is exceptionally difficult to fathom the level of victimization of vulnerable children through the despicable acts of these defendants,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Our law enforcement partners did exceptional work in identifying these defendants and protecting innocent children from further harm.”
FBI agents in 2020 began working to find the origin of child sexual abuse images shared through an internet messaging application, and identified Kersey as the registered user of the account. Agents searched Kersey’s home and found multiple electronic devices with hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse, and subsequently identified Henry as a codefendant. Agents determined she had produced multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse and shared them with Kersey.
Both defendants are in federal custody. Sentencing will be scheduled before Judge Wood upon completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
“The victimization of a child is particularly heinous when the sexual predators are creating the content to share with other predators. Our office remains relentless in the pursuit to ensure the safety of our children and the punishment of their abusers,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Anyone who suspects a child is being victimized is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or child protective services.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service/Kings Bay, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Marys Police Department, and the Kingsland Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer S. Kirkland and Criminal Division Deputy Chief Tania D. Groover.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Chatham County man sentenced to prison for torching vehicles in downtown SavannahRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been sentenced to federal prison after an arson spree that damaged multiple vehicles, a residence, and a business.
Calvin Frank Robbins, 41, of Savannah, was sentenced to 41 months in prison after pleading guilty to Destruction of Motor Vehicles, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Robbins to pay nominal restitution, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Calvin Frank Robbins potentially endangered dozens of lives, including those of first responders extinguishing multiple raging vehicle fires,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This sentence will hold him accountable while protecting the community.”
As described in court documents and testimony, Savannah firefighters were called to a vehicle fire on West Harris Street late in the evening on Dec. 1, 2021, and while extinguishing the fire – which also damaged a nearby building – firefighters saw heavy smoke coming from the Savannah Visitor’s Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. That fire damaged a tour bus and a van in the parking lot, while another nearby fire on Purse Street damaged the front porch of an under-renovation residence owned by the Coastal Heritage Society. Other vehicles also received minor damage.
Investigators from the Savannah Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified Robbins from witness accounts and surveillance videos, and he was carrying a can of gasoline when agents located and arrested him several days later.
“Arson is an extremely violent crime that not only destroys property but also places firefighters, first responders and the general public at great risk,” said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Atlanta Field Division. “The ATF, along with the Savannah Fire Department and our other law enforcement partners, are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that those who commit these dangerous acts are held accountable.”
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Savannah Fire Department Arson Unit, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank M. Pennington II.
Columbia County man sentenced to federal prison for possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man has been sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing images of child sexual abuse.
Bradley Fearneyhough, 35, of Martinez, Ga., was sentenced to 172 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Fearneyhough to pay $21,000 in restitution, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 20 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Predators who possess images of child sexual exploitation perpetuate the victimization of these vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This sentence makes it clear that such despicable activity won’t be tolerated in our communities.”
“As described in court documents and testimony, in May 2022, the FBI received an online tip that Fearneyhough possessed images that depicted child sexual abuse. He was arrested after subsequent interviews and searches of his electronic devices. Agents found hundreds of images of child pornography on multiple devices in Fearneyhough’s possession, including videos depicting sexual abuse of children as young as infants.
"Thanks to a public tip submitted to the National Threat Operations Center, Fearneyhough will be held accountable for his heinous crimes," said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "This case is an outstanding example of how partnerships between the FBI and the public are essential in protecting our citizens, in particular, children, our most vulnerable citizens."
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
The case was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons.
Multiple defendants sentenced or enter guilty pleas on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: At least 20 defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal charges including illegal possession of firearms.
The cases were investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally carry guns.
“In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to the safety and security of our communities,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Removing guns from the hands of violent criminals and convicted felons makes all of us safer.”
In the past four years, more than 830 defendants have been federally prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Deon Brown, 31, of Augusta, was sentenced to 130 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Brown in August 2021 at his residence and found drugs and multiple handguns in his vehicle. Brown has prior convictions for drug and gun possession.
- Christopher Fitzgerald Jones, 35, of Augusta, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jones in October 2021 on a felony warrant resulting from a series of domestic altercations. Jones, who was carrying a pistol at the time of his arrest, has a substantial criminal history that includes violence and illegal gun possession.
- Jamar Lavelle Alexander, 35, of Crawfordville, Ga., was sentenced to 63 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Taliaferro County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Alexander in November 2020 after finding him passed out behind the wheel of a car parked in the middle of a county highway with a loaded pistol in his lap. Alexander previously was convicted on state charges of weapons possession.
- Windsor Hodge, 64, of Martinez, Ga., was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies searched Hodge’s residence on a warrant in January 2022 and found 13 firearms. Hodge previously was convicted of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, a felony.
- Dontrell Kydreek Mathis, 30, of Augusta, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies found two pistols in Mathis’ vehicle after an attempted traffic stop and subsequent vehicle and foot chase in August 2022.
- Christopher Donnell Crumbley, 34, of Waynesboro, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Burke County sheriff’s deputies arrested Crumbley on outstanding criminal warrants and found three pistols in his possession.
- David Alexander Harris, 43, of Augusta, was sentenced to 51 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Eutylone and Cocaine, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Harris in March 2020 after finding him asleep at the wheel of his vehicle at a traffic light. A pistol was lying in Harris’ lap.
- Diemond Dajion Wimberly, 25, of Augusta, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Wimberly during an April 2022 traffic stop after finding a pistol with a high-capacity magazine in the vehicle.
- Ra’ann Michell Coleman, 49, of Eastman, Ga., was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm. In her plea agreement, Coleman admitted that when she purchased two firearms in October and December 2020, she lied about being the actual purchaser of the guns when she in fact was buying the firearms on behalf of someone else.
- Ephelius Artavis Brinson Jr., 28, of Hephzibah, Ga., was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Brinson in June 2022 after he fled from a traffic stop, leaving behind a backpack containing a loaded pistol and drugs.
- Deontre Hubert, 28, of Augusta, was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Hubert had a pistol in his waistband in June 2022 when pulled over by Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies for a traffic violation. He previously was convicted in state court of Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony.
- Ryan Nickolus Smiley, a/k/a “Nick Smiley,” 39, of Clyo, Ga., was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Smiley was on supervised release from a prior federal firearms conviction when the U.S. Marshal’s Service served an arrest warrant for a violation of supervised release and found ammunition and photos of Smiley in possession of firearms.
- Derrick Drurell Long, 32, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Georgia Department of Community Supervision officers arrested Long in June 2020 after finding a pistol in his apartment during a search.
- Carl Williams, 52, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Investigators from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division conducted a warrant search of Williams’ residence as part of an investigation into stolen military equipment and found three semiautomatic pistols in Williams’ possession. Williams previously pled guilty and was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Connecticut on a felony charge of Conspiracy to Traffic in Stolen Government Property for receiving and reselling gun sights and night-vision equipment stolen from the U.S. Navy.
- Shannan Barnwell, 24, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Barnwell’s plea is in connection with an armed robbery of a vendor restocking a South State Bank automatic teller machine.
- Jonathan Bennett Capece II, 53, of Dublin, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Dublin Police officers arrested Capece in April 2020 after finding drugs and two pistols in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
- Horatio Trimane Bynes, 65, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bynes at a DUI checkpoint after a deputy smelled marijuana and a drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of drugs in his vehicle. Deputies searched the car and found drugs, cash, and a .357 caliber revolver.
- Dequan Dante Payne, 31, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Payne in March 2022 after finding drugs and guns during a search of his residence as part of a drug investigation. Payne previously served nearly 10 years in state prison for armed robbery.
- Donald D. Walker, 28, of Hinesville, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During Attempted Purchase of a Firearm. Walker made a false statement about being under indictment when he signed forms required for buying a gun at a Hinesville gun store. Walker’s criminal history includes convictions for assault and family violence.
- Tyrique Marquez Mills, 25, of Waycross, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Mills was wanted on felony warrants related to a shooting when he was arrested by Waycross Police officers who found a loaded pistol in his pocket.
- James Travon Walker, 22, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Chatham County Police officers arrested Walker while responding to a report of a vehicle break-in and found a backpack belonging to Walker containing two pistols stolen from the vehicle.
- Lear A. Williams, 33, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers in September 2022 were investigating reports of a man selling drugs when they found a pistol and ammunition in Williams’ possession.
- Olajuwon Raheem Williams, 25, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Williams after he threatened to shoot up his ex-girlfriend’s home and fled from police while firing at the pursuing officer with an AR-style pistol. Williams previously served a state prison sentence for armed robbery.
- Tony Lavardo Blount Jr., 32, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Grovetown, Ga., home to investigate a report of domestic violence and arrested Blount after a brief foot chase when he pulled a pistol from his pocket.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
Repeat offender sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to robbing a Savannah bankRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A man who pled guilty to a 2022 bank robbery in Savannah has been sentenced to more than 13 years federal prison.
Shawn Kelley, 45, from Baton Rouge, La., was sentenced to 163 months in prison after pleading guilty to Robbery, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker ordered Kelley’s sentence to run consecutively with time remaining for his state probation violation, ordered Kelley to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term, and there is no parole in the federal system.
“For most of his adult life, Shawn Kelley has committed robberies, served time in prison, and re-offended,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “A lengthy term of incarceration will keep the community safe from this serial criminal and hopefully deter others from making the same choices.”
As described in court documents and testimony, Kelley walked into the Wells Fargo Bank at 136 Bull St., Savannah, on Sept. 15, 2022, and demanded cash from the teller. After leaving with a substantial amount of money, Kelley walked to the bus station where Savannah Police officers found him in the bathroom changing out of the clothes he’d worn during the robbery, still in possession of the cash.
Kelley, who was on probation after being paroled from a 2015 conviction for a Gwinnett County, Ga., credit union robbery, has a total of six prior convictions for robberies dating back to a mugging conviction in 2000 in Baton Rouge, La., with subsequent bank and credit union robberies during the following two decades in Louisiana and Georgia.
“This sentence makes it very clear that criminals who repeatedly break the law will be held accountable with lengthy prison terms, without the opportunity for parole,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies make these sentencings possible, ultimately making our communities safer.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Savannah Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Makeia R. Jonese, and by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Division Deputy Chief E. Gregory Gilluly Jr.
Georgia woman sentenced to prison, ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution for COVID fraudRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Georgia woman has been sentenced to prison and ordered to repay more than $1 million in fraudulently obtained funds from a COVID-19 small business relief program.
Salmat Deyji, 26, of Stockbridge, Ga., was sentenced to 26 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Deyji to pay $1,073,307 in restitution to the government, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Congress provided substantial funding to assist struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and unfortunately scam artists found myriad ways to enrich themselves through those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Salmat Deyji not only helped herself to undeserved assistance, but also profited by conducting fraudulent activity on behalf of others. She’s now being held accountable for this substantial theft.”
The 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided more than $650 billion in funding for qualifying small businesses facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including grants available through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
In her plea agreement, Deyji admitted to filling out and submitting fraudulent PPP loan applications for herself and other individuals, in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere, who otherwise did not meet the qualifications for the program. She assisted in filing these applications using fabricated IRS forms and tax records which she created. Her scheme included soliciting information from U.S. Army service members as well as friends and family who she recruited to receive PPP funding in exchange for kickbacks.
In total, the scheme caused the disbursement of more than $1 million in fraudulent CARES Act grants to more than three dozen applicants. At least six others who participated in the scheme pled guilty to related charges, with sentences ranging from probation to 22 months in prison along with substantial orders of restitution.
“Today’s sentencing should serve as a stark reminder that our agents, and those of our partner law enforcement agencies, are relentless in their pursuit of those who choose to defraud the government,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Moreland of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Major Procurement Fraud Field Office.
“Those who illegally utilize government assistance for their own advantage undermine the efficacy and integrity of programs designed to support those who are in need of government aid,” stated Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “DCIS and our investigative partners are committed to bringing those who exploit these programs for selfish gain to justice.”
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program was enacted by Congress in response to helping businesses who were experiencing economic uncertainty,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Unfortunately, people like Deyji and her co-conspirators fraudulently applied for and obtained those funds for their personal benefit. IRS-Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will continue pursuing those who defrauded the government and stole from others in need of economic relief.”
“The U.S. Secret Service’s investigative collaboration with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners again demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice those who choose to exploit the systems created to help those affected by COVID-19 pandemic,” said Craig Reno, Resident Agent in Charge of the Savannah Resident Office of the U.S. Secret Service. “The results of these cases should serve as a deterrent to fraudsters that you will be held accountable to fullest extent of the law.”
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The case was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted for the United States of America by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Josephson.
Laurens County man is final defendant sentenced in middle Georgia drug trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
DUBLIN, GA: A Laurens County man who was involved in a now-dismantled drug-trafficking conspiracy has been sentenced to prison, joining the other seven defendants identified in the investigation.
Quaveris Leshaun Mims, a/k/a “Strong,” 51, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 108 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen also fined Mims $2,000 and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“A collaborative effort from multiple law enforcement agencies identified and shut down this prolific drug-trafficking network in middle Georgia,” U.S. Attorney Steinberg said. “These eight guilty pleas reflect the continued hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners to make their communities safer.”
Operation “The Hole” was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation coordinated by agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force. The investigation targeted a drug-trafficking ring moving large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana into the Laurens County area starting as early as 2017.
The investigation identified a small, secluded cinder-block building called “The Hole” that was being used as the “trap house,” or central distribution site, complete with a retail-like service counter for drug transactions.
During the execution of multiple federal search warrants, agents seized pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, along with two dozen firearms, nearly $37,000 in cash, silver bars with an estimated value of $73,000, devices for pressing bricks of cocaine, pill presses, a stolen vehicle, and two stolen generators with lights. Additional drugs, firearms and cash also were discovered during individual arrests of the eight defendants.
In addition to Mims, the seven co-defendants all are serving federal prison sentences after pleading guilty in the case:
- Rodney Jarrod Denson, a/k/a “RD,” 46, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 262 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges. Denson was a drug supplier for other defendants.
- Anthony Michael Denson, 51, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge. He is the brother of Rodney Denson.
- Nicholas Turner, 27, of East Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 112 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.
- Brandon Payne, a/k/a “Tre,” 28, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 121 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge. Payne is a stepson of Rodney Denson.
- Constance Victoria Moore, 36, of McRae-Helena, Ga., was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.
- Zandera Finney, 36, of Warner Robins, Ga., was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.
- Desergio Kates, a/k/a “Serg,” 26, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Kates is a stepson of Rodney Denson.
“The leader of this once-thriving drug trafficking organization has owned up to his crimes and now will pay the price,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Operation The Hole was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), the premier U.S. Department of Justice program to dismantle multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking organizations. Agencies involved in the investigation include the DEA; the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF); the FBI; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office; Ocmulgee Drug Task Force; the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office; the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office; the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office; the Washington County Sheriff’s Office; the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office; and the Warner Robins Police Department, and is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Rhodes, Henry W. Syms Jr. and Jeremiah L. Johnson.
Drug-trafficking indictment names 15 Chatham County defendantsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A newly unsealed federal indictment names 15 defendants as part of a major drug trafficking network operating in the greater Savannah area.
The indictment in USA v. Smiley et al., dubbed “Operation Be Real Every Second,” charges all defendants with a drug trafficking conspiracy that carries a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The indictment was unsealed Wednesday, April 26, in U.S. District Court.
“Working with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and eradicating the conduits of illegal drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This indictment sends a clear message that we will hold accountable those who would profit from distributing deadly and addictive drugs in in the Southern District.”
Initiated as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation, the indictment in Operation “Be Real Every Second” alleges that from about January 2017 through March 2023, the defendants conspired to distribute large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana throughout Chatham County.
Along with drug possession and distribution charges against multiple defendants, all 15 defendants are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine, 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine, and a Quantity of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana. The charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. They include:
- Gregory Smiley, 45, of Savannah, the lead defendant in the case;
- Lena Smiley, 42, of Savannah, Gregory Smiley’s wife;
- James Burton, a/k/a “Muffin,” 48, of Savannah;
- Jason Burton, a/k/a “JB,” 45, of Savannah;
- Charles Tolbert, a/k/a “Charlie Boy,” 42, of Savannah;
- Wilbert Gordon, a/k/a “Slap,” 47, of Savannah;
- Anthony Williams, 49, of Savannah;
- Ebony Coleman, 44, of Savannah;
- Richard Wood, 38, of Savannah;
- Armond Smith, 42, of Savannah;
- Jerome Jenkins, 46, of Pooler, Ga.;
- Robert Jones, 36, of Savannah;
- Leon Brown, 57, of Savannah;
- Shadar Wright, 40, of Garden City, Ga.; and,
- Tywanna Lewis, 46, of Savannah.
Thirteen of the defendants are in custody and are having initial appearance hearings. Armond Smith and Shadar Wright are being sought.
In addition to the conspiracy charge, the 40-count indictment alleges Gregory Smiley, conspiring with Lena Smiley and Tywanna Lewis, used gambling casinos in Nevada and Maryland to illegally launder and conceal profits derived from the conspiracy.
The indictment also includes a notice of the government’s intent to seek the forfeiture of nearly $200,000 in cash seized during the investigation; three bank accounts registered to the lead defendant; four Savannah residences; and high-end jewelry valued at more than $138,000, including a Rolex watch.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Savanah Resident Office; the Chatham Savannah Counter Narcotics Team; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Savannah Police Department; the Chatham County Police Department; and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darron J. Hubbard and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo.
South Georgia man with lengthy criminal history of drug offenses sentenced to federal prisonRead the Press Release
WAYCROSS, GA: A Lowndes County man who sold cocaine from a Waycross, Ga., residence has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison.
Benjamin Godwin, 36, of Remerton, Ga, was sentenced to 151 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Distribution of Cocaine, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The sentence for Godwin is consecutive to a 41-month drug-trafficking sentence in state court in Florida for which Godwin had failed to report to custody, and to any additional time he could be ordered to serve for violating state parole in Georgia. After completion of his prison terms, Godwin must serve three years of federal supervised release, and there is no parole in the federal system.
“Benjamin Godwin’s extensive criminal record makes it clear that a substantial period of incarceration is warranted,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We hope that the sentence in this case will finally deter him from future criminal conduct and ensure the safety of the community.”
As described in court, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation initiated an investigation in 2021 after identifying Godwin as a drug trafficker in Ware County. The investigation led to his federal indictment in September 2022, and he pled guilty in December 2022 to Distribution of Cocaine.
Godwin, who has multiple prior convictions for drug trafficking, faced an outstanding state warrant after failing to report for incarceration after a methamphetamine trafficking conviction in Hillsborough, Fla., in January 2021. After sentencing in the federal case, U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood ordered Godwin remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
“Removing this repeat offender from the Waycross, Ga., community will effectively disrupt one of the primary supply chains for cocaine in south Georgia,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “This defendant will now spend well-deserved time in prison instead of selling poison in our community.”
“This repeat offender has chosen a life of crime and now must pay the consequences by serving this lengthy sentence,” said Mike Register, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to investigate drug trafficking and make our communities safer.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcela C. Mateo.
‘Modern-day Bonnie and Clyde’ sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for using stolen mail to raid bank accountsRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: A South Carolina man who referred to himself and his girlfriend as the “modern-day Bonnie and Clyde” was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to a scheme in which he used information from stolen mail to steal or attempt to steal more than a million dollars from multiple victims.
Michael H. Boatwright, 33, of Chesterfield, S.C., was sentenced to 150 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Wire, and Bank Fraud, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randall Hall also ordered Boatwright to pay $427,131.37 in restitution for actual losses to the victims, and to serve five years of supervised release after completion of his prison term.
Boatwright’s co-defendant, Stephanie Michelle Lea Napier, 29, also of Chesterfield, is serving a 28-month prison term for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and must serve three years of supervised release after completion of her prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“These thieves didn’t just steal their victims’ mail; they stole their money, their privacy, and their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “They are now being held accountable for their insidious acts.”
As described in court documents and proceedings, Boatwright and Napier called themselves the “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” when, in a period from about November 2020 to June 2021, they drove around Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida to steal mail from mailboxes, capturing personal identifying information from the stolen mail, and then using that information to gain access and control of their victims’ bank accounts.
Using that information, the two stole, or attempted to steal, hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims, including those residing in the Statesboro area, with actual and attempted financial losses of more than $1.5 million.
“The sentencing should serve as a warning to those who intend to steal and misuse the U.S. Mail for criminal activity,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This is a great example of how law enforcement partnerships work together across state lines to vigorously investigate and deliver justice to mail thieves.”
“As evidenced by the length of the prison sentence in this case, fraud is a pernicious crime, especially when it involves identity theft,” said Craig Reno, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Savannah Resident Office. “The result of this case should serve as a deterrent to those who seek to steal from others and attempt to escape the long arm of the law. The Secret Service, along with its law enforcement partners, is committed to holding these criminals accountable for their fraudulent activities.”
The case is being investigated by the Jacksonville, Fla. and Savannah, Ga. offices of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, and the Statesboro Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan C. Grover.
Prison guard who smuggled contraband to prison inmate pleads guilty to federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A former Georgia state prison guard awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to her role in a widespread drug trafficking conspiracy linked to a white supremacist street gang.
Desiree M. Briley, 26, of McRae-Helena, Ga., faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Methamphetamine, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Briley was a Georgia state corrections officer with the rank of sergeant when arrested as part of Operation Ghost Busted in January 2023.
“Desiree Briley played a key role in enabling members of the Ghost Face Gangsters to operate a massive drug trafficking operation inside and outside Georgia’s prison system,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Her actions compromised the security of the facility she was sworn to protect, and threatened the safety of every person in the community where this conspiracy distributed illegal drugs.”
Operation Ghost Busted, announced with the January unsealing of the indictment in USA v. Alvarez, et al., is an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation, led by the FBI Coastal Georgia Violent Gang Task Force, the Glynn County Police Department, the Brunswick Police Department, the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Camden County Sheriff's Office.
Over a more than two-year period, the investigation identified a sprawling drug trafficking network operating in south Georgia counties including Glynn, Pierce, Camden, Wayne, Treutlen, McIntosh, Toombs, Telfair, Dodge, and Ware. The conspiracy operated inside and outside state prison facilities with assistance from Briley, who worked with an inmate indicted as part of the conspiracy: James D. NeSmith, 25, who currently is serving a life sentence for murder at Telfair State Prison. Including Briley and NeSmith, 76 defendants were indicted on federal charges as part of Operation Ghost Busted.
As noted during her plea hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, at the time of her arrest, Briley was attending training to become a canine handler and then would have been in a position to further allow contraband in prisons.
Sentencing for Briley will be scheduled before Judge Wood after completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
“Briley betrayed the trust placed in her by the Georgia state prison system through her illegal and potentially dangerous activity,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This extensive investigation proves that the FBI will not tolerate public corruption, especially by fellow law enforcement officials who choose their own personal gains over protecting the people they were sworn to protect.”
“This operation has dismantled a serious criminal enterprise which funneled guns and drugs into our communities,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka “ATF and its law enforcement partners acted quickly and judiciously on information developed during this long investigation. The safety of the public is at the core of ATF’s mission and we stand at the front line eradicating violent crime from our streets.”
“Illegal activity being carried out by prison staff will not be tolerated,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Michael Register. “This guard is being held accountable for her role in facilitating drug trafficking behind the wire. We are committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate drug trafficking and smuggling and bring these offenders to justice.”
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who choose to bring discredit to the Georgia Department of Corrections and pose a threat to the safety of the public and the operations of our facilities,” said Tyrone Oliver, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. “We appreciate the support of our federal partners in ensuring that justice will be served, and we are proud of our agents who were diligent in working this case to help stop the introduction of dangerous contraband into one of our facilities.”
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Agencies involved in the investigation include the FBI Coastal Georgia Violent Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; the Georgia Department of Corrections; the Georgia Department of Community Supervision; the Glynn County Police Department; the Brunswick Police Department; and sheriff’s offices from Glynn, Pierce, Camden, Wayne, Treutlen, McIntosh, Toombs, Telfair, Dodge, and Ware counties. The case is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer J. Kirkland and Criminal Division Deputy Chief E. Greg Gilluly Jr.
More than 100 dogs forfeited in three separate federal civil actions involving fighting operationsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Recent civil actions in federal court have rescued more than 100 dogs from animal fighting operations in multiple locations in the Southern District of Georgia.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia filed three civil forfeiture complaints between September and December 2022 seeking possession of 110 dogs allegedly involved in illegal dog fighting ventures, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) worked with local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) to seize the dogs, resulting in a final order of default in each of the complaints.
“Dog fighting is unacceptable and has no place in this District,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “In addition, animal fighting ventures often entail other forms of illegal activity; this office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners at all levels to investigate and prosecute those who seek to profit off the abuse of helpless animals.”
The complaints include:
Civil Action No.: 5:22-CV-056
In March 2021, the USMS seized 23 dogs from the Ware County Animal Shelter after local animal control officers removed them from 3310 North Street in Waycross, Ga. The dogs were suspected of being involved in dog fighting activities.
Local animal control officers observed that the dogs’ conditions were inconsistent with those of pets, with housing and equipment indicative of a facility for fight training. After USMS took custody of the dogs, an evaluation by a veterinary contractor showed scarring on their faces and bodies, bite marks, and pressure sores, and some tested positive for hookworm. The 23 dogs were forfeited via court order on March 6, 2023.
Civil Action No.: 2:22-CV-00115
In June 2021, USMS seized 13 dogs from the Long County Animal Shelter after local law enforcement officers removed them from 362 Narcy Stafford Road in Glennville, Ga. These dogs were suspected of being involved in dog fighting activities.
Local law enforcement officers observed the dogs were kept in housing conditions consistent with an animal-fighting operation, including access to veterinary medicines and training equipment. An evaluation confirmed the condition of the animals was consistent with dog fighting, with fractured teeth, scarring and torn ears. Many of the dogs also were diagnosed with heartworm, hookworm, and/or giardia. These 13 dogs were forfeited via court order on Jan. 23, 2023.
Civil Action No.: 3:22-CV-177
In May 2022, USMS seized 74 dogs that were suspected of being involved in dog fighting activities, with 47 of the dogs seized from 138 Tucker School Road in Wrightsville, Ga., and 27 of the dogs seized from 236 James Grove Church Road in Wrightsville, Ga.
Federal agents observed that the dogs were housed in a manner consistent with fighting dogs, with training equipment, veterinary medicines, and pedigrees on site. The dogs had missing teeth and extensive scarring. These 74 dogs were forfeited via court order on April 6, 2023.
After taking the 110 dogs into custody, the USMS contracted with various veterinary service providers for care and rehabilitation of the dogs in preparation for sending the adoptable dogs to local animal shelters for adoption. Where relevant, the U.S. Attorney’s Office may pursue criminal action related to the seizures.
“The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Investigations, actively investigates allegations of animal abuse,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Salina Walker for USDA-OIG. “This agency has made animal fighting a high priority in order to demonstrate that these blatant acts of cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. We would like to acknowledge the agents and supporting law enforcement agencies for their relentless efforts in pursing individuals engaged in these activities. We would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for aggressively prosecuting perpetrators of animal fighting.”
Under the federal Animal Welfare Act, it is a felony to fight dogs or to possess, train, sell, buy, deliver, receive, or transport them for that purpose, and violation of the law carries a statutory penalty of up to five years in prison. The statute further authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of animals involved in dog fighting and empowers the government to recover the costs for care of the animals from the dogs’ owners.
The cases were investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and Special Agent Doug Bridges, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Heath Statkus, U.S. Department of Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division Senior Trial Attorney Mary Hollingsworth and Attorney Lucy Chiu pursued the forfeiture of the dogs on behalf of the United States, with assistance from Southern District of Georgia Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica K. Rock, Animal Crimes Prosecutor for the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia.
Columbia County man sentenced to federal prison for possession of child sexual exploitation materialRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
Robert James Thompson, 35, of Grovetown, was sentenced to 90 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Thompson to pay $8,000 in restitution to victims, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The safety of our community demands that predators like Thompson be identified and taken off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “With our law enforcement partners, we will be diligent in protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”
As described in court documents and testimony, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children shared a cybertip with the FBI indicating the online presence of multiple electronic images depicting sexual exploitation of children.
FBI agents conducted a search of Thompson’s electronic devices in July 2022 and found dozens of images of child pornography. Thompson was on felony probation for a state burglary conviction at the time of his arrest.
“Child pornography is abuse of society’s most vulnerable population. It is also a second victimization for a child who has already been traumatized,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI remains committed to protecting our children and is thankful for the law enforcement partnerships that make it possible to stop people like Thompson from victimizing anyone else.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah L. Johnson.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
All defendants plead guilty in drug trafficking, COVID fraud operation tied to Savannah strip clubsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: The last of five defendants in a two-state drug trafficking organization awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to felony charges in federal Court.
Jaqueline Somesso, 55, of Savannah, faces a statutory sentence of up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to an Information charging her with Misprision of a Felony and one count of Bank Fraud, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The guilty plea acknowledges Somesso is responsible for using fake bank statements to illegally receive COVID-19 relief funding of nearly $600,000. After completion of any prison term, Somesso will be required to serve up to three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The exceptional work of our law enforcement partners identified and dismantled this operation that poured illegal drugs into our communities while also ripping off the American taxpayer,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The five guilty pleas in this case stand testament to the strength of the prosecution painstakingly built through collaboration with our office.”
The guilty pleas in USA v. Kinchen, et al., are the result of “Operation All Eyes On Me,” an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation that identified traffickers distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana in middle and south Georgia and in Florida. The 15-count indictment, unsealed in August 2022, named five defendants identified through a series of controlled purchases, phone surveillance and searches of multiple properties conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and agents from the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team.
In addition to Somesso, the defendants include:
- Dennis Rodriguez Kinchen, 44, of Dublin, Ga., awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in December 2022 to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 500 Grams or More of Cocaine, and an Amount of Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Marijuana; and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Kinchen, identified as a source of the drugs distributed through the conspiracy, faces a statutory sentence of up to 40 years in prison. As part of his guilty plea, he agreed to forfeit an Atlanta condominium purchased with proceeds received through the conspiracy, which also included wire fraud in misuse of more than $300,000 in Small Business Administration COVID Economic Injury Disaster Fund loans comingled with illicit proceeds of drug trafficking. Kinchen was identified as the boyfriend of Somesso, who admitted she knew that he kept illegal firearms and drugs at her residence.
- Sherman Levon Scott, 54, of Pooler Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in March 2023 to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Marijuana. The investigation identified Scott as a distributor in the drug trafficking conspiracy, and a Jan. 29, 2022 law enforcement search of his residence yielded a kilo of cocaine, 3 pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine, and cash. Scott’s plea subjects him to a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
- Angel Amaral, 56, of Hollywood, Fla., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in January 2023 to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Cocaine. Identified during the investigation as a source of cocaine for the drug trafficking conspiracy in Florida, Amaral faces a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
- Tony Heldore, 52, of Richmond Hill, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in March 2023 to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Cocaine and Marijuana. Identified as a marijuana supplier to the conspiracy, Heldore faces a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Heldore was an employee of Somesso, working at Karma Entertainment and Lux Gentlemen’s Club in Hardeeville, S.C.
The government is seeking forfeiture of nearly $900,000 in funds from the conspiracy. Sentencings for Scott and Heldore are scheduled for Aug. 10, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Savannah before U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker. Sentencings for the other defendants will be scheduled after completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services.
“Operation ‘All Eyes On Me’ was a tremendous success as it brought down a once-thriving drug trafficking organization,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “This criminal organization has reached its final chapter, and its members face well-deserved time in prison.”
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Operation All Eyes On Me was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Savannah District Office and the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team, with assistance from the DEA Miami Field Division, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted for the United States of America by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo.
Illegal alien sentenced to life in prison for murdering whistleblower in labor conspiracyRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA.: An illegal alien who participated a multi-million-dollar scheme to fraudulently employ undocumented workers, then murdered a whistleblower who attempted to expose the scheme, has been sentenced to life in prison.
Juan Rangel-Rubio, 46, of Rincon, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 2017 execution-style murder of Eliud Montoya, a United States citizen who reported Rangel-Rubio’s illegal activities to the federal government, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Rangel-Rubio to pay $1,351,217.05 in restitution.
“Eliud Montoya was murdered for doing the right thing and revealing Juan Rangel-Rubio’s scheme to profit off his use of undocumented workers,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “As a result of the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, Juan Rangel-Rubio will be held accountable for his despicable crimes.”
In October 2022, Rangel-Rubio was found guilty after a five-day trial in U.S. District Court of Conspiracy to Retaliate Against a Witness; Conspiracy to Kill a Witness; Conspiracy to Conceal, Harbor and Shield Illegal Aliens; and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
Two co-defendants are serving prison terms for their roles in the conspiracy. Rangel-Rubio’s brother, Pablo Rangel-Rubio, 53, of Rincon, was sentenced to 584 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Conceal, Harbor and Shield Illegal Aliens; Money Laundering Conspiracy; three counts of Money Laundering Transactions Over $10,000; and Aiding and Abetting Retaliation Against a Witness. Higinio Perez-Bravo, 52, of Savannah, was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Murder for Hire. Both men are citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States and will be subject to deportation after completing their prison terms. There is no parole in the federal system.
Four other defendants were sentenced to prison terms of up to 24 months for charges related to the investigation, including conspiracy and illegal firearms possession.
As reflected in court records and evidence presented at trial, Pablo Rangel-Rubio worked as a supervisor at Wolf Tree, a contract company that performed tree-cutting services on utility rights-of-way. He and his brother hired illegal aliens to work for the company, then routed the workers paychecks to their own bank accounts where they skimmed a portion of the pay for themselves. They also created fake employee accounts and directed that pay to themselves. As a result of this scheme, the conspirators netted more than $3.5 million.
Montoya saw his colleagues being mistreated and complained to the company and to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After Montoya blew the whistle on the scheme, Pablo Rangel-Rubio arranged for Montoya’s murder by paying Perez-Bravo for the use of his vehicles and to act as the getaway driver when Juan Rangel-Rubio shot Montoya to death outside Montoya’s home.
“This sentence means that the consequences of Rangel-Rubio’s actions have caught up with him and he will no longer be able to hurt anyone,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “I am proud of the work that our great law enforcement partners did to successfully close this case and the great work that they do to protect our communities.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Garden City Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys, including Tania D. Groover.
Five men indicted on federal charges for illegal firearms possessionRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Five defendants are among those facing federal charges including illegal possession of firearms after separate indictments by a grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, while recent actions in U.S. District Court include guilty pleas and criminal sentences related to illegal gun possession.
The indicted cases are being investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally carry guns.
“Individuals who are convicted of felonies are prohibited from possessing guns,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect the safety of our communities by identifying and removing these repeat offenders.”
In the past four years, more than 820 defendants have been federally charged in the Southern District of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Defendants named in federal indictments from the April 2023 term of the U.S. District Court grand jury include:
- Wesley Rosenberg, 24, of Ludowici, Ga., charged with Engaging in the Firearms Business Without a License, and two counts of Transfer of a Firearm in Violation of the National Firearms Act. The indictments allege Rosenberg unlawfully imported and sold firearm silencers.
- Tyrell Smith, 32, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Herman Lamont Dessasure, 30, of Statesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Dustin Shane Webster, 30, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
- Joquan K. Clark, 25, of Waynesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Additional defendants recently have been adjudicated on federal charges that include illegal firearms possession:
- Maurice Brown, 21, of Savannah, was sentenced to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In July 2022, Brown sped away from an attempted traffic stop in Savannah by a Georgia State Patrol trooper and later ran from the vehicle. Savannah Police officers found him hiding in a nearby home, and found a pistol under the driver’s seat of the vehicle Brown was driving. Brown was on probation for state charges at the time of his arrest.
- Jeffrey J. Haynes, 30, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers arrested Haynes during a June 2021 traffic stop after finding a pistol in his waistband.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
Federal prosecutor named as First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Southern District of GeorgiaRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg has announced the appointment of Tara M. Lyons as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, effective April 9.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyons currently is the Deputy Criminal Chief and an Assistant U.S. Attorney serving in the Southern District’s Augusta Office and a 20-year veteran prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Tara’s ability, drive, and passion to advance the DOJ mission makes her a clear choice for an executive role in this District,” U.S. Attorney Steinberg said. “The office will benefit enormously from her exceptional insight, leadership acumen, and depth and breadth of experience.”
A native of New York, Lyons is a graduate of South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina School of Law. She started her professional career as a law clerk for the Honorable Henry F. Floyd during his service as a South Carolina Circuit Court Judge with the 13th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, followed by more than three years as a public defender in Richland County, S.C. Lyons joined DOJ in 2003, serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of South Carolina before transferring to the Southern District of Georgia as a criminal prosecutor.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen to serve in a greater leadership role with the exceptional team in the Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Lyons said. “It is a humbling experience to fight for justice on behalf of victims in the courtroom, and I am excited to take on a role that allows higher-level advocacy on behalf of all victims served in our judicial circuit.”
In the Southern District of Georgia, Lyons has served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, and Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator. She served as lead counsel in the first federal hate crimes prosecution in the Southern District of Georgia, United States v. McMichael et al., securing a conviction for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Ga.
As First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Lyons joins Criminal Division Chief Patricia M. Rhodes and Civil Division Chief Shannon H. Statkus as senior leadership in the Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Steinberg also announced Karl Knoche will remain in the front office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office as Senior Counsel to the U.S. Attorney. Knoche previously served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Senior Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, and Criminal Division Chief during his 34-year career at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District.