Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Fayette County woman sentenced to prison for committing identity theft, money launderingRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Fayette County woman to 30 months’ imprisonment for working as a “money mule” within a foreign-based scam conspiracy to defraud victims out of tens of thousands of dollars and use their stolen identities.
Elizabeth Conrad, 55, of Ramsey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, one count of access device fraud, one count of money laundering – concealing nature of fraudulent proceeds and one count of aggravated identity theft. She was ordered to pay $78,480.26 in restitution to the victims.
“Foreign-based fraud conspiracies rely on money mules residing within the U.S. to receive their illicit proceeds and distance themselves from prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Elizabeth Conrad knowingly supported the fraud conspiracy, ignored multiple warnings from law enforcement and laundered proceeds from victims.”
According to court documents, Conrad served as a “money mule” for foreign scammers in a conspiracy to defraud U.S. victims from 2019 through 2022. Money mules are people who, at someone else’s direction, receive and move money or valuables obtained from victims of fraud. Money mules add layers of distance between crime victims and criminals, which makes it harder for law enforcement to accurately trace stolen funds.
Conrad accepted packages at her home sent through the mail from victims containing cash, checks, gift cards and electronics. Knowing the goods were fraudulently acquired, Conrad would then repackage the items and send them off to co-conspirators. On two occasions, Conrad received deposits from fraudulently acquired PPP loans into her bank account. Conrad also attempted to deposit checks and wired funds in cryptocurrency to her co-conspirators.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims including those most vulnerable,” said Acting Inspector in Charge, Mary Johnson, who leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Domicile Office.
Conrad’s convictions for access device fraud, identity theft and money laundering stem from her and conspirators using victims’ names to acquire debit cards. Conrad received the debit cards in other people’s names at her home in Ramsey and used them to make withdrawals in the Ramsey and Vandalia area. Conrad and conspirators used at least 69 fraudulent debit cards to rack up over $30,000 in charges.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service St. Louis Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross prosecuted the case.
Kentucky man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug and gun crimes in Massac CountyRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois district judge sentenced a Kentucky man to 15 years in federal prison for possessing more than 150 grams of meth and a firearm as a felon.
James W. Towery, 45, of Salem, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
“Armed drug dealers belong in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Southern Illinois communities are safer with this defendant locked up.”
According to court documents, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Towery’s vehicle on March 11, 2024, in Massac County. He was found in possession of 150.4 grams of actual meth and a .38 caliber handgun.
Towery had multiple prior felony convictions and therefore unable to legally possess a firearm.
The Illinois State Police, Kentucky State Police, DEA, HSI, ATF and local law enforcement contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Georgia man sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for leading $90,000+ bank fraud, identity theft scheme in downstate IllinoisRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Georgia man to 70 months in federal prison after he admitted to leading a check cashing conspiracy that involved stealing the identities and checks belonging to local business owners and defrauding financial institutions across central and southern Illinois.
Traveon H. Reese, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Reese will serve the 70-month term of federal imprisonment following a 20-year term on similar state charges in Iowa.
“This conspiracy victimized numerous hardworking people across central and southern Illinois by trying to cash bogus checks belonging to legitimate businesses at local financial institutions, leaving the banks on the hook and causing them financial harm when successful,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This case required an extensive investigation, and I commend the work by the local police departments, the Illinois State Police and the FBI to bring the offenders to justice.”
According to court documents, the conspiracy occurred on several occasions in southern Illinois from March through May 2023. Conspirators stole business checks from the mail, copied the account information and printed fraudulent checks using forged signatures of the local business owners.
"Identity theft and bank fraud can financially decimate a business owner's life," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "ISP special agents will continue to work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to fully investigate these cases to help bring the perpetrators to justice."
Reese and his conspirators then recruited individuals, often from local homeless shelters or bus terminals, to cash the fraudulent checks on their behalf. In total, members of the conspiracy attempted to cash 26 checks for an intended loss of at least $93,413.19. The actual loss suffered by the financial institutions was an estimated $46,842.47.
The conspiracy targeted financial institutions across central and southern Illinois in Arthur, Champaign, Charleston, Collinsville, Effingham, Greenup, Marion, Marshall, Oblong, Olney, Royalton, Sigel, Teutopolis and Waterloo.
Co-defendants charged in the conspiracy include:
- Brandon R. Cooperwood, 25, of Rex, Georgia, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment.
- DeMarcos M. Miller, 22, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment.
- T’ziah T. Thomas, 25, of Villa Rica, Georgia, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment.
- Joshua C. Pruitt, 25, of Rex, Georgia, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 26 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.
The Illinois State Police led the investigation with support from the FBI Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross is prosecuting the case.
Justice Department announces results of Operation Relentless JusticeRead the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders from Dec. 3-17. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country.
“We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes."
“Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes.”
“Sex offenders disgrace our communities, preying on the innocence of vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Through Operation Relentless Justice, the Southern District of Illinois condemns these heinous acts and stands resolute with our law enforcement partners to eradicate this evil, protect our children, and deliver unwavering justice to those offenders.”
"During this operational time frame, FBI Springfield made multiple arrests in the Southern and Central District of Illinois," said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge, Christopher J.S. Johnson. "These operations are successful due to a combination of local and state partnerships, the relentless work of our investigative bodies, and the commitment we have to keeping our local neighborhoods safe."
The four facing charges in the Southern District of Illinois are:
- Zachary R. Jones, 38, of Johnston City, Illinois, on three counts of distribution of child pornography in Williamson County,
- Nicholas R. Emper, 43, of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, on one count of attempted solicitation of child pornography in Williamson County,
- Matthew A. Nevle, 27, of Allen, Texas, on one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, one count of enticement of a minor and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in St. Clair County, and
- Robert Jackowski, 31, of Granite City, Illinois, a former Marissa Police Officer, on one count of transportation of child pornography in St. Clair County.
This effort follows two other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May, which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, including four from the Southern District of Illinois, and Operation Enduring Justice in August, which resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders.
The FBI's Victim Services Division assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.
These operations underscore the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Sues J.B. Pritzker, Kwame Raoul over the Illinois Bivens ActRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers through the so-called “Illinois Bivens Act” and “Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act.”
Not only are the laws illegal attempts to regulate and discriminate against the federal government through novel causes of action, but, as alleged in the complaint, the laws threaten the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with ruinous liability and even punitive damages for executing federal law and for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations. The danger is acute.
“The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like Illinois’ that threaten massive punitive liability and compromise the safety of our officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
“Unfortunately, Illinois politicians prefer to attack law enforcement with lawsuits and punitive damages rather than support ICE’s Criminal Alien Program, which prioritizes the safe removal of dangerous criminal aliens like murderers, child rapists, and other serious offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois. “Courthouse arrests are only necessary in the first place because Illinois refuses to honor federal detainers at the jails and prisons, instead preferring to release criminals back into our communities.”
On her first day in office, Attorney General Bondi instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California.
Effingham County man sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for financially exploiting an elderRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an Effingham County man to 12 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to exploiting an 89-year-old man out of more than $400,000.
Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal derived property. The judge ordered him to pay $411,773.51 in restitution.
“Not only did Stief manipulate his victim into cashing life insurance policies and draining his bank accounts, but he also convinced the man to leave the care of a nursing home where he was harmed after being isolated,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This 12-year prison sentence sends a clear message that we will protect vulnerable populations against predators who would prey upon them.”
According to court documents, Stief met the victim in May 2023 after becoming acquainted with him while offering lawn care and landscaping services. Shortly thereafter, Stief used several misrepresentations to convince the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney.
"The defendant in this case didn't just steal money; he systematically targeted an individual's life under the guise of care and friendship. By exploiting the legal authority of a Power of Attorney for personal gain, he violated the most fundamental level of trust,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge, Christopher J.S. Johnson. “Removing predators like this from our neighborhoods is essential to making our community a safer place for everyone, especially our seniors.”
After becoming the victim’s Power of Attorney, Stief became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts. In August 2023, he talked the victim into cashing out his life insurance policies and deposited most of the victim’s money into Stief’s personal bank accounts. Over the course of the next several months, Stief spent the entirety of the victim’s life savings on himself. In addition, Stief also took the majority of the victim’s personal items including his gold coin collection, gold necklaces, guns and watches.
In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Under Stief’s supervision, the victim was not cared for and his medical needs were not met.
The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Effingham Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a service from the U.S. Department of Justice that helps victims over 60 years report crimes and access resources. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET, at (833) 372-8311 or (833) FRAUD-11. Callers can remain anonymous, and translation services are available.
FCI-Greenville inmate sentenced to additional prison time for possessing contrabandRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge added 24 additional months to an FCI-Greenville inmate’s sentence for possessing a makeshift weapon.
Raekwon M. Patton, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of contraband in prison.
“For the inmates who didn’t learn the first time, let us be clear—additional crime means additional time,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Inmates in possession of weapons put correctional officers, prison staff, other inmates and themselves at risk, and this criminal conduct will lead to additional prison time.”
On June 29, 2024, a correctional officer at FCI-Greenville conducted a pat search on Patton and discovered a makeshift weapon in his waistband. The weapon was a sharp, pointed piece of metal, approximately 7.5 inches in length and affixed to a wooden handle wrapped in a black cord.
"Contraband possession presents an unacceptable risk to everyone in a prison facility,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson. “We commend the hard work of the correctional officers whose diligence led to the discovery of the makeshift weapon. This outcome clearly demonstrates that further criminal activity will only result in further incarceration."
In June 2024, Patton was serving a 300-month sentence at FCI-Greenville in Greenville, Illinois.
FBI Springfield led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Dean prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office announces results of “Operation Safe Christmas”Read the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced Monday the results of a fugitive roundup effort jointly handled by federal and state law enforcement agencies.
The operation resulted in 63 arrests of criminal offenders and seized 2.5 pounds of narcotics and $15,000 in U.S. currency. The coordinated effort was executed over seven days by law enforcement officials with the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Illinois, FBI Springfield, Illinois State Police, ATF Chicago and DEA St. Louis.
“The U.S. Marshals led this expansive operation in the field together with FBI and Illinois State Police leadership. Together, federal, state, and local partners arrested 63 fugitives—including the Marshal Service’s arrest of the suspect from the December 5, 2025, Granite City police shooting,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “These results reflect weeks of planning and coordination to remove criminal elements from our streets.”
Arrests spanned over Bond, Effingham, Fayette, Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia.
“The U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, Southern District of Illinois, proudly participated in “Operation Safe Christmas”, an initiative focused on enhancing public safety and apprehending dangerous fugitives. The operation’s success was made possible through the strong collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, whose commitment and cooperation remain essential to these efforts. USMS Regional Fugitive Task Forces play a critical role in locating and apprehending violent offenders and supporting high-profile investigations. During this operation, task force members, alongside the Illinois State Police, and members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Eastern District of Missouri, were instrumental in the investigation and apprehension of the alleged shooter of a Granite City Police Officer. Their determination, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to justice exemplify the mission of the U.S. Marshals Service” said U.S. Marshal David C. Davis.
“Operations like this reflect the strength that comes from close cooperation among law enforcement agencies. By working together, we are able to locate and apprehend individuals who drive violent crime into our communities,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “The successful arrests made during this sweep represent FBI Springfield’s continued commitment to crushing violent crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
“Interdepartmental operations are instrumental in keeping our communities safe,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP will continue to partner with local and federal agencies to get violent criminals off the street and to protect the communities we serve.”
“If members of our community are able to sleep a little easier tonight because of the joint effort of law enforcement agencies removing violent criminals from our streets, then I absolutely consider this operation a success,” Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “No one should be forced to live with the fear these individuals forced upon a community. Let this operation serve as a warning that the combined force of state, local and federal law enforcement agencies is not to be taken lightly.”
The roundup was a joint operation by the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI Springfield Field Office and Illinois State Police with assistance from DEA, Fairview Heights Police Department, Carlyle Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, Mt. Vernon Police Department, Bond County Sheriff’s Department, Vandalia Police Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Danville Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI Atlanta Field Office.
The U.S. Marshals Service Southern District of Illinois Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force consists of participating agencies from the Illinois State Police, Belleville Police Department, Granite City Police Department, Alton Police Department, ATF Chicago, Homeland Security Investigations, Illinois Department of Corrections – Parole, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department.
FBI’s efforts in this operation were also part of larger initiative, Operation Coast to Coast, an operation dedicated to combatting violent crime and narcotic distribution.
Indian national sentenced to federal prison for scamming elderly residentsRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an Indian national to 90 months in federal prison for his involvement in an imposter scheme to defraud 11 identified victims, including elderly residents from Edwardsville and Effingham, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Ligneshkumar H. Patel, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud and two counts of wire fraud. The judge ordered him to pay more than $2 million in restitution.
“Imposter scams are international conspiracies often using U.S.-based money mules to meet victims in person to take their money,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes these fraudsters aggressively, and anyone who targets elderly victims will face certain justice.”
An imposter scam occurs when a scammer lies to victims and impersonates law enforcement or a federal official to defraud people into giving them money, access to financial accounts or other personal information. In this case, Patel’s conspirators convinced the victims they needed to hand over their assets for protection.
According to court documents, Patel drove to the residences of at least 11 elderly victims in five states to steal their assets totaling $2,231,216.99. Patel worked within a major conspiracy that included at least 85 additional victims with an intended loss of more than $6.9 million.
“This case highlights the serious consequences for individuals who prey on the elderly through sophisticated fraud schemes,” said Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. “HSI remains dedicated to protecting our communities from financial crimes and ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Patel acted as a courier or “money mule,” and admitted to picking up money and gold from victims in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin to fuel the conspiracy.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Edwardsville Police Department contributed to the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.
Sex offender sentenced to 35 years in federal prison on new crimes against childrenRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a registered sex offender to 35 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to distributing child pornography and obscene material to a minor.
Edward J. Bates, 57, most recently of Olney, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of distribution of child pornography, two counts of attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor, and one count of offense by a registered sex offender. Following imprisonment, Bates will be on supervised release for the rest of his life.
“The only thing worse than child sex offenses is an armed repeat offender,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This 35-year sentence underscores our commitment to seeking the most significant sentences possible for those who endanger kids.”
According to court documents, Bates distributed child pornography in Richland County on January 26, 2022. In April 2023, he transferred sexually explicit material to a 10-year-old minor. On June 4, 2024, Bates was found in possession of two firearms and ammunition as a felon.
Bates was previously convicted of two separate child pornography offenses and was therefore required to register as a sex offender. The Government seized a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a .38 caliber revolver and ammunition.
The Richland County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Lawrence County meth dealer sentenced to 15+ years’ imprisonmentRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Lawrenceville, Illinois, man to 188 months’ imprisonment for distributing meth in Lawrence County.
Jeffrey S. Metz, 49, pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of meth. Following imprisonment, he will serve four years of supervised release. He was sentenced Nov. 6.
“Trafficking drugs in any county of southern Illinois will earn dealers a federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
According to court documents, Metz admitted to distributing more than 25 grams of meth in Lawrence County in October and November 2024.
"The Illinois State Police is committed to stopping illegal drug trafficking and keeping dangerous drugs from flooding and hurting our communities," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. " ISP is targeting drug traffickers and will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to put them behind bars."
The Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force of the Illinois State Police, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and DEA contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Former southern Illinois pastor sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief money in church’s nameRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a former church pastor in Hamilton County to 21 months’ imprisonment for obtaining COVID-19 money from the SBA by fraudulently representing to the SBA that the money would be used for his church.
Terry L. Hall, 58, of McLeansboro, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements. Following imprisonment, he will serve two years of supervised release. Hall was ordered to pay $199,900 plus the accrued interest back to the Small Business Administration.
“The vast majority of pastors across southern Illinois answered the pandemic with selfless service,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Terry Hall chose a different path: he requested federal relief on behalf of his congregation, then used nearly $200,000 for purely personal expenses. Conduct that far from the calling of ministry demands accountability, and accountability arrived in the form of a 21-month federal prison sentence.”
Enacted in March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from impacts by the pandemic.
Under the CARES Act and administered by the SBA, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provided low-interest funding to small businesses, renters and homeowners. As appropriated, EIDL funds could be used for payroll, sick leave, production costs and other general business expenses.
"FBI Springfield is committed to exposing those who abuse positions of trust in southern Illinois" said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Springfield Field Office, Christopher J. S. Johnson. "Our communities deserve honesty, and we remain steadfast in holding accountable anyone who violates that trust."
According to the indictment, Hall was the lead pastor of a religious congregation in McLeansboro. As pastor, Hall applied for economic relief on behalf of the church and received two EIDL disbursements totaling approximately $199,900 to his personal bank account in 2020. To ensure he received the loan, Hall created fake documents, contacted elected representatives and intimidated fellow church members.
Hall admitted to using the EIDL funds to pay off his mortgage, the construction of a pole barn, various travel and other personal expenses like clothing, gas and food. The church did not receive any assistance to alleviate the economic hardships during the pandemic.
The FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.
St. Peters man sentenced to 15+ years for kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend with a firearm to force her to get an abortionRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a man from St. Peters, Missouri, to 188 months in federal prison after he admitted to kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend at gun point and driving to Fairview Heights to force her into obtaining an abortion.
Kevin L. Smith, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping. In addition to imprisonment, he will serve three years of supervised release. He was sentenced on Oct. 1.
“It is not easy to shock law enforcement officials because we have pretty much seen it all—but then someone like Kevin Smith comes along. It is difficult to find words adequate to describe someone who would kidnap his pregnant girlfriend to force her to have an abortion at gunpoint and then continue to threaten her from jail,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This vile crime terrorized the victim and threatened the life of her unborn child. Smith deserves every minute of that prison sentence.”
According to court documents, Smith kidnapped his pregnant girlfriend from her job in St. Charles, Missouri, and drove her to Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights to force her to obtain an abortion on Dec. 7, 2022. During the car ride, he used a loaded firearm to intimidate and threaten to kill the victim by shooting her in the head.
“This case represents a disturbing act of violence and abuse,” said Steve Johnson, Chief of the Fairview Heights Police Department. “Kevin Smith kidnapped his girlfriend at gunpoint and drove her across state lines against her will in an attempt to make her obtain an abortion. His actions were those of a dangerous and manipulative individual. Our investigators worked tirelessly to bring the facts forward, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office ensured Smith was held accountable in federal court. This sentencing sends a clear message that acts of violence will not be tolerated in our community.”
Court documents explain Smith faced higher sentencing penalties, because he repeatedly harassed the victim and continued to threaten her from jail.
The Fairview Heights Police Department led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
Former Belleville attorney sentenced to prison for stealing from clientsRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a former Belleville attorney to spend 90 months in federal prison after he admitted to embezzling more than $1 million from his clients.
Jason R. Caraway, 51, pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud in February. He was sentenced on Oct. 1.
“This lawyer didn’t just steal—he preyed on clients who trusted him to fight for them after suffering life-altering injuries,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “He pocketed their settlements, grabbed money intended to pay doctors, falsified court records, and even defrauded the children of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Attorneys must be held to account when they fail to honor their duty to serve as officers of the court. This sentence rightly delivers justice for his victims.”
Caraway was a partner at Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C., a personal injury law firm in Belleville. According to court documents, Caraway had control of the firm’s bank accounts and misappropriated funds by improperly spending client funds on personal and business expenses, issuing checks to himself, accepting settlements without client notification or payment, failing to pay medical lienholders from legal proceeds, and misapplying retainers without authorization.
The investigation identified more than 40 clients that were impacted and a loss of more than $1 million. To help facilitate his theft, he also forged the signatures of St. Clair County judges on two court orders.
"The actions of Mr. Caraway, which involves stealing from his clients, including child beneficiaries, are reprehensible" said FBI Springfield's Special Agent in Charge, Christopher J. S. Johnson. "FBI Springfield believes this guilty plea offers a measure of peace to the victims and hopes this can restore trust in the justice system."
Caraway represented two children of Ricardo Davis, a Washington Park Police officer who was killed in the line of duty after a tragic accident in 2018. He obtained more than $128,000 for their benefit that was never disbursed to them. Thanks to the ARDC Client Protection Program, the beneficiaries were paid after years of waiting.
FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross prosecuted the case.
Transportation company agrees to settle allegations of impersonating military members to obtain Department of War moving businessRead the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Denali Group, Inc. (“Denali”) has agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false customer satisfaction surveys while posing as U.S. Department of War and Coast Guard personnel.
“Denali’s fake surveys gave them an unfair advantage over other contractors and shortchanged our military families moving through Scott Air Force Base,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Companies doing business with the federal government are expected to act with honesty and integrity, and we will use all our criminal and civil tools to protect taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Denali, an Alaskan-based transportation company, participated in the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) as a transportation service provider. DP3 provides moving and storage services to Department of War (DoW), formerly the Department of Defense (DoD), and Coast Guard personnel, including coordinating the movement of service members’ personal property when they relocate. DP3 is administered by the United States Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
During the relevant period, transportation service providers competed for DP3 shipments, and the number of shipments awarded by the Government to each company depended heavily upon scores in customer satisfaction surveys. These surveys were to be completed by DoW and Coast Guard personnel, or members of their households, after their personal property items were shipped through DP3.
"This outcome demonstrates the steadfast collaboration and determination by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our investigative partners to ensure the integrity of the contracting process associated with the Defense Personal Property Program," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch, DCIS Southwest Field Office. "We remain committed to safeguarding those programs that contribute to elite military readiness, as well as the wellbeing of our warfighters and their families."
The United States alleges that, between January 2015 and March 2019, Denali employees submitted false customer satisfaction surveys to the Government with perfect scores for Denali. Evidence collected in the investigation showed that Denali employees called the customer survey line using call spoofing applications to mask their phone numbers and impersonated DoW or Coast Guard personnel during the surveys by disguising their voices, speaking with accents, or using voice changing technology through the spoofing applications.
“This settlement highlights the strong collaboration between Army CID and our law enforcement partners in protecting U.S. Army Soldiers and assets,” said Special Agent in Charge John McCabe, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Midcentral Field Office. “This outcome underscores our unwavering commitment to identifying those who defraud the U.S. Government.”
“Defrauding the Government through falsified surveys is an affront to America and Air Force families, directly undermining the very communities they inhabit,” said Special Agent William A. Rouse, Special Agent in Charge, Department of the Air Force (DAF), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Procurement Fraud (PF) Detachment 4, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. “Justice has been served, and we extend our gratitude to the investigative team for their diligence.”
According to allegations, Denali submitted false surveys with perfect scores, even when service members were unsatisfied with the moving services. The United States claims that by submitting false customer satisfaction surveys to the Government and inflating its performance scores, Denali fraudulently induced the Government into awarding Denali more DP3 shipments than it otherwise would have received. USTRANSCOM administratively removed Denali from DP3 in 2022.
"Integrity is essential to the contracting process, and collaboration among investigative agencies plays a critical role in upholding it," said Jennifer Desautel, Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency. "When contractors falsify records, it not only undermines Americans' trust in their government but also highlights the need for accountability. DCAA auditors are proud to work alongside investigative partners to provide assurance throughout the contracting process."
The investigation was conducted by the DoD Office of Inspector General, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Barke.
To report fraud, waste, and abuse within the DoW, visit www.dodig.mil/hotline or call 1-800-424-9098.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
High-Ranking Members of Sinaloa Cartel Charged with Material Support of a Foreign Terrorist Organization and NarcoterrorismRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In a superseding indictment unsealed today, high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel are facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in trafficking hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into southern Illinois and laundering the proceeds to Mexico.
“The Sinaloa Cartel relies on drug trafficking to finance its terrorism against the American people while spreading poison in our communities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s indictment is a significant blow against this terrorist organization’s infrastructure as we carry out President Trump’s mission of dismantling and destroying the cartels.”
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a vicious international criminal organization that spreads terror through intimidation, torture, and murder. The entire enterprise is financed through a drug distribution network that includes southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Today’s superseding indictment targets some of the highest level of Sinaloa leadership demonstrating our commitment to use every possible tool to crush this cartel, dismantling its operations, and protecting our community from its narcoterrorism.”
“Today’s announcement in the Southern District of Illinois is monumental in our fight to eliminate the Sinaloa Cartel,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “The extraordinary work of the St. Louis Field Division and their partners resulted in the seizure of nearly 800 pounds of fentanyl and exposed a money laundering network that pushed millions in cartel profits through U.S. banks. This is not a street-corner operation— it is a cartel pipeline that has flooded the Midwest with significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. We continue the fight, using all the resources of the United States government, to destroy the Sinaloa Cartel.”
The indictment alleges that the Sinaloa Cartel is a Mexican-based transnational drug trafficking organization that uses premeditated violence to control territory and undermine governmental authority. The Cartel sustains its enterprise by trafficking narcotics into the United States and funneling the profits back into Mexico.
Over approximately one week, the Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with law enforcement partners, arrested 15 of the charged defendants in a nationwide operation involving Sinaloa Cartel associates. These indictments and arrests are the result of a years-long operation involving the removal of more than 400 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly 80 kilograms of methamphetamine and 50 kilograms of cocaine from communities in and around southern Illinois.
President Donald Trump designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on February 19, 2025, through a State Department action authorized by Executive Order 14157, signed on January 20, 2025. The designation, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, included the Sinaloa Cartel among eight criminal organizations classified as FTOs and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1189) and Executive Order 13224.
Narcoterrorism is a federal crime that provides enhanced penalties to punish drug trafficking that supports terrorist organizations. The crime of providing material support applies when a person provides resources to an organization knowing that it has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment alleging that 26 defendants participated in a Sinaloa Cartel sourced drug distribution pipeline originating in Mexico that included the Southern District of Illinois, including the following:
Name
Age
Residence
Charge(s)
Prospero Coronel-Sanchez,
a.k.a. “Pro”
40Mexican nationalNarcoterrorism; Providing material support to foreign terrorist organization;
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracy
Jose Luis Angulo-Soto, a.k.a “Jose Luis Angulo-Cazares” or “El Mi Nino” Mexican nationalNarcoterrorism;
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracy
German Angel Alatorre-Monge24South Gate, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineLeobardo Alcaraz-Ibarra51Phoenix, AZConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMiguel Angel Aramburo, Jr.34Paramount, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineManuel Buenrostro38Cudahy, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineOscar Bryan Castro34Pasadena, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracyCarlos Diaz, Jr.34Pasadena, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracyAlejandro Flores30Cudahy, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineArmando Gallardo46Chula Vista, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineKaren L. Gandarillas-Carreno36Sun Valley, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracyRoberto J. Gonzalez, Jr.39Bell, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineSabrina Danielle Herrera35South Gate, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMauro Armando Luna-Renteria39Lynwood, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineLucia Viridiana Montano40Rio Rico, AZConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineDavid Alonso Pereda33Costa Mesa, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMemo Perez, a.k.a. “Demecia Perez”50Los Angeles, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineJaqueline Desiree Piikkila-Vigueras49Tucson, AZConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracyMiguel Rios31Cudahy, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineRichard Ruiz, Jr.27Paramount, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineEvan Sanchez31Victorville, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineJulio Villa-Morales36Tucson, AZConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineJose Espino-Zavala44Mexican nationalConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMartin Ismael Zuniga-Lopez32Los Angeles, CAConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineEarl Frank56O’Fallon, ILConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracy (2 counts); Distribution of controlled substances: methamphetamineMichael Pennel56Oklahoma City, OKConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money laundering conspiracyAccording to court documents, the charged conduct occurred between January 2020 and July 2025. The conspiracy is accused of distributing more than 50 or more grams of methamphetamine, 400 or more grams of fentanyl, and five kilograms or more of cocaine.
“Fentanyl is destroying lives and devastating communities across the country. Every pill, every powder, every shipment, every sale of this drug has the potential to take a life,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale, United States Postal Inspection Service. “Postal inspectors remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of this deadly drug in our mailstream and hold criminals who profit from poisoning our neighborhoods accountable.”
“We will not tolerate drug cartels smuggling their poison into our American communities,” said DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis. “The DEA, in collaboration with our local and foreign partners, works relentlessly to identify and arrest anyone engaging in the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of any illicit drugs making their way into and across this nation.”
“Drug traffickers will stop at nothing to continue profiting from the spread of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs throughout our communities. They go to great extremes to cover any links to their illegal acts,” said Special Agent in Charge William Steenson of IRS Criminal Investigation’s St. Louis Field Office. “IRS-CI’s special agents are experts at tracing the funding sources of illegal activity and connecting the criminals involved. We’re committed to protecting our communities by investigating anyone involved in these types of illicit activities and working with our federal law enforcement partners to bring them to justice.”
“The U.S. Marshals Service, Southern District of Illinois congratulates the DEA, Fairview Heights, Illinois Resident Office, and its investigators on their superseding indictment,” said United States Marshal, David C. Davis. “This indictment illustrates the reach of the DEA in combating the distribution of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine within the Southern District of Illinois through the Sinaloa Cartel. The USMS, S/IL, are proud to partner with the DEA, Fairview Heights, with all the arrests and fugitive investigations generated by this case.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
DEA St. Louis, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. HSI’s Parole and Law Enforcement Programs Unit provided critical support.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal, Laura Reppert, and Thomas Leggans for the Southern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.
In March 2023, the original indictment charged Earl Frank and ten others with various federal offenses related to the drug trafficking conspiracy:
Name
Age
Residence
Charge(s)
Plea
Earl Frank56O’Fallon, ILConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Distribution of controlled substance: methamphetamine; Money laundering conspiracyNot guiltyMichael Pennel56Oklahoma City, OKConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money launderingNot guiltyChontell Reynolds42East St. Louis, ILConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Distribution of controlled substance: methamphetamineGuilty; Awaiting sentencingJeffery Neely54St. Louis, MOConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Awaiting sentencingDereck Turnage49Bowling Green, MOConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonmentDavid Allen Day55Ironton, MOConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonmentDwayne Kimmins52St. Louis, MOConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Sentenced to 9 years’ imprisonmentCharles R. Evans35O’Fallon, MOConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Awaiting sentencingShannon Guyton46Clarkton, MOConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Transportation in aid of racketeering enterpriseGuilty; Sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonmentKimberly Hoskins38O’Fallon, ILConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Money launderingGuilty; Awaiting sentencingAundre Vaughn54East St. Louis, ILConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; Distribution of controlled substances: fentanylGuilty; Awaiting sentencingAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
High-Ranking Members of Sinaloa Cartel Charged with Material Support of a Foreign Terrorist Organization and NarcoterrorismRead the Press Release
In a superseding indictment unsealed today, high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel are facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in trafficking hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into southern Illinois and laundering the proceeds to Mexico.
“The Sinaloa Cartel relies on drug trafficking to finance its terrorism against the American people while spreading poison in our communities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s indictment is a significant blow against this terrorist organization’s infrastructure as we carry out President Trump’s mission of dismantling and destroying the cartels.”
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a vicious international criminal organization that spreads terror through intimidation, torture, and murder. The entire enterprise is financed through a drug distribution network that includes southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois. “Today’s superseding indictment targets some of the highest level of Sinaloa leadership demonstrating our commitment to use every possible tool to crush this cartel, dismantling its operations, and protecting our community from its narcoterrorism.”
“Today’s announcement in the Southern District of Illinois is monumental in our fight to eliminate the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Administrator Terrance Cole of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “The extraordinary work of the St. Louis Field Division and their partners resulted in the seizure of more than 800 pounds of fentanyl and exposed a money laundering network that pushed millions in cartel profits through U.S. banks. This is not a street-corner operation — it is a cartel pipeline that has flooded the Midwest with significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. We continue the fight, using all the resources of the United States government, to destroy the Sinaloa Cartel.”
The indictment alleges that the Sinaloa Cartel is a Mexican-based transnational drug trafficking organization that uses premeditated violence to control territory and undermine governmental authority. The Cartel sustains its enterprise by trafficking narcotics into the United States and funneling the profits back into Mexico.
Over approximately one week, the DEA, in conjunction with law enforcement partners, arrested 15 of the charged defendants in a nationwide operation involving Sinaloa Cartel associates. These indictments and arrests are the result of a years-long operation involving the removal of more than 400 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly 80 kilograms of methamphetamine and 50 kilograms of cocaine from communities in and around Southern Illinois.
President Donald J. Trump designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The designation included the Sinaloa Cartel among eight criminal organizations classified as FTOs and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1189) and Executive Order 13224.
Narcoterrorism is a federal crime that provides enhanced penalties to punish drug trafficking that supports terrorist organizations. The crime of providing material support applies when a person provides resources to an organization knowing that it has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment alleging that 26 defendants participated in a Sinaloa Cartel sourced drug distribution pipeline originating in Mexico that included the Southern District of Illinois, including the following:
NameAgeResidenceCharge(s)Prospero Coronel-Sanchez,
also known as “Pro”
40Mexican nationalNarcoterrorism; providing material support to foreign terrorist organization;
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy
Jose Luis Angulo-Soto, also known as “Jose Luis Angulo-Cazares” or “El Mi Nino” Mexican nationalNarcoterrorism;
conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy
German Angel Alatorre-Monge24South Gate, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineLeobardo Alcaraz-Ibarra51PhoenixConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMiguel Angel Aramburo, Jr.34Paramount, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineManuel Buenrostro38Cudahy, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineOscar Bryan Castro34Pasadena, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracyCarlos Diaz, Jr.34PasadenaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracyAlejandro Flores30Cudahy, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineArmando Gallardo46Chula Vista, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineKaren L. Gandarillas-Carreno36Sun Valley, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracyRoberto J. Gonzalez, Jr.39Bell, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineSabrina Danielle Herrera35South Gate, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMauro Armando Luna-Renteria39Lynwood, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineLucia Viridiana Montano40Rio Rico, ArizonaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineDavid Alonso Pereda33Costa Mesa, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMemo Perez, also known as “Demecia Perez”50Los AngelesConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineJaqueline Desiree Piikkila-Vigueras49Tucson, ArizonaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracyMiguel Rios31Cudahy, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineRichard Ruiz, Jr.27Paramount, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineEvan Sanchez31Victorville, CaliforniaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineJulio Villa-Morales36TucsonConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineJose Espino-Zavala44Mexican nationalConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineMartin Ismael Zuniga-Lopez32Los AngelesConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineEarl Frank56O’Fallon, IllinoisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracy (2 counts); distribution of controlled substances: methamphetamineMichael Pennel56Oklahoma City, OklahomaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money laundering conspiracyAccording to court documents, the charged conduct occurred between January 2020 and July 2025. The conspiracy is accused of distributing more than 50 or more grams of methamphetamine, 400 or more grams of fentanyl, and five kilograms or more of cocaine.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
DEA St. Louis, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. HSI’s Parole and Law Enforcement Programs Unit provided critical support.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal, Laura Reppert, and Thomas Leggans for the Southern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.
In March 2023, the original indictment charged Earl Frank and 10 others with various federal offenses related to the drug trafficking conspiracy:
NameAgeResidenceCharge(s)PleaEarl Frank56O’Fallon, IllinoisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; distribution of controlled substance: methamphetamine; money laundering conspiracyNot guiltyMichael Pennel56Oklahoma City, OklahomaConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money launderingNot guiltyChontell Reynolds42East St. Louis, IllinoisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; distribution of controlled substance: methamphetamineGuilty; awaiting sentencingJeffery Neely54St. LouisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; awaiting sentencingDereck Turnage49Bowling Green, MissouriConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; sentenced to 235 months in prisonDavid Allen Day55Ironton, MissouriConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Sentenced to 20 years in prisonDwayne Kimmins52St. LouisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Sentenced to nine years in prisonCharles R. Evans35O’Fallon, MissouriConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaineGuilty; Awaiting sentencingShannon Guyton46Clarkton, MissouriConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; transportation in aid of racketeering enterpriseGuilty; sentenced to eight years in prisonKimberly Hoskins38O’Fallon, IllinoisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; money launderingGuilty; Awaiting sentencingAundre Vaughn54East St. Louis, IllinoisConspiracy to distribute controlled substances: methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; distribution of controlled substances: fentanylGuilty; Awaiting sentencingAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Bank of O’Fallon executive sentenced to prison for swindling $2 million in check kiting fraud schemeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced the former second-in-command of the Bank of O’Fallon to 63 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to federal charges for engaging in a fraud scheme to obtain more than $2 million.
Andrew P. Blassie, 70, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of security or funds obtained by fraud. In addition to imprisonment, he was ordered to pay $2,461,887.67 in restitution.
“Blassie’s prison sentence underscores the severity of his crimes to betray his clients, employer, family, and community,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The outstanding work by the investigators and the Bank of O’Fallon’s vital cooperation to dismantle this scheme delivered justice and helped to protect the integrity of our financial system.”
According to the indictment, Blassie served as the Executive Vice President for the Bank of O’Fallon and defrauded the bank out of $1,972,887.67 in a check kite scheme from September 2023 through September 2024 during his employment.
Blassie admitted to falsely inflating the balance of his personal checking account at the Bank of O’Fallon by depositing checks he knew to be backed by non-sufficient funds. He deposited checks with non-sufficient funds from four personal accounts at three other banks and one credit union into the Bank of O’Fallon account.
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to pursuing criminal actors who seek to rip off law-abiding citizens and undermine our nation’s financial system in the process. This was an outrageous scheme that hurt innocent victims,” said acting Resident Agent in Charge David Bolin, of the U.S. Secret Service’s Springfield Resident Office. “I am proud of our agency’s work in this case. Thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois as well as our federal and local law enforcement partners who helped to bring justice for the victims, including the O’Fallon Police Department.”
Blassie paid nearly $2.7 million for personal expenses from the falsely inflated account thus using funds belonging to the Bank of O’Fallon. As the former Executive Vice President, Blassie used his position to conceal his fraud from the Bank of O’Fallon by scrubbing his name and account number from suspected kiting reports.
“Today’s sentencing brings justice to the defendant, who violated his position of trust as Executive Vice President at the Bank of O’Fallon. He defrauded the bank of approximately $2 million through a check kiting scheme that he used to enrich himself,” said Special Agent in Charge Vincent R. Zehme, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Chicago Region. “This case exhibits the FDIC OIG’s steadfast commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to hold bank insiders, and other perpetrators of fraud, accountable for their role in such schemes, especially those that threaten the safety and soundness of our Nation’s financial institutions.”
From August 2022 through September 2024, Blassie also persuaded a couple from Lebanon, Illinois, to give him $489,000 of their retirement savings. In return for this investment, Blassie gave the couple two promissory notes. He agreed to pay the couple interest on the notes and used money he obtained through his check kite scheme to pay some of that interest.
As security for his promissory notes, Blassie pledged 128 of his and his wife’s shares of the holding company which owns the Bank of O’Fallon.
“Today’s sentencing holds accountable and brings to justice a former bank executive who abused his position to defraud Bank of O’Fallon and its customers,” said Don Daley, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We are proud to have worked with our law enforcement partners to achieve this result. We will continue to vigorously pursue those who undermine the safety and soundness of our banking institutions.”
According to the indictment, Blassie later sold most of these shares and did not use those funds to repay the Lebanon couple. This left the couple with no means of recourse when Blassie later defaulted on the promissory notes.
“Bank officials who abuse their positions of public trust for personal gain pose an unacceptable threat to the integrity the Federal Home Loan Bank system,” said Korey Brinkman, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General’s Central Region. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investigating thoroughly allegations of fraud involving bank officials and supporting the prosecution of those charged with these offenses. We are proud to work with our investigative partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure insider fraudsters are held accountable under the law.”
Officials with the Bank of O’Fallon have fully cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation.
The O’Fallon Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General made contributions to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross prosecuted the case.
Indiana sex offender sentenced to 24+ years’ imprisonment on child pornography solicitation chargesRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois district judge sentenced an Indiana man to 293 months in federal prison after he admitted to soliciting child sexual abuse material.
Bryan K. Atkins, 40, of Richmond, Indiana, pleaded guilty to two counts of solicitation of child pornography. Following imprisonment, he will serve supervised release for the rest of his life.
“Targeting children online and solicitating sexually explicit images from them will earn you a federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working in lockstep with the FBI to protect children from sexual predators and will continue to pursue high penalties for offenders.”
According to documents and evidence presented in court, Atkins initiated a conversation twice with an undercover FBI agent purporting to be a 13-year-old child. During the chats, the defendant asked for sexually explicit images of the minor. The charged conduct occurred on April 3 and June 16, 2024.
“The subject sought to coerce children into providing sexually explicit images, and without our agent’s proactive work in this case, the subject's activities may have gone undetected until they advanced their desires,” said FBI Springfield’s Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “FBI Springfield continues to work tirelessly to protect our children from people like the defendant, and we will continue to prove it with actions like this.”
Atkins had a prior conviction for sexual misconduct with a minor in Indiana state court.
The FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Belleville man admits to starting a fire at a Lebanon gas stationRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A Belleville man appeared in federal court to admit to an arson charge for setting a fire in a Lebanon gas station bathroom.
Carlos A. Rodriguez, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of arson of real property used in interstate commerce. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026.
According to court documents, Rodriguez visited the CC Food Mart in Lebanon, Illinois, on the evening of Sept. 10, 2018. In the men’s bathroom, Rodriguez set fire to a plastic air freshener mounted to the wall, exited the room and left the store.
Customer’s and employees detected smoke and found an active fire in the bathroom approximately seven minutes after Rodriguez’s departure.
The ATF’s Fire Research Laboratory later constructed a mock-up of the restroom and conducted multiple experiments to time and assess the spread of such a fire, thereby ruling out other customers who used the restroom that evening.
The fire and necessary firefighting efforts caused approximately $6,000 in damages.
Convictions for arson of real property used in interstate commerce carry a mandatory minimum of five years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, fines up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
ATF led the investigation with the assistance of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Lebanon Police Department. The Lebanon Fire Department responded to the incident. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Burke is prosecuting the case.
Collinsville man imprisoned 46 months for pipe bombRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A Collinsville man will spend almost four years in federal prison for making pipe bombs.
Jeremy Barr, 49, was indicted in March 2024 by a grand jury sitting in East St. Louis of possessing a destructive device and pled guilty to that offense on May 1, 2025. Barr, who has been detained since his arrest on federal charges, was sentenced in District Court on Sept. 3, 2025.
“Improvised explosive devices are inherently unpredictable, unstable, and indiscriminate,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Jeremy Barr threatened innocent lives near a Southern Illinois school, endangering kids, and our community. We thank the brave law enforcement officers who responded, and we pledge to relentlessly pursue bomb makers to protect the public.”
Analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), determined that the explosive device was packed with fragmentation that could have caused serious injury or death upon detonation.
“The defendant in this case left two pipe bombs in a car parked next to a school for two days, posing a direct threat not only to the school but also the surrounding community,” said ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “I want to commend the swift actions of law enforcement and prosecutors, whose efforts helped avert a potential tragedy. ATF remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt threats to public safety and hold violent offenders accountable.”
As part of his sentence, Barr will pay $15,000 in restitution to his former landlord for damage to the residence caused by the Illinois State Police during execution of a search warrant to determine if other devices might be in the home. According to court documents, there were no additional devices, but evidence of bomb making was found in the basement.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, the Wood River Police Department, the Collinsville Police Department, the Illinois State Police, the FBI Springfield Field Office and the Illinois Secretary of State Police Hazardous Device Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Burke prosecuted the case.
United States Sues State of Illinois for Providing Financial Aid and In-state Tuition to Illegal Aliens Attending Colleges and UniversitiesRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois filed a complaint in federal court Thursday against the state of Illinois for policies directing financial support for illegal aliens that are not provided to non-resident U.S. citizens.
“Illinois has an apparent desire to win a ‘race to the bottom’ as the country’s leading sanctuary state. It’s misguided approach mandating in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to illegal aliens plainly violates federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This policy treats illegal aliens better than U.S. citizens living in other states and incentivizes even more illegal immigration, all on the taxpayer’s dime. Illinois citizens deserve better.”
Federal law prohibits states from granting postsecondary education benefits, like in-state tuition or state financial aid, to illegal aliens unless the state provides equivalent benefits to all U.S. citizens, regardless of residency.
Illinois law classifies certain aliens who are not lawfully present in the United States as “residents” and requires public state colleges to provide reduced tuition and other post-secondary education financial benefits, while U.S. citizens from other states, who do not meet the residency requirements, must pay higher out-of-state tuition rates and do not qualify for certain other benefits.
In addition to providing in-state tuition, the state of Illinois also provides illegal aliens with taxpayer-funded scholarships through state programs administered under the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act. This financial aid is accessed through an alternative FAFSA form only available to noncitizens. These benefits are not afforded to U.S. citizens who reside outside of Illinois.
This discriminatory treatment in favor of aliens not lawfully present in the United States over U.S. citizens is squarely prohibited and preempted by federal law.
Signed into law on June 21, 2019, the Illinois RISE Act expanded access to state financial aid for undocumented students in Illinois who are ineligible for federal support through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA disqualifies illegal aliens based on their lack of lawful status.
The Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging Illinois Laws Providing In-State Tuition and Scholarships for Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
The United States is challenging Illinois laws providing in-state tuition and scholarships for illegal aliens. These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships, in direct conflict with federal law. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the Southern District of Illinois against the State of Illinois, Governor Pritzker, the State Attorney General, and the boards of trustees of state universities in Illinois seeking to enjoin the State from enforcing the Illinois laws and bring them into compliance with federal requirements.
In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of Illinois laws that requires colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain Illinois residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Federal law prohibits institutions of higher education from providing benefits to aliens that are not offered to U.S. citizens. The Illinois laws blatantly conflict with federal law and are thus in conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
“Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice has already filed multiple lawsuits to prevent U.S. students from being treated like second-class citizens — Illinois now joins the list of states where we are relentlessly fighting to vindicate federal law.”
“Illinois has an apparent desire to win a ‘race to the bottom’ as the country’s leading sanctuary state. Its misguided approach mandating in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to illegal aliens plainly violates federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois. “This policy treats illegal aliens better than U.S. citizens living in other states and incentivizes even more illegal immigration, all on the taxpayer’s dime. Illinois citizens deserve better.”
This lawsuit follows two executive orders signed by President Trump that seek to ensure illegal aliens are not obtaining taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment. The first, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” orders all agencies to “ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.” The second, “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens,” directs relevant officials to “take appropriate action to stop the enforcement of State and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices favoring aliens over any groups of American citizens that are unlawful, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable, including State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens.”
Former Manager of Illinois Mine Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud Mine Safety and Health Administration Regarding Underground FireRead the Press Release
Timothy Brandon Parsons, 38, of Louisa, Kentucky, entered a guilty plea yesterday to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in relation to an underground fire that occurred in the MC#1 Mine in Franklin County, Illinois, in August 2021.
According to court documents, on Aug. 12, 2021, Parsons was the Mine Manager at the MC#1 Mine when an underground fire was ignited by a cutting torch used to cut collapsed steel beams. When the fire could not be extinguished within 10 minutes, rather than implementing the approved Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Plan, Parsons and conspirators agreed that they would not evacuate miners or notify MSHA. Gas detectors carried by miners alarmed for the presence of more than 10 parts per million of carbon monoxide, yet the mine continued to mine coal during ad hoc firefighting efforts over the course of three shifts from Aug. 12 to 13.
On Aug. 13, Parsons tried to conceal the existence of the fire from those not already aware of it by evacuating the mine on the false pretense that a belt used to carry coal from underground to the surface was broken. Later that morning, MSHA received an anonymous tip about the fire and then later ordered that the mine be evacuated after inspectors confirmed the existence of the fire. Despite the evacuation order, over the next several days, conspirators re-entered the mine on two occasions without MSHA’s permission to assess the fire and manipulate the conditions underground so that MSHA would allow mining to resume. Members of the conspiracy did not wear tracking devices designed to track the underground location of miners and made false entries in mine records.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18. Parsons faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois, Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson of the FBI’s Springfield Field Office made the announcement.
The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and FBI investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Burke for the Southern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.
Effingham County area drug dealers sentenced on meth-related chargesRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – This year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Effingham Police Department, the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, and the Effingham County State’s Attorney’s Office, have prosecuted several methamphetamine dealers in the Effingham County area.
“Trafficking drugs in southern Illinois will earn dealers a federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Thanks to the efforts of our local law enforcement partners in the Effingham County area, less meth is circulating on the streets. We will continue to work together to eliminate drugs from our communities.”
“These cases show what can be accomplished when local, county, and federal agencies work together toward a common goal,” said Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the staff of the Effingham Police Department for their partnership and commitment. Their efforts make our community safer by keeping dangerous drugs off our streets.”
Jeramy C. Hoffman, 49, of Effingham, Illinois, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On May 15, 2025, the Court sentenced Hoffman to 110 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
Corey W. Dasenbrock, 48, of Effingham, Illinois, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On Aug. 19, 2025, the Court sentenced Dasenbrock to 110 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by four years supervised release.
Hayden L. Limes, 29, of Effingham, Illinois, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On May 1, 2025, the Court sentenced Limes to 96 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years’ supervised release.
Taylor K. Nathan, 31, of Effingham, Illinois, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On April 3, 2025, the Court sentenced Nathan to 84 months’ incarceration, to be followed by four years supervised release.
Robert J. Beckler, II, 55, of Effingham, Illinois, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Court sentenced Beckler to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years’ supervised release.
Russell A. Beldi, 45, of Teutopolis, Illinois, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On May 15, 2025, Beldi was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by four years supervised release.
Jodi L. Corbella, 48, of Citrus Heights, California, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Although from California, Corbella was sending methamphetamine to Russell Beldi for resale in the Effingham area. On Aug. 5, 2025, the Court sentenced Corbella to 144 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by four years supervised release.
Jesse D. Blain, 40, of Effingham, Illinois, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On Aug. 12, 2025, the Court sentenced Blain to 60 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
Three additional Effingham area individuals were indicted on July 25, 2025, on federal methamphetamine related charges in a seven-count indictment. The defendants indicted include:
- Chelsea J. Sipes, 41, of Effingham, Illinois,
- Timothy E. Finfrock, 66, of Effingham, Illinois and
- Philip M. Blair, 43, of Effingham, Illinois.
Count 1 charges that from July 2024, until on or about June 2025, in Effingham County, within the Southern District of Illinois, Sipes, Finfrock, and Blair conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Count 2 charges that on Jan. 30, 2025, in Effingham County, Sipes knowingly and intentionally distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Count 3 charges that on Feb. 25, 2025, in Effingham County, Sipes knowingly and intentionally distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Count 4 charges that on March 6, 2025, in Effingham County, Sipes knowingly and intentionally distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Count 5 charges that on March 14, 2025, in Effingham County, Sipes knowingly and intentionally distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Count 6 charges that on Feb. 20, 2025, in Effingham County, Blair knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine.
Count 7 charges that on Jan. 24, 2025, in Effingham County, Finfrock knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine.
With respect to Count 1, all three Defendants face 10 years to life imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine, and supervised release of not less than 5 years.
With respect to Counts 2-5, Sipes faces 5-40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $5 million fine, and supervised release of not less than 4 years.
With respect to Count 6, Blair faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1 million fine, and supervised release of not less than 3 years.
With respect to Count 7, Finfrock faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1 million fine, and supervised release of not less than 3 years.
Indictments are merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Effingham County man admits to federal charges for financially exploiting an elder out of more than $330,000Read the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – An Effingham County man appeared in federal court to plead guilty to several charges for exploiting an elder out of an estimated $338,773.
Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal derived property. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 at the federal courthouse in Benton.
“The defendant posed as a trusted helper, offering lawn care services to gain the victim’s confidence, only to exploit his trust,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “He then deceived this vulnerable victim into leaving a nursing home with false promises of care, just to pocket more money. We will relentlessly pursue such financial predators to protect southern Illinois communities.”
According to court documents, Stief met the victim in May 2023 after becoming acquainted to him while offering lawn care and landscaping services. Shortly thereafter, Stief used several misrepresentations to convince the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney.
"After a lifetime of hard work, our seniors deserve to feel safe and secure. Instead, criminals like this defendant shatter that trust, stealing not just their money but their sense of security,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson. “FBI Springfield and our partners will continue to hold those who commit elder fraud accountable for their callous and reprehensible actions."
Stief became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts. In August 2023, he talked the victim into cashing out life insurance policies and deposited most of the victim’s money into Stief’s personal bank accounts. In addition, Stief also took the victim’s gold coin collection, gold necklaces and watches.
In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Under Stief’s care, the victim was not cared for and his medical needs were not met.
Convictions for wire and mail fraud are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and monetary transaction in criminally derived property is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Effingham Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard is prosecuting the case.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a service from the U.S. Department of Justice that helps victims over 60 years report crimes and access resources. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET, at (833) 372-8311 or (833) FRAUD-11. Callers can remain anonymous, and translation services are available.
Centralia drug dealer sentenced to 17 years on meth and fentanyl chargesRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Centralia man to 204 months of federal imprisonment after he admitted to distributing pound quantities of meth and fentanyl.
Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances: meth and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: meth.
“This career offender built a life around selling dangerous narcotics and has a criminal history spanning over three decades of drug distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “While he continued to make poor decisions following previous stints of incarceration, Scanlan’s 17-year federal prison sentence will help to protect the public from any further crimes.”
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Scanlan for distributing meth and fentanyl from a motel room in February 2024. Initially, agents recovered 79 grams of meth, 24 fentanyl capsules and two scales in a traffic stop of Scanlan’s vehicle.
“Our success in combating drug trafficking in southern Illinois is a direct result of the collaboration both within the FBI Springfield's Southern Illinois TOC-W Task Force and outside it with our dedicated partners,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “By combining our resources, we're able to effectively seize drugs and firearms, and arrest those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
In March 2024, Scanlan admitted to driving from Centralia to St. Louis to purchase at least a pound of meth and more fentanyl capsules. In a subsequent traffic stop, law enforcement recovered 232 grams of meth and another bag of fentanyl capsules.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Scanlan qualified as a “career offender” for amassing several previous drug trafficking and other felony convictions. Career offenders are eligible for longer terms of federal imprisonment.
Following imprisonment, Scanlan will serve four years of supervised release.
The FBI Springfield Field Office TOC-West Task Force led the investigation with support from the Centralia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Reppert prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Office to present senior fraud prevention seminar in SpartaRead the Press Release
SPARTA, Ill. – To educate seniors in southern Illinois on the latest scams targeting them online and over the phone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with the Sparta Senior Center to present a fraud prevention seminar.
“Fraudsters inundate us with calls, texts, and emails making deceitful claims—like posing as federal agents—to manipulate individuals into handing over their money,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Unfortunately, we have prosecuted cases where scammers have defrauded seniors out of most of their life savings. To educate the public on the current fraud schemes and tips to avoid becoming a victim, our office will be in Sparta to give an interactive and informational presentation.”
The presentation highlights information on online scams, fraud schemes targeting seniors and details on federal cases prosecuted in the Southern District of Illinois. The event will start at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the Sparta Senior Center, located at 500 W. 2nd St. in Sparta.
Attendees will receive tips to help detect scams and advice on how to contact law enforcement if they think they may have been victimized by a scam.
The event is free and open to the public.
Five drug dealers sentenced to federal prison in Centralia-area crackdownRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Five drug dealers active in Fayette, Jefferson and Marion counties were sentenced to federal prison for distributing cocaine, meth or fentanyl in southern Illinois.
Jason Barnes, 53, of Odin, Illinois, pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth. He was sentenced to 210 months for selling meth on multiple occasions in 2019 and 2020.
Marvelous Burnett, 46, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, pleaded guilty to 16 counts of distribution of a controlled substance: cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: cocaine. He was sentenced to 162 months for selling cocaine through the Centralia, Vandalia and Mount Vernon area in 2023 and 2024.
Kenneth Thornton, 61, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 78 months for selling more than a gram of fentanyl in December 2023.
David Barnes, 37, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance: cocaine. He was sentenced to 72 months for distributing a half ounce of cocaine during a controlled buy in February 2023.
Karie Holstlaw, 40, of Salem, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance: meth, and she was sentenced to 57 months for selling eight grams during a controlled buy in November 2022.
“These sentences send a clear message: drug trafficking in southern Illinois will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Thanks to the efforts of law enforcement, five fewer drug dealers are fueling addiction and violence in the Centralia area. Drug dealing is a cancer that causes all sorts of societal harm, and we will continue to use all our federal powers to protect communities."
“These sentencings further prove that the FBI Springfield's Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force will not tolerate the continued flow of drugs in southern Illinois,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “Together with our local partners, we remain relentless in our mission to identify and arrest those who bring these substances into our community.”
The FBI Springfield Field Office’s Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force and the Centralia Police Department contributed to the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Reppert, Dan Kapsak and Dan Carraway represented the U.S. for the prosecutions.
Indianapolis felon sentenced to 175 months’ imprisonment for machine gun possession and mail theft schemeRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – A district judge sentenced an Indianapolis felon to spend nearly 15 years in federal prison after he was found in possession of a machine gun and altered checks stolen from the mail valued at more than $1.2 million.
In April 2024, a jury convicted Derrick Barbour, 28, of Indianapolis, also known as Derrick Barbour, Jr., on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a machinegun, one count of keys or locks stolen or reproduced, one count of unlawful possession of stolen mail and one count of bank fraud. He was ordered to pay $3,203 in restitution to two victims.
“In a unique combination of violent weaponry and financial crimes, this defendant posed a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Not only did he illegally possess a machine gun and other firearms as a felon, but he orchestrated a scheme using stolen arrow keys to steal more than $1 million in checks from unsuspecting victims.”
According to court documents, police officers located a stolen vehicle at a gas station in the early morning hours on Feb. 10, 2023, in Marion County, Indiana.
Barbour was the only occupant and was in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun fully loaded with 50 rounds of ammunition and equipped with a machinegun conversion device, or “switch”, making it a fully automatic weapon. Law enforcement also recovered a Glock 17 with drum magazine, a stolen Glock 20 10mm handgun and several magazines.
In addition to firearms, police located two envelopes containing hundreds of checks stolen from the U.S. Postal Service. Agents with the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General identified two arrow keys, which are used by authorized mail carriers to open blue collection boxes, in Barbour’s vehicle.
“This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ATF, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office. “The OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
USPS-OIG agents also found additional stolen checks and money orders valued at more than $1.2 million. Several of the checks had been altered to change the payee’s name to be payable to the defendant. He had deposited one of the checks into his bank account.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fischer with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois handled the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, community partners to host National Night Out event in East St. LouisRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – To strengthen relationships between residents and law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, event organizers and police officials are inviting the East St. Louis community to a free event with activities for attendees of all ages to celebrate National Night Out.
The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 8206 State St. in East St. Louis.
Community partners will give out school supplies to students, provide food to families and offer an array of activities like competitive games, police demonstrations, and a live DJ. This National Night Out is a free event for East St. Louis residents.
Ameren Illinois, ATF, Catholic Urban Programs, the City of East St. Louis, Community Development Sustainable Solutions, Community Life Line, DEA, the East St. Louis Police Department, the FBI Springfield Field Office, Illinois State Police, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service are partnering to host the event.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes community partnerships with police and neighborhood camaraderie.
Leader of major cocaine trafficking organization sentenced to life in prisonRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Texas man to spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury convicted him of leading an operation to transport more than 325 kilograms of cocaine to southern Illinois.
Following an eight-day trial, a jury convicted Daniel Robert, 48, of Houston, Texas, also known as Dewayne Robert, on one count of conspiracy to distribute the controlled substance: cocaine, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of witness tampering and one count of attempted witness tampering.
“Large-scale drug traffickers who profit from poisoning our communities with dangerous narcotics and then try to obstruct justice through threats or intimidation will be held fully accountable under federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This life sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial, Robert recruited and employed multiple couriers to deliver drugs and collect proceeds. After he was arrested and charged with the cocaine distribution charges, Robert attempted to obstruct justice by trying to improperly influence a witness.
The Government estimates the drug operation was responsible for trafficking at least 327 kilograms of cocaine and was active between January 2014 and August 2018.
“Several communities in Southern Illinois will rest easier tonight knowing that Daniel Robert has been sentenced to a lifetime in federal prison,” Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “Robert was responsible for moving an estimated $1 million worth of cocaine in and around Illinois. Let this serve as a reminder that the DEA will work relentlessly to remove these poison-pushing criminals from our communities and put them behind bars.”
The indictment also charged co-defendants:
- Jeffrey Taylor, 42, of Alton, Illinois, also known as “King”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, five counts of distribution of meth, two counts of possession with intent to distribute meth, one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
- Daniel Matthew, 50, of Richmond, Texas, also known as “B Dog”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
- Stephanie Reynolds, 47, of Godfrey, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth, two counts of distribution of meth, two counts of possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute meth.
- Simbiat Soetan, 36, of East St. Louis, Illinois, also known as “Simba”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth.
- Lloyd Parker, 36, of Hutchinson, Kansas, also known as “PJ”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, two counts of distribution of meth, two counts of possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute meth.
- Michael Martin, 51, of Meridian, Mississippi, also known as “Cuz”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
- Shataya Moore, 27, of Richmond, Texas, also known as “Taya”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
- Shermiya Reynolds-Ray, 30, of Alton, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of distribution of meth, two counts of possession with intent to distribute meth, one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
- Talishia Shannon, 38, of Rossville, Tennessee, also known as “T”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
- Lendarious Hayes, 28, of Meridian, Mississippi, also known as “Lil Daddy”, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
"The outcome of this case highlights the tireless efforts of every law enforcement agency involved in this investigation," said IRS Criminal Investigation St. Louis Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. "The fact that Daniel Robert has been sentenced to life in prison for his actions should serve as a warning to others involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. They will be aggressively pursued and brought to justice."
As part of the prosecution, the Government seized one black Mercedes car and one silver Chevrolet truck used in the conspiracy.
DEA St. Louis and IRS Criminal Investigation contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Dean and Amanda Fischer are prosecuting the case.
Chinese national facing federal charges for posing as a federal agent to defraud a Belleville seniorRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging a Chinese national for allegedly participating in an imposter scam and trying to defraud a Belleville senior out of more than $70,000.
Zhigang Lian, 42, a Chinese national and lawful resident of La Puente, California, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.
“Federal authorities will never call to demand your personal or financial information over the phone, notify you that you’re a victim of identity theft, ask you to send cryptocurrency or travel to your home to pick up money,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Scammers are preying on vulnerable victims through imposter scams, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office is using its full legal authority to hold offenders accountable.”
According to court documents, Lian is accused of defrauding a 76-year-old Belleville resident. On June 13, the victim received a scam text message purporting to be from Apple and explaining a transaction was detected for $258. The victim called to dispute the transaction and began speaking with the scammers.
“Criminal fraudsters are constantly devising new schemes aimed at intimidating innocent, often elderly, victims and scaring them into parting with their hard-earned money. If someone randomly contacts you and asks for money, do not give it to them and contact the proper authorities if they are persistent,” Acting Resident Agent in Charge David Bolin, of the U.S. Secret Service – Springfield Resident Office said. “Thank you to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group Special Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois for their work in pursuing this case and protecting unsuspecting victims from financial fraud.”
The scammer referred the victim to the Federal Trade Commission due to a “severe problem,” and the victim began speaking with another member of the conspiracy posing as a federal agent. The faux agent told the victim their identity had been stolen, and they needed to withdraw all the money from their bank accounts to protect their assets. The victim withdrew $25,000 and handed over to a conspirator on June 17.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims including those most vulnerable,” said Inspector in Charge, Ruth Mendonça, who leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office.
Lian is accused of posing as a federal agent and picking up $45,000 from the victim on July 1. After the cash exchange, officers with the Illinois State Police took Lian into custody.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Convictions for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.
The U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are contributing to the investigation with support from the Illinois State Police Metropolitan Enforcement Group Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross is prosecuting the case.
Out-of-state deer poachers ordered to pay nearly $120,000 in southern IllinoisRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Five men from Mississippi were sentenced in southern Illinois federal court after admitting to using spotlights to illegally hunt white-tailed deer in Massac, Jefferson, Union, Pope and Clark counties.
Lee J. Johnson, 54, of Saucier, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful transport of wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act and was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution and a $10,000 fine.
Steven J. Pique, 56, of Biloxi, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Gerald B. Moran, 40, of Saucier, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful transport of wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act and was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and a $2,500 fine.
Joshua A. Marshall, 30, of Saucier, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful transport of wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution and a $2,500 fine.
John M. Pritchard, 57, of Biloxi, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful transport of wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act and was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution and a $5,000 fine.
According to court documents, between 2018 and 2022, the poachers would use spotlights to scout white-tailed deer in Massac, Jefferson, Union, Pope and Clark counties in southern Illinois. Once a deer was located, members of the group would get a rifle, spotlight the deer again, and then shoot to kill. They would later return to collect the carcass.
“This was not an isolated incident of unlawful hunting; rather, it was a calculated, multi-year operation that exploited Illinois's prized wildlife resources for personal gain,” said Assistant Director Douglas Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. “Targeting trophy deer under the cover of night, across multiple counties, and transporting them across state lines reflects a deliberate disregard for wildlife laws and the ecological balance we work tirelessly to protect. Such organized violations undermine decades of conservation progress and diminish the integrity of fair-chase hunting traditions that responsible hunters value nationwide."
After collecting the carcass, the poachers would then transport the animal over state lines from Illinois back to Mississippi where they would harvest and process the deer. Typically, the poachers would mount the deer’s head, antlers or other parts of its body.
The defendants’ fines will go to the Lacey Act Reward Account through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and restitution will go to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“This case sends a clear message: wildlife laws are not only about species protection, but they also uphold the principles of fair chase and ethical hunting. The Illinois Conservation Police, in partnership with our dedicated federal agencies, consistently demonstrate professionalism and commitment to enforcing these laws,” said Jed Whitchurch, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Law Enforcement. “The complexity and scale of this case required multiagency coordination, and thanks to that teamwork, we've reinforced the stewardship values that define responsible hunting and the importance of natural resources law enforcement.”
The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Conservation Police, with support from USFWS Federal Wildlife Officers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Two Chinese nationals facing federal charges in southern Illinois for staffing massage parlors with prostitutesRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two Chinese nationals with offenses related to operating illicit massage businesses in southern Illinois and Indiana.
Jianhong Hu Allbright, 57, of Shoals, Indiana, and Yalong Cao, 25, of Schaumburg, Illinois, are each facing one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. and one count of money laundering conspiracy related to employees engaging in prostitution at the Oriental Home Spa & Massage in Centralia, Sunflower Spa in Mount Vernon, Rose Spa in Harrisburg, Oasis Massage Spa in Vandalia and Oriental Massage Parlor in Corydon, Indiana.
Allbright is also facing one count of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution.
“Massage parlors engaged in prostitution are not the romanticized fantasy from the movie “Pretty Woman”—they are criminal enterprises that create and exploit financial dependency to trap immigrants and others, coercing them into degrading subjugation,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute sex trafficking and work to vindicate the rights of vulnerable victims across southern Illinois.”
According to court documents, the charged conduct occurred between March 2022 and June 2024 at five massage parlors in southern Illinois and Indiana.
“The Illinois State Police commitment to fighting human trafficking is unwavering,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “We are dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable, pursuing traffickers with every available resource, and working hand in hand with our partners to dismantle the networks that exploit human lives. This is not just law enforcement—it’s a moral obligation.”
Allbright is accused of managing the parlors’ day-to-day operations including arranging transportation and providing supplies for the female employees to engage in commercial sex acts.
“HSI will not tolerate criminals who exploits vulnerable women under the guise of legitimate business,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “We will continue working side by side with our law enforcement partners to dismantle trafficking networks and hold offenders accountable.”
Cao is facing charges for allegedly recruiting employees to engage in prostitution and collecting the proceeds.
“IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is committed to tracing money trails to the door of anyone involved in human trafficking,” said IRS-CI St. Louis Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. “Partnering with other law enforcement agencies to destroy these networks is a top priority for our agency.”
The pair are accused of advertising the illicit acts at their massage parlors on websites.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Money laundering conspiracy convictions are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $500,000. Convictions of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution are punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000, and convictions for conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. are punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
The Illinois State Police Trafficking Enforcement Bureau, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Illinois Department of Revenue are working the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karelia Rajagopal is prosecuting the case.
St. Elmo man sentenced to 32 years’ imprisonment after he shot a rifle at federal agentsRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a St. Elmo man to 32 years in federal prison after he shot at law enforcement agents serving an arrest warrant at his residence in Fayette County.
Dax Baldrige, 47, pleaded guilty in January to seven counts of assault of a federal officer, two counts of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Following imprisonment, he will serve five years of supervised release.
“Law enforcement officers are brave, underappreciated, and underpaid heroes who risk their lives every day to protect others,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Those, like Dax Baldrige, who target our officers for violence represent a form of evil against the very foundation of society. Few things are as serious, and our office will bring the full weight of federal law to bear, relentlessly pursuing the harshest prison terms to hold such people accountable.”
On Oct. 17, 2022, task force members with the U.S. Marshals Service attempted to serve an arrest warrant for Baldrige at his residence in Fayette County. When they arrived, the officers knocked and gave Baldrige an opportunity to present himself for arrest.
As they began to make entry to the residence, Baldrige used a stolen short barrel rifle equipped with 60 rounds of ammunition to shoot through the wall of his residence, nearly striking multiple officers. All agents were able to retreat from the residence safely and without injury.
“We are pleased that this case has been adjudicated. We want to thank the Illinois State Police, the ATF, and all our partner agencies for their steadfast commitment to our mission. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Illinois, who successfully prosecuted this case and brought it to a successful conclusion,” said U.S. Marshal David C. Davis. “This case continues to illustrate the inherent dangers of this profession, and we continue to be grateful that none of our task force members were injured during the arrest of Baldrige.”
After firing at officers, Baldrige barricaded himself in his residence and engaged in a standoff with law enforcement that lasted over 10 hours.
“The defendant’s decision to open fire on law enforcement showed a blatant disregard for human life and the safety of the surrounding community. This sentence sends a clear message—violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. ATF is grateful to our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who assisted in bringing this individual to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon, ATF Chicago Field Division.
Following his arrest, investigating agents conducted a search of Baldrige’s residence and recovered nine firearms including six rifles, a revolver, two pistols and ammunition.
"When law enforcement officers, who have selflessly taken an oath to safeguard the public, are literally fired upon while trying to protect communities from known offenders, those individuals must be held accountable," said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. "We appreciate the U.S. Attorney's Office's diligence in pursuing justice and supporting officers who put their lives on the line every day."
“When someone opens fire on law enforcement, they're not just attacking an individual; they're attacking the very foundation of our community's safety and security,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson. “The sentence imposed sends an unequivocal message: such aggression against those who protect us will be met with the full force of justice.”
The U.S. Marshal Service Great Lakes Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Illinois State Police, the FBI Springfield TOC West Task Force and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Arshi prosecuted the case.
Eight facing federal meth charges after two-week drug arrest and search operationRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Following a two-week coordinated operation led by the FBI, eight individuals are facing federal charges for distributing meth or possession with intent to distribute in southern Illinois.
A federal grand jury charged:
- Sarah L. Elverd, 35, of Centralia, with one count of possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of meth,
- Alan D. Fleming, 41, of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth,
- John A. Fowler, 49, of Mount Vernon, with eight counts of distribution of meth,
- James B. Lockwood, 43, of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth,
- Cedric R. Long, 32, of Bluford, with two counts of distribution of meth,
- Christopher L. Webb, 38, of Mount Vernon, with one count of possession with intent to distribute meth,
- Scott T. Miller, 40, of Centralia, with two counts of distribution of meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth,
- and Damion D. Thrailkill, 39, of Mount Vernon, with one count of distribution of meth.
“Dealers know how addictive and destructive meth is for users but choose to infect communities and place profits above people,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
The arrests are the result of a multi-agency investigation targeting crime throughout southern Illinois in late May and early June. The investigations were spearheaded by the FBI Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force, a task force composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers dedicated to dismantling violent criminal networks and safeguarding the communities they serve.
“These arrests send a clear message,” said Karen Marinos, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Springfield Division. “We’re taking a more aggressive posture toward violent crime. No matter how remote the area or how insulated the group thinks it is—if you threaten the safety of our communities, we will act swiftly and decisively. This operation was only possible because of the strong coordination among our law enforcement partners—a partnership that grows stronger every day. When we work together with a unified mission, there’s nowhere left for violent criminals to hide.”
In addition, the task force arrested three individuals on state charges in Jefferson County.
- Janay Branch, of Mount Vernon, was charged and pled guilty to charges. Branch was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to distribute.
- Anthony Smith, of Mount Vernon, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute meth.
- Adrian E. Carruth Jr., of Mount Vernon, was charged with one count of meth
delivery 100-400 grams, possession of cocaine 15-100 grams and conspiracy to distribute meth.
Beyond making arrests, law enforcement executed a series of search warrants during this operational period and seized firearms, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, cannabis and U.S. currency.
Indictments are merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Agencies assisting in the investigation and arrests include the U.S. Marshals Service’s Benton and East St. Louis Office, Carlyle Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff Office, Bond County Sheriff Office, Centralia Police Department, and the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Charges for the federally arrested individuals were filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may follow.
Former bank president and contractor plead guilty to federal charge in loan fraud schemeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A former bank president and contractor appeared in federal court and admitted to committing bank fraud by conspiring together to falsify loan applications and obtain funds.
Francis Eversman, 74, of Collinsville, and Gregg Crawford, 65, of Columbia, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud for their roles in a scheme that extended from 2011 to 2020.
“The integrity of our banking system relies on the integrity of loan officers and applicants,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate their fiduciary duties and those who obtain loans through fraud are brought to justice.”
According to court documents, Eversman was a senior loan officer at former Tempo Bank in Trenton. Crawford was the owner of construction companies in southern Illinois. Eversman and Crawford admitted in district court that Crawford recruited straw purchasers to act as nominal loan applicants on what were often highly overvalued properties.
“Every American citizen deserves to walk into their bank and trust the people behind the counter. In southern Illinois, these people are usually our neighbors and friends, people that we trust with our money and wellbeing. The defendants in this case violated that trust through schemes aimed to self-serve and increase wealth,” said FBI Springfield Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karen Marinos. “FBI Springfield and our partners with the Office of Inspector General - Treasury and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will always look out for the wellbeing of the citizens of Illinois and ensure their money is being put in the hands of people they can truly trust.”
His brother-in-law, Eversman, steered these loans through the approval process. Crawford then used the loan proceeds for other purposes. In some cases, Crawford provided fake lease agreements to purport to show rental income from subject properties. When at audit by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency discovered the suspect loans, Crawford instructed a straw purchaser to provide investigators with false information.
Both Crawford and Eversman waived their right to be indicted by a grand jury and pled guilty to an Information.
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries penalties of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and fines up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Springfield Field Office, the Office of Inspector General – Treasury Department, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Burke is prosecuting the case.
Leader of insurance fraud and arson scheme sentenced to 15 yearsRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced Evette “Betty” Osuegbu, 62, of Granite City, to 15 years in federal prison for her role in a string of arsons and insurance fraud stretching from 2014 to 2023.
Following a five-day trial in December, a jury seated in East St. Louis found Osuegbu guilty of all 15 counts of an indictment charging conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit arson, and use of fire to commit a federal felony.
“Arson is an inherently dangerous crime,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Firefighters often don’t know if people are inside the buildings and potentially place their lives at risk on every call. Additionally, arsons cause unnecessary blight, raise insurance rates, lower property values and can harm neighbors. We will continue to seek heavy penalties for these destructive and dangerous crimes.”
Osuegbu’s co-defendant, Rufis Jefferson, 48, of Venice, previously pleaded guilty to all counts of an indictment that included conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
Testimony at trial included Osuegbu’s role in a romance scam against an intellectually disabled person and exploiting his illiteracy to obtain property and insurance in his name. After Osuegbu directed Jefferson to burn the East St. Louis home, she sued the insurance company for a larger payout, using the name of her intellectually disabled victim as a plaintiff, unbeknownst to him. The insurance company settled and Osuegbu retained her victim’s share of the payout.
“Arson and insurance fraud are not victimless crimes, and the sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of the offenses committed. This was a dangerous, deliberate, and brazen scheme orchestrated by Ms. Osuegbu, putting the public at risk for personal gain. I want to thank our law enforcement partners, including the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, for their collaborative work in this case. Justice has been served, and our community is safer as a result,” said ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.
The jury also heard testimony from a father with a young child who lived next to Osuegbu in an apartment complex in St. Louis. On New Years Eve, 2022, this witness called in a fire in Osuegbu’s unit. Firefighting efforts stopped the spread of the fire but left the witness to live in a smokey and moldy apartment for months. The jury further heard that Osuegbu had directed Jefferson to burn the apartment while she established an alibi at a local casino. Osuegbu received insurance payouts for alleged losses in the fire and was put up in a local hotel.
The occupant of a Florissant, Missouri, home testified to a scam against her to convince her to raise her renter’s insurance and to be away from the home when Jefferson set it on fire. This witness testified that Osuegbu threatened to “gut” her if she did not get her cut, prompting this witness to pay off Osuegbu in installments over the course of many months.
Jurors also heard recordings of Osuegbu planning arsons at properties in Granite City and Venice. Osuegbu was heard to direct others how to avoid cameras and cell phone tracking and how to best set a fire that is difficult for experts to investigate. The ATF intervened before these properties were burned.
ATF Chicago led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Burke and Peter Reed prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office to participate in Collinsville naturalization ceremonyRead the Press Release
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – The U.S. District Court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both of the Southern District of Illinois, will take part in a naturalization ceremony to welcome new citizens in Collinsville on Wednesday.
“As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence on Friday, we’re reminded of our country’s long-standing tradition of accepting immigrants from all over the world through the naturalization process,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “It’s with great enthusiasm that we acknowledge the efforts by our friends and neighbors who have prioritized entering the U.S. legally. Together, we are bound by our shared values of liberty and freedom.”
The event is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. Sixty-one candidates from 27 countries are slated to take the Oath of Allegiance during the ceremony.
Naturalization resources are available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Williamson County waterfowl hunting club shut down for illegal baitingRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge ordered a duck hunting club in Williamson County to shutter its doors for two years after the owner admitted to a federal charge for illegal baiting.
Hugh Thomas Burns, Jr., 67, of Carbondale, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act by sale of wildlife in violation of federal law, as the sole owner of Burns Hunting Club, LLC.
“Hunting and fishing are cherished traditions in Southern Illinois, and our office stands firmly behind sportsmen and women who enjoy those activities,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “But let’s be real: baiting a duck hunting landscape is like other forms of illegal poaching, which disadvantages honest hunters and violates federal law. The district court’s order to close this club demonstrates a commitment to protecting ethical and legal hunting practices.”
According to court documents, the hunting club sold memberships and provided paid guiding services on its property to migratory bird hunters. Burns and co-defendant Michael D. McKinney, 52, of Benton, were among individuals who provided the guiding services over illegally baited hunting fields.
“Keeping quality hunting opportunities on the landscape is an essential part of America's heritage that we are proud to uphold. This case is an important win for waterfowl hunters everywhere and puts poachers on notice," said Assistant Director Douglas Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. "Many thanks to our law enforcement counterparts with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge."
McKinney admitted to distributing corn kernels to attract migratory birds to the club’s property. The pair conspired together to bring guided hunts to blinds near the baited areas in January 2021.
The federal judge ordered Burns and Burns Hunting Club, LLC, to pay at total of $11,000 in fines to the Lacey Act Reward Account through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as a total of $50,000 in restitution to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The federal judge also sentenced Burns to two years of probation and barred him from hunting or providing guiding services for the duration of his probation.
“Baiting is a serious violation that undermines the principles of fair chase and can negatively impact wildlife populations. Conservation laws are in place to protect natural resources and ensure that the pursuit of wildlife is conducted ethically and sustainably for future generations to enjoy,” said Jed Whitchurch, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Law Enforcement. “I encourage anyone aware of baiting violations in Illinois to come forward with tips. It’s every individual’s responsibility to understand these laws and abide by them.”
The judge sentenced McKinney to two years’ probation and ordered him to pay $5,500 in fines and $5,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act by sale of wildlife in violation of federal law. He is also prohibited from hunting and guiding for two years.
The Government seized a Chevrolet 2500 HD truck and a UTV that was used in the conspiracy.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Jury convicts Du Quoin felon of possessing a firearmRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury found a Du Quoin man guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon in Franklin County.
A jury convicted Marcus T. Moore, 42, of one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
“To help protect the public and keep guns away from dangerous individuals, convicted felons lose the right to legally possess firearms. As this case demonstrates, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work to hold repeat criminal offenders accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
According to court documents, a Sesser police officer initiated a traffic stop on Moore’s vehicle on Sept. 10, 2023. After Moore failed a field sobriety test, he fled on foot as officers attempted to take him into custody. He was apprehended after being tased, and a firearm was discovered secured to his ankle.
Moore had a prior federal conviction from 2007, which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm. Moore was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest.
Moore’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 7 at the federal courthouse in Benton. Convictions for felon in possession of a firearm are punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The Sesser Police Department led the investigation with support from ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Sanders and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney, FBI vow strong action after federal building defaced in CarbondaleRead the Press Release
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Following an incident in Carbondale on Tuesday evening where criminals defaced a federal building, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson are vowing to protect law and order in southern Illinois.
“There are bright lines separating where speech ends and criminal conduct begins. Those who committed this targeted vandalism to federal property will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Our system protects good faith expressions of ideas and opinions, but it abhors lawlessness and violence. Any such criminality cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”
In the evening on June 10, individuals gathered outside the entrance of the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building in Carbondale. During the gathering, some members defaced the outside of the building, from which any damage is being assessed at this time.
“The Senator Paul Simon Federal Building’s houses multiple United States federal entities and has been located in the community since 1978. These offices employ dozens of local residents, and the tenants of this building deserve to go to work without fear or intimidation. The FBI Springfield Field Office respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, but we will not tolerate individuals inciting violence or engaging in criminal activity and violating federal law. The individuals who defaced the building last night will be identified and charged, as well as those who aid and abet them,” said Christopher J.S. Johnson, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Springfield Field Office.
If you have any information about this incident, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) and reference “Carbondale Illinois Federal Building.” The operator will take down any information you have and contribute it to the investigation.
Jury convicts Edwardsville man of drug traffickingRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A federal jury returned a two-count guilty verdict for an Edwardsville man charged with distributing meth in Franklin and Perry counties.
Kevin D. Stewart, 59, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of meth.
Co-defendant Elizabeth J. Schwartzkopf, 43, of Pinckneyville, pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to distribute meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth and was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment on Wednesday.
"The collaboration between the ISP and the U.S. Attorney's Office is essential in dismantling drug trafficking networks,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “By combining investigative expertise with prosecutorial power, this partnership delivers justice more effectively, disrupting criminal operations and protecting the well-being of our communities."
According to court documents and evidence at trial, Illinois State Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Schwartzkopf with Stewart in the passenger seat in March 2024. Officers recovered 312 grams of methamphetamine, 924 grams of homemade THC gummies, and a scale from the vehicle.
Stewart’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Benton. Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of meth carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The Illinois State Police Drug Task Force led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Sanders and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.
Illegal immigrant gets 12 years in prison for his part in India-based fraud targeting elderly victims across the MidwestRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – An illegal immigrant from India got 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims in three states out of more than $400,000.
In February, a federal jury convicted Nirav B. Patel, 44, an Indian citizen, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of illegal entry into the U.S. by an alien.
“This illegal alien admitted that he came to Illinois because the state would give him a driver’s license, and then he used that license to steal from the elderly all across the Midwest,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “We will continue to do all we can to remove this criminal element from our country.”
In an imposter scam, fraudsters pose as government officials to manipulate and exploit elderly victims for money. This scheme targeted elderly victims with text messages and emails purportedly warning that their Amazon accounts had been compromised. When the victims followed up on the messages, they were redirected to scammers posing as federal agents who convinced the victims that they were victims of identity theft who needed to withdraw their life savings to be held in phony U.S. Treasury or FTC trust accounts for safekeeping.
In reality, the money was stolen and ultimately transferred to accounts controlled by the scammers in India. The fraudsters kept the victims on the hook by calling them constantly, sometimes for up to 12 hours a day. The scammers also threatened victims with criminal liability if they told their friends or family what was going on.
Patel traveled to the elderly victims’ residences to pick up cash and assets to support the crime. Trial testimony established that, in one instance, Patel picked up $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly resident at her assisted living facility, even though she was pushing a walker and on oxygen.
In addition to the fraud charges, Patel was convicted for entering the U.S. illegally. Evidence showed that Patel snuck into the U.S. near Vancouver before connecting with the fraudsters in Georgia. Patel’s fraud operation was based in the Chicago, where he could get an Illinois driver’s license despite being in the U.S. unlawfully. From there, he drove hundreds of miles through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana to take money and gold from elderly victims on behalf of the fraud scheme.
In imposing the 12-year sentence, the Court rejected Patel’s claim that he had no idea what was going on, noting the scammers entrusted Patel with hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time. These scams need people on the ground in the U.S. in order to be successful, the court continued, and those willing to help them steal from elderly victims should receive stiff sentences to deter others from doing the same thing in the future.
“This case highlights the serious public safety risks posed by individuals who enter the United States illegally and exploit our systems to target some of the most vulnerable among us,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “HSI remains committed to identifying and dismantling transnational criminal schemes, especially carried out by perpetrators who flout our immigration laws to defraud and target elderly Americans. HSI will continue working with our partners to ensure that those who abuse our country’s generosity are held accountable.”
The Federal Trade Commission reported in March 2025 that imposter scams are now the most common type of consumer fraud against Americans. If you or a loved one has been a victim of this kind of fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline by dialing 1-833-372-8311.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Merrill Wisconsin Police Department, the Lincoln County Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, and the Franklin Indiana Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter T. Reed and Steve Weinhoeft prosecuted the case.
Former Bank of O’Fallon executive pleads guilty to swindling $2 million in check kiting fraud schemeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – The former second-in-command of the Bank of O’Fallon appeared in federal court Monday to admit to charges for engaging in a fraud scheme to obtain more than $2 million.
Andrew P. Blassie, 69, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of security or funds obtained by fraud.
“This conviction, secured shortly after Blassie’s April 8 indictment, reflects the investigators’ outstanding work and the Bank of O’Fallon’s vital cooperation to dismantle the scheme. This result delivers swift justice for O’Fallon’s residents and protects the integrity of our financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “He must face a serious consequence for betraying his clients, employer, family, and community.”
According to the indictment, Blassie served as the Executive Vice President for the Bank of O’Fallon and defrauded the bank out of $1,972,887.67 in a check kite scheme from September 2023 through September 2024 during his employment.
Blassie admitted to falsely inflating the balance of his personal checking account at the Bank of O’Fallon by depositing checks he knew to be backed by non-sufficient funds. He deposited checks with non-sufficient funds from four personal accounts at three other banks and one credit union into the Bank of O’Fallon account.
“The level of corruption the defendant in this case achieved was beyond shameful. Rather than serve the Bank of O’Fallon and its customers, the defendant chose to serve himself – to more than $2 million. His guilty plea today should send a message to others who would seek to rip off their unsuspecting customers that they will be caught, and they will be held accountable,” Resident Agent in Charge Michael Kurzeja, of the U.S. Secret Service Springfield Office said. “I thank all of our Federal, state and local partners who helped in the successful prosecution of this former bank executive.”
Blassie paid nearly $2.7 million for personal expenses from the falsely inflated account thus using funds belonging to the Bank of O’Fallon. As the former Executive Vice President, Blassie used his position to conceal his fraud from the Bank of O’Fallon by scrubbing his name and account number from the suspected kiting reports.
“This former bank executive abused his position of trust and the trust of the community for personal enrichment,” said Special Agent in Charge Vincent R. Zehme, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Chicago Region. “The FDIC OIG is pleased to join our law enforcement partners in announcing today’s guilty plea, and we remain committed to investigating and holding bank insiders who commit fraud accountable, as we seek to preserve the integrity of our Nation’s banking system and to protect depositors and financial consumers.”
From August 2022 through September 2024, Blassie also persuaded a couple from Lebanon, Illinois, to give him $489,000 of their retirement savings. In return for this investment, Blassie gave the couple two promissory notes. He agreed to pay the couple interest on the notes and used money he obtained through his check kite scheme to pay some of that interest.
As security for his promissory notes, Blassie pledged 128 of his and his wife’s shares of the holding company which owns the Bank of O’Fallon.
“Andrew Blassie abused his position of trust as a bank executive by committing fraud for his own personal gain and has now been brought to justice for his actions,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We are proud to have worked with our law enforcement partners to achieve this plea agreement.”
According to the indictment, Blassie later sold most of these shares and did not use those funds to repay the Lebanon couple. This left the couple with no means of recourse when Blassie later defaulted on the promissory notes.
“The Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) is committed to investigating allegations of fraud involving bank officials who abuse their position of public trust and financial institutions, particularly the Federal Home Loan Banks,” said Korey Brinkman, Special Agent in Charge of the FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We are proud to have partnered with the U.S. Secret Service, FDIC OIG, FRB OIG, and the O’Fallon (IL) Police Department on this case.”
Officials with the Bank of O’Fallon have fully cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation. Blassie’s sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 18 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.
The O’Fallon Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General made contributions to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Verseman and Zoe Gross are prosecuting the case.
East St. Louis woman sentenced to 11 years in prison for federal gun chargeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. district judge sentenced an East St. Louis woman to 11 years’ imprisonment after she used a stolen firearm to threaten a victim.
Cierra S. Whitley, 36, pleaded guilty in January to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Following her term of imprisonment, she will serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) investigated a double homicide that occurred in East St. Louis between Aug. 11-12, 2023. During that investigation, they seized a 9mm firearm that was used to kill both victims. During police interviews, Whitley admitted to possessing the firearm as a convicted felon and brandishing it to threaten one of the victims.
“PSEG’s double homicide investigation led to Cierra Whitley’s conviction for possessing the stolen firearm that was used to murder two people,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Her 11-year sentence rightly punishes her for this violent crime and demonstrates our ongoing battle against criminals who endanger our communities.”
"This 11-year sentence of a convicted felon found guilty once again of breaking the law is evidence of ISP's commitment to making communities safer," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "ISP Public Safety Enforcement Group special agents will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to reduce and prevent crime, while holding those who break the law accountable."
“A convicted felon in possession of a stolen firearm- and brazenly brandishing it- are a danger to the community. Such individuals and acts need to be dealt with swiftly,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon.” Through great partnerships with ISP and the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Illinois, Cierra Whitley and others like her who challenge the rule of law, will be held accountable for their actions.”
Whitley was previously convicted of a felony and therefore unable to legally possess firearms.
Illinois State Police led the investigation, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Laura Reppert prosecuted the case.
St. Louis man sentenced to prison for unarmed bank robberiesRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced a St. Louis man to 87 months in federal prison after he admitted to robbing four banks in less than three weeks in 2023.
Tyrone Leslie, 40, pleaded guilty in January to four counts of bank robbery. One count was charged in the Southern District of Illinois, and the other three were charged in the Eastern District of Missouri. The Missouri cases were transferred to southern Illinois to be prosecuted simultaneously.
“Bank robbers like Tyrone Leslie threaten the safety of the community, even when they are not carrying guns,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “It is no defense that Leslie used threatening notes instead of more violent means.”
According to court documents, Leslie robbed the U.S. Bank on Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis of $2,740 on Nov. 14, 2023. On Nov. 17, he robbed the People’s National Bank on Hampton Avenue in St. Louis of $964. Leslie robbed the PNC Bank in St. Louis on Manchester Road of $5,050 on Dec. 2. He tried to take $4,125 from the FCB Bank in Caseyville, Illinois, on Dec. 4.
Following the FCB Bank robbery in Caseyville, Leslie led police on a high-speed chase.
The Caseyville Police Department led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Laura Reppert prosecuted the case.
Third defendant sentenced to prison in $1.7 million vehicle sale fraud schemeRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois district judge sentenced a St. Louis man to 87 months in federal prison for his involvement in a vehicle sale scheme targeting victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond and Fayette counties.
Alen Saric, 36, pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The 11-count indictment also named co-conspirators Valentino Colic, 34, Almir Palic, 25, and Emad Hasanbegovic, 34, all of St. Louis. Colic was sentenced to 145 months in federal prison in March. Palic was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment in February. In addition to prison time, the district judge ordered Saric and Colic to pay more than $1 million in restitution. Palic was ordered to pay a portion of the restitution as well.
Hasanbegovic is facing one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of identity theft. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 21.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
“It’s important for the public to authenticate checks from people not personally known to them by confirming with the issuing bank or waiting until checks are accepted into their bank account before transferring property or otherwise sending funds, as criminals become increasingly skilled at creating fake checks to defraud consumers,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
According to court documents, the co-conspirators participated in a scheme to defraud private vehicle sellers on Facebook marketplace and Craigslist with fake cashier’s checks from 2018 until August 2023. The checks were printed on security-enhanced check paper with the names and logos of real banks with fake routing numbers.
Once the fraudsters possessed a vehicle, they would then resell the vehicle to another individual for cash before the original victim could try to cash the check and realize it was worthless. The co-conspirators issued more than $1,710,999 in fake cashier’s checks.
"This investigation is a testament to the strength of collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “This sentencing highlights efforts the FBI and our partners are making to ensure those who attempt to exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable."
To keep the co-conspirators’ names out of the chain of title, they used the names of prior victims to buy and sell the vehicles and forged signatures to complete documents such as titles and bills of sale. When posing as the victims, they often used copies of their photo IDs they had received during the previous sales. By writing bad checks from prior victims, the conspiracy caused even more financial hardship by revictimizing the same people repeatedly.
The fraudsters bought vehicles from victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond and Fayette counties within the Southern District of Illinois and are estimated to have defrauded victims out more than a million dollars. Colic and Saric admitted to driving the vehicles over state lines from Illinois to Missouri to benefit the scheme.
The FBI Springfield Field Office, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Illinois State Police, Illinois Secretary of State Police, Jefferson County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department and several local police departments contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed is prosecuting the case.
Justice Department announces results of Operation Restore JusticeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – The Department of Justice announced Wednesday the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
“Child sex offenders are a moral disgrace, preying on the innocence of vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Through Operation Restore Justice, the Southern District of Illinois condemns these heinous acts and stands resolute with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to eradicate this evil, protect our children, and deliver unwavering justice to those offenders.”
“There will be zero tolerance for those who commit crimes against our children. There will never be a lead we do not follow or door we do not knock on,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “We will not stand by – we will stand together. This operation shows that with every partner at the table, from law enforcement to community advocates, we are united in one mission, to protect our children.”
In the Southern District of Illinois, four individuals are facing federal charges.
Ryan G. Jones, 30, of Danville, is facing one count of production of child pornography of an 8-year-old minor in February 2025 in Williamson County. Sentencing guidelines for this charge are a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years’ imprisonment.
Trevor W. Yokley, 32, of Vandalia, is facing one count of attempting to entice a minor in Fayette and Effingham counties from January through April 2025. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Jared K. Galbraith, 38, of Belleville, is facing one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in October 2024 from Alabama to St. Clair County. The sentencing guidelines for sexual exploitation of children convictions are 15 to 30 years’ imprisonment. Convictions for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity is a minimum of 10 years in federal prison.
Christopher A. Geisen, 44, of Pensacola, Florida, is facing one count of transportation of child pornography of a 12-year-old minor when he was a resident of Alton, Illinois, in October 2024. The sentencing guidelines are a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 in federal prison.
In addition, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested 6 individuals during a two-day operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors in Madison County on April 23 and 24, 2025. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecutions.
“Protecting children against predators is a key priority, and we are thankful to be partnering with U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft and his team in this essential work,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine.
Indictments and complaints are merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Other individuals arrested across the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors and child sex trafficking.
In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, Virginia, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, New York.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling the local FBI field office.
The FBI Springfield Field Office is leading the investigations with support from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Reppert, Ali Burns and Kim Arshi are prosecuting the cases.