Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Jackson County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On January 18, 2017, Kyle E. Easterly, 30, of Murphysboro, was sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine offenses, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Easterly, who had previously pled guilty to a second superseding indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 235 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and was fined $700.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Easterly was involved with numerous other persons in the manufacture of methamphetamine and the distribution of ice in Jackson and Perry Counties. Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%. At sentencing, the district court found that Easterly was responsible for the possession of 48 grams of pseudoephedrine and the distribution of 1,134 grams of ice. Because Easterly had twice been convicted of felony domestic battery offenses, he was classified and sentenced as a Career Offender. Co-defendant Charles W. Yearian was previously sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment for his involvement in the drug offenses. Four co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing in this case. One co-defendant has pled not guilty and is awaiting a February 27, 2017, jury trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Murphysboro Police Department. The Union County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, DuQuoin Police Department, and Jackson County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
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Missouri Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Pass Counterfeit CurrencyRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on January 18, 2017, Kai D. Bowers, 22, of Florissant, Missouri, plead guilty in United States District Court, to conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit United States currency. Bowers faces a term of imprisonment of not more than five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years when he is sentenced on May 5, 2017 in United States District Court in East St. Louis.
At his plea, Bowers admitted that during September of 2015, he agreed with Dion Price and others, to manufacture counterfeit United States currency and then pass the counterfeit $100 dollar bills in the cities of Alton, Illinois and St. Charles, Missouri.
Dion Price who plead guilty to the same charge on October 5, 2016, will be sentenced in United States District Court in East St. Louis on February 10, 2017.
The investigation was conducted by the Alton, Illinois Police Department and the St. Charles, Missouri Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
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Collinsville Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Gerald Tanner, 56, of Collinsville, Illinois, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone and methadone.
On November 18, 2015, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment alleging that three St. Clair County residents participated in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and methadone into the Southern District of Illinois. Evidence discussed in court established that the St. Louis Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Tanner for illegally distributing schedule II narcotics out of his home. The DEA obtained the assistance of a confidential source and purchased opiate-based pain medications from Ryan Koch and Lisa-Marie Sue Ketterer, who were supplied by Gerald Tanner. Koch and Ketterer resold a portion of the drugs they bought and used the remainder. Koch, 34, and Ketterer, 26, both of St. Clair County, were previously prosecuted and sentenced in federal court for their role in the charged conspiracy.
United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce previously said, "There has been a national proliferation of opiate drug abuse. Sales of opioid pain relievers quadrupled between 1999 and 2010. And that proliferation has correlated strongly with an increase in heroin abuse and drug-related deaths. Opiates are causing tremendous damage in our community and the United States Attorney’s office will continue to fight the distribution of drugs that endanger public safety."
The investigation is being conducted by Diversion Investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
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Former Belleville Doctor's Office Manager Sentenced to Fifty-One Months in Prison for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Jerry L. Akin, 61, formerly from Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced to fifty-one months in prison on two counts of wire fraud involving a scheme to embezzle funds from a doctor's office, Don Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Akin was also ordered to pay restitution of $256,563 and serve three years supervised release. Restitution was less than the total amount embezzled due to an amount taken from Akin’s retirement account. Akin was sentenced on January 12, 2017.
Akin charged personal purchases to the company's credit card that included Cardinal baseball season tickets, concert tickets, medical bills and personal travel expenses. Akin paid personal credit card bills using the business checking account, and he attempted to conceal the payments by altering the payee of the checks in the business's QuickBooks accounting software. The total loss was $369,000.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the doctor's office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
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East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Federal Drug and Gun Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that David L. Bradford, 33, of East St. Louis, Illinois, formerly of Madison, Illinois, was sentenced on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, for drug and gun trafficking offenses following a jury trial that concluded on August 8, 2016. The jury found Bradford guilty of the following offenses: Count 1 - Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (cocaine base and marihuana); Count 3 - Transfer of a Firearm and Ammunition to a Previously Convicted Felon; Counts 5 and 6 – Distribution of Cocaine Base; Count 7 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Marihuana; and Count 8: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. The terms of imprisonment faced by Bradford were: Counts 1 and 6 - not less than 10 years up to life; Count 3 - up to 10 years; Count 5 – up to 30 years; Count 7 – up to 10 years; and Count 8 – not less than 15 years up to life.
Bradford was sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: Counts 1, 6, and 8 – 420 months of imprisonment; Counts 3 and 7 – 10 years; Count 5 - 360 months; all terms to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. Bradford must also serve 8 years of supervised release to follow imprisonment. He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,800.00 and a special assessment of $600.00
According to evidence adduced at trial, Bradford was a leader, manager or supervisor of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and marihuana, that operated in St. Clair and Madison Counties from February 2014, to June 9, 2014 (Count 1). During the course of the conspiracy, audio/video recordings established that Bradford distributed crack cocaine on March 4 and April 18, 2014, from his East St. Louis residence (Counts 5 and 6). Also during the course of the conspiracy, marihuana Bradford intended to distribute was found in his bedroom during the execution of a search warrant on June 9, 2014 (Count 7). On June 9, 2014, law enforcement also recovered an SKS 7.62 x 39 m caliber rifle propped against the wall in Bradford’s bedroom, and a Volunteer Enterprises Inc., Model Commando Mark III, .45 caliber rifle and a Mossberg International, 715T .22 LR caliber rifle, both hidden behind a makeshift wall in the basement of the residence (Count 8). All guns had extended magazines and were loaded. Finally, evidence established that Bradford aided and abetted the Transfer of a Romarm Cugir Draco, 7.62x39 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, and ammunition for the pistol, to himself. More than eight firearms were linked to Bradford during the trial. As a previously convicted felon, Bradford cannot possess firearms.
“ATF will continue to work hand in hand with our law enforcement partners to ensure that Armed Violent Offenders are held accountable for their illicit activities and this particular investigation highlights our commitment to do so”, stated ATF Acting, Special Agent in Charge George Lauder.
Information leading to the charges against Beard-Hawkins and Bradford was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
###Centralia Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Possess and Sell Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
Michael Rink, 34, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty today, in United States District Court to a conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Rink faces up to five years in federal prison.
Rink was investigated following his role in the November 29, 2014, burglary of Buchheit’s of Centralia. In that burglary, forty firearms and more than a thousand of rounds of ammunition were stolen. Dakota Moss, also of Centralia, was sentenced to 248 months of imprisonment on September 11, 2015, for committing that burglary. A juvenile accomplice was prosecuted separately in state court.
Court records established that Michael Rink drove his co-defendants around helping conceal and transport the stolen firearms between locations. Rink agreed to accept money for providing transportation while the stolen guns were being moved from place to place and for agreeing to drive co-defendant Justin Gibson for the purpose of selling stolen firearms. Two of the guns stolen during the Buchheit’s burglary were eventually transferred from the juvenile accomplice to co-defendant Terrell Cleggett. Cleggett later sold the two firearms to his friend and co-defendant, Brandon Hoskins.
Thirty-eight of the stolen firearms were eventually recovered by law enforcement officials, including the two firearms included in this prosecution. Co-defendant Hoskins was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment on December 13, 2016. Co-defendant Cleggent is awaiting sentencing which is currently scheduled for February 21, 2017. Co-defendant Justin Gibson also recently pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20, 2017.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives, the Centralia Police Department, along with the Clinton County States Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
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Williamson County Man Sentenced for Federal Firearm ViolationRead the Press Release
On January 11, 2017, Russell D. Morris, a/k/a "Dickie Donald," 37, of Herrin, was sentenced to federal prison for a firearm offense, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Morris, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and was fined $300.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, on January 29, 2016, agents did an Illinois Department of Corrections parole compliance check at Morris’s Herrin residence. During a search of Morris’s residence, agents located multiple firearms, along with methamphetamine. At sentencing, Morris received sentencing enhancements, because he possessed four firearms, three of which were stolen. Morris also received a sentencing enhancement, because at least one of the firearms was possessed in connection to the methamphetamine. Finally, Morris received an increased sentence based on his classification as an Armed Career Criminal.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Illinois Department of Corrections – Parole Compliance Division. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
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Jackson County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On January 11, 2017, Charles W. Yearian, a/k/a "Chuckie," 40, of Murphysboro, was sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine offenses, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Yearian, who had previously pled guilty to a second superseding indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and was fined $400.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Yearian was involved with numerous other persons in the manufacture of methamphetamine and the distribution of ice in Jackson and Perry Counties. Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%. On multiple occasions in December 2015 and January 2016, Yearian sold methamphetamine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. At sentencing, the District Court found that Yearian was responsible for the possession of 328.8 grams of pseudoephedrine and the distribution of 85.62 grams of ice. Four co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing in this case. Two co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting a January 30, 2017, jury trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Union County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County States Attorney’s Office, and DuQuoin Police Department also assisted in the investigation.
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East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Heroin and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Brandy C. Anderson, age 33, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced today to 100 months’ imprisonment for Possession With Intent to Distribute Heroin, and Felon In Possession of a Firearm.
Anderson pled guilty to the two federal charges on June 17, 2016. At his change of plea hearing in June, Anderson admitted that on November 24, 2015, he was arrested in a car in East St. Louis with six grams of heroin (1/4 ounce), and a loaded .45 caliber Colt pistol. Anderson also admitted that he had been convicted of a felony prior to his arrest on November 24, 2016.
The investigation which resulted in Anderson’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the East St. Louis Police Department and by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Southern Illinois Residents Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
Troy A. Smith, 45, of Jonesboro, and Jeremiah Lee Jae Sadler, a/k/a "Jeremiah L. Sadler," 37, of Marion, were recently sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Smith and Sadler had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging them with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On December 20, 2016, Smith was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and was fined $200.00. On December 21, 2016, Sadler was sentenced to 121 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and was fined $200.00. At sentencing, the District Court found Smith was responsible for the distribution of 1.24 kilograms of "ice" and that Sadler was responsible for the distribution of 389 grams of "ice." Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%. The offense occurred between 2015 and February 2016, in Union and Williamson Counties.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Union and Williamson County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
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Jefferson County Man Sentenced for Firearm and Heroin OffensesRead the Press Release
On December 21, 2016, L C Richardson, a/k/a "L.C. Richardson," 38, of Mt. Vernon, was sentenced to federal prison for firearm and heroin offenses, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Richardson, who had previously pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging one count of Unlawful Distribution of Heroin and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, was sentenced to 235 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and was fined $900.00.
The offenses occurred on January 22, 2016, and January 25, 2016, in Mt. Vernon. Richardson received an enhanced sentence based on his classification as an Armed Career Criminal.
At the time of the offenses, Richardson was on supervised release for a 1998 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. The District Court revoked Richardson’s supervised release on the prior drug case and sentenced him to an additional term of 15 months imprisonment. The District Court ordered that Richardson’s two sentences be served consecutively, for a total term of 250 months imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Jefferson County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
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Fairfield, Illinois Man Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Zachary R. Wheeler, 23, of Fairfield, IL, was recently sentenced to federal prison on child pornography related charges, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On December 15, 2016, Wheeler was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release following his imprisonment. Wheeler had previously pleaded guilty to a federal indictment charging him with five counts of production of child pornography. All five counts charge Wheeler with the production of child pornography involving a minor girl under the age of 18. The dates on which Wheeler is charged with production of child pornography, all of which occurred in 2014, are May 31, June 12, June 13, June 16, and June 17.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Franklin County State’s Attorney Office assisted in the investigation of this case.
U.S. District Court Recognizes State Champion East St. Louis FlyersRead the Press Release
On December 16, 2016, the East St. Louis Flyers football team was welcomed to the United States District Courthouse in East St. Louis for a reception to recognize the team’s outstanding 14-0 state championship season. "The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and its affiliated agencies today proudly recognized the extraordinary accomplishment of the East St. Louis Flyers football team in their undefeated 2016 season which culminated in them being crowned Class 7A state champions," said Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan. A congratulatory reception was held in Judge Reagan’s courtroom, and Judge Reagan and other representatives of the courthouse family commended the players on their incredible achievement. Each player received a certificate from the Court, and then the group adjourned to the jury assembly room for a lunch of pizza and soft drinks.
United States Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson, a "proud graduate" of East St. Louis High School said, "We are proud of the East St. Louis football team, and we know that this is only the first of many great things to come for them."
"This was a great opportunity to highlight a championship season by the Flyers football team and an example of something really positive in the community in East St. Louis," said United States Attorney, Donald S. Boyce. "Thanks to Judge Reagan and the District Court for hosting this event, and congratulations to all of the players. Everybody at the U.S. Attorney’s office is proud of their achievement," said Boyce.
East St. Louis won the state championship on November 26, 2016, by defeating Plainfield North 26-13. This was the Flyers’ eighth state championship but their first since 2008.
In addition to Chief Judge Reagan and Magistrate Judge Wilkerson, speakers at the reception included Judge Laura K. Grandy from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and representatives from the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
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Millstadt Individual Pleads Guilty to Structuring Financial TransactionsRead the Press Release
Dean R. Kreher, 51, of Millstadt, Illinois, entered a plea of guilty to an Information charging two counts of Structuring Financial Transactions to Avoid Currency Transaction Reports, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Dean R. Kreher faces a statutory maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2017.
As part of the plea, Kreher admitted to structuring over $200,000 in cash financial transactions to avoid a cash transaction reporting requirement for a cash transaction that exceeds $10,000. As part of the plea Kreher admitted to using a number of business and corporate entities to structure including K&K Subs, Inc. and DRK Properties through various accounts at Scott Credit Union. Some of the funds went to Windoor, a window and door company in Belleville, IL that Kreher was a partner in.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
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U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois Collect $10,286,273 in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2016Read the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois announced today that his office collected $10,286,273 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2016. Of this amount, $1,612,396 was collected in criminal actions and $8,673,877 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Southern District of Illinois worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $805,940 in civil actions.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced on December 14, 2016 that the Justice Department collected nearly $15.4 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2016. The $15,380,130,434 in collections in FY 2016 represents more than five times the appropriated $2.93 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the main litigating divisions of the Justice Department combined in that same period.
"Every day, the men and women of the Department of Justice work tirelessly to enforce our laws, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used properly and that the American people are protected from exploitation and abuse," said Attorney General Lynch. "Today’s announcement is a testament to that work, and it makes clear that our actions deliver a significant return on public investment. I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this year's collections possible, and I want to emphasize that the department remains committed to the well-being of our people and our nation."
"My office will pursue the collection of monies owed the United States. The honest and law-abiding citizens of southern Illinois deserve no less than our best efforts. As always, no legal avenue to collect debts owed the United States will go unused," noted United States Attorney Boyce.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Additionally, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $703,831 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2016. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Centralia Resident Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Brandon Hoskins, 32, of Centralia, Illinois, was sentenced to sixty months in federal prison on December 13, 2016, for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Hoskins was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and to serve three years of supervised release after he is released from prison.
On November 29, 2014, the Buchheit of Centralia farm and home supply store was burglarized and thirty-nine firearms were stolen, along with at least one thousand rounds of ammunition. Evidence established that two of the guns stolen during the Buchheit’s burglary were eventually transferred to Brandon Hoskins. When agents went to Hoskins’ home on December 5, 2014, to search for the stolen firearms, they discovered a separate Glock pistol in his bedroom, along with an amount of heroin, a drug log book, and drug packaging materials. Hoskins admitted that he kept that firearm as protection related to his drug dealing. The two stolen firearms were eventually recovered by law enforcement officials. Hoskins pleaded guilty on August 11, 2016, in United States District Court.
Centralia Police and agents from the ATF identified the suspects soon after the burglary and have recovered thirty-seven of the thirty-nine stolen guns as of this date. Anyone with knowledge of the remaining stolen firearms or the ammunition is encouraged to call law enforcement.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Centralia Police Department, along with the Clinton County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
FCI-Greenville Inmate Pleads Guilty to Assult with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily HarmRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on December 12, 2016, Billy Evans, 26, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm. Both Evans and the victim were inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution located in Greenville, Illinois, commonly known as FCI-Greenville, at the time the offense was committed. Evans faces a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The sentencing has been scheduled for March 31, 2017, in East St. Louis, Illinois.
On July 6, 2016, Evans assaulted another inmate with a weapon made by tying a combination lock to a belt. Immediately after the assault ended, Evans turned himself into staff at FCI-Greenville. Evans later admitted the assault when interviewed by the FBI, as well to constructing the weapon used to commit the assault. The victim suffered a 3 cm laceration to his head that needed staples to close, as well as abrasions and bruising to his right shoulder.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons’ Special Investigation Section and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
FCI-Greenville Inmate Sentenced for Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on December 9, 2016, Antonio M. Green, 27, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution located in Greenville, Illinois (FCI-Greenville), was sentenced for possession of contraband by a federal inmate. Green received eighteen months of imprisonment, to run consecutively to the term of imprisonment for which he is incarcerated. He also received an additional two years of supervised release, to run concurrently to the term of supervised release for which he is incarcerated. Green was also fined $200 and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Green has been detained since his arraignment on the Indictment on July 11, 2016.
The charge arose when, on April 4, 2016, a correctional officer performed a random shakedown of Green’s cell and found a seven inch, ice pick style weapon with a handle in his locker. Green admitted that the weapon was his, stating that he had it for his own protection. Federal inmates are prohibited from possessing weapons.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons’ Special Investigations Section. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott
Collinsville Resident Pleads Guilty to Access with Intent to View Prepubescent Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on December 8, 2016, Jeremy T. Blair, 41, of Collinsville, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with Access with Intent to View Prepubescent Child Pornography. Because Blair has a prior qualifying state predicate offense, he faces a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years but not more than twenty years, a fine up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release from five years to life. Blair will also have to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison. Blair’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 17, 2017, in East St. Louis, Illinois.
The charge arose when, in May 2015, during an undercover investigation conducted by the FBI in Fairview Heights, Illinois, an Internet Protocol ("IP") address was discovered that was sharing child pornography on a peer-to-peer network. A subpoena requesting subscriber information for this IP address eventually led the FBI to Jeremy T. Blair, a registered sex offender.
On July 17, 2015, a federal search warrant was executed at Blair’s residence. Among the items seized from the home was a Compaq desktop computer. A forensic examination of the Compaq desktop computer revealed 26 videos of child pornography in the recycle bin, all of which had been downloaded on June 16, 2015, and the majority of which involved prepubescent children.
These videos had all been previewed by Blair while he attempted to download the video to his computer via a file sharing program.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former O'Fallon, Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Large Stolen Property Fraud RingRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that yesterday, in federal court in Benton, Illinois, Jason J. Parmeley, 42, formally of O’Fallon, MO, pled guilty to numerous federal crimes arising from his leadership of a large stolen property ring that operated in the Metro East and other locations.
The charges against Parmeley arose from an indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury in East St. Louis, IL, on October 20, 2015. In addition to Parmeley, the indictment charged fourteen other individuals with participating in the stolen property ring.
At his plea hearing today, Parmeley admitted he used the internet to obtain credit account numbers that individuals and businesses had with retail stores, such as Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and rental stores, such as SunBelt Rentals. Using this information, Parmeley placed orders with the stores in the names, and under the credit accounts, of the individuals and businesses. The items Parmeley ordered frequently consisted of appliances, computers, expensive tools, and construction equipment. Parmeley further admitted that, after he placed the orders, he dispatched drivers to go to the stores and pick up the items. The items were then sold at prices substantially below retail. The profits were wire transferred back to Parmeley in Mexico, where
Parmeley lived and from where he controlled the fraud ring. Parmeley pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to transport property obtained by fraud in interstate commerce, four counts of wire fraud, two counts of interstate transportation of property obtained by fraud, six counts of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
In late August of 2015, Mexican Immigration Authorities deported Parmeley from Mexico. Parmeley has been held in federal custody since that time.
Earlier this year, five defendants in the case were sentenced to prison for their roles in this conspiracy. On June 7, 2016, James D. Litchfield, 59, owner of Big Jim’s Autorama in Madison, Illinois, was sentenced to three years in prison, and his brother, Ryan P. Litchfield, 37, of O’Fallon, MO, was sentenced to one year in prison. Both of the brothers had admitted to receiving large quantities of stolen property. On October 4, 2016, Shannan M. Flora, 42, of O’Fallon, MO, and Rigoberto Gutierrez, 28, of Compton, CA, were both sentenced to fifteen months in prison. Flora performed a wide variety of tasks for the conspiracy, including arranging sales of stolen goods. Gutierrez coordinated shipments of stolen goods in California. On October 12, 2016, Russell J. Witt, 34, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Witt worked as a driver for the conspiracy for over a year. Three other defendants, Nicholas A. Brockman, 20, of Wentzville, MO, and Benedict G. Pellerito, 56, of Troy, Missouri, and Bryce E. Atkinson, 22, of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, received sentences of probation. Brockman, Pellerito, and Atkinson all worked as drivers for the conspiracy for short periods of time.
Five additional defendants have pled guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. They are: Tony G. Robertson, 44, of O’Fallon, Missouri; Sean A. Shields, 48, of Springfield, Missouri; Alice J. Hembree, 44, of Moscow Mills, Missouri; Steven J. Belcher, 44, of
Wentzville, Missouri; and Jesse S. Urias, 36, of Los Angeles, California. The trial of the remaining defendant, Angel Speed, 25, formerly of O’Fallon, Missouri, is scheduled to begin on February 6, 2017.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the St. Louis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"). The FBI has received substantial assistance from many state and local police departments in numerous jurisdictions, including the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force and the California Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Former Treasurer of Labor Union Sentenced for Embezzling Union Dues and Filing False Report with Department of LaborRead the Press Release
Jeffrey Magelitz, 44, of Chester, Illinois, was sentenced to two years of probation, six months of home detention and 100 hours of community service as a result of his convictions in a two-count Indictment that charged embezzlement and theft from a labor union and for filing a false report with the Department of Labor, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Magelitz made complete restitution prior to being sentenced. Magelitz was the former treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 415 in Vienna, Illinois from January of 2012 through June of 2013. AFSCME Local 415 represents employees at the Vienna Correction Center, located in Vienna, Illinois. Magelitz embezzled approximately $30,000 and prepared and cashed unauthorized checks for himself and forged the signatures of the president and vice-president of the union on the checks. Magelitz also submitted a false annual report for the union which contained the forged signature of the president and falsely reported the amount of money that he received during the year.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, with the assistance of the labor union. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Alabama Resident Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on December 6, 2016, George David Treece, 38, Alabama, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with Bank Robbery. Treece faces a term of imprisonment of not more than twenty (20) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than five (5) years. Treece will also have to pay restitution to the bank for its loss. Treece’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 21, 2017, in Benton, Illinois. Treece has been held without bond since his arrest on a Criminal Complaint on August 29, 2016.
The charge arose when, on August 26, 2016, Treece entered the Farmers State Bank in Central City, Illinois, and demanded money from a bank teller. After the teller removed the money from her drawer and placed it on the counter, Treece took the money and left. Later that day, after being Mirandized, Treece admitted robbing the bank.
The case was investigated by the Central City Police Department, Centralia Police Department, Wamac Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Local Crack Dealer Sentenced to 46-Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Andrew Autoomp, 28, of East St. Louis, was sentenced on November 29, 2016 in United States District Court in East St. Louis to 46 months in federal prison for one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base (commonly referred to as crack cocaine) and two counts of distribution of cocaine base. Autoomp was also sentenced to three years of supervised release to follow the imprisonment and ordered to pay $300 in special assessment fees.
Facts revealed in open court during the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that during the course of the conspiracy, Autoomp distributed both cocaine and crack cocaine in East St. Louis, Illinois during 2015. After considering sentencing factors including Autoomp’s age and vital role in the conspiracy, the district court sentenced Autoomp to 46 months of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump.
East St. Louis Township Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Embezzling Public FundsRead the Press Release
Oliver W. Hamilton, 62, of East St. Louis, Illinois, entered a plea of guilty to an Information charging wire fraud in a scheme to defraud the citizens of the East St. Louis Township, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Hamilton faces a statutory maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for March 1, 2017.
Hamilton was the elected East St. Louis Township Supervisor. As part of the plea, Hamilton admitted engaging in a scheme to defraud from March of 2011 continuing through June of 2016 where he charged personal purchases on the Township’s credit card and misrepresented that the use of public funds was for legitimate public purposes. As part of the plea, Hamilton admitted that the loss is more than $40,000 but not more than $95,000 and that he abused a position of public trust. The specific wire transmission charged was the use of the East St. louis Township credit card to purchase airline tickets to Las Vegas for personal purposes. Hamilton is on bond pending sentencing but was required, effective immediately, to remove himself from the finances of the Township, until the effective date of his resignation from office. Hamilton is also to promptly resign from his other public positions as a board member of St. Clair County and as a board member of the East Side Health District. Under the anticipated advisory Sentencing Guidelines, the sentencing range would be six months to eighteen months in prison. Under the terms of the plea, Hamilton is agreeing to recommend to the Court that the appropriate sentence is a year and a day in prison.
United States Attorney Boyce said: "Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities. Beyond the financial consequences, corruption causes the general public to lose faith in their government. We must not tolerate corruption at any level of government, and we will continue to investigate and prosecute corrupt public officials."
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations as part of the Metro East Public Corruption Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Sesser Man Sentenced for Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Scott L. Thompson, 45, of Sesser, IL, was sentenced in federal court in Benton, Illinois, on his bankruptcy fraud conviction, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. The court sentenced Thompson to one year of probation and ordered him to pay a fine and special assessment totaling $800. Thompson was indicted on February 2, 2016, as part of an effort to crackdown on those who commit fraud during the course of bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
"This case is part of our continuing efforts to prosecute those who use the Federal Bankruptcy Court system to defraud their creditors," Mr. Boyce explained.
The indictment charged Thompson with concealing assets in a bankruptcy case. When he pled guilty on June 15, 2016, Thompson admitted that he concealed from the Bankruptcy Court a $28,129 settlement he received for a worker’s compensation claim. Thompson also admitted that he concealed from the Bankruptcy Court his federal tax returns and failed to disclose those tax returns, as the Bankruptcy Court had ordered. Thompson’s chapter 13 bankruptcy case was filed and litigated in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Benton, Illinois.
"Criminal bankruptcy fraud threatens the integrity of the bankruptcy system, as well as public confidence in that system," stated Nancy J. Gargula, U.S. Trustee for Southern Illinois, Central Illinois and Indiana (Region 10). "I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Donald Boyce and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to combating bankruptcy-related crimes, as demonstrated by today’s sentencing." The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in South Bend, Ind., and Peoria, Ill.
The charges resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee and the investigation was conducted by agents from the Springfield Division, Fairview Heights Resident Agency, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") with assistance from members of the Southern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Randolph County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Heroin OffensesRead the Press Release
On November 22, 2016, Franklin Scott Denault, a/k/a "Frankie D," 39, of Steeleville, was sentenced for methamphetamine and heroin offenses, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
Deanault, who had previously pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute heroin, was sentenced to 125 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and fined $600.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Denault was involved with others in distributing both heroin and methamphetamine, in the form of "ice." Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%. Denault and others made multiple trips to St. Louis to obtain dealer amounts of heroin. Denault also distributed ice to numerous individuals. At sentencing, the judge found that Denault was responsible for the distribution of over 108 grams of ice and 43 grams of heroin. The offenses occurred between 2013 and June 2015, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. Ten co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their role in the drug conspiracies. One co-defendant has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Percy Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Mascoutah Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, DuQuoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph and Perry County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
Illinois Man's Prison Sentence Enhanced for Obstructive Conduct Related to "Sovereign Citizen" ProtestsRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Eric J. Simpson, 48, of Sauget, Illinois, was sentenced, on November 17, 2016, to 78 months in federal prison for distribution of crack cocaine.
On June 17, 2015, the Grand Jury returned an Indictment charging Simpson with distributing cocaine. Records filed in court established that beginning in mid-February through mid-March, Agents with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives recorded Simpson dealing drugs to a confidential informant (CI) six times. During this period, Simpson sold 80.1 grams of crack cocaine to the CI while openly talking about using firearms. Subsequently, agents executed a federal search warrant at Simpson’s home, where they seized several loaded firearms, ammunition and drugs. Evidence revealed that after Simpson was released from custody on March 14, 2015, he immediately threatened the CI.
Prior to sentencing, Simpson filed numerous frivolous motions challenging the Court’s jurisdiction, commonly referred to as "sovereign citizen" pleadings. He was unable to work with three different lawyers and evidence discussed in Court established that he sent harassing communications to the prosecutor and judge. That conduct caused repeated delays in his sentencing and led to his incarceration after his bond was revoked on September 7, 2016.
At sentencing, the Court found that Simpson had engaged in repeated acts of obstructive conduct that unnecessarily interfered with the prosecution of his case including falsely accusing his attorneys of malfeasance, filing frivolous pleadings and caused harassing mailings to be sent to the prosecutor and to the Court. Consequently, Simpson’s request for acceptance of responsibility was denied and a sentencing enhancement for obstructing justice was applied. Simpson was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment, a $1,000 fine, a $100 Special Assessment, and 3 years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
Willianson County Man Charged with Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
Leon S. Johnson, 40, of Herrin, was indicted on November 8, 2016, in a one-count indictment charging possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
The indictment alleges the offense occurred on November 4, 2016, in Williamson County. Johnson made his initial appearance in federal court on November 15, 2016. He was ordered held without bond, pending a January 17, 2017, jury trial.
An indictment is 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.
The cocaine offense carries a maximum penalty of 5-40 years imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years supervised release, and a $5,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Herrin Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Office and Illinois National Guard also assisted in the investigation.
Williamson County Man Charged with Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
Otis R. Elion, 48, of Marion was indicted on November 8, 2016, in a three-count indictment charging distribution of methamphetamine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
The indictment alleges the offenses occurred on October 17-18, 2016, in Williamson County. Elion made his initial appearance in federal court on November 15, 2016. He was ordered held without bond, pending a January 23, 2017, jury trial.
An indictment is 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.
The methamphetamine offenses carry a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Marion Police Department Emergency Response Team, Illinois State Police, and Williamson County States Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
Kiristien M. Joyner, 27, of Carbondale, and Marshall W. Duty, 58, of Dongola, were indicted on November 8, 2016, in a three-count superseding indictment charging methamphetamine violations, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Joyner and Duty are each charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Joyner and Duty are each also charged with one count of unlawful distribution of methamphetamine.
The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between 2013 and October 3, 2016, in Union, Jackson and Williamson Counties. Joyner made her initial appearance in federal court on November 10, 2016. At a November 15, 2015, detention hearing, she was ordered held without bond pending a January 9, 2017, jury trial. Duty previously made his appearance in federal court.
An indictment is 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.
The methamphetamine offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Office and Illinois National Guard also assisted in the investigation.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Providing Marihuana to a Federal Inmate and Making a False Representation to the Bureau of PrisonsRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on November 15, 2016, Ricky J. McGee, 34, East St. Louis, IL, pled guilty to two criminal counts, namely: Providing Contraband to a Federal Inmate and Making a False Representation to the Bureau of Prisons. McGee faces a term of imprisonment of not more than five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years on each count. McGee’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 1, 2017, in East St. Louis, Illinois.
On May 8, 2016, an officer monitoring the visiting room at the Federal Correctional Institution at Greenville, Illinois (FCI-Greenville) observed McGee, who was visiting an inmate, pass a Doritos bag to the inmate. Based on this behavior, the visit was ended and the Doritos bag that McGee had in his possession prior to passing it to the inmate was inspected. Inside that bag were eight small blue balloons that contained a green leafy substance that field tested positive for marihuana. In addition, the inmate, who was immediately placed in a dry cell after his visit ended so that his bowel movements could be monitored, defecated out two balloons that contained a green leafy substance which field tested positive for marihuana the next day.
A review of the videotape showedMcGee reaching into his pants pocket before exchanging Doritos bags with the inmate. Federal inmates are prohibited from possessing marihuana. The charge for making a false statement was based on McGee’s false representation on a Bureau of Prisons visitors’ form that he was not in possession of marihuana.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons’ Special Investigation Section. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Two Illinois BanksRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on November 10, 2016, Brendon M. Collier, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with two counts of Bank Robbery. Collier faces a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than five years on each count. The defendant’s sentencing has been scheduled for February 24, 2017, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Collier has been held without bond since his arraignment on July 16, 2015.
The offense charged in Count One arose when, on January 28, 2015, Collier, aided and abetted by another individual, who has already pled guilty and been sentenced, went to a U.S. Bank branch located inside of a Schnuck’s grocery store in Edwardsville, Illinois. Collier approached the teller claiming that he needed to make a withdrawal but handed the teller a note that demanded loose bills that were $20s or over, and said "no alarm."
The offense charged in Count Two arose when, on February 10, 2015, Collier and his accomplice went to a second U.S. Bank branch located inside of a Schnuck’s grocery store in Fairview Heights, Illinois. During the second robbery, Collier again told a teller that he needed to make a withdrawal. On this occasion, Collier handed the teller a note demanding money quickly and that no one would get hurt.
Collier was apprehended after he and his accomplice robbed a third U.S. Bank branch located inside of a Schnuck’s grocery store in St. Peters, Missouri. Collier confessed to the St. Peters robbery as well as the two bank robberies in Illinois, claiming that the robberies were motivated by his need to buy heroin and pay for hotel rooms and food.
The case was investigated by the Edwardsville Police Department, the Fairview Heights Police Department, the Illinois State Police Metro-East Forensic Laboratory, the St. Peters, Missouri, Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former Scott Credit Union Commercial Loan Officer Sentenced to Prison on Convictions for Fraud, Misapplication, Money Laundering and False ReportRead the Press Release
Theodore J. Longust, age 51, formerly from Columbia, Illinois, was sentenced to a total of 121 months in prison as a result of his convictions in a nine-count Indictment charging: Count 1: Financial Institution Fraud; Counts 2 - 5: Misapplication of Funds; Counts 6 - 8: Money Laundering; and Count 9: Making a False Record to Scott Credit Union With The Intent to Deceive, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Theodore J. Longust was an employee of Scott Credit Union in the commercial loan department from November 7, 2005 continuing through December 8, 2014 and held the title of Business Relationship Manager. Theodore J. Longust executed a scheme to defraud through the embezzlement of credit union funds, the creation of fraudulent loans, the payment of loans through the misapplication of funds from other loans, the increase of credit limits on loans that did not have the requisite board approval, the issuance of business loans without the required documentation or security, and the issuance of letters of credit without the required documentation and security. He also knowingly submitted a false report to Scott Credit Union for the 3rd quarter of 2014 that misstated loan balances and omitted loan amounts and underreported loans of over $12,000,000. There was evidence at sentencing that the overall loss to Scott Credit Union, which included criminal and civil losses, was approximately $25.8 million. Criminal direct losses were
determined to be $13,719,947.21. The Court ordered Longust to pay restitution of $5,012,362.52 to Scott Credit Union and $9,114,560.69 to CUMIS Mutual, the bonding company for Scott Credit Union. The safety and soundness of Scott Credit Union has not been adversely affected by the criminal conduct. The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation with the assistance of Scott Credit Union. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on November 10, 2016, Edward Powell, 35, a former inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution located in Greenville, Illinois, commonly known as FCI-Greenville, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with Possession of Contraband by a Federal Inmate. Powell faces a term of imprisonment of not more than five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years. In addition, Powell’s sentence on this offense must be served consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving. The defendant’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 1, 2017, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Powell has been held without bond since his arraignment on August 4, 2016.
The charge arose when, on May 8, 2016, a correctional officer monitoring the visiting room at FCI-Greenville noticed Powell and his visitor switch bags of chips. The visit was terminated and the bag of chips given to Powell was inspected. Eight small balloons containing marihuana were found inside the bag of chips handed to Powell. Powell was also placed in a dry cell where another two small balloons containing suspected marihuana were ultimately recovered. Federal inmates are prohibited from possessing marihuana.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons’ Special Investigation Section. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Gun OffenseRead the Press Release
Elvinn Pawnell, 38, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on November 8, 2016, in federal district court, in Benton, Illinois, following his recent plea of guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Pawnell was sentenced to 52 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a term of 3 years of supervised release, and was further ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and a $100 fine.
On November 3, 2015, police officers executed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Pawnell in East St. Louis for a traffic violation. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed the presence of a firearm belonging to Pawnell in the vehicle. Pawnell was a previously convicted felon, which prohibited him from possessing any firearm.
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Two Cubans Plead Guilty to Possession of Stolen Account Numbers and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
This morning, in federal court in Benton, IL, Eriberto Ricardo Gomez (42) and Yasmanis L. Oduardo Fonseco (27) both pled guilty to possession of fifteen or more stolen account numbers and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced. Ricardo Gomez and Oduardo Fonseco, who are both originally from the country of Cuba, are currently residing in Houston, Texas.
The stolen account numbers were discovered by an officer of the Caseyville, Illinois, Police Department on October 8, 2015, during a traffic stop on I-70 in Madison County. At that time, Ricardo Gomez and Oduardo Fonseco had in their possession over 100 gift cards. The magnetic strips on 19 of these gift cards had been re-encoded with account numbers registered to customers of a financial institution in the state of Pennsylvania. During their plea hearings this morning, both Ricardo Gomez and Oduardo Fonseco acknowledged that they used these gift cards to make fraudulent purchases as stores located in Arkansas and Manchester, MO.
The sentencing hearing for both Ricardo Gomez and Oduardo Fonseco are scheduled for March 2, 2017. The charge of possession of 15 or more stolen account numbers is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of 2 years in prison, which must be served consecutively with any prison sentence imposed for the stolen account number charge.
The investigation is being conducted by the Springfield Division, Fairview Heights Resident Agency, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"). The Caseyville and Pontoon Beach Police Departments are assisting in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Florida Telemarketer Sentenced for Role in Multimillion Dollar ScamRead the Press Release
This morning, in Federal Court in East St. Louis, IL, Aston Lloyd Davis, 32, of Orlando, FL, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in the National Solutions timeshare re-sale fraud scheme, announced Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Davis had pled guilty on June 15, 2016, to a charge of conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud.
Davis was a telemarketer for National Solutions and related companies located in Orlando, Florida. National Solutions defrauded consumers using various fictitious business names, including Bluescape Timeshares International, Country Wide Timeshares, Countrywide Timeshares MA, Landmark Timeshares, Propertys Direct, Quicksale Propertys, Sun Property Networks, Sun Property’s, Universal Propertys, VIM Timeshares, Propertys DRK, Quick Sale Advisers, Quick Sale International, City Resorts, Resort Advisers, American Timeshares, Exit Week, and Resort Advisors International.
National Solutions and the related companies targeted owners of timeshares throughout the United States and Canada. Telemarketers working for National Solutions, including Davis, made telemarketing calls to timeshare owners. During these calls, the telemarketers falsely represented that they had located buyers who were interested in purchasing the victims’ timeshares. To complete the transaction, however, the telemarketers told the victims that they had to pay a fee of approximately $2,000 to National Solutions. There were no buyers interested in purchasing the timeshares, and the victims lost the $2,000 fees that they paid. The telemarketers earned a commission for each fraudulent sale they made.
In various court filings related to the National Solutions scam, the government has alleged that the overall scam bilked over 2,500 consumers out of at least $6 million, including eight victims in the Southern District of Illinois.
In addition to the 18 month prison sentence, the court also ordered Davis to pay $52,637.56 in restitution to the victims of his crime. After he is released from prison, Davis will be required to serve a five year period of supervised release.
The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") investigated the National Solutions businesses and brought a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando. Pursuant to a court order in that case, on July 13, 2011, the FTC seized the offices and records of National Solutions.
This prosecution is one of nearly one-hundred timeshare resale fraud prosecutions brought in the Southern District of Illinois over the past four years. The case is part of an ongoing investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Service. The prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Bruce Reppert and Scott Verseman.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Pablo Orlando Rivera-Pachecho, a Mexican national, pled guilty in federal district court yesterday to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce announced today. Rivera-Pachecho is being held in federal custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for January 27, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. before the Honorable Michael J. Reagan, United States District Judge. Rivera-Pachecho faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, no less than five years of supervised release, and $100 special assessment fee.
Evidence in support of this prosecution was obtained in an investigation conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF initiative is designed to bring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and resources together to identify, target and dismantle large national and international drug trafficking organizations. Agencies participating in this case include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the Illinois State Police, and Fontana, California Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump.
United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce Announces Election Day Anti-Fraud EffortsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney, Donald S. Boyce, announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), Norman R. Smith, will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2016, general elections. AUSA Smith has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of Illinois, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Boyce said, "Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process."
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it
are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Boyce stated that AUSA/DEO Smith will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (618) 628-3700, (618) 628-3743 or (618) 799-8775.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (618) 397-4401.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
United States Attorney Boyce said, "Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division."
O'Fallon man sentenced to federal prision for heroin offensesRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Alfred Vernon Reeves, Jr., 43, of O’Fallon, Illinois, was sentenced to 67 months in federal prison for distribution of heroin and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Reeves was charged in a superseding indictment on December 16, 2015, along with two co-defendants: Lacy Snead, 52, of Chicago, Ill. and Ciera McNeal, 29 of East St. Louis, Ill. Reeves was charged with distributing heroin on March 5, 2013, and for participating in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute heroin over a three-year period of time.
Records filed in court established that Reeves sold heroin to a confidential informant on March 5, 2013, and continued to be involved in heroin distribution thereafter. Evidence showed that on June 18, 2015, Reeves traveled from Chicago with Lacy Snead and Ciera McNeil transporting approximately 150 grams of heroin that was intended to be distributed in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Snead was charged with participating in the same heroin deal that occurred on March 5, 2013, and also for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Snead pled guilty to both counts on September 19, 2016, and he faces a minimum of 5 to 40 years in prison. It is expected that Snead will be sentenced in March of 2017.
McNeil was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on October 11, 2016, for her role in transporting the 150 grams of heroin from Chicago on June 18, 2015.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
Cahokia men sentenced to federal prison for armed robberyRead the Press Release
On October 13, 2016, Undray Webb, 27, and Durand Harper, 27, both of Cahokia, Illinois, received federal prison terms for armed robbery, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois announced today.
Webb was sentenced to 21 years in prison. On November 5, 2015, Webb had pled guilty to all six counts of an indictment, which charged him with two counts of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery and Interference with Commerce by Robbery, which are violations of the Hobbs Act, and with two counts of Use and Carry of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in connection with the armed robbery of the Alps Grocery Store that occurred in Cahokia on December 11, 2014 and the armed robbery of Shop n’ Save that occurred in Cahokia on January 11, 2015. In addition to the prison sentence, Webb was also ordered to pay $8,700 in restitution to the victims and a $600 special assessment. Webb will be on federal supervised release for 5 years once he is released from prison.
Harper was sentenced to four years in prison. On January 14, 2016, Harper had pled guilty to all three counts of an indictment, which charged him with Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The Armed Robbery counts arise from the federal Hobbs Act, which makes it a crime to obstruct, delay or affect interstate commerce by robbery, and is used by United States Attorney Boyce as a way to combat armed robbery in
the Southern District of Illinois. Following his prison sentence, Harper will be on federal supervised release for 3 years. Harper was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,000.
Documents filed in the U.S. District Court establish that on December 11, 2014, Webb, Lamarcus Jackson and Byron Holton entered the Alps Grocery Store, located at 800 Upper Cahokia Road, in Cahokia, Illinois, masked and armed with three firearms. Webb, Jackson and Holton pointed the firearms at the store employees and took approximately $1,700 from the registers and a safe and fled the store.
The documents further establish that one month later, on January 11, 2015, Webb, Jackson, Holton, and a fourth conspirator, Devante Hodges entered the Shop n’ Save, located at 1028 Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia, Illinois, masked, gloved and armed with firearms. Webb, Jackson, Holton and Hodges pointed the firearms at employees and customers within the store. Holton jumped the service counter and demanded the employees place money from the safe into a black book bag while Webb, Jackson and Hodges stood guard at the door with their firearms. Webb, Jackson, Holton and Hodges then left the store and fled the area in a getaway vehicle being driven by Harper. Approximately $7,000 was stolen during the robbery.
During an interview by law enforcement, Webb admitted to being one of the three gunmen who robbed the Alps Grocery Store and identified Holton and Jackson as the other two gunmen. Webb also admitted to being one of the four gunmen who robbed the Shop n’ Save a month later and identified Holton, Jackson and Hodges as the other three gunmen and Harper as the getaway driver. Webb admitted that he received approximately $1,000 in proceeds from the Shop n’ Save robbery.
Harper was also interviewed by law enforcement. During the interview Harper identified Holton, Webb, Jackson and Hodges as the four men who robbed the Shop n’ Save at gunpoint. Harper admitted that he was aware of their plan to rob the grocery store at gunpoint and that he drove the four gunmen away from the area of the Shop n’ Save after the robbery. Harper received approximately $300 in proceeds for his participation in the robbery.
In February of 2016, Jackson pled guilty to a six-count indictment, and in June of 2016, was sentenced to 44 ½ years in prison. In July of 2015, Hodges pled guilty to a three count indictment, and in November of 2015 was sentenced to 9 ½ years in prison. On October 3, 2016, Holton was tried and found
guilty by a jury of one count of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2017.
The case was investigated by the Cahokia Police Department, the Sauget Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers for prosecution.
Oblong, Illinois man indicted on attempted enticement and child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
Dustin E. Noblit, 28, of Oblong, IL, was indicted on October 4, 2016, on attempted enticement and child pornography charges in a three count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that on August 17-18, 2016, in Crawford County, Noblit used a facility and means of interstate commerce, that is a cell phone and the Internet, and knowingly attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in sexual activity in violation of federal law.
Count 2 charges that on July 22-26, 2016, in Crawford County, Noblit knowingly received material, including digital images, that contained an image of child pornography that has been mailed, or shipped or transported in interstate commerce.
Count 3 charges that on August 18, 2016, in Crawford County, Noblit knowingly possessed material that contained an image of child pornography which had been mailed, or shipped or transported in interstate commerce.
With respect to Count 1, Noblit faces a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years’ supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
With respect to Count 2, Noblit faces 5-20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to lifetime supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
With respect to Count 3, Noblit faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to lifetime supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
An Indictment is 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.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oblong, Illinois Police Department, and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Heroin OffensesRead the Press Release
On Friday, October 14, 2016, Urechan D. Brown, age 39, of East St. Louis, IL., received a sentence of 60 months’ imprisonment (5 years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in Excess of 100 grams (just under 4 oz.). Brown was also sentenced to concurrent 60 month sentences for Distribution of Heroin, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. When released from prison, Brown will have to serve a term of 4 years on supervised release, as well.
Brown pled guilty to the three federal charges on June 3, 2016. At his change of plea hearing, Brown admitted that he and co-defendant Kelvin B. Hughes had distributed over 100 grams of heroin in East St. Louis between June 2014 and August 2015. On September 8, 2016, Brown’s nephew and co-defendant Kelvin Hughes was also sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.
Brown has been continuously confined in federal custody since his arrest in August 2015.
The investigation which resulted in Brown’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Illinois State Police Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI); and by the Clinton County, IL Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Three More Men Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Stolen Property Fraud RingRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that within the past two weeks, three additional men were sentenced to prison for their roles in a large stolen property ring that operated in the Metro East and other locations. On October 4, 2016, Shannan M. Flora, 42, of O’Fallon, MO, and Rigoberto Gutierrez, 28, of Compton, CA, were both sentenced to 15 months in prison. Yesterday, Russell J. Witt, 34, of Mount Clemens, MI, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
The charges against all three men arose from an indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury in East St. Louis, IL, on October 20, 2015. The indictment alleges that the leader of this fraud ring, Jason J. Parmeley, 42, formerly of O’Fallon, MO, operated a large stolen property ring. According to the indictment, Parmeley used the internet to obtain credit account numbers that individuals and businesses had with retail stores, such as Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and rental stores, such as SunBelt Rentals. Using this information, Parmeley placed orders with the stores in the names, and under the credit accounts, of the individuals and businesses. The items Parmeley ordered frequently consisted of appliances, computers, expensive tools, and construction equipment. The indictment charges that, after he placed the orders, Parmeley dispatched drivers
to go to the stores and pick up the items. The items were then sold at prices substantially below retail. The profits were then wire transferred to Parmeley in Mexico. Parmeley lived in Mexico at that time and controlled the fraud ring from that country. The charges contained in the indictment include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to transport property obtained by fraud in interstate commerce, wire fraud, interstate transportation of property obtained by fraud, possession of property obtained by fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.
At his sentencing hearing last week, the court found that Flora performed a variety of jobs for the conspiracy over a three-year period, including purchasing several loads of the stolen property, storing other loads of stolen property, brokering deals for the sale of stolen merchandise, recruiting drivers to transport the stolen goods, threatening drivers who stole money or merchandise from the conspiracy, and wire transferring funds to Parmeley in Mexico. During his plea hearing, Gutierrez admitted that, for a period of two years, he received shipments of stolen goods in California, stored those goods, assisted in the sales of the merchandise, and wire transferred funds to Parmeley in Mexico. Witt worked as a driver for the conspiracy for one year.
Early this year, two additional defendants in the case were also sent to prison. On June 7, 2016, James D. Litchfield, 59, owner of Big Jim’s Autorama in Madison, IL, was sentenced to 3 years in prison, and his brother, Ryan P. Litchfield, 37, of O’Fallon, MO, was sentenced to 1 year in prison. Both of the brothers had admitted to receiving large quantities of the stolen property. Two more defendants, Nicholas A. Brockman, 20, of Wentzville, MO, and Benedict G. Pellerito, 56, of Troy, MO, received sentences of probation. Both Brockman and Pellerito worked as drivers for the conspiracy for less than two months.
In late August of this year, Mexican Immigration Authorities deported Parmeley from Mexico. Parmeley is currently in federal custody and is awaiting trial. The trial of Parmeley and
three remaining defendants (Angel Speed, 25, formerly of O’Fallon, MO; Steven J. Belcher, 44, of Wentzville, MO; and Jesse S. Urias, 36, of Los Angeles, CA) is scheduled to begin on November 21, 2016.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the St. Louis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"). The FBI has received substantial assistance from many state and local police departments in numerous jurisdictions, including the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force and the California Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Missouri Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
On October 12, 2016, Marcus DeWayne Thompson, 29, of Park Hills, Missouri, was sentenced for sex trafficking of a minor, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
Thompson was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge Michael J. Reagan to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a mandatory $200 special assessment, as well as a $250 fine. Facts presented in court revealed that during a six-week period in June and July 2015, Thompson recruited, transported, and advertised a minor female from Illinois for commercial sex acts in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. Marcus Thompson, along with his wife, Robin Thompson took and posted sexually explicit pictures of the minor on an internet site as part of an advertisement for sex with the minor. Thompson also arranged prices, services, and meet locations with customers to engage in sex with the minor. Thompson also engaged in sex with the minor on at least five occasions himself. During the sentencing, Judge Reagan characterized Thompson as a "predator" who "sold the minor victim as a commodity." Judge Reagan also stated that Thompson was responsible for both repeatedly raping and facilitating the rape of the minor victim by others.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel T. Kapsak and Monica A. Stump.
Five Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
Five southern Illinois residents were indicted on October 4, 2016, for a methamphetamine offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
Amber L. Williams, 23, of Percy, Justin M. Rice, 26, of Willisville, Taylor C. Robertson, 20, of Campbell Hill, Bradley M.D. Miller, 28, of Cutler, Brandon A. Rice-Edwards, a/k/a "Brandon Rice," 22, of Zeigler, and Robert J. Smith, Jr., 48, of Tilden, were charged in a one-count superseding indictment, charging conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The superseding indictment alleges that the methamphetamine offense occurred between 2014 and September 2016, in Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, and Franklin Counties. Miller and Smith made their initial appearances in federal court on October 13, 2016. The other co-defendants have previously made court appearances on the federal charge. The co-defendants are currently being held without bond pending a December 12, 2016, jury trial.
An indictment is 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.
If convicted, the methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Percy Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Illinois State Police, Sparta Police Department and Southern Illinois Drug Task Force. The Randolph County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
Williamson County Man Charged with Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
Marshall D. Rosenberger, 36, of Marion, was indicted on October 4, 2016, in a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between October 2015 and July 13, 2016, in Jackson and Williamson Counties. Rosenberger made his initial appearance in federal court on October 7, 2016. He was ordered held without bond pending a December 12, 2016, jury trial.
An indictment is 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.
The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The Carbondale Police Department and Southern Illinois Enforcement Group also assisted in the investigation.
Edwardsville Man Nets Nine Years in Federal Prison for Meth, HeroinRead the Press Release
Jackie H. Townsend, Jr., 38, was sentenced this morning to serve 108 months in federal prison for knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and heroin, U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce announced. Townsend, an Edwardsville native, pled guilty to the charge in June of this year. In handing down the nine-year sentence, Chief United States District Judge Michael J. Reagan noted that heroin has become more mainstream in recent years, while meth continues to ruin families. "These are serious drugs," he observed, "and assisting in their distribution is a serious offense." As part of his sentence, Townsend was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and to serve three years on supervised release.
The case against Townsend began on January 13, 2016, when inspectors from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service observed a suspicious Express Mail package at the USPS distribution center in Hazelwood, Missouri. After a narcotics-trained dog alerted on the package, inspectors obtained a federal search warrant for the box and found that it contained over two kilograms of 96% pure methamphetamine (ice) and over 500 grams of heroin. Roughly two pounds of marijuana were also inside. Agents repackaged the box and delivered it to the addressee at a hotel in Caseyville, Illinois. The woman who received the package told investigators she had agreed to accept it on behalf of someone named "Paris" – a person later determined to be Townsend. After being advised that the package had arrived, Townsend drove to the hotel, took possession of the box, and was promptly arrested.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, working with agents from the Illinois State Police – Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southern Illinois (MEGSI). Assistant United States Attorney Nathan D. Stump prosecuted the case at sentencing.
Union County Man Charged with Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
Marshall W. Duty, 58, of Jonesboro, was indicted on October 4, 2016, in a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.
The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between 2013 and October 3, 2016, in Union, Jackson and Williamson Counties. Duty made his initial appearance in federal court on October 5, 2016. His jury trial is scheduled for December 12, 2016, in Benton.
An indictment is 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.
The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Office and Illinois National Guard also assisted in the investigation.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to Prison in Tax King ScamRead the Press Release
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Mason Richmond, 31, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for defrauding the United States Treasury. Richmond’s conviction and sentence arise from his employment at a fraudulent tax return preparation business known as Tax King, LLC.
Tax King had several facilities located in St. Louis, MO, and one located at 212 Collinsville Avenue in East St. Louis. Richmond worked as a return preparer for three years at Tax King’s facility located at 900 N. Grand in St. Louis. On April 29, 2016, Richmond pled guilty in Federal Court in East St. Louis to a charge of conspiring to submit false claims for tax refunds. As part of his guilty plea, Richmond admitted that he routinely placed false information on his customers’ tax returns, including: (1) false Business Income and Schedules Cs which caused the clients to qualify for larger Earned Income Credits ("EICs"); (2) false wages, which again caused the clients to qualify for larger EICs; and (3) false education expenses which enabled the clients to qualify for American opportunity education credits.
Tax King profited from the scheme by charging the customers fees which ranged from approximately $400 to $650. Richmond admitted that he also profited from the scheme by requesting cash "tips" from his customers in return for increasing their refunds.
In addition to the 18 month prison sentence, Richmond was ordered to pay restitution to the United States Treasury of $126,015. After he completes his prison sentence, Richmond will also be required to serve a term of 3 years of supervised release.
The owner of Tax King, Eyob Tilahun, and two employees of the East St. Louis Tax King were previously sentenced on September 9, 2016. Tilahun, 30, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 38 months in federal prison. Tanesa L. Beverly, 32, of East St. Louis, IL, and Melissa L. Wiley, 35, of Granite City, IL, were both sentenced to two years of probation. Beverly and Wiley both worked as return preparers at the East St. Louis Tax King for a couple of months during 2013. In addition to Richmond, Tilahun, Beverly, and Wiley, three other defendants in the case have previously pled guilty. Those defendants are: Lakesha R. Wilson, 28, of East St. Louis, IL; Edric A. Russell, 35, of East St. Louis, IL, and Pierre J. Carter, 34, of East St. Louis, IL. Wilson, Russell, and Carter all worked as return preparers at the East St. Louis Tax King. Russell and Carter will be sentenced on January 27, 2017. Wilson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 3, 2017.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from both the Fairview Heights, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri Offices of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri has also prosecuted several return preparers who worked at Tax King locations in St. Louis, MO.