Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Jefferson County Man Charged with Firearm and Heroin OffensesRead the Press Release
On April 5, 2016, L C Richardson, a/k/a "L.C. Richardson," 38, of Mt. Vernon, was charged by indictment with Unlawful Distribution of Heroin and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred on January 22, 2016, and January 25, 2016, in Jefferson County. Richardson made his initial appearance in federal court on these charges on April 7, 2016. He was ordered held without bond pending a June 13, 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 heroin offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. The firearm offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Corporation and Two Owners of Fairview Heights Restaurant Plead Guilty to Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
LOTAWATA CREEK, INC., d/b/a Lotawata Creek Southern Grill, a restaurant located in Fairview Heights, Illinois, and its two owners, Rodney Archer, 50, and Kenneth Archer, 52, pled guilty in federal district court today to a conspiracy to obstruct the Internal Revenue Service in the assessment and collection of federal income taxes, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced.
Rodney Archer and Kenneth Archer each face a total maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years supervised release, plus mandatory restitution. The corporation faces a maximum sentence of a fine of $500,000, restitution and five years of probation. Sentencing is scheduled for July 15, 2016.
As part of their pleas of guilty, Rodney Archer, Kenneth Archer, and Lotawata Creek, Inc., d/b/a Lotawata Creek Southern Grill, admitted that from beginning in 2010, through in or about July, 2015, they altered and manipulated the information in the restaurant's point of sale system to lower the reported cash sales and then did remove the corresponding amount of cash from the business prior to being deposited and reported as gross receipts. This had the effect of lowering the total gross receipts reported on the tax returns and thereby lowered the total taxable income reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Lotawata Creek, Inc. was incorporated in Missouri and is registered as a foreign corporation in Illinois beginning on February 1, 1996. Lotawata Creek, Inc. operates a popular restaurant located on Salem Place, Fairview Heights, Illinois and is owned by the two brothers - Kenneth Archer is the President and Rodney Archer is the Vice President.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
St. Louis Man Sentenced in Craigslist Counterfeit ConspiracyRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Lewis Johnson, 38, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced in the District Court in East Saint Louis, Illinois, on the charge of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Possess and Pass Counterfeit United States Currency. The Court sentenced Johnson to 36 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Johnson pled guilty on December 29, 2015. During his plea, Johnson admitted that he, along with several others, had engaged in an agreement to use counterfeit United States currency to buy vehicles off of sellers using Craigslist. Once in possession of the vehicles they would then resell them for genuine currency. During his sentencing on March 31, 2016, the District Court Judge found that Johnson had engaged in the manufacturing of counterfeit currency in addition to passing the counterfeit.
During August of 2013, the group contacted a person in Sandoval, Illinois, who had listed his vehicle for sale on Craigslist. Johnson, along with the other conspirators then met with the seller and purchased the vehicle for $2,400 in counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve Notes. Johnson and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested a short time after the fraudulent purchase.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Carlyle and Sandoval Police Departments, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Moro Man Sentenced for Role in Staged Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Eugene Babcock, 58, of Moro, IL, was sentenced yesterday in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 28 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay remaining restitution in the amount of $165,862 (Babcock had returned $115,000 prior to his plea of guilty), on charges stemming from a staged bank robbery at Liberty Bank in Bethalto, Illinois, that occurred on December 13, 2014.
Evidence showed that on December 13, 2014, Liebheit, a bank manager at Liberty Bank, called police to report a bank robbery, indicating that a masked individual forced him into the bank at gun point prior to the bank opening. He gave a description of the suspect’s vehicle as being a tan station wagon or crossover style vehicle. He stated that he was forced to give the individual over $280,000 from the bank’s vault.
Further investigation revealed that Liebheit’s truck was used as a getaway vehicle and Liebheit was involved in the planning of the staged bank robbery. The masked individual was identified as Babcock. Liebheit recruited Babcock to orchestrate the robbery with an agreement that they would split the proceeds afterwards.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bethalto Police Department. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Laura V. Reppert.
Marissa Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Joshua J. Doty, 28, Marissa, Illinois, plead guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon in federal court today. The offense took place in Monroe County on July 1, 2015. Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2016.
Doty faces a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both such fine and imprisonment, up to 3 years’ supervised release to follow imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. Doty agreed to the forfeiture of the firearm he pleaded guilty to possessing.
Court documents establish that on July 1, 2015, the Illinois Department of Corrections, accompanied by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a parole compliance check at the Doty residence. During the compliance check, a New England Firearms Co., Inc., 20 gauge shotgun was found in a bedroom closet used by Doty. Doty acknowledged knowing that the firearm was at the residence and that he could not lawfully possess a firearm as a convicted felon.
Information leading to the charges against Joshua J. Doty was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kit R. Morrissey.
Washington Park Woman Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Amber M. Salts, a 29-year old, Washington Park, Illinois, woman was sentenced on March 25, 2016, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, for violation of Sex Offender Notification and Registration Act (SORNA), the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Salts was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, to be followed by ten years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 Special Assessment and a $250 fine.
In approximately April 2015, Salts moved from Missouri to Illinois without registering or updating her registration as a sex offender in either state. Salts was aware of these registration requirements at the time of her offense. Salts was convicted of Permitting the Sexual Abuse of a Child in 2009 in Madison County, Illinois, and was required to register as a sex offender thereafter.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Southern Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Rey Ramirez, a resident of Pharr, Texas, pled guilty in federal district court on March 22, 2016, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and marijuana, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Ramirez surrendered into custody after the hearing and will be detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 14, 2016, at 1:30 P.M. before the Honorable Nancy J. Rosenstengel. Ramirez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, followed by a minimum of five years on supervised release, as well as a fine of up to $10,000,000 and a special assessment fee of $100.
Documents filed in court revealed that Ramirez agreed with others to distribute about 2,000 pounds of marijuana in Atlanta, Georgia, Akron, Ohio, and Imperial, Missouri, between March 2014 and July 2014, as well as 21 kilograms of cocaine in Imperial, Missouri in late June 2014. Some of these drugs were destined for distribution in this district.
Evidence in support of this prosecution was obtained in an investigation which was 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 and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump.
Mt. Vernon Woman Sentenced on Crack Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 22, 2016, Tammy R. Whitton, 45, of Mt. Vernon, IL, was sentenced for a crack cocaine offense, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Whitton, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count superseding indictment charging conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release, and fined $300.00. The offense occurred between October 2014 and July 2015, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Whitton was involved with others in the distribution of crack cocaine in the Marion and Carbondale areas. During the investigation, Whitton sold crack cocaine to confidential sources working for law enforcement. At sentencing, the judge found that Whitton was responsible for the distribution of 133 grams of crack cocaine. Three co-defendants have pled guilty to their roles in the crack cocaine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. One co-defendant has pled not guilty and is awaiting trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Drug Enforcement Administration, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Carbondale Police Department. The Williamson and Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
East St. Louis Resident Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 24, 2016, Antwoine D. Sanders, 38, East St. Louis, IL, pled guilty to an Indictment charging him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. For this offense, Sanders faces a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. Sanders also agreed to the forfeiture of the firearm he illegally possessed. Sanders’ sentencing is scheduled for July 26, 2016, in Benton, Illinois. Sanders has been detained since his bond was revoked on March 11, 2016.
The charge arose on May 20, 2015, when Sanders was present at a residence during a parole compliance check of another resident. During a search of the residence, a firearm was found under the mattress in the bedroom Sanders shared. Sanders provided statements regarding the recovered firearm. Investigation revealed that Sanders had been convicted of Burglary in 1997 in St. Clair County, Illinois.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Carbondale Man Sentenced for Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 22, 2016, Ryan L. Gibbs, a/k/a "Blood," 37, of Carbondale, was sentenced for a cocaine offense, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Gibbs, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging possession with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release following the prison sentence, and fined $300.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, in September 2014, Gibbs was serving a term of home confinement while on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections for a 2011 felony drug conviction. In addition to home confinement, Gibbs was also subject to electronic monitoring. Agents received information that Gibbs was distributing crack cocaine out of his Carbondale residence. During a September 16, 2014, IDOC parole compliance check, Gibbs was arrested after agents saw him pass a package of drugs off to a relative. Agents recovered over 39 grams of crack cocaine and over 27 grams of cocaine. Gibbs was also in possession of a large amount of U.S. currency. At the time of sentencing, Gibbs had been convicted of seven drug offenses, along with multiple firearm offenses. Gibbs received an enhanced sentence based on his classification as a Career Offender.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Carbondale Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois Department of Corrections. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Inmate Pleads Guilty to Escaping from Halfway HouseRead the Press Release
Joshua James Morrow, 28, a Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate housed at the Centerstone Halfway House in Marion, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to an indictment charging him with escaping from that facility, announced James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on February 2, 2016, alleged that the escape occurred on January 6th. Morrow was taken into custody by the United States Marshal’s Service on January 8th in Carrier Mills, Illinois. At the time of the escape, Morrow was serving a 30 month federal sentence for various counterfeiting offenses.
Sentencing was set for June 29, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Benton. Morrow faces up to an additional 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Morrow was returned to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to await sentencing on the escape charge.
Morrow’s codefendant, Jessica Hayden, is charged with aiding and abetting Morrow’s escape. A trial date of May 23rd at 9:00 a.m. has been set in her case.
Note: Hayden is presumed innocent of this charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Former USP-Marion Employee Pleads Guilty to Providing Contraband to Inmate and Lying to Federal InvestigatorsRead the Press Release
Renee D. Strauss, 42, of Marion, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to a four-count information charging her with two counts of making false statements to a special agent of the United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, one count of providing a cellular telephone to an inmate, and one count of attempting to provide other contraband to an inmate, announced James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The information to which Strauss pled guilty alleged that between June 2015 and September 27, 2015, while she was employed as a case manager and correctional officer by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and assigned to the United States Penitentiary at Marion, Strauss provided contraband to an inmate and then lied to agents who were investigating that misconduct. Strauss, who has been on administrative leave since September 27th, resigned her position with the federal government prior to pleading guilty.
Sentencing was set for June 29, 2016, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. Strauss faces up to 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow any term of incarceration imposed on each of the two false statement counts. She faces a terms of up to 1 year in prison for providing the cellular telephone and up to 6 months in prison for providing the other contraband. Strauss was placed on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation leading to the charges and guilty plea was conducted by the United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Southern Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy, Money Laundering Conspiracy, and Four Drug Distribution Counts While Serving Federal Sentence in USP MarionRead the Press Release
Joel Lopez, Jr., 37, pled guilty in federal district court yesterday afternoon to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, money laundering conspiracy, and four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Lopez was detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 13, 2016, at 9:30 A.M. before the Honorable Nancy J. Rosenstengel, United States District Judge. Two of the distribution counts and the drug conspiracy count each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment up to life imprisonment followed by a minimum of five years on supervised release as well as a fine of up to $10,000,000 and a special assessment fee of $100. The other two distribution counts carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to no more than forty years imprisonment, no less than four years of supervised release, a fine up to $5,000,000 and a special assessment fee of $100 each. The money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of no more than twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $500,000, no more than three years of supervised release and $100 special assessment fee.
Facts revealed in open court indicated that in some time in or before May 2014, Lopez, who was an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Marion, in Williamson County, Illinois, passed to two fellow inmates the telephone number of a codefendant in Southern Texas who distributed drugs. This telephone number was then passed to others who purchased or agreed to purchase cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana from the codefendant. The purchasers wired through bank accounts or MoneyGram drug proceeds to the codefendant in Southern Texas, who provided some of the proceeds to Lopez’s family as payment for recruiting new customers. Law enforcement seized over ten kilograms of pure crystal methamphetamine, commonly referred to as "ice" in the investigation.
Evidence in support of this prosecution was obtained in an investigation which was 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 and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Anthony J. Jones, a 50-year old, Illinois, man was sentenced on March 17, 2016, in federal district court in East St. Louis, Illinois, on one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, violating the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Jones was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
The violation occurred between November 2014 and April 21, 2015, when Jones, a sex offender, moved from Tennessee to East St. Louis, Illinois, without registering as a sex offender there. Jones was aware that he was required to either update his sex offender registration in Tennessee to reflect this change of address, or register as a sex offender in Illinois. Jones was convicted on September 9, 1998, in St. Louis County, Missouri, of Attempted Sexual Abuse, which required him to register as a sex offender thereafter.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individual’s who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Cahokia Resident Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of A Firearm and Tampering with A Potential WitnessRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 17, 2016, Anthony D. Bradley, 27, Cahokia, IL, pled guilty to a three-count Superseding Indictment charging him, in Count 1, with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon; and, in Counts 2 and 3, with Tampering with a Potential Witness.
On Count 1, Bradley faces a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. On Counts 2 and 3, Bradley 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 three (3) years. Bradley also agreed to the forfeiture of the firearm he illegally possessed. Bradley’s sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2016, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Bradley has been detained, that is, held without bond, since his arraignment on September 2, 2015.
The charge in Count 1 arose on July 18, 2015, when a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle in which Bradley was a passenger. Prior to the vehicle stopping, the officer saw the Bradley, who was in the rear seat, bending towards the rear floorboard as if trying to hide something. After Bradley was removed from the rear seat, a firearm that had been partially concealed under the front driver’s seat was found on the rear floorboard. The officer noted from the position of the gun that it would have been impossible for either the driver or the front seat passenger to have placed the gun where he found it without him (the officer) having seen it before the vehicle stopped. In addition, both the driver and the front seat passenger were interviewed at the scene and both denied knowing that a gun was in the vehicle. Finally, the front seat passenger stated that she heard Bradley exclaim, "Damn," when the police pulled them over.
The charge in Count 2 arose when, on July 20, 2015, in a recorded jail call to K.M., Bradley asked K.M. to develop a false story that would involve K.M. leaving the gun, which was registered to K.M., in the vehicle without Bradley’s knowledge. Specifically, Bradley told K.M. to testify falsely that she got in the car and partially concealed the gun without Bradley’s knowledge. The charge in Count 3 arose later that same day when, in another recorded jail call to K.M., Bradley told K.M. to try to find witnesses to testify falsely that he/she/they saw K.M. sitting in the vehicle with Bradley prior to the July 18, 2015, traffic stop in which the gun was discovered.
The case was investigated by the Fairview Heights Police Department, the Illinois State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Jackson County Residents Charged with Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
Two Jackson County residents were indicted on March 8, 2016, for methamphetamine-related offenses, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Kyle E. Easterly, 29, and Charles W. Yearian, a/k/a "Chucky," 29, both of Murphysboro, are charged in a two-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred between October 2015 and March 2016, in Jackson and Perry Counties. Easterly and Yearian appeared in federal court on March 17, 2016. They were ordered held without bond pending a May 9, 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.
The methamphetamine offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, 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 and Murphysboro Police Department. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Granite City Man Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
The Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced that Shawn A. Thompson, age 39, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced on March 17, 2016 to 151 months’ imprisonment for Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Thompson pled guilty to the federal charge on December 3, 2015. At his change of plea hearing, Thompson admitted that he and co-defendant Michael Murphy had sold a police informant an ounce of methamphetamine for $2,000 in Granite City on December 11, 2013. Thompson also admitted selling methamphetamine twice a week for the four months preceding his arrest.
Thompson’s co-defendant Michael Murphy was also convicted and sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment in January, 2016.
Evidence in support of this prosecution was obtained in an investigation which was 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. The investigation which led to the arrest and conviction of Thompson and Murphy was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Granite City Man Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A Granite City man was sentenced on March 17, 2016, in federal court in East St. Louis, Illinois, for Distribution of Methamphetamine he Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. James Wagner, 50, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment. Wagner was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release once he released from prison. In addition, he was ordered to pay a $1000 fine and a $100 special assessment.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois intercepted a package containing 213.3 grams of methamphetamine that was being sent through the United States Postal Service. The package was addressed to a friend of Wagner’s who agreed to cooperate with law enforcement and assist in the controlled delivery. Wagner was arrested after the package was delivered and he was attempting to open it. Wagner had previously pled guilty to the charge on September 25, 2015.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Illinois State Police Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Vanessa T. Lu and Alex Boykin.
Cahokia Woman Sentenced to 24 Months for Disposing of Firearm to FelonRead the Press Release
A Cahokia woman, who pled guilty to Disposing of a Firearm to a Felon, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on March 17, 2016, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Kamia D. McLemore, 27, of Cahokia, Illinois, received a 24-month sentence for Disposing of a Firearm to Felon. Following release from imprisonment, McLemore will serve a one-year term of supervised release. McLemore was also fined $100, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. McLemore pleaded guilty to the charges on November 24, 2015.
The charges arose from an incident in which members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATF) learned of a suspicious purchase by McLemore of a Romanian WASR-10, 7.62 x 39mm semi-automatic rifle in November, 2013. Further investigation revealed that she had also purchased a Masterpiece Arms, MPA10T, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol in September, 2013. When agents interviewed McLemore, she told them that she had taken the guns to her boyfriend’s house, also in Cahokia. Agents learned that the boyfriend was a previously-convicted felon. McLemore took the agents to the boyfriend’s house (where she also resided three nights a week) and allowed agents to seize the guns, two bayonets, and a laser scope. Investigation also revealed that she had made inquiries about buying a 75-round drum magazine that would fit the rifle, but she later decided not to buy the magazine.
The case was investigated by members of BATF and members of the Cahokia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Clark.
Ex-Employee of U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Sentenced to Thirty Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for Embezzling Veteran and Survivor BenefitsRead the Press Release
Terrence Starks, age 37, from Bunker Hill, Illinois was sentenced to a total of thirty [30] months in prison as a result of convictions for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Terrence Starks was additionally ordered to serve three years supervised release following his release from prison and pay restitution totaling $19,260.26.
Terrence Starks worked for the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs and in his position he accessed the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs computerized software system for the payment and distribution of benefits. That database contained the names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and bank account information, among other information. Terrence Starks fraudulently changed the routing number and account number of veteran recipient's benefits to an account controlled by Terrence Starks through his girlfriend, thereby misrepresenting to the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs that the veteran or survivor was still receiving the benefits.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Man Sentenced on Robbery and Gun Related ChargesRead the Press Release
A Mt. Vernon, Illinois, man was sentenced on March 15, 2016, to federal prison on robbery and gun related charges, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
David D. Weatherall, 26, of Mt. Vernon, IL, was sentenced to 385 months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release following his imprisonment, and ordered to pay $1,837 in restitution. Weatherall had previously pleaded guilty to four counts in a federal indictment.
Count 1 charged that on December 8, 2014, in Jefferson County, Weatherall while aiding and abetting another person, did unlawfully obstruct, delay and affect, and attempt to obstruct, delay and affect, commerce by robbery, in that Weatherall and another person did unlawfully take and obtain personal property consisting of United States Currency and cigarettes, belonging to Huck’s Convenient Food Store, 540 Fairfield Road, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, by means of actual and threatened force, violence and fear of injury, and by brandishing a firearm.
Count 2 charges that on December 8, 2014, in Jefferson County, Weatherall did knowingly aid and abet another person, who did knowingly brandish a firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence as charged in Count 1.
Count 3 charges that on December 9, 2014, in Marion County, Weatherall did unlawfully obstruct, delay and affect, and attempt to obstruct, delay and affect, commerce by robbery, in that Weatherall did unlawfully take and obtain personal property consisting of United States Currency and Hennessy Liquor, belonging to Biggies Cafe and General Store, 3858 State Route 161, Centralia, Illinois, by means of actual and threatened force, violence and fear of injury, and by brandishing a firearm.
Count 4 charged that on December 9, 2014, in Marion County, Weatherall did knowingly brandish a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence as charged in Count 3.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Mt. Vernon Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Centralia Police Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Franklin County Man Sentenced on Heroin Overdose Death Related ChargesRead the Press Release
A West Frankfort, Illinois man was sentenced on March 15, 2016, to federal prison on heroin overdose death related charges, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Erik Scott Brown, 27, of West Frankfort, IL, was sentenced to 276 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release following his imprisonment. Brown had previously pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment.
Count 1 charged that on or about December 2, 2014, in Franklin County, Brown knowingly and intentionally distributed heroin to Steven Keith Scott, and that Mr. Scott died as a result of the use of the heroin which defendant Brown had distributed. Count 2 charges that on December 3, 2014, in Franklin County, Illinois, Brown knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute heroin.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the West City Police Department, the Benton Police Department, the West Frankfort Police Department, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Franklin County State’s Attorney Office assisted in the investigation of this case.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 15, 2016, Montinez Wright, 27, of East St. Louis, IL, was sentenced for the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. Wright received 21 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $150 fine and a $100 special assessment. Wright also agreed to forfeit the illegal firearm that he possessed.
The charge arose out of a traffic stop made by the Belleville Police Department on May 26, 2015. During the stop, police found a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in Wright’s possession. Further investigation revealed that Wright had previously been convicted of a felony in Madison County in 2008.
The case was investigated by the Belleville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Shane Kelbley.
Clay County Man Sentenced on Gun Related ChargesRead the Press Release
A Clay County, Illinois, man was sentenced on March 15, 2016, to federal prison on gun related charges, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Jeremy S. Johnson, 40, of Flora, IL, was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release following his imprisonment. Johnson had previously pleaded guilty to one count in a federal indictment.
Count 1 charged that on December 2014, to January 12, 2015, in Clay County, Johnson, who having previously been convicted by a court of a felony, did knowingly possess, in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce, (1) a New England Firearms .17 caliber rifle; (2) a Glock .40 caliber pistol; and (3) a Hi-Point .40 caliber pistol.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Police.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Glen Carbon Man Pleads Guilty to Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
The Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today that Jonathan Michael Malone, 53, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, pled guilty to criminal charges in the United States District Court in East Saint Louis, Illinois. Malone was charged in the first count with Interference of Commerce by Robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591, in the second count with Brandishing a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), and in the third count with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). The armed robbery charge carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The brandishing of a firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and not less than seven years of prison, to run consecutive to any term imposed on the armed robbery charge, a $250,000 fine, and not less than five years of supervised release. The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is set for July 12, 2016.
Court records indicate, and the defendant admitted in open court, that on January 14, 2016, Malone robbed the One Stop Shop Gas Station in Maryville, Illinois. During the robbery, Malone brandished a handgun at the owner. Furthermore, Malone possessed the handgun unlawfully after having been previously convicted of armed robbery.
The case was investigated by the Glen Carbon Police Department, the Maryville Police Department, the Illinois State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. Coonan.
Collinsville Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Mail FraudRead the Press Release
Michael Alan Carver, age 30, from Collinsville, Illinois was sentenced to eighteen 18 months in prison for the offense of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Additionally, Carver was ordered to serve three years supervised release following his release from prison and ordered to pay restitution totaling $7,655.28.
Carver stole United States mail out of area mail boxes with a coconspirator Jeffrey Brown to obtain the means of identification of other persons. As part of the conspiracy the means of identification were used to apply for and activate credit cards of other persons without authorization. Brown fraudulently purchased various merchandise online and at retail stores using the unauthorized access devices and had items delivered to Carver's residence. Carver was indicted jointly with Jeffrey Brown who was previously sentenced in November 2015 and received a sentence of two years in prison.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Southern Illinois Identity Theft Task Force consisting of the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations, the United States Secret Service and the Postal Inspection Service. The Collinsville Police Department also assisted in the investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Williamson County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On March 9, 2016, Jeremey A. Phillips, a/k/a "Jeremy Phillips," 29, of Marion, was sentenced for methamphetamine violations, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Phillips, who had previously pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and fined $400.00. The offenses occurred between 2012 and February 2015, in Williamson, Jackson, and Jefferson Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Phillips was involved with others in obtaining pseudoephedrine and manufacturing methamphetamine. At sentencing, the judge found that Phillips was responsible for the possession of more than 224 grams of pseudoephedrine.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Marion Police Department.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Randolph County Resident Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On March 9, 2016, John G. Haslett, 41, of Percy, was sentenced for methamphetamine offenses, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois James L. Porter announced today.
Haslett, who had previously pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possessing pseudoephedrine knowing that it was going to be used to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and fined $200.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Haslett was involved with co-defendants Michael Boyt, Jr., and Russell Stokes and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Haslett provided pseudoephedrine to multiple other persons and allowed others to manufacture methamphetamine on his property. The offenses occurred from 2013 to January 2015, in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Co-defendants Boyt, Jr., and Stokes have previously received sentences of 60 months and 100 months, respectively, for their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Steeleville Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Perry County Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
An East St. Louis man, who pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison on March 10, 2016, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Craig Flowers, 42, of East St. Louis, Illinois, received an 84-month prison sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following release from imprisonment, Flowers will serve a 3-year term of supervised release. Flowers was also fined $300 and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. Flowers pleaded guilty to the charge on October 30, 2015.
Flowers was arrested after police went to the door of his girlfriend’s apartment in Belleville, and her son said, "He threw it out the window. He threw the gun out the window."
This case was investigated by the Illinois State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce.
Three Missouri Individuals Plead Guilty to Participating in Stolen Property Fraud RingRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that three individuals pled guilty this morning in Federal Court in Southern Illinois to charges arising from their participation in a large stolen property ring. The individuals who pled guilty this morning are Tony G. Robertson, 44, of O’Fallon, MO, Alice J. Hembree, 43, of Moscow Mills, MO, and Nicholas A. Brockman, 20, of Wentzville, MO.
The charges arise 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, conducted this fraud scheme from Mexico. 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 of, and under the credit accounts, of the individuals and businesses. The items Parmeley ordered frequently consisted of appliances, 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. According to the indictment, the items were then sold at prices substantially below retail. The profits were then wire transferred to Parmeley in Mexico.
During their plea hearings today, both Robertson and Brockman admitted that they worked as drivers for the conspiracy. Robertson acknowledged that he worked for the conspiracy from 2012 through 2015, while Brockman agreed that he drove for the group from October through December of 2013. Both Robertson and Brockman admitted that they picked up fraudulently ordered merchandise at various retail stores and then delivered those items to Parmeley’s customers. Robertson also admitted that he engaged in money laundering by wire transferring money to Parmeley in Mexico under a fake name.
During her plea hearing, Hembree admitted that her primary role for the conspiracy was to locate buyers for the stolen merchandise. Hembree also performed various other jobs for the conspiracy, including selling fraudulently ordered gift cards, storing some of the stolen merchandise at her house, and performing some bookkeeping functions for the group.
The indictment charged twelve other individuals with participating in the conspiracy. They are: Jason J. Parmeley, 42, James D. Litchfield, 58, owner of Big Jim’s Autorama in Madison, IL, Angel Speed, 25, formerly of O’Fallon, MO, Sean A. Shields, 47, of Ozark, MO, Shanna Flora, 41, of Vienna, IL, Steven J. Belcher, 44, of Wentzville, MO, Jesse S. Urias, 36, of Los Angeles, CA, Ryan P. Litchfield, 37, of O’Fallon, MO, Rigoberto Gutierrez, 26, of Compton, CA, Russell J. Witt, 33, of New Baltimore, MI, Bryce E. Atkinson, 21, of Lake Saint Louis, MO, and Benedict G. Pellerito, 55, of Troy, MO.
On February 11, 2016, James D. Litchfield, Ryan P. Litchfield, and Benedict G. Pellerito all pled guilty to the charges against them contained in the indictment. They are scheduled to be sentenced in June.
The sentencing hearings for Robertson, Hembree, and Brockman will all be conducted on July 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Federal Courthouse in Benton, IL. The trial of the remaining defendants is scheduled for April 18, 2016.
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. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of the proceeds of the fraud scheme.
NOTE: Those individuals who are awaiting trial are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Sex Trafficking of Children by Force, Fraud, and Coercion and to Sex Trafficking of A Child by Force, Fraud, and CoercionRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today, that Michael Johnson of East St. Louis, Illinois pled guilty in federal district court to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, and coercion and three counts of child sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Johnson was detained, that is, held without bond, pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 26, 2016, at 9:30 AM before the Honorable Staci M. Yandle, United States District Judge. At sentencing, Johnson faces any term of imprisonment or life imprisonment on the conspiracy count, followed by a minimum of five years on supervised release. Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the three counts of sex trafficking of a child by force, fraud, and coercion, followed by a minimum of five years on supervised release. In addition to a term of imprisonment, Judge Yandle could impose a fine of up to $250,000 per count. The Court will also impose a special assessment fee of $100 per count.
Facts revealed in open court showed that in approximately April 2009, Johnson agreed with a coconspirator to operate a prostitution business. Sometime after that point but from at least approximately December 2009 and continuing through July 2013, Johnson began recruiting enticing, and obtaining more women to work in his business, including four minor victims. Johnson recruited two of the minors from the East St. Louis, IL area while they were homeless. He recruited the other two minors over a chat line and over the internet. Johnson used fear, threats of physical harm, actual physical harm, lies, and verbal manipulation to cause the minor victims to engage in sex intercourse or other sex acts for money. Johnson and his coconspirator photographed the minors and created advertisements offering their services in the escorts section of Backpage.com. Three of the victims turned over all of the cash to Johnson and the fourth turned over a portion. Johnson knew or was aware of, but carelessly disregarded how old the minor victims actually were. The youngest of the four minor victims began working for Johnson when she was 15 years old.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Springfield Division and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force in Fairview Heights. Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump is prosecuting the case.
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.
Alton Man Sentenced in Craigslist Counterfeit ConspiracyRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Tony Young Jr., 21, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in East Saint Louis, Illinois, on the charge of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Possess and Pass Counterfeit United States Currency. The district court sentenced Young to 19 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Young pled guilty to the charge in United States District Court on November 18, 2015. During his plea, he admitted that he along with several others, had engaged in an agreement to manufacture counterfeit United States Currency and then use the currency to buy vehicles. Once in possession of the vehicles they would then resell them for genuine United States currency.
During August of 2013, the group contacted a person in Sandoval, Illinois, who had listed his vehicle for sale on Craigslist. Young, along with the other conspirators then met with the seller in Sandoval, Illinois and purchased the vehicle for $2,400 in counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve Notes. Young and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested a short time after the fraudulent purchase by law enforcement from Carlyle, Clinton County and Sandoval.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Carlyle and Sandoval Police Departments, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Shipping Companies Fined for Falsifying Records Under Defense ContractRead the Press Release
Farrell Lines, Incorporated (Farrell) and DAMCO USA, Inc. (Damco) have paid to the United States of America three million six hundred fifty nine thousand five hundred dollars ($3,659,500.00) in civil penalties regarding Farrell and Damco’s failure to comply with certain terms of its contract with the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
"The determined federal investigators and the attorneys in my office will continue to strive to ensure that dollars paid from the public fund are properly accounted for and that value is received. The United States Attorney’s Office stands ready to bring proper relief, either criminal or civil, whenever necessary, to make that a fact." noted Acting United States Attorney Porter.
Under Farrell’s contract with USTRANSCOM, it was required to perform international door-to-door and/or port-to-port transportation services to move Department of Defense (DoD) and other Government approved cargo into and out of Afghanistan via multiple modes of transportation (air, sea, and land). Farrell subcontracted its work on the contract to its affiliate, Damco. The price of the contract was based almost exclusively on the weight of the shipments, and documented cargo weights, consisting of "weight tickets" issued by a certified commercial scale for each cargo container, needed to be included with billing invoices to the Government.
With respect to the shipments at issue in this matter, USTRANSCOM discovered that 563 weight tickets submitted by Farrell to support their billing invoices were "recreated" by Damco employees and not authentic weight tickets. Farrell and Damco were cooperative in the investigation.
This matter was investigated by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan D. Stump.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Attempting to Pass Forged PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
The Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today that Luke Xavier Lore, 48, formerly of Saint Louis, Missouri, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Benton, Illinois, on March 9, 2016. Lore had been convicted of two counts of Attempting to Acquire or Obtain a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception or Subterfuge. The District Court sentenced Lore to 9 months in prison, to be followed by 1 year of supervised release, with the first 180 days in a halfway house. The Court also ordered Lore to pay a $200 fine and a $200 special assessment.
According to facts revealed in Court, on February 2, 2015, in Madison County, and on April 6, 2015 in Saint Clair County, Lore created fraudulent prescriptions and attempted to have them passed at pharmacies. In February 2015, he attempted to illegally obtain Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, and Alprazolam (trade name: Xanax), a Schedule IV controlled substance. In April 2015, he attempted to illegally obtain Hydrocodone (trade name: Norco).
The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Alton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. Coonan.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 10, 2016, Anthony M. Williams, 33, East St. Louis, IL, was sentenced for the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. Williams received 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Williams also agreed to forfeit the illegal firearm that he possessed.
The charge arose on April 10, 2015, when Illinois State Police officers attempted to stop Williams in East St. Louis, Illinois, for traffic violations. Williams did not immediately stop and, as he continued driving, an officer saw him throw something out of the passenger side window. When officers went to the area where they had seen the object thrown, they recovered a FEG, .9mm pistol. Further investigation revealed that Williams had previously been convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon in St. Clair County in 2009.
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police and assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Don Boyce and Angela Scott for prosecution.
St. Louis Woman Sentenced for Structuring Financial TransactionsRead the Press Release
A St. Louis woman, who pled guilty to Structuring Financial Transactions, was sentenced to probation for a period of two years and fined $20,000 on March 4, 2016, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Kyong Suk Kipilla, 58, of St. Louis, Missouri, received a sentence of two years’ probation and a $20,000 fine for Structuring Financial Transactions. The judge ordered Kipilla to serve the first six months of probation confined to her home, monitored by an ankle bracelet. The charges arose from Kipilla’s deposits of proceeds from her prostitution business, the Pink Spa, located in Centreville, Illinois. Federal law requires financial institutions to report currency transactions (such as currency deposits) greater than $10,000 to the IRS. Federal law also prohibits a person from structuring currency transactions for the purpose of evading this reporting requirement. Kipilla engaged in structuring bank deposits in amounts less than $10,000 so as to avoid the reporting requirements. Kipilla was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. Kipilla pleaded guilty to the charges on September 3, 2015.
Kipilla is a citizen of South Korea who is present in the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
The case was investigated by members of the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Altamont Man Sentenced for Identity Theft, Extortion, and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
On March 7, 2016, Stephen B. Mislich, 24, of Bowling Green, Ohio, formerly of Altamont, Illinois, was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for identity theft, extortion, and child pornography offenses, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois James L. Porter, announced today.
"Clearly, the Court was as concerned for these victims as we were. This was a brutal crime which involved the utter degradation and cyber rape of these victims. Mislich’s actions were certainly deserving of the punishment meted out. The Court showed true courage in delivering the sentence that it did." noted Acting United States Attorney Porter.
Evidence at his sentencing hearing established that Mislich stole the online identity of a victim from Effingham County, Illinois, and then used that identity to extort and attempt to extort nude images and videos from several other victims in the area. One of the victims was 16 years old at the time of the offense and the images Mislich forced her to produce constituted child pornography under federal law. Besides the almost 20 year sentence, the Court also ordered Mislich to spend the rest of his life on Supervised Release and ordered him to pay a $2,000.00 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Effingham Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.
Randolph County Resident Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 3, 2016, Brian T. Lane, a/k/a Squirrel, 32, of Coulterville, was sentenced on a methamphetamine offense, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Lane, who had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $200.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Lane was involved with others in the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Lane obtained and collected pseudoephedrine from others for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the judge found that Lane was responsible for the possession of 151.88 grams of pseudoephedrine and 2 grams of ice/methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. Two co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Five co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Four co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting an April 18, 2016, jury trial.
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 State’s Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Clinton County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Miguel Angel Vasquez Torres, 34, from Beckemeyer, Illinois, plead guilty on March 1, 2016, in the United States District Court to a three-count indictment charging him with Production of Child Pornography, Distribution of Child Pornography and Receipt of Child Pornography, Acting United States Attorney James L. Porter announced today. Vasquez Torres has been in custody since he was arrested on these charges on August 25, 2015. Sentencing has been set for June 28, 2016.
Documents filed in the U.S. District Court establish that in May 2015, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline regarding an individual who was uploading child pornography to a Photobucket.com cloud storage account. A search of the Photobucket account revealed that the account belonged to Miguel Angel Vasquez Torres and that it contained numerous video and image files containing child pornography. During a subsequent search of Vasquez Torres’ residence, law enforcement officers seized two cellular telephones and numerous other items of computer media.
During an interview with law enforcement officers, Vasquez Torres admitted to downloading and distributing video files containing child pornography. He also admitted that he had repeatedly sexually abused a minor over the course of several years and that he had photographed his acts of sexual abuse of the minor victim. A forensic examination of Vasquez Torres’ iPhone 5 revealed approximately 22 video files containing child pornography that he had distributed and received using an internet-based messaging system. The forensic examination of his Samsung Galaxy revealed approximately 440 images which depict Vasquez Torres’ sexual abuse of the minor victim.
Vasquez Torres faces a prison term of not less than fifteen (15) years up to life, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life for the charge of Production of Child Pornography. On the charges of Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography, Vasquez Torres faces a term of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years up to twenty (20) years, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life on each count.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
This investigation was conducted by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Metro East Cyber Crimes and Analysis Task Force, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers for prosecution.
Carbondale Resident Sentenced for Armed Robbery of Duquoin Gas StationRead the Press Release
On March 3, 2016, Stanley L. Cohen, 32, of Carbondale, IL, was sentenced for his role in the May 16, 2014, armed robbery of the Shell Gas Station in DuQuoin, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Cohen, who had previously pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging Interference with Commerce by Robbery, in violation of the Hobbs Act, and Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. Cohen was also fined $400.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, on May 16, 2014, Cohen and others participated in an armed robbery of the Shell Gas Station in DuQuoin. When the cashier refused to give Cohen money, Cohen struck the cashier in the head with a firearm. The cashier required stitches for the head wound. At sentencing, the judge ordered that Cohen’s 130 month sentence be served consecutively to a nine year state sentence that Cohen is currently serving for a May 2014 Carbondale armed robbery.
The investigation was conducted by the DuQuoin Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Department, and Carbondale Police Department.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Nigerian Scammer Convicted of On-Line Romance FraudRead the Press Release
After two days of testimony from a dozen witnesses at his criminal trial in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois, Olayinka Ilumsa Sunmola, 32, of Lagos, Nigeria, changed his plea on March 2, 2016, from "not guilty" to "guilty" on all eight counts of the federal indictment, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois announced.
"Basically, the evidence established that Sunmola, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was the ringleader of a criminal organization operating within South Africa that targeted and stole from hundreds of women across the United States, including dozens in the St. Louis metropolitan area." noted Acting United states Attorney Porter. "Our office will continue to pursue justice for these victims in Sunmola’s prison sentence and in our never-ending efforts to get restitution."
A grand jury sitting in East St. Louis, Illinois, indicted Sunmola on November 20, 2013, on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, and interstate extortion. Sunmola was later arrested on the Southern Illinois indictment by the London Metropolitan Police Service (sometimes referred to as "Scotland Yard") on August 9, 2014, as he was about to board a British Airways flight from London Heathrow Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa.
During two days of trial, the government established that Sunmola had created several bogus online profiles on dating websites portraying himself as a U.S. citizen currently or formerly in the Armed Forces of the United States and temporarily doing business in South Africa. Using fake names and photographs stolen from the hacked online accounts of real American men, Sunmola cultivated a romantic relationship with many women in the St. Louis area and throughout the United States by sending flowers, stuffed animals, greeting cards and candy. His purpose was to lead each of his victims to believe that she was his one true love, his sole love interest, and the woman with whom he intended to spend the rest of his life. After successfully drawing these women into a romantic relationship, Sunmola then began to manufacture phony emergencies requiring increasingly large amounts of money from his victims. He played upon each victim's romantic feelings and vulnerability and manipulated and groomed them for the purpose of bilking them of their cash, their assets, and their credit worthiness.
One victim described in the indictment was unwittingly drawn into a scheme involving counterfeit or stolen traveler’s checks. The evidence established that as a result of her innocent involvement in cashing the checks for Sunmola, she was arrested by local police and jailed, charged with theft by deception and forgery. She testified that she contemplated suicide as a result of Sunmola’s fraud against her. Another victim, a resident of the Southern District of Illinois, was induced to perform sexual acts on camera. She learned only after it was too late that Sunmola had recorded the video, which he promptly threatened to publish online unless she and her family sent him money. According to the indictment, Sunmola told the woman that by the time he was done with her she would want to kill herself. He pledged to ruin her life if she did not continue to send him the money he demanded. Sunmola admitted in open court to having made the video and extorting her and her family with it. The victim – identified in the indictment as "Jane Doe 6" – was due to testify at the trial later this week.
"I applaud the great work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District and our other law enforcement partners who helped put a stop to a pervasive scam artist that took advantage of too many unsuspecting Illinois victims," said Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
"The FTC is fortunate to have great partners, such as the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, of Illinois," said Steven Baker, director of the FTC’s Midwest Region Office. "We congratulate them for achieving a great result on behalf of consumers in this important international effort."
Sentencing is set for June 17, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. By statute, Sunmola faces a maximum prison sentence of 127 years, a fine of $250,000 on each of the eight counts of the indictment, and as much as five years of supervised release. He will also be required to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The St. Louis Resident Agency of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Fairview Heights office of U.S. Secret Service assisted in the investigation. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney's Office for investigation as part of an ongoing partnership between the two offices to identify, investigate and prosecute international scammers who prey upon Illinois residents. This prosecution is also part of a larger initiative with the Chicago Office of the Federal Trade Commission to target romance scammers. The South African Police Service conducted its own extensive investigation into Sunmola's activities in South Africa in coordination with the U.S. criminal investigation, which initiated searches of Sunmola's various properties and has instituted legal proceedings in South African courts seeking to forfeit them.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan D. Stump and Bruce E. Reppert, and by Special Assistant United states Attorney Emily J. Wasserman.
Centralia Man Sentenced to Fourteen Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Firearms by FelonRead the Press Release
A Centralia man, who pled guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison on March 2, 2016, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Darryll W. Kaufman, 25, of Centralia, Illinois, received a 168-month sentence, actually calculated as two 84-month sentences which were ordered to be served consecutively, one to the other, for possession of firearms by a felon. Following release from imprisonment, Kaufman will serve a 3-year term of supervised release. Kaufman was also fined $600 and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. Kaufman pleaded guilty to the charges on July 21, 2015.
"This is a deservedly lengthy sentence for a young man. All of the law abiding citizens of Southern Illinois should be thankful to the federal court for removing such a dangerous individual from our society." said Acting United States Attorney Porter.
The charges arose from incidents in Patoka and Greenville, Illinois, where Kaufman possessed fifteen firearms that he had stolen in residential burglaries in those communities. Noting that Kaufman had a lengthy criminal history after being trained as a criminal by his mother, the sentencing judge called Kaufman a "violent, dangerous man who is likely to recidivate. I question whether there is a place for you in civilized society. I see nothing but a dim future for you." The judge also set these sentences to run consecutive to a 10-year sentence that Kaufman is serving in the Illinois Department of Corrections for a separate burglary that Kaufman committed in Cumberland County in 2013.
The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and members of the Marion County Sheriff’s Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Carmi Man Pleads Guilty to Four Counts of Distributing Methamphetamine in White CountyRead the Press Release
Bobby D. Morrill, Jr., 38, of Carmi, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to an indictment charging him with four counts of distributing methamphetamine, announced James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on December 8, 2015, alleged that the four offenses occurred in 2015 on August 31st, and September 8th, 9th, and 16th. The indictment further alleged that the offenses occurred in White County.
Sentencing was set for June 22, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Benton. On each count Morrill faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1 million fine, and 3 years to life on supervised release following his incarceration.
Morrill has been held without bond in the custody of the United States Marshal since his appearance on the federal charges in January. He was returned to the custody of the Marshal to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Alton Man Sentenced for Meth and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
The Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today that George W. Holliday, Sr., 46, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced on March 1, 2016, to 72 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession With Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, and Obstruction of Justice (for concealing a firearm).
Holliday pled guilty to the three federal charges on November 5, 2015. He has been continuously confined since his arrest on March 23, 2015.
According to evidence introduced at Holliday’s change of plea hearing last November, Holliday and two other men were traveling together to sell methamphetamine to a woman in Pocahontas, Illinois, on November 22, 2014. The car Holliday was driving was stopped by Glen Carbon, Illinois police for a traffic offense. While police were approaching his car, Holliday instructed the other two men to hide a handgun. Police recovered a small quantity of methamphetamine from the car, and also seized a soda bottle in which the men had been cooking meth.
Co-defendant James E. Bailey, Jr. also pled guilty in U.S. District Court in 2015, and he was sentenced to a term of 15 months in January, 2016. The third man in the car with Holliday pled guilty to state drug charges.
This investigation was conducted by the Glen Carbon Police Department, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Michael C. Neece, 71, of Ozark, Missouri, was sentenced last week in federal district court in East St. Louis for the crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Neece was sentenced to 12 months on probation, a $250 fine, and a $100 special assessment, following his plea of guilty, on October 30, 2015. The charges relate to an incident that occurred on January 12, 2013, in Dupo, Illinois, when an individual reported Neece to be in possession of a firearm. Neece was previously convicted of Conspiracy to Import Switchblade Knives on March 27, 2000, in the Eastern District of Missouri.
The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Madison Man Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Isaac Lawrence, 31, of Madison, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis for the crime of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Lawrence was sentenced to 92 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a fine of $500, following his plea of guilty, on November 20, 2015. The charges relate to incidents that occurred in March, 2015, when Lawrence and a co-defendant traveled to California to buy methamphetamine; they then mailed the methamphetamine to East St. Louis, Illinois. Lawrence was arrested after U.S. Postal Inspectors became suspicious of the package and obtained a warrant to search the package, in which they found approximately 235 grams of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by members of the Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Kevin L. Walker, 26, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis, IL, on February 26, 2016, to 57 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, as well as the payment of a $150 special assessment, and a $400 fine, for his recent conviction for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Facts presented in court revealed that on January 29, 2015, Walker, a previously convicted felon, was arrested for auto theft. After being handcuffed, Walker began to squirm and admitted to possessing a loaded gun in his front right pocket. This firearm was seized by East St. Louis detectives. Walker then admitted to possessing a shotgun at a residence in East St. Louis, Illinois. This firearm was also seized the following day by law enforcement officials.
This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Jefferson County Resident Sentenced for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
On February 25, 2016, Scott L. Fowler, 38, of Mt. Vernon, was sentenced on heroin and firearm offenses, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Fowler had previously pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and possession of a firearm by a felon. On the heroin offense, Fowler was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years’ supervised release. On the firearm offenses, Fowler was sentenced to concurrent terms of 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release. Fowler was fined a total of $600.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, from at least August 2014 to March 2015, Fowler was involved with others in the distribution of heroin in Williamson and Jefferson Counties. During a March 19, 2015, search of a vehicle being driven by Fowler, agents located over 200 grams of heroin, a large amount of U.S. currency, a sawed-off Winchester 12-gauge shotgun, and ammunition. At sentencing, the judge found that Fowler was responsible for the distribution of over 1.8 kilograms of heroin and 35 grams of ice/methamphetamine. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the firearm.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Marion Police Department, Mt. Vernon Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Jackson County Resident Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On February 23, 2016, Michael F. Halliday, 34, of Elkville, was sentenced on a methamphetamine offense, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Halliday, who had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $300.00. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Halliday was involved with others in manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Halliday cooked methamphetamine with others. Halliday obtained pseudoephedrine and collected pseudoephedrine from others for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the judge found that Halliday was responsible for the possession of 167.92 grams of pseudoephedrine. The offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. One co-defendant has previously been sentenced for his role in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Five co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Four co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting an April 18, 2016, jury trial. As to those co-defendants, remember that they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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 State’s Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Alton Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that this morning, United States District Judge David R. Herndon sentenced Christopher William Kreider, 29, of Alton, IL, to 37 months in federal prison on his conviction for bank fraud and submitting false loan applications to a financial institution.
Kreider pled guilty to the charges in this case on December 17, 2014. In pleading guilty, Kreider admitted that from March 4, 2010, through May 31, 2011, he defrauded the Alton Bell Community Credit Union by causing false loan applications to be submitted. Kreider engaged in a practice known as "straw borrowing." Kreider owned a landscaping business in Alton known as Lawnscape Lawn and Excavation. In an effort to keep this failing business afloat, Kreider solicited friends and employees to apply for loans, in their names, with Alton Bell Community Credit Union. The proceeds of these loans were either turned over to Kreider or applied for his benefit.
During the sentencing hearing today, Judge Herndon found that Kreider’s crimes caused a loss of $158,286.59 to Alton Bell Community Credit Union. In addition to the 37 month prison sentence, the Court also ordered Kreider to pay restitution of $207,116.06. This figure includes the loss amount and the audit feeds incurred by the credit union as it investigated the damage caused by Kreider’s crimes. In addition, the Court ordered Kreider to serve a period of 5 years of supervised release after he is released from prison.
The case was investigated by the Springfield, Illinois, Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Scott Verseman.