Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Ex-Employee of Department of Veteran's Affairs Indicted for Embezzling Veteran and Survivor BenefitsRead the Press Release
Terrence Starks, 37, from Bunker Hill, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. If convicted, Starks faces up to twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years supervised release on the wire fraud count and a mandatory consecutive two year prison sentence for the aggravated identity theft count.
The indictment alleges that 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 names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and bank account information, among other information. The indictment alleges that Starks fraudulently changed the routing number and account number of veteran recipient's benefits to an account controlled by 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.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of that charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Mailing Bomb Threats and Threats of Violence Against Southern Illinois UniversityRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Derrick Dawon Burns, 22, of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court to four federal charges stemming from a series of bomb threats and threats of violence directed toward Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIUC) students, faculty and staff on October 10, 2012, October 15, 2012, December 6, 2012, and October 1, 2013. Three of these letters were entitled "The War on SIU." Each letter was addressed to a combination of the following targets: Southern Illinois University, staff, student, SIU police, and the FBI.
Sentencing is set for December 8, 2015, in the United States District Court in Benton. Each charge of Willfully Making a Bomb Threat carries maximum penalties of ten years in federal prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Burns was ordered to remain detained, that is, held without bond, pending sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the SIUC Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistance was provided by the Carbondale Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Illinois State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. Coonan.
Felon Charged with Stealing Firearms from Swansea Rural KingRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Rodney A. Mathes, 48, of St. Louis, Missouri, was arraigned and ordered detained, that is held without bond pending trial, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on a two count criminal indictment charging him with Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced.
The indictment charges that on January 19, 2015, Mathes and another individual broke in to Rural King, located at 2801 North Illinois in Swansea, Illinois, and stole sixteen firearms. Mathes is a convicted felon. Mathes faces a statutory minimum sentence of fifteen years, up to an unlimited maximum term of years in federal prison if he is convicted.
Note: An indictment is a procedural way to bring charges against a defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of those charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Swansea Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Williamson County Resident Sentenced on Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On August 12, 2015, Glendon C. Smith, 34, of Herrin, IL, was sentenced for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Smith, who had previously pled guilty to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release and fined $200. The offense occurred between 2010 and January 2014, in Jackson, Williamson, Union, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Smith was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Smith either purchased pseudoephedrine or obtained pseudoephedrine from others for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing, the district court found that Smith was responsible for the illegal possession of 114 grams of pseudoephedrine. Nine co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their involvement in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Two other co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
Troy Edwards, 27, East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on August 14, 2015, in federal district court to a term of 18 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, a fine of $150, and a special assessment of $100, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Court proceedings revealed Edwards brokered the distribution of cocaine and heroin on January 25, 2013, to a confidential informant, acting at the direction of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, in East St. Louis, Illinois.
This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for “Crack” DistributionRead the Press Release
Willie Butler, 34, from East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on August 14, 2015, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, following his recent plea of guilty to one count of Distribution of Crack Cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Butler was sentenced to a term of 151 months imprisonment, as well as 3 years of supervised release, fined $500, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Facts presented in court revealed that Butler sold approximately .75 grams of cocaine base in the form of "crack" on January 10, 2014, to an undercover officer in East St. Louis, Illinois. Butler has three prior felony convictions related to the distribution of cocaine in and around East St. Louis, Illinois.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Enforcement of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Collinsville Man Sent to Prison for Drug Possession and DistributionRead the Press Release
Daniel O. Lockett, 30, formerly of Collinsville, Illinois, was sentenced to a total of 151 months in prison on a two-count indictment charging him with Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Following his prison sentence, Lockett will be on federal supervised release for 3 years. Lockett was also ordered to pay a fine of $500, as well as a $200 special assessment.
On November 5, 2013, Lockett was arrested by Collinsville Police Department for possession of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. Lockett has two prior drug offenses and was found to be a career offender at sentencing
This case was investigated by the Collinsville Police Department and Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Centralia Man Sentenced for Part in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Walter Gardner, Jr., 46, of Centralia, Illinois, was sentenced on August 13, 2015, to a total of 60 months in federal prison on one count of a four-count indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Following his prison sentence, Gardner will be on federal supervised release for 4 years. He was ordered to pay a fine of $200, as well as a $100 special assessment.
Court filings showed that between approximately January 2010 and January 2013, Gardner was involved in an organization which engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
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.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, MEGSI, and Illinois State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Carbondale Man Sentenced for Part in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Steven Schauf, Jr., 28, of Carbondale, Illinois, was sentenced to 24 months in prison today for his role in an eight-count indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Use of a Communications Facility in Aid of a Controlled Substance Offense, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Laundering of Monetary Instruments, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Following his prison sentence, Schauf will be on supervised release for 3 years. In addition, he was ordered to pay a fine of $500 and a $700 special assessment. An Order of Forfeiture was entered for the sum of $6,787.64, as well as a 2010 Chrysler 300.
"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. I am pleased to note that the local law enforcement and federal law enforcement partnerships did just that in this case." noted United States Attorney Wigginton.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Fairfield Man Indicted on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Zachary R. Wheeler, 21, of Fairfield, IL, was indicted on August 4, 2015, on Child pornography charges in a five count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
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, which occurred in 2014, are May 31, June 12, June 13, June 16, and June 17.
With respect to each Count, if convicted, Wheeler faces a minimum sentence of fifteen years, up to a maximum of thirty years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years.
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 Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation of this case.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
East Saint Louis Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Kasmiel Samuel Sumrall, 29, of East Saint Louis, was sentenced on the charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The United States District Court in East Saint Louis sentenced Sumrall to serve 37 months in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The district court also ordered Sumrall to pay a $250 fine and a $100 special assessment.
Court records indicate that Sumrall admitted that on October 6, 2014, in East Saint Louis, he possessed a 9-mm. caliber Ruger semi-automatic pistol handgun, its magazine and ten rounds of 9-mm. caliber ammunition, after he had previously been convicted on October 30, 2007, of the felony offense of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police.
The case was investigated by the East Saint Louis Police Department, the East Saint Louis Housing Authority, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. Coonan.
Centerville Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Demetrius Booker, 28, of Centerville, Illinois, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Booker was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, a $250 fine, and to serve 1 year of supervised release following imprisonment.
"I hope that cases like this will help send out the message that my office will continue to vigorously prosecute any illegal use of firearms, and that the penalties are severe." said United States Attorney Wigginton.
Court documents establish that on October 19, 2014, officers responded to a report that witnesses observed a male subject armed with a black handgun. Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed the subject jump a fence and toss the handgun. Officers located the subject hiding on the porch of a residential property. A search of the area was conducted and officers located the weapon, which was a 9mm Millennium handgun with an extended magazine containing 19 live rounds.
The investigation was conducted by the East Saint Louis Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Perry County Resident Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On August 6, 2015, Clinton W. Waters, 38, of DuQuoin, was sentenced for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Waters, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and fined $850.00. Waters was awarded 9 months credit for time served. The offense occurred between 2012 and September 2014, in Perry, Jackson, Randolph, Williamson, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Waters was involved with numerous other persons in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Waters was a methamphetamine cook and taught others how to manufacture methamphetamine. Waters received an enhanced sentence based on his classification as a Career Offender. Three co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Three co-defendants have pled guilty to their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, and DuQuoin Police Department. The Pinckneyville Police Department and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Murphysboro Resident Pleads Guilty to Crack Cocaine and Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On August 6, 2015, Isaac Jackson, 35, of Murphysboro, pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The indictment asserts that the offenses occurred on February 24-25, 2015, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea hearing established that, on February 24 and 25, 2015, Jackson sold both crack cocaine and methamphetamine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. When Jackson was arrested on February 25, 2015, he was in possession of a large amount of U.S. currency and a large amount of crack cocaine, which was packaged for distribution.
The crack cocaine and methamphetamine offenses carry a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Murphysboro Police Department. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Former Union Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty to EmbzzlingRead the Press Release
Carolyn Hall, 53, of McLeansboro, Illinois, entered a plea of guilty to a one-count indictment that charged embezzlement and theft from a labor union, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Hall faces a prison sentence of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 1, 2015.
As part of the plea, Carolyn Hall admitted that while she was the bookkeeper for Laborer's Local 1197 she took $26,491 of cash receipts from members' dues payments and used the funds for personal use. The thefts occurred from approximately July of 2012 and continued through approximately February of 2014. Laborers' Local 1197 is part of the Laborers' International Union of North America and is headquartered in McLeansboro, Illinois. Laborers' Local 1197 provides jobs, training, and benefits to members in fourteen counties in Southern and Central Illinois.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, with the assistance of Laborer's Local 1197. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Salem Man Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding OctogenarianRead the Press Release
During a sentencing hearing this morning in federal court in East St. Louis, Paul P. Gierten, 47, of Salem, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on his federal fraud conviction, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. The court also ordered Gierten to pay $38,300 in restitution to the victim of his crime.
Gierten pled guilty to the fraud charge on April 21, 2015. Gierten’s conviction relates to his former employment as an investment advisor in Centralia, Illinois. The victim of Gierten’s crime was one of Gierten’s clients. The victim is a military veteran who is in his 80s. In August of 2009, Gierten falsely told the victim that he had an investment opportunity with a business that assisted military victims. Because he is a veteran himself, the victim agreed to invest with this business. From August 2009, through March 2011, the victim provided a total of $39,000 to Gierten for investment in this company. Gierten did not invest the victim’s funds as promised. Instead, Gierten used the victim’s funds for his own personal expenses and to pay operating expenses of his own business.
In commenting on today’s conviction, United States Attorney Wigginton stated: "Any fraud by an Investment Advisor against his or her clients is intolerable. Gierten’s crime was even more heinous, because he took advantage of one of our elderly citizens. I hope today’s sentence sends a message to would-be fraudsters that stealing from elderly persons in Southern Illinois will land you behind bars and my office will continue to pursue restitution for our victim until our victim is made whole."
The investigation was being conducted by the Securities Department of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Centralia Meth Dealers Enter Guilty PleasRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Michael A. Flanagan, 43, and Dusty Jo Gambill, 40, both of Centralia, Illinois, pled guilty Friday, July 31, 2015, to an 11-count indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury against them and others. All charges relate to the production and distribution of methamphetamine. Both Flanagan and Gambill were charged in Count 1 of the indictment with Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine from February 28, 2014, through October 1, 2014, in Clinton and Marion Counties. Gambill was also charged in Count 7 of the indictment with Possession of a Listed Chemical (Pseudoephedrine) Knowing or Having Reasonable Cause to Believe that It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine.
Count 1 carries a penalty of not less than 5 years, up to a maximum of 40 years in federal prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. Count 7 carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and not less than 3 years’ supervised release. Both counts require an assessment of $100. There is no parole in the federal system. Sentencing is scheduled November 6, 2015, for Gambill, and November 13, 2015, for Flanagan.
Information leading to the charges against Flanagan and Gambill was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, and the Centralia Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Collinsville Resident Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Jeffrey C. Brown, 35, of Collinsville, Illinois, entered pleas of guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud (in a scheme to obtain money and property through the use of unauthorized access devices through the commission of identity theft) and to Aggravated Identity Theft, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Brown faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release after serving his sentence, as well as mandatory restitution for the offense of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud. Brown faces a mandatory consecutive two year prison sentence for the offense of Aggravated Identity Theft. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 17, 2015.
As part of the plea, Brown admitted stealing mail out of mailboxes. The stolen mail mater contained means of identification of other persons that included names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers. As part of the conspiracy, Brown and a co-conspirator used that information to apply for and obtain credit cards of other persons without authorization. The credit cards were then used to make purchases. Some of the fraudulently obtained items were then shipped or mailed to the residence of Brown and/or the co-conspirator.
Because Brown previously violated conditions of pretrial release by cutting off a GPS tracking device and not returning home, he has been detained, that is, held without bond since his arrest.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Collinsville Police Department, the Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations, and the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Chicago Man Sentenced for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Allen J. Redmond, 51, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on July 30, 2015, to a total of 84 months in prison on one count of a four-count indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Following his prison sentence, Redmond will be on federal supervised release for 5 years and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, as well as a $100 special assessment. An Order for forfeiture was entered in the amount of $500,000.
Evidence in Court showed that between approximately January 2010 and January 2013, Redmond was involved in an organization which engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
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.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, MEGSI, and the Illinois State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Centralia Couple Plead Guilty to Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Franklin J. Johnson, 32, and his wife, Deanna A. Johnson, both of Centralia, Illinois, pled guilty on July 30, 2015, to all charges brought against them in an indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in November 2014. The Johnsons were both charged with Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1), Distribution of Methamphetamine (Counts 2 and 3 for Franklin, and Count 3 for Deanna), and Possession of Chemicals, Products and Materials with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine (Count 4). The Conspiracy operated from January 2014, through August 13, 2014, in Clinton and Marion Counties. The remaining crimes took place in Marion County.
Count 1 carries a penalty of not less than 5 years, and up to 40 years in federal prison, not more than a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release to follow imprisonment. Counts 2 and 3 carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and not less than 3 years’ supervised release. Count 4 carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years’ supervised release. All counts require an assessment of $100.
Information leading to the charges against Franklin and Deanna Johnson was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. The Marion County State’s Attorney’s Office supported the investigation and prosecution. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Florida Man Sentenced for Extortion of Carbondale BusinessmanRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that James W. Russell, 36, of Lake Worth, FL, was sentenced in the United States District Court in Benton, Illinois on one count of extortion. Russell was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Russell was also ordered to pay full restitution to the victim of his crime.
At the time of his guilty plea, Russell admitted that beginning in February 2008, he extorted money from an individual who operated a business in Carbondale, IL, by threatening to expose certain activities of the businessman (due to victim privacy concerns, the name of the businessman is not noted herein). Russell convinced the business owner to provide cash payments and Russell forced the victim to pay various expenses on his behalf, including purchasing a boat for Russell to live on in Florida, providing a car for the Russell to drive, and purchasing a motorcycle for Russell to ride. The investigation revealed that the extortion continued for a period of more than five years. The total amount of cash payments and expenses paid by the victim was $204,484.64.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
St. Louis Man Charged with Distribution of HeroinRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Ronald Terry, 32, of St. Louis, MO, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury for three counts of distribution of heroin. Each charge carries maximum penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between July 2, 2015, and July 8, 2015, in St. Clair County. Terry was arrested by a criminal complaint and made his initial appearance in federal court on July 17, 2015. Terry is detained in federal custody pending trial.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, and the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force Agency. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa T. Lu.
Belleville Man Indicted for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Joseph Capeheart, 28, of Belleville, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury, on the charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The charge carries the maximum penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Capeheart is detained, that is, held without bond, pending his arraignment hearing set for August 13, 2015.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 21, 2015, in St. Clair County, Capeheart possessed a Western Auto Revelation, model 100, caliber .22 bolt action rifle, bearing no serial number. The indictment also alleges that Capeheart had previously been convicted on April 13, 2013, of the felony offense of Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa T. Lu.
St. Ann Woman Pled Guilty in A Tax Scheme to Obtain “Free Money”Read the Press Release
Ebonyi Blakely, 28, from St. Ann, Missouri, pled guilty to an indictment that charged her with conspiracy to obstruct or impair the Internal Revenue Service in the lawful assessment and collection of income taxes and distribution of tax refunds, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Sentencing is set for November 6, 2015.
Blakely admitted that she conspired with and assisted a dishonest tax preparer, Tanya Nichols, who filed false tax returns to claim inflated refundable tax credits for low-income tax filers such as the earned income tax credit (EIC) and the child tax credit, which were refunded to the filer. Blakely
recruited individuals to have their returns prepared by Nichols. Blakely admitted that she had her own federal income tax return prepared by the dishonest tax preparer. The false information contained in the income tax returns prevented the IRS from making an accurate ascertainment, computation, and assessment of tax liabilities. It also prevented the IRS from making a correct distribution of income tax refunds. The false tax returns generated a larger tax refund than the filer was entitled to receive. Tanya Nichols was sentenced on June 12, 2015, to a prison sentence of 57 months.
Conspiracy is punishable by not more than 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Internal Revenue Service / Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
East St. Louis Woman Sentenced for Firearm Violation and Conspiracy to Obstruct JusticeRead the Press Release
An East St. Louis woman, convicted of Transfer of a Firearm to a Felon and Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison on July 27, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Loletha Eckford, 34, of East St. Louis, IL, had previously pled guilty to those offenses on April 2, 2015. Following release from imprisonment, Eckford will serve a 1 year term of supervised release. Eckford was also ordered to pay a $400 fine and a $200 special assessment.
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, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Illinois State Police, and East St. Louis, Illinois, Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce.
Richland County Woman Sentenced in Federal Court on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A Richland County woman was sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On July 23, 2015, Jacque Lee Brown, 44, of Olney, Illinois, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release following her prison term, and fined $300. Brown had previously pleaded guilty, admitting that from April 8, 2009, to September 7, 2012, in Richland County, Brown knowingly and intentionally possessed Pseudoephedrine pills, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pills would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Olney Man Indicted for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that David Mitchell Carter, 49, of Olney, Illinois, was indicted on July 22, 2015, by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court in East Saint Louis, Illinois, on one count of Theft of Government Funds. If convicted, Carter faces maximum penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The indictment alleges that from around January 2008, continuing to around January 2014, Carter did knowingly steal and convert money belonging to the Social Security Administration, having a value in excess of $1,000.00, by concealing his employment status in order to receive benefits from the Social Security Administration’s Title II Disability Insurance Benefits program, to which he knew he was not entitled by failing to disclose income he earned through employment.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Missouri Man Indicted for Attempting to Pass Forged PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Luke Xavier Lore, 47, formerly of Saint Louis, Missouri, was indicted on July 22, 2015, by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court in East Saint Louis, Illinois. Lore was charged with two counts of Attempting to Acquire or Obtain a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception or Subterfuge. The charges carry maximum penalties of four years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Lore is detained, that is, held without bond, pending trial.
The indictment alleges that on or about February 2, 2015, in Madison County, and on or about April 6, 2015, in Saint Clair County, Lore forged prescriptions and attempted to have them passed at pharmacies. In February, as alleged, he attempted to illegally obtain Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, and Alprazolam (trade name: Xanax), a Schedule IV controlled substance. In April, as alleged, he attempted to illegally obtain Hydrocodone (trade name: Norco).
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 Liam Coonan.
Five Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Methamphetamine and Heroin OffensesRead the Press Release
Five southern Illinois residents were indicted on July 7, 2015, in a two-count superseding indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Franklin S. Denault, a/k/a "Frankie D," 38, Steeleville, Michael F. Halliday, a/k/a "Micky," 33, of Elkville, and Nicholas C. Draege, 24, of DuQuoin, are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. The superseding indictment alleges that the methamphetamine offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. Denault, along with Leah A. Bean, 33, and Jami L. Hoelscher, 36, both of Steeleville, are charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin. The superseding indictment alleges that the heroin offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015 in Perry and Randolph Counties.
Draege made his initial appearance in federal court on July 14, 2015. Denault, Halliday, Bean, and Hoelscher made their initial appearances in federal court on July 20, 2015. The co-defendants were ordered held without bond pending a September 14, 2015, jury trial. Seven co-defendants, who were charged in the original indictment, have previously made court appearances on these charges.
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 and heroin offenses carry penalties of a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, 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, 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.
Clay County Man Sentenced in Federal Court on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A Clay County man was sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On July 23, 2015, Richard H. Barber, 49, of Louisville, Illinois, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, three years’ supervised release following his imprisonment, and fined $400. Barber had previously pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that from June 2014, until on or about October 28, 2014, in Clay County, and elsewhere within the Southern District of Illinois, Barber conspired with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to manufacture a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Count 2 charged that on October 28, 2014, in Clay County, Barber possessed equipment, chemicals, products, or materials which can be used to manufacture methamphetamine, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe, that those items would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force. The Clay County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Olney Man Indicted for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that David Mitchell Carter, 49, of Olney, Illinois, was indicted on July 22, 2015, by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court in East Saint Louis, Illinois, on one count of Theft of Government Funds. If convicted, Carter faces maximum penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The indictment alleges that from around January 2008, continuing to around January 2014, Carter did knowingly steal and convert money belonging to the Social Security Administration, having a value in excess of $1,000.00, by concealing his employment status in order to receive benefits from the Social Security Administration’s Title II Disability Insurance Benefits program, to which he knew he was not entitled by failing to disclose income he earned through employment.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Clay County Man Sentenced in Federal Court on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A Clay County man was sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On July 23, 2015, Richard H. Barber, 49, of Louisville, Illinois, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, three years’ supervised release following his imprisonment, and fined $400. Barber had previously pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that from June 2014, until on or about October 28, 2014, in Clay County, and elsewhere within the Southern District of Illinois, Barber conspired with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to manufacture a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Count 2 charged that on October 28, 2014, in Clay County, Barber possessed equipment, chemicals, products, or materials which can be used to manufacture methamphetamine, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe, that those items would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force. The Clay County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Two Persons Sentenced for Organized Drug Conspiracy and DistributionRead the Press Release
Jason Crabtree, 40, of Centralia, Illinois, was sentenced on July 22, 2015 to a total of 60 months in prison on a four-count indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Following his prison sentence, Crabtree will be on federal supervised release for 5 years and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, as well as a $200 special assessment. An Order for forfeiture was entered in the amount of $75,000.
On July 22, 2015, co-defendant Cambryn M. Baker, 34, of Odin, Illinois, was also sentenced. Baker was sentenced to an 18 month split sentence (9 months in prison, 9 months on home confinement) for her part in the indictment charging her with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments and Concealing or Disguising the Nature, Source, Location, Ownership or Control of the Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity. Following her split sentence, Baker will be on federal supervised release for 2 years and 3 months and was ordered to pay a $400 fine and $200 special assessment.
Between approximately January 2010 and January 2013, Crabtree, Baker, and others were involved in an organization which engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, MEGSI and Illinois State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Thirteen Persons Face Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, has charged thirteen Southern Illinois residents with narcotics-related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Five individuals were charged with possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent that it be used for the production of methamphetamine. Those charged with those offenses are: Jordan D.E. Dunstan, 24, of Harrisburg, Illinois; Carolyn S. Glore-McGhee, 43, of Harrisburg, Illinois; Amanda K. Lewis, 30, of Brookport, Illinois; Marty A. Gibson, 43, of DuQuoin, Illinois; and Jared L. Hall, 29, of Galatia, Illinois.
Five more individuals were charged with conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine pills and with possessing pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Those so charged are: Diana L. Osteen, 49, of West Frankfort, Illinois; Richard L. Poole, 49, of West Frankfort, Illinois; Jerry D. Porritt, 51, of West Frankfort, Illinois; Adam J. Craig, 24, of West Frankfort, Illinois; and Gayla L. Craig, 58, of West Frankfort, Illinois.
Two individuals were charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Those persons are: Blakely D. Sullivan, 48, of Bonnie, Illinois, and Miki Jo Lampley, 40, of Benton, Illinois.
One person was charged with distribution of cocaine: Michael G. Nolen, 65, of Benton, Illinois, was charged with committing that offense in Franklin County, Illinois.
Those charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine face 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Those charged with conspiracy to provide pseudoephedrine pills to others or with providing pseudoephedrine pills to others face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The individual charged with distribution of cocaine faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
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 Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West City Police Department, Sesser Police Department, Christopher Police Department, Zeigler Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Saline County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.
East St. Louis Man Indicted for Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today, that a federal Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment charging a local man with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child and three counts of child sex trafficking.
Michael Johnson, also known as "Daddy Tru," and "Tru," 38, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child by force, fraud, and coercion, and on three counts of sex trafficking of a child by force, fraud, and coercion.
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 case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Division, and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, 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.
Two Carbondale Residents Sentenced on Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On July 14, 2015, James C. Leming, 54, and Dawn E. Unterfer, 45, both of Carbondale, IL, were sentenced for their involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Leming and Unterfer, who had previously pled guilty to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, were sentenced to 87 months and 78 months in federal prison, respectively. Both were also placed on 3 years’ supervised release and fined $300. The offense occurred between 2010 and January 2014, in Jackson, Williamson, Union, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Leming and Unterfer were involved with each other and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Both co-defendants purchased pseudoephedrine for others to use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearings, the district court found that Leming was responsible for the illegal possession of 229 grams of pseudoephedrine and that Unterfer was found responsible for the illegal possession of 253 grams of pseudoephedrine. Seven co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their involvement in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Three co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Crawford County Man Sentenced to over 24 Years in Federal Prison on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A Crawford County man, David C. Halterman, 45, of Palestine, IL, was sentenced on July 20, 2015, to over 24 years (292 months) in federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
"Methamphetamine is a cancer on our society, ruining lives and destroying communities." said United States Attorney Wigginton. "It is my fervent hope that the long sentences that result from use of methamphetamine will deter young folks from falling prey to the manufacture and use of this deadly chemical! Methamphetamine will rob you not only of the present, but of any future you might expect."
Halterman was also ordered to serve five years’ supervised release following his imprisonment, and fined $400. Halterman had previously pleaded guilty. The indictment charged that Halterman, Rebecca A. Moore, 37, of Yale, Illinois, Ashley M. Attaway, 30, of Yale, Illinois, and Ricky Lee Roberts, II, 39, of Franklin, Indiana, conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine, and, that on October 11-12, 2013, in Jasper County, Halterman knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine.
Attaway was previously sentenced to 188 months in prison; Moore to 168 months in prison, and Roberts to 262 months in prison.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The Jasper County State’s Attorney’s Office has assisted throughout the investigation in this case.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Three Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Crack Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
Three southern Illinois residents were indicted on July 7, 2015, in a one-count indictment, charging conspiracy to distribute 28 or more grams of crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Tommy T. Langston, a/k/a "G," 35, of Herrin, Tammy R. Whitton, 45, of Mt. Vernon, and Jeffery L. Cain, a/k/a "Fatz," 35, of Carbondale, are charged with conspiracy to distribute 28 or more grams of crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between October 2014 and March 2015, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Langston and Cain made their initial appearances in federal court in Benton on July 9, 2015. Whitton made her initial appearance in federal court on July 13, 2015, and appeared at a detention hearing on July 16, 2015. All three co-defendants are currently being held without bond pending their September 14, 2015, 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 crack cocaine offense carries a penalty of 5-40 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $5,000,000 fine.
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.
Salem Man Sentenced on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Jeffrey A. Kirkman, 29, of Salem, Illinois, was sentenced today to 54 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $750 fine and a $300 special assessment. Sentencing followed a guilty plea in April 2014 to all charges against Kirkman brought in an indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in December 2014. Kirkman was sentenced for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine and one count of Possession of a Listed Chemical (Pseudoephedrine) Knowing or Having Reason to Know It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine. The offenses occurred in Marion County, Illinois.
Information leading to the charges against Kirkman was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Four Perry County Residents Plead Guilty to Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On July 16, 2015, four Perry County residents pled guilty to methamphetamine offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Skyler A. Elder, 25, Joseph D. Smith, 41, Jamie L. Smith, 34, and Herman E. Sims, Jr., 35, all of Pinckneyville, pled guilty to the offense of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The Smiths also pled guilty to one count of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred between 2012 and December 2014, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Franklin Counties. The Smiths were allowed to remain on bond, pending their November 17, 2015, sentencing hearings. Elder and Sims are currently being held without bond, pending their sentencing hearings, which are set for November 17, 2015, and November 3, 2015, respectively. Co-defendant Jamie Trzinski has previously pled guilty to her role in the methamphetamine offenses and is scheduled for a September 15, 2015, sentencing hearing.
The methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release. The methamphetamine offense carries a fine of up to $1,000,000 fine, while the pseudoephedrine offense carries a fine of up to $250,000.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, and DuQuoin Police Department. The Pinckneyville Police Department and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Former Florida TV Weatherman Sentenced for Telemarketing FraudRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Robert J. Lopicola, 45, of Brooksville, FL, was sentenced in the United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois on his conviction for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. Lopicola was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The court ordered that Lopicola will serve this federal sentence consecutively to, or after, he completes the sentence he is currently serving in the state of Florida for unrelated offenses. Lopicola was also fined $300 and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
Lopicola was a telemarketer at C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, also known as Premier Timeshare Solutions (PTS). PTS telemarketers earned commissions that were based upon the volume of sales made. PTS operated out of offices located in West Palm Beach Florida. The company targeted owners of timeshares throughout the United States and Canada who wished to sell their timeshares. By falsely representing that PTS had located buyers who were interested in purchasing the victims’ timeshares, the closers convinced the victims to pay upfront fees of approximately $2,000 to PTS. During the lifespan of the scam, PTS defrauded over 7,000 people out of approximately $14.5 million. Victims were located throughout the United States and Canada.
Prior to working at PTS, Lopicola was a weatherman for WPTV in West Palm Beach.
This prosecution is one of more than 50 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 Inspection Service, assisted by the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Verseman and Michael Hallock.
Kinmundy Man Sentenced to 84 Months on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that James C. Riley, 44, of Kinmundy, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis for the crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Riley was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a fine of $300. The charge relates to Riley’s possession of four firearms in April, 2009, at his home in Kinmundy, and his sale of the four firearms in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, in April, 2009. Riley was previously convicted of Retail Theft, in violation of Illinois State law on October 13, 2004, in Ogle County, Illinois.
The case was investigated by members of the Illinois Secretary of State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Justice Department Obtains $251,500 Settlement in Housing Discrimination Lawsuit Against Effingham, Illinois, LandlordRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the owners and operators of Four Seasons Estates Mobile Home Park in Effingham, Illinois, to settle allegations of race and familial status discrimination. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois, the defendants must pay $217,500 to victims of discrimination, who intervened in the lawsuit, to account for the harm they suffered and their attorneys’ fees, and an additional $34,000 to the government as a civil penalty.
The lawsuit alleged that the mobile home park’s manager, Barbara Crubaugh, refused to let an African-American individual be added as a resident at the park when he moved in with his white girlfriend and her uncle. The lawsuit also alleged that while the African-American individual was staying at the mobile home park, he was subjected to harassment by the manager’s son, David Crubaugh. The family moved out after the park threatened them with eviction if the African-American individual did not move out. They contacted HOPE Fair Housing Center, an organization in Illinois that advocates for equal opportunity in housing, who in turn contacted the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Justice Department. HUD referred the complaints to the Justice Department for further investigation as a potential pattern or practice of discrimination.
The lawsuit also alleged discrimination on the basis of race based on fair housing testing conducted by the Department of Justice’s Fair Housing Testing Program. The testing revealed that Barbara Crubaugh treated prospective residents differently based on their race by, for example, requiring African-American testers to fill out applications while not requiring white testers to do so, asking African-American testers if they had felonies but not asking the same of white testers, informing African-American testers that she would have to inspect their mobile home while not so informing white testers and quoting higher move-in costs to African-American testers.
Until this lawsuit was filed, there had been no African-American residents at the mobile home park since at least 2007, when Barbara Crubaugh became manager.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleged, and the defendants admitted, that they discriminated on the basis of familial status (having children under the age of 18) by prohibiting families with children from living on one of the four rows of lots at the mobile home park.
“Federal law guarantees everyone the right to housing on equal terms and the right to live free from harassment because of their race or color,” said head of the Civil Rights Division, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Settlements such as this one help ensure that all people can enjoy that right.”
“I am pleased that the operators of this mobile home park agreed to do the right thing,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton of the Southern District of Illinois. “In this era, discrimination on the basis of race or family situation should be nothing more than a bad memory of times past. A future free from discrimination will be a better future for all of the people of Southern Illinois.”
“Individuals and families looking for decent affordable housing shouldn't be treated differently just because of their race or because they have children,” said Assistant Secretary Gustavo Velasquez of HUD. “It unfairly limits their housing options and it violates the law. We will continue to work with our fair housing partners and the Justice Department to ensure that property owners and managers meet their obligation to comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act.”
In addition to monetary payments, the consent order requires defendants to implement a nondiscrimination policy, establish new nondiscriminatory application and rental procedures and undergo training on the Fair Housing Act.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt/. Persons who believe they have experienced or witnessed unlawful housing discrimination may call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected], or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777. More information about the Fair Housing Act can also be found at www.justice.gov/crt/housing or www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to Life Plus 900 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
An East St. Louis man was sentenced to a term of life in federal prison, to be followed by additional, consecutive terms in prison totaling 900 months (terms of 240 months, 120 months, 240 months and 300 months, all consecutive to each other and to the term of life in prison) on July 15, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Timothy Collier, 48, will serve the rest of his natural life in federal prison, with no possibility of parole, for robbing the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan and shooting the owner on April 25, 2013, and for robbing a Belleville liquor store on July 12, 2013. The case was prosecuted as part of the United States Attorney Wigginton’s anti-armed robbery initiative.
"The horrific nature of this crime and its lasting aftermath shows that Collier deserves every day of this sentence. Such wanton and repeated violence can only be met with sentences which permanently remove the offenders from our community. Only in this manner can the public feel safe. I sincerely hope that my message that if you engage in these acts, you will be caught and you will be sent to a federal prison, maybe forever, is having some deterrent effect. For those who choose to ignore my message, I simply note that you do so at your own peril." said United States Attorney Wigginton.
At sentencing, Chief United States District Court Judge Michael J. Reagan noted that Collier had "a dark heart and no conscience" in committing these crimes.
Evidence presented at trial established that on April 25, 2013, Collier entered the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan armed with a silver revolver and pointed it at the owner of the business. Collier opened fire when the owner of the business resisted. Collier shot the owner in the hand, shoulder and chest. The shot to the chest damaged the victim’s spinal cord causing him to fall onto the counter. As the victim lay motionless and powerless across the counter, Collier climbed on top of him and pressed his revolver to the back of the owner’s head directly behind his ear and fired a point-blank final shot.
As a result of the shooting, the store owner is paralyzed from the chest down and wheelchair-bound for life. Collier stole hundreds of women’s rings and other items of jewelry, as well as cash and a .357 revolver. Although Collier was not immediately apprehended, the entire robbery and shooting was recorded on the store’s video surveillance which captured Collier’s face during the robbery and as he fled the store.
Three months later, on July 12, 2013, Collier conspired with his niece, Charmonequette Reynolds, and another associate, Roderick Taylor, to rob Arena Liquor in Belleville, Illinois. Reynolds, acting as the getaway driver, drove Collier and Taylor in her gold Grand Am to an area near Arena Liquor where the two men entered Arena Liquors armed with a silver revolver and a black and silver .40 caliber handgun. Collier and Taylor entered the store and immediately pointed the firearms at the two individuals working in the store and demanded all of the money from the cash registers. Collier and Taylor left the liquor store with a large sum of United States currency and a cell phone belonging to one of the victims, returned to the getaway vehicle, and the three fled from the scene.
A witness driving near Arena Liquor noticed Collier and Taylor running from the liquor store and followed them as they ran several blocks to the getaway vehicle. The witness recorded the license plates of Reynolds’ gold Grand Am and gave the number to Belleville Police officers. Reynolds was identified and apprehended within hours of the robbery. During a recorded interview, Reynolds admitted her involvement in the planning and participation in the armed robbery of Arena Liquor and identified Collier and Roderick Taylor as the two gunmen. Roderick Taylor was arrested later that same day and also admitted during a recorded interview to his participation in the armed robbery of Arena Liquor and identified Collier as the second gunman.
The silver revolver and the black and silver .40 caliber handgun used to commit the robberies were recovered by law enforcement after Collier’s girlfriend admitted that she gave the two guns to two of Collier’s childhood friends to hide after Collier’s arrest. The silver revolver Collier used in the robbery and shooting of the owner of the East St. Louis pawn shop was turned over to law enforcement officers by Collier’s best friend who admitted during trial that he had been hiding the gun for Collier. Forensic analysis of the silver revolver performed by the Illinois State Police Forensic Crime Laboratory revealed a ballistic match to a bullet recovered from the crime scene of the East St. Louis pawn shop shooting. Analysis of the barrel of the silver revolver also revealed a DNA match to the victim of the shooting, unquestionably linking the firearm to the robbery of the East St. Louis Jewelry and Loan.
Collier was found guilty on all counts in November 2014, following a six-day jury trial.
In addition to being sentenced to life in prison plus 900 months, Collier was ordered to pay restitution, which will be assessed within ninety days, and a $500 special assessment.
United States Attorney Wigginton’s Anti-Armed Robbery Initiative seeks to identify commercial armed robberies that can be prosecuted in federal court, under the Hobbs Act, to serve as an additional deterrent. United States Attorney Wigginton noted, "My anti-armed robbery initiative was designed for career criminals like Collier. My Office and our partners in Law Enforcement are committed to bringing the full force of the federal government down on those who commit violent crimes."
The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Belleville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the East St. Louis Police Department. The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Ali Summers and Steve Weinhoeft.
Chicago Man Sentenced on Heroin OffenseRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Dominique A. Burwell, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on July 13, 2015, to 70 months in federal prison on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin from September 2012 through October 2014 in Marion County (Count 1); and Distribution of Heroin on July 29, 2014, in Marion County (Count 7). In addition, Burwell was ordered to serve a term of four years’ supervised release following prison, to pay a $500 fine, and to pay a $200 special assessment.
According to court documents, Burwell agreed with his co-defendants, a cousin and a friend, to distribute heroin for profit in Centralia, Marion County, Illinois. Burwell and the others shared a cell phone which customers would contact to order heroin. Burwell often answered the shared cell phone, took the order, and then sent the others to complete the transaction with the customer at whatever location Burwell designated.
Information leading to the charges against Burwell was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Madison Woman Sentenced for Healthcare FraudRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Angela Jones, 51, of Madison, Illinois, was sentenced on July 10, 2015, for engaging in a scheme to commit health care fraud by defrauding the Home Services Program, which is a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home.
Jones was sentenced to two years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Jones must pay a special assessment of $100, and restitution in the amount of $13,401.05. Jones pled guilty in United States District Court to the charges on March 12, 2015. At the plea she admitted that she had submitted false and fraudulent bills in regard to the providing of personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead entering a nursing home. Jones admitted that she was actually incarcerated while she was billing the Home Services Program.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Illinois State Police, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and Michael Hallock.
Man Charged with Armed Robbery of Shop ‘N Save Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Devante J. Hodges, 22, of Cahokia, IL, plead guilty in the United States District Court to a three-count indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Stephen R. Wigginton, 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 Wigginton as a way to combat armed robbery in the Southern District of Illinois. Hodges has been in custody since he was charged on February 6, 2015.
Documents filed in the U.S. District Court establish that on January 11, 2015, Hodges, Lemarcus Jackson, Undray Webb, and Byron Holton entered the Shop ‘n Save, located at 1028 Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia, Illinois, masked, gloved and armed with a black handgun, a chrome semi-automatic handgun, a large frame revolver, and a long rifle with a high capacity magazine. Hodges, Jackson, Webb, and Holton pointed the firearms at employees and customers within the store and threatened to kill a customer if they were not given money from the store safe. Holton jumped the service counter and demanded the employees place money from the safe into a black book bag while Hodges, Jackson, and Webb stood guard at the door with their firearms. Hodges, Jackson, Webb and Holton then left the store and fled the area in a vehicle being driven by the getaway driver, Durand Harper.
Hodges was arrested and interviewed by law enforcement. During the interview, Hodges admitted to being one of the four gunmen who robbed the Shop ‘n Save and identified Byron Holton, Undray Webb and Lemarcus Jackson as the other three gunmen and Durand Harper as the getaway driver. Hodges stated he was the masked man with the large frame revolver. Hodges admitted that he receive approximately $1,000 in proceeds from the robbery.
Hodges faces a prison term of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years on the Hobbs Act violations. On the count of Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Hodges faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 7 years up to a maximum term of Life, consecutive to, meaning in addition to, any term of imprisonment imposed on the Hobbs Act violations. Sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2015, in East St. Louis, Illinois.
As to Lemarcus Jackson, Undray Webb, Byron Holton, and Durand Harper, their cases are still pending, thus they are presumed innocent of the charges unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
Jackson County Man Pleads Guilty to EscapeRead the Press Release
On July 9, 2015, Kenneth D. Harris, Jr., 47, of Elkville, IL, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging escape, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that Harris is serving a 63 month sentence for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. In December 2014, the Bureau of Prisons transferred Harris’ custody from Greenville-FCI to Centerstone Residential Reentry Center in Marion. On March 25, 2015, Harris failed to return to Centerstone after being on work-release. Harris did not return to Centerstone and was located and arrested by the United States Marshals Service in Elkville on April 1, 2015.
The offense carries a penalty of up to an additional 5 years of time in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Harris is currently being held without bond pending a November 3, 2015, sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshals Service. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Heroin OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced that Frederick D. Purnell, Sr. was sentenced on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, to 27 months in federal prison for Possession of Heroin (With Intent to Distribute).
Purnell, 38 of East St. Louis, IL, pled guilty to the federal charge on April 14, 2015. According to evidence introduced at Purnell’s change of plea hearing, Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Purnell in Cahokia on April 4, 2013 and seized just over 5 grams of heroin (1/5 ounce) from a nightstand in his bedroom. Purnell told arresting officers that he had been selling heroin around Cahokia, and that he had intended to sell the heroin which police seized.
The investigation which resulted in Purnell’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Willie Watson, 38, of East St. Louis, IL, was sentenced this morning in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence showed that Watson was convicted of Criminal Attempt to Commit Rape of a Child in Tennessee in 1999. Due to that conviction, Watson was required to register as a sex offender. Watson last registered as a sex offender on October 15, 2012, in the state of Tennessee, but then moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, and failed to register as a sex offender once in Illinois. On November 15, 2014, he arrested by the Fairview Heights Police Department.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Fairview Heights Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.