Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearm Stolen from Rural King Break InRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Michael J. Khoury, 43, of Cahokia, Illinois, pled guilty today in the United States District Court to one count of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. Evidence showed that on January 19, 2015, Khoury and another individual broke in to Rural King, located at 2801 North Illinois, Swansea, Illinois, and stole over fifteen firearms. Khoury later sold one of the stolen firearms to a confidential informant, who provided that weapon to law enforcement. The serial number of that firearm matched the serial number of one of the firearms taken in the burglary.
Sentencing has been scheduled for August 21, 2015, in front of the Honorable David R. Herndon. Due to Khoury’s criminal history, he is eligible for sentencing as an Armed Career Criminal, thus he faces a minimum sentence of fifteen years in the Bureau of Prisons.
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.
Cahokia Man Sentenced to Prison for Destruction of EvidenceRead the Press Release
A Cahokia man, Raphael L. Harris, 22, convicted of Destruction of Evidence in violation of federal law, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison on May 11, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Harris was also sentenced to 1 year supervised release to follow imprisonment, a $150 fine and a $100 special assessment. Harris pleaded guilty to the charges on January 20, 2015. Harris has been in custody since his arrest. According to court documents, Harris was with David Bradford when they saw ATF agents conducting a search at Bradford’s East St. Louis residence. Harris and Bradford left the area, and Harris traded cell phones with Bradford. Harris later disposed of the cell phone because he believed it to be tapped. Bradford was later indicted for weapon and drug offenses and is awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Kit R. Morrissey, Assistant United States Attorney.
Belleville Man Sentenced to 15 Plus Years in Prison for Convenience Store RobberyRead the Press Release
Patrick S. McGuire, 49, of Belleville, Illinois was sentenced on May 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 188 months in prison and three years of supervised release for charges stemming from a robbery at Circle K Gas Station, located at 421 South Belt East, Belleville, IL, on July 25, 2014, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence showed that in the early morning hours of July 25, 2014, McGuire entered the Circle K Gas Station with a plastic bag over his head and a plastic bag covering a pointed object in his hand and demanded money from the lone clerk. McGuire got about $60 from the robbery. McGuire had been on probation for less than two weeks for a 2013 felony offense when he committed the robbery.
"As I said when I initiated this program, we will not stop our aggressive prosecutions of these cases until this scourge of robberies abates. If you are thinking about this type of opportunistic crime, be warned – federal penalties are harsh. You will serve a long time far away from your family and friends!" said United States Attorney Wigginton.
Noting McGuire’s fourteen previous felony convictions and over thirty misdemeanor convictions, the Honorable Nancy J. Rosenstengel commented that McGuire’s criminal history was "the most extensive criminal history I have seen" and called the robbery "one of many brazen robberies in this area." In sentencing McGuire to over fifteen years in prison, she stated, "I don’t think I’ve seen a case where there’s a stronger need to protect the public."
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Belleville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Two Swansea Men Plead Guilty to $1.6 Million FraudRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Qais Hussein, 44, and Majdi Odeh, 45, both of Swansea, Illinois, pled guilty to a four-count indictment charging that they along with others engaged in a conspiracy from January 2010 through July of 2012, to Unlawfully Acquire Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps benefits), Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation and Presentation of False Tax Returns, and Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods.
For the SNAP benefit conspiracy charge, both Hussein and Odeh face up to 5 years in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. For the tax fraud counts Hussein and Odeh face up to 3 years in federal prison, up to a $100,000, and one year of supervised release as to each of the two counts. For the trafficking in counterfeit goods charge, Hussein and Odeh face up to 10 years in federal prison, up to a $2,000,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Both men must also pay a $400 special assessment. Sentencing will be in United States District Court on September 3, 2015, in East St. Louis, Illinois.
During their plea hearing, Hussein and Odeh, brothers, who operated businesses in East St. Louis, Illinois, known as Garden Grill Market, Inc. and Garden Grill Market II, Inc., admitted to conspiring together and with others to fraudulently traffic in and acquire over $1 million dollars in federal SNAP benefits. The prosecution advised the Court that the actual loss to the program was approximately $1.6 million and that full restitution would be sought.
SNAP benefits are similar to United States currency in that SNAP recipients can purchase food from grocery retailers at the face value of their SNAP benefits. In most states, SNAP benefits are provided to recipients on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that is used like a bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. The SNAP recipients in Illinois receive an EBT card known as an "Illinois Link" card. Illinois SNAP recipients can use their Illinois Link card at an authorized retailer in any state.
Hussein and Odeh admitted that as part of the conspiracy, they would use Garden Grill Market Inc. and Garden Grill Market II, Inc., to unlawfully acquire SNAP benefits from customers by offering and unlawfully giving cash payments to those customers in the amount of 50 to 60 percent of the value of the Government SNAP benefits, with Hussein and Odeh keeping the difference. In addition, Hussein and Odeh fraudulently accepted SNAP benefits for ineligible items such as tobacco, cellular phones, and purses/handbags. Hussein and Odeh also admitted to buying Women, Infants and Children (WIC) vouchers by giving cash amounts less than the face value of the voucher.
As to the tax charges, Hussein and Odeh admitted that they had assisted in the preparation of two false 2010 tax returns by underreporting income generated by Garden Grill Market, Inc. and Garden Grill Market II, Inc.
As to the Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods, Hussein and Odeh admitted that from January of 2010, through July 2012 they trafficked in counterfeit goods, including watches, hats, DVDs and other items.
In addition to Hussein and Odeh, the owners of the Garden Grill stores, five employees have also been charged. Elsayed Hassan and Hossam Ahmed were charged along with Hussein and Odeh in the indictment with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Acquire Food Stamps. Albraa K. Sabrah, Alaa K.A. Jaber and Rami M. Abou Amra were all indicted separately and charged with Unauthorized Acquisition of SNAP Benefits. All five employees have also pled guilty.
United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton stated, "This successful investigation and prosecution is yet another step in the combined efforts of Federal law enforcement and prosecutors to unmask those who enrich themselves while others in our community who are in desperate need of assistance suffer from reduced benefits because of the fraud that is literally pillaging assistance programs. As I have said before, and it bears repeating, my office, the attorneys who prosecute these cases, and the agents who work tirelessly to investigate them simply will not stop. If you defraud the United States, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted!"
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and William E. Coonan.
Fort Lauderdale Man Sentenced for Telemarketing FraudRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Lev Derbaremdiker, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, was sentenced in the United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois on one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. Derbaremdiker was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Derbaremdiker was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
The investigation determined that Derbaremdiker was a closer at C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, also known as Premier Timeshare Solutions (PTS). Working out of office buildings in Florida, PTS, targeted owners of timeshares throughout the United States and Canada. In various court filings related to the PTS scam, the government has alleged that the overall scam bilked consumers of $14.5 million from over 7,000 people throughout the United States and Canada.
This prosecution is one of nearly 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 with assistance from the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney’s Scott Verseman and Michael Hallock.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Drug, Attempted Robbery, and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Micky Gibb, 25, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on Friday by United States District Court Judge David R. Herndon to 120 months in federal prison for committing four felonies in July 2013: (1) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; (2) attempted interference with commerce (robbery); (3) using or carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and a crime of violence; and (4) possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, in July 2013, Gibb agreed with two men to rob a drug stash house containing cocaine. Gibb’s codefendants brought two loaded firearms with them to assist in the robbery. ATF agents, who had been investigating Gibb and his codefendants’ plans to commit the robbery, arrested the three men in St. Louis. Gibb was charged in federal court in East St. Louis, Illinois with four charges and pled guilty to all counts.
Gibb was sentenced to a total of 120 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system. In addition to the prison sentence, Gibb must serve a total of five years of supervised release and pay $400 in court fees.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump was assigned the prosecution.
Belleville Woman Sentenced for Making False Claims in Operating Tax Preparation BusinessRead the Press Release
Dorresa Braggs, 46, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced to serve a total of 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release, as a result of her convictions for ten counts of Making False Claims Against the United States and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
In Braggs’ case, potential fraud was detected by the Scheme Development Center of the I.R.S. The investigation determined that from 2010 through 2012, Braggs filed 152 fraudulent tax returns for the tax year 2010 and 49 fraudulent tax returns for the tax year 2011, for a total of 201 fraudulent tax returns. The 201 fraudulent tax returns submitted to the IRS created an attempted total tax loss of $1,395,370. The IRS declined or denied a significant amount of the fraudulent tax returns submitted by Braggs and the amount paid by the IRS was determined to be $579,705, which was ordered to be repaid as restitution.
The returns included fraudulent or falsified W-2 (income/withholdings) Schedule C (business expenses/losses), and Form 8863 (education credits) and falsified dependents. Braggs submitted the claims via the internet using H&R Block and Turbotax software, and refunds were issued in check and direct deposit form. The direct deposit refunds were typically issued to prepaid debit cards, which the defendant purchased and used to receive and disperse the fraudulent tax refunds. The addresses used on the tax returns were typically not the right address for the taxpayer but an address that she controlled through a friend or family member. The refunds, if directed to be loaded on prepaid cards were often a different address than the tax return or the real address of the taxpayer. Braggs’ tax preparation fee ranged from $500 to $1,000, and her fees were based on the amount of refund the client received. At sentencing it was disclosed that Braggs even filed a tax return for her oldest son, who was in jail for a murder. At the time he was in the Illinois Department of Corrections, Braggs filed a federal tax return on his behalf claiming he was working at a St. Louis hospital and had a side business as a mechanic. Braggs spent a large portion of the money received from the fraudulent tax returns gambling at St. Louis area casinos.
It was also revealed that at the time she was in the business of preparing fraudulent returns, Braggs was also receiving public aid. Braggs was collecting food stamps, receiving
housing assistance from St. Clair County, and was a representative payee for Social Security benefits for her son.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
St. Louis Man Charged with Armed Robberies of Auto Parts Stores in Collinsville and BellevilleRead the Press Release
Michael D. Dean, 24, of St. Louis, MO was arraigned Friday on a four count Indictment charging him with two counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, violations of the Hobbs Act, and two counts of Carrying and Using a Firearm during a Crime of Violence.
The charges stem from two armed robberies of Advanced Auto Parts stores in Collinsville and Belleville in April 2015. If convicted of the Hobbs Act charges, Dean faces a term in federal prison of not more than twenty years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years on each offense. If convicted of both counts of Carrying and Using a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, Dean faces a minimum term of imprisonment of thirty-two years to run consecutive to, or in addition to, any term of imprisonment on the Hobbs Act charges.
The case is being investigated by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the Collinsville Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Madison County Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Pontoon Beach Gas StationRead the Press Release
Shawn Bequette, 23, a resident of Madison County, Illinois, pled guilty on May 7, 2015, to Hobbs Act Robbery, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Bequette was ordered held without bond pending a sentencing hearing scheduled for September 24, 2015, before the Honorable Michael J. Reagan, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
The investigation revealed that in the early morning hours of October 6, 2014, Bequette robbed a gas station in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. Witnesses to the crime chased Bequette as he left the gas station, subdued him, and called the police. The charges in this case include a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pontoon Beach Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.
Kinmundy Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of A Firearm by A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that James Conrad Riley, 44, of Kinmundy, Illinois, pled guilty on May 6, 2015, to an Indictment charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The prior felony alleged in the Indictment was Retail Theft, for which Riley was convicted in Ogle County, Illinois, on or about October 13, 2004.
The charges relate to an incident that occurred in April, 2009, when Riley sold four firearms to an individual in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The transaction did not come to the attention of the Government until late 2013; Riley was charged in March, 2014, shortly before his anticipated release from a halfway house, following incarceration on separate federal charges for Sale of Stolen Motor Vehicles, for which he had been sentenced on November 7, 2011.
Riley also has prior convictions for Burglary of Vehicle, Aggravated Battery, Unlawful Possession of a Motor Vehicle, Driving While License Revoked, and Criminal Trespass.
Sentencing has been set for September 16, 2015, at 10 a.m. in federal district court in East St. Louis. The maximum penalties that can be imposed are ten years in prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a fine of $250,000.
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.
Former FCI-Greenville Inmate Sentenced for Possession of Contraband by A Federal InmateRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 7, 2015, Rodney George Plenty Hawk, Jr., 36, formerly an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Greenville, IL ("FCI-Greenville"), was sentenced for Possession of Contraband by a Federal Inmate. Plenty Hawk received 18 months in federal prison, which must run consecutive (in addition) to the remainder of his current sentence, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Plenty Hawk has been detained since his arraignment on the Indictment on December 5, 2014.
The charge occurred on November 5, 2014, when a correctional officer at FCI-Greenville received information that Plenty Hawk might be under the influence of alcohol. Based on this information, Plenty Hawk was escorted to an area for a visual search of his person and so that he could provide a urine sample. Before the search began, Plenty Hawk told the correctional officers that he had a "shank" on his person which he subsequently turned over to the officers. The "shank" was a white plastic rod, approximately 9½ inches long, sharpened to a point at one end with a braided cord at the other end. Federal inmates are prohibited from possessing "shanks" or any type of home-made weapon, and these items are considered contraband within FCI-Greenville.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prison’s Special Investigations Section. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former Columbia Resident Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Prepubescent Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 7, 2015, Dan Stephen Daniels, 59, formerly of Columbia, IL, pled guilty to a two-count Indictment charging him, in Count 1, with Receipt of Child Pornography, and, in Count 2, Possession of Prepubescent Child Pornography. On Count 1, Daniels faces a term in federal prison of not less than five years but not more than twenty years, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of five years to life. On Count 2, Daniels faces a prison term of not more than twenty years, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of five years to life. Daniels’ sentencing is scheduled for October 2, 2015, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Daniels has been detained (held without bond) since his arraignment on the Indictment on February 20, 2015.
Facts revealed in Court showed that the charges arose after an undercover Internet investigation by the FBI’s Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force downloaded approximately fourteen images of child pornography between February 9, and August 5, 2014, from a computer in Illinois that was offering the images to share. An investigation traced the computer to the Daniels’ residence in Columbia, Illinois. A federal search warrant executed at the Daniels’ residence on October 17, 2014, produced an eMachines desktop computer, an Apple MacBook Pro laptop computer, and a SanDisk 4 GB thumb drive. A forensic examination of these devices revealed that these devices contained images and/or videos of child pornography, many of which involved prepubescent minors or minors who had not attained 12 years of age. The examination also revealed that, on or about October 12, 2014, Daniels downloaded and received two images of child pornography, one of a prepubescent male engaged in sexual intercourse with an adult female and the other of a prepubescent female in the lascivious display of her genitals.
During the search of his home, Daniels provided a voluntary statement to law enforcement officers in which he admitted using peer to peer programs to download and view child pornography, and provided the name of the current program that he was using. Daniels said that he had used the program as recently as October 13, 2014, to obtain child pornography. Daniels said that he would save the image and/or video files of child pornography either in a separate folder with an innocuous name such as "empty," "hard drive," or "other files," or he would save the child pornography to a thumb drive. He said that he would view the child pornography once or twice and then delete it. Daniels told the agents that he gravitated towards image and video files of children between the ages of 10 and 17, and that he used search terms commonly associated with child pornography in order to find child pornography involving younger girls.
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."
The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former Alton Resident Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 8, 2015, Joshua D. Kenshalo, 29, formerly of Alton, IL, was sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Kenshalo received 33 months in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, fined $250, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Kenshalo has been detained since his arraignment on December 16, 2014.
Facts underlying this case were that on June 3, 2002, Kenshalo was convicted of Criminal Sexual Assault of a Family Member in Madison County. As a result of that conviction, he was required to register as a sex offender under Illinois law and the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. On February 26, 2014, Kenshalo was living in a halfway house in Missouri while on probation for Larceny. Because of the 2002 conviction listed above, Kenshalo was also required to register as a sex offender in Missouri.
Investigation revealed that Kenshalo had been living in Alton from February 27, 2014, when he absconded from the halfway house in Missouri, until June 10, 2014, when he was arrested. During this time period, Kenshalo never registered as a sex offender in Illinois or updated his registration information in Illinois. Kenshalo said that he did not register because he knew that he had outstanding warrants for his arrest.
The case was investigated by the Alton Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
British Man Sentenced to 20 Years for O'Fallon High School Student’s Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Richard J. Klemis, 41, a British citizen, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for selling the heroin which killed 19-year-old Tyler McKinney on February 23, 2011.
Klemis was sentenced on Friday, May 8, 2015 in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois by Judge David R. Herndon. Klemis had earlier been found guilty of nine federal charges on February 4, 2015, following an 8-day jury trial.
At Klemis’ sentence hearing, Judge Herndon described Klemis as "evil and diabolical" and called him "a one-man drug store for high school kids at a party."
Judge Herndon also noted that Klemis was "a drug predator who preyed on children who were not yet capable of making reasoned choices."
In addition to providing the heroin which killed Tyler McKinney, Klemis was also sentenced for nearly killing a second man; selling heroin to four other O’Fallon High School students; and employing a 16-year-old to assist him in distributing heroin.
"Given all the facts in this case, we were extremely pleased by this result. Klemis got far more consideration from the British Courts than he ever gave his victims. Judge Herndon’s sentence was both wise and appropriate in this case." noted United States Attorney Wigginton.
"For five years now, my office has made the prosecution of heroin dealers who ‘accidentally’ kill someone a top priority. We are in the midst of a heroin abuse epidemic, and the victims are disproportionately teenagers. I’m proud to have played a part in removing a predator like Richard Klemis from our community."
At Klemis’ sentence hearing on Friday, Tyler McKinney’s mother and stepfather each addressed Judge Herndon before he imposed sentence on Klemis. McKinney’s mother noted that at trial, many witnesses testified that Klemis often referred to Tyler McKinney as "my boy Tyler." Addressing the Court, Mrs. McKinney said, "He was my boy, your Honor. Not Richard Klemis’ ‘boy.’ I will never get to see him married. I will never see the grandchildren he might have had. Instead I had to bury him."
The investigation which resulted in Klemis’ arrest and conviction was conducted by the O’Fallon, Illinois, Police Department, the Millstadt, Illinois, Police Department, and by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Drucker.
Belleville Woman Guilty of Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Tanesa L. Beverly, 31, of Belleville, Illinois, pled guilty to offenses arising from her participation in a fraudulent tax return preparation business, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced.
Beverly pled guilty to one count of conspiring to submit false claims to the United States and five additional counts of preparing false federal tax returns. Beverly is one of five defendants charged in a January 22, 2015, indictment relating to a tax return preparation business known as Tax King. Beverly and the other four defendants worked as return preparers at the East St. Louis office of Tax King. In pleading guilty today, Beverly admitted that she created false returns which enabled Tax King’s clients to obtain much bigger refunds than they were entitled to receive. Beverly did this by creating false Business Income and Schedules Cs in order to cause the clients to qualify for larger Earned Income Credits ("EICs"). The loss to the Government as a result of false returns prepared by Beverly is estimated to be $73,393.
The charge of conspiring to submit false claims carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each charge of preparing false income tax returns carries a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Beverly’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.
The trial of the remaining five defendants, Edric A. Russell, Lakesha R. Wilson, Melissa L. Wiley, and Pierre J. Carter, is scheduled to begin on September 8, 2015.
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 Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Williamson County Resident Pleads Guilty to Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
On April 30, 2015, Corinthus Bevely, a/k/a "Rent," 45, of Marion, plead guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between March 2014 and December 2014, in Williamson County. The offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Bevely is currently being held without bond pending an August 27, 2015, sentencing hearing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigations.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Madison County Man Charged with Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
A Southern Illinois resident was indicted on April 21, 2015, for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
James Lynn Wagner, 49, of Madison County, was charged in a one-count indictment of knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred on or about February 27, 2014, within the Southern District of Illinois. Wagner made his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court on May 1, 2015, in East Saint Louis. He is temporarily detained in the custody of U.S. Marshals until his detention hearing set on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The methamphetamine offense carries a statutory mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment and carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison, to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release, and an $8,000,000.00 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI).
The case is assigned to Special Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa T. Lu for prosecution.
Carbondale Man Charged with Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
On April 23, 2015, Ryan L. Gibbs, a/k/a “Blood,” 34, of Carbondale, was charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred on September 16, 2014, in Jackson County. Gibbs made his initial appearance in federal court on May 4, 2015. He was ordered held without bond, pending a July 6, 2015, jury trial.
The cocaine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.
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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbondale Police Department, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. 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.
East Saint Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Kasmiel Samuel Sumrall, 28, of East Saint Louis, pled guilty to the charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The charge carries maximum penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sumrall is detained (held without bond) pending sentencing set for August 7, 2015.
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 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
Former Financial Manager and Church Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Mail FraudRead the Press Release
Bruce L. Johnson, 50, of Wayne City, Illinois, the former Manager of Finance and Office Services for Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative and Treasurer of the Wayne City First Christian Church, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to a four-count information charging him with defrauding both organizations, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The information to which Johnson pled guilty alleged that between 2007 and 2013, Johnson used his trusted positions with both organizations to steal over $350,000 in Cooperative and Church funds. Throughout that time period Johnson regularly used the United States mail to send unauthorized, and in many cases forged, checks drawn on the organizations’ respective bank accounts to his personal creditors and others.
Sentencing is set for August 27, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. At that time, on each count, Johnson faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow any term of incarceration imposed. Johnson will also be required to make full restitution to his victims. Johnson will remain on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation leading to the charges and guilty plea was a cooperative effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fairfield Police Department, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to EscapeRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on April 30, 2015, Kim T. Collins, 38, formerly an inmate at the Federal Correctional Center in Forrest City, Arkansas (FCC-Forrest City), pled guilty to an Indictment charging him with Escape. Collins faces a new term in federal prison of not more than five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years. Collins’ sentencing is scheduled for August 7, 2015, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Collins has been detained (held without bond) since his arraignment on the Indictment in March 2015.
Facts revealed in Court showed that on March 8, 2013, Collins was sentenced to a total of 135 months in prison for drug offenses. On September 4, 2014, Collins was furloughed from FCC-Forrest City to the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois ("USP-Marion"). With a furlough, the Bureau of Prisons allows low-risk inmates to travel from one facility to another without a law enforcement escort. In this case, Collins was to travel to Marion via Greyhound Bus and then take a taxi to the prison. Collins never showed up at USP-Marion, and never contacted either USP-Marion or FCC-Forrest City to explain why he did not do so. In fact, Collins had been picked up by an individual at the bus stop on September 4, 2014, and went to Alton rather than USP-Marion.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons and the United States Marshals Service. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Demetrius Booker, 28, of East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty in United States District Court in East St. Louis, on April 29, 2015, to an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment alleged that Booker was found to be in possession of a 9 mm handgun on October 19, 2014. Prior to that date, Booker had been convicted of a felony offense which made it illegal under federal law for him to possess firearms or ammunition.
Sentencing is set for August 7, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in East St. Louis. At that time, Booker faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration. The firearms and ammunition he illegally possessed will also be forfeited to the United States. Booker has been held without bond in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest on the federal charges. He was returned to the Marshal’s custody to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the East St. Louis Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Centralia Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that James Perry Horton, 48, of Centralia, Illinois, pled guilty today to an 11-count indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in December 2014. Horton was named in Counts 1 and 11 of the indictment. All offenses relate to the production and distribution of methamphetamine. Specifically, Horton pled guilty to Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine from February 28, 2014, through October 1, 2014 in Clinton and Marion Counties (Count 1), and Possession of a Listed Chemical (Pseudoephedrine) Knowing or Having Reason to Know that It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine (Count 11).
Count 1 carries a maximum penalty of not less than 5 years, but up to 40 years in federal prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. Count 11 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.
Information leading to the charges 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.
Madison Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Herman Smith, Jr., 50, of Madison, Illinois, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 120 months in prison and eight years of supervised release on two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance. He was also ordered to pay a $400 fine, a $200 Special Assessment, and to forfeit his interest in a firearm found in his apartment, U.S. Currency found in his apartment, and a motorcycle.
Evidence showed that on July 15, 2014, a person working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives met up with Smith in Madison, Illinois, and purchased 56.7 grams of a substance containing cocaine base, commonly known as crack-cocaine. On August 5, 2014, this person again met up with Smith and made another purchase of 56.7 grams of a substance containing cocaine base, commonly known as crack-cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Johnson County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A Johnson County man was sentenced today to federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Robert D. Brewer, 49, of Vienna, Illinois, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and fined $300. Brewer had previously pleaded guilty to six counts in a federal indictment. Counts 2, 3, 6, and 7 charged Brewer with possession of pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance – methamphetamine on the following dates: April 29, 2013, April 20, 2013, April 10, 2013, and February 20, 2013. Counts 4 and 5 charged Brewer with attempted possession of pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance – methamphetamine on the following dates: April 18, 2013, and April 16, 2013.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Illinois State Police and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Centralia Resident Convicted on Federal Charges for Burglarizing Gun DealerRead the Press Release
A Centralia resident pleaded guilty on April 29, 2015, in United States District Court for burglarizing the Buchheit of Centralia farm and home supply store and stealing thirty nine guns, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Dakota R. Moss, 19, faces a maximum of up to 40 years in prison for his crimes.
Moss was arrested days after the burglary and indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2014. Moss’ accomplice was not identified because that person is a juvenile.
Facts revealed in Court showed that on November 29, 2014, the Buchheit of Centralia farm and home supply store was burglarized and thirty nine firearms were stolen, along with at least one thousand rounds of ammunition. The burglary was accomplished using a full size pickup truck, which was stolen from the Centralia, Illinois High School. The suspects utilized the stolen truck to ram the locked security gate to make entry onto Buchheit’s parking lot, where the suspects then broke out store windows to make entry into the store. The surveillance video established that the initial burglary occurred at approximately 2:40 am. However, the video evidence revealed that the two suspects left the scene and returned to steal additional firearms and ammunition on two occasions - thereby making a total of three separate entries into the store between 2:40 am and 4:00 am.
Further, Moss and his juvenile accomplice were armed while inside of Buchheit’s and intended to shoot anyone who interrupted the burglary – including police. The complaint alleged that Moss and his accomplice stole the firearms in order to sell the guns; and that Ferguson, Missouri, was among the potential destinations for the weapons. The affidavit also states that the two planned on participating in the ongoing rioting and looting of businesses in the Ferguson, Missouri, area, however the plan did not materialize.
Centralia Police and agents from the ATF identified the suspects soon after the burglary and have recovered 37 of the 39 stolen guns as of this date. Anyone with knowledge of the remaining stolen firearms or the ammunition is encouraged to call law enforcement.
United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton credited the law enforcement response when he stated, "The ATF and the Centralia police department have done a fantastic job investigating this case. We fully support their continued investigation to ensure that everyone associated with this event is brought to justice. Moss is facing a longer time in prison than the time he has been on this earth, and for good reason: this was potentially a horribly violent crime which could easily have led to massive numbers of deaths [referring to the numbers of guns and the amount of ammunition taken]" United States Attorney Wigginton also praised the cooperation from Clinton County State’s Attorney John Hudspeth and said, "The State’s Attorney has been a valuable partner in this investigation who personally worked with the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure that justice is done. We look forward to continuing this joint investigation to ensure that everyone who participated in the crime is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will not stop looking for the remaining unrecovered weapons."
Moss was convicted of stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee, possession of stolen firearms, being a felon in possession of firearms, and carry and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. The first three charges are all punishable by not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 5 years supervised release. Carry and use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries an additional mandatory consecutive sentence of not less than 5 years. However, the United States Sentencing Guidelines must be applied to the case and considered by the Court during sentencing. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 31, 2015.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Centralia Police Department, along with the Clinton County State’s Attorney’s office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Leangelo M. Newton, 31, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release on one count of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon. Evidence showed that on June 26, 2014, Newton was in East St. Louis at the residence of a convicted felon, who was on parole, when agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Corrections came to conduct a parole compliance check. Agents conducted pat downs of each person present within the home for safety reasons and found Newton to be in possession of five rounds of ammunition. Newton had been convicted of and was on probation for Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance in St. Clair County.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Corrections Parole Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Collinsville Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Michael Alan Carver, 29, of Collinsville, Illinois, entered a plea of guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in a scheme to obtain money and property through the use of unauthorized access devices and through the commission of identity theft, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Carver faces a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release after serving his sentence, and mandatory restitution. Sentencing has been scheduled for August 2, 2015.
As part of the plea, Carver admitted assisting another in stealing mail out of mailboxes. The stolen mail contained means of identification of other persons that included names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers. As part of the conspiracy, a 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 Carver’s residence. Carver obtained a percentage of the value of the unauthorized credit cards.
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.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Quentin Jones, 44, of Berkeley, MO, was sentenced today on an indictment charging that he committed theft of government funds. The district court sentenced Jones to five years of probation. Jones was also ordered to pay $119,119 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and a $100 special assessment. Jones admitted that between September 2006 and February 2014, he was unlawfully receiving more than $119,119 in Social Security benefits which were intended for his father. At his sentencing, Jones admitted that his father had passed away in September of 2006 and Jones had been stealing his father’s Social Security since that time.
This is one of several fraud prosecutions on behalf of the Social Security Administration. On July 1, 2014, United States Attorney Wigginton said: "These cases are yet additional examples of the wide-spread fraud that plagues both state and federal programs that are in place to help those in our society who need that help the most. My office will continue to stand beside both federal and state agencies in taking every step necessary to find and prosecute those who steal from, and continue to defraud these vital programs. This is a theft from not only the needy, but from all of us."
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney John Constance and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Former Bank Employee Sentenced to Prison for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Cynthia L. Palmer, 45, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced to serve twenty-one months in prison as a result of her conviction for bank fraud in a scheme to defraud and embezzle from U.S. Bank, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Palmer was additionally ordered to serve two years of supervised release following her release from prison and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $105,827.62.
The conviction is the result of Palmer's conduct while employed by U.S. Bank at the Bethalto Airport Branch in Bethalto, Illinois as a Universal Banker. Palmer made unauthorized debits on customer’s accounts and in so doing principally targeted older individuals with customers' ages ranging from 65 to 96. Palmer was terminated by U.S. Bank effective December 12, 2013. U.S. Bank promptly made all of the victims whole and thereby sustained the entire loss.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of U.S. Bank. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Octavius Thomas, 31, of East St. Louis, Illinois was sentenced today in the United States District Court to 52 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, has announced. Thomas was also ordered to pay a fine of $500, a $100 special assessment and to serve a term of 2 years of supervised release following imprisonment. Thomas has been in custody since his arrest on August 28, 2014.
"Getting illegal weapons, and those who traffic in them, off of our streets and out of our communities is, and will remain, one of my top priorities." noted United States Attorney Wigginton.
Court documents establish that on August 5, 2014, Thomas sold a .44 caliber Amadeo Rossi revolver to a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in exchange for a motorcycle and $40 in United States currency. At the time Thomas sold the firearm, Thomas was a previously convicted felon, having been convicted of the offense of Second Degree Murder in 2002.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Telemarketer Sentenced for Role in Multi-Million Dollar ScamRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Christopher Garten, 24, of Orlando, FL, was sentenced in federal court this morning on one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. Garten was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Garten was also ordered to pay $32,508 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.
The investigation determined that Garten was a telemarketer for National Solutions and related companies located in Orlando, Florida. National Solutions defrauded consumers across the continent using the fictitious names, Bluescape Timeshares International, Country Wide Timeshares, Countrywide Timeshares MA, Landmark Timeshares, Propertys Direct, Quicksale Propertys, Sun Property Networks, Sun Property’s, Universal Propertys, VIM Timeshares, Propertys DRK, Quick Sale Advisers, Quick Sale International, City Resorts, Resort Advisers, American Timeshares, Exit Week, and Resort Advisors International. These companies targeted owners of timeshares throughout the United States and Canada. In various court filings related to the National Solutions scam, the government has alleged that the overall scam bilked over 2,500 consumers out of at least $6 million, including eight victims within the Southern District of Illinois.
This prosecution is one of nearly one-hundred timeshare resale fraud prosecutions brought in the Southern District of Illinois over the past four years. The case is part of an ongoing investigation by the Midwest Region Office of the Federal Trade Commission and the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Service. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States AttorneysWilliam Coonan and Michael Hallock.
Local Man Pleads Guilty to Five Felony ChargesRead the Press Release
Antwyne Warren, a resident of St. Clair County, Illinois pled guilty in federal district court this morning to five felony charges including (1) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting; (2) attempted robbery; (3) using or carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and a crime of violence and aiding and abetting; (4) possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and (5) possession of heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Warren was ordered held without bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 31, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. before the Honorable David R. Herndon, United States District Judge. Warren faces a minimum of ten years imprisonment on the conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting count and a minimum of five years on the using or carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and a crime of violence and aiding and abetting count. By law, the sentences for these two offenses must run consecutively.
Court documents indicate that Warren, a convicted felon, agreed with two men to rob a drug stash house containing cocaine in July 2013. Warren and a codefendant brought loaded firearms with them to assist in the robbery. ATF agents, who had been investigating Warren’s and his codefendants’ plans to commit the robbery, arrested the three men in St. Louis. Following Warren’s arrest, a deputy at the St. Clair County Jail located heroin in Warren’s rectum.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump is prosecuting the case.
Greenville Inmates Face New ChargesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on April 23, 2015, Anthony Cunningham, 28, and Anthony Johnson, 25, were both indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for Possession of Contraband by a Federal Inmate. Both Cunningham and Johnson were inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution located in Greenville, Illinois (FCI-Greenville), at the time the offenses were committed. Shelia Hatfield, 51, was also indicted on April 23, 2015, for Escape. Hatfield was an inmate at the Federal Prison Camp in Greenville, Illinois (FPC-Greenville), at the time she committed the charged offense.
If convicted, Cunningham, who is charged with possessing marihuana while at FCI-Greenville, faces a prison term of not more than five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.
Johnson, who is charged with possessing heroin while at FCI-Greenville, faces a prison term of not more than twenty years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.
Hatfield, who is charged with escaping from FPC-Greenville, faces a prison term of five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.
Court dates for the three inmates have not yet been set.
An indictment is merely the method by which federal charges are lodged. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Prisons’ Special Investigation Section and are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former Bookkeeper of Labor Union Charged with Embezzling Union DuesRead the Press Release
Carolyn Hall, 53, of McLeansboro, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury in East St. Louis, Illinois, for embezzlement and theft from a labor union. The indictment alleges that Carolyn Hall was the bookkeeper for Laborer's Local 1197, part of the Laborer's International Union of North America and from July of 2012 through February of 2014 she took $26,491 of cash receipts from members' dues payments and used the funds for personal use. Carolyn Hall faces a prison sentence of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release if convicted of the charges.
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 Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Jerrod Jones, 27, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis, to ten years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a fine of $500, following his plea of guilty, on January 14, 2015, for the crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Jones’ sentence stemmed from charges relating to an incident that occurred on May 22, 2013, in East St. Louis, Illinois, when law enforcement agents went to Jones’ home to execute a state arrest warrant for a separate case. When the agents executed the warrant, they found a fully loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Jones was previously convicted of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance on February 12, 2007, in St. Clair County. He was on parole when arrested on the charges for which he was sentenced today. The sentencing judge also ordered forfeiture of the firearm and the ammunition contained therein.
The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Chicago Man Charged in Williamson County Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
On February 3, 2015, David T. Walls, Jr., a/k/a "Gun," 36, of Chicago, Ill., was charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and October 2014, in Williamson County. Walls was arrested in northern Illinois on March 26, 2015, and made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on April 21, 2015. He is being held with bond pending an April 27, 2015, bond hearing.
The crack cocaine and heroin offense carries a penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison, to be followed by 6 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $2,000,000.
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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Belleville Woman to Serve Two Years for Illegally Transferring FirearmRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Danielle Edwards, 38, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison following her guilty plea on January 21, 2015, to Transfer of a Firearm to a Previously Convicted Felon. There is no parole in the federal system. Edwards was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Edwards was allowed to remain on bond and self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons.
According to court documents, Edwards purchased a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, and an extended, 27-round magazine for the firearm, from Ron & Jo’s Firearms and Sporting Supplies in Fairview Heights, Illinois, which she then transferred to her boyfriend, Donnie Dontez Russell, a convicted felon, who she knew to be a convicted felon. Russell was previously convicted in the case and is serving a sentence of 70 months in federal prison. Evidence at sentencing established that Edwards also assisted Russell in obtaining a Sig Sauer P556 semi-automatic pistol in Tennessee from a man Russell contacted through the internet, and she purchased ammunition for that weapon. The Sig Sauer P556 was recovered during the course of the investigation.
Information leading to the charges against Edwards was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Belleville Man Indicted for Workers' Compensation FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Martese O. Temple, Sr., 48, of Belleville, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he unlawfully obtained disability benefits from the United States Postal Service.
The indictment alleges that, from September 2009 through July 2014, Temple misrepresented the severity of a foot injury to obtain permanent disability benefits from the U.S. Postal Service. The indictment charges Temple with Theft of Government Funds, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, and Making a False Statement to a Government Agency. The charge of Theft of Government Funds carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and the charges of Workers’ Compensation Fraud and Making a False Statement to a Government Agency carry maximum penalties of five years in prison. All three counts also carry maximum penalties of a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
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 Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Edwards County Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Embezzlement ChargeRead the Press Release
Rachel J. Knasinski, 33, of West Salem, Illinois, pleaded guilty to bank embezzlement charges brought in an Information filed in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois, on April 22, 2015, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Knasinski admitted in her guilty plea that from November 2011, to on or about January 9, 2015, in Edwards County, Knasinski, being an employee of The First State Bank of West Salem, a bank whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with intent to injure and defraud The First State Bank of West Salem, did willfully embezzle the sum of over $300,000 of the moneys or funds intrusted to the custody or care of The First State Bank of West Salem.
Knasinski faces a possible penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 5 years at her sentencing, which has been set for August 4, 2015, in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Salem Man Guilty of Defrauding OctogenarianRead the Press Release
Paul P. Gierten, 47, of Salem, Illinois, pled guilty to fraud, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. On March 31, 2015, Gierten was charged with defrauding an octogenarian out of $39,000.
Gierten formerly worked as an investment advisor in Centralia, Illinois. The octogenarian victim was one of Gierten’s clients. 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 military 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.
The specific crime with which Gierten was charged is Interstate Transportation of Money or Securities Obtained by Fraud. At today’s hearing, Gierten admitted that in March of 2011, he used $5,000 from the victim’s last investment to purchase a Travel Money Card. Gierten then used the Travel Money Card to pay for his expenses during a trip to Colorado.
In commenting on today’s conviction, United States Attorney Wigginton stated: "Mr. Gierten took advantage of one of our most vulnerable citizens. We will always aggressively prosecute those who prey upon and defraud elderly residents of Southern Illinois."
Gierten’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 31, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at the Federal Courthouse in East St. Louis, Illinois. Interstate Transportation of Money or Securities Obtained by Fraud is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Gierten’s actual sentence will be determined by the court and will be guided by the advisory federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The investigation is being conducted by the Securities Department of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Two Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
Altonio G. Graves, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court to 10 years in prison on two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Robbery, two counts of Bank Robbery, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm in connection with the robbery of Laclede Community Credit Union in Alton, IL, on February 11, 2013, and the robbery of People’s Bank and Trust in Altamont, IL, on February 26, 2013, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois announced. Following his prison sentence, Graves will be on federal supervised release for 3 years. Graves was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,684. Graves has been in custody since February 26, 2013.
Documents filed in U.S. District Court establish that on February 11, 2013, Graves entered the Laclede Community Credit Union in Alton, Illinois wearing a long black women’s wig, a black hat, and a black trench coat to disguise his appearance. Graves told the teller he had a gun, handed her a plastic grocery bag and a note demanding money. The teller placed $5,684 in the bag and Graves left the credit union with the money. Graves fled the area in a vehicle driven by his female co-defendant and was not immediately apprehended.
On February 26, 2013, Graves entered the People’s Bank and Trust in Altamont, Illinois wearing a long black women’s wig, a dark trench coat and a black hat with earflaps to disguise his appearance. Graves handed the teller a plastic grocery bag and a note which stated: "This is a robbery, I have a gun and I will use it." The teller placed $7,390 in the bag and Graves left the bank with the money. Graves fled the area in a white Chrysler vehicle being driven by the same female co-defendant. Illinois State Police officers located the suspect vehicle on the interstate and attempted a traffic stop. The female driver refused to stop and fled from the officer in speeds in excess of 120 mph until she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. During a search of Graves and the vehicle, officers located the $7,390 in United States currency taken from the bank. Also during the search of the vehicle, officers recovered a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol behind the glove box. Graves was a previously convicted felon, having been convicted of the offense of Second Degree Murder in 1998.
The female co-defendant driver, Annalise McGee, 28, of St. Louis, MO, has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting her sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Alton Police Department, Altamont Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Madison Man Sentenced for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
Clevis Holmes, 31, from Madison, Illinois, was sentenced on April 17, 2015, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, on one count of cocaine distribution, one count of heroin distribution, and one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of "crack" cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Holmes was sentenced to a 188 month prison term, 4 years of supervised release, fined $600, and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment. Court proceedings revealed that Holmes sold approximately 28 grams of cocaine on March 20, 2014, 10 grams of heroin on April 3, 2014, and 42 grams of "crack" cocaine on April 8, 2014, in East St. Louis, Illinois, at the direction and arrangement of ATF agents.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.
“Drug Dealer and Car Thief” Sentenced for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Miguel Rivera-Bugarin was sentenced on April 17, 2015 to 84 months (7 years) in prison for Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation By An Aggravated Felon.
Rivera-Bugarin, 33, is a citizen of Mexico who has been previously deported or removed from the U.S. to Mexico on nine separate occasions.
Rivera-Bugarin pled guilty to the federal charge on December 13, 2014. He has been continuously confined since his arrest by Madison County Sheriff’s deputies on August 21, 2014, for Possession of Methamphetamine, a state offense for which he was subsequently convicted.
At his federal sentence hearing on April 17th, U.S. District Court Judge David R. Herndon observed that "Mr. Rivera-Bugarin is a career criminal, drug dealer and car thief." Judge Herndon further noted that Rivera-Bugarin had ignored the orders of nine other judges who had previously instructed him not to return to the United States, and that the relatively short prison sentences which Rivera-Bugarin had received in the past "did not seem to serve as a deterrent."
The investigation which resulted in Rivera-Bugarin’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Scott AFB Airman Pleads Guilty to Obscenity ChargeRead the Press Release
Belleville resident, Steven M. Zachman, an active duty airman stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, pled guilty in federal district court today to a one-count felony information charging that he knowingly transported obscene matters in interstate commerce, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Zachman is scheduled for sentencing on July 24, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. before the Honorable David R. Herndon, United States District Judge. Zachman faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release.
Court documents indicate that from August to November, 2013, Zachman knowingly used the photosharing and social networking website, Tumblr.com, to upload to the Internet digital images and videos depicting graphic bestiality, as well as approximately 20 images of prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. As part of his plea, Zachman admitted that the images he uploaded were obscene.
The case was investigated by the United States Air Force, Office of Special Investigations, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Nathan D. Stump.
Ex Siu-E Employee Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
Kwa Mister, 38, from Fairview Heights, Illinois, pled guilty to an Indictment that charged Making A False Statement to the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, and to the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
"There is no right to lie to federal agents conducting an investigation." noted United States Attorney Wigginton. "Federal investigations are serious matters. Lying to Agents conducting the investigations could make you a felon and subject you to time in prison."
Mister faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years supervised release. Sentencing is set for July 24, 2015.
Facts behind this case showed that the Illinois Department of Transportation entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) to be the fiscal agent for the Highway Construction Preparatory Training Program. The indictment charged that Mister was the Director/Project Manager at the Small Business Development Center at SIUE and served as the project manager for the Highway Construction Preparatory Training Program. An investigation and an audit revealed that Mister obtained five contracts between SIUE and Phoenix Support Services for Phoenix Support Services to purportedly serve as an independent consultant to assist with the training program. From March 2010 through January 2011, an audit discovered five Purchase Orders, five Contracts, and at least four Justification for Sole Source Purchase or Contract forms concerning the procurement of services from "L. A. S" [name removed], Director, d/b/a Phoenix Support Services. The procurement of these contracts with Phoenix Support Services was initiated by the Program Manager for the Highway Construction Preparatory Training Program, Mister. Essentially, Mister procured the services of his mother, L. A. S., for sole source contracts and concealed the family relationship and the potential conflict of interest from SIUE. When the propriety of the contracts with Phoenix Support Services was under investigation by SIUE, Mister lied to SIUE as to whether the owner of Phoenix Support Services was his mother. When this was investigated, Mister lied to federal agents concerning whether he provided false information to SIUE.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of Southern Illinois University and the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Alton Woman Sentenced to Prison for False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Aisha Wright, 33, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced to serve forty-six months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release, as a result of her convictions for two counts of making false claims against the United States, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Wright operated A W Mobile Taxes, in Alton, Illinois. Potential fraud was detected by the Scheme Development Center of the I.R.S. Two undercover agents went to Wright to have their tax returns prepared and Aisha Wright prepared fraudulent returns for both of the undercover agents. Further investigation revealed that Wright was systematically preparing false returns for taxpayers that falsified Schedule A deductions, Schedule C self-employment income, and falsified education expenses for receipt of the education tax credit. The court determined that over a three year period Wright filed 492 federal income tax returns that caused a total actual loss to the United States in excess of $1,000,000. Wright was ordered, as part of her sentence, to pay restitution in the amount of $1,052,302.86. She was also ordered to serve 450 hours of community service as a condition of supervised release, following her release from prison.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
On April 16, 2015, Troy Edwards, a twenty-six year old East St. Louis, Illinois, man, pled guilty in federal district court, in East St. Louis, to one count of Distribution of Cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Edwards is scheduled for sentencing on July 17, 2015, at 11 a.m. at which time he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000,000, not more than 3 years of supervised release after his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.
Facts presented in court revealed that Edwards sold approximately three ounces of cocaine and one ounce of 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Belleville Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Roshanda J. Story, a/k/a Roshanda J. Guyton, 34, of Belleville, Illinois, pled guilty today to the charge of Theft of Government Funds. Story faces the following maximum penalties: ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, restitution to the child care program and a special assessment of $100. The Court ordered that Story be held without bond until her sentencing on July 24, 2015.
Court records indicate that from December 2012 through May 2013, Story admitted to willfully and knowingly stealing government funds by falsifying application forms in order to receive child care benefits to which she was not entitled. She claimed child care benefits through the Illinois Department of Human Services, which are federally funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for being a single parent when in fact she lived with and was assisted in caring for a child with the child’s father. In all, Story improperly received $2,379.25 in child care benefits
The case was investigated by the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Southern District of Illinois with the assistance of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Two Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that two southern Illinois residents were charged and appeared in Court today on child pornography offenses which are alleged to have occurred in Jackson and Richland Counties. Joseph R. Washburn, 33, of Murphysboro, Illinois, and Thomas C. Fulk, 46, of Olney, Illinois, were charged in separate cases with using a computer to access and download child pornography images from the internet.
If convicted, each person faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.
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 the Washburn case was conducted by the Secret Service Southern Illinois Cyber Crimes Task Force, The United States Marshals Service, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, the Benton, Illinois, Police Department, and the Murphysboro, Illinois, Police Department.
The investigation in the Fulk case was conducted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland County State’s Attorney, the Illinois State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.