Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Granite City Man Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that on April 14, 2015, Louis R. Dochwat, 38, of Granite City, IL, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Upon release from prison, Dochwat will also be required to complete a term of 3 years on supervised release.
At his change of plea hearing in December, Dochwat admitted selling methamphetamine to a DEA informant in Granite City on three separate occasions in 2013 and 2014. In total, Dochwat sold approximately three quarters of an ounce of methamphetamine for $2,000.00.
Because of his substantial criminal record, Dochwat was sentenced as a "career offender." Dochwat has been continuously confined in federal custody since his arrest in October, 2014.
The investigation which resulted in Dochwat’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Madison Man Sentenced for Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on April 13, 2015, Monte D. Perry, 26, Madison, IL, was sentenced for Transfer of a Firearm in Violation of the National Firearms Act and the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. Perry received 33 months’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently; 2 years’ supervised release on each count, also to run concurrently; fined $50 on each count, for a total fine of $100, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. The defendant has been detained since his arraignment on the Indictment on September 26, 2014.
The charges arose from a controlled buy of a sawed-off shotgun from Monte Perry, who had been convicted of a felony offense in Madison County in 2009, on July 7, 2014, that had been arranged by agents with ATF using a confidential source for $350. The controlled buy was videotaped. During the buy, Perry is heard discussing the characteristics of the gun, clearly indicating that he knew that the shotgun had been sawed-off, and requesting additional money for the sawed-off shotgun because it was a semi-automatic shotgun rather than a pump. After being paid for the sawed-off shotgun, Perry wiped his prints from it before placing it in the backseat of the confidential source’s vehicle.
The barrel length of the shotgun was measured and determined to be 14 inches in length. Because the barrel length of the shotgun was less than 18 inches, it should have been registered to Perry in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. A check of that database showed that that the weapon was not registered to Perry. Perry therefore violated the National Firearms Act when he transferred the unregistered firearm.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Troy Man Charged with Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of A ChildRead the Press Release
Shane L. Schlaefer, 27, of Troy, Illinois, has been charged by a two-count Complaint with Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Child and Attempted Enticement of a Minor, United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton announced today. The alleged violations took place on or about April 6, 2015, in Madison County. After a detention hearing held today, the Court ordered that Schlaefer be held without bond pending trial.
"My Office will spare no time or effort in defending the most innocent in our society – our children." noted United States Attorney Wigginton. "Again, I warn parents – be knowledgeable and vigilant of computer usage when it comes to your children. Predators are out there, and they will stop at nothing to get to their prey."
The offenses charged in the Complaint allege that, on or about April 6, 2015, Schlaefer attempted to recruit, induce, entice and obtain a child under the age of 14 years knowing that the person would be caused to be engaged in a commercial sex act.
If convicted of Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Child, Schlaefer faces a term in prison of not less than fifteen (15) years up to life, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life. If convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Schlaefer faces a term in prison of not less than ten (10) years up to life, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life.
A complaint is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
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 investigation was conducted by investigators for the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United States Secret Service’s Southern Illinois Cyber-Crime Unit, and the Illinois State Police. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers for prosecution.
Fairview Heights Man Sentenced to over Ten Years in Prison for Robbery of Regions Bank in Granite CityRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that George E. Haberhehl, Jr., 51, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis, on April 9, 2015, for the crime of Bank Robbery, to 125 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and restitution of $3400. On August 9, 2013, Habermehl approached a teller in Regions Bank, Granite City, giving her a note that read: "I want 35 $100 bills in a bank envelope. Don’t hit the alarm or give me bait money or I will shoot." In response, the teller gave Habermehl $3400.
On August 20, 2013, Habermehl was arrested in a bar in St. Louis County, Missouri, after robbing the Pulaski Bank in Richmond Heights, Missouri, of $2897. Habermehl admitted to robbing both banks. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in St. Louis County for the Pulaski Bank robbery on June 23, 2014.
The judge in the federal case imposed the 125-month sentence to run 65 months concurrent with the St. Louis County sentence, and 60 months consecutive to the St. Louis County sentence.
The case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Cahokia Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Marico T. Bratcher, 42, from Cahokia, Illinois, was sentenced on April 10, 2015, in federal court in East St. Louis, Illinois, for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Bratcher was sentenced to 51 months in prison, three years of supervised release, fined $250 and ordered to pay $100 special assessment. Bratcher, who had previously pled guilty, admitted that a .9mm semi-auto pistol found in a bedroom closet by law enforcement officials conducting a surveillance of his residence, while looking for a fugitive in Cahokia, Illinois, on or around June 14, 2014, belonged to him.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Drucker.
St. Louis Woman Indicted for Tax Scheme to Obtain "Free Money"Read the Press Release
A Missouri woman was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 7, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Ebonyi Blakely, 28, of St. Ann, Missouri, was charged in a lengthy indictment that alleges Blakely conspired with and assisted a dishonest tax preparer who filed false tax returns to claim inflated refundable tax credits for low-income tax filers.
The indictment charges Blakely 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 scheme to defraud was described as an ongoing federal income tax refund scheme where Blakely
recruited individuals to have their returns prepared by a dishonest tax preparer. The indictment also alleges that Blakely had her own federal income tax return prepared by the dishonest tax preparer who prepared fraudulent income tax returns for individual tax filers in order to generate "refundable tax credits," such as the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, which were refunded to the filer. 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.
Conspiracy is punishable by not more than 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years of supervised release.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Internal Revenue Service / Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
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.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Frederick Buettner, 42, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 24 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. His sentence was ordered to run consecutively, that is, in addition to his sentence for violating the terms and conditions of mandatory supervised release on his Illinois sex offense.
Evidence showed that Buettner was convicted of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child in Madison County in 2005, sentenced to ten years in prison, and released on mandatory supervised release on May 24, 2013. Buettner was placed in a halfway house in East St. Louis, Illinois. In July 2013, Buettner cut his electronic leg monitor off and absconded. On June 30, 2014, he was apprehended in St. Louis, Missouri.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
Murphysboro Resident Pleads Guilty to Crack Cocaine and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
On April 8, 2015, Martell L. Brown-Wright, a/k/a "Low Key," 29, of Murphysboro, pled guilty to a four-count indictment charging distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility; possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The indictment asserts that the offenses occurred on September 4-5, 2014, at the New Horizons Housing Complex, in Murphysboro, Jackson County. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Brown-Wright sold crack cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. When agents executed a search warrant at the New Horizons apartment where the drug sales had occurred, they located multiple firearms, crack cocaine, a large amount of U.S. Currency, ammunition, and drug packaging materials.
The crack cocaine offenses carry a penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison, to be followed by 6 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $2,000,000. The firearm offense carries a penalty of 5 years to life imprisonment, followed by 5 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Federal law requires that any term of imprisonment imposed on the firearm offense must be served in addition to any term imposed on the drug offenses.
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.
Missouri Man Indicted for Robbery of Smithton BankRead the Press Release
On April 7, 2015, a federal grand jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, indicted Jonathon M. Ford, 38, of Fenton, Missouri, for Bank Robbery, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The indictment charges that on March 19, 2015, Ford took proceeds, amounting to $3,872, from Regions Bank in Smithton, Illinois, which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, by "force and violence, and intimidation."
If convicted of Bank Robbery, Ford faces a term prison of up to 20 years, a $250,000 fine, or both, three years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and restitution.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak for prosecution.
Clinton County Resident Sentenced on Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On April 8, 2015, Jimmy L. Richeson, Sr., 52, of Trenton, Illinois, was sentenced for his involvement in a methamphetamine offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Richeson, who had previously pled guilty to an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and fined $200. The offense occurred between 2012 and March 2014, in Jackson, Randolph, and St. Clair Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Richeson was involved with co-defendants Allen and Carmen Clover and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Members of the group often traveled together to obtain pseudoephedrine, which they would later provide to methamphetamine manufacturers. Carmen Clover has previously been sentenced to 57 months in prison for her role in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Allen Clover has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Tilden Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Festus Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Mailing Threatening CommunicationsRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that William J. Mabie, 56, of Festus, Missouri, was sentenced Friday, April 3, 2015, in federal district court in East St. Louis, following his conviction on December 11, 2014, on three counts of Mailing Threatening Communications.
Evidence showed that Mabie, who had been previously convicted of similar crimes in the Eastern District of Missouri, mailed three threatening letters to persons within the Southern District of Illinois. Mabie wrote two of the threatening letters in 2012 while he was incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary in Lompoc, California; he wrote the third threatening letter while he was incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado.
Mabie sent one of the letters to the Sheriff of Bond County, Illinois, in 2012; Mabie sent the other two letters to the wife of a policeman in 2012 and 2013.
At the times Mabie sent the letters, he was serving an 88-month prison sentence for an earlier conviction in the Eastern District of Missouri in 2010. The 2010 conviction resulted in part from a threatening communication concerning the same policeman whose wife received two of the letters charged in the Southern District of Illinois.
The prosecution presented evidence that Mabie had written numerous threatening letters to witnesses, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and the judge who had presided over his
2010 case in the Eastern District of Missouri. The prosecution also presented evidence that Mabie had recently spit upon a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the East St. Louis courthouse, following a court hearing on March 12, 2015.
At the sentencing hearing, Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan noted that Mabie had a long history of making threats, having six prior convictions involving making threats to various people. The judge found that Mabie is capable of carrying out his threats upon release from prison; hence, the judge indicated that a lengthy sentence was appropriate in this case.
The judge also found many of Mabie’s letters to others, and his spitting on the Deputy Marshal, to be outrageous and malicious. The judge indicated that, by his sentence, he needed to stop Mabie from further crime and from harming the public. The judge noted that prior punishment had not deterred Mabie; therefore, a lengthy sentence was appropriate.
The judge imposed a total sentence of 15 years – that is, five years on each count, to run consecutively to each other, and consecutive to the sentence he is still serving on the Eastern District of Missouri case. The judge stated that he had never previously imposed such a sentence; the judge called it a "breathtaking sentence for breathtaking conduct." The judge also imposed a $15,000 fine, a $300 special assessment, and a 3-year term of Supervised Release, to run concurrently with the term of Supervised Release to which Mabie is subject in the Eastern District of Missouri.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Clark and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Drucker. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service.
Jackson County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 27, 2015, Jeffry M. Presutti, Jr., 37, of Pomona, Illinois, was sentenced on a methamphetamine offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Presutti, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and fined $200.00. The offense occurred between April 2013 and October 2013, in Jackson County.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that Presutti was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Presutti sometimes manufactured methamphetamine at his Pomona residence. In October 2013, police officers and DCFS workers went to Presutti’s residence to investigate complaints that Presutti was manufacturing methamphetamine inside the residence, when children were present. Officers recovered a methamphetamine lab and observed evidence of multiple burned areas inside the residence. Presutti suffered methamphetamine-related burns when he fled from the officers. At sentencing, the district judge found that Presutti was responsible for the possession of more than 166 grams of pseudoephedrine, which was used for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Presutti’s sentenced was enhanced because his conduct created a substantial risk of harm to minors.
The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team and Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Williamson County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
On March 26, 2015, Michael A. Boyt, Sr., 42, of Marion, Ill., was sentenced for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Boyt, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 135 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release. Boyt was also fined $600.00.
The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Williamson, Perry, Jackson, Randolph, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that co-defendant Matthew Beers and numerous other persons were supplying pseudoephedrine pills to Boyt for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Boyt was manufacturing methamphetamine at numerous locations in Williamson and Franklin Counties. At sentencing, the district judge found that Boyt was responsible for the possession of over 419 grams of pseudoephedrine. In imposing a high-end sentence, the district judge found that Boyt was a danger to the both the public and himself. Co-defendant Beers has pled guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Ex-Pharmacist Sentenced for Illegal Dispensation of DrugsRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Larry Steven Patton, 64, of Marion, Illinois, was sentenced today, on a charge of Illegal Dispensation of a Controlled Substance. The United States District Court in Benton sentenced Patton to probation for three years, a fine of $3,000, and a special assessment of $100. The court also ordered Patton to perform 25 hours of public service.
Court records indicate that at relevant times, Patton was an owner and a pharmacist of Medicap Pharmacy in Saline County, Harrisburg, Illinois. As a licensed pharmacist, Patton was a registrant authorized to dispense controlled substances. Patton admitted to knowingly and intentionally dispensing unlawfully four pills, each having two milligrams of Xanax, a Schedule IV controlled substance to another person requesting the medication, on July 12, 2012, at the Medicap Pharmacy in Harrisburg. Patton admitted that this dispensation was outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a medical purpose under a valid prescription.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Illinois State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Chicago Man Sentenced for Southern Illinois Crack Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 25, 2015, Maurice L. Christian, a/k/a "Reece," 26, of Chicago, was sentenced on a federal crack cocaine violation, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Christian, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment, charging conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and fined $200.00. The offense occurred between 2013 and March 2014, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Christian was involved with co-defendant Johnathan T. Buck, a/k/a "Buffalo," and others in the distribution of crack cocaine in Carbondale. Buck, Christian, and their associates were transporting crack cocaine from northern Illinois to Carbondale for distribution. On multiple occasions, Buck and Christian sold crack cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. At sentencing, the district court found that Christian was responsible for 493 grams of crack cocaine. Christian’s sentence was enhanced because he possessed a firearm during his participation in the crack cocaine offense. Buck was previously sentenced to 120 months for his role in the crack cocaine conspiracy.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Carbondale Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Passing Counterfeit CurrencyRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 26, 2015, Wade R. Buckner, 26, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 9 days in prison, and 3 years of supervised release for Passing or Uttering Counterfeit Obligations or Securities, as charged in a one count indictment. Buckner was also ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment.
At his sentencing, Buckner admitted that he passed counterfeit United States currency at the Oz Nightclub located in Sauget, Illinois, on March 7, 2013. Buckner handed the bartender a $100 bill to purchase drinks. Immediately realizing the bill was fraudulent, the bartender ran water over it, and the ink began to run. Security escorted Buckner to the exit where he was apprehended by the authorities. Police found an addition $400 worth of counterfeit currency.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Sauget, Illinois, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Andre Hutson, 32, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced today to a total of 60 months in prison on a three-count indictment charging him with Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of Cocaine Base and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Following his prison sentence, Hutson will be on federal supervised release for 4 years. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $450, as well as a $300 special assessment. All firearms and ammunition in Hutson’s possession will be forfeited.
This case was investigated by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Granite City Man Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 27, 2015, Steven W. Beckman, 64, Granite City, IL, was sentenced for Possession of Visual Depictions of Prepubescent Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. Beckman, who had been convicted in the Southern District of Illinois in 2006 for Receiving Child Pornography through the U.S. Mail and Possession of Child Pornography, received an increased penalty of a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months in federal prison because of these prior convictions. Beckman was also sentenced to 3 years’ supervised released, fined $500, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. In addition, Beckman’s sentence must run consecutive to the sentence he received for violating his supervised release for the 2006 convictions listed above. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Beckman has been held without bond since his arraignment on July 22, 2014.
"This kind of crime is not just a pervert looking at dirty pictures." noted United States Attorney Wigginton. "The children depicted are horribly abused and will be haunted for life. Hopefully, sentences like this one will keep offenders from robbing these children of their innocence."
The investigation began on March 11th, 2014, when a detective with the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force ("ICAC") contacted both a United States Probation Officer who was supervising Beckman and Special Federal Officer ("SFO") David Vucich, a member of the FBI’s Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force (SCETF). Investigation revealed that Beckman uploaded an image of child pornography to his Facebook page around November 29, 2013, approximately seven days after being released from imprisonment, and placed on supervised release. That same day, United States Probation Officers searched Beckman’s home and seized, among other items, approximately thirty-three compact disks ("CD-Rs") that were found in various areas of the house. When asked whether he possessed child pornography on any of the electronic media seized from his home, Beckman stated that there was child pornography mixed into the CD-Rs as well as on some other electronic media taken from his home.
SFO Vucich obtained a federal search warrant for all of the electronic media seized from Beckman’s home so that the items could be forensically analyzed. SFO Vucich discovered that twenty-seven (27) CD-Rs recovered contained 187 images and 2 video files of minors engaged in sexually explicit behavior, with the majority of the images depicting prepubescent males.
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 Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United States Probation Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Former Centreville Firefighter Sentenced on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
A former firefighter for the Church Road Fire Protection District in Centreville, Illinois, Derrick N. Henry, 45, of Alorton, Illinois, was sentenced on March 26, 2015, in United States District Court in East St. Louis to 37 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Henry pled guilty to possessing firearms while he was serving a state sentence of intensive probation resulting from a domestic violence conviction. Court documents revealed that on March 7, 2014, at approximately 7:00 AM, the St. Clair County Probation Department conducted a compliance check of high-risk probationers who were serving terms of intensive probation for state-court criminal violations. A St. Clair County probation officer was assigned to go to Henry’s home to verify whether Henry was complying with the terms of his intensive probation. The probation officer conducted a search of the residence and found five long guns (rifles and shotguns) in plain view leaning against the corner of the wall immediately adjacent to the door of a locked bedroom. Four of the weapons were unloaded, but one of the .22 caliber rifles was loaded with a magazine and had a live round in the chamber. Additional ammunition was found inside of the home. While Henry denied knowing that the guns were in the locked room, the key to the door was found inside of Henry’s pants pocket.
The investigation was conducted by a probation compliance task force including agents from the Illinois State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, St. Clair County State’s Attorney, Marissa Police Department, Southwestern Illinois College Police Department, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Police Department, Millstadt Police Department, and the St. Clair County Probation Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven D. Weinhoeft and Michael Hallock.
Florida Man Sentenced for Mortgage Relief ScamRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Jonathan L. Herbert, 36, of Lighthouse Point, Florida, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison for wire fraud, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced.
In commenting on today’s sentence, United States Attorney Wigginton stated: "The stiff sentence imposed by Judge Herndon is entirely appropriate. The fraud scheme conducted by this defendant was particularly heinous. Herbert stole money by taking advantage of our citizens’ trust in government. He labeled his fraudulent companies as ‘federal’ or ‘government’ related. He took money that his victims thought was being paid toward their mortgages. This crime caused severe financial hardship for the victims, and even caused a few of them to lose their homes. We hope that the long prison sentence Herbert received will cause other criminals to think twice before engaging in similar fraud schemes. As always, whether a person steals money by pointing a gun or does so with a pen and a crafty ruse, my office will continue to protect the good people of Southern Illinois and elsewhere."
"There is nothing more reprehensible than a con man viewing the financial crisis and a TARP foreclosure prevention scheme as an opportunity." said Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for TARP (SIGTARP). "TARP’s HAMP program was designed to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, not to provide a list of victims. Herbert outright swindled 247 struggling homeowners out of more than $470,000 with false claims that he was affiliated with federal housing aid programs, including HAMP, and could modify homeowners’ mortgage loans in order to make their payments more affordable. Instead, Herbert set-up businesses with names including ‘Federal’ with sham mailing addresses located in Washington, D.C. (addresses which were really just UPS mailboxes); instructed homeowners to mail their ‘modified’ mortgage payments to him at the addresses; re-routed homeowners’ payments to himself in Florida; and pocketed the proceeds himself for personal expenses and to keep the scam operating. SIGTARP and our law enforcement partners will bring swift justice to perpetrators of criminal schemes that fraudulently exploit TARP’s housing programs."
In addition to the 140 month prison sentence, United States District Judge David R. Herndon also ordered Herbert to serve 5 years of supervised release following his release from prison, and ordered Herbert to pay restitution to the victims of his crime. Judge Herndon gave the parties additional time to calculate the exact amount owed in order that all losses would be the subjects of restitution.
Herbert conducted his fraud scheme from a strip mall office located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As part of his guilty plea, Herbert admitted that he usually contacted his victims through unsolicited telephone calls, introducing himself as a "federal loan officer" with the "Federal Debt Commission," "Federal Mortgage Marketplace," or "Federal Assistance Program." Herbert used these names and titles in order to deceive the victims into believing that his fraudulent program was either operated, or approved, by the federal government. Herbert told his victims that they qualified for a loan modification because of financial hardship or some type of illegal conduct engaged in by their lenders.
After the initial phone calls, Herbert mailed letters to the victims who expressed interest in his bogus loan modification programs. These letters congratulated the victims on their acceptance into the program, quoted a new monthly mortgage payment rate, and directed the victims to begin sending their monthly mortgage payments to one of two addresses located in Washington, D.C. The Washington, D.C., addresses were for mailboxes which Herbert had rented at UPS Stores. Pursuant to forwarding orders Herbert put in place with these UPS stores, the victims’ payments were forwarded to Herbert in Florida.
Herbert admitted that he did not apply any of the money he received from the victims to reduce their home loan debt. Instead, he used the money he received from the victims for his own personal expenses and to continue his fraudulent operation. In the plea agreement, Herbert acknowledged that the total of the losses sustained by the victims as a result of his fraud scheme is approximately $750,000.
One of Herbert’s victims resides in Troy, Illinois. The charges state that during a telephone call in September of 2013, Herbert falsely told this victim that the Federal Debt Commission had selected her to benefit from a new federal mortgage assistance program instituted by President Obama.
In July of last year, the Chicago Office of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took legal action to shut down Herbert’s business. The FTC has cooperated with, and provided substantial assistance to, the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Treasury Department’s Special Inspector for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), who all coordinated in the investigation of this case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
Felon Sent to Prison for Selling Firearms to a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Donnie A. Sherrell, 22, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 70 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release on two counts of Sale of a Weapon to a Convicted Felon and two counts of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. Evidence showed that from May until August of 2014, Sherrell sold a total of four weapons to a convicted felon, including a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, a .38 caliber revolver, and two rifles. Sherrell, himself, is a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to "Crack" DistributionRead the Press Release
Willie J. Butler, 34, from East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty on March 27, 2015, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to one count of "crack" cocaine distribution, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Butler is scheduled for sentencing on July 17, 2015, at 10 a.m., where he faces a prison term of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000 or both, as well as a minimum of 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Court proceedings revealed that Butler admitted to selling approximately .75 grams of cocaine base in the form of "crack" on January 10, 2014, to an undercover officer in East St. Louis, Illinois.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Enforcement of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
California Man Sentenced for his Part in Methamphetamine Conspiracy and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
A California man, previously convicted by a jury in the Southern District of Illinois of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to DistributeMethamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, was sentenced to 420 months in federal prison on March 27, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Willie Gonzalez, 31, of Los Angeles, California, received a 360 month sentence on the drug convictions, and a 60 month sentence on the firearm offense, to run consecutively, for a total of a 420 month sentence (35 years). Following release from imprisonment, Gonzalez will serve a 5 year term of supervised release. Gonzalez was also ordered to pay a $750 fine, a $300 special assessment, and forfeited his interest in two firearms.
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, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and United States Marshal Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce.
Marion Illinois Woman Sentenced to Prison for Participating in Conspiracy to Defraud the Internal Revenue ServiceRead the Press Release
Tajuana L. Sullivan, 27, of Marion, Illinois, was sentenced to a total of thirty-eight months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by submitting numerous false federal tax returns. Her sentence included a two year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft for using a stolen identity of another in submitting a fraudulent tax return, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Sullivan was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $98,091.53 as a condition of three years supervised release following her prison sentence.
Facts which led to the case showed that on February 19, 2013, deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Sullivan. Approximately 53 debit cards and a notebook with names and identifying information were found in Sullivan’s possession.
This information was turned over to the IRS Scheme Development Center (SDC), which utilizes databases to research possible tax refund fraud schemes. The SDC linked tax returns based on the notebook containing identifying information found in Sullivan’s vehicle, internet protocol (IP) addresses, employers, occupations, and electronic filing identification numbers (EFIN), which revealed a tax refund scheme, some of which involved stolen identities. The data provided by the SDC consisted of 2011 and 2012 tax returns, which were filed during the years 2012 and 2013, respectively. This tax refund scheme consisted of approximately 86 federal income tax returns, which claimed approximately $283,700 in fraudulent tax refunds.
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 Sentenced to Prison for Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
James J. Young, 21, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to 37 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release on one count of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. Evidence showed that Young was on parole and was living in public housing in East St. Louis with his mother. On May 1, 2014, during a parole compliance check, Young was found to be in possession of a Glock Model 27, .40 caliber pistol, loaded with 13 rounds. He had previously been convicted of Attempted Residential Burglary.
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.
California Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Methamphetamine and A Gun in Wayne CountyRead the Press Release
Thomas Gregory Lilley, 36, of Fontana, California, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Benton to 14 years in prison for possessing with intent to distribute ½ ounce of highly pure methamphetamine (commonly known as "crystal" or "ice") and possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
Evidence introduced in support of the guilty plea and sentence showed that in April 2014, Lilley followed his estranged wife from California to Wayne County where she had obtained a restraining order against him. Lilley violated that restraining order on April 23
rd and upon his arrest by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department he was found to be in possession of ½ ounce of methamphetamine and a loaded 7.65 mm caliber pistol. The methamphetamine was concealed in the wheel well of his car and the firearm was hidden in the vehicle’s air breather. Lilley admitted that he brought the methamphetamine from California intending to sell it to others and that he possessed the firearm for protection. Laboratory tests conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration showed that the methamphetamine was 100% pure.
In addition to the 14 year prison sentence, Lilley was ordered to pay fines and special assessments totaling $400 to the United States, was placed on a 3 year term of supervised release to follow his incarceration, and was ordered to forfeit the firearm to the United States for destruction. Following his sentencing, Lilley was returned to the custody of the United States Marshal, where has been held without bond since his arrest on the federal charges in May, to await designation to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of the DEA. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Mexican National Sentenced for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jose Ivan Mejia-Chavez, 28, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to 120 months in prison on March 20, 2015, on an eleven-count indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Illegal Re-Entry after Deportation, and Interstate Travel in Support of Racketeering, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Mejia-Chavez had previously pled guilty to these charges on November 18, 2014. Mejia-Chavez was also ordered to pay a $300 special assessment. An Order for forfeiture was entered in the amount of $35,738. A Judicial Order of Removal was also entered during the sentencing hearing today.
Evidence in support of this prosecution was obtained in an investigation which was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF initiative is designed to bring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and resources together to identify, target and dismantle large national and international drug trafficking organizations. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin ChargesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Dominque A. Burwell, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty today to 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).
Count 1 carries a maximum penalty of not less than 5 years’ in prison, up to 40 years’ in 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.
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.
Man Sentenced to Prison for Maintaining A Drug HouseRead the Press Release
Larry Watson, 58, of East St. Louis, was sentenced to a total of 60 months in prison on an indictment charging him with Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises, as well as revocation of his supervised release, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Following his prison sentence, Watson was ordered to be on federal supervised release for 3 years and to perform 200 hours of community service during those 3 years of supervised release. Watson was also ordered to pay a fine of $350, as well as a $100 special assessment.
Facts showed that on December 3, 2014, Watson pled guilty to an Indictment which charged maintaining drug-involved premises. Because Watson was on supervised release, that release was revoked and a concurrent sentence was given for the revocation.
This case was investigated by the Illinois State Police, Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Jury Convicts Cahokia Man of Possessing Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Antwon Jenkins, 27, of Cahokia, Illinois, was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute following a two day trial held in federal district court, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence showed that in late 2011 through early 2012, Jenkins had been in contact with another cocaine distributor and met with that cocaine distributor on January 28, 2012. Surveillance teams observed Jenkins leave the meeting, and an Illinois State Police trooper subsequently stopped Jenkins’ vehicle. A resulting search revealed Jenkins to be in possession of 81.5 grams of cocaine.
Jenkins faces up to twenty years in prison for this offense. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2015. Jenkins had previously been convicted in 2014 by a federal jury for kidnapping and using or carrying a firearm during or in relation to the kidnapping. Jenkins was sentenced to a total of 308 months on that offense.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Drucker.
Alton Man Found Guilty of Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Miles "Lou" Musgraves, 31, of Alton, Illinois was found guilty on March 19, 2015, after a 4-day jury trial in federal district court in East St. Louis of one count of Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises Near a School, one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and one count of Distribution of Cocaine Near a School.
Sentencing has been set for June 26, 2015 at Federal Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. At that time Musgraves faces statutory penalties of 15 years to life. He will also be subject to fines, supervised release after his prison sentence and a $100 special assessment on each count.
The case was investigated by the Alton, Illinois Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce.
Williamson County Resident Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 17, 2015, Shannon L. Connett, 37, of Marion, IL, was sentenced for a methamphetamine violation, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Connett, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, with credit for 10 months served on a related-state case. Connett was also placed on 3 years’ supervised release and fined $400.00. The offense occurred between 2012 and March 2014, in Union, Williamson, and Jackson Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Connett was involved with co-defendant Jonathan E. Merydith and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the district court determined that Connett was responsible for the possession of more than 132 grams of pseudoephedrine. Three co-defendants were previously sentenced for their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team and Drug Enforcement Administration. The 19
th Judicial District Drug Task Force (Tennessee) assisted in the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Randolph County Resident Sentenced on Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
On March 17, 2015, Carmen J. Clover, 41, of Tilden, IL, was sentenced for her involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Clover, who had previously pled guilty to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $200. The offense occurred between 2012 and March 2014, in Jackson, Randolph, and St. Clair Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Clover was involved with her husband, Allen Clover, and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The Clovers often traveled together to obtain pseudoephedrine, which they would later provide to methamphetamine manufacturers. Co-defendants Allen Clover and Jimmy Richeson have pled guilty to their roles in the methamphetamine offense and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Tilden Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Franklin County Resident Pleads Guilty to Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
On March 17, 2015, George A. Mayo, 34, of West Frankfort, IL, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that Mayo was routinely obtaining heroin from co-defendant Frank R. Johnson, a/k/a "Mo." Mayo would then redistribute some of the heroin and keep some of the heroin for his own use. When Mayo was arrested in January 2014, he was found in possession of heroin.
The heroin offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Mayo is currently being held without bond, pending a June 10, 2015, sentencing hearing. Co-defendant Johnson was previously sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for his role in the heroin conspiracy.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, West Frankfort Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and 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.
Carterville Resident Sentenced on Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
On March 17, 2015, Daniel J. E. Overmyer, 23, of Carterville, 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.
Overmyer, who had previously pled guilty to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and was $400. The offense occurred between 2010 and January 2014, in Jackson, Williamson, Union, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Overmyer was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Overmyer and others purchased pseudoephedrine for others to use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the district court found that Overmyer was responsible for the illegal possession of 180.06 grams of pseudoephedrine.
Also, on March 17, 2015, two of Overmyer’s co-defendants, James C. Leming, 53, and Dawn E. Unterfer, 45, both of Carbondale, entered guilty pleas to the one-count methamphetamine indictment. Leming and Unterfer were allowed to remain on bond pending June 10, 2015, sentencing hearings. Six co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their involvement in the methamphetamine conspiracy. One co-defendant has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Four co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting jury trial.
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.
Honduran Sentenced for Illegal Re-Entry After DeportationRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced that Omar Oseguera-Cortez, 30, was sentenced on March 16, 2015 to the time he has served in custody for the federal felony offense of re-entering the U.S. unlawfully after two previous deportations.
Oseguera-Cortez is a Honduran national. At his change of plea hearing, Oseguera-Cortez admitted that he had been previously deported to Honduras in 2007 and 2009.
Oseguera-Cortez had served more than two months in custody prior to his sentence hearing. Oseguera-Cortez was originally arrested by Madison County Sheriff’s deputies on January 6, 2015, for criminal damage to property. Oseguera-Cortez will now be remanded to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) for deportation.
The investigation which resulted in Oseguera-Cortez’s arrest and conviction was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Alhambra Man Sentenced for Distribution and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 13, 2015, Robert E. Godsey, 35, Alhambra, IL, was sentenced for Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct (Count 1), Receipt of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct (Count 2), and Possession of Visual Depictions of Prepubescent Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct (Count 3). Godsey received 210 months in federal prison on each count, to run concurrently; 5 years’ supervised release on each count, also to run concurrently; fined $300 on each count, for a total fine of $900; and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment. Godsey has been detained since pleading guilty to the offenses on December 11, 2014.
On July 8, 2014, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), obtained a federal search warrant to search a residence in Alhambra occupied by Godsey and others for evidence of child pornography offenses that may have been committed by Godsey. When executing the search warrant, officers seized a Samsung notebook computer from Godsey’s bedroom.
On the same day that the search warrant was executed, Godsey waived his Miranda rights and provided a voluntary, videotaped statement in which he admitted collecting and trading images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct with other collectors of child pornography via the internet. Godsey said that he was the only user of the Samsung notebook computer, and that there would be some images and/or videos depicting minors under the age of twelve (prepubescent minors) engaged in sexually explicit conduct. A forensic review of the notebook computer revealed numerous video and image files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and, as acknowledged by Godsey, some of these images and videos were of minors under the age of twelve.
After obtaining Godsey’s consent to assume control of the e-mail account used to trade image and video files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, a special agent with HSI accessed the e-mail account and found video and image files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on the account, many of which involved prepubescent minors. This confirmed Godsey’s statement that he traded images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, many of which depicted prepubescent minors, with other individuals online.
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 Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Drug and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
A St. Louis man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison on March 13, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Herbert Garstang, 33, of St. Louis, MO, received a 96 month sentence for offenses which occurred in St. Clair County, IL and in St. Louis, Mo. Garstang had previously pled guilty to those offenses. Following release from imprisonment, Garstang will serve a 4 year term of supervised release. Weil 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, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and United States Marshals Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce.
Mexican Man Sentenced on Immigration ChargesRead the Press Release
A Mexican man pled guilty to Unlawful Re-Entry After Deportation and was sentenced to time served of 51 days on March 13, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Rodolfo Garcia-Carrera, 28, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served, which was 51 days, and is being deported.
Rodolfo Garcia-Carrera is a citizen of Mexico, previously deported on September 10, 2013. Garcia-Carrera was arrested in the United States on December 23, 2014, by Collinsville Police Department. Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs searched records and interviewed Garcia-Carrera and determined that he was in the country illegal.
This case was investigated by the Collinsville Police Department and Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced for His Part in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Mexican man who had previously resided in Dallas, Texas, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison on March 13, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Jose Luis Gonzales, 42, of St. Louis, MO, received a 52 month sentence for the offense that occurred in the Southern District of Illinois. Gonzales had previously pled guilty to those offenses. Following release from imprisonment, Gonzales will serve a 2 year term of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $200 fine and a $100 special assessment. Gonzales will be deported after his prison sentence.
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, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and United States Marshals Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce.
Georgia Man Sentenced for Part in Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Georgia man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on March 13, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Javier De Jesus Rodriguez, 31, of Norcross, Georgia, received a 21 month sentence for offenses which occurred in the Southern District of Illinois, Georgia, and the country of Columbia. Rodriguez had previously pled guilty to those offenses on December 17, 2014. Following release from imprisonment, Rodriguez will serve a 3 year term of supervised release. Watson was also ordered to pay a $200 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, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the United States Marshals Service,. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deirdre A. Durborow.
Woman Admits Billing Home Services Program While in JailRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 12, 2015, Angela Jones, 51, of Madison, IL, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging that she engaged in a scheme to commit health care fraud. At her sentencing Jones will face up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for July 10, 2015, at 2:30 pm in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois.
During her plea hearing, Jones 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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Illinois State Police, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and Michael Hallock.
East Alton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Jerry D. Roof, 31 of East Alton, Illinois, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge David R. Herndon to 30 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
According to court documents, in January 2014, Roof’s probation officer found him in possession of a firearm at his residence in violation of his probation and federal law. As a convicted felon, Roof could not lawfully possess a firearm. Roof was charged in federal court in East St. Louis, Illinois and pled guilty.
United States Attorney Wigginton noted that: "My office remains committed to prosecuting felons who illegally arm themselves with firearms. A sentence like this one sends a strong, clear message: If you’re a convicted felon, you simply cannot have a gun. Period."
There is no parole in the federal prison system. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Herndon also sentenced Roof to serve 3-years of supervised release and to pay a $300 fine as well as $100 in court fees.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Madison County Probation Department investigated this case with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump prosecuted the offense.
Attorney General Holder Statement on the Overnight Shooting of Two Officers in Ferguson, MissouriRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement Thursday on the overnight shooting of two officers in Ferguson, Missouri:
“This heinous assault on two brave law enforcement officers was inexcusable and repugnant. I condemn violence against any public safety officials in the strongest terms, and the Department of Justice will never accept any threats or violence directed at those who serve and protect our communities—from this cowardly action, to the killing of an officer in Philadelphia last week while he was buying a game for his son, to the tragic loss of a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the line of duty in Louisiana earlier this week. Such senseless acts of violence threaten the very reforms that nonviolent protesters in Ferguson and around the country have been working towards for the past several months. We wish these injured officers a full and speedy recovery. We stand ready to offer any possible aid to an investigation into this incident, including the department's full range of investigative resources. And we will continue to stand unequivocally against all acts of violence against cops whenever and wherever they occur.”
Attorney General Holder Remarks Announcing Six Pilot Cities for the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and JusticeRead the Press Release
Thank you all for being here this afternoon. I want to address the heinous attacks that occurred against two brave law enforcement officers in Ferguson, Missouri, last night.
I unequivocally condemn these repugnant attacks. I know that all of us in the law enforcement family—and all Americans across the country—are hoping and praying for a speedy recovery. And I stand ready to offer the full investigative resources of the Department of Justice to find the perpetrators of this attack and hold them accountable.
You know, seeing this attack last night turned my stomach—because in the week since the Justice Department released its pattern-and-practice report on Ferguson, we have begun to see really important signs of progress. There were good-faith steps being taken within the city’s leadership to move in a new, more cooperative direction that is beneficial to law enforcement and to community residents. We still have a long way to go to bring about the systemic change needed—but the early indications had been truly positive.
What happened last night was a pure ambush. This was not someone trying to bring healing to Ferguson, but someone who wants to stoke unrest. This disgusting and cowardly attack might have been intended to unravel any sense of progress, but I hope that doesn’t happen. Incidents like the one we have witnessed throw into sharp relief why conversations like the one we convened today—to build trust between law enforcement and community members—are so important.
One year ago, the Obama Administration launched the groundbreaking My Brother’s Keeper initiative, which seeks to create opportunities for all young people in this country to improve their lives and reach their full potential—no matter who they are or where they live. As a part of this effort, the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force recommended that the Justice Department establish a program to help resolve long-standing tensions between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. And six months ago, I was proud to announce the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice—a nationwide program designed to enhance procedural justice, reduce bias and support reconciliation.
Through the committed work of Department leaders like Assistant Attorney General Karol Mason of the Office of Justice Programs—who is here with us today—and with the partnership of Department components including the COPS Office, the Civil Rights Division, the Community Relations Service and the Office on Violence Against Women, we are redoubling our commitment to restoring faith in the integrity of law enforcement wherever that faith has been eroded.
Today, I am announcing three significant new steps we are taking as part of this exciting initiative. First, we have selected six cities to serve as pilot sites for innovative strategies to strengthen bonds between police and citizens they serve: Birmingham, Alabama; Stockton, California; Gary, Indiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Fort Worth, Texas. By helping to develop programs that serve their own diverse experiences, these cities will stand on the leading edge of our effort to confront pressing issues in communities across the country.
Second, we have launched a new online resource, available at trustandjustice.org, which will advance cutting-edge research and information about best practices and trust-building policy.
Third, we’re offering training, mentoring, expert consultations, and assistance on racial reconciliation directly to police departments and communities across America through the Office of Justice Programs’ Diagnostic Center.
These are groundbreaking advances—but the Department of Justice will not accomplish these goals alone. We will continue to work side-by-side with law enforcement to identify opportunities for positive change. And we will work with communities to seek avenues for building more healthy environments.
From my own decades-long career in law enforcement, and as the brother of a retired police officer, I know that the overwhelming majority of America’s brave men and women in public safety do their jobs with integrity and at great personal risk. I have enormous respect for the vital role that they play in all of America’s communities – and for the sacrifices that they and their families are too often called to make on behalf of their country.
The dangers they face have been made clear recently not only with the attacks we experienced last night, but also with the killing of Officer Robert Wilson III in Philadelphia last week and with the tragic loss of Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Wells in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earlier this week. These devastating incidents serve as a reminder that our law enforcement officers perform a job that is extremely serious, deeply heroic, and deserving of our most emphatic support.
I am committed to ensuring that the reforms we put in place do not impose additional risks on our law enforcement officers in an already hazardous environment. There should be no situation in which an officer’s life is put in jeopardy because of concerns that by appropriately defending themselves, they might be viewed as committing a crime. That is why the Justice Department’s discussions about these matters have centered on proven, common-sense and evidence-based collaborative measures that protect our citizens, strengthen our neighborhoods, and keep our officers safe.
I recognize our goals will not be easy to achieve. Change will not occur overnight. But in conversations like this one—with law enforcement, civil rights, youth and community leaders–I have been struck not by our divisions, but by our common interest in creating the more just society that all Americans deserve. I know that we are undertaking the crucial and necessary work of our time—work that will make a lasting difference for generations to come.
Mt. Vernon, Il Man Indicted on Drug and Gun Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Torence D. Jones, 24, of Mt. Vernon, IL, was indicted on March 3, 2015, on drug and gun related charges in a two 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.
Count 1 charges that on December 5, 2014, in Jefferson County, Jones knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Count 2 charges that on December 4, 2014, in Jefferson County, Jones did knowingly possess a firearm from which he knew that the manufacturer's or importer's serial number had been removed, obliterated, or altered.
With respect to Count 1, Jones faces up to 20 years in prison, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years.
With respect to Count 2, Jones faces up to 5 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 3 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 Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Mt. Vernon Man Indicted on Robbery and Gun Related ChargesRead the Press Release
David D. Weatherall, 25, of Mt. Vernon, IL, was indicted on March 3, 2015, on robbery and gun related charges in a four 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.
Count 1 charges that on December 8, 2014, in Jefferson County, Weatherall while aiding and abetting another person, did unlawfully obstruct, delay and affect, and attempt to obstruct, delay and affect, commerce by robbery, in that Weatherall and another person did unlawfully take and obtain personal property consisting of United States Currency and cigarettes, belonging to Huck’s Convenient Food Store, 540 Fairfield Road, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, by means of actual and threatened force, violence and fear of injury, and by brandishing a firearm.
Count 2 charges that on December 8, 2014, in Jefferson County, Weatherall did knowingly aid and abet another person, who did knowingly brandish a firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence as charged in Count 1.
Count 3 charges that on December 9, 2014, in Marion County, Weatherall did unlawfully obstruct, delay and affect, and attempt to obstruct, delay and affect, commerce by robbery, in that 2
Weatherall did unlawfully take and obtain personal property consisting of United States Currency and Hennessy Liquor, belonging to Biggies Cafe and General Store, 3858 State Route 161, Centralia, Illinois, by means of actual and threatened force, violence and fear of injury, and by brandishing a firearm.
Count 4 charged that on December 9, 2014, in Marion County, Weatherall did knowingly brandish a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence as charged in Count 3.
With respect to Counts 1 and 3, Weatherall faces on each count up to 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 3 years.
With respect to Counts 2 and 4, Weatherall faces on each count a minimum of 7 years in prison, up to life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 5 years. Any sentence on Count 2 or Count 4 must run consecutive to any other Count of which Weatherall is convicted.
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 Mt. Vernon Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Centralia Police Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Centralia Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine FeloniesRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Walter James Henson, 38, of Centralia, Illinois, pled guilty on March 9, 2015, to charges filed against him in an indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in November 2014. Henson pled guilty to Possession of Equipment, Chemicals, Products and Materials with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine (on March 5, 2014), in Marion County (Count 1), and Possession of Pseudoephedrine Knowing It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine (on March 5, 2014), in Marion County (Count 2). The charges are violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Count 1 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Count 2 carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Both counts require an assessment of $100.
Information leading to the charges against Henson was obtained in an investigation conducted by the FBI, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.
Williamson County Man Charged with Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
A Williamson County man was indicted on March 3, 2015, for methamphetamine-related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Jeremey A. Phillips, a/k/a "Jeremy Phillips," 28, of Marion, is charged in a two-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between 2012 and February 2015, in Williamson, Jackson, and Jefferson Counties. Phillips made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on March 9, 2015. He is currently being held without bond pending a March 10, 2015, detention hearing.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The methamphetamine offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Marion Police Department.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Three Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
Three Southern Illinois residents were indicted on March 3, 2015, for methamphetamine-related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
John G. Haslett, 40, of Willisville, Russell A. Stokes, 23, of Benton, and Michael A. Boyt, Jr., 19, of Marion, are charged in a three-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Haslett and Stokes are also charged with one count of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred between 2013 and January 2015, in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Stokes made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on March 9, 2015. He is currently being held without bond pending a March 10, 2015, detention hearing. Haslett and Boyt, Jr. are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court on March 16, 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 maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Steeleville Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Perry County Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson will prosecute the case.