Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Four Metroeast Women Indicted for Participating in Fraudulent Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment on October 22, 2014, charging four metro-east women with participating in a scheme to submit false claims for federal tax refunds, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Sylvia Baker, 30, from Fairview Heights and Alicia Jackson, 40, from Belleville, are charged with participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by making false claims for tax refunds to the Internal Revenue Service by submitting false federal income tax returns. Sylvia Baker is also charged in five additional counts of submitting false tax returns for others and is charged with making a false statement to the Internal Revenue Service when interviewed during the criminal investigation. She faces a prison sentence of up to 40 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release after serving her sentence, and mandatory restitution. Alicia Jackson is also charged in two additional counts for making false claims for federal tax refunds and faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release after serving her sentence, as well as mandatory restitution. Lamarion Shanes, 32, from East St. Louis, is charged in two counts of making false claims for federal tax refunds and faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release after serving her sentence, and mandatory restitution. Sylvin Baker, 58, from East St. Louis, is charged in one count of making a false claim for a federal tax refund in submitting a false federal income tax return and faces a prison sentence of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release after serving her sentence, as well as mandatory restitution.
An indictment is a formal charge. A defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Chicago Man Indicted for Making Bomb and Violence Threats Against Southern Illinois UniversityRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Derrick Dawon Burns, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 22, 2014, on four federal charges stemming from a series of bomb and violence threats directed toward Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIUC) students, faculty, and staff on October 10, 2012, October 15, 2012, December 6, 2012, and October 1, 2013. The four federal charges of Willfully Making a Bomb Threat each carry maximum penalties of ten years in federal prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.
Culminating a two year investigation, authorities arrested Burns in Chicago on September 29, 2014. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in Benton ordered Burns held without bond pending his trial date (which date will be set by the Court in the near future).
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. 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.
The return of an indictment by the grand jury is the product of an investigation on the part of the SIUC Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistance was provided by the Carbondale Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Illinois State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Constance and Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Ridgeway Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Manufacturing OffensesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsRyan Earl Bess, 33, of Ridgeway, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiring with two other individuals to grow more than 100 marijuana plants and one count of actually growing more than 100 marijuana plants, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on September 5, 2012, alleged that the offenses occurred in Gallatin County between April 2012 and August 29, 2012. Ryan fled Illinois following his indictment and was arrested in Colorado earlier this year.
Sentencing was set for February 11, 2015, at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. At that time, Bess faces between 5 and 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5 million fine, and 4 years to life on supervised release to follow his incarceration on each count.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Methamphetamine and Firearm in Wayne CountyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThomas Gregory Lilley, 36, of Fontana, California, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to charges that he possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and that he possessed a loaded semi-automatic pistol during and in relation to that crime, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The offenses occurred on April 24, 2014, in Fairfield, Illinois.
Sentencing was set for February 18, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Benton. At that time, Lilley faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a $1 million fine, and 3 years to life on supervised release following his incarceration on the methamphetamine charge and a consecutive 5 years to life, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years supervised release on the firearm charge.
Lilley has been held in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest on federal charges in May. He was returned to the custody of the Marshal to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton Announces Election Day Anti-Fraud EffortsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, reminded everyone today of the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 4, 2014, general elections. An Assistant U.S. Attorney is designated as the District Election Officer for the Southern District of Illinois, and, in that capacity, is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Wigginton said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day. Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
“The franchise of voting is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.” noted United States Attorney Wigginton. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 4, 2014, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Wigginton will have Assistant United States Attorney, and District Election Officer, Norman R. Smith on duty in this District while the polls are open. Smith may be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (618) 628-3700, (618) 628-3743 or (618) 799-8775.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (618) 397-4401.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at: http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
United States Attorney Wigginton concluded by reminding all of us that, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division. In so doing, all of our citizens may enjoy the benefits of our free and fair election system.”
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Role in $14.5 Million Dollar Telemarketing ScamRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on October 20, 2014, Wesley Aldred, 26, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. The investigation determined that Aldred was a telemarketer at C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, a Florida corporation that in 2009 defrauded consumers using the fictitious name, Premier Timeshare Solutions (“PTS”). 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, including dozens of victims within the Southern District of Illinois. Sentencing is set for February 9, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., in East St. Louis, Illinois, where Aldred will face up to 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release.
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 Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock and Assistant United States Attorney William Coonan.
Fayetteville, Illinois Woman Sentenced for Theft of Social Security Survivor BenefitsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Amber Dawn Adams, 34, of Fayetteville, Illinois, was sentenced today on an indictment charging that she committed theft of government funds. The district court sentenced Adams to three years of probation. Adams was also ordered to pay $9,059.00 in restitution back to the Social Security Administration and a $100 special assessment.
During her plea of guilty on July 1, 2014, Adams admitted that between March 2008 and August 2012, she was falsely claiming and receiving more than $9,000 in Title II – Survivor Benefits that were intended for the benefit of her child, when, in fact, the child did not live with her and Adams did not support the child between March 2008 and August 2012.
This is one of several fraud prosecutions on behalf of the Social Security Administration. On July 1, 2014, United States Attorney Stephen R. 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 Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to Nearly Eleven Years in Prison for Crack Cocaine OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsAn East St. Louis man, convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison on October 17, 2014, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Edward A. Banks, 42, of East St. Louis, Ill., received the 130 month sentence for possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver. Following release from imprisonment, Banks will serve five years of supervised release. Banks pleaded guilty to the charges on July 9, 2014.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI) as part of its Operation Wild Wild East and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Neal Hong.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn October 17, 2014, William Moore, a thirty year old East St. Louis man, pled guilty in Federal District Court, in East St. Louis, to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Moore is scheduled for sentencing on January 29, 2015, at which at which time he faces a maximum potential sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, not more than three years of supervised release after his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Moore also agreed to the forfeiture of the two firearms involved in the offense. Court proceedings revealed that on December 30, 2013, United States Marshals executed a search warrant at Moore’s residence and located a Mossberg shotgun and a Colt revolver.
This case was investigated by the East St. Louis Police Department and the United States Marshals Service, and assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Steve B. Clark and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock for prosecution.
Belleville Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsWillie L. Carroll, Jr., a 50-year old, Belleville, Illinois, man was sentenced on October 17, 2014, in federal district court in East St. Louis, Illinois, for failure to register as a sex offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Carroll was sentenced to 13 months’ in prison; 5 years’ supervised release, fined $250 and ordered to pay $150 special assessment.
A compliance check conducted at his mother’s residence by law enforcement officials on June 26, 2013, revealed that he had not stayed there consistently since February 2013, and that he had been living with his fiancé in Missouri. Carroll moved to Missouri, after signing the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act Form on January 14, 2013, without registering as a sex offender in Missouri and updating his registration with the State of Illinois, as required under both Illinois law and the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Carroll was convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse on May 1, 1991, in St. Clair County, Illinois.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Wayne County Man Charged with Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsAlvin L. Ewing, II, 50, of Fairfield, Illinois, has been charged in United States District Court in Benton with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on October 7, 2014, stemmed from Ewing’s arrest by an Illinois State Police trooper following a traffic stop on. During this stop, a Bushmaster .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle was found concealed on the motorcycle Ewing was driving.
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 indictment also alleges that Ewing committed this offense after conviction of at least three violent felonies or serious drug offenses within the meaning of federal law. If convicted, Ewing faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years to life in federal prison, a $250,000, and a term of 5 years of supervised release to follow incarceration.
Following a hearing held today, Ewing was denied bond on the federal charges and remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await further proceedings. Ewing’s next scheduled court appearance is December 4th at 10:30 a.m. for a final pre-trial conference at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. A trial date of December 15th at 9:00 a.m. has also been set.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Illinois State Police (District 19) with the assistance of the Grayville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
New York Man Sentenced for Role in $11 Million Dollar Telemarketing ScamRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on October 16, 2014, John C. Nicosia, 56, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, and ordered to pay $962,538.61 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Nicosia had previously pled guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a Las Vegas based telemarketing scam operating under the names Vacation Max and Showcase Resorts.
Vacation Max and Showcase Resorts targeted owners of timeshares throughout the United States. The overall scam bilked thousands of consumers throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries of $11 million dollars. There were at least twelve victims in seven of the thirty eight counties comprising the Southern District of Illinois. In this case, Nicosia and other telemarketers for Vacation Max placed cold calls to timeshare owners and then falsely represented that their company had actual buyers for the owners’ timeshare property. Telemarketers then solicited advanced fees of up to several thousand dollars from each victim in purported closing costs that they promised would be refunded to the owner once the closing on the property occurred. Many timeshare owners were told that their closings were scheduled within the next sixty to ninety days. Despite collecting fees from over 3,000 victims, these companies were not successful in selling a single timeshare unit. Nicosia and his co-conspirators simply pocketed the closing costs.
This prosecution follows an investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Medicaid FundsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Maurice Burks, 43, of East St Louis, Illinois, pled guilty today in federal district court to submitting false and fraudulent bills in relation to personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home.
The investigation determined that Burks, who was the personal assistant in this case, was falsifying time sheets with his brother in order to receive payments for time periods when his brother (who was the customer) was in the hospital and when Burks was working another job. Sentencing has been set for February 20, 2015. At that time, Burks will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police’s Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley Killian and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Former Altamont, Illinois, Man Faces Federal Computer Harassment and Extortion ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, has charged Stephen B. Mislich, 23, of Bowling Green, Ohio, and formerly of Altamont, Illinois, with 4 counts of computer-related harassment and extortion offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The criminal complaint and indictment allege that Mislich engaged in a pattern of terrorizing women via “hacked” online accounts, misappropriating sexually oriented photos of these women and attempting to obtain further sexually oriented pictures and videos from the women by coercion and blackmail. Mislich faces up to 2 years in federal prison on each of the two extortion charges against him, and up to 5 years in federal prison on each of the two harassment charges against him. He also faces a potential $250,000 fine on each of the four counts against him. Upon his arrest, a Federal Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Ohio ordered that Mislich be held without bond pending his trial on these charges.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Effingham, Illinois, Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone who may believe that they are a potential victim of this case, or any other similar circumstance, is requested to call one of these law enforcement agencies for assistance. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.
Collinsville Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Medicaid FundsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on October 15, 2014, Lawrence Thigpen, 53, of Collinsville, Illinois, pled guilty to submitting false and fraudulent bills in relation to personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home.
Facts brought out in Court showed that Thigpen was falsifying time sheets in order for his girlfriend, who was also his personal assistant, to receive payments for time periods when she was actually locked up in jail. Sentencing has been set for February 13, 2015, in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. Thigpen will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police’s Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley Killian and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Cahokia Man Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on October 15, 2014, Quincy O. Gamble, 39, of Cahokia, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging that he engaged in a scheme to commit health care fraud. Sentencing has been set for February 15, 2015, in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. Gamble will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
During his plea hearing, Gamble admitted that he had submitted false and fraudulent bills in relation to his alleged performance of personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. Gamble admitted to falsely billing the program between December 15, 2012 and March 31, 2014, when he purportedly rendered personal assistant services to a customer when he, in fact, did not. He even submitted claims for six months after the customer, his girlfriend, died. As a result, Gamble improperly billed $7,836.56 in payments for services not performed.
This prosecution is part of the third wave of the “Operation Home Alone” initiative announced on June 5, 2014, by United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
If you suspect or know of an individual or company not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, or you may call 1.800.447.8477.
Sovereign Citizen Who Retaliated Against Federal Officials by Filing False Liens Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsAfter nearly two years, the federal prosecution of Cherron Marie Phillips, a/k/a “River Tali,” ended yesterday with Phillips being sentenced to a seven year prison term, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Phillips, a 43 year old Chicago native, was indicted back in November 2012 with knowingly filing false maritime liens against the property of a dozen current and former federal employees, including former United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, in retaliation for their involvement in the investigation and prosecution of her brother, Devon Phillips. A jury in Chicago convicted her on 10 of 12 counts in June of this year.
During the trial, the government presented evidence that from 2006 to 2011, Phillips’s brother, Devon Phillips, had been investigated and prosecuted in the Northern District of Illinois for trafficking cocaine. Cherron Phillips regularly attended his court proceedings and filed documents in the record objecting to the jurisdiction of the court. She filed the liens – each in the amount of $100 billion – in the spring of 2011, several weeks after her brother was sentenced. The existence of the liens wasn’t discovered until later that summer, when one of the victims was attempting a real estate transaction.
During the execution of a federal search warrant, the FBI located the original liens locked inside a safe in Phillips’ master bedroom. The FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia was able to identify Phillips’ fingerprints on nine of the twelve liens. After her indictment, Phillips sent a letter to five of the victims, apologizing for what she termed “a serious mistake.”
To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, the trial was presided over by the Honorable Michael J. Reagan, now the Chief United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois. After accepting the jury’s verdict, Judge Reagan ordered Phillips detained pending sentencing, calling her “a paper terrorist” and citing his concerns for the safety of the community if she were allowed to remain on bond.
In a written memorandum he filed before sentencing, Judge Reagan noted that Phillips subscribes to the “sovereign citizen” ideology – a belief that the government is operating outside its jurisdiction and that by taking certain prescribed steps, citizens can live in this country without abiding by its laws. It was these “misguided beliefs” and “tortured logic,” he wrote, that formed the basis for her crimes. During the sentencing hearing, Phillips read aloud from a prepared statement and claimed the court did not have jurisdiction over her, prompting Judge Reagan to observe that even now, “she simply doesn’t get it.”
Although the United States Sentencing Guidelines recommended a range of 63 to 78 months in prison, Judge Reagan went above the Guidelines, imposing what he acknowledged was a “lengthy” 84-month sentence. “Society cannot tolerate” retaliation against government officials, he explained, citing the need for the sentence to promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and afford adequate deterrence. Judge Reagan also pointed out that, shortly before trial, Phillips served him and the prosecutor with a lawsuit that claimed they were conspiring with the FBI and others to deprive her of her constitutional rights. Though the suit has yet to be filed, Judge Reagan viewed it as an attempt to obstruct justice and cited it as evidence that Phillips had not learned from her mistakes, noting that it made her prior acts of contrition “ring hollow.”
Federal law mandates that defendants must serve at least 85% of their prison sentences, thus Phillips will likely spend the better part of the next six years behind bars. After that, she will have three years of supervised release, during which time she is specifically prohibited from filing any claims, liens, or lawsuits without first obtaining the court’s permission. As part of her sentence, Phillips was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $1,000 special assessment, as well as restitution to the victims for any expenses they might incur in clearing the liens. On a motion from the United States, the court also signed an order from the bench declaring the liens null and void, releasing them, and ordering that they be afforded “no legal force or effect whatsoever.” That order and a copy of the final judgment will be recorded in the public record in Cook County, Illinois, where the liens were originally filed.
U.S. Attorney Wigginton was grateful for the opportunity to conduct the prosecution and praised the sentence as a victory for justice. “Investigators, prosecutors, judges, courthouse personnel, and other public servants should not have to look over their shoulders for fear of something like this happening to them simply because they were doing their jobs,” Wigginton stated. “This sentence sends a strong message that those who work every day for the administration of justice deserve to do so without fear, threat, intimidation, or reprisal.”
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Chicago field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting in concert with the United States Marshals Service. The United States is also grateful for the assistance it received from the Office of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump.
East St. Louis Man Gets Tough Sentence in UPS Truck RobberyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Anthony T. Moore has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a UPS truck on December 17, 2012. Moore was sentenced in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois on October 10, 2014.
Moore’s federal sentence of nearly 20 years will be consecutive to a 34-year state sentence he received for Attempted Murder.
Moore, age 22, was found guilty of the federal Armed Robbery charge on June 11, 2014, following a 3-day jury trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Moore hijacked a UPS truck in East St. Louis at gunpoint and forced the driver to move the truck to a deserted dead-end street in Washington Park, Illinois. Moore and two accomplices then stole the packages which were inside the truck.
At trial, the UPS driver testified that “I thought it was the last day of my life, and that I would never see my kids again. I just asked the Lord to receive my soul. I was that sure he was going to kill me.”
After the robbery, Moore shot a 15-year-old acquaintance in the back of the head, because Moore believed the juvenile could implicate him in the UPS truck robbery. Moore was convicted last year in St. Clair County Circuit Court for that shooting.
At Moore’s federal sentence hearing on Friday, Chief U.S. District Judge David R. Herndon described the testimony which he had heard at Moore’s trial as “harrowing.” Judge Herndon also stated that, “There is no question in my mind that the public would be in danger if you were walking the streets.” He described Moore as “a career criminal in my view.”
The Armed Robbery charge of which Moore was convicted is a federal “Hobbs Act Robbery.” The Hobbs Act makes it a crime to obstruct, delay, or affect interstate commerce by robbery, and is used by United States Attorney Wigginton’s office as a way to combat armed robbery in the Southern District of Illinois. “This conviction is just the latest in a series of federal prosecutions I have initiated, as part of our efforts to send a clear message to these extraordinarily dangerous gunmen who commit armed robberies, that they will face harsh federal penalties for their crimes.” said Wigginton. “I will continue to use every available federal resource to try to ensure the safety of the citizens of Southern Illinois.”
The investigation which resulted in Moore’s arrest and conviction was conducted by the FBI and the Illinois State Police.
The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Clark and Robert Garrison.
Two Perry County Residents Charged with Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsTwo Perry County residents were indicted on October 7, 2014, in an indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Brant A. Sizemore, 38, and Stephanie A. Ellis, 36, both of DuQuoin, are charged in a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between 2012 and September 2014, in Perry, Jackson, Randolph, Williamson, and Franklin Counties. Sizemore and Ellis made their initial appearances in federal court in Benton on October 9, 2014. They are both currently being held without bond pending an October 14, 2014, 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.
If convicted, Sizemore and Ellis face a term of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, and DuQuoin Police Department. The Pinckneyville Police Department and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
St. Clair County Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R, Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Tara Star Johndrow, 30, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced on one count of Theft of Government Funds in the United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. The district court sentenced Johndrow to five years’ probation with the first six months in home detention. The court also ordered her to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $14,560.48 and pay a special assessment of $100.
On June 16, 2014, Johndrow pled guilty to the charge. During the plea, Johndrow admitted that between August of 2010 and August of 2012, she received approximately $14,500 in Supplemental Social Security Payments from the Social Security Administration, when she falsely claimed to the government agency that she did not work, when she, in fact, was working.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Randolph County Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn October 7, 2014, a Randolph County man pled guilty to an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Seth T. Conway, 26, of Percy, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2012 and February 2014, in Jackson, Randolph, and Perry Counties. The factual basis for the guilty plea established that Conway was involved with co-defendant Tommy Tindall and others, in the manufacture of methamphetamine. During a February 20, 2014, search of a vehicle occupied by Conway and Tindall, agents located methamphetamine-making materials, and drug paraphernalia. A later search of a residence associated with Conway and Tindall revealed methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine 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. Conway is set for a sentencing hearing on January 21, 2015. Tindall, who has previously pled guilty to his role in the conspiracy, is set for a sentencing hearing on November 21, 2014.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Coulterville Police Department, Randolph County Drug Task Force, Steeleville Police Department, Percy Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Missouri Woman Sentenced for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that today, Tisa V. Vaughn, 49, of Florissant, Missouri, was sentenced on a one-count indictment charging that she engaged in a scheme to commit health care fraud. On March 19, 2014, a jury found Vaughn guilty after a three-day trial in federal court. Today, the district court sentenced Vaughn to fifteen months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Vaughn was also ordered to pay $14,873.56 in restitution back to the State of Illinois and a $100 special assessment.
Evidence showed that Vaughn was the personal assistant for her sister, a Medicaid recipient, who resides in East St. Louis. It was shown at trial that Vaughn billed for hours of care when she was either not caring for her sister or when her sister was actually in the hospital. Furthermore, testimony indicated that the sisters split the payments that Vaughn billed and received from the Home Services Program for the State of Illinois. In today’s sentencing, the district court commented that the sentence was higher than usual because Vaughn had obstructed justice by having her sister lie about the fraud scheme to authorities.
“Nationwide, the biggest fraud problem in the Medicaid program has been these personal assistant programs which represent the number one fraud complaint to state Medicaid fraud units. Especially vulnerable to fraud are programs, such as the one implemented in Illinois, which allow the Medicaid recipient to control the selection and payment of personal care attendants. In most cases, the personal care assistant is a relative or family friend, who often is a ghost employee. In a typical fraud scenario, the scam payments made by the State of Illinois are split between the Medicaid recipient and the ghost employee. The terrible effect of this fraud is that it draws much-needed funds away from those who are truly deserving. It is for that reason that my office will continue to try to root out and prosecute these offenders. Unless you want to be a convicted felon, my advice is, simply, do not steal.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police - Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Quinley and Liam Coonan.
Franklin County Resident Sentenced on Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn October 7, 2014, April D. Rollinson, of Murphysboro, Ill., was sentenced for her involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Rollinson, 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 of supervised release, and fined $200. The offense occurred between 2012 and June 2013, in Perry, Jackson, Randolph, Franklin, and Williamson Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Rollinson obtained pseudoephedrine to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Co-defendants Brandon K. Loftis and Samantha J. Plumlee have previously been sentenced to prison terms of 97 and 70 months, respectively, for their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, DuQuoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Woman Pleads Guilty and Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Belleville Jack-In-The-BoxRead the Press Release
Case Is One of Many Prosecuted As Part of United States Attorney Wigginton’s Armed Robbery Initiative
Follow @SDILNewsYulonda Stewart, 29, plead guilty and was sentenced to 28 years in prison today on a three-count indictment charging her with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The Armed Robbery count arises from the federal Hobbs Act, which makes it a crime to obstruct, delay or affect interstate commerce by robbery, and is used by United States Attorney Wigginton as a way to combat armed robbery in the Southern District of Illinois. Following her prison sentence, Stewart will be on federal supervised release for 5 years. Stewart has been in custody since her arrest on December 9, 2012.
“I will continue to fight these armed robberies with all of my resources.” United States Attorney Wigginton noted. “People in Southern Illinois should be able to patronize restaurants and convenience stores without fear of these robbers. As Ms. Stewart found, she will serve almost as much time in federal prison as she has been on this earth. The message is clear – Stop this Violence, or face the consequences of spending decades in federal prisons far from your homes, families, and friends.”
A factual stipulation filed with the Court revealed that on December 9, 2012 at approximately 8:20 p.m., Stewart entered the Jack-in-the-Box restaurant located in Belleville, Illinois armed with fully loaded black Hi-Point 9 mm pistol. Stewart pointed the firearm at the four employees present and forced them to the back of the restaurant where the safe was located. Stewart ordered the store manager to open the safe and place all of the money in a paper bag while she ordered the other employees to lie on the floor. As the manager removed the money from the safe, Belleville Police officers arrived and ordered Stewart to drop the firearm. Stewart was then taken into custody at gunpoint. The sentencing judge characterized Stewart as “the most violent woman he has sentenced since he has been a judge.”
This investigation was conducted by the Belleville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Mount Vernon Woman Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Margaret R. Teriet, 32, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging that she engaged in a scheme to commit health care fraud. Sentencing has been set for January 15, 2015, in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. Teriet will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
During her plea hearing, Teriet admitted that she had submitted false and fraudulent bills in relation to her alleged performance of personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. Teriet admitted to falsely billing the program between April 30, 2012 and December 31, 2012, when she purportedly rendered personal assistant services to an individual when she, in fact, did not. As a result, Teriet improperly received payments for services not performed.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William E. Coonan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Hallock.
If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, or you may call 1.800.447.8477.
Jasper County Woman Sentenced to Fourteen Years in Prison on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Rebecca A. Moore, 37, of Yale, (Jasper County) Illinois, was sentenced to 168 months (14 years) in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release following her imprisonment, and fined $400. Moore had previously pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that Moore, Ashley M. Attaway, 29, of Yale, Illinois, David C. Halterman, 44, of Yale, Illinois, and Ricky Lee Roberts, II, 39, of Franklin, Indiana, conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine. Count 3 charged that from April 2013 to October 12, 2013, in Jasper County, Moore did knowingly maintain a residence located in Yale, Illinois, for the purpose of using and distributing methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Attaway was previously sentenced to 188 months in prison. Co-defendants Halterman and Roberts are set for trial on November 3, 2014. As to them, 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 Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The Jasper County State’s Attorney’s Office has assisted throughout the investigation in this case.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Eldorado Couple Sentenced for Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsYesterday, a couple from Eldorado, Illinois, was sentenced on their convictions for bankruptcy fraud, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. Lucy J. McGill, 62, and Gary G. McGill, 69, were each sentenced to 2 years of probation, with 4 months of home confinement on electronic monitoring, 20 hours of public service, and ordered to pay fines of $1,000 each. The sentencing hearings were conducted by U.S. District Judge J. Phil Gilbert.
The sentencings follow the McGills’ guilty pleas in federal court in Benton, Illinois on June 5, 2014. Lucy McGill pled guilty to two counts of making false statements under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy case, three counts of making false statements under oath in a bankruptcy case, and one count of falsifying records in a bankruptcy case. Gary McGill pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy case and two counts of making false statements under oath in a bankruptcy case.
The McGills filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy case on February 25, 2009, in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Benton, Illinois.
Federal law requires that debtors who file for bankruptcy must disclose all of their assets. In addition, debtors are required to disclose certain financial transactions that they conducted prior to filing bankruptcy. The purpose of these disclosures is to ensure that all available funds can collected to pay the creditors as much as possible on the amounts they are owed.
In their guilty pleas, Lucy and Gary McGill both admitted that they lied on a Statement of Financial Affairs that they filed with the Bankruptcy Court. The McGills falsely stated that $22,000 in two accounts in Lucy McGill’s name at SIU Credit Union belonged to Lucy McGill’s sister. In fact, that $22,000 had recently been paid to Gary McGill in settlement of two lawsuits. The McGills further admitted that they again lied on their Statement of Financial Affairs when they concealed the fact that they had recently given their son cash gifts totaling $6,800. The McGills continued to lie about these topics when they gave sworn testimony at a bankruptcy proceeding on April 3, 2009. Finally, Lucy McGill also admitted that she created fake receipts, purportedly showing that the cash in the SIU Credit Union accounts belonged to her sister, and then provided those receipts to the attorney administering her bankruptcy case.
In commenting on yesterday’s sentences, United States Attorney Wigginton said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for Southern Illinois remains committed to prosecuting individuals who commit bankruptcy fraud. This type of crime cheats creditors and represents a fraud on our federal courts. Bankruptcy should be a haven for those in need of its protections, not a place where people try to hide their assets from creditors.”
Nancy J. Gargula, United States Trustee for Southern Illinois, Central Illinois and Indiana (Region 10) stated, “Today’s proceedings make clear that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.” The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in South Bend, Ind., and Peoria, Ill. The charges resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee for Indiana and Central and Southern Illinois (Region 10) to the Southern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group and U.S. Attorney.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott A. Verseman.
Cahokia Woman Sentenced for Stealing Funds from Department of Veterans AffairsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Mary Lee Owens, 54, of Cahokia, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in East Saint Louis on charges that she stole pension benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Owens admitted that from November 2004 through April 2013, she fraudulently obtained $70,260 from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The district court sentenced Owens to three months imprisonment, three years of supervised release to follow imprisonment, with the first six months to be in home detention, to pay restitution of $70,260 to Department of Veterans Affairs, and to pay a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Belleville Man Sentenced to Prison for Money Laundering Andwire FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Brian J. Fields, 52, of Belleville, IL, was sentenced on a two-count information charging that he engaged in a scheme to commit wire fraud and that he had committed money laundering. Fields was sentenced to serve 27 months in federal prison, to pay $98,800 in restitution to his victims, and to serve 3 years of supervised release after his release from prison.
At his plea hearing On May 28, 2014, Fields admitted that he assisted a person from oversees (Nigeria) in defrauding United States Citizens by sending counterfeit checks and money orders to individuals in several schemes (such as a “Secret Shopper” scam). The schemes resulted in victims receiving the counterfeit check or money order, depositing it into their own bank account, and then at the direction of Fields, the victim would wire transfer legitimate funds to Fields. By the time the person learned the check or money order was worthless, they had already sent the money to Fields. When Fields received the victims’ money, he would keep a portion for himself and then to further the scheme, Fields would send the remaining funds to a person located in Nigeria. Agents were able to identify over 70 victims.
The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Secret Service and the Swansea, Illinois Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Chicago Man Charged and Arrested for Making Bomb and Violence Threats Against Southern Illinois UniversityRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Derrick Dawon Burns, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged in a previously-sealed criminal complaint on September 25, 2014, with eight federal charges stemming from a series of bomb and violence threats directed toward Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (SIUC), students, faculty and staff on October 10, 2012, October 15, 2012, December 6, 2012, and October 1, 2013.
“I am proud of the unflagging investigative efforts performed by the federal and state law enforcement agencies working jointly on this case. These types of threats carry immensely dangerous consequences for all involved. You can be certain that my office and law enforcement never once failed to take these threats seriously or to give up the fight to apprehend the person we believe is responsible. Instilling anger, fear and disruption at a major university is something the people of Southern Illinois should not have to condone.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
After authorities arrested Burns in Chicago today, he had his initial appearance in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where the criminal complaint was unsealed. Burns is being held without bond pending a detention hearing set for Wednesday, October 1, 2014, in Chicago.
Each of the eight federal charges carry maximum penalties of ten years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the SIUC Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistance was provided by the Carbondale Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Illinois State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Constance.
Area Women Plead Guilty to Medicaid Funds FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on September 25, 2014, Tamekia Hall, 38, of East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty to submitting false and fraudulent bills in relation to personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. The investigation determined that Hall was falsifying time sheets in order receive personal assistant payments during times when the customer was actually in the hospital. Also, on today’s date, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Maketa Davis 33, of East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty to submitting false and fraudulent bills in relation to personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. The investigation determined that Davis was falsifying time sheets in order receive personal assistant payments during times when she was actually working at Lessie Bates Home.
Both of these cases resulted from United States Attorney Wigginton’s emphasis on targeting those involved in the blatant theft of funds from cash-strapped programs designed to help persons in need. “These are just another two prosecutions in the long line of successes stemming from these operations, dubbed, ‘Home Alone.’ While not representing enormous thefts, the importance of these cases lies in the recovery of the funds and in the message sent to potential thieves – do so at your peril.” United States Attorney Wigginton noted.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police’s Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock.
Former Drug Property in Fairview Heights ForfeitedRead the Press Release
House Located at 20 Kassing Drive, Scene of Drug Overdose Deaths, Will Be Demolished
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that the forfeiture proceedings against the former drug house and real property located at 20 Kassing Drive in Fairview Heights, Illinois, have been completed. The property will be given to the City of Fairview Heights for public use. It is believed that the City will proceed with demolition of the building on property and eventually turn the property into a “pocket” park area.
“I am hopeful that the eventual use of this land by the citizens of Fairview Heights as a place of peace and relaxation will help erase the awful memories of the drug deals and the deaths which were connected to this site.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
Deborah A. Perkins, 66, the owner of the property, forfeited her rights to her home and signed a Stipulation and Consent to Forfeiture. Perkins admitted that she sold heroin from the residence. Two young women, Jessica Williams and Jennifer Herling, died as a result of the drugs they received from persons at this residence. In addition to losing her home, Perkins was sentenced to 324 months imprisonment.
Lennil Johnson, of the St. Clair County Jail, attempted to take advantage of the forfeiture proceedings. Johnson filed fictitious claims against 20 Kassing Drive, claiming an ownership interest in the property. In adjudicating this forfeiture, the District Court denied Johnson’s claims, and, on April 1, 2014, sanctioned Johnson $1,000 for his actions. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s handling of this action.
Seven Southern Illinois Residents Plead Guilty to Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsSeven Southern Illinois residents have plead guilty to drug offenses in federal court in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On September 17, 2014, Maurice L. Robinson, a/k/a “Ray Ray,” 34, and Harold Lawayne Barron, a/k/a “Wayne,” 51, both of Murphysboro, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. The crack cocaine offense occurred between May 2013, and September 2013, in Jackson County. Additionally, Barron pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The methamphetamine offense occurred between August 2012, and October 2013, in Jackson and Perry Counties. Both offenses carry penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Robinson and Barron are currently being held without bond pending December 22, 2014, sentencing hearings. Co-defendant Jamie Kay Kelly, a/k/a “Jamie K.” and “Jamie K. Short,” previously pled guilty to the crack cocaine and methamphetamine offenses.
In a separate case, On September 17, 2014, Jeffry M. Presutti, Jr., 37, of Pomona, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. 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. The methamphetamine 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. Presutti is currently being held without bond pending a December 22, 2014, sentencing hearing.
Again, on September 17, 2014, Sarah Lindsey, 30, of Marion, Illinois, pled guilty to an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. This offense occurred between 2012 and January 22, 2014, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Lindsey was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Lindsay obtained pseudoephedrine pills for herself or others to use to manufacture methamphetamine. During a January 22, 2014, Illinois Department of Corrections compliance check, agents located a methamphetamine lab at Lindsey’s Marion residence. This methamphetamine 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. Lindsey is currently being held without bond, pending a January 8, 2015, sentencing hearing.
Also, on September 17, 2014, Frank R. Johnson, a/k/a “Mo,” 44, of Elkville, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute heroin. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Johnson was transporting ounce amounts of heroin from northern Illinois to Elkville for distribution. On numerous occasions, Johnson sold heroin to a confidential source working for law enforcement and to an undercover agent. When agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence, they recovered heroin, digital scales, drug packaging materials, and a large amount of U.S. currency. The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Jackson and Franklin Counties. 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. Johnson is currently being held without bond, pending a January 7, 2015, sentencing hearing.
Finally, on September 17, 2014, Brandon K. Craig, 31, of Carbondale, and Larry E. Recar, 38, of Murphysboro, each pled guilty to an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. This offense occurred between 2010 and January 2014, in Jackson, Williamson, Union, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea hearings established that Craig and Recar were involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Other persons supplied pseudoephedrine pills to Craig and Recar to use to manufacture methamphetamine. Two co-defendants have previously been sentenced for their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Two co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Six co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting jury trial. Possible punishment includes a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Craig and Recar are also being held without bond pending January 7, 2015, sentencing hearings.
All of these ongoing investigations were conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
All of the cases are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Jury Finds Tennessee Man Guilty for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsRonald Douglas, a 59-year old Memphis, Tennessee, man was found guilty on September 17, 2014, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, Illinois, for failure to register as a sex offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Douglas will be sentenced on January 23, 2015.
The violation occurred in 2012, when Douglas moved from Illinois to Tennessee, after signing an Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act Notification Form on January 9, 2012, requiring him to either update his sex offender registration in Illinois to reflect his change of address, or register as a sex offender in Tennessee within three days. Douglas had been previously convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse on June 5, 1992, and July 8, 1999 in Madison County, Illinois.
“The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act serves the important purpose of allowing persons to be aware of sex offenders who might be living in their neighborhoods. I am pleased that this federal jury rightfully recognized the importance of this concept in finding this offender guilty of not complying with the law.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel T. Kapsak and Nathan D. Stump
Former Fairfield Community High School Cross Country Team Coach Pleads Guilty to Sex Offenses Involving MinorsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on September 17, 2014, Timothy C. Going, 43, formerly of Fairfield, IL, where he worked as the coach for the cross country team, the assistant coach for the track team, and a math teacher at Fairfield Community High School, pled guilty to a four-count Indictment charging him, in Counts 1 through 3, with the Attempted Sexual Exploitation of Minors and, in Count 4, with Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct.
For the three counts of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Going faces a term of not less than fifteen years but not more than thirty years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years to life for each count. For the offense of Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, Going faces a term of not more than ten years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years to life.
Going’s sentencing is scheduled for January 5, 2015, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Going has been held without bond since his arraignment on July 21, 2014.
Court documents revealed that Going’s criminal activities began on May 5, 2014, when a hidden video camera was discovered above a bathroom stall in the girls’ locker room at Fairfield Community High School. The video camera was wired to a black box with an antennae attached to it and a SD card slot in it. The next day, an Illinois State Police (ISP) crime scene investigator collected the camera and black box as evidence and transported them to the ISP’s forensics crime lab in Springfield, Illinois.
An ISP Forensic Technician began a forensic examination of the SanDisk micro SD card (SD card) removed from the black box that was wired to the hidden video camera and discovered several video clips from May 5, 2014, which depicted teenage girls using the bathroom stall or standing or walking next to the bathroom stall in the girls’ locker room in various stages of undress. There were other video clips that had been deleted that showed that the camera had been hidden in different locations in the girls’ locker room, including the changing area, before being placed above the bathroom stall.
The SD card also contained a video clip from May 2, 2014, which captured the placement of the hidden camera in the location in which it was found, by a white male wearing shorts and white ankle socks at approximately 10:28 p.m. that night. A review of the school’s surveillance video showed Going entering the school near that time wearing black shorts, a black hoodie, a gray stocking cap, tennis shoes, and white ankle socks. The school’s surveillance system captured Going later going into the dark gym area, and, at approximately 10:28 p.m., leaving the gym area wearing his white ankle socks and carrying his shoes. The surveillance camera then showed Going exit the school, sit on the stairs to put on his shoes, walk to his truck and drive away.
Additional images recovered from the SD card showed images of members of the girls’ cross country team in various stages of undress as they prepared to and/or finished showering in what appeared to be different hotel bathrooms. Illinois State Police Special Agents spoke with the administration at Fairfield Community High School and learned that Going had taken the cross country team on two overnight trips in 2012 and one overnight trip in 2013 to attend track meets and two regional competitions at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. Going drove the bus that carried both the cross country team to the meet and regional competitions.
Members of the girls’ 2012 and 2013 cross country teams were interviewed regarding these overnight trips. The interviews revealed that Going had the same routine when he arrived at and left the motel with the cross country team. He would either have the team wait on the bus or in the lobby while he checked them in and took the keys from the hotel clerk. He would then tell the kids to wait so he could check the rooms for any “damage” so that the damage would not be attributed to the students occupying the room, and subsequently charged to the school. After he returned, he would assign rooms to the girls and the boys, and give them the keys to their rooms. Likewise, before checking out of the motel the next day, Going would again have the team either wait in the lobby or on the bus while he would take their keys and tell them that he was going to check the rooms for any “damage” and to make sure all personal belongings had been removed. He would then turn the keys into the motel clerk and they would leave. It was at these times that Going installed and removed the hidden video camera from the bathroom of rooms he specifically assigned to members of the girls’ cross country team.
On May 9, 2014, Going was arrested and charged by the Wayne County State’s Attorney with unauthorized videotaping of students as well as burglary to the school. That same day, a state search warrant was executed at Going’s residence and numerous electronic media devices were seized. These electronic media devices, including, but not limited to, a MSI Generic desktop computer, a HP Pavilion laptop computer, were also submitted to the ISP’s forensics crime lab for forensic examination. During the forensic examinations of the MSI Generic desktop computer and the HP Pavilion laptop computer, a large number of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were found. The majority of the images had been downloaded via the internet, and depicted sexual interactions between minors and adults, as well as sexual interactions between minors, and the lascivious display of the genitals of minors.
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 Illinois State Police, the Fairview Heights 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.
Carbondale Resident Pleads Guilty to Crack Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn September 12, 2014, Johnathan T. Buck, a/k/a “Buffalo,” of Carbondale, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2013 and March 2014, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Buck was involved with others in the distribution of crack cocaine in Carbondale. Buck and his associates were transporting crack cocaine from northern Illinois to Carbondale for distribution. On multiple occasions, Buck sold crack cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement.
The crack 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. Buck is currently being held without bond pending a December 16, 2014, sentencing hearing.
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 is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Alexander County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn September 12, 2014, Keithy D. Carter, a/k/a “Darnell K. Carter,” 23, of Tamms, Ill., pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that, on January 14, 2014, Carter possessed a Hi-Point, model C9, 9mm Luger semiautomatic pistol, in Tamms, Alexander County. The firearm had recently been used by another individual to commit a homicide in Jackson County. Because Carter had previously been convicted of a felony, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The firearm offense carries a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Carter is currently being held without bond while he awaits a December 16, 2014, sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Carbondale Police Department and 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.
Union County Resident Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn September 11, 2014, Rusty J. Smith, 35, of Cobden, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that Smith was involved with co-defendant Ruth Diane Wiseman and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Wiseman and others supplied pseudoephedrine pills to Smith to use to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2012 and March 2014, in Union, Williamson, and Jackson Counties. The methamphetamine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Smith is currently being held without bond pending a December 16, 2014, sentencing hearing. Wiseman has previously pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Two co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting a jury trial.
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 19th Judicial District Drug Task Force (Tennessee) assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Robbery of Chili's Bar and GrillRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsChristopher Ford, 29, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to a 57 month term in federal prison, to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,883.30 in restitution at his sentencing, today, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois announced. Ford had been charged with Interference with Commerce by Violence, a violation of the Hobbs Act, in connection with the robbery of Chili’s Bar and Grill in Fairview Heights on August 1, 2013. Ford, who has been in custody since his arrest on August 1, 2013, will remain in custody until he serves his prison sentence.
“While I am pleased to note that armed robberies of businesses have declined, I am still concerned that, as shown by the recent Circle K robbery near Belleville, the bad guys are not getting the message. Again, I want these persons to know that they will be caught and they will do federal time far from their homes and families.” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “My federal initiative will not cease until this kind of crime is eliminated. All of our citizens should feel safe in going to restaurants, convenience stores and gas stations. To ensure this, I will continue to use the Hobbs Act and every tool that I have to investigate and prosecute those who rob businesses engaging in interstate commerce.”
At the time of Ford’s guilty plea, court records showed that on August 1, 2013, at approximately 9:24 p.m., Ford and his co-defendants entered Chili’s Restaurant (in Fairview Heights) to commit a robbery. Ford and one of his co-defendants were masked and armed with BB guns which resembled genuine semi-automatic firearms. The third co-defendant was unarmed and unmasked. In total, over twenty customers and employees were present in the restaurant when the defendants entered a side door to commit the robbery. The manager was ordered at gunpoint by Ford to open the safe, which contained a cash drawer and box. The two co-defendants maintained watch over customers and employees (some of whom were ordered to the back of the restaurant and the ground) while monies were being taken. Some customers fled the restaurant during the robbery. An alert customer was able to record the Missouri license plate number of the getaway car, and to provide it to police during a 911 call.
Police officers quickly located the getaway car, and, after a chase, were able to catch it when it drove into the City of St. Louis and ran into a dead end street. The defendants attempted to flee the police on foot, but were quickly apprehended.
The case was investigated by the Fairview Heights Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne M. Garrison for prosecution.
Jasper County Woman Sentenced to 188 Months on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA Jasper County woman was sentenced on September 11, 2014, to over fifteen years in federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Ashley M. Attaway, 29, of Yale, Illinois, was sentenced to 188 months in prison, five years’ supervised release following the prison sentence, and fined $100. Attaway had previously pleaded guilty to the charge that Attaway, David C. Halterman, 44, of Yale, Illinois, Rebecca A. Moore, 36, of Yale, Illinois, and Ricky Lee Roberts, II, 39, of Franklin, Indiana, conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Moore has pleaded guilty to the charges against her and is scheduled for sentencing on October 3, 2014. Co-defendants Halterman and Roberts are set for trial on November 3, 2014.
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 Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The Jasper County State’s Attorney’s Office has assisted throughout the investigation in this case.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Jackson County Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn September 12, 2014, Willie Joe Strayhorn, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” 47, of Murphysboro, was sentenced on a one-count indictment charging Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Strayhorn was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and fined $200.
The offense occurred between November 1, 2010, and September 4, 2013, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Strayhorn was required to register as a sex offender under both Illinois law and the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), because of a 1993 conviction for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in Jackson County Circuit Court. Strayhorn failed to register in August 2010, and in July 2011, members of the United States Marshals Service Task Force found Strayhorn hiding in a closet in a Dyersburg, Tennessee, residence. Strayhorn had not registered in Illinois since August 2010 and never registered in Tennessee. The district judge imposed a higher sentence on Strayhorn based on his substantial criminal history, which included previous convictions for robbery, aggravated battery, domestic battery, residential burglary, burglary, forgery, possession of a controlled substance, failure to register as a sex offender, evading arrest, and theft.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Murphysboro Police Department. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Former Business Official and Treasurer of the Carterville School District Sentenced to A Year and A Day in Prison for Embezzling Funds from the Carterville School DistrictRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsTodd Ryan Frazier, 32, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was sentenced to twelve months and one day in federal prison as a result of his conviction for Embezzlement and Theft from the Carterville School District, a unit of local government that received federal funds, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Frazier was also ordered to serve two years supervised release following his release from prison, to pay restitution totaling $100,420.80, and to serve two hundred hours of community service.
“I cannot stress enough that public service is a public trust. If you violate the public’s trust, you will be punished.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
Court documents reveal that Frazier, from August of 2008 and continuing through February of 2012, engaged in a scheme to defraud the Carterville School District, Unit 5, in Williamson County, while he was the School Business Official, which included the duties and responsibilities to act as the treasurer and payroll officer for the district. Frazier abused his position of public trust over a three and a half year period causing a loss of approximately $114,000. Although Frazier pled guilty to one count of a multiple count indictment, all of his actions in the remaining counts were considered as relevant conduct by the Court in determining the appropriate sentence to impose. There was evidence that Frazier's manipulation of the financial records of the school district caused an immense disruption and a lot of effort to rectify.
The successful prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Carterville School District. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Sesser Man Sentenced for Conveying False Allegations of A Terrorist Plot to Disrupt Election Day 2012Read the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced that Ray Allen Flener, 26, of Sesser, Illinois, was sentenced on September 10, 2014, on federal charges that he made false statements and conveyed a false threat to federal agents. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois sentenced Flener to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, payment of a special assessment of $200.
At the change of plea hearing in April of 2014, Flener admitted that on November 2, 2012, as a detainee at the Franklin County Jail in Benton, he told a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that he had knowledge of a plan by a group called “the New World Order” to disrupt Election Day on November 6, 2012, by using weapons and explosives. Specifically, Flener told and showed the FBI agent the area in which the weapons and explosives allegedly had been stored in August of 2012. Flener’s statements were false because, as Flener knew, he had no such knowledge of weapons and explosives having been stored at that location.
Flener also admitted that on November 1, 2012, he intentionally conveyed false and misleading information, when Flener told law enforcement officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI that he had personal knowledge of a plan by a group called “the New World Order” to disrupt Election Day, November 6, 2012, by using weapons and explosives.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sheriff’s Offices of Franklin County, Williamson County, Saline County and Jackson County, and the Police Departments of Marion, West Frankfort and Johnston City. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
Jerseyville Man Convicted of Attempted Sex Offenses with A MinorRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsTimothy S. Griesemer, 40, of Jerseyville, Illinois was convicted today in the United States District Court of Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The guilty verdicts were returned this morning in federal court following a three-day jury trial. “I am gratified that a jury perceived this person to be just what he is – someone who had every intention of molesting a child.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
Evidence presented at trial established that in October 2013, Griesemer sent several text messages to a female acquaintance indicating that he had a desire to obtain a minor child for the purposes of engaging in sexual acts with the child. The acquaintance called the Jerseyville Police Department to report the substance of the text messages. The Jerseyville Police Department enlisted the assistance of agents from the Illinois State Police and the United States Secret Service who initiated an investigation. On October 10, 2013, Griesemer exchanged over 95 text messages with undercover agents during which Griesemer repeatedly stated his desire to pay money to engage in sexual acts with an eight year old female. During the text conversation, Griesemer agreed to meet at an apartment in Jerseyville for what he believed would be a meeting with the young child to engage in sexual acts. Griesemer arrived at the apartment, confirmed his intentions, and was arrested by law enforcement. During a search of Griesemer’s person, agents located a condom, two bottles of personal lubricant, a sexual device, and $311 in cash.
Griesemer is facing a minimum term in prison of fifteen (15) years up to life and a fine up to $250,000 for the Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor and a term in prison of not less than ten (10) years up to life and a fine up to $250,000 for the Attempted Enticement of a Minor. Griesemer will also be subject to a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life after his term of imprisonment. Griesemer will remain in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled on December 12, 2014 before United States District Judge Michael J. Reagan.
“I cannot thank the brave citizen who reported this gruesome request and the men and women of law enforcement enough for their concern and swift investigation which led to the capture of someone intent on molesting a child. The concerted action of these people most certainly saved an innocent child from what would have been nothing less than a sentence in hell.” United States Attorney Wigginton noted.
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 the Illinois State Police, the United States Secret Service, and the Jerseyville Police Department. The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Mail TheftRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Abra K. Albrecht, 31, of Carrollton, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging that she had stolen mail that had been entrusted to her for delivery. Sentencing has been set for January 12, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. Albrecht will face up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
Albrecht, at her plea, admitted that while employed by the United States Postal Service and working at both the Kampsville and Hardin Post offices, in February of 2014, she had stolen mail that had been deposited for delivery. Albrecht further admitted that she had taken a debit card from a letter that had been entrusted to her for delivery and then used that card for her own personal gain. Albrecht was caught when she was identified using the stolen debit card on surveillance video.
The investigation was conducted by agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian
Granite City Woman Peads Guilty to Controlled Substances by FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Abbe L. Terry, 49, of Granite City, Illinois, pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging that she obtained controlled substances by fraud and forgery. Sentencing has been set for January 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. Terry will face up to 4 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release as to each count.
At her plea, Terry admitted that on May 10, 2013, October 13, 2013, and October 23, 2013, she had, through the use of fraud and forgery, obtained Duragesic Patches, referred to as Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. Terry admitted that she used forged prescriptions that she had made on a home computer to obtain the controlled substances that had not been lawfully prescribed to her. Terry obtained the substances from pharmacies in Alton, Illinois.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Office of Diversion Control. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian
Williamson County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn August 29, 2014, Dennis A. Higgins, a/k/a “Dingo,” 43, of Marion, Ill., pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that, on May 9, 2014, agents executed a search warrant at Higgins’s Marion residence. Agents located two 12 gauge shotguns. Higgins admitted that the guns were his. Because Higgins had previously been convicted of a felony, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The firearm offense carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Higgins is currently being held without bond pending a December 10, 2014, sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Marion Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and Williamson County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Jefferson County Woman Sentenced to 120 Months on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA Jefferson County woman was sentenced on September 3, 2014, to federal prison on methamphetamine charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Julia Ann Snow, 52, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, four years’ supervised release following her imprisonment, and was fined $500. Snow had previously been convicted following a two day jury trial on five counts in a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that from on or about June 2010, until on or about September 19, 2012, in Jefferson County, Snow and others conspired to knowingly and intentionally manufacture more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Count 4 charged that on July 5, 2012, Snow knowingly possessed equipment, chemicals, products, or materials used to manufacture methamphetamine. Counts 5, 6, and 7 charged that Snow knowingly possessed pseudoephedrine, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, on three separate dates (December 16, 2011, August 25, 2011, and July 29, 2010).
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 was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.
Highland Resident Sentenced for Transportation and Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit ConductRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA Highland, Illinois, resident was sentenced on September 4, 2014, to a two-count Indictment, charging him, in Count 1, with Transportation of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct; and, in Count 2, with Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct; the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Daniel C. Shaw, a/k/a “Josh Shackfer,” 39, Highland, Il, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 72 months on each count, to run concurrently; a term of supervised release of 10 years on each count, also to run concurrently; fined $250 on each count, for a total fine of $500; and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. Shaw was taken into custody by the USMS immediately after the hearing ended.
The investigation began on September 23, 2012, when the mother of a fifteen (15) year old minor contacted the Citrus County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, and reported that a man sent her daughter pictures of a penis, and that she found sexually explicit texts between the man and her daughter. When interviewed, the daughter admitted that her conversations with the man, who she knew as “Josh Shackfer,” were sexual, and that she had told him her age. Despite numerous texts from the mother to the man telling him to stop communicating with her daughter, which the man ignored, the mother reported the incident to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
The subsequent Florida investigation revealed that, from on or about July 30, 2010, until January 12, 2011, Defendant Daniel C. Shaw, posed as a 16 year old boy named “Josh Shackfer,” and made contact with several minor females in Florida using MySpace. Shaw was 35 years old at the time, and lived in Highland, Illinois. The investigation also revealed that Shaw, using a fake MySpace page for “Josh Shackfer,” engaged in sexually explicit conversations with several minor females, either through text messaging, instant messaging, or telephone calls, knowing that these girls were minors. He also asked some of these minor females to send him photographs of them naked and/or of their naked genitalia. Several females did so, including M.P., who sent close-up photographs of her naked genitalia. The pictures of M.P., which were clearly visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, were found on Shaw’s MySpace e-mail account. After being shown the pictures by a Highland, Illinois, Police Officer, Shaw identified the pictures of M.P. by initialing each of them, and indicated that he knew M.P. was either 16 or 17. (Count 2).
In a voluntary statement to a Highland, Illinois, Police Detective, Shaw admitted communicating with the minor females in Florida using a fake MySpace page under the name of “Josh Shackfer,” in which he identified himself as an 18 year old, and that he used images found on the internet of a younger male and portions of a male body on this MySpace page. He also admitted engaging in sexually explicit conversations with these underage girls, and trading pictures with them. Shaw saved the pictures sent to him from the minor females, including the sexually explicit pictures, on his Yahoo e-mail account. Shaw said that he had been engaged in this activity for approximately six (6) months, and that he knew the girls he communicated with in Florida were between 14 and 17 years of age. The pictures that were downloaded also demonstrated that Shaw had transferred the visual depictions of the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct from one e-mail account to another via the internet (Count 1).
Shaw also provided a voluntary statement to members of the FBI’s Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force in which he again admitted creating the fake “Josh Shackfer” MySpace page to communicate with underage girls, and ask them to send pictures of themselves, including pictures of their breasts, buttocks and genitalia. Shaw said that M.P. sent him between five (5) and seven (7) pictures of her breasts, buttocks, and other “body poses,” and again acknowledged that he knew M.P. was a minor at the time he requested the pictures of her naked genitalia.
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 Citrus County, Florida, Sheriff’s Department, the Highland, Illinois, Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force (SCETF). The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Prison Inmate Cheats Taxpayers Out of Medicaid FundsRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on September 3, 2014, Christopher Spivey, 30, pled guilty to submitting false and fraudulent bills in relation to personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. The investigation determined that Spivey was submitting bills claiming to care for the customer while he was incarcerated in Richland County Jail in Olney, Illinois.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Illinois State Police’s Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Hallock.