Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Employee of Local Fkg Oil Sentenced for Wire Fraud in A Scheme to Defraud EmployerRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsKevin D. Dowell, 37, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 366 days in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release as a result of his conviction for wire fraud in a scheme to defraud and embezzle from the FKG Oil Company, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Additionally, Dowell was ordered to pay restitution totaling $113,984.
Dowell was the Manager of the Human Resources Department of FKG Oil Company in Belleville, Illinois. During the time period mid-2010 to April 2013, he falsified mileage expense reports, used a company credit card for personal expenses, and transferred funds electronically from the company’s bank account directly to his personal bank account in Missouri. Dowell fraudulently obtained the funds to support his relationship with an exotic dancer.
The fraud was reported to the Belleville Police Department and a full investigation was performed by a third party firm. At completion of the full investigation, the case was turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Falsifying expense reports is a crime. To report suspicious activity to the F.B.I. call (217) 522-9675 or email [email protected]. To report public corruption, call (877) 884-7633 or (877) U-TIP-OFF. To report health care fraud, call (888) 557-9503.
Williamson County Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 25, 2014, John S. Andrews, 30, of Marion, 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.
The offense occurred between August 2012 and December 2012, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Andrews and others obtained pseudoephedrine together for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Andrews, who is currently incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections, is set for sentencing on the federal offense on October 30, 2014. At that time, he faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Murphysboro Police Department.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Williamson County Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Cocaine OffensesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 25, 2014, James D. Gunn, 34, of Marion, pled guilty to a two-count indictment, charging unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offenses occurred on October 31, 2013, in Williamson County. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Gunn sold cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. During an October 31, 2013, search warrant at Gunn’s Marion residence, agents located a Ruger, Super RedHawk, .44 caliber revolver, cocaine, digital scales, drug packaging materials, and U.S. currency. Upon arrest, Gunn admitted to ownership of the firearm and cocaine. At the plea hearing, Gunn’s bond was revoked and he was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, pending an October 30, 2014, sentencing hearing.
On the firearm offense, Gunn faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. On the cocaine offense, Gunn faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Illinois State Police, and Williamson County States Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Owner of $14.5 Million Telemarketing Scam Surrenders in Southern IllinoisRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Kristina R. Cameron, 35, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, surrendered herself to the United States Marshals Service in East St. Louis, Illinois, yesterday in response to an arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The arrest warrant was issued on June 17, 2014, after a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging Cameron with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. The charge carries a term of imprisonment of up to 25 years, a fine of $250,000 and five years of supervised release.
The Indictment alleges that Cameron was one of the owners of C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, a Florida corporation which, in 2009, defrauded consumers across the continent using the fictitious name, Premier Timeshare Solutions (“PTS”). PTS telemarketers worked in an office building in West Palm Beach, Florida. From there, they placed phone calls to timeshare owners, falsely representing or implying that the company had found someone who wanted to buy the person’s timeshare. In exchange for an advance fee that typically exceeded $1,000, the PTS telemarketers promised to handle all the details of the sale and send the victims the proceeds after closing. Once the victims had paid the advance fee, however (usually by giving the telemarketer their credit card information), the fraudulent company simply pocketed the money. There were no interested buyers, the closings did not occur, and the timeshares were not resold.
Victims who called PTS to check on the status of their transactions were directed to customer service representatives, managed by PTS co-owner Jose Goyos, whose goal was to perpetuate the fraud by delaying and discouraging chargebacks and complaints. To accomplish that goal, representatives would lie to victims, assuring them that despite some phony, unexpected delay, their timeshare unit was still going to be sold. Repeat callers were given a series of bogus excuses, none of which had any basis in fact. By instilling a false sense of hope, PTS aimed to delay the chargeback process beyond the time that most credit card issuers allow for disputes. Goyos was indicted in September 2013 and sentencing to 96 months of imprisonment on May 2, 2014.
The Indictment returned Tuesday charges that, after PTS was shut down in late 2009, Cameron continued to defraud consumers by opening and operating another timeshare re-sale fraud scheme known as Commercial Property Partners, LLC (“CPP”). Then, according to the Indictment, after CCP shut down in 2010, Cameron operated another fraudulent telemarketing business known as Federal Fee Recovery, LLC (“Federal Fee”). Federal Fee telemarketers called victims of timeshare re-sale scams, including PTS and CPP, and, in return for an upfront fee, falsely promised that they could help the victims recover what they had lost due to the timeshare re-sale scams.
Several others have been charged in connection with PTS and two defendants have pled guilty. Last month, the grand jury returned ten one-count indictments in connection with this scheme. On June 17, 2014, in addition to indicting Cameron, the federal grand jury returned indictments against three additional PTS employees. During a recent sentencing of Goyos, the Honorable David R. Herndon, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, called timeshare resale fraud an industry that recruits recovering drug addicts to steal from the financially vulnerable – “the most despicable scam in the world.”
United States Attorney Wigginton commented: “Our prosecutions of these cases are part of our ongoing commitment to bring to justice those who perpetrate these telemarketing fraud scams. I have said this before, but it bears repeating: if you get a call from someone you do not know and trust, promising something that sounds too good to be true, it is a scam. Hang up. Then, please report the call to the proper authorities.”
This prosecution is one of nearly 60 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, the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture. The prosecution of the cases is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock and Assistant United States Attorney Scott Verseman.
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.
Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Old National Bank in HarrisburgRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsCasey Allen Heflin, 28, of Boaz, Kentucky, pled guilty yesterday in United States District Court in East St. Louis to an indictment charging him with robbing the Old National Bank branch facility in Harrisburg, Illinois, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on March 4, 2014, alleged that Heflin robbed the bank on October 17, 2013. As a part of his plea, Heflin admitted that he entered the bank with a loaded firearm, pointed it at a teller, and demanded money. A total of $4197 was taken.
Sentencing was set for September 24, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in East St. Louis. At that time, Heflin faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration.
Heflin has been held without bond in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest on the federal charge in March. He was again remanded to the Marshal’s custody to await sentencing.
The on-going federal investigation into the robbery is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Illinois State Police Zone 7 Investigations unit in Carmi, and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Randolph County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 19, 2014, Samuel S. Jacobs, a/k/a “Simple Sam,” 40, of Steeleville, Illinois, was sentenced in United States District Court in Benton on a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
Jacobs, who had previously pled guilty to the methamphetamine offense, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and fined $200. The offense occurred between 2010 and November 2012, in Jackson and Randolph Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Jacobs supplied pseudoephedrine to others for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the district court found that Jacobs was responsible for unlawfully possessing more than 100 grams of pseudoephedrine. Co-defendants Patsy Pelate and Julie Keller were previously sentenced to prison terms of 84 months and 97 months, respectively, for their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Perry County Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 19, 2014, a Perry County, Illinois, 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.
Brandon K. Loftis, 38, of Pinckneyville, pled guilty to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2012 and June 2013 in Perry, Jackson, Randolph, Franklin, and Williamson Counties. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Loftis was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Other persons supplied Loftis with pseudoephedrine pills for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. During an April 10, 2012, search warrant at Loftis’ Mulkeytown residence, agents located meth-making materials. Co-defendants Samantha J. Plumlee, 28, of Buckner, and April Rollinson, 35, of Centralia, have previously pled guilty to their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Loftis, Plumlee, and Rollinson each face a term in federal prison of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the 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 is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Northern Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Crack Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 19, 2014, Albert Wesley, a/k/a “Boogie,” a/k/a “Boog,” 29, of South Holland, 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 2012 and April 2013, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Wesley was involved with others in the distribution of crack cocaine and that he sometimes fronted crack cocaine to others for re-distribution. During the investigation, Wesley sold crack cocaine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. Wesley faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. Wesley is currently being held without bond pending an October 23, 2014, sentencing hearing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office 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.
Former Columbia Resident Sentenced for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA former Columbia, Illinois, resident was sentenced on June 20, 2014, on a two-count Indictment, charging him, in Count 1, with Receipt 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. Neil E. Purdy, 30, a member of the Navy Reserves and formerly of Columbia, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison on both counts, to run concurrently, to be followed by a 10 year term of supervised release on each count, also to run concurrently, ordered to pay a $2,500 fine on each count, for a total fine of $5,000, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. In addition, when released from prison, Purdy must register as a sex offender as a condition of his supervised release.
The investigation began on February 7, 2012, when an individual contacted the Columbia, Illinois, Police Department to report that the defendant molested his/her fourteen year old child. He/she also told the Columbia police that he/she saw the defendant “google” the phrase, “where can I find really young porn.” He/she said that, when he/she asked Purdy, “How long have you had this little problem?” Purdy responded “about three years.” Evidence at sentencing revealed that, as a direct result of Purdy’s molestation, the child no longer stayed with the parent because he/she felt that the parent could not protect him/her.
On February 16, 2012, Purdy, a member of the Navy Reserve with Top Secret clearance, provided a voluntary, videotaped statement to Columbia Police Officers in which he admitted the molestation of the fourteen year old (Purdy also served a prison term of 180 days in Monroe County Jail for criminal sexual abuse relating to the molestation of the fourteen year old), stating that he “had a problem.” There was also evidence introduced at sentencing that Purdy, while awaiting sentencing on the state charge, stated that he was trying to get administrative leave from the Navy Reserves before “they f[ou]nd out” about his criminal charges so that he could avoid a dishonorable discharge.
When questioned about searching for or possessing child pornography, Purdy admitted that he possessed videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his laptop computer. Purdy told the officers that the videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were under his username, and that his username was password protected. Purdy also admitted using a file sharing program and terms commonly associated with child pornography to search for videos and/or images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Purdy estimated that he had approximately fifteen (15) videos and less than twenty (20) images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on the laptop computer. The videos were mostly of girls, between the ages of 4 and 13, engaged in sexual activity with themselves, another child or an adult, or lasciviously displaying their genitals.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the Columbia, 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.
Three More Persons Indicted in $14.5 Million Telemarketing ScamRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that a federal grand jury returned three one-count Indictments for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud against the following individuals:
- Cheryl Ann Dorman, 55, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Karine Lee O’Loughlin, 39, of Boynton Beach, FL
Michael M. Zaric, 35, of Jupiter, FLEach is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to 25 years, a fine of $250,000 and five years of supervised release.
These individuals were employees of C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, a Florida corporation which, in 2009, defrauded consumers across the continent using the fictitious name, Premier Timeshare Solutions (“PTS”). PTS telemarketers worked in an office building in West Palm Beach, Florida. From there, they placed phone calls to timeshare owners, falsely representing or implying that the company had found someone who wanted to buy the person’s timeshare. In exchange for an advance fee that typically exceeded $1,000, the PTS telemarketers promised to handle all the details of the sale and send the victims the proceeds after closing. Once the victims had paid the advance fee, however (usually by giving the telemarketer their credit card information), the fraudulent company simply pocketed the money. There were no interested buyers, the closings did not occur, and the timeshares were not resold.
Victims who called PTS to check on the status of their transactions were directed to customer service representatives, managed by Jose Goyos, whose goal was to perpetuate the fraud by delaying and discouraging chargebacks and complaints. To accomplish that goal, representatives would lie to victims, assuring them that despite some phony, unexpected delay, their timeshare unit was still going to be sold. Repeat callers were given a series of bogus excuses, none of which had any basis in fact. By instilling a false sense of hope, PTS aimed to delay the chargeback process beyond the time that most credit card issuers allow for disputes. Goyos was indicted in September 2013 and sentencing to 96 months of imprisonment on May 2, 2014.
Several others have been charged in connection with PTS and two defendants have pled guilty. Last month, the grand jury returned ten one-count indictments in connection with this scheme. During a recent sentencing of Goyos, the Honorable David R. Herndon, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, called timeshare resale fraud an industry that recruits recovering drug addicts to steal from the financially vulnerable – “the most despicable scam in the world.”
United States Attorney Wigginton summarized the scam: “To discourage and defeat subsequent chargeback attempts, PTS sent victims written contracts to sign and return – contracts that made no mention of the promised sale and obligated the company merely to provide marketing and advertising services. Because the original sales calls were not recorded, PTS could later claim that marketing and advertising was all that had ever been promised, and that any contrary impression the victim may have formed – for instance, that there was a concrete offer for the customer’s unit or some genuine interest by a qualified buyer – was simply a misunderstanding. In fact, all of this was simply an act of thievery. I urge all consumers to follow this tried and true advice: if you get a call from someone you do not know and trust, promising something that sounds too good to be true, it is a scam. Hang up. Then, please report the call to the proper authorities.”
This prosecution is one of nearly 60 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, the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture. The prosecution of the cases is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock and Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
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.
Federal Jury Convicts Centreville Woman of Bilking MedicaidRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on June 18, 2014, Irma Jones, 67, of Centreville, Illinois, after a three day jury trial in the United States District Court in East St. Louis, was convicted by jury after less than one hour deliberation on all three counts of an indictment charging that she engaged in a scheme to defraud the Medicaid program. The three counts included health care fraud, making false statements in connection with a healthcare benefit program, and lying to investigating agents when confronted with her scam. Sentencing in this case is set for October 10, 2014. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
Evidence in Court showed that Jones was a Medicaid beneficiary and that she submitted false claims for Medicaid home health care services claiming that her daughter, who Jones falsely represented was her niece, provided services that were never performed. When investigators from the Illinois State Police, investigating federal charges, questioned Jones about the false billing, Jones lied to investigators.
“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, that allows 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. By prosecuting these frauds, I hope to get more accountability into the programs and to preserve these funds for deserving people who really do benefit from the assistance.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
This is the latest of a series of prosecutions targeting Medicaid abuse. On June 5, 2014, the U.S. Attorney and Special Agent in Charge Gerald Roy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, announced Operation Home Alone 3, a third wave of charges arising out of the troubled Medicaid home health care program in Illinois. Thus far, 43 defendants have been charged in the Southern District of Illinois in all three rounds of indictments. One defendant from Operation Home Alone 2 is awaiting trial (and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt), but with this jury verdict all other defendants from rounds one and two have been found guilty. The defendants recently charged in Operation Home Alone 3 are all awaiting trial.
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 was tried by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hallock and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Quinley.
Federal Charges Filed Against Four Individuals in Multi-Million Dollar Telemarketing OperationRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that a federal grand jury returned four one-count Indictments for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud against the following individuals:
- Elpenike Eddy-Aldava, 73, of Las Vegas, NV
Becky S. Marrs, 66, of Las Vegas, NV
Robert K. Mathews, 51, of Las Vegas, NV
Patrick A. Nosack, 33, of Henderson, NVEach is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to 25 years, a fine of $250,000 and five years of supervised release.
The charges arose out of a telemarketing scam which operated in Las Vegas, Nevada, which the indictments allege bilked over 3,000 victims of approximately 10 million dollars. Consumers were victimized in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, all ten Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territory of Canada, as well as Australia, Israel and the United Kingdom. There were at least twelve (12) victims in nine (9) of the thirty-eight (38) counties comprising the Southern District of Illinois. The indictments allege that the scheme operated from December 5, 2006 until January 24, 2012.
The indictments allege that the individuals were telemarketers at a telemarketing company called Vacation Max, which operated a timeshare resale scam. The company purported to be a Georgia corporation located in Delaware, but actually operated in Las Vegas, Nevada. The indictments allege that the company falsely represented that they had found corporate buyers interested in acquiring blocks of timeshare units including the consumer's timeshare unit for purported business and tax purposes. The company solicited fees of up to several thousand dollars from each timeshare owner in purported pre-paid closing costs and related expenses. The indictments allege that the purported sales did not occur and that Vacation Max did not successfully sell any consumer’s timeshare interest except a relatively small number at fire sale prices.
In May 2013, the owner of Vacation Max, Michael Patrick Sullivan, was indicted. Sullivan pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. In March 2014, a telemarketer for Vacation Max, John Nicosia, was indicted. Nicosia is awaiting trial.
These cases are four of approximately 60 cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois relating to timeshare resale fraud and part of an ongoing investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The prosecution of the cases is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock and Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
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.
Chicago Jury Convicts Woman for Retaliating Against Federal Officials by Filing False LiensRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsAfter two days of testimony, a federal jury sitting in Chicago, Illinois, has returned a verdict finding Cherron Marie Phillips, who also goes by the name of “River Tali Bey,” 43, guilty of knowingly filing false maritime liens – each in the amount of $100 billion – against the property of current and former federal employees, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Phillips, a Chicago native, had been accused of filing the phony liens in March and April of 2011 at the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. The liens were placed on the property of two federal prosecutors, including Patrick Fitzgerald, who was then the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, four federal task force officers, a federal agent, a federal court clerk, and four federal judges, including the former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – all on account of their role in the investigation and prosecution of her brother, Devon Phillips. The jury reached a guilty verdict on 10 of 12 counts.
During the trial, the government presented evidence that from 2006 to 2011, Devon Phillips had been investigated and prosecuted in the Northern District of Illinois for trafficking cocaine. His sister regularly attended his court proceedings and filed documents in the record objecting to the jurisdiction of the court. She filed the liens several weeks after he was sentenced to serve over six years in prison. The liens were discovered later that summer, when the clerk of court was attempting a real estate transaction. The title search uncovered a maritime lien that named the clerk as a vessel and claimed he owned Devon Phillips $100 billion.
In March 2012, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies executed a search warrant at Phillips’ home and discovered the original liens locked inside a safe in the master bedroom. A fingerprint expert from the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, told the jury he found Cherron Phillips’ fingerprints on nine of the twelve liens. Jurors also were shown letters that Phillips sent to five of the victims, including former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, 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, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois. Upon 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. Sentencing is scheduled to be held in Chicago on October 14, 2014.
“We take these cases very seriously,” U.S. Attorney Wigginton stated, “and we will continue to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all who seek to intimidate, 3 harass, and retaliate against federal judges and employees by filing false liens against their property. This is the basest form of harassment aimed at folks carrying out their sworn duties. No one should have to contend with this type of attempted intimidation.”
The investigation was conducted by the Chicago field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting in concert with the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump, from the Southern District of Illinois.
Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 3, 2014, Frank R. Johnson, a/k/a “Mo,” 44, of Elkville, and George A. Mayo, 33, of West Frankfort, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Jackson and Franklin Counties. Johnson and Mayo made their initial appearances in federal court on June 10, 2014, and June 12, 2014, respectively. They were both ordered held without bond pending an August 18, 2014, jury trial.
The heroin offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, West Frankfort Police Department, and Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 21, 2014, Ahamad R. Atkins, a/k/a “Omar,” and “O,” 33, of Colp, and Antuan D. Perkins, a/k/a “Little Man,” 22, of Carbondale, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and May 2014, in Williamson County. Atkins made his initial appearance in federal court in Chicago on June 10, 2014. At a June 12, 2014, hearing, he was ordered held without bond. Perkins is currently a fugitive.
The crack cocaine and 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.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Herrin Man Charged with Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 3, 2014, Adam M. Calvert, 30, of Herrin, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Calvert made his in his initial appearance in federal court on June 12, 2014. He was ordered held without bond, pending an August 18, 2014, jury trial.
The heroin offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
East St. Louis Man Convicted in Ups Truck RobberyRead the Press Release
Case was another victory for United States Attorney Wigginton’s Hobbs Act Armed Robbery Initiative
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that a jury has found Anthony T. Moore guilty of robbing a UPS truck at gunpoint on December 17, 2012. The guilty verdict was announced on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois, following a 3-day jury trial.
Moore, 22, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 10, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois. Moore faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
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, and he was subsequently sentenced to 34 years in state prison for Attempted Murder.
The Armed Robbery count 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.
Carbondale Man Sentenced on Heroin OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 11, 2014, Michael Burns, 45, of Carbondale, Illinois, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for a heroin offense, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Burns, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute heroin, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release following prison, and fined $400. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, between August 2012, and August 23, 2013, Burns was involved with others in the distribution of heroin in Carbondale, Jackson County. On multiple occasions between November 2012 and August 2013, Burns sold heroin to confidential sources working for law enforcement. When agents executed a search warrant at Burns’ Carbondale residence, they located heroin, cannabis, drug packaging materials, and a large amount of United States currency. At sentencing, the district court found that Burns was responsible for the distribution of 1.1 kilograms of heroin. Burns was classified as a Career Offender.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Illinois State Police Tactical Response Team also assisted during the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Two Carbondale Residents Charged with Crack Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 21, 2014, Johnathan T. Buck, a/k/a “Buffalo,” 40, and Maurice L. Christian, a/k/a “Reece,” 26, both of Carbondale, were charged by indictment with 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. Buck made his initial appearance in federal court on May 27, 2014. At his May 29, 2014, 2014, detention hearing, he was ordered held without bond pending a July 28, 2014, jury trial. Christian is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court on June 12, 2014.
The crack cocaine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, 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.
Six Southern Illinois Residents Added to Methamphetamine Conspiracy IndictmentRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn June 3, 2014, James Scott Rankin, 44, and James C. Leming, 53, both of Carbondale, Larry E. Recar, 38, and Amye L. Sandidge, 29, both of Murphysboro, Daniel J.E. Overmyer, 23, of Carterville, and Dawn Unterfer, 44, of Gorham, were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2010 and May 2014, in Jackson, Williamson, Union, and Franklin Counties. The six co-defendants made their initial appearances in federal court on June 9, 2014. They are currently being held without bond, pending June 12, 2014, detention hearings. Two co-defendants have previously pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Five co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting jury trial.
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.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Eldorado, Illinois Couple Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsEarlier today, a couple from Eldorado, Illinois, pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. Lucy J. McGill, 62, pleaded 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. Lucy McGill’s husband, Gary G. McGill, 69, 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. The case was filed 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 pleading guilty today, 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 today’s guilty pleas, United States Attorney Wigginton stated: “Bankruptcy fraud cheats creditors out of what they are owed. The United States Attorney’s Office for Southern Illinois is committed to prosecuting individuals who commit this type of fraud and protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.”
“Abuse of the bankruptcy system by concealing assets for personal gain threatens the integrity of the bankruptcy system and undermines public confidence in that system,” stated Nancy J. Gargula, United States Trustee for Southern Illinois, Central Illinois and Indiana (Region 10). “I am grateful to United States Attorney Wigginton and our law enforcement partners for their strong commitment to combating fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases.” 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 McGills will be sentenced on October 2, 2014, at the United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. The sentencing hearing will be conducted by United States District Judge J. Phil Gilbert. Each count of bankruptcy fraud is punishable by not more than 5 years’ imprisonment, and/or a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release. The actual sentence will be determined by the court and will be guided by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott A. Verseman.
"Home Alone 3"Read the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, and Gerald Roy, Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations for Region 7 (Kansas City office), announced today indictments arising out of Operation Home Alone 3. The indictments constitute a third wave of charges that targets the abuse of a Medicaid program in Illinois that provides personal assistants to Medicaid recipients to assist them with general household activities and personal care. The program is intended for recipients under 60 years of age and is designed to reduce Medicaid expenditures by avoiding more expensive institutional care, including nursing home care.
In May of 2012 and again in July of 2013, during the first two phases of Operation Home Alone, 29 defendants, including both Medicaid beneficiaries and the personal assistants, who claimed to have been providing personal assistant services, were charged with fraud. In this third round announced today, fourteen additional defendants have been indicted, bringing the total number of defendants to 43. The fourteen individuals named today reside throughout southern Illinois and have been charged in twelve separate indictments by a Federal Grand Jury in Benton, Illinois, with the offense of Health Care Program Fraud. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
In all cases, the false claims were submitted to the program after the first round of prosecutions. Four of the defendants made false claims against the program after the second round of indictments and widespread media coverage. One of the four specifically admitted having seen news reports of our crackdown on this type of fraud but went ahead and submitted the false claims anyway.
"Many of these individuals just don’t get it - they either don’t care or don’t believe me when I say we will continue to investigate and root out those defrauding the program," said U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton. "Federal and state law enforcement in Illinois have spoken forcefully and with one voice against the abuse of a program vital to the health of Illinoisans, but those who are abusing this needed program just don't seem to be listening. Ignore us at your peril." Wigginton added.
"The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services is determined to get the attention of these program abusers" said Special Agent in Charge Gerald Roy. “With the adverse impact on this state’s budget and the larger issue of patient abuse, personal care service fraud will continue to be the focus of my office. Working together with our law enforcement partners at the Illinois State Police-Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau and the FBI, we will continue to investigate these cases and submit them for prosecution until this widespread abuse stops," said Roy.
“These cases are critical to ensuring the integrity of the home-care program that provides vital services for many of our most vulnerable residents,” said Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Due to numerous complaints concerning the Home Services Program, law enforcement agencies in southern Illinois originally initiated Operation Home Alone to investigate and hold accountable individuals perpetrating fraud against the Home Services Program. As was true of the charges brought in rounds one and two, these indictments allege that the charged individuals exploited the Home Services Program and received Medicaid funds to which they were not entitled. Those charged in this wave of indictments include four defendants where the personal assistant or customer were in jail or prison during the times the services were supposed to be performed, six defendants where the personal assistant or the customer was in the hospital, three cases where the defendant was working full time jobs while the services were supposed to be performed and one case where the customer was dead and the personal assistant continued billing for months after the death of the customer.
The persons charged in this wave, their ages, and their last known city of residence are:
Connie D. Evans, age 50, Belleville, Illinois
Quincy O. Gamble, age 39, Cahokia, Illinois
Jody R. Wooters, age 46, Centralia, Illinois
Felicia M. Gibson, age 47, East St. Louis, Illinois
Beatrice L. Randall, age 59, East St. Louis, Illinois
Charlietta M. Lee, age 51, Marion, Illinois
Tamekia L. Hall, age 39, East St. Louis, Illinois
Maurice L. Burks, age 43, East St. Louis, Illinois
Christopher W. Spivey, age 30, Olney, Illinois
Angel D. Jones, age 50, Collinsville, Illinois
Lawrence M. Thigpen, 53, Collinsville, Illinois
Lakeshia W. White, age 23, Centreville, Illinois
Margaret R. Teriet, age 31, Mount Vernon, Illinois
Maketa N. Davis, age 33, East St. LouisAn 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 purpose of the program is laudable - keep Medicaid recipients in their home and out of more costly institutional settings. These prosecutions show that there are individuals who, by their actions, take money from the thousands of deserving customers and harm the reputation of those personal assistants who are doing everything right. Cases in this round of indictments include the following:
• Personal assistant boyfriend claimed to be providing services for his girlfriend, first while she, the customer, was in the hospital and then continued filing claims for 560 hours of services for six months after she had passed away.
• Personal assistant claimed to be providing personal assistant services to her boyfriend while she was in jail and prison. Together, they claimed over one thousand hours of personal assistant services during the periods where she was incarcerated.
• Personal assistant claimed that she performed over 450 hours of personal assistant services for the customer during times that she was employed at a full time job and over 140 hours where she was not only working a job at another location, but the customer was also receiving kidney dialysis.
• Medicaid recipient who agreed to split the proceeds with the personal assistant who performed little or no services.
We have seen dozens of instances in which the State of Illinois paid for ghost employees and fictitious services, hence the reason why we are calling this initiative "Home Alone."
Nationwide, one of the biggest fraud problems in the Medicaid program has been these personal assistant programs, particularly in cases that allow the Medicaid recipient to control the selection and payment of personal care attendants. In most of these 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.
According to an Office of Inspector General report released in December, 2012, Medicaid costs for personal care services in 2011 totaled $12.7 billion, a thirty five percent increase since 2005. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that the employment of personal assistants and home health care workers will grow by 46 percent by 2018. U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General: Personal Care Services, Trends, Vulnerabilities, and Recommendations for Improvement, OIG-12-12-01 (November 2012). Home personal care is one of the fastest growing job categories in the country. However, the OIG’s report points to numerous problems in Medicaid personal care services that leave it vulnerable to improper payments, abuse, and fraud, including lack of training standards, uneven oversight of services provided, and failure to implement prepayment controls to prevent improper or fraudulent payments.
Operation Home Alone 3 investigations were conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau Collinsville, DuQuoin and Sterling Offices. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and William E. Coonan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Hallock.
United States Attorney Wigginton Announces Press EventRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that there will be a press event held tomorrow, Thursday, June 5, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., at the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, located at Nine Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208-1344, concerning the announcement of new charges in the continuing investigation of fraud in the Personal Assistant Program previously identified as “Operation Home Alone.”
Media are advised to have press credentials and to arrive in sufficient time to allow for security screening prior to the event.
James Nathaniel Watts Charged with Killing Two Employees and Critically Injuring One During Attempted Armed Robbery of First National Bank in CairoRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton returned an indictment today charging James Nathaniel Watts, 29, of Cairo, Illinois, with Attempted Armed Bank Robbery Resulting in Death announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment alleged that during the commission of his attempted robbery of the First National Bank in Cairo on May 15, 2014, Watts killed two bank employees and critically injured a third. The indictment also charged Watts with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Watts was previously charged in federal court on Friday, May 16th in a Criminal Complaint with the firearm offense. An affidavit attached to the complaint alleged that Watts illegally possessed a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol on May 15th and that the firearm was found in his possession following a high-speed chase in Cairo during which Watts was driving the stolen car of one of the employee-victims from the attempted robbery. Watts was denied bond on that charge and remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await action by the Grand Jury.
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 indictment returned by the Grand Jury also contains special findings rendering Watts eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted by a jury of the attempted robbery resulting in death offense. Under United States Department of Justice policy, however, the decision on whether or not to seek that penalty will be made at a later date and only after a comprehensive review process designed to ensure nationwide consistency in the application of the federal death penalty. If the death penalty is not sought, a conviction on that count will result in a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
If convicted of the firearm offense, Watts faces up to an additional 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow any term of incarceration imposed.
Watts will next appear for arraignment on the indictment at the United States District Courthouse in Benton at a date and time to be set by the Court. He will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal until that time.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James M. Cutchin and George A. Norwood.
Belleville Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple OffensesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on June 4, 2014, Daris A. Quinn, a/k/a “DQ,” 26, Belleville, IL, pled guilty to Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct (Child Pornography), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B); Using a Communication Facility to Facilitate a Drug Transaction, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b); and Making a False Statement to a United States Postal Inspector, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). Quinn’s sentencing is scheduled for September 19, 2014, in East St. Louis, Illinois. He has been held without bond since his arrest on May 30, 2013.
Possession of Child Pornography carries a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years to life. Using a Communication Facility to Facilitate a Drug Transaction is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than 4 years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years. Making a False Statement to a Postal Inspector is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years.
The child pornography offense was discovered on October 19, 2011, when Quinn’s cellular telephone was seized during the search of a residence where Quinn was present. A forensic examination of Quinn’s phone revealed videos made by Quinn which depicted a minor performing oral sex on Quinn in both his car and inside the minor’s home. The search of Quinn’s phone also revealed that Quinn had sent text messages between August 19, 2011 and October 10, 2011 to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances between himself and an individual located in Oakland, California.
On February 26, 2013, Quinn made false statements to the United States Postal Inspection Service during its investigation of a package which had been alerted on by a narcotics-sniffing dog and which was later found to contain $23,650 in United States Currency. Quinn, identifying himself by a false name, attempted to claim the package at the post office in Collinsville, Illinois. After initially lying about the contents of the package, Quinn told a Postal Inspector that he was sending the money to a friend so his friend could buy a car. He was then confronted with the search warrant and a photograph of the contents of the package, and attempted to flee from Postal Inspectors.
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 Collinsville Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Child Exploitation Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Home Health Worker Convicted of Aggravated Identity Theft for Victimizing Elderly PatientRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsA former home health personal nursing assistant, Melissa Charlton, 36, of Valmeyer, Illinois, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft on May 29, 2014, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Documents filed in US District Court establish that Charlton exploited an 82 year old woman from O’Fallon, Illinois. Charlton obtained unauthorized access to the victim’s credit cards and her checking account to obtain money and goods valued at more than $5,000. The victim attempted to stop the fraud after she discovered fraudulent credit card purchases, but Charlton also stole her replacement credit cards and misused the victim’s social security number and date of birth to activate the replacement cards. She also used the victim’s personal information to apply for an additional credit card account without the victim’s knowledge or consent.
Access device fraud is punishable by not more than 10 years in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, or both, and not more than three years of supervised release. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence of imprisonment that must be served in addition to the sentence imposed for access device fraud. The United States Sentencing Guidelines must be applied to the case and considered by the Court during sentencing. Charlton will be sentenced in US District Court on September 17, 2014.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the US Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
Belleville Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 28, 2014, Brian J. Fields, 52, of Belleville, Illinois, pled guilty to a two-count information charging in count one that he engaged in a scheme to commit wire fraud and in count two that he had committed money laundering. At his sentencing, Fields will face up to 20 years in federal prison as to each count, a fine of up to $750,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for September 12, at 1:30 p.m. in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois.
During his plea hearing, 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 that had lost over $100,000.
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.
Ten Individuals Indicted in $14.5 Million Telemarketing ScamRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that a federal grand jury returned ten one-count Indictments for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud against the following individuals:
Suzanne W. Schmier, 42, of Glen Rock, NJ
Wesley S. Aldred, 26, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Kelsey E. Wagner, 25, of Delray Beach, FL
Roy E. Rock, 34, of Wilmington, NC
Theresa M Rafferty, 28, of Delray Beach, FL
Virginia S. Miller, 27, of Tequesta, FL
Bradley D. Kartman, 41, of Deerfield Beach, FL
Lev M. Derbaremdiker, 28, of Delray Beach, FL
David Brian Tibbs, 50, of Wytheville, VA
Michelle K. Krapac, 45, of Merrillville, INThese individuals were employees of C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, a Florida corporation which, in 2009, defrauded consumers across the continent using the fictitious name, Premier Timeshare Solutions (“PTS”). PTS telemarketers worked in an office building in West Palm Beach, Florida. From there, they placed phone calls to timeshare owners, falsely representing or implying that the company had found someone who wanted to buy the person’s timeshare. In exchange for an advance fee that typically exceeded $1,000, the PTS telemarketers promised to handle all the details of the sale and send the victims the proceeds after closing. Once the victims had paid the advance fee, however (usually by giving the telemarketer their credit card information), the fraudulent company simply pocketed the money. There were no interested buyers, the closings did not occur, and the timeshares were not resold.
Victims who called PTS to check on the status of their transactions were directed to customer service representatives, managed by Jose Goyos, whose goal was to perpetuate the fraud by delaying and discouraging chargebacks and complaints. To accomplish that goal, representatives would lie to victims, assuring them that despite some phony, unexpected delay, their timeshare unit was still going to be sold. Repeat callers were given a series of bogus excuses, none of which had any basis in fact. By instilling a false sense of hope, PTS aimed to delay the chargeback process beyond the time that most credit card issuers allow for disputes. Goyos was indicted in September 2013 and sentencing to 96 months of imprisonment on May 2, 2014.
Several others have been charged in connection with PTS and two defendants have pled guilty. During a recent sentencing of Goyos, the Honorable David R. Herndon, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, called timeshare resale fraud an industry that recruits recovering drug addicts to steal from the financially vulnerable – “the most despicable scam in the world.”
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
United States Attorney Wigginton again warned the public: “I urge all consumers to follow this tried and true advice: if you get a call from someone you do not know and trust, promising something that sounds too good to be true, it is a scam. Hang up. Then, please report the call to the proper authorities.”
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, the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture. The prosecution of the cases is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hallock and Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
Postal Employee Indicted for Mail TheftRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsAbra K. Albrecht, 31, of Carrollton, Illinois, was charged on May 21, 2014, for theft of United States Mail by a postal employee in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in East St. Louis, IL, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
The indictment alleges that in February 2014, Albrecht, who was at the time working as a postal employee, stole a debit card that had been placed in the mail to be delivered to another person. The indictment further alleges that Albrecht converted the debit card to her own use. The mail theft charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Jerseyville Woman Indicted for Threatening to Destroy Calhoun County High SchoolRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Michelle Lynn Smith, 36, of Jerseyville, Illinois, was charged in an indictment for conveying a false threat. On April 29, 2014, authorities arrested Smith. On May 1, 2014, Smith was charged by criminal complaint. She is currently detained.
On April 28, 2014, authorities responded to a potential bomb threat at the Calhoun County High School in Hardin. The response was prompted by the discovery of a computer-generated note in the ladies’ washroom. The note read as follows:
This school is going down today. KABOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im tired of all the people here. Everyone is going down, the school will b n flames. It is so stupid here. I cant take it ne more. The teachers suck and don’t do ne thing to help u. All that matters is what ur name is. If I had certain names I would not have the truble I do. Don’t matter, this place sucks and will not be here for long. So long and GOOD-BYE!!!!!!!!!
Following this, law enforcement found evidence and conducted interviews which lead to the criminal charges against Smith, a teacher at the high school.
The charge of Conveying a False Threat carries maximum penalties of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police, with the assistance of the Calhoun County State’s Attorney, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, Jersey County Sheriff’s Department, the Jerseyville Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad and Capitol Police K-9s, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hallock.
Granite City Woman Indicted for Obtaining Controlled Substances by FraudRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsAbbe L. Terry, 49, of Granite City, Illinois, was charged on May 21, 2014, for obtaining controlled substances by fraud, forgery, and deception, in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in East St. Louis, IL, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Terry was indicted on three counts of obtaining Duragesic Patches (Fentanyl), a powerful Schedule II narcotic pain killer, from pharmacies by using forged prescriptions. The indictment alleged that she obtained the drugs in Madison County, Illinois on May 10, 2013, October 17, 2013 and October 23, 2013.
Terry faces up to 4 years in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and a year of supervised release as to each of the three counts. A $100 Special Assessment is also assessed for each count.
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 United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Caseyville Man Indicted for Stealing Funds from Railroad Retirement BoardRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Dennis Harold French, 51, of Caseyville, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he stole unemployment and disability benefits from the United States Railroad Retirement Board.
The indictment alleges that, from May 2009 through June 2012, French fraudulently obtained monies belonging to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, an agency of the United States, by concealing his employment status in order to receive occupational disability benefits.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is committing fraud against any U.S. Railroad Retirement Board program, you may report this to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board's Office of Inspector General by calling 1.800.772.4258 or by e-mailing a complaint or information to: [email protected].
Alton Man Sentenced for Aiding and Abetting an Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
Case is one of many brought as a result of United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton’s Metro-East Armed Robbery Initiative
Follow @SDILNewsAn Alton, Illinois, man was sentenced on May 22, 2014, on the charge that he and his co-defendant, Taylor C. Harkey, aided and abetted each other in the commission of an Armed Robbery, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. The Armed Robbery count 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.
Ramone C. Cunningham, 30, was sentenced to a term of 170 months in federal prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years, fined $750, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Cunningham has been held without bond since his initial appearance on December 3, 2013.
The offense occurred on July 18, 2013, when Cunningham and his co-defendant, Harkey, were at her residence discussing ways in which to get “quick money.” At Cunningham’s suggestion, Harkey and Cunningham devised a plan to rob a cab driver by using another individual’s cellular telephone to call Comfort Cab to have a cab sent to a vacant residence in Alton. The two parked in an alley near the vacant house. Prior to committing the robbery, Cunningham provided Harkey with a small black CO2 .177 caliber BB gun which appeared to be a real firearm.
While Harkey got out of the car and approached the cab, the cab driver, having noticed that the residence was vacant, notified his dispatcher who told him to wait while they tried to contact the original caller. Harkey reached through the open rear driver’s side window and pointed the gun at the cab driver’s head, stating “Give me your money or I’ll blow your brains out.” Harkey also reached inside the cab and grabbed the cab driver’s company cellular telephone. The driver threw $36.00, consisting of cab fares, out of the window. As Harkey bent down to pick up the money, the cab driver drove away. He was able to contact Comfort Cab to report that he had just been robbed. Comfort Cab subsequently called the Alton Police Department. Using the original number that was used to call the cab, the officers were able to identify Harkey. Both Harkey and Cunningham were arrested Harkey’s residence. The BB gun given to Harkey to use during the robbery was recovered from under the mattress of one of her children. Both Cunningham and Harkey admitted their role in the robbery of the Comfort Cab driver.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Michael J. Reagan noted that Cunningham was a repeat robber, as well as having additional criminal history. Judge Reagan also noted that robberies of cab drivers and pizza delivery drivers are crimes of opportunities because, due to their occupations, they are available at night almost anywhere. He remarked upon some of the security measures that have been implemented in cabs in order to protect cab drivers, such as the installation of bullet-proof plexi-glass windows between the cab driver and passenger, because of the prevalence of these types of robberies.
The case was investigated by the Alton, Illinois, Police Department. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
James Nathaniel Watts Denied Bond on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsJames Nathaniel Watts, 29, of Cairo, Illinois, appeared in United States District Court in Benton and was ordered held without bond on charges that he illegally possessed a firearm, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced.
Watts was charged in federal court on Friday, May 16th in a Criminal Complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The complaint alleged that Watts illegally possessed a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol on May 15th and that the firearm was found in his possession following a high-speed chase in Cairo during which Watts was driving the stolen car of an employee of the First National Bank in Cairo, which had been the scene of an attempted robbery earlier that day. During the attempted robbery, two employees were killed and one was critically wounded. Those events remain under investigation.
At the proceeding, Watts waived his preliminary and detention hearings and was again remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal where he will be held without bond or the possibility of release. Under federal law, prosecutors have 30 days from the filing of the complaint within which to seek an indictment from a Federal Grand Jury. Watts will remain in the Marshal’s custody pending action by a Grand Jury. No court proceedings are scheduled until that time.
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 of the firearm offense, Watts faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow any term of incarceration imposed.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Jackson County Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 15, 2014, Willie Joe Strayhorn, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” 47, of Murphysboro, pled guilty to 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.
The offense occurred between November 1, 2010, and September 4, 2013, in Jackson County. Evidence at the plea hearing 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. 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 offense carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a term of supervised release from 5 years to life, and a fine of $250,000. Strayhorn is currently being held without bond pending his September 12, 2014, sentencing hearing.
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 is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Williamson County Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 15, 2014, a Williamson County, Ill., 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.
Jeremieh L. Hodge, 35, of Creal Springs, pled guilty to the one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2009 and March 2013 in Williamson, Saline, and Johnson Counties. Evidence at the plea hearing established that Hodge was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Hodge participated in anhydrous ammonia thefts and other persons provided Hodge with pseudoephedrine pills for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. Hodge faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.
Four Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 19, 2014, Rusty J. Smith, 35, and Jonathan E. Merydith, 26, both of Cobden, Ruth D. Wiseman, a/k/a “Diane Wiseman,” 51, of Anna, and Shannon L. Connett, 36, of Marion, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and March 2014, in Union, Williamson, and Jackson Counties. Wiseman made her initial appearance in federal court on May 12, 2014. Merydith and Connett made their initial appearances in federal court on May 19, 2014. Wiseman and Merydith are currently being held without bond pending a July 21, 2014, jury trial. Connett is currently being held without bond pending a May 20, 2014, detention hearing. Smith is currently a fugitive.
The methamphetamine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the 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.
Elkville Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 15, 2014, Charles E. Witherspoon, a/k/a “Spoon,” 62, of Elkville, Ill., was sentenced in United States District Court in Benton on a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
Witherspoon, who had previously pled guilty to the methamphetamine offense, was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and was fined $300. The offense occurred between March 2012 and March 2013 in Jackson and Perry Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Witherspoon was involved with co-defendant Charles Scott and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. On March 13, 2013, Scott received severe burns while manufacturing methamphetamine inside Witherspoon’s Elkville residence. Witherspoon’s sentence was enhanced based on the substantial risk of harm created by his criminal conduct. Scott was previously sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment for his role in the methamphetamine conspiracy.
The investigation was conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, DuQuoin Police Department, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Felon in Possession Charges Filed Against James Nathaniel Watts Following Arrest in CairoRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsJames Nathaniel Watts, age 30, of Cairo, Ill., was charged by criminal complaint with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. The affidavit in support of the complaint indicates that Watts was arrested on May 15, 2014, on a railroad train trestle in Cairo, Illinois, after a high speed chase with law enforcement. Watts was driving a vehicle which belonged to an employee of the First National Bank, which had been robbed earlier in the day. During the robbery, two employees were killed and one was critically wounded. Those offenses remain under investigation.
The offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to ten years, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to 3 years supervised release.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin for prosecution.
Anderson, Indiana Man Sentenced on Health Care Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on May 16, 2014, Donald Ray Keip, 39, of Anderson, Indiana, was sentenced on the one-count indictment charging that he engaged in a scheme to commit health care fraud in the United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. The district court sentenced Keip to serve five years of probation and 15 weekends in jail. The district court also ordered Keip to pay $12,000 in restitution to the Illinois Department of Human Services and $12,000 to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The court also ordered Keip to pay a special assessment of $100.00.
Keip 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. Keip admitted to falsely billing the program between June 30, 2011 and January 29, 2013, when he purportedly rendered personal assistant services to an individual when he, in fact, did not. As a result, Keip stole $24,000.00 in 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 Liam Coonan.
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 call 800.447.8477.
Carbondale Man Charged with Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn May 6, 2014, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Travis D. Bailey, 30, of Carbondale, Illinois, with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. On May 13, 2014, Bailey made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton. Bailey is currently being held without bond pending a July 14, 2014, jury trial.
The offense occurred on March 7, 2014, in Carbondale, Jackson County. The firearm offense carries a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Carbondale Police Department. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Washington State Resident Pleads Guilty to String of Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsCarl F. Kieffer, 49, a resident of Spokane, Washington, pled guilty to three bank robberies on May 8, 2014, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. One of the bank robberies charged was the robbery of the Bank of O’Fallon in O’Fallon, Illinois, on October 15, 2013. By agreement with other federal districts, Kieffer also pled guilty to robbing the Lusk State Bank in Lusk, Wyoming, in the District of Wyoming, on August 26, 2013, and robbing the Fifth Third Bank in Charlotte, Michigan, in the Western District of Missouri, on October 9, 2013. All of the bank robberies are charged in separate cases but were consolidated into a single proceeding.
On each individual case, Kieffer faces a term of in federal prison of not more than twenty (20) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than five (5) years. Kieffer will also be ordered to pay restitution to the financial institutions for their losses. Sentencing is scheduled for September 4, 2014, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Kieffer has been held without bond since his arrest on a criminal complaint on October 16, 2013.
With respect to the Illinois case, the offense occurred on October 15, 2013, when Kieffer entered the Bank of O’Fallon, approached one of the tellers, and placed several manila envelopes on the counter in front of her. “No dye pack” and “he has a weapon” was written on one of the envelopes. Kieffer told the teller he wanted hundreds, fifties and twenties, and the money from her bottom drawer. When the teller informed Kieffer that she only had ones in her bottom drawer, Kieffer left the bank. Law enforcement officers were notified of the robbery and provided a description of the suspect. O’Fallon police officers in an unmarked police vehicle saw a car driven by a male who matched the description of the suspect and who appeared suspicious. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Kieffer, fled from the officers when they tried to conduct a traffic stop. He began speeding and driving erratically, which almost caused at least one crash. He was also passing cars on the shoulder of a roadway and cars that were stopped at a red light. Officers lost the vehicle near Old Collinsville Road in Swansea, Illinois.
A Belleville police officer found Keiffer’s vehicle abandoned in a cornfield off of Smelting Works Road in Swansea, Illinois. Keiffer was found hiding in the cornfield. He thanked the officers for not shooting him while being escorted to the police vehicle. Inside his car was a deposit slip from the Bank of O’Fallon which had a handwritten note that read “I have a gun 100’s 50’s 20’s.” $3,330 was removed from Keiffer’s person. When the money was being removed, Kieffer stated that this was the money he got from the bank.
Kieffer also admitted robbing several other banks over a period of less than two months. A subsequent investigation revealed that, in addition to the robbery of the Bank of O’Fallon on October 15, 2013, Kieffer robbed the following banks:
Lusk State Bank, Lusk, Wyoming, on August 26, 2013 Chase Bank, Novi, Michigan, on September 5, 2013 New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank, Tipp City, Ohio, on September 13, 2013 Bank and Trust of Farmersville, Farmersville, Illinois, on September 16, 2013 Huntington National Bank, Bolivar, Ohio, on October 3, 2013 Fifth Third Bank, Charlotte, Michigan, on October 9, 2013
The Wyoming offense occurred on August 26, 2013, when Kieffer handed the teller a note written on a deposit/savings slip that read “This is a robbery, give me your money.” When the teller asked him if it was “for real,” Kieffer replied that it was and gestured toward a black bulge on his right side belt area, which the teller took to mean he had a gun. After taking the money, he also took the note and the pen he used to write the note.
In an interview with the FBI on October 15, 2013, Keiffer admitted that the Lusk State Bank was his first bank robbery.
The Fifth Third Bank robbery in Charlotte, Michigan, was also accomplished by handing a teller a manila envelope which had “I have gun. All 100’s, 50’s, 20’s. Now act normal. When done go to bathroom two min. or someone get hurt.” written on it.
The Illinois case was investigated by the O’Fallon Police Department, the Belleville Police Department, the Swansea Police Department, the Fairview Heights Police Department, the Shiloh Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In Wyoming, the case was investigated by the Lusk Police Department, the Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In Michigan, the case was investigated by the Charlotte Police Department, Michigan State Police, the Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Centreville Man Sentenced for Heroin and Weapon OffensesRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsBeckley, 30, of Centreville, Illinois, pled guilty to both federal charges on October 30, 2013. He has been continuously confined since last October.
At his change of plea hearing, Beckley admitted that he had been selling heroin for about two years, and that his heroin supplier was Deborah Perkins. Perkins was arrested on January 21, 2013, a few minutes after police saw her deliver heroin to Beckley’s residence. Perkins was convicted of distributing heroin and sentenced to 324 months imprisonment on December 5, 2013.
Beckley was one of several defendants convicted of selling heroin provided by Perkins. Others include Sean McGilvery and Perkins’ son, Douglas Oliver.
At Beckley’s sentence hearing, Chief U.S. District Court Judge David R. Herndon warned Beckley that he “could have easily killed someone on any one of the occasions when you sold heroin.” Two women did in fact die from ingesting heroin at Perkins’ former residence in Fairview Heights, Illinois.
The investigation which led to Beckley’s conviction and sentence was conducted by DEA Task Force agents, and by police officers assigned to the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery, Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Case Arose from Armed Robbery in Caseyville and Was One of Many Prosecuted by United States Attorney Wigginton’s Metro-East Armed Robbery Initiative
Follow @SDILNewsStephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Phillip W. Smith, 33, of East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty in federal district court in East St. Louis today to all three counts of an Indictment that charged Smith with “Hobbs Act Robbery” (which makes it a federal crime to obstruct, delay, or affect interstate commerce by robbery, or to commit an act of violence against a person in furtherance of such a robbery), possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, and possession of ammunition by a felon.
Under the terms of a Plea Agreement filed with the Court, the Prosecution will recommend that Smith be sentenced to a term in federal prison of 300 months (25 years). Smith will also be subject to a term of supervised release of up to five years following his prison term, a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, and a $300 special assessment. Sentencing is set for August 26, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in East St. Louis.
A Factual Stipulation filed with the Court states that Smith, after entering Ferguson Television and Satellite shop, in Caseyville, Illinois, on November 14, 2013, brandished a firearm and demanded money of “J.F.,” the proprietor of the shop. J.F. produced $42, which was property of the shop, which was engaged in interstate commerce. Smith fired the firearm at least nine times, and in doing so, caused J.F. to suffer twelve entry and exit wounds, which have left permanent scars.
Due to J.F.’s injuries suffered during the robbery, Ferguson Television and Satellite shop was forced to close for business for approximately two months – from November 14, 2013, through approximately January 15, 2014 – resulting in loss of business income for Ferguson Television and Satellite shop.
Smith was previously convicted of a federal felony on or about October 27, 2003 – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Despite an intensive search by multiple police departments, the firearm used in this case was not recovered, but the nine spent rounds of 9mm ammunition were. That ammunition had been manufactured outside the state of Illinois and is the basis for the charge of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon.
United States Attorney Wigginton praised the swift and cooperative efforts of many Metro-East law enforcement agencies, as part of the Metro-East Armed Robbery Initiative, including members of the Caseyville Police Department, the Belleville Police Department, the Collinsville Police Department, the Brooklyn Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their rapid response in this case. “Without this selfless and cooperative effort, this case may not have been solved. It is gratifying to see the outpouring of support that the brave men and women of law enforcement give in order to protect all of us in Southern Illinois.” he noted.
The case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Two Individuals Indicted for Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
Allegations Relate to Marshall Reed Apartments in Carbondale
Follow @SDILNewsEarlier today, two individuals from New York were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, for mortgage fraud, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. Maximus A. Yaney, 37, and Jamie L. Bray, 36, were each indicted for one count of bank fraud and one count of wire fraud.
According to the Indictment filed on May 6, 2014, Yaney owned and operated various companies which purchased rental properties in college towns, including Carbondale, Illinois. Bray was the Vice President of Operations for Titan Student Communities, LLC, one of the companies owned by Yaney. The name of Titan Student Communities was later changed to Campus Habitat, LLC.
In June of 2007, Yaney used a company he had recently formed, known as H.G. Capital, LLC, to purchase the Marshall Reed Apartments in Carbondale for $2,710,000. The Indictment further alleges that in November of 2007, Yaney caused H.G. Capital, LLC, to sell the Marshall Reed Apartments to another company that he owned, Titan, LLC, for $9,780,000. It is alleged that in obtaining both the short-term and long-term financing for this transaction, Yaney concealed from the lenders the fact that he had an ownership interest in both the selling and buying companies.
In order to persuade the lenders to finance the purported $9,780,000 sale, the Indictment charges that Yaney and Bray made several misrepresentations and engaged in numerous fraudulent acts, including, (1) submitting fraudulent Rent Rolls for the Marshall Reed Apartments; (2) creating false leases to support the fraudulent Rent Rolls; (3) submitting a fraudulent Operating Statement for the Marshall Reed Apartments; (4) submitting false information regarding the percentage of apartments that were rented; (5) staging empty apartments with items to make them appear to be occupied; (6) paying employees of one of Yaney’s companies to sit in unoccupied apartments and pretend to be renters while appraisals and bank inspections were being performed; and (7) providing false information about the number of apartments that had been renovated.
The Indictment also charges that during the appraisal process, Bray concealed her true identity and claimed to be a person named “Jamie Lewis.” Bray allegedly did this in order to prevent the appraiser from learning that she worked for one of Yaney’s companies.
The Indictment states that on November 14, 2007, $6,123,342.81 in loan proceeds from the purported sale of the Marshall Reed Apartments were wire transferred to a bank account in the name of H.G. Capital. On the very next day, it is alleged that $6,123,300.06 of those funds were wire transferred to the account of Campus Habitat, one of other companies Yaney owned. The Indictment charges that Yaney then used those funds for operating expenses and to purchase other rental properties.
Each count of bank fraud and wire fraud is punishable by not more than 30 years in federal prison, and/or a $1,000,000 fine, and not more than five years of supervised release following the prison time. The Indictment also seeks forfeiture of the $6,123,342.81 in proceeds that Yaney received from the scheme.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, that charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Homeless Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsMark R. Kelley, a 51-year old, homeless man was sentenced on May 2, 2014, in federal district court in East St. Louis, Illinois, on one count of failure to register as a sex offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Kelley was sentenced to 18 months’ in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
Kelley moved from Illinois to Missouri, without updating his registration in either state. Kelley was aware that he was required to either update his sex offender registration in Illinois to reflect this change of address, or register as a sex offender in Missouri. Kelley was convicted on August 15, 2011, in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court in St. Clair County, Illinois, of Indecent Solicitation of a Child.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Creal Springs Man Indicted and Arraigned on Charges of Illegal Possession and Transfer of Short Barreled Rifles, Short Barreled Shotgun and Firearm SilencerRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Robert Ira Longworth, 27, of Creal Springs, Williamson County, Illinois, was arraigned on federal firearm charges on May 2, 2014. On April 8, 2014, authorities arrested Longworth. He was first charged by criminal complaint and then by indictment. He is detained.
Counts one through three of the indictment charge Longworth with the illegal transfers of a firearm silencer; a short barreled rifle; and a short barreled shotgun, respectively. Count four charges Longworth with the illegal possession of a short barreled rifle. Each of the four counts carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the Illinois State Police, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, the Creal Springs Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Vienna Police Department, the Williamson County State’s Attorney, and the Johnson County State’s Attorney. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Two Southern Illinois Residents Charged with Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsOn April 23, 2014, Thomas D. Tindall, 21, of Willisville, and Seth D. Conway, 26, of Percy, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and February 2014, in Jackson, Randolph, and Perry Counties. Conway and Tindall made their initial appearances in federal court on April 28, 2014, and April 29, 2014, respectively. At a May 2, 2014, detention hearing, Tindall was ordered held without bond pending a June 30, 2014, jury trial. Conway was released on bond pending a jury trial on the same date.
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.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Coulterville Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Former Head of Timeshare Resale Scam Earns 8 Year Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsJose Manuel Goyos, Jr., 27, of Jupiter, Florida, was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison for his role in a fraudulent telemarketing scheme that stole $14.5 million from over 7,000 people throughout the United States and Canada, including dozens of victims within the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced. Goyos pled guilty on December 30, 2013, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in early September of last year and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Goyos was the registered agent and co-owner of C&G Marketing Associates, LLC, a Florida corporation which, in 2009, defrauded consumers across the continent using the fictitious name, Premier Timeshare Solutions (“PTS”). PTS telemarketers worked in an office building in West Palm Beach, Florida. From there, they placed phone calls to timeshare owners, falsely representing or implying that the company had found someone who wanted to buy the person’s timeshare. In exchange for an advance fee that typically exceeded $1,000, the PTS telemarketers promised to handle all the details of the sale and send the victims the proceeds after closing. Once the victims had paid the advance fee, however (usually by giving the telemarketer their credit card information), the fraudulent company simply pocketed the money. There were no interested buyers, the closings did not occur, and the timeshares were not resold.
United States Attorney Wigginton summarized the scam: “To discourage and defeat subsequent chargeback attempts, PTS sent victims written contracts to sign and return – contracts that made no mention of the promised sale and obligated the company merely to provide marketing and advertising services. Because the original sales calls were not recorded, PTS could later claim that marketing and advertising was all that had ever been promised, and that any contrary impression the victim may have formed – for instance, that there was a concrete offer for the customer’s unit or some genuine interest by a qualified buyer – was simply a misunderstanding. In fact, all of this was simply an act of thievery. I urge all consumers to follow this tried and true advice: if you get a call from someone you do not know and trust, promising something that sounds too good to be true, it is a scam. Hang up. Then, please report the call to the proper authorities.”
Victims who called PTS to check on the status of their transactions were directed to customer service representatives, managed by Goyos, whose goal was to perpetuate the fraud by delaying and discouraging chargebacks and complaints. To accomplish that goal, representatives would lie to victims, assuring them that despite some phony, unexpected delay, their timeshare unit was still going to be sold. Repeat callers were given a series of bogus excuses, none of which had any basis in fact. By instilling a false sense of hope, PTS aimed to delay the chargeback process beyond the time that most credit card issuers allow for disputes.
In pronouncing the sentence, the Honorable David R. Herndon, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, called timeshare resale fraud – an industry that recruits recovering drug addicts to steal from the financially vulnerable – “the most despicable scam in the world.” Judge Herndon also observed that Goyos was a bright young man who, had he not committed the crime, “probably would have had his picture on the cover of a business journal.” “Instead,” he remarked, “his picture’s being taken with numbers under his chin.”
As part of his sentence, Goyos was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Due to the large number of victims and the lack of records showing which customers received refunds, restitution in the case was waived. When his prison sentence has been served, Goyos will spend three years on supervised release, during which time he will be prohibited from engaging in any employment that involves securities investment or otherwise places him in a fiduciary role. He will also not be allowed to do any telemarketing work without the express consent of the United States Probation Office.
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 was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan D. Stump.
Jerseyville Woman Charged for Threatening to Destroy Calhoun County High SchoolRead the Press Release
Follow @SDILNewsThe United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Michelle Lynn Smith, 36, of Jerseyville, Illinois, was charged by way of a criminal complaint for conveying a false threat.
On April 28, 2014, authorities responded to a potential bomb threat at the Calhoun County High School in Hardin. The response was prompted by the discovery of a computer-generated note in the ladies’ washroom. The note read as follows:
This school is going down today. KABOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im tired of all the people here. Everyone is going down, the school will b n flames. It is so stupid here. I cant take it ne more. The teachers suck and don’t do ne thing to help u. All that matters is what ur name is. If I had certain names I would not have the truble I do. Don’t matter, this place sucks and will not be here for long. So long and GOOD-BYE!!!!!!!!!
Authorities immediately evacuated the school and notified the parents of the students. The Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad and Capitol Police K-9s conducted a search of the building, but no explosives were located. Following these events, law enforcement found evidence and conducted interviews which lead to the criminal charges against Smith, a teacher at the high school.
The charge of Conveying a False Threat carries maximum penalties of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
“Actions such as these cause not only massive wastes of law enforcement resources, but strike fear into the hearts of parents and students alike. Because children should feel safe in their schools, we take these charges very seriously.” noted United States Attorney Wigginton.
Smith is being held in federal custody, without bond, pending a detention hearing set on Monday, May 5, 2014, at 11:00 am, in United States District Court in East St. Louis.
A criminal complaint is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police, with the assistance of the Calhoun County State’s Attorney, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, Jersey County Sheriff’s Department, the Jerseyville Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad and Capitol Police K-9s, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hallock.