Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
On February 4, 2013, Akai J. Aikens, a twenty-nine year old East St. Louis, Illinois, man pled guilty in Federal District Court, in East St. Louis, to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Aikens is scheduled for sentencing on May 10, 2013, at which at which time he faces a maximum potential sentence of 10 years’ in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, not more than 3 years’ of supervised release after his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Aikens also agreed to the forfeiture of the firearm.
Court proceedings revealed that on October 5, 2012, a law enforcement officer on patrol in East St. Louis, IL, observed a vehicle traveling through the city with large objects hanging from the rearview mirror obstructing the driver’s view. The officer activated emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle abruptly turned into a parking lot at a bar and car wash with the seat passenger exiting the vehicle, running behind the building. The officer yelled out for the passenger to come back or the police dog would be sent. Aikens emerged and was asked if he hid a gun behind the building. He denied doing so. On instinct, the officer released the patrol dog to conduct an “article search” around the car wash. Moments later the dog assumed a “down position” near a firearm lying in the grass behind the car wash. Prior to October 5, 2012, Aikens had been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Illinois State Police.
This case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak for prosecution.
Former East St. Louis Police Officer Sentenced for Obstructing A Federal Civil Rights InvestigationRead the Press Release
A former East St. Louis police officer was sentenced in US District Court on January 31, 2013, for making false statements to federal investigators, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Ramon Carpenter, 40, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and a $400 fine, and was ordered to serve a two year term of supervised release following service of his prison sentence. Carpenter pled guilty in US District Court on September 26, 2012.
Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing established that on May 8, 2012, a female driver was stopped by two East St. Louis police officers while driving home from purchasing liquor at approximately 2:45 AM. At the time of the stop, the driver was driving uninsured on a suspended license while she was under the influence of alcohol and in possession of an open container of alcohol. The driver believed that she was going to be arrested. She was asked to get out of the car, at which time East St. Louis Police Officer Ramon Carpenter purported to conduct a “frisk,” but he actually groped and fondled her in a sexually inappropriate way. She was not arrested. Rather, the officers allowed her to drive her car back to her apartment. The officers followed her, and all three entered her home where the officers discovered that she had left four children, ages 10, 9, 8, and 1, alone in the apartment while she went out to buy liquor. She feared that the Department of Children and Family Services was going to be called. Instead, Officer Carpenter directed the victim to follow him out of the residence and to get into his car. She complied. The officer drove her to an isolated area in Jones Park where he coerced her into performing oral sex upon him. After the sex act was completed, the driver was returned home with no charges
A federal criminal investigation began the next morning when the driver went to the police station to complain. When federal agents interviewed Carpenter, he falsely denied being with the victim in the park and he falsely denied receiving oral sex from her.
“Ramon Carpenter’s outrageous conduct constituted a gross violation of the civil rights of the victim, and further served to undermine public confidence in an agency that is charged with ensuring the safety of the community,” United States Attorney Wigginton said.
The investigation was conducted through the Metro East Public Corruption Task Force by agents from the Internal Revenue Service, the Illinois State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced as Career OffenderRead the Press Release
John Arnold, 25, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced in United States District Court in East St. Louis, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Arnold, who was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 20, 2012, and entered a plea of guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine on September 17, 2012, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Arnold was also ordered to pay a fine of $750 and a special assessment of $100. In imposing the sentence, the Court found that Arnold was a Career Offender as defined in the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
According to a stipulation of facts submitted to the Court at the time of the plea, Arnold was arrested by the East St. Louis Police Department on April 5, 2012, at approximately 3:00 p.m. following a traffic violation. Arnold was placed under arrest after a computer check revealed that his driver’s license was revoked. The Defendant was patted down before to the arrest and two baggies containing a quantity of crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana were located in Arnold’s underwear. Arnold later admitted that he intended to sell the crack cocaine.
Evidence in support of the indictment was obtained in an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the East St. Louis Police Department. This prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Randy G. Massey.
USP-Marion Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing A Weapon in PrisonRead the Press Release
Lamar Elmer Smith, 32, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Marion, Illinois, pled guilty today in in United States District Court in Benton to charges that he possessed a weapon in that prison, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on November 6th, alleged that the offense occurred on August 16, 2012. The weapon Smith possessed was a 7 inch long piece of sharpened metal, which appeared to be constructed from fence material, and resembled an ice pick.
At the time he possessed the weapon, Smith was serving a 211 month sentence imposed in the Eastern District of Missouri for conspiring to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Sentencing was set for May 16, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. At that time, Smith faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration. Federal law requires that any term of imprisonment for the weapon offense be imposed consecutively to the 211 month sentence he was already serving. Following the hearing, Smith was returned to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Florida Man Sentenced for Role in $30 Million Telemarketing Scam That Victimized over 22,000 PeopleRead the Press Release
John Robert Eddy, 30, of West Palm Beach, FL, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, 5 years supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Eddy pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. The indictment alleged that Eddy and others were involved in a telemarketing scam under the names Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions. The fraudulent companies operated in Florida and bilked over 22,000 victims of $30 million dollars, victimizing consumers in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, all ten Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territory of Canada. There were at least 54 victims in twenty eight (28) of the thirty eight (38) counties comprising the Southern District of Illinois.
The criminal indictment alleged that Eddy was an owner of a Universal Marketing Solutions franchise office. Beginning in October 2007, and continuing through at least January 2010, telemarketers for Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions placed cold calls to timeshare owners and then falsely represented that their company had actual buyers for the owners’ timeshare property. Telemarketers Eddy supervised then solicited advanced fees of up to several thousand dollars from each victim in purported closing costs – fees they promised would be refunded to the owner once the closing on the property occurred. Many timeshare owners were told that their closings were scheduled within the next 60 to 90 days. Despite collecting fees from 22,000 victims, not a single timeshare unit was ever sold. Eddy and his co-conspirators simply pocketed the closing costs.
Approximately twenty-four others have been charged in connection with the Creative Vacation Solutions telemarketing scam. The company’s former chief executive, Jennifer Kirk, pled guilty to a criminal Information on June 30, 2011. She was sentenced on January 9, 2012 to over 16 years in prison and five years supervised release. More than a dozen others have also been sentenced, receiving prison terms that range from 1 to 14 years.
The prosecution follows an investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Boynton Beach Florida Police Department. The prosecution of the case was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Lewis and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Reppert.
Richland County Woman Sentenced on Methamphetamine Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Christine L. Hagen, 28, of Olney, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court to federal prison on methamphetamine-related charges, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Hagen was sentenced to 115 months in prison, to be followed by six years supervised release, and fined $200.
Hagen had previously pleaded guilty to a two count federal indictment. Count 1 charged that from November 2011, until on or about April 14, 2012, in Richland County, Hagen conspired with others known and unknown to the grand jury to manufacture methamphetamine. Count 2 charged that from January 2011, to on or about April 14, 2012, in Richland County, Hagen possessed pseudoephedrine, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George A. Norwood.
Former Federal Prison Guard Guilty of Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
A former federal correctional officer pled guilty in US District Court on January 28, 2013, for filing false tax returns, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Attillah Ruffin, 42, waived her right to be indicted by the Grand Jury and pled guilty to an Information.
Ruffin admitted falsifying her personal income tax returns each tax year from 2005-2010. During that time period she defrauded the US Government out of $22,108 by claiming false dependents, false child care expenses, false unreimbursed employee expenses, and false residential energy credits. Ruffin also admitted to fraudulently obtaining a larger tax refund by using an inapplicable filing status by claiming to be a “head of household” when her filing status should have been “single.” Ruffin admitted that these crimes occurred while she was employed as a law enforcement officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The crime of filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release upon release from prison. However, the United States Sentencing Guidelines must be applied to the case and considered by the Court during sentencing. Ruffin will be sentenced on May 17, 2013.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
Drug Conviction Results in Lengthy SentenceRead the Press Release
On January 25, 2013, a Williamson County resident was sentenced in U.S. District Court on a one-count indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Christopher D. Norris, 30, of Pittsburg, was sentenced to 216 months in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and fined $400. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Norris was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2010 and January 2012 in Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Norris provided pseudoephedrine pills to others for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Norris was also involved in a home invasion/theft of anhydrous ammonia. At sentencing, the district court determined that Norris was responsible for the manufacture of 840 grams of methamphetamine. The district court also found that Norris used violence during the offense. Norris was classified as a Career Offender. Three co-defendants have pled guilty to their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. One co-defendant has pled not guilty and is awaiting jury trial. 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, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Marion Police Department, Illinois State Police, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Chester Woman Sentenced on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
On January 25, 2013, a Randolph County resident was sentenced in U.S. District Court on methamphetamine related charges, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Penelope J. Reed, a/k/a “Penny Warren,” 38, of Chester, IL, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, and fined $400. On September 13, 2012, a jury convicted Reed of one count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and three counts of possessing pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The offenses occurred between September, 2006, and October, 2011, in Randolph, Jackson, and Williamson Counties. Evidence at trial and sentencing established that Reed was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Reed purchased pseudoephedrine pills for others to use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Reed also allowed her Chester residence to be used for the manufacture of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the district court found that Reed was responsible for over 230 grams of pseudoephedrine. Seven co-conspirators have previously been sentenced for their involvement in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Two co-conspirators have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Chester Police Department, Murphysboro Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Robinson Police Department also assisted in the investigation.
The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gary A. McArthur, 50, of Arnold, Missouri, was sentenced on January 25, 2013, to a term of 180 months in prison on a one-count indictment charging him with Production of Child Pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
McArthur was also ordered to serve a term of lifetime supervised release following his imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, McArthur was fined $1,250 and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. McArthur pled guilty to the indictment on October 18, 2012 and has been detained (held without bond) since his arraignment on June 15, 2012.
Court documents establish that the violation occurred between September 2011 and March 31, 2012, when McArthur resided with a friend, R.H., and her minor relative in Madison County, Illinois. On March 31, 2012, R.H. reported to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department that she had discovered that McArthur had been engaged in a continuing sexual relationship with her 13-year old minor relative. In a recorded interview with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, McArthur admitted that he had been having sexual intercourse with the 13-year old minor for several months. McArthur is currently charged in the Madison County Circuit Court with four counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse for those acts. Of course, a charge is not proof of guilt. McArthur is presumed innocent of the charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The federal charges came about when, after McArthur was arrested, a detective with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, who also serves as a Special Investigator with the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force, performed a forensic examination of McArthur’s cellular phone. It was discovered that on March 7, 2012, McArthur had taken a pornographic photograph of the victim depicting the minor’s nude genital area.
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 Madison County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ali Summers and Nathan Stump.
Madison Woman Sentenced for Embezzling Funds from EmployerRead the Press Release
Amy M. Shelby, 38, of Madison, IL, was sentenced to fifteen months in prison, to be followed by three years on supervised release, and restitution of $112,383.52, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Shelby was indicted by a grand jury in July 2012 and later Shelby plead guilty to the federal offense of wire fraud.
The instant offense was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), following a complaint made by James Green Management (JGM), the owner and management office of Oakmont Mini-Storage. Prior to the complaint, Pitney Bowes Visa credit card company contacted JGM to inquire about delinquent payments on an existing Pitney Bowes account, which JGM was unaware existed. Subsequent audit results found Amy Shelby, the manager of Oakmont Mini- Storage, had applied for a Pitney Bowes commercial credit card for Oakmont Mini-Storage in 2006, which held her name. Amy Shelby had used the commercial credit card to purchase numerous fraudulent charges which included personal purchases such as for perfume and satellite television service, payments for personal bills, and a monthly credit report service. The audit also found Shelby had access to Oakmont Mini-Storage’s operating bank account(s), and she was paying the Pitney Bowes credit card bills, and additional personal bills, with company funds. In addition, the audit found Shelby had simply kept numerous cash deposits and/or payments made to Oakmont Mini- Storage for storage units.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Collinsville Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Stolen Firearm and Possession of Firearm by User of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
A Collinsville, Illinois, man was sentenced today to a prison term by the federal district court for possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a user of marijuana, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced.
Michael C. Campbell, 54, was sentenced to 24 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $200 special assessment, and a fine of $7500, following his plea of guilty, on June 12, 2012, to an Indictment charging him with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a User of Marijuana. The charges relate to an incident that occurred on December 21, 2011, in Collinsville, Illinois, when investigating agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives learned that Campbell had purchased a stolen firearm from Jason Simmons, who pled guilty to similar charges on May 31, 2012. Documents filed with the Court indicate that Simmons received over 90 stolen firearms from a person in Missouri who had given the guns to Simmons for storage. Simmons sold one of the stolen firearms to Campbell, who knew that it had been stolen. Campbell also admitted to being a daily user of marijuana.
Simmons was sentenced last December, to 46 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, a $300 special assessment, and a $750 fine.
The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Cahokia Woman Sentenced on Social Security Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
Jacqueline L. Burrell, 45, of Cahokia, was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court in East St. Louis for concealing a material fact from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. Burrell received a sentence of 10 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Burrell to pay $53,992 restitution to SSA and a special assessment of $100.
At her guilty plea on October 3, 2012, Burrell admitted that she fraudulently applied for and received assistance for her children in her custody in the form of Supplemental Security Income Benefits payments. During these times, however, she did not actually have custody of the children, who were with their father in California. Burrell, while acting as Representative Payee for her minor children, failed to disclose and concealed the fact that the children no longer resided with her in order to receive payments intended to benefit the children.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is committing fraud against any Social Security Administration (SSA), you may report this to the SSA Office of Inspector General by calling 800.269.0271.
Belleville Man Sentenced for Defrauding Federal Unemployment Insurance ProgramRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Kevin Veath, 54, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for defrauding the unemployment insurance program. Following his plea of guilty on October 3, 2012, to a one-count indictment for Embezzlement of Public Funds, the District Court sentenced Veath to a 5 year term of probation. He also was ordered to repay approximately $15,245 in restitution to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and to pay a $100 special assessment.
“Everyone should know that lying and cheating to receive unemployment compensation is a crime.” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “Those who defraud the unemployment insurance program undermine support for an important public program and hurt and insult every law-abiding citizen of Southern Illinois, particularly as public programs face economic crises. I will continue to place a high priority on pursuing those who steal from the United States Treasury.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Veath admitted to being employed between February 2009 and September 2009 while also filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits. In order to receive the benefits, Veath had to certify, approximately every two weeks, to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that he was not working and that he was ready, willing, and able to work. He also had to verify that he was actively seeking work. Veath was supposed to inform IDES of any income he received during the certification period, but he did not report that he was employed and earning money, instead choosing to collect both wages and benefits simultaneously. Between February and September of 2009, Veath collected $16,645 in employment insurance benefits to which he was not entitled; however, Veath began repaying the money he stole before sentencing, resulting in the lower restitution order.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine L. Lewis.
Alton Man Sentenced for Defrauding Federal Unemployment Insurance ProgramRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Charles Brumley, 42, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for defrauding the unemployment insurance program. Following his plea of guilty on October 3, 2012, to a one-count indictment for Embezzlement of Public Funds, the District Court sentenced Brumley to a 5 year term of probation. He also was ordered to repay approximately $17,732 in restitution to the Illinois Department of Employment Security and to pay a $100 special assessment.
“Even little children know that lying and cheating to receive unemployment compensation is a crime.” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “Those who defraud the unemployment insurance program undermine support for an important public program and hurt and insult every law-abiding citizen of Southern Illinois, particularly as public programs face economic crises. I will continue to place a high priority on pursuing those who steal from the United States Treasury.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Brumley admitted to being employed between February 2009 and January 2010 while also filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits. In order to receive the benefits, Brumley had to certify, approximately every two weeks, to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that he was not working and that he was ready, willing, and able to work. He also had to verify that he was actively seeking work. Brumley was supposed to inform IDES of any income he received during the certification period, but he did not report that he was employed and earning money, instead choosing to collect both wages and benefits simultaneously. Between February 2009 and January 2010, Brumley collected $17,732 in employment insurance benefits to which he was not entitled.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine L. Lewis.
Woman Charged with Embezzling Funds from the City of Marion, Illinois, Water DepartmentRead the Press Release
Linda Heyde, 59, of Marion, IL, was indicted by a grand jury and charged with three counts of embezzlement and theft, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. The offenses each carry a statutory maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and mandatory restitution. The Indictment also seeks forfeiture of $524,100 in criminal proceeds.
The Indictment alleges that Linda Heyde, from 1996, through May, 2012, engaged in a scheme to defraud the City of Marion, Illinois, Water Department while she was the water department’s manager who had primary control over the billing accounts. The Indictment alleges that the City of Marion Police Department was advised that Heyde was handling the water department’s deposit funds in a suspicious manner and that daily bank deposits did not contain cash. The City of Marion Police Department installed covert cameras in the water department to monitor suspicious activities of Heyde. Heyde was observed on camera placing money in her purse. An audit was performed and showed that falsified adjustments had been made to customer accounts resulting in approximately $500,000 in missing funds.
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 Indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the City of Marion Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Four Indicted for Filing False Federal Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Four individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with making and subscribing false federal income tax returns, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. The offenses each carry a statutory maximum sentence of up to 3 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution for the amount of the tax loss.
Anaya Bluiett, 25, of Brooklyn, IL, was charged with three counts of making and subscribing false federal income tax returns for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Terri M. Boatmans, 45, of Belleville, IL, was charged with two counts of making and subscribing false federal income tax returns for the years 2009 and 2010.
Demetrius L. Combs, 21, of East St. Louis, IL, was charged with one count of making and subscribing false federal income tax return for the year 2010.
Gemarian Douglas, 37, of Alorton, IL, was charged with one count of making and subscribing false federal income tax return for the year 2009.
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 Indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
To report criminal tax fraud call the I.R.S. Criminal Investigations at (618) 622-2160 or by sending the information to the Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
On January 24, 2013, Joseph L. Edwards, a 25 year old East St. Louis, Illinois, man pled guilty in United States Federal District Court, in East St. Louis, to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Edwards is scheduled for sentencing on May 20, 2013, at which time he faces a maximum potential sentence of 10 years’ in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, not more than 3 years’ of supervised release after his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Edwards also agreed to the forfeiture of the firearm.
Court proceedings revealed that on October 25, 2011, law enforcement officers approached a residence in East St. Louis, Illinois, to investigate an anonymous tip regarding the firing of guns at the home. As officials approached, an officer heard a woman standing on the porch of the home tell Edwards, who was still inside the home, “The feds are here.” An officer spotted Edwards going to the rear of the home and later returning to the front of the house. The officer also noticed a strong marijuana odor coming from the home. After obtaining consent to search the residence from the property owner, who was present, law enforcement located a firearm on a bedroom floor in the rear of the residence. Edwards admitted to taking the gun to the rear of the house and leaving it on a back bedroom floor. Prior to October 25, 2011, Edwards had been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
This case was investigated by the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) Task Force, which focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park and surrounding communities.
This case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak for prosecution.
Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Cocaine and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A citizen of Mexico, who was named, along with nine others in an indictment returned in August 2012, has pled guilty, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Gonzalo Nunez-Camacho, 38, a citizen of Mexico who most recently resided in West Valley City, Utah, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine; and Interstate Travel in Support of Racketeering. Nunez-Camacho also admitted the forfeiture allegation in the indictment and agreed to forfeit to the United States the amount of $532,000, in addition to the $35,738 in United States currency which was seized from him by law enforcement on June 23, 2012. In addition, Nunez-Camacho agreed to the entry of a Judicial Order of Removal, which will require that he be deported from the United States following the service of his sentence.
Nunez-Camacho is currently scheduled to be sentenced on May 10, 2013. Each of the conspiracy counts carries a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison, a $10,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years. Interstate Travel in Support of Racketeering carries a potential sentence of not more than 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years supervised release. Each of the counts also carries a $100 special assessment.
Three of the ten conspirators charged in the indictment have entered pleas of guilty. Five are awaiting trial, and two remain fugitives. An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, those defendants who have not yet been convicted are presumed to be innocent of a charge and are entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Evidence in support of the indictment was obtained in an investigation which was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF initiative is designed to bring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and resources together to identify, target and dismantle large national and international drug trafficking organizations. Participating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI), U.S. Marshal Service, the Granite City Police Department, Fairview Heights Police Department, the Collinsville Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County (Missouri) Police Department, the St. Charles County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol. This case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Randy G. Massey for prosecution.
Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A citizen of Mexico, who was named, along with nine others in an indictment returned in August 2012, has pled guilty, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Vincente Lopez, 38, a citizen of Mexico, who most recently resided in Madison, Illinois, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine. Lopez also admitted the forfeiture allegation in the indictment and agreed to forfeit to the United States the amount of $27,104. In addition, Lopez agreed to the entry of a Judicial Order of Removal, which will require that he be deported from the United States following the service of his sentence.
Lopez is currently scheduled to be sentenced on May 10, 2013, at which time he faces a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years, and a $100 special assessment.
Three of the ten conspirators charged in the indictment have entered pleas of guilty. Five are awaiting trial, and two remain fugitives. An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, those defendants who have not yet been convicted are 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.
Evidence in support of the indictment was obtained in an investigation which was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF initiative is designed to bring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and resources together to identify, target and dismantle large national and international drug trafficking organizations. Participating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI), U.S. Marshal Service, the Granite City Police Department, Fairview Heights Police Department, the Collinsville Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County (Missouri) Police Department, the St. Charles County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol. This case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Randy G. Massey for prosecution.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to Prison for Counterfeiting, Resisting and ObstructionRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on January 18, 2013, Sancehez E. Smotherman, 36, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for Possession of Counterfeit Currency, Resisting or Impeding the U.S. Secret Service and Obstruction of Justice, as alleged in a three count indictment returned on July 18, 2012, by a Federal Grand Jury. Smotherman was also ordered to pay $600.00 in fines and special assessments and $2,904.01 in restitution to the City of Sauget, Illinois. The restitution was ordered to reimburse Sauget for medical expenses incurred when one of its officers was injured during Smotherman’s efforts to impede and obstruct the investigation.
At his plea on October 12, 2012, Smotherman admitted that on June 13, 2012, he had possessed and passed counterfeit United States currency at a business located in Sauget, Illinois. Smotherman also admitted that, after his arrest, he had tried to destroy evidence (directions on how to counterfeit money) by placing the evidence in his mouth in an attempt to swallow the item. Smotherman then resisted a Sauget, Illinois, police officer and an agent of the United States Secret Service in their attempts to prevent the destruction of the evidence. The Sauget police officer was injured while trying to prevent the destruction of the evidence.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Sauget, Illinois, Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
South Roxana Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion and for Making Illegal Payments to A Government OfficialRead the Press Release
Stephen Keith Sweet, 53, of South Roxana, was sentenced in federal court on charges of tax evasion and making an illegal payment to a government official, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Sweet received a sentence of 18 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. The court also ordered Sweet to pay a fine of $52,400, a restitution amount of $226,988 to the Internal Revenue Service, and a special assessment of $200.
“Tax evasion is reaching into the pocket of every law-abiding citizen in Southern Illinois and stealing from that person. I will not abide in such theft or in government officials who take bribes and thus violate the public trust.” noted United States Attorney Wigginton.
Sweet, who owns Lake Environmental, Inc. (LEI), Abatement Management, Inc. (AMI), and AMI O LLC, which are located in Madison County, Illinois, admitted in court that he willfully attempted to evade and defeat a large part of the income tax due and owing the United States of America by filing a false and fraudulent U.S. Individual Income Tax Return with the Internal Revenue Service. Sweet, who falsely reported his total income, had diverted business funds to his own personal use without declaring those amounts as income. As to the other charge, it was revealed that Sweet’s businesses provide asbestos abatement services. In February, 2009, Sweet made several payments on behalf of a United States Air Force contracting official in order to keep and obtain contracts for services on Scott Air Force Base. Sweet paid for the official’s car repairs of $2,495.01, and for his home heating and cooling repairs of $3,487.00.
The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.
Granite City Man Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jason E. Starko, 36, Granite City, IL, was sentenced on January 18, 2013, to a total of 360 months in prison on a two-count indictment charging him, in both counts, with Production of Child Pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Starko’s term of imprisonment consists of 360 months on each count, to run concurrently. Starko was also ordered to serve a 20 year term of supervised release on both counts, also to run concurrently, fined $1250, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. Starko pled guilty to the offenses on August 8, 2012, and had been detained (held without bond) since his arraignment on December 23, 2011.
“The case was brought with the cooperation of the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. Our office, along with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, is very happy with the result. The cooperative effort between the two offices, which resulted in this prosecution and sentence, has removed Mr. Starko from our district for a very long time and protected our children from a sexual predator.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
Horrific facts revealed in the court proceedings were that the violations occurred between August 7 and August 12, 2011, when Starko resided with a friend, L.R., and her two minor children, in Granite City. On August 12, 2011, L.R. reported to the Granite City Police Department that her two minor children, ages 5 and 7, had disclosed sexual abuse by Starko. For that, Starko is currently charged in Madison County with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Of course, a charge is not proof of guilt. Starko is presumed innocent of the charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The federal charges came about when, after Starko was arrested, an individual found a digital camera that Starko had left in his/her house. This individual viewed the contents of the camera and saw sexually explicit videos involving minors. This individual turned over the digital camera to the Granite City Police Department. During a forensic review of the digital camera, officers recovered two pornographic videos involving L.R.’s 5 year old minor child. These videos depict the minor child’s nude genital area. In one of the videos, Starko’s hand is seen touching the minor child’s genitals in order to get a closer view of the child’s nude genital area. Both videos appeared to have been taken with a hidden camera.
Evidence introduced at the sentencing hearing showed that inappropriate pictures were taken of the two girls while at a lighted water fountain in St. Louis, Missouri. Numerous photographs were of the children in sexually provocative poses.
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 Granite City Police Department. The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
An East St. Louis man, Charles L. Thomas, 25, was sentenced today in United States District Court, East St. Louis, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. Thomas was sentenced to 18 months in prison, ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and to serve a term of 2 years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
Court documents establish that on February 21, 2012, in St Clair County, an East St. Louis Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Charles L. Thomas. During the traffic stop, the officer observed a black handgun in the split of the front bench seat. The firearm was determined to be a Hi Point, Model C9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol which contained 8 live rounds of 9 mm ammunition. Thomas agreed to an interview with law enforcement at which time he admitted that he was in possession of the firearm. Thomas stated that he had the gun for protection because one week prior he had been in an altercation with some individuals at a convenience store and that he and his friends intended to go back to that same convenience store on that night.
Court documents further establish that prior to February 21, 2012, Thomas had been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
The investigation was conducted by the WAVE Task Force. The WAVE Task Force focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Seventeen Face Federal Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, has charged 17 individuals with methamphetamine related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Those charged with providing pseudoephedrine pills to methamphetamine manufacturers are: Dennis Bowen, 40, Johnston City, Illinois, Bridgett L. Garrington, 29, Johnston City, Illinois, Dana L. Gulley, 40, Herrin, Illinois, Dustin J. Gulley, 22, Herrin, Illinois, Sherri Gunter-Perkins, 40, West Frankfort, Illinois, Casey Heath, 24, Herrin, Illinois, Dawn Jacobsen, 37, Carbondale, Illinois, Karla Jones, 31, Herrin, Illinois, Doyle Massengill, 53, Herrin, Illinois, Stephanie Patrick, 22, Elkville, Illinois, Keith Pichelman, 24, Carbondale, Illinois, Richard Robinson, 45, Herrin, Illinois, Amber Scro-Cardwell, 28, West Frankfort, Illinois, Robin Sides, 27, Herrin, Illinois, Eric Smothers, 52, Herrin, Illinois, Mary Smothers, 45, Herrin, Illinois, and Julie Woolum, 37, Benton, Illinois.
All those charged face up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250, 000 fine if convicted.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Police Department, Royalton Police Department, West City Police Department, Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Leggans.
Olney Man Charged with Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Daniel F. Gillard, 48, of Olney, Illinois, was charged in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, with possession of child pornography and with accessing the internet with intent to view child pornography.
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.
With respect to each of the two counts, if convicted, Gillard faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and from 5 years to lifetime supervised release to follow any incarceration.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 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 is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
An East St. Louis man pled guilty in federal district court on January 16, 2013, to an Indictment charging him with the unlawful possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Travis D. Summerville, 33, East St. Louis, IL, faces a term of in prison of not more than ten (10) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years when he is sentenced on April 26, 2013. Summerville also agreed to forfeit the firearm he illegally possessed.
The violation occurred on December 13, 2010, when members of the Working Against Violent Elements (WAVE) Task Force went to Summerville’s home to investigate an anonymous tip that drugs were being sold and that firearms were also present. Officers obtained a state search warrant for the home and recovered a 9mm semi-automatic firearm hidden in the basement ceiling next to a bag of suspected marihuana. 9mm shells and additional marihuana were found in Summerville’s bedroom. Summerville admitted possession of the gun in a voluntary statement to law enforcement officers, stating that he bought the gun “off the street” for $70. He also admitted that he hid the gun, along with some marihuana, in the basement of the residence. Finally, Summerville admitted knowing that he could not legally possess a firearm because of a previous felony conviction.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Lavon C. Lashley, 36, from St. Louis, MO, was sentenced on January 15, 2013, in District Court in East St. Louis, IL, on one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Lashley was sentenced to 87 months in prison, three years of supervised release, fined $375 and ordered to pay $100 special assessment. Lashley, who previously pled guilty, admitted that a firearm recovered on him during a pat down search stemming from an incident on a Metro Link passenger train leading to his arrest, belonged to him. He forfeited the firearm. Lashley, admitted that he had possessed a gun, knowing that he was a convicted felon and that it was illegal for him to have a gun.
Prior to June 5, 2012, Lashley had been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
The investigation was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew H. Brooks.
Two Plead Guilty in Alton Heroin Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Tyrone L. Adams and Cara L. Moss pled guilty in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis on January 14, 2013, to distributing the heroin which caused the death of Leonard O. Hormann, III, in Alton on August 20, 2012.
“These convictions are another strong message to drug dealers throughout Southern Illinois that they peddle poison at their own risk,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “When such dealers are caught and convicted, those risks are enormous – in this case both defendants face a possible life sentence. My Office is determined to continue its initiative to stop the epidemic of heroin overdose deaths among our young citizens.”
Wigginton also complimented the work of the Alton Police Department and the Madison County State’s Attorney, saying that, “The Alton police conducted an investigation in this case that could serve as a model for future investigations. I am also proud of the fact that these convictions resulted from close coordination with the Madison County State’s Attorney. The results in this case demonstrate the benefits of careful federal and state cooperation.”
Adams, 33, and Moss, 26, admitted selling heroin to Hormann at the residence which Adams and Moss shared at Powhattan Street in Alton. Hormann paid $100 for the heroin which killed him. Hormann’s family found him dead at his own residence in Alton on August 21, 2012. Hormann was 23 years old when he died.
In addition to pleading guilty to the charge of Distribution of Heroin Resulting in Death, Adams and Moss also pled guilty to a second charge of Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises at their residence on Powhattan Street between June 2012 and September 2012. Adams and Moss admitted to selling more than 100 grams of heroin (3 ½ ounces) to various heroin customers who came to their residence during that time period.
In addition, Adams pled guilty to a third charge of Distribution of Heroin Within 1000 Feet of a School. Adams’ residence on Powhattan was located near “The Motivational Achievement Center,” a public school, in Alton.
Adams and Moss are scheduled to be sentenced on April 29, 2013. Both Adams and Moss face a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment when they are sentenced. Adams and Moss have both been held without bail since they were arrested by Alton police on September 5, 2012.
Alton police conducted the investigation which led to the convictions of Adams and Moss. This case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.
Perry County Man Arraigned on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
A Perry County man made his initial appearance in federal court on January 7, 2013, on a one-count superseding indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Henry D. Jacquez, 35, of Cutler, was charged, along with seven others, in a one-count superseding indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense is alleged to have occurred between November, 2011 and October 12, 2012 in Perry, Jackson and Randolph Counties. Upon conviction, the offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. At a January 10, 2013, detention hearing, Jacquez was ordered held without bond, pending a March 11, 2013, jury trial.
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, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, the Percy Police Department, the Murphysboro Police Department, the Sparta Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The United States Marshals Service has also assisted during the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Jerseyville Man Sentenced for Making False Bank Entry to Conceal Cash TheftsRead the Press Release
A Jerseyville man, convicted of Making a False Bank Entry, was sentenced in federal court on January 14, 2013, to 30 days of imprisonment, 11 months of home confinement with electronic monitoring, and 3 years of supervised release, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
At his plea on August 22, 2011, Robert J. Tonsor, 29, of Jerseyville, IL, admitted that while employed by the Carrollton Bank he had made false entries on the bank’s Alton Drive Up Vault Balance Sheet. Tonsor admitted making the false entries in order to conceal his theft of funds and deceive the officers of the Carrollton Bank by making the records falsely indicate that the bank’s drive up window vault was properly balanced, when Tonsor knew that there were shortages of approximately $105,000 in United States currency.
As part of the plea agreement with the government, Tonsor had already paid $105,000 in restitution to the Bank of Carrollton. He was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.00.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Fairview Heights Man Receives 35 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Fairview Heights man, Andrew Gerald Millas, 43, received a 35 year prison sentence in federal court in East St Louis on January 14, 2013, following his plea of guilty to three counts of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Transportation of Child Pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Following service of his sentence, Millas will be on federal supervised release for the remainder of his life and will also be required to register as a sex offender.
“This sentence should be a stark, but fair, reminder to those who prey on children - the eyes of law enforcement will find you and I will use every legal means to put you in prison,” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
A factual stipulation filed at the time of the guilty plea revealed that, in December, 2011, detectives of the Boise, Idaho Police Department engaged Millas in online chats after they became concerned with his postings on a website that offered child pornography for distribution. Millas sent the undercover officers still images of child pornography he had manufactured, and also broadcast a live sex act with a minor to them via a web camera. The Boise Police Department quickly forwarded the investigative lead to the Fairview Heights Police Department, and Millas was promptly arrested. Forensic analysis of computer equipment seized from Millas by the FBI revealed voluminous digital evidence, including 14,560 multimedia files, over 900,000 image files, and 21,232 recovered image files depicting screen shots captured by a keystroke logger program. Among the files recovered were movies depicting Millas having sexual relations with a sixteen year old child and other movies which Millas made through surreptitious filming which depicted other minors engaging in sexual conduct.
Millas has been in custody since his arrest on December 30, 2011. The investigation was conducted by the Boise, Idaho Police Department; the Fairview Heights Police Department, and the Collinsville Police Department, which has a detective assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Task Force. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, in which the United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement authorities, is actively investigating and prosecuting individuals who are involved in the exploitation of children. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton and Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne M. Garrison.
Southern Illinois Resident Sentenced for Deliberately Defrauding Federal Unemployment Insurance ProgramRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Michael Douglas, 31, of O’Fallon, Illinois was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, East St. Louis Division for defrauding the unemployment insurance program. Following his plea of guilty on September 17, 2012, to a one-count indictment for Embezzlement of Public Funds, the District Court sentenced Douglas to a 5 month term of incarceration to be followed by a 3 year term of supervised release. Douglas will spend the first 5 months of his supervised release term subject to home confinement. He also was ordered to repay approximately $17,470 in restitution to the Illinois Department of Employment Security and to pay a $100 special assessment.
“Lying and cheating to receive unemployment compensation is a crime,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “Those who defraud the unemployment insurance program undermine support for an important public program and hurt and insult every law-abiding citizen of Southern Illinois, particularly as public programs face economic crises. I will continue to place a high priority on pursuing those who steal from the United States Treasury.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Douglas admitted to being employed between January 2009 and December 2009 while also filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits. In order to receive the benefits, Douglas had to certify, approximately every two weeks, to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that he was not working and that he was ready, willing, and able to work. He also had to verify that he was actively seeking work. Douglas was supposed to inform IDES of any income he received during the certification period, but he did not report that he was employed and earning money, instead choosing to collect both wages and benefits simultaneously. Between January and December of 2009 Douglas collected $21,264 in employment insurance benefits to which he was not entitled; however, Douglas repaid some of the money he stole prior to his sentencing, resulting in a lower restitution figure.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katherine L. Lewis.
Mt. Carmel Accountant Indicted for 40 Counts of Alleged Fraud and Money Laundering for Financially Exploiting an Elderly VictimRead the Press Release
A Mt. Carmel resident was indicted by the federal grand jury on January 8, 2013, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Kevin C. Williams, 52, was indicted for 35 counts of wire fraud and five (5) counts of money laundering.
The Indictment alleges that Williams developed a personal relationship with an elderly Mt. Carmel resident that enabled him to exert influence over the investment and distribution of her income. The Indictment charges that Williams engaged in a lengthy scheme to defraud the victim, by stealing her money while she was alive and altering her will and trust documents so that he would stand to inherit more of her money upon her demise.
Williams is charged with wire fraud for 35 separate financial transactions related to a series of thefts where he obtained a total of $1,521,169.34 from the victim. He is alleged to have transferred her funds into his personal checking accounts, his personal savings accounts, his business accounts, and to pay his mortgage. Each count of wire fraud is punishable by not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, and/or a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release.
The first money laundering count charges a transaction in which Williams stole $15,000 from the victim that was deposited into his personal savings account. He is alleged to have engaged in a subsequent financial transaction in which he used more than $10,000 of the proceeds of that theft to transfer money into a separate business account. This offense is punishable by not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, and/or a $250,000 fine, and not more than one year of supervised release.
The remaining counts of the Indictment charge that Williams provided the victim with phony account statements so that she would believe that her money was safely invested when in truth much of her money had been stolen. The remaining money laundering counts allege that Williams engaged in a series of financial transactions designed to deceive the victim into believing that she was receiving interest payments from investments - when no such investments really existed. The Indictment alleges that Williams misappropriated the victim’s money to buy cashier’s checks, but then he misrepresented those cashier’s checks to be the proceeds of her investments, when in truth and in fact no such investments existed. This type of money laundering is punishable by not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, and/or a $500,000 fine, or both and not more than three years of supervised release.
Williams was arrested and subsequently arraigned in US District Court on January 10, 2013, at which time the Indictment was unsealed. His trial is scheduled to begin on March 11, 2013.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Internal Revenue Service / Criminal Investigations, the Illinois Securities Department, and the US Department of Labor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven D. Weinhoeft.
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.
Missouri Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Travis L. Garner, 26, from St. Louis, MO, was sentenced on January 11, 2013, in District Court in East St. Louis, Il, on one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Garner was sentenced to 63 months in prison, three years of supervised release, fined $400 and ordered to pay $100 special assessment. He also forfeited a firearm. Garner, who had previously pled guilty, admitted that he had possessed a gun, knowing that he was a convicted felon and that it was illegal for him to have a gun.
Prior to April 5, 2012, Garner had been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
The investigation was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
This was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.
Florida Man Sentenced for Role in $30 Million Telemarketing Scam That Victimized over 22,000 PeopleRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Anthony Colon, 37, of Riviera Beach, Florida was sentenced to 70 months in prison, 3 years supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. Colon pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. The indictment alleged that Colon and others were involved in a telemarketing scam which operated in Florida that bilked over 22,000 victims of $30 million dollars victimizing consumers in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, all ten Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territory of Canada. There were at least 54 victims in twenty eight (28) of the thirty eight (38) counties comprising the Southern District of Illinois.
The criminal indictment alleged that Colon worked as a telemarketer for a Universal Marketing Solutions/Creative Vacation Solutions franchise in Palm Beach County, Florida. The indictment alleged that the scheme began October, 2007, and continued through at least January, 2010. Telemarketers for Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions placed cold calls to timeshare owners and then falsely represented that their company had actual buyers for the owners’ timeshare property. Telemarketers they supervised then solicited advanced fees of up to several thousand dollars from each victim in purported closing costs that they promised would be refunded to the owner once the closing on the property occurred. Many timeshare owners were told that their closings were scheduled within the next sixty to ninety days. Despite collecting fees from 22,000 victims, these companies were not successful in selling a single timeshare unit, the indictment alleged. Defendants and their co-conspirators, the indictment alleged, simply pocketed the closing costs.
Approximately twenty-four others have been charged in connection with the Creative Vacation Solutions telemarketing scam, the first one being Jennifer Kirk, who pled guilty to a criminal Information on June 30, 2011. She was sentenced on January 9, 2012, to over 16 years in prison and five years supervised release.
The prosecution follows an investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Boynton Beach Florida Police Department. The prosecution of the case was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Lewis and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Reppert.
Twenty Year Prison Sentence for Moskop AffirmedRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on January 8, 2013, the sentence of former Belleville resident Edward Lynn Moskop, 64, was affirmed by a panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Moskop had plead guilty to mail fraud and money laundering after it was discovered that he had run a Ponzi scheme for decades, during which he stole more than $1.4 million dollars (net) from twenty-six victims. The Seventh Circuit found that: “. . . Moskop was running a Ponzi scheme and converted more than $2.4 million from clients who believed he was investing their money in securities. Moskop advertised fictitious investment products and deceived his clients about the status of their money by creating false investment receipts and tax statements. He also continued to sell insurance policies, but often pocketed his clients’ premium payments instead of sending them to the carriers. When Moskop could not dissuade clients who wanted to liquidate their investment accounts, he made “lulling” payments drawn from funds provided by other clients; those outgoing payments totaled almost $1 million, leaving Moskop with roughly $1.4 million.”
The case was argued, personally, by United States Attorney Wigginton at sentencing in the District Court and before the Seventh Circuit, which, in its opinion, noted, “. . . the government’s arguments in aggravation, rather than parroting upward adjustments in the guidelines, focused on three grounds that the Sentencing Commission has encouraged district courts to consider when evaluating the adequacy of a within range prison term.”
“I will continue to pursue every avenue in my ongoing fight to get as much restitution for these victims as is possible,” noted United States Attorney Wigginton. “Through his thievery, Mr. Moskop imposed a financial death penalty on his victims. By law, I will try to get every penny that I can back to these innocent victims.”
The investigation of the scheme was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State of Illinois Securities Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Enforcement. The criminal case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Wigginton and Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine L. Lewis and Michael J. Quinley.
People who believe they have been a victim of securities fraud should contact the Illinois Securities Department at 1-800-628-7937. If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with the tax laws, you may report this activity by contacting the local Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation office at (618) 622-2160, or by mailing information to: Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888.
Southern Illinois Resident Sentenced for Federal Unemployment Insurance Program FraudRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Herman Peterson, 58, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on January 3, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, East St. Louis Division, for defrauding the unemployment insurance program. The District Court sentenced Peterson to 30 days in jail to be followed by a 3 year term of supervised release. Peterson will spend the first 6 months of his supervision on home confinement with electronic monitoring, as well. Peterson also was ordered to repay $15,700 in restitution to the Illinois Department of Employment Security and to pay a $100 special assessment.
“Lying and cheating to receive unemployment compensation is a crime,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “Those who defraud the unemployment insurance program undermine support for an important public program and hurt and insult every law-abiding citizen of Southern Illinois, particularly as public programs face economic crises. I will continue to place a high priority on pursuing those who steal from the United States Treasury.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Peterson admitted to being employed between November, 2008, and January 2010, while also filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits. In order to receive the benefits, Peterson admitted that he had to certify, approximately every two weeks, to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that he was ready, willing, and able to work. He also had to verify that he was actively seeking work. Peterson was supposed to inform IDES of any income he received during the certification period, however, but he did not report that he was working and did not report the income he earned to IDES, instead choosing to collect both wages and benefits simultaneously.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine L. Lewis.
Southern Illinois Resident Sentenced for Federal Unemployment Insurance Program FraudRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Ontonio Jennings, 37, formerly of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced on January 4, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois for defrauding the unemployment insurance program. The District Court sentenced Jennings to 10 months in jail to be followed by a 2 year term of supervised release. Jennings was also was ordered to repay $5,796 in restitution (this figure represents the amount of restitution outstanding after other restitution payments were considered) to the Illinois Department of Employment Security and to pay a $100 special assessment.
“Lying and cheating to receive unemployment compensation is a crime,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “Those who defraud the unemployment insurance program undermine support for an important public program and hurt and insult every law-abiding citizen of Southern Illinois, particularly as public programs face economic crises. I will continue to place a high priority on pursuing those who steal from the United States Treasury.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Jennings admitted to being employed at various times between December 2008 and May 2010 while also filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits. In order to receive the benefits, Jennings had to certify, approximately every two weeks, to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that he was ready, willing, and able to work. He had to verify that he was actively seeking work. Jennings was supposed to inform IDES of any income he received during the certification period, but he did not report that he was working and did not report the income he earned to IDES, instead choosing to collect both wages and benefits simultaneously. In total, Jennings received $24,337 in unemployment insurance payments to which he was not entitled. Additionally, Jennings was on supervised release for an unrelated matter while committing this crime. This led to the revocation of his supervised release in August 2012, and he was sentenced to an additional year and a day in prison for the violation. Jennings’ term of imprisonment in this case will not begin until after he has served his sentence for the supervised release violation.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine L. Lewis.
Florida Woman Sentenced for Role in $30 Million Telemarketing Scam That Victimized over 22,000 PeopleRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Erin Todd, 31, of West Palm Beach, Florida was sentenced in federal district court on Friday, January 4, 2013, to 42 months in prison, 5 years supervised release, and ordered to pay a $500 fine and a $100 special assessment fee. Todd was convicted of one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud following a three-day jury trial in September 2012.
The evidence at trial showed that Todd was a low-level telemarketer, referred to as an “opener,” at Creative Vacation Solutions, a timeshare resale telemarketing operation that was based in Palm Beach County, Florida. Todd’s role as an opener was to reach out as an initial contact to timeshare owners and set them up for a string of false representations centered around a promise that Creative Vacation Solutions had a buyer for an owner’s timeshare. Telemarketers, like Todd, then solicited advanced fees of up to several thousand dollars from each victim in purported closing costs that they promised would be refunded to the owner once the closing on the property occurred. Many timeshare owners were falsely told that their closings were scheduled within the next sixty to ninety days. Despite collecting fees from 22,000 victims, these companies did not sell a single timeshare unit. Todd earned only about $5,600 in her five months working as an opener. Additional evidence introduced at sentencing, however, indicated that, after Todd left Creative Vacation Solutions, she and her co-defendant, David Johnson, operated other timeshare resale scams in Florida that targeted some of the same victims as Creative Vacation Solutions. David Johnson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3 years in prison on December 14, 2012.
Todd is the nineteenth individual to be sentenced in connection with this Florida-based telemarketing scam operating under the names Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions. The scam targeted owners of timeshares throughout the United States and Canada. Todd conspired with Jennifer Kirk, the owner of Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions to bilk over 22,000 victims out of $30 million dollars. The scam victimized consumers in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, all ten Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territory of Canada. There were at least 54 victims in twenty eight (28) of the thirty eight (38) counties comprising the Southern District of Illinois.
Approximately twenty-nine others have been charged and twenty-three have pleaded guilty in connection with the Creative Vacation Solutions telemarketing scam. The first of whom was Jennifer Kirk, who pleaded guilty to a criminal Information on June 30, 2011. She was sentenced on January 9, 2012, to over 16 years in prison and five years supervised release.
This prosecution follows an investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Boynton Beach Florida Police Department. The prosecution of the case was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Lewis, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Stump, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce E. Reppert.
Belleville Man Sentenced for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
A Belleville, Illinois, man was sentenced to a prison term in federal district court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on January 7, 2013, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Tyler E. Evans, 26, was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis to 46 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a fine of $200, following his plea of guilty, on September 24, 2012, to an Indictment charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The weapons he possessed were also ordered forfeited.
Evans was previously convicted June 22, 2010, in St. Clair County, Illinois, of the state felony of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. He was released from prison on parole in April, 2011.
Shortly after his release, on June 9, 2011, law enforcement officers conducted a parole compliance search of Evans’ Belleville residence and found two firearms – a Taurus Rossi .357 caliber revolver, and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun. This discovery led to the federal charge for Evans.
The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Alton Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Edwin Stewart, a 35-year old Alton, Illinois, resident, was sentenced today in United States District Court to 57 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
In September, 2012, Stewart pled guilty to being a convicted felon who had knowingly possessed a New England Firearms, .22 L.R. caliber revolver, on or about August 8, 2011.
Having considered the facts and circumstances surrounding Stewart’s conviction and his criminal history, which was extensive, the Court chose the 57-month sentence. There is no parole in the federal prison system. In addition to the prison sentence, Stewart will serve 3-years of supervised release. United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton noted that, “My office remains committed to prosecuting criminals who illegally possess firearms. A sentence like this one sends a strong message.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Alton Police Department investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump.
Thirteen Year Fugitive, Dr. Juan Rios, SentencedRead the Press Release
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on January 4, 2013, Juan Rios, 65, of Peru, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay fines and restitution totaling over $320,000.00 for his conviction on Health Care Fraud, Mail Fraud, and Failure to Appear. Rios was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release after his period of incarceration.
Rios was first indicted in December of 1999 for Health Care Fraud and Mail Fraud. A superseding indictment was returned in August of 2000, adding a charge of Failure to Appear after Rios fled to Peru, forfeiting $350,000 in cash that had been posted as bond.
During his change-of-plea hearing on September 18, 2012, Rios admitted fleeing the United States after he was indicted. Rios further admitted that as a Southern Illinois Physician, in the mid to late 1990s, he had defrauded several insurance companies of over $400,000. Rios, who had offices in Collinsville and Bethalto, Illinois, also admitted that he had submitted false bills for medical treatment and services that were not provided to his patients while at the same time fraudulently receiving over $250,000 in personal disability payments.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Health Care Fraud Task Force, with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the U.S. Department of Health Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police being the primary investigative agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and Michael J. Quinley.
Missouri Man Charged with Distributing Heroin in Saline CountyRead the Press Release
Bryan L. Cayce, 45, of O’Fallon, Missouri, appeared for arraignment today in United States District Court in Benton on charges that he illegally distributed heroin, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment charging Cayce was returned by a Federal Grand Jury on November 6, 2012, and alleged that the distribution occurred on September 18, 2012, in Saline County.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
If convicted, Cayce faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $1 million fine, and a term of 3 years to life on supervised release to follow his incarceration.
Cayce will next appear in United States District Court in Benton on Friday, January 4th at 11:30 a.m. for a hearing on a motion that he be held without bond. Cayce was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await that hearing.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Honduran Citizen Pleads Guilty to Being Present in the United States IllegallyRead the Press Release
Oscar Naun Torres-Hernandez, 22, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to charges that he was illegally present in the United States after having been previously removed by immigration officials, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment charging Torres-Hernandez was returned by a Federal Grand Jury on November 6, 2012, after he was taken into custody by an Illinois State Police trooper on October 15th at the direction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents following a routine traffic stop on Interstate 57 in Effingham County during which the trooper learned that Torres-Hernandez was an illegal alien.
Sentencing was set for April 25, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. Torres-Hernandez faces up to 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.
Torres-Hernandez has been held in federal custody since his arrest on October 15th and was returned to the custody of the United States Marshal to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Illinois State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Ridgeway Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Manufacturing OffensesRead the Press Release
Paul E. Reynolds, 36, of Ridgeway, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiring with two other individuals to grow more than 100 marijuana plants and one count of actually growing more than 100 marijuana plants, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on September 5, 2012, alleged that the offenses occurred in Gallatin County between April, 2012 and August 29, 2012.
Sentencing was set for April 25, 2013, at the United States District Court in Benton. Reynolds faces between 5 and 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5 million fine, and 4 years to life on supervised release to follow incarceration on each count.
Reynolds’ codefendant, Daniel J. Fulkerson, 39, also from Ridgeway, pled guilty to the same charges last month. His sentencing was set for April 11, 2013.
Reynolds has been held without bond on the federal charges since September 11, 2012, and was again remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Fairfield Man Sentenced for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Michael D. McCullough, 58, of Fairfield, Illinois, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Benton to a term of imprisonment of 12 months and 1 day following his previous guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment charging McCullough with possessing two firearms, a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver and a Freedom Arms .22 caliber revolver, was returned by a Federal Grand Jury on May 8, 2012. It further alleged that the offense occurred on August 28, 2011, and that prior to that date McCullough had been convicted of two felonies in Wayne County Circuit Court. McCullough pled guilty to the indictment on October 4, 2012.
Evidence introduced to support the guilty plea and sentence showed that the firearms were found after a fire broke out in McCullough’s unoccupied residence in Fairfield on August 28, 2011. Police were notified by fire fighters that upon entering the residence to fight the fire, they located 5 marijuana plants growing in an indoor grow operation in McCullough’s bathroom. The Fairfield Police Department secured a search warrant for McCullough’s residence through the Wayne County State’s Attorney’s office and thereafter located and seized the marijuana plants along with the two firearms and several rounds of ammunition from McCullough’s bedroom.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, McCullough was ordered to pay a $1000 fine and $100 special assessment to the United States and was placed on a 2 year term of supervised release to follow his incarceration.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Fairfield Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Granite City Man Sentenced for Solicitation to Commit Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
A Granite City, Illinois, man was sentenced in federal court to serve 20 years in prison (the maximum statutory sentence) after pleading guilty to the crime of Solicitation of a Crime of Violence on December 4, 2012, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
“This was a harsh, but fair and deserved sentence for what could only be described as a crime involving bizarre circumstances and extreme violence,” said United States Attorney Wigginton.
In addition to the 20 years in prison, Brett Nash, 46, was sentenced to three years of supervised release following imprisonment, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment. There is no parole in the federal system. Nash had been charged with soliciting his wife to abduct, seize, and confine a person, and to hold that person in order to obtain money from him.
Previous court proceedings revealed that the charge arose from incidents occurring in late 2011 and January, 2012, in which Nash sought the help of his wife, TN, and another person in abducting a Granite City lawyer and obtaining money from him. A Factual Stipulation filed with the Court explained the scheme in great detail.
At the sentencing hearing today, Nash argued that he did not have the intent to murder. In response, the prosecution played several recorded conversations between Nash and TN, and between Nash and the CW, leading the judge to conclude that the intention to murder the victim was clear. The judge cited the earnestness with which Nash explained his plans for the victim to the CW as the reason for finding that Nash had the intention to murder the victim.
The recordings indicated that Nash wanted his wife to lure the victim from his home, whereupon Nash and the CW would seize the victim and take him back to his house. There, they would rig him with a fake explosive device; then Nash planned to take the victim to his bank, and force him to withdraw all his money under the threat that Nash would detonate the explosive if the victim did not cooperate.
The recordings indicated that Nash’s initial plan was to electrocute the victim by putting the victim in a hot tub and electrocuting him by throwing in a radio. He would then throw in a cat and electrocute the cat to make it look like the cat had accidentally knocked the radio into the hot tub. However, one of the recordings indicated that on the day Nash was arrested, he told the CW that he wanted two guns for the robbery. He told the CW that it didn’t make any difference what caliber the gun was because the victim was going “to commit suicide,” implying that he and the CW would shoot the victim and make it look like a suicide. “Dead men don’t talk,” said Nash in one of the recordings.
The case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Illinois State Police, the Granite City Police Department, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois, and the Madison County Sheriff's Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Clark.
Fairview Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
On December 3, 2013, Otto W. Jean, a fifty-nine year old Fairview Heights, Illinois, man pled guilty in federal district court, in East St. Louis, to failure to register as a sex offender, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Jean is scheduled for sentencing on April 7, 2014. He faces a term in prison of up to ten (10) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of five (5) years to life, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.
The violation occurred between November 2011 and June 2013. Jean was required to register as a sex offender under both Illinois law and the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act because he was convicted of Statutory Sodomy in the 2nd Degree on March 1, 2000, in St. Louis, Missouri. In November 2011, Jean moved from Missouri to Fairview Heights, Illinois. He was aware of his requirements to register as a sex offender in the State of Illinois and to update his registration with the State of Missouri, upon his move to Illinois in November 2011. Jean was contacted by the Fairview Heights Police Department on June 6, 2013, for non-compliance. He admitted to not having registered in Illinois.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Fairview Heights Police Department. Daniel T. Kapsak, Assistant United States Attorney prosecuted the case.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
An East St. Louis man, Chris L. Hibbler, 44, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment today in United States District Court, East St. Louis, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Hibbler was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and a $100 special assessment and to serve a term of 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Hibbler has been in custody since his arrest on July 17, 2012.
Court documents establish that on February 17, 2012, East St. Louis Police Officers were dispatched at approximately 1:40 a.m. to the 100th block of 5th Street in reference to a male armed with a shotgun. When the officers arrived, they encountered Chris L. Hibbler, who was armed with a Winchester, Model 37, 20-gauge sawed off shotgun. Hibbler agreed to an interview with law enforcement and admitted to possessing the firearm. Hibbler claimed that he found a bag on the ground near the Metro Link station which contained the sawed off shotgun and a round of ammunition. Hibbler stated that he intended to take the firearm to the south end of the city to shoot it. Court documents further establish that prior to February 17, 2012, Hibbler had been convicted of a felony.
The investigation was conducted by the East St. Louis Police Department and the WAVE Task Force. The WAVE Task Force focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE was formed in November, 2009, and is a collaboration of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), the East St. Louis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The WAVE Task Force receives financial support through the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide federal program which endeavors to address gun-related violence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.