Southern District of Illinois
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Cahokia Heights Man Gets 188 Months in Prison for Gun, Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District sentencing judge ordered a Cahokia Heights man to spend 188 months in federal prison after he admitted to distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine and possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute the drugs in St. Clair County.
Nickolas Shannon, 29, previously pled guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intention to distribute. Upon release from federal prison, he will serve five years of supervised release.
“Fentanyl is poisoning our communities at an alarming rate, and we’re confronting the crisis in southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Individuals found responsible for distributing illicit drugs can and will be subjected to steep federal prison sentences.”
"Too often DEA finds illegal drugs and firearms in our cases," said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Rehg, head of Drug Enforcement Administration enforcement operations in southern Illinois. "Drug trafficking is a violent business and a primary reason we investigate cases like this one. The successful prosecution and sentencing of Nickolas Shannon is a reminder that the DEA will pursue these criminals not only to stop the illegal distribution of fentanyl in our communities, but also to prevent the associated violence that comes with felons possessing guns."
According to court documents, DEA agents began investigating Shannon for distributing controlled substances in December 2021 based on information from a confidential source. Undercover sources working with DEA bought 5.4 grams of fentanyl and 6.883 grams of methamphetamine from Shannon on two separate occasions in St. Clair County. Shortly after, agents arrested Shannon and conducted a search warrant on his apartment.
During the search, agents located 1.735 grams of cocaine base, 1.162 grams of cocaine and 2.9 grams of fentanyl as well as a drug paraphernalia and three loaded and unsecured firearms, including an AR-15 rifle. In an interview with police, Shannon acknowledged he is a convicted felon and therefore unable to legally possess firearms. Further DEA investigation revealed that Shannon was responsible for the distribution of nearly 300 grams of fentanyl.
DEA led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. Carraway prosecuted the case.
Pinckneyville Correctional Officers Indicted for Excessive Force and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – On Tuesday, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging three correctional officers employed at Pinckneyville Correctional Center for civil rights violations and conspiring to falsify reports about the incident.
Cord A. Williams, 35, Christian L. Pyles, 25, and Mark C. Maxwell, 52, are charged in the indictment. Williams and Pyles were indicted for violation of civil rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice. The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2022, correctional officers Williams and Pyles beat an inmate who was fully restrained with his hands cuffed behind his back and secured in leg irons. Maxwell is charged with a separate civil rights violation. That count alleges Maxwell was working as an acting lieutenant when he failed to intervene and allowed the inmate to be beaten in his presence.
As part of their official duties, correctional officers are required to write incident reports to accurately document any unusual incidents that they observe or are reported to them, including disturbances or the use of force. The conspiracy count alleges that Williams and Pyles colluded with other officers to file false reports about the incident. Williams and Pyles are separately charged with obstruction of justice for filing their false reports.
Deprivation of civil rights under color of law is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Conspiracy to obstruct justice is punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment. Obstruction of justice is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Each count also carries a possible fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.
“Accusations of unlawful misconduct by correctional officers must be investigated in order to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
An indictment is merely 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 Illinois State Police are leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.East St. Louis Woman Sent to Prison for 44 Months and Ordered to Pay More Than $800,000 in Restitution for Unemployment Insurance ScamRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District judge sentenced a woman from East St. Louis to spend the next 44 months in federal prison and ordered her to pay more than $800,000 in restitution for her involvement in an unemployment insurance scheme that victimized three state unemployment agencies.
Talfanita M. Cobb, 51, previously pled guilty to three counts of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, Cobb conspired with other individuals to use multiple stolen identities to apply for unemployment insurance benefits in Arizona, Ohio and Texas from at least September 2020 through January 2021. The fraudsters listed Cobb’s address in East St. Louis on the applications, and once the applications were approved, debit cards containing unemployment benefits were mailed to Cobb.
Cobb used various ATMs in Belleville, Fairview Heights and O’Fallon, Illinois, to withdraw the funds from the debit cards. She then used Bitcoin to transfer most of the funds to her overseas co-conspirators. Cobb kept a percentage of the money for herself as her cut for assisting with the fraud.
The total amount of restitution Cobb was ordered to pay is $862,625. That restitution will be repaid to the following entities: $789,384 to the Arizona Department of Employment Security; $54,443 to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services; and $18,798 to the Texas Workforce Commission.
“In an effort to enrich herself and dupe unemployment benefits programs, the defendant stole hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for pandemic relief support,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Federal authorities and prosecutors are cracking down on unemployment insurance fraud, and the Southern District of Illinois is committed to protecting the integrity of government programs."
“Today’s sentencing closes the book on the defendant’s mail fraud scheme in which she stole the identities of over 600 victims to obtain over $800,000 in benefits ear-marked for those suffering from unemployment at the height of the Covid pandemic,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça who leads the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service. “The Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue fraudsters who are driven by greed.”
“Talfanita Cobb engaged in an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme targeted at the state workforce agencies of Ohio, Arizona, and Texas. Cobb conspired to file false UI claims in the names of identity theft victims to obtain debit cards loaded with stolen UI benefits. Today’s sentencing affirms the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the unemployment insurance program. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate these types of allegations,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Individuals like Cobb who help move funds for foreign fraud organizations are known as “Money Mules.” The U.S. Department of Justice is cracking down on Money Mules; many are being prosecuted and sent to federal prison. Members of the public should be aware that if someone asks them to receive and transfers funds, there’s a good chance they could be assisting with a crime and could end up behind bars.
The investigation was conducted by the St. Louis offices of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman prosecuted the case.
Former Bank VP Admits to Arson and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A former vice president and loan officer for Community First Bank of the Heartland in Mount Vernon admitted in federal court in Benton on Friday morning to multiple acts of arson and bank fraud.
Richard Pigg, 52, pleaded guilty to six counts of bank fraud and three counts of arson. The defendant currently resides in Texas, but he lived in Mount Vernon, Illinois, at the time of the charged conduct from May 2011 to December 2016.
“Richard Pigg not only used his professional position to deceive his victims and defraud the bank that employed him, he also risked the lives and safety of our heroic first responders when he chose to burn houses and apartment buildings to collect even more money he wasn’t entitled to,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “In this proven pattern of conniving and hazardous actions, I appreciate the work by our federal law enforcement partners to put an end to the defendant’s dangerous financial ploys.”
“Arson is never a victimless crime, nor should we ever allow ourselves to think of it as such. The criminal use of fire, whether to conceal crime, intimidate, or as in this case, defraud others erodes trust in our institutions and endangers the lives of those who selflessly respond, day or night or extinguish the flames,” said Bernard Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kansas City Field Division.
The defendant used his position as vice president and a loan officer to defraud more than $600,000 from CFBH to purchase investment properties and to pay personal expenses.
According to court documents, Pigg convinced bank customers to buy rental properties in Centralia, Mount Vernon, Murphysboro, and West Frankfort on his behalf through mortgage loans financed at CFBH. Pigg concealed his personal financial interest from CFBH while facilitating the loans.
As part of the scheme, the defendant assured his victims that he would secure the tenants, collect the rent, and maintain the properties. The victims received income from the rental properties held in their names.
In addition, without the victims’ consent, the defendant at times increased the amount financed in the mortgage loan by thousands of dollars above the purchase price and redirected the excess loan proceeds to his own accounts and to pay his own debts.
In addition to bank fraud, Pigg also pleaded guilty to federal arson charges for burning the Centralia rental property twice—once in January when it was only partly damaged and again in February 2016, this time causing a total loss. He used the insurance benefits from the fires to pay off the mortgage loan on the property.
Pigg also burned a four-unit rental apartment complex in West Frankfort in January 2016 soon after renewing one insurance policy and less than two weeks after taking out a second insurance policy on the property.
Agents with ATF and the Federal Housing Financial Authority of the Office of the Inspector General contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter T. Reed and Kevin F. Burke are prosecuting the case.
Metro East Drug Trafficking Leader Sentenced to 198 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced an East St. Louis man to 198 months after he pled guilty to several drug charges for his involvement in a national trafficking ring as the local, Metro East leader.
Jeffrey Taylor, 40, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Money Laundering. In addition to imprisonment, Taylor will serve 5 years of supervised release.
“The defendant was responsible for bringing significant quantities of illicit, destructive narcotics across state lines and into southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “This sentence demonstrates the severity of drug trafficking, and I applaud DEA’s efforts for bringing these offenders to justice.”
"This sentence concludes an investigation that perfectly represents DEA's mission," said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Rehg, head of Drug Enforcement Administration enforcement operations in southern Illinois. "We want the entire criminal drug organization, from the dealers to the highest level of distribution leadership, off our streets. Jeffrey Taylor and his entire network will not be putting his illegal products in our communities any longer."
“Drug traffickers are in business to make money. IRS CI special agents have an important role in following the money and disrupting a drug trafficking organization’s ability to operate,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock, St. Louis Field Office. “This sentence is a victory for communities in southern Illinois and metropolitan St. Louis. We are proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners on this important mission.”
DEA investigated the drug trafficking ring from February 2017 to August 2018 in Madison and St. Clair counties, primarily in East St. Louis. The conspiracy involved at least 240 pounds of ice methamphetamine and 48 kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, Taylor ran operations in the drug organization, recruited members for illegal activities and provided direction. Sixteen co-defendants were also indicted in the conspiracy to various drug charges and have been sentenced from time served and supervised release up to 262 months in federal prison. During the investigation, the defendants resided in East St. Louis, Washington Park and Wood River in Illinois as well as California, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with contributions from the IRS, the Illinois State Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fischer is prosecuting the case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Felon Sentenced for Possession of Firearm at East St. Louis MotelRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a Cahokia man to 33 months in federal prison after he was caught with a firearm as a convicted felon.
Tyrone James, 47, pled guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to imprisonment, he will serve three years of supervised release.
“The East St. Louis community has suffered from years of heartache and devastation due to gun violence, and one less felon in possession of a firearm is a positive step for the city’s revival,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Illinois State Police officers in the PSEG unit have made significant progress to improve public safety in East St. Louis, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to apprehend criminals.”
“The Public Safety Enforcement Group continues to get illegal guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals who repeatedly break the law,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The collaborative effort between ISP, local and federal law enforcement agencies, the public, and the justice system is helping create safer communities.”
According to court documents, law enforcement officers were investigating a shooting in East St. Louis in July 2021 and while reviewing surveillance video at a motel, James was observed exiting and returning to a room holding a handgun. PSEG investigators determined that James was not involved in the shooting, however, officers were given consent to search the motel room and recovered a .22 caliber pistol.
In an interview with police, James admitted he had a prior felony possession and was therefore not able to legally possess a firearm.
The Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group unit conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
St. Louis Woman Sentenced to Prison for Loan FraudRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District judge sentenced a St. Louis woman to 12 months and one day in prison after she admitted to visiting Metro East credit unions and using fake identification documents to take out loans.
Toneka D. Prince, 20, pled guilty to one count of falsely obtaining property owned by a financial institution and one count of aggravated identity theft. Prince was ordered to pay $9,800 in restitution, and after completing her prison sentence, she will serve two years of supervised release.
“Stealing identities, taking out loans in someone else’s name and defrauding a financial institution are all serious crimes, and luckily, the defendant was apprehended,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate our federal and local law enforcement partners for their efforts to bring Ms. Prince to justice.”
“This type of fraudulent activity can be devastating to hardworking citizens and their families, and we appreciate our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold individuals accountable for their actions,” said USSS Resident Agent in Charge Stephen Webster. “The U.S. Secret Service remains committed to identifying, investigating, and pursuing those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means.”
According to court documents, Prince engaged in a scheme to defraud a credit union using identification documents of two victims in her attempts to take out loans. The identity-theft victims’ information would first be used to fill out a loan application line. Once the loan was approved, Prince would enter the credit union and pretend to be the victim in order to collect the money.
One June 24, 2022, Prince visited the First Community Credit in Glen Carbon to collect the cash from the approved loan. She presented a fake Illinois driver’s license with a victim’s real identifiable information and successfully obtained a cash loan of $9,800. She was not authorized to use the individual’s identity.
On June 28, 2022, she went to the First Community Credit Union in Fairview Heights and signed one victim’s name on a loan application for $9,900. In the application, Prince used a fake temporary Illinois driver’s license and fake Spire gas bill with the victim’s real social security number and date of birth included. Once again, she was not authorized to use the victim’s identity.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Prince at the credit union in Fairview Heights.
U.S. Secret Service led the investigation with contributions from the Glen Carbon and O’Fallon police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed prosecuted the case.
Bank Robber Gets 50 Years in Prison for Murdering Security GuardRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a St. Louis man to a total of 50 years in federal prison after he murdered a security guard during a bank robbery in East St. Louis in August 2021.
Jaylan Quinn, 23, pled guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of using a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence. After his imprisonment, the defendant will serve five years of supervised release. Quinn was also ordered to pay $7,280 in restitution.
“Although this sentence won’t bring back Ted Horn, it’s a small sigh of relief that the man responsible for taking his life will spend the foreseeable future in federal prison for his crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Swift action by the FBI, the Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department led to this successful investigation, and I applaud their efforts to remove this dangerous, uncivilized criminal from society.”
FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz said, “Today’s significant sentence reflects the severity of Jaylan Quinn’s actions. And while it brings a conclusion to this case, the loss experienced by the family of Ted Horn will last a lifetime. We hope that in some way today’s sentence provides a degree of comfort for the victim’s family.”
“Strong and swift investigation by law enforcement, working with the justice system, enabled us to send a convicted murderer to prison,” said ISP Zone 6 Commander Lt. Mike Lewis. “The Illinois State Police will continue working with our local and federal law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to ensure those breaking the law are held accountable.”
According to court documents, Quinn and Andrew R. Brinkley, 21 of St. Louis, Missouri, entered First Bank in East St. Louis located at 350 River Park Dr. around 4 p.m. on Aug. 27, 2021. Wearing masks, the pair approached the teller and displayed a demand note. The note read, “I GOT A BOMB STRAPPED TO MY CHEST PUT ALL THE MONEY IN OR EVERYONE DIE.” After receiving funds, the two men ran toward the door.
Ted Horn, 56, of St. Libory, Illinois, was working at the bank as a uniformed security guard and followed the men to observe, but Quinn drew a semi-automatic handgun and fatally shot Horn in the head. The robbers then fled in a white Lexus sedan. Horn was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bank surveillance video quickly led to the identification of Brinkley as a suspect. By 2 p.m. the next day, FBI agents arrested Brinkley and Quinn at Brinkley’s residence in St. Louis.
Agents executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun, two marked bills that were taken during the First Bank robbery and clothing that matched the description of the robbers. A white Lexus sedan was found parked at the residence.
Brinkley was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Jan. 12, 2023. He was ordered to pay $7,280 in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
The FBI-Springfield Field Office led the investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Reppert and Ali Burns prosecuted the case.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 75 Years for Online Sextortion of MinorsRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced an Illinois man to 75 years in federal prison on Monday after he was found guilty of conducting a sextortion scheme on Facebook with multiple victims ranging in ages from 11 to 17 years old.
Michael A. Ferris, 44, of Mill Shoals, Illinois, was convicted by a jury in November 2022 on 25 felony counts of extortion, cyberstalking, and production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Following his prison sentence, he will serve the rest of his life on supervised release.
“Michael Ferris intentionally sought out young girls with exploitable past trauma for his own callous pleasure, and his coercive crimes caused devastating and long-lasting suffering for his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the work by the investigative agencies to offer justice to the defendant’s victims.”
“Combating child exploitation is a team effort and requires cooperation at the federal, state and local levels,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald. “The efforts to bring this individual to justice have resulted in one less predator on the streets who would look to victimize our children and endanger our communities.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ferris targeted teenage girls on Facebook and engaged in a pattern of extortion, commonly known as “sextortion” from at least March 2020 until November 2020.
As part of his scheme, Ferris created fake Facebook personas appearing to be teenage girls. He joined Facebook groups for teenagers or young survivors of sexual abuse. Ferris sent unsolicited messages to teenage girls under the guise of being a peer looking to make a new friend. If the teens responded, Ferris tried to convince them to send a nude photograph or answer personal questions about themselves. Ferris then used that information as leverage to coerce them into sending more explicit photos, answering more sexual questions, or performing sexual acts while Ferris watched on video chat. If his victims refused to comply, or pleaded to stop, Ferris harassed and threatened them until they kept going, usually threatening to send the girls’ photos or answers to personal questions to their friends, parents, police, or child protective services. Even after Ferris’ victims complied with his demands, he would often still distribute their sexually explicit images to friends and family.
The investigation was conducted by agents from Homeland Security Investigations—Springfield with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations domestic and international offices, Jackson County Oregon Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Illinois Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Aurora Missouri Police Department. Victim and Witness Support was provided by the U.S. Attorneys’ Office from the Southern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Missouri, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Luke Weissler prosecuted the case.
California Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Transporting Methamphetamine in Lawn Mower TiresRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS – A man from California was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after he admitted to transporting 11 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Luis A. Aguilar-Caldera, 31, of Chula Vista, California, pled guilty to one count of manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess a controlled substance. After serving his prison sentence, he will be placed on supervised release for two years.
“As a transportation hub, southern Illinois roadways are frequented by out-of-state drug dealers who target operations and plan distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Agents with the DEA work diligently to help prevent the poison from reaching our communities, and I appreciate their efforts.”
According to court documents, a confidential informant working with the DEA set up a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from a Mexico-based supplier in May 2021. The individual met two men in a Ford F-150 at the Flying J truck stop in Alorton, Illinois. Aguilar-Caldera was the passenger in the truck that was pulling a lawn mower on a trailer. Aguilar-Caldera told the confident source there were 11 pounds of methamphetamine located in the tires of the lawn mower.
As the Ford F-150 and the confidential source were driving to a mechanic shop to remove the tires and retrieve the drugs, DEA agents conducted a traffic stop in Fairview Heights and arrested the men in the truck.
Co-defendant Leonardo Andres Hernandez, 49, of Bentonville, Arkansas, was also named in the indictment and is facing a charge for manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess a controlled substance.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Carraway prosecuted the case.
Former Labor Union President Admits Involvement in $200,000 Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – The former president of the Alton chapter of the AFSCME labor union admitted involvement in the transportation of stolen money after he was caught embezzling more than $200,000 from the organization.
Byron Clemons, Sr., 35, of Alton, pled guilty Tuesday in a U.S. District courtroom to one count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Money.
“Labor unions exist to promote the interests of the working men and women who make up their ranks. But instead of promoting the interests of his members, Clemons used his position to enrich himself and get cash to gamble at casinos,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Cutchin. “I commend the efforts of our partners at the U.S. Department of Labor for their diligent work in investigating this case and ensuring that Clemons is brought to justice.”
“Byron Clemons, Sr. personally enriched himself at the expense of dues-paying AFSCME members. Tuesday’s conviction affirms the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General’s commitment to ensuring that labor organization funds are only used for lawful purposes. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate union officials that violate the trust placed in them by the membership they are supposed to serve,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Clemons was the president of AFSCME’s Local 124 in Alton from June 2017 through January 2022. According to court documents, Clemons withdrew a total of $202,100 from the Local 124’s U.S. Bank account from February 2021 to January 2022. The defendant used the funds to gamble at casinos and pay personal expenses.
The defendant’s sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on July 20, 2023, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Benton.
Agents with the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Labor – Management Standards contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman is prosecuting the case.
Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In a U.S. District courtroom on Monday, a federal judge sentenced a Cahokia Heights man to 120 months in prison after he admitted to distributing methamphetamine in 2021.
Carlos M. Johnson, 49, received a concurrent sentence of 87 months’ imprisonment for a separate possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance charge, and another concurrent sentence of 87 months’ imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was fined $300 and must also pay $300 in special assessments. Following his release from federal prison, Johnson must complete five years of supervised release.
“Drug dealers selling harmful and dangerously addictive drugs gamble with their freedom by the decade,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Federal law enforcement agents will work alongside state and local partners to pursue drug distributors wherever they are located and bring them to justice.”
According to court documents, Johnson’s offenses occurred in January 2021. Based on evidence of drug dealing activity, federal agents executed a search warrant of Johnson’s home. As a result, federal agents seized six different kinds of controlled substances and multiple firearms from Johnson’s home.
A federal grand jury indicted Johnson on March 22, 2022, for distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson pled guilty on Dec. 1, 2022.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
East St. Louis Doctor Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A podiatrist practicing in East St. Louis pled guilty in a U.S. District courtroom on Thursday to committing health care fraud from 2016 to 2020.
Howard Jackson, 69, of Florissant, Missouri, admitted he routinely billed Medicare and Medicaid for procedures he did not perform.
“Health care providers who commit fraud for financial gain threaten the integrity of our health care system and the basic expectation of competent, available care,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Cutchin. “I appreciate our partnership with the Illinois State Police and the Office of the Inspector General to bring this offender to justice.”
"Providers who submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid undermine the integrity of federal health care programs and waste valuable taxpayer dollars," said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "Working closely with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG remains committed to investigating and holding accountable bad actors who defraud programs meant to address the legitimate needs of patients."
“Medical professionals are in a position of trust and when they break that trust by stealing thousands of tax payer dollars for personal gain, ISP will be there to investigate,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
Dr. Jackson was a podiatrist with a practice in East St. Louis, Illinois. Between January 2016 and December 2020, he engaged in a health care fraud scheme by submitting claims to Medicare and Medicaid for “nail avulsions” he did not perform. A “nail avulsion” is a surgical procedure that involves the separation and removal of all or part of a toenail from the tip of the nail back to the base of the nail. The procedure typically requires the use of anesthesia to avoid causing extreme discomfort to the patient.
Dr. Jackson admitted in court papers that, on many occasions when he billed for a nail avulsion, he had not used anesthesia and had provided only routine foot care like trimming and clipping nails. Jackson cheated Medicare and Medicaid out of at least $144,694.69 as a result of the fraud.
Jackson’s offenses carry a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is set for July 27, 2023.
The Illinois State Police and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed is prosecuting the case.
Jury Convicts St. Louis Man for Attempted Sex Crimes Against a MinorRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In a U.S. District courtroom Wednesday, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against a St. Louis man accused of several attempted sex crimes against a minor.
Members of the jury found Vallie Francis Zeller, 46, guilty of Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor after evidence presented at trial showed he was conversing online with an alleged 15-year-old girl with the intention of having sex with the minor.
“The defendant deliberately tried to exploit a minor for sexual activity and chose to drive across state lines to engage in criminal sex acts, and I’m grateful the jury convicted him on all counts,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The FBI works diligently to protect minors from online predators, and I appreciate their collaboration with our office to put this offender behind bars.”
“The FBI’s investigation revealed a deliberate attempt by Vallie Zeller to victimize a child. Our utilization of proactive investigative techniques stopped Zeller from completing the harm he intended,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “We are grateful to the many law enforcement partners who participated in this investigation.”
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Zeller started conversing on an online platform with a profile created by an undercover FBI agent in June 2020. The agent was posing as a 15-year-old girl, and Zeller began sexually explicit conversations with the account, requested sexually explicit images of the minor, and made plans to meet for illegal sexual activity, knowing she was a minor.
Zeller was convicted of driving across the Missouri-Illinois border to engage in criminal sexual activity once the agent gave him an address for a residence in Collinsville to meet the purported minor. In addition, during the conversation over several days, Zeller asked the alleged girl for nude photographs and other sexually-explicit content.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2023. For his convictions, Zeller faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Zoe Gross are prosecuting the case.
Zeller was one of 14 defendants charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois in June 2020 as the result of an operation involving multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that targeted online predators attempting to meet minors for sex.
The FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation with assistance by the FBI St.
Louis Field Office, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Belleville Police Department, the Collinsville Police Department, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Swansea Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Alton Jail, the Monroe County Jail, and the St. Clair County Jail.St. Elmo Man Facing Multiple Charges After Shooting Rifle at Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned a 15-count indictment charging a St. Elmo man on several assault and firearms charges after he allegedly opened fire on federal law enforcement agents who attempted to serve an arrest warrant at his residence in Fayette County.
Dax Baldrige, 46, is facing seven counts of assault of a federal officer, seven counts of using a firearm in during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
“Fortunately, the law enforcement officers returned home safely to their families after the incident in Fayette County,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Attacks on those who protect us will not be tolerated.”
“As the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois, I am thankful and relieved that none of our task force personnel were injured or worse during this incident,” said David Davis, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. “This incident highlights the danger our task force members and other law enforcement encounter on a daily basis.”
“This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers that federal law enforcement officers face every day, while protecting our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge, Bernard Hansen, ATF, Kansas City Field Division. “As we did in this investigation ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to focus on those that use firearms to facilitate acts of violence in Illinois, and across the country.”
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day and those who attack the people charged with protecting the public’s safety will be held accountable and brought to justice,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
“Fayette County Sheriff’s Office would like to reiterate that we are extremely thankful that no law enforcement , local or federal officers were injured during this incident. We are also extremely proud of all the assisting agencies response to the incident that aided in a peaceful resolution and that no one was injured,” said Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens.
On Oct. 17, 2022, task force members with the U.S. Marshals attempted to serve an arrest warrant to Baldrige at his residence in Fayette County when he allegedly used a rifle to fire multiple shots at the officers. After a 10-hour stand-off with police, Baldrige was taken into custody without incident, and no injuries were reported.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, the defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
If convicted, Baldrige could face more than 70 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshal Service Great Lakes Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Illinois State Police and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department are contributing to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Arshi is prosecuting the case.
Fast Food Cook Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Possessing Firearm at WorkRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District Judge sentenced a man to 90 months in federal prison after he was found by police with a loaded weapon while working as a cook at the Collinsville Jack in the Box in April 2022.
Tony Ross, 27, pled guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the prison sentence, he received three years of supervised release, a $100 fine, and $100 in special assessments.
“In an effort to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, convicted felons forgo their right to lawfully possess a firearm,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “This offender had a lengthy criminal history related to gun violence, and I appreciate the diligent work by ATF agents and troopers with ISP to remove this defendant and his firearm from the Metro East.”
“At the core of ATF’s mission to protect the public, is holding accountable those who violate federal firearms laws,” said Butch Hansen, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division. “As this case demonstrates, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of the communities we serve.”
“Getting repeat criminal offenders who threaten the safety of our communities off the streets is a top priority for the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group,” said ISP Zone 6 Commander Mike Lewis. “Aggressive investigation and prosecution of criminals are vital to reducing violence in our neighborhoods.”
According to court documents, law enforcement personnel with the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group entered Jack in the Box in April 2022 to question Ross about an unrelated investigation. When Ross saw police enter the restaurant, he tried to conceal his gun by removing it from his waistband and hiding it under the deep fryer.
At the time of this incident, Ross was on parole with the Missouri Department of Corrections for a felony conviction of 2nd Degree Robbery from 2018.
The investigation was conducted by ISP’s Public Safety Enforcement Group and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Office Seizes $24,000 in Suspected Cryptocurrency ScamRead the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois announced Thursday the seizure of cryptocurrency valued at approximately $24,000 from an account believed to be involved in a fraud scheme against an O’Fallon resident.
“Many of us are still learning the facts about buying and trading cryptocurrency, and as in many cases, scammers are targeting the vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the collaboration between the O’Fallon Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service for their efforts to recover the victim’s funds.”
“The U.S. Secret Service is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of U.S. financial systems and preventing the public from losing their hard-earned money to these types of scams,” said Stephen S. Webster, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Springfield Office. “Unfortunately, new technology has made it easier for individuals abroad to take advantage of innocent victims throughout the United States. The U.S. Secret Service worked quickly with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois and O’Fallon Police Department to seize this cryptocurrency and prevent it from lining the pockets of criminals overseas.”
The U.S. District Court issued a default judgment on Feb. 15 on a civil forfeiture complaint. The civil forfeiture complaint, which was filed on Sept. 21, 2022, sought the seizure of 14.77997889 Ethereum (ETH) Cryptocurrency from a Binance Account holder based in Nigeria.
According to an exhibit filed in support of the government’s civil forfeiture complaint, a woman contacted the O’Fallon Police Department in June 2022 to report she was a victim of fraud in a suspected cryptocurrency scam worth more than $32,000.
In May 2022, the victim began communicating with a Twitter account unbeknownst to her at the time was impersonating a cryptocurrency influencer. The fraudster instructed her to deposit $32,662 worth of Bitcoin into a “3Twarriorstrading.com” account. By the time the victim realized the website was a scam, she could not retrieve the cryptocurrency.
The value of the forfeited property will be returned to the victim through a process known as remission. The victim lost about $32,000, but the investigation could only trace and forfeit property worth approximately $24,000.
No criminal charges have been filed related to the civil forfeiture.
The O’Fallon Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam E. Hanna is prosecuting the case.
Edwardsville Contractor Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for False Statements in BankruptcyRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In a U.S. District courtroom on Wednesday, a judge sentenced a man formerly from Edwardsville to 14 months in prison, a $50,000 fine, and two years’ supervised release after he pled guilty to making false statements in a 2018 bankruptcy case.
Kevin Kahrig, 49, a former building contractor, concealed assets from his creditors by transferring those assets to his girlfriend-turned-spouse, Catharine Kahrig, prior to filing for bankruptcy.
“Individuals who hide assets and deliberately make false statements on bankruptcy pleadings defraud their creditors and disgrace the federal court system,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “It’s a serious offense to abuse the bankruptcy system, and anyone seeking to discredit this process will be held accountable.”
“To avoid paying his debt, Kevin Kahrig attempted to defraud his creditors by abusing the bankruptcy process,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “Because this type of fraud can threaten the integrity of a program designed to help honest individuals with legitimate financial crises, the FBI takes our responsibility to pursue bankruptcy fraud very seriously. This sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences associated with financial crime.”
“Together with U.S. Attorney Crowe and our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who commit fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases for their own personal gain,” said Nancy J. Gargula, U.S. Trustee for Indiana and Central and Southern Illinois (Region 10).
According to court documents, Kevin Kahrig admitted to transferring $277,850 in cash and checks to Catharine Kahrig in 2016 and then closed the bank accounts the next year. Kevin Kahrig hid those cash transfers and many of the closed accounts in his later filings with the bankruptcy court. He also took his name off a lakefront home he owned with Catharine and hid the transfer from the bankruptcy court.
In addition, he sold a boat before bankruptcy and gave the $395,000 he got from the sale to Catharine Kahrig. Kevin Kahrig disclosed the boat sale to the bankruptcy court but lied about the amount he received and did not disclose that he had given the proceeds to Catharine Kahrig.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Springfield Field Office in collaboration with the Southern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee for Region 10, after referral by the U.S. Trustee. The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in Peoria, Illinois, and South Bend, Indiana.
Convicted Felon Sent to Prison for Terrorizing Women with a FirearmRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In a U.S. District courtroom on Tuesday, a Belleville man was sentenced to six years in federal prison for a gun charge stemming from a 2021 incident in East St. Louis.
Ladarius Roberts, 30, pled guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the federal prison sentence, he received three years of supervised release. Roberts will also pay a $200 fine and $100 in special assessments.
“Physically abusing and recklessly firing a weapon at women is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and I’m relieved the defendant will be sent back to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the collaborative effort by the East St. Louis Police Department and the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group to apprehend this dangerous and violent offender.”
“When we receive a call about a crime, the Public Safety Enforcement Group is ready to take action,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This case is an example of what law enforcement, the justice system, and community members can do by working together.”
According to court documents, Roberts and Kievonte J. Beasley met two women in East St. Louis in January 2021. When the women tried to leave, Roberts became angry, physically assaulted one of the women and threw an item shattering the woman’s car’s back windshield. He drove off in a vehicle with Beasley, and the women followed in another vehicle while on the phone with law enforcement.
Numerous gun shots were heard on the 911 call, and a woman reported Roberts was firing the gun from his car. Police located the suspected car with Roberts in the driver seat. Beasley fled from the passenger seat and discarded the firearm, but police recovered it nearby and identified it as a Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine containing 11 live rounds of ammunition with one round in the chamber.
Roberts was on probation for drug charges at the time he committed crime. Beasley is facing a gun charge in state court for the incident. The charge against Beasley is only an accusation, and he’s presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The East St. Louis Police Department and the ISP PSEG unit worked together to contribute to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns led the prosecution.
Four Gangster Disciples Leaders Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and MurderRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal jury convicted four leaders of the Gangster Disciples today for their participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, witness tampering, and multiple murders.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the four defendants were members of the Gangster Disciples, a gang with a decades-long history of lawlessness and violence. The Gangster Disciples have a presence throughout the United States, including in state and federal prisons. The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national “Board Members” and state “Governors.” As part of their efforts to maintain control of the gang, the defendants murdered two other members who opposed their regime.
On May 18, 2018, Warren Griffin, aka GG, aka Big Head, 53, of Glenwood, Illinois, drove to the south side of Chicago with fellow Gangster Disciples Board Member Anthony Dobbins to murder a former powerful Board Member (Victim-1), because he opposed their status as Board Members in the gang. Griffin lured Victim-1, and Dobbins came up behind Victim-1 and shot him three times in the back and once in the face.
On April 28, 2018, Sean Clemon, aka Pops, 52, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Dominique Maxwell, aka D-Mac, aka Monster, 30, also of Cape Girardeau, on orders from Frank Smith, aka Little Frank, aka Red Beard, 49, of Naperville, Illinois, fatally shot another victim (Victim-2) and injured two other men in Bridgeton, Missouri. The shooting was part of a leadership dispute in which Board Members Smith and Griffin sought to remove another Gangster Disciple member from his position as Governor of Missouri. Smith texted “Mike Tyson Punch Out” to Maxwell prior the shooting, which was an order to commit “extreme violence,” including murder. Both Clemon and Maxwell were promoted to leadership positions within the gang for committing this murder.
The defendants’ other acts of violence included a nightclub stabbing in East St. Louis, Illinois, and a nonfatal shooting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Gangster Disciples members also engaged in various acts of drug trafficking, including a scheme to smuggle the synthetic drug “K2” into Missouri state prisons.
All four defendants were convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering, and face a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The sentencing dates have not yet been set.
Smith, Maxwell, and Clemon were also convicted of racketeering conspiracy, as well as firearms offenses related to the murder of Victim-2. Griffin was also convicted of racketeering conspiracy, as well as firearms offenses related to the murder of Victim-1.
Dobbins pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy on Jan. 17.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe for the Southern District of Illinois made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Cape Girardeau Field Office; Federal Bureau of Prisons; FBI; DEA; Missouri Department of Corrections; Illinois State Police; Chicago Police Department; Bridgeton Police Department; Cape Girardeau Police Department; Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis; and O’Fallon (IL) Police Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Jeremy Franker, Alexander Gottfried, and Christopher Usher of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Summers for the Southern District of Illinois provided substantial assistance.
Four Gangster Disciples Leaders Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and MurderRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted four leaders of the Gangster Disciples today for their participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, witness tampering, and multiple murders.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the four defendants were members of the Gangster Disciples, a gang with a decades-long history of lawlessness and violence. The Gangster Disciples have a presence throughout the United States, including in state and federal prisons. The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national “Board Members” and state “Governors.” As part of their efforts to maintain control of the gang, the defendants murdered two other members who opposed their regime.
On May 18, 2018, Warren Griffin, aka GG, aka Big Head, 53, of Glenwood, Illinois, drove to the south side of Chicago with fellow Gangster Disciples Board Member Anthony Dobbins to murder a former powerful Board Member (Victim-1), because he opposed their status as Board Members in the gang. Griffin lured Victim-1, and Dobbins came up behind Victim-1 and shot him three times in the back and once in the face.
On April 28, 2018, Sean Clemon, aka Pops, 52, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Dominique Maxwell, aka D-Mac, aka Monster, 30, also of Cape Girardeau, on orders from Frank Smith, aka Little Frank, aka Red Beard, 49, of Naperville, Illinois, fatally shot another victim (Victim-2) and injured two other men in Bridgeton, Missouri. The shooting was part of a leadership dispute in which Board Members Smith and Griffin sought to remove another Gangster Disciple member from his position as Governor of Missouri. Smith texted “Mike Tyson Punch Out” to Maxwell prior the shooting, which was an order to commit “extreme violence,” including murder. Both Clemon and Maxwell were promoted to leadership positions within the gang for committing this murder.
The defendants’ other acts of violence included a nightclub stabbing in East St. Louis, Illinois, and a nonfatal shooting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Gangster Disciples members also engaged in various acts of drug trafficking, including a scheme to smuggle the synthetic drug “K2” into Missouri state prisons.
All four defendants were convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering, and face a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The sentencing dates have not yet been set.
Smith, Maxwell, and Clemon were also convicted of racketeering conspiracy, as well as firearms offenses related to the murder of Victim-2. Griffin was also convicted of racketeering conspiracy, as well as firearms offenses related to the murder of Victim-1.
Dobbins pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy on Jan. 17.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe for the Southern District of Illinois made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Cape Girardeau Field Office; Federal Bureau of Prisons; FBI; DEA; Missouri Department of Corrections; Illinois State Police; Chicago Police Department; Bridgeton Police Department; Cape Girardeau Police Department; Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis; and O’Fallon (IL) Police Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Jeremy Franker, Alexander Gottfried, and Christopher Usher of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Summers for the Southern District of Illinois provided substantial assistance.
Federal Jury Convicts O’Fallon Man of Enticing a MinorRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – In a U.S. District courtroom on Wednesday, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict after a three-day trial for an O’Fallon man charged with enticing a minor.
Eric Richardson, 40, was convicted of using his cellphone to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity.
“We have a civic duty to protect children from sexual predators, and I’m reassured by the jury’s decision to convict the defendant of trying to persuade a minor into sexual acts with him,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the involved officers with the O’Fallon Police Department for their efforts to apprehend this offender.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Richardson used his cellphone to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity upon his return from a trip to Florida in October 2019.
The term of imprisonment is a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life. Richardson’s sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on June 15, 2023.
Officers Nicholas Schmidt, Nicholas Stewart and Adam Krack with the O’Fallon Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal and Tom Leggans prosecuted the case.
Lebanon Man Gets 200 Months in Federal Prison for Meth DistributionRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a Lebanon man on Tuesday to more than 16 years in federal prison for his involvement in distributing methamphetamine in St. Clair County.
Michael P. O’Leary, 48, pled guilty to one count of methamphetamine distribution, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to his prison sentence, he received five years of supervised release.
“The defendant was responsible for distributing large amounts of methamphetamine throughout the Metro East,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Illegal, dangerous drugs have no place in downstate Illinois communities, and the U.S. Attorney Office will continue to work with the DEA to remove individuals responsible for infecting families and loved ones.”
“Drug traffickers engage in their illicit activities for a specific reason: to make money,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Vickers, head of Drug Enforcement Administration operations in southern Illinois. “Unfortunately, some of them use firearms to commit their criminal acts. This 16-year sentence demonstrates that DEA and its local and federal partners are dedicated to taking illegally possessed firearms off the street and putting these criminals out of business.”
According to court documents, an undercover DEA agent purchased 55 grams of methamphetamine from O’Leary in December 2020. In January 2021, the DEA executed a search warrant of his Lebanon residence and recovered 467 grams of methamphetamine.
During the search, DEA agents also located a handgun in O’Leary’s closet and was informed he owned several other firearms. The defendant is a convicted felon from a methamphetamine distribution charge in March 2015 and thus unable to legally possess firearms.
DEA led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Carraway prosecuted the case.
Man Caught with Counterfeit Designer Phone Cases Heads to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a man from Fairfield to 33 months in prison after he admitted to importing more than 800 counterfeit designer phone cases from Hong Kong to resell in the U.S.
Trevor J. Edwards, 21, pled guilty to two counts of trafficking counterfeit goods. In addition to his prison sentence, he will receive three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $1,367.20 in restitution and $500 in fines.
“In two separate instances, the defendant knowingly attempted to obtain counterfeit goods in order to resell and manipulate consumers in downstate Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Reselling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime, and offenders face serious consequences.”
"Counterfeit goods traffickers like Edwards are looking to gain a profit but in reality, are committing a crime that results in American jobs lost, American business profits stolen and American consumers receiving substandard products,” said Sean Fitzgerald, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. “HSI enforcement operations into intellectual property theft protect not only the companies who have copyrighted products, but the consumers who believe they are buying legitimate goods.”
In February 2021, Customs and Border Protection seized 500 counterfeit designer cellphone cases when the shipment reached the U.S. border from Hong Kong. According to court documents, Edwards was listed on the box as the recipient. The phone cases were counterfeit Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci and retailed an estimated $212,500. Once intercepted, the government sent a receipt to Edwards to notify him of his illegal activity.
Months later in May 2021, Edwards was pulled over by law enforcement in Washington County and a search of his vehicle found 336 counterfeit designer cell phone cases, $241,000 in cash and 2,909 vape pens and cartridges containing cannabis. The phone cases retailed an estimated $101,340.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed prosecuted the case.
Former Account Manager for Two Churches in Belleville Sentenced for Embezzling FundsRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a Freeburg woman to 15 months in prison after she admitted to committing bank fraud while employed by St. Teresa and St. Luke Catholic parishes in Belleville.
Michelle N. Miller, 45, pled guilty to one count of falsely obtaining money owned by a financial institution. In addition to her prison sentence, she will receive two years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $153,940.38 in restitution.
“The defendant selfishly chose to put herself and her greed over the needs of the students, parishioners and the religious community at St. Teresa and St. Luke,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “She decided to embezzle more than $150,000 from her employer, friends and neighbors. It’s shameful, and I’m relieved she was brought to justice.”
“The U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying, investigating, and pursuing those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means,” said Stephen Webster, the Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service. “We are proud of our partnerships with the federal, state, and local agencies who work collectively to hold this individual accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, Miller worked from September 2017 to February 2020 as a business manager for St. Teresa Catholic Church as well as St. Luke Catholic Church. During her time as an employee, she was an authorized signatory on both bank accounts and wrote numerous checks payable to herself. In total, she stole an estimated $153,940.38. To conceal her fraud, Miller forged signatures and made false bookkeeping entries.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the Belleville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed.
Arizona Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 14 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Kristin P. Prince, 41, of Mesa, Arizona, to 168 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
He was fined $300 and $200 in special assessments. Following his release from federal prison, Prince must complete five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, the offenses occurred in January and February 2021, just months after Prince was released from state prison for convictions of identity theft and felony Aggravated DUI. Prince was still being supervised by the State of Arizona when he was caught distributing large quantities of crystal methamphetamine to the Metro East on multiple occasions through the U.S. Postal Service.
“This sentence demonstrates the severity of consequences for out-of-state individuals who infect our communities with methamphetamines,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I applaud the efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to disrupt the illegal chain of drug distribution into southern Illinois.”
“Methamphetamine remains the scourge of the Midwest, hurting our communities again and again,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Vickers, head of Drug Enforcement Administration operations in southern Illinois. “Prince has proven he’ll take any action to make money off his illegal drug organization. It’s appropriate that federal authorities are matching that behavior with action that will keep this drug dealer behind bars for years.”
A federal grand jury indicted Prince on Dec. 14, 2021, for two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Prince pled guilty on Aug. 29, 2022.
The DEA and USPIS conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
Granite City Man Heads Back to Prison After Ditching Firearm on a Playground During Police PursuitRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – In a U.S. District Court on Thursday, a Granite City man was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after possessing a firearm as a felon while out on supervised release from previous gun convictions.
Donnie A. Sherrell, 30, pled guilty to one count of Possession of a Firearm as a Felon. After serving his sentence, he will receive three years of supervised release.
“It’s disappointing when individuals don’t learn from their mistakes, and the defendant’s reckless decisions have rightfully landed him back in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the tenacity by law enforcement to pursue this criminal on foot, and I’m relieved the firearm was recovered without incident.”
“The Illinois State Police will always go the extra mile to protect the public and pursue repeat offenders who continue to break the law,” said Illinois State Police Major Gregg Cavanaugh.
According to court documents, the defendant was the passenger in a car during a traffic stop by law enforcement on July 20, 2022. When the police officer asked Sherrell to step out of the vehicle, the defendant told the driver to go, and a car chase ensued.
Sherrell jumped out of the car with a gun, and the chase continued on foot. The defendant scaled a fence to a playground at an elementary school in Madison, Illinois, where he was on surveillance video ditching the firearm. After Sherrell was apprehended, police officers located a Mossberg .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol a few feet away from the playground.
In March 2015, Sherrell was sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release on two counts of Sale of a Weapon to a Convicted Felon and two counts of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.
ISP led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Reppert prosecuted the case.
St. Louis Man Gets 235 Month Sentence for Involvement in Drug RingRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A St. Louis man was sentenced to 235 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons after admitting to his involvement in a methamphetamine operation in southern Illinois.
Terrence Thompson, 35, pled guilty to one count of Attempt and Conspiracy and one count of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. Following his prison sentence, Thompson will have five years of supervised release. He was fined $750 and $200 in special assessments. In addition, the federal indictment lists seven other defendants for their alleged involvement.
“Methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics are poisoning our families and communities, and individuals responsible for its distribution will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Southern Illinois is a transportation hub with major interstate highway systems, and law enforcement play a key role in detecting and disrupting the flow of methamphetamine across the country. This case demonstrates how seriously we all take this responsibility.”
“The length of the sentence in this case speaks to the importance of disrupting drug trafficking organizations to stop the harm they do to our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Murdock, IRS-CI’s St. Louis Field Office. “IRS-CI is committed to supporting our law enforcement partners by following the money trail of these ill-gotten gains to help bring these criminals to justice.”
“Drug traffickers engage in their illicit activities for one reason: to make money,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Vickers, head of Drug Enforcement Administration operations in southern Illinois. “A critical element in shutting down criminal drug trafficking organizations is making sure they don’t benefit from their illegal business. This nearly 20-year sentence demonstrates that DEA and its local and federal partners are dedicated to putting these criminals out of business.”
Co-defendant Richard Stark, 52, of Hazelwood, Missouri, pled guilty to one count of Attempt and Conspiracy and one count of Manufacture, Distribute, Dispense, Possess a Controlled Substance. In July 2022, Stark was sentenced to 292 months in the BOP and will have five years of supervised release. He was fined $500 and paid $200 in special assessments.
Tamara Peoples, 63, of Granite City, Illinois, pled guilty to one count of Attempt and Conspiracy and one count of Manufacture, Distribute, Dispense, Possess a Controlled Substance. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 30, 2023.
According to court records, Thompson conspired with the co-defendants to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Southern District of Illinois. Law enforcement conducted a search warrant on Thompson’s residence and recovered more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In addition, members of the conspiracy utilized various payment methods to deal the illegal narcotics including CashApp, cashier’s checks, bank transfers and postal money orders.
The federal indictment also lists Neyisha Anderson, Corey Hendriex, Thomas Hines, Amy Lynch and Terrell Winston for their alleged involvement. Each are facing charges ranging from Attempt and Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments and/or Manufacture, Distribute, Dispense, Possess a Controlled Substance.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, the defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The IRS and DEA are leading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karelia Rajagopal is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. More information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Belleville Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Government Benefits from Deceased In-LawRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A man from Belleville admitted to stealing more than $17,000 in Government benefits from a deceased in-law in a U.S. District Court on Tuesday.
Scott C. Gunnarson, 47, pled guilty to one count of Theft of Government Funds.
“By failing to notify the Government of a loved one’s passing and continuing to collect their benefits, individuals commit felony theft,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Defrauding benefit agencies is a serious offense, and relatives tempted to swindle funds face going to federal prison.”
“This plea demonstrates that stealing Social Security benefits designated for another individual is a federal crime,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I want to thank OPM for working with us to investigate this crime and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
“OPM OIG is committed to protecting federal funds from fraud,” said Conrad J. Quarles, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, OPM OIG. “I applaud the hard work of our investigators and our partners in recovering these misspent funds.”
According to court documents, Gunnarson’s in-law received monthly payments via direct deposit from the Social Security Administration and the Office of Personnel Management’s Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund as the beneficiary of her deceased spouse. The in-law passed away in April 2018, but neither the SSA nor the OPM were notified.
Gunnarson had access to the in-law’s bank account since July 2019, when his wife passed away. Since then, more than $17,000 has been withdrew from the in-law’s bank account, as stated in bank records.
The defendant’s sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 2, 2023.
The SSA – Office of the Inspector General and the OPM – Office of the Inspector General contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed is prosecuting the case.
Caseyville Woman Admits to Cashing Deceased Mother’s Social Security ChecksRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A woman from Caseyville admitted to cashing more than $128,000 in her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits in a U.S. District Court on Monday.
Darlene L. Rogers, 72, pled guilty to one count of Theft of Government Funds.
“Concealing a relative’s death from the Government in order to keep receiving the relative’s Social Security benefits constitutes felony theft,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Individuals tempted to do this face going to federal prison.”
“Ms. Rogers knowingly committed fraud by stealing Social Security retirement benefits that were intended for her deceased mother,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA). “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case. We will continue to protect the integrity of the SSA and hold accountable those who defraud its programs.”
According to court documents, Juanita M. Rich, the defendant’s mother, collected monthly benefits from the Social Security Administration until her passing in October 1997. The family didn’t report Rich’s death to the SSA, and in October 2009, Rogers forged her mother’s signature to gain ownership of the bank account. For 12 years, Rogers used her deceased mother’s checkbook to write checks payable to herself in approximately the amount of the monthly social security deposit.
In early 2021, the SSA discovered Rich was deceased and launched an investigation. From October 2009 to April 2021, the SSA deposited $128,656 into the bank account.
The defendant’s sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 23, 2023.
The Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman is prosecuting the case.
Undocumented Man Gets 46 Months in Prison for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A man originally from Mexico was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday after admitting to possessing hundreds of grams of a controlled substance containing fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, also known as Joaquin Navarez-Urena, pled guilty to possession of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and illegal reentry after deportation. In addition to his 46-month sentence, he must pay a $200 fine.
“Even the smallest amount of fentanyl can cause harm to an individual, and carting hundreds of grams through Madison County is a major threat to public safety in downstate Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Our community is fortunate to have brave men and women of law enforcement working to secure our roadways, and I applaud the investigators for filing these charges and apprehending the defendant.”
“Trafficking fentanyl is trafficking death and the ISP will pursue traffickers with everything we’ve got,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.
According to court documents, Gomezllanos-Martinez was a passenger in a vehicle on Interstate 70 in Madison County when the car was pulled over by the Illinois State Police on Oct. 5, 2021. When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered pills containing 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin.
The car was driven by Jimmy Carrasco of Arizona, and he is also facing a possession charge of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Previously, Gomezllanos-Martinez was deported from the U.S. in March 2017. After serving his sentence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he will be deported.
The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Kapsak prosecuted the case.
Jury Convicts Bush Man of Attempting to Entice a MinorRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – In a U.S. District Court on Wednesday, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict for a man from Bush, Illinois, accused of traveling to entice a minor into sexual activity.
Aimen Garro, 38, was convicted of traveling to entice a minor after conversing online and attempting to meet with an alleged 15-year-old girl, during an operation conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in August 2020.
“Individuals who lurk online and try to entice children have a special place in society, and it’s called federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the work of the FBI, the Illinois State Police, the Herrin Police Department, and the Marion Police Department to prevent Garro from grooming any other minors online.”
“Every time the FBI’s proactive effort investigating child predators puts another offender behind bars, we prevent an unknown number of children from being lured into a dangerous trap,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Shannon Fontenot. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will always work tirelessly to ensure the safety of children.”
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Garro responded to an online dating application and began sending messages to an undercover FBI agent in July 2020. Garro believed he was speaking with a 15-year-old girl, asked for nude photographs and used sexually-explicit language to plan meeting arrangements for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity.
On Aug. 28, 2020, Garro traveled to Marion from DeSoto, Illinois, where he lived at the time, to meet with the girl but was taken into custody upon arrival.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 3, 2023.
FBI-Springfield led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Illinois State Police, the Herrin Police Department, and the Marion Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Bloodworth and David Sanders are prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 71 Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A man from St. Clair County will spend nearly six years in prison for
illegally possessing a firearm. Nicholas A. Briddell, 33, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced on Tuesday to 71 months in federal prison for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
According to court documents, on March 6, 2021, officers with the East St. Louis Police Department witnessed Briddell lean out of the passenger window of a vehicle stopped at an intersection near the Visions Night Club in East St. Louis. Briddell was holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a handgun in the other. Briddell then proceeded to point the firearm at patrons walking towards the door of the nightclub. ESPLD officers stopped the vehicle, arrested Briddell and found the firearm under the seat where Briddell had been sitting. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber.
At the time of his arrest, Briddell was a multiple-convicted felon, with prior convictions for armed robbery and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or firearm ammunition. A federal grand jury in East St. Louis indicted Briddell in October 2021, and he pled guilty in September 2022.
“Pointing a loaded handgun at unsuspecting patrons is a bad, reckless decision, and the defendant will have time to think about his actions in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “It cannot be understated: we’re fortunate to have local, state and federal law enforcement partners promoting public safety in East St. Louis.”
As part of his sentence, Briddell will serve a two-year term of supervised release following his
release from federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the ESLPD and the Public Safety Enforcement Group of the Illinois State Police. Further assistance in the investigation was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and David Dean prosecuted the case.
Crawford County Couple Sentenced to Prison for Committing Identity Theft, Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – An Oblong man and a Robinson woman were sentenced to prison in a U.S. District Court this week after admitting to breaking into vehicles, stealing checks and IDs and committing identity theft in order to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars from banks.
Zachary Patrick, 31, and Briana Blair, 31, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Patrick received a 60-month sentence with an additional five years of supervised release, and Blair received a 25-month sentence with an additional three years of supervised release.
“Committing identity theft threatens the financial security of victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “This couple disregarded the lives they were hurting, and I commend our law enforcement partners and investigators for bringing justice to the affected families.”
“FBI Springfield extends our appreciation to the Oblong Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for their excellent work which laid the foundation for significant charges in this case,” said Springfield Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Shannon Fontenot. “These sentences provide some justice for victims whose lives were turned upside down by criminals who stole personal information and used it for their own gain with no regard for the consequences of their actions.”
According to court documents, the couple stole checks and personal identifying information from multiple victims often by breaking into vehicles. The pair then used the victims’ information to write and deposit fraudulent checks, forge signatures and withdraw thousands of dollars as they traveled around eastern Illinois and western Indiana. In addition, they opened a bank account using one victim’s stolen information.
The pair was apprehended in a hotel parking lot in Brazil, Indiana, while breaking into a vehicle. Initially, the pair identified themselves to law enforcement using two of the identities they had previously stolen, but eventually admitted to their true identities. Law enforcement officers recovered several stolen IDs, credit cards and documents with financial information from victims.
The sentencing judge noted the severity of committing identity theft and highlighted the devastating impact and ongoing consequences for victims.
The FBI-Springfield led the investigation with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Oblong Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.
Undocumented Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Illegal Re-Entry to U.S.Read the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A man originally from Mexico was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday after he admitted to re-entering the U.S. after previously being deported.
Jose A. Navarro-Laguna, 41, pled guilty to Illegal Re-Entry after Deportation.
According to court documents, Navarro-Laguna was driving a car with a female passenger when the Illinois State Police conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 57 southbound near Mount Vernon, Illinois on Aug. 24, 2022. ISP troopers observed the female passenger did not speak English, and Navarro-Laguna stated he was giving her a ride to Alabama.
Upon searching the vehicle, ISP troopers only found clothing and personal items belonging to Navarro-Laguna and was thus suspicious the passenger was a victim of human trafficking and reported the incident to DHS. Navarro-Laguna admitted he knew the female was not legally present in the U.S., and that he gave rides to individuals for payment.
“Individuals in the U.S. illegally can pose significant threats to local public safety through undetected drug smuggling and human trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “It’s concerning that the defendant admitted to transporting another immigrant in exchange for payment, and I appreciate the efforts by the Illinois State Police and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate this incident and apprehend Navarro-Laguna.”
“Navarro-Laguna had no regard for human life and the rule of law,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge R. Sean Fitzgerald. “Today’s sentencing sends a message that HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to working together to investigate human trafficking and protect our communities from those who engage in these heinous crimes.”
“The Illinois State Police has zero tolerance for human traffickers and we remain vigilant in our protection of human trafficking victims,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
Since 2005, Navarro-Laguna has been found guilty of Illegal Entry in the U.S. and deported on at least three separate occasions. The sentencing guidelines for an illegal re-entry offense are zero to six months, but the sentencing judge noted the defendant’s previous consequences have not deterred him.
HSI led the investigation with assistance from ISP, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karelia prosecuted the case.
January is recognized nationally as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Kentucky Man gets 15 Years for Attempted Sex Crimes with a MinorRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A man from Benton, Kentucky was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in a U.S. District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to traveling to Illinois to engage in sexual activity with a minor in May 2020.
Justin A. Wadsworth, 37, pled guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Child.
“Children are susceptible to sexual exploitation on the internet, which means investigative techniques must evolve where minors are most at-risk,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Undercover investigations conducted on online platforms are vital to protecting minors from predators before acts can be committed, and I applaud this valiant effort to put Justin Wadsworth in prison for his crimes.”
“Increasingly, children are becoming victims of crimes committed online. With the spread of these crimes, the FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to stop sexual predators before they strike,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “This sentence delivers a clear message that those who seek to harm children will face significant prison time.”
According to court documents, Wadsworth responded to an online ad referencing incest and began unknowingly conversing with an undercover FBI agent on April 28, 2020. Transcripts of the conversations included Wadsworth explaining to the FBI that he was “active” with a close relative and the two discussed exchanging pictures.
When the FBI said they had an “active” 10-year-old girl, Wadsworth asked to see sexually-explicit photos and in return sent photos of females in various degrees of nudity. Wadsworth expressed interest in “young active fun,” and stated he would pay $1,000.
The pair arranged a meeting in Metropolis, Illinois, and when federal agents approached Wadsworth, he consented to an interview. Wadsworth claimed he had agreed to meet with the purported father to expose him and rescue the girl.
In addition to the 15-year sentence, Wadsworth received five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $500 in fines and $200 in special assessments.
The FBI-Springfield conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Bloodworth prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the increase in child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. 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 on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 104 Months for Possessing a Firearm with an Automatic SwitchRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – An East St. Louis man received a prison sentence of 104 months on Tuesday in a U.S. District Court after admitting to possession of a firearm with a high-capacity magazine that operated as a machine gun as well as a 50-round drum magazine.
Derron Smith-Johnson, 28, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Possession of a Machine Gun due to the firearm having an automatic switch.
According to court documents, the Public Safety Enforcement Group in East St. Louis was investigating three shootings and a homicide used with the same gun based on lab analysis in February 2022. The crimes happened within a one-week time frame and involved a silver GMC Acadia.
Video footage led PSEG to identify Smith-Johnson during the investigation, and agents visited an apartment he was known to occasionally stay at in Belleville, Illinois. Shortly after arriving, Smith-Johnson was taken into custody, and the homeowner consented to a search of the premises.
Stowed away in an air return vent was a Glock 23 40 caliber pistol with an automatic rifle switch loaded with an extended magazine containing 23 live rounds. Agents also recovered a 50-round drum magazine loaded with 50 live rounds of 40 caliber ammunition, as well as 43 rounds of 357 SIG ammunition in a bedroom dresser. A lab determined Smith-Johnson’s fingerprints to be on the Glock 23 pistol, which was later confirmed to be linked through ballistics comparisons to the three shootings and homicide under investigation by PSEG.
“Ballistic evidence can confirm if the same gun is used in multiple instances, and the recovered firearm was used in a week-long, violent crime spree,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The Public Safety Enforcement Group is working day in and day out to improve protections for the East St. Louis community, and I applaud their efforts.”
“This sentencing sends a clear message to those that commit crimes of violence and illegally possess and use machine gun conversion devices (commonly referred to as switches), we are tired of it,” said Fred Winston, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Kansas City Field Division. “This investigation utilized the very best combination of crime gun intelligence through ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and collaborative law enforcement partnerships to identify shooters in efforts to make our streets safer.”
In addition to the 104-month prison sentence, Smith-Johnson also received three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $200 fine and $200 in special assessments.
The ATF led the investigation with assistance from PSEG and the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns prosecuted the case.
Tampa Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TAMPA – A Tampa man was sentenced Thursday in a U.S. District Court to 72 months in prison and a $25,000 fine for his involvement in a bank fraud conspiracy.
According to court documents, Jaykumar Patel, 33, worked in Florida moving criminal proceeds for an India-based fraud conspiracy targeting elderly, vulnerable victims in the United States.
“Those who prey on the most susceptible victims through these kind of scare tactics and phone scams must be punished to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Defendants both in the United States and overseas need to know that we will protect and defend vulnerable Americans.”
“Elder fraud is a growing problem as the country’s population gets older,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “Illinois ranks ninth highest in total number of victims over age 60, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center 2021 Elder Fraud Report. The FBI takes elder fraud very seriously and, along with our law enforcement partners, will work to hold accountable those who take advantage of the isolation and vulnerability that often surrounds the elderly.”
In June 2021, the Alton, Illinois Police Department filed a report when a resident received a phone call from an individual who claimed to be a member of law enforcement warning her that her identity had been stolen. The caller demanded the victim to send $29,000 to an address in Florida so he could help rectify the situation. The story was false: the victim’s identity had not been stolen, the caller was not law enforcement, and no legitimate law enforcement officer would ever demand money from a victim. But the victim didn’t know that, so she sent the money. A few days later, Patel turned up to pick up the package in Florida and was arrested.
Further investigation showed the fraud on the Alton victim was a small part of the criminal scheme. There were several other victims across the United States who were bullied and frightened out of their hard-earned money. In just a few weeks in 2021, Mr. Patel picked up or intended to pick up packages sent by victims containing more than $481,000.
Individuals should use caution when speaking with strangers on the phone, especially if a caller is asking the person to send money. Legitimate law enforcement will never try to blackmail victims or request residents to send cash by mail. Talk to a family member or someone who can help if something doesn’t sound quite right. There are resources available:
National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11. The Department of Justice maintains a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.
Money Mule Initiative. In October 2018, the Department and law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. Money mules are individuals used to move criminal proceeds around on behalf of other criminal actors, and money mules may be knowing or unknowing. Efforts by law enforcement disrupt hundreds of money mule operations every year.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Springfield - Fairview Heights Resident Agency, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Alton Police Department. Many other police departments across the United States took statements from victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.
St. Louis Man Admits to Pulling Trigger in Fatal East St. Louis Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Jaylan D. Quinn, 23 of St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday to fatally shooting a security guard while robbing First Bank in East St. Louis in August 2021.
“Vicious acts of armed violence in our communities are intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The U.S. Attorney’s office is prepared to pursue justice in honor of the life lost, and I commend the FBI and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to improve public safety and remove dangerous individuals from society.”
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners acted swiftly, working around the clock, to quickly arrest the individuals responsible for the robbery and tragic death of Mr. Horn,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “While the violent act will have a lifelong impact, we hope the justice that is to come will bring some level of comfort for the employees, friends, and family of the victim.”
According to court documents, Quinn and Andrew R. Brinkley, 21 of St. Louis, Missouri, entered First Bank in East St. Louis located at 350 River Park Dr. around 4 p.m. on Aug. 27, 2021. Wearing masks, the pair approached the teller and displayed a demand note. The note read, “I GOT A BOMB STRAPPED TO MY CHEST PUT ALL THE MONEY IN OR EVERYONE DIE.” After receiving funds, the two men ran toward the door.
Ted Horn, 56 of St. Libory, Illinois, was working at the bank as a uniformed security guard and followed the men to observe, but Quinn drew a semi-automatic handgun and shot Horn in the head. The robbers then fled in a white Lexus sedan. Horn was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bank surveillance video quickly led to the identification of Brinkley as a suspect. By 2 p.m. the following day, the FBI arrested Brinkley and Quinn at Brinkley’s residence in St. Louis.
Agents executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun, two marked bills that were taken during the First Bank robbery, and clothing that matched what the robbers wore. A white Lexus sedan was found parked outside the residence.
Brinkley pled guilty to a bank robbery charge and is currently scheduled to appear in court next at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2023.
The FBI-Springfield is leading the investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Reppert and Ali Burns are prosecuting the case.
[A previous version of this press release incorrectly stated Horn moved to intercept the men.]
Jet Medical and Related Companies Agree to Pay More Than $700,000 to Resolve Medical Device AllegationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Pennsylvania-based medical device distributor Jet Medical Inc. (Jet) agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve criminal allegations relating to a migraine headache treatment, and Jet and two related companies agreed to pay another $545,000 in a civil settlement involving the same device.
In a criminal information filed Wednesday in the Southern District of Illinois, the government alleged that, between April 2014 and April 2019, Jet introduced into interstate commerce devices that were misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) because Jet did not obtain approval or clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to distributing the devices. Jet’s device, the Allevio SPG Nerve Block Catheter (Allevio), was intended to treat migraine headaches by administering nerve blocks to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a collection of nerves located deep in the midface of the skull. The information alleges that Jet never sought approval or clearance from FDA to distribute the Allevio for this intended use, nor did Jet conduct an investigational study regarding the Allevio’s safety and effectiveness when used as intended.
The resolution includes a deferred prosecution agreement and criminal penalties totaling $200,000. As part of the deferred prosecution agreement, which must be approved by the court, Jet admitted that it distributed misbranded devices in violation of the FDCA and agreed to implement enhanced compliance measures. The resolution also includes a civil settlement with the federal government under the False Claims Act (FCA) totaling $545,133. Along with Jet, related companies Medical Components Inc. (MedComp) and Martech Medical Products Inc. (Martech) are parties to the civil settlement.
“The FDA approval and clearance process serves an important role in ensuring that devices used to treat patients are safe, effective, and medically appropriate,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will not permit companies to circumvent that process and put profits over patient safety.”
“Medical device companies put vulnerable patients at risk when they fail to follow FDA’s standards and requirements,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe for the Southern District of Illinois. “This resolution reflects our commitment to holding companies accountable for violating the integrity of the FDA approval process and placing profits over people.”
“Doctors and their patients rely on FDA oversight to ensure that the medical devices they depend upon are safe and effective for their intended uses. Device manufacturers who circumvent the proper regulatory path in bringing their products to market endanger patients and put the public health at risk,” said Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations Catherine A. Hermsen of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice companies that ignore the law and jeopardize the public health.”
“This medical device distributor undermined the integrity of the FDA approval process and disregarded patient safety for personal profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Curt L. Muller of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working closely with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who put the health and safety of patients at risk and waste valuable taxpayer dollars.”
The civil settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act in the Southern District of Illinois. That lawsuit alleged that Jet, MedComp, and Martech violated the FCA by causing medical providers to submit false claims to the Medicare Program for procedures using the Allevio. The lawsuit alleged the Allevio was not approved or authorized by the FDA for use in SPG nerve blocks for the treatment of headaches, and that the procedure was not covered by Medicare. The suit alleged that Jet, MedComp, and Martech instructed, coached, and encouraged medical providers to submit improper billing codes to Medicare for reimbursement of services using the Allevio device.
The resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. The FCA is one of the most powerful tools in this effort. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 900-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Weissler for the Southern District of Illinois and Trial Attorney David Hixson of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, with assistance from the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, represented the government in the criminal case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Barke for the Southern District of Illinois represented the government in the civil case. The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation.
Except as to conduct admitted in connection with the deferred prosecution agreement, the claims settled by the civil agreement are allegations only and there has been no determination of civil liability.
For more information about the ConsUmer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil.
Belleville Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Larry W. Hale, 54 of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 years in the Bureau of Prisons in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity.
According to court documents, Hale, who was 51 at the time, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, in February 2020 to pick up a 16-year-old female and bring her back to Illinois to live with him. She was discovered in his home in July 2020.
In a voluntary, videotaped interview with law enforcement, Hale admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with the minor, stating that it began shortly after she moved into his residence. He also admitted to knowing she was 16 years old when he picked her up in Georgia and transported her to Illinois to live with him. Finally, he admitted that there was a video of the victim performing a sex act on his cell phone.
“Sex crimes against children are particularly disturbing, and Larry Hale deliberately preyed on a vulnerable child after meeting her on an online dating site,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “His sentence reflects the severity of his crimes, and I applaud the efforts by many to remove this predator from our community.”
“The U.S. Secret Service remains committed to investigating and arresting individuals who sexually exploit children and transmit child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Stephen S. Webster. We are proud of our partnerships with the federal, state, and local agencies who work collectively to investigate and prosecute crimes against minors. These predators cause significant and long-lasting damage, and we are dedicated to holding them accountable.”
The investigation was conducted with efforts by the Belleville Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Scott prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the increase in child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. 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 on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects Nearly $4.7 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 22Read the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. - U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced Tuesday the Southern District of Illinois has collected $4,699,850.01 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $2,525,112.94 was collected in criminal actions and $2,174,737.07 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Southern District of Illinois worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $1,874,109.81 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $63,747.79 was collected in criminal actions and $1,810,362.02 was collected in civil actions.
“Federal prosecutors and financial litigation staff worked tirelessly throughout the last fiscal year to collect millions of dollars in restitution from individuals charged with fraud and other illegal activities,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The funds directly support crime victims regain a sense of normalcy and offer assistance to law enforcement officers with their efforts to apprehend criminals.”
Across the nation, the U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.
While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The office worked with partner agencies and divisions to also collect $544,705 in asset forfeiture actions. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Former Federal Agent Sentenced to 126 Months for Enticing a Minor and Engaging in Sex Tourism in the PhilippinesRead the Press Release
East St. Louis, Ill. – A Cahokia, Illinois man was sentenced to 126 months by the Honorable Judge Stephen P. McGlynn for Enticement of a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in a Foreign Place.
According to evidence presented during trial and sentencing, Joseph Albert Fuchs, III, a 55-year-old American citizen, met a 14-year-old girl while visiting the Philippines. Fuchs engaged in sexual conversations with the minor using Facebook and discussed ways to evade detection of her age when he would return to the Philippines to engage in sexual acts with her at a hotel.
Fuchs returned to the Philippines in March 2019 and engaged in sexual acts with the 14-year-old minor. During this time, Fuchs was a special agent for the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
USPSOIG provided their full cooperation into the investigation, and it was later revealed that Fuchs sent nearly $1,000 to the minor over a year long period.
“Knowing the consequences in the U.S., Joseph Fuchs, III traveled thousands of miles to take advantage of a young, impressionable foreign girl, enticed her with financial payments and tried to conceal his involvement with her,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Federal agents must be held to a higher ethical standard, and this sentence reflects the severity of the committed crimes.”
“This sentence sends an important message to all predators. We will not allow any crime against children to go unpunished,” said R. Sean Fitzgerald, special agent in charge for HSI Chicago. “We, alongside our law enforcement partners, are committed to holding these kind of criminals accountable for their heinous crimes. Our communities can help by being on the lookout for, and report, suspicious behavior to the proper authorities, regardless of whether the individual is in a position of public trust, like Fuchs.”
Fuchs is required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release. He will be on supervised release for 7 years after he is released from the Bureau of Prisons and will be required to register as a sex offender. Additionally, Fuchs was ordered to pay a total of $18,000 in fines.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the HSI Attaché Manila, the Philippine National Police and the Cahokia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Laura Reppert.
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 U.S. 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 and internet safety for children, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Former VA Psychologist Charged with Submitting False Medical Documents to Employer, Obstruction of Justice, Medicare FraudRead the Press Release
Benton, Ill. – A federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, returned a six-count indictment charging Theresa Kelly, 56, of Herrin, Illinois, with engaging in a scheme to seek approved medical leave and reasonable accommodations from her former employer without valid documentation. Kelly was also charged with submitting false medical documents in connection with a 2020 lawsuit against the VA, as well as a scheme to bill Medicare for services that she did not provide at a Southern Illinois nursing home.
Kelly, a licensed clinical psychologist, was employed by the VA at its medical center in Marion, Illinois. According to court documents, between November 2016 and August 2020, Kelly submitted fraudulent medical documentation in the name of real and fake medical providers as part of the approval process for reasonable accommodations and medical leave, including FMLA leave.
The indictment alleges that Kelly provided the VA with letters and documentation purportedly from a “Dr. K. William Dixon” and “Amy J. Aron, Ph.D.” that detailed those providers’ alleged treatment of Kelly. Investigators later determined that there were no medical providers by the name of “Dr. K. William Dixon” or “Amy J. Aron, Ph.D.” practicing in Illinois, and that the documents submitted by Kelly were fraudulent. Kelly is also charged with submitting false medical documents that bore the forged signature of two legitimate medical providers.
“Employees who make fraudulent claims to government agencies and assistance programs for personal gain threaten the public’s trust in our systems,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Committing fraud and submitting false medical documents are serious offenses, and justice will prevail for those who attempt to take advantage of taxpayer dollars.”
Kelly was charged with four counts of making false statements to the VA in connection with the false medical documents she submitted and her efforts to conceal the fraudulent nature of those documents. The indictment also alleges in December 2020, Kelly obstructed justice in a civil proceeding in federal court by submitting fraudulent medical documentation to her attorney—the contents of which were used to seek a continuance of the judicial proceeding.
“Allegations of a VA employee providing false information and obstructing justice are taken seriously by the VA OIG and will be thoroughly investigated,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the US Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this joint investigation.”
In addition to her submission of fraudulent medical documents, the indictment alleges that between May 2016 and January 2018, Kelly engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare and obtain payment for psychiatric services that she did not provide to residents of a Southern Illinois nursing home. In addition to her full-time job at the VA, Kelly owned a company by the name of TS Onsite Mental Health through which she claimed to provide psychotherapy sessions to patients at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin, Illinois. According to the indictment, Kelly billed Medicare for over 400 claims—worth more than $54,000—for services that she did not provide. Kelly billed for at least some of the services on days she was on approved medical leave from the VA.
“HHS-OIG is committed to safeguarding federal health care programs from fraud and ensuring the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute such egregious conduct.”
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, the defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Kelly is scheduled to appear on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022 for her arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Reona J. Daly at the federal courthouse in Benton. If convicted, Kelly faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Kelly could also be ordered to repay the government for her fraudulent billing of Medicare.
The investigation was conducted by investigators with the VA-OIG and HHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe J. Gross is prosecuting the case.
Belleville Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Elderly IdentitiesRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Ashley McKinney, 39, of Belleville, Illinois, was
sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for Identity Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire
Fraud, and Money Laundering.
According to court documents, for almost a year, Ashley McKinney defrauded elderly women in
southern Illinois with the help of her co-conspirator, Erica Rose. They were true partners in
crime. Rose abused her employment as an in-home caretaker and stole the identities of her elderly
clients. Then she passed the stolen information along to McKinney to attempt to drain their bank
accounts through counterfeit checks and fraudulent purchases. As an example, McKinney tried to buy
a used Tesla online after stealing the identity and savings of an 86-year-old woman from
Belleville, Illinois. When the deal fell through because the Tesla had mechanical problems,
McKinney bought herself a Mercedes Benz instead. After she took possession of the vehicle, the
victim’s bank stopped payment on the counterfeit check and the online car dealer repossessed the
luxury vehicle. The pair were caught after numerous families reported identity theft to police
shortly after Rose was caring for their loved one. In each case, McKinney was found committing
fraud with the identity.Rose was previously sentenced to prison in May 2021.
“While identity theft is always a serious crime, it’s particularly troubling when victims are
elderly,” said United States Attorney Rachelle Crowe. “The crimes in this case went beyond
financial loss. They impacted whole families during already difficult times. We will always
prioritize holding defendants accountable who prey on vulnerable victims.”The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Edwardsville Police Department, Belleville
Police Department, Swansea Police Department, and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke J. Weissler.Ambulance Company Settles Allegations of Billing Medicare for Unnecessary, Non-Emergency Ambulance TransportationRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. – HealthOne Critical Care Transport Service, Inc. d/b/a MedicOne Medical
Response (“MedicOne”) of Marion, Illinois, has agreed to pay $302,124.37 in a civil settlement
agreement resolving allegations the company improperly billed Medicare for scheduled, non-
emergency ambulance transportation.The government alleges MedicOne’s former location in Mount Vernon, Illinois, routinely billed
Medicare for non-emergency ambulance transports to regularly scheduled dialysis treatments when the
services did not meet Medicare requirements. MedicOne typically picked up patients at their
residences or nursing homes and transported the patients to and from dialysis treatment three times
per week, sometimes for years. The government alleges many of MedicOne’s non-emergency ambulance
transports did not meet Medicare requirements for coverage because the services were not medically
necessary, particularly when the patients safely rode in other forms of transportation – such as
personal vehicles, medical transport cars, and wheelchair vans – to medical appointments and social
outings.The Medicare program paid MedicOne hundreds of dollars per round-trip ambulance transport taking
patients to dialysis treatments. To resolve the allegations, MedicOne will pay the United States
$302,124.37 for claims submitted to Medicare between April 2016 and January 2020.“Billing for unnecessary ambulance transports wastes taxpayer dollars and drains critical funds
from the Medicare program,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Our office is committed to
protecting the integrity of federal health care programs.”“Health care providers that bill Medicare for medically unnecessary services improperly divert
funds needed to care for beneficiaries while increasing the financial burden on taxpayers,” stated
Special Agent in Charge Curt L. Muller of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of
Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to
investigate health care schemes to protect the integrity of federal health care programs.”“Public health insurance programs, such as Medicare, can incur significant financial loss when
their programs are exploited. Those losses cost the government and ultimately impact every American
– contributing to the rising cost of health care for everyone,” said Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “This settlement is a result of
the FBI’s commitment to work with our federal and state partners to ensure that federally funded
health care programs are not abused by providers.”This matter was investigated by HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Illinois tate Police Medicaid Fraud
Control Unit in response to a hotline complaint submitted to HHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura
Barke prosecuted the case.
Anyone who suspects health care fraud, waste, or abuse is encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-
HHS-TIPS or visiting https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/.The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of
liability.Jury Convicts Southern Illinois Man of Online Sextortion Scheme Targeting Teen Girls on FacebookRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – On Friday, November 18, 2022, a federal jury found Michael A. Ferris, 44, of
Mill Shoals, Illinois, guilty of twenty-five felony counts of extortion, cyberstalking, and
production, distribution, and possession of child pornography involving nine minor victims.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from at least March 2020 until
November 2020, Ferris targeted teenage girls on Facebook and engaged in a pattern of extortion,
commonly known as “sextortion.” His victims ranged in age from 11 to 17 years old, and traveled
from across the country to confront him at trial.As part of his scheme, Ferris created fake Facebook personas appearing to be teenage girls. He also
joined Facebook groups meant for teenagers and survivors of sexual abuse. Ferris sent unsolicited
messages to teenage girls under the guise of being a peer looking to make a new friend. If the
teens responded, Ferris tried to convince them to send a nude photograph or answer personal
questions about themselves. Ferris then used that information as leverage to coerce them into
sending more explicit photos, answering more sexual questions, or performing sexual acts on
themselves or others while Ferris watched on video chat. If his victims refused to comply, or
pleaded to stop, Ferris harassed and threatened them until they kept going, usually threatening to
send the girls’ photos or answers to personal questions to their friends, parents, police, or child
protective services. Even after Ferris’ victims complied with his demands, he would often still
distribute their sexually explicit images to friends and family.“Ferris preyed upon some of the most vulnerable people in the community, children, by using shame
and fear to gain power over them,” said United States Attorney Rachelle Crowe. “Fortunately, those
minor victims and their families came from across the country to testify and hold Ferris
accountable for his disturbing demands. Discussions with children about their social media use and
who they can talk to about problems online helps to combat predators like Michael Ferris.”“I commend those that bravely came forward to testify to help get Ferris off our streets and away
from other children he might harm,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge R. Sean Fitzgerald.
“HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work within our communities to aid and
assist victims of these crimes and bring the predators to justice.”The investigation was conducted by agents from Homeland Security Investigations—Springfield with
assistance from Homeland Security Investigations domestic and international offices, Jackson County Oregon Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Illinois Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and
Aurora Missouri Police Department. Victim and Witness Support was provided by the United States Attorneys’ Office from the Southern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Missouri, and
Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Luke Weissler prosecuted the case.United States Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Personnel for Exceptional ServiceRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. - United States Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced the recipients of the
2022 Law Enforcement Public Service Awards on Thursday, November 17, 2022. Personnel from several
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who contributed to the success of federal cases
were recognized for their commitment to pursuing justice and public safety.These awards recognize law enforcement officers and support personnel for exceptional leadership,
outstanding collaboration, investigative achievement and excellence, victim assistance, and
community engagement.“Today we honor exceptional law enforcement officers and the vital public service they provide.
These women and men engage in an unrelenting and often unacknowledged fight to keep our communities
safe every day. It is an honor today to recognize each of you for your service and successful
investigations,” said United States Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Each law enforcement partner was
nominated by an Assistant United State Attorney. It is the partnership between law enforcement and
these prosecutors, as well as the support staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, that
ultimately leads to justice for victims, protecting the rule of law and successful prosecutions”.Nick Manns, Illinois State Police, was presented an award for his vision, implementation, and
leadership of the Illinois Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG). Nick successfully developed
partnerships with existing community organizations to implement trauma-informed interventions and
provide needed social services for victims and witnesses identified by the PSEG Unit in the course
of their investigations.Investigator Amanda Wimmersberg, Illinois Attorney General, Investigations Division/High Tech
Crimes, received recognition for her tireless work to identify and remove some of the worst child
predators in our communities and for the incredibly thorough investigation that led to the
successful prosecution of Lance Wehrle. At trial, Amanda provided compelling testimony regarding
her extensive forensic review and the deta ls of the abuse victim. Werhle was convicted
and sentenced to 40 years in the Bureau of Prisons.Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Ayla Horlick received an award for her tireless work
removing dangerous drugs from our community. Special Agent Horlick was also recognized as an
exceptional team player that stays closely involved throughout the investigative process and
prosecution of each matter she submits.A group award was given to members of the Centralia Police Department and the Centralia Safe
Streets Working Group for their investigation which led the successful prosecution of Chris
Jamison, a prolific shooter and member of a well-known street gang in Centralia. Jamison was
eventually sentenced to 78 months in the Bureau of Prisons, almost double the advisory sentencing
guideline range. Receiving the award were Centralia Police Officers Lieutenant Jamie James,
Sergeant Mike Peebles, and Officer Travis Ripperda and FBI Special Agent Ryan James.Personnel from the United States Postal Inspection Service were recognized for their outstanding
work they have done over the past decade in bringing to justice fraudulent telemarketers who
victimize citizens of Southern Illinois. Receiving the award were Inspector Adam Latham, Inspector
Kathy Broderick, Inspector Molly Emmerich, Analyst Tim Brunholz (Retired), and Analyst Marvin
Koechig.The United States Attorney’s Office “Exceptional Service Award” was presented to Federal Bureau of
Prisons (BOP) Supervisory Attorney Tracy Knutson. She will be retiring in December after serving 24
years with BOP. Knutson made significant contributions in civil and criminal
matters handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.O’fallon, Il, Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Yesterday afternoon, in federal court in East St. Louis, IL, Emmitt T.
Tiner, 55, of O’Fallon, Illinois, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison. On July 7, 2022,
Tiner pled guilty to wire fraud, extortion, sending interstate communications with the intent to
extort, healthcare fraud, money laundering, and conducting financial transactions with criminally
derived proceeds.When he pled guilty, Tiner admitted that he extorted more than $2,000,000 from two local
businessmen, one from Belleville, IL, and the other from Florissant, MO. Tiner initially borrowed
money from the Florissant businessman. When the Florissant man asked for his money back, Tiner
told him that he would conduct a large illegal drug transaction to get the funds to repay the
loans. Tiner then asked the Florissant man for more money in order to finance this illegal drug
deal. When the Florissant man refused to provide any more money to him, Tiner made several vicious
threats. The specific threat that Tiner pled guilty to was a text he sent on October 2, 2017,
which read: “If you do not give me my money back I (sic) gave you in my account and we lose all
that money . . . . anybody related to you . . . work with you . . . friends with you . . . . lives
with you . . . knows you . . . etc will pay the consequences of you f****** me . . . . . . then and only
then when they think you have experienced enough loss and pain will they look for you!!!!!”With regard to the Belleville businessman, Tiner admitted that he began extorting this individual
by threatening to expose certain alleged personal matters to the man’s wife and the press. Tiner
also threatened to tell law enforcement that the Belleville man was responsible for three murders
if the man did not pay him more money. No one was actually murdered, although Tiner staged various
fake photos and fabricated other records in an effort to convince the Belleville man that the
murders were real.Tiner’s healthcare fraud conviction arose from his scheme to defraud the Illinois Department of
Health Services (“IDHS”), which operates a program known as the Personal Assistant program. This
program pays individuals to work as personal assistants for disabled individuals. The program has
certain asset restrictions, and will only pay for work performed while the disabled individuals are
present in their homes. When he pleaded guilty, Tiner admitted that he faked being disabled in
order get IDHS to pay for him to have a personal assistant. Tiner repeatedly told IDHS Rehabilitation Counsellors that he needed a wheelchair to move around and that he was unable to walk. Evidence presented to the court, however, demonstrated that Tiner’s statements were false, and that he routinely engaged in various physical activities, including driving, dancing, and weightlifting. From 2012 through 2019, IDHS paid Tiner’s personal assistants more than $150,000. One of the individuals who was paid to be Tiner’s personal assistant was his wife, Matissia Holt. Tiner and Holt also submitted false timesheets to IDHS which fraudulently claimed that Holt had provided personal assistant services to Tiner on days that the couple was out of town on gambling trips at various casinos.Tiner also admitted that he laundered the proceeds of his fraud and extortion scheme by running
those funds through Holt’s bank accounts. The financial transaction conviction stemmed from
Tiner’s use of those fraudulently obtained funds to make several large purchases, including a
residence located on Knollhaven Trail in O’Fallon, a residential lot on Pausch Road in O’Fallon,
and a 2019 Cadillac Escalade. As part of his plea agreement, Tiner agreed to forfeit this property
to the United States so that it can be sold and used to pay restitution.Tiner’s wife, Matissia Holt, also was charged and pled guilty to healthcare fraud and money
laundering charges. On October 31, 2022, Holt was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to
pay restitution.In addition to the 10 year prison sentence, the court ordered Tiner to serve a 3 year period of
supervised release following his prison sentence. The court also ordered Tiner to pay a total of
$2,241,500 in restitution for his extortion offenses, and $158,212.16 in restitution for his
healthcare fraud conviction.“Tiner’s extortion and fraud scheme had a severe impact on his victims, both financially and
psychologically,” a U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson remarked. “On top of that, he stole money
from a taxpayer funded program designed to help disabled persons. His serious crimes warrant the
lengthy prison sentence that the court imposed.”“Tiner prioritized his own greed over decency and respect for the laws of our country,” said FBI
Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “The FBI and our law enforcement
partners remain dedicated to investigating and holding accountable those, like Tiner, who
flagrantly disregard our laws by seeking to enrich themselves at the expense of their victims.”“IRS-CI and its law enforcement partners remain committed to investigating and stopping schemers
who seek to enrich themselves through extortion,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas
Murdock, St. Louis Field Office. “The sentence sends a strong message that this behavior will be
aggressively investigated, and those responsible brought to justice.”The investigation was conducted by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Springfield
Field Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations – St. Louis Field Office, the
United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Social
Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police Medicaid
Fraud Control Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott A. Verseman and Luke J. Weissler prosecuted the case.Two East St. Louis Men Convicted of KidnappingRead the Press Release
East St. Louis, Illinois – Kendrick A. Frazier, 35, and Kenwyn L. Frazier, 38, were convicted by a
federal jury for the Kidnapping of Kein Eastman that occurred on August 13, 2020. The verdict was
announced on Thursday, November 10, 2022, after a six-day jury trial.
Evidence presented at trial established that just before 7 p.m. on August 13, 2020, Kenwyn Frazier
forced Kein Eastman out of his grandmother’s house at gunpoint because he believed Eastman had
stolen from him a jeweled mouthpiece, known as a “grillz.” He drove Eastman in a Dodge Durango to
an apartment located on Kansas Avenue in East St. Louis and forced him to look for the grillz for
over an hour and a half. When Eastman couldn’t find it, Kenwyn Frazier called his brother, Kendrick
Frazier, to the apartment.Shortly after Kendrick got there, the Frazier brothers forcibly pulled Eastman out of the apartment
at gunpoint threatening to shoot him if he did not take them to the grillz. They forced Eastman to
the ground, repeatedly kicking and threatening him. Eastman insisted he hadn’t taken it, pleading
with them not to shoot. Despite his pleas, Kendrick Frazier fired one shot at Eastman while he laid
on the ground. After the shooting, witnesses saw Eastman bleeding from his face as he ran from the
apartment complex. Kendrick and Kenwyn Frazier followed immediately after him in the Dodge Durango.
Two hours later, that Dodge Durango was found on fire by the East St. Louis Fire Department,
completely burned to the frame. According to other documents filed in the case, Eastman has not
been seen or heard from by family members or law enforcement since the night of the kidnapping.“This guilty verdict represents long-awaited justice for the family of Kein Eastman,” said United
States Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I am proud of our office and law enforcement partners from the
East St. Louis Police Department and the ISP PSEG unit for their commitment in seeing this case
through to completion. I also commend the Eastman Family and members of the East St. Louis
community who cooperated throughout the investigation to take a stand against this sort of
senseless violence. These are the results we expect to see when dedicated public servants and
community members work together to pursue even the most difficult of cases.”“The ongoing commitment by ISP to reducing and preventing violence is built upon the outstanding
professional investigative work of our special agents and sustained by our deep relationships with
our law enforcement partners and the community,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. “The US
Attorney’s Office has been and continues to be critical to the sustained effectiveness of this
noble effort as seen in this case.”The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Summers and Zoe Gross.