District of Kansas
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Indictment: Texas Man Sponsored Dog FightingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Texas man has been indicted on a federal charge of sponsoring dog fighting, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Vertrick Jordan, 47, Tyler, Texas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. The indictment alleges that Jordan conspired with two other men to engage in animal fighting. The men are Pete Davis, Jr., and Melvin L. Robinson, who are scheduled for sentencing Sept. 9 after pleading guilty to a federal charge of transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.
The indictment alleges Jordan and the others conspired to:
– Acquire, breed and train pit bull dogs for the purpose of entering them in dog fights.
– Operate unlicensed kennels for pit bull dogs.
– Communicate between Kansas and Texas for the purpose of sponsoring dog fights.
– Collect forfeit fees from participants in dog fights.
– Sponsor and conduct illegal gambling and bookmaking activities as part of dog fights.
– Deny adequate and humane medical treatment to dogs injured and wounded in dog fights.
– Inhumanely abandon and destroy pit bull dogs who were severely injured in dog fights.The indictment alleges that on March 23, 2013, Davis and Robinson left a motel where they were staying in Tyler, Texas, with a pit bull dog belonging to Robinson, and drove to Jordan’s residence in Tyler. They planned to enter the dog in an animal fighting venture. The animal fighting venture was a “two dog card” and a “grand championship” match in which each dog was required to have won four previous fights to qualify for the grand championship match. Jordan permitted a pit for dog fighting to be constructed on his property. Investigators observed two trophies next to the pit. Jordan maintained approximately ten pit bull dogs on his property for the purpose of breeding them and selling them.
If convicted, Jordan faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.The following agencies contributed to the investigation: The FBI, the Kansas City (KS) Police Department, the Harrison County (MO) Sheriff's Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety - Narcotics and Highway Patrol, East Texas HIDTA, the FBI Dallas Division - East Texas Resident Agencies, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Game Wardens, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - OIG, the Lindale Police Department, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Sudhir Dodda, 37, Allen, Texas, and Preetham Kodiripaka, 38, Allen, Texas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud; four counts of making false statements on immigration documents, and one count of commercial carrier fraud and conspiracy to commit foreign labor contracting fraud. In addition, Kodiripaka is charged with 15 counts of mail fraud.The indictment alleges Dodda and Kodiripaka, co-owners of INEK Technologies, LLC in Overland Park, Kan., made false statements on documents they submitted in order to obtain H-1B specialty work visas for a dozen foreign workers. The crimes are alleged to have occurred at various times from October 2004 to the present in Johnson County, Kan.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: A maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Making false statements on immigration documents: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Commercial carrier fraud and conspiracy to commit foreign labor contracting fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Mail fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.The U.S. Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Internal Revenue Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.
Ian Sean Cahir, 40, Shawnee, Kan., is charged with three counts of misuse of a Social Security number and three counts of aggravated identity theft. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in August 2010 and January 2011 in Shawnee, Kan.
The indictment alleges Cahir used his six-year-old son’s Social Security number.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of misusing a Social Security number; and a mandatory two years to run consecutively to the underlying sentence on each count of aggravated identity theft. The Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Jose Magana-Garcia, 42, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found July 23, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Luis Zamarripa-Favela, 34, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found July 23, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Martin Martinez-Perez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found July 26, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Joel M. Lopez, 32, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 30, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Wichita Police Department investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Topeka Man Indicted on Charge of Sex Trafficking of A ChildRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has been indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking of a child, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Dominique Emanuel Tyson, 23, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of sex trafficking of a child and one count of producing child pornography. The indictment alleges Tyson enticed a minor child to engage in a commercial sex act. It also alleges he enticed the child to engage in a sexual act for the purpose of producing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 9 and June 11, 2013, in Shawnee County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life on the charge of the sex trafficking of a child, and a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than life and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of producing child pornography.
The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Arrick Warren, 28, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, two counts of distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Bethany Park in Kansas City, Kan., one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Bethany Park in Kansas City, Kan., one count of maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking at 1026 Reynolds Ave., which is within 1,000 feet of Bethany Park in Kansas City, Kan., one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, and two counts of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred at various times in 2012 and 2013 in Kansas City, Kan.Upon conviction the crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million.
Distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground: A maximum penalty of 40 years and a fine up to $2 million on each count.
Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground: Not less than five years and not more than 80 years and a fine up to $10 million.
Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and not more than life and a fine up to $250,000.
Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of four years and a fine up to $30,000 on each count.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.
John Moffat, 52, who is being held in the Russell County Jail, and Carter Moffat, 26, who is being held in the Russell County Jail, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 26, 2013, in Russell County, Kan.If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
Kalun James Purucker, 22, who is being held in the Saline County Jail, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 9, 2013, in Saline County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
Joshua M. Y. Valdivia, 25, who is currently in federal custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 13, 2013, in Shawnee County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
Troy A. Kurti, 20, who is in custody in the Shawnee County Jail, is charged with is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 15, 2013, in Shawnee County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Three Charged with Sex Trafficking at Wichita Massage ParlorsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A man and two women have been charged with sex trafficking in Asian massage parlors in Wichita, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Gary H. Kidgell, 44, Waltham, Mass., is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to transport a person in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.
Yan Zhang, 49, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and three counts of sex trafficking.
Xiuqing Tian, 42, Framingham, Mass., is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to transport a person in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.The three defendants were named in a criminal complaint filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Wichita. An affidavit in support of the complaint included the following allegations:
– The investigation began in 2010 when the Wichita Police Department began monitoring an internet Web site that provided a forum for patrons of sexually oriented businesses to post descriptions of their experiences and to discuss sexual acts and the costs.
– Some posts indicated individuals had received sexual acts in exchange for money at AG Spa at 2260 N. Ridge Road, Suite 150, in Wichita and Sun Chi Spa at 1030 E. 1st in Wichita.
– Police received complaints from citizens about a disturbance in the early morning hours at AG Spa. On May 20, 2010, police responded to a disturbance at AG Spa and found six persons involved in a fight including Gary Kidgell, the owner of AG Spa, Xiuqing Tian, an employee of the spa and Yan Zhang, as well as other persons.
– Kidgell and Zhang were married. Zhang was arrested in July 2013 for prostitution.
– Police officers working undercover confirmed that Asian female workers offered sex acts for money.
– Police served a search warrant and obtained a notebook containing handwritten Chinese-English translations for phrases commonly used in a massage spa, as well as sexually explicit phrases including, “Did you bring a condom?” They also seized written copy in Chinese for advertisements in newspapers in New York, Chicago and San Francisco offering “massage parlor hiring” in Kansas.
– Police interviewed Asian female workers who offered and performed sex acts for money. In those interviews they learned that Asian women came to Wichita to work in the massage parlors because they were told they would make a lot of money. Once in Wichita they found the work was hard and they did not earn as much as they expected. Some of them were told never to leave the business because the area around the stores was dangerous. Some of the women said they were allowed to keep money they made by performing sex acts.Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
– Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking: A fine up to $250,000 and imprisonment of any term of years.
– Conspiracy to transport a person in interstate commerce for prostitution: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
– Sex trafficking: Not less than 15 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Kansas City, Kan., Man Sentenced for Enticing A California Girl for SexRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man from Kansas City, Kan., has been sentenced to10 years in federal prison for using the Internet to entice a 12-year-old girl in California to send him pictures of herself naked, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Robert Dobbertin, 40, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of enticing a minor. In his plea, he admitted that in October 2008 a woman in Orange County, Calif., discovered that her 12-year-old daughter was involved in an on-line relationship with him.
The girl met Dobbertin through the Web site Teenspot.com. Dobbertin sent instant messages to the girl and talked sexually to her on the phone while engaged in masturbation. He asked for and received naked photographs of her. He asked her to perform sexual acts on herself. He sent her a video of himself masturbating and a digital photo of his penis.
When investigators served a search warrant at Dobbertin’s home in May 2009 they seized a computer containing child pornography and the records of two Yahoo! Messenger chats in which Dobbertin talked about his plans to travel to California to visit the girl and expressed a desire to have sex with her.
Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.
Girl's Former Tennis Coach Pleads Guilty to Solicting Her for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man who coached youth tennis has pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor girl he coached to give him photos of herself naked, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Rex Haultain, 56, Parkville, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that in 2009 he told a minor girl he was coaching that she sexually aroused him. While traveling to a tournament in the summer of 2010 he showed her a picture of his penis on his cell phone. In the fall of 2010 he began asking her to send him naked pictures of herself. He also sent her text messages stating that he was sexually aroused by her.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 28. Both parties have agreed to recommend to the judge a sentence of not less than 60 months and not more than 78 months in federal prison. Grissom commended the Overland Park Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask for their work on the case.
Defendant Pleads Guilty to Sex Crime While Being Treated at LarnedRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man has pleaded guilty to an Internet sex crime that took place while he was in the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program at Larned State Hospital
Mark D. Brull, 38, Larned State Hospital, pleaded guilty to one count of transferring obscene material to a child. In his plea, he admitted that while he resided at Larned State Hospital he became friends with co-defendant Ryan J. Dancosse, a resident of Wichita. Brull provided Dancosse with the passwords to Brull’s social networking profiles including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Youtube, as well as his email account. With Brull’s knowledge and agreement, Dancosse found and copied images of pornography and then uploaded the images to Brull’s accounts for others to see and discuss.
In April 2011, Brull and Dancosse began communicating with a 14–year-old boy living in Massachusetts. In April and May 2011 Brull communicated with the boy via email and telephone. Brull guided the boy to his social networking profiles on the Internet, where he knew Dancosse had uploaded pornography. The boy was able to view the images on his computer and then discuss them with Brull. The images included depictions of nude males performing sexual acts.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 4. Both parties have agreed to recommend to the judge a sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Co-defendant Ryan J. Dancosse, 40, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. He is set for sentencing Oct. 2.
Grissom commended the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Wichita Police Department and the Sudbury, Mass., Police Department , U.S. Attorney Jason Hart and Attorney General Steve Karrer of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt's office.
Nigerian Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening Family of ICE AgentRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Nigerian student who was convicted of possessing a firearm that he fired from a Wichita apartment balcony has been sentenced to an additional five years in prison for threatening the family of a federal agent, U. S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced Friday.
The Nigerian, Osayuwame Bazuaye, 22, had resided in Wichita since 2008, entering the United States on a student visa. Bazuaye attended Butler County Community College and Wichita State University. In January 2012 he was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charge was the result of an incident at Bazuaye’s apartment near 21st and Woodlawn in Wichita during which he fired a handgun from his balcony.
While in custody on those charges, in October 2012, Bazuaye allegedly threatened to sexually assault the wife and daughter of a deportation officer of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He was convicted May 1 by a federal jury here of making those threats and was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Eric F. Melgren. The judge ordered a 60-month sentence to run consecutively to the 24-month sentence he is serving in the firearms arms case.
“Our deportation officers, immigration agents and Homeland Security investigators tend to get overlooked for the difficult jobs they do,” Grissom said Friday. “They have the very difficult task of dealing with a wide range of immigration issues that most people know little or nothing about. I will not tolerate threats against immigration officers or any other federal law enforcement officers or their families.”
Bazuaye faces removal to Nigeria after he completes his federal prison sentence. Grissom praised ERO for its investigation of the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson for his prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom to Speak at Event in Honor of ADARead the Press Release
HUTCHINSON, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom will speak tonight at an event in Hutchinson to honor the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Grissom will be the featured speaker at the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration at 7 p.m. today at George Pyle Park, 100 E. Avenue B. The event is being sponsored by the Prairie Independent Living Resource Center, Inc.
“The ADA has opened millions of doors for people with disabilities in this nation,” Grissom said. “It has revolutionized the way people think about people with disabilities.”
The U.S. Justice Department works to achieve equal opportunity for people with disabilities by implementing and enforcing the Americans With Disabilities Act. For more information about the event contact Roger Frishenmeyer at 620-474-3600.
Jury Verdict: Greenwood County Man Guilty of Unlawful Possession of Explosive MaterialsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Greenwood County man has been found guilty by a federal jury of unlawful possession of explosive materials, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Alfred C. Dutton, 67, Eureka, Kan., was convicted on one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device. During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that on Aug. 23, 2011, in Greenwood County, Kan., Dutton possessed grenade bodies and other parts for use in constructing a destructive device.
Sentencing will be set for a later time. Dutton faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Grissom commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department, the Greenwood County Fire Department, the Wichita Police Department Bomb Squad, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Greenwood County Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case. The ATF had Special Agents, Special Agent/Certified Explosives Specialists, Explosives Enforcement Officers, Forensics Chemists and National Firearms Act personnel participate in the investigation.
Indictment: Former Bank Employees Embezzled, Staged RobberyRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – Four former bank employees are charged with embezzling from a bank in Grant County, Kan., and staging a robbery to cover the thefts, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Four former employees of Western State Bank in Ulysses, Kan., are charged in a federal grand jury indictment unsealed today. The defendants are:
Amber Gutierrez, 32, Ulysses, Kan., who is charged with two counts of embezzlement by a bank employee and one count of bank robbery.
Hattie Wiginton, 32, Ulysses, Kan., who is charged with two counts of embezzlement by a bank employee, one count of bank robbery, and one count of making a false statement to the FBI.
Ashley Cravens, 28, Ulysses, Kan., who is charged with two counts of embezzlement by a bank employee and one count of bank robbery.
Linda Wise, 59, Ulysses, Kan., who is charged with one count of embezzlement by a bank employee.The indictment alleges:
From 2008 to July 24, 2010, while Gutierrez was head teller and Wiginton and Cravens were clerks, they embezzled up to $84,200 from the bank.
On July 24, 2010, Gutierrez, Wiginton and Cravens staged a robbery at the bank, taking an undetermined amount of cash.
On July 24, 2010, Wiginton made false statements to the FBI, including false claims that she did not know who robbed the bank, that there were two robbers and that one of the robbers was a male with an Hispanic accent.
From late 2010 to March 2013, Gutierrez, Cravens and Wise, who were still bank employees, embezzled $24,450 from the bank. They created falsified cash deposit slips and deposited funds in their personal accounts.
If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1,000 on the each count of theft by a bank employee; a maximum penalty of 25 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of bank robbery; and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of making a false statement to the FBI. The FBI, the KBI, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Ulysses Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Topeka Man Pleads Guilty to Commercial RobberiesRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has pleaded guilty to two commercial robberies, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Brendon R. Thompson, 26, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery. On Nov. 16, 2012, he robbed the EZ Payday Advance store at 2613 S.W. 21st Street in Topeka. On Jan. 17, 2013, he robbed the Family Dollar at 1313 S.W. 21st Street in Topeka.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 5. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.
Indictment: Former Branch Manager Embezzled $99,000+ from Garden City BankRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A former branch manager at Landmark National Bank in Garden City, Kan., has been charged with embezzling more than $99,999 from the bank, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Sheri L. Green, 52, Garden City, Kan., was charged with one count of misapplication of bank funds. The indictment alleges that she stole the money from the bank over a period of time from Aug. 16, 2012, to Dec. 26, 2012.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Gonzalo Ramirez, 28, Dodge City, Kan., and Mariza Tinoco, 22, Dodge City, Kan., are charged with brandishing a firearm during an aggravated robbery, which was a crime of violence in aid of racketeering; and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred July 24, 2008, in Dodge City, Kan.If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than seven years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of brandishing a firearm; and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other charge. The Dodge City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
Mario Diaz, 25, Wichita, Kan., and Vanity Johnson, 24, Wichita, Kan., are charged with one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges the defendants used checks stolen from the home of an account holder and the account holder’s Social Security number to change the contact information on the account holder’s account at Intrust Bank and to forge and present for payment nine checks for a total of $12,253.31. The crimes are alleged to have occurred at various times from Feb. 4, 2013, to March 26, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine up to $1 million on the bank fraud count, and a mandatory two years to run consecutively and a fine up to $250,000 on the identity theft charge. The Wichita Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service - OIG investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.
Jimmie L. Banks, 50, Hutchinson, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 12, 2012, in Reno County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million. The Hutchinson Police Department investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs is prosecuting.
Juan Carlos Triana-Mireles, 27, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found June 21, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Sergio Tapia-Martinez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported, one count of possession of false identification documents, and one count of aggravated identity theft. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 10, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on the re-entry charge, a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the false document charge and a mandatory two years to run consecutively on the aggravated identity theft charge. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Kansas Department of Revenue investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Crawford County Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Crawford County woman has pleaded guilty to receiving more than $45,000 in federal aid she did not qualify to receive, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Jody Gayle Simmons, 48, Arma, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds. In her plea, she admitted to fraudulently receiving a total of $45,046 from the Social Security Administration's Supplemental Security Income program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food stamp program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a one-time stimulus payment made to her pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
In her plea, she admitted to falsely reporting that her husband moved out of their residence so that his income would not disqualify her from receiving assistance.
Sentencing is set for November 6, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford for their work on the case.
Wichita Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man has pleaded guilty to using stolen identities to file false tax returns, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Anthony Hopkins, 40, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to submit false tax claims. In his plea, he admitted to fraudulently collecting income tax refunds based on false tax returns. Hopkins prepared and filed tax returns knowing the claims were false and that he had no authority to file the claims or to collect the refunds. The tax returns were created using the identities of victims and the tax information forming the basis for the refunds were entirely false. The income tax refunds were deposited to pre-paid debit cards in the names of the victims whose identities were stolen. The cards were delivered to Hopkins.
Hopkins is set for sentencing Oct. 3. Co-defendant Ashley Allen, 24, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to the same count. She is set for sentencing July 29. Each of them faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.
Two Topeka Men Plead Guilty in Separate Firearms CasesRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – Two Topeka men have pleaded guilty in unrelated federal firearms cases, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Matthew L. Hoag, 22, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. In his plea, he admitted that officers of the Topeka Police Department encountered him on March 21, 2013, after being called to a report of shots fired. Hoag was riding in the back seat of a car officers stopped in the 1100 block of SW Lincoln. They found him in possession of a .380 caliber handgun. At the time, Hoag was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had been convicted in June 2010 in Jackson County District Court on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.
Tyrone J. Lewis, Sr., 34, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty on one count of unlawful possession of ammunition after a felony conviction. In his plea, he admitted that on Jan. 19, 2013, he called the Topeka Police Department to report that people were chasing him in a vehicle. When officers arrived in the 1600 block of SW Topeka they found Lewis in the intersection jumping back and forth as if he were avoiding multiple football tackles. Believing him to be under the influence of a narcotic, they placed him under arrest. They found four .45 caliber bullets in a plastic bag in his possession. At the time, he was prohibited from possessing ammunition because of prior felony convictions in Shawnee County District Court for aggravated robbery and attempted criminal possession of a firearm.
In both cases, sentencing is set for Nov. 5. Both defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the cases.
Gang Member Is Thirteenth to Plead Guilty in Dodge City Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Dodge City gang member has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit assaults with dangerous weapons in connection with a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Alfonso Banda-Hernandez, 21, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit assaults with dangerous weapons, which were violent crimes in aid of racketeering. In his plea, he admitted he was a member of the Los Carnales Chingones gang affiliated with the Norteno gang on March 30, 2011, when he conspired to commit an assault with a firearm against George Gonzalez; and in April 2010 when he conspired to commit an assault with a beer bottle against a member of a rival gang.
In his plea, Banda-Hernandez admitted that on March 30, 2011, he and three other Norteno gang members encountered a Sureno gang member named George Gonzalez at a Love’s convenience store in Dodge City. Banda-Hernandez and the other Nortenos began throwing gang signs at Gonzalez and attempting to start a fight. Later that day, they again encountered Gonzalez and chased his car. One of the Nortenos fired shots at Gonzalez’s car.
Banda-Hernandez also admitted that in April 2010 he was with other Norenos when they encountered a member of the rival Sureno street gang in an alley in Dodge City. During a fight, one of the Nortenos used a beer bottle to strike a Sureno gang member in the head, injuring him.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 30. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Banda-Hernandez was one of 23 Norteno members indicted in May 2012. It was only the second time a federal RICO Act indictment (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) had been filed in Kansas. Banda-Hernandez is the thirteenth defendant in the case to enter a guilty plea.
Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.
Topeka Man Pleads Guilty to Drugs, Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms and drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Willie C. McNair, 26, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 3.1 kilograms (more than six pounds) of marijuana and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
In his plea, McNair admitted that on Dec. 9, 2011, the Topeka Police Department executed a search warrant on his storage unit at Flex Self Storage, 447 SE 29th Street in Topeka. They found 3.1 kilograms of marijuana and two rifles and a handgun. At the time, McNair was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm because he had been convicted Nov. 21, 2011, in Shawnee County District Court on a charge of kidnaping.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 9. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.
Kansas City, Mo., Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has pleaded guilty to bank robbery in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Edward Davis, 31, Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on July 13, 2012, he and other accomplices robbed Bank Midwest, 3500 Rainbow Blvd., in Kansas City, Kan. Brandishing a firearm he yelled that a robbery was taking place and ordered bank customers and employees to the floor. He pointed his gun at a bank teller. After the robbery, investigators released surveillance photos of the defendant and his accomplice, resulting in information that led to Davis’ arrest.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 7. The parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 12 years in federal prison. Grissom commended the FBI, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug for their work on the case.
Indictment: Postal Employee Stole Pain Pills Being Delivered by MailRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A U.S. Postal Service employee in Kansas City, Kan., is charged with stealing pain pills that were being delivered to patients by mail, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Sherry Robertson, 40, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with five counts of theft of mail by a postal employee and one count of possession with intent to distribute Hydrocodone. The indictment alleges Robertson removed the pills from mail on Sept. 20, 2012, Jan. 25, 2013, March 1, 2013, April 13, 2013, and May 8, 2013.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The U.S. Postal Service and the VA Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTSWesley J. Kelley, 36, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm while under indictment, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm while a fugitive from justice, one count of theft occurring at Fort Leavenworth and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in February and March 2013 in Douglas and Leavenworth counties in Kansas.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Unlawful possession of a firearm while under indictment: A maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Unlawful possession of a firearm while a fugitive from justice: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Theft occurring at Fort Leavenworth: A maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.The Lawrence Police Department; the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Fort Leavenworth; the Marion County Sheriff’s Office; and the White Springs (Florida) Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting.
Bryan Schuck, 31, is charged with failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 10, 2013, in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.
Derek T. Brownlee, 35, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with one count of bank robbery. The indictment alleges he robbed the Metcalf Bank at 7800 College Boulevard in Overland Park on July 1, 2013.
Brownlee initially was charged in a criminal complaint filed July 2 in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI, the Overland Park Police Department and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.
Jose A. Aleman, 31, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Jan. 9, 2013, in Wyandotte County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.
Jesus Enrique Moreno, 25, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 20, 2013, in Wyandotte County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.
Adrienne Lopez, 26, Pico Rivera, Calif., and Angela Marie Lopez, 34, El Monte, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 21, 2013, in Seward County, Kan.
If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
U.S. Attorney's Statewide Civil Rights Symposium Set for Aug. 9, 2013 at Johnson County Community CollegeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Wichita historian and author of an awarding-winning book on the civil rights movement in the Midwest will be the featured speaker at the U.S. Attorney’s third annual statewide Civil Rights Symposium Aug. 9 at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Gretchen Eick Ph.D., professor emeritus of history at Friends University, will draw upon her book, “Dissent in Wichita: The Civil Rights Movement in the Midwest, 1954-1972,” when she speaks. Through protests such as the sit-in at the Dockum Drugstore in Wichita in 1958, civil rights advocates applied pressure leading up to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Eick will be one of several speakers during the free, day-long event focusing on federal civil rights enforcement in Kansas. Grissom said this is the third year in a row his office has sponsored the symposium.
“This event is an opportunity for us to rededicate ourselves to the continuing struggle for equal rights, equal opportunity and equal justice,” said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. “We are inspired by the example of those before us who spoke out despite difficulty and danger.”
The U.S. Department of Justice is responsible for upholding the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. It enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin.
Other presentations during the symposium will include a panel discussion on civil rights with panelists U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom; Gary Brunk, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri, and Thomas Witt, executive director of the Kansas Equality Coalition.
The symposium is free and open to the public, but anyone who wants to attend must register. A registration form and more information will be available on the U.S. Attorney’s Web site at www.justice.gov/usao/ks
Sponsors for the event include the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, the Public Safety Training Center at Johnson County Community College and the Regional Community Policing Training Institute at Wichita State University.
For more information call Jim Cross, public information officer, at 316-269-6481.
Olathe Contractor Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The owner of an Olathe drywall contracting company has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for failing to pay more than $370,000 in federal income taxes, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Marcos Bowman, 41, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of federal tax evasion. In his plea, he admitted he did not file an individual income tax return in 2007, 2008 and 2009 even though the company he owned, BCK Drywall, had gross receipts during those years of more than $7.9 million. Based on bank records and other sources, he owed at least $373,473 dollars in income tax during those years.
Bowman’s company installed drywall on new commercial projects such as hotels and apartments. Bowman paid for his personal expenses out of BCK’s bank accounts. He took actions to avoid taxes including paying for a girlfriend to purchase a $355,000 home in Olathe in her name and then transfer the property to the mother of his children. He also paid for the purchase of several vehicles in his girlfriend’s name.
He also failed to provide subcontractors who did work for his company with Form 1099s so they could report the income they received from him on their own tax returns.
Grissom commended IRS Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask for their work on the case.
Two Sentenced to Prison for Arson That Killed Kansas State ResearcherRead the Press Release
TOPEKA – Two people have been sentenced to federal prison for setting a fire that killed a woman in an apartment complex in Manhattan, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Patrick Martin Scahill, 20, Manhattan, Kan., was sentenced to 30 years. Virginia Amanda Griese, 20, Manhattan, Kan., was sentenced to 20 years.
Both of them pleaded guilty to one count of arson resulting in death. In his plea, Scahill admitted he started the Feb. 6, 2013, fire at the Lee Crest Apartments at 820 Sunset Avenue in Manhattan that caused the death of Kansas State researcher Vasanta Pallem. Scahill admitted he started the fire in an effort to create a diversion that would prevent police from finding evidence in his residence of an armed robbery and other crimes.
“This case is a tragic story,” said U.S. Attorney Barry Grisom. “A promising young woman who came to the United States to further her education died in a fire deliberately set by a young man who gave no thought to her or the other people whose lives he was endangering.”
“Arson is a violent crime with often devastating results. In this case, a life was lost,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Marino F. Vidoli. “ATF is proud to have worked with our state and local partners to bring these defendants to justice.”
The sequence of events began in the late evening hours of Feb. 5 when Scahill’s associates, Frank Joseph Hanson and Dennis James Denzien, conspired to commit a robbery at Dara’s Fast Lane, a convenience store in Manhattan. Early in the morning hours of Feb. 6, Hanson and Denzien robbed Dara’s Fast Lane. Denzien was the driver. Hanson entered the store brandishing a .22 caliber pistol owned by Scahill.
At about 6 p.m. that day, Riley County Police were dispatched to a disturbance call and knocked on the door of the residence where Scahill lived. Denzien and Hanson also were at the residence when police arrived. After police noticed a strong odor of marijuana from the residence, they told Scahill and the others they were going to seek a warrant to search the residence. Scahill, Denzien and Hanson left the residence while police were working to obtain a warrant.
Meeting together later, Scahill, Denzien, Hanson and Griese discussed the likelihood that police would find narcotics, a firearm and items associated with the robbery at Dara’s Fast Lane once they searched Scahill’s residence. They discussed ways to divert the attention of law enforcement officers long enough for Scahill to re-enter the residence and remove the incriminating evidence.
In the end, Griese, a friend named Gavin Hairgrove, and another person, drove to a Walmart where Griese bought a five-gallon gas can. Then they went to a HyVee gas station where Hairgrove worked and Griese pumped 4.7 gallons of gas into the can. She paid for it with her debit card.
Later, Scahill and Griese drove around looking for something to burn. They chose the Lee Crest Apartments, a three-level, 12-unit apartment complex within sight of Scahill’s apartment. Scahill entered the building. He emptied the contents of the gas can in the lower level hallway, set the fire and left the building.
As the fire burned, a thick, black smoke rose through the building, forcing tenants out of their apartments through windows and out of balconies. Vasanta Pallem was unable to escape the building. She worked her way from her apartment on the top floor of the building to the first floor where she died near the east entrance of the complex. An autopsy showed she died from breathing fumes during the fire. The carbon monoxide saturation in her system was over 50 percent, more than enough to kill her.
After setting the fire, Scahill and Griese went to Griese’s apartment where Scahill cleaned up and discarded clothes soaked in gasoline. Hairgrove assisted Scahill in disposing of his shoes, which reeked of gasoline.
Later, investigators looking into the arson received tips that led them to Scahill.
Other defendants include:
Frank Joseph Hanson, 23, Manhattan, Kan., who has pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing Aug. 12.
Dennis James Denzien, 20, Manhattan, Kan., who pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing Aug. 12.
Gavin Taylor Hairgrove, 19, Manhattan, Kan., who is awaiting trial.Grissom commended all the investigators and law enforcement agencies that worked on the case, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Riley County Attorney’s Office, the Riley County Police Department, the Manhattan Fire Department, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigations and the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Wilkerson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Disney, who are prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Indictments Unsealed Charging Fifteen Defendants with Drug Trafficking in TopekaRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – Fifteen defendants have been indicted on drug charges as a result of a federal drug trafficking investigation in Topeka, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Federal prosecutors Monday unsealed indictments alleging the defendants were part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Topeka area. Investigators served search warrants and made arrests in the case July 2.
Named in the indictments are:
Francisco J. Granado, Sr., 44, Emporia, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and four counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Arturo Favela-Gomez, 36, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distributing methamphetamine and 16 counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Ismael Murillo-Nunez, 50k, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distributing methamphetamine and 11 counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Saul Salas-Gomez, 29, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and five counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Miguel Adame-Regino, who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distributing methamphetamine and four counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Juan Carlos Flores-Rodriguez, 32, Grand Island, Neb., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and three counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Chela Murillo, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and three counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Gustavo Gonzalez-Valadez, 26, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Jamie (last name unknown), who is charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Jerman Aldava, 28, Dodge City, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and nine counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Jessica Howard, 30, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and six counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Robert Lovgren, 56, Manhattan, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and three counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Lupita Gomez, 32, Kansas City, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Nancy Gutierrez-Soto, Topeka, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Raul Cortes-Ponce, 52, Kansas City, Kan., who is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and five counts of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
– Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and not more than life and a fine up to $10 million.
– Using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of four years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Topeka Police Department investigated. Also assisting were the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Emporia Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Nine Students from Nepal Who Attended Kansas State University Charged with Visa FraudRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – Nine students from Nepal who attended Kansas State University have been indicted on charges of visa fraud and conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
A grand jury indictment unsealed today alleges the students conspired to maintain their non-immigrant visas by making false statements that they possessed funds to pursue their proposed course of study and support themselves and their dependents. The defendants, each of whom is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and 25 counts of visa fraud, are:
Mahendra Thapa, 33 years old.
Khem Acharya, 41 years old.
Raj Kumar Dani, 37 years old.
Santosh Ghimire, 37 years old.
Lila Ballav Pandey, 41 years old.
Laxman Pokhrel, 37 years old.
Keshar Prasain, 38 years old.
Govind Paneru, 32 years old.
Narayan Chapagain, 43 years old.The indictment alleges that beginning in the fall of 2008 all nine students obtained temporary possession of financial resources for the purpose of obtaining statements from financial institutions to support their false claims that each personally had the needed funds. Each of the students temporarily obtained funds from fellow Nepalese students and deposited the funds in their bank accounts. After obtaining a notarized bank letter, they returned the funds to the other students.
If convicted, each of the defendants faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Cloud County Man Pleads Guilty to Planning Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Cloud County man has pleaded guilty to planning a 2008 bank robbery in Jamestown, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Ryan Michael Steinert, 24, Concordia, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted he conspired with co-defendant Eric Lee Strait to rob the Jamestown State Bank on Nov. 14, 2008. Strait entered the bank about 9:45 a.m. wearing a mask and brandishing a Remington, 12 gauge, pump-action shotgun. He filled a duffle bag with money and drove away.
Weeks before the robbery, Steinert conspired with Strait to plan the crime. Steinert admitted the following acts:
– Accompanying Strait as Strait stole the shotgun used in the robbery.
– Driving Strait to where the stolen car was hidden and helping to position the car prior to the robbery
– Helping wipe down the stolen vehicle to remove fingerprints and physical evidence.
– Helping Strait dispose of the shotgun after the robbery.
– Receiving a share of the stolen money.Steinert’s sentencing is set for Oct. 9. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Co-defendant Eric Lee Strait pleaded guilty to bank robbery and is set for sentencing Aug. 5.
Grissom commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.
Federal Charges Filed in Overland Park Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Federal charges have been filed alleging a 35-year-old man armed with a hatchet robbed a bank in Overland Park, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Derek T. Brownlee, 35, Kansas City, Mo., was charged with one count of bank robbery. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., alleged that on July 1, 2013, Brownlee robbed the Metcalf Bank at 7800 College Boulevard in Overland Park. Wearing a bandanna over his face and carrying a hatchet, he jumped over the teller’s counter and demanded money. He took cash from a drawer and some personal items from a teller including a Kindle Fire and a Samsung cellular phone before fleeing the bank.
When officers from the Overland Park Police Department and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department spotted his car, he led them on a chase at speeds up to 90 miles per hour. Brownlee stopped his car in the 8700 block of Indiana in Kansas City, Mo., and fled on foot. He was arrested by officers from the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI, the Overland Park Police Department and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Twelfth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Dodge City Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
TWICHITA, KAN. – A member of a Dodge City street gang charged in a federal racketeering case has pleaded guilty, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Juan Torres, 22, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting attempted murder, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering. He admitted he was involved in an Oct. 4, 2008, incident in which two people were shot.
In his plea, Torres admitted he was a Diablos Viejos (DV) gang member associated with the Norteno street gang when he accompanied two co-defendants in an attack at the home of a member of the rival Sureno gang. On Oct. 4, 2008, Torres and two co-defendants gathered in a barn behind a house at 10770 Kettle Way near Dodge City, which was a hangout for the gang. Later that day, Torres and the two co-defendants drove to the home of Abel Hernandez, a known Sureno gang member, and Rumalda Hipolito. Outside the home, Hernandez’s brother and others were drinking beer. One of the Nortenos began harassing them and shouting Norteno slogans. After someone threw a beer bottle at the Nortenos’ car, Torres and the two co-defendants drove away. The three Nortenos obtained a firearm, an SKS or AK-47 style weapon and returned to Hernandez’s house, parking in an alley half a block away. After approaching the house on foot, co-defendant Gonzalo Ramirez discharged multiple rounds from the firearm. The gunshots hit the house, striking Abel Hernandez and Rumalda Hipolito. Hipolito suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. Hernandez suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Investigators found 10 bullet holes in the house and recovered 20 shell casings at the scene. After the shooting, Torres and the two co-defendants returned to the house on Kettle Way, where they hid the car in the barn.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 16. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Ford County Attorney’s Office, Assistant Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Patient in Sexual Predator Unit Charged with Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A registered sex offender has been charged with producing child pornography while he was committed to a sexual predator unit at Larned State Hospital, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Christopher M. Case, 33, has been charged with two counts of producing child pornography and two counts of sending obscene material to a child. The indictment makes the following allegations:
– From Dec. 1, 2011, to Dec. 28, 2011, Case enticed a 15-year-old child to engage in a sexual act for the purpose of making a video to be transmitted on the Internet.
– From Dec. 24, 2011, to Jan. 23, 2012, Case enticed a 13-year-old child to engage in a sexual act for the purpose of making a video to be transmitted on the Internet.
– On Dec. 29, 2011, Case sent a video of himself masturbating to the 13-year-old victim.
– On Dec. 31, 2011, Case sent a video of himself masturbating to the 13-year-old victim.At the time of the crimes, Case was a registered sex offender. He was convicted in Saline County, Kan., in May 2003 on a charge of attempted aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.
If convicted on the federal charges, he faces a penalty of not less than 25 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the charges of producing child pornography; and a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the charges of sending obscene material to a child. The Wichita Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Kansas Attorney General’s office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart and Steve Karrer of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office are prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Rigoberto Avalos-Mendez, 26, Kennewick, Wash., is charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately three kilograms of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 31, 2013, in Thomas County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs is prosecuting.
Vicente Trevino-Hernandez, 46, a citizen of Mexico, is charged unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found June 6, 2013, in Arkansas City, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Jonathan Valdez, 25, Garden City, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 16, 2013, in Finney County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on the drug charge; and a penalty of not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Finney County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs is prosecuting.
Gerald Beasley, 58, Andover, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 12, 2013, in Wichita, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Agencies taking part in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wichita Police Department, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service Task Force and the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.
Noel Soto-Arrieta, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with three counts of counterfeiting false documents, five counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of counterfeiting a Social Security card, and one count of unlawful re-entry after deportation. He was found June 6, 2012, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of counterfeiting false documents; a mandatory two years to be served consecutively to other sentences and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of aggravated identity theft; a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of counterfeiting a Social Security number; and a maximum penalty of two years and a fine up to $250,000 on the re-entry charge. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Raymond Hernandez-Cordova, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of possession of false documents, four counts of aggravated identity theft; one count of making a false statement on an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form; one count of misusing a Social Security number; one count of producing a false document; and one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found June 10, 2013, in Wichita, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing false documents; a mandatory two years to run consecutively to other sentences on other counts and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of aggravated identity theft; a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the count of making a false statement on an I-9 form and the same penalty on the count of misusing a Social Security number; a maximum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of producing false identification documents; and a maximum penalty of two years and a fine up to $250,000 on the re-entry charge. The Kansas Department of Revenue investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
Josephina Barrasa-Chairez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with possessing false documents. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 11, 2013, in Lyon County, Kan.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting. The Social Security Administration - OIG investigated.
Lester Ray Nichols, 72, Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 9, 2012.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.
Juan Carlos Frayre, 25, Wichita, Kan., is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition by a user of controlled substances, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in April and May 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each of eight counts; and a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million on each of two counts. The Wichita Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.
Steven J. Denson, 27, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 27, 2013, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Mexican Citizen Living in Emporia Indicted on Document Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Mexican citizen who has been living in Emporia, Kan., has been indicted on charges of document fraud, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Olegaria Cruz-Juarez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of false identification documents and one count of aggravated identity theft.
She and her husband, Sergio Tapia-Martinez, have been under investigation as suspected distributors of identification documents to unauthorized workers in central Kansas, Grissom said. Tapia-Martinez was charged in a separate case with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported.
A criminal complaint filed in the case against Cruz-Juarez alleges that Kansas Department of Revenue agents arrested her for driver’s license fraud during a criminal investigation that revealed she had renewed her Kansas driver’s license claiming to be lawfully present in the United States when she was not. They served a search warrant at her home in Emporia, where they found another person’s Social Security card between the pages of a Bible in her bedroom. They also found a small notebook containing the names, dates of birth and Social Security number for 13 different identities. Agents ran the numbers against records maintained by the Social Security Administration and the Kansas Department of Revenue. Eight of the identities were used in the state of Kansas to obtain a driver’s license or identification card.
An affidavit filed in the case states that agents developed evidence that Cruz had previously purchased documents belonging to another person in order to obtain an identification card and secure employment. She needed to purchase documents that employers would accept. Agents also developed evidence that she had helped relatives and others do the same thing in the past. Immigration records indicate that Cruz is a Mexican national who was denied permanent resident status in Sept. 30, 2004, and is in the United States unlawfully.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the document charge, and a mandatory two years to run consecutively to the underlying sentence and a fine up to $250,000 on the aggravated identity theft count. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Kansas Department of Revenue - Office of Special Investigations, the Emporia Police Department, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Social Security Administration - OIG and the Lyon County Attorney’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Joseph S. Buschbom, 30, Topeka, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after felony convictions. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 12, 2013, in Shawnee County, Kan.If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
Gabriel Chavez, 23, Dallas, Texas, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 31, 2013, in Ellsworth County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.
Omar Gonzalez-Nunez, 25, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of a felony and deported. He was found June 12, 2013, in Geary County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.
Shawn Rene Pigorsch, 43, Abilene, Kan., is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 28, 2012, in Dickinson County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.
Kathy Rivera, 46, Ft. Riley, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. The crime is alleged to have occurred Jan. 15, 2013, on the Fort Riley Military Installation.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Ft. Riley Police investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Graham and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney are prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Hearing Scheduled for Professional Hunter Accused of Violating Federal ProbationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A professional hunter from Tennessee is set for a hearing in federal court today on a government motion accusing him of hunting in violation of his probation, U.S. Barry Grissom said today.
William “Spook” Spann, 50, Dickinson, Tenn, was sentenced in February to three years on supervised release for a misdemeanor Lacey Act violation in Kansas. He pleaded guilty to transporting across state lines a white-tailed deer that was unlawfully taken in Stafford County, Kan. As part of the probation he was prohibited from hunting for six months, admonished not to commit any further federal crimes and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $10,000 restitution.
On June 10, the federal probation office in Kansas filed a petition alleging Spann violated his probation by hunting in Tennessee and violating a Tennessee law against baiting wildlife. In court documents, Spann is alleged to have been caught on surveillance cameras hunting in Tennessee. Agents also monitored his use of social media. They found pictures on his Facebook page of Spann dressed in camouflage and posing with other hunters next to harvested turkeys. Although Spann is not accused of shooting a turkey, according to court documents he hunted by calling turkeys, carrying hunting equipment, carrying dead turkeys and placing feed as bait.
The government is proposing Spann have his probation revoked and he be ordered to serve 90 days in jail.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Founder of Kansas-Based Franchising Business Pleads Guilty to Misleading SECRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The founder of a Kansas-based insurance franchising business has pleaded guilty to filing an annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission that contained misleading statements about the now-defunct company’s finances, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Robert D. Orr, 59, Denver, Colo, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in a report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In his plea, he admitted that while he served as founder and non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Brooke Corporation, the company filed a 2007 annual report (Form 10-K) that presented a more financially robust position for Brooke Corporation’s investment in Brooke Capital Corporation than was supported by the actual financial conditions within the company. Orr knew that the report omitted material facts including the specific number of failed Brooke Capital Corporation franchise locations and the exact or total amount of financial assistance being provided by Brooke Capital Corporation to under-performing franchises.
Co-defendant Leland Orr is set for trial Feb. 24, 2014. Robert Orr is set for sentencing Oct. 7. The parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of three years probation and a fine of $48,000.
Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Warner for their work on the case.
Former Air Guard Member Convicted of Wire FraudRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A former Kansas Air National Guard senior airman who was assigned to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita has been convicted on a federal charge of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
After a trial in U.S. District Court in Wichita, a jury found Eledria J. Bradley, 28, Wichita, Kan., guilty of one count of wire fraud.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Bradley collected more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements by claiming she lived in Arizona while she was working at McConnell. Evidence showed that Bradley accessed her file via a virtual MPF, an online personnel system in which military members can access and change their personal information, and changed her residential address from Wichita to Chandler, Ariz. The change in address placed her outside the commuting distance for McConnell Air Force Base, As a result, she received lodging and per diem benefits to which she was not entitled from April 22, 2009, to April 23, 2011, totaling $54,992.
Sentencing will be set for a later date. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Air Force - OSI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.
Missouri Woman Sentenced for Sex Trafficking in KansasRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri woman has been sentenced to federal prison for sex trafficking in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Danyelle M. Putman, 21, Independence, Mo., was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a person in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution. In her plea, she admitted she was arrested Aug. 9, 2012, when the Special Investigations Unit of the Prairie Village Police Department conducted a prostitution sting. An investigator working undercover called a number on an Internet site and arranged with Putman for a woman to meet him in Prairie Village, Kan., for sex.
At approximately 8 p.m. that day, Putman and co-defendant Tony A. Rogers, Jr., left Independence, Mo., with a woman identified in the indictment as K.C., with the intent that K.C. would engage in prostitution. Police took K.C. into custody when Putman and Rogers dropped her off. After Putman and Rogers drove away, they were stopped and arrested.
Co-defendant Tony A. Rogers pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.
Grissom commended the Prairie Village Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.
Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty in 10-Day Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Kan., man has pleaded guilty to committing a series of robberies over ten days in Kansas City, Kan., Roeland Park and Fairway, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Llewellyn Richard, 45, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to committing the following robberies:
-- Boost Mobile, 3726 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 21, 2012.
– Nationwide Cellular, 4314 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 21, 2012.
-- Dollar General Store, 2272 Quindaro, Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 24, 2012.
-- Family Dollar, 1251 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 25, 2012.
-- Quick Service gas station, 7959 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 25, 2012.
-- Boost Mobile, 7640 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 26, 2012.
-- Cricket Store, 4635 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 27, 2012.
-- Sally's Beauty Supply, 5020 Roe Blvd., Roeland Park, Kan., Dec 28, 2012.
-- Cricket Wireless store, 840 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 29, 2012.
-- Dollar General, 2801 S. 47th, Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 29, 2012.
-- Family Dollar, 3129 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 30, 2012.
-- Russell Stover store, 2814 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, Kan., Dec. 30, 2012.
On Jan. 1, 2013, officers of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department stopped Richard while he was driving a red GMC pickup. When the officers approached the vehicle, he drove off. He was arrested a short distance away after the pickup crashed.Sentencing is set for Oct. 25. A plea agreement calls for both parties to recommend a sentence of 240 months in federal prison.
Grissom commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead for their work on the case.
Indictment: Former Insurance Agent Swindled Policy Holders, Retired TeacherRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A former insurance agent has been charged in a federal indictment unsealed here today with stealing almost $2 million from policy holders, including a retired teacher known for her philanthropy, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Jason Matthew Pennington, 41, Bel Aire, Kan., is charged in a 51-count indictment alleging the former State Farm Insurance agent defrauded his customers and lied to beneficiaries to cover up the thefts. The counts include wire fraud and attempted wire fraud, money laundering, attempted bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. Pennington’s father, James L. Pennington, 65, Wichita, also is charged with four counts of filing false tax returns.
The indictment alleges that one of Pennington’s victims was Marlene Brown, who retired in 1994 following a 37-year career with the Wichita Public Schools where she served as teacher, coach and school administrator. She endowed the Marlene M. Brown Fund for the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Educational and School Psychology in the College of Education at Wichita State University.
The indictment alleges that before she died in October 2009 Brown purchased a life insurance policy from State Farm through Jason Pennington worth more than $1.3 million. She designated the Marlene M. Brown Revocable Trust as the owner and beneficiary of the policy.
In November 2008 Pennington processed a request to obtain more than $99,484 in cash from the policy. He deposited the money into his State Farm account at Home Bank & Trust Company in Wichita, and used the money to pay his personal expenses. In March 2009 Pennington entered into a contract to build a $590,000 home at 7972 E. Caribou Place in Bel Aire. By the time the house was completed in 2010, it cost approximately $650,000.
In loan application papers, Pennington failed to disclose that he was required to make monthly child support and alimony payments and that he had a line of credit and a mortgage. He also claimed as an asset an Individual Retirement Account that in fact belonged to Brown.
In June 2009, Personal Property Memoranda were purportedly created and signed by Brown allocating the percentages her charitable beneficiaries would receive and another bequeathing the remaining money to Pennington and his family and associates. Included was a bequeath of more than $1 million to Pennington.
In the following months, Pennington took money from Brown’s policy and changed the address on Brown’s insurance policy from Brown’s address to his own business address at 11040 W. Central, #108 in Wichita.
After Brown died in October 2009, Pennington collected several bags of documents from her home. He later lied to trust beneficiaries and provided them with false documents to cover up the fact he had taken the bulk of her estate for himself. He told beneficiaries that Brown’s 2002 Lincoln LS automobile had been given to a single mother. In fact, he gave the car to his father, James Pennington. He told beneficiaries that two television sets belonging to Brown were given to a young family. In fact, he planned to give the TVs to his father. He told beneficiaries that a baseball autographed by members of the New York Yankees would be given to Brown’s physician. In fact, he planned to keep the ball. He told beneficiaries that some of Brown’s estate was going to the Kansas Humane Society. In fact, the organization received no money. He told beneficiaries that part of Brown’s estate was going to Wichita State University. In fact, WSU did not receive the money.
Other victims included a couple from Garden Plain, Kan., who purchased a life insurance policy valued at more than $3.4 million through Pennington. Pennington fraudulently processed more than $1 million worth of loan requests even though the Hills were not aware the loans were being applied for in their names.
Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties:
Wire fraud and attempted wire fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Mail fraud and attempted mail fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Money laundering: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Bank fraud: A maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count.
Making a false statement to a financial institution: A maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Filing false tax returns: A maximum penalty of three years and a fine up to $100,000 on each count.The FBI and IRS - Criminal Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith are prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Tenth and Eleventh Gang Members Plead Guilty in Dodge City Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – Two members of a Dodge City street gang have entered guilty pleas, becoming the tenth and eleventh defendants to plead guilty in a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Joshua Flores, 25, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of brandishing a firearm in a crime of violence. Hernan Quezada, 20, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering.
In his plea, Joshua Flores admitted that he was a member of the Los Carnales Chingones street gang affiliated with the Norteno street gang on June 8, 2009, when he and other gang members who were armed with firearms robbed a victim named Isidro Raleas-Velasquez and other persons.
The victims were at their home at 1005 Avenue E in Dodge City when Flores and three other men affiliated with the Nortenos broke into their residence armed with firearms. One of the Nortenos grabbed a victim, struck him in the head with a firearm and took him into another room. Flores joined the other Nortenos in going through the house looking for other residents to rob. The other Norteno beat the victim he took into the other room. During the robbery, Raelas-Velasquez was struck with a firearm in the head, causing a large laceration. After the robbery, Flores and the other Norteno gang members divided up the proceeds of the robbery.
In his plea, Hernan Quezada admitted he was a member of the Diablos Viejos (DV) street gang affiliated with the Norteno street gang when on Feb. 5, 2012, he assaulted a victim named Reyes Bocanegra. Quezada was at 1200 Avenue I in Dodge City when he got into a fight with Bocanegra’s brother, Oscar. The fight was soon joined by Reyes Bocanegra, aiding his brother, and two other DV gang members, aiding Quezada. Quezada struck Reyes Bocanegra in the head with a bottle, causing a laceration to the top of his head.
Flores and Quezada admitted that robberies, assaults and other crimes were part of the way Norteno gang members built their reputations and kept their rivals at bay.
Flores is set for sentencing Sept. 9. He faces a penalty of not less than seven years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Quezada is set for sentencing Sept. 13 He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Rice County Woman Pleads Guilty in Cattle FraudRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Rice County woman has pleaded guilty in connection with a cattle fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Carrie L. Frederick, 37, Sterling, Kan., pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. In her plea, she admitted she embezzled money while she worked for Sellers Farms, Inc., a livestock feeding operation in Lyons, Kan. She caused money to be sent from Sellers Farms’ accounts to Golden Belt Feeders, Inc., of St. John, Kan., to pay debts she owed from trading cattle when she worked for Golden Belt. There were three transactions of embezzled funds totaling more than $211,000.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 11. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each count. Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Montgomery County Man Sentenced to 21+ Years in Marijuana Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Montgomery County man has been sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for marijuana trafficking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Rashon T. Johnson, 37, Independence, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, three counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute marijuana, three counts of traveling in interstate commerce in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of unlawful use of a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of money laundering.
In his plea, Johnson admitted that from January 2009 to January 2011 he and others conspired to obtain marijuana from Texas to distribute it in Kansas and elsewhere. Members of the conspiracy traveled to Texas at the direction of Johnson to buy marijuana and bring it to Kansas.
Johnson admitted:
– On Jan. 22, 2010, he provided $44,000 to co-defendant Jessica Savage to travel from Kansas to Texas to obtain marijuana and bring it back to Kansas. She drove to Dallas in a car he rented. She was not able to obtain marijuana because the money was stolen.
– On May 25, 1010, co-defendant Andrel Spates was arrested in Texas driving a 2008 BMW provided by Johnson that contained 350 pounds of marijuana.
– On Aug. 18, 2010, Johnson spoke to co-defendant Mansi Patel by telephone while Johnson was incarcerated in a Kansas prison. They talked about Patel traveling to Texas to buy marijuana.
– On Aug. 24, 2010, Mansi Patel and Andrel Spates traveled from Kansas to the airport in Tulsa planning to fly to Houston to buy marijuana. They had in their possession money Johnson had provided for the purchase of marijuana.
– In December 2009 Johnson and Patel used money derived from trafficking in marijuana to buy property near Kaufman, Texas valued at more than $123,000.Co-defendants include:
– William Lawrie, who was sentenced to 82 months in federal prison.
– Cornelius Colbert, who was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison.
– Andrel Spates, who was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.
– Chadd Kasan Johnson, who was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.
– Jamal Pilee Jemmerson, who was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison.
– Jessica Leota Savage, who was sentenced to four months in federal prison.
– Cassandra Jonay Shafer, who was sentenced to one year probation.
– Mendi Lynn Carr, who was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison.
– Mansi Patel, who is set for sentencing July 1.Grissom commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.
Wichita Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man has been sentenced to 77 months in federal prison for bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Billy L. Wilson, 52, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on March 1, 2013, he robbed the Commerce Bank branch at 456 N. Main Street in Wichita. Wilson gave the teller a note saying he was robbing the bank and warning her that he had a gun. He took the money and left the bank.
After surveillance photos taken during the robbery were made public investigators received information identifying Wilson as the robber and saying he lived in an apartment complex in the 800 block of south Hydraulic. Law enforcement officers attempted to locate him and were able to speak to him briefly on the phone. Later that day, he turned himself in at the Sedgwick County Jail.
Grissom commended the Wichita Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Topeka Man Sentenced on Gun, Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on federal gun and drug charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Terrance Anthony Dean, Jr., 23, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after being charged with a felony. In his plea, he admitted that on Sept. 19, 2011, law enforcement officers were looking for him to serve an arrest warrant. On that day law enforcement officers saw him attempt to sell marijuana. They arrested him after a foot chase. In his car, they found marijuana and a 12 gauge shotgun. He was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he already had been charged in Douglas Country District Court with felony attempted robbery.
The 30-month federal sentence is to be served consecutively to the sentence he is serving in the attempted robbery case.
Grissom commended the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.
Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Goods at Kansas City, Kan., StoreRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A man has pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit goods at a store in Kansas City, Kan., including shoes labeled as Nike Air Force 1 and shirts labeled as Polo Ralph Lauren, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Jehad Shalabi, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit trademark goods. During a hearing today, prosecutors told the judge that Shalabi sold counterfeit goods at a retail store called Joe Black, Inc., at 3201 State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan.
Agents of the FBI made undercover purchases at the store including a counterfeit trademark pair of Nike Air Force 1 shoes on Feb. 22, 2011, and a counterfeit trademark Polo Ralph Lauren knit shirt on June 9, 2011. On June 30, 2011, Shalabi sold a counterfeit trademark NBA Chicago Bulls hat.
On June 28, 2011, agents served a search warrant at the store and seized approximately 588 counterfeit items with trademarks including Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Major League Baseball, Nervous Tattoo (Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier), Luxirie, Rocawear and Coogi.
Investigators learned that counterfeit goods made up approximately 20 percent of the store’s weekly sales of $4,000 to $6,000.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 9. Shalabi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the FBI, ICE-HSI, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask for their work on the case.
Topeka Man Pleads Guilty in Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man has pleaded guilty to taking part in an armed robbery at a Little Caesars Pizza restaurant, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
David Pierre Wigfall, 28, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a robbery in which the robber brandished a firearm. In his plea, Wigfall admitted that on March 1, 2013, he drove a white Cadillac occupied by co-defendants Alonzo Nathan Lax, Johnnie Lee McCall and Jordan Lucas. At McCall’s direction, Lax agreed to rob Little Caesar’s Pizza at 2620 SW 6th Street, Suite B, in Topeka. Wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, gloves and a black ski mask, Lax entered the restaurant, brandished a firearm and demanded money. A clerk saw him leave the restaurant and get into the passenger side of the Cadillac.
A few minutes later, officers of the Topeka Police Department found the Cadillac parked at a residence in the 1000 block of SW Plass and determined that it was registered to Wigfall. They saw articles that appeared to be from the robbery in the car. They kept watch on the car until Wigfall got in and drove away. When they stopped Wigfall they recovered a mask and coins from the robbery that Wigfall had discarded before they pulled him over.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 23. He faces a penalty of not less than seven years and not more than life and a fine up to $250,000.Co-defendants include:
Johnnie Lee McCall, 28, Topeka, Kan., who pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting commercial robbery and one count of aiding and abetting brandishing a firearm. He is set for sentencing Aug. 19.
Jordan Christopher Lucas, 26, Topeka, who pleaded guilty to one count of commercial robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a Feb. 27, 2013 robbery at Baskin Robbins, 4400 S.W. 21st in Topeka. He is set for sentencing Sept. 3.
Alonzo Lax, 26, Topeka, who pleaded guilty to robbery and brandishing a firearm. He is set for sentencing Aug. 13.Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.
Gang Member Is Ninth to Plead Guilty in Dodge City Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Dodge City man has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting attempted murder in connection with a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Enrique Gobin, 23, Dodge City, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting attempted murder, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering. In his plea, he admitted that on March 30, 2011, he was involved in the attempted murder of a Sureno gang member.
On the day of the crime, Gobin was with two fellow members of the Diablos Viejos gang – Jesus Sanchez and Andrew Gusman – and an LCC gang member named Alfonso Banda-Hernandez. All four of them were affiliated with the Nortenos street gang. At the east Love’s convenience store in Dodge City they encountered George Gonzalez, who was a known member of the rival Sureno gang. The two sides exchanged gang signs and slurs.
The Nortenos left the store and divided themselves into two cars. Gobin and Sanchez were in one car, with Gobin driving. They returned to the area of the store and pursued a car in which Gonzalez was riding. Near 1602 6th Ave., Gonzalez got out of his car and ran up an alley toward his girlfriend’s residence. Sanchez fired at least two shots from a .40 caliber handgun at Gonzalez without hitting him.
Later, when officers of the Dodge City Police Department conducted a search of Gobin’s home, they found the gun used to shoot at Gonzalez.
In his plea, Gobin admitted that robberies, assaults and other crimes were part of the way Norteno gang members built their reputations and kept their rivals at bay.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 3. Gobin was one of 23 Norteno members to be indicted in May 2012. It was only the second time a federal RICO Act indictment (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) had been filed in Kansas. Gobin is the ninth defendant in the case to enter a guilty plea.
Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Butler County Man SentencedTo 18+ Years for Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. - An Augusta, Kan., man who posed online as a teenage boy to entice middle school girls to make sexually explicit videos was sentenced Monday to 220 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Kristopher K. Sims, 30, Augusta, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography. In his plea, Sims admitted that on Nov. 20, 2012, he made a recording of a 12-year-old girl engaging in a sexual act. Sims was in Kansas and the girl was in New York. He used his computer to engage in a video chat with her, which he recorded.
Sims first met the victim when she was 11 years old via Facebook. He posed as a boy who was 15 or 16 years old. Over a period of months, he communicated with her in chats and video messaging. He persuaded her to engage in sexual acts, which he captured in live video feeds from her computer.
Grissom commended the Augusta Police Department, the Wichita Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.Three Gang Members Plead Guilty in Dodge City Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. –Three members of a Dodge City street gang charged in a federal racketeering case have pleaded guilty, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Angel Cerda, 27, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting attempted murder, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering. He admitted he was involved in an Oct. 4, 2008, incident in which two people were shot.
Jesus Torres, 29, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting assault with a dangerous weapon, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering. He admitted he was involved in an Aug. 27, 2011, incident in which two people were stabbed with knives.
Fabian Neave, 26, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy. He admitted that from 2008 to 2012 he acted as a principal conspirator with the gang, and he was involved in acts of robbery, attempted murder and drug trafficking.
In his plea, Angel Cerda admitted he was a Diablos Viejos (DV) gang member associated with the Norteno street gang when he accompanied two co-defendants in an attack at the home of a member of the rival Sureno gang. On Oct. 4, 2008, Cerda and two co-defendants gathered in a barn behind a house at 10770 Kettle Way near Dodge City, which was a hangout for the gang. Later that day, Cerda and the two co-defendants drove to the home of Abel Hernandez, a known Sureno gang member, and Rumalda Hipolito. Outside the home, Hernandez’s brother and others were drinking beer. One of the Nortenos began harassing them and shouting Norteno slogans. After someone threw a beer bottle at the Nortenos’ car, Cerda and the two co-defendants drove away.
Cerda and his associates obtained a firearm, an SKS or AK-47 style weapon, and returned to Hernandez’s house, parking in an alley half a block away. They approached the house on foot where co-defendant Gonzalo Ramirez discharged multiple rounds from the firearm. The gunshots hit the house, striking Abel Hernandez and Rumalda Hipolito. Hipolito suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. Hernandez suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Investigators found 19 bullet holes in the house and recovered 20 shell casings at the scene. After the shooting, Cerda and the two co-defendants returned to the house on Kettle Way, where they hid the car in the barn. Dodge City police arrested Cerda there.
In his plea, Jesus Torres admitted that he was a member of the Diablos Viejos on Aug. 27, 2011, when he urged Norteno associates to join him in an assault on a group of people he mistakenly believed were members of the Surenos, a rival gang. The assault took place at 703 E. 9th Avenue in Dodge City. During the fight, two people were stabbed, Gabriel Rivera and Carlos Ramirez. Rivera’s injuries were life-threatening, requiring a life-flight to a Wichita hospital.
In his plea, Fabian Neave admitted he was a member of the Diablos Viejos and associated with the Norteno street gang. He admitted being involved in three incidents including taking part in the Aug. 27, 2011, assault at 703 E. 9th Ave., and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Dec. 27, 2011. In the third incident, on July 2, 2008, he and other Nortenos robbed Bryant Licon. During the robbery, Neave held a knife to Licon. He and two other Nortenos split the money from the robbery.
All three defendants admitted that robberies, assaults and other crimes were part of the way Norteno gang members built their reputations and kept their rivals at bay.
Cerda is set for sentencing Sept. 3. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Torres is set for sentencing Sept. 3. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Neave is set for sentencing Sept. 9. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Wichita Man Sentenced to 19+ Years in Valley Center Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to a 2012 robbery at the Intrust Bank in Valley Center, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Terry G. Revels, 50, Wichita, Kan., was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors told the judge that Revels and three other defendants took part in the Oct. 18, 2012, robbery of the Intrust Bank at 142 North Ash in Valley Center, Kan. Revels and one of the co-defendants entered the bank, vaulted the counter and demanded money. Two of the other co-defendants remained outside in a car, acting as lookouts.
After the robbery, a Valley Center police officer stopped Revels and two co-defendants in a white Cadillac. The defendants fled on foot. Revels entered a home in the area, tied up a 15-year-old boy and took his cell phone. Revels later was arrested hiding in a truck.
Co-defendants are:
– Henry J. Adams, III, who pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing Aug. 5.
– Dlaney M. Nixon, who is awaiting trial.
– Veronica K. Johnson, who pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing June 12.Grissom commended the agencies that took part in the investigation including the FBI, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the Valley Center Police Department, the Wichita Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Park City Police Department, the Maize Police Department, the Kechi Police Department, the Haysville Police Department, the Colwich Police Department, the Andale Police Department, the Mount Hope Police Department and the State Parole Office, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind, who prosecuted the case.
Kansas Man Sentenced to 19+ Years for Interstate Travel to Have Sex with A ChildRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Kan., man has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in sex with a child, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Robert Poe, III, 39, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to three counts of traveling from Kansas to Missouri for the purpose of engaging in sex acts with a child.
“Protecting children against sexual predators and achieving justice for victims of those crimes are our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. “In this era of instant communication and interaction in cyberspace the threats to our children continue to grow and evolve.”
During hearings, prosecutors told a federal judge the crimes occurred in 1999 and 2000. They said the investigation began in November 2000 when the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department received a complaint from the mother of a 7-year-old boy. The mother said Poe had engaged in sexual acts with her son. At the time, Poe was a friend of the mother’s boyfriend, Michael Arnett, and Poe sometimes served as a babysitter for the boy. Arnett was charged in a separate federal criminal case, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors told the judge that one incident (count one) occurred in April 2000 when Poe was babysitting the boy at Poe’s home. Poe showed the boy photos of nude children and then made the boy perform oral sex on him.
Another incident (count two) occurred in July 2000 when Poe was babysitting. The boy said Poe held a gun to his head and forced him to perform oral sex.
Another incident (count three) occurred in 1999 or 2000. A victim told federal agents that he and his now deceased brother were molested by Poe and Arnett while the victim was between 10 and 12 years old. The victim said he first met Arnett in 1997 when his brother was a patient at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. The victim’s brother had cystic fibrosis and died in May 2003. The victim said Arnett befriended him and his brother. The victim said the molestation started when Arnett’s friend Poe started showing up with Arnett in 1998. The victim said Poe held a gun to his head and forced him to perform oral sex on him. The victim said Poe first molested him at the house of Poe’s father in Shawnee Mission, Kan. The victim said Arnett and Poe took him and his brother out of town on weekend trips and molested both boys. The trips were to St. Louis, Mo., Bennet Springs, Mo., and Oklahoma City, Okla.
Grissom commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.
Kansas City Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking in KansasRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced to federal prison for sex trafficking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Tony A Rogers, Jr., 25, Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 57 months in prison. Rogers pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution. In his plea, he admitted he was arrested Aug. 9, 2012, when the Special Investigations Unit of the Prairie Village Police Department conducted a prostitution sting. An investigator working undercover called a number on an Internet site and arranged for a woman to meet him in Prairie Village, Kan.
At approximately 8 p.m. that day, Rogers and a co-defendant left Independence, Mo., with a woman identified in the indictment as K.C., with the intent that K.C. would engage in prostitution. Police took K.C. into custody when Rogers dropped her off. Rogers and the co-defendant were stopped and arrested after they dropped off K.C.
Co-defendant Danyelle N. Putman pleaded guilty to the same charge as Rogers did. She is set for sentencing June 25.
Grissom commended the Prairie Village Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.
Former Garden City Employee Sentenced for TheftRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former Garden City employee has been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for theft of public funds, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today. He also was ordered to pay $51,680 in restitution.
Pedro A. Castro, 35, Garden City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a program receiving federal funds. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred in 2010 and 2011 while he was working as diversion coordinator for the Garden City prosecutor’s office. The city was a local government that received federal benefits totaling more than $10,000 in 2010 and 2011. During this time, Castro stole more than $5,000 of the money, which was paid to the Garden City prosecutor’s office as diversion funds.
Grissom commended the Garden City Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Colorado Couple Sentenced in $17 Million Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Colorado couple has been sentenced for operating a $17 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors in 13 states and five foreign countries with promises of big returns on investments in diamonds and international notes, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today. Prosecutors from Grissom’s office are serving as special counsel on the case, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Denver.
Richard Dalton, 66, Golden, Colo., was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering. His wife, Marie Dalton, 61, Golden, Colo., was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Restitution will be determined by July 24.
In their pleas, the Daltons admitted that from 2007 through 2010 they operated a company called Universal Consulting Resources, soliciting investors to purchase interests in investment contracts. The Daltons falsely told investors they were guaranteed annual returns ranging from 48 to 120 percent on profits generated from trading in diamonds and international notes. The Daltons falsely claimed that the investments were low risk, that investors’ money could be returned at any time and that the company’s accounts were evaluated by top professionals and licensed third parties. The Daltons falsely claimed the invested funds would be held safely in an escrow account at a bank in the United States.
In fact, Universal Consulting Resources was operated as a classic Ponzi scheme, wherein investor funds were commingled and used to pay out purported profits to early investors to create the false appearance that the investments were performing as promised.
The Daltons used investor funds to pay personal expenses including the purchase of autos, real estate and $35,000 worth of dental work for Richard Dalton. Family members of the Daltons also received substantial payments from the company.
In 2010 when the Daltons learned they were under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, they discontinued making payments to investors. They attempted to deceive investors by claiming payments would be coming soon and inventing reasons for the delays. In November 2010 they left the United States for South Africa, where they remained until they were forced to return to the United States and arrested in Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2011.
The parties agreed that the net loss to the victims caused by the crimes was more than $2.5 million and less than $7 million.
The FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations and the Securities Exchange Commission investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney served as special counsels to prosecute the case.