District of Kansas

WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury in the District of Kansas has returned an eight-count indictment against eight defendants for their alleged roles in a forced labor conspiracy that victimized numerous minors who, between 2000 and 2012, worked in various food service and other businesses in Kansas and around the United States. 

The indictment alleges that from 2000 through 2012, the defendants participated in running an organization called the United Nation of Islam (UNOI), an organization founded by the now deceased Royall Jenkins. The UNOI is alleged to have subjected multiple minors employed at UNOI-operated businesses in Kansas, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Ohio and elsewhere, to forced labor.

The indictment charges the following individuals with conspiracy to commit forced labor and forced labor:

Kaaba Majeed 
Age: 47
Jonesboro, GA

Yunus Rassoul
Age: 36
Cape Coral, FL

James Staton
Age: 59
Fayetteville, NC

Daniel Aubrey Jenkins
Age: 40
Lawrenceville, GA

Randolph Rodney Hadley
Age: 46
Fairburn, GA

Jacelyn Greenwell
Age: 42
Severn, MD

Etenia Kinard
Age: 46
Waldorf, MD

Dana Peach
Age: 57
Clinton, MD

The indictment alleges that over the course of more than a decade, the defendants coerced the victims into physically demanding labor at various UNOI-owned businesses around the United States. The defendants allegedly used coercive tactics, such as separating victims from their families; withholding food; abusing victims physically and verbally; subjecting victims to crowded living conditions; psychological manipulation; degrading treatment; isolating victims and limiting their ability to interact with anyone outside of UNOI; and suggesting to victims that those who left UNOI met tragic consequences. Although the victims were school-aged, it is alleged the defendants did not provide them with an adequate or legitimate education.

The defendants will be arraigned at a later date in Kansas City, Kansas.  

Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties: forced labor with a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 and conspiracy to commit forced labor with a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General and Wage and Hour Division. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Vasantha Rao and Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. 

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Kansas City, Kansas man with one count of bank robbery and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. 

According to court documents, in September 2021, Davonte Chaney, 29, allegedly used a semi-automatic pistol to rob Truity Credit Union on West 31st Street in Lawrence, Kansas. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Lawrence, Kansas Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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[KANSAS CITY, KAN.]— The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas announced its partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division as it launches the department’s new Combatting Redlining Initiative. 

Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders avoid providing services to individuals living in communities of color because of the race or national origin of the people who live in those communities. The new Initiative represents the department’s most aggressive and coordinated enforcement effort to address redlining, which is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

“Lending discrimination runs counter to fundamental promises of our economic system.  When people are denied credit simply because of their race or national origin, their ability to share in our nation’s prosperity is all but eliminated,” said Attorney General Garland. “Today, we are committing ourselves to addressing modern-day redlining by making far more robust use of our fair lending authorities. We will spare no resource to ensure that federal fair lending laws are vigorously enforced and that financial institutions provide equal opportunity for every American to obtain credit.”

“This initiative is important to our community, and we stand ready to work with community stakeholders and the Civil Rights Division to investigate allegations of redlining and, when appropriate, hold those accountable who participate in illegal redlining practices,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

Redlining, a practice institutionalized by the federal government during the New Deal era and implemented then and now by private lenders, has had a lasting negative impact. For American families, homeownership remains the principal means of building wealth, and the deprivation of investment in and access to mortgage lending services for communities of color have contributed to families of color persistently lagging behind in homeownership rates and net worth compared to white families. The gap in homeownership rates between white and Black families is larger today than it was in 1960, before the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. 
 
This Initiative, which will be led by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices, will build on the longstanding work by the Division that seeks to make mortgage credit and homeownership accessible to all Americans on the same terms, regardless of race or national origin and regardless of the neighborhood where they live. The initiative will:   •    Utilize U.S. Attorneys’ Offices as force multipliers to ensure that fair lending enforcement is informed by local expertise on housing markets and the credit needs of local communities of color.

•    Expand the department’s analyses of potential redlining to both depository and non-depository institutions.  Non-depository lenders are not traditional banks and do not provide typical banking services, but engage in mortgage lending and now make the majority of mortgages in this country.

•    Strengthen our partnership with financial regulatory agencies such as to ensure the identification and referrals of fair lending violations to the Department of Justice.

•    Increase coordination with State Attorneys General on potential fair lending violations.
Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to tampering with the computer system at a drinking water treatment facility in Ellsworth County. Wyatt Travnichek, 23, of Lorraine pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a public water system and one count of reckless damage to a protected computer system during unauthorized access. 

According to court documents, the Post Rock Rural Water District hired Travnichek in January 2018, and his duties included monitoring the plant after hours using a remote login system. Travnichek resigned his position in January 2019. On March 27, 2019, the remote log in system was used to shut down the plant and turn off one of its filters. Investigators established Travnichek’s cell phone was used to perpetrate the intrusion, and that the phone was in his possession at the time of the shutdown. He told investigators he was intoxicated and didn’t remember anything about the night of March 27, 2019.

The Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

“Ensuring the security of our nations cyber infrastructure is one of the FBI’s top priorities and the plea underscores the joint dedication to that effort by the FBI, EPA and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. There is no doubt that Travnichek’s intentional actions directly placed the public in harm’s way. The plea should send a clear message to anyone who attempts to tamper with public facilities – law enforcement will remain resolute in investigating any and all threats that put the public’s health at risk,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub. 

“Protecting America's drinking water is a top EPA priority,” said Special Agent in Charge Lance Ehrig of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Kansas.  “EPA will continue our focused efforts with DOJ and the states as we investigate and pursue any threats that might be directed toward vital community drinking water resources.”

The parties recommend a prison sentence of 12 months and one day on counts one and two to run concurrently. However, a district court judge will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting the case.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Four people received prison sentences following convictions in relation to a drug trafficking ring that operated for years in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

According to court documents, the Jackson County Drug Task Force began an undercover operation in 2016 surrounding a drug trafficking ring. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later partnered in the investigation which included controlled purchases of confirmed methamphetamine and surveillance. In 2019, law enforcement arrested Juan Ceniceros, 28, of Kansas City, Missouri, and several of co-conspirators including Ryan Goodall, 25, Julio Rodriguez, 57, and Donald Brown, 51.

Juan Ceniceros was sentenced to 144 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Ryan Goodall was sentenced to 124 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Goodall also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Julio Rodriguez of Glendale, Arizona, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Donald Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. 

“The fact that this investigation spanned several years is a testament to the patience and steadfast dedication of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Their commitment to staying with the investigation as long as necessary ensured appropriate convictions for this illegal behavior which harms our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. 

The Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.  The United States Marshals Service assisted with identification and apprehension in this matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania prosecuted the case.    

OCDETF STRIKE FORCE CASES
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The Kansas City Metro Strike Force’s mission also includes disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and transnational drug cartels, with emphasis on groups engaged in illicit activities involving methamphetamine and firearms that present a threat to public safety in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 
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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a nurse from Kansas City, Missouri, with two counts of tampering with a consumer product and two counts of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge.  

According to court documents, between January 2020 and April 2020 Faith Naccarato, 41, allegedly used her fingerprint to remove vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park. She is accused of replacing the fentanyl with an alternant liquid substance before placing the vials back in the cabinet. 

Between February 2020 and April 2020, Naccarato allegedly took vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Meriam. She is accused of replacing the fentanyl with an alternate liquid substance and then placing the vials back in the cabinet. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Trent Krug are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced 180 months in prison following an attack on a federal law enforcement agent during an undercover operation. 

In May 2021, Nicholas Newman, 20, of Kansas City pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon and guilty to one count of using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. In September 2021, Newman was sentenced 120 months for the assault conviction and 60 months for the firearms conviction to run consecutively. 

According to court documents, in February 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an undercover operation in Kansas City. Two undercover ATF agents drove their vehicle to a parking lot to meet with Newman after he contacted them a few days earlier suggesting he had a firearm for sale. Newman handed the undercover agent in the driver’s seat a firearm which she put on the floorboard. She then gave him cash provided by the ATF for the undercover operation.  After Newman reached to grab the firearm, a violent struggle ensued between the agent and Newman for control of the weapon. Newman physically assaulted her inflicting severe bodily harm. The second agent, who had been in the rear passenger seat, came around and attempted to subdue Newman from behind. A short time later, ATF surveillance units arrived and instructed Newman to let go of the weapon which he did. He was subsequently taken into custody. 

“Every day our ATF agents work to make our communities safer by trying to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “In doing so, they often put themselves in harm’s way. Thanks to the bravery and quick action of these agents no lives were lost in an incident which could have resulted in tragedy.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Kansas City Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania prosecuted the case.

OCDETF STRIKE FORCE CASES
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The Kansas City Metro Strike Force’s mission also includes targeting violent street gangs and cartel members operating in and around the metropolitan area that are engaged in violent offenses and firearms offenses.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging 15 people with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. 

According to court documents, the defendants allegedly intentionally conspired to distribute cocaine in the state of Kansas and elsewhere between January 2019 and September 2021.

The defendants include Santiago Gamboa-Saenz, 34, Maria Cota, 32, Efrain Garcia-Perez, 37, Dimas Calixto-Filho, 41, Juan Avarez-Perez, 35, Bryan Dominguez-Green, 20, Irlanda Grajeda, 31, Vladimir Blanco-Garciga, 49, Miguel Vazquez-Rodriguez, 35, Eduardo Ramirez-Ochoa, 32, Jesus Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 30, Homero Baca-Marquez, 23, Jaime Ocampo, 57, Jose Cera-Acosta, 35, and Frank De La Cruz, 36.  

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Kansas City and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Northeast Kansas Drug Task Force are investigating the case.

“Drug trafficking organizations are all about making money,” said Assistant Agent in Charge Rogeana Patterson-King, DEA lead for the state of Kansas. “This joint federal and state investigation stopped more than a million dollars’ worth of cocaine from reaching our communities, and more than $730,000 of proceeds from returning to the organization. This is particularly satisfying because this illegal industry jeopardizes public safety with these dangerous drugs.”

“HSI special agents, working with their state and federal law enforcement partners, were able to prevent a substantial amount of dangerous narcotics from reaching the streets and jeopardizing the safety of people who live there,” said HSI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Katherine Greer. “Our communities are safer when we, law enforcement officers and individuals in the communities we serve, work together collectively to end drug trafficking in our neighborhoods.” 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tristram Hunt and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel are prosecuting the case. 

OCDETF
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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WICHITA, KAN.– A Kansas man was sentenced to 480 months in prison for child pornography.

In May 2021, Clinton Wade McElroy, 49, of Ellis pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography after a prior conviction. According to court documents, McElroy admitted that between May 2020 and June 2020, he persuaded an 8-year-old child to produce sexually explicit images and send them to him through an online game and various messaging applications. 

The FBI and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

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WICHITA, KAN. –  A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment for two men on charges related to an alleged fraudulent prescription writing scheme.

David Sulzman, 59, and Martin Sulzman, 40, both of Wichita are charged with conspiracy to dispense a controlled substance. According to court documents, between 2014 and 2019, David Sulzman allegedly used his position as a physician assistant to prescribe controlled substances to individuals who were not his patients. David Sulzman faces 44 counts for the unlawful distribution and dispense of a controlled substance. Martin Sulzman is also charged with two counts of witness tampering. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Barnett is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Missouri man with five counts of false statement in a tax return.

According to court documents, Kenneth Madl, 64, of Joplin, Missouri, is the owner of Madl Construction, a company based in Pittsburg, Kansas. Madl allegedly submitted 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service that underreported the company’s gross income by a total of more than $1 million.

The IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita indicted a Kansas man on charges he defrauded federal, state, and local agencies of more than $450,000 in COVID-19 business recovery funds.

According to court documents, Michael Capps, 43, of Wichita is the owner and/or majority owner of Midwest Business Groups, LLC and Krivacy, LLC. Court documents also indicate he is a member of the Fourth and Long Foundation. Capps is accused of submitting false and fraudulent documents on behalf of the companies to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), as well as to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Business Working Capital grants, and to Sedgwick County for a Sedgwick County Cares grant. 

Capps also allegedly sent false and fraudulent documents to Emprise Bank to receive a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan. 

The indictment filed against Capps charges him with:

•    one count of making false statement to a bank for a PPP loan, •    one count of bank fraud in connection with a PPP loan,  •    three counts of false statement to the SBA for EIDL loans,  •    three counts of wire fraud in connection with EIDL loans from the SBA,  •    two counts of wire fraud in connection with grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce,  •    one count of wire fraud in connection with a grant from Sedgwick County, and
•    eight counts of money laundering. 

The investigating agencies are the FBI and investigators from the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a man from Kansas City, Missouri, with one count of bank robbery.

According to the criminal complaint preceding the indictment, on Aug. 2, 2021, Broderick Burr, 47, allegedly presented a note demanding money and indicating he had a gun to an employee at Commerce Bank on West 43rd Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.

The FBI, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a Missouri man with one count of Arson, one count of felon in possession of an explosive, and one count of transportation of explosive materials.

According to court documents, Josiah Lewis, 43, of Grandview, Missouri, allegedly detonated explosives at a business on West 135th Street in Overland Park, Kansas, in attempt to gain access into an automatic teller machine.

The Overland Park Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced 300 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Production of Child Pornography. 

Between August 2020 and October 2020, Frederick Martin, 26, of Sedgwick used his cell phone to communicate with a minor female via Snapchat and iMessage. He persuaded the teenage victim to record and send him sexually explicit images of herself. Martin also sent the victim photos of himself engaged in sexual acts. During later interrogations with law enforcement, Martin admitted he became aware of the victim’s age while they were trading nude photos.

At the time of these criminal acts, Martin was on parole for previous convictions in the state of Massachusetts on multiple counts of Rape of A Child and Possession of Child Pornography. 

The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Kansas City investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men are facing prison sentences after taking part in a pair of bank robberies. A federal jury convicted Michael Shiferaw, 22, of Olathe of two counts of Armed Bank Robbery, and two counts of Discharging a Firearm in Connection with a Bank Robbery. Kenya Breakfield, 23, of Olathe pleaded guilty to one count of Armed Bank Robbery and one count of Discharging a Firearm in Connection with a Bank Robbery. 

According to court documents, in October 2018, Shiferaw and Breakfield went into a Wells Fargo bank in Leawood, Kansas wearing face masks and carrying handguns.  Shiferaw fired a shot into the ceiling upon entering.  He then pointed a gun at the tellers and forced them to fill a duffel bag with money. The men fired another round into the ceiling, yelling “happy holidays” before fleeing the bank with the money. 

In March 2019, the men robbed the Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kansas.  This time Breakfield remained in the vehicle as the getaway driver, and Shiferaw entered the bank alone. Shiferaw fired four rounds during the robbery, including one aimed at a customer trying to enter the bank.  The defendants were arrested shortly after the second robbery, and law enforcement recovered the firearm used in both crimes. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges against Breakfield in connection with the Commerce Bank robbery in exchange for his guilty plea in the Wells Fargo case. Shiferaw elected to go to trial. 

A Bank Robbery conviction carries a maximum of 25 years in prison for each count. A conviction of Discharging a Firearm During a Bank Robbery carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, consecutive with any other sentence. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Olathe Police Department, Leawood Police Department, Roeland Park Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. –Thomas Schindler, 69, of Wichita was sentenced to 135 months years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

According to court documents, detectives with the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted an undercover operation on a peer-to peer file sharing network called BitTorrent. During the investigation, law enforcement identified Schindler as a network user in possession of child pornography. Detectives went to Schindler’s home, where he admitted accessing and using the BitTorrent network to obtain child pornography. A subsequent seizure of his computers revealed pornographic images of prepubescent girls. 

The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Fort Scott man pleaded guilty one count of Wire Fraud and one count of Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud. 

In June 2020, Donald Cook, 65, took part in a scheme to defraud the state governments of Arizona, Texas, and Ohio. Cook admitted he knew that an individual, identified in court documents only as “A.T.”, was falsely using other people’s identities to apply for state unemployment benefits. Cook allowed “A.T.” to deposit the fraudulently obtained funds totaling approximately $25,500 in his bank account. Cook then transferred money to “A.T.”

Cook faces up to 20 years in prison for Wire Fraud and up to 20 years in prison for Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A husband and wife from Hutchinson, Kansas, have been sentenced for deceiving the federal government about a medical condition to receive benefit payments. Addison Lewis, 41, and Brandi Lewis, 38, each received five years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of Theft of Government Property.

From 2013 to 2018, Addison Lewis misrepresented himself as having cortical visual blindness to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In turn, the VA increased his benefits amount. Addison Lewis admitted misleading the VA by exaggerating symptoms and impairment attributed to cortical visual blindness. Brandi Lewis intentionally provided inaccurate information to the VA to support her husband’s false claim.

The court ordered the Lewises to pay $111,510 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and $131,972 in restitution to the VA. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) Criminal Investigations Division and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. –  In separate court cases, two Kansas-based companies have been sentenced for operating with pirated computer software. Lightning Aerospace, LLC, and Fly Manufacturing, LLC, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of Circumvention of Protected Copyrighted Work.

Dassault Systèmes owns the copyright to a software called Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application or CATIA. According to court documents, Lightning Aerospace and Fly Manufacturing admitted to intentionally acquiring unlicensed versions of CATIA and using the illegal software for years. During that time Lightning Aerospace and Fly Manufacturing didn’t purchase software from Dassault Systèmes or pay for licensing. 

“Defendants involved in these types of crimes like to claim them as victimless,” said Katherine Greer, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in the Kansas City area of operations. 

“The offenses in this case are aggravated by the fact that the accused used unlicensed software to design and test parts for aircraft-actions that could have grave consequences to consumers,” said Greer. “Not to mention the billions of dollars legitimate companies are losing each year to cybercriminals engaged in digital thefts, costs likely being passed along to customers.”

During sentencing, the court ordered Lightning Aerospace to pay $46,002 in restitution to Dassault Systèmes and pay approximately $28,000 in court fines. Fly Manufacturing was ordered to pay $67,272 in restitution and approximately $8,000 in fines. 

“Not only did these two businesses defraud a software company, they also gave themselves an unfair financial advantage over competitors who obeyed the law by paying for software and licensing fees,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “Hopefully these convictions will deter other companies from engaging in intellectual property theft.” 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Kansas City.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. – Jason Wayne Irving, 38, of Pittsburg, Kansas, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for distributing child pornography. In February, he pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Child Pornography.

According to court documents, Irving admitted that in 2019 he used his email address to upload and send pornographic photos of children. Google detected his activity and notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tip Line. The images are of children being forced to engage in sexual acts with adults. Soon after, Google reported the email account again for similar conduct during which Google was able to link the account to Irving. After obtaining a search warrant of Irving’s smartphone, law enforcement discovered it has been used for the operation of the Google email account as well as other accounts that had been reported by Facebook for child pornography. Law enforcement also found various files of child pornography on the phone. 

Homeland Security Investigation, Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita indicted a Wichita man on 17 counts of Failure to Pay Over Payroll Taxes.

According to court documents, Jesus Perez-Aguayo, 38, served as owner, operator, and president of two companies, JLP Construction and JP Remodeling. Between 2015 and 2019, Perez-Aguayo is accused of collecting but not forwarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. 

If there is a conviction, each count of Failure to Pay Over Payroll Taxes carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 60 months in prison for his role as getaway driver in an armed gas station robbery. In April 2021, Jeremiah Urias, 19, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of Robbery.

According to court documents, Urias was charged in connection with the robbery of an EZ Trip gas station in Newton, Kansas, in February of 2020. Urias waited in the vehicle while two accomplices entered the business and demanded money from the clerk at gunpoint. After Urias and his accomplices drove away from the scene, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper spotted the vehicle and a high-speed chase ensued. The chase ended when Urias’ vehicle was involved in an accident with another vehicle. Urias then fled on foot.  The two accomplices remained in the vehicle after the accident and were arrested, and Urias was eventually captured by law enforcement.  

“We want to make it clear to all persons who willingly participate in crimes that they can be subject to prosecution no matter their role,” said Acting U.S Attorney Duston Slinkard. “Although the defendant may not have personally entered the business or pointed a gun at the employee, he was still responsible for participating in the robbery, and the Court held him accountable.” 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Newton Police Department, Salina Police Department, and the Wichita Police Department (FBI Task Force Officer) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced to 155 months for distributing child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Duston J. Slinkard announced.

Devan Navarette, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Child Pornography in February 2021. In his plea, he admitted to operating a Dropbox account to share files of child pornography with other users. Dropbox discovered Navarette’s activities and reported him to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators found thousands of images depicting children, including prepubescent children, made to engage in sex acts. As part of his sentence, Navarette will also pay $57,000 in restitution to victims. 

Slinkard commended Homeland Security Investigations, the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka, Kansas, returned an indictment charging 14 people in connection to a kickback scheme involving more than $1 million in fraudulent customer refunds.

Kanesha Mercer, 32, Darius Polite, 27, and Rudy Hunt, 29, were indicted on Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Mercer, Polite, Hunt as well as Veronica Kilman, 31, were indicted for Wire Fraud. 

According to court documents, Mercer, Polite, Hunt and Kilman are all former employees of Advanced Call Center Technologies (ACCT) in Junction City, Kansas. ACCT provides support services including processing refunds for AT&T Digital Life home security systems. Mercer, Polite, Hunt, and Kilman are accused of authorizing fraudulent refunds then directing the deposits into the bank accounts of other accomplices who agreed to return a percentage of the money.

A federal grand jury also indicted Sharika Pope, Erica Jackson, Caylon McCormick, Mercele Brooks, Shunqureau Gilbert, Fontelle Jolly, Kory Epps, Jr., Kiondra Armstrong, Anthony Charite, and Shenece Marryshow on Laundering of Money Instruments. 

Each of the charges, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Laundering of Money Instruments, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Michael Tae Kim Ahlers, 50, of Lenexa, Kansas, was sentenced to two years in prison after stealing more than $556,000 from his former employer, the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), as well as from KUMC Research Institute and from KU Endowment. In February, Ahlers pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and filing a false tax return. The prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised released, and Ahlers is ordered to pay more than $680,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, from 2009 to August 2015, Ahlers abused his position as the administrative officer of the KUMC Occupational Therapy Education Department. While embezzling $526,000 from KUMC, he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenditures. Some of those expenditures include:

•  approximately $87,000 on gambling;
•  approximately $81,000 on travel to locations such as Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York, Myrtle Beach and Caribbean cruises;
•  approximately $81,000 in cash withdrawals;
•  approximately $36,000 on golf memberships and fees; and
•  approximately $36,000 on sports tickets and on license or donor fees.

To conceal the fraud, Ahlers used a KUMC Credit Union bank account over which he had exclusive control. He created fraudulent invoices to prevent the discovery that he was using the account for his personal gain. Ahlers stole approximately $30,000 from KUMC Research Institute and KU Endowment by submitting falsified invoices for which he was paid. He then willfully failed to include the stolen funds on his federal tax returns which resulted in a tax loss of more than $104,000 from 2009 to 2015.

“It’s disappointing anytime someone in a position of trust misuses that authority for personal financial gain. As federal prosecutors, we work tirelessly to see perpetrators of fraud brought to justice and convicted,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “It’s also our responsibility to advocate before the courts on behalf of victims so that they might recover as much of their losses as possible as restitution.”

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.

“After multiple years of embezzling from the University of Kansas Medical Center and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on himself, Mr. Ahlers is now going to federal prison,” said Amanda Prestegard, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “Mr. Ahlers’ sentence further exhibits that IRS CI, along with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will continue to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals that participate in abusive criminal activity, and are duty bound to protect the integrity of the U.S. tax administration.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. – Richard H. Adams, IV, 29, was sentenced to 144 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, a Class A felony. 

According to court documents, in 2019, Adams was pulled over in Nebraska by a state trooper for speeding. A search of the vehicle yielded the discovery of what was later determined to be at least 2,200 grams of methamphetamine. Two loaded firearms belonging to Adams and $11,300 in U.S. currency were also found. Adams admitted he planned to transport the methamphetamine to Wichita, Kansas, for distribution. 

“The arrest, prosecution, and resolution of this case demonstrates an effective collaboration between law enforcement and federal prosecutors. Their efforts prevented a dangerous, illicit substance from reaching our communities and caused the perpetrator to have to pay for his crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Dunston Slinkard.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nebraska Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Treaster and Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury indicted Truman Gentry, 25, of Augusta, Kansas, on two counts of Production of Child Pornography, one count of Advertising for Production of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. 

If convicted, Gentry faces 15 to 30 years in prison for each count of Production of Child Pornography, 15 to 30 years in prison for Advertising for Production of Child Pornography and up to 20 years in prison for Possession of Child Pornography.

The investigating agencies include: the United States Attorney’s Office, North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children, Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children, Homeland Security Investigations, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Boone, North Carolina Police Department, Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Augusta Department of Public Safety.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced to 210 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, a Class A Felony.

According to court documents, Michael A. Arjona, 40, admitted that over several months in 2018 he conspired with other individuals to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Arjona confessed to a plan to sell the methamphetamine to customers in the Wichita, Kansas area. 

Three other people entered guilty pleas to charges related to the drug trafficking ring that Arjona ran. Nicholas Brandt, 21, of Wichita was sentenced to 96 months after pleading guilty to Use of a Communication Device to Facilitate a Drug Offense. Cody J. Cobal, 25, of Wichita pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Matthew A. McMillan, 20, pleaded guilty to Use of a Communication Device to Facilitate a Drug Offense. Cobal and McMillan are awaiting sentencing.

The Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN.– Scheels All Sports Inc., located in Overland Park, Kansas, agreed to create a new policy as part of a settlement following allegations the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Scheel’s new ADA policy (1) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, (2) does not impose eligibility criteria that tends to screen out individuals with disabilities, and (3) provides reasonable modifications to Scheels’ policy, practices, and procedures as necessary to avoid discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Under the settlement, the company will also pay $1,000 in compensatory damages to the complainant, train its staff on the new ADA policy, create an ADA liaison, and allow the U.S. Attorney’s Office - District of Kansas to monitor its conduct for three years. 

The allegations stem from a discrimination complaint filed in 2019 by an 18-year-old woman with Down Syndrome. An investigation revealed that during a high school outing at Scheels, a Ferris wheel attendant refused to allow her to ride with a classmate because of her disability. He cited a company policy requiring individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by an adult. Although a teacher assured the attendant as well as managers the complainant could safely ride with her classmate, the staff refused service because of her disability.   

“Scheels’ former policy and practice was inconsistent with the ADA, which prohibits eligibility criteria that screen out individuals with disabilities from fully and equally enjoying goods and services,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.  “Moreover, any screening policy must be based on legitimate safety requirements, and not on mere speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations about individuals with disabilities.”
   
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Taylor and Tyson Shaw investigated the matter.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas City man has been sentenced on federal charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and discharging a firearm on school property, Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said today.

DALLAS SRIVISAY, 21, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced on April 20, 2021 to 96 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Srivisay entered a guilty plea on October 6, 2020. According to court records, this investigation involved an incident where Srivisay and a codefendant participated in a drug exchange with others in a Manhattan, Kansas high school parking lot. The intended drug deal went bad when the unknown buyer attempted to rob Srivisay’s brother and his codefendant at gunpoint. The attempted robbery ended in an exchange of gunfire between Srivisay and others when Srivisay began discharging a firearm into the would-be robber’s car.  Immediately following the shootout at the high school, Srivisay and the codefendant were engaged in a high-speed police chase on I-70 where the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour until the vehicle was forcibly stopped by law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Riley County Kansas Police Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Overland Park Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Skipper Jacobs prosecuted the case.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City man has been sentenced on federal charges of distribution of heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said today.

TITUS SANDERS, 24, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced on April 1, 2021 to 144 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Sanders entered a guilty plea on October 19, 2020. According to court records, this investigation began when Westwood, Kansas police responded to a Walmart and found a man suffering from a drug overdose.  The victim later died as result of the overdose. Information contained on the victim’s cell phone led police to Sanders as the source of the heroin purchase.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Westwood, Kansas Police Department, Fairway, Kansas Police Department, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, Overland Park Police Department, Lee’s Summit, Missouri Police Department and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Trent Krug and Kim Flannigan prosecuted the case.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man has been indicted on a federal charge accusing him of tampering with a public water system, Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said today.

WYATT A. TRAVNICHEK, 22, of Ellsworth County, Kansas is charged with one count of tampering with a public water system and one count of reckless damage to a protected computer during unauthorized access. 

“Our office is committed to maintaining and improving its partnership with the state of Kansas in the administration and implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “Drinking water that is considered safe is essential to the protection of the public’s health.”

The indictment alleges that on or about March 27, 2019, in the District of Kansas, Travnichek knowingly accessed the Ellsworth County Rural Water District’s protected computer system without authorization. During this unauthorized access, it is alleged Travnichek performed activities that shut down the processes at the facility which affect the facilities cleaning and disinfecting procedures with the intention of harming the Ellsworth Rural Water District No. 1, also known as Post Rock Rural Water District.

“By illegally tampering with a public drinking water system, the defendant threatened the safety and health of an entire community,” said Lance Ehrig, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Kansas. “EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to upholding the laws designed to protect our drinking water systems from harm or threat of harm. Today’s indictment sends a clear message that individuals who intentionally violate these laws will be vigorously prosecuted.”

Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties:

Tampering with a Public Water System: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Reckless Damage to a Protected Computer During Unauthorized Access: Up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christine E. Kenney is prosecuting the case.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – Ross E. Hoelscher, 38, of Topeka, Kansas, has been indicted and arrested on federal charges of violation of two counts of 21 U.S.C. 843(b), Use of a Communication Facility.

“During this investigation, federal, state and local law enforcement partners worked extremely well together to make certain these alleged criminal acts do not go unpunished,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

COUNTS ONE AND TWO

21 U.S.C. 843(b) Use of a Communication Facility

• Punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed eight (8) years.
• A fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571(b)(3) or $250,000.00.
• Or both, and

 

• A term of supervised release not to exceed three (3) years.
• A mandatory special assessment of $100.00

 

An initial appearance for Mr. Hoelscher is scheduled for March 8, 2021, at 2:30, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell.  

This case is a joint investigation being conducted by the Topeka Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting the case.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – Jeremiah M. Guesby, 18, of Topeka, Kansas, has been indicted and arrested on federal charges of violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and 18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A), Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

 “This case highlights the importance of the strong working relationships among federal, state and local law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

COUNT ONE

21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana

• Punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five (5) years.
• A  fine  not  to  exceed  the  greater  of  that  authorized  in  accordance  with  18  U.S.C. 3571(b)(3) or $250,000.00.
• Or both, and
• A term of supervised release of at least two (2) years.
• A mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

COUNT TWO

18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A) and Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking Crime

• A term of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years and no more than life to run consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed for the drug trafficking crime during which the firearm was possessed.
• A fine not to exceed $250,000.00.
• A term of supervised release not to exceed five (5) years.
• A mandatory special assessment of $100.00 per count of conviction.

 
An initial appearance for Mr. Guesby is scheduled for March 8, 2021, at 1:00, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell.  

This case is a joint investigation being conducted by the Topeka Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting the case.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

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WICHITA, KAN. – Gage H. Clausen, 21, of Cheney, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), Interstate Communication of a Threat.  Clausen previously communicated a threat via the internet on the life of a juvenile.  

“Gage Clausen threatened serious bodily harm against another person via the Internet,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “His plea of guilty today should send a message that, you cannot hide behind a computer keyboard and make threats against another person with impunity. These threats are taken seriously, they are investigated and people are held accountable.”

Google has several App Engines, none of which are located in the State of Kansas.  These engines are located in Iowa, South Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, California, Utah, and Nevada.  In order for Clausen’s communication to be received by the victim the communication would have traveled through one of these engines, thus Clausen’s communication traveled in interstate commerce before reaching the victim. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2021 at 2:30, before U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes.  

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – As requested by the Biden Administration of all presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorneys, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, Stephen R. McAllister, is resigning his position, effective February 28. McAllister sent his resignation letter to the President earlier this week, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the United States and Kansas in the U.S. Attorney role, and wishing the President every success as he leads the country. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard will become Acting U.S. Attorney following McAllister’s departure.

McAllister said: “I am leaving what many have rightly described as ‘the best lawyer job there is,’ and I am doing so with great respect for those who work daily to maintain the rule of law in our country. I commend not just the dedicated prosecutors and civil lawyers in my office, but also the conscientious judges, the tireless defense attorneys, and the many brave, selfless women and men who serve in a wide variety of law enforcement positions. Serving as U.S. Attorney has been the highest professional honor of my life and career.”

For the immediate future, McAllister plans to return to the University of Kansas School of Law, where he was a professor for 25 years before becoming U.S. Attorney.

McAllister’s 37-month tenure as U.S. Attorney included some high profile trials and convictions, including three men who plotted to blow up an apartment complex in Garden City inhabited by Somali, Muslim immigrants, a doctor in Wichita who prescribed opioids to addicted persons resulting in at least one overdose death, and the “swatter” from California whose hoax call to Wichita emergency authorities in December 2017 resulted in the fatal shooting of an innocent man on his front porch.

McAllister’s tenure also saw a renewed emphasis on federal and local law enforcement cooperation to fight violent crime, with significant assistance and support from Senator Jerry Moran and his staff. These efforts were supported by substantial new resources and programs flowing into Kansas and the Kansas City region, including the Public Safety Partnership program in Wichita, the creation of the Crime Gun Intelligence Center at Wichita State University, and the establishment of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Strike Force in the Kansas City metro region that works cooperatively across state lines, brings together numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in one location, and has the ability to conduct investigations that reach even outside U.S. borders.

Under McAllister’s leadership and with favorable budget circumstances, the office did more hiring than had been possible in a long time, bringing on board approximately a dozen new attorneys and about the same number of support staff, filling some positions that long had been vacant, and bringing the District to almost full staffing for the first time in decades. The District’s Civil Division is in a stronger position than ever, and the Criminal Division has the most prosecutors in its history.

McAllister personally drove the reopening of a longstanding, unsolved cold case, the death of Alonzo Brooks, who disappeared after a farmhouse party close to La Cygne, Kansas in April 2004, and was found dead in a nearby creek almost a month later. In his post-U.S. Attorney life, McAllister plans to continue to support efforts to pursue and solve cold cases by working collaboratively with law enforcement and perhaps even establishing a nonprofit entity to financially support and further such investigations.

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Oyindamola Akinrinola, 23, of Lawrence, Kansas, has pleaded guilty in federal court for her role in Nigerian fraud schemes that targeted victims across the United States.  

“Akinrinola and her co-conspirator in Nigeria victimized individuals, several elderly, through a variety of online scams,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “She now faces time in federal prison for her crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud schemes like these, no matter where they originate. I also take this conviction as an opportunity to reiterate to all Kansans the vulnerability of our senior citizens to scams and con artists, who prey upon them. We must all be vigilant to protect our parents, grandparents, elderly relatives, friends and neighbors from such frauds and fraudsters.”

“Scams such as lottery, online dating, and impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees continue to be a major threat to taxpayers, especially senior citizens,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “Scammers will use a variety of techniques to cheat taxpayers. TIGTA will do everything within its power to ensure that those involved in the impersonation of IRS employees are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice in this effort.”
    
According to U.S. Attorney McAllister, the charges, and other information presented in court: Akinrinola, a Nigerian national who was granted legal permanent residency in the United States in 2018, was part of a scheme to defraud U.S.-based victims out of money and property. Akinrinola’s co-conspirator in Nigeria orchestrated several scams, such as tricking victims into believing they were eligible for fictitious awards or establishing purported (but false) romantic relationships with victims and exploiting their affections. 

The co-conspirator in Nigeria directed victims to send money to Akinrinola. While in Kansas as a college student, she received funds from the scam victims—in amounts ranging from hundreds of dollars to as much $20,000—via wire transfers, money orders, financial applications, Wal-Mart money grams, Western Union, the United States Postal Service, and various other means. Akinrinola kept a portion for herself as her reward and sent the bulk of the funds to her co-conspirator in Nigeria. To do so, she generally used the Sendwave, WorldRemit, or Boss Revolution mobile applications.  

The following are just a few examples of the scams Akinrinola and her co-conspirator perpetrated:  

• Victims 1 and 2 received Facebook messages from an individual who purported to be with FedEx. They were told they won a $130,000 grant and that FedEx would deliver the cash after Victim 2 paid a “case file fee.” Victim 2 then deposited $2,500 cash into a Bank of America account for the fee. Victim 2 was then told she needed to pay another $1,000 for a “winning certificate.” Because Victims 1 and 2 did not have $1,000, they allowed the purported Facebook account holder to purchase three iPhones through their Verizon account. Victims 1 and 2 were instructed to mail the iPhones to Akinrinola (in Kansas). Victim 2 then received an image from the Facebook account claiming to be from the IRS and requesting $15,000 before release of the grant funds.
• Victim 3 was the victim of an online dating scam and lost approximately $8,000, of which he sent $900 to Akinrinola via a kiosk at a Walgreens store.
• Victim 4 also was the victim of an online dating scam. Victim 4 lost approximately $3,815, and he sent $710 to Akinrinola. Victim 4 believed the money was for musical instruments for children in Nigeria.
• Victim 5 was the victim of a Facebook scam. A man on Facebook, known to Victim 5 as “Steven,” told Victim 5 that he was in the military and needed money, and Victim 5 sent $1,000 to Akinrinola in this scam.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2021 at 9:00 am, before U.S. District Judge Holly L. Teeter.  

This case is being investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka is prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department’s extensive efforts to combat elder fraud seek to halt the billions of dollars our beloved but sometimes vulnerable senior citizens lose to fraud schemes. DOJ prosecutes the criminal fraudsters to the full extent of the law when it can catch them. But such prosecutions arise only after the fraud has occurred, and it is far better that we protect our senior citizens from these harms in the first place. Prevention is better than punishment. Prevention works when we all educate ourselves and share information about the various types of elder fraud schemes that are being perpetrated. We must inform our relatives, friends, neighbors, and other seniors, who then can use that information to protect themselves.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311 or 833–FRAUD–11). This hotline, managed by the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available. For more information, please visit https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov. 

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Kansas City, Kansas — The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas reminded taxpayers today to file accurate tax returns and choose a tax preparer wisely. The nation’s tax season starts on Friday, February 12, 2021, when the agency begins accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns.

U.S. persons are subject to tax on worldwide income from all sources. Most taxpayers meet this obligation by reporting all taxable income and paying taxes according to the law. However, those who willfully hide income should know that the IRS works across its divisions to ensure the highest possible tax compliance. Taxpayers found to be committing fraud may be subject to penalties including payment of taxes owed plus interest, fines and jail time.

“As we approach the beginning of the tax return filing season, it is important for taxpayers to be careful in selecting the tax professional who will prepare their return. The IRS does not want individuals to become victims of an unscrupulous return preparer,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David Talcott at the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. “Each year, IRS-CI special agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office investigate and prosecute return preparer fraud, which includes adding false deductions and credits in order to inflate refunds. This criminal activity affects taxpayers, but has serious consequences for the unscrupulous preparer.”

“We want to remind everyone to work with reputable tax preparers as we enter this filing season,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “Tax fraud costs U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars each year, my office will continue to hold those found to be behind these fraudulent claims accountable.”

Tax return preparers are vital to the U.S. tax system. As of tax year 2018, 55 percent of taxpayers used a paid preparer. Although most preparers provide honest and professional services, there is a small number of dishonest preparers who set up shop
  during filing season to steal money, personal and financial information from clients. Taxpayers can avoid falling victim to unscrupulous preparers by following important steps.

Tips when choosing a tax preparer:

• Look for a preparer who is available year-round in case questions arise after the filing season.
• Ask if the preparer has an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), which is required for paid preparers.
• Inquire about the preparer’s credentials and check their qualifications.
• Ask about service fees. Avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of their client’s refund or claim to offer a bigger refund than their competition.
• Never sign a blank or incomplete return and review it before signing. Refunds should go directly to the taxpayer, not the preparer.

For more tips on choosing a tax professional or to file a complaint against one, visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers who suspect tax violations by a person or business, may report it to the IRS using Form 3949A, Information Referral.

The IRS Criminal Investigation St. Louis Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas are committed to protecting Kansas taxpayers from others cheating the U.S. tax system. Here an example of a current investigation that has been brought to justice:

• In July 2020, Sonia Hernandez-Smith pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false returns. She admitted she put false information on her client’s Schedule 8812, which is used to claim the Child Tax Credit. She obtained Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or ITINs for children she knew did not live in the United States, and whom were ineligible to claim the child tax credit. However, Hernandez-Smith put them as dependents on her client’s tax returns when her clients were not entitled to them. Lastly, she admitted she did this for numerous clients. Her sentencing is scheduled on May 17, 2021.

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TOPEKA, KAN. –  A Topeka man was sentenced today to 150 months imprisonment for possessing multiple firearms in connection with drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Aaron Gullick, 30, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  In his plea the defendant admitted to possessing a Glock handgun in September of 2018, and a Glock handgun and AR-15 style rifle in December 2018, as well as marijuana and methamphetamine.  The firearms were possessed to further the distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine.

“This case demonstrates the effectiveness of ATF’s use of crime gun intelligence and highlights the importance of ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) throughout the State of Kansas. NIBIN allowed law enforcement to connect the firearm in this case to a shooting that otherwise would have likely remained unsolved.  ATF is committed to utilizing crime gun intelligence in firearms investigation to make our communities safer and to hold accountable those who chose to use firearms in furtherance of their criminal activities” Frederic Winston, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kansas City Field Division said.

McAllister commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs for their work on the case.

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TOPEKA, KAN. – Three men have pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegally hunting whitetail deer on a part of Fort Riley where explosives are discharged during training exercises.

Gregory J. Frikken, James C. Nunley and Michael J. Smith admitted they trespassed on federal property and illegally harvested trophy whitetail deer from that property, all in violation of the Lacey Act. “These hunters entered an area of Fort Riley which is off limits and not open for hunting”, said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “They entered a prohibited area of the Army base, knowing the area was off limits, for the sole purpose of illegally taking large deer as trophies. Their behavior was not only unlawful and selfish, it was potentially dangerous to themselves and thus also foolish. Trespassing on a federal military base is a serious error of judgment, and unlawfully killing trophy deer undermines hunting and hunters who abide by the rules.” 

An investigator’s affidavit alleged the hunters violated the federal Lacey Act while hunting on the grounds of the Army base over the past several years. They disregarded the fact the area was off limits to hunters, entering before daylight and leaving after dark through a washout where a creek went under a perimeter fence.

Recovered during the course of the investigation was evidence including deer mounts, antlers, phone data and equipment allegedly used to harvest eight whitetail deer, three of which are considered trophy class.

Investigating agencies included the Directorate of Emergency Services at Fort Riley, the Fort Riley Game Warden, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, New York State Environmental Conservation Office-Office of Law Enforcement and U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth G. Gale sentenced the three hunters to pay approximately $11,000 in restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and $10,000 in fines to the Lacey Act fund. Additionally, the hunters will have no hunting privileges for three years and agree to forfeit all property seized as part of the investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robin A. Graham and Taylor Rafaly.

 

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     KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Michael Tae Kim Ahlers, 49, of Lenexa, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and filing a false tax return related to a scheme to embezzle money from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). 

     “Michael Ahlers abused his position as the Administrative Officer for an academic and research medical center, stealing more than $500,000 to enrich himself,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “His guilty plea should send a message that, no matter your position, you cannot profit illegally or violate the trust of the company who hires you.” 

     “During this investigation, state and federal partners worked extremely well together to make certain these criminal acts did not go unpunished,” said KBI Director Kirk Thompson.

     “For six years, Mr. Ahlers embezzled more than half a million dollars for his personal benefit, while taking steps to circumvent the University’s Finance and Administration Department,” said David Talcott, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “This type of financial fraud is a felony offense that carries severe consequences and we are committed to protect the integrity of the tax system and innocent victims that suffer a monetary loss.”

     “Today’s plea is a reminder that the United States Secret Service is committed to aggressively investigating and pursuing financial crimes,” said Brandon C. Bridgeforth, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Kansas City Field Office. “This defendant abused his position for his own personal benefit by taking advantage of his position of trust and the University of Kansas Medical Center. This investigation is a testament to the strong partnership between the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

     According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Slinkard, the charges, and other information presented in court: Ahlers was the Administrative Officer for the Occupational Therapy (OT) Education Department at the KUMC in Kansas City. As the Administrative Officer, Ahlers was responsible for all administrative tasks and financial transactions for the OT Education Department, including budget management, purchasing, billing of external entities, and grant management. From at least 2009 and continuing to 2015, Ahlers used that position to steal more than $500,000 to pay for his personal expenses. 

     To conceal the fraud, instead of forwarding certain KUMC funds to the Institutional Finance and Administration Department, Ahlers deposited the funds into a KUMC Credit Union account. Using the KUMC Credit Union account allowed Ahlers to avoid oversight that would have happened in the normal course, by which funds are deposited into a state-controlled bank account, revenue recorded in the university financial system, and funds allocated to department accounts that are reconciled on a monthly basis.  Ahlers also created invoices outside of the normal system, which prevented others within KUMC from learning about the KUMC Credit Union account and Ahlers’ use of it for his personal gain.

     Ahlers failed to include embezzled funds on his federal tax returns, resulting in a tax loss for the years 2009 through 2015 of $104,246.

     Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2021 at 1:30, before U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree. 

     This case is being investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the United States Secret Service.

     Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka is prosecuting the case.

 

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WICHITA, KAN. – Edward Parks, 60, Liberal, Kan., is charged with one count of submitting false claims for travel reimbursement to the Department of Veterans Affairs and one count of making a false statement to investigators from the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2019 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

The indictment alleges he falsely claimed he travelled to Wichita, Kan., from Liberal, Kan., for medical appointments, in order to be reimbursed under the Beneficiary Travel Program.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Loren Olson, 68, Marquette, Kan., is charged with four counts of producing child pornography and one count of the sex trafficking of a minor. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in May, June and July 2020 in McPherson County, Kan.

Olson initially was charged by criminal complaint Dec. 9, 2020.

If convicted, Olson could face a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison on each production count, and not less than 10 years on the other count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

 

Alejandro Valerio Pineda, 45, Wichita, Kan., is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during November and December 2020 in Wichita, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million on each count. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

Troy Bong, 51, Wichita, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (counts 1, 4, 7), three counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (counts 2, 5, 8) and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (counts 3, 6, 9). The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2020 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Count one: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

          Counts 4, 7: Not more than 40 years and not less than five years and a fine up to $5 million.

          Counts 2, 5 and 8: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Counts 3, 6 and 9: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.

 

Treylis Presley, 31, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of marijuana. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Sept. 4, 2020, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge, and up to a year and a fine up to $1,000 on each of the other two counts. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is prosecuting.

Luis Contreras-Mata, 35, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Dec. 10, 2020, in Rawlins County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations investigate. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - An Overland Park woman who operated massage parlors in Olathe and Leawood was sentenced today to serve five years of federal supervised release on an interstate prostitution charge, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, she was ordered to pay a $55,000 fine.

Chunqui Wu, 62, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of transportation with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Wu operated three massage parlors: Alpha Massage at 116 S. Clairborne, #A, in Olathe, Kan.; A Plus Massage at 527 N. Mur-Len Road, in Olathe, Kan.; and King Spa at 13104 State Line Road in Leawood, Kan.

Wu’s plea agreement says investigators worked with an undercover confidential source who contacted Wu and asked for a job working in Wu’s massage parlors. Wu made statements indicating she allowed her employees to perform sexual services for tips. Investigators working undercover confirmed that employees in Wu’s massage parlors were offering sexual services to customers.

Wu was arrested when she went to the Kansas City International airport in Kansas City, Mo., to meet the undercover confidential source and transport her back to Kansas to work in one of Wu’s massage parlors.

McAllister commended the Olathe Police Department, the Leawood Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

KANSAS City, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty today to armed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Kenya Breakfield, 22, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during the robbery. In his plea, Breakfield admitted that on Oct. 21, 2018, he and a co-defendant robbed Wells Fargo Bank at 2000 W. 103rd Street in Leawood, Kan.

Both men were wearing masks of the comic book character Venom and carrying handguns. During the robbery, one of the robbers said, “Happy holidays!” and fired a round from his handgun into the ceiling.

In March 2019, police arrested Breakfield after identifying the getaway car.

Co-defendant Michael Shiferaw, 22, Olathe, Kan., is awaiting trial.

Sentencing is set for March 18, 2021. Breakfield could face a penalty of up to 25 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the robbery charge, and not less than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. McAllister commended the FBI, Leawood Police Department, the Olathe Police Department, the Kansas City Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty today to lying to a federal investigator who was looking into allegations of major program fraud, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Troy L. Bechtel, 51, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a federal investigator. In his plea, Bechtel admitted he lied during an investigation into allegations that United Medical Design Builders fraudulently received contracts from the Department of Defense through the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program. Bechtel was a project manager for the company.

Sentencing is set for March 18, 2021. Bechtel could face a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

McAllister commended the Small Business Administration - Officer of Inspector General, General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Army CID Major Procurement Fraud Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt for their work on the case.

 

WICHITA, KAN. – A man from McPherson County was charged in federal court here today with sexually exploiting a 15-year-old victim, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Loren Olson, 68, Marquette, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography and one count of the sex trafficking of a minor.

A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Wichita alleges Olson came to the attention of law enforcement after Facebook made a CyberTipline report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Facebook captured content in which Olson communicated with a 15-year-old victim. Olson made reference to having had sex with the victim, taking pictures during their sexual acts and paying the victim after sex.

If convicted, Olson could face a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison on the production count, and not less than 10 years on the other count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting. 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was indicted in federal court today with distributing heroin, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

James Licht, 39, Topeka, Kan., was charged with one count of distributing heroin and one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed in court, in October investigators served a search warrant at Licht’s residence in the 1400 block of SW 5th Street in Topeka. Among the items seized were heroin, more than $1,500 in cash, a .45 caliber pistol, a 9 mm pistol, other firearms and drug paraphernalia.

Licht was paying $1,500 to $2,000 an ounce to buy 1 to 2 ounces of heroin each week.

Licht was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction in 2019 in Shawnee County District Court.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on the heroin charge and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham is prosecuting.

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 Frederick L. Martin, 25, Sedgwick, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography and one count of committing a crime involving a minor while registered as a sex offender. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Sedgwick County, Kan., during August through October 2020.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 35 years and not more than 60 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of producing child pornography, and an additional 10 years (consecutive) on the other count. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

         

Carlos Ivan Radales-Velasquez, 47, who is not an American citizen, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Nov. 22, 2020, in Manhattan, Kan.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Paola woman was sentenced today to more than 11 years (135 months) in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

April Lunsford, 39, Paola, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The case began when the Kansas Bureau of Investigation started looking into a trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine in the Kansas City, Kan., area. Lunsford sold methamphetamine four times to buyers working undercover for law enforcement.

During the investigation, Lunsford was arrested and charged in Miami County District Court in connection with the death of 23-year-old Heather Briggs. Lunsford pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 98 months in state prison.

McAllister commended the KBI, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania for their work on the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri man with a prior child sexual exploitation conviction was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.

William Lockwood, 41, who lived in Kansas City, Kan., at the time of the crime and now lives in Pleasant Valley, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The investigation began when Dropbox sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In his plea, Lockwood admitted he uploaded child pornography to the Dropbox account and provided access to other users.

Investigators seized 26 videos of child sexual abuse from Lockwood’s account. In 2012, Lockwood was convicted in Collier County, Fla., on a charge of obscene communication for the purpose of luring a child for sex.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.