Eastern District of Kentucky
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Commonwealth’s Attorney Sentenced for Honest Services Wire Fraud and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties, Ronnie Goldy, 51, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves. Goldy was sentenced to 41 months, after previously being convicted of honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity, and bribery concerning a program that receives federal funds.
According to evidence presented, Goldy maintained a personal relationship with a woman that was sexual in nature, and included encounters and solicitations and acceptance of sexually explicit images and videos of the woman. On multiple occasions during the scheme, Goldy used his position as the Commonwealth’s Attorney to perform official actions, or to exert pressure and influence on other public officials to perform official actions, benefiting the woman. Goldy knew these sexually explicit images and periodic sexual encounters were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform, or pressure others to perform, official actions benefitting the woman with whom he had the relationship.
In February, Goldy was convicted by a federal jury of all 14 counts in the indictment.
“Instead of doing the job he was elected to do, Mr. Goldy chose to abuse his authority and to pressure other officials to advance his corrupt personal interests,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When those entrusted with enforcing the law blatantly abuse their authority, it demands accountability. This was a disgraceful betrayal of the public trust and it undermined public safety and law enforcement. Through the hard work of committed law enforcement, he now faces that accountability.”
“Goldy’s sentencing should serve as a warning to corrupt officials throughout the Commonwealth that the FBI will not standby when allegations of abuse of power come to our attention,” said Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office. “We will rigorously investigate such claims and follow the facts wherever they lead, ultimately bringing those that violate federal law to justice.”
United States Attorney Shier and Special Agent in Charge Stansbury jointly announced the sentencing.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Boone.
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Detroit Man Convicted of Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Detroit man residing in Richmond, Ky., Jarrett Howard, 56, was convicted Wednesday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington. Following a three-day trial and 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to testimony at trial, in November 2021, law enforcement received information from a confidential informant that Howard was responsible for distributing fentanyl in Madison County. Law enforcement conducted a search of Howard’s residence and found 285 grams of fentanyl, 416 grams of cocaine, and two loaded firearms. Law enforcement also discovered a digital scale and $34,450 at the residence.
Howard was indicted in June 2023.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP); and Chief Rodney Richardson, Richmond Police Department, jointly announced the jury’s verdict.
The investigation was conducted by DEA, ATF, KSP and Richmond Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Howard will appear for sentencing on August 28. He faces up to life in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence.
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Lexington Woman Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky, woman, Stacey R. Smith, 42, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to 175 months in prison, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine and 400 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl.
According to her plea agreement, beginning in January 2021 to March 2022, Smith conspired with others to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of fentanyl. Specifically, from a source of supply in the Lexington area, Smith obtained pound quantities of methamphetamine and ounce quantities of what she believed to be heroin, which laboratory testing confirmed was fentanyl. Smith then sold the drugs to several others, including her co-defendant, Shane Brock, 62, of London. These other drug dealers would then distribute the drugs to more drug dealers and end users.
For his role in the conspiracy, Brock was previously sentenced to 97 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Under federal law, Smith must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff John Root, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Dotson prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Pulaski County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – A Bronston, Ky., man, France Allen Helton, 42, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to 250 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to his plea agreement, on March 29, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Helton and seized 55.9 grams of a methamphetamine mixture packaged in two separate baggies, along with $2,529 in cash. Helton admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others. Helton has a prior conviction for trafficking in methamphetamine, from the Pulaski Circuit Court in 2019.
Under federal law, Helton must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for eight years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office, and Sheriff Bobby Jones, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Laurel County Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Defraud Natural Gas CompaniesRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – A London man, Mark Edward Holbook, 72, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom, to 12 months and one day in prison, along with two months of home detention, for conspiracy to rig natural gas meters allowing him to steal thousands of dollars from two Kentucky gas companies.
According to his plea agreement, Mark Holbrook and his son, Marshall Holbrook, worked in the business of sourcing natural gas throughout the past 20 years, drilling wells and acquiring gas rights. The Holbrooks often used Delta Gas or Somerset Gas Services (SGS) to transport their gas or for direct sales. In 2016, after the market price of natural gas had fallen substantially, the Holbrooks compensated by manipulating meters that SGS and Delta used on their pipelines to measure how much natural gas the Holbrooks were providing. This scheme allowed the Holbrooks to boost their profit substantially, while financially harming both SGS and Delta.
Mark Holbrook admitted that the financial loss due to this conspiracy was greater than $250,000 and the Court entered a forfeiture order against him, in the amount of $332,952. The Court also ordered Mark Holbrook to pay restitution of $1,207,016 to SGS, and $172,964 to Delta.
Earlier this month, Judge Boom sentenced Marshall Holbrook for his role in the same conspiracy. Marshall Holbrook was sentenced to four months imprisonment and six months of home detention, followed by 18 months of supervised release. He was ordered to pay Delta $239,642 in restitution.
Upon his release from prison, Mark Holbrook will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office two and a half years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Moynahan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Two Northern Kentucky Men Sentenced for Role in Conspiracy to Illegally Distribute FirearmsRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – Two Covington men, Cylis Rowe, 23, and Clifton Barnett, 25, have been sentenced, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 124 months and 70 months in prison respectively, for conspiring to distribute firearms to others who could not legally possess them. Rowe’s sentencing also included one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his court documents, in 2022, law enforcement began investigating individuals regularly selling and possessing firearms and machinegun conversion devices, known colloquially as Glock switches, to individuals engaged in drug trafficking and other criminal offenses. The investigation showed that Rowe and Barnett conspired with Demarco Sturgeon, 23, and others, to distribute the firearms illegally. Sturgeon admitted he was aware of the conspiracy’s straw purchases and distributed over 100 firearms between 2020 and 2022.
Evidence showed that Rowe and Barnett purchased numerous firearms, and Sturgeon sold the guns directly, and through Facebook Messenger. Law enforcement searched all three defendants’ residences; at Rowe’s and Sturgeon’s residences, they found firearms and marijuana. Both Rowe and Sturgeon admitted to extensive firearms trafficking and regularly distributed marijuana, while in possession of firearms, and that they possessed the firearms at their residences to protect them against the dangers associated with drug trafficking.
Sturgeon was previously sentenced, in March 2024, to 130 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
Under federal law, Rowe and Barnett must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, Rowe will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years, and Barnett will be under supervision for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Shawn Morrow Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation was conducted by ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Dominic Jackson, 31, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 240 months in prison, for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
According to his plea agreement, on November 3, 2021, law enforcement and medical workers responded to a call for an unresponsive person in Boone County. Upon arrival, responders found the deceased victim with symptoms consistent with an opioid overdose. Officers reviewed the victim’s phone, and it contained communications from Jackson indicating that he had sold drugs to the victim earlier that same day.
Law enforcement then used the victim’s phone to text Jackson and arranged to purchase another quarter ounce of the same substance previously sold to the victim. They advised Jackson where to put the drugs and where the money was located. Jackson showed up to the residence, took the money, and left 6.667 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and para-flurorofentanyl. Jackson admitted to distributing a substance containing fentanyl and para-flurorofentanyl to the victim, who died as a result of ingesting it.
Under federal law, Jackson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. Jackson was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $7,243 to the family of the victim for burial expenses.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Director Scott Hardcorn, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Joshua Robert Flick, 35, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 15 years in prison, for distribution of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, on December 1, 2022, Flick communicated with a covert law enforcement employee, via the Kik application on his iPhone, and indicated that he was sexually interested in minors. On two additional occasions, on December 9, 2022, and December 11, 2022, Flick communicated with the covert employee and sent multiple visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Flick admitted that he knowingly distributed the images, and he knew those images depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Flick was arrested on an outstanding warrant on January 11, 2023, and his phone was searched. The search revealed over 70 images and approximately 90 videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Under federal law, Flick must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 15 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Woodford County Man Sentenced for Armed Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Versailles, Ky., man, Anthony Travon Garrett, 31, was sentenced on Wednesday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 240 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, on March 30, 2022, law enforcement arranged a controlled purchase of approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and one ounce of fentanyl, to be delivered by Garrett. He was approached by law enforcement and was found in possession of the drugs and also found in possession of a loaded firearm, under the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Three additional firearms, pressed fentanyl pills, a fentanyl press, digital scales, and additional drug trafficking paraphernalia were then discovered at a residence where Garrett resided.
Under federal law, Garrett must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP); and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, KSP, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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United States Attorney Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. — In honor of National Police Week, Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement. National Police Week is observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.
“Committing to serve the community is just the first of many sacrifices that members of law enforcement make when they enter into public service,” said U.S. Attorney Shier. “The work that follows is demanding, persistent, and hazardous. But this work is essential to making our communities safer. It is patrolling our streets, responding to calls for help, and assisting others despite those dangers. National Police Week reminds us to collectively reflect on the sacrifices of members of law enforcement and their families, and provides an opportunity to show our sincere appreciation for their essential service to us all.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which falls every year on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe.
This year, in Washington, D.C., the names of more than 280 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and were read during a Candlelight Vigil. To view a recording of the livestream of this event, visit https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil/.
To learn more about National Police Week, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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Former Perry County Commonwealth’s Attorney Pleads Guilty to Federal Honest Services Wire FraudRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky.— The former Commonwealth’s Attorney, for the 33rd Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, Scott Blair, 52, of Hazard, Ky., pleaded guilty on Friday, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hanly A. Ingram, to committing honest services wire fraud.
According to his guilty plea agreement, between April 2020 and March 2024, Blair knowingly and intentionally devised a scheme to fraudulently deprive the citizens of Perry County of their right to his honest services, as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney, through bribery. On multiple occasions, Blair agreed to take official actions, in his position as the Commonwealth’s Attorney – including making recommendations on probation, drug court, and probation violations or sanctions for defendants he was prosecuting – in exchange for methamphetamine and sexual favors.
“Whenever prosecutors reject their official duties for the public, and instead abuse their positions for personal benefit, that does continuing damage to us all,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “It not only victimizes individuals, but it demeans the true work of law enforcement, undermines fairness and public safety, and diminishes faith in the criminal justice system. This conviction is an important step toward restoring the necessary integrity and faith in the system and preventing this grave misconduct.”
“Blair’s conduct undermines the confidence the public deserves to have in their government officials,” said Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Division. “The public relies on its Commonwealth’s Attorneys to maintain and validate its faith in our criminal justice system. As he admitted today, Blair betrayed that trust by engaging in a scheme that spanned years and corrupted the fair administration of justice for personal gain. The FBI will pursue corrupt actors without fear or favor, and the people of Perry County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky deserve nothing less.”
“All Kentuckians – including the people of Perry County – deserve prosecutors with integrity and public servants they can trust. Scott Blair violated that trust and broke the law,” said Attorney General Russell Coleman. “This conviction will help restore public safety in this community, and it is an example of the zealous collaboration between our Office and our partners that is key to protecting Kentucky families.”
“I commend the outstanding work conducted by our detectives along with our federal partners, into this investigation” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “We hope this will bring closure to the citizens of Perry County and renew their trust in the justice system.”
United States Attorney Shier; Special Agent in Charge Stansbury; Kentucky Attorney General Coleman; and Commissioner Burnett, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.
The Court will enter a separate order setting a date for sentencing. Blair faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence.
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Dentist Sentenced for Unlawfully Distributing Opioids That Caused Patient’s DeathRead the Press Release
A Kentucky dentist was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for his unlawful prescribing of opioids, including morphine that caused the death of one of his patients.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. Jay M. Sadrinia, 61, of Villa Hills, owned and operated dental clinics in Crescent Springs, Kentucky. Sadrinia prescribed powerful opioids to his patients for routine dental procedures despite clear signs, including notes within Sadrinia’s own patient charts, that these patients suffered from substance abuse disorder. Sadrinia’s unlawful prescribing of morphine to one patient led to her death. Sadrinia charged the patient $37,000 for dental procedures and prescribed the patient medically unnecessary quantities of narcotics, including morphine. Several days later, the patient fatally overdosed on the morphine.
A federal jury convicted Sadrinia in June 2023 of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge Michael Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement.
The DEA and FBI investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Katherine Payerle and Trial Attorney Thomas Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Chicago Man Sentenced to 32 Months for Acting as Money Courier in Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. — An Indian national, most recently living in the Chicago area, Satishkumar Rameshchandra Patel, 39, has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $631,336.40.
According to his plea agreement, Patel’s co-conspirators reached out to victims across the United States to defraud them out of significant sums of money. Often, Patel’s co-conspirators located in India reached out to victims by telephone and represented themselves to be government officials. The co-conspirators would convince the victims they were in some sort of legal or financial trouble, and requested the victims send payment to relieve the trouble or protect the victims from losing their savings. The victims, most of whom were in their late 60s or 70s, mailed cash shipments to fake names, at addresses in the Chicago area, in Central Kentucky, and elsewhere, where Patel and others would retrieve those packages. Victims lost anywhere from $9,000 to $375,000 through the scheme.
Other fraud schemes emanating out of the India-based call center for which Patel was employed included tech support scams, where victims were defrauded into believing their computer security company had issued them refunds for products in error. The victims were directed to the withdraw those excess refunds in cash and mail the cash to certain addresses located in the Chicago area and elsewhere in the United States, where Patel and others would retrieve those packages. The fake refunds were anywhere from $9,000 to $20,000.
In total, court records show that 9 victims were associated to Patel’s actions, resulting in a restitution amount of $631,336.40.
Under federal law, Patel must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, Patel will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Patel was charged alongside Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel. Anyone with additional information about this investigation and prosecution is urged to contact law enforcement, at the following: https://www.tigta.gov/hotline?type=IRSScamsandFraud.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigation, Nashville Field Office; Heather Mill, Acting Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Gail Ennis, Inspector General, Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, jointly announce the sentence.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI, HSI, TIGTA, and SSA-OIG. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s efforts to identify and prosecute those persons who facilitate elder financial exploitation. The Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Mission – being carried out through the Kentucky Elder Justice Task Force – is to seek justice for victims of elder financial exploitation. Anyone who knows someone who may be a victim of an elder financial exploitation, is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
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Three Tennessee Physicians Sentenced for Roles in Drug Trafficking and Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Three Tennessee physicians were sentenced on Wednesday and Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, following their convictions for conspiracy to illicitly prescribe controlled substances and related fraud and money laundering offenses. Evann Herrell was sentenced to 120 months in prison, Mark Grenkoski to 108 months, and Stephen Cirelli to 48 months.
Herrell, Grenkoski, and Cirelli worked at EHC Medical clinics, located in Harriman and Jacksboro, Tenn., that purported to offer treatment for opioid use disorder. At trial, the United States presented evidence that the defendants participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to provide prescriptions for high doses and dangerous combinations of Suboxone and benzodiazepine-class drugs, to cash-paying customers. These drugs were then being sold, traded, and abused throughout southeastern Kentucky. The evidence further established that the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to falsify medical records, while supposedly treating patients, and that Herrell, Grenkoski, and another physician defendant, Keri McFarlane, conspired to cause millions of dollars in fraudulent submissions to Medicare, Kentucky Medicaid, and other health benefit programs for prescription drugs and urine drug testing.
Robert Taylor, who opened EHC Medical in 2013 and operated it through late 2018, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and was sentenced in 2023 to 30 months in prison. He forfeited $13.8 million and paid an additional fine of $200,000. Lori Barnett, a registered nurse who helped Taylor supervise day-to-day operations, and three other physicians – Matthew Rasberry, Helen Bidawid, and Eva Misra – also pleaded guilty to related drug or money laundering charges. McFarlane is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2024.
Under federal law, Herrell, Grenkoski, and Cirelli must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for two years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; and Tamala E. Miles, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, IRS, and HHS, with support from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General.
The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Rosenberg, Amanda Huang, and Andrew Smith. The case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, an initiative focusing on significant drug trafficking and money laundering criminal organizations.
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Barbourville Pharmacy and its Pharmacist-in-Charge to Pay $215,000 to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Barbourville pharmacy, Smith Family Pharmacy, and its pharmacist-in-charge, Stephanie Smith, agreed to pay $215,000 in civil penalties, to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) by filling prescriptions for controlled substances that had been issued without a legitimate medical purpose, in contravention of a pharmacy’s corresponding responsibility to ensure that only valid prescriptions are dispensed.
The CSA was passed to combat the illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. The CSA’s requirements, which apply to entities like pharmacies that purchase, dispense, and sell controlled substances, are designed to protect the public from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances that could be diverted into the illicit market. Under the CSA, pharmacies have a legal responsibility to ensure that controlled substances are dispensed only pursuant to valid prescriptions. Prescriptions are only valid if issued by a medical provider for a legitimate medical purpose, acting in the usual course of their professional practice. The CSA requires pharmacists to investigate prescriptions that appear to be invalid, such as those that bear “red flags” for diversion or abuse, and to refuse to fill such prescriptions if the concerns cannot be resolved.
According to settlement documents, the Government alleged that, from April 2017 to December 2021, Smith Family Pharmacy, under Ms. Smith’s supervision, filled over 500 prescriptions for highly addictive drugs like oxycodone and oxymorphone, that showed “red flags” for diversion or abuse, but failed to resolve those concerns. The prescriptions displayed several “red flags,” including combinations of commonly abused substances, high dosages of controlled substances, and patients traveling to out-of-state physicians to obtain prescriptions. Some prescriptions with “red flags” that were filled by Smith Family Pharmacy were determined to have been written by out-of-state physicians that have since been convicted of illegally prescribing controlled substances (United States v. Herrell, et al., 6:21-cr-13).
“Under the Controlled Substances Act, pharmacies and pharmacists play a critical gatekeeping function, helping to prevent diversion of controlled substances into the community,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Prescription drug abuse continues to be an enormous challenge to our communities. We simply must ensure that everyone is doing their part to combat this crisis – including pharmacies and pharmacists – and we will continue to enforce these critically important provisions of the CSA.”
“Retail pharmacies are the last line of defense against the diversion of controlled medications with a potential for abuse, and Smith Family Pharmacy fell short of their obligation to operate in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act,” said Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “I’m very proud of the hard work done by the men and women of the DEA in this investigation, which led to a substantial fine, as well as safeguards to oblige the pharmacy to compliance going forward.”
The DEA and Smith Family Pharmacy also entered into a four-year Memorandum of Agreement as part of the settlement. Specifically, Smith Family Pharmacy agreed to hire a new pharmacist-in-charge, to replace Ms. Smith; agreed to submit quarterly compliance reports to DEA; and agreed to provide employee training, addressing the identification and resolution of “red flags.” The agreement represents an opportunity for Smith Family Pharmacy to demonstrate compliance with its legal requirements under the CSA.
The settlement considered the penalties associated with the alleged violations, as well as Smith Family Pharmacy’s and Ms. Smith’s ability-to-pay.
The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that all levels of the supply chain that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances will be held responsible for violations of the CSA. Tips from all sources about possible violations of controlled substances laws can be reported to the DEA at www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, London Resident Office Tactical Diversion Squad. Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Stubblebine and Katie Sheridan represented the United States. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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Barbourville Pharmacy and its Pharmacist-in-Charge to Pay $215,000 to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Barbourville pharmacy, Smith Family Pharmacy, and its pharmacist-in-charge, Stephanie Smith, agreed to pay $215,000 in civil penalties, to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) by filling prescriptions for controlled substances that had been issued without a legitimate medical purpose, in contravention of a pharmacy’s corresponding responsibility to ensure that only valid prescriptions are dispensed.
The CSA was passed to combat the illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. The CSA’s requirements, which apply to entities like pharmacies that purchase, dispense, and sell controlled substances, are designed to protect the public from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances that could be diverted into the illicit market. Under the CSA, pharmacies have a legal responsibility to ensure that controlled substances are dispensed only pursuant to valid prescriptions. Prescriptions are only valid if issued by a medical provider for a legitimate medical purpose, acting in the usual course of their professional practice. The CSA requires pharmacists to investigate prescriptions that appear to be invalid, such as those that bear “red flags” for diversion or abuse, and to refuse to fill such prescriptions if the concerns cannot be resolved.
According to settlement documents, the Government alleged that, from April 2017 to December 2021, Smith Family Pharmacy, under Ms. Smith’s supervision, filled over 500 prescriptions for highly addictive drugs like oxycodone and oxymorphone, that showed “red flags” for diversion or abuse, but failed to resolve those concerns. The prescriptions displayed several “red flags,” including combinations of commonly abused substances, high dosages of controlled substances, and patients traveling to out-of-state physicians to obtain prescriptions. Some prescriptions with “red flags” that were filled by Smith Family Pharmacy were determined to have been written by out-of-state physicians that have since been convicted of illegally prescribing controlled substances (United States v. Herrell, et al., 6:21-cr-13).
“Under the Controlled Substances Act, pharmacies and pharmacists play a critical gatekeeping function, helping to prevent diversion of controlled substances into the community,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Prescription drug abuse continues to be an enormous challenge to our communities. We simply must ensure that everyone is doing their part to combat this crisis – including pharmacies and pharmacists – and we will continue to enforce these critically important provisions of the CSA.”
“Retail pharmacies are the last line of defense against the diversion of controlled medications with a potential for abuse, and Smith Family Pharmacy fell short of their obligation to operate in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act,” said Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “I’m very proud of the hard work done by the men and women of the DEA in this investigation, which led to a substantial fine, as well as safeguards to oblige the pharmacy to compliance going forward.”
The DEA and Smith Family Pharmacy also entered into a four-year Memorandum of Agreement as part of the settlement. Specifically, Smith Family Pharmacy agreed to hire a new pharmacist-in-charge, to replace Ms. Smith; agreed to submit quarterly compliance reports to DEA; and agreed to provide employee training, addressing the identification and resolution of “red flags.” The agreement represents an opportunity for Smith Family Pharmacy to demonstrate compliance with its legal requirements under the CSA.
The settlement considered the penalties associated with the alleged violations, as well as Smith Family Pharmacy’s and Ms. Smith’s ability-to-pay.
The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that all levels of the supply chain that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances will be held responsible for violations of the CSA. Tips from all sources about possible violations of controlled substances laws can be reported to the DEA at www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, London Resident Office Tactical Diversion Squad. Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Stubblebine and Katie Sheridan represented the United States. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Lexington Doctor Sentenced for Kickback ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington doctor, Dr. Amr Mohamed, 55, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 2 years in prison, for a kickback conspiracy.
Mohamed was a licensed physician with a specialty in nephrology practicing in Lexington and working for various telemedicine companies that arranged for physicians to prescribe a variety of medical equipment, topical creams, and genetic testing for Medicare beneficiaries. According to his plea agreement, from March 2018 and April 2019, Mohamed entered into an agreement with RediDoc, to provide the telehealth services, and to order medically unnecessary medical equipment, topical creams, and genetic testing, for which he received $20, on average, per beneficiary from RediDoc. The orders were unnecessary because Mohamed did not have a physician-patient relationship with the beneficiaries, did not use the results of the testing in his treatment, and because he was receiving a kickback for each beneficiary.
Between March 2018 and April 2019, Mohamed received $261,054 in kickbacks from RediDoc for ordering unnecessary medical equipment and services for more than seven thousand Medicare beneficiaries, and caused Medicare to pay $14,150,764.60 for medically unnecessary items. Mohamed was also ordered to pay $14,150,764.60 in restitution.
Under federal law, Mohamed must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Louisville Woman Sentenced for Armed Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Louisville, Ky., woman, Katharine Richardson, 36, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 126 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court proceedings, on August 26, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Richardson was the front seat passenger. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and found a backpack containing methamphetamine, a digital scale with drug residue, plastic baggies, two stolen firearms and ammunition. An additional firearm was found in the vehicle’s trunk, and $2,526.17 was found on Richardson. She admitted to possessing the firearms and that she possessed one or more of the firearms in furtherance of distributing the methamphetamine.
Under federal law, Richardson must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Sheriff Robert “Bud” Webster, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Gallatin Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Collection and Enforcement Efforts Exceed $65 Million in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – United States Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV announced today that, in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky collected more than $42 million for crime victims and taxpayers, and obtained civil settlements totaling more than $23 million through its affirmative civil enforcement efforts.
“Our office remains dedicated to pursuing restitution for victims of crime, recovering illegally obtained funds, and protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse,” said United States Attorney Shier. “These collection and enforcement numbers demonstrate that commitment. I want to commend the dedicated personnel in our Office, for their persistent efforts to protect our citizens and safeguard the public fisc.”
In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office collected $29,691,324 through its Financial Litigation Program. This Program is responsible for collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States, and criminal restitution debts owed to federal crime victims who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While criminal restitution is paid to victims, criminal fines and assessments are paid to the Department of Justice’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, due to successful asset forfeitures in fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office secured $10,755,308 for federal law enforcement efforts, shared $2,140,829 with state and local law enforcement agencies, and restored $1,129,515 to crime victims. In asset forfeiture actions, the United States seizes money and property that were proceeds of crime or used in furtherance of a crime. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund are used for a variety of law enforcement purposes. Funds shared with state and local agencies reflect the degree of their participation in law enforcement efforts resulting in forfeiture. When money or property is forfeited by a defendant who also owes restitution, the Office can ask that the value of the forfeited property be paid to the victim to make him or her whole.
The Office’s Civil Division also protects the interests of the United States in cases involving property on which the government holds a lien. In fiscal year 2023, the Office collected $1,185,624 on behalf of taxpayers in such cases.
Finally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement program obtained civil settlements valued at $23,460,815. Over $4.4 million of this amount represents civil penalties paid by healthcare providers who violated the Controlled Substances Act, a federal law that aims to protect the public’s health and safety from dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances that are diverted into the illicit market. The remainder of these settlements – exceeding $19 million – were obtained through enforcement of the False Claims Act, which is a federal law that imposes treble damages and penalties on those who knowingly and falsely claim money from the United States. The False Claims Act thus serves to safeguard government programs that provide health insurance, support American businesses and workers, offer disaster and other emergency relief, and provide many other critical services and benefits. The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s False Claims Act recoveries contributed to a record-breaking year for the Department of Justice, which had its highest number of False Claims Act settlements and judgments in a single year, exceeding $2.68 billion.
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Lexington Man Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl and Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington man, Ivan J. Satterfield, 30, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to 72 months in prison, for five counts of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of fluorofentanyl.
According to his plea agreement, between April 14 and October 31, 2022, law enforcement utilized confidential informants to make multiple firearm and controlled substance purchases from Satterfield, which included purchases of fentanyl, cocaine, and fluorofentanyl, as well as the purchase of six firearms.
Satterfield knew he had prior felony convictions, for receiving stolen property under $10,000 from Fayette Circuit Court in July 2016 and for theft by unlawful taking under $10,000 from Nelson Circuit Court in November 2013, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Under federal law, Satterfield must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Office; and Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP), jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Lexington Man Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl and Illegal Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, James W. Jointer, Jr., 31, was sentenced on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to188 months in prison, for two counts of possession of firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a machinegun.
According to his plea agreement, in November 2022, agents with the ATF identified Jointer as a trafficker of firearms and narcotics. During the investigation, ATF purchased two firearms and 15.9 grams of pressed fentanyl pills. ATF also purchased a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock” switch. The purchased device was tested by agents and was confirmed to convert a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic firearm. Under federal law, such conversion devices qualify as machineguns.
Jointer knew he had a prior felony conviction for trafficking in a controlled substance first degree, in Fayette Circuit Court from 2015, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Under federal law, Jointer must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Madison County Man Sentenced for Distributing FluorofentanylRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Richmond, Ky., man, James A. Phelps, 42, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 220 months in prison, for distribution of fluorofentanyl.
According to his plea agreement, on December 6, 2022, Phelps sold a confidential informant an ounce of suspected heroin; and when the substance was tested, it was found to be 27.919 grams of a mixture containing fluorofentanyl. Additionally, on two other occasions, November 16, 2022, and January 18, 2023, Phelps sold the confidential informant fluorofentanyl and other controlled substances. Each of those sales involved approximately 28 grams of fluorofentanyl. Phelps admitted to knowing that the substance that he distributed contained a controlled substance.
Phelps has previously been convicted of a felony drug offense, distribution of cocaine. He was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2011.
Under federal law, Phelps must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division, jointly announce the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, with the assistance of the AHIDTA. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Chapman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Kenton County Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – An Elsemere, Ky., woman, Nalisha Nichole Stewart, 38, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 126 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to her plea agreement, in May and June 2023, law enforcement coordinated two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Stewart. The first purchase was tested to contain approximately 29.2 grams of methamphetamine. Before the second controlled purchase, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Stewart’s vehicle and recovered an additional 24.832 grams of methamphetamine.
Under federal law, Stewart must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Chief Jeff Mallery, Florence Police Department, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Florence Police Department Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Former Teacher’s Aide Sentenced for Using the Internet to Attempt to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – A Lily, Ky., man, James Samuel Jones, 39, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to 20 years in prison, for the distribution of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, on September 13, 2022, Jones, through his Yahoo email account, distributed a video depicting two minor victims engaged in sexual activity. The video was sent to an email account believed to have child pornography and sent with the expectation of receiving child pornography in return for the distributed video.
Under federal law, Jones must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Robert Holman, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service; and Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Secret Service and Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Former Teacher’s Aide Sentenced for Using the Internet to Attempt to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Danville, Ky., woman, Ellen Phillips, formerly known as Ellen Shell, 38, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 188 months in prison, for using the internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct.
Phillips, who at the time of her offenses was employed as a teacher’s aide, was conducting sexual relationships with numerous teenage boys in the Boyle and Garrard County areas. Phillips would communicate with the victims via Snapchat, Facebook, or text messaging; and in many instances, she would meet the victims for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. According to Phillips’ plea, she engaged in sexual activity with multiple minors at the same time.
In her plea agreement, Phillips specifically admitted that on December 20, 2022, she attempted to entice a 15-year-old minor to engage in sexual activity. In this conversation, Phillips messaged the victim using Facebook and repeatedly attempted to get the victim to sneak out of his house for sexual activity. When the victim said he could not leave, Phillips offered alcohol and oral sex to the minor and offered excuses the victim could tell his mother as to why he needed to leave his home.
Under federal law, Phillips must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP); Willie Skeens, Garrard County Sheriff; and Chief Tony Gray, Danville Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the HSI, KSP, Garrard County Sheriff’s Office, and Danville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Christian County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Hopkinsville, Ky., man, Veontae Leemond Lewis, 32, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 138 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
According to his plea agreement, on September 4, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a car operated by Lewis. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer smelled marijuana and asked Lewis to step out of the car. The officer located approximately five pounds of methamphetamine in a bag, two marijuana cigarettes, and $907 in cash.
Under federal law, Lewis must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Chief Kyle Rader, Erlanger Police Department, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Erlanger Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Partners with Local Law Enforcement to Commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, along with the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Fayette County Attorney’s Office, the Lexington Police Department, the Office of the Fayette County Sheriff, and the Federal Bureau of Prison’s Federal Medical Center commemorated 2024’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) (April 22-26, 2024) at the Lexington Crime Victims’ Rights Luncheon.
The luncheon is a collaboration of local law enforcement partners, to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights, and to remind the community of the important resources and services available. In 2022, there were nearly 20 million crime victimizations in the United States. More than 6.6 million were the result of violent crimes, including rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. Of those, only about 42% were reported to police.
This local partnership commemorates and celebrates the advancement of victims’ rights and honors those who have provided outstanding victim service. Awards were given by each agency to recognize the remarkable efforts provided by prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and victim assistance professionals across the Eastern District of Kentucky. The U.S. Attorney’s Office honored Justin Blankenship, an Assistant United States Attorney, with the Office’s Danny Ray Smith Crime Victims’ Rights Award, named after the Office’s first Victim Witness Coordinator. AUSA Blankenship was recognized for his extraordinary efforts in a demanding child exploitation prosecution. Through his dedicated support of the victim and tireless prosecution, the perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to a substantial prison term.
Other award recipients from the Lexington 2024 NCVRW Luncheon include:
- Crystal Happy-Clay, honored by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
- Marisol Contreras, honored by the Lexington Police Department
- Debbie Price, honored by the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Office
- Amy Smith-Brantley, honored by the Fayette County Attorney’s Office
- Dr. Megan Schuster, Ph.D., honored by the BOP Federal Medical Center
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) of the U.S. Department of Justice leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme -- How Would You Help? -- invites all of us to consider how we can help crime victims, both in our professional and personal capacities. This includes ensuring our criminal justice agencies are victim-centered, trauma-informed, and prepared to help crime victims in every way we can. Personally, we should consider how we might help crime victims by being prepared if someone confides in us about victimization and becoming familiar with the many victim services our communities offer. For more information about help for victims, visit ovc.ojp.gov/help-for-victims/overview.
“Ensuring the rights of victims is critically important to the criminal justice system, and we simply must celebrate and recognize this fundamental support that allows victims’ voices to be heard,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our Office is proud to partner with members of the law enforcement community to honor this dedicated support, and to renew our full commitment to victims of crime.”
OVC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our local partners, encourage widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. On April 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice will host OVC’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony, in Washington, D.C., to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.
For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and how to assist victims in your community, please visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office website, at www.justice.gov/usao-edky. For additional ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.
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Scott County Man Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., man, Tyler Brady Lawson, 27, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to 28 years in prison, for production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, Lawson was the long-term boyfriend of a woman who had close connections to two young girls, Victim 1 and Victim 2. Through these connections, the young girls frequently visited the residences where Lawson and his girlfriend lived. In March 2023, law enforcement became aware of a disclosure to a therapist for one of the girls. The resulting investigation revealed that Lawson produced and possessed sexually explicit images of the girls, as well as cartoon and computer-generated images of the sexual abuse of children. In pleading guilty, Lawson admitted that he knowingly captured visual depictions of one of the girls and that he intended to create depictions of sexually explicit conduct.
Court documents outlined that the sexually explicit pictures of Victim 1 and Victim 2 existed within a larger pattern of sexual abuse perpetrated by Lawson. Allegations of his abuse began when Victim 1 was just five year old. Eventually, Victim 1 disclosed to her therapist that Lawson had recently been sexually abusing her. She then disclosed to law enforcement that physical sexual abuse occurred nearly every time that she visited Lawson’s residence. According to Victim 1, Lawson also threatened to harm her if she told anyone about the abuse. The pictures that law enforcement eventually found on Lawson’s phone corroborated Victim 1’s reports.
Under federal law, Lawson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.
“This case demonstrates what many in law enforcement know: consumption and production of child pornography often exists side-by-side with physical child sexual abuse,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This correlation is one of many reasons why enforcement in this area is so critically important. The defendant’s conduct was egregious and appalling, and it certainly warrants the punishment he received. To those who are engaging in the production of child sexual abuse material, this case should serve as a warning that such conduct gives rise to substantial prison sentences.”
United States Attorney Shier; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Darin Allgood, Georgetown Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Georgetown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Lexington Man Sentenced for Receiving and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Matthew Ryan Mullins, 29, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 168 months in prison, for receiving and possessing child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, on June 21, 2022, law enforcement identified Mullins during an investigation into online groups involving the receipt and distribution of child pornography. Mullins admitted to exchanging large amounts of child sexual abuse material with others across the world using various online platforms. Over 3,300 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children were found on his phone.
Under federal law, Mullins must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by HSI and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Mexican National Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Mexican National who resides in Danville, Ky., Arturo Hernandez-Pozos, 54, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to 42 months in prison, for wire fraud, making a false statement in a passport application, and aggravated identity theft.
According to his plea agreement, Hernandez-Pozos was previously removed from the United States on two occasions; and prior to his last removal in 2006, he had assumed the identity of U.S. Citizen who had previously died, at two years of age. Hernandez-Pozos used the U.S. Citizen’s birth certificate and baptismal record. He then procured a social security number for the stolen identity; and on three separate occasions, in 2011, 2015, and 2021, he submitted applications for a U.S. passport using that stolen identity. Ultimately, an investigation by the Social Security Administration OIG revealed that the Social Security Administration had paid Hernandez-Pozos $88,684.50 in disability benefits, from 2017 through 2023, based on his false representation of the stolen identity.
When law enforcement arrested Hernandez-Pozos, in June 2023, they conducted a search of his residence and discovered a number of fraudulent identity documents, including 20 social security cards, 14 permanent alien cards, three Mexican matriculation cards, and five driver’s licenses, all in various identities. They also found hologram stickers. Among the identities found was one for Ruben Rodriguez-Ortiz, which was another identity that Hernandez-Pozos had used. Additional investigation revealed that Hernandez-Pozos was taking orders for false identification documents and distributing them to individuals, in Kentucky and across the United States, using the United States Postal Service. There were more than 100 unique social security numbers involved in his scheme to transfer false identification documents.
Under federal law, Hernandez-Pozos must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years. As part of his sentencing, Hernandez-Pozos must also pay $88,684.50 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Marvin D. Mauldin, Resident Agent-in-Charge, SSA Office of the Inspector General; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville Field Office; and Mark Woods-Hawkins, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, Chicago Field Office, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the SSA-OIG, USPIS, HSI, and U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Former EKU Professor Sentenced for Attempting to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Richmond, Ky., man, Kyle Knezevich, 36, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to 220 months in prison, for attempted production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, on September 7, 2023, an Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) student located a hidden camera in a men’s bathroom on campus. An investigation revealed that the camera had been placed in the bathroom by Knezevich, who at the time was a professor at the University. After the discovery, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Knezevich's home and electronic devices.
A search of those devices revealed that Knezevich knowingly produced surreptitious recordings of both adult and minor males, from approximately 2009 through 2023. The videos were recorded in bathroom settings, including locker rooms, urinals, and the bathroom of his personal residence. In these videos, minor males can be seen in various states of nudity, including using the restroom, undressing, and showering. As part of his plea, Knezevich admitted that his intent in creating the videos was to capture the minor males engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Under federal law, Knezevich must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Brandon Collins, EKU Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, KSP, and EKU Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Perry County Commonwealth Attorney Arrested and Charged with Federal Honest Services Wire FraudRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky.— The Commonwealth’s Attorney, for the 33rd Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, Scott Blair, 51, of Hazard, Ky., was charged with committing honest services wire fraud, via a federal criminal complaint on Friday.
The criminal complaint alleges that, from April 2020 to March 2024, while serving as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Perry County, Blair used his position of public trust and authority to assist various individuals who were facing criminal charges in Perry County. The complaint further alleges there are numerous instances in which Blair requested something of value, including sexual favors and methamphetamine, from multiple individuals, in exchange for taking actions in his official capacity to help those individuals.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the charges.
The investigation preceding the complaint was conducted by the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.
Blair’s initial appearance is currently scheduled for Monday at 2:45 p.m.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are accusations only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Reminds Correctional Facilities of Obligation to Ensure Access to Treatment for Opioid Use DisorderRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. — As part of a comprehensive response to the acute opioid crisis, United States Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV has forwarded a letter to correctional facilities in the Eastern District of Kentucky, reminding them that refusing to provide required care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) can violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to diligently enforce those protections.
The ADA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, protects individuals with OUD and their access to treatment, including treatment with FDA-approved medication. The FDA has approved three medications to treat OUD: buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and vivitrol. The ADA prohibits correctional facilities from categorically denying incarcerated individuals access to OUD medication, without individually assessing whether such medication is medically necessary to treat their disability. Policies or practices that likely violate the ADA include not only blanket denials of medication for OUD treatment, but also screening people from treatment based on criteria unrelated to individual medical need.
“Eastern Kentucky remains at the forefront of a devastating opioid epidemic, and we simply must engage in a comprehensive approach to combatting this community health crisis – including enforcement of requirements safeguarding treatments,” said U.S. Attorney Shier. “Access to medications that treat OUD saves lives and helps us in this fight. So, we are urging detention facilities to be mindful of their obligations under federal law, offering to work collaboratively with them to ensure these rights, and intending to do our part in enforcing them.”
The reminder letter furthers a broader effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to remove discriminatory barriers to treatment for individuals with OUD. Since 2022, the office has entered into three settlement agreements resolving allegations of discrimination against individuals with OUD: with a medical center, a Central Kentucky detention center, and an Eastern Kentucky detention center. The two agreements with detention centers involved allegations that the facilities failed to provide patients with medication for OUD.
For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder/. More information about the ADA is available at the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information line at (800) 514 0301 or (800) 514 0383 (TTY) and on the ADA website at www.ada.gov.
For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/civil-rights. ADA complaints may be submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by emailing [email protected] or by contacting the Office’s Civil Rights Hotline at (859) 685-4880.
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Hopkins County Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Hanson, Ky., man, Michael Earl Huey, 66, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 18 years in prison, for distribution of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, on October 17, 2022, an online covert employee with law enforcement posted a message on a chat thread asking, “Any pervs in Kentucky.” Huey responded by sending direct messages to the covert employee. Huey eventually shifted their conversation to another messaging platform. There, Huey sent the covert employee several depictions of child pornography. Huey admitted that he knowingly distributed these visual depictions, knowing they contained minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
On November 16, 2022, law enforcement searched Huey’s residence and found his phone, which contained approximately 65 images and 16 videos of child pornography. At sentencing, Huey did not oppose a sentencing enhancement for engaging in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of minors.
Under federal law, Huey must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Harrodsburg Man Convicted of Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking in Johnson CountyRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – A Harrodsburg, Ky., man, Aristotle White, was sentenced on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to 181 months in prison, for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense.
White was convicted of the charges after a two-day trial in November 2023. According to evidence presented at trial, on May 11, 2022, officers with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was being driven by White. During the search of the vehicle, law enforcement located nearly 300 grams of methamphetamine, two loaded firearms, and over $2,500 in United States currency. Witness testimony revealed White to be regularly obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine and importing it into, among other places, Johnson County.
Under federal law, White must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for four years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Sheriff Scott Hazelette, Johnson County Sheriff’s Department; and Sheriff William Meade, Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department, jointly announce the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office, and Operation UNITE. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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Shelby County Man Indicted for Offenses Relating to Child Pornography, Encouraging Illegal Entry into the United States, and Making False Statements to a Federal AgencyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— In a federal indictment, returned on March 21, 2024 and unsealed Thursday, Natividad Aguilera Garcia, 37, of Shelbyville, Ky., was charged with one count of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of online enticement of a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity, one count of transportation of a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity, one count of encouraging illegal entry, one count of making a false statement to a federal agency, and one count of presenting a false document to a federal agency.
The indictment alleges that, beginning on May 1, 2021, Garcia enticed a minor (“Minor A”) to engage in prohibited sexual activity, produced and received sexually explicit visual depictions of Minor A, and transported Minor A in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of prohibited sexual activity. The indictment further alleges that Garcia induced three aliens, including Minor A, to illegally enter the United States. Following Minor A’s illegal entry, the indictment alleges that Garcia made false statements and used false documents in an application to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (“ORR”), the subdivision of Health and Human Services that oversees the care of unaccompanied migrant children, claiming that he was Minor A’s uncle, knowing that he was not.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville Field Office; Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Dallas Regional Office; Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Bruce Gentry, Shelbyville Police Department, jointly announced the indictment.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by HSI, HHS-OIG, Kentucky State Police, and Shelbyville Police Department. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton.
Garcia appeared in federal court for his arraignment on Monday. For the production charge, he faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Lexington Man Sentenced to 47 Years for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Chase Russell Downey, 36, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 47 years in prison, for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Following a jury trial in October 2023, Downey was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to testimony at trial, Downey was selling kilogram quantities of cocaine in Lexington. Downey had a residence in Mexico, that he used as a base of operation in Mexico; he had a residence in Houston, Texas; and he had a residence where he stayed in Lexington. The evidence established that law enforcement conducted surveillance and encountered Downey, on several occasions. Then, on December 12, 2022, law enforcement observed Downey leaving a residence in Lexington, while carrying two large plastic bags, and going to potential meet locations, where he would then distribute cocaine. Ultimately, Downey was arrested, and a search warrant was executed on the Lexington residence. There a large amount of cocaine, other drugs, numerous loaded firearms, and $70,000 in drug trafficking proceeds were seized.
Additional investigation determined that Downey made at least fourteen trips to Mexico during the relevant period. Downey also had prior felony convictions and was on supervised release for at least one federal felony conviction at the time of the commission of these offenses.
Under federal law, Downey must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP); and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, DEA, KSP, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Indiana Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Columbus, Ind. man, Raymond Anderson, 40, was sentenced last week, by U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning, to 132 months in prison, for his part in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving over 5,000 fentanyl pills that were pressed to appear as oxycodone pills.
According to his plea agreement, between June 5 and June 8, 2023, Raymond Anderson conspired with Dominic Anderson, his cousin and co-defendant, and others to possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of a mixture of substance containing fentanyl. On June 7, 2023, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) intercepted a package that contained over 5,000 fentanyl pills before it could be delivered to a residence in Erlanger. The next day law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package to that residence. David Bradford, another co-defendant, and Dominic Anderson were arrested after each attempted to take possession of the package. Evidence revealed that Raymond Anderson had also been conspiring with Dominic Anderson, and others, to receive the package for subsequent distribution of the drugs inside.
Dominic Anderson was previously sentenced to 170 months in prison. Bradford was previously sentenced to 60 months.
Under federal law, Bradford and each of the Andersons must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, the Andersons will each be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. Bradford will be supervised for six years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; and Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the sentence.
The Investigation was conducted by the USPIS, NKDSF, and DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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New York Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft and Attempted Bank FraudRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Bronx, N.Y., man, John Sapienza, 60, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 38 months in prison, for aggravated identity theft and attempted bank fraud.
According to his plea agreement, from January 6 through January 11, 2023, Sapienza and Tyshawn Wilson, his co-defendant, travelled to multiple bank locations between New York and Kentucky, attempting to withdraw money from customer accounts. They used counterfeit identifications that bore Sapienza’s photograph, but with the identifying information of the account holder. Wilson aided and abetted Sapienza by driving him to and from bank locations to execute the identity theft and fraud scheme. On January 11, 2023, Sapienza and Wilson were arrested by officers with the Fort Thomas Police Department, after attempting to execute the scheme at multiple bank locations within the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Wilson was sentenced on March 14, 2023 and he received 44 months in prison.
Under federal law, Sapienza and Wilson must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will each be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Casey Kilgore, Fort Thomas Police Department, jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Fort Thomas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Lexington Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., man, Jair Cisneros-Gomez, 25, was sentenced on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove, to 30 years in prison, for production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, on February 14, 2023, a witness contacted law enforcement after discovering videos of Cisneros-Gomez sexually abusing a minor victim. Cisneros-Gomez admitted to law enforcement that he sexually abused the minor and he produced videos of the sexual abuse on his cellphone.
Under federal law, Cisneros-Gomez must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Rana Saoud, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by HSI and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Lexington Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking and Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man Marcus Perry Green, 35, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 12 years in prison, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to his plea agreement, on July 19, 2021, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Green. During the stop, a K9 unit alerted to the odor of controlled substances; and upon searching the vehicle, officers found approximately 252 grams of fentanyl and $17,100 in cash. When arrested, Green had a pistol, with a full magazine. Green admitted he had previously been convicted of a serious drug felony and he was not permitted to possess a firearm.
Under federal law, Green must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, ATF, FBI, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Fayette County Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Dakota Douglas Himes, 27, was sentenced on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to 18 years in prison, for attempted production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, from February 23 to February 27, 2019, Himes engaged in online chats with a New Jersey man who had a toddler son. In the chats, the New Jersey man talked about abusing the toddler and discussed his preferred method of sharing sexually explicit imagery of the toddler, prompting Himes to ask if he could see “live” sexually explicit images of the toddler. Although the New Jersey man did not create new images in response to Himes’s request, he sent Himes an image of the toddler’s genitals that had been taken earlier in the day. In his guilty plea, Himes admitted that he attempted to receive sexually explicit images of a minor via the Internet and had previously received sexually explicit images of the minor via the Internet.
Under federal law, Himes must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 25 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with computer-forensic assistance from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Alabama Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Preparation of False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Boaz, Ala. man, Jeremy Clay Guthrie, 45, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, for wire fraud and aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.
According to his guilty plea agreement, Guthrie was employed as the manager of the Frankfort, Ky. branch of a privately owned aviary supply business, until he was fired on September 27, 2017. During his last two years as a manager, he stole over $550,000 from his employer and customers, by charging customer credit and debit cards for products but
diverting payment for those products to his own personal company, Guthrie’s Naturals. He also altered the pay-to lines on checks from customers and routinely offered customers unauthorized discounts in exchange for cash payments, embezzling much of the cash he received. Guthrie also created false pick tickets for sales to customers of his employer’s products, concealed those sales from his employer, and pocketed the proceeds.
The Defendant also failed to disclose all the income he received from this fraudulent scheme to his tax preparer or the IRS, for tax years 2016 and 2017. Ultimately, Guthrie agreed that he underreported his income by $325,543and admitted that he intentionally concealed a significant portion of his company sales and other unlawfully obtained proceeds and spent proceeds from unreported sales and cash transactions, in part, to fund a drug addiction. At sentencing, the Court found that the criminal loss caused by Guthrie’s crimes was between $550,000 and $1,500,000. An order of restitution to the victims remains pending.
Under federal law, Guthrie must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation; Robert Holman, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; and Chris Quire, Franklin County Sheriff, jointly announced the sentence.
The federal investigation was conducted by IRS-CI, USSS, and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Tashena A. Fannin.
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Second Madison County Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine and Fentanyl that Resulted in an Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Richmond, Ky., man Kris Allen Anglin, 36, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 262 months in prison, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl, that resulted in death; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is the second defendant convicted for his role in the drug conspiracy and overdose death. Gregory Scott Sizemore, 36, of McKee, Ky., was previously sentenced to 389 months.
According to his plea agreement, from December 2020 until January 2021, Anglin conspired with Sizemore to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, in Madison County. On January 11, 2021, a victim fatally overdosed due to the ingestion of fentanyl distributed by Anglin and Sizemore. Specifically, law enforcement discovered that Sizemore had agreed to distribute a fentanyl-methamphetamine mixture to the victim, at his request. Electronic communications located on the victim’s phone confirmed that the substance being provided was a mixture of methamphetamine and fentanyl, that the victim had funds to buy it (by texting a photograph of the purchase money to Sizemore), that Anglin would deliver the drug on Sizemore’s behalf, and that the transaction had taken place. Approximately four hours later, the victim was found deceased.
Within a few hours of the victim being found, law enforcement located Anglin, with three baggies containing fentanyl, cocaine, and/or methamphetamine, as well as the $20 bill used by the victim to purchase the methamphetamine-fentanyl mixture. Law enforcement also found U.S. currency, three digital scales, baggies, other drug trafficking paraphernalia, and three firearms. Anglin admitted he had multiple prior felony convictions, including convictions for Possession of a Controlled Substance First Degree, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Sizemore was the supplier for the methamphetamine-fentanyl mixture that caused the overdose death. After the victim was found deceased, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for a hotel room occupied by Sizemore. There, officers located 380 grams of methamphetamine in a duffel bag. At his arrest, Sizemore had an additional 368 grams of methamphetamine and 3 grams of fentanyl.
Under federal law, Anglin and Sizemore must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Sheriff Mike Coyle, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Rodney Richardson, Richmond Police Department, jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richmond Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Fayette County Man Sentenced for Possession of Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man Davon S. Tooley, 37, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 145 months in prison, for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to his plea agreement, on April 28, 2022, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers discovered that one of the drivers, later identified as Davon Tooley, had fled the scene. There, officers located a quantity of cocaine, marijuana, and a firearm. Tooley was later located and apprehended. A few months later, on July 7, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Tooley. While speaking with Tooley, officers observed a firearm at Tooley’s feet. The firearm was seized. Tooley has admitted that on both occasions he was in possession of a firearm, knowing that he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.
Tooley has previous convictions for Manslaughter Second Degree and Tampering with Physical Evidence from 2010, in Jefferson Circuit Court. Tooley was on parole at the time of both new offenses.
Under federal law, Tooley must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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Jury Finds Lexington Couple Guilty of Fraudulently Obtaining COVID Relief LoansRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two Lexington residents, Kelly Harris, 64, and Neal Harris, 57, were found guilty on Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington, following a four-day trial, of eight counts of wire fraud, for obtaining Economic Injury Disaster Loans loans under false pretenses.
According to the evidence at trial, from May 5, 2020 through July 25, 2020, the Harrises submitted materially false applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA), to obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), for five businesses they claimed were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They obtained $357,600 in disaster relief funds from the SBA for three of the businesses. A local bank detected the fraud in August 2020 and returned the funds remaining in the business accounts.
“The pandemic had a destructive effect on countless businesses, which prompted Congress to appropriate public funds to help them stay open,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When such funds get dissipated through fraud, that has two results: a theft of public funds and a shortcoming in the funds available to help those businesses who were supposed to receive it. The diligence and dedication of the bank and our law enforcement partners realized this result, and will hold these defendants accountable for their disgraceful conduct.”
United States Attorney Shier; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; and Kelly K. Moening, Special Agent in Charge, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Great Lakes Field Division, jointly announced the jury’s verdict.
The investigation was conducted by the USPIS and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. This case is being prosecuted on behalf of the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith.
The Harrises are scheduled to appear for sentencing on July 1, 2024. They each face up to 20 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence. The Harris’ also face potential fines, a forfeiture money judgment, and a judgment of restitution, as ordered by the Court.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Former Kentucky Federal Corrections Lieutenant Sentenced for Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate and Writing False ReportsRead the Press Release
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant, Ryan O. Elliott, 47, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting one inmate and writing a false report about the assault of a second inmate in an unrelated incident.
Two other former corrections officers at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Kentucky – Samuel Patrick, 41, and Clinton Pauley, 42 – previously pleaded guilty to related offenses and were sentenced to 36 and 40 months in prison, respectively. Another prison official, former Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, 39, was convicted of related offenses after a six-day trial and was sentenced to 66 months in prison.
“While he was a lieutenant in a federal prison, this defendant violently assaulted an inmate and then worked with other officers to cover up the assault of a second inmate,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Supervisors should lead by example — not abuse their authority by using excessive force against inmates entrusted to their care and by helping colleagues conceal misconduct. The Justice Department will vigorously pursue law enforcement officers at the local, state or federal level who commit, condone or enable violations of constitutional rights.”
“Not only did Elliott have a profound responsibility to protect people in his custody and care, he had an even greater one — to ensure that those under his supervision also protected them,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “He fell well short on both counts. Instead of honoring his obligations, he acquiesced in the abuse by his subordinates and then tried to cover it up. He now faces the consequences of this betrayal of the public trust placed in him.”
“Rather than perform his supervisory responsibilities and ensure that FBOP staff complied with the law, former Lieutenant Elliot joined with other FBOP staff to assault an inmate and to lie about a separate FBOP staff assault of an inmate,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Hannah of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Midwest Region. “Today’s sentencing sends an important message to FBOP supervisors that they will be held to account for such egregious acts.”
According to court documents and evidence introduced at the trial of Pearce, Elliott, who at that time held the rank of lieutenant, joined Pauley and other officers in assaulting one inmate and, in a separate incident, wrote false reports about the assault of another inmate. On March 26, 2021, Elliott was present when an inmate was taken to a room with no cameras following a non-violent violation of prison rules. When another officer began to assault the inmate, Elliott assisted by tackling the inmate to the ground and punching him in the body. Elliott continued to assault the inmate, and Pauley joined. On or about April 30, 2021, Elliott was asked by Pearce to help cover up an assault against another inmate who had been beaten by Pauley and Patrick. Elliott, who had not been present for that assault, agreed to help Pearce cover up the assault by writing a false report claiming that he had been there and had seen no assault.
DOJ-OIG and the FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Thomas Johnson and Tara Allison of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case.
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Former Kentucky Federal Corrections Lieutenant Sentenced for Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate and Writing False ReportsRead the Press Release
A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant, Ryan O. Elliott, 47, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting one inmate and writing a false report about the assault of a second inmate in an unrelated incident.
Two other former corrections officers at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Kentucky – Samuel Patrick, 41, and Clinton Pauley, 42 – previously pleaded guilty to related offenses and were sentenced to 36 and 40 months in prison, respectively. Another prison official, former Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, 39, was convicted of related offenses after a six-day trial and was sentenced to 66 months in prison.
“While he was a lieutenant in a federal prison, this defendant violently assaulted an inmate and then worked with other officers to cover up the assault of a second inmate,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Supervisors should lead by example — not abuse their authority by using excessive force against inmates entrusted to their care and by helping colleagues conceal misconduct. The Justice Department will vigorously pursue law enforcement officers at the local, state or federal level who commit, condone or enable violations of constitutional rights.”
“Not only did Elliot have a profound responsibility to protect people in his custody and care, he had an even greater one — to ensure that those under his supervision also protected them,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “He fell well short on both counts. Instead of honoring his obligations, he acquiesced in the abuse by his subordinates and then tried to cover it up. He now faces the consequences of this betrayal of the public trust placed in him.”
“Rather than perform his supervisory responsibilities and ensure that FBOP staff complied with the law, former Lieutenant Elliot joined with other FBOP staff to assault an inmate and to lie about a separate FBOP staff assault of an inmate,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Hannah of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Midwest Region. “Today’s sentencing sends an important message to FBOP supervisors that they will be held to account for such egregious acts.”
“Our commitment to protecting citizens’ civil rights does not end at the gates of a prison. There is simply no place in our justice system for law enforcement officers, especially supervisors, who are willing to assault those under their protection and then cover up their misdeeds,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Our society trusts law enforcement to provide equal protection for the incarcerated. Breaching that trust has consequences, and FBI Louisville and its partners will work to hold those accountable who choose to abuse the power afforded them.”
According to court documents and evidence introduced at the trial of Pearce, Elliott, who at that time held the rank of lieutenant, joined Pauley and other officers in assaulting one inmate and, in a separate incident, wrote false reports about the assault of another inmate. On March 26, 2021, Elliott was present when an inmate was taken to a room with no cameras following a non-violent violation of prison rules. When another officer began to assault the inmate, Elliott assisted by tackling the inmate to the ground and punching him in the body. Elliott continued to assault the inmate, and Pauley joined. On or about April 30, 2021, Elliott was asked by Pearce to help cover up an assault against another inmate who had been beaten by Pauley and Patrick. Elliott, who had not been present for that assault, agreed to help Pearce cover up the assault by writing a false report claiming that he had been there and had seen no assault.
DOJ-OIG and the FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Thomas Johnson and Tara Allison of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case.
Six Former Kentucky State Corrections Officers Sentenced for Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Six former officers of the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) were sentenced on Monday for their roles in the assault of an inmate and the subsequent cover-up.
Three officers who carried out the assault on the inmate and covered it up — Randall Dennis, 28, James Benish, 37, and Jeffery Havens, 28 — were sentenced to 60, 27 and 15 months in prison, respectively, followed by two years of supervised release each. A supervisor and two other officers who covered up the assault — Randy Nickell, 55, Nathan Cantrell, 33, and Derek Mays, 34 — were each sentenced to one month in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, with Nickell and Cantrell sentenced to five additional months of home confinement. All six officers pleaded guilty, and three of the officers testified against a seventh co-defendant, Eric Nantell, who was found guilty at a trial earlier this year.
“These former corrections officers are being sentenced to prison for their roles in the violent assault of a handcuffed inmate in a prison shower cell, and their attempt to cover-up the crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These sentences should send a clear message: corrections officers are not above the law in our country. The Justice Department will continue to enforce federal laws to protect the civil and constitutional rights of people held in our jails and prisons.”
“These individuals were responsible for the custody and care of inmates; instead, they chose to assault them, and lie to cover up the abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Their conduct was a profound breach of the trust placed in them, a brazen disregard for safety of people in their care and a disgraceful effort to conceal their crime. Fortunately, they now face the consequences of this inexcusable conduct.”
“When several officers took part in beating an inmate who was unable to defend himself, a blatant violation of the individual’s civil rights occurred. But the injustice did not stop there as evidence of a cover-up also emerged,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “As in this case, FBI personnel will always take allegations of police misconduct seriously and will leave no stone unturned when it comes to identifying perpetrators who violate federal law.”
The evidence at trial established that Dennis and Benish, both of whom were members of EKCC’s internal affairs department, assaulted a non-violent inmate who was lying face-down, wearing handcuffs and leg shackles and isolated in a prison shower cell. Havens, an entry-level officer, joined them in the assault.
Within hours of the inmate reporting the abuse, supervisors of EKCC and state detectives of the Kentucky State Police opened an investigation. Nickell, Cantrell and Mays, who were standing in the hallway outside the door of the shower when the assault began, joined the other officers in a cover-up scheme. As part of that cover-up, they wrote false reports and lied to state investigators.
The one defendant who did not plead guilty was recently convicted at trial in a related case. On Feb. 15, former Corrections Sergeant Nantell was convicted of one count of deprivation of civil rights for failing to intervene to protect the inmate and three counts of obstruction for lying to state and federal investigators. Nantell’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Dembo and Mary Melton for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case.
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Six Former Kentucky State Corrections Officers Sentenced for Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
Six former officers of the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) were sentenced today for their roles in the assault of an inmate and the subsequent cover-up.
Three officers who carried out the assault on the inmate and covered it up — Randall Dennis, 28, James Benish, 37, and Jeffery Havens, 28 — were sentenced to 60, 27 and 15 months in prison, respectively, followed by two years of supervised release each. A supervisor and two other officers who covered up the assault — Randy Nickell, 55, Nathan Cantrell, 33, and Derek Mays, 34 — were each sentenced to one month in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, with Nickell and Cantrell sentenced to five additional months of home confinement. All six officers pleaded guilty, and three of the officers testified against a seventh co-defendant, Eric Nantell, who was found guilty at a trial earlier this year.
“These former corrections officers are being sentenced to prison for their roles in the violent assault of a handcuffed inmate in a prison shower cell, and their attempt to cover-up the crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These sentences should send a clear message: corrections officers are not above the law in our country. The Justice Department will continue to enforce federal laws to protect the civil and constitutional rights of people held in our jails and prisons.”
“These individuals were responsible for the custody and care of inmates; instead, they chose to assault them, and lie to cover up the abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Their conduct was a profound breach of the trust placed in them, a brazen disregard for safety of people in their care and a disgraceful effort to conceal their crime. Fortunately, they now face the consequences of this inexcusable conduct.”
“When several officers took part in beating an inmate who was unable to defend himself, a blatant violation of the individual’s civil rights occurred. But the injustice did not stop there as evidence of a cover-up also emerged,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “As in this case, FBI personnel will always take allegations of police misconduct seriously and will leave no stone unturned when it comes to identifying perpetrators who violate federal law.”
The evidence at trial established that Dennis and Benish, both of whom were members of EKCC’s internal affairs department, assaulted a non-violent inmate who was lying face-down, wearing handcuffs and leg shackles and isolated in a prison shower cell. Havens, an entry-level officer, joined them in the assault.
Within hours of the inmate reporting the abuse, supervisors of EKCC and state detectives of the Kentucky State Police opened an investigation. Nickell, Cantrell and Mays, who were standing in the hallway outside the door of the shower when the assault began, joined the other officers in a cover-up scheme. As part of that cover-up, they wrote false reports and lied to state investigators.
The one defendant who did not plead guilty was recently convicted at trial in a related case. On Feb. 15, former Corrections Sergeant Nantell was convicted of one count of deprivation of civil rights for failing to intervene to protect the inmate and three counts of obstruction for lying to state and federal investigators. Nantell’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Dembo and Mary Melton for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case.