Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Mexican citizen sentenced to six months in prison for lying on passport applicationRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a man from Mexico was sentenced to six months in prison for submitting false information when applying for a passport.
Juan Carlos Guzman, 36, of San Lui Potosi, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of making a false statement on a passport application in an attempt to illegally obtain a U.S. passport. According to the July 26, 2016 guilty plea, Guzman used another individual’s name, birthdate and social security number and submitted the documents to the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court on March 31, 2015 to process a passport application. Guzman is in the country illegally.
The U.S. State Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
Lafayette man sentenced to 55 months in prison for possessing stolen firearmsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRAI, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Wednesday to 55 months in prison for possessing two stolen pistols.
James Martin Jr., 21, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of stolen firearms. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the May 23, 2016 guilty plea, Lafayette Police responded to reports of gunfire at the 200 block of East Clinton Street. After arriving at the scene, an officer saw Martin holding a firearm. When told to drop the weapon, Martin instead pointed it at the officer. The officer fired twice at Martin hitting him once in the shoulder. Martin fled the scene dropping one of the guns. He was later found in possession of a second firearm. He admitted they were both stolen. The two recovered pistols were a Sig Sauer, model P220, .45 caliber pistol and a Sig Sauer, model P224, .40 caliber pistol.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic Rossetti and Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Former Effie Post Office employee pleads guilty to stealing more than $6,000Read the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Cottonport woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing more than $6,000 from the Effie Post Office.
Chelsa Dobison, 26, of Cottonport, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of issuing fraudulent money orders. According to the guilty plea, Dobison was an employee of the Post Office in Effie, La. From January 2016 to April 2016, she issued $6,631.55 in money orders to herself without prepaying for them. This caused a financial loss to the Post Office. She resigned her position in April of 2016.
Dobison faces five years in prison, three years supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of January 26, 2017 was set.
The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Arizona man sentenced to 7 years in prison for traveling to Louisiana to have sex with minorRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that an Arizona man was sentenced Thursday to 84 months in prison for traveling from Texas to Louisiana to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Jonathan Glosch, 26, of Golden Valley, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the July 8, 2016 guilty plea, Glosch was traveling with an Arizona family in November of 2015 on their way to Louisiana. The family asked Glosch to leave the trip while in Texas. The mother believed he was having an inappropriate relationship with their 14-year-old daughter. Glosch stayed in contact with the daughter telling her that he had feelings for her and that they would run away together. He stole an automobile while in Texas and followed the family to Morgan City, La. On December 3, 2015, he picked up the daughter without the family’s knowledge and drove to Lafayette Parish. Law enforcement agents used information provided by the parents to track the defendant. The juvenile female was found with Glosch in the back of the vehicle.
The FBI, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and Morgan City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative 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, 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.
Those concerned may also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 233-2164.
U.S. Attorney’s Office provides 2016 elections informationRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT / LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley advises the public today of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s role during the upcoming November 8, 2016 general elections and the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program.
“Early voting begins on Tuesday, October 25th in Louisiana, and I want to provide the public with information regarding the enforcement of laws related to voting,” Finley stated. “Our staff will be available to assist in pursuing complaints of voting fraud and intimidation throughout the election cycle. Free and open elections are an essential part of our democracy, and we want to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected.”
State and local governments have primary responsibility for administering elections. The Justice Department is charged with and committed to protecting the rights of all citizens to access the ballot on Election Day, preventing and prosecuting voter fraud and discrimination at the polls, combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
Early voting starts October 25th and continues to November 1st (except Sunday) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the November 8th general election, and November 26th to December 3rd (except Sunday) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the December 10th runoff election.
Residents should contact their local Registrar of Voters’ Office to determine their voting location. Voters can download a sample ballot or obtain other election information by visiting the Louisiana Secretary of State’s web page online at www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting. To find out more, call the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office at 225-922-0900.
For those seeking to register to vote, registration is open throughout the year. Registration to be eligible to vote in the November 8th election has ended, but registration is open for subsequent elections throughout the year. In Louisiana, eligibility to register to vote in an election ends 30 days before that election. To find out more, call the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office at 225-922-0900.
Complaints of election fraud or voting rights violations should be directed to the FBI, who will have special agents available in each field office and resident agencies throughout the country to receive allegations. The local FBI field offices can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: Shreveport at 318-861-1890, Lafayette at 337-233-2164, Monroe at 318- 387-0773, Alexandria at 318-443-5097 and Lake Charles at 337-433-6353. The U.S. Attorney’s Office can be reached by the public at 318-676-3600 (Shreveport) or 337-262-6618 (Lafayette).
Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, D.C., at 800-253-3931, 202-307-2767 or by fax at (202) 307-3961. The division’s email address is [email protected], and voter complaints can also be filed online at www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces six federal statutes. They are the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. For more information on the acts that the division enforces, visit www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/overview.php.
Jonesville man sentenced to 12 months in prison for possessing unregistered silencerRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Jonesville man was sentenced Wednesday to one year and one day in prison for possessing a silencer.
John Wesley Smith, 40, of Jonesville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possessing an unregistered firearm (a firearm silencer, firearm muffler and suppressor). He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release. According to the June 30, 2016 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police officers were surveilling a house in a Jonesville neighborhood on September 1, 2015 while working another investigation. State police observed Smith enter the home and confronted him when he emerged. While accompanying Smith to his vehicle to retrieve his identification, the officer saw an M4 rifle with a scope, silencer and large capacity magazine placed barrel down in the front seat. When asked about the weapon, Smith told the officers he made the silencer from parts of an old boat. Silencers and silencer parts are defined as firearms according to federal law and are required to have serial numbers and be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The illegal silencer Smith possessed was not registered and had no serial number. Officers seized the M4 rifle with the silencer, and they told Smith that silencers must be registered and have a serial number. When Smith was arrested on March 3, 2016 at his home, agents found methamphetamine and marijuana in Smith’s pants pocket along with a 22 caliber pistol strapped to his ankle. During a search of Smith’s property, agents also found three more homemade, illegal, unregistered silencers on a workbench in a shed.
The ATF and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Shreveport optometrist sentenced to six months in prison for illegally writing prescriptionsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport optometrist was sentenced Monday to six months in prison for writing prescriptions for non-patients and non-medical purposes.
Charles D. Shanks, 64, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of distributing or dispensing a controlled substance. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the September 14, 2015 guilty plea, Shanks wrote dozens of prescriptions for codeine and hydrocodone in 2012 and 2013 from pharmacies and wholesale distributors that were for non-patients and not for valid medical purposes.
The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minorRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Thursday to 121 months in prison for sex trafficking of a minor.
In addition to the term of incarceration, Zayne Ghandi Anderson, 41, of Shreveport, was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the June 13, 2016 guilty plea, undercover law enforcement agents responded to an online advertisement Anderson posted for the prostitution of minors. Upon further investigation, agents met a 16-year-old female. Agents discovered that Anderson had posted several advertisements online soliciting money in exchange for sex with the minor.
“This sentence reflects our commitment to halt the sex trafficking of young girls in this district,” Finley stated. “My office will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure that individuals who commit these crimes are found and convicted.”
The FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Jonathan S. Drucker prosecuted the case.
Lafayette man sentenced to 60 months in prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Thursday to 60 months in prison for receiving child pornography and storing it on a thumb drive.
James Michael Hinson, 67, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of receiving child pornography. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the June 2, 2016 guilty plea, electronic files containing child pornography were detected in May of 2015 as being transferred to an account associated with the defendant. Hinson was later arrested, and a thumb drive containing 383 images and 65 videos of child pornography was found.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative 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, 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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Federal jury finds Lafayette man guilty of possessing a firearm after felony convictionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a federal jury found a Lafayette man guilty Thursday of possessing a handgun after being convicted of a felony.
Damion Hamilton, 32, of Lafayette, was found guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial, which started Tuesday and ended Thursday with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for approximately three hours. Evidence admitted at trial revealed that a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle Hamilton was driving on January 19, 2016. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and a gun safe was found on the vehicle’s back seat. The safe was later opened, and a FNS-40 .40 caliber pistol and ammunition were found. In addition to DNA evidence, the pistol’s loaded magazine also had Hamilton’s fingerprints on it.
Hamilton faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the weapon seized and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will be set at a later date.
“Those prohibited from carrying firearms because of a prior felony will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Finley stated. “In this case, it took the work of federal and local law enforcement to bring this defendant to justice. These collaborations further our work to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and protect our community.”
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm and to promote firearm safety.
The ATF and Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and Kelly P. Uebinger are prosecuting the case.
Last of five sentenced to 24 months in prison for role in equipment theft ringRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that the last of five Calcasieu Parish residents was sentenced Thursday to 24 months in prison for conspiring to steal yard equipment worth more than $190,000 from owners living in south central and southwest Louisiana.
Kevin Henry, 44, of Lake Charles, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of conspiracy to commit transportation of stolen motor vehicles. He was sentenced to three years of supervised release and also ordered to pay $78,513 restitution.
The other defendants were also previously sentenced on one count of conspiracy to commit transportation of stolen motor vehicles. They are:
Melvin Simien III, 34, of Iowa, La., was sentenced April 4, 2013 to 33 months in prison with three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $78,513 restitution and complete 50 hours of community service.
Robert Jordan Handy, 26, of Lake Charles, was sentenced April 4, 2013 to 30 months in prison with three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $78,513 restitution.
Donald James Odia Ellis, 25, of Lake Charles, was sentenced April 4, 2013 to six months in prison with three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.
Paula Garrick, 46, of Iowa, was sentenced March 7, 2013 to one year of unsupervised probation.
According to the January 3, 2013 guilty plea, Henry initiated the illegal operation by asking Handy to steal lawn mowers and other types of yard equipment. Handy would then ask others to help him steal equipment. Handy would pay those involved for their help and then sell the equipment to Henry who later sold the equipment in Louisiana and Texas. Henry bought newspapers ads in Dallas and Baton Rouge to sell the stolen items.
In one instance, a Louisiana state trooper stopped a GMC Yukon sports utility vehicle(SUV) Sept. 29, 2009 on Interstate 49 in St. Landry Parish that had been pulling a utility trailer containing three zero-turn radius lawn mowers. A car, driven by Garrick, was observed following the trailer and had flashed its headlights as the trooper approached. After stopping the SUV and trailer, the trooper found Simien and Ellis. During the examination of the SUV and trailer, Simien and Ellis fled the scene. They were later apprehended.
Law enforcement determined that two lawn mowers in the trailer were stolen from a dealership in Opelousas, La., and one was stolen from a private residence in Duson, La. The trailer holding the lawn mowers was stolen from a dealership in Duson.
The FBI and Louisiana State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office staff in Shreveport, Lafayette celebrate Community Policing Week, National Night OutRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE, La. – Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office staff members, local law enforcement and community leaders met in neighborhoods throughout Caddo, Bossier and Lafayette parishes Tuesday in conjunction with Community Policing Week and National Night Out.
National Night Out takes place for one night usually the first Tuesday in August or October and is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. It sends a clear message that neighbors are organized and fighting back.
Residents unlocked their doors, turned on porch lights and spent the evening outside with family, friends, neighbors, emergency response personnel and city officials. Many neighborhoods throughout Caddo and Bossier parishes hosted a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks, contests, youth activities and anti-crime rallies.
In Lafayette, residents met at the Martin Luther King Center near Willow Street. The events included music, food, games, fun jumps and other displays by local agencies including the Lafayette Police Department SWAT Team, Horse Patrol, Motorcycle Unit, Bicycle Patrol and the Police Command Bus.
Community policing is a public safety philosophy based on partnership and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities that they are sworn to protect and serve. At the center of community policing is the idea that all members of the community, both officer and civilian, have a stake in the safety of their neighborhoods where they live and work.
As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to building stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, the Department of Justice is leading nearly 400 events in support of community policing efforts around the country. To further that effort, President Obama designated the week of October 2 to 8, 2016, as National Community Policing Week. The week is also an extension of Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s 12-city Community Policing Tour that highlights collaborative programs and policing practices designed to advance public safety, strengthen police-community relations, and foster mutual trust and respect between law enforcement and citizens. National Community Policing Week builds on President Obama’s efforts to engage with law enforcement and other members of the community to implement key recommendations from the 21st Century Policing Task Force report.
“This year Community Policing Week and National Night Out took place during the same week,” Finley stated. “The aim of both is to foster a strong bond among community members and law enforcement. It is also a great way to acknowledge the accomplishments of neighborhood organizations that keep communities safe, and especially to thank and acknowledge our law enforcement community for putting their lives on the line for us every day.”
In Shreveport and Bossier City, various member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office staff joined Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler, Shreveport Interim Police Chief Alan Crump, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator’s Office, the Shreveport Fire Department and other agencies in Caddo and Bossier parishes. In Lafayette, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office staff joined the Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Parish Fire Department and other agencies at the community center on Cora Street.
Thousands of communities across the United States took part in the 33nd Annual National Night Out starting in August. To find out more about National Night Out, visit the National Association for Town Watch at http://www.natw.org.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to felony possession of firearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally possessing two pistols after being convicted of a felony.
Terrell Kellum, 29, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, a member of the public informed law enforcement on November 6, 2015 that an individual was carrying two pistols near the intersection of Linwood and 70th Street in Shreveport. The individual was seen leaving in a vehicle some time later. A Shreveport police officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and searched it. Kellum was found to be in possession of two .380 caliber Lorcin Model L380 pistols. Kellum had been previously convicted of a felony and was not allowed to possess a firearm.
Kellum faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the seized items and a $10,000 fine. A sentencing date of February 10, 2017 was set.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Drucker is prosecuting the case.
Bossier City, Louisiana, Housing Authority Agrees to Pay $120,000 and Implement Reforms to Settle Justice Department LawsuitRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Bossier City, Louisiana, Housing Authority (BCHA) has agreed to pay $120,000 and adopt new policies and practices to settle a lawsuit alleging that it discriminated on the basis of race and disability, in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The settlement must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
The complaint alleges that from 2007 to 2014, BCHA assigned elderly residents to housing on the basis of race, rather than by their place on the waiting list, and restricted residents with disabilities primarily to one of BCHA’s seven apartment complexes. Specifically, the Justice Department alleges that BCHA assigned white elderly residents to Patricia Plaza I or Patricia Plaza II, the two complexes that it had reserved for elderly persons. By contrast, the complaint alleges that BCHA assigned African-American elderly residents to one of its other five complexes, all of which were at least 90 percent African-American. The complaint further alleges that BCHA primarily assigned residents with disabilities to Patricia Plaza II and did not consider such residents for vacancies at BCHA’s six other properties.
“Denying housing or dictating where someone can live based on their race or disability perpetuates residential segregation and violates federal law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement ensures equal access to federally-subsidized housing in Bossier City, and the department will continue to confront discriminatory policies or practices in the housing market throughout the country.”
“All of the residents of our district deserve to live in housing managed with policies that are free of discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana. “In some cases, these federally-subsidized housing units are the last resort for those seeking a place to live. Their situations should not be further complicated or burdened by illegal actions taken by those tasked with meeting their needs.”
If approved by the district court, the settlement will require BCHA to implement non-discriminatory policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Fair Housing Act and to ensure that BCHA housing units are made available for rent based on an applicant’s position on its waiting list, irrespective of race or disability. In addition, BCHA employees who are responsible for making housing decisions will receive training on the new non-discriminatory policies and procedures, the consent decree and the Fair Housing Act.
In addition, BCHA will pay $120,000 to compensate elderly persons or persons with disabilities who were passed over on the waiting list or otherwise denied the right to move into the apartment of their choice because of race or disability. Such persons who are current tenants will also be allowed to request a transfer on a priority basis. The settlement establishes a process for identifying people who are entitled to share in the settlement fund. Persons who believe they were subjected to unlawful discrimination at one of BCHA properties and may be entitled to receive compensation should contact the Justice Department toll-free at 1-800-896-7743, Mailbox 9993, or email the department at [email protected]. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
Bossier Complaint Bossier Consent DecreeBossier City Housing Authority agrees to pay $120,000 and implement reforms as a result of Justice Department lawsuitRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the Bossier City Housing Authority (BCHA) has agreed to pay $120,000 and adopt new policies and practices to settle a lawsuit alleging that it discriminated on the basis of race and disability in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The settlement must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
The complaint alleges that from 2007 to 2014, BCHA assigned its elderly residents to housing in their seven complexes on the basis of race, rather than by their place on waiting lists. BCHS also restricted residents with disabilities primarily to one of BCHA’s seven apartment complexes. Specifically, the Justice Department alleges that BCHA assigned white elderly residents to Patricia Plaza I or Patricia Plaza II, the two complexes that it had reserved for elderly persons. By contrast, the complaint alleges that BCHA assigned African-American elderly residents to one of its other five complexes, all of which were at least 90 percent African-American. The complaint further alleges that BCHA primarily assigned residents with disabilities to Patricia Plaza II and did not consider such residents for vacancies at BCHA’s six other properties.
“Denying housing or dictating where someone can live based on their race or disability perpetuates residential segregation and violates federal law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement ensures equal access to federally-subsidized housing in Bossier City, and the department will continue to confront discriminatory policies or practices in the housing market throughout the country.”
“All of the residents of our district deserve to live in housing managed with policies that are free of discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana. “In some cases, these federally-subsidized housing units are the last resort for those seeking a place to live. Their situations should not be further complicated or burdened by illegal actions taken by those tasked with meeting their needs.”
If approved by the district court, the settlement will require BCHA to implement non-discriminatory policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Fair Housing Act and to ensure that BCHA housing units are made available for rent based on an applicant’s position on its waiting list, irrespective of race or disability. In addition, BCHA employees who are responsible for making housing decisions will receive training on the new non-discriminatory policies and procedures, the consent decree and the Fair Housing Act.
In addition, BCHA will pay $120,000 to compensate elderly persons or persons with disabilities who were passed over on the waiting list or otherwise denied the right to move into the apartment of their choice because of race or disability. Such persons who are current tenants will also be allowed to request a transfer on a priority basis. The settlement establishes a process for identifying people who are entitled to share in the settlement fund. Persons who believe they were subjected to unlawful discrimination at one of BCHA properties and may be entitled to receive compensation should contact the Justice Department toll-free at 1-800-896-7743, Mailbox 9993, or email the department at [email protected]. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
Homer resident pleads guilty to failing to update his sex offender registrationRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Homer resident pleaded guilty Wednesday to failing to update his sex offender registration.
James Fernando Rhodes, 50, of Homer, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of failure to update sex offender registration. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana conducted a sex offender compliance check on Rhodes in March of 2013. He was not found at his reported address and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A tip to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office led to Rhodes’ arrest in May of 2016. He later admitted to living in Louisiana for two years without registering as required by law. The defendant was convicted of indecency with a child-sexual contact on December 8, 1995 in Dallas County, Texas, and was required to register as a sex offender for life.
Rhodes faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of February 1, 2017 was set.
The U.S. Marshals Service, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Voting for Western District of LouisianaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley reminds voters that today is National Voter Registration Day (NVRD), which is dedicated to ensuring every American is registered to vote at their current address in time for the next election. National Voter Registration Day is celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of every September by thousands of volunteers, celebrities, organizations, businesses and elected officials from all over the country. To find out more about NVRD, visit nationalvoterregistrationday.org.
In Louisiana, registering can be done in person, by mail or online and is open throughout the year. Registration to be eligible to vote in the November 8th presidential election and congressional primary ends on October 11th, and registration to be eligible to vote in the December 11th general congressional election is open until November 9th. Early voting is October 25th to November 1th (except Sunday) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the November 8th election, and November 26th to December 10th (except Sunday) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the December 10th election.
Residents should contact their local Registrar of Voters’ Office to determine their voting location. Voters can download a sample ballot or obtain other election information by visiting the Louisiana Secretary of State’s web page online at www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting. Eligibility to register to vote in an election ends 30 days before that election. To find out more, call the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office at 225-922-0900.
“The right to vote is essential to maintaining our system of democracy,” Finley stated. “One of the Department of Justice’s most important responsibilities is ensuring access to the ballot box for every eligible American in the Western District of Louisiana.”
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.
Complaints of election fraud or voting rights violations should be directed to the FBI, who will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations. The local FBI field offices can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: Shreveport at 318-861-1890, Lafayette at 337-233-2164, Monroe at (318) 387-0773, Alexandria at (318) 443-5097 and Lake Charles at (337) 433-6353. For a more information about FBI field offices in Louisiana visit https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/neworleans. The U.S. Attorney’s Office can be reached by the public at 318-676-3600 (Shreveport) or 337-262-6618 (Lafayette).
Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division=s Voting Section in Washington, D.C., at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767. The division’s email address is [email protected], and voter complaints also can be filed online at www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake.
The Civil Rights Division=s Voting Section enforces six federal statutes. They are the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. For more information on the acts that the division enforces, visit www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/overview.php.
Morgan City woman sentenced for scheme with Patterson man to commit tax fraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Morgan City woman was sentenced Monday to 25 months in prison for her role in a scheme to use stolen identities to file false tax returns and pocket refunds.
Laphrida T. Watts, 40, from Morgan City, La., currently residing in Palmdale, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of aggravated identity theft. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $45,252.02 restitution. According to the January 13, 2016 guilty plea, from February 2013 to August of 2013, Watts and co-defendant Louis W. Carbins Jr., 36, of Patterson, La., knew and allowed individuals from overseas to use stolen identities to file tax returns. The overseas individuals then directed the IRS to deposit the refunds into Carbins’ bank accounts. Watts and Carbins would then wire some of the money overseas and keep the rest. The IRS issued more than $815,000 in refunds to Carbins’ accounts. Watts and Carbins spent $45,681.22 of the funds.
Carbins was sentenced on August 29, 2016 to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $45,252.02 restitution. He was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, seven counts of theft of government money and one count of aggravated identity theft after a three-day trial that ended May 25, 2016.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Robert F. Moore are prosecuting the case.
Mexican citizen arrested in Bossier Parish sentenced to 10 months for reentering the country illegallyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Mexican citizen was sentenced Monday to 10 months in prison on charges that he reentered the United States illegally.
Ruperto Ocampo-Marchan, 38, of Alcapulco Guerrero, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the May 5, 2016 guilty plea, a Louisiana state trooper conducted a traffic stop on January 28, 2016 on the vehicle Ocampo-Marchan was driving near Bossier City, La. He was found with two juvenile females who he said he was transporting to Atlanta, Ga. After further investigation, it was determined that the defendant was illegally in the United States and had been removed previously in 2005, 2013 and 2015.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Maurice man sentenced to 24 months in prison for possessing unregistered shotgunRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Maurice man was sentenced Monday to 24 months in prison for possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun.
Kevin Patrick Abshire, 32, of Maurice, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of an unregistered firearm; namely, a shotgun having a barrel less than 18 inches in length. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the June 16, 2016 guilty plea, Abshire admitted that on June 6, 2015, he was involved in a high-speed car chase within the city limits of Lafayette and Lafayette Parish, after he nearly struck an officer of the Lafayette Police Department while that officer was directing traffic at an accident scene. Instead of following the directions of the officers on the scene to turn off the engine to his vehicle, Abshire admitted that he drove away at a high rate of speed, causing officers of the Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office to pursue Abshire’s vehicle. Abshire was involved in a single-vehicle accident near the Ridge Road area of Lafayette, and upon exiting the vehicle, officers noticed that he was in possession of a shotgun. Officers were successful in subduing Abshire and placing him into custody. The investigation revealed that the shotgun Abshire possessed when he exited the vehicle was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, was loaded, and had a barrel length of 13-7/8 inches.
The ATF, Lafayette Police Department and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Castor couple plead guilty to roles in converting rifle into a machine gunRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Castor couple pleaded guilty to charges related to converting a rifle into a machine gun.
Michael Deen Reeves, 58, and Crissy Lawson Reeves, 37, of Castor, La., and who are married pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. Michael Reeves pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing an unregistered firearm, and Crissy Reeves pleaded guilty to one count of transferring an unregistered firearm. According to the guilty pleas, a cooperating witness informed law enforcement officials that he had met with Michael and Crissy Reeves in October of 2015 to purchase a fully automatic SKS rifle. They negotiated a price, and Crissy Reeves agreed to retrieve a previously pawned rifle from a pawn shop in Natchitoches, La. Law enforcement recorded the defendants on October 30, 2016 in their home selling the rifle to the witness. Law enforcement agents also recorded Michael Reeves converting the Norinco SKS 7.62 x 39 mm rifle to a fully automatic rifle.
They face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the seized items and a $10,000 fine. A sentencing date of January 20, 2017 was set.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Drucker is prosecuting the case.
Franklin woman sentenced to 24 months in prison for stealing more than $61,000 from her employerRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Franklin woman was sentenced Thursday to 24 months in prison for stealing more than $61,500 from the company where she worked.
Michelle Leann Berry-Ortemond, 41, of Franklin, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of wire fraud. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $55,346.66 restitution. According to the May 25, 2016 guilty plea, Berry-Ortemond stole $61,696.41 from a Lafayette construction company from February 2010 to April 2011 while employed there. She forged and cashed forged checks, initiated wire transfers and accessed a line of credit in the corporation’s name without consent.
The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Breaux Bridge woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $64,000 from a New Iberia companyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Breaux Bridge woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $64,000 from a New Iberia company.
Joan C. Edgar, 66, of Breaux Bridge, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of wire fraud. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Edgar worked as an office manager for a New Iberia company. The company’s sole stockholder began negotiating with Edgar for her to buy the company in 2011, and while still working for the company, she stole $64,860. She concealed her actions by altering company records.
Edgar faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger is prosecuting the case.
North Carolina man sentenced to 63 months in prison for possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a North Carolina man was sentenced Wednesday to 63 months in prison for possessing a sexually explicit image of a Lafayette minor.
Eric Teague, 48, of Granite Falls, N.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of possession of child pornography. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the June 23, 2016 guilty plea, Teague contacted a minor in the Lafayette area through a social media site online. The defendant received a sexually explicit image from the minor in January of 2015 and was later found in possession of the image.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative 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, 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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Federal jury finds Florida man guilty of sexually assaulting Fort Polk officerRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a federal jury found a Florida man guilty Tuesday of sexually assaulting a female officer stationed at the Fort Polk Military Base.
Maurice Antuan Speights, 32, of Tallahassee, Fla., was found guilty of one count of sexual abuse. United States District Judge Patricia Minaldi presided over the trial, which started Monday and ended Tuesday with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for 50 minutes. According to testimony and evidence admitted at trial, the defendant, a civilian, was an acquaintance who was temporarily residing at a relative’s home in Leesville. Speights, the victim and a female friend went out for a night of drinking on October 20, 2013. At trial, the female friend testified about the events of the evening. She stated that the victim was so intoxicated that by the time the three returned to the female friend’s home, the victim passed out. The female friend and Speights had to carry the victim to an upstairs bedroom. An FBI agent testified that during an interview, Speights acknowledged engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim but claimed it was consensual. The victim took the stand during the two-day trial and testified that she had no memory of anything that occurred until she woke up in the middle of the night with the defendant sexually assaulting her.
The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the crime occurred on the Fort Polk Military Base where the United States has exclusive jurisdiction.
Speights faces up to a lifetime in prison, life of supervised release, registration as a sex offender and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for January 12, 2017.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and David C. Joseph are prosecuting the case.
West Monroe woman pleads guilty to embezzling money from bankruptcy clientsRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a West Monroe woman pleaded guilty Monday to stealing bankruptcy clients’ Chapter 13 payments.
Jessica M. Millwood, 39, of West Monroe, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of embezzlement against a bankruptcy estate. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to testimony presented during the guilty plea, Millwood worked for a Monroe bankruptcy attorney, Glay H. Collier II, who himself was previously convicted of bankruptcy fraud against his clients. Millwood dealt directly with the clients and took money from debtor-clients. A client filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in March of 2014 and began paying $1,105 per month to settle debts. Millwood began embezzling the money from the client for her own use in May of 2014 rather than remitting the plan payments to the Chapter 13 trustee. In August of 2014, the client’s case was dismissed for failure to pay. Milwood embezzled funds from approximately 10 debtor-clients during her employment with Glay Collier.
Millwood faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2017.
The FBI and the U.S. Trustee’s Office – Region 5 conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office shares with students the dangers of heroin and opioidsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. — United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that her office is observing National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week by bringing the discussion to Shreveport and surrounding high schools.
Today’s program at Northwood High School in Shreveport kicks off similar events that begin this week and will continue throughout the year. Students at schools in the Western District of Louisiana will view the FBI and DEA documentary “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict.” There will be a discussion of the film followed by presentations from an Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office staff, members of law enforcement, counselors and others. A discussion guide will also be made available to classroom teachers for use after the events.
“I want to thank the Caddo Parish School Board, Superintendent Theodis Lamar Goree and Northwood High School Principal Darlene Simons for hosting the first of these presentations,” Finley stated. “Our goal is to have many more of these programs at local schools and expand them to university and technical college campuses. Addiction to these substances affects all of us on some level, young and old. We want to do everything we can to make sure that the young people of this District are aware of the dangers and pitfalls so that they can have great futures.”
The White House, Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Offices have joined with law enforcement, schools and other public and private agencies to observe National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week. It provides the chance to educate the public about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse, as well as how they can help stop the epidemic that is killing so many of children, friends and neighbors. Many people are not aware how pervasive opioids have become and do not know how rapidly the opioid threat is evolving.
The prescription opioid and heroin epidemic has taken a toll on many Americans and their families, while straining resources of law enforcement and treatment programs. More Americans now die every year from drug overdoses than they do in motor vehicle crashes—and most of those involve prescription opioids or heroin. More than 27,000 lives were lost in 2014 to heroin and opioids, and reports from the field indicate that this number has increased in 2015 and this year. The largest share of this toll comes from the abuse of prescription opioids, but the number of deaths from heroin has increased dramatically over the last several years. Particularly disturbing is the recent rise of deaths caused by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is estimated to be 80 times the potency of morphine.
More information is available at www.fbi.gov/ChasingTheDragon.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to methamphetamine, firearm chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine and a handgun.
Paul Matthew Garza, 35, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Mark L. Hornsby to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Garza’s vehicle was pulled over during a traffic stop on May 25, 2016 near the Louisiana/Texas border in Caddo Parish. Upon searching his vehicle, law enforcement found 408 grams of methamphetamine and 142.73 grams of Xanax bars. Upon searching his home, additional methamphetamine and Xanax were found. A Ruger LCP .380 semi-automatic handgun, digital scales and $17,400 were also found.
Garza faces 10 years to life in prison for the drug count and five years in prison for the firearm count. He also faces at least five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. A sentencing date of January 12, 2017 was set.
The DEA and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Winnfield men sentenced on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that two Winnfield men were sentenced Monday for possessing stolen firearms.
Ashton L. Howard, 33, and Aaron Thomas, 27, both of Winnfield, La., were sentenced to 27 months and 96 months in prison respectively by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of possession of a stolen firearm, and Thomas was also sentenced for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. They were also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the June 15, 2016 guilty pleas, Howard and Thomas received and possessed 14 firearms, ammunition and other items stolen from a Winnfield firearm seller on March 22, 2015. Howard drove four juveniles to a store where they burglarized it. They took and loaded eight rifles, five shotguns, a revolver, ammunition, firearms parts, knives and other items into Howard’s van, which they took to Howard and Thomas’ house. Police found some of the firearms hidden under the house and other firearms at the house of one of the juveniles.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and the Winnfield Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.
Tallulah tax preparer sentenced to 24 months for aiding in the filing of false tax returnRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Tallulah based tax preparer was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a tax return containing false information.
Frankie Cammack, 48, of Tallulah, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a fraudulent and false tax return. The defendant was also ordered to pay $92,339 in restitution to the U.S. Treasury. According to testimony presented during the June 16, 2016 guilty plea, Cammack prepared 26 returns for eight different taxpayers for tax years 2009 through 2012, all of which contained false information regarding either business expenses or education credits. The false information was used to generate excessive refunds totaling $114,791 to the taxpayers.
“Preparers have a duty to make sure that the documents they file follow the law,” Finley stated. “Tax fraud hurts those who pay their taxes, and they should get legitimate refunds.”
“We are pleased with the sentence handed down today for Ms. Cammack,” stated Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Jerome R. McDuffie. “The tax system is built on the premise that taxpayers file accurate and timely tax returns. Ms. Cammack was in the business of preparing tax returns for others and willfully prepared and submitted false documents to the IRS. To ensure confidence in our tax system, special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation are committed to the aggressive pursuit and prosecution of individuals who intentionally violate the nation’s laws.”
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 97 months in prison for firearm chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man was sentenced to 97 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing the firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Carlos Tramell Russell, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the June 23, 2016 guilty plea, Shreveport Police responded to a domestic dispute call on July 8, 2015. Russell was reported to have been seen with a firearm during an incident at a Shreveport residence. Officers then searched Russell’s home and found a Romarm pistol, model Micro Draco, 7.62 by 39 mm and ammunition in his home. They also found three bags of cocaine. Russell had prior felony convictions in 2005 and 2010.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.
Man from Mexico arrested in St. Mary Parish pleads guilty to reentering the U.S. illegallyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Mexican citizen pleaded guilty last week to a charge that he reentered the United States illegally four times.
Miguel Rosales-Sanchez, 45, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the guilty plea, Rosales-Sanchez was arrested in St. Mary Parish on February 7, 2016. He was previously removed from the United States in 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Rosales-Sanchez faces two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of December 8, 2016 was set.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Grayson man pleads guilty to illegally making, selling silencersRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Grayson man pleaded guilty last week to manufacturing and selling firearm silencers.
Dustin B. Demoss, 31, of Grayson, La., pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of illegally selling and manufacturing firearm silencers. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, in May 2016, the ATF conducted a controlled purchase of three firearm silencers from a target of the investigation who later identified Demoss as the manufacturer of the silencers. Demoss sold the silencers from a Facebook site called “Angel of Death Tactical,” without having paid the special occupational tax and not having registered the silencers as required by federal law. A search was conducted at Demoss’ residence on May 19, 2016. Several firearms were seized with silencers attached, as well as assorted silencer parts with drilled baffles and end caps, other assorted parts for making silencers, and boxes of parts showing mailing information that they were imported from India. Demoss also had drill presses used to complete the manufacture of silencers.
Demoss faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine. A sentencing date of December 20, 2016 was set.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James C. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Ex-postal service contract driver from Lafayette pleads guilty to stealing from DeRidder area mailRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette woman pleaded guilty last week to stealing from mail while she worked as a contract postal carrier.
Helen J. Nelson, 72, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of theft of mail matter by a postal service employee. According to the guilty plea, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General hotline received a complaint in May of 2016 that a mailed $250 gift card was never received. The missing card was traced to Nelson, who was a contract mail carrier, and an investigation was conducted. She was observed May 26, 2016 driving her Lake Charles/Deridder area route. She stopped at a Lake Charles store’s parking lot where she was seen moving mail from the back of the truck to the front and later throwing away a bag in a trash can. Torn up mail was later found in the retrieved bag. Upon confronting Nelson about the destroyed mail, she admitted to opening mail, searching its contents, taking or discarding some of the mails’ contents and resealing envelopes. She also admitted to taking the $250 gift card.
Nelson faces five years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of December 15, 2016 was set.
The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.
Delhi man pleads guilty to receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Delhi man pleaded guilty Monday to producing child pornography.
Daniel Lee Brown, 28, of Delhi, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert G. James to one count of receiving child pornography. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Brown used the internet and Facebook, pretended to be a teenager, and directed an out-of-state 12-year-old child to produce and send him child pornography. Brown received this child pornography using his computer in Delhi on October 28, 2014.
Brown faces five to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He also faces forfeiture of the equipment used to store the child pornography. He also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. A sentencing date of December 5, 2016 was set.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Police, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Bossier City Marshal’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative 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, 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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, honors the fallen from 9/11Read the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley stated that: “The Western District of Louisiana remembers all of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. It has been 15 years since the terror attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, and the tragic loss of life still impacts us today. It never gets easy remembering the fear we felt and the images of destruction that are not common in our country. We also recall the courageous acts of valor from first responders and citizens who gave their all to help those affected by the attacks. We cannot forget the fallen soldiers from the Western District of Louisiana who answered the call to defend this nation. They are in our thoughts every time the Department of Justice works to eliminate threats to national security. No aspect of our work is more important or more urgent. As we reflect on this day, let’s take a moment to remember all of those who have died here and abroad and continue to keep their families in our prayers.”
Below is a list of Louisiana’s Fallen Heroes who served Honorably in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operating Enduring Freedom. Thank you to all of those who continue to serve!
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Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew T. Weathers, of DeRidder, La, Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher O. Grant, 20, of Richwood, La., Army Spc. Christopher R. Drake, 20, of Tickfaw, La., Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Henderson, 27, of Franklin, La., Air Force Tech. Sgt. Larry Bunn, 43, of Bossier City, La., Marine Sgt. Michael J. Guillory, 28, of Pearl River, La., Army Capt. Aaron D. Istre, 37, of Vinton, La., Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, La., Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La., Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La., Army Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund, 23, of Pineville, La., Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia, 27, of Bossier City, La., Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 33, of Harvey, La., Marine Cpl. Matthew T. Richard, 21, of Acadia, La., Army Staff Sgt. Quadi S. Hudgins, 26, of New Orleans, Army Spc. Christian J. Romig, 24, of Kenner, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Dakota R. Huse, 19, of Greenwood, La., Army Spc. Steven L. Dupont, 20, of Lafayette, La., Army Spc. Matthew C. Powell, 20, of Slidell, La., Marine Sgt. Joseph A. Bovia, 24, of Kenner, La., Marine Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman, 23, of Jonesboro, La., Army Sgt. Jordan E. Tuttle, 22, of West Monroe, La., Army Pfc. Bryant J. Haynes, 21, of Epps, La., Army Maj. Ronald W. Culver Jr., 44, of Shreveport, La., Army Sgt. Joshua A. Tomlinson, 24, of Dubberly, La., Army Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson, 24, of Broussard, La., Army Pfc. Brian R. Bates Jr., 20, of Gretna, La., Army Spc. Michael S. Cote Jr., 20, of Denham Springs, La., Army Pfc. Matthew E. Wildes, 18, of Hammond, La., Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs, 51, of Lockport, La., Air Force Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La., Army Sgt. 1st Class David J. Todd Jr., 36, of Marrero, La., Marine Staff Sgt. Danny P. Dupre, 28, of Lockport, La., Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, 22, of Lake Charles, La., Army Sgt. 1st Class David R. Hurst, 31, of Kenner, La., Army Cpl. Justin R. Mixon, 22, of Bogalusa, La., Army Sgt. Joseph A. Richard III, 27, of Lafayette, La., Army Sgt. Terrell W. Gilmore, 38, of Baton Rouge, La., Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel, 30, of Crowley, La., Army Staff Sgt. Jarred S. Fontenot, 35, of Port Barre, La., Army Pvt. Justin T. Sanders, 22, of Watson, La., Army Spc. Charles E. Leonard Jr., 29, of Monroe, La., Army Sgt. 1st Class John M. Hennen, 26, of Vinton, La., Army Cpl. William J. Crouch, 21, of Zachary, La., Marine Cpl. Willie P. Celestine Jr., 21, of Lafayette, La., Army Pvt. Mark W. Graham, 22, of Lafayette, La., Army Staff Sgt. Ronnie L. Sanders, 26, of Thibodaux, La., Army Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La., Army Staff Sgt. Jacob G. McMillan, 25, of Lafayette, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Myles C. Sebastien, 21, of Opelousas, La., Army Spc. Joshua B. Madden, 21, of Sibley, La., Army Sgt. Jay R. Gauthreaux, 26, of Thibodaux, La., Army Pvt. Joshua C. Burrows, 20, of Bossier City, La., Army Cpl. Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Jon E. Bowman, 21, of Dubach, La., Marine Lance Cpl. John E. Hale, 20, of Shreveport, La., Army Cpl. Marcus A. Cain, 20, of Crowley, La., Army Sgt. Matthew J. Vosbein, 30, of Metairie, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Donald E. Champlin, 28, of Natchitoches, La., Army Sgt. 1st Class Terry O.P. Wallace, 33, of Winnsboro, La., Corpsman 3rd Class Lee Hamilton Deal, 23, of West Monroe, La., Army Spc. Brandon L. Teeters, 21, of Lafayette, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Derrick J. Cothran, 21, of Avondale, La., Marine Pfc. Chase A. Edwards, 19, of Lake Charles, La., Army Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Lewis, 32, of Bunkie, La., Marine 1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet, 33, of Erath, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Barnes, 20, of West Monroe, La., Army Spc. William S. Hayes III, 23, of St. Tammany, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Billy D. Brixey Jr., 21, of Ferriday, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan S. McCurdy, 20, of Baton Rouge, La., Army Sgt. Julia V. Atkins, 22, of Bossier City, La., Army Pfc. Benny S. Franklin, 19, of Hammond, La., Army Staff Sgt. Jens E. Schelbert, 31, of New Orleans, La., Army Sgt. Willard T. Partridge, 35, of Ferriday, La., Marine Cpl. David S. Stewart, 24, of Bogalusa, La., Navy Chief Fire Controlman (SEAL) Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, La., Marine Cpl. Chad W. Powell, 22, of West Monroe, La., Army Sgt. David J. Murray, 23, of Clinton, La., Army Sgt. 1st Class Peter J. Hahn, 31, of Kenner, La., Army Sgt. Robin V. Fell, 22, of Shreveport, La., Army Sgt. Bernard L. Sembly II, 25, of Bossier City, La., Army 1st Sgt. Michael J. Bordelon, 37, of Morgan City, La., Marine Cpl. Richard P. Schoener, 21, of Hayes, La., Army Sgt. Maj. Barbaralien Banks, 41, of Harvey, La., Army Sgt. Isiah J. Sinclair, 31, of Natchitoches, La., Army Sgt. Lee M. Godbolt, 23, of New Orleans, La., Army Sgt. Paul M. Heltzel, 39, of Baton Rouge, La., Army Sgt. Nicholas J. Olivier, 26, of Ruston, La., Army Spc. Seth R. Trahan, 20, of Crowley, La., Army Sgt. Rene Knox Jr., 22, of New Orleans, La., Army Spc. Christopher J. Ramsey, 20, of Batchelor, La., Army Spc. Michael S. Evans II, 22, Marrero, La., Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan R. Reed, 25, of Opelousas, La., Army Staff Sgt. William F. Manuel, 34, of Kinder, La., Army Sgt. Robert W. Sweeney III, 22, of Pineville, La., Army Spc. Warren A. Murphy, 29, of Marrero, La., Army Spc. Armand "Luke" Frickey, 20, Houma, La., Army Spc. Huey P.L. Fassbender, 24, of LaPlace, La., Army Spc. Bradley J. Bergeron, 25, of Houma, La., Army Sgt. Christopher J. Babin, 27, of Houma, La., Army Sgt. 1st Class Kurt J. Comeaux, 34, of Raceland, La., Army Sgt. Craig L. Nelson, 21, of Bossier City, La., Army 1st Lt. Christopher W. Barnett, 32, of Baton Rouge, La., Army Pfc. Lionel Ayro, 22, of Jeanerette, La., Marine Sgt. Jeffrey L. Kirk, 24, of Baton Rouge, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Justin D. McLeese, 19, of Covington, La., Marine Pfc. David P. Burridge, 19, of Lafayette, La., Army Spc. Joseph C. Thibodeaux 24, of Lafayette, La., Marine Lance Cpl. Larry L. Wells 22, of Mount Hermon, La., Army Pfc. Torey J. Dantzler 22; of Columbia, La., Army Pfc. Charles C. Persing 20, of Albany, La., Army Spc. Robert L. DuSang 24, of Mandeville, La., Army Spc. Jeremy M. Heines 25, of New Orleans, La., Army Cpl. David M. Fraise 24, of New Orleans, La., Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Mogensen 26, of Leesville, La., Army Pfc. James P. Lambert 23, of Ascension Parish, La., Army Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C. Barnhill 50, of Shreveport, La., Army Staff Sgt. Toby W. Mallet 26, of Kaplan, La., Army Staff Sgt. Craig Davis 37, of Opelousas, La., Army Pfc. Kristian E. Parker, 23, of Slidell, La., Army Sgt. Taft V. Williams, 29, of New Orleans, La., Army Sgt. Floyd G. Knighten Jr., 55, of Olla, La., Army Spc. Levi B. Kinchen, 21, of Tickfaw, La., and Army Pfc. Wilfred D. Bellard, 20, of Lake Charles, La.
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This year the Department of Justice took part in a series of events marking the 15th anniversary. They started with a ceremony on Friday, September 9, which dedicated of a plaque for the department’s own “Survivor Tree.” The department’s tree was a seedling from the famed the Callery pear tree that once stood on the original World Trade Center Plaza. The collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 nearly destroyed it, but the original tree was nursed back to health, and today it stands strong again at the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan, where it is often adorned with tributes.
Fruit from the World Trade Center Survivor Tree was harvested in the fall of 2011. In the summer of 2013, the students of John Bowne High School in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., took the seedlings and continued to care for them. The 9/11 Memorial graciously donated one of these very special Survivor Tree seedlings to the Department of Justice, which was planted in the U.S. Department of Justice Courtyard in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, the Department of Justice marked the anniversary with U.S. Attorney General Lorretta E. Lynch attending the New York City Fire Department’s 15th Anniversary Memorial Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on Saturday, September 10; the attorney general attending the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum Plaza in New York today; and the attorney general delivering remarks at the 9/11 Memorial Service at the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, N.Y., today.
The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is also observed today. Since 2002 it has been an effort to inspire charitable service on 9/11 as a tribute to 9/11 victims, survivors and those who lent support in the wake of the terror attacks. Find out more about how to serve at www.serve.gov/site-page/september-11th-national-day-service-and-remembrance.
Commercial driver’s license skills examiner sentenced for falsifying test resultsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Louisiana third party commercial driver’s license skills examiner was sentenced Thursday to one year supervised probation and fined $2,400 for falsifying test results by indicating a passing grade for driving skills tests that never took place.
Christopher D. Pender, 41, of Stonewall, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of making and using a false writing and document. According to the May 4, 2016 guilty plea, Pender, who was certified to administer commercial driver’s license skills tests, provided an applicant with a “Commercial Driver’s Skills Test Certificate” in November of 2014 when the applicant had not even taken, much less passed, the federally required test. He did this in exchange for cash, which allowed the applicant to fraudulently obtain a Louisiana commercial driver’s license.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Flanagan and Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Federal grand jury indicts 6 Explo company officials for offenses related to Camp Minden, Louisiana ammunition disposalRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a federal grand jury returned a 32-count indictment, unsealed today, charging six company officials of Explo Systems Inc. of defrauding the federal government and committing federal offenses relating to a munitions demilitarization contract with the U.S. Army.
Explo owner David Perry Fincher, 68, of Burns, Tenn.; owner David Alan Smith, 61, of Winchester, Ky.; Vice Present of Operations William Terry Wright, 62, of Bossier City, La.; Program Manager Kenneth Wayne Lampkin, 64, of Haughton, La.; Traffic and Inventory Control Manager Lionel Wayne Koons, 57, of Haughton; and Director of Engineering and Environmental Control Charles Ferris Callihan, 66, of Shreveport, were all charged with one count of criminal conspiracy. The indictment also charges multiple counts of making false statements to a federal agency or official and wire fraud. See Appendix.
Explo Systems Inc. is a private company whose primary business operations involved the demilitarization of military munitions and the subsequent resale of the recovered energetic materials for mining operations. According to the indictment, the U.S. Army awarded Explo a contract on March 24, 2010 to dispose of 450,000 155 mm artillery propelling charges designated as M119A2 for $2,902,500. The Army and Explo officials later amended the contract on March 6, 2012 to dispose of 1,350,000 charges for $8,617,500. Once Explo demilitarized the propelling charge, ownership of the residual components (M6 propellant or M6) transferred to Explo. The contract required Explo to properly store and dispose of the demilitarized M6. The contract also required Explo to document the sale of the demilitarized M6 by completing an End User Certificate (EUC). On the EUC, the purchaser of the demilitarized M6 certified the purchase and compliance with applicable federal laws. Once the EUCs were certified, Explo submitted the EUCs to the Army.
On October 15, 2012, an explosion occurred at a munitions storage igloo on Camp Minden. The explosion contained approximately 124,190 pounds of smokeless powder and a box van trailer containing approximately 42,240 pounds of demilitarized M6. The damage destroyed the igloo and trailer, shattered windows of dwellings within a four-mile radius, and derailed 11 rail cars near the storage igloo.
The indictment alleges that the defendants made false statements to the Army’s Joint Munitions Command (JMC) to procure and maintain the M6 demilitarization contract; caused the improper and unsafe storage of demilitarized M6 propellant and other explosive material on Explo’s Camp Minden facility; obstructed and impeded government inspections and examinations of areas of the facility where the explosive materials were improperly stored; caused third parties to sign off on EUCs as purchasers when in fact no sales had occurred; caused false EUCs containing forged and fabricated signatures to be submitted to the JMC; caused the improper storage and subsequent transportation of reactive hazardous waste to unpermitted non-hazardous waste landfills in Louisiana and Arkansas to make room for storage of M6 propellant at Camp Minden; and made false statements after the October 15, 2012 explosion to government officials and others in order to conceal their illegal conduct and prevent discovery of improperly stored M6.
“Companies tasked with the demilitarization of military grade explosives are required to properly document, safely store and dispose of these materials,” said U.S. Attorney Finley. “These measures are taken to protect the public and the environment. Any business that does not honor its contract or abide by federal and state laws will be prosecuted.”
“We are very pleased with today’s announcement,” said Frank Robey, Director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “Fortunately, no one was injured, and these indictments will serve as a strong deterrent to those thinking of defrauding the government.”
“These indictments demonstrate that EPA, and its law enforcement partners will hold accountable those who fail to comply with the laws that protect our communities,” said Chris Brooks Special Agent in Charge, Dallas Region, EPA-Criminal Investigation Division.
The defendants face five years in prison for the conspiracy count, five years in prison for each false statement count, and 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count. They also face a $250,000 fine and three to five years of supervised release for each count.
The Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, and the Louisiana State Police-Emergency Service Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
APPENDIX OF DEFENDANTS AND CHARGES
David Perry Fincher: Criminal conspiracy (count 1); false statements (counts 2-24); wire fraud (counts 27-32)
David Alan Smith: Criminal conspiracy (count 1); false statements (counts 2-24); wire fraud (counts 27-32)
William Terry Wright: Criminal conspiracy (count 1); false statements (counts 2-24); wire fraud (counts 27-32)
Kenneth Wayne Lampkin: Criminal conspiracy (count 1); false statements (counts 2-24); wire fraud (counts 27-32)
Lionel Wayne Koons: Criminal conspiracy (count 1); false statements (counts 2-24; 26); wire fraud (counts 27-32)
Charles Ferris Callihan: Criminal conspiracy (count 1); false statement (count 25)
Patterson man sentenced to 60 months in prison for scheme with Morgan City woman to commit tax fraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Patterson man was sentenced to 60 months in prison Monday for his role in a scheme to use stolen identities to file false tax returns and pocket refunds.
Louis W. Carbins Jr., 37, of Patterson, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, seven counts of theft of government money and one count of aggravated identity theft. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $43,045.31 to the IRS and $2,196.71 to Patterson State Bank in restitution. Carbins was found guilty on all charges after a three-day trial that ended on May 25, 2016.
According to evidence submitted at trial, from February 2013 to August 2013, Carbins and co-defendant Laphrida T. Watts, 40, from Morgan City, La., but who currently resides in Palmdale, Calif., knew and allowed individuals from overseas to use stolen identities to file tax returns. The overseas individuals then directed the IRS to deposit the refunds into Carbins’ bank accounts. Carbins and Watts would then wire some of the money overseas and keep the rest. The IRS issued more than $815,000 in refunds to Carbins’ accounts. Carbins and Watts spent $45,681.22 of the funds.
Watts pleaded guilty on January 13, 2016 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of aggravated identity theft. She faces up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for the conspiracy count and an additional two years in prison for the identity theft count. Watts is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2016.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Robert F. Moore are prosecuting the case.
Man from Mexico arrested in Acadia Parish sentenced for reentering the United States illegallyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a man from Mexico was sentenced Monday to eight months in prison for reentering the United States illegally.
Alex Trigo-Hinojosa, 39, of Arcabuz, Tamaulipas, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the April 19, 2016 guilty plea, state police troopers arrested the defendant on July 23, 2015 in Acadia Parish for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Upon further investigation, it was learned that Trigo-Hinojosa had been previously deported in August of 2013.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.
Lecompte man sentenced to 12 months and 1 day for stealing more than $125,000 in Social Security benefitsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lecompte man was sentenced Monday to one year and one day in prison for taking more than $125,000.
Glen Wayne Williams, 56, of Lecompte, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of theft of government property. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $125,456.18 restitution. According to evidence presented at the May 20, 2016 guilty plea, Williams applied for and received Social Security Income (SSI) based on a disability beginning in November of 1995. However, Williams also received disability payments from his employer which he did not disclose to the Social Security Administration as required. The private disability income made Williams ineligible for the SSI he was paid from 1995 through 2014. Williams unlawfully received a total of $125,456.18 from the Social Security Administration.
The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Lafayette man sentenced to 18 months in prison for drug smuggling using the Silk Road websiteRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison for buying drugs overseas and shipping them to himself.
Michael Munro Jr., 37, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of smuggling controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the March 15, 2016 guilty plea, Munro was arrested in November of 2014 and July of 2015 for buying illegal narcotics online overseas and having them delivered to U.S. Post Offices and FedEx locations in Lafayette and surrounding areas. Munro told agents that in March of 2014 he began ordering pills via the internet using the now defunct Silk Road website. Munro admitted to ordering Xanax, Alprazolam and OxyContin at various times.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Lafayette Metro Narcotics. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert F. Moore and John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Lafayette business owner sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding investors out of $2 millionRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette woman was sentenced Monday to 120 months in prison for defrauding investors out of more than $2 million.
Catherine Doucet Romero, 53, of Lafayette, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee Drell on one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,043,007 in restitution. According to the August 31, 2015 guilty plea, from March 2007 to July 2009, Romero convinced victims to invest by telling them that their money was going to be used to purchase a manufacturing facility and tannery for exotic skin products, to include alligator and stingray. Instead, Romero used the money to pay personal bills and expenses of an unrelated business. The amount stolen in the scheme is $2,043,007.
As noted by the Court at sentencing, Romero began the scheme shortly after being released from jail as a result of both a state and federal conviction for engaging in a different scheme to defraud in the early 1990s.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Tuesday to 120 months in prison for possessing a loaded revolver after being convicted of a felony.
Joseph Dominic Pronnette Jr., 34, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the April 20, 2016 guilty plea, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force executed an arrest warrant on September 13, 2015 on Pronnette for a prior felony and for violating his parole. He was found in the driver’s seat of a car parked behind a residence in Shreveport and resisted arrest. After he was removed from the car and taken into custody, a loaded .38 caliber revolver was found on the driver’s seat. During the guilty plea, the defendant admitted the weapon was his.
It is unlawful for Pronnette to possess a firearm or ammunition as he has prior felony convictions for felony theft, simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and domestic abuse aggravated assault.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF, U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, and the Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.
Mexican citizen sentenced to 10 years in prison for liquid meth possession and distribution conspiracyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Mexican citizen was sentenced Monday to 120 months in prison for conspiring to transport and distribute methamphetamine.
Eduardo Guerrero, 24, of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the April 14, 2016 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop on a pickup truck traveling eastbound on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish in March of 2015. After a search of the vehicle, two gas tanks were found on the vehicle, one of which contained 16 gallons of liquid methamphetamine or 28.8 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Neither the driver nor the passenger owned the vehicle. Guerrero was the registered owner of the vehicle. The methamphetamine was transported from El Paso, Texas, and was intended for Atlanta, Georgia. State police arrested Guerrero in the New Orleans area while he traveled to retrieve the truck and methamphetamine.
The DEA, Department of Homeland Security, and Louisiana State Police, Troop F, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison D. Bushnell and Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Lake Charles woman sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing more than $230,000 from employerRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Lake Charles woman was sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing more than $230,000 from her employer’s bank account.
Melissa D. Crookshank, 33, of Lake Charles, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of wire fraud. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $235,155.79 restitution. According to the May 19, 2016 guilty plea, Crookshank, who worked as a bookkeeper for a Hackberry, La., company, stole $235,155.79 from her employer starting in 2009 and continuing until January of 2015. Crookshank issued checks to herself during that time without authorization from the company owners, which she deposited into her own bank accounts for personal use.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.
El Salvador citizen sentenced to 12 months in prison for smuggling illegal aliens for profitRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a citizen of El Salvador was sentenced to 12 months in prison for transporting illegal immigrants for his own profit.
Raul Alexander Soriano, 29, of San Salvador, El Salvador, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of transporting illegal aliens. According to the April 20, 2016 guilty plea, U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Soriano’s vehicle on December 22, 2015, near Lake Charles. Four passengers were found in the vehicle with Soriano, and each admitted to being in the United States illegally. The passengers had paid Soriano to be transported to other areas of the United States as part of a human smuggling operation.
United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.
Jackson inmate pleads guilty to threatening Monroe magistrate judgeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a prisoner in Jackson pleaded guilty last week for sending threatening messages to U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes.
Charles Lidberg, 27, a prisoner at the Dixon Correctional Center in Jackson, La., pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of making threatening communications. According to the guilty plea, Lidberg, who was serving time at the state correctional institution for an unrelated crime, mailed a letter on February 19, 2014 to Judge Hayes’ office stating that he would hunt down and kill her after he was released from prison. Lidberg said his friend promised him half a million dollars to kill the judge if she sentenced Lidberg’s friend to more than 10 years in prison. Lidberg also said he did not state his friend’s name because that would “take the fun out of this.” He also gave a second letter threatening the judge to a fellow inmate who turned it over to law enforcement agents.
Lidberg faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. A sentencing date of December 7, 2016 was set.
The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker is prosecuting the case.
Delhi doctor pleads guilty to writing illegal prescriptionsRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Delhi medical doctor pleaded guilty Tuesday to writing illegal prescriptions.
Dan J. LaFleur, 64, of Delhi, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of distribution of Suboxone, a Schedule III medication used to treat opiate addiction. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Dr. LaFleur issued illegal prescriptions from 2012 through February 2013 from his residence in Delhi, from the Northeast Louisiana Health Center in Rayville, and from his suboxone clinic in Rayville, La. On February 6, 2013, law enforcement executed seven search warrants at the locations and several pharmacies in Rayville and Delhi. Illegal prescriptions, patient records, bags, cartons, packages, and prescription bottles containing Schedule III and IV controlled substances were seized at all of the locations.
LaFleur faces up to 10 years in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.
The DEA and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Lake Charles prisoner pleads guilty to escaping from custody after not reporting to halfway houseRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lake Charles man in federal prison custody pleaded guilty last week to federal escape charges after failing to report to a halfway house according to terms of home confinement.
Shaun Daigle, 37, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of escape from extended custody. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the guilty plea, Daigle was serving a period of home confinement in Lake Charles after being released by the Forrest City Federal Correction Institution in Arkansas. As part of the terms of his home confinement, he was required to report to the halfway house any time they requested. He was also required to remain in home confinement as ordered by the Bureau of Prisons. On May 7, 2016, Daigle was ordered to return to the CINC II Halfway House in Lake Charles and did not show up. He was found on May 8, 2016 in Westlake, La., and was arrested.
Daigle faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of November 10, 2016 was set.
The U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the Westlake Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker is prosecuting the case.