Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Mexican citizen sentenced to 15 months in prison for illegally reentering the countryRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a man from Mexico was sentenced last week to 15 months in prison for returning to the United States illegally after being deported.
Elior Daniel Sifuentes, 34, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of aggravated illegal re-entry of a removed alien. According to the April 14, 2016 guilty plea, Bossier City Police arrested Sifuentes on October 26, 2015 for failure to appear for various traffic violations. After his arrest, police discovered that Sifuentes was an illegal alien who had been deported in April of 2009 for a prior felony of illegal use of a weapon in state court and had not received permission to reenter the country.
Homeland Security Investigations-Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Caddo Parish man sentenced to 65 months in prison for distributing methamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Belcher man was sentenced to five years and five months in prison for distributing methamphetamine in northwest Louisiana.
Norman Phillip Mitchell, 43, of Belcher, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of distribution of methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to the April 14, 2016 guilty plea, during the course of the investigation, methamphetamine was purchased from the defendant in April and May of 2015 in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Approximately 27.4 grams of methamphetamine on April 15, 2015 and 26.5 grams on May 7, 2015 was purchased from Mitchell.
The DEA and the Tri-Parish Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Government dismisses charges against sheriffRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a motion to dismiss the pending indictment in United States v. Larry C. Deen and Clifton and Clinton Blakey, a former sheriff and used car dealers. The defendants were indicted for criminal conspiracy and federal program theft. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote will rule on the motion.
The trial date was set for August 15, 2016. On June 16, 2016, as the Government was preparing for the trial, a key Government witness died unexpectedly. The Government reassessed the remaining admissible evidence in the case and made a determination that there was sufficient proof to proceed to trial. However, on August 4, 2016, a second key Government witness retracted previous statements made during the course of the investigation. In light of the witness developments, the Government believes that its ability to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt has been seriously jeopardized.
United States Attorney Stephanie Finley stated: “I have authorized the prosecutors in this case to seek dismissal of the pending charges based on evidentiary developments in this case. The untimely death of a significant government witness and the change of testimony by a second witness has called into question our ability to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt. I am mindful of our obligation to continually assess the evidence in our possession in light of our burden of proof, and to ensure that the interests of justice are met.”
Former Homer, Louisiana, Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
Former Officer Willie Fred Knowles, 66, of the Homer, Louisiana, Police Department pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of a woman identified only as K.M., announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana. Knowles also pleaded guilty to making false statements about the incident to the FBI.
According to the plea agreement, Knowles admitted that, on Oct. 29, 2012, he got into a verbal argument with K.M., who was not under arrest at the time, while he was on duty. He further admitted that during the argument, he pushed her down and struck her face and body without justification. Knowles also admitted that he falsely told FBI agents that the woman started the incident by grabbing him and jumping on his back, and that he never hit her. However, Knowles acknowledged that, in fact, he had started the physical altercation when he pushed the woman down and struck her.
“Without any legitimate reason or cause, this officer chose to use violent force against the victim and then lie to try to cover up his crime,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gupta. “Whenever law enforcements officers break the law they take an oath to uphold, they violate the public trust and threaten the reputation of their colleagues who wear the badge and perform their jobs with honor and distinction.”
“This officer’s actions tarnish the reputations and standards upheld by thousands who work in law enforcement across our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Finley. “Our office will continue to make civil rights cases a priority.”
Knowles will be sentenced on Nov. 9, 2016. At sentencing, Knowles faces a maximum sentence of five years in jail for making false statements to the FBI and one year in prison for the civil rights charge.
This case was investigated by the FBI. The case was referred to the FBI by the Louisiana State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick of the Western District of Louisiana.
Former Homer police officer pleads guilty to civil rights violationsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Former Officer Willie Fred Knowles, 66, of the Homer Police Department pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of a woman identified only as K.M., announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana. Knowles also pleaded guilty to making false statements about the incident to the FBI.
According to the plea agreement, Knowles admitted that, on October 29, 2012, he got into a verbal argument with K.M., who was not under arrest at the time, while he was on duty. He further admitted that during the argument, he pushed her down and struck her face and body without justification. Knowles also admitted that he falsely told FBI agents that the woman started the incident by grabbing him and jumping on his back, and that he never hit her. However, Knowles acknowledged that, in fact, he had started the physical altercation when he pushed the woman down and struck her.
“Without any legitimate reason or cause, this officer chose to use violent force against the victim and then lie to try to cover up his crime,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gupta. “Whenever law enforcements officers break the law they take an oath to uphold, they violate the public trust and threaten the reputation of their colleagues who wear the badge and perform their jobs with honor and distinction.”
“This officer’s actions tarnish the reputations and standards upheld by thousands who work in law enforcement across our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Finley. “Our office will continue to make civil rights cases a priority.”
Knowles will be sentenced on Nov. 9, 2016. At sentencing, Knowles faces a maximum sentence of five years in jail for making false statements to the FBI and one year in prison for the civil rights charge.
This case was investigated by the FBI. The case was referred to the FBI by the Louisiana State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick of the Western District of Louisiana.
Shreveport man sentenced to 66 months in prison for drug and firearm chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man was sentenced to 66 months in prison for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Latrenton D. Washington, 29, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the April 8, 2016 guilty plea, while executing a warrant for another defendant at Washington’s residence on August 12, 2014, Shreveport police and Louisiana Probation and Parole agents discovered marijuana, scales and drug packaging items along with a loaded Romarm WASR-10 semi-automatic (AK-47 style) rifle with a drum magazine holding 65 rounds of 7.62x39 mm ammunition and a loaded Taurus .45 caliber pistol in Washington’s bedroom.
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, Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.
Houston man sentenced to 87 months in prison for cocaine chargeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Texas man was sentenced last week to 87 months in prison for possessing cocaine for later sale.
David Matthews, 54, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minladi on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the guilty plea, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s officer stopped Matthews’ vehicle on March 20, 2012 for a traffic violation. After a search of the vehicle, the officer found 2 kilograms of powder cocaine and 118 pounds of marijuana in three large trash bags in the vehicle’s extended cab.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Sulphur man pleads guilty to submitting false information to contractor regulated by nuclear commissionRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Sulphur man pleaded guilty Thursday to submitting a false certification to perform inspections on a nuclear module being constructed at a Lake Charles construction yard.
Joseph B. Burnworth, 35, of Sulphur, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minladi to one count of submission of false information. According to the guilty plea, from April to August of 2013, Burnworth performed quality control visual inspections of welds on a nuclear module being constructed by a company in Lake Charles. The defendant did not possess the certification required to perform such work and instead used a false certificate to secure the job. He performed 150 such inspections, which had to be re-inspected by a properly certified inspector. Additionally, Burnworth assisted two other individuals with obtaining and presenting false certifications to gain similar employment.
Burnworth faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. A sentencing date of November 3, 2016 was set.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Dominic Rossetti are prosecuting the case.
Two Shreveport residents found guilty at trial of sex trafficking a minorRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a man and woman from Shreveport were found guilty after a trial of having a minor female from Texas engage in prostitution in Shreveport.
Tyrone Larry Smith, 37, and Lacoya Washington, 33, both of Shreveport, were found guilty of one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and Smith was also found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing a minor to travel to engage in prostitution. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. presided over the bench trial, which started Monday and ended today. According to evidence presented at trial, Smith began conversing with a 14-year-old female from Texas over an internet dating service in June of 2015. He convinced her to travel to Shreveport saying he had feelings for her. Upon arriving in Shreveport, the female met Smith and Washington and stayed at their home. That same month, they brought her to local hotels where she engaged in prostitution. If she resisted, Smith struck her and abused her in order for her to continue the illegal activity. Smith also took the money from the prostitution. The minor was contacted by authorities who later arrested Smith and Washington.
The defendants face a minimum of 15 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. They are also required to register as sex offenders. A sentencing date of November 1, 2016 was set.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Cowles Jr. and Earl M. Campbell are 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, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Those concerned may also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Shreveport FBI office number is (318) 861-1890.
Mexican citizen pleads guilty to lying on passport applicationRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a man from Mexico pleaded guilty Monday to submitting false information when applying for a passport.
Juan Carlos Guzman, 36 of Mexico, entered a conditional guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna, for one count of making a false statement on a passport application. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the guilty plea, Guzman used another individual’s name, birthdate and social security number and submitted the documents to the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court in New Iberia, La., on March 31, 2015 to process the passport application. Guzman was in the country illegally.
Guzman faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.
The U.S. State Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Many woman pleads guilty to firearm chargeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a woman from Many pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing a short-barreled shotgun.
Christi Rene McPherson, 36, of Many, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun. According to information submitted at the guilty plea, McPherson contacted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office in October of 2015, to find out if any of the firearms that she had allegedly taken from the home of her ex-boyfriend had been stolen. The deputy checked the serial numbers and informed McPherson that one of them had been stolen from the home of a local resident. The deputy then attempted to set up a meeting with McPherson to take possession of the firearm, but she failed to show up. McPherson was later found at a convenience store in possession of a black bag containing a 12-gauge shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, five grenade simulators, a Kevlar vest and other firearms. McPherson was also found to be in possession of 3 grams of methamphetamine and 12 pills of Lorazepam. Federal law requires that shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches long be registered.
McPherson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine and forfeiture of the seized items. A sentencing date of October 31, 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 and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.
Former Morgan City housing authority executive director, employees sentenced for theft of half a million dollarsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the former executive director of the Morgan City Housing Authority and three former employees were sentenced for a conspiracy related to theft of half a million dollars.
Charles E. Spann, 78, of Kingsport, Tenn., was sentenced to 36 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $111,657.47 restitution on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Tori D. Johnson, 38, of Morgan City, La., was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $100,040.23 restitution on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Diana L. Pace, 64, of Morgan City was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $137,660.72 restitution on one count of theft of government money. Sandra L. Greene, 59, of Morgan City, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $165,405.46 restitution on one count of misprision of a felony. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the hearings.
According to the April 22, 2016 guilty pleas, the defendants received a total of $514,764.14 in bonus payments to which they were not entitled from 2007 to 2013. In 2007, a one-time bonus for work performed in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita was granted. After the one-time bonuses were sent to all employees of the housing authority, Johnson requested from Spann, who was executive director, that she, Spann and the other two employees, continue to receive bonuses. Johnson wrote false justifications for the bonuses and Spann signed off on them. The bonuses were not approved by the civil service board or the Morgan City Housing Authority Board of Directors. Span received $111,657.47, Johnson received $100,040.23, Greene received $165.405.46 and Pace received $137,660.72 to which they were not entitled.
The U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Investigations, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.
Buddhist monk sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding temple of more than $263,000Read the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Lafayette Buddhist monk was sentenced to 30 months in prison for wrongfully taking more than $263,000 from his own temple.
Khang Nguyen Le, 36, a Vietnamese citizen who is living in Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $263,463.36 in restitution and may face deportation to Vietnam after release from prison. According to the March 17, 2016 guilty plea, Le was the president, presiding monk and resident of the temple of the Vietnamese Buddhist Association of Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette from 2010 to October of 2014. From January of 2013 until August of 2014, Le wrongfully withdrew $263,463.36 in temple funds from the temple’s bank accounts to gamble at a Lake Charles casino. Le would drive to Lake Charles and withdraw the money from temple bank accounts using automated teller machines and casino tellers. To hide his unlawful activity from temple members, Le would misrepresent the temple’s financial situation at meetings and gambled in lower-populated areas of the casino to avoid being seen. Le was at no time authorized by the temple to use its money for gambling purposes.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Joseph and Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case.
Natchitoches man sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for methamphetamine, firearm possessionRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Natchitoches man was sentenced Wednesday to 211 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine and a firearm.
Harold Jumale Anderson, 42, of Natchitoches, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 151 months in prison on one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and 60 months on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the April 26, 2016 guilty plea, law enforcement agents conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine using a confidential informant on August 18, 2015, in Alexandria. After his arrest, Anderson’s residence was searched, and agents found more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded Ruger 9 mm handgun and additional ammunition in his bedroom.
The FBI and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.
Caddo Parish Commissioner Michael Williams sentenced to 14 months for stealing from nonprofitRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Caddo Parish Commissioner Michael Dwayne Williams was sentenced to 14 months in prison for stealing from a nonprofit meant to help at-risk youth.
Williams, 55, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on 11 counts of wire fraud. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $8,584.68 restitution, a $10,000 fine and $1,100 to the Crime Victims Fund. According to evidence presented at the four-day trial that ended on March 10, 2016, Williams took more than $8,000 from a nonprofit’s bank account from October 1, 2012 through July 1, 2014. Williams urged the parish commission to appropriate public funds for the nonprofit SWAG Nation. Once those funds were allocated from the parish’s budget to SWAG Nation, Williams caused a bank debit card to be issued for the nonprofit. Between April of 2013 and July of 2014, Williams used the card to remove money on numerous occasions. According to the indictment, he took $100 to $200 each time that he made a withdrawal. Evidence presented at trial showed the defendant used the card in excess of 45 times for cash withdrawals and purchases. SWAG Nation’s declared purpose is to partner with local institutions to help mentor and counsel at-risk individuals ages 7 to 17 so that they can better function in society.
“Mr. Williams put greed before the needs of his constituents by stealing money from a program set up to help at-risk youth,” stated Finley. “His actions are a betrayal of the public trust and his oath of office.”
“Stealing is bad enough, but when you’re an elected official, you are stealing from the taxpayers who put their faith and trust in you,” Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator said. “Mr. Williams violated the public’s trust and should now be held accountable.”
The FBI and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph G. Jarzabek and Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Alexandria man sentenced to 20 months in prison for trying to send obscene images to a minorRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that an Alexandria man was sentenced to 20 months in prison for attempting to send obscene material to a minor.
William Ware, 40, of Alexandria, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the April 12, 2016 guilty plea, on December 9, 2014, Ware contacted what he believed was a 13-year-old minor female using social media over the internet. He then sent the purported minor two sexually explicit videos using an internet chat service. The minor was in fact an undercover law enforcement agent, and Ware was later arrested.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog 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/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourages 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.
St. Landry woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $116,000 from an Opelousas businessRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a St. Landry woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $116,000 from an Opelousas-based medical imaging business.
Misty Johnson, 40, of St. Landry, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count each of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and theft of mail. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the guilty plea, Johnson worked as an office manager for an Opelousas medical imaging services business from January 2009 to July 2014. She was responsible for day-to-day financial operations including billing, payroll and managing of accounts payable and receivable. Her responsibilities included access to the company’s financial information and mail. She also had signatory authority on business accounts and was provided a company credit card for making purchases. In order to further the scheme, she would write checks to herself or to cash, issue herself additional paychecks and make unauthorized purchases on the company credit card. She would then alter the company’s account records to look as though she was properly paying the company’s bills. Johnson also stole company mail including past-due bills and brought them to her home. Johnson’s theft totaled $116,106.50.
Johnson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud count and five years for the theft of mail count. She also faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count. Additionally, she faces five years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date was not set.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic Rossetti and John Luke Walker are prosecuting the case.
Eunice man pleads guilty to sexually exploiting a minorRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Eunice man pleaded guilty Tuesday to convincing a minor girl to send him sexually explicit pictures.
Adam Shilow, 35, of Eunice, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of receiving material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, starting in October of 2013, Shilow contacted a 12-year-old female using an internet-based communication application. He portrayed his identity as a juvenile male with his same name. They exchanged sexually explicit pictures of each other in November of 2013. The juvenile’s mother notified law enforcement of Shilow’s activities after noticing an inappropriate message on her daughter’s phone on November 15, 2013.
Shilow faces 15 to 40 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He is also required to register as a sex offender. A sentencing date was not set.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and the Nassau County of New York Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie 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, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Arizona man pleads guilty to traveling to Louisiana to have sex with a minorRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that an Arizona man pleaded guilty last week to traveling from Texas to Louisiana in order to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Jonathan Glosch, 27, of Golden Valley, Ariz., pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst to one count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the 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 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, and he was arrested.
Glosch faces 30 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He is also required to register as a sex offender. A sentencing date was not set.
The FBI, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and Morgan City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore 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, 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.
Arkansas man sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to cash counterfeit checks in four statesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that an Arkansas man was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months in prison for conspiring with several women to conduct a counterfeit check cashing scheme.
Dion Paul Barnes, 38, of Little Rock, Ark., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of conspiracy to make, utter or possess counterfeit securities. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $24,153.46 restitution. According to the February 23, 2016 guilty plea, from January 2015 to June 2015, Barnes conspired with multiple individuals including April M. Augustine, 35, of Monroe, and Barbara J. Island, 32, of Bastrop, La., to make and cash counterfeit checks. A Louisiana state trooper conducted a traffic stop near Sterlington, La., on June 10, 2016 on a Chevrolet Camaro the defendants were traveling in. A search was conducted, and 48 counterfeit checks, a large stack of blank check stock paper, two laptop computers, three computer tablets, six cell phones and one print-scan-copy machine were found. Troopers also found a DVD containing template software that could be used to produce fake identification cards. The car they were riding in was also reported stolen. Upon further investigation, Dion Barnes was found to be the leader of a scheme to cash counterfeit checks in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Louisiana. Barnes is solely responsible for the creation of $39,712.22 worth of counterfeit checks. Barnes, Augustine and Island are responsible for cashing a total of $2,274.73 worth of counterfeit checks.
Island was sentenced on April 18, 2016, to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and Augustine was sentenced on June 20, 2016, to five years of probation for the conspiracy count. They were also ordered to pay $2,274.73 in restitution along with Barnes.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to firearm, drug chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing a pistol and cocaine.
Carlos Tramell Russell, 30, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 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. According to the 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.
Russell faces up to 10 years in prison for the firearm count and five years to life for the drug count. He also faces up to five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of September 13, 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 and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. is prosecuting the case.
North Carolina man pleads guilty to possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a North Carolina man pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing a sexually explicit image of a Lafayette minor.
Eric Teague, 47, of Granite Falls, N.C., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of possession of child pornography. According to the 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.
Teague faces up to 10 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He is also required to register as a sex offender. A sentencing date of September 21, 2016 was set.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog 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, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Man from Mexico incarcerated in St. Mary Parish pleads guilty to reentering the U.S. illegallyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Mexican citizen pleaded guilty to a charge that he reentered the United States illegally twice.
Mario Albert Mora-Villa, 41, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before by 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 Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, immigration officers encountered Mora-Villa in the St. Mary Parish Detention Center. He admitted that he had been previously removed from the United States in March of 2007 and November of 2011, and he had not obtained permission to return to the country.
Mora-Villa faces two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of October 11, 2016 was set.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Monroe man sentenced to 77 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamineRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Monroe man was sentenced Monday to 77 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine.
Antonio D’Andre Holmes, 36, of Monroe, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of distribution of methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the March 8, 2016 guilty plea, Holmes was recorded selling methamphetamine on August 13 and 25, 2015. A confidential informant picked up the illegal drugs at Holmes’ Monroe residence and paid a total of $3,180. The methamphetamine bought during the sales weighed a total of 47.8 grams.
The defendant was arrested as part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation “River City Blues.” The DEA, the Louisiana State Police, and the Lufkin Police Department investigated the case. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization, and to seize its assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Jena man arrested for illegal possession of silencersRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Jena man pleaded guilty Monday to possessing unregistered silencers, which he also constructed and sold.
Robert E. Durham, 34, of Jena, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. It will become final once accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to the guilty plea, the defendant was recorded setting up a sale of silencers with an undercover ATF agent. They met on May 10, 2016 in Winnfield, La., and the undercover agent purchased three silencers. Law enforcement agents then searched Durham’s home on May 19, 2016. They found and seized silencers, homemade firearm suppressors, ammunition, tools and a drill press to make silencers, silencer parts, and packaged “solvent trap kits,” which are also used to make silencers. The silencers and silencer parts and kits are defined as firearms according to federal law and are required to be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The illegal silencers Durham possessed were not registered.
Durham faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine. A sentencing date of October 5, 2016 was set.
The ATF and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Alexandria woman pleads guilty to stealing deceased grandmother’s Social Security benefitsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a woman from Alexandria pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $36,000 in Social Security benefits.
Keyoka Jynes, 36, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of government property. According to the guilty plea, Jynes stole $36,442 of supplemental Social Security income benefits from April 2008 until December 2013. Jynes did not notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) that her grandmother died in March 2008 and continued to receive her SSA benefits through 2013.
Jynes faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of September 26, 2016 was set.
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Alexandria woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $77,000 in Social Security benefit paymentsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a woman from Alexandria pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $77,000 in Social Security benefit payments from her deceased mother’s bank account.
Sherilyn Ann Dowden, 59, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of government property. According to the guilty plea, Dowden stole $77,445 in Social Security benefit payments from July 1, 2009 until March 31, 2015. Dowden wrote checks to herself and family members from an account for her deceased mother that the Social Security Administration (SSA) was depositing money into. The SSA was unaware of Dowden’s mother’s death in June 2009, and Dowden did not inform SSA of it.
Dowden faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of September 26, 2016 was set.
The SSA Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown is prosecuting the case.
Downsville man sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing firearms, ammunition after being convicted of a felonyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Downsville man was sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing firearms, ammunition and an unregistered silencer after he was previously convicted of a felony.
William David Futch, 44, of Downsville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm silencer. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit the silencer, firearms and ammunition seized during the investigation. According to the February 9, 2016 guilty plea, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint on April 11, 2014 that Futch was at his home firing shots. During this investigation, Futch was found in possession of a .45/.410 revolver, a 12 gauge shotgun, .a 22 caliber rifle with scope, a .22 caliber stainless rifle, a .22 caliber rifle with scope and bipod, a third .22 caliber rifle, a .223 caliber rifle, a 9 mm handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, ammunition and a firearm silencer. He was previously convicted of a felony on three separate occasions.
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 the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.
Last of 4 defendants in Bossier City casino cash advance theft conspiracy sentencedRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that four men from Illinois were sentenced Thursday for their roles in a wire fraud conspiracy to steal tens of thousands of dollars using Bossier City casino ATMs.
Darus Sutton, 26, of Chicago, Ill., was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison with 18 months of supervised release; Jamal Campbell, 24, of Maywood, Ill, was sentenced to 30 months in prison with three years of supervised release; Jeremy L. Coleman, 25, of Harvey, Ill., was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison with three years of supervised release; and Nicholas Coleman, 27, of Harvey, Ill., was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison with three years of supervised release. Additionally, Campbell was sentenced to a consecutive six-month sentence for one count of identity theft, which was a charge that arose out of a similar scheme in the Northern District of Indiana. All defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the hearing.
According to the guilty pleas, Sutton, Campbell, Jeremy Coleman, Nicholas Coleman and six other defendants visited the Horseshoe, Diamond Jacks and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs casinos on July 3 and 4 of 2014. The defendants used counterfeit credit cards at ATMs inside the gaming areas to make cash advances. The cards displayed the names of the defendants but the account numbers of actual victims who had their credit card information stolen. The defendants performed 53 cash advances with a total of $61,438.86 stolen.
The other six defendants who previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and have been sentenced are:
Charlie Nicholson, 25, of Melrose Park, Ill., was sentenced on February 12, 2016, to 22 months in prison with three years supervised release;
Ralphael Cassibery, 24, of Chicago, Ill., was sentenced on February 12, 2016, to 24 months in prison with three years supervised release;
Jeremiah J. Scott, 24, of Harvey, Ill., was sentenced on February 12, 2016, to 23 months in prison with three years supervised release;
Ray L. Holmes Jr., 28, of Harvey, Ill., was sentenced on February 19, 2016, to 30 months in prison with three years supervised release;
Tarnasha Harden, 35, of Harvey, Ill., was sentenced on February 19, 2016, to 18 months in prison with three years supervised release; and
Ashley Thomas, 26, of Harvey, Ill., was sentenced on February 19, 2016, to 12 months and one day in prison with three years supervised release.
All defendants must pay $61,438.86 in restitution joint and severally with each other.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Louisiana State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Winnfield men plead guilty to firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that two Winnfield men pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing stolen firearms.
Ashton L. Howard, 33, and Aaron Thomas, 26, both of Winnfield, La., pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen firearm in a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes. Thomas also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Their pleas will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to the guilty pleas, Howard and Thomas received and possessed 14 firearms, ammunition and other items from a Winnfield firearm seller on March 22, 2015. Howard drove four juveniles to a store where they loaded eight rifles, five shotguns, a revolver, ammunition, firearms parts, knives and other items into Howard’s van. Thomas later helped them unload the stolen items and store them under his house and in various locations. They both were aware the firearms were stolen.
Each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, one to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of September 12, 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 and the Winnfield Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Tallulah tax preparer pleads guilty to aiding in the filing of false tax returnRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Tallulah based tax preparer pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a tax return containing false information.
Frankie Cammack, 48, of Tallulah, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a fraudulent and false tax return. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to testimony presented during the 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 refunds totaling $114,791 to the taxpayers.
Cammack faces a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for September 12, 2016.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.
High-speed chase leads to firearms charges for Maurice manRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a man from Maurice pleaded guilty to having an unregistered sawed-off shotgun.
Kevin Patrick Abshire, 31, of Maurice, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm; namely, a shotgun having a barrel less than 18 inches in length. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the 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.
Abshire faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date has not been set.
The ATF, Lafayette Police Department and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to sex trafficking of a minorRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty to sex trafficking.
Zayne Ghandi Anderson, 40, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of sex trafficking of a minor. According to the guilty plea, as part of an investigation, undercover law enforcement agents responded to an online advertisement for prostitution, which resulted in them contacting and meeting a 16-year-old female on April 17, 2015. Upon interviewing the minor, agents discovered that Anderson had posted the advertisement online and set up the meeting where the minor agreed to have commercial sex. Anderson was arrested after arriving to pick up the minor.
Anderson faces 10 years to life in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He also is required to register as a sex offender. A sentencing date of October 14, 2016 was set.
The FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Jonathan S. Drucker are prosecuting the case.
Federal jury finds real estate company owners, attorney guilty in Alexandria mortgage loan schemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a federal jury found a couple who owned an Alexandria real estate company and an attorney guilty last week in a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $2 million in loans.
Deion A. Duruisseau, 47, and Lashawn A. Duruisseau, 41, both of Alexandria, and attorney Harold L. Lee, 55, of Pineville, La., were found guilty Thursday of one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, and two counts of bank fraud. The eight-day trial started May 31st and ended June 9th, with the jury deliberating for four hours. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial.
According to the testimony and evidence presented, between June 2004 and October 2009, the defendants conspired to provide fraudulent information in order to finance more than 30 properties with mortgage loans totaling $2,119,000. Many of the properties went into foreclosure and caused the lenders to suffer losses. Some of the buyers would later declare bankruptcy and attempt to discharge the debt owed to the lenders. The Duruisseaus’ company, Billionaire Properties, was used to further the scheme. Deion and Lashawn Duruisseau perpetrated the scheme by recruiting buyers from their church. The evidence showed that Deion Duruisseau would negotiate an initial contract with the seller of a rental property. Deion Duruisseau would negotiate a price and other conditions of sale for the investment property. Using the same property’s address but a recruited buyer’s information, he would then create a second contract. Deion Duruisseau would also increase the sale’s price of the property and submit the second contract to the loan company to initiate the mortgage loan process. This allowed him to pay the current owner of the property at the previously agreed upon price in the first contract, and then keep the difference of the increased amount negotiated with the lender. The seller of the property and the mortgage loan company never knew the second contract existed.
After the buyers were recruited, the Duruisseaus counseled and advised them on what false information to include on the mortgage applications. Examples of false or withheld information included false monthly incomes, fictitious assets and down payment omissions. As a result, loan companies were led to believe the buyers had sufficient assets and the capabilities to furnish the down payments for the purchase of the various investment properties.
Harold Lee, who operated as the closing attorney, also used his company, Alexandria Title, as the settlement agent in the scheme to defraud. Lee created trust accounts and deposited his own funds into that account to facilitate the misrepresentation to the lender that the recruited buyers had sufficient funds and assets qualifying them for the loans on the investment property. Based on false information in loan applications and related documents, the lenders approved the loans. Once approved, the lenders issued closing instructions and an approved HUD-1 settlement statement to Lee as the lending agent. However, contrary to the lenders’ closing instruction and the approved HUD-1, Lee used the lenders’ funds for the personal financial benefit of the Durusisseaus and himself. Lee failed to disclose to the lenders that he was a part owner of the properties that were sold having provided the funds to purchase the properties months earlier in the name of Deion Duruisseau. His failure to disclose to the lender his financial relationship with the Duruisseaus as a silent investor was a material omission. In addition, Lee did not collect the down payment from the borrowers. Instead, this money came from the lenders’ own funds. Lee also did not distribute the money in the way HUD-1 required the money to be distributed. Once the transaction was complete, he split the proceeds with the Duruisseaus.
The defendants face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each conspiracy count and the bank fraud counts. They also face five years of supervised release and restitution. A sentencing date of September 8, 2016 was set.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.
Leesville man sentenced to 36 months in prison for burglary on Fort Polk military postRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Leesville resident was sentenced Thursday to 36 months in prison for burglarizing homes and a truck on the Fort Polk military installation.
Dakota Cole Yarbrough, 22, of Leesville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the March 3, 2016 guilty plea, Yarbrough was driven to the outskirts of the Fort Polk U.S. Army base around 10 p.m. on August 5, 2015. He then illicitly crossed the fence onto the installation. Once on the base, he illegally entered two residences where families were sleeping and stole personal belongings from the homes. He also broke into and stole items from a pickup truck. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office found many of the stolen items in Yarbrough’s residence after a search on August 10, 2015.
The Fort Polk Directorate of Emergency Services and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 20 years in prison for methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced this week to 240 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine, which he intended to sell.
Lloyd E. Barmore, 34, of Shreveport, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the January 6, 2016 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police stopped Barmore’s vehicle on July 10, 2014. During a search of the vehicle, 915.2 grams of methamphetamine, a Springfield XD 9 mm handgun, digital scales and $5,914 in cash were found. The methamphetamine belonged to Barmore, and he intended to transfer or deliver it to another person. The driver of the vehicle was 16 years old.
“It is unacceptable that this felon put a child directly in harm’s way to further his continued drug trafficking,” said Finley. “Firearms and drugs are a dangerous combination. Methamphetamine cases are a priority for this office. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these cases in an effort to make sure our communities are safe by keeping criminals like Barmore off the street.”
The DEA and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff and Two Other Officials Charged with Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana announced today that Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff Louis Ackal, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Savoy and former Captain Mark Frederick were charged today in a superseding indictment with civil rights violations arising out of the beatings of two men.
The superseding indictment charges Ackal with one count of conspiracy against rights for conspiring in the spring of 2014 to assault a man who had been arrested on battery charges for allegedly assaulting one of Ackal’s relatives. The superseding indictment also charges Savoy and Frederick with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly assaulting another man, a pre-trial detainee at the Iberia Parish Jail (IPJ) in September of 2011. Ackal and Savoy had previously been charged related to beatings of pre-trial detainees at the IPJ on April 29, 2011.
Nine former Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office employees previously entered guilty pleas in related cases before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi of the Western District of Louisiana. The nine officers are former IPJ Warden Wesley Hayes, former IPJ Assistant Warden Jesse Hayes, former Lieutenant Bret Broussard of the Narcotics Unit, former narcotics agent Wade Bergeron, former narcotics agent Jason Comeaux, former narcotics agent David Hines, former narcotics agent Byron Benjamin Lassalle and former K-9 handlers Robert Burns and Jeremy Hatley.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Ackal, Savoy and Frederick each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the civil rights violations, as well as a potential $250,000 fine for each count.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek of the Western District of Louisiana and Special Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Ackal Superseding Indictment
Additional charges for Iberia Parish Sheriff and other officials on civil rightsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Savoy and former Captain Mark Frederick were charged in a superseding indictment with civil rights violations arising out of the beatings of two men.
The superseding indictment charges Ackal with one count of conspiracy against rights for conspiring in the spring of 2014 to assault a man who had been arrested on battery charges for allegedly assaulting one of Ackal’s relatives. The superseding indictment also charges Savoy and Frederick with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly assaulting another man, a pre-trial detainee at the Iberia Parish Jail (IPJ) in September of 2011. Ackal and Savoy had previously been charged related to beatings of pre-trial detainees at the IPJ on April 29, 2011.
Nine former Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office employees previously entered guilty pleas in related cases before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi of the Western District of Louisiana. The nine officers are former IPJ Warden Wesley Hayes, former IPJ Assistant Warden Jesse Hayes, former Lieutenant Bret Broussard of the Narcotics Unit, former narcotics agent Wade Bergeron, former narcotics agent Jason Comeaux, former narcotics agent David Hines, former narcotics agent Byron Benjamin Lassalle and former K-9 handlers Robert Burns and Jeremy Hatley.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Ackal, Savoy and Frederick each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the civil rights violations, as well as a potential $250,000 fine for each count.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek of the Western District of Louisiana and Special Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Shreveport man sentenced to 38 months in prison for stealing almost $400,000 from hospice providerRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced last week to 38 months in prison for stealing more than $397,000 from a privately held hospice company.
Demar Crozier Watson, 50, of Shreveport, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of federal program theft. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $397,255.68 in restitution. According to evidence presented at the December 8, 2015 guilty plea, Watson worked as the office manager for a Shreveport hospice provider in 2012 and 2013. Watson was responsible for paying bills, payroll and reconciling the financials for the company. On November 7, 2013, Watson asked the owner to sign three blank checks he said would be used to pay bills for the company. After the hospice received a Medicare deposit for $176,442 on November 14, 2013, Watson wrote one of the checks to himself for $210,000. Watson obtained a cashier’s check funded with the stolen money to buy a 2014 Mercedes SL550 for a female escort for $140,000. According to evidence presented at sentencing, Watson also stole more than $90,000 by electronically transferring funds from the hospice’s bank accounts to his personal bank accounts. Watson made the transfers look legitimate by using a shell company he established and labeling them as legal fees. Watson also stole more than $96,000 from the hospice by fraudulently using a business credit card for personal items from various stores, a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with the female escort, and a number of very expensive gifts.
The FBI, Bossier City Police Department, Shreveport Police Department and the Houston Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike O’Mara and Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.
Texas man sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Texas man was sentenced Wednesday to 60 months in prison for possessing cocaine.
Laraymeon Jevon Watson, 32, of Lufkin, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the February 25, 2016 guilty plea, Watson received cocaine powder and Ecstasy pills from a supplier in Texas. When his vehicle was stopped on June 24, 2015 near Greenwood, La., for a traffic violation, approximately 8 ounces of cocaine powder and more than 3,000 Ecstasy pills were found. He admitted he planned to sell the drugs.
The defendant was arrested as part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation “River City Blues.” The DEA, the Louisiana State Police, and the Lufkin Police Department investigated the case. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization, and to seize its assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Texas men sentenced for roles in transporting 28 kilograms of cocaineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that two Texas men were sentenced for conspiring to transport approximately 28 kilograms of powder cocaine.
Ricardo Garcia, 28, and Jesus Christian Martinez, 34, both of Brownsville, Texas, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 72 months and 62 months in prison respectively on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute powder cocaine. They were also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the December 21, 2015 guilty pleas, Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on February 3, 2015 on a vehicle Garcia and Martinez were traveling in that was heading eastbound on I-20 in Bossier Parish. The vehicle displayed North Carolina license plates but was not registered to either the driver or the passenger. After further investigation, troopers searched the vehicle and found 28 kilogram-size packages of powder cocaine inside of a speaker box in the trunk.
The DEA-Shreveport Office and Louisiana State Police-Troop G conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.
Opelousas man sentenced to a year in prison for role in major computer hacking forumRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that an Opelousas man was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for using a computer to steal money, hacking computers to obtain passwords, and attempting to sell information on the online hacking forum known as “Darkode.”
Rory Stephen Guidry, 29, aka [email protected], of Opelousas, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of obtaining information by computer from a protected computer. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the February 5, 2016 guilty plea, in July of 2014 while living in Liberty Hill, Texas, Guidry participated in an online hacking attack on a server in Austin, Texas. He moved to his grandparents’ home in Opelousas in March of 2015 after an investigation ensued as a result of the server attack. While in Opelousas, he continued to use his skills to hack into personal computers and controlled them with malware and a botnet. Guidry attempted to hack into and control more than 5,000 computers, and he attempted to sell the botnet to another hacker on Darkode. Guidry also used his hacking skills and conspired with another individual to steal more than $80,000 in bitcoin. He received half, $40,000, of the bitcoin and converted some of it to money, which he spent. Guidry also admitted to hacking another computer to take more than 5,000 active credit card accounts. He was in possession of the credit card numbers and personal identifiers when he was arrested by the FBI.
In July of 2015, the Department of Justice and other agencies dismantled Darkode. Criminal charges were filed in the Western District of Louisiana, the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere against 12 individuals associated with the forum. As alleged in the charging documents, Darkode was an online, password-protected forum in which hackers and other cyber-criminals convened to buy, sell, trade and share information, ideas, and tools to facilitate unlawful and unauthorized intrusions on computers and electronic devices. Before becoming a member of Darkode, prospective members were allegedly vetted through a process in which an existing member invited a prospective member to the forum for the purpose of presenting the skills or products that he or she could bring to the group. Darkode members used each other’s skills and products to infect computers and electronic devices of victims around the world with malware. They would then gain access to, and control over, those devices.
The takedown of the forum and the charges were announced on July 15, 2015 as a result of the FBI’s infiltration of the Darkode’s membership. Twenty nations participated in the coordinated effort of law enforcement to charge, arrest or search 70 Darkode members and associates around the world.
“Cybercrime threatens anyone and everyone in our ever-increasingly internet-connected world,” Finley stated. “Computer criminals will not be able to hide or maintain their anonymity, and they will be prosecuted locally, nationally and internationally. Through coordinated responses and international cooperation of our law enforcement partners, defendants such as Mr. Guidry who are involved in computer hacking forums will see their organizations dismantled and individuals prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This investigation, Operation Shrouded Horizon, is being conducted by the FBI with assistance from Europol and their European Cyber Crime Center (EC3). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James T. Kitchen and Charles A. Eberle of the Western District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorneys Gavin A. Corn, Marie-Flore Johnson and Harold Chun of CCIPS, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica O’Neil of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers Namie of the Western District of Louisiana. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.
Last of 14 defendants in Acadiana methamphetamine distribution conspiracy sentencedRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Texas man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Lafayette, New Iberia and the surrounding areas.
Gary Hunt, 60, of Splendora, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the February 5, 2016 guilty plea, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in New Iberia, Lafayette and the surrounding areas. Elliot Jolet, 36, and Anita Desormeaux, 44, both of New Iberia, purchased methamphetamine from Hunt in Texas and then transported it to the south central Louisiana area where it was distributed. The investigation also resulted in the seizure of crystal methamphetamine, more than $5,400, a vehicle and several firearms.
Jolet was sentenced on December 8, 2015 to 180 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Desormeaux was sentenced on November 24, 2015 to 157 months in prison and four years of supervised release.
The other 11 defendants who also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count are:
Ko Chanhkongshinh, 39, of Youngsville, La., was sentenced on January 14, 2016 to 75 months in prison and three years of supervised release;
Jenee Lynn Hargrave, 30, of Scott, La., was sentenced on January 14, 2016 to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release;
David Lowery, 34, of New Iberia, was sentenced on October 28, 2015 to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release;
Everette Dupuis, 40, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 13, 2016 to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release;
Michael Guidry, 46, of Erath, La., was sentenced on October 28, 2015 to 66 months in prison and three years of supervised release;
Tyrone Howard, 44, of Youngsville, was sentenced on January 11, 2016 to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release;
Kevin Jefferson, 32, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 11, 2016 to 68 months in prison and five years of supervised release;
Nared Souphannavong, 30, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 13, 2016 to 24 months in prison and five years of supervised release;
Brandi Boullion, 29, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 13, 2016 to time served and two years of supervised release;
Dewey Migues, 37, of New Iberia, was sentenced on November 24, 2015 to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release; and
Corey Freyou, 39, of New Iberia, was sentenced on November 18, 2015 to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation. The DEA, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lafayette Police Department participated in this OCDETF investigation. The U.S. Marshal’s Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office assisted in the arrests. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization, and to seize its assets.
“Methamphetamine drug traffickers distribution networks are priority prosecutions for this office,” Finley stated. “The poison these defendants sell hurts our communities and spawns more crimes. I’m thankful to the law enforcement agents and prosecutors who worked hard to make sure our communities are safe and ensured a successful conclusion to this case.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie, Daniel J. McCoy and Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.
Jury finds Patterson man guilty in tax fraud schemeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal jury found a man from Patterson guilty in a scheme to use stolen identities to file false tax returns and pocket refunds.
Louis W. Carbins Jr., 36, of Patterson, La., 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. The three-day trial started Monday and ended today with the jury deliberating for 30 minutes. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial. According to the testimony and evidence presented, from February 2013 to August of 2013, Carbins and co-defendant Laphrida T. Watts, 39, from Morgan City, 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. 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, which will be served consecutive to the penalty imposed for the conspiracy count. Carbins faces the same counts as Watts in addition to the seven counts of government money theft. The theft count carries a penalty of 10 years in prison. They both also face three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Watts is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2016, and Carbins is scheduled to be sentenced August 29, 2016.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Robert F. Moore are prosecuting the case.
Monroe man pleads guilty to methamphetamine possession chargeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a man from Monroe pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine for later sale.
Travis C. Mills, 34, of Monroe, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents arrested Mills on October 7, 2015, as he was leaving his home. They found 115 grams of methamphetamine in a brown paper bag in the front seat of his car. His home was also searched, and 84 grams of methamphetamine were found.
Mills faces five to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. A sentencing date of September 7, 2016 was set.
The DEA and Ouachita Parish Metro Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Drucker and James G. Cowles Jr. are prosecuting the case.
Mexican citizen sentenced to 30 months in prison for transporting cocaineRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Mexican citizen was sentenced to 30 months in prison for taking part in a conspiracy to transport and sell cocaine.
Omar Sanchez Ortuno, 23, of Puebla, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to the February 12, 2016 guilty plea, law enforcement agents monitored a deal and delivery involving Ortuno on April 29, 2014. Omar delivered 1.5 kilograms of cocaine from Houston to cocaine distributors in Lake Charles. The vehicles involved in the deal were stopped and the individuals involved were arrested, and authorities seized the vehicle, cocaine and $33,000 in cash. The agents had been investigating Ortuno and his co-conspirators prior to his arrest. The investigation revealed multiple deliveries of cocaine from Ortuno to his Louisiana contacts, who then redistributed the cocaine in smaller amounts in the Lake Charles community. Ortuno was identified by law enforcement as a delivery person or runner, and as a minor participant.
Homeland Security Investigations, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Louisiana State Police, and the Calcasieu Parish Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case.
Lake Charles woman pleads guilty to 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 pleaded guilty to stealing more than $230,000 from her employer’s bank account.
Melissa D. Crookshank, 33, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of wire fraud. According to the 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.
Crookshank faces 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of August 25, 2016 was set.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard C. Parker is prosecuting the case.
Western District’s U.S. Attorney’s Office remembers fallen law enforcement officers during National Police Week 2016Read the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La.: Members of the public join with law enforcement across the country for National Police Week – May 15th through May 21st – to honor law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.
“National Police Week is a special opportunity to recognize the great and heroic work of law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley. “We pay a special tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. There is no greater service to one’s community than to be prepared to die for the safety of others.”
This year, the names of 128 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the 28th Annual 2016 Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13th. These names include officers who were killed during 2015 and officers who died in previous years who have not been previously added to the Memorial. The fallen officers of 2015 include four members of the law enforcement community in the Western District of Louisiana:
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Juandre Devon Gilliam Sr., Jeanerette Police Department, who died April 8, 2015;
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Thomas Joseph LaValley, Shreveport Police Department, who died August 5, 2015;
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Steven J. Vincent, Louisiana State Police, who died August 24, 2015; and
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Henry Andres Nelson, Sunset Police Department, who died August 26, 2015.
To assist local public safety officers in the work that they do, the U.S. Attorney’s Office offers a number safety and survival training throughout the year. The Western District’s Law Enforcement Community Coordinator is Mike Campbell, a former Shreveport Police Chief, who oversees the course curricula and sessions. The courses are open to federal, state, local, military and tribal law enforcement officers.
“We are committed to provide training to assist our law enforcement officers to do their jobs better and safer,” Finley stated. “Our goal is for all public safety officers to return home to their families at the end of their shifts each and every day.”
National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.
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Honduran citizen pleads guilty to lying on passport applicationRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a man from Honduras pleaded guilty last week to submitting false information when applying for a passport.
Henry Arevalo, 28, of Honduras, entered a conditional guilty plea Friday for one count of false statement on a passport application before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, Arevalo used another person’s name, birthdate and social security number on a passport application on April 17, 2015 at a U.S. Post Office in Calcasieu Parish. He attempted to obtain the passport for personal use.
Arevalo faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.
The U.S. State Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Mexican citizen sentenced to 57 months in prison for illegally reentering the countryRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a man from Mexico was sentenced last week to 57 months in prison for re-entering the United States after removal.
Francisco Hernandez-Urtusoastigui, 37, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. According to the December 2, 2016 guilty plea, Lake Charles Police stopped the defendant for a traffic violation on July 28, 2015. He did not have identification and admitted to being in the country illegally. Hernandez-Urtusoastigui has been deported at least five times. He also has a previous federal conviction in 2009 and in 2012.
Homeland Security Investigations-Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.