Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Jury Finds Westlake Man Guilty of Meth and Gun Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a jury found Anthony Frederick “Tony” Giaimis, 48, of Westlake, La., guilty Wednesday of conspiring to distribute and of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The jury also found him guilty of one count felony weapon possession. District Judge Patricia Minaldi presided over the trial.
Giaimis’ trial started Monday and ended Wednesday with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for about 45 minutes. The jury found that Giaimis conspired to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine, and that he possessed more than 5 grams of pure methamphetamine, which police found on Jan. 6, 2012, during a search of a marina owned by his mother, the Bridge Port Yacht club, where Giaimis was living. The jury heard testimony that during the dates of the conspiracy, Giaimis obtained more than 80 ounces of methamphetamine from two men in the Houston area, which he sold to people living in and around Calcasieu Parish. Police also found 14 firearms in various locations at the marina. Giaimis had been previously convicted of a felony in June 2011 in the 253rd District Court of Texas in Chambers County for possession with intent to deliver more than 200 grams of methamphetamine.
Because of his prior conviction, Giaimis faces a minimum of 20 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $20 million, and at least 10 years of supervised release for the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine count; and 10 to 40 years in prison, an $8 million fine, and at least eight years of supervised release for the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine count; and he faces 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Justin W. Brewer, 42, and Ricky Martinez, 43, both of Houston, Texas, were charged in the same indictment with Giaimis in August 2012. Giaimis’ trial was severed from that of his co-defendants April 4, 2013.
Brewer pleaded guilty Monday before District Judge Patricia Minaldi to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. According to the stipulated factual basis for the guilty plea, Brewer was arrested Dec. 28, 2011, after 51.1 grams of pure methamphetamine was found in the trunk of his car. An informant told authorities that Brewer was in the Westlake area and was transporting a large quantity of methamphetamine. A Westlake police officer pulled Brewer over for a traffic violation, and found a drug smoking pipe and other drug paraphernalia in the console of car, and a box containing methamphetamine in the trunk.
Brewer faces 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release for the methamphetamine count.
Martinez is set for trial May 13, 2013. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Martinez is alleged to have taken part in a conspiracy to distribute the methamphetamine from January 2009 to February 2012. If convicted, Martinez will face 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release for each count.
“It took the work of informants, police, sheriff’s officers, and federal agents to bring the defendants in this drug distribution operation to justice,” Finley stated. “I want to thank all of those who put their time and lives on the line to remove harmful and illegal drugs from our streets.”
The Westlake Police Department, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles Police Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Combined Anti-drug Team(CAT) Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.Shreveport Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that John Carpenter Myers, 43, of Shreveport, was sentenced Tuesday by U. S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 100 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for distributing child pornography.
According to court documents, Louisiana authorities received notice from an undercover investigator in another state that Myers was making images depicting children in sexual situations available through file sharing software on his computer. After a search of his computer, authorities found 1,857 videos and 3,656 digital photographs that depicted minors in sexually abusive circumstances.
“The individual in this case used his computer to provide images of abused children to others online,” Finley said. “His actions contributed to a worldwide trade of such material. Our office will not stop prosecuting those who distribute images and videos depicting abuse of children.”
The Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police – Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl Campbell and John Luke Walker 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. 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 http://www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp and to the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be reported anonymously. The Shreveport FBI office number is (318) 861-1890.
El Salvador Citizen Convicted for Deportation Order NoncomplianceRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La.– United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Manuel Rivas, 45, of El Salvador, was found guilty on Friday by a federal jury on two counts of resisting his deportation. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial.
Rivas’ trial started Thursday and ended Friday morning with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for 28 minutes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Rivas on July 11, 2011, and he was issued an administrative order for removal because he was an alien convicted of a felony. According to court documents, Rivas refused to fill out necessary paperwork for his request for travel documentation from El Salvador on July 3, 2012, and Aug. 16, 2012.
“There is no basis for the defendant to remain in the United States after being convicted of a felony,” Finley stated. “His refusal to comply with deportation orders on multiple occasions caused unnecessary cost to ICE. I want to thank the prosecutor in the case and ICE officials who investigated this case.”
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement will continue to dedicate all its resources to prosecuting individuals who hamper their removal,” said Scott L. Sutterfield, acting field office director for the New Orleans Field Office. “This case illustrates our close cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the successful prosecution of egregious immigration law violators who pose a threat to public safety and border security.”
Rivas faces four years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release for each count. Sentencing has been set for July 5, 2013.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Seiji Ohashi prosecuted the case.
Federal, State and Local Agencies Arrest 10 in Cocaine, Crack Distribution RingRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a year-long undercover investigation resulted in 10 arrests in the Marksville and Alexandria areas on distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine charges.
Federal, state and local law enforcement officials seized more than $60,000, 5 kilograms of powder cocaine, 350 grams of crack cocaine, and numerous firearms over the course of the investigation. The defendants are charged with various counts of cocaine and crack cocaine distribution, possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy, and firearms offenses that took place in Avoylles and Rapides parishes between January 2012 and March 2013.
Those arrested are: Michael J. Wright, 27, Houston; Dontour D. Drakes, 37, Alexandria; Sedrick D. Porter, 36, Alexandria; Abraham Baylor III, 39, Alexandria; Earnest G. “Gucci” Miles III, 25, Alexandria; Terrace D. Winchester, 34, Alexandria; Brandon C. “Lanky B” Thomas, 31, Marksville; Leotis V. Perry, 36, Alexandria; Falon S. Maricle, 31, Marsksville; and Dennis Lee Bradford, 30, Cottonport.
The charges and arrests are part of the Safe Streets Task Force “Operation Double Down.” The FBI-Central Louisiana Gang Safe Streets Task Force; Alexandria Police Department; Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office; Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Marshall’s Service; Louisiana State Police; and Louisiana State Department of Probation and Parole, participate in the task force program and conducted the operation.
A federal grand jury returned the first “Operation Double Down” indictment March 20, 2013, charging the defendants on 16 counts related to the cocaine and crack cocaine distribution ring’s activities.
The defendants face a variety of federal and state charges. The penalties range from mandatory 10 years incarceration to life imprisonment. Initial appearance was held Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge James D. Kirk. Detention hearings have been set for April 1.
“It took the combined effort of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to make these arrests happen,” Finley said. “I want to thank the Alexandria Police Department, Avoyelles and Rapides sheriff’s offices, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana State Department of Probation and Parole, the U.S. Marshals, and the FBI for their roles in removing these drugs from our streets.”“This operation will have a significant impact on the landscape of illegal drugs in Central Louisiana,” said Alexandria Police Chief Loren Lampert. “This investigation and its success serve as a perfect example of how federal, state and local law enforcement can and should cooperate in fighting crime. We are extremely pleased with the efforts of all agencies and the results of those efforts. We look forward to future cooperative efforts such as this to improve the quality of life in our community.”
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley and Other Louisiana Citizens Honored at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's 81st Regional Conference for Public ServiceRead the Press Release
Lafayette, La. – United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Stephanie A. Finley, was recognized on March 22, 2013, at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s 81st Regional Conference for her public service as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. The public service award is presented to citizens for distinguished service to their community as a part of the organization’s commitment to serve mankind. Alpha Kappa Alpha is an international service organization founded in 1908 as the oldest Greek-letter sorority established by African-American college-educated women.
United States Attorney Finley is a Grambling State University and Southern University Law Center graduate who was selected by President Barack Obama in January of 2010, after being recommended by Senator Mary Landrieu and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June of 2010, to serve as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. She was sworn into office on June 2, 2010. Ms. Finley is the first woman in the State of Louisiana appointed as U.S. Attorney. She serves as the chief law enforcement officer for 42 of the 64 parishes in Louisiana and is charged with the prosecution of criminal cases brought by the Federal Government and the prosecution and defense of civil cases in which the United States is a party.
Other honorees included Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Bernette Joshua Johnson, State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith, President of Xavier University of Louisiana, Dr. Norman C. Francis, Executive Director of the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, A. Michele Jean-Pierre, Director of Human Resources for the Jefferson Parish School System, Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, Founder of Love in Action Outreach, Inc., Gail Womack-Murray, Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis, Isidore Newman High School Senior Ashley Adams, Isidore Newman Upper School Ninth Grade Honor Student Princeton Jerome Carter, and Kid Chef Eliana de Las Casas.
Former Youth Minister Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Enticing Minors to Engage in Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a former youth minister and Half Back Media owner Eric Michael Manuel, 23, of Lafayette was sentenced to 27 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for enticing minors to engage in criminal sexual activity. Manuel also is required to complete 15 years of supervised release.
A federal grand jury indicted Manual in January 2012 on 18 counts of production of child pornography and two counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to persuade a minor to engage in criminal sexual acts.
In the factual basis for the guilty plea, Manuel admitted he would text underage boys to convince them to engage in sexual acts. Manuel also would pay the boys to allow him to perform oral sex upon them. The defendant attempted to entice a third boy to engage in sexual conduct with him, but the boy refused.
Additionally, Manuel admitted to creating a Facebook page in the name of a young girl, Emily Brandt. While using the false persona of Emily, Manuel convinced 18 boys between the ages of 13 and 17 to produce sexually explicit images and videos of themselves and send them to him. When one boy refused to send the sexually explicit images to Manuel, he threatened the boy.
The FBI-Lafayette Resident Agency, the Louisiana State Police, and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice launched 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 (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls concerning child exploitation. The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 233-2164.
Ferriday Funeral Home Director Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that funeral home director John Casey Young, 45, of Vidalia, pleaded guilty before U. S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to knowingly receiving child pornography on his computer.
According to court documents, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, during an investigation of a separate but related matter in September 2011, discovered that Young used his work computer to search for child pornography on the internet.
Young faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for June 10, 2013. The FBI and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl Campbell and John Luke Walker 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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls about child exploitation. The Alexandria FBI office number is (318) 443-5097.
New Iberia Resident Pleads Guilty to Stealing from FEMARead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Jacqueline Marie Benjamin, 43, of New Iberia, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik to conspiring to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency out of thousands of dollars in false hurricane damage claims.
In a 2005 application to FEMA following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the defendant’s sister-in-law Valerie Benjamin applied for rental assistance money claiming she was forced to move as a result of storm damage to her home. According to the stipulated factual basis signed by the defendant in open court, Valerie Benjamin listed her new residence in New Iberia as a rental property and listed Jacqueline Benjamin as her landlord when she was not. As a result of the fraudulent claim, between April 20, 2007 and June 22, 2007, Jacqueline Benjamin received four checks for storm damage losses. The defendant took $200 out of each check and paid Valerie Benjamin.Jacqueline Benjamin also admitted in the stipulated factual basis that in 2008 following hurricanes Gustav and Ike, she gave permission for Valerie Benjamin to file FEMA disaster assistance applications in her name. The FEMA application stated that Jacqueline Benjamin had to evacuate her home because of storm damage. The application also contained false landlord statements, false medical bills, false medical bill receipts, false insurance statements, false rental agreements, and false rental receipts. Jacqueline Benjamin admitted that she never left her home, and the home sustained only minor damage. Between Dec. 22, 2008 and April 9, 2009, the defendant received four checks for storm damage losses. She took $200 out of each check and paid Valerie Benjamin.
Jacqueline Benjamin faces five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both with three years of supervised release. A sentencing date has not been set.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.Central African Republic National Convicted for Resisting Deportation OrdersRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Seyba Diallo, 46, of the Central African Republic, was found guilty on Tuesday afternoon by a federal jury on two counts of impeding or hampering his deportation from the United States. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial.
Diallo’s trial started Monday and ended Tuesday afternoon with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for 50 minutes. Based on witness testimony and documents admitted into evidence, it was established that on Nov. 11, 2011 and March 13, 2012, Diallo physically resisted U.S. Immigration Enforcement Agents (IEA) when they attempted to put him on a plane in Rapides Parish to return him to his country of origin. On both dates, IEAs brought him to the Alexandria International Airport and attempted to put him on a commercial flight where he began to yell and physically resist officers, which prevented him from being allowed on the flight due to airline and Transportation Security Administration policies. Diallo’s actions at the airport delayed his removal, but they also led to his deportation documents expiring, which further delayed his removal. Diallo has been in the United States for more than nine years.
“The defendant defied the law and placed additional burdens on our immigration system,” Finley stated. “I want to thank the prosecutor in the case and ICE officials who investigated this case.”
“ICE will continue to dedicate all its resources to prosecuting individuals who unlawfully hamper their removal,” said Scott L. Sutterfield, acting field office director for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement New Orleans Field Office. “This case illustrates our close cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the successful prosecution of egregious immigration law violators who pose a threat to public safety and border security.”Diallo faces four years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release for each count. Sentencing has been set for June 10, 2013.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Rayne Man Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Deynoodt Joseph Besse, 53, of Rayne, La., pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of wire fraud.
Besse worked for Rayne tire company Interco’s sales department from Aug. 1, 1997 to Aug. 3, 2010. On Jan. 29, 2003, he created a separate company called INT Sales. According the indictment, Besse used his Interco sales position to divert tire sales to his INT Sales account. He would arrange for the tire sales as an Interco sales associate and then take customers’ account information. Besse would process the account information through a point of sale device, and the transactions were then credited to a bank account associated with INT Sales. The government alleges that Besse fraudulently obtained $143,872.88 using the scheme.
Besse faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, and three years of supervised release for the count of wire fraud. A sentencing date has not been set.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. McCoy and Myers P. Namie are prosecuting the case.Woman Ordered to Pay Restitution for Filing False Day Care Services Claims to Federal ProgramRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Annette Victorian, 44, of Lake Charles, was ordered Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to pay $71,660.70 in restitution, a $1,000 fine, serve five years probation, and complete 100 hours of community service, for defrauding the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.
Victorian is the owner/director of Annette’s Developmental and Learning Center located in Lake Charles, which receives payments for child care services through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Prior to being paid by CCAP for child care services she provided, Victorian was required to submit accurate provider invoices for each child. According to court documents, beginning in April 2007 and continuing through October 2009, Victorian submitted invoices which contained false and fraudulent information, inflating the number of children who received care and the hours the children were present. In some instances, Victorian claimed reimbursement for children who were no longer enrolled at her day care center.
“The money this defendant took should have been used to help those in need of day care services,” Finley said. “Instead, the money was siphoned out of the community and grant system for personal use. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who defraud these programs.”
CCAP is funded by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ grant and is administered by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.
Three Men Plead Guilty to Using Counterfeit Bank Cards to Steal More Than $103,624Read the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Shanji Jin, 38, of Chicago, Ill., Hong Xi, 63, of Flushing, N.Y., and Yuan Chunshan, aka, “Guang Li”, 43, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty Wednesday(Feb. 27) before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to using counterfeit credit cards to fraudulently obtain funds from Louisiana casinos totaling $103,624.81.
According to court documents, authorities arrested Jin, Xi and Chunshan Nov. 24, 2012, at the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder for using the counterfeit cards to get cash advances. The counterfeit cards had the defendants’ names on them, but the numbers could not be matched to any of the three men’s accounts with the financial institutions alleged to have issued the credit cards. They are also responsible for using the cards at L’Auberge Casino in Lake Charles, El Dorado Casino in Shreveport and the Horseshoe Casino in Shreveport. The investigation revealed that Jin took $41,934.55; Xi took $42,394.26; and Li took $19,296.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison for Conspiracy to Use Unauthorized Access Devices and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will take place at a later date. The U.S. Secret Service-Baton Rouge Agency and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Parker is prosecuting the case.
Government Consents to New Trial in United States v. Robert “Red” Stevens and Arthur Gilmore, Jr.Read the Press Release
MONROE, La.: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has informed United States District Judge Donald E. Walter that it consents to a new trial in United States v. Robert “Red” Stevens and Arthur Gilmore, Jr., two former Monroe City Councilmen indicted for racketeering and extortion. Thereafter, the Court continued the evidentiary hearing scheduled for March 4, 2013, and entered an order today scheduling a new trial for April 22, 2013, in Shreveport. Stevens and Gilmore had sought a new trial based on allegations of misconduct by the former lead Assistant United States Attorney and FBI agent.
U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley stated: “While I do not believe that the jury’s guilty verdict in this case was the result of any misconduct, I believe that it is important that the public have confidence in the integrity of the prosecutions brought by the United States. Therefore, I directed the prosecutors in this case to consent to a new trial even though the trial had been completed and the case was on appeal. We chose to disclose the allegations of misconduct to the Court and to all defense attorneys because we want every prosecution to be based on fairness.
The allegations at issue first came to light in June 2012 when defense counsel in the case of United States v. Royce Toney, Michael Davis, made allegations of misconduct on the part of Assistant United States Attorney Mignonne Griffing. My office reviewed the allegations, and pursuant to established protocol, an investigation was opened by the Department of Justice. In the meantime, in order to ensure the integrity of the prosecution of former Sheriff Toney, I removed AUSA Griffing from the case and assigned a different prosecutor in my office to take it over. Based on the totality of the evidence and the testimony of the witnesses, the prosecution was ultimately resolved with a guilty plea to nine misdemeanor counts of unauthorized access of a protected computer. This resolution was based on the most readily provable offenses, not because of any allegations of misconduct. The plea agreement addressed Sheriff Toney’s criminal conduct and was in the interest of justice. The Government believed then, as it does now, that this was the fairest resolution to this case in light of all of the evidence.
On August 2, 2012, Royce Toney appeared before U.S. District Judge Robert G. James and knowingly and voluntarily pled guilty with advice of his counsel.
Our goal in every case that we prosecute is to ensure the integrity of the prosecution. My office, along with the appropriate offices at the Department of Justice, will continue to investigate any and all allegations of misconduct to determine whether or not there is any merit to them, and at the same time will take all necessary steps to preserve the integrity of all prosecutions brought by the United States.”
During the trial set for April 22, 2013, Mr. Stevens and Mr. Gilmore will face the same charges as returned by the Grand Jury in June of 2010. Specifically, each defendant was named in a two-count indictment charging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c), and the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951.
If convicted, both men face a maximum sentence on Count 1, RICO, of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Hobbs Act contained in Count 2 is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Four Shreveport Men Indicted for String of Armed Robberies at Businesses in Louisiana and TexasRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a grand jury indicted four Shreveport men Thursday as part of a 27-count indictment related to a string of robberies last year that took place in Shreveport, Bossier City, Sabine Parish, and Texas.
Myles W. Robinson, 20, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 13 counts of robbery, and 13 counts of using firearms during a crime of violence.
Halston M. Smith, 22, is charged with one count of conspiracy, seven counts of robbery, and seven counts of using firearms during a crime of violence.
James D. Tyson, 22, is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of robbery, and one count of using firearms during a crime of violence.
Tremario D. Washington, 23, is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of robbery, and one count of using firearms during a crime of violence.
According to the indictment, the armed robberies took place between June 1, 2012 and Nov. 14, 2012 at 15 businesses with the men stealing more than $17,900. Robinson took part in all the robberies, but perpetrated five of the robberies alone. In some cases a shotgun was used, in other cases a handgun, and sometimes both were used to rob the businesses. The defendants robbed businesses in Shreveport, La., Bossier City, La., Stonewall, La., Oil City, La., and Atlanta, Tx.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both with five years of supervised release for the conspiracy count; and 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both with five years of supervised release for each robbery count. For using firearms during a crime of violence, the first count requires seven years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both with five years of supervised release. After that, each firearms count requires 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both with five years of supervised release. A trial date will be set at a later date.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ATF, Shreveport Police Department, Bossier City Police Department, Atlanta Texas Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Bossier Parish District Attorney’s Office took part in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Cowles is prosecuting the case.
Private Investigator Williamson Indicted for Bribes in Exchange for Favorable OWI Case ResolutionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal grand jury indicted private investigator Robert Williamson, 64, of Lafayette on one count of conspiracy, six counts of bribery for operating a pay-for-plea scheme that garnered favorable treatment for defendants charged with state violations of operating while intoxicated (OWI), and one count of Social Security Fraud for claiming Social Security payments while not reporting income from the bribery scheme. Additionally, Williamson was charged with one count of making false statements to a federal agent.
According to the indictment, Williamson, who is not licensed to practice law, was part of a conspiracy from March 2008 to February 2012 to solicit thousands of dollars from individuals with pending criminal charges in the 15th Judicial District by promising favorable resolutions to their pending felony and misdemeanor cases, the majority of which were OWI cases. The favorable resolution of OWI cases included having the cases placed in “immediate 894 sessions.”
The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894 provides a procedure by which a person can initially plead guilty to a crime with the understanding that the conviction will be set aside if the person successfully completes certain requirements imposed during a probationary period, including community service.
The indictment states that Williamson paid bribes in cash and other things of value to personnel within the District Attorney’s office and employees with other organizations associated with the OWI program, including Acadiana Outreach.
Williamson is also alleged to have obtained false and fraudulent certifications from Acadiana Outreach, which certified that his clients completed court-ordered community service, when in fact the individuals had not. The indictment outlines that Williamson would obtain fraudulent driver safety training certificates showing that Williamson’s “clients” completed court-mandated driver improvement programs when they had not. Williamson would then take these certificates and provide them to District Attorney’s
office staff members who would file them in the court record during the clients’ “immediate 894 session.”If convicted, Williamson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with up to three years of supervised release for the conspiracy count. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a 250,000 fine or both with three years of supervised release for each count of bribery, five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with three years of supervised release for the Social Security Fraud count, and five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with three years of supervised release for the false
statements to a federal agent count. A trial will be scheduled at a later date.“This case should serve as a reminder that private citizen facilitators who participate in corruption conspiracies will be held as accountable as public officials,” said Mike Anderson, Special Agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Division.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and Richard Willis are prosecuting the case.
Western District of Louisiana Celebrates Black History Month in Shreveport and Lafayette Offices and at Community ProgramsRead the Press Release
Lafayette/Shreveport/Lake Charles/Alexandria/Monroe, La: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana recognized Black History Month with programs in their Shreveport and Lafayette offices and other community events. These celebrations included recognizing the culture, social, scientific and political contributions of African- Americans. Black History Month grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
The theme for the U.S. Attorney’s Office programs was “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.” This year’s theme marks the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50 anniversary of the th March on Washington. The events provided a chance to look back on the crossroads of the country’s journey, to reflect upon freedom and equality, and to recognize pivotal movements forged by extraordinary individuals in the struggle to dismantle institutions of slavery and segregation in America.
The 2013 Black History Month Committee for the U.S. Attorneys Office organized events held in Shreveport on Feb. 19, 2013 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse and in Lafayette on Feb. 21, 2013 at the John M. Shaw Federal Courthouse Building. Each program featured guest speakers, including U.S. District Judges, a U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Chief Judge, attorneys, local pastors, professors, singers, storytellers and authors. Members of the local bar associations, community and federal agencies turned out for both programs to celebrate the month.
In Shreveport, the Honorable S. Maurice Hicks Jr., U.S. District Judge, Western District of Louisiana, welcomed the crowd and led the audience in the pledge of allegiance; the invocation was given by Rev. Antonio T. Dixon Sr., Pastor, Steeple Chase Baptist Church in Shreveport; and the occasion was recognized by the Honorable Carl Stewart, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
A dramatic performance about the life of Harriet Tubman was given by Thelma Harrison, a professional storyteller and actress. Courtney Joiner, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Harry Blake, Pastor, Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport, who shared his experience about growing up on a plantation as a young boy and his role as a civil rights activist on the staff of Martin Luther King, Jr. The program concluded with a vocal performance of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” by playwright, producer and singer Vincent Williams.
The director of the Multicultural Center of the South, Janice Gatlin, provided an array of exhibits depicting the culture of black history. The Multicultural Center is located in Shreveport and is the only multicultural center in the State of Louisiana with over 2,000 cultural exhibits representing 26 cultures.
The Lafayette program included opening remarks from the Honorable Rebecca F. Doherty and reflections by the Honorable Richard T. Haik, U.S. District Judges for the Western District of Louisiana. Rev. Chester Arceneaux, Pastor of The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, gave the invocation, followed by Willie Leday, Chief Probation Officer for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, who recognized the occasion.
Sherry T. Broussard, author and professional storyteller, told stories highlighting the achievements of various African Americans. Karen J. King, an Assistant U. S. Attorney, was the Mistress of Ceremonies for both the Shreveport and Lafayette events. Keynote speaker for the Lafayette celebration was Albert Samuels, Ph. D., professor and chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at Southern University in Baton Rouge. The Lafayette program concluded with “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” being performed by Sa’Rah Hamm, singer and student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. United
States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley gave closing remarks for both programs.On Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, U.S. Attorney Finley was the guest speaker at the African American Black History Program held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alexandria, La. The theme for the program was “Honoring The Past - Inspiring the Future.” It was the first time the church had such a program. Ms. Finley spoke to the congregation about the importance of the role that we all play in embracing the diverse and rich history of our nation.
The congregation of Steeple Chase Baptist Church in Shreveport, La. was addressed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell, on Feb. 24, 2013, who spoke on the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans in the United States and how African American history is intertwined with American History. The programs’s theme was “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality.”
“Our programs saluted the extraordinary contributions that generations of African Americans have made in shaping, securing and strengthening the United States,” Finley said. “Our goal was to commemorate the historic events and provide a glimpse of the past. I would like to thank all who participated and attended this year’s programs and would like to commend the 2013 Black History Month Committee for putting together two informative and entertaining programs. This nation is a great and diverse country which has a rich history that includes people of all backgrounds, races and faith.”
Former Acadiana Outreach Center Worker Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy in District Attorney OWI CaseRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former Acadiana Outreach Center employee Sandra Degeyter, 61, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with conspiracy to commit bribery.
This plea is related to the bribery investigation of former employees of the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office who accepted bribes in return for their participation in the facilitation of “immediate 894 pleas.” This is the fifth plea related to the bribery scheme.
The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894 provides a procedure by which a person can initially plead guilty to a crime with the understanding that the conviction will be set aside if the person successfully completes certain requirements imposed during a probationary period, including community service.
Degeyter made the following admissions in open court before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna as outlined in her factual stipulations entered during the guilty plea hearings today:
Degeyter worked as a case manager for Acadiana Outreach from March 2008 to October 2009. Beginning in 2008 and continuing until Feb. 17, 2012, Degeyter conspired to provide false and fraudulent Acadiana Outreach community service certificates to an unnamed, uncharged co-conspirator in exchange for money. The fraudulent certificates purportedly confirmed that “clients” of the co-conspirator had completed court-ordered community service, when in fact they had not. The co-conspirator paid Degeyter cash, $100 per certificate, and also made in-kind contributions to Acadiana Outreach for the false certificates. Degeyter admitted producing more than 50 false certificates between the spring of 2008 and October 2009.
After Degeyter left Acadiana Outreach in October of 2009, she asked Elaine Crump, who was still employed as a case manager at Acadiana Outreach, to assist her with continuing the fraudulent scheme. The two agreed that Degeyter would continue to create fraudulent Acadiana Outreach community service certificates, and in exchange for cash payments, Crump would permit Degeyter to sign Crump’s name on the fraudulent certificates. Crump previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 5, 2013, to misprision of a felony.
Degeyter began to provide cash payments to Crump ranging from $25 to $100, which was a portion of the cash Degeyter received from the co-conspirator. Degeyter provided Crump with the names of the people she had prepared false certificates for and the number of community service hours the certificates falsely stated had been completed. Degeyter did this so that if questioned by anyone, Crump could falsely verify the accuracy of the certificates.
Crump was laid off from Acadiana Outreach in September 2011. Shortly thereafter, Degeyter and Crump agreed that Degeyter would continue to create additional certificates and sign Crump’s name on them, but would backdate the documents to dates within Crump’s employment at Acadiana Outreach. In exchange, the co-conspirator would continue to pay Degeyter, and she would continue to share those payments with Crump. Degeyter’s payments to Crump continued until December of 2011.
Degeyter faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with up to three years of supervised release for the conspiracy count.
“The defendant’s actions were motivated by greed,” Finley said. “Her criminal activity has not only affected the justice system, but it has tarnished the good work of her former employer. Those involved in this case did not seem to consider the far-reaching damage that their actions would have on our community and the agencies that serve it.”
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and Richard Willis are prosecuting the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced for Possessing More Than 150,00 Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE , La.: U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Phillip Sessa Jr., 30, of Essex, Md., was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 97 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography.
According to court documents, an acquaintance of Sessa alerted authorities in November 2011 that Sessa’s personal computer at his Opelousas residence contained child pornography. A search of the residence turned up compact discs, computer hard drives and a phone containing child pornography. More than 1,000 videos depicting children in sexual situations were found. When questioned about the images on his computer, Sessa said some were of his girlfriend’s children who resided in the Baltimore, Md., area. Sessa was later released pending the investigation, and in December 2011, he moved back to Maryland. Over the course of the investigation, authorities seized more than 150,000 images and videos. Sessa was arrested in January 2012 and pleaded guilty July 23, 2012.
“Possessing obscene and illegal images is a serious crime that will not be tolerated,” Finley said. “Protecting children from exploitation is a priority for our office. We will not stop prosecuting those who promote the abuse of children by possessing such images.”
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police-Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice launched 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 andObscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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 ours to answer hotline calls.
Lafayette Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Church Defacing CaseRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: The U.S. Attorneys Office announced that Brian Toriano Crimiel, 35, of Lafayette, was sentenced today before U.S. District Court Judge Richard T. Haik to one year in prison for defacing Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and five years in prison for lying to a federal agent with time to be served concurrently.
Crimiel was ordered to pay $2,972 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s insurance company and $1,000 to St. James Baptist Church for damage to property. He also was ordered to serve one year of supervised release for defacing the church and three years of supervised release for lying to an FBI agent.
According to court documents, authorities discovered on Feb. 26, 2011 that someone had painted racial slurs on the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and school on 12th Street in Lafayette. Crimiel later admitted to defacing the property, saying he was trying to frame his ex-girlfriend for the damages and threats, and left a number of pieces of evidence at the scene pointing to her as the culprit.
As part of his plea agreement, Crimiel also acknowledged that on Feb. 13, 2011, he defaced and damaged the St. James Baptist Church on Plum Street in Lafayette as well by writing racial slurs on the church with spray paint and pouring gasoline on the bushes near the front door with a threat that the church would burn.
Crimiel also admitted that he lied to an FBI agent when he denied using his cell phone on the morning of Feb. 13, 2011. Crimiel called 911 anonymously to advise authorities that he saw two women and one man trespassing on St. James Baptist Church property. He admitted later it was part of his scheme to frame his ex-girlfriend.
The FBI-Lafayette Resident Agency and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney James T. McManus prosecuted the case.
Aldama-Rodriguez Sentenced for Part in Abbeville Drug Distribution RingRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ramon Guadalupe Aldama-Rodriguez, 35, of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 37 months in prison plus five years supervised release for distributing cocaine and heroin between Abbeville and Baton Rouge.
According to court documents, Aldama-Rodriguez and Jose Manuel MojicaEcheverria were approached at a Duson trailer park by Abbeville drug traffickers Jesus Silverio Cervantes and Joel Sotomayor Cervantes on June 13, 2010, to drive a truck loaded with 2 kilograms of cocaine and 360 grams of heroin to Baton Rouge. Aldama-Rodriguez drove the truck and Mojica-Echeverria rode with him, while Jesus Silverio Cervantes and Joel Sotomayor Cervantes followed in another vehicle. Authorities stopped the truck and the drugs were found. Aldama-Rodgriguez pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2012.
“This investigation disrupted the sale of illegal drugs that spanned from Abbeville to Baton Rouge,” Finley stated. “We thank the federal, state and local authorities who participated to end this criminal activity. This case reflects a joint effort by this office, the DEA, the Baton Rouge Police Department and the sheriff’s office. More operations like this one make a difference in our communities.”
Aldama-Rodriguez was arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The DEA, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office participated in this OCDETF investigation.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug traffickingorganizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson prosecuted the case.
Owner and Operator of Anti-Aging Center Sentenced for Distributing Growth HormonesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Dallas Day Humble, 53, of Monroe, was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in prison and two years of supervised release for conspiracy to import and distribute and distribution of human growth hormones. Humble was also ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $585,648 jointly with co-defendant Linda Bunch Wells.
Co-defendant Linda Bunch Wells, 53, of Monroe, was sentenced Jan. 24, 2013 to 27 months in prison with two years of supervised release for distributing and importing human growth hormones at the Northeast Louisiana Anti-Aging and Wellness Center (NLAW) in Monroe. Co-defendant Paul N. Temple, 56, of Monroe, was sentenced Aug. 31, 2012 to five years supervised probation for facilitation and receipt of human growth hormones he purchased for the center.
According to court documents, Humble, who owned and operated the NLAW, asked Temple in the summer of 2003 to locate a company and buy human growth hormones for distribution at the center. The hormones were part of a so-called anti-aging program for patients. Some of the human growth hormones administered were illegally imported into the United States from China. Humble and his business partners would order hormones from overseas, and the packages would be labeled as non-medical products in order to pass through U.S. Customs.
Under federal law, human growth hormones may only be prescribed for the treatment of specified diseases and medical conditions. Evidence at sentencing revealed that the company administered more than 26,926 units of the hormones over the five-year period totaling more than $406,000 in sales.“The center’s operation facilitated the distribution of a controlled substance that could have caused harm instead of helping those in the community, ” Finley said. “We will not ignore this kind of illegal activity, and any involved in conspiracies should know that they will be investigated and prosecuted.”
The Food and Drug Administration/Office of Criminal Investigations and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Campbell prosecuted the case.
Milton man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Receiving More than $300,000 in Social Security PaymentsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Randy P. Courville, 53, of Milton, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to defrauding $324,818 from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to court documents, Courville received Social Security disability payments from early 1995 until March 2012 even though he continuously worked selfemployed as a painter. He owned his own business called R.T’s painting, which was later changed to Affordable Painting. Courville’s wife and three children also received benefits during this time. The SSA informed Courville after he started receiving benefits that should he be able to work or had completed any work that he, Courville, was required to notify their office. At no time between 1995 and 2012 did Courville notify SSA that he was able to or had completed any work.
Courville faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, and three years of supervised release for the count of theft of government money. He is required to pay $324,818 in restitution. Courville is scheduled to appear June 21, 2013 for sentencing in U.S. District Court in Lafayette.
“Courville worked at his private business while taking money that was meant for those who cannot work,” Finley said. “This case should serve as a warning to anyone who lies in order to receive benefits that we do not take the defrauding of SSA lightly.”
The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Uebinger is prosecuting the case.
Charenton Man Indicted for Assault on Chitimacha Tribal OfficersRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal grand jury indicted David Frederick, 37, Charenton, La., Thursday on four counts for assaulting three people, two of which were Chitimacha tribal police officers.
According to the indictment, Frederick is charged with two counts of assaulting, resisting and impeding the work of law enforcement on the Chitimacha Tribal Reservation on Jan. 27, 2013. He also is charged with one count of assault by a non-Indian on an Indian reservation and one count of interstate domestic violence against an intimate partner. The criminal activity took place on the Chitimacha Reservation.
If convicted, Frederick faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with up to three years of supervised release for each assault count. He also faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with one year of supervised release for the Assault within Indian Country count. He also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both with up to three years of supervised release for the Interstate Domestic Violence count.
Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony and misdemeanor cases, arising in Indian Country, that are within the jurisdiction of this office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes cases, arising in Indian Country, involving felonies where either the defendant or the victim is an Indian or both the defendant and the victim are Indian. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also prosecutes cases involving misdemeanors
where the defendant is a non-Indian.An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Chitimacha Tribal Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy are prosecuting the case.
Bossier City Man Sentenced for Staging Equipment TheftRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Kenneth A. Gordon Jr., 43, of Bossier City, was sentenced Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Donald E. Walter, to 20 months in prison following his convictions for conspiracy and wire fraud after filing a false insurance claim for theft of his John Deere equipment. Gordon is also required to pay $104,134 in restitution.
Gordon’s co-defendant, Don E. Newton, was sentenced in December 2012 to two years of supervised probation for conspiring with Gordon to commit wire fraud.
Trial testimony revealed that Gordon had asked Newton to report that a John Deere skid steer and a John Deere telehandler valued at approximately $140,000 had been stolen in August 2006. Gordon then filed a false claim to Sentry Insurance for the equipment. Instead of being stolen, Gordon had been leasing the equipment to a friend for $15,000 per month. Gordon later agreed to sell the skid steer to another friend in Texas for an additional $15,000. Gordon testified that he permitted his elderly parents to travel across
state lines to deliver the equipment to his friend even though they were unaware it had been reported stolen. Law enforcement discovered the John Deere skid steer in Hico, Texas, in June 2009 on the friend’s property with an identification number matching the one Gordon previously reported stolen.“Insurance fraud is a serious federal offense that affects everyone,” Finley said. “We will continue to use every tool available to aggressively investigate and prosecute those individuals who perpetrate these types of financial crimes that affect our community.”
The Louisiana State Police/Insurance Fraud Auto Theft Unit and the Texas Department of Public Safety/Motor Vehicle Theft Services investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.
Former Homer Housing Authority Director and Five Others Sentenced for Theft of Public MoneyRead the Press Release
430,000 in checks written for work never performed
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former Homer Housing Authority executive director Michelle Green, 35, of North Little Rock, Ark., and five co-defendants were sentenced before U. S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for defrauding the HHA out of $430,000.
Green was sentenced to 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $430,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Green pleaded guilty Oct. 29, 2012 to causing checks to be issued to friends and relatives for work allegedly performed for HHA. The defendants admitted they did no work for HHA, and that they usually cashed the checks and returned much of the proceeds to Green. More than $430,000 worth of checks were written between December 2007 until Green was fired in April 2011. Green and five co-defendants were indicted in July 2012.
Co-defendant Curtis L. Mays, 34, of Harker Heights, Tx., was sentenced to probation, five years supervised release, and was ordered to pay $26,176 in restitution.
Katrina G. Robertson, 38, of Haynesville, La., received probation, five years supervised release, and $26,176 in restitution.
Flack D. Robertson, 35, of Haynesville, La., was sentenced to probation, five years supervised release, and $50,190 in restitution.
Aaron Perry, 29, of Haynesville, La., received probation, three years supervised release, and $20,630 in restitution.
Katrina Henderson, 34, of Shreveport, received probation, three years of supervised release, and $15,380 in restitution.
“The victims in this case are the Homer Housing Authority and the citizens of Homer, Louisiana. The defendants sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the residents who could potentially qualify and are in need of low-income housing opportunities,” Finley said. “The citizens of this community lose when criminals steal from programs like this. Our office will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who violates the public trust in this manner.”
The Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated the case. Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek prosecuted the case.
Former School Board Member Pleads Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former DeSoto Parish School Board member Bartholomew Claiborne, 25, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to distributing cocaine.
Claiborne was indicted on Sept. 4, 2012, for distributing cocaine. According to the indictment, Claiborne was recorded to have distributed cocaine on 14 separate occasions between Oct. 11, 2011 and July 12, 2012. Authorities used surveillance methods to observe Claiborne selling cocaine.
Claiborne faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or both with three years of supervised release on the count. Sentencing has been set for May 21, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. “As an elected official, Bartholomew Claiborne swore to uphold the law, and by his own admission, failed to do so,” Finley stated. “He also failed the children and parents of his school board district where he served as a role model. We hope this case sends a message that public officials are not above the law. We will continue to prosecute those who violate federal laws. I thank all of the agencies on a federal, state and local level who participated in the investigation.”
Claiborne was the first indictment as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) “Operation Limpiar Casa.” The FBI, the DEA, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Mansfield Police Department, and the Tri-Parish Task Force which includes DeSoto, Sabine and Red River parishes, participate in the OCDETF program and conducted the operation.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook is prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney Stephanie Finley is available for comment and can be reached at (337) 262-6618.
Coushatta Tribe Member Sentenced in Federal Court for Assault ChargeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana member Nicholas Tyler Poncho, 21, of Elton, La., was sentenced Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Minaldi to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $1,000 fine for assault.
Poncho pleaded guilty October 4, 2012, to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon after a federal grand jury indicted him in May 2012 for assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. According to court documents, Poncho admitted to intentionally striking his father Jan. 22, 2012, while on the Coushatta Tribal Reservation with a 1.5 liter wine bottle with the intent to do bodily harm. Poncho also admitted that the wine bottle was an instrument capable of inflicting grave bodily
harm or death.Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony and misdemeanor cases, arising in Indian Country, that are within the jurisdiction of this office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes cases, arising in Indian Country, involving felonies where either the defendant or the victim is an Indian or both the defendant and the victim are Indian. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also prosecutes cases involving misdemeanors
where the defendant is a non-Indian.“Safeguarding the lives of those on reservations is of upmost concern to our office,” Finley said. “Violence on the lands of native peoples will not be tolerated and offenders will be prosecuted.”
The Coushatta Tribal Police Department and the FBI-Lake Charles Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction ProgramRead the Press Release
Deadline for submission of a grant proposal to the U.S. Attorney is February 18, 2013
United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding of grants under the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program, also known as Project Safe Neighborhoods. This program furthers the Department of Justice’s mission and violent crime reduction strategy by providing support to state, local and tribal efforts to reduce gun and gang-related violent crime. Contingent on the availability of funds, grant awards totaling $300,000 are possible in the Western
District of Louisiana to fund new and current comprehensive gun crime reduction strategies and gang violence reduction strategies. The deadline to submit the proposal to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is noon on February 18, 2013.Various types of single or multi-grantee grant applications are welcome, including those that address the following:
- Gang violence and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach, and education;
- Enforcement, adjudication, and supervision programs;
- Prisoner reentry programs; or
- Other innovative related projects.
The 2013 Competitive Grant Announcement can be found at http://www.bja.gov/Funding/13PSNsol.pdf. Those who are interested should contact Robert W. Gillespie Jr., Assistant U. S. Attorney and PSN and Anti-Gang Coordinator for the Western District of Louisiana, at (318) 676-3600 for additional information.
The deadline to submit applications to the U.S. Attorney is noon on February 18, 2013.
Applicants can contact the www.Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline for technical assistance with submitting an application at (800) 518-4726, (606) 545-5035, or by e-mail to [email protected].
For more information regarding the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, visit the Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office website at: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/law/programs/projectsafe.html, as well as www.psn.gov and http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psn.html.
Acadiana Outreach Case Manager Pleads Guilty to Involvement in OWI Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former Acadiana Outreach Center case manager, Elaine Crump, 59, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with Misprision of a Felony, that is, failure to report a bribery scheme.
This plea is related to the bribery investigation in which individuals within the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office accepted bribes in return for their participation in the facilitation of “immediate 894 pleas.”
The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894 provides a procedure by which a person can initially plead guilty to a crime with the understanding that the conviction will be set aside if the person successfully completes certain requirements imposed during a probationary period, including community service.
Crump made the following admissions in her factual stipulations entered during the guilty plea hearings in open court before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna today: In September of 2007, Crump began working at Acadiana Outreach as an intake specialist. In 2009, she was promoted to the position of case manager. In early 2010, Crump was approached by a former Acadiana Outreach case manager who she had worked with from September of 2007 to October of 2009. The case manager confessed to Crump that she had been creating false Acadiana Outreach community service certificates while employed as a case manager. The certificates purported to confirm that individuals had completed court-mandated community service when, in fact, they had not done so. Because she was no longer employed by Acadiana Outreach, the former case manager asked Crump to assist her with continuing the fraud.
The former case manager proposed to Crump that she, the former case manager, would continue preparing fraudulent Acadiana Outreach certificates on official letterhead, and in exchange for payments, Crump would allow her, the former case manager, to forge Crump’s signature on the fraudulent certificates. Crump agreed to the former case manager’s proposal, even though she understood that the certificates would falsely certify that the listed individual had completed the mandated community service, and that the certificates would be filed in the court record of the 15 Judicial District criminal th
proceedings. Thereafter, Crump began receiving regular payments from the former case manager ranging from $25 to $100 in cash. Crump understood that the former case manager was being paid by another individual who was obtaining the false certificates from the former case manager and causing them to be filed into the court record.In an effort to avoid detection, the former case manager would provide Crump with the names of the individuals for whom the former case manager had prepared false certificates and the number of completed community service hours reflected on the fraudulent certificates. This enabled Crump to falsely verify the accuracy of the certificates if questioned by employees of Acadiana Outreach or courthouse staff.
In September of 2011, shortly after Crump was laid off from Acadiana Outreach, the former case manager proposed to Crump that she, the former case manager, continue creating additional fraudulent certificates and forging Crump’s name on them, but backdating the documents to a period in which Crump was employed by Acadiana Outreach. Crump agreed and continued to receive payments from the former case worker.
At sentencing, Crump faces a term of imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years, following confinement.
“Those involved in this bribery scheme have put their own interests above that of the criminal justice system,” Finley said. “Crump’s work at the Outreach Center was an important part of the 894 process and was designed to help people and assist in protecting the public, not to help facilitate Crump’s greed. My office and the FBI will continue to investigate and prosecute corruption in the Western District of Louisiana.”
The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Willis are prosecuting the case.
Investigation Exposes Mansfield Cocaine, Meth Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a year-long undercover investigation resulted in 15 being charged for distributing cocaine and methamphetamine in the Mansfield area. Federal and local law enforcement officials arrested 12 so far in connection with
these charges.The charges and arrests are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) “Operation Limpiar Casa.” The FBI, the DEA, the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Mansfield Police Department, and the Tri-Parish Task Force which includes DeSoto, Sabine and Red River Parishes, participate in the OCDETF program and conducted the operation.
The defendants face a variety of federal and state charges. Two federal indictments and 10 state arrest warrants to date have been returned.
A federal grand jury returned the first “Operation Limpair Casa” indictment Sept. 4, 2012, charging Bartholomew Claiborne, 25, of Mansfield, with 14 counts of distributing cocaine. Claiborne, who was an elected member of the Desoto Parish School Board, is scheduled to plead guilty to one count of distributing cocaine at 9 a.m. Feb. 7, 2013, in Shreveport. Claiborne faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
A federal grand jury returned a second indictment Jan. 24, 2013, charging Laquon Ashton, 25, of Arlington, Texas; Seneca Colbert, 32; Brian Davis, 37; and Janette Ashton, 53, all three of Mansfield, with multiple counts including conspiracy and distribution of cocaine. Laquon Ashton and Janette Ashton are also charged with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine. The defendants each face 5 to 40 years in prison if convicted.
State distribution of cocaine arrest warrants related to the operation were also obtained for Malcolm Flowers, 24; Johnathan Mcintyre, 23; Curtis Jones, 27; Dominique D. Sanders, 24; Preston Malone, 32; Roderick Canada, 23; Demarcus Green, 24; Mark C. Harris, 42; Roynell O’neal, 23; and James Turner, 37, all of Mansfield.
Federal and local law enforcement officers began making arrests in connection with the case this morning. There are currently 13 defendants in custody. The defendants facing federal charges had their initial appearances before U. S. Magistrate Mark L. Hornsby at 11:00 a.m. this morning.
The following individuals are still being sought by law enforcement: Malcolm Flowers, Roderick Canada, and Roynell Oneal. Anyone with information as to their whereabouts should contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Department at (318) 872-3956, or DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers at (800) 505-STOP.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
United States Attorney Stephanie Finley stated, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our federal, state, and local partners, is committed to keeping our communities safe. Breaking up this drug distribution ring is a huge step in countering the flow of these illegal substances into the community,” Finley said. “I want to thank all the agencies who have partnered with us on this operation and who continue to work to enforce both federal and state narcotics laws.”
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook is prosecuting the case.
Inmate Sentenced for Assault on Guard Using Contraband WeaponRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Isaac Hashi, 32, of San Diego, Calif., was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 years in prison for stabbing a federal prison guard with a makeshift knife.
Hashi pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2012, to one count of assaulting a prison guard and possessing contraband, which was a four-inch makeshift plexiglass knife. Hashi stabbed the guard multiple times on Nov. 4, 2009 while incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock. Hashi is serving a prison term at the Pollock Penitentiary for assault after throwing hot oil on a deportation official’s face on Jan. 11, 2008, at the Columbia Care Center in South Carolina.
In addition to the 18-year sentence, he will be required to serve three years of supervised release, which he will serve after the 17-year sentence is completed for the earlier assault charge.
“Federal prison guards play a vital role in our public safety efforts. Neither the FBI or our office takes likely anyone who attempts to impede their work,” Finley said. “We hope this sentence sends a strong message that assaulting a prison guard is a serious crime that has severe consequences.”
The FBI-Alexandria, Louisiana, Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. France prosecuted the case.
Dealership Office Manager Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Dianne Handy, 43, of Alexandria, La., pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to defrauding more than $57,894 from Leglue Nissan where she was office manager.
Handy pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud involving credit card transactions she processed through Peoples State Bank. According to court documents, Handy fraudulently caused Leglue Nissan in Alexandria to issue refunds to her own credit cards more than 72 times between July 2009 and July 2011 for a total of $57,894. As office manager, Handy was responsible for handling the dealership’s daily cash deposits, processing credit card transactions and making salary payments.
Handy faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both, and five years of supervised release for the count of bank fraud. Handy is scheduled to appear April 3, 2013, for sentencing in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.
The U.S. Secret Service, Baton Rouge Office, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Howard Parker is prosecuting the case.
Leesville Accountant Pleads Guilty to Failure to Report Taxes - More than $190,000 Taken in BonusesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Larry Wayne Bruce, 60, of Leesville, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to two counts of failure to pay taxes.
Bruce pleaded guilty to one count of the pending indictment for admitting to his failure to pay the proper amount of payroll taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service while working as a financial officer at Express Marketing Incorporated in Leesville from 2003 to 2007. Bruce admitted it was his responsibility to pay the payroll taxes withheld from EMI employees, and also admitted to taking more than $190,000 in excess of his salary from EMI.
Bruce also pleaded guilty to another count of the pending indictment, where he admitted to not paying his personal taxes from 2005 until he left the company in 2007.
Bruce could face up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both with three years of supervised release on the first count, and he could face up to one year in prison, $25,000 in fines or both with one year supervised release for the other charge. Sentencing has not been scheduled.
The Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers Namie prosecuted the case.
Jonesboro Man Indicted for Wire Fraud and Lying on Workers Compensation FormsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Curtis Roller, 56, of Jonesboro, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury for 11 counts of wire fraud after obtaining Federal Emergency Management Agency grants and four counts of making false statements on workers compensation forms.
According to the indictment, from Jan. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2010, Roller submitted false information on grant applications he sent to FEMA so Louisiana and Arkansas fire departments he wrote grants for were eligible to receive the funds. Roller is accused of inflating population data, agency coverage areas and numbers of responded calls on the FEMA grant applications. He also is accused of overstating the type of calls responded to, under-reporting the size of budgets and increasing the scope of their needs on the
applications.It is further alleged in the indictment that Roller asked those awarded the FEMA grants to purchase equipment from his two companies, Louisiana Firefighters Services and a vehicle manufacturing company in Smyrna, Ga. It is against FEMA rules and policies for a grant writer to financially benefit from money awarded.
Also as part of the indictment, Roller was accused of not reporting income on his workers compensation form when he filed for benefits from Oct. 29, 2007 to March 28, 2008. At the time, he was employed at the U.S. Postal Service when he filed his claim. He did not report that he was receiving income from his job as a fire chief of the Ward 4 Fire Protection District in the Jonesboro area. He also received income as owner of his fire services and vehicle manufacturing companies.
If convicted, Roller faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both on each count of wire fraud and a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both for each count of false statements.
Roller will appear for arraignment in U.S. District Court in Monroe at a date and time to be scheduled by the Court.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Service/Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Campbell is prosecuting the case.
Monroe Doctor Sentenced for Distributing Growth HormonesRead the Press Release
More than $400,000 worth of illegal hormones sold
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Dr. Linda Camille Bunch Wells, 53, of Monroe, was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $200,000 in criminal proceeds for importing and distributing adult growth hormones.
In June 2010, Wells was charged in a 21-count indictment with conspiracy, distribution, and facilitation and receipt of smuggled hGH. She was administering the growth hormones at the Northeast Louisiana Anti-Aging and Wellness Center in Monroe from July 2003 until July 2008. The hormones were part of a so-called anti-aging program for patients. Most of the hormones administered were illegally imported into the U.S. Wells and her business partners would buy the drugs overseas, and the packages would be labeled non-medial products in order to pass through U.S. Customs.
Under federal law, growth hormones may only be used for the treatment of specified diseases. Although Wells was only held accountable for distributing $200,000 in illegal growth hormones, evidence at sentencing revealed that the company administered more than 26,926 units of the hormones over the five-year period totaling more than $406,000 in sales.
“We will prosecute those who circumvent the law to provide controlled substances to patients for personal gain, ”U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said. “Those involved in this operation knowingly obtained these hormones illegally and released them into the community with no concern for the safety of those who were taking them.”
The Food and Drug Administration/Office of Criminal Investigations and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Campbell prosecuted the case.
Houston Man Sentenced for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
More than $600,000 stolen from Medicare based on false claims
SHREVEPORT, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Godspower Joseph Essang, 35, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today, to 37 months in federal prison with three years supervised release for Medicare fraud.
Essang was also ordered to pay $613,096 in restitution to Medicare. Judge Maurice S. Hicks immediately remanded Essang into the custody of the U. S. Marshal’s Service to begin serving his sentence.
Essang was sentenced based on his Sept. 28, 2012, guilty plea to one count of health care fraud. During the guilty plea hearing, Essang admitted owning and operating Shalom Equipment, a durable medical equipment company, located on Woodward Avenue in Shreveport. Shalom engaged in the business of providing what were referred to as “ortho kits,” which were braces for various parts of the body. Essang admitted paying individuals to provide him with their Medicare beneficiaries and physicians information. He then used this identifying information to file false claims with Medicare for providing the “ortho kits”
to Medicare beneficiaries who did not need, were not prescribed and/or did not receive the items. Essang admitted that between Aug. 12, 2007 and Oct. 21, 2008, he filed approximately 736 claims, billing Medicare for $1,223,255. Medicare actually paid out $613,096 on the claims.“Mr. Essang’s scheme was designed to defraud a program whose sole purpose is providing medical services to the elderly and the disabled,” U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley stated. “His actions defrauded the program and, ultimately, U.S. taxpayers. This office will continue to vigorously pursue charges against those who steal from such programs.”
“Durable medical equipment fraud is a major problem that costs taxpayers billions in lost and wasted dollars,” said William W. Root, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a concerted and joint effort by our Inspector General’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to quickly bring to justice those who prey on our elderly for financial gain.”
The FBI and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Mignonne Griffing prosecuted the case.
Former Federal Inmate Sentenced for Attempting to Possess Heroin in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced former federal inmate Jose Rueperto Alaniz, 39, of Wichita Falls, Texas, to 24 months in prison with three years supervised release and Diana Castillo, 31, also of Wichita Falls, Texas, to three months in prison with three years supervised release for attempting to smuggle heroin into the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock. The sentence was handed down yesterday in federal court in Alexandria.
Investigation of the case revealed that Castillo visited Alaniz on May 22, 2010, in the Pollock Penitentiary visiting room. Prison officials observed Alaniz remove something from Catillo’s waistband. They then saw Alaniz place the object in his own jumpsuit. A search of Alaniz later revealed two small packages of approximately 74.8 grams of black tar heroin.
At the time, Alaniz was in prison for violating supervised release relating to a distribution of cocaine charge and left the prison Sept. 29, 2010 after completing time served for that offense. He will now return to federal prison to serve time for the contraband charge.
The FBI, Alexandria, Louisiana Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. France prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Firing Shots at a Louisiana National Guard HelicopterRead the Press Release
Alexandria, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that James Lamar Kelly, age 62, of Sikes, La., was sentenced today to a total of 41 months in prison for his convictions on four felony counts related to his firing shots at a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter. U. S. District Judge Dee D. Drell also sentenced Kelly to three years supervised release at the completion of his prison term and forfeiture of the firearm.
Kelly was convicted by a jury in September 2012 of three counts of endangering the safety of the pilot of a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter in flight, committing an act of violence against the pilot, and using a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate and interfere with the pilot. Kelly was also sentenced for his conviction of theft of United States mail.
Testimony at trial showed that on August 2, 2010, the Louisiana State Police and the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office were conducting a marijuana eradication program detail in Winn Parish. Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) Counter-Drug Task Force helicopters based at Camp Beauregard in Pineville were assisting in this program by providing pilots and helicopters for the Louisiana State Police to conduct aerial
surveillance. The LANG Counter Drug Task Force is funded and staffed by the U.S. Department of Defense. A Louisiana State Trooper was in each helicopter to make observations of areas where it was suspected marijuana was being cultivated. At about 3:00 p.m., on Shell Road near Sikes, La., one of these helicopters was fired upon by a person on the ground. The pilot took evasive action and immediately left the area. He landed at the airport in Natchitoches and inspected the helicopter for damage. No bullet holes were noted. Neither the pilot nor the Trooper on board was injured. Soon thereafter, Louisiana State Police Troopers, Winn Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, and a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Agent located and arrested James Lamar Kelly without incident. They also recovered the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun that Kelly used to shoot at the helicopter.While at Kelly’s house, Troopers noted a large amount of undelivered mail in various vehicles parked in Kelly’s yard. Kelly was working for a private contractor who had a contract to deliver mail to more than 160 U.S. Postal Service customers on a rural route in Winn Parish. Kelly admitted to U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General Special Agents that instead of delivering this and other mail on his route, he brought it back to his house where he kept it until he either placed it in a dumpster or burned it. Kelly admitted that he had been doing this for approximately four years. Kelly entered a guilty plea to the theft of mail charge on August 23, 2012, but went to trial on September 11, 2012 for the charges of firing shots at the helicopter.
U.S. Attorney Finley stated, “Firing shots at any aircraft are not actions to be taken lightly. Kelly’s acts endangered both those on the aircraft and those on the ground. This Army National Guard helicopter pilot was performing an important mission in assisting the State Trooper on board and State Police Troopers and Winn Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on the ground in their drug eradication program. Luckily, no one was hurt by the defendant’s dangerous and illegal conduct. Kelly’s prison sentence reflects the seriousness
of his offense.”This case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police, Region II in Alexandria, the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General Office, and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr.
Federal Inmate Sentenced for Assault ChargeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Edward Rodriguez, 39, an inmate at Pollock USP, was sentenced today to an additional two years in prison for assaulting a Bureau of Prison employee.
Edward Rodriguez assaulted a USP Pollock officer while the officer was engaged in the performance of his duties. Rodriguez was standing in front of the officer’s station when he assaulted another inmate. The inmate ran into the officer’s station for protection. An officer went to his aid, and Rodriguez shoved the officer in the chest before turning around and fleeing from the officer’s station.
Rodriguez is currently serving a 154-month term of imprisonment for aiding and abetting armed bank robbery, and aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Special Investigative Services for The Bureau of Prisons at Pollock. The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek and Special United States Attorney Seiji Ohashi.
Plain Dealing Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Nobryan McGee, 24, of Plain Dealing, La., pled guilty on Wednesday to traveling across state lines and failing to register as a convicted sex offender. In March 2006, McGee was convicted in Benton, La. of simple rape, and in May of 2012, McGee relocated from Caddo Parish to Hot Springs, Ark., without properly registering as a sex offender in Louisiana and Arkansas.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Traveling Across State Lines carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. McGee will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks on May 15, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
The case was investigated by Deputy United States Marshall T.C. Bloxom and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Earl M. Campbell.
New Iberia Man Sentenced to 235 Months in Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Jason Daniel Scott, 30, of New Iberia, La., was sentenced to serve 235 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down this week by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik in federal court in Lafayette, La. In addition to the prison term, the judge also sentenced Scott to 10 years of supervised release, following confinement.
Scott pleaded guilty in July of 2012, to receiving child pornography. According to court documents previously filed with the court, an undercover investigation revealed that the defendant was using Limewire to receive child pornography. Limewire is an internet peer to peer site used to trade files among members and is regularly used to distribute child pornography. Pursuant to a search warrant executed at Scott’s residence, a forensic examination of his computer revealed that Scott received a video via the internet on July 14, 2010, which contained a prepubescent child engaging in sex with an adult. There were
11 videos found on Scott’s computer, all including prepubescent children engaging in sexual activities with adult men.U.S. Attorney Finley stated, “Child pornography is one of the most disturbing crimes in this country. The children in these videos are victimized by being sexually exploited, and they are re-victimized as the images are distributed over and over again. The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our federal state and local law enforcement partners, have made these prosecutions a priority and will continue our efforts to protect children.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Luke Walker.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Member of Vermilion Parish Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Jose Luis Regalado, aka “Tito,” 34, a member of a drug trafficking organization based out of Vermilion Parish, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, to serve 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence was the result of Regalado pleading guilty on September 11, 2012, to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine.
Regalado and 11 co-defendants were indicted in June of 2009 on a variety of drug trafficking and firearms charges, along with unlawful use of communication facilities. Evidence revealed that this drug trafficking organization was responsible for the movement and sale of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States, and distribution throughout the Acadiana area. Regalado and his co-conspirators
possessed and distributed kilos of methamphetamine and cocaine. The defendant admitted that he formed this drug organization, along with another co-conspirator, and was a decision maker in the organization, but could not speak English, so his brother began dealing with the Americans. Regalado had a source of supply in Arizona and developed a secondary source of supply for the conspiracy in Houston. The defendant's couriers were often armed with weapons while transporting the illegal substances. Regalado
acknowledged that he was specifically responsible for the distribution of approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 5 kilograms of cocaine.United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley stated, “Drug trafficking of any kind is a threat to our communities. This defendant was a part of a dangerous organization dealing in illegal narcotics in the Acadian area. The U. S. Attorney’s Office, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration and local and state law enforcement agencies, will continue to work in partnership to stem the flow of drugs into our neighborhoods. We are committed to holding drug dealers, from the couriers to the leaders, accountable to keep our communities safe.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Lafayette, La. Post of Duty, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force and was prosecuted by United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley.
Former Owner of Rest Assure Home Medical Equipment Sentenced in Federal Court on Health Care Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Defendant Ordered to Pay $175,923.93
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the former owner of Rest Assure Home Medical Equipment, located in Rayne, La., was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay $175,923.93 in restitution for health care fraud related to Medicare reimbursements. The sentence was handed down yesterday in federal court in Lafayette by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote.
Dorothy Cole, age 60, of Rayne, La., was charged by Bill of Information on June 20, 2012, with five counts of health care fraud. According to court documents filed at Cole’s guilty plea on September 18, 2012, she was the owner and president of Rest Assure Home Medical Equipment. Rest Assure Home Medical Equipment provided durable medical equipment, such as power wheelchairs and scooters to Medicare beneficiaries. Beginning in August of 2007 and continuing through April of 2009, Cole billed Medicare for a more expensive type of wheelchair but provided her customers with cheaper scooters that were not reimbursable by Medicare and less expensive wheelchairs that were reimbursed by Medicare at a lower rate.
During the guilty plea hearing, Cole acknowledged that she submitted false claims to Medicare and obtained $175,923.93 in Medicare reimbursements to which she was not entitled.
U.S. Attorney Finley stated: “Dorothy Cole violated the law when she collected money from Medicare under false pretenses. Medicare is designed to help Americans, age 65 and older, and younger people, with disabilities. This type of fraud undermines the system and hurts those who are in need of its benefits. Medicare fraud results in the losses of millions of dollars every year. Our office is dedicated to prosecuting those who engage in this type of fraud.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the FBI-Lafayette Resident Agency, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger.
Former Manager of Beauregard Ranch & Tractor Supply Sentenced in Federal Court for Wire Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the former manager for Beauregard Ranch & Tractor Supply, located in DeRidder, La., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Lafayette by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, to five years probation. Arnold Russell Williams, 53, of Singer, La., was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $135,228.84. The sentence was handed down as a result of Williams pleading guilty on September 13, 2012, to wire fraud charges related to his embezzlement of funds associated with customer accounts.
Williams, along with his wife, Janet L. Williams, was charged in February of 2006, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As manager of Beauregard Ranch & Tractor Supply (BRATS) during August 2, 2000 through January 8, 2001, Arnold Williams, along with the assistance of his wife, Janet, used customer account information to submit false electronic account information and invoices to Farm Plan Credit Financial (The Plan). Some of the BRATS customers used Farm Plan Credit accounts, which were provided by Farm Plan Credit Financial, as a means to make credit purchases for John Deere equipment. After Arnold Williams submitted the false information, The Plan would then reimburse BRATS directly by electronically wiring funds into the BRATS’ bank account for false credit charges that were submitted. When the customers received their billing statements, they contacted BRATS and were informed by Arnold Williams that they had been billed by mistake due to a computer error. BRATS customers told investigators that they did not order any of the items for which they were billed, did not ask for quotes or prices for any of the items, and did not receive any items for which their accounts were billed.
The case was investigated by the FBI-Lake Charles Resident Agency and prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley.
Duson Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
Defendant Ordered to Pay $269,282.00 in Restitution
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Hazel A. Broussard, 52, of Duson, La., was sentenced this week to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for mail fraud. U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik also ordered the defendant to pay $269,282 in restitution to the United States.
Broussard entered a plea of guilty on July 18, 2012, to one count of mail fraud. According to documents filed with the court, Broussard received Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits over a 27 year period to which she was not entitled. The SSA benefits were intended for her uncle, whom she lived with in Lafayette during the last few weeks of his life. After her uncle’s death, Broussard failed to inform the SSA, causing the SSA to keep sending the checks. As a result of her scheme, Broussard fraudulently obtained $269,282 from the SSA.
United States Attorney Finley stated, “Abuse of Social Security disability benefits hurts those who are truly in need of assistance because they are injured or are no longer able to work. This type of fraud is unacceptable, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with the Office of Inspector General, is committed to aggressively pursuing criminals who steal from the Social Security Administration.”
The case was investigated by Special Agent Dirk Bergeron of the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, Baton Rouge Resident Agency, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. Mickel.
Assistant District Attorney and Secretary Plead Guilty to Felony ChargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Greg Williams, 44, of Lafayette, La., an Assistant District Attorney for the 15th Judicial District, pled guilty to a one- count Bill of Information charging Williams with Conspiracy to Commit Bribery. His secretary, Denease Curry, 46, of Broussard, La., also pled guilty to a separate one-count Bill of Information charging her with Misprision of a Felony, that is, failure to report the bribery scheme.
The following admissions were made by Williams and Curry in their factual stipulations entered during the guilty plea hearings in open court before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna:
The District Attorney's Office had previously established a process by which select individuals could receive what was referred to as “immediate 894 pleas” on OWI cases. In order to qualify for the “immediate 894 plea,” the charged individuals had to provide certifications at the time of the plea that they had completed all legal prerequisites, including community service, a substance abuse program, and a driver safety program. If the District Attorney authorized the “immediate 894 plea,” their case was not placed on any docket, and they were allowed to plea at a time and place different than the normal OWI docket. Following the entry of the “immediate 894 plea,” the judge would immediately grant the 894 motion dismissing the conviction, which served as an acquittal, thereby enabling those OWI defendants to immediately reinstate their driving privileges.
Beginning in 2010, Williams and Curry became aware that Barna Haynes, the former office administrator and secretary to the District Attorney for the 15th Judicial District, and another individual, (hereafter referred to as co-conspirator #1) were utilizing the “immediate 894 plea” sessions to provide favorable dispositions of OWI cases for individuals who were willing to pay co-conspirator #1. Williams served as the prosecuting attorney in all of the “immediate 894 sessions” conducted for co-conspirator #1’s “clients,” and Curry assisted in coordinating those sessions. Both Williams and Curry were aware that the individuals were paying co-conspirator #1 for being allowed to plead in the “immediate 894 sessions.” Williams and Curry also were aware that co-conspirator #1 was not licensed to practice law.
Curry was regularly contacted by Barna Haynes to help coordinate the “immediate 894 sessions.” At the request of Barna Haynes, Curry would contact the district judge’s chambers for the purpose of setting the session, give the judge’s staff the names of the OWI defendants who were to plead guilty, and obtain a date and time for the upcoming session. Curry would contact co-conspirator #1 informing him of the date and time for the “immediate 894 session.” Curry prepared the OWI files for the “immediate 894 sessions” and would regularly see and interact with co-conspirator #1. On the day of the “immediate 894 session,” co-conspirator #1 would escort his “client” to Assistant District Attorney Greg Williams’ office, and Williams would explain to the “client” what he or she could expect to occur during the “immediate 894 session.”
In 2010, co-conspirator #1 began giving gifts to Curry. That same year, Barna Haynes took an extended medical leave of absence from the District Attorney’s Office. Nevertheless, Haynes continued to coordinate the “immediate 894 sessions” for coconspirator #1’s “clients.” Because of Haynes absence, both Haynes and co-conspirator #1 turned to Curry for additional assistance in coordinating the “immediate 894 sessions.” During this period, co-conspirator #1 began making a series of $200 cash payments to Curry. After the initial payment from co-conspirator #1, Curry spoke to Barna Haynes of her concerns about the payment. Barna Haynes informed Curry that she was also receiving payments from co-conspirator #1. Curry received approximately eight payments from coconspirator #1 totaling $1,600.
In 2010 and 2011, co-conspirator #1 gave Williams a series of gifts and a cash payment as a reward for his participation in the “immediate 894 sessions.” The gifts included an autographed New Orleans Saints hat, bicycles and clothing for Williams and family members. In December 2011, co-conspirator #1 gave Williams a cash payment of $500. This occurred in Williams’ office at the District Attorney’s Office.
At sentencing, Williams faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years, following confinement, and Curry faces a term of imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years, following confinement. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Finley stated, “There is no place for this kind of activity in the criminal justice system. Both Williams and Curry were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that justice was served as it related to the OWI cases. They grossly violated that trust. My office, along with the FBI, will continue to investigate and prosecute corruption in the Western District of Louisiana.”
Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Division, Michael Anderson, stated, “Given the high degree of authority and discretion of any District Attorney’s Office in resolving criminal charges and the associated impacts on victims, the FBI remains fully committed to rooting out corruption that obstructs that process in any way.”
For additional details regarding Williams’ and Curry’s guilty pleas, see attached copies of each defendant’s Plea Agreement and Factual Basis.
The case is being investigated by lead agent Doug Herman, with the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and Richard Willis.
Financing Scheme Gets Florida Man 41 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Alcides Roman, age 53, of Ocoee, Florida, was sentenced Monday to 41 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for defrauding $340,000 from individuals in Louisiana seeking business loans. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Tom Stagg. Roman was also ordered to pay $340,000 to his victims.
In November 2007, Roman, doing business as Amstar Investment Properties, procured wire transfers of money from two different advanced fee contracts. The first transfer involved a wire transfer of $200,000 by an individual looking for financing on several properties in Alabama and Florida. Roman represented that he could secure financing in the amount of $26 million for an advance fee of $200,000. The individual sent the money as requested but never received the financing or a refund on the fee as promised. The investigation revealed a second set of victims in Texas who also sent money in November of 2007.
Roman pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2012. He is to report to the Bureau of Prisons on February 25, 2013.
The case was investigated by the FBI-Shreveport Resident Agency, and was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Announcement - Violent Gang & Gun Crime Reduction ProgramRead the Press Release
Deadline for grant proposals is March 11, 2013
United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding of grants under the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program, also known as Project Safe Neighborhoods. This program furthers the Department of Justice’s mission and violent crime reduction strategy by providing support to state, local and tribal efforts to reduce gun and gang-related violent crime. Contingent on the availability of funds, grant awards totaling $300,000 are possible in the Western District of Louisiana to fund new and current comprehensive gun crime reduction strategies and gang violence reduction strategies. The deadline to apply is March 11, 2013.
The 2013 Competitive Grant Announcement can be found at http://www.bja.gov/Funding/13PSNsol.pdf.
Various types of single or multi-grantee grant applications are welcome including those that address the following:
- Gang violence and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach, and education;
- Enforcement, adjudication, and supervision programs;
- Prisoner Reentry Programs; or
- Other innovative related projects.
To apply, applicants must first register at www.Grants.gov. Once registered, applicants must submit applications through www.Grants.gov. Complete instructions on how to register and submit an application is at www.Grants.gov. The deadline to apply is March 11, 2013.
Applicants can contact the www.Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline for technical assistance with submitting an application at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Applicants may also contact Robert W. Gillespie, Jr., Assistant U. S. Attorney and PSN and Anti-Gang Coordinator for the Western District of Louisiana, at (318) 676-3600 for additional information.
For more information regarding the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, please visit the Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney's Office website at:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/law/programs/projectsafe.html as well as www.psn.gov and http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psn.html.Former Office Administrator and Secretary to District Attorney for the 15th Judicial District Pleads Guilty to Bribery ChargesRead the Press Release
Acknowledges Receiving $55,000 in Bribes
LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Barna D. Haynes, 58, of Lafayette, La., the former office administrator and secretary to the District Attorney for the 15th Judicial District, pled guilty to a one count Bill of Information charging Haynes with Conspiracy. According to the Bill of Information, beginning in approximately March of 2008 and continuing until February 27, 2012, Haynes conspired to accept bribes from a co-conspirator in return for Haynes’ assistance in obtaining favorable resolutions of criminal cases pending in the 15th Judicial District.
The following are admissions made by Haynes in a factual stipulation during the guilty plea hearing in the open court before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna:
Haynes knew at the time she accepted the bribes that the co-conspirator was soliciting and receiving large payments from individuals with criminal cases pending with the District Attorney's Office. Haynes also knew that the co-conspirator has never been licensed to practice law. The cases for which Haynes received payments from the coconspirator involved a variety of crimes, both felonies and misdemeanors, the majority of which were Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI) cases.
The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894 provides a procedure by which a person can initially plead guilty to a crime with the understanding that the conviction will be set aside if the person successfully completes certain requirements imposed during a probationary period.
The District Attorney's Office had previously established a process by which select individuals could receive what was referred to as “immediate 894 pleas” on OWI cases. In order to qualify for the “immediate 894 plea,” the charged individuals had to provide certifications at the time of the plea that they had completed all legal prerequisites, including community service, a substance abuse program, and a driver safety program. If the District Attorney authorized the “immediate 894 plea,” their case was not placed on any docket, and they were allowed to plea at a time and place different than the normal OWI docket. Following the entry of the “immediate 894 plea” the judge would immediately grant the 894 motion dismissing the conviction, which served as an acquittal, thereby enabling those OWI defendants to immediately reinstate their driving privileges.
Beginning in 2008, Haynes began placing OWI cases of the co-conspirator’s “clients” in the immediate 894 process without the District Attorney's knowledge and approval. Haynes would coordinate the scheduling and execution of special immediate 894 sessions with the District Court Judge and the assigned Assistant District Attorney. These special sessions were exclusively for the co-conspirator’s “clients.” Haynes also prepared the expungement paperwork associated with the co-conspirator's client's cases. In return for coordinating these 894 sessions, Haynes was paid $500 per case by the co-conspirator.
While the co-conspirator paid Haynes primarily to facilitate “immediate 894 pleas” in OWI cases, he also paid Haynes to facilitate the resolution of other cases including drug cases, other felony cases, and non-OWI misdemeanor cases. Haynes admitted that the bribe payments she received during the term of the conspiracy totaled $55,000. However, the prosecution contends that the bribe payments exceeded $70,000.
At sentencing, this defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years following confinement. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
United States Attorney Finley stated, “Corruption in the District Attorney’s Office erodes public confidence in the fair prosecution and resolution of criminal cases and threatens to undermine our judicial system. My office, along with the FBI, is committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who try to advance their personal agendas through bribery.”
For additional details regarding Haynes’ guilty plea, see attached a copy of the Plea Agreement.
The case is being investigated by lead agent Doug Herman with the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker.
United States Attorney Finley is available for comment and can be reached at (337) 262-6618.
Dreamboard Member Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Participating in International Criminal Network Organized to Sexually Exploit ChildrenRead the Press Release
Shreveport, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Massachusetts man was sentenced to serve 45 years in prison for his participation in an international criminal network, known as Dreamboard, which was dedicated to the sexual abuse of children and the creation and dissemination of graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse throughout the world.
David Ettlinger, aka "ee1," 35, of Newton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Maurice Hicks in the Western District of Louisiana. In addition to his prison term, Ettlinger was sentenced to lifetime supervised release.
“David Ettlinger will spend 45 years in prison for his role in a horrific international conspiracy to sexually exploit young children,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “Ettlinger participated in a criminal online community that encouraged members to regularly produce content depicting extreme sexual abuse of children. The members of Dreamboard attempted to evade law enforcement by disguising their locations, but today's sentencing is a strong reminder that the department is dedicated to working with its law enforcement partners to track down child predators who seek to take advantage of our most vulnerable citizens.”
United States Attorney Finley said, “Sexual abuse is a growing problem around the world, and it has devastating consequences for the victimized children. Child pornography on the internet is another growing problem. In addition to the abuse these children suffer, images of the abuse circulate worldwide across the internet for many years, repeating the abuse. Children should not be victims. This sentence sends a strong message to people who abuse children that they will pay a heavy price for their actions. My office, along with our federal, state and local partners, remains committed to protecting children by aggressively pursuing, prosecuting and punishing those who seek to exploit them.”
“The sexual abuse of an innocent child by a teacher is one of the most heartbreaking violations of trust imaginable,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Parmer. “Investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes is one of our highest priorities and today's sentencing ensures this predator will never again have the opportunity to harm another child.”
On August 15, 2012, Ettlinger pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. Evidence presented in court revealed that Ettlinger, a former elementary school teacher in Newton, Mass., had been an active member of Dreamboard, an online child pornography bulletin board, since 2009.
Ettlinger was charged in an indictment unsealed on August 3, 2011. The charges against Ettlinger are the result of Operation Delego, an ongoing investigation launched in December 2009 that targeted individuals around the world for their participation in Dreamboard. Dreamboard was a private, members-only, online bulletin board that was created and operated to promote pedophilia and encourage the sexual abuse of very young children, in an environment designed to avoid law enforcement detection.
A total of 72 individuals, including Ettlinger, have been charged as a result of Operation Delego. To date, 57 of the 72 charged defendants have been arrested in the United States and abroad. Forty-five individuals have pleaded guilty, and one was convicted after trial. Forty-two of the 45 individuals who have pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy have been sentenced to prison and have received sentences ranging between 10 years to life in prison. Three defendants have received life sentences, to include the one defendant who was convicted at trial. Fifteen of the 72 charged individuals remain at large and are known only by their online identities. Efforts to identify and apprehend these individuals continue. Operation Delego represents the largest prosecution to date in the United States of individuals who participated in an online bulletin board conceived and operated for the sole purpose of promoting child sexual abuse, disseminating child pornography and evading law enforcement.
Ettlinger and other Dreamboard members traded graphic images and videos of adults molesting children 12 years-old and under, often violently, and collectively created a massive private library of images of child sexual abuse. The international group prized and encouraged the creation of new images and videos of child sexual abuse.
Dreamboard members employed a variety of measures designed to conceal their criminal activity from detection by law enforcement. Members communicated using aliases or "screen names," rather than their actual names. Links to child pornography posted on Dreamboard were required to be encrypted with a password that was shared only with other members. Members accessed the board via proxy servers, which routed internet traffic through other computers so as to disguise a user's actual location and prevent law enforcement from tracing internet activity. Dreamboard members also encouraged the use of encryption programs on their computers, which password-protect computer files to prevent law enforcement from accessing them in the event of a court-authorized search.
Membership was tightly controlled by the administrators of the bulletin board, who required prospective members to upload child pornography portraying children 12 years of age or younger when applying for membership. Once they were given access, members were required continually to upload images of child sexual abuse in order to maintain membership. Members who failed to follow this rule would be expelled from the group.
Operation Delego involved extensive international cooperation to identify and apprehend Dreamboard members abroad. Through coordination between ICE; the Department of Justice; Eurojust, the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit; and dozens of law enforcement agencies throughout the world, 20 Dreamboard members across five continents and 14 countries have been arrested to date outside the United States, including two of the five lead administrators of the board. Those countries include Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Qatar, Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland. Numerous foreign investigations related to Operation Delego remain ongoing. The location and arrest of Dreamboard members abroad have led to the capture and investigation of other global targets.
Evidence obtained during the operation revealed that at least 38 children across the world were suffering sexual abuse at the hands of the members of the group. Efforts by federal, state, local and international law enforcement to locate and identify the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by Dreamboard members are ongoing.
Operation Delego is a spinoff investigation from leads developed through "Operation Nest Egg," the prosecution of another online group dedicated to the sharing and dissemination of child pornography. Operation Nest Egg was a spinoff investigation developed from leads related to another international investigation, "Operation Joint Hammer," which targeted transnational rings of child pornography trafficking.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Keith Becker of CEOS. The Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The investigation was conducted by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the Child Exploitation Section of ICE's Cyber Crime Center, CEOS, CEOS's High Technology Investigative Unit and 35 ICE offices in the United States and 11 ICE attaches offices in 13 countries around the world, with assistance provided by numerous local and international law enforcement agencies across the United States and throughout the world.
The investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers and foreign-national predators whose crimes make them deportable.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Stephanie Finley is available for comment and can be reached at (337) 262-6618.