Eastern District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Judges sentences St. Louis man for being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Randy Clark to 77 months in prison today. The 34-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On October 25, 2019, Clark was driving a vehicle with expired tags when officers from the North County Police Cooperative stopped him. At the time of the stop, Clark had a bag strapped to his torso. Police learned Clark was wanted as a suspect and asked him to exit the vehicle. Clark was initially non-compliant, but finally exited the vehicle after multiple requests.
Officers found a .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm in the bag around Clark’s torso. The firearm was loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.
The North County Police Cooperative investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel is handling the case.
#####
Judges sentences St. Louis man on drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Lemartrell Smith to 120 months in prison Friday. The 26-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in December to two counts of being in possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, one count of being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime and one count being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On or about February 28, 2018, Florissant Police received information Smith was selling drugs in the parking lot of a bowling alley and was armed with a gun. Officers pulled up to Smith’s vehicle to investigate but could not see inside due to the dark window tint. Smith refused to open the car door, so police smashed the window and removed Smith. Officers noticed from the center console, in plain view, a handgun with an extended magazine. Officers also seized 18 grams of fentanyl.
On or about March 13, 2019 St. Louis County Police learned Smith was selling fentanyl. Using an undercover detective, investigators placed a call to Smith and arranged to buy $60 worth of fentanyl. Smith instructed the undercover detective to meet at a specific location. Smith met the undercover detective, reached into a leather satchel and removed 12 capsules. Smith exchanged the capsules for $60 and drove away.
As officers attempted to stop Smith, he ignored all commands to pull over and started to speed away. Smith continued to evade police even after driving over a spike strip. Smith crossed into an opposite lane of traffic at a high rate of speed and crashed into another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was seriously injured. Officers arrested Smith. Charges related to the crash remain pending in St. Louis County Circuit Court.
Officers seized a satchel and found a loaded Glock pistol with one round inside the chamber. Officers searched Smith’s vehicle and seized $2,870 in U.S. currency, another pistol, the $60 used by the undercover detective, five cell phones and 10.34 grams of fentanyl.
The St. Louis County Police Department, Florissant Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D'Agrosa is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences Sikeston man to 144 months for distribution of methamphetamineRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Jimmy Warf to 144 months in prison today. The 46-year-old Sikeston, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine in January.
On August 18, 2020, Warf sold 55 grams of methamphetamine to a DEA confidential informant at a parking lot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and was arrested.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, SEMO Drug Task Force and Cape Girardeau Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tim Willis handled the prosecution.
#####
St. Louis man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Montell Keith, 23, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Keith appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark.
On December 8, 2019, officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were notified a white Toyota Camry, reported stolen on December 3, was parked at an apartment complex in the 5700 block of Goodfellow Place. While canvassing, officers located the Camry parked on the south parking lot, parked and exited their patrol car. Keith, identified by officers as the driver, drove away from the parking lot. The officers got back in their patrol car to follow and observed Keith running from the Camry. While running, the officers watched Keith throw a pistol on the ground.
Officers chased Keith and eventually arrested him. An officer returned to where he saw Keith throw the pistol and found a loaded 9mm pistol. The officer discovered the pistol had been reported stolen on December 2, 2019.
Prior to December 8, 2019, Keith was convicted of at least one felony crime.
Judge Clark has set sentencing for July 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis drug dealer known to carry a gun during drug dealsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS –United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Demetrius Burns-Jackson to 60 months in prison. The 24-year-old St. Louis City, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.
In November 2018, Drug Enforcement Administration investigators received information from two sources that Burns-Jackson was a multi-pound methamphetamine distributor known to carry a firearm. One source confirmed buying methamphetamine, daily, from Burns-Jackson over a six-month period. The other source confirmed buying methamphetamine from Burns-Jackson over a two-month period. Both sources confirmed Burns-Jackson had a firearm during those transactions.
Investigators used a confidential source to buy methamphetamine from Burns-Jackson twice in December 2018. On December 21, 2018, agents arrested Burns-Jackson in a St. Louis hotel where they seized 428 grams of methamphetamine belonging to him.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Fairview Heights Resident Office investigated the case with the United States Marshals Service and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences Kewanee man to 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced David Paul Wood to 120 months in prison today. A jury convicted the 37-year-old Kewanee, Missouri man of being a felon in possession of a firearm in September 2020.
The evidence at trial revealed Wood was in possession of two firearms, one of which was stolen, and he committed an armed robbery while in possession of a firearm. The 120-month sentence was the statutory maximum sentence Wood could receive for this conviction.
This case was investigated by the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the Government.
#####
St. Louis tax preparer pleads guilty to tax fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Tiffany McAllister, 44, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to three counts of tax fraud. McAllister appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.
McAllister began operating a tax preparation service in 2009 and continued the business through the 2019 tax year.
During that period, McAllister registered two companies with the Missouri Secretary of State and obtained employer identification numbers for them through the Internal Revenue Service even though she never transacted business nor employed anyone through either company. Nevertheless, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016, McAllister prepared fraudulent tax returns claiming that she and some of her clients received wages and had taxes withheld with respect to the fictitious companies.
McAllister also knowingly prepared tax returns for clients that fraudulently claimed wages and withholdings from other fictitious businesses, self-employment business losses, and educational expenses in order to increase the federal tax refunds her clients obtained.
An investigation by the Internal Revenue Service revealed McAllister received payment for assisting in the fraudulent preparation of 39 tax returns for the tax years of 2014 through 2017.
McAllister admits her false representations for the tax years of 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 created tax losses to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $920,854.
Judge White has set sentencing for June 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
“Today, Ms. McAllister admitted to preparing and submitting fraudulent returns to the IRS where she blatantly ignored the tax laws,” said David Talcott, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “IRS CI Special Agents will continue to ensure that all tax preparers and others in the tax preparer profession adhere to professional standards and follow the law.”
The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences former Missouri State Representative for using campaign funds for his own personal use and expensesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Courtney Curtis, today, to 21 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $47,867.69 to the victims. The 39-year-old Ferguson, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud relative to his theft of funds from his “Curtis for MO” campaign account. Curtis served as Representative of Missouri District 73 from 2013 until 2019. Most recently, Curtis served as an assistant to St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days.
Beginning on or about January 1, 2016 and continuing through or about December 31, 2017, Curtis misled donors by falsely representing that money contributions to the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee would be used for campaign and reelection purposes, when, in fact, he used a substantial portion of the money contributed by donors to the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee for his own personal use and expenses.
After fraudulently convincing constituents to donate money to the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee, Curtis knowingly used monies in the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee bank account for his own personal benefit, unrelated to any legitimate campaign or re-election purpose in various ways, including but not limited to: using money in the account to pay for his apartment rental and utility bills; paying for hotel, airfare and travel expenses for himself and companions; paying for restaurant and bar bills; withdrawing funds from the account through substantial cash withdrawals, including at area casinos; and, using money in the account to purchase retail items for his personal use.
Additionally, from time to time, Curtis deposited campaign donation checks into his personal bank account and used those funds to pay for personal living expenses unrelated to any legitimate campaign or re-election purpose. Curtis acted to conceal his scheme by failing to file required reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, or by filing false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which failed to identify his cash withdrawals from the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee bank account, failed to identify payments made directly from the “Curtis for MO” campaign committee bank account which were made for his own personal use, unrelated to any campaign or re-election purpose, and failed to identify campaign donation checks received and deposited to his personal bank account. Curtis wire transferred funds from the “Curtis for MO” campaign account to pay for personal expenses and to make cash withdrawals.
Total funds obtained by Curtis through his scheme to defraud his donors was approximately $47,867.69.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case.
#####
Judges sentences St. Louis man who brandished weapon during robbery of beauty supply storeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Dominic Young to 90 months in prison Monday. The 27-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm.
On December 10, 2019, Young robbed T.K. Beauty Supply located in the 8500 block of Airport Road in Berkeley. As a T.K. Beauty Supply employee was on the way back inside the store, from taking out the store’s trash, Young tried to have a conversation with the employee. The employee re-entered the store, but Young brandished a firearm by pointing it at the employee and another employee. Young demanded one of the employees give him the money from two cash registers.
Young ordered both employees on the ground before taking more money from one of the employee’s purse. Young left the store, got into a vehicle and left the area. Young’s actions were captured on security surveillance footage inside of the store.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoff Ogden is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man for his role in drug-trafficking ringRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Sherod Tucker to 80 months in prison today. The 32-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
Beginning in 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Louis County Police Department were actively investigating the distribution of large quantities of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Tucker conspired with members of the conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute in excess of 400 grams of fentanyl.
At the height of the conspiracy, nine co-conspirators were involved and would distribute more than 20,000 doses of fentanyl per week. Distribution occurred through the use of "runners" to include Tucker.
On January 31 and on August 9, 2018 Tucker sold fentanyl to a cooperating source working on behalf of the DEA. Tucker also assisted members of the conspiracy by cutting up the raw fentanyl with Dormin, before the drugs were pressed into capsules for sale. The indictment alleges the conspiracy involved committing violence in furtherance of drug trafficking to include committing two murders and another shooting. Tucker was not charged with the violence.
The St. Louis County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.
#####
St. Louis man pleads guilty for his role in trafficking ring involving 45 kilograms of methamphetamineRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Nathaniel Hill, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Hill appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
In November 2017 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Postal Inspectors Service (USPIS) initiated an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking led by Hill and involving nine co-defendants. Beginning in or about May 2017, Hill and a co-defendant purchased kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from a San Diego source of supply. Initially, Hill arranged for packages of methamphetamine to be sent to St. Louis through the mail. Two of those packages were intercepted by law enforcement: one containing 1.336 kilograms on August 7, 2017; and, one containing 4.4 kilograms on April 9, 2018.
Investigators also applied for and received authorization to wiretap Hill’s cellular telephone. On the wiretap, investigators heard Hill talk to co-conspirators regarding methamphetamine shipments, proceeds, and methods of transportation. The conspirators traveled between San Diego and St. Louis and used hotel rooms and rental cars to facilitate and hide their activities from law enforcement.
During the investigation, a confidential source made several controlled purchases of methamphetamine directly from Hill including 450 grams on December 12, 2017, 223 grams on January 18, 2018, and 224 grams on February 28, 2018.
On June 13, 2018, Hill was present at his residence in the 11000 block of Cadigan expecting a large shipment of methamphetamine. Agents executed a search warrant where they seized 25.064 kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigators also seized multiple firearms, $29,850 in cash, multiple items of jewelry and a BMW sedan, all of which were either derived from proceeds of the sale of methamphetamine or possessed in furtherance of the drug activity.
Based on the intercepted packages, the controlled purchases, the seizures on June 13, 2013, the intercepted calls and other evidence gathered by law enforcement, Hill admitted being responsible for at least 45 kilograms of methamphetamine and consented to the forfeiture of various assets seized by agents.
Judge Fleissig has set sentencing for June 29, 2021.
The St. Louis County Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
#####
Jury finds Poplar Bluff resident guilty on conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamineRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – A jury found Marcus Nelson, 39, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine following a two-day jury trial on March 23, 2021. He appeared before the United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.
The evidence during the trial proved Nelson conspired with others to bring 45 pounds of methamphetamine from Texas to Missouri between December 2018 and March of 2019. On March 19, 2019, SEMO Drug Task Force Officers received information a subject who lived in Ripley County near Doniphan, Missouri was expecting a large shipment of methamphetamine. Officers traveled to the residence and were speaking with the subject in the driveway when someone threw a duffle bag off a side deck of the residence. Officers recovered the duffle bag and discovered approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine and eight ounces of heroin inside. Further investigation determined Marcus Ray Nelson brought the bag to the residence and threw it out upon learning police arrived. Nelson, Matthew Wade Stoutt and Gino Wells Sr. were indicted and charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Nelson was also charged with possession of 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of more than 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute.
The Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, SEMO Drug Task Force and Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Keith D. Sorrell and Julie A. Hunter handled the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man for drugs and weapons chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Demarko Nelson to 46 months in prison today. The 23-year-old Berkeley, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in December, to three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
On March 2, 2020, Nelson ran a stop sign at the intersection of Clara and Etzel Avenues in the City of St. Louis, while driving a Pontiac G6. Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department stopped the vehicle. After identifying Nelson, a convicted felon, officers found two handguns. They seized the loaded gun on Nelson’s side of the vehicle and released a purple handgun located on the other side of the vehicle to the registered owner in the passenger seat.
On April 9, 2020, Nelson was riding in his friend’s Dodge Challenger on Interstate 70. Nelson’s friend was driving approximately 100 miles per hour when a tire blew, causing the friend to lose control. The car left the road, ripped through a chain-link fence, struck a streetlight and overturned on Bircher Boulevard in St. Louis. At the hospital, officers found two clear baggies of marijuana and more than $6,000 in the friend’s fanny pack. Back at the scene, an SLMPD accident investigator found a loaded purple handgun near a storm sewer just feet away from the Challenger. The firearm was later confirmed to be the purple gun from the original incident.
On August 20, 2020, the United States Marshals Service apprehended Nelson at his home in St. Louis County. While clearing the house, the U.S. Marshals discovered two bags containing 9.64 grams of fentanyl. U.S. Marshals also found a stolen handgun in Nelson’s bedroom.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Zack Bluestone is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man for carjackings and possession and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Ramonte Willey to 17 years in prison today. The 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking and one count of possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Willey committed two carjackings in the City of St. Louis. On December 7, 2018, Willey approached a victim’s Chevrolet Impala, which was parked in a Family Dollar parking lot in the 5000 block of Enright Avenue. Willey demanded the victim’s money. Brandishing a handgun with an extended clip, Willey then forced his victim out of the vehicle, saying “Get out of the f**king car!” Willey took the Impala from his victim, driving away from the scene of the crime.
On January 27, 2019, Willey arrived at a gas station in the 2000 block of N. Florissant in a stolen Kia Optima. Willey then got out of the Optima, approached a victim who was pumping gas, and put a gun in the victim’s side. Willey then took the victim’s car, a Toyota Camry. As the victim fled, Willey fired shots at him. Willey drove off in the Camry. The driver of the Optima also drove off, following Willey.
The next day, St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers saw a Kia Optima consistent with the vehicle used in the carjacking. Willey was driving the Optima. When detectives tried to pull over the vehicle, Willey sped off. Even after detectives deployed spike strips. Willey continued to drive recklessly, throughout the City of St. Louis, violating stop signs and endangering others. Ultimately, the Optima became disabled in the 2900 block of Marcus.
Detectives demanded the occupants of the vehicle place their hands in the air. Willey, the driver of the vehicle, opened the door of the vehicle and placed his hands in the air, before reaching back into the vehicle. Willey ultimately exited the Optima and laid on the ground with a bag strapped to his torso. The bag contained two boxes of ammunition. Detectives also recovered two firearms, including a handgun with an extended clip and another handgun, and a box of ammunition from the vehicle.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County man to 10 years for drug and firearm chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Teran Martin to 120 months in prison today and ordered Martin to forfeit $23,488 and the several firearms law enforcement seized in the course of investigating the crimes charged. The 27-year-old Ferguson, Missouri resident had previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possessing one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On January 7, 2020, Drug Enforcement Administration investigators executed a federal search warrant at Martin’s residence and seized a firearm along with quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, and heroin. Investigators searched two more locations and seized additional items belonging to Martin, including eleven more firearms, additional quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine, and approximately $23,488. Martin has admitted the $23,488 seized by law enforcement are proceeds he obtained by selling controlled substances.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Redd prosecuted the case.
#####
Judge sentences rental car company manager for scheming to defraud his employerRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced David Kramer to 24 months in prison today. The 42-year-old Parkland, Florida resident pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud.
In his role as a Risk Manager with a Florida-based branch of Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Kramer would request checks from the accounts payable team for various expenditures related to E.H.I.’s business functions.
Beginning in 2009, Kramer began requesting checks for fictitious and fraudulent expenses. Kramer, to support his check requests, would create false and fraudulent requests for payment from various entities in the south Florida area including the sheriff’s offices, the Florida Department of Transportation and judicial courts among others.
Once Kramer received the check, he would deposit the money into his personal bank accounts. Kramer then used the fraudulently obtained funds for personal purchases and expenses including luxury vacations, expensive watches and jewelry, and designer clothing. Kramer submitted at least 694 false and fraudulent check requests resulting in an actual loss to E.H.I. of $1,457,247.82. As a part of the sentencing, Kramer is ordered to pay full restitution to E.H.I.
“This case is a perfect example of how getting the FBI involved sooner rather than later can lead to the most successful outcome possible,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The earlier we get involved, the more options we have to build an effective investigative strategy and hold criminals accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences Poplar Bluff man to 35 years for assault in Dunklin County JailRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Shederic Anderson to 35 years in prison today. The 46-year-old Poplar Bluff, Missouri, resident was found guilty, in November 2019, on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. Anderson also pleaded guilty, in December 2018, to escape from custody.
On July 26, 2018, Anderson escaped from the Cydkam Center in Neelyville, Missouri. Anderson signed out of the facility to go to work and never returned. Anderson was arrested and detained in the Dunklin County Jail. While in the Dunklin County Jail, he sexually assaulted another inmate. A jury found Anderson guilty, on November 15, 2019, for committing the assault on another inmate.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the government.
#####
Judge sentences Arkansas man to 15 months for mail and wire fraudRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Antron F. Ramey to 15 months in prison today. The 22-year-old Batesville, Arkansas resident pleaded guilty, in August, to one count of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud.
On March 28, 2018, the Arkansas Securities Commission issued a Cease and Desist Order against Ramey and AFR Brokerage LLC, ordering Ramey and AFR to cease soliciting financial investments from individuals.
In 2018, Ramey began soliciting investment funds from individuals for investment purposes. Ramey told those individuals that he would invest their money in cryptocurrency investment accounts or foreign currency investments with investment firms, including one legitimate investment firm known as Grand Capital. Ramey held himself out to the individual investors as a financial investment advisor working on behalf of Grand Capital. Ramey provided investors with a Financial Services Agreement which outlined Ramey’s investment services and the investments to be made on behalf of the investor. However, Ramey was not affiliated with any investment services firm and was merely taking the individuals’ money and converting it to Ramey’s own benefit.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the government.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County fentanyl dealer for distribution causing deathRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Travis Broeker to 23 years in prison today. On September 17, 2020, at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial, the 36-year-old Clayton, Missouri resident was found guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
The evidence at trial established on February 28, 2018, Broeker met the victim on a parking lot of a convenience store and sold him six fentanyl capsules. The victim returned to his residence in the 2800 block of Telegraph, ingested fentanyl and overdosed. The victim’s roommate called 911 at 7:27 p.m. The victim was successfully treated with NARCAN and released from the hospital late in the evening of February 28. While the victim was in the hospital, his roommate confiscated what he believed to be the victim’s remaining fentanyl and his cell phone for the victim’s safety. Unfortunately, the victim’s roommate was unaware that the victim had concealed some of the remaining fentanyl in a hollowed-out rubber ball.
The victim returned home around midnight where he and his roommate spoke before the roommate went to sleep. During the early morning hours of March 1, the victim’s roommate found him unresponsive, in a fetal position. The same paramedics who treated the victim the previous night responded a second time and determined he was “beyond help.” The victim was pronounced dead at 6:08 a.m. on March 1.
St. Louis County Police investigators obtained the victim’s remaining fentanyl and cell phone from his roommate. The police used an undercover detective purporting to be the victim’s friend to contact Broeker, who agreed to distribute additional fentanyl to the victim and the undercover detective. Broeker enlisted co-defendant Pamela Barton to deliver 20 capsules of fentanyl to the undercover detective. Barton unwittingly contacted the police to make the fentanyl delivery and was arrested. Investigators later arrested Broeker, who admitted distributing fentanyl to the victim.
On January 15, 2020, Judge Autrey sentenced Barton to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
The St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Nauman Wadalawala is handling the case.
#####
Unregistered St. Louis tax preparer pleads guilty to tax fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Lakisha Smith, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of tax fraud. Smith appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross.
According to court documents, from 2013 to 2016, Lakisha Smith prepared approximately 28 fraudulent tax returns for her clients using the TaxAct commercial website. Smith prepared client returns reporting false income and withholdings in order to generate larger tax refunds. Smith typically received cash payments of up to $2,500.00 from the false refunds paid to her customers. The defendant was not registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a return preparer and she did not sign as the preparer on the returns that she prepared and filed for other individuals.
“Return preparer fraud is a priority for IRS Criminal Investigation and we are committed to investigating and prosecuting cases like this,” said David Talcott, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “Paid return preparers must sign the returns they prepare and include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) issued by the IRS. Taxpayers are encouraged to visit IRS.gov for tips about choosing a tax professional.”
Judge Ross has set sentencing for June 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case.
#####
Las Vegas woman pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana in St. LouisRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Rita Aramyan of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Aramyan appeared today before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.
Beginning in April 2013 and ending around May 2019, Aramyan was part of a drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute multi-kilogram quantities of marijuana from sources of supply based in California and launder the proceeds. In total, the organization distributed more than 3,000 kilograms of marijuana to various cities across the United States, including St. Louis, and laundered more than $1.5 million in drug proceeds.
During the course of the conspiracy, Aramyan couriered between 700 and 1,000 kilograms of bulk marijuana from Las Vegas to various cities including St. Louis, Missouri. The marijuana was smuggled in luggage carried on to commercial flights. In one instance, Aramyan was arrested in Fresno, California in possession of approximately 100 pounds of bulk marijuana obtained from the source of supply and destined for the organization. Aramyan also stored bulk cash and marijuana at her residence in Las Vegas for the organization. During a search warrant at her residence in March 2018, investigators located two money counters and $140,000 in cash. Finally, Aramyan utilized “Vanilla Visa” credit cards purchased with marijuana proceeds to buy flights for other couriers to deliver marijuana and proceeds.
Aramyan also aided in laundering marijuana proceeds for the organization. Aramyan collected proceeds from various cities, including St. Louis, and delivered them back to the organization in Las Vegas. The cash was smuggled inside luggage carried on to commercial airlines. In September 2017, investigators seized $50,000 of marijuana proceeds from Aramyan’s luggage as she attempted to board a plane in St. Louis destined for Las Vegas. The organization laundered marijuana proceeds through purchases of real estate, luxury vehicles (such as a Lamborghini Aventador), and a business among other means. Aramyan acted as a “straw” purchaser for two residential properties in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Casey is handling the case.
#####
Las Vegas man pleads guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamineRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Gregory Simms, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Simms appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White.
On June 13, 2020, St. Charles County police stopped Simms for driving a vehicle 80 miles per hour in a 60 miles per hour zone on eastbound Interstate 70 between Bryan Road and Highway K.
A subsequent search of Simms’ vehicle revealed 377 grams of methamphetamine. Simms admitted to the officer he was transporting “ice,” a slang term for crystal Methamphetamine, to St. Louis.
Simms faces a maximum of 40 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of five years.
This St. Charles County Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
#####
St. Louis man charged with Hobbs Act RobberyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal criminal complaint charged Jonathan Davis with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. Davis, a 21-year-old St. Louis resident, appeared in court today for his initial appearance in front of United States Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker.
According to the complaint, around 12:20 a.m. on January 23, 2021, a Steak N’ Shake employee was sitting in the back office of the restaurant located in the 9500 block of Natural Bridge Road. The restaurant was closed and the employee was talking to another employee while preparing bank deposits. While the employees were talking, Davis entered the office with a gun and demanded money from the safe. Davis, a former employee of the restaurant, held the gun (shown in the attached photo) against one of the employee’s neck.
The employee handed the money from the cash register drawer to Davis. After receiving the money, Davis ran through the back door of the restaurant.
Charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Berkeley Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling this case.
#####
Judge sentences Wayne County man for firearm charge and attempted witness tamperingRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Donald Sanders to 110 months in prison today. The 63-year-old Williamsville, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in September, to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of attempting to intimidate or threaten a government witness.
On January 14, 2019, Sanders was a passenger in a pick-up truck. Officers tried to stop the truck, but the driver sped away and the truck eventually crashed. Officers found four firearms in the truck and recovered another rifle thrown from the truck during the chase and arrested Sanders and the driver. Officers later found a handgun in a motel room in Poplar Bluff that was shared by Sanders and the driver. Investigators soon learned all of the firearms were stolen from residences in Butler County, Missouri.
On February 9, 2019, while in the custody of the Butler County Jail, Sanders had a conversation with a visitor that was recorded. During the conversation, Sanders learned a female acquaintance was a possible witness against him for the firearm charge. Sanders expressed concern that he might be charged in federal court. Sanders directed the visitor to tell the woman, “Black River is very cold right now.” Sanders admitted this statement was an attempt to intimidate the woman into not testifying against him.
Sanders has prior convictions preventing him from possessing firearms.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
#####
U.S. Attorney’s Office joins federal partners urging taxpayers to ‘Slam the Scam’Read the Press Release
ST. LOUIS - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and Social Security Office of the Inspector General want you to know about widespread phone scams where callers impersonate government officials.
The imposters tell you about a Social Security-related problem to gain a taxpayer’s trust and steal their money. “Slam the scam” by immediately hanging up!
The predators may:
- Call to threaten you with arrest or legal action if you do not immediately pay a debt, fine or fee.
- Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended, offer to increase your benefits or resolve identity theft problems in exchange for payment.
- Demand payment using retail gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency or by mailing cash.
- Demand secrecy in handling a Social Security-related problem or tell you to make up a story to tell your friends, family or store/bank employees.
- Text you unsolicited to tell you about a problem with your Social Security number or benefits.
- Email you attached documents containing your personal information to convince you they are Social Security officials.
Hard-working taxpayers should be cautious if they receive an unsolicited call from the government and don’t recognize the problem or issue they’re calling about.
Tips to help ‘Slam the Scam’ include:
- Don’t provide personally identifiable information over the phone.
- Discuss major financial decisions with trusted friends or family.
- If you ever owe money to Social Security, the agency will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights.
Taxpayers should report Social Security scams by clicking onto oig.ssa.gov and other scams by clicking onto ftc.gov/complaint.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man who fled from police in a stolen vehicle for being a felon in possession of a stolen firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Clarence Brown to 30 months in prison today. The 35-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department patrolling in the Greater Ville area were advised that a stolen vehicle was traveling eastbound on Natural Bridge Avenue from Kingshighway Boulevard. Officers observed the stolen vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the parking lane before parking in the area of Blair Avenue and Monroe Avenue.
Officers identified the driver as Brown who re-entered the vehicle and began driving northbound on Blair Avenue. Officers deployed department-issued spike strips. Brown drove over the spike strips, accelerated at a high rate of speed, and turned onto westbound N. Florissant Avenue. While traveling northbound, on Blair Avenue from Salisbury Avenue, a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Detective observed Brown throw a firearm out of the stolen vehicle’s passenger side window. The detective stopped his patrol car, exited his vehicle, and retrieved the discarded firearm, a Glock 23, .40 caliber pistol containing nine live 9mm cartridges.
The recovered pistol had been reported stolen from a home in Creve Coeur, Missouri on October 16, 2019.
Prior to being arrested, Brown drove in the opposite direction of travel and struck an unsuspecting driver head-on. Brown also ignored several police commands to stop resisting before being apprehended after a short foot pursuit. A computer search revealed that Brown was a felon and had an active warrant for his arrest.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kourtney M. Bell is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man for wire fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced John Koeln to 24 months in prison today. The 37-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to wire fraud.
Koeln was the Director of Finance for Unlimited Prepaid Distribution (UPD) from May 2014 to April 2017. UPD is a wholesaler of prepaid phones, SIM cards, airtime and other cellphone products. Koeln was responsible for day-to-day financial transactions and managing UPD’s bank account. A.A. is the CEO and President of UPD.
On or about May 12, 2015, Koeln opened a bank account at First Bank in the name of Abusharbain Holding, LLC. Koeln was the only person with signatory authority on the
account. He repeatedly made unauthorized transfers of funds from UPD' s Bank of America business account to the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account. Koeln
repeatedly made unauthorized transfers of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to his eTrade brokerage accounts. Koeln transferred the stolen funds from
his eTrade brokerage accounts to pay his personal expenses including credit card bills and living expenses. These transfers were not authorized by A.A. or U.P.D.
Specifically, on or about September 5, September 8 and December 7 in 2016, Koeln, for the purpose of committing wire fraud, caused ACH transfers of $50,000 from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account in Missouri to his eTrade Bank account ending in 8839 in Virginia.
On or about December 27, 2016 and February 12, 2017, Koeln, for the purpose of committing wire fraud, caused ACH transfers of $80,000 from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account in Missouri to his eTrade Bank account ending in 8839 in Virginia.
In March and May, of 2016, Koeln made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account for his own personal benefit. On or about February 2, 2016, Koeln made an unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to obtain a cashier's check payable to U.S. Title for his purchase of real estate for his own personal benefit.
On or about May 19, 2016, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to pay his Capitol One loan to purchase a 2015 Buick Enclave.
On or about January 23, 2017, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of funds from the Abusharbain Holding LLC First Bank account to pay his personal U.S. Bank loan used to purchase a boat and trailer.
On or about March 14, 2017, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of $99,975 from UPD's Bank of America account to his eTrade brokerage account ending in 8839.
The loss from Koeln's fraud was approximately $1,007,031. The Government seized Koeln’s eTrade accounts, vehicles and boats and the proceeds will be used to pay restitution to the victim.
“In addition to bringing criminals to justice, the FBI will diligently search for and seize assets that can be repaid to victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “In this case, we are pleased to be able to return a vast majority of the amount embezzled by John Koeln. Unfortunately, most white-collar criminals squander the money they steal leaving little left to repay victims.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin is handling the case.
#####
St. Louis County woman pleads guilty for her role in Nigerian romance scamRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS –Trenice Hassel, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to a federal agency. Hassel appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk.
On April 8, 2020, the United States Postal Inspection Service learned of a Romance Scam operating through the use of Post Office Box 34096 in Berkley, Missouri. The post office box account had been opened fraudulently by Hassel and B.M. using B.M’s name and identification number. Through subsequent investigation, inspectors learned the scam had been operating since early 2019.
Hassel admitted that a co-defendant offered her $100 if she could find someone who would open a post office box for him in that person’s name. Consequently, Hassel asked B.M. to open the post office box using B.M.’s name and identification because she knew B.M. would not question why she was being asked to open a post office box.
On January 8, 2020, Hassel and B.M. entered the Berkeley post office where they completed PS Form 1093, titled “Application for Post Office Box Service.” Hassel and B.M. made a material misrepresentation to the United States Postal Service by falsely claiming the post office box was being sought for B.M.’s residential and personal use, and that B.M. and Hassel were the only people authorized to pick up mail delivered to the rented post office box.
At the time B.M. and Hassel submitted the false and fraudulent application, Hassel knew neither she nor B.M. would use the post office box for their use, but instead the co-defendant would possess and control access to the rented post office box in connection with some type of illegal activity, the exact nature of which Hassel was unaware.
Hassell further admitted that after the representative for the United States Postal Service accepted B.M.’s application, B.M. was assigned Post Office Box 34096 and was provided with two keys for the post office box. When Hassel and B.M. exited the post office, they gave both keys to the co-defendant who paid the two women for fraudulently opening the post office box.
Between January 8, 2020 and June 4, 2020, the co-defendant collected, and attempted to collect, express mail delivered through the United States Postal Service to dozens of women who were deceived into mailing the proceeds of a Nigerian romance scam to fraudulently opened Post Office Box 34096 because they believed the money was being sent to B.M. who was employed as either a diplomat’s secretary or as a realtor.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences Jefferson County man to 10 years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamineRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Keith Estep to 120 months in prison today. The 42-year-old House Springs, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Investigators discovered, in 2018 and 2019, methamphetamine distributors operating in and around Jefferson County, Missouri, including Estep and several of his co-defendants, were traveling to St. Louis to obtain large quantities of crystal methamphetamine for redistribution in Jefferson County and elsewhere.
On October 20, 2019, investigators executed a federal search warrant at Estep’s residence in House Springs, Missouri. Investigators recovered more than a half-kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a loaded Ruger LCP .380 pistol.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Multi County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit investigated this case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man for embezzlement of bank funds and conspiracy to embezzle bank fundsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Malik Ross to 120 months in prison today. The 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty in August to one count of embezzlement of bank funds and one count of conspiracy to embezzle bank funds.
Ross was employed by Garda World Logistics, Inc. (“Garda”) who contracted with Midwest Regional Bank to transport its federally insured deposits. Ross admitted that, on August 13, 2019, while his co-employee was inside a building in the Soulard neighborhood conducting Garda business, he drove a Garda armored car from that location to South Broadway in the City of St. Louis where he placed a bag containing $50,000 in the middle of the road. A conspirator, in turn, retrieved the bag from the street and left the area with the money. The $50,000 in the bag belonged to Midwest Regional Bank, who was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
At sentencing, the United States requested an upward variance from the 8-14 month applicable sentencing guideline range and presented evidence that, on the day before the theft, Ross, wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a loaded Glock firearm, shot a firearm 14 times when he came in contact with two other individuals in the residential area of the 3500 block of 14th Street. The district court found, by a preponderance of evidence, Ross was not acting in self-defense at the time and, in firing those shots, he killed a seven-year-old boy who was playing in the alley behind his house. As a result of this evidence, the district court granted the motion of the United States for an upward variance and sentenced Ross to a 120-month term of imprisonment for the theft.
This St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Allison Behrens is handling the case.
#####
U.S. Attorney’s Office calls attention to scammers and offers ways to help avoid being dupedRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – As Missourians begin to file their 2020 tax returns, criminals are exploiting the filing season to scam people out of their money and personal information. The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam is knowing how the Internal Revenue Service communicates with taxpayers.
The IRS isn't going to call asking you to provide or verify your financial information so you can get an Economic Impact Payment or your refund faster. The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards. Taxpayers should look out for calls and email phishing attempts about the coronavirus or COVID-19, such as the sale of fake at-home COVID-19 test kits, fake donations and bogus opportunities to invest in companies developing COVID-19 vaccines.
“While criminals are constantly changing their tactics, taxpayers can help protect themselves by acting as the first line of defense. You should always protect your personal and financial information,” said Internal Revenue Service Acting Special Agent in Charge David Talcott.
These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. Taxpayers should be wary of emails, text messages, websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information. You can report phishing emails to [email protected] and report IRS impersonation scams to TIGTA.gov.
Scammers are always coming up with ways to take advantage of people. Whether they prey to exploit the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis or to steal identities, the USAO wants you to recognize examples of what to avoid:
“These scams are particularly insidious because they manipulate and capitalize on victims’ fears and vulnerabilities in order to turn a profit. We are best able to prevent and limit the damage caused by fraudsters when victims exercise diligence and follow their gut instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, or strikes you as strange or unusual, listen to your gut, and contact a legitimate government agency to verify whatever information you have been given,” said Assistant United States Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll.
Examples of common scams include:
Treatment scams: Scammers offering to sell fake cures, vaccines and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
Supply scams: Scammers creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.
Unemployment benefit scams: Scammers are also contacting individuals and purporting to represent unemployment benefit agencies and offering to submit applications for COVID-related unemployment benefits. State agencies do not independently initiate applications for unemployment benefits, and individuals should be aware that it is unlawful to receive employment benefits from a state in which you have never been employed. Individuals should be vigilant about not providing any personal identifying information, such as a social security number or a bank account number
#####
Judge sentences Warren County man to 30 years in prison for attempting to kill federal officersRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Elijah Moore to 360 months in prison today. The 38-year-old Warrenton, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to kill a federal officer, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of carjacking.
On July 29, 2019, a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the U.S. Marshals Service went to a residence in Wentzville to assist the St. Charles County Police Department in an attempt to locate a suspect in a Warren County home invasion.
The TFO noticed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle taken during the home invasion robbery. St. Charles County SWAT found two people and made two arrests. One of those arrested told officers Moore had fled from the residence, tried leaving in the stolen vehicle, but it became stuck in the mud.
Later in the afternoon, a nearby homeowner discovered his home had burglarized and reported several firearms, ammunition and a vehicle as stolen. The TFO and a St. Charles County Police Department detective who was assisting in the operation located Moore later that day. Moore was the passenger in a blue Mustang driven by a female. The blue Mustang fled from officers at a high rate of speed until it stopped in a gravel parking lot. Moore jumped from the vehicle and fired multiple shots at the officers.
The TFO and detective prepared to return fire; however, the driver of the blue Mustang screamed that there were children in the vehicle. Fearing injury to the children, the officers did not return fire, allowing Moore to escape through the woods while continuing to shoot at officers. Moore then stole a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from a nearby business, firing shots to ward off law enforcement and others. Moore once again fled, shooting at pursing officers. He eventually crashed, at which time a gun-battle ensued with Moore continuing to fire at officers. Officers returned fire, striking Moore in the legs. He was taken into custody and crime scene investigators found nearly two dozen bullets and a revolver containing three fired cartridges and three unfired bullets.
“The sentence handed down today will allow Elijah Moore to have three decades to ponder why he ever decided to shoot at law enforcement officers. Let this be a reminder to others who might ever give a moment’s thought of shooting at law enforcement officers: it’s a fast track to prison,” said U.S. Marshal John Jordan.
“Our office will not tolerate individuals, like Elijah Moore, who commit violent crimes against law enforcement and others. The brave men and women of area law enforcement are to be commended for risking their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “This is a good example of our federal, state and local partners working together to make the community a safer place for everyone.”
The St. Charles County and Wentzville Police Departments, United States Marshals Service and St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated this case.
#####
St. Louis man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire, witness tampering and drug chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Maurice Woodson, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine; one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death; and one count of witness tampering. Woodson appeared today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey who accepted the plea.
Woodson was a member of a large-scale and long-term cocaine trafficking conspiracy between 2012 and 2016. Woodson and others bought large quantities of cocaine from convicted drug trafficker Adrian Lemons and Lemons’ associates in the St. Louis area. The investigation into Woodson and his associates developed evidence of a well-defined distribution network with a direct Mexican source of supply for cocaine. During the course of investigation, agents seized more than 70 kilograms of cocaine and well over $1 million, among other things.
In furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, Woodson was recruited to kill victim B.E. Woodson agreed to commit the murder. On December 5, 2013, Woodson intentionally shot and killed B.E. as B.E. attempted to enter his vehicle in the 3500 block of Kossuth. Woodson received both drugs and money as compensation for the murder. Similarly, Woodson was recruited to kill victim D.J. in furtherance of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. On November 28, 2014, Woodson lured victim D.J. to a meeting. When D.J. arrived at the 900 block of Harlan, Woodson intentionally shot and killed D.J. Victim D.J. died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Two others who accompanied victim D.J. were also shot and injured.
In January 2016, Woodson was indicted in federal court for his roles in the drug conspiracy and December 2013 murder. Woodson was ordered detained by a magistrate judge pending trial. While detained in a local holding facility, Woodson initiated a murder-for-hire scheme. As part of the scheme, Woodson recruited an individual to murder a potential witness to the December 2013 murder committed by Woodson. Utilizing female companions, Woodson arranged meetings with and payments to the individual recruited to murder the potential witness. Unbeknownst to Woodson, the individual recruited by Woodson to commit the murder-for-hire was an undercover law enforcement official.
The judge will sentence Woodson in June 2021. In exchange for his guilty plea, the parties will jointly recommend to the Court that Woodson be imprisoned for 276 months.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department; the Kennett, Missouri, Police Department; the United States Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis man for armed robbery at Family Dollar and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Michael Saffold to 121 months in prison today. The 27-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, earlier this month, to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
On June 23, 2019, Saffold approached the register of the Family Dollar in the 8900 block of Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Saffold gave the cashier money for Starburst candy. The cashier opened the cash register to complete the transaction. Saffold then displayed a black semiautomatic handgun to the cashier and demanded money. The cashier complied with Saffold’s demands and gave him all of the money in the cash register drawer. Saffold then escaped.
Family Dollar surveillance footage later revealed that moments before the robbery, Saffold took a glove from the store. Saffold then wore that glove during the robbery and left the open package of gloves in the store. Investigators took fingerprint lifts from the box of gloves. Those lifts were later matched to Saffold. Saffold was subsequently arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County man for conspiracy to distribute fentanylRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Lewis Brown to 135 months in prison today. The 44-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Beginning in October 2017, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents conducted an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, in the Eastern District of Missouri. On November 15, 2017, officers with the McAlester, Oklahoma Police Department stopped a car for speeding. Occupants of the vehicle included Brown, his two co-defendants, and the registered owner of the vehicle. Officers seized narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and $10,499 in cash from the car.
Investigators obtained a court-authorized warrant to install a GPS tracker on a car known to be driven by Brown and a co-defendant. The tracking device revealed the vehicle repeatedly traveled to a residence in the 24000 block of Sweet Lane in Waynesville, Missouri.
Agents observed multiple cars, including the car stopped for speeding in Oklahoma, make brief stops at the residence and depart shortly after, which is a common indicator of narcotics sales. The court issued a search warrant for the residence, which investigators executed on February 14, 2018. During the execution of the warrant, investigators took into custody one of Brown’s co-defendants. Officers also seized a home surveillance system, various firearms and narcotics, and cell phones.
A search warrant obtained and executed on the seized home surveillance system revealed Wilkins and a co-defendant were using the home on Sweet Lane to distribute narcotics, including fentanyl, in Waynesville.
In July 2018, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 30 grams of fentanyl and 10 grams of crack cocaine from Brown in St. Louis County. Brown conducted a hand-to-hand transaction with a confidential informant in exchange for money. Following that sale, officers searched a home in the 1200 block of Chaparall Creek Drive in Hazelwood where Brown was found to be in possession of $29,812 in cash and multiple cell phones containing a co-defendants’ contact information. Investigators also discovered an electric grinder and digital scale both containing drug residue.
Investigators subsequently learned that Brown traveled to Pulaski County two times a week for more than a year to deliver narcotics for distribution.
“Working together with other agencies pays off and helps rid our communities of drugs and illegal possession of firearms,” said Pulaski County Sheriff Jimmy Bench.
“The joint cooperation between local and federal agencies is imperative to the successful apprehension and prosecution of individuals who engage in continuing criminal activity,” said St. Louis County Police Chief Mary Barton.
The FBI, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey Ogden is handling the case.
#####
Justice Department files lawsuit against Creve Coeur pharmacist for Controlled Substances Act violationsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – In a complaint filed February 23, 2021, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the government alleges Elizabeth Dembo unlawfully dispensed controlled substances to patients during her time as the pharmacist-in-charge of Olive Street Pharmacy, LLC. The retail pharmacy is located in the 10000 block of Old Olive Street Road, in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Dembo repeatedly filled prescriptions while disregarding ample warning signs of diversion, or “red flags,” indicating the prescriptions were not legitimate.
The complaint accuses Dembo of routinely filling prescriptions for Subsys, an oral fentanyl spray, which is subject to heightened FDA restrictions and indicated only for opioid-tolerant patients experiencing breakthrough pain due to cancer. The complaint states Dembo dispensed high dosages of Subsys to patients despite knowing they did not qualify for the drug. The complaint also states the vast majority of the Subsys Dembo dispensed was prescribed by Philip Dean, a Warrenton, Missouri neurologist who pleaded guilty to illegally distributing prescription opioids in 2018, including to women with whom he had lived and with whom he had had personal relationships. The complaint alleges Dembo knew Dean was having intimate relationships with at least one of the women for whom he was prescribing controlled substances, but nonetheless continued to dispense Dean’s controlled substance prescriptions to her and others.
Other red flags described in the complaint include clear instances of tampering with written prescriptions; dangerous combinations of drugs commonly sought after for recreational purposes; and amounts of opioids that exceeded CDC guidance by as much as 17.5 times the recommended maximum daily dosage. Despite these warning signs, the complaint alleges, Dembo continuously dispensed prescriptions she knew or should have known had no medical purpose.
The complaint states this unlawful conduct resulted in numerous violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and—when the prescriptions were submitted to Medicaid or Medicare for reimbursement—violations of the False Claims Act (FCA). The United States seeks civil penalties under the CSA, as well as treble damages and penalties under the FCA.
If Dembo is found liable for violating the CSA, she could face civil penalties of up to $67,627 for each unlawful prescription filled. If she is found liable for violating the FCA, she could face treble damages for fraudulent prescriptions billed to Medicaid and Medicare, as well as penalties from $11,665 and up to $23,331 per fraudulent prescription.
“As we continue to battle a national health emergency involving opioid abuse, we rely heavily upon pharmacists to do their part in ensuring prescriptions for controlled substances are filled and dispensed for legitimate medical purposes,” said Inez Davis, Diversion Program Manager of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division. “Now more than ever, due diligence on the part of the entire medical community is needed to ensure prescription opioid medications are prescribed and dispensed appropriately. Pharmacists can be considered a last line of defense in preventing the diversion of prescription drugs.”
“When a pharmacist fails in their responsibility to follow the requirements of the Controlled Substance Act, they compromise public trust and may cause great harm to our citizens and communities,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to hold accountable individuals that put the public at risk.”
The claims made in the complaint are allegations the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial.
The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Sestric is handling the case.
#####
St. Louis County man pleads guilty to child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS –Harry Hamm, 79, of Chesterfield, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of access with intent to view child pornography. Hamm appeared, Wednesday, before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark.
On April 19, 2019, officers from the St. Ann Police Department, obtained a search warrant to search Hamm’s premises and conducted the search on the same day. Police then contacted the St. Louis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A special agent obtained a federal search warrant to search the items seized by St. Ann Police from Hamm, his home and Hamm’s employer, including two iPhones, an Acer laptop computer, an iPad and a Toshiba laptop. The items were then searched by a forensic examiner.
A forensics examiner located on Hamm’s iPhones deleted web history showing the phones were used to search for and view child pornography. The examiner also found images of child pornography.
The examiner found: (1) deleted images of child pornography on Hamm’s Acer laptop; (2) deleted web history showing searches for a viewing of child pornography on Hamm’s iPad; and (3) computer search terms consistent with child pornography on Hamm’s Toshiba laptop computer.
The special agent obtained, through Canada’s legal process, Hamm’s Shoebox account, which revealed images of child pornography. Hamm used his iPhone and the internet to access his Shoebox account between March 1, 2018 and April 18, 2019.
Altogether, Hamm possessed 57 images of child pornography. Some included prepubescent minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, sadistic or masochistic conduct or other acts of violence.
Each charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine. The charge of access with intent to view child pornography carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine.
Judge Clark has not yet set a sentencing date for Hamm.
The FBI and St. Ann Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Livergood is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County man for role in fentanyl distribution ringRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Kevin White to 120 months in prison today. The 27-year-old Hazelwood, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Beginning in 2018 and continuing until November 20, 2019, White and his co-conspirators began distributing large quantities of fentanyl in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Their initial supplier was Juan Gonzalez, who was charged in a separate indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Gonzalez continued to supply White and his co-conspirators until DEA and U.S. Marshals arrested Gonzalez in September 2019. Prior to his arrest, Gonzalez would either ship fentanyl through mail or hand-deliver the narcotics to co-conspirators who traveled to Arizona at the request of co-conspirators including Marcius Futrell. Futrell was also charged with drug conspiracy in the same case as Gonzalez. While Gonzalez and Futrell were fugitives from the charges in that indictment, they continued to conspire with White and others to distribute fentanyl.
After September 2019, White and his co-conspirators then obtained another source of fentanyl in Arizona and continued their distribution. Once the raw fentanyl arrived in the the St. Louis area, co-conspirators would "cut" or "stretch" the fentanyl with products like Dormin to increase its volume and their profit. The cut fentanyl was then put in capsules and sold by members of the conspiracy. The conspiracy was responsible for distributing in excess of four kilograms of fentanyl.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Louis County and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling this case.
#####
Judge sentences former accounting clerk for defrauding the companyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry Autrey sentenced Stephanie Baker to 12 months and one day in prison along with restitution to the victims in the amount of $192,336.74 today. The 48-year-old O’Fallon, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to three counts of mail fraud related to her former position in the accounting department of Prairie Farms Dairy Supply Company.
Baker was an employee of Prairie Farms, working in that company’s accounting department. Baker’s duties and responsibilities included applying and allocating Prairie Farms customer payments to their customer accounts. As part of her duties, Baker would routinely receive checks from Prairie Farms customers, and make accounting entries to apply those checks to each customer’s account and therefore reduce the balance owed to Prairie Farms of that particular customer account by the amount of the check received.
C.S. owned and operated a Dairy Queen restaurant franchise in southern Illinois. DQ Columbia maintained an account at Prairie Farms and purchased and received products from Prairie Farms on a regular basis. DQ Columbia was required under its franchise agreement to order and receive substantially all its food, dairy products and supplies from Prairie Farms.
Beginning in or about March, 2018 and continuing through in or about December, 2018, Baker devised, intended to devise, and knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Prairie Farms and C.S., in an approximate amount of $192,336.74, by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.
Baker received and applied payments from Prairie Farms customers other than DQ Columbia to DQ Columbia’s account. DQ Columbia, therefore, received credit and a reduction it its account balance for payments that were not made by DQ Columbia, but instead were made by other Prairie Farms customers. Further, the other Prairie Farms customers who made the actual payments did not receive credit and a reduction in their own account balances. As part of her scheme, Baker misapplied approximately $143,933.74 in other customer payments to the DQ Columbia account. Baker withheld and did not mail out statements to the other Prairie Farms customers so that those other customers would not realize that their prior payments to Prairie Farms had not been credited to their accounts.
Baker falsely represented, to C.S., for DQ Columbia to continue receiving food, dairy products and supplies from Prairie Farms, C.S. needed to make cash payments personally to Baker. At Baker’s direction, C.S. met with Baker on numerous occasions and delivered cash to Baker based upon Baker’s false representations that she would deliver the cash to Prairie Farms and credit DQ Columbia’s account accordingly. In fact, Baker kept the cash she received from C.S., did not credit DQ Columbia’s account for the cash payments, and used the cash for her own personal use, including for the boarding and related expenses for show horses and other general living expenses, unrelated to the legitimate business of Prairie Farms. C.S. met with Baker on numerous occasions and made cash payments to Baker totaling approximately $48,403.00. Prairie Farms and its owners had no knowledge of the cash payments which C.S. made to Baker and received no portion of these cash payments.
Baker received numerous checks from Prairie Farms customers through the U.S. mail and as part of her scheme misapplied those payments as credits to the account of DQ Columbia. .
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
#####
Judge sentences former St. Charles corporate executive for fraudulently using company’s credit cardRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber sentenced Tara Sabatini to 30 months in prison today. The 45-year-old St. Charles, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to one count of wire fraud.
Sabatini was employed as the “Senior Director of Sales” by a company located in St. Louis, Missouri that sold wholesale amounts of food to various commercial customers, typically grocery store chains. The company provided Ms. Sabatini with a company-funded corporate credit card and authorized her to use the credit card for official business, including work travel and some client expenses.
During 2017 and 2018, Sabatini used her corporate credit card to fund personal expenses, including but not limited to purchasing luxury ticket packages from a Major League Baseball team located in New York. She frequently engaged in electronic communications with New York employees of the team for ticket purchase and delivery purposes. After receiving these tickets, Sabatini attended some of the baseball games and also gave some of the tickets to her friends and family. Sabatini further sold some of the baseball tickets through an Internet service and spent the proceeds of the ticket sales on her personal expenses.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County man for role in fentanyl distribution ringRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Roman Frenchie to 60 months in prison today. The 22-year-old Overland, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Beginning in 2018 and continuing until November 20, 2019, Frenchie and his co-conspirators began distributing large quantities of fentanyl in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Their initial supplier was Juan Gonzalez, who was charged in a separate indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Gonzalez continued to supply Frenchie and his co-conspirators until DEA and U.S. Marshals arrested Gonzalez in September 2019. Prior to his arrest, Gonzalez would either ship fentanyl through mail or hand-deliver the narcotics to co-conspirators who traveled to Arizona at the request of co-conspirators including Marcius Futrell. Futrell was also charged with drug conspiracy in the same case as Gonzalez. While Gonzalez and Futrell were fugitives from the charges in that indictment, they continued to conspire with Frenchie and others to distribute fentanyl.
After September 2019, Frenchie and his co-conspirators then obtained another source of fentanyl in Arizona and continued their distribution. Once the raw fentanyl arrived in the the St. Louis area, co-conspirators would "cut" or "stretch" the fentanyl with products like Dormin to increase its volume and their profit. The cut fentanyl was then put in capsules and sold by members of the conspiracy. The conspiracy was responsible for distributing in excess of four kilograms of fentanyl.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Louis County and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling this case.
#####
St. Louis man pleads guilty to carjacking four people and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Brandon Shell, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Shell appeared today before United States District Stephen R. Clark, who set sentencing for May 13, 2021.
On October 12, 2019, Shell approached four people who had just exited a Kia Optima near the 3700 block of Juniata in St. Louis. Shell brandished a handgun and demanded the four victims give him all their money. The victims complied. After they did so, Shell further demanded “That’s not all you have, give me the keys!” One of the victims handed Shell the keys to the Optima. Another victim threw several items back in the Optima.
Shell then drove away in the Optima. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department detectives were able to locate Shell driving the Optima, shortly after the carjacking. Shell pulled over in the 5300 block of Oriole in St. Louis. When Shell saw detectives, he ran away from them, but was eventually taken into custody.
Detectives found a loaded .380 caliber Kel-Tec semiautomatic pistol on Shell’s person. He was then arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
#####
St. Louis man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Andre McIntosh, 49, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. McIntosh entered his guilty plea today before United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk. McIntosh is set to be sentenced on May 13, 2021.
Just before midnight on January 7, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolling the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood discovered that the license plate of an unoccupied vehicle was registered to McIntosh, who was a non-compliant sex offender on parole from the Missouri Department of Corrections. McIntosh also had several outstanding traffic warrants.
Officers canvassed the area and, after locating McIntosh, asked McIntosh to stop. McIntosh refused the officers’ requests for him to stop, and instead started to run from the officers as they approached him. While running from the officers, McIntosh pulled a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm from his pocket and threw it. McIntosh was ultimately detained by police. A post-arrest computer inquiry of the Smith & Wesson firearm thrown by McIntosh revealed it to be reported stolen, and a post-arrest search of McIntosh revealed him to be in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Prior to January 7, 2020, McIntosh had been convicted of one or more felony crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.
#####
St. Louis man pleads guilty to armed robbery at Family Dollar and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Michael Saffold, 27, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Saffold appeared today before United States District Judge John A. Ross who accepted the plea and set sentencing for February 25, 2021.
On June 23, 2019, Saffold approached the register of the Family Dollar at 8971 Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Saffold gave the cashier money for Starburst candy. The cashier opened the cash register to complete the transaction. Saffold then displayed a black semiautomatic handgun to the cashier, demanding money. The cashier complied with Saffold’s demands, giving him all of the money in the cash register drawer. Saffold then escaped.
Family Dollar surveillance footage later revealed that Saffold took a glove from the store, in the moments before the robbery. Saffold then wore that glove during the robbery, leaving the open package of gloves in the store. Investigators took fingerprint lifts from the box of gloves. Those lifts were later matched to Saffold. Saffold was subsequently arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
#####
Grand jury indicts St. Louis County man for tax fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury, on Wednesday, indicted 49-year-old Richard Rief on 14 counts of failure to collect and pay over employment taxes and two counts of failure to file or pay tax.
According to the indictment, Richard Rief owned and operated Med Plus Staffing, LLC (MPS) and Rief Healthcare (RHC). MPS was a healthcare staffing business and RHC was a hospice care business. Both businesses were based in St. Louis County.
Rief filed IRS forms reporting employment taxes due and owing but failed to pay those taxes, except when necessary to convince the IRS to delay a levy or accept an installment agreement. In total, Rief failed to pay more than $522,270 in employment taxes which had been withheld from employees’ paychecks and were due to the federal government.
In addition, Rief failed to pay his individual income tax liability in 2015 and 2016, instead he chose to spend the money on lavish purchases. In 2017, while Rief faced back taxes for both his businesses and himself, he spent large sums of money on a 50-foot yacht, a Maserati and a hangar for his airplane. In total, during the calendar years alleged in the indictment, Rief failed to pay approximately $107,332 in individual taxes owed.
For each count of willful failure to collect or pay over tax, Rief faces no more than five years in prison and/or a fine of no more than $10,000.
For each count of willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax, Rief faces no more than one year in prison and/or a fine of no more than $25,000.
Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The IRS investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Box handled the case.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County man for his role in drug trafficking organizationRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Amos Vonzell Blanchard, Jr. to 54 months in prison today. The 45-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base.
Beginning in 2018, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department began an investigation into a group of cocaine and cocaine base distributors operating in and around St. Louis County. Blanchard, Jr., along with others, was obtaining cocaine and cocaine base for redistribution.
On January 15, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Blanchard, Jr.’s stash house in the 6400 block of Ridge Avenue. Detectives observed Blanchard, Jr. holding a black latex glove while trying to open a bedroom window from inside the residence. The glove was found to contain more than 66 individual clear plastic baggies of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine, 52 tablets of methamphetamine and a small amount of powder cocaine.
This case was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences former Centralia police officer caught in sting trying to have sex with teenRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Clint Patrick Baer to 96 months in prison today. The 42-year-old Centralia, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to using interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
Baer contacted an individual, in March 2019, he believed was the mother of a 14-year-old girl through a social networking site. Over the course of several months, Baer exchanged sexually detailed and explicit text messages and phone calls, via social media, with her. In Baer’s sexually explicit messages, he expressed his desire to engage in sexual activity with the 14-year old girl as well as the mother. In reality, Baer was speaking with an undercover FBI agent.
On October 1, 2019, Baer contacted the undercover agent, believing he was speaking with the mother of the 14-year-old girl, and set up a time and location to have sexual activity with the mother of the child and the 14-year-old girl. On October 7, 2019, Baer travelled from Centralia, Missouri, to Wentzville, Missouri, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with both. Baer was arrested in Wentzville.
Clint Baer was employed as a police officer with the Centralia Police Department located in Centralia, Missouri at the time.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Saint Charles Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Dianna Collins is prosecuting the case.
#####
Judge sentences ‘Doctors on the Go’ owner to nine years in prison for fraud and receiving kickbacksRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Denis Mikhlin to 108 months in prison today. The judge also ordered Mikhlin to pay restitution. The 41-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in August, to four felony counts of conspiracy, obtaining oxycodone and other opioid drugs by fraud and deceit, receiving illegal kickbacks in return for sending urine specimens to Central Diagnostic Laboratory for medically unnecessary testing, and causing the Medicare and Medicaid programs to pay $4,704,568 for medically unnecessary prescription drugs and drug tests.
Mikhlin conspired with Dr. Jerry Leech and others to issue and distribute illegal prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances to patients. Mikhlin and his co-conspirators knew the patients did not have a legitimate medical need for drugs and instead were abusing the drugs or selling them.
Additionally, Mikhlin recruited individuals and paid them for the use of their names on the fraudulent prescriptions. Once the prescriptions were filled, some of the drugs were returned to Mikhlin and the rest were kept by the individuals or sold to others. To conceal this illegal activity, Mikhlin and others created patient files, falsely indicating the patients had been examined by the prescribing doctors and the patients were regularly monitored and tested.
On February 2, 2021, co-defendant Dr. Jerry Leech pleaded guilty to four felony counts for his actions related to this conspiracy and fraud scheme. His sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2021.
Co-defendants Erin Herman, Vladimir Kogan, Ebony Price, Tijuana Spates, and Erica Spates have also pleaded guilty. All are scheduled for sentencing in May 2021.
The case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Missouri Attorney’s General Office and the U.S. Department of Defense. Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy McMurtry is handling the case.
#####
Judge sentences former head of St. Louis-Area Charter School for $2.4 Million FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Audrey Fleissig sentenced Michael Malone to 12 months and 1 day in prison today. Malone was also ordered to make restitution to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the amount of $2,362,761.33. The 42-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in August, to three counts of wire fraud connected to a scheme to defraud and obtain education funds from the State of Missouri relative to the operation of the St. Louis College Prep Charter School from 2011 through 2018.
The St. Louis College Prep Charter School (“SLCP”) was a Missouri Charter School located in St. Louis, Missouri. From April 2011 through June 2015, it operated out of leased premises located in the 2900 block of South Grand Avenue, at which time it purchased a building in the 1200 block of Grattan Street, where it operated until the school’s closing in May 2019. During its final school year of 2018-2019, SLCP served students in grades six through twelve. As a Missouri Charter School, SLCP was tuition free and funded by Missouri and federal education funds. SLCP received its state funding through Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) based upon SLCP’s reported student attendance. Per-student funding is based on average daily attendance, how often students are reported to be in the school, rather than enrollment. Malone founded SLCP and served as the Executive Director of SLCP from the school’s inception during 2011 until his resignation on November 1, 2018. Malone was actively involved in the day-to-day management and administration of SLCP, maintained his office in the primary school building and was responsible for reporting the SLCP student attendance numbers to DESE in order for DESE to calculate SLCP’s state funding.
As part of his scheme, Malone falsely inflated SLCP students’ average daily attendance in his reports to DESE. For four of the seven school years between 2011-2012 and 2017-2018, Malone reported students’ average daily attendance in excess of SLCP’s actual enrollment. For example, during the 2013-2014 school year, Malone reported average daily attendance of 220, when actual enrollment at SLCP was only 191 students. During the 2016-2017 school year, Malone reported average daily attendance of 326, when actual enrollment at SLCP was only 290 students. These falsely inflated average daily attendance numbers reported by Malone to DESE resulted in increased state funding to SLCP.
SCLP operated on a year-long school schedule and an extended school day with no summer school and no remedial classes. However, as part of his scheme, Malone inflated student attendance numbers by falsely claiming regular school days and hours as summer school or remedial hours, increasing the state funding received from DESE. Malone also falsely inflated actual student daily attendance. For example, during the 2016-2017 school year, Malone inflated the daily attendance records of 81 out of 333 students, or 24% of the actual SLCP student body. During the 2017-2018 school year, Malone inflated the daily attendance records of 188 out of 319 students, or 59% of the actual SLCP student body. Inflated hours totaled approximately 10,044 hours for the 2016-2017 school year and approximately 13,255 hours for the 2017-2018 school year.
Malone used the fraudulently obtained increase in state funding, approximately $2,400,000, to maintain SLCP’s ongoing operations during a period when costs to operate the school were increasing significantly. Malone also used the increased state funding to give SLCP a competitive advantage over St. Louis Public Schools and other St. Louis Charter Schools when recruiting students. As Missouri state funding follows the student, each St. Louis resident student successfully recruited to SLCP meant an increase in funding for SLCP and a decrease in funding for St. Louis Public Schools. The additional funds provided to SLCP were used to pay for resources which were not equally accessible to St. Louis Public Schools and other St. Louis Charter Schools.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the cooperation and assistance of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
#####
Judge sentences St. Louis County woman for making false statements to the Social Security Administration and defrauding Mercedes BenzRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Ronnie L. White sentenced Tayon Hutchins-Fowler to 12 months and one day in prison today. The 43-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in December, to one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration and one count of wire fraud regarding a scheme to defraud Mercedes Benz.
Hutchins-Fowler submitted an application to the U.S. Social Security Administration for disability payments in which she claimed to be disabled and unable to work because of major depression and other conditions. In reliance on her representations, SSA paid Hutchins-Fowler periodic disability payments from November 2012 through March 2019. These SSA payments totaled approximately $200,000.
During 2012-17, Hutchins-Fowler owned a home health care business and annually received over $100,000 in income from this business during 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Ms. Hutchins Fowler made a series of false statements to SSA in order to continue to receive disability payments from SSA, telling the agency she had not worked, had not received income from working, and had difficulty with shopping, driving, understanding directions, remembering, and getting along with people.
During December 2017, Ms. Hutchins-Fowler purchased a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC 43 automobile at a dealership located in St. Louis, Missouri, using falsified monthly bank statements, checks, corporate records and tax materials to fraudulently obtain financing for the vehicle.
"This case exemplifies the collaborative nature of our investigative work protecting Social Security’s critical programs from fraud," said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I want to thank the FBI for working with us to bring this individual to justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support of our investigation.”
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
#####