Eastern District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
St. Louis Man Charged with Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Louquincy Carr, 35, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint for robbery in connection with an armed robbery at a T-Mobile Store. Carr will be presented in court today in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker for his initial appearance.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 24, 2020, Carr entered a T-Mobile store located on South Grand Boulevard in St. Louis. Carr looked at some display phones before approaching the counter. At the counter, an employee showed Carr what appeared to be an iPhone in its box. Then, Carr pointed a silver semi-automatic handgun at the employee and demanded money from the register while also placing the boxed phone into his pants pocket. The employee complied and handed over United States currency. Thereafter, Carr forced the employee into the back office at gunpoint. Carr then fled the store on foot. Forensic evidence led to the identification of Carr.
According to court documents, on September 10, 2020, the Carr was taken into custody by law enforcement and search warrants were executed at two different residences at which the Carr is known to stay. Located during the execution of the search warrant was a silver handgun that appeared to be consistent with the gun the Carr used during the charged robbery.
This investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, DEA and ATF to surge resources to these cities to help state and local officials fighting violent crime. The Department of Homeland Security is also contributing agents to these efforts in St. Louis.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Armed Carjacker Sentenced to 104 months in PrisonRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Daquan Sanders, 20, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 104 months in prison for his involvement in an armed carjacking committed in April 2019. In June 2020, Sanders pled guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Sanders appeared today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry.
According to court documents, on April 1, 2019, Sanders and co-defendant Terrance Brew approached two individuals in a park in St. Louis County. The victims were playing basketball within the park. Sanders and Brew, each armed with a firearm, approached the victims and demanded their belongings. One victim gave his cell phone and the other victim stated that he had nothing but his car keys.
While Sanders held the two victims at gunpoint, Brew reached into the victim’s pocket and removed his car keys. Sanders and Brew then fled the scene in the victim’s car.
Later that evening, St. Louis County Police located the carjacked vehicle. Brew was driving the vehicle, and Sanders was in the front passenger seat. Police tried to perform a traffic stop, but Brew failed to pull over which resulted in a fifteen-mile police chase through St. Louis City.
The vehicle chase ended when Brew crashed into concrete barriers that blocked off a residential street to vehicular travel. Brew and Sanders then fled on foot and both were apprehended.
Co-defendant Brew pled guilty on September 10 and will be sentenced in December.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel handled this case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Judge sentences man on drug charges, assault on federal law enforcement officerRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Brian Lawrence, 33, of St. Louis County, was sentenced yesterday to 70 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel after pleading guilty to his involvement in conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and to assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.
According to the plea agreement, in April 2019, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents with the Department of Homeland Security in El Paso, Texas, posing undercover as suppliers of illegal drugs, made contact with co-defendant Terrell Reid, who was seeking to purchase 10 kilograms of cocaine for further distribution in the St. Louis area. The undercover agents agreed to sell the cocaine to Reid at a price of $29,000 per kilogram and that they would bring the cocaine to St. Louis.
Undercover agents agreed to meet Reid at a Best Western hotel in St. Charles, Missouri, on April 16, 2019, to deliver the cocaine. Prior to the April 16, 2019, meeting, Reid had brokered a deal with several individuals looking to purchase the cocaine in the St. Louis area, including Lawrence and co-defendant Bobby Robinson. Lawrence agreed to purchase one kilogram of cocaine through Reid, for $30,500, which he then intended to distribute to others.
On April 16, 2019, Lawrence met with Reid in the parking lot of the Best Western, where undercover agents were posing as suppliers of cocaine and additional HSI agents were conducting surveillance. After Reid met with the undercover agents and examined the cocaine inside the hotel, Reid returned to the parking lot, where Lawrence provided Reid with $30,500 in cash to purchase the kilogram of cocaine on Lawrence’s behalf. Reid also collected $61,000 in cash from Robinson in the parking lot to purchase two kilograms of cocaine. Reid then took the money into the hotel and provided it to the undercover agents, who agreed to deliver the cocaine to Reid’s customers waiting outside.
As delivery of the cocaine was made to Robinson, HSI agents arrested him. Observing the arrest of Robinson, Lawrence attempted to flee in his vehicle. While speeding off the Best Western parking lot to escape, Lawrence drove directly at an HSI agent who trying to stop him. Fearing for his life and the life of another agent in Lawrence’s path, the agent fired his firearm at Lawrence’s car, striking the hood of the vehicle.
Both co-defendants Reid and Robinson are awaiting trial, and are presumed innocent of the charges.
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this case with assistance from the St. Charles Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Judge sentences Wentzville man for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanylRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Charles T. McRoberts to 120 months in prison. The 50-year-old Wentzville resident was charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
On July 12, 2019, McRoberts and co-defendant Gernell Armour possessed with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of fentanyl. The day before, St. Louis Police Officers inspected packages for suspected illegal narcotics at the United Parcel Service Shipment Sorting Center. During the inspection, investigators discovered a suspicious package addressed to a person in St. Louis sent from Las Vegas, Nevada. investigators searched the sender’s name and address and found the information to be a fake company.
Believing the package to contain illegal narcotics, investigators used a K-9 to positively identify the presence of illegal narcotics within the package. The investigators obtained a warrant, opened the package and found clothing, a light bulb and vacuum-sealed bags containing suspected heroin/fentanyl.
A decoy package was created by investigators and a search warrant was obtained for the residence where the package was addressed. On July 12, 2019 a UPS employee attempted delivery of the decoy package. A person within the residence accepted the package, but later denied knowing its contents. Investigators observed McRoberts inside the residence during the decoy package delivery and watched him leave. McRoberts returned later to pick-up the decoy package, at which time he was taken into custody.
Co-defendant Gernell Armour is awaiting trial and presumed innocent of the charges.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Metro Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Nauman Wadalawala handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Grand jury indicts man for carjacking causing serious bodily injury, two men for being felons in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO – A federal grand jury indicted Brandon Vandoren for carjacking causing serious bodily injury and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The 23 year old is a resident of Mehlville. The grand jury also indicted Matthew Carver for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is a 27-year-old St. Louis resident.
According to court documents, on May 20, 2020, Vandoren and Carver stole a vehicle at the MotoMart in Jefferson County. Vandoren got into the victim’s vehicle while Carver remained in the vehicle he and Vandoren arrived in at the MotoMart. As Vandoren and Carver began to drive away, the victim left from inside the MotoMart and chased the defendants on foot. Vandoren then ran over the victim, nearly killing him. Both Vandoren and Carver left the scene, leading police officers on a high-speed chase. Law enforcement took Carver into custody after Carver crashed the vehicle. Law enforcement arrested Vandoren the next day, in a hotel room, and found him with a firearm and narcotics. Facebook LIVE videos, from earlier in the day of the carjacking, show Vandoren and Carver each flashing what appears to be the same firearm discovered during Vandoren’s subsequent arrest.
Vandoren faces a maximum term of 25 years in prison if convicted of carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury. Both Vandoren and Carver face a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years if convicted for being felons in possession of a firearm. Both defendants are presumed innocent.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra Wiemken is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Grand jury indicts former Executive Director of Kirksville-based Victim Support Services for mail fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO – On August 20, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Kimberly LeBaron on three counts of mail fraud. The 61 year old is a resident of Kirksville. LeBaron appeared, today, in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker for her initial appearance/arraignment.
According to the indictment, between January 2016 and June 30, 2018, LeBaron, Executive Director of Kirksville-based Victim Support Services (VSS), submitted several false and fraudulent invoices for funding under a Department of Justice Victims of Crime Administrators grant. VSS provided services, including shelter and advocacy, to people experiencing domestic violence.
The invoices submitted by LeBaron contained false information, specifically inflated numbers related to shelter stays. In many cases, LeBaron and VSS turned away clients claiming the shelter was full. In fact, the shelter was often not full and sometimes vacant. As a result, of LeBaron’s fraudulent actions, the DOJ paid approximately $173,000 in grant funds to VSS.
For each count of wire fraud, LeBaron faces a maximum punishment of 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. LeBaron is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Department of Justice and Office of Inspector General investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Box is handling the case.
Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Updates on Operation Legend at Press Conference in ChicagoRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – At a press conference in Chicago today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced updates on Operation Legend.
Since the operation’s launch, there have been more than 2,000 arrests, including defendants who have been charged in state and local courts. Of those arrests, approximately 592 defendants have been charged with federal crimes. In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has seized 587 firearms, more than 1.2 kilos of heroin, and more than five kilos of methamphetamine; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized almost 70 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 16 kilos of heroin, more than 7 kilos of fentanyl, more than 12 kilos of cocaine, 268 firearms, and approximately $5.19 million in drug proceeds; the FBI has recovered 241 weapons; and the United States Marshals Service have recovered 169 firearms and made 1810 arrests, including 163 for homicide and 120 for sexual assault.
In Chicago, there has been a 50% decrease in homicides in the first seven weeks of the operation, when compared to the five weeks prior to the operation’s launch. In fact, between April 2020 and the end of July 2020, Chicago was experiencing a steady and distressing increase in fatal shootings, which precipitously declined in August.
The Attorney General launched Operation Legend on July 8, 2020, as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The initiative is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.
Launched first in Kansas City, MO., on July 8, 2020, the operation was expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020; and to Indianapolis on August 14, 2020. A breakdown of the federal charges in each district is below.
Kansas City, MO.
113 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 34 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 68 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 11 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Chicago, Ill.
124 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 30 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 90 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 4 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Albuquerque, NM.
45 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 17 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 22 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 6 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Cleveland, OH.
66 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 41 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 22 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 3 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Detroit, MI.
58 defendants have been charged with federal offenses outlined below.
- 29 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 26 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 3 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Milwaukee, WI.
16 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 2 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 12 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 2 defendant has been charged with other violent crimes.
St. Louis, MO.
123 defendants have been charged with federal crimes.
- 54 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 53 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 16 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Memphis, Tenn.
16 defendants have been charged with federal offenses.
- 4 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 9 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 3 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Indianapolis, Indiana
31 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 10 defendants have been charged with narcoticsrelated offenses;
- 17 defendants have been charged with firearmsrelated offenses; and
- 4 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Judge sentences Florissant man for distribution of fentanyl causing deathRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Raymond L. Young, today, to 216 months in prison. The 35-year-old Florissant, Missouri resident, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
In December 2018, Florissant Police responded to the 2300 block of Palomino and found a person, J.S., unresponsive. Police took J.S. to a hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. After a medical examiner’s investigation, the medical examiner determined J.S. died as a result of ‘fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl intoxication.’ Police also learned that another individual, L.M., had been with J.S. that same evening, and that L.M. was involved in an automobile crash after leaving J.S. L.M. was determined to be overdosing and, after officers administered Narcan, he was taken to a hospital where his blood work revealed the presence of fentanyl and acetyl-fentanyl. Through their subsequent investigation, police learned that J.S. and L.M. had used what they thought was cocaine that evening after a friend had purchased it from Raymond Young.
On February 6, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at Raymond Young’s residence in the 3600 block of Browning. Officers located Raymond Young in the residence, and recovered a drug ledger, marijuana, $124,538.00 in currency and approximately one ounce of heroin. Young subsequently admitted to selling the controlled substance which both J.S. and L.M. ingested, causing J.S.’ death and L.M.’s serious illness.
The Florissant Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Sirena Wissler handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Grand jury indicts Pevely man for production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted Timothy Lloyd Blaney for production of child pornography. The 57-year old is a resident of Pevely.
According to court documents, between October 1, 2019 and August 14, 2020, Blaney sexually abused a four-year old child and produced visual depictions of that abuse. Blaney was an acquaintance of the child’s family.
Upon conviction, Blaney faces 15 years to life imprisonment and/or a fine of no more than $250,000. Blaney is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Law enforcement is requesting community assistance in identifying further victims. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the St. Louis Federal Bureau of Investigation at 314-589-2500.
"The majority of child sex abuse is perpetrated by individuals known to the victim or the victim's family," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this instance, the young victim fortunately knew to tell her parents what happened. This highlights the importance of parents engaging early with their children about appropriate boundaries."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pevely Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is handling the case.
Grand jury indicts St. Charles County man for sex trafficking of a childRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted Thomas J. Bowles, in a five-count indictment, for sex trafficking of a child. The 44 year old is a resident of St. Charles County.
According to court documents, between January 2016 and August 2020, Bowles used social media (Kik) to knowingly recruit, entice, transport, provide, obtain, maintain, patronize and solicit ‘Jane Doe 1’ and ‘Jane Doe 2’. Both under the age of 18.
Also during the time mentioned above, Bowles used interstate commerce and persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced twos minor, under 18 years of age, to have sex and engage in prostitution.
Bowles faces no less than 10 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted. He could also face a fine of no more than $250,000. Bowles is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"It's not uncommon for child predators to cast a wide net on social media to see who responds and whom they can victimize," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this case, that's how the defendant met his victims, underscoring just how careful we all need to be when engaging with strangers on-line."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Charles County Police. St. Louis County Police and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is handling the case.
Law enforcement is asking for help identifying other victims. Please contact the St. Louis County Special Investigations Unit at 314-615-8618 with info.
St. Louis County Man linked to Jennings Officer-involved Shooting Charged with Felon in Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Lawton McKinnies, 31 years old of St. Louis County, is charged being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the criminal complaint, prior to September 1, 2020, St. Louis County Police conducting a fugitive investigation trying to find Dexter McKinnies (brother of defendant), learned the defendant had an active felony warrant for three counts of Assault First-degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action.
On September 1, 2020, police set-up a meeting with McKinnies’ brother, Dexter, under a plan the brothers would be performing maintenance work on a property in Jennings. When Lawton McKinnies arrived, police arrested him on his felony warrant. Police searched McKinnies and found a weapon in his pocket. Police asked him some questions and McKinnies admitted having possession of the weapon and being a felon.
Police know the weapon found in McKinnies’ pocket is not made in Missouri and the weapon must have traveled in and affecting interstate commerce to have been in McKinnies’ pocket while he was in Missouri
During the course of the investigation, officers discovered McKinnies was previously sentenced to eight years of prison for the offenses of Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.
If convicted, McKinnies faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000. These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce is handling this case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Grand Jury Indicts St. Louis Trio Linked to Overseas Romance SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS - A federal grand jury indicted 41-year-old Ovuoke Frank Ofikoro, 27-year-old Bonmene Sibe, and 27-year-old Trenice Hassel on charges connected to a romance scam targeting dozens of older women residing throughout the United States. Ofikoro and Sibe face several charges including conspiracy to defraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft while Sibe and Hassel face the additional charge of making false statements to a federal agency.
According to court documents, between sometime around May 2019 until July 31, 2020, Ofikoro, Sibe, and other individuals perpetrated a romance scheme in which the fraudsters pretended to be high-ranking military officers who were deployed overseas. The perpetrators pretended to be romantically interested in the women whose ages ranged between the ages of 45 and 82.
Investigators believe Ofikoro and Sibe worked with others in enticing the women to send United States currency and electronic equipment to St. Louis area post office boxes from various states that included Hawaii, Illinois, Utah, Mississippi, Maryland, and Florida. The value of the currency and equipment mailed through the United States Postal Service had an aggregate value of more than $500,000 with some of the shipments containing as much as $50,000 in currency. Ofikoro and Sibe transferred some of the funds received to accounts of financial institutions located in the Country of Nigeria.
Co-Defendant Hassel assisted the conspirators in using the name of B.M. to fraudulently open one of the St. Louis post office boxes Ofikoro, Sibe, and the others use in the scheme.
If convicted, the violations of conspiracy to defraud and mail fraud carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and the violation of making false statements carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For the violation of aggravated identity theft, Ofikoro and Sibe face a mandatory two year sentence of imprisonment that will be run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Restitution is also mandatory.
Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilty. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Berry and Edward Dowd III are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting financial crimes targeting older adults. The Eastern District of Missouri Identity Theft Task Force is a group of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together to combat identity theft and its related crimes across the St. Louis Community.
Inspector in Charge William Hedrick, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said, “The indictments and arrests in this case not only highlight the investigative efforts of the Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners, but also instills public confidence that those who exploit the elderly through the U.S. Mail will be brought to justice.”
"Romance scams prey on people's vulnerabilities and cost victims almost half a billion dollars a year," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "If you meet someone online and the person asks you for money, question whether this could be a romance scam. There's nothing romantic about being swindled out of your life's savings."
“Taking advantage of vulnerable individuals is always awful. In particular, these romance scams often succeed against elderly victims who have lost partners or have been isolated due to the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “Making matters worse, elderly victims are frequently unwilling to discuss financial matters with children and are too embarrassed to report their losses to law enforcement. We need to be vigilant and watch for red flags such as: increased use of internet messaging services; frequent trips to banks and post offices; abnormal requests for money; and increased secrecy.”
Judge Sentences St. Louis Man for Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber has sentenced Nicholas Simmons, 37, of St. Louis, MO, to 46 months and three years of supervised release for distribution of fentanyl. Simmons pleaded guilty in June.
FBI Special Agents received information during December of 2018, Simmons was selling capsules of fentanyl in the St. Louis area. Beginning on January 17, 2019 and continuing to April 25, 2019, the FBI made nine undercover purchases of fentanyl from Simmons, purchasing 16 – 20 capsules of fentanyl each time. On May 13, 2019, FBI Special Agents conducted surveillance of Simmons, and observed him make what appeared to be a sale of illegal drugs to another individual. As the Agents approached Simmons’s vehicle, Simmons attempted to flee the area. Simmons crashed his vehicle, at which time the Agents were able to apprehend him. The Agents located a loaded .45 caliber pistol in Simmons’ waistband, as well as 19 capsules of fentanyl in his pants pocket, and an additional 152 capsules of fentanyl in a black plastic bag in his possession. FBI Special Agents obtained a search warrant for two chases residences associated with Simmons. At one residence the Agents recovered drug paraphernalia and several firearms. At the second residence, the Agents recovered three additional firearms, approximately two kilograms of marijuana, 46 grams of cocaine, and 12 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition and drug paraphernalia during the investigation.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
St. Louis Alderman Larry Arnowitz Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Using Campaign Funds for His Own Personal UseRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Larry Arnowitz, 66, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Steven R. Clark to eighteen months imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of mail fraud related to his illegal use of campaign funds for his personal use and expenses. The Court ordered Arnowitz to serve twelve months within the Bureau of Prisons, and six months of home confinement following release from prison. Arnowitz was also ordered to make restitution to the victims in the amount of $21,197.85.
According to the Indictment and Plea Agreement, Arnowitz served as the Alderman for the 12th Ward of the City of St. Louis, having first been elected during 2011. Arnowitz maintained his political campaign account under the name “Friends of Larry Arnowitz.” Numerous individuals and organizations contributed to the Friends of Larry Arnowitz based upon representations that their political donations would be properly and legally used for campaign and reelection purposes. From June, 2015 through February, 2019, Arnowitz instead used donated campaign funds for personal expenses, unrelated to any legitimate campaign or reelection purpose. Arnowitz used funds from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account to make payments towards his personal residential mortgage and for other personal expenses, and he made substantial cash withdrawals from the account for his own personal use and expenses.
Further, during 2018 and 2019, Arnowitz held fundraising events at the Sugar Creek Golf Course, where participating players donated funds to the “Friends of Larry Arnowitz” campaign committee, either by check or cash. Following those fundraising events, Arnowitz failed to deposit any cash donations and one or more checks into his campaign committee account, spending those donated proceeds instead on personal expenses unrelated to any legitimate campaign or reelection purpose.
In order to conceal his fraud, Arnowitz filed false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which reports failed to identify the many cash withdrawals from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account, and which failed to identify payments made directly from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account which were made for his own personal use, unrelated to any campaign or reelection purpose. As one example, on February 13, 2019, Arnowitz withdrew $5,000 from his Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account in the form of a cashier’s check, which he then mailed to Ocwen Financial Services in partial payment of his personal residential mortgage.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Franklin County Man Sentenced on Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Conspiring to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Joshua Matthew Spencer, 30, of Franklin County, MO, was sentenced today to ten years' imprisonment by United States District Judge John R. Ross after pleading guilty to his involvement in conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Spencer and his co-defendant Reanna Danielle Campbell were engaged in the sale of crystal methamphetamine in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, as well as in Franklin and Jefferson Counties. Investigators conducted controlled buys of methamphetamine from Campbell and Spencer in and around the area. Also during the course of the investigation, Spencer and Campbell crashed a vehicle while fleeing from police near the Interstate 44 entrance at South Elm Avenue in Webster, Missouri, and fled on foot. Two handguns were recovered by law enforcement near the scene of the crash and investigators seized five other firearms from the crashed vehicle, along with knives and additional firearms magazines and drug paraphernalia. Following the federal indictment in this case, Spencer was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service and found in position of additional narcotics and another firearm.
Co-defendant Reanna Danielle Campbell was previously sentenced to sixty-four months’ imprisonment for her role in the offenses.
The Multi-County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case, with assistance from the Kirkwood and Webster Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Yemm handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Former Office Manager Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Stealing Approximately $420,000 in Company FundsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Tammy Fox, 49, of Carrolton, Illinois, was sentenced today to twenty months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Audrey Fleissig after pleading guilty to 2 counts of wire fraud related to her former position as Office Manager of Explosive Professionals Midwest, Incorporated, also known as ExPro Midwest. Fox was also ordered to make restitution to the victim company in the amount of $402,213.76.
According to the Indictment and Plea Agreement, Fox served as the Office Manager for ExPro Midwest in St. Louis County, Missouri. From January, 2011 through February, 2018 Fox schemed to steal approximately $420,000 from the company. During that time, Fox issued approximately 215 unauthorized ExPro Midwest checks to herself, which she deposited into her personal bank account. Fox forged the signature of one of the owners of ExPro Midwest to those unauthorized checks. Fox spent the stolen funds on personal items and services such as clothing, automobile payments, rent payments, as well as making numerous cash withdrawals. Fox also issued unauthorized ExPro Midwest company checks to a close personal friend, and deposited those checks into her personal bank account as well. Fox also used the ExPro Midwest corporate credit card to make unauthorized purchases of personal items, such as airline tickets, general retail items, clothing, and sporting goods. As Office Manager, Fox caused the company to pay the monthly ExPro Midwest corporate credit card bills, knowing that her unauthorized personal charges were contained in the billings. In order to conceal her fraud scheme, Fox altered the company’s internal financial records, which she then sent to the company’s outside accountants. Altogether, Fox’s fraud scheme netted her approximately $420,000 in funds stolen from ExPro Midwest.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Four Webster Groves Men Arrested for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base (Crack) and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – During the afternoon of August 25, 2020, four Webster Groves men were arrested for a twenty-five count federal indictment for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack) and related charges. Law enforcement officers arrested the following men, all of whom are from Webster Groves, Missouri:
Marcus Antonio Beasley, 33;
Kevin Melinek Ingram, Jr., 27;
Jason Marquis Ingram, 35; and
Steven Paul Wright, 39.
The defendants were presented in federal court yesterday for their initial appearances.
The indictment charges, among other things, that between October 2016 and July 2020, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) and that they distributed cocaine base (crack cocaine).
The charges against Marcus Antonio Beasley and Kevin Menilek Ingram, Jr., are punishable by imprisonment of not less than five years and up forty years and a fine up to $5,000,000. The charges against Jason Marquis Ingram and Steven Paul Wright are punishable by up to twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
This investigation was conducted by the Webster Groves Police Department, the St. Louis County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, and the FBI.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Head of St. Louis-Area Charter School Pleads Guilty to $2.4 Million FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Michael Malone, 44, of St. Louis, MO, pled guilty 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. Malone appeared today before U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig, who accepted his plea and set sentencing for November 30, 2020.
According to the plea agreement and statements made in Court, 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 at 2900 South Grand Avenue, at which time it purchased a building at 1224 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, or 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.
United States Attorney Jeff Jensen stated, “What the former headmaster did through his deception, repeatedly over many years, was take advantage of the Missouri taxpayers, while obtaining an unfair advantage over the St. Louis Public Schools and other area charter schools. This was not a mistake. Evidence proved Michael Malone’s actions were intentional and, unfortunately he got away with it for years.”
"Michael Malone failed more than just students and staff at St. Louis College Prep Charter School," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "By siphoning $2,400,000 from a finite pool of education dollars, he robbed students at other public and charter schools of additional resources they should have received."
Each charge of wire fraud carries a maximum possible penalty of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both imprisonment and a fine. In determining the actual sentence, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
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.
Two Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Murder-for-Hire and Murder-for-HireRead the Press Release
St. Louis – A federal grand jury indicted James Timothy Norman, 41, of Jackson, Mississippi, and Terica Ellis, 36, of Memphis, Tennessee, for the offenses of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire, resulting in death. The grand jury also charged Norman and Waiel Rebhi Yaghnam, 42, of St. Louis, Missouri, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Federal complaints and arrests warrants were previously issued for Norman and Ellis, who were both arrested earlier this week.
According to the indictment and other court documents, Norman conspired with Terica Ellis and others to use a facility of interstate commerce, namely, a cellular telephone, to commit a murder-for-hire in exchange for United States currency, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958. In 2014, Norman obtained a $450,000 life insurance policy on his 20-year-old nephew, Andre Montgomery, on which Norman was the sole beneficiary. In the days leading up to Montgomery’s murder, Ellis, an exotic dancer residing in Memphis, Tennessee, communicated with Montgomery and informed him that she was planning to be in St. Louis. On March 13, 2016, the day before Montgomery’s murder, Norman flew to St. Louis, Missouri from his home in Los Angeles, California. On March 14, 2016, Ellis and Norman communicated using temporary phones activated that day. Ellis also used the temporary phone to communicate with Montgomery and learn his physical location for the purpose of luring Montgomery outside. Immediately after learning Montgomery’s location, Ellis placed a call to Norman. On March 14, 2016, at approximately 8:02 p.m., Montgomery was killed by gunfire at 3964 Natural Bridge Avenue in the City of St. Louis. Ellis’s phone location information places her in the vicinity of the murder at time of the homicide. Immediately following Montgomery’s murder, Ellis placed a call to Norman, and then began travelling to Memphis, Tennessee. In the days after the murder, Ellis deposited over $9,000 in cash into various bank accounts. On March 18, 2016, Norman contacted the life insurance company in an attempt to collect on the life insurance policy he had obtained on his nephew.
The indictment alleges that prior to Montgomery’s murder, Norman conspired with Waiel Yaghnam, his insurance agent, to fraudulently obtain a life insurance policy on Montgomery. Beginning in October of 2014, Norman and Yaghnam submitted three separate life insurance applications, all containing numerous false statements regarding Montgomery’s income, net worth, medical history, employment and family background. In the life insurance policy that ultimately issued, Norman obtained a $200,000 policy, as well as $200,000 accidental death rider that would pay out in the event that Montgomery died of something other than natural causes, and a $50,000 10 year-term rider that would pay out if Montgomery died within 10 years of the policy’s issuance in 2014.
The arrests of Norman and Ellis are part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section and Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating these current charges.
If convicted of the conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire or murder-for-hire, resulting in death, the penalty is life imprisonment or death and a fine of $250,000; and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
As is always the case, the charge in an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Managing Partner of T.E.H. Realty Indicted for Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud Tied to Twenty-Eight Million Dollars in Bank LoansRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Michael Fein was indicted today with two felony charges of wire fraud and bank fraud related to bank loans made to T.E.H. Realty connected to the purchase and operations of various multi-family apartment complexes in St. Louis, Kansas City, and elsewhere.
According to the Indictment, Fein was an owner and vice president of T.E.H. Management, and an owner and manager of a number of T.E.H. affiliated companies which owned and operated multi-family apartment complexes throughout the United States. Fein was responsible for the day-to-day operations of T.E.H. Management and the various T.E.H. affiliated companies. T.E.H. Management and its affiliated companies owned and operated the Pinnacle Ridge apartment complex in the St. Louis area, as well as the Green Village Townhomes apartment complex in Kansas City, Missouri and the Ivy Place Apartments apartment complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Between 2016 and 2018, Fein, on behalf of a T.E.H. affiliated company, entered into an agreement for the purchase of the Pinnacle Ridge apartment complex in the St. Louis, Missouri area. In order to purchase Pinnacle Ridge, Fein applied for and obtained a $2,800,000 loan from a financial institution lender. In order to obtain the loan, Fein submitted false documents to the lender, including substantially inflated rent rolls for Pinnacle Ridge, inflated income statements for Pinnacle Ridge, and inflated summaries of real estate purportedly owned by T.E.H. affiliated companies. Fein also submitted a false loan application to the lender which inflated the occupancy rate for Pinnacle Ridge, and inflated monthly net rental income for Pinnacle Ridge. Based upon the false documents submitted and false representations made by Fein, the purchase loan closed on May 16, 2018, at which time Fein and the T.E.H. affiliated company took over ownership and management of Pinnacle Ridge.
Between 2016 and 2017, Fein, on behalf of a T.E.H. affiliated company, applied for and obtained a $12,500,000 refinance loan from a financial institution and Fannie Mae (the Federal National Mortgage Association) to refinance the outstanding loan on the Green Village apartment complex in the Kansas City, Missouri area. A T.E.H. affiliated company owned and managed Green Village. In order to obtain the refinance loan, Fein submitted false documents to the lender and Fannie Mae, including inflated rent rolls for Green Village which falsely inflated the occupancy rates for Green Village, and false operating statements which inflated the rental income for Green Village. Based upon the false documents submitted and false representations made by Fein, the $12,500,000 refinance loan closed on February 13, 2017. As part of the refinance transaction, and in addition to paying off the outstanding loan balance on Green Village, the T.E.H. affiliated company received $6,000,080.27 at the time of closing.
During 2017, Fein, on behalf of a T.E.H. affiliated company, applied for and obtained a $7,700,000 refinance loan from a financial institution and Freddie Mac (the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) to refinance the outstanding loan on the Ivy Place apartment complex in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. A T.E.H. affiliated company owned and managed Ivy Place. In order to obtain the refinance loan, Fein submitted false documents to the lender and Freddie Mac, including inflated rent rolls for Ivy Place which falsely inflated the occupancy rates for Ivy Place, and false operating statements which inflated the total property income for Ivy Place. Based upon the false documents submitted and false representations made by Fein, the $7,700,000 refinance loan closed on December 28, 2017. As part of the refinance transaction, and in addition to paying off the outstanding loan balance on Ivy Place, the T.E.H. affiliated company received $977,754.52 at the time of closing.
During 2019, Fein, on behalf of a T.E.H. affiliated company, applied for a $5,225,000 loan from a financial institution, insured by FHA (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration), to purchase the Hanley Crossings apartment complex in the St. Louis, Missouri area. In order to obtain the loan, Fein submitted false documents to the lender and FHA, including a falsely inflated summary of real estate purportedly owned by T.E.H. affiliated entities, which falsely inflated the occupancy rates of twenty-six of the listed multi-family apartment complexes by approximately 18% each. This loan was not ultimately funded by the lender and FHA.
During March 2020, as a result of substantial tenant complaints concerning substandard living conditions in T.E.H. owned and operated apartment complexes, the federal government suspended taxpayer-subsidized housing contracts and funding to T.E.H. affiliates in the St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri areas. As many of the residents living in T.E.H. apartment complexes were members of low-income households, receiving federal housing assistance, the federal government provided transfer vouchers to those residents to assist them in moving to appropriate housing.
“A $12.5 million refinance loan for a Kansas City, Missouri, apartment complex was just one part of a $28 million dollar fraud scheme alleged to have occurred in three cities. Today’s indictment alleges the owner of T.E.H. Management and affiliated companies defrauded several financial institutions, illegally enriching himself even as he provided substandard living conditions for his low-income tenants,” said United States Attorney Tim Garrison, of the Western District of Missouri.
United States Attorney Jeff Jensen, of the Eastern District of Missouri, stated, “I want to thank the victims of this defendant’s alleged predatory practices for having the willingness to stand up and speak out. Without the courage of these tenants, this case may never have come to be. As a group, they shed light on the unacceptable living conditions being forced upon them and served as the spark that uncovered this entire fraud.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Assistant United States Attorney Kate Mahoney is handling the case for the Western District of Missouri.
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.
Armed Felon Who Pulled Gun on Officer IndictedRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Wayne Banks, 42, of St. Louis, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged by a complaint on August 17, 2020, is in federal custody, and was presented in federal court this afternoon.
According to court documents, on August 16, 2020, a Berkeley Police Department officer was on patrol in his police car near an apartment complex in Berkeley, Missouri. He saw a large crowd of individuals in a parking lot of the apartment complex, in violation of the “no loitering” signs posted throughout the complex. The officer asked the crowd to leave or go back inside the complex because they were loitering.
According to court documents, Banks confronted the officer. Banks punched the officer in the head. As Banks and the officer struggled, he pulled a gun on the officer. The officer managed to turn the gun away from him. Banks, however, continued attempting to turn the gun on the officer.
Officers eventually secured Banks, and seized a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson Taurus, semiautomatic pistol from Banks.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Berkeley Police Department and Missouri Department of Public Safety.
As is always the case, the charge in an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Juvenile Carjacker Sentenced to 186 Months in Prison for Six Armed CarjackingsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Deron Mitchell, Jr., 19, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 186 months in prison for his involvement in six armed carjackings committed in 2018. In February 2020, Mitchell pled guilty to six counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Mitchell appeared today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.
According to court documents, Mitchell and co-defendant Deandre Moore committed six carjackings – one on September 6, 2018; two on November 4, 2018; and three on November 5, 2018. Both defendants were caught with firearms while occupying a stolen car that contained personal property taken in other carjackings. Mitchell and Moore were arrested on November 6, 2018, and Mitchell confessed to the carjackings.
Moore previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May to 186 months in prison for his role in these offenses.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Maplewood Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa handled this case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen Announce Updates on Operation Legend at Press Conference in Kansas City, MissouriRead the Press Release
Saint Louis – At a press conference in Kansas City, MO, today, Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen announced updates on Operation Legend.
Since the operation’s launch, there have been more than 1,000 arrests, including defendants who have been charged in state and local courts. Of those arrests, approximately 217 defendants have been charged with federal crimes. These numbers exclude Indianapolis, whose operation was just announced last Friday. In addition, nearly 400 firearms have been seized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Attorney General launched the operation on July 8, 2020, as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The initiative is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.
Launched first in Kansas City, MO., on July 8, 2020, the operation was expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020, to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020, to Saint Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020, and to Indianapolis on August 14, 2020. A breakdown of the federal charges in each district, with the exception of Indianapolis, is below.
In Saint Louis, 25 defendants have been charged with federal crimes, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses.
- One defendant has been charged with drug trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime following the USMS’s execution of a state arrest warrant;
- One defendant has been charged with robbery of an item effecting interstate commerce and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence following an joint ATF, SLMPDinitiated undercover operation targeting a known shooter;
- One defendant has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm following ATF’s execution of a federal search warrant directed towards the residence of a suspected murderer;
- 21 defendants have been charged with drug trafficking offenses; and
- One defendant has been charged with being a drug user in possession of a firearm.
“Operation LeGend – Saint Louis represents a unique federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Saint. Louis in 2020,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “Today’s announcement highlights the impactful work the brave men and women of the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service and Missouri State Highway Patrol have accomplished in Operation LeGend’s early stages. Of course, there is more important work to be done.”
St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Carjacking DowntownRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Ricky Smith, 23, of St. Louis, MO, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking. Smith appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for November 19, 2020.
According to the plea agreement, on May 18, 2019, Smith approached the victim near the intersection of 11th Street and St. Charles Street in St. Louis City. The victim was in the process of moving her belongings from her 2016 Jeep Wrangler into her apartment. Smith approached the victim, pointed a silver-framed firearm at her, and demanded the victim’s phone, wallet, and car key. After the victim refused to comply, Smith snatched the victim’s car key and drove away in the victim’s 2016 Jeep Wrangler.
Later that day, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers located the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, which Smith was still driving. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but Smith refused to stop driving. Officers disabled the car using spike strips. Smith fled on foot, but was ultimately detained. While canvassing the area, police observed a silver-framed Arminius Titan Tiger 38 Special revolver firearm in a trash can approximately 15 feet from the stolen vehicle.
Smith faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 15 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Redd is handling this case.
Man Charged with Conspiracy to Use Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder-for-Hire, Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
St. Louis – James Timothy Norman, 41, of Jackson, Mississippi, was charged by a federal complaint on August 11, 2020. He was arrested this morning in Jackson, Mississippi. Norman was charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder-for-hire, resulting in death.
According to the complaint, Norman conspired with Terica Ellis and others to use a facility of interstate commerce, namely, a cellular telephone, to commit a murder-for-hire in exchange for United States currency, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958. In 2014, Norman obtained a $450,000 life insurance policy on his 18-year-old nephew, Andre Montgomery, on which Norman was the sole beneficiary. In the days leading up to Montgomery’s murder, Ellis, an exotic dancer residing in Memphis, Tennessee, communicated with Montgomery and informed him that she was planning to be in St. Louis. On March 13, 2016, the day before Montgomery’s murder, Norman flew to St. Louis, Missouri from his home in Los Angeles, California. On March 14, 2016, Ellis and Norman communicated using temporary phones activated that day. Ellis also used the temporary phone to communicate with Montgomery and learn his physical location. Immediately after learning Montgomery’s location, Ellis placed a call to Norman. On March 14, 2016, at approximately 8:02 p.m., Montgomery was killed by gunfire at 3964 Natural Bridge Avenue in the City of St. Louis. Ellis’s phone location information places her in the vicinity of the murder at time of the homicide. Immediately following Montgomery’s murder, Ellis placed a call to Norman, and then began travelling to Memphis, Tennessee. In the days after the murder, Ellis deposited over $9,000 in cash into various bank accounts. On March 21, 2016, Norman contacted the life insurance company in an attempt to collect on the life insurance policy he had obtained on his nephew.
Terica Ellis was also charged by complaint with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, resulting in death.
United States Attorney Jeff Jensen credited the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI. Jensen stated, “The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section and FBI have established a dedicated and effective partnership in this extensive investigation.”
The arrests are part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section and Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating these current charges.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl and HeroinRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Deandre Chaney, aka “Meazy,” 20, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for his involvement in conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin. Chaney appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
According to court documents, between January and March of 2019, investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) utilized a Confidential Informant (hereinafter "CI") to conduct controlled purchases of marijuana, fentanyl, and heroin from both Deandre Chaney and his co-defendant, Daniel Strong. The CI arranged purchase marijuana, heroin, and fentanyl by contacting Chaney via multiple telephones that Chaney maintained. Chaney directed the CI to a locations where the transactions would take place. Members of the investigative team purchased marijuana and/or heroin and fentanyl from Chaney or Strong on January 28, February 1, February 5, February 8, February 13, February 21, March 1, March 7, March 22, and March 28, 2019. In total, members of the investigation team purchased approximately 65.71 grams of marijuana, approximately 31.89 grams of heroin, and approximately 31.09 grams of fentanyl. Investigators attempted to arrange for additional narcotics transactions with Chaney on April 12, 2019 and April 23, 2019, but both times Chaney and/or Strong provided the CI with fake narcotics.
Co-defendant Daniel Strong was sentenced on June 15, 2020 to 28 months in prison.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Angie Danis is handling this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
St. Louis Man Faces Federal Firearms Charges in Connection to Robbing an Undercover OfficerRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Dariyon Martin, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, robbery, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to the criminal complaint, an undercover police detective from the St. Charles City Police Department arranged to buy a Glock 27 firearm from Martin for $400 on August 7, 2020in the City of St. Louis. Martin is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
After the undercover detective arrived at the agreed-upon buy location, Martin entered the detective’s vehicle and handed the detective a Ruger .40 caliber pistol not the Glock 27 firearm that Martin had previously agreed to sell. When the detective reached to retrieve the buy money, Martin reached across the detective and grabbed the firearm. Martin began to manipulate the firearm by taking the magazine out and showing the detective it was loaded with ammunition. Martin then pointed the firearm at the detective and the detective handed Martin the buy money. Martin and the undercover detective then struggled over the firearm, at which time Martin took both the firearm and the money. The undercover detective held both his/her hands up, and Martin exited the vehicle. Martin then left the scene of the robbery.
This investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the St. Charles City Police Department, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
St. Louis Man Faces Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Deandre J. White, 24, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. White will appear in court on Friday, August 14, 2020, for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate David D. Noce.
According to the criminal complaint and motion seeking detention, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives executed a search warrant at White’s residence on August 12, 2020. Officers located an Alien Armory Tactical, model AAT-15, .223 caliber pistol and ammunition, along with approximately 200 capsules of suspected fentanyl and drug packaging paraphernalia. During the last several months, White has been engaged in consistent and routine distribution of fentanyl and sales of firearms. During the course of their investigation, ATF agents have conducted numerous controlled purchases of both fentanyl and firearms from White. During many of these transactions, White was armed with a gun. In addition to the instant offense, White has been charged in St. Louis County with Unlawful Use of a Weapon for a shooting that occurred on April 21, 2020 (20SL-CR01697). On April 26, 2020, White was arrested in Bridgeton for being in possession of fentanyl and a firearm.
This is investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Catherine Hoag is handling this case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Fugitive Apprehended and Faces Federal Firearms and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Troy Jackson, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 2, 2020, a felony arrest warrant was issued for Jackson by the State of Missouri Probation and Parole for violating his parole, following his imprisonment on burglary first degree charges. Jackson was also wanted on murder first degree and armed criminal action charges in relation to a homicide occurring during June, 2020. Further, Jackson was wanted on assault second and assault third charges arising from a separate incident.
During their investigation into Jackson’s whereabouts, on August 9, 2020 investigators learned that Jackson was at the Best Western St. Louis Inn on Heimos Industrial Park Drive, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Upon arriving at the hotel, law enforcement officers confirmed that Jackson was staying in a room at the hotel, having registered under a false name. Once the officers entered the hotel room, they located Jackson inside the room holding the magazine of a gun. A Mossberg 9mm pistol was nearby, on a table in plain view in the room. The magazine that Jackson was holding appeared to be compatible with the 9mm pistol on the table.
Located in a closet of the hotel room was a distribution amount of fentanyl, along with empty capsules in a nightstand. Jackson admitted possession of the pistol and fentanyl, and confessed to being a drug dealer.
“I stand in awe at the great teamwork of the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Metropolitan Fugitive Task Force. Once again the partnership forged with municipal, county, state, and federal task officers working side by side led to the apprehension of this dangerous felon without incident.” John Jordan US Marshal
This investigation is part of Operation LeGend which is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in St. Louis in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service Metropolitan Fugitive Apprehension Task Force and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former St. Ann Police Officer Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charges for Causing Bodily Injury to an IndividualRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Former St. Ann Police Officer Ellis Brown has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury, United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen announced today. According to the Indictment, Brown was working as an officer with the St. Ann Police Department on April 9, 2019 when he “willfully deprived” victim S.K. of his/her Constitutional right to be free from unreasonable seizures when Brown “repeatedly kicked S.K. while S.K. was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone.” According to the indictment, S.K. suffered bodily injury as a result of the incident.
"When making an arrest, a police officer is given the authority to use only the level of force necessary," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this case, Officer Ellis Brown is accused of using unreasonable force by repeatedly kicking an individual who was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone."
Brown made his initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge David D. Noce. Brown was allowed to remain free on bond, and was ordered to surrender any and all firearms, and will not be permitted to possess a firearm for any purpose so long as the case remains pending.
The charge Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
As is always the case, the charge in an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Michael Brooks, 55, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for distribution of actual (pure) methamphetamine. The quantity of actual methamphetamine, for which Brooks is accountable, is at least 50 grams but less than 150 grams. Brooks appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey.
According to court documents, on October 12, 2016, at the direction of investigators, a Confidential Source (CS) arranged a meeting with Brooks to deliver a money counter they had previously discussed. The CS met Brooks at his house in St. Louis to deliver the money counter to Brooks. Brooks gave the CS a sample of the methamphetamine directly from a clear plastic bag.
On October 13, 2016, at the direction of investigators, the CS met Brooks at his house and bought two ounces of methamphetamine for $2,000.
On November 15, 2016, at the direction of investigators, the CS met Brooks at his house again to buy more methamphetamine. When Brooks opened the door to his house, he had a gun in a black holster under his arm. The CS mentioned something about carrying the gun in broad daylight, and Brooks responded "all day, everyday." The CS then bought two ounces of methamphetamine for $1,700.
On December 15, 2016, investigators conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle that Brooks was driving. Brooks possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum in a black holster that was between the center console and driver's seat.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Fairview Heights Resident Office, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Koppenaal handled the case.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking at Clinton-Peabody Housing ComplexRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Bruce Edward Johnson, 27, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 36 months in prison. Johnson was involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl centered in the Clinton-Peabody housing complex on the near south side of the City of St. Louis. He appeared before the Honorable Catherine D. Perry.
According to court documents, between September 2014 and July 2018, Johnson acted as a distributor for drug customers seeking fentanyl in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Johnson and other associates used various apartments within the Clinton-Peabody housing complex for purposes of storing and distributing fentanyl, among other things.
On July 18, 2018, investigators conducted a search warrant at Johnson’s residence. Inside Johnson’s bedroom, officers located a Glock 27, .40 caliber firearm with an extended magazine, an Anderson Arms AR-15 rifle and ammunition. Johnson knew he was a convicted felon prior to July 18, 2018.
In February, Johnson pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
This case was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis Division of the FBI, the St. Louis Division of the DEA, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service and the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department.
Father Who Caused Overdose of his Infant Son Sentenced to 137 Months in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl and Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Gayron Sloan, 39, of St. Louis, to 137 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the plea agreement, on January 15, 2019, police served a search warrant at the home of Gayron Sloan in St. Louis, Missouri. During the search, police found in the living room fentanyl, marijuana, and drug distribution paraphernalia, including scales, blenders, and suboxone. In Sloan’s bedroom, police found individually packaged fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. Also in the bedroom, police found a loaded 9 mm Taurus make semiautomatic handgun with a large capacity magazine. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were in places accessible to a toddler.
While police were conducting the search and interviewing Sloan, his 14-month-old son was in daycare in St. Louis. Daycare workers grew concerned when his son was uncharacteristically sleepy and having trouble breathing. The son was transported to the hospital. Blood tests confirmed that the child had fentanyl and a metabolite of cocaine in his system. Medical professionals successfully treated the child with narcan, a drug that works to counteract the effects of opioid overdoses. The child regained consciousness after being treated with two doses of narcan.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Operation Legend Expanded to St. Louis to Confront Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
Jeff Jensen, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, joined the Department of Justice in officially announcing the expansion of Operation Legend to St. Louis. Operation Legend, a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime, will be expanding into the City of St. Louis.
“The most basic responsibility of government is to protect the safety of our citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Today, we have extended Operation Legend to Memphis and St. Louis, two cities experiencing increases in violent crime that no resident of those cities should have to accept as part of everyday life. For decades, the Department of Justice has achieved significant success when utilizing our anti-violent crime task forces and federal law enforcement agents to enforce federal law and assist American cities that are experiencing upticks in violent crime. The Department of Justice’s assets will supplement local law enforcement efforts, as we work together to take the shooters and chronic violent criminals off of our streets.”
“Operation Legend has come to St. Louis,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “Today we expand our ever-present federal commitment to the City of St. Louis by welcoming federal agents and money to our City for the purpose of fighting gun and gang violence. This expansion will greatly enhance on-going crime fighting by our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Joint ATF-St. Louis Metropolitan Strike Force, and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Our children are being caught in the crossfire and murdered in senseless acts of gun violence. I am very grateful to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships in a dedicated effort to achieve safety and security for our community. I want to thank Chief John Hayden as well as the various federal and state agencies that make this initiative possible.”
Operation Legend is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early on the morning of June 29 in Kansas City. The operation was first launched on July 8 in Kansas City, Missouri, and is now underway in Chicago, Albuquerque, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Today, the expansion of Operation Legend was announced in St. Louis and Memphis.
In the City of St. Louis, the Department of Justice will supplement state and local law enforcement agencies by sending more than 50 federal investigators from the Department of Homeland Security to the City. Under the leadership of U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen, these investigators will complement the work already underway by existing joint federal, state and local task forces focused on combatting violent gangs, gun crime, and drug trafficking organizations.
St. Louis is currently experiencing a significant increase in violent crime, with homicides up over 34% and non-fatal shootings are up over 13%. These resources will be utilized to address the spike in violent crime.
During a press conference to announce the expansion of Operation Legend, FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn announced that as part of the initiative, a reward of up to $25,000 would be made available for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the homicides of Kayden E. Johnson, two years of age at the time, and his mother Trina’ty A. Riley, 18, inside their home on April 30, 2019.
“I just need closure. My family needs peace. We just want justice. If you know anything, please contact the detectives,” said Taiesha Campbell, mother of Trina’ty and grandmother of Kayden, in connection with today’s announcement.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance will make available $1 million to support Operation Legend’s violent crime reduction efforts and shot spotter responses in St. Louis. The City is also receiving two Special Assistant United States Attorneys from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to support violent crime prosecutions.
Wright City Man Charged with Distribution of Fentanyl at the Ameristar CasinoRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Ledra A. Craig, age 43, of Wright City, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint today with distribution of fentanyl.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators began conducting an overdose death investigation after a victim was found deceased in Saint Charles, Missouri on Sunday, August 2, 2020. The investigation uncovered surveillance video from the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri, showing Ledra A. Craig distributing fentanyl to two victims just hours before one victim was found dead. Craig later admitted to investigators that he sold fentanyl while at the Ameristar Casino in Saint Charles, Missouri, over the weekend of August 1st and 2nd.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force are investigating these current charges.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Washington, Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty to a Far Reaching Scheme Involving Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Christen Diane Schulte, 34, of Washington, MO, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering charges related to a scheme to defraud her former employer, several individuals associated with her former employer, the Berger Levee District of Franklin County, and several financial institutions. Schulte appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted the plea and set her sentencing date for November 10, 2020.
According to court documents, Schulte was a former bookkeeper and office manager of a farm and trucking companies based in New Haven, Missouri. Between January 2018 and February 2020, Schulte knowingly and intentionally devised and executed a scheme to defraud, and to obtain moneys from, her former employer and others by means of material false and fraudulent representations in that the she, without the knowledge and authority of her former employer, diverted funds for her own personal use. The total loss from this scheme is approximately $727,000.
As part of her scheme, Schulte fraudulently and without permission used the companies’ credit cards for personal expenditures. Schulte also fraudulently caused American Express and FirstBank to issue her new credit cards in the names of the companies. Schulte fraudulently charged more than 1,800 transactions totaling more than $532,000 on these credit cards.
Schulte also forged the signatures of the owner and several employees of companies, on checks from several different bank accounts, including personal accounts of the employees. Several of these checks were made payable to Schulte, but some of them she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme.
Other forged checks were drawn from a bank account held by the Berger Levee District of Franklin County, which is a tax-payer funded levee district that is responsible for creating flood control projects in Franklin County, Missouri. Schulte forged the treasurer’s signature of the Berger Levee District on checks that she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme.
Schulte used the fraudulently obtained funds for her own personal gain, including purchasing jewelry, a travel trailer, vehicles, and vacation travel.
"Christen Schulte exploited the position of trust she occupied at a small, family-owned business," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "The FBI will always strive to bring to justice those who lie and steal on the backs of others who work hard to realize the American dream."
Schulte faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the two wire fraud charges; a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the two bank fraud charges; and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than the greater of $250,000, or twice the amount laundered, on the money laundering charge. Restitution is also mandatory.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Man Charged with Possessing with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Richard L. Treis, 46, was charged by a federal complaint today with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to the complaint, on July 15, 2020, an Undercover Agent (UCA) with Department of Homeland Security received a phone call from Richard Treis. Treis was looking to purchase 40 pounds of methamphetamine from the UCA for $120,000.
On July 29, 2020, investigators conducted surveillance on a vehicle in which Treis was the passenger and another individual who was the driver. The UCA met with Treis at the proposed meeting location, in Pacific, Missouri. Treis opened up a black bag and showed the UCA a large amount of United States Currency. The UCA directed Treis to drive to the back of the location where they could exchange the methamphetamine for the money.
The other individual and Treis drove to the agreed location, where the UCA provided Treis with a bag containing 7.1 kilograms of methamphetamine. Treis handed the bag of methamphetamine to the other individual and began walking toward the vehicle that they had arrived in. Investigators converged on the scene and arrested Treis and the other individual.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating these current charges. Assistant United States Attorney Derek Wiseman is handling the case for the Office.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bridgeton Man Indicted for Armed Carjacking that Resulted in the Death of Female VictimRead the Press Release
St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Anthony D. Jones, Jr., 28, of Bridgeton, Missouri, for his role in the May 4, 2019 carjacking and death of victim Jessica Vinson. The indictment charges Jones with carjacking resulting in death, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, and witness tampering.
According to court documents, on May 4, 2019, Ms. Vinson’s body was recovered near the 5300 block of Vernon Avenue in St. Louis City. Investigation revealed that she had been shot. Her car, a 2015 Dodge Charger, was missing and her home in the 4300 block of Maffitt Avenue had been burglarized.
On May 6, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Ms. Vinson’s vehicle, which fled at a high rate of speed and eventually crashed near an exit ramp at I-70 and Grand Avenue. Anthony Jones fled from the driver’s seat of the vehicle and a female fled from the front passenger seat. Police located Jones, who was hiding, and arrested him. Officers also recovered a pistol from the vehicle. The investigation also revealed that Jones sent electronic communications threatening to harm individuals who were aware of his violent conduct related to Ms. Vinson.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating these current charges.
The case was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) Jen Szczucinski as part of the Safer Streets Initiative. The initiative was launched by Attorney General Schmitt and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen in January of 2019 as an unprecedented state and federal partnership to prosecute violent crime in St. Louis. Since April 2019, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office sworn in as SAUSAs have filed over 200 charges.
If convicted, carjacking resulting in death and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death; felon in possession of ammunition and felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000; and witness tampering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine of $250,000 on each count.
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.
St. Charles Man Pleads Guilty and Sentenced to Sixteen Months of Time Served for Threatening U.S. Senator Josh HawleyRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri –United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Jeremy L. Cawthon, 38, of St. Charles, to 16 months of time already served for threatening U.S. Senator Josh Hawley through Facebook communications. Cawthon has been confined in the St. Louis County Jail for the past 16 months after being criminally charged on April 5, 2019.
According to the plea agreement, in March 2019 and April 2019, Cawthon sent numerous threats via Facebook to Senator Hawley’s account which were received in Washington D.C. Federal agents were able to trace the communications to Cawthon’s residence in St. Charles, Missouri.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Internal Revenue Service Wrapped up the 'Dirty Dozen' List of Tax Scams for 2020; IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Attorney's Office Urge Taxpayers to Watch Out for These Tax ScamsRead the Press Release
The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up its annual ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of tax scams with a special emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri urge taxpayers to be vigilant to these tax scams.
This year, the Dirty Dozen focuses on scams that target taxpayers. The criminals behind these bogus schemes view everyone as potentially easy prey.
“Fraud schemes harm everyone, especially those which defraud the IRS and members of our community,” said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “As we stand ready to investigate anyone who would put a taxpayer at risk for a quick profit, we urge everyone to watch out for these tax scams all the time.”
Tax scams tend to rise during tax season or during times of crisis. “This years’ list of tax scams should serve as a stark reminder to everyone to be vigilant to these threats during the current pandemic and its aftermath,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri. “Please safeguard your personal and financial information, and refrain from engaging potential scammers online or on the phone.”
Taxpayers are encouraged to review the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list in a special section on IRS.gov and be on the lookout for these scams throughout the year.
For official information year round, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Possessing Firearms and Possessing with the Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Matthew Orasco, 40, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for the offenses of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm. Orasco appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross.
According to court documents, on August 23, 2019, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Orasco’s St. Louis County residence in connection with an investigation of distribution of controlled substances and unlawful possession of firearms at the residence.
Pursuant to the search warrant, the FBI seized evidence of crimes from the residence, including distribution amounts of cocaine and other controlled substances, nine firearms, high capacity ammunition magazines, and more than 500 rounds of ammunition compatible with the seized firearms. The FBI also seized approximately $45,000 in U.S. currency, three cars, and two motorcycles from the residence. As part of the plea agreement, Orasco agreed to forfeit the money, cars, and motorcycles seized by the FBI, as those items either facilitated Orasco’s illegal activity, constituted proceeds of his illegal activity, or were acquired with such proceeds.
Prior to August 23, 2019, Orasco had been convicted of at least one felony crime and knew he had been so convicted at the time he possessed the firearms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with the assistance of the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Redd handled this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Felon Who Fled from Police Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Leneko Waller, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri was sentenced to 60 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White.
According to the plea agreement, on October 5, 2019, officers with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received a radio call regarding an SUV chasing a white sedan in the area. Officers observed the white sedan driving erratically at Mullanphy and N. 16th. Officers then observed a white SUV chasing the sedan. The SUV pulled into the BP gas station at 2005 N. Florissant. Officers shined a light into the SUV and saw Waller driving the vehicle with no other passengers. The SUV then left the lot at a high rate of speed, made traffic violations, and was observed to be fishtailing. The SUV traveled through multiple stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the road, forcing other vehicles to pull to the side of the road to avoid being struck. Approximately five minutes later, a radio call reported a white SUV had crashed at 10th Street and St. Louis Ave. and the driver had fled to the Days Inn at 2810 N. 9th Street wearing a black t-shirt and beige pants. As officers arrived at the Days Inn, they observed Waller in the parking lot matching the description of the 911 call and as the same person officers saw driving the SUV. Officers arrested Waller for fleeing and determined he was in possession of the key fob for the SUV. Officers located a firearm, a Springfield .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine containing 19 rounds, beneath the driver’s seat in the vehicle. In the backseat of the vehicle was an insurance card and MO driver’s license issued to Waller.
As part of Waller’s plea agreement, he has agreed to pay the City of St. Louis $15,000 in damages he caused to St. Louis City property during his flight from law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
IRS Criminal Investigation and United States Attorney remind taxpayers of the tax filing deadline; urge and to remain vigilant of scamsRead the Press Release
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri remind taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warn against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.
Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.
“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due”, said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”
As the filing deadline is today, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information”, said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.”
In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.
Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to [email protected].
For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Possessing a Stolen Firearm on MetrolinkRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Lautha Anderson, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.
According to court documents, on May 1, 2018, Anderson was a passenger on the Metro train heading eastbound from Lambert Airport. St. Louis County Police Department officers conducted a ticket check on the train. Anderson informed officers he did not have a validated ticket. While acting anxious and nervous, Anderson informed officers that he had something in his pocket. Anderson pulled out a loaded 9mm magazine. Officers then conducted a pat down and located a stolen 9mm Glock semiautomatic pistol in Anderson’s waistband.
Prior to May 1, 2018, Anderson was convicted of at least one felony crime in a court of law punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. At the time he knowingly possessed the firearm, Anderson knew he was a convicted felon.
The St. Louis County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to 76 Months in Prison for Dealing Drugs at the St. Louis Galleria MallRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Emanuel Mays, 29, of St. Louis, to 76 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute one or more controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the plea agreement, on November 5, 2018, an undercover St. Louis County detective conducted a controlled buy of fentanyl from co-defendant Derrick George. Detectives conducting surveillance before the buy saw an Infiniti headed to the location of the buy, the St. Louis Galleria Mall in St. Louis County. Mays, along with co-defendants Derrick George and Larry Calloway, were in the car. Once at the Galleria Mall, George approached the undercover detective's car and gave him thirteen capsules of fentanyl. The detective then provided sixty dollars to George, who was subsequently arrested.
Mays and Calloway unsuccessfully attempted to flee in the Infiniti. Mays got out of the car and fled on foot. When Mays was finally apprehended after he ran into a dead end, detectives found the key fob for the Infiniti on his person, as well as a cell phone. Mays was arrested and the following items were found in the Infiniti:
• a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with one live round in the chamber and fifteen
9mm rounds in the magazine found on the driver's side floorboard;
• .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with one round in the chamber and sixteen
rounds in the magazine found on the front passenger's side floorboard;
• a semi-automatic Zastava rifle loaded with one round in the chamber and four
rounds in the magazine found on the rear passenger floorboard;
• cigars and a plastic bag with marijuana;
• plastic bags with fentanyl and methamphetamine; and
• two face masks.
Co-defendants George and Calloway were sentenced to 16 and 76 months in prison, respectively.
The St. Louis County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
Owner of Auto Warranty Sales Company Indicted for Failure to Pay Personal and Corporate Income TaxesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Gary D. Primm, Jr., 39, of Wentzville, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of willful failure to file return or pay tax and two counts of tax evasion.
According to the Indictment, Primm owned and operated United Auto Defense, LLC located in St. Charles, Missouri which operated as a call center marketing auto warranties. Primm received over a million dollars in income from United for tax years 2014 and 2015, and did not pay any personal income taxes. Primm took steps to evade assessment of his taxes by diverting United funds to a nominee bank account instead of his personal bank account and filing false forms with the IRS. Primm used funds from the nominee bank account to pay personal expenses, including his mortgage payments, jewelry purchases, automobile purchases, and gambling expenses. Primm also failed to file corporate income tax on behalf of United in 2014.
If convicted, Primm faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Restitution is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Leader of a Major Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Drugs Throughout the St. Louis AreaRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – The leader of a large-scale St. Louis based distribution organization has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of heroin, and over 400 grams of fentanyl from March 11, 2018 to March 12, 2019.
Guy R. Goolsby, aka “Ricochet,” “Shay,” Shorty,” 44, of St. Louis, was indicted with 14 others in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 2019 for conspiring to distribute more than 25 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, and three kilograms of fentanyl. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized over $2,036,981 of drug payments and profits, luxury jewelry, and vehicles.
Goolsby’s co-defendants are as follows and awaiting trial:
Grant A. Berry, aka “Kojak,” “Jak,” “50,”
David M. Foston, aka “Max,” “Prez,”
Kennersen L. Gooden, aka Kenneth Dodd,
David M. Martinez, currently a fugitive,
Chivas Holmes, aka “Q Ball,” “Q,”
Jonathan W. Jefferson,
Harold Arceneaux,
Otis B. Dodd, aka O.B. Dodd, “O.B.,”
David Lee Trevino,
Carlos Macias,
Lina Katiuzca Macias, aka Lina Katiuzca Mendez,
Jorge A. Lopez-Duran, and
Shannon L. Holmes
According to the plea agreement, investigators from of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division uncovered a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution organization that was transporting kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl from Mexico, through Texas and Florida, to the St. Louis Metropolitan area. According to court documents, the higher-echelon of the conspiracy, including Goolsby, served federal prison sentences for prior controlled substance violations in the Federal Correction Institution in Florence, Colorado beginning in the late 2000s.
Throughout 2018, Goolsby and his co-conspirators utilized drug couriers and vehicles with concealed compartments to ship multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl to a residence in Spanish Lake, Missouri from Houston, Texas and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Goolsby and his co-conspirators unloaded the drugs at that residence and distributed them throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. The proceeds from the sale of those controlled substances were stored at residences in St. Louis City and County and loaded into the concealed compartments of vehicles for transportation back to Texas and Florida.
On March 17, 2018, DEA special agents and task force officers located and seized $1,304,804.00 in drug payments from Goolsby and the other St. Louis-based distributors in Phelps County, Missouri as a courier was traveling back to Goolsby’s drug suppliers in Texas. On April 20, 2018, the DEA intercepted a courier in possession of 25 kilograms of cocaine destined for Goolsby and the other St. Louis drug distributors. In July 2018, investigators seized three kilograms of fentanyl and $263,000 in drug payments from a courier’s vehicle in Oklahoma. On September 8, 2018, investigators searched the Spanish Lake residence and seized 10 kilograms of heroin.
In October 2018, Goolsby and the other St. Louis based distributors attempted to purchase $385,000 worth of cocaine during a sting operation in a suburb of Houston. DEA investigators intercepted the courier and seized the United States currency belonging to Goolsby and the other St. Louis based distributors. The currency was to be a partial payment for 25 kilograms of cocaine, which the organization intended to distribute.
“Poly-drug organizations like this one, who deal in the triple threat of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, are particularly dangerous to the safety of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan, who oversees the federal agency in Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois. “It’s particularly satisfying when DEA dismantles a trafficking organization with tentacles across the nation and dealing in large quantities of illegal drugs. Investigations of this size can impact many lives and maybe even prevent someone from overdosing.”
Goolsby’s sentencing date is presently set for October 14, 2020. His charges carry a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.
The remaining co-defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This nationwide investigation was conducted with the assistance of the DEA offices in Houston, TX, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Detroit, MI, the United States Marshal’s Service, and local law enforcement partners including the St. Charles County, Missouri Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Bridgeton, Missouri Department Police, the Phelps County, Missouri Sherriff’s Department, and the Cleveland, Texas Police Department.
Bosnian National Sentenced for Providing Material Support to TerroristsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Nihad Rosic, aka Yahya Abuayesha Mudzahid, 32, of Utica, New York, appeared today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry. Rosic was sentenced to 96 months in prison for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists. Rosic was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin his sentence immediately.
According to court documents, Nihad Rosic, Armin Harcevic, Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, Jasminka Ramic and Mediha Medy Salkicevic conspired with others to support the activities of Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others, including a conspiracy to commit outside the United States an act that would constitute the offense of murder or maiming if committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Rosic intended to and did provide support and resources to Pazara, knowing that he and his co-conspirators would use the support and resources in furtherance of their combat against Syrian government forces and others. Rosic’s support consisted of money, which was used by his co-conspirators to purchase supplies such as U.S. military uniforms, rifle scopes, combat boots, tactical gear, clothing, firearms accessories, range finders, and other supplies useful to fighters engaged in combat in Syria and elsewhere.
Co-defendant Sedina Unkic Hodzic is awaiting sentencing; Armin Harcevic was sentenced to 66 months in prison; Ramiz Zijad Hodzic was sentenced to 96 months in prison; Jasminka Ramic was sentenced to 36 months in prison and Mediha Medy Salkicevic was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Drake, Howard Marcus and Kenneth Tihen of the Eastern District of Missouri and Trial Attorneys Dave Smith and Danielle Rosborough of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.
Two Convicted Felons Indicted for Armed Robbery of 7-ElevenRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Monte Kent, 32, of St. Louis, and Harvey Cameron, 29, of St. Louis, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Cameron was also indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on June 21, 2020, Kent and Cameron robbed the 7-Eleven at 5350 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, Missouri. As Kent drove a black Cadillac sedan to the front of the store, Cameron got out of the sedan with an AK-style pistol while clutching a trash bag. Kent remained in the driver’s seat. Once inside the store, Cameron pointed the gun at a 7-Eleven employee and demanded the entire cash register drawer. The employee put the cash drawer in the trash bag. Cameron then left the store and got into the black Cadillac sedan. Kent and Cameron drove away.
Shortly after the robbery, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were advised of the location of a Cadillac sedan matching the description parked on Blair Avenue in St. Louis. The officers exited their police vehicle and announced their presence. But, Kent and Cameron sped off, driving recklessly through the City of St. Louis. When the vehicle finally hit a dead end, Kent and Cameron got out of the sedan and fled on foot. They were subsequently apprehended.
Officers searched the black Cadillac sedan. There was a black trash bag in it with over $90, the 7-Eleven cash register drawer, as well as the AK-style pistol.
If convicted, the charge of robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a minimum sentence of seven years; and felon in possession carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on all charges. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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.
Convicted Felon Charged with Federal Drug and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Gary Dewayne Willard, 48, of St. Louis, MO, was charged by a federal complaint on Tuesday. Willard was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of one or more firearms, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the complaint, Willard was previously the subject of a federal investigation and was indicted on May 2, 2019, along with his co-Defendant Paul Garcia, for conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On March 3, 2020, Willard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in that case, and was allowed to remain on bond, subject to conditions of pretrial release. Willard’s sentencing in that case is currently set for July 9, 2020.
After learning that Willard was involved in the continued distribution of methamphetamine while on pre-trial release, on June 26, 2020, federal law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Willard’s residence.
On June 30, 2020, the officers executed the warrant at Willard’s residence where Willard was present, along with three (3) other individuals. Officers found and seized three (3) firearms, including an H&K 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 12 live cartridges at the foot of Willard’s bed, a Taurus Judge .45 Long Colt/410 revolver loaded with five live cartridges within a large safe located at the foot of Willard’s bed, and an unloaded Davis Industries .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun bearing a defaced serial number, which was located within a small, open safe sitting on top of the larger safe. Officers also located over 500 rounds of miscellaneous ammunition on a shelf in the living room.
Also located within in the larger safe were clear plastic bags containing over 140 grams of suspected methamphetamine, as well as clear plastic bags containing various pills and powders also suspected to be controlled substances. The Officers also recovered a total of $72,003.00 in United States Currency in the bedroom. Throughout the living room and kitchen, Officers recovered materials commonly used in the manufacture and production of methamphetamine.
These current charges are being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Louis County Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.