Eastern District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal IndictmentsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – United States Attorney Jeff Jensen announced today the results of this week’s Federal Grand Jury. An additional five sealed indictments were also returned.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in an indictment returned by the Grand Jury. The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Jennifer Cherry, 42, charged with Conspiracy to Defraud; Access Device Fraud; and Aggravated Identity Theft.
Brian Neal Collins, 42, charged with Knowingly and Intentionally Possess with intent to distribute controlled substances of 500 grams or more of mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine.
Kevin Van Dyke, 38, charged with Access Device Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft; Possession of five or more false Identification Documents and Authentication Features.
Lionerys Rodriguez, 33, charged with Access Device Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft; Possession of five or more false Identification Documents and Authentication Features.
Cloyd Evans, 48, charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Varnell E. Foote, 27, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Luis Garcia-Castaneda, 30, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of Cocaine.
Laverne C. Henderson, 36, charged with Knowingly and Intentionally possess with intent to distribute Cocaine; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; and Knowingly possess one or more Firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Janae Hoekstra, 21, charged with Bank Fraud; Social Security Fraud; Access Device Fraud; and Aggravated Identity Theft.
Craig Manning, 30, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Carjacking; and Brandishing a Firearm in furtherance of a Crime of Violence.
Willie McCranie, 49, charged with Aggravated Identity Theft; Identity Theft; and Access Device Fraud.
Courtney McDonald, 33, charged with Knowingly and Intentionally Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances of 500 grams or more of mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine.
David S. Parent, 45, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Tamika Sandford, 33, charged with Harboring a Fugitive and Making a False Statement.
St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Joey P. Foster, 44, of St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm stemming from his arrest on pending assault charges in St. Louis City on May 28, 2018. He appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White who accepted his plea and set sentencing for May 8, 2019.
According to court documents, on May 28, 2018, JH and LD were sitting in their car in the 3000 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive when a car driven by Foster pulled up and made a U-turn. As Foster attempted to pull into a vacant space, he struck JH and LD’s parked car. As Foster was parking his car to discuss the accident, LD (female passenger) banged her right hand on the rear of Foster’s car. While inspecting the damage, JH, LD and Foster got into an argument. Foster then fled the scene. Foster was apprehended a short time later in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm and admitted he was a convicted felon.
Foster faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing More than 400 Grams of FentanylRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Larry Weeden, Jr., 39, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to possession of one or more firearms as a previously convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl today in United States District Court in St. Louis. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant for an apartment in the 3700 block of Wisconsin in St. Louis City. Weeden appeared before Federal District Judge Ronnie L. White, who accepted his guilty plea and set his sentencing for May 8, 2019.
According to the guilty plea agreement, investigators learned Weeden was distributing fentanyl and storing significant amounts of the drug in the apartment, causing them to seek a state-level search warrant in July of 2018.
During the execution of the warrant, investigators located six (6) loaded semi-automatic pistols, including a Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine and a Springfield XD .45 caliber handgun which was later determined to have been stolen.
Investigators recovered approximately 740 grams of fentanyl in total, including a large compressed brick of fentanyl and baggies of fentanyl packaged in smaller quantities, and approximately 130 grams of methamphetamine in powder and pill form. They also located drug trafficking paraphernalia including a gas mask, cutting agents, and digital scales, as well as a money counting machine and approximately $46,000 in United States currency.
Weeden faces up to ten years imprisonment for the felon in possession charge and up to life imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which also carries a ten-year mandatory minimum term due to the quantity of fentanyl involved.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking and Robbing a 7-11 StoreRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Ahmaad Ali, 24, St. Louis, pleaded guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence and robbery charges. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White and set sentencing for May 8, 2019.
According to the plea agreement, on October 17, 2017, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to 3880 Meramec, after a report of a robbery/carjacking at that location. The victim was located and she said had been in her gold 2002 Pontiac Aztek, traveling east in the 3800 block of Meramec. She stated she stopped at the curb to make a call on her cellular phone. While doing so she heard a knock at her driver’s window. She then looked over and observed a male standing at the driver’s door with a military style weapon brandished at her. She opened the door and attempted to hand over her purse; the suspect refused the purse, and ordered her out of the vehicle.
When she complied, co-defendant Jevante Phillips entered the driver’s seat. She additionally observed the passenger door closing. Ali entered the passenger side of her vehicle.
The vehicle then fled east on Meramec. The stolen vehicle contained her purse, which held personal items, and her driver’s license. Her vehicle additionally contained a GoGo Sport scooter, which was located in the rear of the vehicle.
On October 18, 2017, Ali, along with co-defendants Jevante Phillips and Travion Lindsey, all armed with firearms entered the 7-11 store located on Christy Avenue in South St. Louis. The three arrived at the 7-11 in a Pontiac Aztek that had been stolen one day earlier at gunpoint by Ali and Phillips. They entered the store brandishing their firearms and wearing masks. One walked around the counter and began stealing lottery tickets and money from the cash register. He was armed with a black long barrel pistol grip firearm. A second male jumped over the counter and began removing the cash register. He was armed with a black handgun, containing an extended magazine. The third male stood guard at the door and eventually walked over the counter and assisted in removing currency. He was armed with a black handgun, which he held in his left hand the entire time. After two minutes inside of the store, the three ran out of the store taking liquor bottles, cigarettes, and candy on their way outside. The males then re-entered the Aztec and fled the area northbound, out of sight.
Phillips pled guilty in September 2018 and is scheduled to be sentenced February 13, 2019; Lindsey pled guilty in January 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced April 18, 2019.
Carjacking carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence carries a penalty of not less than seven and not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and robbery carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and assisted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Former FBI Special Agent Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement of Government FundsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Nizam Hasheem Alexander, 39, employed since 2009 as a Special Agent by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (‘FBI”) at its Little Rock, Arkansas Field Office until his resignation on January 28, 2019, pled guilty to a one count Information – embezzlement of Government property. Alexander appeared before Judge Henry Autrey today who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for April 30, 2019.
According to his plea agreement, from September 4, 2016 through June 15, 2017, Defendant was assigned to work at FBI Headquarters and the FBI Field Office in Washington, D.C. Defendant, as an FBI employee, was required to accurately report and certify his regular hours and his Law Enforcement Availability Pay (“LEAP”) hours worked, or excused with authorized leave, on a bi-weekly basis.
Defendant regularly submitted false and fraudulent time and attendance certifications falsely representing that he had worked certain regular and LEAP hours. As a result of these false and fraudulent certifications, the FBI and the United States Department of Justice paid Defendant compensation for the regular and LEAP hours which he certified he had worked. Defendant knew these certifications were false because he knew he had not worked the claimed regular and LEAP hours as represented. Defendant well knew that, in fact, he had been away from his assigned work station, engaged in unauthorized conduct and personal activities not related to his job duties. Defendant submitted these false and fraudulent certifications in order to conceal his unauthorized personal activities, and in order to get paid.
During 2016, Defendant submitted and falsely certified approximately 237.75 regular and LEAP hours. During 2017, Defendant submitted and falsely certified approximately 136 regular and LEAP hours. These false certifications resulted in Defendant receiving compensation for unworked regular and LEAP hours in the amount of approximately $24,629.87 for which he knew he was not entitled. The FBI and the United States Department of Justice paid Defendant the compensation for the unauthorized and unworked overtime by causing the compensation to be deposited electronically into an account in Defendant’s name at Navy Federal Credit Union in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Alexander faces not more than ten years, fine of not more than $250,000. 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 Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General. Special Attorney to the U.S. Acting Attorney General Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Enforcer of a Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Life for Heroin Trafficking and Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Donald Stewart a/k/a “OG,” 55, of St. Louis, was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and two counts of possession of a firearm (with death resulting) in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry.
According to the evidence presented at trial, defendant Donald Stewart a/k/a “OG,” was an enforcer for the Donald White drug trafficking organization. Over several years, White’s drug trafficking organization engaged in acts of violence with a rival drug trafficking organization. Defendant Stewart was recruited as a shooter for the White drug trafficking organization and engaged in several acts of violence for the organization. Additionally, defendant Stewart was a street level heroin dealer for the organization. Defendant Stewart’s residence in the 5100 block of Northland was used as a heroin distribution hub, used to store weapons, and used to plan out various acts of violence including murder committed by Stewart and other members of the organization.
On March 26, 2010, Michael McGill was lured to the 5200 block of Maffitt where he was gunned down by members of the White organization as part of the ongoing drug war. On July 23, 2010, Darrion Williams, Jr. was lured to an alley behind the 5200 block of Maffitt for a purported drug deal where he was gunned down by Stewart and other members.
On April 25, 2013, defendant Terrance Wilson, a/k/a “Mutt,” entered pleas to drug conspiracy and firearms charges. According to the plea agreement defendant Wilson also served as an enforcer for the White drug trafficking organization and participated in both the McGill and Williams murders.
In May of 2018, after a ten-day trial and 62 witnesses, a federal jury returned the three guilty verdicts. The conviction of Donald Stewart and Terrance Wilson along with previous convictions of Donald White and members of his organization has dismantled the drug organization and ended their reign of violence.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Intelligence and Homicide Divisions, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Carjackings and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Joseph Dixon, Jr., 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 108 months in prison for carjacking and possessing a firearm during a federal crime of violence. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.
According to court documents, on July 3, 2017, a citizen of the City of St. Louis exited his 2016 Dodge Charger, which was parked at 2406 13th Street. Dixon armed with a semi-automatic pistol approached the citizen, pointed the pistol at him, and demanded the keys to the car. The citizen complied and Dixon entered the Charger and drove off. When the citizen looked around he saw a KIA Soul also drive off. The Charger was recovered being driven by another individual in the beginning of August.
Subsequent investigation led member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to arrest the defendant in the end of May, 2018 and interview him. He told the officers who drive the KIA Soul to the carjacking and that he used that person’s Glock 23 firearm to steal the Charger.
Dixon pled guilty on October 4, 2018 on the two counts of carjacking and possession a firearm.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
St. Louis Man Admits Stealing Credit Cards at the Plaza Frontenac CinemaRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Alfred L. Ford, Jr., 30, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to three counts - conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Ford appeared before Judge Ronnie White today who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for April 17, 2019.
According to his plea agreement, between May 27, 2017, and continuing until at least January 27, 2018, Ford and others stole and obtained without authorization credit and debit cards of individual patrons at the Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema in St. Louis, Missouri. Ford and his co-conspirators then used the stolen credit and debit cards, without permission of the true account holders, to make purchases at various Walmart stores within the Eastern District of Missouri. The total loss amount from the conspiracy to commit access device fraud is $36,514.57.
Ford faces not more than five years, fine of not more than $250,000 on the conspiracy charge; not more than 10 years, fine of not more than $250,000 on the access device fraud; and two years in addition to the punishment provided for the offenses of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Restitution to any victims of Ford’s conduct is also mandatory.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Festus Man Convicted of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Jerris M. Blanks, 39, of Festus, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for one count of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. Blanks’ trial took place before U.S. District Court E. Richard Webber and set a sentencing hearing for April 16, 2019.
According to testimony at trial, in 2011 a St. Louis County Detective engaged in a peer-to-peer contact with Blanks as part of an undercover operation. Blanks was found to have over 500 pornographic images of minor children on his computer and another 60 such images on a CD. Later in 2015, another investigation found that Blanks’ possessed more pornographic images of minor children.
Possessing child pornography carries up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000 and receiving child pornography carries a minimum of 5 years to 20 years and a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Festus Police Department. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rob Livergood and Kyle Bateman and Investigator Donya Jackson.
Last of Four Michigan Men Sentenced on Federal Charges in Connection with Jared the Galleria of Jewelry RobberyRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Robert Scott was sentenced today to 65 months for his part in the robbery of Jared the Galleria of Jewelry on Monday, December 4, 2017.
According to court records, on December 4, 2017, at approximately 8:21 p.m., Robert Scott and three co-defendants, dressed in clothing intended to disguise their identities, entered the jewelry store, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, in Richmond Heights, Missouri. While a co-defendant held the door, Scott and two other co-defendants armed with hammers, yelled for the store employees to get down. Using the hammers to smash the glass display cases that showcased jewelry, the defendants grabbed loose diamonds and watches. Scott, along with the three others, then fled. However, due to the presence of police officers in the area on an unrelated incident, the four robbers were not able to reach their getaway driver and were quickly apprehended. Grove was arrested at a nearby business behind the Boulevard St. Louis parking garage. The diamonds and watches were recovered from a backpack carried by one of the co-defendants which were valued at approximately $60,000.
Co-defendants Tyran Gray, Darrell Lee and Xavier Grove were all previously sentenced – 42 months; 36 months; and 34 months, respectively.
The case was being investigated by the Richmond Heights Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John Ware handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Felon in Prison Sentenced for Possessing HeroinRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Lywayne Marquis Scott, 35, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
According to court documents, prior to October 20, 1016, members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were informed that Scott was in possession of an AK-47 type firearm while occupying a vacant house on Bacon. After officers executed a search warrant, Scott was present in the house and found on the table was a loaded ROMARM SA/Cugir, WASR-10 semi-automatic firearm (a AK-47 type) and other firearms. He admitted possessing that firearm.
On September 25, 2017, Scott was incarcerated in the Jennings jail for the above conduct. During the guards’ investigation of an inmate using a contraband cell phone in the yard of the facility, a search of Scott’s pants revealed a golf ball size amount of white powder which fell to the ground. The white powder was analyzed and found to be 20 grams of heroin.
Scott pled guilty in August to two counts – one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Former Dojo Pizza Owner Found Guilty on Federal Child Sex ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – After an eleven-day bench trial in May, U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Fleissig returned guilty verdicts on eight counts, involving four victims, relating to child exploitation and child pornography produced and possessed by Loren “Sensei” Copp, former owner of Dojo Pizza located at 4601 Morganford Road.
According to testimony at trial, Copp held himself out to be a trusted member of the community as a youth pastor, community activist, martial arts instructor, and business owner. He used these positions to gain the trust of parents to gain access to their children. For several years defendant Copp groomed and sexually abused two minor females who had been in his custody since 2009. The grooming process began when defendant Copp began touching the victims’ buttocks while playing “the butt game,” which then led to him touching their vaginas and breasts. Eventually, Copp began having sex with both girls, and he would record the sex acts with a cell phone or video recorder. While at the Dojo Pizza property, Copp would have sex with each girl multiple times a week, and while there he took pornographic pictures of one victim’s genitals and breasts. Copp would also watch pornography with one of the victims in his office at the Dojo Pizza property.
During trial, there was also evidence of Facebook chats between two additional minor female victims and a Facebook account utilized by Copp, which purported to be used by a 13 year-old named “Chrissy.” The aforementioned Facebook account depicted a facial image of a minor female for the profile picture, and this same Facebook profile picture of “Chrissy” was found on Copp’s computer, along with multiple pornographic images of the three victims that were sent to the “Chrissy” Facebook account. Additionally, within the Facebook chats between “Chrissy” and the minor victims, there were multiple references to sexual activity and/or sexually explicit conduct occurring between the victims, as well as one particular victim and Copp. Also, there were coercive and deceptive emails sent from a Yahoo email account directed towards one minor victim, which were between Copp’s Gmail account and the Yahoo account. The majority of the these Yahoo emails were sent from the same IP address attached to emails sent/received from Copp’s Gmail account. The subscriber information and backup emails used for the “Chrissy” Facebook account, as well as the Yahoo email account, were linked to Copp.
Copp, 49, St. Louis, MO, was indicted on April 14, 2016 on nine counts, to include production and attempted production of child pornography; possession of child pornography; and the use of interstate facilities to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. Sentencing has been set for April 5, 2019.
“The bravery of the victims who testified at trial was essential to this case,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “Without them and the relentless work of the investigative and trial teams, these verdicts would not have been rendered.”
Three counts of production of child pornography and attempted production of child pornography carry fifteen year mandatory minimum sentences. Two other counts of criminal enticement carry life maxima. Therefore, Copp faces a term of fifteen years to life at sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Winfield, Colleen Lang and Investigator Donya Jackson.
Arnold Man Sentenced to 120 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
St. Louis - Dennis M. Suellentrop, Jr., 38, Arnold, MO, was sentenced today to 120 years in prison for production and possession of child pornography. He appeared today in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Catherine D. Perry.
According to court documents, between August 19, 2016 and January 1, 2017, Suellentrop produced child pornography videos of an infant and possessed other images of child pornography.
Suellentrop pled guilty in September to seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. AUSA Rob Livergood handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Farmington Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking and Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Nakia Phillips, 39, of Farmington, Missouri, was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for sex trafficking crimes. He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie White.
According to court documents, Phillips admitted he forced the girl into prostitution in St. Louis in 2016. He also forced her to perform sex acts on him and filmed them with his cellphone. Farmington police were called when the teen reported the rapes to the staff of a hospital.
Phillips has prior convictions for statutory rape and sodomy in St. Louis County and a 2012 federal conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. He violated his probation in both cases.
Phillips pled guilty in September to three counts of possession of child pornography.
“I commend the victim in this case, who appeared in Court today and showed incredible bravery and dignity as she offered an impact statement during the sentencing hearing. It is impossible to understand what she was put through as a child, by this Defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Farmington Police Department. AUSA Colleen Lang handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Roundup Nets 15 Defendants in a Home Healthcare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Fifteen area residents were indicted yesterday in eight cases alleging health care fraud by “caregivers” and “home health care clients” purportedly receiving home health care. In each of the cases, the workers and patients are alleged to have sought payment for services from the Missouri Medicaid Program for services not actually rendered. In 14 of the 15 cases, the provision of services at the St. Louis area residences of the clients was an impossibility because either the caregiver and/or the home health care clients were travelling abroad during the times the services were purportedly rendered in the Eastern District of Missouri.
Ghufran Abdallah Jaber, 51, is charged with healthcare fraud;
Hend Msallati, 33, is charged with making false statements;
Fatemeh Akbari, 73, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Pegdah Heidari, 27, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Ghufran Jaber, 51, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Haider Albab, 75, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Nouria Habeb, 67, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Hala Alalewi, 38, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Huda Mohammedjamil, 53, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Dena Ahmed, 30, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Tony Iyar, 57, is charged with healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Asal Yousif, 53, is charged with healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Kian Abdollah, 52, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements;
Mohammed Abdollah, 78, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements; and
Dalia Ahmed, 27, is charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud and making false statements.
"Home health care allows loved ones to stay at home while they receive critical assistance," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "When people defraud the program, money is diverted from folks who really need the services."
Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Kansas City Region, state, "Our office will continue to pursue those who submit false claims to our programs and hold them accountable. Unscrupulous behavior like this drives up healthcare costs for everyone."
The charges in the Indictment are only accusations and all the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations; and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.
AUSA Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
University City Man Sentenced for Fatal Fentanyl OverdoseRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Jonathan Jamar Dickerson, a/k/a “Los,” 29, of University City, Missouri, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for distributing fentanyl to another person, resulting in a fatal overdose.
According to court documents, on January 28, 2017, 21-year-old “D.M.” was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom in a family residence in Maryland Heights, MO. She was pronounced deceased. D.M. had been last seen by her sister the previous evening. Next to D.M.’s body on the nightstand was a line of white powder which was neatly prepared. There were empty gelatin capsules located in D.M.’s trash can. The Office of the St. Louis county Medical Examiner determined that D.M. died of fentanyl intoxication.
A search of D.M.’s phone revealed text messages between her and a person named “Los.” The text exchange occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on January 27, 2017. In the text message, D.M. asked “Los” whether she could “get 2?,” to which “Los” responded, “Yea.” D.M. indicated “Okay omw.” At 4:27 pm, D.M. advised “Los” via text, “Here.” Five days after D.M. died, Dickerson continued to send text messages to others advertising fentanyl.
During a search of Dickerson’s apartment, police located numerous items consistent with the distribution of heroin and fentanyl. They also located dozens of gelatin capsules that were identical to the ones located in D.M.’s trash. Police later discovered video footage of the parking lot of the Overland apartment complex at which Dickerson had been living. The video clearly showed Dickerson and D.M. meeting in the parking lot on the afternoon of D.M.’s death.
Dickerson was arrested on February 3, 2017. Laboratory tests on the line of white powder revealed it to be a combination of heroin and fentanyl.
Dickerson pled guilty in August to one felony count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White. In his comments to the Court, Dickerson claimed that he was the victim of an unfair prosecution. “Dickerson is not a victim and thanks to the Maryland Heights police department he will spend a mandatory minimum 20 year sentence in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.
This case was investigated by the Maryland Heights Police Department.
Warren County Doctor Sentenced to 40 Months Imprisonment for Illegallly Distributing Opioids and Medicare FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Dr. Philip Dean, 62, a resident of Warren County, Missouri, was sentenced today to 40 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution to the Medicare and Medicaid programs in the amount of $312,377. Dr. Dean previously pled guilty to two felony charges, illegally distributing opiate medications and making a false statement to the Medicare program, on August 22, 2018. Dr. Dean was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge E. Richard Webber.
According to his plea agreement, Dr. Dean operated a medical office in Warren County, Missouri. Dr. Dean had personal relationships with three women, living with these women for some time periods. While engaging in personal relationships with these women, Dr. Dean also prescribed them with prescription opioid pain relief medications, including Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and several formats of Fentanyl. The two felony charges from Dr. Dean’s plea agreement involve two of these women, referred to by their initials in the plea agreement as R.W. and C.H.
Regarding patient R.W., before his prescribing decisions at issue in this case, Dr. Dean was aware that R.W. had lost her health care provider license after experiencing serious prescription drug abuse problems. Dr. Dean was also aware that R.W. had been involved in motor vehicle accidents and traffic stops by police after driving while intoxicated because of prescription drugs. Nevertheless, during 2015-16, Dr. Dean prescribed R.W. with assorted opioid medications, including a fentanyl medication that was only approved for medical use by cancer patients with break-through pain. R.W. does not have cancer. R.W. repeatedly consumed her thirty day supplies of these prescription drugs before thirty days had elapsed. Recognizing that prescribing R.W. with duplicative and overlapping prescriptions for thirty day supplies of opiates would raise suspicion, Dr. Dean repeatedly prescribed R.W. with additional opiate prescriptions using the name of R.W.’s family member. Medicare funded these prescriptions, not knowing that R.W. was ending up with these medications. Dr. Dean personally picked up and paid a co-payment for one of these hydrocodone prescriptions that he wrote for R.W. using another patient’s name.
Regarding C.H., defendant issued her a prescription for Codeine, an opiate pain medication and controlled substance, on March 31, 2017 after exchanging text messages of a personal nature with her. Dr. Dean did not examine C.H. before issuing the prescription on March 31, 2017. According to medical records seized during the execution of a search warrant at the medical office, C.H. had not visited Dr. Dean’s office since January 24, 2017.
Dr. Dean admitted in his plea agreement that his opioid prescribing decisions exposed these patients to a risk of serious bodily injury, given the potency and side effects of the drugs he was prescribing and the patients’ histories of drug problems.
Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Kansas City Region, stated, “Regarding our agency’s ongoing efforts in combating our nation’s opioid crisis, our office will continue to aggressively pursue those who misuse their positions and recklessly prescribe medication to our beneficiaries.”
“Prescription opioids serve an important purpose when used legitimately for patients suffering from chronic pain and illness. In this particular case, we had a doctor with the power to write prescriptions misrepresenting the truth, supplying narcotics to people with serious addiction issues that he was aware of and bilking all of us who pay taxes while doing it. The Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to pursue these bad actors to bring them to justice. Addiction to opioids is a serious illness and we will not allow doctors to abuse their authority for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Warrenton Police Department, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Two Former Police Officers Admit to Federal Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Mark Taylor, 49, and Marlon Caldwell, 51, admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for un-redacted accident reports while police officers with the City of St. Louis, bringing to an end an investigation that led to charges against four former police officers, a local chiropractor and his wife.
According to court documents, between 2007 and 2016, Dr. Mitchell Davis owned and operated Davis Chiropractic Clinic, now known as City Health and Chiropractic. Located on Lindell Blvd in St. Louis, the clinic primarily provided services to accident victims. Galina Davis assisted Dr. Davis in identifying, soliciting, and scheduling potential accident victims.
According to SLMPD policy, the SLMPD will provide un-redacted accident reports only to persons involved in the accidents, the companies insuring them, or the lawyers representing them. Un-redacted accident reports contain detailed information, including addresses, telephone numbers, birthdates, and insurance information of the occupants of the vehicles. Dr. Davis and Galina Davis knew that the SLMPD would not disclose un-redacted police reports to them. To get around this policy, Galina Davis and Dr. Davis recruited, solicited, and paid individual SLMPD police officers to obtain un-redacted accident reports for them.
Using the information from the un-redacted reports, Galina Davis contacted accident victims, identified herself as Gail, Allison, Kelly, Laura, or Shannon, and offered the accident victims free services at Davis Chiropractic. Dr. Davis and Galina Davis focused on identifying accident victims from neighborhoods where there was a large concentration of low-income victims. They believed that low-income individuals would be more receptive to their solicitations and offers of free services.
Taylor and Caldwell both admitted to facilitating this exchange of cash for reports. Caldwell admitted to identifying other officers to continue the arrangement after his retirement. Caldwell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to accept bribes. Taylor admitted to a substantive count of bribery. They appeared before Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. who accepted their pleas and set sentencing for March 6, 2019.
Caldwell faces up to five years imprisonment while Taylor faces up to ten years imprisonment. Both defendants also face fines or up to $250,000. The parties will recommended sentencing guidelines and terms of imprisonment well below those statutory maxima.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Dorothy McMurtry and Reginald Harris are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
James Clark of Better Family Life of the Eastern District of MissouriRead the Press Release
St. Louis — Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker announced today that 16 awards will be given during the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) National Conference, including one recipient in the Eastern District of Missouri, will receive a Project Safe Neighborhoods Award. These awards recognize individuals and groups for their dedication and contribution to the success of PSN.
In the Eastern District of Missouri, James Clark of Better Family Life will be honored with an award.
"Project Safe Neighborhoods is making our prosecutions more targeted and more effective—and that makes the American people safer," said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. "Today the Department recognizes 16 examples of those who go above and beyond the call of duty in using PSN to reduce violent crime. We had a lot of impressive nominees, but even with tough competition, these 16 stood out. I want to thank each one of them for their service and congratulate them on a job well done."
In the Eastern District of Missouri, the following individual was recognized for the following award:
The Project Safe Neighborhoods Award for Outstanding Community Involvement to the PSN Program has been awarded to James Clark, Vice President of Community Outreach, for Better Family Life, Inc. (BFL), a community development organization whose mission is to promote positive and innovative changes within the St. Louis Metropolitan area through cultural, economic, and educational programs. With the help of staff at BFL, Clark has developed and implemented a Gun Violence De-escalation Program that has successfully thwarted numerous interpersonal feuds between individuals in and around the St. Louis area that, but for Clark’s intervention, would have devolved into violent encounters. Clark’s and BFL’s efforts have helped to save multiple lives. Through collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, Clark has and will continue to meet with and train other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country that seek to establish de-escalation programs in their districts.
Former Washington University Official Admits to Embezzling from Medical SchoolRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Barbara “Basia” Skudrzyk, a/k/a Barbara “Basia” Najarro, 38, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud.
Skudrzyk was employed as the Business Director for the Division of Medical Education at Washington University. According to the plea agreement, beginning in May 2010 and continuing through July 31, 2018, Skudrzyk defrauded Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri of in excess of approximately $300,000 through various means. On many occasions, Skudrzyk hired contractors and other service providers to perform personal services for her benefit, and at her personal residence. She would then create, submit and approve false invoices and false W-9 tax forms for these contractors and other service providers to make it appear as if they had performed work for the Division of Medical Education when they had not. Skudrzyk approved and processed payment to these contractors and other service providers from Washington University’s funds. These service providers included a moving company, a home cleaning service, a divorce law firm, residential painters and construction companies, a jewelry boutique, a babysitter, and various other vendors and contractors. Further, Skudrzyk purchased VISA gift cards at the Washington University bookstore, forging another Washington University employee’s signature on the receipts and charging the purchases to the Division of Medical Education. Skudrzyk then used the VISA gift cards for her own personal use, including for purchases at restaurants, a jewelry store, and a number of other retailers. Additionally, Skudrzyk falsified and changed invoices from two different travel companies for airline flights for herself and her family to such places as Krakow, Poland, Munich, Germany, Bangkok, Thailand, Toronto, Canada, West Palm Beach, Florida, New York City, and Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. Skudrzyk submitted, processed and approved these falsified invoices in order to get Washington University to pay for the personal trips.
Judge Sippel accepted Skudrzyk’s plea and deferred sentencing until March 8, 2019. The maximum penalty for mail fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case is being investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance and cooperation of Washington University. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Home Healthcare Worker Pleads Guilty to Billing Medicaid While on a Cruise ShipRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Demagio Smith, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty to conspiracy to make false statements to Medicaid. In his plea agreement, Smith admitted that he repeatedly submitted false time sheets to Medicaid that suggested that he was working as a home health care aide during 2013-17, and was taking care of two women inside their homes. In reality, Smith was actually working at another job or traveling outside of Missouri on the dates and times indicated in his time sheets. Smith’s out of town trips included travel to California, New Jersey, the Virgin Islands, and a voyage on a Caribbean cruise ship. Sentencing for Mr. Smith is set for March 6, 2019.
Smith’s co-defendant in this case, Nova Paden, also pled guilty and was sentenced in December 2017. In her plea agreement, Paden admitted to working out of her home as a nursing aide at the same time as she was signing Medicaid time sheets indicating that she was receiving home health care in her residence.
Previously convicted in this same investigation were Nova Paden, Regina Brown, James Smith, Benita Bell, and Tammara Bell, who all pled guilty to making false statements to Medicaid or related charges.
"Home health care is a more convenient alternative to skilled nursing facilities and it saves tax dollars because it is less expensive," said Richard Quinn, Special Agent in Charge, FBI St. Louis Division. "People who abuse and cheat the system take money away from those who truly need the services."
Steve Hanson, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations-Kansas City Region, stated, “Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those individuals who seek to defraud our programs and deprive our beneficiaries of the services they so need to ensure a good quality of life.”
Each conspiracy or false statement charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Offices of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Felon Pleads Guilty to Discharging Firearm at PoliceRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Demetrius Richmond, 46, of St. Louis, pled guilty to one count of being a felon in the possession of a firearm. He appeared in federal court on Monday, December 3, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.
According to court documents, on December 22, 2016, two Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were patrolling in an unmarked police vehicle when the officers observed Richmond’s 2006 Lexus. Richmond was the driver. A female passenger was also inside Richmond’s vehicle. As the unmarked police vehicle pulled behind Richmond’s vehicle, Richmond fired two shots from inside his vehicle.
Officers activated their vehicle’s emergency lights. Richmond sped away leading officers on a roughly 17-minute vehicle pursuit. Among other reckless actions, Richmond drove at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Richmond eventually crashed his vehicle, injuring the female passenger. Prior to the crash, Richmond threw his weapon from the vehicle.
Richmond was apprehended. Richmond’s semi-automatic firearm was located and seized by the police. It was loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition.
Richmond faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives.
Northeast Missouri Man Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Russell Eugene Wolf, 42, of Kahoka, Missouri, was sentenced today to 198 months’ imprisonment for Producing Child Pornography. The investigation showed that Wolf hid a camera in a bathroom to record an underage child while the child showered. The camera was disguised to look like a coat hook.
The case was investigated by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Kirksville Police Department and the Ames (Iowa) Police Department. AUSA Rob Livergood handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Five Individuals Arrested in Far-Reaching Drug Conspiracy Cases, Weapons SeizedRead the Press Release
St. Louis – A team lead by the St. Louis Division of the DEA executed arrest warrants this morning in St. Louis and Los Angeles and took five individuals into custody for their involvement in two drug conspiracies which distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.
Christopher Bryant, Jr., 43, of St. Louis, MO, and Kelvis Smith, 51, Chicago, IL, are alleged to have been a part of a heroin and cocaine conspiracy during 2016-2017 and face prison terms of 10 years to life if convicted. Bryant is also accused of money laundering by negotiating by purchasing six cashier checks totaling $50,000 with the proceeds of illegal narcotics. Bryant was arrested this morning in St. Louis. In the course of the arrest, law enforcement seized four firearms, three long rifles and an assault rifle, from Bryant’s residence.
Eric White, 44, of St. Louis, MO; Jackson Uvalle, also known as “Stallion”, 30, of Diamond Bar, CA; Derrick Mitchell, 43, of St. Louis, MO; and Luis Piril, 29, of Los Angeles, CA; are alleged to have been a part of a fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine distribution ring that ran through March 2018. They also face terms of imprisonment of 10 years to life if convicted. White and Mitchell were arrested this morning in St. Louis. Uvalle and Piril were arrested this morning in the Los Angeles area.
The charges in the Indictment are only accusations and all the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
William Callahan, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA St. Louis Division said “the DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts are committed to expanding investigations beyond the Missouri state line and bringing offenders who deal in dangerous drugs in our community back to face justice.”
Inspector in Charge Craig Goldberg, who heads the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service which includes the St. Louis Field Office, stated, “Today’s arrests are a testament to the commitment of the Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners to protect postal employees, customers, and the public at large from those who attempt to use the nation’s mail system to traffic dangerous illegal narcotics.”
“Today’s arrests are a culmination of an extensive joint law enforcement effort to dismantle criminal enterprises that threaten the safety and security of the law-abiding public,” said James Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations-Chicago.
In addition to the DEA St. Louis Division, the case was investigated by the United States Postal States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Kirkwood Police Department, the St. Charles Police Department, the St. Peters Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force. AUSA Beth Orwick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Four St. Louis Police Officers Indicted for Civil Rights Violations and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
Indictment WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in St. Louis indicted four St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) Police Officers for their conduct in connection with the arrest and assault of a fellow SLMPD police officer who was working undercover in downtown St. Louis during last year’s protests following the acquittal of a former SLMPD officer of a first-degree murder charge brought by the State of Missouri relating to the shooting death of a civilian.The indictment charges Officers Dustin Boone, 35, Bailey Colletta, 25, Randy Hays, 31, and Christopher Myers, 27, with various felony charges, including deprivation of constitutional rights, conspiracy to obstruct justice, destruction of evidence, and obstruction of justice.
“Law enforcement officers have an important duty to protect the members of the communities they serve and to enforce the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute matters involving allegations of federal criminal civil rights violations.”
“These are serious charges and the vigorous enforcement of civil rights is essential to maintaining public trust in law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “The SLMPD recognized the importance of this investigation and its leadership has cooperated at every turn. I continue to have great confidence in the brave and honorable men and women of the SLMPD, Chief John Hayden, and Public Safety Director Judge Jimmie Edwards.”
“I wish to commend SLMPD leadership for its cooperation and the support of this investigation. Law enforcement and the public have a common interest in identifying and holding accountable those who dishonor the badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “To that end, I am encouraging people to contact the FBI if you are a witness in this case.”
According to the indictment, in the days and weeks that followed the acquittal, which occurred on Sept. 15, 2017, there were protests throughout the City of St. Louis. In anticipation of protests, SLMPD activated its protest-response unit, the Civil Disobedience Team (CDT), detailing more than 200 SLMPD officers to CDT. SLMPD officers assigned to CDT were tasked with controlling the crowd as needed and arresting those individuals for whom there was probable cause to believe that they had committed crimes. Defendants Boone, Colletta, Hays, and Myers were all assigned to CDT and were working in their capacity as SLMPD officers during the protests. The listed victim in the indictment, L.H., a 22-year veteran SLMPD officer, was also working during the protests, but was doing so in an undercover capacity in order to record and document criminal activity so that other SLMPD officers could lawfully arrest individuals who were committing crimes.
Count One of the indictment charges defendants Boone, Hays, and Myers with willfully violating L.H.’s constitutional rights when they used unreasonable force on L.H., actions that resulted in bodily injury to L.H. and included the use of a dangerous weapon: shod feet and a riot baton. The indictment specifically alleges that Boone, Hays, and Myers threw L.H. to the ground and then kicked and struck L.H. while he was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone.
Count Two also charges defendants Boone, Hays, and Myers with conspiracy to obstruct justice for conspiring and agreeing to engage in misleading conduct toward witnesses to prevent information about their criminal conduct from reaching federal authorities.
Count Three of the indictment also charges defendant Myers with destruction of evidence for knowingly destroying and mutilating L.H’s cellular phone with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation into the arrest and assault of L.H.
Count Four charges defendant Colletta with corruptly attempting to obstruct, influence, and impede federal grand jury proceedings by engaging in a series of misleading assertions and false statements when she testified before the grand jury.
Count One carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Counts Two, Three, and Four each carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison. All four counts carry a maximum fine of $250,000.
An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the St. Louis Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reginald Harris of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold, and Trial Attorney Emily Savner of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Criminal Section.
Wentzville Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating an FBI Agent and Possession of a Document-Making ImplementRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Mark Van Ronzelen, 45, of Wentzville, pled guilty to impersonating a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent and felony possession of a document-making implement or authentication feature. Sentencing has been set for March 5, 2019.
According to court documents, the Wentzville Police Department received a report that Van Ronzelen falsely represented that he was a Federal agent to an off-duty police officer. At the time he encountered the off-duty officer, Van Ronzelen possessed and displayed a fraudulent Federal Bureau of Investigation identification card and what appeared to be a law enforcement badge.
During a search of the defendant’s residence, investigators recovered various fraudulent press and law enforcement credentials, including White House Press Pool credentials. Investigators also recovered a laptop computer which contained images and templates used to make the various credentials.
"If someone knocking on your door identifies him/herself as an FBI special agent, you can easily verify that information," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "Ask to see FBI credentials, which includes a photo, and then call the local FBI field office to confirm."
Van Ronzelen faces a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and a fine of $5,000 on the possession of a fraudulent FBI identification card and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a document-making implement. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Wentzville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Career Robber Sentenced for Robbery of Ice Cream Store in Central West EndRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Rodney Gardner, 52, St. Louis, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for robbing Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber.
According to court documents, on March 6, 2018, Gardner entered the Central West End ice cream shop and posed as a customer before he demanded that employees hand over money from the cash register. Gardner punched one employee multiple times in the face, breaking her nose, grabbed the cash register, and ran from the store. Police officers arrested him after a brief foot chase.
Gardner pled guilty on June 12, 2018 to one felony count of Hobbs Act robbery.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
New Madrid County Man and Farm Indicted on Illegally Applying Dicamba on CropsRead the Press Release
Cape Girardeau – Bobby David Lowrey, 51, of Parma, MO, and Lowrey & Lowrey Inc. were indicted on November 13, 2018 for illegally applying Dicamba to crops.
According to the indictment, Bobby David Lowrey owned and operated Lowrey Farms. In the calendar year 2016, Lowrey Farms, under the management of Bobby David Lowrey, engaged in the cultivation of cotton and soybean crops on approximately 6,700 acres over numerous fields and plots located in the Eastern District of Missouri. The soybean and cotton crops planted on Lowrey Farms in 2016 were genetically modified to be resistant to the pesticide dicamba. Dicamba is a broadleaf herbicide used to kill unwanted weeds. The dicamba-based pesticide product was not approved for post-planting application to cotton crops and had limitations on its soybean application.
On multiple occasions in 2016, under the direction of Bobby David Lowrey, dicamba-based pesticides were applied at Lowrey Farms post-planting to cotton and to non-mature soybean crops prior to the approved preharvest application interval. Multiple farmers with crops growing in the vicinity of soybean and cotton fields or plots cultivated by Lowrey Farms reported damage to their crops in May and June of 2016 consistent with drift from the use of dicamba-based pesticides applied on Lowrey Farms. In response to numerous reports of crop damage in the vicinity of Lowrey Farms, Missouri Department of Agriculture responded to the area in late June 2016. Investigators with MDA requested to meet with Bobby David Lowrey and asked Lowrey Farms to provide current spray application records for cotton and soybean crops.
On several dates in 2016, Bobby David Lowrey made false statements to investigators and provided fraudulent documentation to investigators certifying that dicamba-based products had only been applied during burndown applications. In truth, Bobby David Lowrey knew he had provided altered documents to investigators to hide the fact that dicamba-based products had been used at Lowrey Farms outside of the application guidelines.
If convicted, Bobby David Lowrey faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. The Indictment alleges forty-nine instances of misapplication of a pesticide, a false statement and three acts of obstruction of justice.
“Although weed killers like Dicamba have been around for decades, it is critical that applicators follow manufacturer instructions when applying them,” said EPA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Martinez. “The misuse of this product has resulted in significant crop damage at neighboring farms. Yesterday’s indictment shows that EPA and its law enforcement partners will do what it takes to ensure the safe and legal use of herbicides.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Agricultural. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mississippi County Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Identity Theft, Agrees to ResignRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Cory Hutcheson, 35, of East Prairie, MO, pled guilty to wire fraud and to illegally possessing and transferring the means of identification of others, in this case mobile telephone numbers, without lawful authority, and in connection with the commission of the state felony crime of Forgery. Sentencing has been set for February 28, 2019.
In his plea, Hutcheson admitted from April of 2014 through March 2017, he devised a scheme to obtain hundreds of individual’s location data. The defendant submitted thousands of Securus LBS requests and obtained the location data of individual phone subscribers without valid legal authorization, and, often, without the consent or even knowledge of the targeted individual. The defendant obtained the location data of mobile telephone users, including law enforcement officers, personal associates and friends, as well as a judge, without required legal process or authorization. He would routinely upload false and fraudulent documents to the Securus LBS platform. The location information request was submitted using wire communications transmitted in interstate.
Hutcheson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine of $250,000 on the wire fraud charge and not more than 5 years and a fine of $250,000 on the transfer of identification information charge. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. As part of the plea, Hutcheson agreed to resign as Sheriff not later than November 24, 2018.
“Sheriff Hutcheson simply misused an important law enforcement tool for his own purposes and, as a result, invaded the privacy of hundreds without the appropriate legal process,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and was prosecuted in cooperation with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Gwen Carroll and Lindsey McClure-Hartman are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Enforcer of a Drug Trafficking Organization is Sentenced to 35 years in PrisonRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Terrance Wilson, a/k/a “Mutt,” 30, of St. Louis, was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offense resulting in death.
On April 24, 2018, Terrance Wilson, a/k/a “Mutt,” entered pleas to drug conspiracy and a firearms charges. According to the plea agreement, defendant Wilson also served as an enforcer for the Donald White Drug Trafficking Organization and participated in the murders of Ronald James, Michael McGill, and Darrion Williams, Jr.
According to Wilson’s plea agreement he participated in several murders. On July 28, 2009, Wilson participated in the murder of Ronald James in front of Dismas House. The Donald White Organization enlisted Wilson and another to gun down James as part of an ongoing drug war. On March 26, 2010, Michael McGill was lured to the 5100 block of Maffitt, where he was murdered by members of the White Organization, including Wilson, who acted as a shooter. On July 23, 2010, Darrion Williams, Jr. was lured to an alley behind the 5100 block of Maffitt for a purported drug deal where he was gunned down by members of the White Organization. As part of his plea agreement, Wilson also admitted to his involvement in the murder of Damon Walker on April 30, 2010.
In May 2018, a jury convicted Donald Stewart, Wilson’s codefendant, of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and firearms charges related to the murders of Michael McGill and Darrion Williams, Jr. Stewart’s sentencing is set in January 2019.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Intelligence and Homicide Divisions, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to the U.S. NavyRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Stephen R. Fuller, 46, of St Louis, pleaded guilty to making false statements to the U.S. Navy review board and charged with evaluating his claims for disability and retirement benefits. Fuller admitted to making false statements today by fabricating deployments and exaggerating the length and circumstances of his prior deployments between 2016 and 2017 while stationed in St. Louis as a reservist. He appeared before Judge John A. Ross who accepted his plea and set his sentencing hearing for February 28, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) - Economic Crimes Unit. Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
St. Louis County Man Indicted on Counerfeit SecuritiesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Daniel Halford, 24, of St. Louis County, was indicted on November 15th of conspiring to make, utter, and possess counterfeit securities; three counts of possessing counterfeit securities, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of possessing stolen mail.
The indictment alleges that between August 17, 2018 and October 23, 2018, Halford on multiple occasions produced counterfeit checks for the purpose of passing them at stores in the St. Louis area. The checks were drawn on both non-existent and actual accounts. One of the actual accounts Halford attempted to use belonged to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. Halford had been arrested with counterfeit security making implements several times in rooms at different hotels in the metropolitan area. In the latest of these arrests, occurring at the Hollywood Casino Hotel, Halford was found to be in possession of a firearm having been previously convicted of a felony offense.
If convicted, Halford faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, Maryland Heights Police Department, Breckinridge Hills Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. John Ware is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
St. Louis County Doctor Sentenced for Obstructing FBI InvestigationRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Dr. Vidal Sheen, 58, St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced today to two years’ probation, after previously pleading guilty to obstructing an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) regarding whether he billed the Medicare program and private insurers for “face to face” office visits performed on dates when he was actually traveling outside of Missouri, and sometimes traveling outside of the United States. The Court further imposed a fine of $45,000 and restitution in favor of Medicare and several private insurance companies in the total amount of $142,053, which he has paid in full.
According to his plea agreement, Dr. Sheen operated a medical office in St. Louis County, Missouri. At the medical office, Dr. Sheen created medical records using a template which falsely recited patients’ symptoms and histories, and sometimes recorded vital signs (e.g. pulse rates) that did not change between patients’ visits.
Moreover, from time to time, defendant traveled to various destinations, including Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Florida. For these timeframes when Dr. Sheen was out of town, he created office notes with false entries reflecting that he had seen patients in his office, using his electronic signature. Dr. Sheen's medical records did not discuss the role of the other employees in his office during the out-of-town visits, or his absence from the office on the dates of service.
The United States served Dr. Sheen’s office with a subpoena requesting medical records regarding his office visits in late 2016. In response to the subpoena, on December 1, 2016, Dr. Sheen produced medical records to the FBI in which he had made false entries about face-to-face office visits, in an effort to impede, obstruct, and influence the FBI’s billing investigation.
Dr. Sheen pled guilty to one felony count of obstructing an investigation before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on July 13, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
St. Louis Man Sentnced While on Parole for Two Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – David Thelix McGee was sentenced to 115 months in prison for committing bank robberies.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2017, McGee entered the Great Southern Bank in Ferguson and slid a piece of paper to the teller stating that she should give him some money. McGee wanted large bills and provided a plastic bag for the teller to put the money in. The teller grabbed a large stack of U.S. Currency and asked if that was enough to which McGee responded yes and left the bank.
On May 8, 2017, McGee entered the Bank of America in St. Charles and handed a teller a plastic bag and a note, which read that he needed straps of $100s, $50s and $20s. The teller gave him the U.S. Currency and McGee left the bank. McGee was on supervised release for a bank robbery in Illinois.
McGee, 48, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty on July 27, 2018, to two counts of committing bank robberies. He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Chesterfield Man Sentenced for Identity Theft and FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – William Davidson was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his use of unauthorized access devices. Davidson appeared before Judge Ronnie L. White and is scheduled to have a supervised release revocation hearing before Judge Catherine D. Perry on November 19, 2018 on an unrelated matter. Davidson remains in federal custody pending the hearing.
According to court documents, Davidson obtained employment with a retail establishment in August 2017 while completing a sentence with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He maintained that employment upon his release from the Bureau of Prisons to the supervision of the United States Probation Office in August 2017.
During a review of store surveillance tapes in December 2017, fraud investigators realized that Davidson was fraudulently obtaining store gift cards by pretending to conduct merchandise returns for non-existent customers. He used a fictitious employee number as well as the employee number of a co-worker in order to initiate the fraudulent returns. The majority of the returns were obtained between August 16th and September 28th, 2017.
Davidson admitted that he used the fraudulent obtained gift cards to purchase items for friends and family members in the St. Louis Metropolitan area and in other states. The total intended loss is approximately $6,500.
Davidson, 63, of Chesterfield, pleaded guilty on August 2, 2018 to one count of access device fraud.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the City of Des Peres Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
St. Louis Man Sentenced for Stealing Guns out of St. Louis County Police CarsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Joshua John Pollard was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possessing stolen firearms and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,643.65 to the St. Louis County Police Department.
According to court documents, on January 12, 2018, Pollard broke the windows of a St. Louis County Police vehicle and forcefully stole a Colt AR-15, fully loaded with a 20-round magazine and a Remington 870 pump action shotgun loaded with four rounds.
On January 29, 2018, Pollard broke a window of a second St. Louis County Police vehicle and forcefully stole a Rock River, AR-15 and a Remington 870 pump action shotgun.
On January 30, 2018, Pollard broke the window of a vehicle and stole a 40-caliber Glock model G23 generation 4 semi-automatic firearm. Investigation by members of the St. Louis County Police Department led to the arrest of Pollard on February 1st who admitted breaking into the two police vehicles and another vehicle in St. Charles.
Pollard, 20, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2018, to three counts of stolen firearms. He appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Government Funds, Identity FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Omar Jaber, 31, of St. John, Missouri was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment to be followed by three years supervised release and $197,213 in restitution to the IRS. Jaber admitted to stealing government funds while a tax preparer for Rapid Tax Service in St. Louis during 2015 and 2016. Jaber pleaded guilty on May 7, 2018 and appeared for sentencing in St. Louis today before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry.
In his plea, Jaber admitted to stealing the personal identification of forty-two different individuals, filing false tax returns in their names and converting some or all of their purported tax refunds to his own use.
At sentencing, the government pointed out that while the U.S. Treasury is the ultimate victim of Jaber’s malfeasance, many of the individual victims depending on refunds due to the Earned Income Tax Credit. The delay in their receipt of tax refunds was a significant economic hardship to taxpayers who depend on the EITC to supplement their wages.
“Today’s sentence highlights the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct,” said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field Office. “Today, Mr. Jaber is being held accountable for his criminal activity.”
“Vigorous prosecution and substantial sentences in cases of tax fraud, especially those involving tax preparers, is essential to our nation’s voluntary tax compliance system,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.
This case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigation Bureau. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Arkansas Man Admits to Identity Theft and FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Ricky McDonald, 36, of West Fort, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to access device fraud today in U.S. District Court. McDonald appeared before Judge John A. Ross who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for February 12, 2019. McDonald remains in federal custody pending sentencing.
In his plea, McDonald admitted to possessing personal identifiers for more than 700 individuals and more than 70 counterfeit bank card, credit cards and personal checks with his co-defendant, Brittany Cook. Cook pleaded guilty to the same charge in September and awaits sentencing in December.
McDonald and Cook were stopped by the St. Louis County Police on July 18, 2018 for a traffic violation and a search of their car revealed a large cache of personal identification information, including victims’ home addresses and social security numbers, as well as counterfeit cards and other equipment used for economic crimes such as check stock, a printer and books and records containing detailed lists of others’ identifiers.
McDonald faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both at sentencing. Restitution to any victims of Defendant’s conduct is also mandatory.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Announcement on November 2018 ElectionsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – United States Attorney Jeff Jensen announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Hal Goldsmith will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election. AUSA Goldsmith has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Missouri, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Jeff Jensen said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Jeff Jensen stated that AUSA Hal Goldsmith will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (314) 539-7733.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (314) 231-4325 or (314) 589-2563.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.
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Illinois Motor Vehicle Employee Known as "the Plate Plan" Sentenced for Vehicle Registration Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Melvin Harmon was sentenced to 33 months incarceration and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,359.92 for conspiracy to defraud the United States and mail fraud by assisting Missouri residents in registering their cars in Illinois.
According to evidence at trial, between January 1, 2015 and December 20, 2016, Melvin Harmon was employed at a Granite City, Illinois office registering vehicles for the State of Illinois Secretary of State. He used his employment to assist Missouri residents in obtaining fraudulent motor vehicle registrations for others in exchange for a fee. Some of the Missouri residents learned of his services when they saw flyers advertising Harmon as “The Plate Man.”
In March 2016, investigators with the Illinois Secretary of State discovered that Harmon had been charging Missouri residents $350.00 to $700.00 in order to fraudulently register their cars in Illinois. Doing so enabled the Missouri residents to evade payment of Missouri taxes. In addition, Harmon altered the price of the vehicles in order to reduce any payments that would be paid to the State of Illinois as a result of the fraudulent registration. The alteration increased the amount he profited through the scheme. The State of Missouri lost in excess of $119,359.92 in sales tax revenue due to the fraudulent conduct. The precise loss of personal property tax income to the State of Missouri and local municipalities has not been determined.
Harmon, 40, Belleville, IL, was found guilty on May 18, 2108 after a federal jury returned five guilty verdicts. He appeared before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey.
The case was investigated by the Missouri Department of Revenue-Compliance and Investigation Bureau and the State of Illinois Secretary of State Police. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Berry and Dianna Collins.
Four Alleged Members of the Aryan Circle Gang Charged with Aggravated Assault in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
Four alleged members or associates of the Aryan Circle (AC) have been indicted and three arrested for their alleged roles in a Nov. 9, 2013 aggravated assault in Jefferson County, Missouri.
The indictments were announced by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen of the Eastern District of Missouri.
Thomas B. Wilson, 43, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; Daniel B. Jerome, 31, of Wentzville, Missouri; Thomas Tisher, 34, of St Louis, Missouri; and Dustin M. Haney, 28, of Hermann, Missouri are charged in an indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on Oct. 31, and unsealed today, with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. Daniel B. Jerome remains at large.
“These four defendants are alleged to have brutally assaulted their victim in order to establish or maintain their own status in the Aryan Circle gang,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “Gangs like the Aryan Circle threaten the safety and security of all Americans, and the Criminal Division will target and aggressively prosecute any individual who commits acts of violence on behalf of a gang.”
According to the indictment, the AC is a powerful race-based, multi-state organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the United States, and particularly in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The AC was established in the mid-1980s within the Texas prison system (TDCJ). Recently, the AC’s structure and influence expanded to rural and suburban areas throughout Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana. The AC emerged as an independent organization during a period of turmoil within the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT). The AC was relatively small in comparison to other prison-based gangs, but grew in stature and influence within TDCJ in the 1990s, largely through violent conflict with other gangs, white and non-white alike.
The indictment further alleges that the AC enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Members, and often, associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; New Jersey Department of Corrections-Special Investigations Division; Arnold (MO) Police Department; Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Department; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; St. Louis County (MO) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Precinct 1 Constable’s Office; Louisiana State Police; Indiana State Police; Indiana Department of Corrections; Carrollton (TX) Police Department; Waller (TX) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office and the Tarrant County (TX) Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Angie Danis of the Eastern District of Missouri, in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Louisiana and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Texas.
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Four Alleged Members of the Aryan Circle Gang Charged with Aggravated Assault in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
Four alleged members or associates of the Aryan Circle (AC) have been indicted and three arrested for their alleged roles in a Nov. 9, 2013 aggravated assault in Jefferson County, Missouri.
The indictments were announced by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen of the Eastern District of Missouri.
Thomas B. Wilson, 43, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; Daniel B. Jerome, 31, of Wentzville, Missouri; Thomas Tisher, 34, of St Louis, Missouri; and Dustin M. Haney, 28, of Hermann, Missouri are charged in an indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on Oct. 31, and unsealed today, with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. Daniel B. Jerome remains at large.
“These four defendants are alleged to have brutally assaulted their victim in order to establish or maintain their own status in the Aryan Circle gang,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “Gangs like the Aryan Circle threaten the safety and security of all Americans, and the Criminal Division will target and aggressively prosecute any individual who commits acts of violence on behalf of a gang.”
According to the indictment, the AC is a powerful race-based, multi-state organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the United States, and particularly in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The AC was established in the mid-1980s within the Texas prison system (TDCJ). Recently, the AC’s structure and influence expanded to rural and suburban areas throughout Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana. The AC emerged as an independent organization during a period of turmoil within the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT). The AC was relatively small in comparison to other prison-based gangs, but grew in stature and influence within TDCJ in the 1990s, largely through violent conflict with other gangs, white and non-white alike.
The indictment further alleges that the AC enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Members, and often, associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; New Jersey Department of Corrections-Special Investigations Division; Arnold (MO) Police Department; Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Department; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; St. Louis County (MO) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Precinct 1 Constable’s Office; Louisiana State Police; Indiana State Police; Indiana Department of Corrections; Carrollton (TX) Police Department; Waller (TX) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office and the Tarrant County (TX) Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Angie Danis of the Eastern District of Missouri, in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Louisiana and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Texas.
Federal Charges Filed in Carjacking DeathRead the Press Release
St. Louis - Curtis Alford, 20, of St. Louis, MO, and Jana Stowers, 18, of St. Clair, IL, have been indicted in connection with the June 16th carjacking that resulted in the death of Michael Arnold. The case was filed in the Eastern District of Missouri on October 10, 2018 and the defendants made their initial appearance in federal court yesterday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has sought their pre-trial detention. These charges follow assault, robbery and armed criminal action charges filed by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney.
Arnold was struck by a stolen Ford F-150 pickup truck and died from his injuries several days later. The federal indictment alleges Alford and Stowers took the truck by force, intimidation and violence and that their actions resulted in Mr. Arnold’s death.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Police Department and the St. Louis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s office has brought these charges as part of a joint investigation of this matter with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office as part of the office’s violent crime initiative.
Controller sentenced to Prison for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Jennifer Saake was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment for her wire fraud conviction related to a scheme to defraud her ex-employer of approximately $1.4 million. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,323,671.05.
According to court documents, between April 2010 and November 2017, Saake fraudulently diverted $1.4 million of company funds to her own bank accounts. As part of her scheme to defraud, Saake marked the transactions as “confidential” in the banking software so as to prevent others in the company from seeing them. Saake also created false journal entries and made false payable and bank reconciliation adjustments in the accounting records. Saake then used the proceeds from her scheme to defraud for her personal gain, including to improve her residence, to pay for her children’s education expenses, to make vehicle lease payments, and to pay for living expenses. In addition, Saake used some of her criminal proceeds to purchase equity interests in Company investments that paid out more than $160,000 in dividends and distributions.
“Today’s sentencing is a reminder that financial crimes are not victimless crimes,” said Trevor Fenwick, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service St. Louis Field Office. “The defendant victimized her employer for her own personal gain. The Secret Service will continue to investigate and pursue prosecution of those who engage in financial fraud.”
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Former Utility Official Admits to False StatementRead the Press Release
St. Louis - Dale Johansen, 63, of Rocky Mount, Missouri, pleaded guilty today to making a false statement during the course of an investigation of the Rogue Creek water and sewer system.
Johansen admitted in his plea agreement that Rogue Creek is a vacation community in Potosi, Missouri. Johansen’s company, Johansen Consulting Services, LLC, became the receiver for the water and sewer provider and was responsible for overseeing the drinking and wastewater utilities beginning in 2012. Since 1994, drinking water in Rogue Creek had been treated for lead after high levels of lead were detected in the water supply. A treatment system was first used and later replaced with a lead reduction system under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Johansen’s duties at Rogue Creek included the operation of the drinking water facilities and sampling and testing of the drinking water for lead. A routine inspection of Rogue Creek drinking water in March 2016 revealed that the lead reduction system was not operational. A subsequent investigation revealed that the Rogue Creek drinking water had not been treated for lead for approximately six months. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources imposed a DO NOT DRINK order for the Rogue Creek system which was not lifted until May 2017.
Johansen admitted making a false statement to investigators in March 2016 that the lead reduction system had only been offline for six to eight weeks when in truth it had been offline for nearly six months.
The maximum penalty for making a false statement is five years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Johansen appeared before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig, who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date of January 29, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“The defendant’s actions exposed the residents of the Rogue Creek community to elevated levels of lead in their drinking water,” said EPA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Martinez. ” This case shows that EPA and our law enforcement partners are committed to taking action to protect the public from lead exposure.”
St. Louis Physician Sustains Second Conviction for Health CareRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Dr. Devon Golding, 72, of St. Louis County, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for participating in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and four substantive counts of health care fraud. Dr. Golding’s trial took place before Judge Audrey G. Fleissig, who ordered a presentence report and set a sentencing hearing for January 29, 2019.
The jury found that Dr. Golding and other doctors solicited and received illegal kickbacks from Allegiance Medical Services, a clinical laboratory, in return for referring and sending blood and urine specimens to Allegiance for testing. Allegiance then billed Medicare and Medicaid for the testing of the specimens and gave Dr. Golding and other doctors kickbacks, derived from the payments received from Medicare and Medicaid. Golding knew that Medicare and Medicaid would not pay for any service provided in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
In 2015, Dr. Golding was convicted of health care fraud and false statements in connection with another scheme in which he improperly billed Medicare and Medicaid for non-rendered physician services and also signed blank prescription pads on which he permitted a non-qualified nurse to write prescriptions for controlled substances.
The misconduct involved in the present trial predated Golding’s 2015 conviction. Dr. Golding is excluded from participation in Medicare and Medicaid as a result of his 2015 conviction.
This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of by the Health and Human Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Dorothy McMurtry and Gil Sison handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Kansas City Physician Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Reselling and Prescribing of Hormones and SteroidsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – John C. Verstraete, 55 of Kansas City, KS, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment today in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri for health care fraud and illegal prescription of drugs. Dr. Verstraede appeared before Judge Gary A. Fenner who accepted his plea to health care fraud and distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of legitimate medical practice in April.
Verstraete admitted to prescribing Human Growth Hormone (HGH) to a number of patients who, having received reimbursement for the prescription through their health care plans, resold the hormones back to Verstrade for cash. This re-sold HGH provided Verstreade’s medical practice with an inventory of HGH which he then resold to other patients for unauthorized purposes.
Verstraete also admitted to obtaining approximately 25,000 units of illegal, anabolic steroids from foreign countries and dispensing them to patients with no medical need for them. This receipt and prescription practice occurred totally outside the FDA and DEA regulatory oversight process.
Verstraete maintained medical offices at 3215 Main Street in Kansas City.
In response to today’s sentencing, William Callahan, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis Division said, “No one, especially a medical professional who takes an oath to practice medicine, is above the law. Those who try to deceive the system and willingly do harm to others by prescribing unnecessary medications will be brought to justice.”
“Health care professionals who illegally distribute prescription drugs and controlled substances may put their patients’ health at risk,” said Charles L. Grinstead, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice criminals who jeopardize the public’s health.”
This case has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
St. Louis Chiropractor Sentenced and Fined for Health Care Fraud and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
Mitchell Davis, DC, 50, a St. Louis chiropractor, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and fined $350,000 for his role in a scheme to illegally obtain confidential information from St. Louis Police Department reports with which he would solicit clients to his practice. David appeared in federal court before Chief Judge Rodney Sippel on Wednesday.
David admitted to a scheme whereby he and his wife solicited unreduced police reports in exchange for cash payments from St. Louis Police Officers who had access to the unredacted reports. The reports contained the names and personal information of individuals involved in automobile accidents in St. Louis. Davis also admitted to, once contacting and signing up patients, making false and exaggerated claims for reimbursement from health care benefit plans. As part of his sentence, Davis was ordered to pay more than $696,000 in restitution which included overpayments from insurance plans for unnecessary and unauthorized services.
Davis was the first person to be sentenced in relation to this scheme. His wife, Galina Davis and two former St. Louis Police officers, Cauncenet Brown and Terri Owens have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Two other former St. Louis Police Officers have pleaded not guilty and await trial.
The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office recognizes the cooperation and assistance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Ring Leader and Last of 52 Defendants Sentenced to 360 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Israel Angeles-Moctezuma, a/k/a “Amigo,” 41, of Stockton, CA, was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. Moctezuma appeared before Judge Catherine D. Perry in United States District Court today.
This investigation resulted in the seizure of nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine, most of which was nearly 100% pure. The Drug Enforcement Administration seized at least 18 firearms and over $300,000 in cash, all of which has been forfeited to the United States. In April 2016, 56 pounds of methamphetamine was recovered – the largest single seizure of methamphetamine in the history of the Eastern District of Missouri. Moctezuma directed a vast network of co-conspirators, whom he recruited to transport methamphetamine to St. Louis, where it was distributed through a second network of people acting at his direction. Moctezuma admitted to being response for hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, as well as hundreds of kilograms of marijuana and heroin, all of which was smuggled into the United States from Mexico by his network.
Each of the 52 defendants indicted as a result of this investigation entered guilty pleas, including Moctezuma.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – St. Louis Field Division, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Continued Increase in Federal Regional Violent Crime ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers. Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime. At least 85% of federal sentences must be served; there is no parole in the federal system. None. Sentences are served in prisons far from St. Louis. Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in September as a result of the hard work of police and agents:
Charles T. Currie, 30, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Adam Francisco, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Derrick Franklin, 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Shawn Gordon, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Earl Murray, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.
Myron Coffee, 26, Creve Coeur, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one felony count of possession of felon in possession of a firearm.
Stanford Morris, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl and cocaine base (crack).
Quincy Nelson, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Jametric A. Steele, 48, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Akenele Williams, 32, University City, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Melvin Willis, 47, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of one or more firearms; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base; and possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Antonio Ball, Jr., 20, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of carjacking and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Jermaine Clay, 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Damon Douglas, 30, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
William Jones, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Clyde Lockett, 46, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Malachiah Williams, 22, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of carjacking and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Carman Ford, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Manuel Francisco, 47, Edgar Springs, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of illegal alien in possession of a firearm; unlawful to receive a firearm not registered; and fraud and misuse of Visas/Permits.
Reginald Holmes, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of one or more firearms.
Calvin Johnson, 60, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Harold Lee, 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Herbert Palmer, 57, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Lavon Washington, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Wilton Fortson, 61, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Myron Gunter, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Wendell Corey Jones, 58, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Arvell Keithley, 21, Woodson Terrace, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Marqus Parker, 19, Ferguson, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Braylon Roberts, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Charles Lamar Roby, 30, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possessed one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Angelina Jones, 36, Florissant, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Calvin Monger, Jr., 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Earnest Harris, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Tyrone Davis, 46, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Darion Johnson, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Lorenzo Luna-Espinoza, 22, Midland, TX, pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by illegal immigrant.
Glenn Reynolds, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Marquise Q. Dukes, 28, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Dirrell Taylor, 26, Wentzville, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jamel Green, 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Deandre Johnson, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Glenn Reynolds, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert Goss, 23, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Darian Clark, 25, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Terry Stubblefield, 47, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Daylin L. Crafton, 30, Florissant, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Terry Parker, 34, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Savon Durphey, 24, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Rafael Foster, 32, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
William C. Howard, 26, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
David Staples, 49, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Vergil Thomas, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Roland Garner, 33, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Charles G. Ivy, 46, Sullivan, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Jeremiah Hart, 22, St. Peters, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Armon Harris, 39, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
Ernis Basic, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of one or more drug trafficking crimes.
Michael Brown, 21, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Ameche W. Baldwin, 32, Olivette, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Bryian T. Fips, 37, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Terrence Akins, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Darkel D. Martin, 32, East St. Louis, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Cortez Cooper, 38, St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Andre Legardy, 25, St. Louis, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for stealing a firearm which is moving in interstate commerce.
Devoshia Gray, 20, St. Louis, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Marlon Adams, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Charles D. Smith, 29, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Deandre Thompson, 46, St. Louis, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Terran Eggleston, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Michael Guest, 61, St. Louis, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Markquis Bryant, 29, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Acotra Weaver, 28, St. Louis, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Andre Adams, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Maurice Cooper, 38, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Deon D. Story, Jr., 38, St. Louis, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Justin I. Morrow, 20, St. Louis, was sentenced to 144 months in prison for robbery and discharging a firearm during the commission of a federal crime.
Darrius T. Shannon, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Christopher Wilson, 29, Omaha, NE, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Darryl E. Allen, 50, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Tito Santiago, 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.
Kevin Nailor, 24, St. Louis, was sentenced to 108 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm.
Trevon Sykes, 26, St. Louis, was sentenced to 180 months for felon in possession of one or more firearms.