Western District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
KC Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for taking pornographic photos and video of a 7-year-old victim.
Dennis Lamont Everette, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Everette to a lifetime of supervised release following incarceration.
On Jan. 4, 2019, Everette pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. He admitted that he used his cell phone to take pornographic images of a 7-year-old victim.
According to court documents, the investigation began when the mother of the child victim notified law enforcement that pornographic images of her daughter were found on Everette’s cell phone. An older daughter had borrowed Everette’s phone and found at least 10 photographs and a video of her sister, the child victim, on the phone.
The child victim told investigators that Everette told her to take off her clothes and instructed her on how to pose for the photos and video. He rewarded her with gum. The child victim also indicated on an anatomical drawing several places in which Everette had touched her either on top of her clothes, or under her clothes.
A witness told investigators that Everette bought snacks and drinks for kids in his neighborhood and played games with the kids.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."KC Man Sentenced for Stolen Vehicle ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to steal high-end sport utility vehicles and pick-ups from out-of-state dealerships and transport them to Kansas City for sale on the black market.
Timothy Hood, 38, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Hood to pay $212,998 in restitution.
On March 22, 2019, Hood pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles across state lines and one count of aiding and abetting the transportation of stolen vehicles across state lines. Hood admitted that he participated in a conspiracy from Dec. 1, 2015, to Feb. 2, 2016, to steal at least 10 high-end sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks from three out-of-state auto dealerships and deliver them to Kansas City.
Hood and co-conspirators organized small groups to steal 10 vehicles, worth approximately $710,933, from three dealerships in Nebraska and Iowa. Co-conspirator Joshua Walker, 43, of Kansas City, Missouri, affixed fraudulent vehicle identification numbers (VINs) onto the dashboard of the stolen vehicles. Many of the fraudulent VINs used during the conspiracy were true VINs from other vehicles owned by car dealerships and were utilized so that the stolen vehicles would be difficult to trace and could be sold on the black market.
All of the stolen vehicles have been recovered by law enforcement officers and sold as salvage. Two of the stolen vehicles were recovered at the residence of Hood’s girlfriend. On Sept. 22, 2016, Hood was pulled over for a traffic infraction while he was driving one of the stolen vehicles with a fraudulent VIN. Investigators searched Hood’s laptop, which was in the vehicle. The computer contained scanned images of templates for temporary Kansas license plates, insurance cards, notary stamps, bills of sale, release of liens, and bar code labels of VINs. The search of the computer also revealed searches of legitimate VINs that were fraudulently used or affixed to other stolen vehicles in this case.
Walker pleaded guilty in a separate, but related, case to his role in the conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Warrensburg Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Warrensburg, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Stacy A. Lyman, 40, of Warrensburg, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 17 years and one month in federal prison without parole. Lyman was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
On June 8, 2018, Lyman pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lyman admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine that lasted approximately from August 2014 to March 2016.
Co-defendant Davita Ann Kelly, 39, of Warrensburg, was sentenced on Oct. 9, 2018, to 18 years and nine months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Matthew Waylon Newman, 34, of Warrensburg, was sentenced on May 31, 2018, to 17 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.
According to court documents, Lyman was Kelly’s source for methamphetamine. Kelly then distributed methamphetamine to others, including an undercover law enforcement officer. Lyman distributed approximately 373 grams of methamphetamine between Dec. 7, 2015, and Jan. 19, 2016.
The investigation began after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kelly’s residence and seized methamphetamine, hydromorphone pills, marijuana, heroin and drug paraphernalia. Warrensburg police officers also executed a search warrant at a storage facility rented by Kelly and seized several firearms from the unit, including a .38-caliber revolver, a 9mm pistol and two .22-caliber rifles.
On April 29, 2016, officers executed a search warrant at Lyman’s residence and seized an H. Koon, Inc., .410-gauge shotgun and 21.61 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a can in his bedroom. Officers also seized $7,000 that was found inside the pocket of a coat in Lyman’s Pontiac G6.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Lyman has been previously convicted of six felony drug offenses and two misdemeanor drug-related offenses in four separate cases. He also has a prior felony conviction for burglary and a misdemeanor conviction for disorderly conduct. Each time he was on supervision for a felony offense, his probation/parole was revoked as a result, in part, of the commission of a new felony offense. In each instance, he had multiple supervision violations (and, in all but one case, multiple conduct violations while in custody).
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Johnson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Warrensburg, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Former Lake City Ammunition Plant employee sentenced for fraud schemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Buckner, Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court today for a more than $160,000 embezzlement scheme while employed at the Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo.
Brooke Brooks, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 18 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Brooks to pay $163,493 in restitution.
On Jan. 18, 2019, Brooks pleaded guilty to stealing government property.
Lake City is a U.S. Army facility previously operated by Orbital Alliance Tech System, a defense system contractor. Brooks was employed by a company called Fastenal, a subcontractor for Orbital Alliance Tech System engaged in daily operations of the Lake City plant. Brooks was responsible for ordering materials and equipment for the plant.
Brooks admitted that, in her role with Fastenal, she over-ordered equipment – such as power washers, electric drills, and electric saws – paid for by Orbital Alliance Tech System. Brooks re-sold the excess equipment on Craigslist, Ebay, and to other employees working at Lake City. Brooks advertised these items to employees working at the Lake City plant by claiming that it was part of a Fastenal tool sale, where on occasion, the company ordered an excess of certain items and was selling them at discounted prices to reduce inventory. Because the items cost Brooks nothing, and were being sold at prices well under retail, she had no difficulty selling the items.
Brooks engaged in a variety of fraudulent practices to alter invoices for plant equipment, such as changing the description of products, deleting invoices, combining part numbers, and over-ordering. The federal government paid the amount reflected on the doctored invoice, but Brooks only delivered the actual quantity ordered by Orbital Alliance Tech System, thus leaving her with a surplus that she sold on the side.
Brooks fraud scheme resulted in a loss of $163,493. Her scheme was discovered when the plant’s security manager received a complaint from another Lake City employee that he hadn’t received the equipment he ordered from Brooks. The security manager then began an investigation and contacted the FBI.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by the FBI.
U.S. Attorney's Office Seeks Death Penalty for Two Men Charged in Witness-Tampering Murder, Drug-trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri has filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against two men previously charged in two area murders.
Shawn Burkhalter, also known as “Deuce,” 30, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Joshua Nesbitt, also known as “T,” 25, of Crowder, Mississippi, were indicted last year for the murders of Anthony Dwayne Johnson and Danny Lamont Dean. On Tuesday, July 30, the government filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Burkhalter and Nesbitt.
The notice of intent states that the government believes a sentence of death is justified for Johnson’s murder in furtherance of an evidence-tampering conspiracy, for Johnson’s murder as a potential witness, and for Johnson’s murder in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The notice also states that the government believes a sentence of death is justified for Dean’s murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Each of those four counts of the indictment carry a possible sentence of death.
Murder of Anthony Dwayne Johnson
The federal indictment alleges that Burkhalter and Nesbitt shot and killed Johnson on Oct. 4, 2015, using a Rock River Arms AR-15 5.56-caliber semi-automatic rifle.
Burkhalter and Nesbitt are charged together in one count of murdering a potential witness. The indictment alleges that Johnson’s murder occurred in order to prevent his testimony and to prevent him from communicating with law enforcement.
Burkhalter and Nesbitt also are charged together with participating in a witness- and evidence-tampering conspiracy that resulted in Johnson’s murder. Their objective, the indictment says, was to kill or at least intimidate and threaten Johnson to prevent his testimony and to prevent him from communicating with law enforcement. They also allegedly threatened to kill another person, identified as “Witness #1,” to cause that person to help conceal the AR-15 rifle used to murder Johnson and Dean, so that it could not be used as evidence.
Burkhalter and Nesbitt also are charged together with using a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Johnson’s murder occurred during a robbery of marijuana from an apartment.
Murder of Danny Lamont Dean
The indictment alleges that Burkhalter and Nesbitt shot and killed Dean on Sept. 10, 2015, while robbing him of cocaine. They allegedly used the same AR-15 rifle. Burkhalter and Nesbitt are charged together in one count of using a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime.
Superseding Indictment
Burkhalter and Nesbitt were originally charged in a Feb. 21, 2018, federal indictment. A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, returned a superseding indictment on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, that contains two additional charges against Burkhalter and Nesbitt. The superseding indictment also charges an additional defendant.
The superseding indictment charges Burkhalter and Nesbitt with evidence tampering (related to the conspiracy) and charges Burkhalter with witness tampering. Burkhalter, while in pretrial detention after his arrest, allegedly threatened a person identified as “Witness #2” by using another detainee to pass a message to Witness #2, who was being held at a different detention facility.
Anthony Peltier, also known as “A-1,” 37, of Lawrence, Kansas, is also charged in the superseding indictment, along with the original co-defendants – Sharika Hooker, 30, and Autry Hines, also known as “Bud,” 28, both of Kansas City, Mo.; Nickayla Jones, also known as “Red,” 24, of Blue Springs, Mo.; and Rachel Ryce, 31, of Raytown, Mo. Co-defendant Joslyn Lee, also known as “Bless,” 27, of Blue Springs, has already pleaded guilty and therefore is not charged in the superseding indictment.
The superseding indictment retains the original charges against several co-defendants. Jones, Hines, and Ryce are charged with participating with Burkhalter and Nesbitt in the witness and evidence-tampering conspiracy that resulted in Johnson’s murder. Jones, Hines, Ryce, Hooker, and Peltier are charged together with being accessories after the fact of Johnson’s murder. The indictment alleges they assisted Burkhalter and Nesbitt by, among other things, taking steps to hide or destroy evidence pertaining to the murder of Johnson.
Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy
Six of the seven defendants – Burkhalter, Nesbitt, Jones, Hines, Ryce and Peltier – are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana from 2008 to Feb. 20, 2018.
In addition to the conspiracy, Burkhalter and Nesbitt are charged together with one count of possessing cocaine (which they allegedly stole from Dean) with the intent to distribute on Sept. 10, 2015.
Burkhalter and Nesbitt also are charged together with one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, related to the discharge of the AR-15 rifle in furtherance of the drug-traffficking conspiracy and the possession of cocaine to distribute.
Burkhalter, Nesbitt, Jones, Hines and Ryce also are charged together with possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute on Oct. 4, 2015. The indictment alleges that they intended to sell a quantity of the marijuana they robbed from Johnson on that date. They are also charged together in one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Armed Robbery
Burkhalter and Nesbitt are charged together in one count with robbing a Kansas City, Mo., business on Sept. 8, 2015, and in one count with brandishing a firearm (the same AR-15 rifle) in furtherance of a crime of violence. Burkhalter and Nesbitt are also charged together in one count of being felons in possession of a firearm.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Raskin and Adam Caine. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Raytown Man Sentenced to 19 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Raytown, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for drug trafficking.
Dusty A. McSparran, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 19 years and six months in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 6, 2017, McSparran pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Independence, Mo., police officers saw McSparran driving a stolen GMC Acadia at a high rate of speed on Sept. 28, 2016. The officers activated their emergency lights and pursued the vehicle, which did not pull over but continued at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour throughout the city. Officers pursued the vehicle to a parking lot near U.S. 24 Highway and Bennington Avenue in Independence. McSparran jumped out of the driver’s seat and began running. Officers pursued McSparran on foot, deploying their Taser in order to stop McSparran and place him under arrest.
After arresting McSparran, officers found a small black bag in his front pocket that contained 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Officers found a digital scale and a piece of paper that contained 2.5 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Officers also found a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol between the driver’s seat and the center console of the vehicle.
On June 26, 2017, a confidential law enforcement source made a controlled purchase of approximately seven grams of methamphetamine from McSparran, who was under court supervision, at his residence. Officers executed a search warrant at McSparran’s residence and found a loaded Jimenez Arms 9mm handgun with a defaced and obliterated serial number, a Hi-Point 9mm rifle, and various rounds of ammunition. According to court documents, the firearms were stolen during a home invasion.
Following McSparran’s detention and preliminary hearings at the Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse on July 5, 2017, he was taken back to one of the holding cells. He immediately approached another detainee, and began physically assaulting him by striking and beating him. McSparran was removed from the cell and relocated to another cell. While in custody on this case, McSparran was found in possession of a metal shank, engaged in multiple fights, and assaulted a corrections officer.
McSparran has 45 prior convictions, including 11 felony convictions involving property damage, conspiracy to defraud the United States, driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, domestic assault, and possessing controlled substances.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Potosi Man Sentenced to 19 Years for Enticing a Minor for Illegal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Potosi, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for enticing a child victim in Lawrence County, Mo., to engage in illegal sexual activity.
Kevin Michael Nosser, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 19 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Nosser to a lifetime of supervised release following incarceration.
Nosser, who pleaded guilty on March 7, 2019, admitted that he communicated online with a 12-year-old victim in Lawrence County, and made arrangements to pick her up and bring her to his residence in Potosi to engage in sexual activity.
When the child victim was reported as missing by her mother, the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol began searching for her. The family discovered multiple video calls between the victim and Nosser on her Google Play account, and FBI agents linked a phone number on the victim’s cell phone to Nosser. State troopers then located Nosser and the child victim in Potosi.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Two Former Vernon County Ambulance District Employees Sentenced for $270,000 EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The former director and the former bookkeeper of the Vernon County Ambulance District have been sentenced in federal court for embezzling more than $270,000 from the district.
Tina L. Werner, 53, and James D. McKenzie, 54, both of Nevada, Mo., were sentenced on Friday, July 26, by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. Werner was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. McKenzie was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Werner and McKenzie to pay $260,000 in restitution to the ambulance district, for which they are jointly and severally liable.
In January 2019, Werner pleaded guilty to wire fraud and McKenzie pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. McKenzie and Werner embezzled a total of $270,902 from the ambulance district from January 2013 to October 2015.
Although Werner pleaded guilty to only one count of wire fraud as a part of her plea agreement, according to court records, she committed numerous fraudulent transactions over a period of nearly three years. McKenzie willingly turned a blind eye to and concealed the actions of Werner, his employee with whom he was engaged in an adulterous relationship. The ambulance district suffered substantially as a result, to the point of having a lien filed against it for $213,158 for unpaid payroll taxes and taking out two substantial loans after the discovery of the fraud just to maintain its daily caretaking operations and pay outstanding debts.
McKenzie and Werner were employed with the ambulance district until October 2015, McKenzie as the director and Werner as a bookkeeper. McKenzie’s duties as director included managing the daily operations of the district, including the personnel and financial management of the district. McKenzie began his employment with the ambulance district in 1987. Werner’s duties as bookkeeper included managing payroll, conducting financial transactions and managing the accounts receivable. Werner began her employment in 2000.
Werner, utilizing her position as bookkeeper, began electronically transferring money from the ambulance district’s bank accounts into personal bank accounts held by herself and McKenzie in January 2013. Additionally, Werner initiated electronic bill payments from ambulance district bank accounts to pay the personal credit cards held by herself and McKenzie. Werner and McKenzie did not have authorization to conduct such payments and their actions caused the ambulance district to suffer financial loss.
Additionally, from January 2013 until October 2015, Werner and McKenzie issued payments from an ambulance district credit card account for the purpose of paying McKenzie’s personal utility bills and those of a McKenzie family member, resulting in the ambulance district suffering additional financial loss. Werner and McKenzie did not have authorization to conduct such payments.
Werner also falsified electronic payroll records and recorded additional overtime hours worked for herself and McKenzie. As a result, the ambulance district issued electronic payments to Werner and McKenzie for overtime hours that were not actually worked, resulting in the district falsely overpaying Werner and McKenzie, thereby suffering additional financial loss.
The ambulance district office provided opportunities for its employees to save money for the Christmas shopping season and to donate money for an annual toy drive. In addition to stealing money from the district’s operating account and utilizing district credit cards for personal benefit, Werner also embezzled over $95,000 from the employee Christmas account and over $111,000 from the charity toy drive account.
Werner attempted to conceal the embezzlement by entering a false deposit of $130,000 in a QuickBooks application, and by obtaining a $20,000 line of credit from OnDeck without the knowledge or authorization of the ambulance district’s board of directors. McKenzie and Werner destroyed financial and business documents belonging to the ambulance district while they were in the district’s office on Oct. 23, 2015, in an effort to conceal their embezzlement.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven M. Mohlhenrich and Casey Clark. It was investigated by the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Milan Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Milan, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for transporting a 12-year-old victim across state lines for criminal sexual activity.
Eh Tah Ger, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 14 years and two months in federal prison without parole.
On Jan. 23, 2019, Ger pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Ger admitted that he picked up a 12-year-old girl in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 7, 2018. Ger lived with the child victim in his vehicle and at a residence in Milan until Jan. 20, 2018, when he was arrested. During that time, Ger admitted, he engaged in sexual intercourse with the child victim multiple times.
According to court documents, the child victim’s parents in Omaha reported her missing on Jan. 9, 2018. The parents told police their daughter had left their home the previous morning and had not yet returned. The mother also said her daughter had gone missing twice over the last month, and in both instances had been found with Ger. Ten days later the child victim was recovered after law enforcement agencies in Nebraska and Missouri pinpointed her location at an address in Milan.
Ger told officers that the child victim had been his “girlfriend” for five or six months, but that age was not an issue in his country. (Ger is a refugee whose family fled from Myanmar when he was 11 years old and arrived in the United States in 2011. According to court documents, Myanmar appears to criminally penalize sexual intercourse with a female under 14 years of age.) Ger said he would not allow her to leave the residence without him, or talk to the other adult males there because it made him jealous. Ger would feed her, and she would not eat unless fed by him. Ger’s cell phone contained video recordings of sexual acts between them, which were filmed the day before his arrest.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Sullivan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Omaha, Neb., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Former Independence Tax Preparer Sentenced for Preparing 1,000 False ReturnsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Killeen, Texas, woman who formerly operated a tax preparation service in Independence, Missouri, was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy that prepared more than 1,000 false tax returns that resulted in nearly $700,000 in fraudulent refunds.
Monique Hernandez, 52, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to four years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Hernandez to pay $129,748 in restitution.
Hernandez owned a tax preparation service, Complete Tax Service located in Independence, from 2013 to 2016. Hernandez and her daughter, co-defendant Robyne Warburton, 33, of Los Angeles, California, operated the business. Hernandez continued to prepare tax returns for the business when she moved to Texas in 2015.
On Feb. 21, 2019, Hernandez and Warburton each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to aid and assist in the filing of false tax returns. A sentencing hearing for Warburton will be on Aug. 30, 2019.
Hernandez and Warburton combined to cause a financial loss to the government of $692,000, conservatively estimated, from the 1,014 false tax returns associated with Complete Tax Service. However, interviews with tax clients specific to Hernandez alone confirmed a $129,748 loss.
Hernandez and Warburton filed false claims for inflated or false deductions or employee business expenses for their clients (such as commuter mileage, personal vehicle expenses, meals eaten during work, and charitable deductions). Hernandez and Warburton also encouraged clients to claim false “gross receipts or sales” on “Profit or Loss from Business” forms, in order to maximize the earned income tax credit. They also encouraged clients to claim non-eligible children as dependents.
After an undercover IRS agent confirmed the fraudulent nature of the tax preparation business, federal agents executed a search warrant at the office of Complete Tax Service on April 7, 2014. After the IRS executed a search warrant at their business, Hernandez and Warburton kept committing tax crimes for almost two more years, until January 2016, when the IRS revoked their tax preparation number.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Six KCMO Employees Indicted for $58,000 Overtime Pay FraudRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Six employees of the Kansas City, Missouri, public works department have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a nearly three-year, $58,000 overtime fraud conspiracy.
Prentis M. Rayford, 36, Eric McKamey, 47, Paul Myers, 61, Edward Lee Ellingburg, 47, Kenneth Gethers, 33, and Julio Prospero, 49, all of Kansas City, Missouri, were charged in a 13-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on June 26, 2019. That indictment was unsealed and made public today following the arrests of the defendants.
All of the defendants, who have an initial court appearance at 3:30 p.m. today, were employees of the city of Kansas City, Mo., in the Public Works Sign Division. The federal indictment alleges they participated in a conspiracy from January 2013 to Nov. 30, 2016, to receive more than $58,000 in overtime pay as a result of material false and fraudulent representations.
Among their responsibilities, these city employees replaced and repaired traffic signs that were missing or damaged. Certain signs, like stop signs, yield signs, one-way signs, and do not enter signs, are considered essential signs. The public can report a problem with an essential sign by calling the traffic operations dispatch or the 311 Action Center. When those reports are made after hours or on weekends, the city’s Public Works Sign Division calls in employees who are willing to work overtime. When an employee is called back after regular working hours or on the weekend, a minimum overtime of four hours is earned, regardless of how long it takes to resolve the issue. Overtime pay is time-and-a-half of the employee’s usual pay.
The federal indictment alleges that conspirators called in damaged signs after hours, called in signs that were not damaged, and had friends and relatives call in reportedly damaged signs, all in order to generate callouts for themselves and other employees. Conspirators allegedly submitted timesheets and work orders for callouts stating that they went to the location of the damaged sign and fixed it, when in fact they did not. They also allegedly submitted timesheets and work orders for callouts when signs were actually damaged, but were not fixed until the following normal work day. Ellingburg, Prospero, McKamey, and Rayford allegedly acquired a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone application, which disguised their phone number when they called the 311 Action Center.
According to the indictment, a supervisor at the Public Works Sign Division suspected in the summer of 2016 that employees were fraudulently creating and claiming overtime for callouts which were unnecessary or even false. Management arranged to be contacted when calls regarding downed signs were made to the 311 Action Center or traffic operations dispatch. Employees or their relatives often made the calls regarding downed signs themselves, the indictment says. Managers would go to the scene, usually before the employee, and photograph the sign. Often all the signs were up. Occasionally, a sign was down but was not repaired until the following workday. Managers tracked the GPS on work trucks, the indictment says, and often found that the trucks did not go to the location of the supposedly downed sign. Sometimes GPS indicated the trucks went to the location but either did not stop or did not stop long enough to repair a sign.
The internal investigation lasted from Aug. 23, 2016, to Nov. 13, 2016. During that time, approximately 75 percent of all callouts were found to be fraudulent. The city then reported its findings to the FBI for further investigation.
In addition to the conspiracy, the defendants are charged in a dozen counts of wire fraud related to auto-deposited paychecks that included fraudulent overtime payments. Rayford, McKamey, and Gethers are each charged in three counts of wire fraud. Myer, Ellingburg, and Prospero are each charged in one count of wire fraud. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government approximately $58,000 received in connection with the alleged offenses.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Marshfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing $115,000 in Federal WagesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Marshfield, Missouri woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing more than $115,000 from the federal government by claiming wages for work she never performed.
Kathleen Miner, 64, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to an information that charges her with theft of government property.
Miner worked as a contractor for the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), an office within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is responsible for leading the United States’ response to natural and man-made disasters overseas. The OFDA deploys Disaster Assistance Response Teams to coordinate an on-ground response to assist with disasters and disaster relief efforts in foreign countries.
Macfadden is a company that provides staff contractors, such as Miner, for the OFDA. Miner was hired by Macfadden as a contractor employee on Oct. 26, 2006. She was deployed outside the United States on a Disaster Assistance Response Team until February 2017. After returning to the United States, Miner continued claiming that she was working from home on matters specifically related to OFDA tasks. Due to Miner’s false timesheets, she received money from USAID in the form of wages that would not have been otherwise provided, resulting in Miner stealing approximately $115,647.
By pleading guilty today, Miner admitted she submitted timesheets that claimed 1,533 hours and was paid $115,647 from March 1, 2017, to Jan. 31, 2018, for work that she never performed.
Under federal statutes, Miner is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
KC, Grandview Men Sentenced for Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a three-months-long conspiracy that included at least 27 armed robberies, culminating in the armed robbery of a Walgreens in Blue Springs, Mo., in which a suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers.
Demetrius E. Nelson, 26, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, July 10, to eight years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Parrise K. Black, also known as “Kilo,” 27, of Grandview, Missouri, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 9, to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
On May 30, 2018, Nelson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, four counts of robbery, and four counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On May 21, 2018, Black pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, three counts of robbery, and three counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Seven co-conspirators robbed 27 businesses in Blue Springs, Independence, North Kansas City, Raytown, Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan., at gunpoint from Jan. 2 to March 24, 2016. In addition to the armed robberies charged in the indictment, evidence was introduced during Thomas’s trial of other, uncharged robberies that were committed in furtherance of the conspiracy. Victim businesses included convenience stores, pharmacies, and other businesses.
The robberies followed a similar pattern: Two or three conspirators entered the business armed with handguns, wearing gloves, hoodies, and/or masks. The hoodies were drawn tightly over their faces to obscure their features. The employees were forced at gunpoint to hand over money from the cash register and the safe. The thieves wore the same hoodies in nearly all the robberies; Thomas wore a blue Kansas City Royals hoodie for the majority of the robberies he committed.
The spree of robberies culminated on March 24, 2016. Co-defendants Shannon R. Thomas, 28, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Deonte J. Collins-Abbott, 24, of Grandview, Missouri, along with Jermon Seals of Shawnee, Kansas, robbed the Walgreens at 7 Highway and Duncan in Blue Springs. Thomas placed a Springfield Armory .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol to the back of an employee’s head and took money from the front register. Collins-Abbott and Seals went over the pharmacy counter and took prescription grade cough syrup at gunpoint from the pharmacist. They left the business but were confronted by law enforcement officers as they were walking back to the vehicle. They failed to comply with the officers’ commands; Seals turned towards the officers, pointing a gun in their direction. Officers returned fire and Seals was fatally struck in the exchange. Thomas and Collins-Abbott were apprehended by officers after a short foot chase.
Thomas was found guilty at trial on May 9, 2019, of participating in the conspiracy as well as participating in 10 armed robberies. He was also found guilty of 10 counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Thomas faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 70 years in federal prison without parole and awaits sentencing.
Collins-Abbott pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Collins-Abbott admitted that he committed eight armed robberies between Feb. 3, 2016, and March 24, 2016.
Co-defendants Kevin T. Thompson-Randell, 23, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Frank A. Garner, Jr., 25, of Grandview, have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Caine and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the North Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mexican National Sentenced After Repeatedly Illegally Re-entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national has been sentenced in federal court after repeatedly illegally entering the United States.
Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Vazquez, 42, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Tuesday, July 10, to four years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 5, 2019, Rodriguez-Vazquez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported for an aggravated felony, his second violation of this statute.
According to court documents, Rodriguez-Vazquez has illegally entered the United States on five different occasions. Rodriguez-Vazquez illegally entered the United States in 1991, then again in 2000. Rodriguez-Vazquez was convicted of possessing marijuana with the intent to sell on Feb. 4, 2003, and was deported.
On April 16, 2004, Rodriguez-Vazquez had his probation revoked because he again illegally re-entered the United States for the third time. On April 4, 2005, Rodriguez-Vazquez was convicted in the U.S. District Court of Kansas of illegally re-entering the United States after having been deported for an aggravated felony. He was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and later deported.
Rodriguez-Vazquez illegally re-entered the United States the fourth time on April 8, 2011. Rodriguez-Vazquez was arrested and subsequently convicted in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas on Sept. 21, 2011, of illegally re-entering the United States. He was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and was deported on Aug. 14, 2014.
Rodriguez-Vazquez claims to have last entered the United States without inspection sometime in June 2018. He was arrested by Riverside, Missouri, police officers for loitering on Sept. 16, 2018.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV, It was investigated by the Riverside, Mo., Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Four KCMO Residents Plead Guilty to Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Four Kansas City, Missouri, residents have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a series of armed robberies.
Brion L. McDonald, 30, and Felicia D. Green, 42, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough. McDonald pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. Green pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit robbery and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Co-defendant Clyde H. Jackson, Jr., 30, pleaded guilty yesterday to seven counts of robbery, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Co-defendant Thomas E. Davis, 42, pleaded guilty on July 1, 2019, to five counts of robbery and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The defendants each admitted they were part of a group of individuals committing armed robberies in the Kansas City, Missouri, metropolitan area.
Jackson, Davis, and Green were involved in the armed robberies of Family Dollar, 5242 Blue Ridge Blvd. in Kansas City, on Jan. 12, 2018; Dollar General Store, 8716 Blue Ridge Blvd. in Kansas City, on Jan. 20, 2018; Family Dollar, 9120 E. 35th Street South in Independence, Missouri, on Jan. 22, 2018; and Family Dollar, 3017 Prospect Ave. in Kansas City, on Jan. 26, 2018 (Davis discharged a firearm during this robbery).
Jackson and McDonald each admitted he was involved in the armed robbery of Pizza Hut, 7624 Wornall Road in Kansas City, on March 19, 2018.
Davis was also involved in the armed robbery of Dollar General Store, 9101 E. 63rd St. in Raytown, Missouri, on Oct. 25, 2017. Davis brandished a knife during that robbery.
Jackson admitted he also was involved in an attempted robbery of the Pizza Hut at 7624 Wornall Road on March 20, 2018, and of Dollar General, 5008 N.E. Parvin Road in Kansas City, on March 20, 2018. Jackson also admitted that he was in possession of a Glock .45-caliber pistol and various rounds of ammunition on March 23, 2018. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Jackson has prior felony convictions for larceny and robbery.
Under the terms of their plea agreements, Jackson and Davis are each subject to a sentence of at least 20 years in federal prison without parole, up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Sentencing hearings for Jackson and Davis will be on Nov. 7, 2019. Sentencing hearings for Green and McDonald will be on Nov. 25, 2019.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Morgan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, and the Raytown, Mo., Police Department.
Former Arkansas State Senator Pleads Guilty to BriberyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former Arkansas state senator pleaded guilty in federal court today to accepting multiple bribes in connection with a multi-district investigation spanning the Western District of Missouri and Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas.
Jeremy Hutchinson, 45, of Little Rock, Arkansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. Hutchinson, who was previously a state senator and representative, resigned in August 2018 after he was indicted in the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Hutchinson pleaded guilty today to his role in a multi-million-dollar public corruption scheme that involved embezzlement, bribes and illegal campaign contributions for elected public officials. Hutchinson admitted that he was hired by then-Chief Operating Officer Bontiea Goss as outside counsel for Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc.), and in exchange for payments and legal work, Hutchinson performed official acts on behalf of the Springfield, Missouri-based healthcare charity, including holding up agency budgets and drafting and voting on legislation. Goss, a former executive at the charity, is charged in the same superseding indictment to which Hutchinson pleaded guilty.
According to today’s plea agreement, the charity paid Hutchinson a monthly retainer from May 2014 until 2017. In total, Hutchinson was paid more than $350,000 in charity funds. Hutchinson also received hotel rooms and Major League Baseball tickets paid for by the charity, and the use of the charity’s luxury and recreational real estate.
Hutchinson further admitted as part of his plea that: he understood that he was paid by Alternative Opportunities, Inc., and Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., primarily because of his position as an elected public official; that he worked to further the interests of the non-profit while in the Arkansas State Legislature; that Goss, along with Milton Russell Cranford (also known as “Rusty”) and Robin Raveendran, both of whom served as executives for the charity and have also pleaded guilty for their role in the bribery scheme, directed Hutchinson to move the charity’s political agenda forward in the Arkansas Senate; and that Hutchinson performed some legal work for the charity to conceal his corrupt arrangement with the charity’s executives.
Under federal statutes, Hutchinson is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole and a fine of up to $250,000. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Hutchinson previously pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019, to bribery and tax fraud as part of a multi-district plea agreement. Hutchinson pleaded guilty to an information filed in the Western District of Arkansas, charging him with conspiracy to commit federal program bribery as part of a separate scheme involving an unidentified individual who owned and operated orthodontic clinics throughout the state of Arkansas, for whom Hutchinson had taken official action in exchange for bribes. He also pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return that was part of a 12-count federal indictment in the Eastern District of Arkansas, charging him with devising a wire and tax fraud scheme in which Hutchinson stole and misappropriated thousands of dollars in state campaign contributions for his own personal use, and then filed false federal income tax returns to conceal his conduct.
The multi-district investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich of the Western District of Missouri; Trial Attorneys Marco A. Palmieri and Sean F. Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Wulff and Aaron Jennen of the Western District of Arkansas; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Mazzanti and Patrick Harris from the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Colorado Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Enticing a Minor for Illicit SexRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Colorado man was sentenced in federal court today for traveling to Kansas City, Mo., to meet an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a mother with her 7-year-old daughter, for illicit sexual activity.
Ryan Edward Mausner, 43, of Basalt, Colo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 14 years in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 13, 2019, Mausner pleaded guilty to the online enticement of a minor. Mausner admitted that from Jan. 31 to May 25, 2018, he induced, enticed, and coerced a child victim to engage in criminal sexual activity. Mausner was actually communicating (via the Kik messaging application and texts) with an undercover FBI agent, who portrayed a single mother with a 7-year-old daughter.
Mausner admitted that he engaged the undercover agent in numerous private chat sessions, over several months, in which he said he wanted to engage in sexual activity with the mother and daughter. These discussions entailed descriptions of the 7-year-old girl and an insistence, on Mausner’s part, that the mother and 7-year-old would call him “Sir.” Mausner described, in explicit detail, the sorts of sexual activity that he intended to perform on the 7-year-old when they met.
Mausner began communicating plans to either travel to Kansas City, Mo., or arrange for the travel of the mother and her daughter to come to Colorado. Mausner traveled by plane from Denver, Colo., to Kansas City, Mo., on May 25, 2018, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with the child victim. Mausner was arrested when he arrived at the Kansas City International Airport.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Woman Who Hid Heroin to Appear Pregnant Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A woman who hid heroin around her waist and pretended to be pregnant pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug trafficking.
Perla E. Murillo, 18, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.
Law enforcement officers were conducting interdiction activities at a local bus station on Nov. 27, 2018. Murillo got off a bus traveling from Denver, Colorado, to New York. Detectives contacted Murillo, who appeared very nervous and looked down at her belly when detectives explained they were looking for illegal narcotics. Upon closer inspection, her belly appeared to be somewhat lumpy or out of shape.
Murillo agreed to be searched and unzipped her maroon jacket. Detectives observed a pink maternity shirt with abnormal lumps and could see what appeared to be pillow stuffing between her pink maternity shirt and a sweatshirt. At that point, Murillo’s eyes began to well up with tears. Detectives looked into the gap between the pink maternity shirt and the sweatshirt and observed two bundles wrapped in grey and red duct tape behind some stuffing. Detectives immediately recognized the bundles to be a common method of transporting large amounts of narcotics.
After Murillo was detained, she removed three bundles that were wrapped to her body with a gauze-type material. The bundles contained a total of approximately 1.9 kilograms (more than four pounds) of heroin. Murillo also told investigators she had been paid $1,000 to transport four similarly-sized bundles of heroin to New York earlier that month.
Under federal statutes, Murillo is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashleigh A. Ragner and Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missouri Western Interdiction Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN).
Former Postal Carrier Sentenced for Stealing Mail, Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former postal carrier was sentenced in federal court today for stealing mail from dozens of residents and for possessing methamphetamine to distribute.
Brandy Manning, 40, of Liberty, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Manning to pay $3,993 in restitution.
Manning, who was employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service from June 9, 2007, to June 5, 2017, pleaded guilty on Jan. 17, 2019, to one count of mail theft by a postal employee and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Manning admitted that she stole driver’s licenses mailed to customers on her route, as well as credit cards, debit cards, rebate cards, checks, and other mail matter. Manning also admitted that she used the stolen identifications, credit and debit cards, and checks to unlawfully purchase items and to create counterfeit checks.
Brandy Manning was arrested by Kansas City, Mo., police officers on Feb. 21, 2017. She was in possession of dozens of items she stole from the U.S. Postal mail in her position as a U.S. Postal mail carrier. Police recovered from her personal truck: 14 driver’s licenses issued to different people; 15 credit/debit cards issued to different people; 15 gift cards; 12 personal or business checks issued to/from different people; a counterfeit check bearing information matching a stolen check and driver’s license; four receipts related to fraudulent uses of stolen cards; a Missouri Bar card belonging to another person; a health insurance card issued to another person; a physician certificate belonging to another person; a vehicle registration renewal receipt for another person; and unopened mail – in all, items in 45 other people’s names and addresses. Manning also possessed an oxycodone tablet for which she did not have a prescription.
When interviewed after this arrest, Manning admitted to police that she used methamphetamine, cocaine, opiates, “just about everything.” Manning did not return to work at the U.S. Postal Service after her arrest. She was separated from employment on June 5, 2017.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General sent questionnaires to all the identifiable victims and everyone on Manning’s postal route. The agencies received a total of 54 victim impact responses.
Manning was again arrested on May 3, 2017, by a Cass County sheriff’s deputy after Manning left the scene of an accident in which she rear-ended a stopped vehicle. Deputies searched her truck and found a loaded Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun, a second loaded firearm magazine, a box of 100 rounds of .40-caliber ammunition, .56 grams of cocaine; 1.83 grams of marijuana, 26.229 grams of pure methamphetamine, 414 Alprazolam pills, drug paraphernalia, $1,593, three cell phones; three debit cards issued to other people, and unopened mail addressed to another person.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Two KC Men Indicted for $1 Million Conspiracy to Steal 1,400 Cell Phones in Dozens of BurglariesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City, Missouri, men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $1 million conspiracy to steal more than 1,400 cell phones in dozens of commercial burglaries across five states.
Viktor Chernetskiy, 29, a naturalized citizen from Ukraine, and Bryan C. Kirkendoll II, 29, were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, June 26. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed on June 14. Chernetskiy remains in federal custody without bond; Kirkendoll was released on bond.
The federal indictment alleges that Chernetskiy and Kirkendoll participated in a conspiracy to steal electronic devices – primarily cell phones – from stores in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma, then transport them across state lines in order to sell them.
According to the indictment, Chernetskiy and Kirkendoll committed 48 burglaries from Nov. 21, 2018, to June 14, 2019, in which they stole approximately 1,401 electronic devices (primarily cell phones) with a total financial loss of approximately $1,008,742. The indictment includes a list of burglaries and individual loss amounts for each store.
In each instance, the indictment says, the stores were burglarized after hours and the co-conspirators wore hooded sweatshirts, caps, and gloves to conceal their identity and limit the trace evidence left behind during the burglaries. They allegedly pried the doors open with a large screwdriver or crowbar; in many instances, they broke the glass windows out of the doors, and then went through the opening. Once inside, they allegedly looked for phones that were not secured within a safe or other secure location, and loaded those phones into a plastic bin, trash bag, or other bag. In some instances, the indictment says, they also cut retractable security cables from store demonstration phones and took those as well. There was at least one instance where it appeared that they tried (unsuccessfully) to pry open a safe.
In addition to the conspiracy, Chernetskiy and Kirkendoll are charged together in three counts of transporting stolen property across state lines and Chernetskiy is charged in a fourth count of transporting stolen property across state lines.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
Parkville, Topeka Men Indicted for $346 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a conspiracy in which they fraudulently profited from hundreds of millions of dollars in federal government contracts they were not entitled to receive, which were set aside for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and minorities.
Patrick Michael Dingle, 48, of Parkville, Missouri, and Matthew L. Torgeson, 46, of Topeka, Kansas, were charged in a 16-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, June 26.
The federal indictment alleges that Dingle and Torgeson, along with Matthew C. McPherson, 43, of Olathe, Kan., operated companies with straw owners who qualified as socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or service-disabled veterans, but who did not actually control the companies. Conspirators fraudulently obtained small business program certifications and veteran-owned business certifications, the indictment says, which they used to obtain approximately $346 million in federal contract payments to which they were not entitled. McPherson has been charged and pleaded guilty in a separate, but related, case.
Dingle, Torgeson, and McPherson allegedly used Stephon Ziegler – an African-American service-disabled veteran – as the nominal owner of Zieson Construction Company, headquartered in North Kansas City, Missouri. In reality, the indictment says, Dingle managed and controlled the daily operations of Zieson Construction Company and Dingle, Torgeson, and McPherson controlled the long-term decision making for Zieson Construction Company. They fraudulently obtained approximately 199 set-aside contracts from 2009 through 2018, for which the government paid Zieson Construction Company approximately $335 million. Ziegler has been charged and pleaded guilty in a separate, but related, case.
Dingle, Torgeson, and McPherson, individually or through their entities, allegedly received approximately $11 million from Zieson Construction Company using false and fraudulent invoices.
In February 2014, when Zieson Construction Company was growing too large to compete for federal small business contracts, Dingle, Torgeson, and McPherson allegedly used the minority status of a Zieson Construction Company employee, Native American Rustin Simon, 43, of Smithville, Missouri, to form Simcon. Simon, the indictment says, was Simcon’s nominal owner; Dingle managed and controlled the daily operations of Simcon and Dingle, Torgeson, and McPherson controlled the long-term decision making for Simcon. The indictment alleges they used Simcon to fraudulently obtain two set-aside contracts in 2016 valued at approximately $l1.3 million. Simon has been charged and pleaded guilty in a separate, but related, case.
Dingle, Torgeson, and McPherson, individually or through their entities, allegedly received approximately $959,598 from Simcon using false and fraudulent invoices.
Torgeson was the president of an electric company in Topeka from 2000 to 2017, when he sold the business to its employees. Torgeson formed another business in 2011. Approximately $3.1 million was deposited into this business’s bank account from Zieson Construction Company and Simcon between February 2016 and February 2018, the indictment says, which was traceable to federal government funds induced by fraudulent misrepresentations and awarded to Zieson and Simcon for set-aside contracts.
Dingle formed METS, LLC, in 2010. Approximately $6.1 million was deposited into this business’s bank account from Zieson and Simcon between July 2010 and February 2018, the indictment says, which was traceable to federal government funds induced by fraudulent misrepresentations and awarded to Zieson and Simcon for set-aside contracts. Those funds were subsequently used to fund Dingle’s personal banking and retirement accounts.
In addition to the wire fraud conspiracy, Dingle and Torgeson are charged together in nine counts of wire fraud and are each charged with three counts of money laundering. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Dingle and Torgeson to forfeit to the government any property obtained as a result of the alleged fraud, including approximately $688,626 in bank accounts controlled by Dingle, $5,930,992 in bank accounts controlled by Torgeson, and $1,841,095 in bank accounts controlled by Zieson Construction Company. They would also forfeit to the government a 2015 Porsche Cayenne, a 2017 Toyota Tacoma, two Rolex watches, Dingle’s residential property in Parkville and his property in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey Perkins Rock and Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General; the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General; the Army Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit; the Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Secret Service; the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Procurement Fraud; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Contract Audit Agency - Operations Investigative Support (OIS); the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).
Mexican National Sentenced to 30 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegally Reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to sell about 15 pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer after illegally reentering the United States.
Javier Corona-Verduzco, 36, of Montclair, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Corona-Verduzco to 20 years of supervised release following incarceration.
On Jan. 15, 2019, Corona-Verduzco was convicted at trial of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and of illegally reentering the United States after being deported following his incarceration for two earlier drug trafficking convictions. Corona-Verduzco was still on supervised release for those earlier convictions when he was arrested in this case.
Following his conviction, incarceration, and deportation to Mexico, Corona-Verduzco illegally reentered the United States and was again actively engaged in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine.
Corona-Verduzco attempted to sell pound quantities of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Corona-Verduzco told the confidential informant that he had a large quantity of methamphetamine and was looking for customers to purchase multiple pound quantities.
The confidential informant told Corona-Verduzco that he/she knew someone who was interested in purchasing pounds of methamphetamine. Corona-Verduzco agreed to meet the confidential informant and this acquaintance, who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer, on March 31, 2016. Corona-Verduzco met with the confidential informant and the undercover officer at a location in Kansas City, Kansas, and offered to sell 15 pounds of methamphetamine for approximately $80,000.
Corona-Verduzco and the confidential informant drove to a house in Kansas City, Mo., so that the confidential informant could check the quality of the methamphetamine for sale. At that location, the confidential informant saw approximately 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine in a bag.
Corona-Verduzco was arrested the next day. He had told both the confidential informant and the undercover officer that the 15 pounds of methamphetamine he was attempting to sell them was in a gray Chevrolet Tahoe. Law enforcement officers located the Tahoe parked behind the Kansas City, Mo., residence where Corona-Verduzco had taken the confidential informant the day before. Law enforcement officers found seven packages of methamphetamine, totaling 6.814 kilograms (approximately 15 pounds), hidden in a hollow compartment behind the driver’s side rear panel. Officers also found 400 grams of methamphetamine inside the residence.
Corona-Verduzco also has a prior conviction in an unrelated case for witness intimidation where he threatened the lives and families of co-defendants.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Springfield Business Owner Sentenced to 25 Years for Leading Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine.
Christopher A. Jefferson, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Jefferson, who has two prior state convictions for distribution/delivery of a controlled substance, was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior drug-trafficking convictions. Jefferson owned a car repair business in Springfield.
On Oct. 25, 2018, Jefferson pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy that lasted from Dec. 2, 2016, to Jan. 23, 2018. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized a total of 5.342 kilograms of methamphetamine from various co-conspirators.
Jefferson frequently used women to transport illegal drugs, including large quantities of methamphetamine in vehicles and smaller quantities of cocaine and heroin hidden inside of their vaginas. They were paid to drive to Texas, Arizona, or California to pick up methamphetamine and other drugs and transport them back to Springfield. Several women admitted they made multiple trips to acquire illegal drugs, sometimes in multi-kilogram quantities.
Co-defendant Kathy J. Alexander, 62, of Springfield, was arrested while driving through Amarillo, Texas, on Jan. 11, 2016, with a half-pound of heroin and six pounds of methamphetamine that she was transporting from Arizona to Springfield. Alexander had also been stopped, but not arrested, on Dec. 2, 2014, by law enforcement officers in Oklahoma while she was transporting five ounces of heroin hidden in her underwear. Alexander admitted that she had made 14 drug-transporting excursions, averaging one trip each month, for which she was paid $500 per trip. Alexander pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole.
Co-defendants Davetta F. Hicks, 31, and Shawn B. Robinson, 48, both of Springfield, were arrested on Dec. 9, 2014, by Kingsville, Texas, police officers. This was their third trip to Texas for Jefferson. Officers found a half-pound of methamphetamine in Hicks’s purse. Hicks admitted that she made three trips to Texas to transport cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to Springfield. Hicks pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Robinson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole.
Undercover law enforcement officers also purchased methamphetamine from Jefferson’s distributors. Undercover officers purchased a total of 115 grams of methamphetamine in six separate purchases, all of which was supplied by Jefferson.
On one occasion, according to court documents, conspirators traveled to California with a large amount of money to purchase methamphetamine. Once in California, they purchased 12 pounds of methamphetamine that was shipped to Springfield.
On another occasion, conspirators attached a four-pound package of methamphetamine to the front bumper of their vehicle and drove back to Springfield. During the return trip, however, Maricopa County, Arizona, law enforcement officers arrested them and seized the methamphetamine.
On two occasions, a co-conspirator carried two kilograms of methamphetamine to Springfield aboard a commercial bus.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and COMET (the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team).
Republic Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Republic, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for the coercion and enticement of a minor.
Clifford Benjamin Kinkade, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Kinkade to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration, and ordered him to pay $29,417 in restitution to his victim.
On Oct. 9, 2018, Kinkade pleaded guilty to using the internet and a cell phone to attempt to entice a child victim to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to court documents, Kinkade met the 14-year-old child victim, identified as “Jane Doe,” online through one of her friends. They communicated primarily through text messages and through Kik and Skype. Investigators seized Kinkade’s computer, cell phone, and tablet, which contained messages between Kinkade and the child victim. Many of the messages were sexual in nature, where Kinkade described sexual activities he would like to engage in with Jane Doe and asked her to engage in sexual activity.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kentucky State Police.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."KC Man Pleads Guilty to $388,000 Scrap Metal SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling more than $388,000 from his employer in a scheme to redeem scrap metal.
Russell R. Fotovich, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to participating in the wire fraud conspiracy and to filing a false tax return.
By pleading guilty today, Fotovich admitted he conspired with others from April 2011 to June 2016 to redeem scrap metal belonging to his employer, DST Systems, Inc., and keep a major portion of the proceeds for themselves. Conspirators should have turned in all receipts and proceeds of the scrap redemption transactions to DST, which totaled $563,556. However, they turned in only 39 of 137 receipts, and only $174,910 of the proceeds, causing a $388,645 loss to DST.
Fotovich also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. Fotovich admitted he did not declare the embezzled income on federal income tax returns.
Fotovich worked at DST as a facilities engineer at the DST Winchester Data Center. (Fotovich owned two businesses apart from his DST employment – R&T Heating and Cooling and R&T Mechanical.) When the facility underwent major renovations from 2011 through 2016, copper wire and other metals were removed and redeemed at a local scrap dealer. Fotovich and a co-conspirator conducted all but one of the 138 scrap redemptions.
Conspirators requested that the scrap dealer make checks payable to them personally rather than to DST, and that redemption tickets be split, in order to conceal the total amount of scrap redeemed. Sometimes they received as many as four receipts and corresponding checks in one day.
Conspirators requested that DST buy an industrial wire-stripping machine to improve and expedite the scrap redemption. The machine cost approximately $5,000, and allowed conspirators to receive a higher redemption value for the DST-owned scrap they sold. (Non-stripped copper wire carried a lower redemption value.) After DST purchased the wire-stripping machine in early 2014, conspirators increased their fraudulent thefts more than ten-fold.
By pleading guilty today, Fotovich agreed to forfeit to the government $138,758 (representing his proceeds of the fraud conspiracy). The court will determine the amount of restitution Fotovich must pay to DST at the sentencing hearing. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Fotovich must pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in an amount to be determined, of not more than $79,949 (not including interest). Fotovich also must pay restitution to the Missouri Department of Revenue in an amount to be determined, of not more than $16,209.
Under federal statutes, Fotovich is subject to a sentence of up to eight years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Two More Texas Men Sentenced for Stealing 654 Firearms from UPS Trailers in SpringfieldRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two Texas men have been sentenced in federal court for stealing 654 firearms from United Parcel Service trailers in Springfield, Mo., en route to Bass Pro Shops.
Raynord Hunt, 36, and Keith Lowe, 29, both of Dallas, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Friday, June 21. Hunt was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Lowe was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole.
Hunt and Lowe admitted they aided and abetted each other to steal cargo that was being shipped across state lines, from Beretta USA in Maryland to the state of Missouri. They also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting each other to possess stolen firearms.
Four co-defendants were sentenced on May 20, 2019. Frank McChriston, 35, of Dallas, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Derrick White, 33, of Dallas, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Quinton Haywood, 27, of Glenn Heights, Texas, was sentenced to seven years and six months in federal prison without parole. Eric White, 28, of Arlington, Texas, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole.
The court also ordered each of the defendants to pay $206,132 in restitution, for which they are jointly and severally liable.
According to court documents, the defendants stole 600 Beretta .380-caliber handguns and 54 Beretta 12-gauge shotguns from United Parcel Service (UPS) trailers in Springfield in October 2017.
The firearms were in the process of being shipped from Beretta Firearms in Maryland to Bass Pro Shops in Springfield. The trailers in which the firearms were shipped had been parked in the UPS freight lot in a configuration to prevent access to the trailer doors, by being parked back-to-back, with the roll-up doors facing each other. The trailers were then blocked by longer trailers, which should have acted as a preventative measure from someone backing a truck-tractor to the trailer and pulling it forward.
Sometime between noon on Oct. 28, 2017, and 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2017, thieves hot-wired two truck-tractors and used them to push and pull various trailers around the lot, allowing the thieves access to the trailer doors. UPS employees discovered the theft on Oct. 29, 2017, and notified law enforcement.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Dallas, Texas, Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Slater Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting a Minor for Illicit SexRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Slater, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting a 16-year-old victim across state lines for illegal sexual activity.
Daniel Lee Kirby, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to the charge contained in a July 11, 2018, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Kirby admitted that he transported an individual under the age of 17 between March 4, 2018, and June 25, 2018, with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
The 16-year-old victim was discovered missing from her bedroom in East Ridge, Tennessee, at approximately 1:20 a.m. on March 4, 2018. Kirby was employed as a truck driver with Celadon Trucking, who reported their GPS tracking of Kirby’s rig showed him at a nearby parking lot, with its motor off, at approximately the same time. Although Kirby denied having contact with the child victim, Celadon Trucking searched Kirby’s rig for the child victim on multiple occasions after receiving tips he was harboring her.
On June 25, 2018, law enforcement received information that the child victim was living with Kirby in Slater. She was located with Kirby, who was arrested, and placed into emergency foster care by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division.
Kirby told investigators he met the child victim on Facebook. He considered her to be his girlfriend and admitted they had a sexual relationship. He agreed with and assisted in her plan to run away, and solicited her to move in with him. He also admitted that he picked her up in Tennessee and transported her to Missouri.
Kirby is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Slater, Mo., Police Department, the FBI and the State Technical Assistance Team.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Skimming SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Romanian national, who was arrested at a bank ATM, pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges related to her role in a skimming operating that illegally stole credit and debit card information from bank ATMs.
Loredana Baceanu, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to possessing counterfeit and unauthorized access devices.
Bank officials at Central Bank of the Ozarks in Springfield, Missouri, notified law enforcement on Oct. 12, 2018, of suspicious activity that had occurred at an ATM. The bank’s monitoring software had alerted them to the presence of a skimming device – a small electronic device used to steal credit card information – being placed on their ATM. When a person swipes a credit or debit card through a machine on which a skimmer is attached, the device captures and stores all the details stored in the card’s magnetic stripe. The stripe contains the credit card number and expiration date and the credit card holder’s full name. Thieves use the stolen data to make fraudulent charges either online or with a counterfeit credit card or gift card.
On Oct. 23, 2018, bank officials at Southern Bank discovered unidentified individuals targeting four different ATM locations, withdrawing money from multiple accounts. Bank officials stated that they believed these suspects were using stacks of re-encoded credit cards to facilitate the theft of funds from compromised credit and debit card accounts. Bank officials identified suspect photos at four different ATM locations in Springfield and Nixa, Missouri.
The Nixa branch manager was in the process of filing a police report on Oct. 23, 2018, when Baceanu returned to that branch’s ATM. The Nixa police officer who was taking the report returned to his patrol vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Baceanu’s vehicle in the parking lot of the bank. Baceanu, who was a passenger in the vehicle, had 49 gift card/credit cards in a concealed pocket within an undergarment she was wearing and $880 concealed in her bra. A micro SD media storage card and a Florida identification card fell from somewhere within Baceanu’s shirt to the ground.
Upon using a card reader, law enforcement learned that the magnetic stripes on all 49 generic gift cards had been re-encoded and counterfeited with different account numbers not original to the gift card. The data on the Micro SD card was the raw data recovered from skimming devices.
Under federal statutes, Baceanu is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Nixa, Mo., Police Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Following Drive-By ShootingRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Missouri, man, who displayed a firearm during a drive-by shooting at a local convenience store, pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.
Victor Seth Kee, 20, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, an unknown person in a white van fired several shots at Kee and two other individuals who were walking through the parking lot in front of Mari’s Convenience Store, 1210 E. Prathersville Road, in Columbia at approximately 10 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2019. Surveillance video captured Kee pulling a black handgun from his front right pants pocket after the shots were fired. The three men got into a Kia Forte with a temporary tag displayed on the rear bumper.
About 10 minutes later, another officer conducted a traffic stop on the Kia Forte near Bold Venture and Derby Ridge Road, and took four subjects into custody. Kee was a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle. After all four occupants were restrained, officers found a loaded HK 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the back seat where Kee had been seated. The handgun had been reported as stolen.
Although the officers tried to interview all four subjects and obtain statements pertaining to the shooting and the handgun, they received no cooperation from any of the occupants in the car.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Kee has prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, burglary, and assault.
Under federal statutes, Kee is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Maness. It was investigated by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Cameron Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Cameron, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Benjamin W. Clark, 27, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 years in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 4, 2019, Clark pleaded guilty to participating in a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendants Jalie J. Brinlee, 29, of Cameron, and Robert J. Keegan, 37, of Harrisonville, Missouri, each have also been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison without parole.
Clark, Brinlee, and Keegan each admitted they participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from January to May 24, 2017. Clark and Brinlee purchased methamphetamine from various suppliers and distributed it to customers in Cameron, Kansas City and elsewhere.
On May 12, 2017, Keegan was stopped by law enforcement and was found in possession of a Hi-point .40-caliber handgun and a duffel bag containing approximately 3.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Two More Ripley Employees Indicted for Misconduct, Negligence Resulting in 17 Deaths at Table Rock LakeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two more employees of Ripley Entertainment, Inc. – the company that operated duck boat rides in Branson, Missouri – along with the captain of the duck boat that sank at Table Rock Lake last summer, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, have been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Curtis P. Lanham, 36, of Galena, Missouri, and Charles V. Baltzell, 76, of Kirbyville, Missouri, were charged in a 47-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Thursday, June 13. The superseding indictment, which was unsealed and made public today following the initial court appearances of Lanham and Baltzell, contains the original charges against Kenneth Scott McKee, 51, of Verona, Missouri. It replaces the federal indictment returned on Nov. 8, 2018, and includes additional charges and defendants.
Ripley Entertainment, an Orlando, Florida, corporation, owned, operated, and conducted business as “Ride the Ducks Branson” from Dec. 1, 2017, to July 20, 2018. The company managed and operated “duck boat” tours in Taney and Stone counties, and was the owner and operator of the duck boat Stretch Duck 7.
McKee was employed by Ripley as the captain of Stretch Duck 7. He had been employed as a duck boat captain for approximately 18 years.
Lanham was employed by Ripley as the general manager at Ride the Ducks Branson. Lanham was responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the operations and duck boats, including Stretch Duck 7. Lanham’s duties also included setting policies and procedures for the operations and overseeing the training of employees. As general manager, Lanham held managerial authority over the entire staff of Ride the Ducks Branson. In July 2018, Lanham reported directly to Ripley’s president.
Baltzell was employed by Ripley as the operations supervisor at Ride the Ducks Branson and was acting as a manager on duty. Baltzell was responsible for ensuring the duck boat tours ran in sequence and acted as a dispatcher through the use of radio and other communications methods while the duck boat tours were ongoing. Baltzell’s duties also included monitoring the weather and communicating with ongoing duck boat tours regarding the weather.
A detailed account of the fatal events that occurred on July 19, 2018, is contained in the indictment.
The superseding indictment contains the original charges against McKee of misconduct and negligence by a vessel captain, resulting in the death of another person. Baltzell is added to each of those felony counts – one count for each of the 17 passengers (including one crew member) who died when Stretch Duck 7 sank – as an aider and abettor of misconduct and neglect by a vessel captain.
Lanham is charged with 17 felony counts of misconduct and neglect by an executive officer of the corporate charterer/owner – one count for each of the 17 passengers (including one crew member) who died when Stretch Duck 7 sank. (The indictment includes an alternative theory of liability in relation to Lanham’s status, which alleges that he aided and abetted McKee’s misconduct, negligence, and inattention to duty.)
McKee, Baltzell, and Lanham also are charged in 13 misdemeanor counts – one count for each of the 13 passengers who survived the sinking of Stretch Duck 7 – with operating a vessel in a grossly negligent manner that wantonly and recklessly disregarded and endangered the life, limb, and property of persons on board Stretch Duck 7; or with aiding and abetting the operation of a vessel in such a grossly negligent manner.
Charges Against McKee
The federal indictment alleges that McKee committed a number of acts of misconduct, negligence, and inattention to his duties while piloting Stretch Duck 7 both before and during severe weather conditions.
McKee allegedly failed to properly assess incoming weather prior to entering the vessel on the water. At the time McKee drove the vessel into the water, according to the indictment, there was lightning in the area and severe weather approaching. The indictment also alleges that McKee failed to properly assess the nature of the severe weather while the vessel was on the water.
McKee allegedly operated Stretch Duck 7 in violation of the conditions and limitations specified in the vessels’ certificate of inspection. When severe weather (including increased wind speed) arrived at the vessel’s location, the indictment says, McKee failed to instruct passengers to don personal floatation devices. He allegedly also failed to immediately increase speed and head to the nearest shore. He allegedly caused or allowed the vessel’s plastic side curtains to be lowered, which created a barrier over the vessel’s emergency exits in the event of a need to abandon ship. At no point prior to the sinking of Stretch Duck 7, says the indictment, did McKee prepare to, or order the passengers to, abandon ship.
The first time the vessel’s bilge alarm sounded, the indictment says, McKee failed to raise the side curtains, failed to instruct passengers to don personal floatation devices, and failed to prepare to abandon ship. McKee also attempted to make two calls to the Ride the Ducks Branson facility using the onboard radio, but received no response.
The second time the vessel’s bilge alarm sounded, the indictment says, McKee again failed to raise the side curtains, failed to instruct passengers to don personal floatation devices, and failed to prepare to abandon ship. McKee allegedly failed to prepare to abandon ship when there was an unacceptable loss of freeboard on the vessel as well. (Freeboard refers to the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level; a loss of freeboard is when waves are overtopping the freeboard, thus causing the ship to fill with water.)
Charges Against Baltzell
According to the indictment, Baltzell directed and allowed McKee to operate Stretch Duck 7 in violation of the conditions and limitations specified in the vessel’s Coast Guard-issued certificate of inspection, and failed to adequately supervise the operation of the tour of Stretch Duck 7 on July 19, 2018.
Baltzell allegedly failed to properly monitor and assess incoming weather prior to McKee entering the vessel on the water. Baltzell allegedly directed McKee to enter the vessel on the water when there was severe weather and lightning in the area. Baltzell allegedly failed to communicate to McKee the nature of the severe weather prior to its arrival and when severe weather arrived at the location of Stretch Duck 7 while the vessel was on the water. Baltzell allegedly failed to monitor radio communications from employees when severe weather arrived at the location of Stretch Duck 7 while the vessel was on the water.
The indictment alleges that these acts of misconduct, negligence, and inattention to duty by McKee and Baltzell separately and collectively caused the lives of 17 persons on board Stretch Duck 7 to be lost.
Charges Against Lanham
According to the indictment, while actually charged with the control and management of the operation, equipment, and navigation of Stretch Duck 7, and while acting as an executive officer of Ripley Entertainment, Lanham knowingly and willfully caused and allowed McKee, Baltzell, and others to engage in neglect, misconduct, and violation of law.
Lanham allegedly neglected to establish training requirements related to the monitoring of weather in the Branson area, including adequate training on the use and capabilities of a weather monitoring service utilized by Ride the Ducks Branson. Lanham allegedly neglected to establish and enforce policies and procedures related to the monitoring of weather – including when severe weather existed – in association with the management and operation of daily duck boat tours. Lanham allegedly neglected to establish and enforce policies and procedures related to the communication of weather information to duck boat captains and drivers conducting duck boat tours when severe weather existed in or approached the Branson area.
The indictment also alleges that Lanham created a work atmosphere on Stretch Duck 7 and other duck boats where the concern for profit overshadowed the concern for safety.
Lanham allegedly neglected to require adequate staffing of employees while duck boat tours were ongoing. Lanham allegedly negligently allowed, created, and connived with other persons to create a work atmosphere through which those responsible for monitoring the weather during duck boat tours were charged with other tasks that distracted them from monitoring the weather and impeded their ability to monitor radio communications. Lanham allegedly negligently created and connived with other persons to create a confusing work atmosphere on Stretch Duck 7 and other duck boats related to the monitoring of, and the response to, severe weather, through which there existed inappropriate concern for the weather.
The indictment also alleges that Lanham neglected to adequately supervise the management, operation, and conduct of the tour of Stretch Duck 7 on July 19, 2018.
Lanham allegedly neglected to properly assess incoming weather and negligently allowed McKee to enter the vessel on the water when there was lightning and severe weather approaching the area.
Lanham allegedly neglected to properly assess the nature of the severe weather when severe weather arrived at the location of Stretch Duck 7 while the vessel was on the water, and to communicate with McKee regarding the nature of the severe weather prior to its arrival and when severe weather arrived at the location of Stretch Duck 7 while the vessel was on the water.
Lanham allegedly neglected to require that Stretch Duck 7 be operated in compliance with the provisions of the Coast Guard certificate of inspection and negligently allowed McKee to operate, pilot, and navigate Stretch Duck 7 in violation of the conditions and limitations specified in the certificate of inspection, which was a violation of law.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Stone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Taney County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Branson, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, the Stone County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, and the Taney County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office.
Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Multi-Kilos of HeroinRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy that distributed more than 14 kilograms of heroin in the Kansas City, Missouri, metropolitan area, some of which is believed to have resulted in overdoses and deaths.
Julian Felix-Aguirre, 46, and Martin Missael Puerta-Navarro, 38, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Wednesday, June 19. Felix-Aguirre was sentenced to 24 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Pueta-Navarro was sentenced to 14 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
On Sept. 26, 2018, Felix-Aguirre pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy, and to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Puerta-Navarro pleaded guilty on May 22, 2018, to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy.
Felix-Aguirre was arrested during a traffic stop on Sept. 14, 2016, because he did not have a valid driver’s license. When officers searched his vehicle they found a package that contained approximately 16 ounces of black tar heroin.
Law enforcement officers then executed search warrants at two residences, where they found firearms and ammunition, bulk currency, multiple ledgers, various drug packaging, packaged methamphetamine and heroin, and money transfer receipts.
Felix-Aguirre and Puerta-Navarro are among 26 defendants charged in this case, among whom 16 now have been sentenced.
According to court documents, co-defendant Dennis McLallen, 66, of Overland Park, was in direct contact with Mexico-based heroin and methamphetamine suppliers who worked through Kansas City-based associates, including Felix-Aguirre and Puerta-Navarro. Defendants in the case worked with the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico to establish stash houses, build hidden compartments in load vehicles, receive black tar heroin, sell it to Kansas City-area customers for cash, and deposit or transfer the illicit funds in bank accounts or through wire transfer businesses. McLallen received multi-ounce levels of black tar heroin from his suppliers, which he and other conspirators repackaged into ounce and gram levels for distribution.
McLallen was sentenced on April 18, 2018, to 15 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. He admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of more than 10 kilograms of heroin. Conspirators distributed at least 500 ounces (more than 14 kilograms) of heroin, with an average sale price of $1,700 per ounce, for a total of $850,000.
In September 2016, searches were conducted on vehicles and at residences associated with subjects of the investigation, which yielded heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs, more than $200,000 in cash, a load vehicle with hidden compartments, drug ledgers, drug packaging, drug scales, firearms, ammunition, a bullet proof vest, and various other drug trafficking-related items.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Leader, Enforcer Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute 45 Kilos of MethRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The leader and the enforcer of a drug-trafficking organization that distributed more than 45 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Kansas City metropolitan area were sentenced in federal court today.
Jennifer Gladman-Carnall, 37, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Michael Keavney, 42, of Kearney, Missouri, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. Gladman-Carnall was sentenced to 11 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Keavney was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. They are among 11 defendants who have been convicted in this case.
Gladman-Carnall pleaded guilty on May 4, 2018, to being the leader of the drug-trafficking conspiracy, which she admitted distributed more than 45 kilograms of methamphetamine. She also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery (of a methamphetamine dealer) and to aiding and abetting the use and brandishing of a firearm during that robbery.
Keavney pleaded guilty on Sept. 13, 2018, to his role in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Keavney played the role of an “enforcer” in this conspiracy. Keavney provided security for co-defendants, and was himself involved in distributing 2.4 kilograms of methamphetamine. He also arranged deals, delivered narcotics, collected money, and arranged the illegal sale of firearms. Keavney was a principle actor in the conspiracy as he was directly connected with several large scale drug dealers, was regularly armed with firearms, and sold firearms.
After being indicted and released on pretrial supervision, according to court documents, Keavney violated his supervisions several times for using drugs, absconding, and committing new law violations. On April 19, 2017, Keavney was driving a stolen motorcycle at excessive speeds. When law enforcement attempted to stop him, he crashed the motorcycle and fled on foot. After ultimately being detained, Keavney was highly intoxicated and in possession of a knife and brass knuckles. Toxicology reports indicated that he had opiates, methamphetamine, marijuana, and alcohol in his system. After being discharged from the hospital, Keavney absconded from supervision for nearly four months before he was arrested. On Aug. 15, 2017, Keavney’s pretrial bond was revoked and he was remanded to custody.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Raskin and Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Jury Convicts Shawnee Man of Illegal Firearm, CocaineRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Shawnee, Kansas, man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of illegally possessing a firearm and possessing cocaine.
Anthony Whitehead, 32, was found guilty of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a controlled substance.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Whitehead in the District of Kansas on Dec. 29, 2016, for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in regards to a Johnson County, Kansas, warrant for attempted kidnapping. Agents with the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force received information that Whitehead was staying at the Relax Inn, 6300 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri.
On Jan. 20, 2017, federal agents contacted Whitehead and his girlfriend in their room at the Relax Inn, where they found a loaded Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun hidden underneath the mattress of the bed. Agents also found a cellophane bag that contained approximately 1.5 grams of cocaine in one of Whitehead’s pants pockets.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Whitehead has two prior felony convictions for fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, as well as prior felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to sell marijuana, domestic assault, endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful use of a weapon, and tampering with a motor vehicle.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
Under federal statutes, Whitehead is subject to a sentence of up to 13 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Smith. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Crime Lab and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.14 Southern Missouri Residents Indicted for Meth Conspiracy, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Fourteen southern Missouri residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Missouri, and elsewhere. Five of the defendants were also charged with illegally possessing firearms.
Cheyenne W. Conn, 43, and Johnathon W. Arnold, also known as Jonathan, 38, both of Everton, Missouri; Laurie B. Holmes, 37, Jeremy A. Ingram, 40, Tresha R. Ahart, 29, Megan L. McNary, 25, Cassidy R. Clayton, 23, Lonnie J. Tinker, 33, and Larry E. Stapp, 39, all of Springfield, Missouri; Shelby R. Maupin, 30, of Ozark, Missouri; Ginger L. Huerta, also known as Ginger L. Gray, 39, of Halfway, Missouri; Summerlee M. Barnett, also known as Summerlee M. Lacount, 33, of Salem, Missouri; Lloyd R. Bradley, 42, of Fordland, Missouri; and Chandler B. Roberts, 20, address unknown, were charged in a 23-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, June 12.
The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Greene County and elsewhere from Nov. 22, 2016, to Sept. 26, 2018.
In addition to the conspiracy, Arnold, Holmes, Stapp, and Bradley are charged in separate counts related to the possession and distribution of methamphetamine.
Conn is also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Conn was in possession of a Lorcin .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 22, 2016. The indictment also alleges that Conn was in possession of a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Sept. 22, 2017. Conn has two prior felony convictions for stealing and prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest.
Ingram is also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ingram was allegedly in possession of a Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Sept. 22, 2017, and in possession of a Springfield Armory .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol on May 10, 2018. Ingram has three prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior felony convictions for robbery and tampering with a motor vehicle. Ingram is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense and five counts related to the distribution of methamphetamine.
Ahart is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that Ahart was in possession of a Charter Arms .38-caliber revolver and a Taurus .38-caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number on Dec. 5, 2017. Ahart has prior felony convictions for possessing a controlled substance and failure to return rental property.
Roberts is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Roberts was in possession of a Mossberg .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 23, 2018, in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy and in furtherance of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, for which he is charged in two additional counts of the indictment. Roberts is also charged with two counts of being an unlawful user of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and marijuana) while in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that, in addition to the Mossberg pistol, Roberts was in possession of a J.C. Higgins .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle with no serial number on Feb. 26, 2018.
Tinker is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Tinker was in possession of a Tanfoglio .22-caliber revolver on Feb. 14, 2018. Tinker has prior felony convictions for fraudulent use of a credit/debit card and stealing.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Dade County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department, and the Oldham County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department.
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.
KC Man Convicted of Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted in a bench trial today of illegally possessing a firearm.
Carl D. Edwards, 38, was found guilty by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Edwards was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber handgun on Feb. 24, 2018. Kansas City police officers were dispatched that afternoon in response to a 9-1-1 call reporting a man high on PCP trying to get into a residence. Officers found Edwards lying in the driveway. The loaded handgun was tucked in his waistband.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Edwards has prior felony convictions for armed bank robbery, assault on a law enforcement officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Under federal statutes, Edwards is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Jolly. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Sarcoxie Man Indicted for Illegal Firearms, Silencer, Auto-Conversion SwitchesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Sarcoxie, Missouri man who was earlier charged with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition has been indicted by a federal grand jury on additional charges of illegally possessing an unregistered silencer and selector switches to convert semi-automatic firearms into machine guns.
Leng Lee, 35, was charged in a three-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, June 12. The superseding indictment replaces an indictment returned on May 7, which charged Lee with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The federal indictment charges Lee with one count of illegally possessing a device designed to convert a semi-automatic Glock-type pistol into an automatic machine gun, and one count of illegally possessing an unregistered silencer. The indictment also contains the original count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that Lee was in possession of a Glock 10mm pistol, two Glock 9mm pistols, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers participated in the controlled delivery of an international mail package from China addressed to Lee at his residence on April 23, 2019. The parcel contained seven parts (selector switches) that are used to convert a Glock semi-automatic pistol to fire in full-automatic mode.
Officers executed a search warrant at Lee’s residence and found numerous firearms, ammunition, firearm suppressors, suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, suspected stolen farm equipment, and a large amount of cash. According to court documents, Lee told officers that a couple of the firearms were given to him by his deceased father, but the others were purchased by him at gun shows or during hand-to-hand transactions. None of the firearms were purchased from a licensed firearms dealer. Lee also told officers that he had 10-15 past deliveries of the selector switches, and that he was able to convert and successfully fire a Glock pistol as a fully automatic firearm.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Lee has two prior felony convictions for burglary, and prior felony convictions for vandalism, criminal conspiracy, grand theft, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Newton, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Goodson Man Indicted for Lying to FBI Agents During Fraud InvestigationRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Goodson, Missouri, man linked to several alleged fraud schemes has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements to federal investigators.
James Calvin Parker, 57, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, June 11. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Parker on June 4, 2019. Parker remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing this afternoon.
The federal indictment alleges that Parker made a number of false statement to FBI agents who were investigating allegations that he engaged in a scheme to defraud a vulnerable victim in Polk County, Missouri. Parker allegedly repeated many of the same claims to FBI agents that he made to his victim, regarding his claim to $22 million held by the government, and his relationships with presidents and other federal officials.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the FBI was contacted by the victim’s son on April 8, 2019. He reported that Parker had repeatedly asked his father (the victim) for money in order to pay various fines and expenses related to the release of a substantial sum of money that belonged to Parker but was being held by the United States government. Agents interviewed the victim and his two adult sons. Over the course of at least 10 months, the affidavit says, the victim gave Parker more than $130,000.
Agents interviewed multiple people who knew the victim and, on May 10, 2019, contacted and interviewed Parker at his home. In the course of the interview, the affidavit says, Parker made many materially false statements. Agents instructed Parker to not ask anyone for money, to not accept money from anyone regarding scam scenarios, and to specifically cease asking the victim for money.
The following weekend of May 11 and 12, the affidavit says, Parker again asked the victim for $3,000, which the victim gave him. Parker allegedly continued asking the victim for money in relation to the scheme. In order to provide cash to Parker, the victim has liquidated assets, most notably real estate.
The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI.
Former Healthcare Executive Pleads Guilty to Bribing Arkansas State SenatorRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former executive of Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to bribe an Arkansas state senator to influence public policy for the benefit of the charity and its executives.
Robin Raveendran, 63, of Little Rock, Arkansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges him with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Raveendran worked for Preferred Family Healthcare (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc.) from 2014 to 2017 as a director of operations, executive vice president, and analyst. Prior to his employment with the charity, Raveendran was employed by the state of Arkansas as director of program integrity for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services, and then as business operations manager with the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.
By pleading guilty today, Raveendran admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to bribe then-Arkansas State Senator Jeremy Young Hutchinson, who is charged in a separate case, in order to influence and reward Hutchinson in exchange for Hutchinson taking legislative and official action favorable to Preferred Family Healthcare and its executives.
According to today’s plea agreement, Preferred Family paid funds to Alliance for Health Care (also known as Alliance for Health Care Improvement), a private association formed in early 2014 by Raveendran, Hutchinson, and Milton “Rusty” Cranford, an Arkansas lobbyist and Preferred Family executive. Alliance was formed to advocate for issues relevant to health care providers at the Arkansas state legislature and in state departments.
Raveendran then directed Alliance funds to Hutchinson, the plea agreement says, in exchange for Hutchinson holding up agency budgets; initiating legislative audits; sponsoring, filing, and voting for legislation, including shell bills; and pressuring and advising other public officials to perform official action on behalf of Preferred Family.
Raveendran admitted that he and others concealed evidence of the bribes by falsely describing such unlawful payments as being solely for attorney’s fees and legal retainers.
Preferred Family Healthcare was known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc. from its founding in 1991 until its 2015 merger with Preferred Family Healthcare. The charity, which is cooperating with federal investigators, provided a variety of services to individuals in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Illinois, including mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities, and medical services.
Under federal statutes, Raveendran is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Raveendran must pay $25,000 in restitution to the government.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich, Western District of Missouri, and Trial Attorney Marco A. Palmieri with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This is a combined investigation with the Western District of Arkansas, the Eastern District of Arkansas, and the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice.
St. Joseph Man Indicted for Meth Trafficking in Taney CountyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Missouri, man who led law enforcement officers in a pursuit in Taney County, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for possessing approximately six pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Andrew R. Trammell, 45, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint filed against Trammell on June 7, 2019.
The federal indictment alleges that Trammell was in possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on June 6, 2019.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, a Christian County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Trammell, who was driving a Dodge Durango on Highway 65 near Highway EE, on June 6, 2019. The vehicle failed to stop, the affidavit says, and the deputy pursued the vehicle southbound on Highway 65 into Taney County, Missouri. Trammell crashed the vehicle upon entering Branson, Missouri, and was apprehended by Branson police officers after a brief foot chase.
Officers searched the vehicle before towing it from the scene of the crash. According to the affidavit, officers found a box on the floorboard between the front and back seats that contained approximately six pounds of methamphetamine and a large quantity of cash.
The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the Christian County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department; the Taney County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department; the Branson, Missouri, Police Department; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Springfield Man Indicted for $1.4 Million Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for a more than $1.4 million bank fraud scheme.
Michael B. Willhoit, 66, was charged in a 36-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Willhoit was the owner and operator of Willhoit Enterprises, which purchased luxury, high-end, expensive automobiles to resell to customers throughout the United States. According to today’s indictment, Willhoit received a total of $1,404,000 in a dozen floor plan loans from Wood and Huston Bank in Springfield, Old Missouri Bank in Springfield, Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri in Cassville, Missouri, OakStar Bank in Springfield, and Bank of Missouri in Springfield.
As a part of each floor-plan loan approval process, Willhoit submitted a purchase agreement to a financial institution once he and the seller of an automobile had agreed to the terms and price that Willhoit would pay to purchase the vehicle. Upon receiving the purchase agreement, the financial institution determined whether to grant the floor-plan loan request and transfer the necessary amount of money into Willhoit’s account so he could purchase the vehicle. As a part of his floor-plan loan agreement with the financial institution, Willhoit agreed to a loan repayment schedule. Willhoit specifically agreed to repay each loan in full, plus any accrued interest, once he resold the specific vehicle to a new buyer.
According to the indictment, Willhoit did not use the loan proceeds to purchase those vehicles but instead used the funds for other expenses on at least 12 occasions from Jan. 1, 2014, through Feb. 28, 2018. The indictment alleges that each of the 12 purchase agreements were falsified, faked or forged. The sellers did not sell the vehicle as represented within the document, did not receive any monies as a result of the purported transaction, did not sign the document submitted to the financial institution, and at the time of the alleged transaction, did not own or possess the vehicle Willhoit represented to be part of the purchase agreement.
The federal indictment charges Willhoit with 12 counts of bank fraud, 12 counts of making false statements to a bank, and 12 counts of aggravated identity theft.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General.
Jury Convicts KC Man of Illegal Firearm, Meth PossessionRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted at trial today of illegally possessing a firearm and of possessing methamphetamine.
Clarence Brooks, 51, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing methamphetamine, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking offense.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Brooks was in possession of 26.55 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded J.A. .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Feb. 3, 2017. On that date, Kansas City police officers pulled over a vehicle in which Brooks was a passenger after being notified that the vehicle had been stolen. When the vehicle stopped on the ramp from Prospect Avenue onto Interstate 70, officers ordered Brooks to get out of the vehicle and lie down on the ground. The driver of the vehicle then sped away; officers did not follow the vehicle.
As Brooks was being taken into custody, officers found the pistol in his right jacket pocket and a clear plastic baggie that contained methamphetamine in the left jacket pocket.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Brooks has a prior state felony conviction for burglary and a prior federal felony conviction for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine, five kilograms or more of PCP, and one kilogram or more of marijuana. Following federal incarceration, Brooks violated the terms of his supervised release by possessing a firearm and was sentenced to two years in federal prison. He violated the terms of his supervised release again and was sentenced to another year and a day in federal prison.
Under federal statutes, Brooks is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately two hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, ending a trial that began Monday, June 10, 2019.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Matthew A. Blackwood. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Indiana Man, Woman Indicted for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Indiana man and woman who were stopped on Interstate 44 en route to Chicago, Illinois, were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Steven Hook, 38, and Tallisha R. Malone, also known as Tallisha Washington, 39, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Hook and Malone on June 3, 2019.
The federal indictment alleges that Hook and Malone participated in conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Greene County, Missouri, from May 31, 2019, to June 3, 2019. The indictment also charges Hook and Malone with possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on June 3, 2019.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Hook was driving a vehicle rented by Malone, a passenger, on eastbound Interstate 44 on June 3, 2019. A state trooper stopped the vehicle for speeding. When the trooper searched the vehicle, the affidavit says, he found three bundles of methamphetamine in a small luggage bag. The trooper also found two plastic bags with bedding inside; inside the bedding of both plastic bags were a total of 33 bundles of methamphetamine.
Malone told law enforcement officers she rented the vehicle in Los Angeles, California. She drove to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she met Hook. She allegedly was supposed to drive the vehicle to Chicago to drop the vehicle off to another person.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Golden City Man Indicted for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Golden City, Missouri, man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for producing child pornography.
Elliot Alden Nelson, 31, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri.
Today’s indictment alleges that Nelson used a minor, identified in court documents as Jane Doe (born in 2004), to produce child pornography from April 11 to April 22, 2019. The indictment also charges Nelson with using the internet and a cell phone to attempt to entice the child victim to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Anderson Man Indicted for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Anderson, Missouri, man was indicted by a grand jury today for possessing more than a kilogram of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
William S. Divine, 42, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed on June 6, 2019.
The federal indictment alleges that Divine was in possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on June 5, 2019.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Anderson police officers saw a woman who was known to have outstanding state warrants leaving the Econo Lodge at 491 E. Highway 76 on June 5, 2019, and attempted to stop her vehicle. The woman, who is not identified in court documents, attempted to flee from the officers and struck a law enforcement vehicle. Her vehicle was disabled and she fled on foot with officers in pursuit. The woman eluded officers, who saw her drop a clear plastic bag that contained approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine.
Surveillance video from the Econo Lodge showed the woman entering a room rented by Divine, the affidavit says. Officers searched the room and found a backpack that contained eight individually wrapped bags with a total of 1,360 grams of methamphetamine. According to the affidavit, the backpack also contained a loaded Taurus .45-caliber handgun, as well as documents with Divine’s name on them. Surveillance video from the Econo Lodge showed that Divine entered the room carrying the backpack found to contain the methamphetamine and the handgun.
The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the Anderson, Missouri, Police Department; the McDonald County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department; the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team; and the FBI.
Independence Woman Who Purchased Gun Used in Fatal Shooting Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., woman who purchased the firearm used by a 14-year-old in a fatal shooting has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to drug trafficking.
Rebecca McCrorey, 39, pleaded guilty before U.S. chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Friday, June 7, to maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Independence police officers were dispatched to McCrorey’s residence on July 7, 2018, in regard to a shooting. Officers found the deceased adult victim in the living room. A 14-year-old has been charged in Jackson County Circuit Court in relation to the fatal shooting. According to court documents, McCrorey had recently purchased two Taurus 9mm handguns. The 14-year-old suspect allegedly used one of those firearms in the fatal shooting.
Officers searched the residence and found a bag containing 63.85 grams of methamphetamine in McCrorey’s bedroom. By pleading guilty, McCrorey admitted that she unlawfully and knowingly used her residence for the purpose of using and storing methamphetamine from March 1 to July 7, 2018.
Under federal statutes, McCrorey is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department.
Strafford Woman Sentenced to 12 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Strafford, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Springfield, Mo., area.
Cynthia A. House, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Thursday, June 6, to 12 years in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 6, 2018, House pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to two counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. House admitted that she participated in a conspiracy from November 2015 to February 7, 2017, in which multiple pounds of methamphetamine were purchased from a supplier in Kansas City, Mo., for distribution in the Springfield area.
According to court documents, House contacted her source in Kansas City by telephone to order one or two pounds of methamphetamine each week. House paid approximately $9,000 per pound for the methamphetamine, which was delivered via courier within 24 hours.
From May 2016 to February 2017, according to court documents, significant quantities of methamphetamine were discovered by law enforcement officers in a series of arrests and searches. In total, officers seized approximately 977.89 grams of methamphetamine from House during that time. Additionally, a total of over $21,000 was seized from House (who was unemployed) during the investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Strafford, Mo., Police Department.
KC-Area Man Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., area man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Seneca Harrison, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to seven years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 10, 2018, Harrison was found guilty at trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Harrison was in possession of a loaded Maverick by Mossberg 12-gauge pump action pistol grip shotgun with an obliterated serial number.
A Blue Springs, Mo., police officer conducted a traffic stop of Harrison’s vehicle on April 9, 2018. Harrison was driving a silver GMC Yukon eastbound on 40 Highway. When Harrison stopped his vehicle, he got out of the vehicle and began to walk away. The officer told Harrison to return to his vehicle, but Harrison continued walking away. When the officer attempted to detain Harrison, he resisted by pulling away and pushing the officer. During this interaction, the officer observed the strong odor of alcohol coming from Harrison’s breath. According to court documents, it was later determined that his blood alcohol content was nearly double the legal limit several hours after he was driving his vehicle.
Another officer arrived on the scene and saw the shotgun in the driver’s seat of Harrison’s vehicle. Harrison was arrested. Harrison kicked the rear door of the patrol vehicle while he was being transported to the Blue Springs jail, yelled profanities and threatened to assault the officers. Upon arrival at the jail, Harrison continued to be combative as he threatened and cursed at the officers.
When placed in a holding cell, according to court documents, Harrison removed a small plastic baggie from his sock that contained a white powdery substance and flushed it down the toilet. It was never determined what the baggie contained, but an empty prescription pill bottle that contained residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine was located in Harrison’s cell. Harrison said, “Oh yeah that’s mine. It’s got my name on it.” Harrison continued to be combative and refused to provide a breath test. He was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for a blood draw. While at the hospital, Harrison said, “I’m kinda glad you guys got me. You knew I was going to kill someone tomorrow. I was about to go away for a long time.” Harrison uttered this multiple times in various ways.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Harrison has two prior felony convictions for burglary and prior felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, stealing, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of marijuana. He was on parole for illegally possessing a firearm at the time of this offense.
According to court documents, Harrison used a firearm to break into an occupied residence in April 2008; he then pointed the firearm at victims in the residence, and stole property. While still on parole for the April 2008 incident, in March 2016 he threatened an estranged girlfriend, broke into her residence, and fired a firearm into the residence. Harrison has displayed belligerent and threatening behavior in other incidents, according to court documents, including against law enforcement in Clinton County, Mo., related to a drunk driving arrest, against a Wal-Mart employee and a security officer when a money transfer could not be completed, and when he inflicted bodily injury on an estranged girlfriend.
Harrison has also been charged in Jackson County Circuit Court with a felony offense of driving while intoxicated and with several misdemeanor offenses related to the incident that resulted in this federal prosecution.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Moeder and Ashleigh Ragner. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.KC Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug Trafficking That Led to Kidnapping, TortureRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two men have been sentenced in federal court this week for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that led to the kidnapping and torture of an Independence, Mo., man.
Gerald L. Holmes, also known as “Jerry” or “Joker,” 27, and Richard M. Phoenix, also known as “Snake,” 77, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. Holmes was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Phoenix was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 17, 2018, Holmes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
During the conspiracy, which lasted from May 1 to Sept. 13, 2016, co-defendant Jeremy R. Bond, 40, of Independence, invested $10,000 into the marijuana operation. In return, he received $1,000 a week as interest and free marijuana until the entire principal investment was repaid in full. This investment allowed Holmes and a co-conspirator, identified in court documents as “C.H.” (who had made four trips to Colorado with Gerald Holmes), to purchase greater quantities of marijuana per trip. Once it reached the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, the marijuana was then resold by Gerald Holmes and C.H.
Conspirators purchased at least 120 pounds of marijuana from co-defendant Michael C. Borrusch, also known as “Birdie,” 43, of Lakewood, Colo., for which they made more than a dozen trips between Colorado and Kansas City. Holmes paid Borrusch between $1,600 to $2,400 per pound, depending on the type and quality of marijuana available. Holmes’s father and co-defendant, Randal G. Holmes, also known as “Peckerwood” or “Wood,” 54, of Kansas City, Mo., received $100 for every pound of marijuana brought back to Kansas City because of his prior connection to Borrusch, who was previously his supplier.
On Sept. 12, 2016, Gerald and Randal Holmes agreed to kidnap C.H. because he stole $16,000 that was intended for the purchase of marijuana. C.H. spent the money in Las Vegas, Nev.
They arrived at the Independence, Mo., residence of the victim’s father, identified as “W.H.,” on Sept. 12, 2016. During their conversation, Gerald Holmes removed a firearm from his waistband and placed it on a table in front of W.H. They told W.H. to call C.H. and tell him he was being held at gunpoint and that C.H. needed to come to the residence right away. When C.H. arrived at the residence, Randal Holmes pointed a firearm at him and told him to get into his vehicle. While in the vehicle, Gerald Holmes struck, punched, and choked C.H. as Randal Holmes drove away.
They took C.H. to Randal Holmes’s residence, where they met Phoenix, who was living with Randal Holmes and his wife. C.H. was taken to the basement, where he was assaulted with fists, a hammer, and tin snips/clippers. Gerald Holmes attempted to remove the victim’s pinkie finger and a toe. During the assault, Randal Holmes repeatedly demanded that C.H. disclose where the duffle bag containing the money was located. Randal and Gerald Holmes left to retrieve the duffle bag while Phoenix held C.H. at gunpoint with instructions to shoot him if he got off the desk he had been sitting on.
Randal Holmes later drove C.H. to a rural residence near Edwards, Mo. As Randal Holmes drove them to the residence, Gerald Holmes continued to strike C.H. with fists and the butt of a firearm. When they arrived at the residence, C.H. was told to call his father and to tell him that he was okay, that he had taken a beating, that he would be home in a couple of days, and that he deserved what had happened.
Law enforcement officers were able to trace the telephone call and on Sept. 13, 2016, officers were able to locate C.H. and arrest the conspirators. Officers observed that C.H. had suffered multiple, visible injuries to his face, head, hands, and feet. Officers noted that C.H. had trouble walking, that his face was black and blue, as well as swollen with traces of dried blood. Upon receiving medical treatment, it was determined that C.H. had also suffered a fracture in his left hand.
Officers found a Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol in Randal Holmes’s vehicle and a Hi-Point 9mm pistol in the residence where C.H. had been held. Officers also found an FN Herstal .40-caliber pistol, a Remington .270-caliber rifle, an RG .22-caliber revolver, a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, a Mossberg .20-gauge shotgun, 36.4 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in another residence.
Gerald Holmes and Phoenix are the final defendants to plead guilty and be sentenced in this case. Randal Holmes was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Borrusch was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Jeremy R. Bond, 40, of Independence, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison without parole.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Benton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
KC Woman Sentenced for Fraud Scheme, ID TheftRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for a fraud scheme in which she used stolen identity information to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, then sold the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to others.
Eibony Bowers, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to six years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Bowers to pay $51,685 in restitution.
On Nov. 27, 2018, Bowers pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, two counts of misusing a Social Security number, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Bowers began receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for herself and her four children in 2014. SNAP benefits assist low-income individuals in purchasing groceries to feed themselves and their families. SNAP recipients receive Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards preloaded with approved benefits, and can then utilize the EBT cards to purchase food.
Bowers admitted that she submitted 11 additional applications for SNAP benefits under the names of other persons from March to December 2016. Nine of those applications used the personal identity information (including fraudulent copies of driver’s licenses and Social Security cards) of actual persons without their consent. Two of those applications used the personal identity information of fictitious individuals. Each application included five to seven additional household members. During those nine months, she collected a total of $51,685 in SNAP benefits.
Bowers frequently communicated with state officials though three fax accounts she opened and operated through j2 Cloud Services. Based on the fraudulent information she provided to the Department of Social Services, the agency approved SNAP benefits for all of the applications. After approving each application, the Department of Social Services mailed an EBT card to addresses Bowers provided.
Bowers then sold the EBT cards with the SNAP benefits to other individuals. Buyers paid 50 cents on the dollar for the benefits preloaded on the cards, then returned them after making their purchases.
According to court documents, Bowers was submitting one fraudulent application each month from March to August 2016, then began submitting four a month in September 2016. Her fraud scheme was stopped when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on her hotel room on Dec. 1, 2016. During the execution of the search warrant, officers found her cell phone, a tablet, paperwork with various names and Social Security numbers, receipts with transactions linked to various EBT cards, credit cards, six EBT cards, and multiple Social Security cards.This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney R. Pratten. It was investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services.