Western District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Joplin Woman Pleads Guilty to False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to filing a false tax return as part of a scheme that resulted in at least $138,000 in refunds.
Tara F. Garrett, 36, of Joplin, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges her with making a false claim upon the government.
By pleading guilty today, Garrett admitted that she prepared and electronically submitted at least 20 fraudulent federal income tax returns on behalf of herself and others from February 2010 through April 15, 2015. Garrett used Turbo Tax software on her computer to submit the returns, which included false wage and/or income information on each return for the purpose of increasing the earned income credit, which in turn increased the amount of the tax refund. Those refunds were electronically deposited into Garrett’s bank account or split between her account and the account of the individual for whom the return was prepared.
Garrett kept a significant portion of each refund as payment for preparing the fraudulent tax returns. The total amount of refunds claimed by Garrett, for herself and others, through these tax returns totaled at least $138,135.
Under federal statutes, Garrett 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Steven Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.
California Man Pleads Guilty to $460,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a California man pleaded guilty in federal court today to a nearly $460,000 bank fraud scheme that involved stolen checks and false identities.
Michael Keefe White, 61, of Winnetka, Calif., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
By pleading guilty today, White admitted that he obtained checks stolen from the mail, then used counterfeit identification (such as driver’s licenses with his photo and the name of a victim) to open bank accounts in Missouri and other states in which to deposit the stolen checks as well as counterfeit checks modeled from the stolen checks. White then withdrew or wire transferred the money out of the account.
White used numerous counterfeit driver’s licenses to open bank accounts in a total attempted fraud amount of at least $459,896.
The specific bank fraud to which White pleaded guilty involved an account at a Parkville, Mo., bank in which White deposited a $48,700 counterfeit check. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, White must forfeit to the government $248,155, which represents the actual loss attributable to the fraud scheme.
Under federal statutes, White is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole for bank fraud and money laundering, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. 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, U.S. Department of Treasury – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspector Service.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Heroin Trafficking in SpringfieldRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Oak Lawn, Ill., man and a Springfield, Mo., man have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a heroin trafficking conspiracy in the Springfield area.
Deauntee Q. Mosby, 24, of Oak Lawn, and Joshua C. Leamon, 26, of Springfield, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Mosby was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison without parole. Leamon was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
Both Mosby and Leamon pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin in Greene County, Mo., between May 29, 2013, and Feb. 12, 2015.
Mosby admitted that he bought heroin in the Chicago, Ill., area and had it transported in vehicles to the Springfield area, where it was sold to Leamon and other co-conspirators for distribution.
Mosby was stopped by law enforcement officers on two occasions. On Aug. 28, 2013, he was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped in Nixa, Mo. Mosby, who smelled of marijuana, was asked to get out of the vehicle. The officer searched the vehicle and found a syringe that contained heroin between the front driver and passenger seat, a digital scale with heroin residue, and $2,373 in the driver’s wallet. The officer also found a firearm in the trunk. Mosby was also stopped in Pulaski County, Mo., on Jan. 12, 2015, by a St. Robert, Mo., police officer. The officer smelled marijuana in the vehicle and arrested Mosby for an active warrant. Officers searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag behind a panel below the center console that contained 59.36 grams of heroin.
Mosby also admitted that he sold seven grams of heroin to a confidential law enforcement informant in Springfield for $1,100 on Sept. 13, 2013.
Leamon admitted that he purchased heroin from Mosby and other conspirators. He would then distribute the heroin for $30 for each tenth of a gram. Leamon sold and used approximately a quarter of an ounce of heroin per week. Leamon also admitted that he accompanied others to Chicago, St. Louis, Mo., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to buy large amounts of heroin.
Leamon admitted that he sold a Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic pistol and .93 gram of heroin during an undercover drug buy with Springfield Police Department detectives and a confidential informant on Feb. 12, 2015.
Mosby and Leamon are the final defendants among seven co-defendants who have been sentenced in this case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan D. Nguyen and Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Two Mexican Nationals Indicted for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Mexican nationals were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of methamphetamine.
Jose Adrian Medina-Herrera, 21, and Jose Farias-Valdovinos, 41, both citizens of Mexico, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against both defendants on Jan. 12, 2017.
The federal indictment alleges that Medina-Herrera and Farias-Valdovinos participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on Jan. 11, 2017. They are also charged with aiding and abetting each other to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Medina-Herrera was arrested at a local bus station on Jan. 11, 2017. Medina-Herrera, who told officers he originally had traveled from California to St. Louis, Mo., had a one-way ticket from St. Louis to Kansas City, Mo. A law enforcement officer searched his suitcase, the affidavit says, and discovered 11 bundles wrapped in brown packing tape that contained a total of 5.352 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Farias-Valdovinos was arrested when he arrived at the bus station to pick up Medina-Herrera.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney R. Pratten. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Northwest Missouri Farmer Indicted for $800,000 Crop Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Albany, Mo., farmer was indicted by a federal grand jury today for a nearly $800,000 fraud scheme to receive federal crop insurance payments to which he was not entitled.
Ryan A. Ruckman, 60, of Albany, was charged in an eight-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Ruckman owned and operated farms in the Missouri counties of Gentry, Davies, Nodaway, Worth and Harrison, as well as counties in southern Iowa. The indictment alleges that Ruckman defrauded the government by claiming federal benefits in his son’s name in order to receive additional payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), the Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment program and the Multiple Peril Crop Insurance program.
In order to be eligible to receive those payments, an applicant must be actively engaged in farming. Ruckman’s son, the indictment says, was a full-time student at Logan University College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Mo. Ruckman allegedly placed crop ownership/production in his son’s name in order to increase the number of persons eligible to receive federal benefits.
From February 2007 to May 2010, the indictment says, Ruckman submitted documentation to provide the appearance that his son was the producer of the crops and to conceal the fact that he was the actual producer of the crops. According to the indictment, losses incurred by the government as a result of Ruckman’s fraud scheme totaled approximately $795,935.
According to the indictment, Ruckman used the proceeds of the fraud scheme to make payments on approximately $2.9 million in farm operating loans at Midstates Bank in Harlan, Iowa.
Today’s indictment charges Ruckman with eight counts of loan application fraud. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Ruckman to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the alleged fraud.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Senior Litigation Counsel Gregg R. Coonrod. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and Risk Management Agency.
Garden City Man Indicted for Illegal Firearm, ExplosivesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Garden City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for illegally possessing a firearm and two pipe bombs.
Caleb M. Ayers, 29, of Garden City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Ayers, a convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm and explosives on May 14, 2016. Ayers allegedly possessed a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and two pipe bombs.
One of the pipe bombs is described in the indictment as an approximately 12-gram carbon dioxide cartridge filled with a quantity of explosive powder, with a functional green pyrotechnic fuse protruding from its opening and Zinc-coated steel balls (measuring approximately 0.174 inches in diameter) glued to the cartridge with yellow epoxy-type adhesive. The second pipe bomb is described in the indictment as a length of white PVC pipe, approximately 3/4 of inch in diameter, sealed with white PVC end caps attached at each end. The PVC pipe contained a quantity of explosive powder and there was lead shot of at least two sizes, No. 8 and No. 9, glued to the exterior of the pipe with a yellow adhesive.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or explosives. Ayers has prior felony convictions for possessing methamphetamine and resisting arrest.
Ayers is also charged with one count of possessing unregistered destructive devices.
Ayers was originally arrested when law enforcement officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Hawthorne Bank in Drexel, Mo. When officers arrived, Ayers was sleeping in the driver’s seat of a GMC utility truck, which was running. The loaded pistol was lying on top of the center console. After Ayers was awakened, an officer searched the vehicle and found the explosive devices in a plastic box in the rear seat.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to using a minor to produce child pornography.
Tyler Coons, 25, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of using a minor to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.
The investigation began when the father of an 11-year-old girl filed a report with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on June 3, 2014, after his daughter received inappropriate Facebook messages from Coons. When he signed into his daughter’s Facebook account, he saw messages from Coons and set up a meeting with him, pretending to be his daughter. The father met Coons on the playground of a local elementary school and told him to have no further contact with his daughter.
On June 20, 2014, a search warrant was obtained for Coons’s Facebook account and Facebook provided investigators with more than 8,000 pages of private messages exchanged between Coons and others. Many of the messages were from young girls between the ages of 11 and 17. Coons asked several of the girls to send him pictures of themselves without clothes on.
During numerous Facebook conversations with girls claiming to be under the age of 18, Coons refers to exchanging naked pictures via social media, including Snapchat, Instagram and Kik. Frequently, during the conversations, Coons refers to the females as “jailbait” and indicates that he is aware he is engaging in illegal activity.
On July 10, 2014, detectives from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at Coons’s residence. Coons was inside the residence with a 17-year-old female, who was identified as one of the minors who had sent him several pornographic images of herself. Coons admitted that he and the 17-year-old were sexually active, and that they could have been sexually active while she was still 16 years old. Coons also admitted that he sent a naked picture of himself to her.
In an interview with investigators, the 17-year-old victim said that she and another minor, whom she believed to be 15 years old, had engaged in sexual activity with Coons at his residence on the night before the search warrant was executed.
Under federal statutes, Coons is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 50 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Greene 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."
Nevada Woman Pleads Guilty to Taking 'Food Stamps' for Meth, CashRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Nevada, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a conspiracy to exchange “food stamps” for methamphetamine or cash.
Julie M. Drake, 48, of Nevada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
By pleading guilty today, Drake admitted that she participated in a conspiracy from Oct. 14 to Aug. 30, 2015, in Bates and Vernon Counties. Drake accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, better known as “food stamps,” in exchange for methamphetamine or a percentage of the benefits in cash. Drake then used the EBT cards and PINs belonging to others to buy her own food.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Department officers executed a search warrant at Drake’s residence on Oct. 14, 2015. During a search of the master bedroom, officers found a purse that contained 22 baggies of methamphetamine, weighing approximately 100 grams, packaged for distribution. Officers also found two digital scales in the bedroom closet, as well as a safe that contained $4,720. Four EBT cards belonging to four other individuals were found on the dresser.
Investigators then reviewed video surveillance from the Wal-Mart stores in Nevada and Lamar, Mo., which showed Drake using the EBT cards found in her bedroom.
In interviews with federal agents, one of the recipients of the EBT cards admitted he used his EBT benefits to buy a quarter ounce of methamphetamine from Drake. He told investigators that a $55.94 transaction was payment for the methamphetamine, which would have cost approximately half the value of the transaction. Another one of the recipients admitted to selling his EBT benefits to Drake for 50 cents per each $1 in benefits. She would come to his residence to retrieve the EBT card, call the 1-800 number on the back of the EBT card to verify the balance, and then give him half of the value in cash.
Under federal statutes, Drake 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 Nhan D. Nguyen and Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and the Vernon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Monett Man Sentenced for Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Monett, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today in two separate cases for illegally possessing firearms.
Shannon Lee Barlow, 42, of Monett, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to four years and two months in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 9, 2016, Barlow pleaded guilty to two separate indictments that each charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On Dec. 30, 2015, law enforcement officers contacted Barlow at his residence in order to place him under arrest for felony warrants. According to court documents, Barlow came out of the back door of his house with a loaded Harrington & Richardson 20-gauge sawed-off shotgun. He was immediately confronted by law enforcement and refused numerous commands to drop the firearm. Barlow repeatedly told deputies that they would need to shoot him and he refused to disarm, even when confronted by three sheriff's deputies. Barlow's refusal to disarm continued on for approximately half an hour.
Barlow eventually dropped the shotgun and was arrested, at which time officers found several needles and two small plastic baggies with suspected methamphetamine in his pockets. Barlow told officers there was a meth lab in the garage that belonged to his friend. Deputies also arrested the person operating the meth lab.
After he was arrested, Barlow told officers that, had the deputy who originally confronted him been a man, he would have "blown the deputy away." Barlow admitted that he did not try to shoot and kill the deputy because he did not want to kill a woman, but he had no qualms about shooting a male police officer.
Approximately seven months later, after Barlow had been indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm, law enforcement officers came into contact with him again while investigating a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a residence. On July 8, 2016, officers entered a residence in Monett and found Barlow asleep in the living room. He had a loaded FED Hungary, 9x18mm handgun in a holster attached to his left hip. Barlow was awakened and arrested without incident.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Barlow has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. They were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Lee's Summit Man Sentenced for $3.7 Million Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a more than $3.7 million mortgage fraud scheme.
Albert William Roberts III, 68, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to four years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Roberts to pay $1,992,221 in restitution.
On May 13, 2016, Roberts was found guilty at trial of four counts of wire fraud. Roberts, a retired Kansas City, Mo., school teacher, obtained a total of $3,758,420 from mortgage lenders and title companies from 2002 to 2007 for the purchase of a dozen properties from Penrod Homes, Inc. – three properties in Lee’s Summit, six properties in Peculiar, Mo., and three properties in Greenwood, Mo. Most of the homes were priced in the upper $100,000 or lower $200,000 range; the most expensive was a home on about two acres for $1.3 million.
Although Roberts was found guilty of wire fraud specifically in connection with two of those transactions, evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Roberts’ fraud extended to 10 additional properties. Roberts obtained all 12 mortgage loans by material false and fraudulent representations and omissions of facts. He structured the purchases of the homes in such a way that he received $807,203 in kickbacks that were not disclosed to the lenders.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Consultant Gregg R. Coonrod and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI.
Lebanon Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a prior sex offender in Lebanon, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Christian Cannon, 44, of Lebanon, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Cannon, who has six prior state convictions in Washington for possessing child pornography (all from the same criminal case), was sentenced as a prior sex offender.
On July 28, 2016, Cannon pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography.
On April 18, 2014, a law enforcement officer conducting an investigation into the distribution of child pornography by suspects using peer-to-peer file-sharing software identified Cannon’s computer as sharing images of child pornography over the Internet. Officers executed a search warrant at Cannon’s residence and seized his computer. A forensic examiner located three videos and two images of child pornography on the computer.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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 Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography.
Donovan K. Munter, 21, of Kansas City, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to a federal information that charges him with one count of possessing child pornography.
In February 2015, federal agents conducting an investigation of a peer-to-peer file-sharing network identified Munter’s computer as sharing images and videos of child pornography over the Internet. Agents executed a search warrant at Munter’s residence on June 4, 2015, and seized several computers and related items.
A forensic examiner located more than 1,200 images and more than 300 movies of child pornography on the computers and electronic media, including images of children as young as three years old.
Under federal statutes, Munter 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 David Luna. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
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."
Lawson Man Charged with Illegal Pipe BombRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lawson, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing a pipe bomb.
Josh Louis Dubrel, 20, of Lawson, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Dubrel, who was arrested today, remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017.
Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Dubrel possessed a pipe bomb that was not registered to him. The complaint describes the pipe bomb as “a six to eight-inch-long, one-inch nominal diameter metal pipe with metal end caps attached, containing explosive material, complete with a green pyrotechnic fuse extending out the top opening.”
According to an affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Dubrel has been making and storing pipe bombs at his residence, which is directly across the street from Lawson High School and Lawson Middle School.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Dubrel’s residence today and placed him under arrest. During a search of the residence, officers discovered a brown briefcase in Dubrel’s bedroom that contained a completed metal pipe bomb as well as five metal pipe nipples, five metal end caps, a pyrotechnic fuse, plumber putty, an electronic firing system, two light bulbs, and apparent explosive material.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint 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. Attorneys Adam Caine and Justin Davids. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Holt Man Sentenced for Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Holt, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for sharing child pornography over the Internet.
Jeffrey T. Pachl, 54, of Holt, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to eight years in federal prison without parole.
On July 25, 2016, Pachl pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography over the Internet. He admitted that he used peer-to-peer file-sharing software to share images of child pornography over the Internet. An FBI agent identified Pachl’s computer as making child pornography available for other users to download and FBI agents executed a search warrant at his residence on April 18, 2014. Agents seized two desktop computers, an external hard drive and seven USB drives from the residence.
Agents contacted Pachl at his workplace and interviewed him. Pachl admitted that he used a desktop computer in the basement office of his home to search for and download child pornography, and that he had been using the file-sharing program for approximately 10 years.
Investigators found more than 27,000 images and more than 300 videos of child pornography on the USB drives. Several dozen images of child pornography were located on the computers and external drive, including images of bondage and torture, many of prepubescent victims. Evidence was located related to extensive Internet browsing of files indicating access to hundreds of files of possible child pornography.
Pachl also used an alias to communicate with females via Facebook. Investigators discovered numerous messages with females, most of whom appeared to be under the age of 18. Pachl discussed sexual photos with most of the females and asked for additional photographs from many of them. Agents also discovered Pachl’s e-mail account, which he used to receive photographs and spoke explicitly via e-mail with a person who claimed she was 14 years old.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Pachl must pay restitution to six victims who have petitioned for restitution from every person who received or possessed pictures of their childhood sexual abuse. Pachl must pay $5,000 in restitution to each victim, or $3,000 to each victim if he can pay within 30 days.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. 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."
Former Fort Leonard Wood Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a ChildRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Brattleboro, Vt., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to aggravated sexual abuse of a 6-year-old child at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Paul Kickery, Sr., 67, of Brattleboro, formerly of Fort Leonard Wood, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
According to court documents, the victim’s father contacted the Brattleboro, Vt., Police Department, to report that his daughter had been sexually assaulted by Kickery over the course of approximately a year. During the time of the sexual assaults, between July 1, 2013, and July 31, 2014, both Kickery and the then-6-year-old victim were residing in the same residence at the U.S. Army Military Base at Fort Leonard Wood. The child victim disclosed the abuse to a family member about a year later.
Under federal statutes, Kickery is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years, up to a life term of imprisonment 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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI and the Brattleboro, Vt., Police Department.
Sedalia Man Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Sedalia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Darrick Thomas Brown, 38, of Sedalia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to seven years in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 10, 2016, Brown pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brown admitted that he was in possession of a Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol on Feb. 28, 2016.
According to court documents, Pettis County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Super 7 Motel in Sedalia on Feb. 28, 2016, in response to a report that shots were fired. Deputies encountered Brown coming out of a motel room and observed a gun lying on the floor inside the bedroom. Deputies found evidence indicating that a gun had been fired twice inside the room. One bullet travelled through a microwave oven and entered the bedroom wall; the other bullet struck the top of the entertainment center. Brown’s girlfriend’s two young children occupied the adjacent room.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Brown has prior felony convictions for distributing controlled substances, failure to appear in court, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting/interfering with an arrest, assault, possessing a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.
Brown was on state parole when he committed this federal offense. According to court documents, Brown has ties with a Sedalia street gang and is an active member of that gang. Brown has a history of substance abuse, including extensive use of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pettis County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Columbia Tax Preparer Sentenced for Fraud Scheme, Failure to pay TaxesRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., tax preparer was sentenced in federal court today for defrauding his clients and failing to pay his personal income taxes, which totaled nearly $300,000.
David Lee Keithley, 63, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Keithley to pay $291,041 in restitution to his victims. Keithley must surrender on March 10, 2017, to begin serving his sentence.
On Aug. 2, 2016, Keithley pleaded guilty to one count of assisting in the filing of a false income tax return and one count of failing to file an income tax return.
Keithley owned and operated Keithley and Associates, offering tax preparation and payroll tax services in Columbia. Keithley was hired by his clients to prepare the proper tax returns as well as make the tax deposits to the government. After accepting funds from his clients, however, Keithley failed to make the clients’ tax deposits to the government. Instead, Keithley admitted, he used the money for his own personal benefit. When clients contacted Keithley after receiving letters from the IRS indicating these returns had not been filed or taxes had not been paid, he told his clients he would contact the IRS to correct it. The total amount of these misappropriated funds is $120,354.
Keithley also admitted that he willfully failed to file federal income tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2013. The total amount of tax owed by Keithley to the IRS for those years is $148,423. In addition, Keithley owes the state of Missouri $22,264 for state income taxes due for the years 2009-2013.
The total loss caused by Keithley’s criminal conduct is $291,041.
According to court documents, Keithley has a lengthy criminal history of theft and fraud, including three state felony convictions that involved, among other crimes, thefts from business clients and stealing funds that were supposed to be used for a client’s tax payment.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Columbia Man Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Jordan Daniel Smith, 23, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to four years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
On July 5, 2016, Smith pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Smith admitted that he was in possession of a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and ammunition on Oct. 6, 2015.
Smith was arrested after he fled from Columbia police officers on Oct. 6, 2015. Smith, who was driving a 2000 Lincoln LS, was stopped for a traffic violation. When a police detective approached and instructed him to turn off his vehicle, Smith refused and sped away. Smith ran a stop sign, passed another car and drove at speeds between 70-80 mph on Columbia surface streets. Eventually Smith stopped again and was arrested.
A private citizen found the loaded handgun lying on the street along the route of the car chase.
The court found that Smith possessed the firearm in connection with another felony offense. Officers found a scale with cocaine residue in the center console of the car that Smith was driving. Officers also found marijuana and crumbs of cocaine in the vehicle.
Smith pleaded guilty in state court to resisting arrest by fleeing-creating a substantial risk of serious injury and was sentenced to four years’ custody on Aug. 22, 2016.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Smith has prior felony convictions for assault and armed criminal action.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.
Company Convicted of OSHA Violation That Caused Worker's Death at KC JobsiteRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Pacific, Mo., company has been found guilty of violating an OSHA regulation and causing the death of a Raymore, Mo., ironworker.
DNRB, Inc., doing business as Fastrack Erectors, located in Pacific, was found guilty following a bench trial that concluded on Aug. 17, 2016, before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays, whose order setting out the findings of fact and conclusions of law was issued on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.
“The court found that Fastrack was aware of safety violations but willfully ignored them, with tragic results,” Dickinson said. “Federal law requires employers to protect their workers from workplace hazards in order to prevent needless injuries and deaths. Employers will be held accountable when they fail in that responsibility.”
In July 2014, Fastrack was a subcontractor in the construction of a 300,000-square-foot distribution warehouse located in Kansas City, Mo. Fastrack is an American Institute of Steel Construction-certified steel erection company that specializes in structural steel, miscellaneous steel, pre-engineered metal buildings, ornamental metal handrail, and precast installation. Fastrack supplied on-site supervisors (who are based in the St. Louis, Mo., area) while the ironworkers were hired from the union local in Kansas City, Mo.
On July 24, 2014, two Fastrack ironworker employees were receiving a bundle of roof decking sheet metal and setting it on top of the building’s bar joists. The employees’ task required them to guide the decking bundle to land it. Each decking bundle was 26 feet long by 36 inches wide. The employees accessed the top of the building from a scissor lift and walked approximately 15 feet along a joist without wearing any fall protection. They walked on trusses that were nine inches wide, or bar joists which were five inches wide. Other ironworkers secured the decking to the trusses with screws and welds. These workers did not use fall protection.
Eric Roach, 22, one of the employees landing the decking, fell approximately 30 feet to the ground and was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day.
Fastrack was a subcontractor to ARCO National Construction-KC, Inc. According to court documents, the contract between ARCO and Fastrack required that Fastrack “personnel who are working or present at heights in excess of 6 feet shall be provided, by (Fastrack) adequate fall protection.” Fastrack failed to enforce the use of fall protection.
No fall protection equipment was provided by the company. Both working foremen on the site were told, or questioned, about the lack of fall protection equipment and were in a position to personally observe employees failing to use fall protection equipment. At least one of the foremen was working on the decking in the immediate area of the employees; he failed to wear fall protection himself and failed to enforce the use of fall protection by the employees.
Federal statutes require that each employee engaged in a steel erection activity who is on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level shall be protected from fall hazards by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, positioning device systems or fall restraint systems.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evert Van Wijk and Rachel Parsons, both of the Department of Labor – Office of Solicitor. It was investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
El Dorado Springs Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $380,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an El Dorado Springs, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to a mail fraud scheme by which she stole more than $380,000 from her employer and to filing a false tax return.
Regina Allison, 47, of El Dorado Springs, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to both counts of a federal information that charges her with one count of mail fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.
Allison was hired by Allison Tire Company, Inc., and Allison Oil and Auto Supply in 2003. As a part of her duties at the company, which is owned in part by her ex-husband, Allison prepared company checks for payment of invoices. Allison was fired from her position in November 2015 after her supervisors discovered that she had forged numerous checks from the accounts of Allison Tire and Allison Oil to pay fictitious businesses she had created for her personal benefit.
According to today’s plea agreement, Allison opened two bank accounts, one at a bank in Bolivar, Mo., and another at a bank in Nevada, Mo., under the names of two separate businesses. Neither of the business entities actually created any products or provided any services. Allison admitted that she used her position at Allison Tire and Allison Oil to write numerous company checks to these fictitious businesses, and forged the signatures of authorized signors.
Over the span of nearly four years, from November 2011 to November 2015, Allison embezzled a total of at least $380,134. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Allison must pay that amount of restitution to her former employer.
Allison also admitted that she failed to report this embezzled income on her federal income tax returns. The total tax loss to the United States was $58,813, without penalty or interest. The total tax loss to the state of Missouri was $16,315, without penalty or interest.
Under federal statutes, Allison is subject to a sentence of up to 23 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 Casey Clark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
North Carolina Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a North Carolina man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for the sexual exploitation of a child in Joplin, Mo.
David Lee Perkins, 33, of Winston-Salem, N.C., was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Perkins on Dec. 12, 2016.
The federal indictment alleges that Perkins crossed state lines to engage in a sexual act with a minor under the age of 12, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, from April 16, 2014, to Dec. 11, 2016. Perkins is also charged with using the child victim to produce child pornography and with receiving and distributing child pornography.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Joplin police officers were dispatched to a Joplin, Mo., hotel where Perkins was staying on Dec. 11, 2016. A female acquaintance of Perkins told officers that she found several videos on an iPad of Perkins engaged in sexually explicit conduct with Jane Doe. Officers contacted Perkins in his hotel room and placed him under arrest.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Newton, N.C., 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."
Nixa Woman Sentenced for $90 Million Fraud Scheme to Sell Counterfeit Cell Phone PartsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Nixa, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for selling more than $90 million worth of counterfeit cell phone components to hundreds of thousands of consumers over the Internet and at a Springfield, Mo., store.
Sherrie Householder, 59, of Nixa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Householder to pay $8,866,069 in restitution.
On May 26, 2016, Householder pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.
Householder managed and operated Flash Technology, LLC, also known as Flash Tech, a business that sold cell phone components (such as replacement screens, lithium batteries, weight scales, phone cases and internal circuitry) through numerous Internet retail sites and at a Springfield store. Flash Tech sold hundreds of thousands, and potentially millions of different cell phone parts shipped to consumers throughout the United States. According to court documents, more than $90 million in sales were made to hundreds of thousands of consumers from December 2012 to January 2016.
Householder represented that the cell phone components were manufactured by legitimate companies – including Apple, Samsung, LG, Microsoft, Android, Dell, Blackberry, ASUS, Acer, Kindle, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, Sony, ZTE and others. Although each part contained trademarks and markings that made it appear the legitimate holder of the trademark had manufactured the parts, and although Householder used the trademarks and logos of these companies on her Web sites, the components were actually counterfeit.
Wang “Frank” Luo, a Chinese citizen, owned Flash Tech, while Householder managed the company’s activities in the United States. Lou shipped the cell phone component parts to Householder. Nearly 5,000 international shipments were sent to Flash Tech from China.
According to court documents, Householder’s knowledge that a fraud was being perpetrated occurred during the last six months before law enforcement shut the operation down, when she began receiving seizure letters from Customs and Border Protection. Between August and December 2015, over a dozen shipments from Luo’s factory in China to Householder in Springfield were intercepted and inspected by CBP agents. After seizing each shipment, CBP issued a letter of notification informing Householder of the seizure due to confiscated counterfeit items. Even though she was informed that the items she received from Luo were counterfeit, she continued selling these counterfeit products. Between August 2015 and the execution of federal search warrants on Feb. 2, 2016, Householder sold approximately $8,860,000, in counterfeit cell phones and component parts.
When federal agents executed search warrants at Householder’s residence and Flash Tech’s business address, they seized over 100,000 cell phone and component parts. The counterfeit items seized by agents had a retail value of approximately $5.5 million and filled two large moving trucks.
Householder must forfeit to the government $556,938 seized from various PayPal, Amazon and bank accounts; numerous desktop and laptop computers, iPads, hard drives, computer and cell phone components; and a money judgment of $8,866,069.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Man Indicted for Enticing Missing Teen for Illicit SexRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a man previously charged with attempting to entice a missing Springfield, Mo., teenager to engage in illicit sexual activity has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Dominic Keith Pearson, 25, no known address, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Pearson on Jan. 11, 2017.
The indictment contains the same charge as the original criminal complaint, alleging that Pearson attempted to entice a minor to engage in illicit sex.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the complaint, the 13-year-old child victim – identified in court documents as “Jane Doe” – was reported missing from her home in Springfield on Jan. 8, 2017. Investigators found a series of messages between Pearson and Jane Doe on a cell phone, the affidavit says, indicating that Pearson was traveling to meet Jane Doe.
On Jan. 10, 2017, Pearson and Jane Doe were located in a truckers lounge at Petro Truck Stop off Interstate 70 near Oak Grove, Mo. Both Pearson and Jane Doe had luggage with them in the lounge.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Oak Grove, 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 Tax Preparer Indicted for False ClaimsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false claims for refunds.
Virginia Marie Hayes, 32, of Kansas City, was charged in a 25-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. The indictment was unsealed and made public following her arrest and initial court appearance.
The federal indictment alleges that Hayes, the owner of KC Tax Professionals, LLC, filed fraudulent tax returns that claimed refunds to which the individuals were not entitled. Hayes is charged with 25 counts of making false claims to a government agency for tax returns filed in 2012 and 2013.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
KC Man Pleads Guilty to $1.2 Million Oxycodone ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a $1.2 million conspiracy to distribute oxycodone that was obtained by using forged and fraudulent prescriptions.
Robert G. Joy, also known as “Bear,” 34, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to the charge contained in a Feb. 2, 2016, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Joy admitted that he participated in a conspiracy from June 2013 to January 2016 to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, oxycodone. Conspirators obtained prescription-quality paper commonly used by authorized health care providers to write prescriptions. They also obtained the DEA registration numbers of health care providers, which they used to prepare fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone.
Conspirators took the false prescriptions to pharmacies in Kansas City metropolitan area. They commonly sold the oxycodone 30mg pills for between $15 to $25 per pill.
Joy was arrested with co-defendant Katherine E. Beaven, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 26, 2013. Kansas City Police Department detectives stopped the vehicle Joy was driving. Officers found an orange pill bottle in the car that contained 34 oxycodone pills, which was marked as a prescription in another person’s name. Officers also found a three-ring binder that contained a dozen forged prescriptions for oxycodone as well as blank sheets of prescription-quality paper.
Joy is the ninth defendant to plead guilty in this case. Beaven, Timothy D. Kroenke, 27, Nicholas Destefano, 38, and Jermaine C. Brooks, 29, all of Kansas City, Mo., Christopher J. Neale, 27, of Harrisonville, Mo.; and Thomas Poindexter, 42, of Olathe, Kan., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Co-defendants Michelle C. Newton, 46, and Felicita A. San Miguel, also known as “Cassandra Jasso,” “Susan Hernandez,” and “Sarah Buckner,” 38, both of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
Under federal statutes, Joy 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.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Joy must also forfeit to the government a $1.2 million money judgment, which represents the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the police departments of Riverside, Blue Springs, Independence, Kearney, Odessa, Nevada, Higginsville, Drexel Lee’s Summit and Butler.
Three Gladstone, KC Residents Sentenced for Pharmacy Robberies, Fake Oxycodone PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Gladstone, Mo., residents and a Kansas City, Mo., man have sentenced in federal court for their roles in conspiracies to pass fraudulent prescriptions and to steal thousands of oxycodone pills in a series of pharmacy robberies.
Julian R. King, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced today U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 21 months in federal prison without parole. Tara D. Childress, 31, and Michael C. Bellinghausen, 33, both of Gladstone, were sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. Childress was sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Bellinghausen was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole.
Childress and Bellingausen each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and to conspiracy to commit robbery. King pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.
King, Childress and Bellinghausen are among nine co-defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. Co-defendants Danielle Bradbury, 27, and Aaron M. Anderson, 26, both of Kansas City, Mo., and Melinda P. Backhus, 24, of Gladstone, have also been sentenced. Co-defendants Austin T. Bradbury (Danielle Bradbury’s husband), 27, Christa M. O’Dell, 21, and Matthew Larson, 25, all of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
Bellinghausen and Childress admitted that they were involved with others in passing numerous fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone from May 1, 2013, to July 16, 2015, and either using or distributing those pills for money. Once it became more difficult to fill those fraudulent prescriptions, Bradbury agreed with others to begin robbing pharmacies in the metro area for oxycodone.
Bellinghausen admitted to planning the June 9, 2015, robbery of a Walgreens pharmacy at 1191 W. Kansas St., Liberty, Mo., which was then carried out by co-conspirators. In that robbery, a female conspirator loitered briefly in the store, asked where the tampons were located, and then left the store without making a purchase. At approximately 3:49 a.m., Bradbury and a co-conspirator entered the store wearing hooded sweatshirts and hospital surgical-style masks and gloves. They made their way directly to the pharmacy, where they jumped over the pharmacy counter, grabbed the pharmacist by the shirt, and forced him to identify where the oxycodone was stored and unlock the shelf. During this time the pharmacist reported that the male suspect held him by the shirt collar from behind and was holding something in the small of the victim’s back that the victim perceived to be a gun. The pharmacist did not actually see a weapon. The suspects then removed approximately 2,911 oxycodone pills of various strengths from the shelves and placed them into plastic Walgreens shopping bags that they removed from the counter. The suspects then fled the store through a rear exit.
Bellinghausen also admitted that he was the one who planned the other Walgreens pharmacy robberies committed during the summer of 2015.
Childress and King each admitted that they participated in the robbery of a Walgreens at 3915 S. Noland Rd., Independence, Mo., on May 16, 2015. King was the get-away driver for the robbery that occurred in the pre-dawn hours. Childress and Austin Bradbury demanded that the pharmacist provide them with oxycodone. The robbers successfully obtained approximately 1,426 doses of the drug and fled the scene.
King also admitted that he participated in the attempted robbery of the Independence Walgreens again on Sept. 9, 2015. Conspirators were detained by store personnel until officers arrived and arrested King and Backhus. Anderson, the getaway driver, fled the scene before officers arrived.
According to court documents, conspirators were also responsible for robbing the Walgreens at 2630 N.E. Vivion Rd., Kansas City, Mo., on May 5, 2015.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Lee's Summit Man Sentenced for Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing child pornography.
Douglas E. Sands, 56, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to five years in federal prison without parole.
On May 24, 2016, Sands pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. Sands, who admitted that he had been looking at child pornography for almost 20 years, was identified as having downloaded a number of suspected child pornography files over the Internet through a peer-to-peer file-sharing program.
On Feb. 19, 2015, federal agents interviewed Sands at his residence and seized a desktop computer and two thumb drives. A forensic analysis located approximately 1,326 photos and 203 videos of child pornography on his computer equipment.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI and the Internet Crimes Against Children 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."
KC Man Sentenced for Laser StrikeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for aiming his laser pointer at a Kansas City, Mo, Police Department helicopter.
Jordan Clarence Rogers, 26, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, to three years in federal prison without parole.
Rogers, who pleaded guilty on Sept. 8, 2016, admitted that he aimed the beam of a laser pointer at a Kansas City, Mo., Police Department helicopter on Oct. 8, 2013. Rogers struck the helicopter three times with a green laser light. He twice hit the eye of one of the pilots, causing eye strain that lasted for hours after the incident.
In sentencing Rogers, the court found that he recklessly endangered the safety of an aircraft, which was flying over a residential neighborhood. The government, in a sentencing memorandum to the court, described Rogers’s conduct as “another example of the criminally antisocial behavior that (his) extensive criminal history shows to be part of his daily life.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by the FBI.
Former Physician Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Kansas City, Mo., physician who lost his medical license due to an earlier fraud scheme, pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a fraud scheme that involved disability examinations of veterans.
Wayne W. Williamson, 74, of Kansas City, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to a federal information that charges him with health care fraud.
Williamson was a medical consultant at Industrial Medical Center (IMC) during various periods beginning at least as early as 2013 through at least March 2015. IMC was a medical clinic in Independence, Mo.; among other things, it was a drug and DNA testing center, had contracts with various entities to provide medical services to patients, and provided drug testing and physical examinations for drivers of commercial motor vehicles.
Williamson was formerly a medical doctor but voluntarily surrendered his medical license in 2010 after he pled guilty to health care fraud; conspiracy to distribute Oxycotin, Percocet, and Xanax; and harassing or attempting to harass an investigator with the Missouri State Board of Healing Arts. Williamson was sentenced to three years in federal prison and permanently excluded from participation in Medicare or Medicaid programs.
Williamson performed disability examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs under IMC’s contract with Logistics Health, Inc., to determine the extent of veterans’ impairments and eligibility for benefits. This was done in violation of Logistic Health’s contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which required that disability examinations be conducted by credentialed providers and that the examiners must have a clear and unrestricted license and not be excluded from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. However, after the only trained and licensed provider at IMC left on July 16, 2013, Williamson conducted the examinations.
IMC falsely represented that a physician had completed and electronically signed the Disability Benefits Questionnaires. IMC submitted invoices to Logistics Health to be paid for 209 disability examinations on 53 veterans. In turn, Logistics Health submitted invoices to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the disability examinations performed by its subcontractor, IMC. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs paid Logistics Health $39,155 for the disability examinations performed by its subcontractor, IMC.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Williamson must forfeit $39,155 to the government.
In April 2014, Logistics Health contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs—Office of Inspector General hotline and reported the fraudulent activity. Because a credentialed provider did not conduct the disability examinations, the Department of Veterans Affairs had to re-adjudicate all those claims. Some veterans had to be physically re-examined, and others had their claim file reviewed.
Under federal statutes, Williamson 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. Attorneys Cindi S. Woolery and Jane Pansing Brown. It was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs—Office of Inspector General, the Department of Transportation—Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor—EBSA and the Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General.
Five Springfield Residents Indicted for Meth Conspiracy, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that five Springfield, Mo., residents were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County and Webster County, Mo., and for illegally possessing firearms.
Randy G. Dabney, 53, James O. Mitchell, 45, Christopher R. Mays, 35, Michael J. Boehm 22, and Kayla A. Morrill, 40, all of Springfield, were charged in a 25-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
Today’s indictment alleges that all five co-defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Nov. 24, 2015, to Sept. 28, 2016.
In addition to the conspiracy, Dabney is charged with three counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking conspiracy, five counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and one count of illegally possessing a sawed-off rifle. Dabney, who has a prior felony conviction, allegedly was in possession of a Rock Island Armory .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol on April 14, 2016; a Ruger .22-caliber rifle on April 26, 2016; a Star B. Echevarria 9mm semi-automatic pistol on May 4, 2016; a Colt .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol on May 24, 2016; and a Jimenez Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Taurus .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol and an O.F. Mossberg and Sons 12-gauge shotgun on June 1, 2016. Dabney allegedly was in possession of a sawed-off Ruger .22-caliber rifle on April 26, 2016.
Mitchell and Morrill are also charged together in one count of aiding and abetting one another to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Mitchell is also charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine, three counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. Mitchell, who has a prior felony conviction, allegedly was in possession of a Springfield Armory .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on April 1, 2016; and a Jimenez Arms .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Cobra .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on June 8, 2016.
Mays is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking conspiracy and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Mays, who has a prior felony conviction, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus Millennium 9mm semi-automatic pistol on March 4, 2016.
Boehm is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking conspiracy and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. Boehm, who has been convicted of a felony, allegedly was in possession of a Norinco 7.62 x 39mm semi-automatic rifle, a Beretta 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Winchester .30-.30-caliber lever-action rifle and a Winchester .300-caliber bolt-action rifle on March 25, 2016.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody M. Larison and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, COMET (the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team) and the Webster County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.
Former IRS Employee Indicted for False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former IRS employee was indicted by a federal grand jury today for filing false tax returns.
Carla Lachelle Mitchell, 48, of Kansas City, Kan., was charged in a 15-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that, while Mitchell worked as a contact representative at the IRS Service Center in Kansas City, Mo., from 2006 to 2015, she prepared false federal income tax returns for 2011, 2012 and 2013 for 13 of her friends and family, as well as herself.
When preparing tax returns, Mitchell allegedly included several false entries to lower the individual tax liability for her friends, family members and herself or to increase their refunds. According to the indictment, Mitchell has been linked to 27 fraudulent returns through her admissions, witness statements, and IP addresses. The total tax loss for the 27 false and fraudulent income tax returns is approximately $118,012.
Mitchell is charged with 10 counts of filing false tax returns and five counts of aggravated identity theft.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Jane Pansing Brown. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Eight St. Joseph Gang Members Charged in Federal RICO IndictmentRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that eight members of a violent St. Joseph, Mo., gang have been charged in a RICO indictment that alleges they committed murder, five attempted murders, drug trafficking and armed robberies, among other crimes, as part of a criminal enterprise.
Victor Matias-Torres, also known as “Papo” and “King Fenese,” 35, Luis Alfredo Villegas-Rosa, also known as “Puerto Rico,” and “Rico,” 28, his brother, Luis Gabriel Villegas-Rosa, also known as “Conan,” 35, Angel Antonio Martinez-Torres, also known as “Tony,” 37, Angel Rios-Rosa, also known as “Gato,” 30, Jose Morales-Delgado, also known as “Beto,” 32, Luis Calderon-Oliveras, 26, and Ismael Marquez, 29, all of St. Joseph, were charged in a 34-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. The indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of Luis Gabriel Villegas-Rosa and Morales-Delgado. Several defendants are already in custody in separate state cases.
The racketeering indictment alleges that all eight of the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). According to the indictment, the criminal enterprise, which began in 2010, was led by Matias-Torres, formerly a high-ranking member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation. Matias-Torres’s gang allegedly engaged in acts of violence, including murder and attempted murder, armed assault, armed robbery, extortion and witness intimidation. The gang allegedly trafficked in heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
Although the gang was based in St. Joseph, the indictment says, it also operated in Kansas, Iowa and Massachusetts, among other places, and recruited many of its members and associates from Puerto Rico. (Matias-Torres, the Villegas-Rosa brothers, Martinez-Torres, Rios-Rosa, Morales-Delgado, Calderon-Oliveras and Marquez are all citizens of the United States.)
According to the federal indictment, Matias-Torres directed the illicit operations of the gang and carried out much of the criminal activity himself. Matias-Torres, the indictment says, was a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, which he joined in Philadelphia, Penn., in 2003, then rose to the leadership position of First Crown for the region. Matias-Torres moved to St. Joseph in 2010. Although members of the St. Joseph gang were often referred to as Latin Kings, the enterprise was not formally affiliated with the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation.
The indictment alleges that members of the enterprise enriched themselves and funded their operations with the proceeds of drug trafficking, robbery, burglary and extortion. They allegedly targeted rival drug dealers for robbery, not only to obtain the robbery proceeds, but to eliminate and deter competition in the drug trade and, at times, to extort a financial stake in future drug sales from the rival by offering “protection.” Members of the enterprise allegedly also extorted money from innocent victims by offering “protection” from future robberies and acts of violence.
Matias-Torres’s gang operated under a loose code of conduct, the indictment says, which included a requirement that Matias-Torres pre-approve certain criminal activity and that he receive a portion of the proceeds of the illegal activity, whether or not he participated. According to the indictment, members who did not follow the rules or who were perceived as disloyal to the enterprise, were confronted with acts of violence.
Leaders and members of the enterprise, according to the indictment, promoted a climate of fear in the community through repeated waves of gunfire, beatings and destruction of property, among other crimes of violence and intimidation.
Murder of John O. Baynham, Jr.
The indictment alleges that Luis Alfredo Villegas-Rosa murdered John O. Baynham, Jr., on Feb. 5, 2015, in St. Joseph, in aid of racketeering (Villegas-Rosa was convicted of the murder in a separate state case). The indictment also charges Villegas-Rosa with one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of murder resulting from the use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Murder Conspiracy: Attack on Co-Conspirator #3
The indictment alleges that Morales-Delgado, Calderon-Oliveras and Marquez (as well as other members of the gang) conspired to murder an individual identified as “Co-Conspirator #3.” Marquez allegedly fired shots at Co-Conspirator #3 on Sept. 10, 2012, in Estherville, Iowa. Sometime after that, Morales-Delgado met with Matias-Torres. All four men are charged with participating in a conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering. In addition to the murder conspiracy, Morales-Delgado, Calderon-Oliveras and Marquez are also charged together in one count of assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Murder Conspiracy: Attack on Rival #1
The indictment alleges that Matias-Torres and the Villegas-Rosa brothers, along with other members of the gang, conspired to murder an individual identified as “Rival #1.” Luis Alfredo Villegas-Rosa allegedly fired gunshots at Rival #1 on Sept. 15, 2013, in St. Joseph. In addition to the murder conspiracy, all three men are charged together with one count of assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering and with discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Attempted Murder: Attack on Victim #1
The indictment alleges that Luis Gabriel Villegas-Rosa attempted to murder an individual identified as “Victim #1.” Luis Gabriel Villegas-Rosa is charged with one count of assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Matias-Torres is charged with one count of participating in a conspiracy to tamper with a victim and one count of victim tampering. Matias-Torres and others allegedly threatened Victim #1 in January 2016 to intimidate him into withholding information about the attack from federal law enforcement investigators. Matias-Torres is also charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact for assisting Luis Gabriel Villegas-Rosa in January 2016 in order to hinder and prevent his trial and punishment for the attack.
Attempted Murder: Attack on Rival #2
The indictment alleges that Martinez-Torres attempted to murder an individual identified as “Rival #2” on Sept. 27, 2014, in St. Joseph. Martinez-Torres is charged with one count of assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Attempted Murder: Attack on a Disloyal Member
The indictment alleges that Matias-Torres attempted to murder Angel Antonio Martinez-Torres on April 3, 2016, in St. Joseph in order to maintain his leadership position in the criminal enterprise. Matias-Torres is charged with one count of assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy
The indictment alleges that, since 2011, Matias-Torres, Luis Alfredo Villegas-Rosa, Martinez-Torres, Morales-Delgado and Marquez, along with other members of the enterprise, distributed more than one kilogram of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 kilograms or more of marijuana. They are charged together in one count of participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Matias-Torres and Martinez-Torris are each also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Business Robberies
The indictment alleges that Matias-Torres and other gang members robbed five local businesses.
Matias-Torres and Morales-Delgado are charged with conspiracy and the robbery of Best Way check-cashing establishment at 4915 King Hill Ave., on June 29, 2012. Matias-Torres is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in relation to the robbery. Matias-Torres and Calderon-Oliveras are charged with conspiracy and the robbery of Sack-N-Save grocery store at 4913 Lake Ave., on Sept. 28, 2012.
Matias-Torres and Rios-Rosa are charged in three separate conspiracies to rob local check-cashing establishments: Money On Time at 2243 N. Belt Hwy., on Dec. 28, 2012; Check Into Cash at 3302 N. Belt Hwy., on Jan. 19, 2013; and King of Kash at 2308 N. Belt Hwy., on Jan. 25,2013. In addition to the conspiracies, Rios-Rosa is charged with robbing Check Into Cash and King of Kash.
Additional Firearms Charges
Matias-Torres is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Matias-Torres allegedly was in possession of a Jimenez Arm 9mm pistol on Feb. 9, 2016.
Villegas-Rosa is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Villegas-Rosa allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Feb. 5, 2015.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Patrick C. Edwards, David Raskin and Emily A. Orsinger. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Construction Company Owner, KC Veteran Indicted in $13.8 Million 'Rent-A-Vet' SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the former owner of a local construction company and a Kansas City, Mo., veteran were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a “rent-a-vet” scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $13.8 million in federal contracts.
Jeffrey K. Wilson, 51, of the Village of Loch Lloyd in Belton, Mo., Paul R. Salavitch, 56, of Kansas City, Mo., and Patriot Company, Inc., a business located in Kansas City, Mo., were charged in an eight-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Wilson, Salavitch and the Patriot Company participated in a conspiracy to defraud the government by falsely representing Patriot Company as a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business in order to fraudulently obtain approximately $13.8 million in federal government construction contracts for work in nine states.
According to the indictment, Patriot Company was a pass-through or front company for a Greenwood, Mo., construction company owned by Wilson during the scheme. Conspirators allegedly used Salavitch’s veteran and service-disabled veteran status in a “rent-a-vet” scheme to bid on at least 20 government contracts and receive approximately $13.8 million to which Patriot Company would not have otherwise been entitled to receive because those contracts were set-aside exclusively for legitimate veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. As a result of the fraud scheme, legitimate veteran owned and run businesses were not awarded these contracts.
Today’s indictments cites 20 contracts with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Army, totaling $13,819,522, which allegedly were fraudulently obtained by Wilson, Salavitch and Patriot Company. The contracts, which ranged as high as $4.3 million, included construction projects in Missouri, South Dakota, Texas, Nebraska Oklahoma, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois and North Dakota.
According to the indictment, Salavitch, a service-disabled veteran, worked full-time as a federal employee with the Department of Defense in Leavenworth, Kan., and did not work full time for Patriot Company. Salavitch nominally served as president of Patriot Company from July 14, 2005, to April 1, 2014. Salavitch did not actively control the day-to-day management, daily operation or long-term decision making of Patriot Company. Salavitch never managed a construction company prior to his involvement with Patriot Company, the indictment says, and he had limited government contracting experience.
For example, the indictment cites an e-mail exchange in which Wilson discusses leasing an office for Patriot Company and writes, “I would like for you to get a thing or two from Paul (Salavitch) to put in that office that is personal. Anything from his military. Any plaques, or US ARMY stuff or anything that if one stepped into it, it would look and feel like Patriot …” The indictment also refers to a series of e-mails in which Salavitch was still contemplating the start date of his work with Patriot Company after the firm had already obtained 10 of the government contracts.
During the fraud scheme, the indictment says, Wilson wired $449,321 as down payment for his Village of Loch Lloyd home purchase, of which $250,000 originated from Patriot Company’s bank account. Wilson financed the balance of the purchase price with funds from the sale of his previous home and a $240,000 mortgage. Wilson used $225,000 in Patriot Company funds, the indictment says, to pay off the mortgage.
Wilson used $175,000 in Patriot Company funds for the purchase of a residence in Mesa, Ariz., the indictment says. Wilson allegedly also used $400,000 of Patriot Company funds to pay two annual premiums for life insurance policies.
In addition to the conspiracy, Wilson, Salavitch and Patriot Company are charged with four counts of major government program fraud. Wilson is also charged with one count of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering.
Today’s indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, which would require Wilson and Salavitch to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the fraud scheme, including $2,152,189 that has been seized by law enforcement from various financial accounts, Wilson’s residences in Village of Loch Lloyd and Mesa as part of the money judgment of $13,819,522.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Jane Pansing Brown and Stacey Perkins Rock. It was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General – Criminal Investigation Division and the General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General.
Mexico Man Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Mexico, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Robby Dee Kesler, 54, of Mexico, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 11 years and five months in federal prison without parole.
On July 19, 2016, Kesler pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
MUSTANG Task Force officers, aware that Kesler had outstanding warrants, were investigating Kesler and had him under surveillance on May 21, 2015. Kesler drove to a residence in Columbia, Mo. When a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper approached Kesler, he got out of his vehicle and went into the residence. The residents of the home told the trooper that Kesler had entered without their consent and was hiding in the bathroom. Officers set up a perimeter around the residence, and after several hours were able to make contact. After a period of negotiations, Kesler surrendered to officers.
When taken into custody, Kesler had $1,759 in his wallet. Officers also found a large Zip-loc bag that contained approximately 370 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a canvas bag behind the driver’s seat of his car. Officers also found an additional $9,000 inside the residence.
On May 26, 2015, a search was conducted at Kesler’s mother’s residence in Mexico, Mo., where Kesler was living at the time. Officers recovered drug paraphernalia and a Walther PPK pistol.
According to court documents, Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies had conducted a search warrant at Kesler’s residence on Aug. 25, 2013. Officers recovered a number of items consistent with drug distribution, including digital scales, five grams of methamphetamine, and $16,460 in U.S. currency from his bedroom.
On Jan. 20, 2014, Kesler and two other individuals were in a vehicle that was stopped by officers. The officers recovered drug paraphernalia, bags containing suspected methamphetamine, and $20,169 from the vehicle. Officers conducted a search of Kesler’s residence in Fulton, Mo., the same day, and recovered numerous items of drug paraphernalia, a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine, a shotgun and $1,650. According to court documents, the residence was equipped with surveillance cameras.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and MUSTANG (the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike Team and Narcotics Group).
Man Charged with Enticing Missing Teen for Illicit SexRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a man arrested near Kansas City, Mo., has been charged in federal court with attempting to entice a missing Springfield, Mo., teen to engage in illicit sexual activity.
Dominic Keith Pearson, 25, no known address, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Pearson, who was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Jackson County, Mo., had his initial court appearance this afternoon in the U.S. District in Kansas City, Mo., and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, the 13-year-old child victim – identified in court documents as “Jane Doe” – was reported missing from her home in Springfield on Jan. 8, 2017. Investigators found a series of messages between Pearson and Jane Doe on a cell phone, the affidavit says, indicating that Pearson was traveling to meet Jane Doe.
On Jan. 10, 2017, Pearson and Jane Doe were located in a truckers lounge at Petro Truck Stop off Interstate 70 near Oak Grove, Mo. Both Pearson and Jane Doe had luggage with them in the lounge.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Oak Grove, 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 Indicted for Attempted Sex Trafficking of MinorRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the attempted sex trafficking of a minor.
Andrew Danny Freeman, 32, of Kansas City, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Freeman on Dec. 16, 2016. Freeman remains in federal custody without bond.
The federal indictment alleges that Freeman solicited a person he believed to be under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution on Dec. 15, 2016.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, an undercover officer received a series of text messages from Freeman on Dec. 15, 2016, in response to an online posting that was part of an undercover prostitution operation. Freeman allegedly made arrangements to meet the undercover officer and whom he believed to be her 12-year-old daughter at a local hotel. When he arrived for the meeting, the affidavit says, he gave the undercover officer $500 and was arrested.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the FBI and the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
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 Daycare Center owner, Director Indicted for $556,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the owner and the director of a Kansas City, Mo., day care center were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to file false attendance reports in order to fraudulently receive as much as $556,000 in federal benefits.
Today’s indictment is the result of a nationwide sweep that targeted childcare center fraud schemes. The national law enforcement operation in Missouri and six other states was the result of separate, but related, federal investigations into childcare center fraud that resulted in a loss of more than $1 million to the government.
Sharif Karie, 39, of Olathe, Kan., and Sheri Beamon, 46, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in an eight-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Karie, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, is the owner and CEO of a day care center established under two businesses and two names for the same location, with the same key employees: KARIE Day Care Center, LLC, and Tima Child Care Center, LLC, at 1019 Admiral Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Beamon is the director of KARIE/Tima Childcare Center.
Today’s indictment alleges that Karie and Beamon participated in a conspiracy from October 2013 to June 2016 to submit false claims to the government. They allegedly billed a federal grant program to provide childcare services to low-income families for more hours and children than actually attended the daycare center. At least $100,000 and as much as $556,000 was fraudulently billed in connection with this scheme, the indictment says.
The Child Care and Development Fund provides daycare subsidies for low-income families where the parents are employed or engaged in job training. Providers contract with the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and submit claims electronically.
According to today’s indictment, pole cameras were installed near the day care center and captured footage of the entrances and exits of the building during two time periods in 2015 and in 2016. Timesheets and billing records were reviewed and compared to the children seen on the pole cameras being dropped off and picked up from the daycare center during that time. There were significant discrepancies, the indictment says, between the timesheets, claims submitted and the pole camera footage.
In addition to the conspiracy, Karie and Beamon are charged together in one count of theft of public money, three counts of aiding and abetting each other to commit aggravated identity theft and three counts of wire fraud. Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Karie and Beamon to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged scheme, including at least $100,000 and as much as $556,000.
According to the indictment, the state conducted a compliance review of the daycare center’s billing for May 2014 and July 2014. The review found several attendance records missing. The review also identified 14 out of the 15 families with children at the center who had a parent employed there. With only two classrooms, the indictment says, it is improbable that parents were not caring for their own children. One of these parents reported that her job was contingent on having all of her children placed in care at KARIE Day Care Center so her child care would be paid by the state. This same 2014 audit found several discrepancies on the time sheets submitted to the state.
Subsequent unannounced inspections at KARIE Day Care Center found the facility in violation of state regulations pertaining to child care licensing rules, the indictment says, including health and safety, staff ratios and the maintaining of attendance records. Each of the inspections resulted in violation findings.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Jane Pansing Brown. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, the FBI, the Missouri Department of Social Services – Division of Legal Services Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Additional Charges Against Nigerian immigrant for Day Care Fraud Linked to International SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that additional charges have been filed against the Nigerian owner of a day care center in Kansas City, Mo., who was indicted last summer for engaging in a fraud scheme.
This case is the result of a nationwide sweep that targeted childcare center fraud schemes. The national law enforcement operation in Missouri and six other states was the result of separate, but related, federal investigations into childcare center fraud that resulted in a loss of more than $1 million to the government.
Hauwa Al-Hassan, 47, of Raymore, Mo., was charged in a 17-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s superseding indictment replaces a June 29, 2016, federal indictment and includes additional charges.
Al-Hassan, a Nigerian immigrant, is the owner and CEO of Guidance Child Care Center, LLC, a child day care center at 8101 E. Bannister Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Al-Hassan is also the vice president of Guidance Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Today’s superseding indictment includes the original charge of theft of government property. Al-Hassan allegedly engaged in a pattern of fraudulent billing from June 2011 to June 2016 in order to receive funding to which she was not entitled under the federal Child Care and Development Fund grant program. Al-Hassan allegedly filed claims that reported more hours and children than actually attended her daycare center.
The Child Care and Development Fund provides daycare subsidies for low-income families where the parents are employed or engaged in job training. Providers, such as Guidance, contract with the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and submit claims electronically.
Based on a review of childcare claims between 2011 and 2016, the indictment says, at least $100,000 has been fraudulently billed by Guidance in connection with this scheme.
The indictment also alleges that Al-Hassan is involved in a fraud scheme with international implications. Al-Hassan allegedly has traveled to Nigeria to teach others who plan to return to the United States how to run similar daycare fraud schemes.
Once a fraud scheme is successfully executed in the United States, the indictment says, the money is either wired by traditional means, or hawala (an Islamic informal system used to transfer currency from one individual to another individual who lives overseas), or hand carried from the United States back to the country where the immigrant was born. For example, the indictment says that on Dec. 20, 2015, $23,000 in cash was hand-carried out of the United States to Nigeria by an unnamed individual on a visa using Al-Hassan’s residential address, which is also the Guidance Childcare Center’s main office address.
Today’s superseding indictment also charges Al-Hassan with six counts of wire fraud, six counts of aggravated identity theft and four counts of money laundering.
According to the indictment, Al-Hassan signed a contract with the Missouri Department of Social Services on May 3, 2010, to operate Guidance Child Care Center as a licensed childcare center providing childcare services to low-income families. Since 2013, Guidance has been audited by the state on four occasions. Each audit, the indictment says, found many hours fraudulently billed for childcare services.
Auditors found, for example, that Guidance Child Care and another provider allegedly billed the state for the childcare of the same child, at overlapping times. Auditors also found a large discrepancy between the timesheets (attendance records initialed by the parents) submitted and the billings made to the state. Other billing discrepancies, such as billing the state for children who were not receiving childcare services, allegedly also occurred. On May 1, 2015, the Department of Social Services mailed Guidance Child Care Center a letter of non-compliance.
Investigators installed two pole cameras near Guidance from Feb. 11 to March 20, 2016. One camera focused on the front doors of Guidance; the second camera showed the parking lot and rear doors. All doors in and out were covered by a pole camera. Timesheets submitted with the billing were compared with children seen on the pole cameras being dropped off and picked up from Guidance during that time. There were significant discrepancies between the timesheets submitted and the pole camera footage.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Al-Hassan to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the alleged fraud scheme, including approximately $100,000 received in connection with the scheme.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Jane Pansing Brown. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, the FBI, the Missouri Department of Social Services – Division of Legal Services Investigations, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Raymore, Mo., Police Department.
Two KC Men Indicted for Robberies, Illegal Firearm Following Police Chase, CollisionRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Kansas City, Mo., men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a series of local armed robberies following a head-on collision with a police vehicle in a Quik Trip parking lot while attempting to flee from officers.
Curlie Pruitt, III, 36, and Roy L. House, 38, both of Kansas City, were charged in a three-count indictment returned on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Pruitt and House on Dec. 22, 2016.
The federal indictment contains the original charge of being felons in possession of a firearm, and includes an additional count of conspiracy to commit robbery and an additional count of aiding and abetting one another in the use of a firearm during a violent crime.
The indictment alleges that Pruitt and House aided and abetted one another to possess a loaded American Tactical .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun on Dec. 20, 2016. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Pruitt has prior felony convictions for assault and robbery, as well as a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. House has prior convictions for assault and robbery as well as a federal conviction for carjacking. House is currently serving a term of supervised release for that federal conviction.
The indictment also alleges that Pruitt and House participated in a conspiracy to rob Road Star Gas Station, 11100 E. US 40 Hwy., Independence, Mo.; Beeline Mini-Mart, 1005 Isley Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo.; and Discount Smoke Shop, 4718 N.E. Vivion Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Pruitt and House also are charged with using the loaded American Tactical handgun during those robberies.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Independence police officers were contacted by an employee at the Super 8 Hotel, 4031 S. Lynn Court Drive, Independence, at approximately 8:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, in regard to two men – later identified as Pruitt and House – who were acting suspiciously. The employee feared the men were going to rob the hotel, the affidavit says. They left the hotel but returned at approximately 9:05 p.m.
When officers arrived at the hotel, the affidavit says, Pruitt and House were in a blue Ford 500 and were leaving the area, with Pruitt driving. A police officer activated the emergency equipment on his patrol vehicle to initiate a traffic stop, however, Pruitt allegedly accelerated the vehicle and drove through the parking lot of the Quik Trip at 4024 S. Noland Road, Independence. As Pruitt’s vehicle continued at a high rate of speed through the parking lot, traveling toward S. Noland Road, it collided head-on with the patrol vehicle of another officer who was responding to assist. The collision was severe enough to disable both vehicles.
Pruitt immediately attempted to exit his vehicle and flee, the affidavit says, but was trapped by a third police vehicle that pinned the driver’s side door closed. Pruitt and House were placed under arrest. Officers found a loaded American Tactical .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun on the floor board of the front passenger seat area.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Excelsior Springs, Mo., Police Department.
Indiana Man Indicted for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Indiana man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Kristopher Shawn Martin, 34, of Brazil, Ind., was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Martin was in possession of a loaded Browning .380-caliber handgun on Oct. 7, 2016, in Columbia, Mo. Martin is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Martin has prior felony convictions for possessing cocaine, domestic battery and cruelty to animals.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Columbia Man Indicted for Child PornRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to child pornography.
Brandon Lee Deavers, 22, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. State charges filed against Deavers in a related case will be dismissed in lieu of the federal indictment.
Today’s indictment alleges that Deavers received and distributed child pornography over the Internet from July 1 to Oct. 19, 2016. Deavers is also charged with accessing with the intent to view child pornography during that period of time.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the FBI and the Boone 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."
Mt. Vernon Woman Indicted for Meth, CocaineRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Mt. Vernon, Mo., woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today for carrying large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine from California en route to Springfield, Mo.
Rubi Espinoza, 26, of Mt. Vernon, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Espinoza on Jan. 3, 2017.
The federal indictment alleges that Espinoza was in possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on Jan. 2, 2017. Espinoza is also charged with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute on Jan. 2, 2017.
According to an affidavit that was filed in support of the original criminal complaint, a DEA task force officer saw Espinoza exit a bus from California on Jan. 2, 2017. Espinoza acted nervous and was constantly surveilling her surrounds, the affidavit says, and her hands were shaking vigorously when she was asked by the officer for her bus ticket and identification.
The officer searched Espinoza’s luggage, affidavit says, and found 10 packaged bundles, each of which contained approximately 1.1 pound of methamphetamine, for a total weight of 11 pounds or 4,989 grams of methamphetamine. The officer also found one bundle that contained approximately 1.1 pounds or 453 grams of cocaine.
According to the affidavit, Espinoza told the officer that she was traveling to Springfield, where she was to be met by unknown individuals who would take the methamphetamine and cocaine. Espinoza said that she had traveled to California for personal reasons and while there she communicated with a friend from high school. Her friend asked her if she wanted to make some money carrying methamphetamine back to Springfield.
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Kansas City Interdiction Task Force.
Gladstone Man Indicted for Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Gladstone, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Charles David Rowell, 57, of Gladstone, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Rowell on Dec. 19, 2016.
The federal indictment alleges that Rowell participated in a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin from Jan. 1 to Dec. 16, 2016. Rowell is also charged with one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Rowell was stopped by law enforcement officers on Dec. 16, 2016, for a turn signal violation near Northeast 74th Terrace and Northeast Shoal Creek Parkway in Kansas City, Mo. When officers searched the pickup truck Rowell was driving, they found a plastic bag containing seven clear plastic baggies inside a toolbox in the pickup truck. The seven plastic baggies had a combined weight of approximately 194 grams of heroin.
Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Rowell to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy, including $320,000 that was received from the unlawful distribution of heroin (based on a sale price of $2,000 per ounce of heroin and distribution of 160 ounces of heroin).
Dickinson cautioned that 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 Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Clay County Drug Task Force.
Independence Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography.
Eric A. Jackson, 53, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to the charge contained in a Nov. 17, 2015, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Jackson admitted that he sent images of child pornography to a 16-year-old female in Illinois. According to today’s plea agreement, an aunt discovered the images on her niece’s cell phone and made a report to the Schuyler County, Ill., Sheriff’s Department. Among the pornographic images sent by Jackson was a 10-year-old female who was “hog tied.”
The 16-year-old to whom Jackson sent the child pornography images told investigators they had been communicating via social media for approximately a year, and had exchanged nude photos of each other.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence and seized a Samsung tablet and a Samsung cell phone. Examiners found 1,028 photos and 130 videos of child pornography on the devices. Examiners also found evidence that Jackson had sent more than 70 attachments, which included both adult and child pornography.
Under federal statutes, Jackson is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 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 David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force and the Schuyler County, Ill., 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."
Lebanon Car Dealer Sentenced for Odometer Rollback Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lebanon, Mo., automobile dealer was sentenced in federal court today for a mail fraud scheme in which he sold dozens of vehicles with fraudulent titles that greatly underreported the actual mileage of the vehicles.
Kenneth W. Smith, 62, of Lebanon, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 18 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Smith to pay a $50,000 fine.
Smith, who operated Cars Unlimited in Lebanon, pleaded guilty to mail fraud on June 21, 2016.
When Cars Unlimited bought used cars at auction, the titles would show the correct mileage. Smith admitted that, instead of filing those titles with the state of Missouri, he requested replacement titles that showed a lower mileage. Smith could then sell the vehicle at a higher price. When investigators executed a search warrant at the business, they found instrument clusters used to replace odometers in vehicles.
Smith obtained fraudulent replacement titles for dozens of vehicles that were sold by Cars Unlimited between February 2010 and Nov. 7, 2011. Smith (operating through Cars Unlimited) applied for and received 54 replacement titles from the state, each of which underreported the vehicle’s actual mileage. Smith resold these 54 vehicles at auto auctions using the fraudulent replacement titles. These 54 vehicles were sold for an aggregate total of approximately $346,450.
When Smith purchased vehicles (through Cars Unlimited) at auto auctions, the vehicle titles he received showed each vehicle's actual mileage. After purchasing a vehicle, Smith submitted an "Application for Missouri Title and License" seeking a replacement title for the vehicle. Although he sought a replacement title, he in fact possessed the original title for the vehicle. In each of those instances, Smith forged the signatures of the previous owner of the vehicle. The state of Missouri prepared a replacement title that was mailed to Smith at Cars Unlimited.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Missouri Department of Revenue, Compliance and Investigation Bureau.
KC Restaurant Owner Sentenced for $566,000 Tax SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the owner of a Kansas City, Mo., restaurant was sentenced in federal court today for filing a false tax return as part of a scheme to avoid paying more than $566,000 in corporate taxes.
Roger Geisler, 68, of Lenexa, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Geisler to pay $566,128 in restitution to the IRS.
Geisler has owned and operated two restaurants in Kansas City, Mo. – Domo Sushi bar and Grill in the Brookside area and Matsu Japanese Restaurant (from 1980 to 2010) in the Westport area.
On April 7, 2016, Geisler pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. Geisler admitted that, for tax years 2007, 2008 and 2009, he signed and submitted corporate returns for his company, Lee’s Pacific Foods, that underreported his restaurants’ gross receipts. The total unreported income for those tax years totaled $2,297,013. As a result of Geisler’s omissions, the amount of tax due and owing totaled $402,860.
In addition to the 2007 to 2009 income taxes, Geisler admitted that he failed to report and pay over employment taxes from 2007 to 2010. A conservative calculation of employment tax due totals $163,268, bringing the total loss from the overall scheme to $566,128.
Geisler also admitted that he did not file individual tax returns for 2007 through 2010.
After Geisler was contacted by the IRS, his accountant asked him how he thought he would get away with not reporting business income and payroll taxes. Geisler responded “I thought I would be dead before they caught on.”
Geisler spent at least $156,988 in business funds on personal expenses, including a home in Lenexa and a 2004 Lexus SUV. Geisler admitted he has a large gambling problem and gambled extensively at area casinos. For example, he gambled $159,706 in 2007 (at Argosy and Isle of Capri.) In 2010, Geisler gambled $290,175 at the 7th Street Casino.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Cassville Man Sentenced to 16 years for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Cassville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for the sexual exploitation of a child.
Chase Trevor Norman, 26, of Cassville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 16 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 23, 2016, Norman pleaded guilty to one count of child sexual exploitation and one count of enticing a minor for illicit sex. Norman admitted that, from Sept. 21 to Oct. 10, 2014, he enticed a 12-year-old girl into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Norman used social media, via the Internet and a cell phone, to communicate with the child victim. She transferred numerous pornographic images of herself to Norman, and he sent pornographic images of himself to the child victim.
Norman attempted to persuade the child victim to engage in sexual activity with him. However, the child’s mother saw pictures of Norman on her daughter’s iPod and contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement officers took over the child’s iPod and exchanged text messages with Norman. Believing he was still text messaging the child victim, Norman arranged to meet with the child so that they both could return to his apartment and engage in sex.
When Norman arrived for the arranged meeting, he was arrested. Norman later told investigators that he had used the same techniques a year earlier to meet another child, who was only 14 years old, with whom he engaged in sexual activity.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Purdy, 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."
Springfield Man Charged with Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with robbing the Bank of America yesterday afternoon.
Anthony Carlton Dunlap, 40, of Springfield, was charged with one count of bank robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Dunlap entered Bank of America, 633 W. Kearney St., Springfield, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. Dunlap allegedly handed a bank teller a note, which began with “Stay calm.” The teller did not read any further, but made eye contact with Dunlap, the affidavit says. Dunlap allegedly looked toward his hand, which was in his coat pocket, as if to indicate he was armed.
The teller removed cash from her teller drawer and placed it on the counter. Dunlap allegedly said, “Give me more,” and she removed more cash from the drawer. Dunlap took the cash, the affidavit says, stuffed it into his pockets, and left the bank. According to the affidavit, Dunlap took $3,910 in the robbery.
Law enforcement officers found Dunlap hiding in the back seat of a vehicle parked in a residential driveway and arrested him. As Dunlap was removed from the car, a large amount of loose cash was dragged out with him. Cash was also on the back floor boards of the car, along with a loaded Hi Point .40-caliber pistol.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this complaint 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Neosho Man Pleads Guilty to Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Neosho, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving and distributing child pornography.
Blake Altman, 33, of Neosho, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to the charge contained in a June 16, 2015, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Altman admitted that he received and distributed child pornography over the Internet from Aug. 14 to Oct. 1, 2014. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Altman’s residence after he was identified in an undercover investigation into the distribution of child pornography via peer-to-peer file-sharing software. Undercover officers downloaded images and videos of child pornography from Altman’s computer. Officers seized Altman’s laptop computer, which contained images and videos of child pornography.
Under federal statutes, Altman is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by 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."
Lee's Summit Woman Sentenced for Stealing $5.3 Million from EmployerRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lee’s Summit, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling nearly $5.3 million from her employer.
Jane Barnes, 54, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to eight years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Barnes to pay $5,293,300 in victim restitution. Barnes has paid partial restitution by turning over three properties bought and/or improved using proceeds from her fraud scheme, plus her profit sharing account with former employer ACI Boland Architects.
On Aug. 2, 2016, Barnes pleaded guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Barnes began working for ACI Boland Architects, a prominent architecture company in Kansas City, Mo., in 1998 and worked as the office manager from 2008 until her resignation in March 2016. Barnes abused her position of trust as the office manager for ACI Boland in order to enrich herself. Barnes fraudulently stole money from ACI Boland and forged the signature of a principal partner on hundreds of occasions over a 10-year period.
Barnes admitted that she conducted two schemes to defraud and embezzle a total of at least $5,293,300 from ACI Boland.
In Barnes’ first fraud scheme, she used the payroll system to pay herself unauthorized amounts in excess of her approved salary/bonus. Barnes inflated her bi-weekly salary without the authorization of ACI Boland. Barnes admitted that she embezzled at least $1,622,078 in her first scheme, which lasted from at least 2006 until 2011.
In her second fraud scheme, Barnes created unauthorized payroll checks to herself, which did not reflect on her W-2 forms; thus federal income and other taxes were not deducted from her checks through this scheme. Barnes issued 359 unauthorized checks to herself directly from ACI Boland’s payroll account. Barnes signed the checks with the forged signature of one of the principals of ACI Boland and deposited them into her personal bank accounts. Barnes admitted that she embezzled a total of $3,671,222 from ACI Boland in her second scheme, which began in 2010 and lasted until her resignation in March 2016.
Barnes used the stolen money to travel, buy cars, furnish her house, eat out, give money to relatives and generally live well above her means. The investigation revealed Barnes’ spending of the stolen funds included:
- $1,969,210 in various credit card payments;
- $770,393 in transfers to relatives;
- $425,493 in entertainment, retail and travel;
- $424,945 in vehicle expenses, including car loan payments;
- $302,636 in cash and cash equivalents;
- $253,856 in home expenses, excluding mortgage payments;
- $124,412 in taxes
- $119,375 in insurance and medical expenses; and
- $107,683 in restaurant and food expenses.
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Barnes must forfeit to the government $5,293,300, a 2014 Ford F150 Crew Cab Raptor 4WD, a 2014 Ford Explorer Utility 4D Sport 4WD and a 2013 Lincoln MKS, all of which was derived from the proceeds of her fraud.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the FBI.