Western District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Albuquerque, New Mexico, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to transporting a 13-year-old victim from Henry County, Mo., across state lines to engage in illicit sexual activity.
Raymond C. Vallia, III, 56, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
On March 29, 2015, deputies with Henry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department responded to a Montrose, Mo., residence regarding the report of a missing 13-year-old female, identified in court documents as MV. During the course of the investigation law enforcement agents determined that MV met Vallia through a social networking Web site and that he had picked up MV at her home with the intent that they would live in an apartment in New Mexico.
New Mexico State Police saw a vehicle matching the description of Vallia’s vehicle on Interstate 40 in New Mexico on March 30, 2015. At that time the vehicle was pulled over, MV was recovered and Vallia was arrested.
MV told investigators that she and Vallia had sent nude images of themselves to each other and had sexually explicit conversations via Internet chat services. They intended to live together in his apartment; she planned to present Vallia as her father and to attend Cibola High School.
According to today’s plea agreement, Vallia picked up MV at her home at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 29, 2015. They drove to Amarillo, Texas, where they spent the night in a motel. Vallia and MV showered together and engaged in sexual activity. The next morning, after Vallia returned from a doctor’s appointment, they left the hotel and drove towards Vallia’s apartment in Albuquerque.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Vallia will be sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, and must pay restitution to his victim. Vallia will be required under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current in each of the jurisdictions where he resides, is employed and is a student. 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 Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI, the Henry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the New Mexico State Police and the Amarillo, Texas, Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
KC Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Producing 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., was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography after recording videos of two minor victims, including a teenager who responded to his online advertisement for modeling and a minor who was secretly filmed in the shower.
Marcus S. Clarke, 43, a citizen of Jamaica residing in Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Clarke to serve a 10-year term of supervised release following incarceration.
On June 1, 2015, Clarke pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography and one count of attempting to produce child pornography.
According to court documents, a 15-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe #1, had been sending and receiving text messages on a borrowed cell phone. The cell phone’s owner notified a Prairie Village, Kan., police detective when she noticed a text conversation about a modeling photo shoot.
Jane Doe #1 told law enforcement officers that she responded to a Craigslist advertisement for models for a photo shoot. Clarke picked her up at a park in Prairie Village on Oct. 3, 2014, and drove her to his apartment in the Northland. When they arrived at the apartment, Clarke put a flash drive in his television to display photos of nude females to Jane Doe #1. MV described the images to law enforcement officers as “disturbing” because the women were nude and engaged in sexual activity. Clarke took both nude and non-nude photos and videos of Jane Doe #1 using a digital camera and digital recorder. During one of the video recordings Clarke engaged in sexual activity with Jane Doe #1.
According to court documents, Clarke had been advertising online for lingerie and nude modeling as far back as September 2012.
An FBI agent used the same cell phone that Jane Doe #1 had used to contact Clarke. Several text messages were exchanged in which Clarke made arrangements to meet Jane Doe #1 again for another photo shoot. When Clarke arrived at the Prairie Village park to meet Jane Doe #1 on Oct. 22, 2014, he was placed under arrest. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Clarke’s residence and seized computers and computer storage devices that contained sexually explicit videos of Jane Doe #1.
Clarke also admitted that he secretly recorded video of a second victim, identified as Jane Doe #2, to produce child pornography between Jan. 1, 2007, and Dec. 13, 2010. According to court documents, investigators discovered an SD card in Clarke’s apartment that contained video recordings in which Clarke appeared to secretly film the 13-year-old female while she took a shower.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the FBI and the Prairie Village, Kan., 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 Armed Bank Robbery, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man who was arrested last week after being tackled by a security guard was indicted by a federal grand jury today for armed bank robbery and illegally possessing a firearm.
Sidney A. Williams, 62, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Williams on Nov. 12, 2015.
The federal indictment alleges that Williams used a firearm to steal $5,493 from Bank Midwest, 7904 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 10, 2015.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Williams was wearing a black ski mask and pointing a handgun at bank employees, including the security guard. When Williams ran out the door of the bank after the robbery, the affidavit says, the security guard chased Williams, tackled him across the street from the bank and a struggle ensued. Williams allegedly pointed the revolver at the security guard before he was able to disarm him. The security guard received assistance from a passerby in subduing Williams. Law enforcement officers recovered a blue canvas bag of cash, a handgun and a black ski mask from the area where Williams was taken into custody.
Williams is also charged with brandishing a firearm – an Iver Johnson .38-caliber revolver – during a crime of violence.
The indictment also charges Williams with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Williams has prior federal felony convictions for armed bank robbery and for being a felon in possession of a firearm; he has prior state felony convictions for robbery, burglary and assault.
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 and Jeff Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Oregon Man Sentenced for Traveling to Missouri to Engage in Illicit SexRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a LaGrande, Ore., man has been sentenced in federal court for traveling across states lines to Missouri to engage in illicit sexual activity with two minors, whom he believed were the daughters of an undercover law enforcement officer.
Abdul Lamont Gamble, 41, of LaGrande, Ore., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, to five years in prison without parole.
Gamble, who pleaded guilty on May 18, 2015, admitted that he traveled from Oregon to Missouri between March 25 and April 9, 2014, to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
Gamble contacted an undercover law enforcement officer through an online social media site in October 2013 and offered to have sex with her fictitious 12-year-old and 15-year-old daughters. Gamble engaged in numerous conversations with the undercover detective through late 2013 and early 2014 via this social media site, email and text messages. Gamble described the specific sexual acts he intended on performing with and on the two minor females, for which he agreed to pay $250.
Gamble traveled to Kansas City, Mo., on a Greyhound bus and arrived on April 9, 2014. The undercover officer met him at the bus station. Gamble reconfirmed the sexual acts he intended on performing on and with the two minor girls.
Gamble and the undercover officer stopped at a CVS on Independence Avenue. Police officers arrested Gamble when he exited the car and began to approach the CVS.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and 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."
Two Columbia, Three California Residents Charged in Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Columbia, Mo., residents and three Compton, Calif., men were charged in federal court today in separate but related cases for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine following their arrests earlier this week, which resulted in a manhunt and the lockdown of a nearby elementary school.
Zachary T. Fennell, 37, and Melissa Guerra, 33, both of Columbia, and Favbion D. Holmes, 38, Kameron T. Howard, 25, and Dijon R. Brown, 23, all of Compton, were charged in separate complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The defendants were arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 and will have their initial court appearances today. Fennell, Holmes, Howard and Brown remain in federal custody pending their detention hearings.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, St. Louis, Mo., postal inspectors identified a suspicious parcel on Nov. 6, 2015, that was mailed from California to an address in the 4000 block of E. Santa Barbara Drive in Columbia, Mo., and suspected to contain a controlled substance. Federal agents recovered 456 grams of methamphetamine, valued at more than $11,000, from the parcel inside a hollowed-out book.
Federal agents executed a controlled delivery of the parcel to the Columbia residence on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. Officers conducting surveillance of the residence saw two men leave the house at approximately 9:55 a.m. in a white Chevrolet Suburban. The parcel was delivered at 10:04 a.m. and placed next to the front door. A man inside the residence was observed opening and closing the front door of the residence several times, the affidavit says, and viewing the package through the screen of the storm door.
According to the affidavit, the white Chevrolet Suburban, which had previously left the residence, was observed driving past the residence at approximately 10:31 a.m., conducting what appeared to be counter-surveillance. After passing the residence one time, the vehicle returned and parked in the driveway of the residence at approximately 10:33 a.m. Brown and the driver got out of the vehicle; Brown took the parcel off the front porch, the affidavit says, and brought it inside the residence. At approximately 10:36 a.m., Fennell was observed bringing the parcel back outside the residence and placing it next to the front door. Several occupants of the residence were observed sitting near the front porch.
Shortly thereafter federal agents, assisted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, approached the residence to execute the search warrant. SWAT members were unable to breach the door as it had been reinforced. SWAT members made entry in a secondary location and agents saw Howard, Brown and Holmes running out the back door of the residence attempting to evade law enforcement. They hopped the backyard fence and continued running into an area of overgrown vegetation. Holmes was apprehended a short distance on the other side of the fence. Howard and Brown were apprehended hiding in a pool shed approximately one-quarter to a half-mile away, after a brief manhunt which resulted in the lockdown of a nearby elementary school. Fennell was apprehended in the front yard of the residence. Guerra, the leaseholder of the residence, was apprehended inside the residence.
Law enforcement officers also located three loaded firearms inside the residence, a small amount of methamphetamine in the freezer and in an upstairs bedroom dresser, and various documents that appeared to be ledgers for narcotics transactions.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these complaints 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 Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Third Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Phoenix, Ariz., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after law enforcement officers seized several pounds of methamphetamine from his hotel room in Columbia, Mo.
Todd Michael Zazilenski, 40, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to the charge contained in a June 15, 2015, federal indictment.
Zazilenski pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Boone County and elsewhere from April 2015 to May 14, 2015. Co-defendants Ryan Roger Ellingboe, 41, and Shane Alan Callahan, 30, both of Columbia, have pleaded guilty to the same charge.
A deputy with the St. Charles County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department stopped a Cadillac Escalade driven by Ellingboe for a traffic violation on May 14, 2015. Callahan was a passenger in the vehicle. The deputy smelled burnt marijuana upon approaching the vehicle and conducted a search of the vehicle. The deputy found a vacuum-sealed bag that contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine behind the glove box.
Ellingboe and Callahan told law enforcement officers they had traveled from Columbia that morning to meet a customer in St. Charles, Mo., who wanted to purchase the methamphetamine. Callahan stated that he was brokering the methamphetamine transaction between Ellingboe and another individual. Ellingboe explained to Callahan that he had access to a pound of methamphetamine and asked Callahan if he knew of a customer. Callahan located a customer in St. Charles who wanted to purchase one pound of methamphetamine. When Ellingboe picked up Callahan in Columbia that morning, he was already in possession of the one pound of methamphetamine. Ellingboe and Callahan then began driving to St. Charles to complete the transaction.
Zazilenski admitted that he provided the methamphetamine to Ellingboe to sell in St. Charles. Ellingboe was supposed to pay Zazilenski $8,000 for the methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers searched Zazilenski’s room at the Howard Johnson Inn in Columbia and found three bags, each containing approximately one pound of methamphetamine, for a total weight of 1.369 kilograms.
Zazilenski also admitted that he provided an additional 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine to Ellingboe during a visit to Columbia on April 17-19, 2015.
Under federal statutes, Zazilenski, Ellingboe and Callahan are each subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $10 million. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Miller. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the St. Charles, Mo., Police Department and the St. Charles County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Springfield Man Sentenced for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Jarod “Bull” Michel, 33, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Michel to pay a $5,000 fine and forfeit to the government a laptop computer that was used to commit the offense.
On June 5, 2015, Michel pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet between July 18, 2013, and May 20, 2014.
According to court documents, Michel’s computer was identified by two separate law enforcement agencies conducting independent undercover investigations concerning the distribution of child pornography using peer-to-peer file-sharing software. Investigators downloaded several videos of child pornography that were being shared over the Internet by Michel’s computer. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Michel’s residence and seized his laptop computer, which contained 21 videos of child pornography that depicted children as young as two years of age engaged in a variety of sexual acts with adults.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. 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 Belton Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing $471,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Belton, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling $471,000 from her employer.
Kimberly Joyce Padgett, 42, of Osawatomie, Kan., formerly of Belton, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to a federal information that charges her with five counts of wire fraud.
By pleading guilty today, Padgett admitted that she embezzled approximately $471,000 from her employer, Reliant Financial Services in Kansas City, Mo. As part of Padgett’s duties at Reliant Financial Services, she managed the business’s books, paid the bills, managed the accounts receivable, operated the telephones, and prepared the paychecks. Padgett was also a signor on the business’s bank accounts and had use of the business’s credit cards for authorized business expenses. Padgett was terminated from employment in March 2015 when the fraud scheme was discovered.
During 2007 up to and including 2015, Padgett embezzled money from the Reliant Financial Services bank account intended for payroll tax and office supplies. Padgett wrote $350,000 in checks to herself and deposited those funds into her personal PayPal account and her husband’s bank account. Padgett used her PayPal account to pay for trips around America for herself, and at least once for a coworker, the coworker’s daughter, Padgett’s daughter, and others. She also used her company credit card in an unauthorized manner by paying expenses for herself and others, including clothing, jewelry, gasoline, vacations, hotels, and restaurants.
From 2012 to 2015, Padgett made little to no payments in payroll taxes. Company owners had no knowledge the payroll taxes were not paid, and did not learn the taxes were not paid until they were contacted by the IRS.
Padgett is charged with five specific instances of wire fraud in which she made unauthorized wire transfers, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, between April 2013 and February 2015.
Under federal statutes, Padgett is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution on each of the five counts. 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 Jane Pansing Brown. It was investigated by the FBI.
St. Louis Company Charged with OSHA Violation that Caused Worker's DeathRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Pacific, Mo., company was charged in federal court today with violating an OSHA regulation and causing the death of a Raymore, Mo., ironworker.
DNRB, Inc., doing business as Fastrack Erectors, located in Pacific, was charged in an information filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
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 allegedly failed to enforce the use of fall protection.
According to the information filed today, 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, the information says, and were in a position to personally observe employees failing to use fall protection equipment. At least one of the foremen allegedly 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.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this information 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 Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Labor – Office of Solicitor.
Marionville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Marionville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for child sexual exploitation.
Darren Eugene Schaefer, 37, of Marionville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Schaefer to a life term of supervised release following incarceration.
On June 17, 2015, Schaefer pleaded guilty to using the Internet and cell phone to attempt to entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.
According to court documents, a task force officer with the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force investigated a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May 2014 that Schaefer was contacting underage females on the social networking site MeetMe. Schaefer was asking underage females if they wanted to meet for sexual acts. Schaefer sent messages indicating that he was interested in sexual contact with seven underage females. After contacting the females using the instant message feature on MeetMe, Schaefer would attempt to move the conversations to cell phone text messages.
During the on-line communications between Schaefer and the underage female victims, Schaefer admitted to the victims that he was 35 years old, and stated that he preferred younger females. In one instance, one of the victims asked Schaefer why he posted his age on MeetMe as 14 years old if he was really 35. Schaefer replied that was the only way he could see underage females on this Web site and communicate with them. One victim asked him if he knew he could get in trouble for what he was doing. He replied he knew he could get in trouble but hoped he would not.
A federal search warrant was executed at Schaefer’s residence on June 17, 2014. Schaefer told officers that he talked to hundreds of girls on various social networking Web sites and that he had contacted underage girls several other times using MeetMe. Schaefer also admitted to meeting at least three 16-year-old girls for sexual intercourse over a 10-year period. He reported that he had met all three of them from social networking sites on the Internet. He met two of the girls in Nixa and one at Hood's Truck Stop on 1-44.
Officers seized two laptop computers, two external hard drives and Schaefer’s cell phone, all of which have been forfeited to the government. More than 200 images of child pornography and a total of 474 images of child erotica were located on multiple electronic media devices.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force, Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and 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."
Hollister Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Hollister, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the armed robbery of Central Bank in Branson, Mo.
Joseph E. Cyrus, 76, of Hollister, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to stealing $30,946 from Central Bank, 1115 James Epps Road in Branson on Oct. 16, 2015.
According to court documents, Cyrus entered the bank at approximately 9 a.m. and was wearing a blue ski mask and rubber gloves. He was carrying a black semi-automatic pistol. Cyrus approached the teller counter, pointed the pistol at the tellers, and said, “This is a robbery.”
Cyrus demanded that all of the bank’s employees who were positioned behind the teller counter come out where he could see them. He demanded that the tellers give him cash from their teller drawers, and at one point told one of the tellers that he would shoot her in the knee.
Cyrus handed one of the bank employees a blue reusable shopping bag and they put the cash in the bag. Cyrus ordered the employees and customers in the lobby to get down on the ground, then he left the bank and walked to a white Ford Ranger pickup truck that was parked in the parking lot across the street from the bank.
Surveillance photos depict the truck with an unknown state’s license plate, which had been attached to the vehicle backwards (with the face of the plate against the truck’s bumper). Four of the six numbers/letters were clearly visible. Branson police dispatchers broadcast the description of the robber and the vehicle to area law enforcement agencies. An off-duty Branson police officer heard the description of the truck and recalled having seen a similar vehicle parked near the Yacht Club Mobile Home Park in Hollister. The officer was familiar with the truck because it had a “for sale” sign in it and he previously called the listed phone number to inquire about purchasing the truck.
At about noon on the day of the robbery, the officer drove to the parking lot and saw the truck parked in the lot. The truck had a West Virginia license plate and was registered to Cyrus. The manager of the mobile home park told the officer that Cyrus had paid his rent and checked out at approximately 11 a.m. the same day. Cyrus left the mobile home park in another vehicle and left the pickup in the parking lot, hoping that it would sell.
A federal agent made a ruse call to the telephone number listed on the “for sale” sign in the truck. The call went to voice mail, and the agent left a message indicating that he was interested in purchasing the truck. The agent was able to contact Cyrus through an intermediary who called Cyrus and told him he had a potential buyer for the truck. The agent spoke to Cyrus, posing as the potential buyer. Cyrus later called the agent back and told him that he was not returning to Hollister but that the agent could arrange to wire the money to purchase the truck.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, Cyrus turned himself in at the Branson Police Department.
Under federal statutes, Cyrus is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. 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 FBI, the Branson, Mo., Police Department and the Hollister, Mo., Police Department.
Georgia Man Indicted for ID Theft, Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Loganville, Ga., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a fraud scheme in which he stole personal identity information from several victims in order to file fraudulent federal income tax returns.
Chike Uzodinma Agogbua, 42, of Loganville, a Nigerian national and a naturalized U.S. citizen, was charged in an eight-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Sept. 28, 2015. That indictment was unsealed and made public upon Agogbua’s arrest and initial court appearance. Agogbua, who was arrested in Georgia in October, had his initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City today.
Agogbua allegedly stole the names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of victims, then used that information to file federal income tax returns. According to the indictment, Agogbua also reported false employment, wages earned and taxes withheld in order to obtain refunds for himself. As a result of Agogbua’s fraud scheme, the IRS wired tax refunds, in the names of other persons, to bank accounts under Agogbua’s control.
The federal indictment charges Agogbua with five counts of wire fraud, related to tax refunds sent from the IRS Financial Center in Kansas City, Mo., and direct deposited into Agogbua’s bank account, and three 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 Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Former Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to StealingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former employee at the North Kansas City, Mo., post office pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing money from a cash drawer.
Jacob Crisp, 24, formerly of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to misappropriating federal postal funds.
Crisp was a sales and service distribution associate working at the front counter of the North Kansas City, Mo., post office. From June 3, 2013, to Feb. 11, 2014, Crisp embezzled money from the Postal Service by not properly recording stamp sales with customers. He falsely reported voided and no-sale transactions, and did not report other stamp sales with customers, thereby reducing the amount of cash he remitted in his daily deposits. This allowed him to embezzle the money paid by customers for post office products, including stamps.
Crisp estimated that beginning in October 2013, he stole approximately two to three times per week, about $200 per week, which the government contends totaled $5,040 worth of retail transactions.
Crisp was observed on video conducting sales transactions, but hitting the “void” key so that the sale wasn’t recorded in the computer terminal. Crisp was also observed on video taking money from the cash drawer and putting it in his pocket.
Under federal statutes, Crisp is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. 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 Daniel M. Nelson. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
Two KC Men Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Kansas City, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today on charges related to drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms.
Donald Morgan, also known as “Rone,” 43, and Derrick K. Vaughn, 47, both of Kansas City, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner. Morgan was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Vaughn was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole.
On April 30, 2015, Morgan and Vaughn each pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Morgan also pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana and to money laundering. Vaughn also pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.
From April 25, 2007, to April 25, 2012, Morgan and Vaughn participated in a conspiracy that distributed one kilogram of cocaine and nine kilograms of marijuana.
Morgan admitted that he was in possession of a Roman Arms rifle and a DPMS 7.62 x 39 rifle in furtherance of the conspiracy. Vaughn admitted that he was in possession of a Pietro Beretta handgun in furtherance of his possession of crack cocaine to distribute.
Morgan also admitted that he purchased a residence in Kansas City, Mo., with the proceeds of drug trafficking. He provided a co-defendant with two checks in order to close on the property, in an effort to conceal the true origin of the funds. Vaughn admitted that he occupied a bedroom in this house, where he possessed eight bags of crack cocaine totaling 2.35 grams, which he intended to distribute, as well as the handgun.
Morgan used this residence and another residence as storage and distribution hubs for his cocaine and marijuana supplies. Morgan specifically admitted that on Feb. 21, 2012, he stored distribution amounts of marijuana and $79,980 in drug proceeds at one of the residences. He admitted that he possessed the rifles within the residence in order to protect the marijuana and the money.
Co-defendant Rudolfo Villareal, also known as “Gordo” and “Rudy,” 41, of Kansas City, Mo., and others supplied Morgan with distribution amounts of cocaine and marijuana. Villareal pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and to money laundering, and awaits sentencing.
Four co-defendants in addition to Morgan, Vaughn and Villareal, have pleaded guilty in this case. Paul Tinoco, Sr., 67, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Edward M. Sola, 41, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. James Comer, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Andrea Mabe, 39, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Springfield Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Porn, Faces at Least 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a prior sex offender in Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving and distributing child pornography.
Gary Thomas Sheldon, 52, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to the charge contained in a July 21, 2015, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Sheldon admitted that he received and distributed child pornography over the Internet from Oct. 5, 2014, to July 15, 2015. Sheldon, a registered sex offender, was convicted in federal court of possessing child pornography in January 2001. As a result, Sheldon will be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which had received the tip from an adult pornography Web site where Sheldon had uploaded an image of child pornography. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Sheldon’s residence on July 15, 2015. Sheldon’s desktop computer and cell phone were seized, and investigators discovered images of child pornography on both devices.
Under federal statutes, Sheldon is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. 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, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrime Task Force.
Independence Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $247,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the former financial comptroller of a North Kansas City, Mo., business pleaded guilty in federal court today to a wire fraud scheme in which he embezzled more than $247,000 from his employer over five years.
John S. Kruse, 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to wire fraud.
Kruse was employed as the financial comptroller of BCC Merchant Solutions, a North Kansas City firm that provides electronic payment systems, e-commerce systems, business capital and marketing services to other companies.
By pleading guilty today, Kruse admitted that he engaged in a scheme to steal at least $247,508 from BCC Merchant Solutions from April 2010 until his resignation in July 2014. Kruse made at least 213 unauthorized wire transfers from his employer’s bank account into his personal bank account. Through his scheme, Kruse embezzled $5,776 in 2010; $36,989 in 2011; $71,868 in 2012; $76,225 in 2013; and $56,648 in 2014.
Kruse used the money to pay for extravagant trips for his family to Las Vegas, Nev., and to Disneyworld. He spent $50,934 at convenience stores and for gasoline; $41,197 on entertainment; $138,186 for groceries and general merchandise; $65,416 through PayPal; $49,105 for travel and leisure; $49,773 for miscellaneous; and $50,934 for cash.
As the financial comptroller, Kruse was in charge of paying out sales commissions and bank reconciliations, along with keeping records within QuickBooks. In the course of his job, Kruse was authorized to access BCC Merchant Solutions’ bank account. To hide his embezzlement, Kruse manipulated the QuickBooks records to falsely reflect that the money he transferred into his account was being used elsewhere. Kruse falsified who the deposits were made to, indicating they were payments made on sales commissions and bank reconciliations.
Under federal statutes, Kruse is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. Kruse must also forfeit to the government a money judgment of $247,508. 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 Daniel M. Nelson. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the North Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Business Owner Pleads Guilty After Customers' Information is Stolen in Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former business owner in Sparta, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in allowing his customers’ information to be stolen and used to promote a bank fraud scheme that used stolen mail and fake identifications to cash nearly $160,000 in fraudulent checks in Webster County, Mo., and elsewhere.
James Erin Guerin, also known as “Shorty,” 41, of Tulsa, Okla., formerly of Sparta, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to being an accessory after the fact to aggravated identity theft.
Guerin was the owner of Rogersville Septic Services, LLC.
Co-defendant Phillip Daren Shockey, 50, of Crawford, Ark., was released from federal custody in Arkansas on July 31, 2013. Guerin paid Shockey’s $5,000 bond and Shockey was mandated to live with Guerin in Sparta. Shockey, who had been in federal custody in Arkansas for wire fraud, began to create fictitious financial documents using bank accounts and routing numbers of legitimate customers of Guerin’s plumbing business.
Shockey and those working at his direction passed and attempted to pass approximately 51 fraudulent checks for a loss of at least $159,842.
In August and September 2013, Guerin became aware that Shockey had taken the bank account and routing numbers from his plumbing business customers and was using them to produce fictitious financial documents such as bogus checks drawn upon the customers’ bank accounts. After learning of Shockey’s use of his customers’ bank accounts, Guerin continued to provide comfort and assistance to Shockey. Shockey was given sanctuary at Guerin’s residence to continue his illegal operation.
Shockey pleaded guilty on Jan. 14, 2015. Shockey admitted that he was the leader of the conspiracy to defraud more than a dozen banks from July 31, 2013, to Feb. 28, 2014, by passing counterfeited and forged checks with fake identification documents. At least 12 co-conspirators stole mail, printed counterfeit checks, passed counterfeit checks with fake identification and opened at least five fictitious businesses for the sole purpose of concealing the deposit and subsequent withdrawal of counterfeit checks.
Shockey recruited co-conspirators to steal mail and act as “check runners” who used false identity documents in order to cash fraudulent checks drawn upon the accounts of bank customers. Shockey possessed computers, printers, scanners, cell phones, thumb drives, stolen mail and software in order to produce fraudulent identification and checks for his co-conspirators. Shockey also used false identifications of the banks’ customers and others in order to pass and attempt to pass fraudulent checks.
Guerin is the final defendant to plead guilty in this case. Michael Anthony Spears, 36, of Fort Smith, Ark., was sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole. Donald Allen Spears, 34, of Columbia, Mo., was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison without parole. Laura Goines, 32, of Tulsa, was sentenced to time served. Amanda Brook Roberts, 30, of Tulsa, also has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Under federal statutes, Guerin is subject to a sentence of up to one year in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $100,000. 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 Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force, the U.S. Postal Service – Criminal Investigations, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Tulsa, Okla., Police Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Webster County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, the Monett, Mo., Police Department, the Pierce City, Mo., Police Department, the St. Clair County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Rolla, Mo., Police Department and the Catoosa, Okla., Police Department.
Jefferson City Man Sentenced for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Jefferson City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing heroin.
Xavier Deprey Johnson, 32, of Jefferson City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.
On April 27, 2015, Johnson pleaded guilty to distributing heroin and to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.
On July 30, 2013, Johnson distributed $100 of heroin to another person, who distributed it to an informant working with law enforcement. On Aug. 27, 2013, Johnson possessed heroin with the intent to distribute it to another person. This heroin was discovered during the execution of a search warrant at his girlfriend’s apartment.
According to court documents, Johnson admitted to law enforcement officers that he distributed hundreds of grams of heroin per month between June 2013 and August 2013. Johnson estimated that he distributed between 540 to 810 grams during that time.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department.
Former Husband, Wife Business Owners Sentenced for K2 DistributionRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the owners of a head shop and liquor store in Queen City, Mo., were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a mail fraud conspiracy related to the distribution of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as K2.
Jimmy Dean Moore, 50, and his ex-wife Tina Irene Moore, 45, both of Queen City, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Jimmy Moore was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole. Tina Moore was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison without parole.
Jimmy and Tina Moore each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The Moores and their co-conspirators devised a scheme to defraud the Food and Drug Administration and to defraud the public by claiming that synthetic cannabinoid products were “incense” and “not for human consumption,” when in fact these substances were synthetic cannabinoids that were intended for human consumption as a drug.
Between April 20, 2012, and Jan. 17, 2013, the Moores (who were married at the time) purchased synthetic marijuana from co-conspirators, which was delivered through FedEx. The Moores distributed the synthetic marijuana from Moore-4-You Variety Store, their head-shop and liquor store at 1108 Cedar Street in Queen City.
Based upon the invoices, bank records, and products seized by law enforcement, the Moores purchased approximately $145,999 of synthetic cannabinoid products from their co-conspirators, which they then sold through their business for approximately $291,999. In total, they sold multiple kilogram quantities of synthetic cannabinoid products.
The distribution of synthetic drugs from Moore-4-You was the dominant economic activity taking place at the business. Over a five-week period in July and August 2012, for example, they obtained $28,165 of synthetic drug inventory, compared to $6,568 of beer inventory and $2,324 of liquor inventory.
Co-defendant Charles Sterling Austin, Jr., 63, of St. Charles, Mo., pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2015, to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy. As the owner of Puff N Snuff, LLC, with two locations in Camdenton and Eldon, Mo., Austin also pleaded guilty to the same charge on behalf of the company. Austin admitted that he purchased synthetic marijuana from several sources and sold it in his smoke shop.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the MUSTANG Task Force, the LANEG Drug Task Force, the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Morgan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Camden County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Camdenton, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Kirksville, Mo., Police Department, the North Missouri Drug Task Force, the Schuyler County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Edina, Mo., Police Department, the Linn County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Brookfield, Mo., Police Department.
KC Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Drug TraffickingRead 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 his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering.
Jose Luis Ramirez, also known as “Guero,” 38, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, to 18 years in federal prison without parole, plus an additional two years for the revocation of his supervised release in another, unrelated case, for a total sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole.
On May 1, 2015, Ramirez pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from Jan. 1 to Nov. 27, 2012, and to participating in a conspiracy to engage in money laundering from April 27, 2012, to April 30, 2012.
Ramirez admitted that he supplied co-conspirators with methamphetamine to distribution. Ramirez also admitted that he packed $76,760 in shrink wrap and hid it in a secret compartment of a Ford Expedition, which he paid a co-conspirator to drive to California.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Connelly. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Joplin Man Sentenced for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing child pornography.
Donald Eugene Ruddick, 39, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Ruddick to pay $2,500 in restitution to each of two victims. Following incarceration, Ruddick will serve a 15-year term of supervised release.
On June 4, 2015, Ruddick pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. Ruddick admitted that he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to download child pornography over the Internet.
On Dec. 26, 2012, law enforcement officers identified Ruddick’s computer as sharing child pornography with other computers. Officers executed a search warrant at Ruddick’s residence and seized a desktop computer, a laptop computer and compact disks.
According to court documents, forensic examiners discovered a library of child pornography on Ruddick’s computers that included hundreds of images and hundreds of additional videos depicting children and toddlers being raped and sexually abused, many of which were in excess of five minutes in length. Ruddick possessed material depicting the sadistic and masochistic abuse of children, including the sexual violation of toddlers and children being forced to engage in sex with dogs and horses.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. 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."
Columbia Man Indicted for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Jayme Nathaniel Walker, 40, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Oct. 28, 2015. That indictment was unsealed and made public upon Walker’s arrest and initial court appearance on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. Walker remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015.
The federal indictment alleges that Walker used the Internet and a cell phone to attempt to entice a minor victim to engage in illicit sexual activity between June 17 and Nov. 8, 2013.
The indictment also charges Walker with transferring obscene materials to a minor under the age of 16 on June 18, 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 Anthony P. Gonzalez. It was investigated by the FBI, the Illinois State Police 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."
Jury Convicts Bois D'Arc Man of Bank Fraud Related to $1.6 Million HomeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Bois D’Arc, Mo., business owner was convicted Friday, October 30, at trial of a bank fraud scheme related to the construction of his $1.6 million residence.
Michael R. Ussery, 58, of Bois D’Arc, was found guilty of 12 counts of bank fraud in a Dec. 14, 2011, federal indictment.
Ussery was the owner/operator of two businesses in 2007, USS Properties and Villa Properties, both of which purchased real estate for residential development. During this time, Ussery also was building a $1.6 million home for himself in Bois D’Arc. Mid-Missouri Bank agreed to provide a $1.6 million construction loan to build the residence; $1.15 million was used to pay off the previous bank which had financed the construction of the residence up to that point, and the remaining $450,000 was supposed to have gone to completing the construction of the residence. When persons worked on the house, Ussery was supposed to obtain an invoice and a lien waiver from the contractors and submit these documents to Mid-Missouri Bank, which would then make a disbursement of the amount owed to Ussery’s personal bank account.
A dozen invoices and lien waivers totaling $315,417 were submitted to Mid-Missouri Bank from May 29 to June 25, 2007, purportedly from persons or companies building the residence, to draw money from the $1.6 million loan amount for construction of the residence. In fact, each invoice and lien waiver was false, faked or forged. They were either created by, or caused to be submitted by, Ussery, and contained materially false or fraudulent, representations. The companies or persons who were indicated on the fraudulent invoices and lien waivers did not prepare or submit the invoices and lien waivers, did not perform the work on the property as indicated in the invoices, did not agree to waive any lien on the residence for work actually done on the property, and did not receive any payments for work done as indicated in the invoices.
Auditors at the bank visited the construction site in June and July of 2007 and saw nothing that would indicate that this amount had been spent on the construction of the residence, apart from the hanging of drywall. Mid-Missouri Bank actually deposited $315,417 into the defendant’s personal account based upon the fraudulent representations contained in the lien waiver and invoice documents. It appears that the money, which had been meant for building the house, was used instead for business relating to USS Properties or Villa Properties.
Ussery eventually stopped construction on the Bois D’Arc property and the bank had to foreclose on the loan. The bank took a $782,349 loss after the sale of the property with its partially finished house. Ussery filed for bankruptcy relief in 2011.
Although not charged in the indictment, evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Ussery also committed similar fraudulent activity against a husband and wife who hired him to build a personal residence in Greene County, Mo. Ussery started construction of the house in 2007, but did not complete the project. The victim clients discovered that Ussery was providing false lien waivers to Great Southern Bank to obtain loan draws from the construction loan.
Evidence introduced during the trial also indicated that Ussery or his company submitted false lien waivers to obtain construction loan draws in 2005 from First Midwest Bank in Jackson, Mo., which would also be considered relevant conduct that was not charged in the indictment.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., deliberated for about four hours and fifteen minutes before returning the guilty verdict on Friday night to U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool, ending a trial that began Monday, Oct. 26, 2015.
Under federal statutes, Ussery is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for each count of bank fraud, plus a fine and an order of restitution. 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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Wheatland father, son charged with illegal firearmsRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Wheatland, Mo., father and son were charged in separate cases today with illegally possessing firearms.
William “Bill” Harlan Parker, 40, and his son, Devlin Quanah Parker, 20, both of Wheatland, were charged in separate criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo. Bill and Devlin Parker, who were arrested today, remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Monday.
Today’s complaint charges Bill Parker with possessing firearms after being convicted of a crime of domestic violence, and with possessing an unregistered firearm. Today’s complaint charges Devlin Parker with possessing unregistered firearms.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, an investigator with the Hickory County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department was following up on a report of sounds of gunfire on July 14, 2015. Bill and Devlin Parker were identified as the individuals conducting the shooting. Several witnesses reported that the Parkers always carried firearms on their sides. Cooperating sources also told law enforcement officers that there were firearms at their residence and that Bill Parker had made statements about shooting and killing law enforcement officers.
A federal search warrant was executed today at the Parker residence. Law enforcement officers seized an AR-15-style rifle that Bill Parker was holding when they entered the residence, a .223-caliber rifle with no markings or serial number. There were several other firearms located in the residence, including a Springfield .40-caliber pistol, a Stevens 12-gauge shotgun, an Archangel .22-caliber rifle and a Para .45-caliber pistol with no visible serial number.
It was determined that Devlin Parker was sleeping on a cot in a Chevrolet van parked outside the residence. Officers searched the van and found a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun with no visible serial number inside the sleeping bag Devlin Parker was using. There was also a 12-gauge shotgun with no markings in the van. In a box behind the driver’s seat officers found two AR-15-style rifles, with short barrels and no visible identifying markings. The rifles were field-tested and determined to be “machine guns.” There was also a large amount of various ammunition found in the van.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these complaints 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.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. They were investigated by the Hickory County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Jefferson City Man Indicted for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Jefferson City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Leroy Jamase Spinks, 29, of Jefferson City, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City.
Today’s indictment alleges that Spinks, having been convicted of a felony, was in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol on Oct. 14, 2015.
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 Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department.
Columbia Man Indicted for Illegal FirearmsRead 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 for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Adrian Lamont Levy, 32, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces an Aug. 19, 2015, federal indictment and includes an additional charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Today’s indictment alleges that Levy, who has been convicted of felony crimes, was in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, a Kel Tec 9mm rifle, a Century Arms rifle, an SWD Incorporated pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Metro Arms .45-caliber pistol and ammunition on Sept. 2, 2015.
The indictment also contains the original count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Levy allegedly was in possession of a Ruger 9mm pistol on July 4, 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. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.
Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Related to K2 DistributionRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the owner of Puff N Snuff, LLC, with two locations in Camdenton and Eldon, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a money-laundering conspiracy related to the distribution of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as K2.
Charles Sterling Austin, Jr., 63, of St. Charles, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to participating in a money-laundering conspiracy. As the owner of Puff N Snuff, Austin also pleaded guilty to the same charge on behalf of the company.
By pleading guilty today, Austin admitted that he purchased synthetic marijuana from several sources and sold it in his smoke shop. Austin knew that his customers were using these synthetic cannabinoids as a drug. The packages of synthetic cannabinoids bore trade names such as, “Mayan,” “Island Breeze,” “4bidden,” “Remix,” “Cheap Trip,” “Dr. Feel Good,” “White Rabbit,” “XXXtreme Bliss Blueberry Sky,” “Deathgrip,” and others. These packages also bore false representations that the contents were “incense” and “not for human consumption” when, in fact, these products contained synthetic cannabinoids that were intended for human consumption as a drug. The false labeling was intended to defeat the regulation of these drugs by the Food and Drug Administration and assure customers that they were not purchasing an illegal high. Undercover law enforcement agents purchased synthetic cannabinoids from Puff N Snuff on multiple occasions during 2012 and 2013.
According to today’s plea agreement, Austin made at least 28 bulk purchases of synthetic cannabinoids from at least two sources totaling $707,412 between Aug. 3, 2012, through Feb. 19, 2013.
During the four-month period from Aug. 27 through Dec. 30, 2012, Austin deposited $1,687,180 into Puff N Snuff’s bank account from the proceeds of the sale of synthetic cannabinoids, comingled with the proceeds from the sale of other products.
On Sept. 10, 2013, law enforcement officers seized $423,327 from the business bank account. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Austin must forfeit those funds to the government.
According to today’s plea agreement, Austin wrote seven checks from Puff N Snuff’s bank account totaling $134,750 as payment for construction of the Puff N Snuff building located at 1900 U.S. 54 Business in Eldon, Mo. Austin admitted that the purchase of the land and the construction cost of the Puff N Snuff building was paid for with proceeds from the sales of synthetic cannabinoids. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Austin must forfeit the property to the government. Austin must also forfeit to the government a money judgment of $707,412.
Under federal statutes, Austin is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. Puff N Snuff is subject to a sentence of up to five years of probation and a fine up to $500,000. 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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the MUSTANG Task Force, the LANEG Drug Task Force, the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Morgan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Camden County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Camdenton, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Kirksville, Mo., Police Department, the North Missouri Drug Task Force, the Schuyler County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Edina, Mo., Police Department, the Linn County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Brookfield, Mo., Police Department.
Former Employee Pleads Guilty to $130,000 Bank Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an employee of Community National Bank in Aurora, Mo., has pleaded guilty in federal court to a $130,000 bank embezzlement scheme.
Jo Ann Nickell, 45, of Aurora, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, Oct. 27, 2015, to the charge contained in a Nov. 5, 2014, federal indictment.
Nickell was employed by Community National Bank as a customer service representative and back-up teller from Aug. 17, 2009, to July 19, 2013. By pleading guilty, Nickell specifically admitted that she embezzled $6,000 from the account of one of the bank’s customers.
As a result of Nickell’s criminal actions, Community National Bank and Federal Insurance Company experienced a total loss of approximately $130,268.
Under federal statutes, Nickell is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1 million and an order of restitution. 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 Abram McGull II and Nhan Nguyen. It was investigated by the Aurora, Mo., Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
Former St. Louis Assistant Prosecutor Pleads Guilty to Concealing Police Officers’ Assault of ArresteeRead the Press Release
A former prosecutor for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office pleaded guilty in federal court today to concealing her knowledge of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officers’ assault upon an arrestee, announced U.S. Attorney Tammy Dickinson of the Western District of Missouri and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Bliss Barber Worrell, 28, of Clayton, Missouri, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey of the Eastern District of Missouri to misprision of a felony.
Worrell admitted that she failed to notify authorities that on July 22, 2014, police officers assaulted an arrestee in their custody, and that she took an affirmative step to conceal the felony. Worrell also admitted that she filed charges without disclosing knowledge of the assault to her colleagues, supervisors or the judge assigned to setting a bond. She admitted that she allowed the charges to stand despite later learning that the facts that made out the charge of attempted escape were fabricated to cover for injuries the arrestee sustained during the assault.
“Prosecutors are trusted to exercise discretion in enforcing the law and are charged above all with doing justice in a fair and impartial manner,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gupta. “In this instance, the defendant ran afoul of her obligation to uphold the Constitution, and must therefore be held to answer for her actions.”
“An officer of the court allowed her friendship with a police officer to eclipse her public obligation to uphold justice,” said U.S. Attorney Dickinson. “This remains an ongoing investigation that extends farther than this defendant’s role in covering up an egregious civil rights violation.”
Worrell served as an assistant circuit attorney (ACA) in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office Misdemeanor Division from August 2013 through July 2014. In that capacity, she prosecuted criminal violations of Missouri state statutes on behalf of the state of Missouri. One of her duties was to make determinations as to whether there was probable cause that an individual committed a crime, based on evidence provided to her by law enforcement and/or civilian witnesses.
According to today’s plea agreement, Worrell developed a close friendship with a veteran officer of the SLMPD, who is not identified in court documents. On July 22, 2014, the officer informed Worrell that an individual, identified as M.W., was arrested at Ballpark Village by another officer for possessing the veteran officer’s daughter’s credit card. On July 23, 2014, the veteran officer provided Worrell with additional details and told Worrell that he had thrown M.W. against a wall, beat him up, thrown a chair at him and “shoved [his] pistol down the guy’s throat.” After the conversation, Worrell met the arresting officer who confirmed that M.W. was found with stolen credit cards, and that M.W. had resisted arrest and attempted to flee.
Working with a new ACA, Worrell issued charges against M.W. herself, including charges for resisting and attempting to escape, despite knowing that she should wait for an ACA without personal knowledge of the case to become available. Worrell concealed her knowledge that M.W. had been assaulted at the police station.
After issuing the charges, Worrell had another conversation with the veteran officer and learned that the attempted escape charge was fabricated. Worrell concealed this information from her supervisors, allowing the charge to stand.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s St. Louis Division. The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Ketchmark of the Western District of Missouri, who has been appointed as Special Attorney to the U.S. Attorney General, and Trial Attorney Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Missouri is prosecuting this case with the Civil Rights Division due to the recusal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri.
Worrell Plea Agreement
Smithville Man Pleads Guilty to Internet Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Smithville, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Jacob A. Arnold, 19, of Smithville, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to the charge contained in a June 23, 2015, federal indictment.
Arnold admitted that he received child pornography over the Internet on March 17, 2015.
On April 29, 2015, the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes (WMCC) Task Force received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a video of child pornography that had been uploaded from Arnold’s computer to a DropBox account. On June 4, 2015, members of the WMCC Task Force and officers of the Smithville Police Department executed a state issued search warrant at the defendant’s residence. Officers seized computers, cameras, digital storage devices and a cell phone.
Child pornography was located on each of the items seized from Arnold’s residence, which must be forfeited to the government under the terms of today’s plea agreement. Approximately 170 videos and 1,600 images of child pornography were located on the seized items.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Arnold agreed that he would not argue for a sentence below 10 years in federal prison without parole and the government agreed not to argue for a sentence greater than 15 years in federal prison without parole. The government will recommend that this federal sentence be served concurrently with Arnold’s 15-year sentence for child molestation in Clay County, Mo. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Upon his release from prison, Arnold will be required under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current in each of the jurisdictions where he resides, is employed and is a student.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Smithville, 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."
Joplin Man Sentenced for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Frank Edwin Ness, 45, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Ness to a lifetime of supervised release following incarceration, and ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution to one of his victims.
On May 28, 2015, Ness pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet between Jan. 1, 2004, and July 16, 2014.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ness’s residence on July 16, 2014, and seized his desktop computer. Investigators found hundreds of videos and thousands of images of child pornography on the computer. Ness told investigators that he had been looking at child pornography for approximately 10 years. He admitted that he had sent child pornography to other individuals, and that he received child pornography from other individuals, using e-mail addresses he created using “made up” females names.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and U.S. 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."
Hollister Man Charged with Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Hollister, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with the armed robbery of Central Bank in Branson, Mo.
Joseph E. Cyrus, 76, of Hollister, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Cyrus, who turned himself in to police yesterday, had his initial court appearance this morning.
Cyrus was charged with stealing $30,946 from Central Bank, 1115 James Epps Road in Branson on Oct. 16, 2015.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Cyrus entered the bank at approximately 9 a.m. and was wearing a blue ski mask and rubber gloves. He allegedly was carrying a black semi-automatic pistol. Cyrus approached the teller counter, the affidavit says, pointed the pistol at the tellers, and said, “This is a robbery.”
Cyrus allegedly demanded that all of the bank’s employees who were positioned behind the teller counter come out where he could see them. He demanded that the tellers give him cash from their teller drawers, the affidavit says, and at one point told one of the tellers that he would shoot her in the knee.
Cyrus handed one of the bank employees a blue reusable shopping bag and they put the cash in the bag. According to the affidavit, Cyrus ordered the employees and customers in the lobby to get down on the ground, then he left the bank and walked to a white Ford Ranger pickup truck that was parked in the parking lot across the street from the bank.
Surveillance photos depict the truck with an unknown state’s license plate, which had been attached to the vehicle backwards (with the face of the plate against the truck’s bumper). Four of the six numbers/letters were clearly visible. Branson police dispatchers broadcast the description of the robber and the vehicle to area law enforcement agencies. An off-duty Branson police officer heard the description of the truck and recalled having seen a similar vehicle parked near the Yacht Club Mobile Home Park in Hollister. The officer was familiar with the truck because it had a “for sale” sign in it and he previously called the listed phone number to inquire about purchasing the truck.
At about noon on the day of the robbery, the officer drove to the parking lot and saw the truck parked in the lot. The truck had a West Virginia license plate and was registered to Cyrus. The manager of the mobile home park told the officer that Cyrus had paid his rent and checked out at approximately 11 a.m. the same day. Cyrus left the mobile home park in another vehicle and left the pickup in the parking lot, hoping that it would sell.
A federal agent made a ruse call to the telephone number listed on the “for sale” sign in the truck. The call went to voice mail, and the agent left a message indicating that he was interested in purchasing the truck. The agent was able to contact Cyrus through an intermediary who called Cyrus and told him he had a potential buyer for the truck. The agent spoke to Cyrus, posing as the potential buyer. Cyrus later called the agent back, the affidavit says, and told him that he was not returning to Hollister but that the agent could arrange to wire the money to purchase the truck.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, Cyrus turned himself in at the Branson Police Department.
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. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the FBI, the Branson, Mo., Police Department and the Hollister, Mo., Police Department.
Hartville Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Producing, Distributing Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Hartville, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for using a minor to produce child pornography.
Chelese Penn, 25, of Hartville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Penn to a lifetime term of supervised release following incarceration.
On June 11, 2015, Penn pleaded guilty to both counts contained in a Jan. 20, 2015, federal indictment. Penn admitted that she used a child, identified as Jane Doe #1, to produce child pornography between July 1, 2012, and Oct. 3, 2014. Penn also pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography over the Internet during that time.
The investigation began when undercover agents identified David Albert, 51, of Springfield, distributing pornographic images of an 11-year-old female over the Internet. Albert and Penn exchanged child pornography over the Internet. In a separate but related case, Albert was sentenced on Sept. 9, 2015, to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child.
Penn will be required under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current in each of the jurisdictions where she resides, is employed and is a student.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime 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 Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead 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 robbing Bank of America.
Lorene Harris, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the charge contained in an Aug. 26, 2014, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Harris admitted that he stole $3,000 from Bank of America, 6320 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, on Aug. 4, 2014. Harris cut in front of everyone in line when he entered the bank and told a teller to “give me the money.” The teller asked Harris if this was a robbery and he responded that he was robbing the bank. The teller asked if he had a “note or something” and Harris told the teller he could write a note. Harris requested a piece of paper, then passed the note and asked for the money. However, when the teller put about $5,000 dollars on the counter, Harris told her to give him less. The teller took approximately $2,000 back and Harris took the remaining money.
Harris then asked what he should do next. He indicated he would wait outside; however; he fled from the bank on foot.
Harris was identified after bank surveillance photos appeared on the news. The following day, Harris was arrested by Raytown, Mo., police officers who were dispatched with paramedics to a convenience store. Harris, who was complaining of chest pains, told officers he robbed Bank of America the day before.
Under federal statutes, Harris is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. 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 Bruce E. Clark. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Warrensburg, Independence Men Sentenced for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Warrensburg, Mo., man and an Independence, Mo., man were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Phuoc Hong, also known as Tony Hong, 33, of Warrensburg, and Arturo-Lorenzo Roldan, 35, of Independence, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough. Hong was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Roldan was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
Both Hong and Roldan pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from December 2013 to May 2014.
Hong admitted that he sold methamphetamine from his Warrensburg residence and from other locations. During the investigation, an undercover agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives purchased methamphetamine from Hong on 11 occasions and purchased cocaine or crack cocaine from Hong on four occasions.
Roldan admitted that he supplied Hong with approximately one to two ounces of methamphetamine per week, later increasing to two to three ounces per week.
Hong purchased his methamphetamine from Roldan and purchased his cocaine from a different source. Hong supplied methamphetamine to co-defendants Garrett D. Statler, 21, and Alyce M. Maher, 28, both of Warrensburg, Mo., Dylan K. Avery, 19, of Clinton, Mo., and Tony D. Meyer, 43, of Sedalia, Mo.
Statler, Maher and Avery have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and been sentenced. Meyer pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and awaits sentencing.
Meyer, Statler, Avery and Maher then supplied methamphetamine to others.
The investigation resulted in the purchase or seizure of a total of 424.6 grams of methamphetamine, 68.3 grams of cocaine and 65.7 grams of crack cocaine. In addition to the methamphetamine actually purchased from Hong, it is believed that he is responsible for at least another pound of methamphetamine that he sold to Meyer.
Law enforcement officers conducted a search of Roldan’s residence and seized 88.5 grams of methamphetamine and $12,000 that came from the sale of a pound of methamphetamine to another individual. Based on this, Roldan is responsible for approximately 1.65 kilograms of methamphetamine (an estimated two ounces a week for five months (1120 grams), 88.5 grams found during the search and a pound sale (448 grams) represented by the $12,000).
Meyer admitted that he was in possession of a Hi-Point 9mm pistol when his vehicle was stopped by Kansas City, Mo., police officers on Jan. 18, 2014. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Meyer has two prior felony convictions for assaulting a law enforcement officer, four prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, two prior felony convictions for distributing a controlled substance, and prior felony convictions for trafficking in drugs, possessing drug paraphernalia, robbery, assault, and leaving the scene of an accident.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce E. Clark. It was investigated by the Warrensburg, Mo., Police Department, the Johnson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Knob Noster, Mo., Police Department, the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Lebanon Sex Offender Sentenced for Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lebanon, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Wayne Harlan Files, 78, of Lebanon, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 262 months in federal prison without parole.
Files is a registered sex offender due to a 1993 conviction for forcible sodomy. On April 23, 2015, Files pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet between Nov. 1, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012.
After Files had been arrested in February 2012 on unrelated state charges of sexual misconduct involving a child and child molestation, family members discovered child pornography on his computer while they were attempting to install software. They contacted the Lebanon, Mo., Police Department. Officers seized the computers, phones and other digital storage media in the home for forensic examination. Investigators found numerous images of child pornography on Files’s computer.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Lebanon, Mo., Police Department and U.S. 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." For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Springfield Businessman Sentenced for Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., businessman was sentenced in federal court today for engaging in fraud schemes, even after he was under indictment and while incarcerated, that totaled more than $3 million in losses.
Richard Thomas Gregg, 59, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes to 78 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $3,098,896 in restitution to the victims of his fraud schemes. “This is a significant sentence which was warranted based on this defendant’s crimes that had a devastating effect on the financial institutions who are the victims in this matter,” said U.S. Attorney Dickinson of the Western District of Missouri.
On April 3, 2015, Gregg pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of bank fraud and one count of bankruptcy fraud.
Gregg was the principal shareholder and a director of Southwest Community Bank in Springfield, which failed in May 2010. In the factual basis to his plea agreement, Gregg admitted that the United States could prove he substantially jeopardized the soundness of that financial institution and directly contributed to the failure of the bank. Southwest Community Bank lost $679,399 on Gregg’s personal line of credit and $871,125 on a commercial real estate fraud scheme perpetrated by Gregg, for a total loss of $1,550,524.
Gregg and his wife also were majority shareholders in Glasgow Savings Bank in Glasgow, Mo., which failed in 2012. Prior to Glasgow Savings Bank’s failure, it was one of the oldest operating banks west of the Mississippi River. Gregg was also a real estate developer, an investor and a licensed insurance agent for the Shelter Mutual Insurance Company. Gregg had ownership interest in and controlled a number of business entities.
Bank Fraud
During his guilty plea, Gregg admitted he defrauded Great Southern Bank by selling the collateral securing a $2 million loan, and keeping the proceeds. In February 2009, Gregg borrowed $2 million from Great Southern Bank in Springfield, using 160,000 shares of stock for First Bancshares, Inc. (FBSI), the holding company for First Homes Savings Bank, as collateral. Gregg physically deposited the stock certificate with Great Southern Bank. Between May 6, 2009 and June 6, 2009, Gregg devised and executed a scheme to defraud Great Southern Bank, and to obtain securities under the custody and control of Great Southern Bank by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.
As a part of this scheme, on May 6, 2009, Gregg checked out the original FBSI stock certificate from Great Southern Bank, using as a pretext the stated purpose of separating the large certificate into multiple smaller certificates. At that time, the loan from Great Southern Bank had a balance of $1,511,194. Gregg signed a trust receipt promising to return the stock certificates to the bank within 30 days. Gregg, however, chose not to return the stock certificates to Great Southern Bank and instead used the funds for other purposes. On May 7, 2009, Gregg deposited the collateralized FBSI shares into his account at Scottrade (a privately-owned retail brokerage firm). On May 28, 2009, Gregg borrowed $440,000 from Scottrade, from the margin account on which he used the FBSI stock as collateral.
As a result of Gregg’s fraud, Great Southern Bank consolidated several of his outstanding loans in order to cover the missing collateral. In the end, Great Southern Bank “charged off” $2,316,264 on this consolidated loan. However, the actual value of the FBSI shares, $1,350,400, is the loss directly attributable to the fraud.
Bankruptcy Fraud
While Gregg was already under indictment for bankruptcy fraud relating to the bankruptcy petition of his corporation, 1717 Market Place, LLC, he filed a personal bankruptcy petition that contained numerous false declarations and concealed fraudulent transfers of property.
On March 19, 2013, Gregg filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition. Between Feb. 20, 2013, and Sept. 1, 2014, Gregg devised a scheme to defraud the Bankruptcy Court, the United States Trustee and his creditors. By pleading guilty, Gregg admitted that his bankruptcy petition contained materially false statements and knowingly omitted material facts. Gregg also admitted that he transferred his property to place that property beyond the reach of the Bankruptcy Court, the United States Trustee and his creditors.
Gregg transferred his interest in two parcels of real estate, a 97.2-acre tract and a 6.4-acre tract in Nixa, Mo. Gregg also filed $250 million in bogus liens on his real and personal property in order to keep them out of the hands of his creditors. Gregg admits that the United States could prove he reported $45,773,834 in unsecured debts to others, which he fraudulently attempted to have discharged in his personal bankruptcy case.
Other Crimes
In addition to the two counts to which he pleaded guilty, Gregg previously admitted the United States could prove by a preponderance of the evidence all of the other conduct alleged in the indictment against him, including two other bank fraud schemes, wire fraud schemes targeting two casinos, and money laundering.
In one bank fraud scheme, in 2008 Gregg defrauded Southwest Community Bank by selling the bank a piece of commercial real estate at 2814 S. Fremont in Springfield for $1,551,9440, when it was worth less than half that amount. Gregg did not disclose to the other bank directors that he had purchased that property for $775,000 a few months earlier, nor did he disclose that two appraisals had been conducted on the property in recent months. One appraisal valued the property at $762,000. The second appraisal was cancelled when Gregg disagreed with the preliminary work. After Gregg cancelled the appraisal, he had the bank order an appraisal of the Fremont property by another appraiser, who valued the property at $1,580,000. Gregg did not disclose to the bank that this appraisal was not an independent valuation of the property, but rather was something Gregg had, in essence, directed.
In another bank fraud scheme, Gregg used collectible automobiles as collateral to obtain loans, then sold the cars without paying back the loans. Gregg admitted that the United States could prove that in January and February 2010 he executed separate but related schemes to defraud Great Southern Bank, Metropolitan National Bank and People’s Bank of the Ozarks. As a part of these schemes, Gregg sold seven collectible automobiles at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., five of the automobiles were encumbered at the three banks.
Gregg borrowed $400,000 from Great Southern Bank in October 2007, which he secured with four collectible automobiles, including a 2006 Ford GT. Gregg consigned the 2006 Ford GT with the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., where on Jan. 23, 2010, the vehicle was sold at auction for approximately $150,000. Gregg chose to not return the proceeds of the sale of the Ford GT ($138,000 after deducting the auctioneer’s fee) to Great Southern Bank and instead used the funds for other purposes. When Gregg defaulted on the loan, Great Southern Bank realized a $129,644 loss.
Also, Gregg borrowed $400,000 from Metropolitan National Bank in 2005. He secured this loan with a “floor plan” financing, meaning the loan was a revolving line of credit made against specific pieces of collateral, in this case automobiles. When each vehicle on the floor plan was sold, the loan advanced against that piece of collateral was to be repaid. This loan was renewed in December 2009. In January 2010, the collateral included a 1971 Chevy Cheyenne Pickup. The portion of the loan’s balance collateralized by the 1971 Chevy Cheyenne Pickup was $17,221. Gregg also consigned the 1971 Chevy Cheyenne Pickup with the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, and it was sold for approximately $29,000. Gregg admits the United States could prove he chose to not return the proceeds of the sale ($26,680 after deducting the auctioneer’s fees) to Metropolitan National Bank and instead used the funds for other purposes. When Gregg defaulted on the loan, Metropolitan National Bank realized a $17,221 loss.
Gregg also admitted the United States could prove he committed wire fraud related to bounced checks at two Oklahoma casinos. On Jan. 3, 2012 Gregg presented five checks, payable to Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., each in the amount of $10,000, knowing his credit union account contained insufficient funds to cover those checks. Between Feb. 16 and March 1, 2012, Gregg presented five checks payable to Downstream Casino and Resort in Quapaw, Okla., in the total amount of $60,000, knowing his bank account contained insufficient funds to cover those checks.
Gregg also admitted the United States could prove that on Aug. 14, 2012, he filed a substantially fraudulent corporate bankruptcy petition for his company, 1717 Marketplace, LLC that misrepresented the company’s financial situation to the material detriment of creditors, and concealed more than $9 million in debt owed to the company by insiders, payments he had directed.
Ongoing Criminal Conduct
Some of Gregg’s criminal conduct occurred while he was on bond and while he was incarcerated.
Following his indictment by a federal grand jury on Feb. 28, 2013, Gregg was released on a personal recognizance bond. While he was on bond, Gregg committed substantial, additional criminal offenses, for which the grand jury issued the first superseding indictment on July 23, 2014. The court found that Gregg had violated his conditions of bond by committing federal crimes while on release. The court found that Gregg posed a danger to the community in the form of potential economic harm, and that Gregg was unlikely to abide by any condition or combination of conditions of release. For those reasons, the court ordered Gregg’s bond revoked and he was incarcerated.
Gregg, through counsel, filed a motion asking the court to reconsider its order. Prior to the hearing, the government obtained and reviewed recordings of Gregg’s telephone conversations and prison visits, preserved on the Greene County Jail’s recording equipment. The recordings revealed that Gregg had conspired with others to commit new crimes from jail. On Nov. 3, 2014, the court issued an order denying the motion to reconsider bond.
On Nov. 4, 2014, the grand jury returned a second superseding indictment, which charged Gregg with additional acts of bankruptcy fraud.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FDIC Office of Inspector General and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Two Men Sentenced for Drug-Trafficking 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 and an Independence, Mo., man were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the shooting deaths of three persons during a home invasion in Independence and the shooting of a 12-year-old boy in the home.
Antonio Cervantes, III, also known as “Taz,” 34, of Independence, and Carlos Zambrano, Jr., also known as “Los,” 29, of Kansas City, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips. Cervantes was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Zambrano was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.
Cervantes and Zambrano both pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Cervantes, Zambrano and several co-defendants planned to steal as much as three pounds of methamphetamine by robbing the residence of Martin “Tomas” Dominguez-Gregorio in Independence. During the robbery attempt, in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, 2012, Martin “Tomas” Dominguez-Gregorio, his girlfriend, Maria Guadalupe Hernandez-Corona, and her son, Antonio Hernandez, were killed; Miguel Hernandez, Maria Hernandez’s then-12–year-old son, was wounded.
Cervantes and Zambrano met with co-defendants Kevin M. Finley, also known as “Tubbs,” 36, of Independence, and Raul Soto, also known as “Choch,” 24, of Kansas City, Kan., to plan the robbery on Nov. 15, 2012. Finley and Soto were both in possession of firearms.
Finley and Soto entered a shed behind the house. Finley admitted that they bound and beat two occupants inside the shed. One of those occupants was Antonio Hernandez. Finley and Soto then dragged Antonio Hernandez into the main house. Finley and Soto demanded drugs and money from the occupants, but the victims denied having any drugs or money. Finley and Soto both fired their weapons inside the house. Finley was responsible for the deaths of Dominguez-Gregorio and Hernandez-Corona, who were both killed by the gunfire. Soto was responsible for the death of Antonio Hernandez, who was killed by the gunfire. Miguel Hernandez was wounded as a result of the gunfire.
Following the robbery, a motorcycle and a TV were removed from the residence.
Soto was sentenced on Nov. 18, 2014, to 27 years in federal prison without parole.
Finley pleaded guilty on Sept. 10, 2015, to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to two counts of using a firearm during and in relation to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, causing the deaths of two persons. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Finley will be sentenced to 27 years in federal prison without parole.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles E. Ambrose and Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Former Trenton Man Sentenced for Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Trenton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to produce child pornography after secretly filming several victims in the shower.
Edward Allen Stieber, 49, of Brookfield, Mo., formerly of Trenton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
On April 24, 2015, Stieber pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to use a minor, identified as “Jane Doe,” to produce child pornography on separate occasions between January 2009 and January 2011.
According to court documents, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Cheyenne, Wyo., initiated an investigation in September 2012 into the activities of a subject utilizing a peer-to-peer file-sharing network to advertise images of suspected child pornography. Agents identified Stieber with the username “kool_uncle.” Steiber was employed as an over-the-road truck driver but at the time maintained a residence in Trenton.
Steiber was scheduled to make a delivery in Harmony, Penn., on Dec. 5, 2012. On that day, federal agents executed a search warrant on Steiber’s semi-truck and seized various electronic media containing images and videos of child pornography. Steiber was arrested and later indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Pennsylvania for possessing child pornography.
Investigators examined Steiber’s computers and computer media and discovered a number of homemade videos of minor females that appeared to have been produced in his home. Agents were able to identify the minor victim, as well as an adult victim and three other minor female victims whom Steiber secretly filmed while they were using the shower in his residence.
According to court documents, Steiber also sexually abused a minor victim who was vulnerable based on issues she was facing as a teenager, and took advantage of his position of trust to exploit their relationship.
Under Department of Justice guidelines, the attempted production of child pornography is ordinarily charged in cases that involve surreptitious recordings. The statutory penalties for producing child pornography are the same as the penalties for attempting to produce child pornography.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and U.S. 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." For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Thirteenth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Springfield Tax Fraud SchemeRead 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 his role in a fraudulent tax return preparation scheme that claimed nearly $340,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds.
Travis L. Ashmead, 30, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to making a false and fraudulent income tax return.
Co-defendant Cherie Christine Dupuis, 43, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on July 21, 2015, to leading the fraudulent tax return preparation conspiracy. Dupuis admitted that she and co-conspirators defrauded the government by filing false claims for income tax refunds from February 2009 to March 2012. In the false and fraudulent federal income tax returns they prepared and filed, conspirators claimed refunds from the IRS totaling approximately $340,630, of which approximately $336,839 was false. Over the course of the scheme, the total actual tax loss to the IRS was $284,169.
Dupuis admitted that she filed fraudulent federal income tax returns in her own name and for at least 19 other individuals. Dupuis would usually split the fraudulent refunds with her co-conspirators. The total amount of the false claims Dupuis personally prepared and/or filed was approximately $298,708, with approximately $256,281 being paid on these false claims and a loss to the government of approximately $213,711.
For the 2009 and 2010 tax years, Ashmead knowingly aided and abetted Dupuis, and was aided and abetted by Dupuis, in the filing of false federal income tax returns with the IRS, claiming tax refunds to which Ashmead knew he was not entitled. Ashmead provided his personal information to Dupuis, which Dupuis then used to file false income tax returns.
Ashmead admitted that he filed false federal income tax returns for the 2009 and 2010 tax years that falsely listed wages that had not been earned and federal income tax withholdings that had not been withheld. Ashmead fraudulently claimed a refund of $10,343 for the 2009 tax year, but the IRS stopped the refund before it was issued, resulting in no loss to the U.S. Treasury. Ashmead received a fraudulent refund of $10,234 for the 2010 tax year, resulting in a loss to the U.S. Treasury.
Ashmead is the final defendant to plead guilty among 13 co-defendants. In addition to Dupuis, co-defendants Lisa Lorre DeHaven, 34, Claudia Dorsey, 33, Amanda Leigh Boyd, 33, Johnny L. Cooper, 28, and Jeannie Marie Rhodes, 34, all of Springfield; Shawna Marie Hughey, 37, of Joplin, Mo., formerly of Springfield; Heather Nicole Drennen, 32, of Cameron, Mo., formerly of Springfield; William J. Coonce, 29, of Otterville, Mo.; Jeannette R. Dunn, 48, of Huntsville, Ark., formerly of Springfield; Asia Michelle Couchman, 26, of Oak Grove, Mo.; and Delbert L. Allen, 37, of Pleasant Hope, Mo., formerly of Springfield; have also pleaded guilty.
Under federal statutes, Ashmead is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. 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 Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Ava Man Indicted for Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Ava, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography.
Brett Corcoran, 25, of Ava, was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 30, 2015. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Corcoran’s arrest and initial court appearance. Corcoran remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015.
The federal indictment alleges that Corcoran used a minor victim to produce child pornography between Jan. 1 and May 13, 2015.
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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the St. Mary’s County, Maryland, 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."
Atlanta Man Sentenced for Fraud Scheme that Used Homeless to Cash Counterfeit ChecksRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Atlanta, Ga., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a bank fraud conspiracy that used homeless persons to cash counterfeit checks in the Kansas City metropolitan area and nationwide.
More than $400,000 in counterfeit checks was passed in the Kansas City area over the course of a few months in late 2012 and early 2013. Nationwide, more than $8 million in counterfeit checks was passed by various crews that traveled across the country to steal business mail, create counterfeit payroll checks and recruit homeless men to cash the counterfeit checks.
Marion Anthony Norwood, also known as “Wee-Wee,” 47, of Atlanta, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, to 12 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Norwood to pay more than $200,000 in restitution.
On Aug. 20, 2014, Norwood was convicted at trial of participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Norwood was the leader of a crew that traveled to Kansas City and recruited homeless men to pass computer-generated counterfeit payroll checks at local banks. The scheme also involved the theft of mail at businesses, where the perpetrators looked for company checks to use as templates to make the counterfeit checks. Norwood manufactured and printed the counterfeit checks and gave them to co-conspirators.
Norwood traveled to Kansas City in November 2012 with Gary Merritt, 56, of Kansas City, Kan. (formerly of Atlanta). Merritt’s role in the conspiracy was to find homeless men in Kansas City and recruit them to pass counterfeit payroll checks at local banks. Anthony Bernard Lowe, 53, and Marcus Bryant, 33, both of Atlanta, traveled together from Atlanta and met Norwood and Merritt in Kansas City.
In a separate but related case, Merritt and Bryant each pleaded guilty and were sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole. Lowe pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison without parole.
Conspirators made a second trip to Kansas City shortly after Christmas in 2012 to continue the scheme with counterfeit checks that were manufactured and printed by Norwood.
Conspirators returned to Kansas City in January 2013 to continue the scheme with counterfeit checks that were manufactured and printed by Norwood. Some of the conspirators then traveled to Lincoln, Neb., to continue the counterfeit check scheme.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Cowles. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Leawood, Kan., Police Department and the Atlanta, Ga., Police Department.
Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Polo Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lublin, Wisconsin man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing a Polo, Mo., bank.
Oran Woodfin, 31, of Lublin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to seven years and six months in federal prison without parole.
On April 2, 2015, Woodfin pleaded guilty to stealing $7,867 from Bank Northwest, 305 Main Street in Polo, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015.
According to court documents, Woodfin entered the bank, approached a bank teller and ordered her, “Give me your money.” He kept his left hand inside his jacket as though he had a weapon. The teller pleaded with him, “Don’t shoot me,” and placed the cash from her teller drawer on the counter. Woodfin picked up the money and walked out of the bank.
Bank surveillance photos indicated the robber was driving a red Dodge extended cab pickup truck with a black canvas tonto cover in the bed of the truck. A witness to the robbery observed the truck had a broken driver’s side taillight cover although the bulb was still functioning. Photographs of the robber and the pickup truck were disseminated to the media.
On the same day as the robbery, Woodfin checked into the Super 8 Motel in Richmond, Mo. Employees at the motel saw the surveillance photos on a television newscast, thought that Woodfin and his vehicle matched the descriptions from the bank robbery and the photos, and notified the police department.
Richmond police officers arrested Woodfin without incident outside his motel room. Officers executed a search warrant at the motel room and seized $7,145, a new computer, clothes and a container of alcohol. The pickup truck had been reported as stolen out of Clark County, Wisconsin. Woodfin had a warrant for his arrest out of Wisconsin for a probation and parole violation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Polo, Mo., Police Department, the Richmond, Mo., Police Department, the Ray County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
California Man Charged with Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a California man was charged in federal court today with possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, after state troopers found approximately seven pounds of heroin hidden in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Jose F. Guzman-Pompa, 28, of California, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, a state trooper stopped a 2014 Nissan Sentra (in which Guzman-Pompa was a passenger) on Interstate 70 in Callaway County (at the 140.6 mile marker) for a traffic violation at about 9:13 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2015. Guzman-Pompa told the trooper that the vehicle was owned by his girlfriend; Guzman-Pompa was listed on the insurance as a co-owner.
The trooper, after interviewing the driver and Guzman-Pompa, believed they were involved in criminal behavior. Another trooper utilized his canine, Rocky, to conduct a free air sniff of the Sentra. Rocky positively alerted to the Sentra for the presence of controlled substances.
A trooper searched the vehicle, the affidavit says, and found a package hidden under the seat cover of the driver’s seat. The package contained approximately seven pounds, or 3.171 kilograms, of heroin.
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 Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Warrensburg Man Charged with Crossing State Line for Illicit Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Warrensburg, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with crossing state lines to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor in Kansas.
Thomas Johnson, 22, of Warrensburg, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. Johnson, who was arrested today, remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, the investigation began in the Eastern District of Virginia when law enforcement agents were monitoring a child pornography Web site where Johnson had an account. Johnson allegedly logged onto the Web site and accessed images of child pornography.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on Sept. 25, 2015 and interviewed Johnson. Johnson’s cell phone was examined, the affidavit says, and was found to have several explicit photos of possible minor females, including a 13-year-old minor in Olathe, Kan. Johnson told law enforcement officers that he drove to Olathe to meet with the minor victim on two occasions in May 2015. This was confirmed in an interview with the minor victim, according to the affidavit, who also reported illicit sexual contact between herself and Johnson.
Johnson was taken into custody by the Johnson County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department for an outstanding warrant on Sept. 25, 2015. Johnson later bonded out and the following day, the affidavit says, the minor victim’s mother reported that Johnson was attempting to communicate with the minor victim via social media.
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. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI.
Two California Men Sentenced for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two California men have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.
Jaime Gonzalez-Alvarado, 33, a citizen of Mexico residing in South Baja, Calif., and Camilo Acosta, 22, of Imperial Beach, Calif., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. Gonzalez-Alvarado was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Acosta was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole.
On May 13, 2015, Gonzalez-Alvarado pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Barry County, Mo., from March 1, 2012, to Oct. 11, 2013. He also pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Gonzalez-Alvarado admitted that he directed the delivery and then the distribution of methamphetamine, which was being delivered from California to the residence of co-defendant Julio Vincente Mendoza, 33, a Mexican citizen who is a resident alien residing in Monett, Mo. This methamphetamine was then distributed by Gonzalez-Alvarado and others in the Monett area and throughout southwest Missouri.
On Oct. 11, 2013, law enforcement officers in Oklahoma seized one of these shipments of methamphetamine that was enroute to Mendoza’s residence in Monett. Officers seized 15 tape-wrapped bundles of methamphetamine weighing 14.61 kilograms.
On the same day, Missouri law enforcement officers conducted a controlled delivery of a portion of the methamphetamine to Mendoza’s residence, where they arrested Gonzalez-Alvarado and the other co-conspirators. Officers executed a search warrant and seized $57,660 found in a locked safe, $3,000 found in a downstairs bedroom, a Smith and Wesson 10mm semi-automatic handgun with 50 rounds of ammunition, packaging material consistent with the packaging of methamphetamine, approximately 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, a glass pipe commonly used to ingest methamphetamine and a drug ledger notebook which contained names, numbers, and currency amounts.
Mendoza and co-defendants Ernie Soto, 22, and Armando Arizpe, 24, both of Los Angeles, Calif., pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Mendoza, Soto and Arizpe were each sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randall D. Eggert and Nhan Nguyen. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Canadian County, Okla., Sheriff’s Department; the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department; and the Barry County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
KC Man Sentenced for Tax Fraud SchemeRead 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 sentenced in federal court today for his role in a fraudulent tax return preparation scheme that claimed $433,365 in fraudulent income tax refunds.
Demichael A. Johnson, 37, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to two years in federal prison without parole. Today’s sentence will run consecutively to the seven-year sentence Johnson is currently serving in federal prison for drug trafficking. The court also ordered Johnson to pay $67,281 in restitution to the government.
On June 3, 2015, Johnson pleaded guilty to making a false claim. Co-defendant Mika Francis, 40, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., has pleaded guilty to the same offense and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 4, 2016.
Johnson and Francis, along with others, participated in a scheme using false IRS Form W-2s. They solicited friends and acquaintances to file their tax returns using false W-2 information. These “taxpayers” had little to no legitimate income and would not otherwise have to file tax returns. According to court documents, the scheme resulted in a total actual loss to the government of $329,000.
Johnson admitted that he caused a tax return to be filed in his name for tax year 2010 that claimed a refund of $13,184. Johnson claimed income that he did not actually receive and falsely claimed two dependents. The government has evidence of seven other instances of Johnson’s involvement in false claims, with a total criminal tax loss of $75,928.
Francis admitted that she caused a tax return to be filed in her name for the tax year 2010 that claimed a refund of $8,048. Francis falsely claimed income that she did not receive.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Gregg Coonrod. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Former School Bus Driver Indicted for Child PornRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a former school bus driver has been indicted by a federal grand jury for receiving and possessing child pornography.
Shawn Allen Swan, 39, of Eugene, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Sept. 28, 2015. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Swan’s arrest and initial court appearance. Swan remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, Oct.6, 2015.
Swan was employed as a school bus driver by a contractor for the Jefferson City School District.
The federal indictment alleges that Swan received and distributed child pornography over the Internet on Sept. 29, 2013. Swan is also charged with possessing child pornography between Sept. 17, 2013, and April 30, 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. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Boone County Cybercrimes Task Force and the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Verona Man Indicted for Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Verona, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for producing and receiving child pornography.
Allen S. Worley, 41, of Verona, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Worley attempted to use a minor, identified as Jane Doe #1, to produce child pornography between Dec. 9, 2014, and April 16, 2015. Worley is also charged with receiving child pornography over the Internet.
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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force and the Aurora, 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 Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a fraudulent tax return preparation scheme that claimed nearly $340,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds.
Lisa Lorre DeHaven, 34, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to making a false and fraudulent income tax return.
Co-defendant Cherie Christine Dupuis, 43, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on July 21, 2015, to leading the fraudulent tax return preparation conspiracy. Dupuis admitted that she and co-conspirators defrauded the government by filing false claims for income tax refunds from February 2009 to March 2012. In the false and fraudulent federal income tax returns they prepared and filed, conspirators claimed refunds from the IRS totaling approximately $340,630, of which approximately $336,839 was false. Over the course of the scheme, the total actual tax loss to the IRS was $284,169.
Dupuis admitted that she filed fraudulent federal income tax returns in her own name and for at least 19 other individuals. Dupuis would usually split the fraudulent refunds with her co-conspirators. The total amount of the false claims Dupuis personally prepared and/or filed was approximately $298,708, with approximately $256,281 being paid on these false claims and a loss to the government of approximately $213,711.
For the 2009 and 2010 tax years, DeHaven knowingly aided and abetted Dupuis, and was aided and abetted by Dupuis, in the filing of a false federal income tax return with the IRS, claiming a tax refund to which DeHaven knew she was not entitled. DeHaven provided her personal information to Dupuis, which Dupuis then used to file false income tax returns.
DeHaven admitted that she filed false federal income tax return for the 2009 and 2010 tax years that falsely listed wages that had not been earned and federal income tax withholdings that had not been withheld. As a result, DeHaven fraudulently received a total of $19,791 in fraudulent income tax refunds. DeHaven gave Dupuis approximately half of the proceeds each year.
DeHaven is among a dozen defendants who have pleaded guilty. In addition to Dupuis, co-defendants Claudia Dorsey, 33, Amanda Leigh Boyd, 33, Johnny L. Cooper, 28, and Jeannie Marie Rhodes, 34, both of Springfield, Shawna Marie Hughey, 37, of Joplin, Mo., formerly of Springfield, Heather Nicole Drennen, 32, of Cameron, Mo., formerly of Springfield, William J. Coonce, 29, of Otterville, Mo., Jeannette R. Dunn, 48, of Huntsville, Ark., formerly of Springfield, Asia Michelle Couchman, 26, of Oak Grove, Mo., and Delbert L. Allen, 37, of Pleasant Hope, Mo., formerly of Springfield, have also pleaded guilty.
Under federal statutes, DeHaven is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. 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 Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.