Western District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Two Joplin Men Charged with Illegal Firearms Following Car Chase, K-9 SearchRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Joplin, Mo., men have been charged in federal court, in separate but related cases, with illegally possessing firearms after they attempted to hide and flee from law enforcement officers.
Franklin McLean, 34, and Theodore Lane, 36, both of Joplin, were charged in separate criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McLean and Lane were each charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The federal criminal complaint alleges that McLean was in possession of a Ruger .223-caliber rifle, a Keltec 9mm pistol and a round of .45-caliber ammunition. Another federal criminal complaint alleges that Lane was in possession of a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle.
According to affidavits filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for McLean's residence on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. Due to the presence of firearms at the residence, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department SWAT team assisted in the execution of the search warrant. When the SWAT team arrived at McLean's residence at about 10:30 p.m., the affidavit says, Lane was sitting in a truck that was idling next to McLean's mobile home. Officers ordered him to get out of the truck, the affidavit says, but Lane drove in the direction of the SWAT team in an effort to flee in the vehicle. Lane allegedly drove the vehicle through a barbed wire fence and traveled south on Blackcat Road.
Joplin police officers pursued Lane on numerous residential streets through Joplin, according to the affidavit, eventually traveling south of town into Newton County. Officers made several attempts to deploy stop sticks to flatten the tires of the truck, however, Lane was able to avoid them. While still being pursued in Newton County, Lane made a turn onto Apricot Drive from Coyote Drive and, while doing so, caused one of the tires to come off the rim. Once this happened, sparks began coming from the truck.
According to the affidavit, the pursuit continued in the Greenwood area with Lane leading officers to the outer road on the north side of I-44. Lane drove off the roadway and his truck became stuck in the field. Lane made several attempts to get the vehicle unstuck but was unsuccessful. When the pursuing officers arrested him, the affidavit says, they found a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle with a noise suppressor in a black rifle case inside the truck, as well as ammunition.
In the meantime, officers entering McLean's mobile home heard glass shatter on the north side of the residence. They saw shattered glass on the ground from a window, and noticed a small opening in the skirt around the bottom of the mobile home. Officers entered the residence, where they detained two females and discovered numerous firearms -- including three shotguns, a sawed-off shotgun, six rifles and two handguns -- and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A window had been broken in the bathroom on the north side of the residence.
A K-9 unit was called to the scene and the dog dragged McLean out from underneath the mobile home. Officers searched McLean and found a round of .45-caliber ammunition, two cell phones and a large amount of cash. McLean's hands were bloody and he had blood on his clothes, according to the affidavit. He told officers that he had been bitten by the dog and had glass in his hands, and he was treated for his injuries and transported to the Jasper County jail.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. McLean has prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property, creating/altering chemicals into a controlled substance and distributing/manufacturing a controlled substance. Lane has prior felony convictions for aiding and abetting the unlawful possession of equipment, chemicals and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing a motor vehicle.
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 Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Joplin, Mo., Police Department and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff's Department.
Two Joplin Men Charged with Illegal Firearms Following Car Chase, K-9 SearchRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Joplin, Mo., men have been charged in federal court, in separate but related cases, with illegally possessing firearms after they attempted to hide and flee from law enforcement officers.
Franklin McLean, 34, and Theodore Lane, 36, both of Joplin, were charged in separate criminal complaints filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McLean and Lane were each charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The federal criminal complaint alleges that McLean was in possession of a Ruger .223-caliber rifle, a Keltec 9mm pistol and a round of .45-caliber ammunition. Another federal criminal complaint alleges that Lane was in possession of a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle.
According to affidavits filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for McLean's residence on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. Due to the presence of firearms at the residence, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department SWAT team assisted in the execution of the search warrant. When the SWAT team arrived at McLean's residence at about 10:30 p.m., the affidavit says, Lane was sitting in a truck that was idling next to McLean's mobile home. Officers ordered him to get out of the truck, the affidavit says, but Lane drove in the direction of the SWAT team in an effort to flee in the vehicle. Lane allegedly drove the vehicle through a barbed wire fence and traveled south on Blackcat Road.
Joplin police officers pursued Lane on numerous residential streets through Joplin, according to the affidavit, eventually traveling south of town into Newton County. Officers made several attempts to deploy stop sticks to flatten the tires of the truck, however, Lane was able to avoid them. While still being pursued in Newton County, Lane made a turn onto Apricot Drive from Coyote Drive and, while doing so, caused one of the tires to come off the rim. Once this happened, sparks began coming from the truck.
According to the affidavit, the pursuit continued in the Greenwood area with Lane leading officers to the outer road on the north side of I-44. Lane drove off the roadway and his truck became stuck in the field. Lane made several attempts to get the vehicle unstuck but was unsuccessful. When the pursuing officers arrested him, the affidavit says, they found a loaded Panther Arms .223-caliber rifle with a noise suppressor in a black rifle case inside the truck, as well as ammunition.
In the meantime, officers entering McLean's mobile home heard glass shatter on the north side of the residence. They saw shattered glass on the ground from a window, and noticed a small opening in the skirt around the bottom of the mobile home. Officers entered the residence, where they detained two females and discovered numerous firearms -- including three shotguns, a sawed-off shotgun, six rifles and two handguns -- and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A window had been broken in the bathroom on the north side of the residence.
A K-9 unit was called to the scene and the dog dragged McLean out from underneath the mobile home. Officers searched McLean and found a round of .45-caliber ammunition, two cell phones and a large amount of cash. McLean's hands were bloody and he had blood on his clothes, according to the affidavit. He told officers that he had been bitten by the dog and had glass in his hands, and he was treated for his injuries and transported to the Jasper County jail.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. McLean has prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property, creating/altering chemicals into a controlled substance and distributing/manufacturing a controlled substance. Lane has prior felony convictions for aiding and abetting the unlawful possession of equipment, chemicals and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing a motor vehicle.
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 Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Joplin, Mo., Police Department and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff's Department.
Brookfield Man Indicted for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Trenton, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for attempting to produce child pornography.
Edward Allen Stieber, 46, of Brookfield, Mo., formerly of Trenton, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Stieber attempted to use a minor, identified as “Jane Doe,” to produce child pornography on separate occasions between January 2009 and January 2011.
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 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."Lee's Summit Man Sentenced for Selling Stolen Items on eBayRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to burglarize the vehicles of at least 144 victims and sell the stolen items on eBay.
Nathaniel Dixon, 37, of Lee’s Summit, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to five years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum sentence. The court also ordered Dixon to pay $104,657 in restitution to his victims and to forfeit to the government $125,921, which represents the proceeds he obtained from the criminal conspiracy.
On May 27, 2014, Dixon pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. From Jan. 1, 2010, until Aug. 31, 2011, Dixon led a conspiracy to burglarize scores of vehicles in the Kansas City metropolitan area, in both Missouri and Kansas. They broke into the vehicles, removed entertainment/navigation systems (often MyGigs) from the dashboard, and stole other personal items such as computers, briefcases, purses, cell phones and credit cards from the vehicles. They also jacked up the vehicles to steal the tires and wheels, and would often use the victims’ landscaping blocks to prop the vehicles up after stealing the tires and wheels.
Dixon bought the stolen auto parts and electronics from his coconspirators, then posted the items for sale on his eBay account, listing the parts at prices lower than retail value. Dixon and his coconspirators caused a loss of approximately $476,000 to the victims. Dixon received payments through his PayPal account totaling approximately $125,921.
In a separate case, Nickalass King, 36, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a total of three years and three months in federal prison without parole for his role in the conspiracy and for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Mahoney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.Independence Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Contraband Cigarette TraffickingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., business owner pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a multi-million dollar, multi-state conspiracy to transport hundreds of thousands of cartons of contraband cigarettes from the Kansas City, Mo., area to the state of New York, where they were sold primarily on Indian reservations.
Craig Sheffler, 45, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and contraband cigarette trafficking from July 2010 to Jan. 26, 2012. Sheffler has forfeited $599,206 to the government from his company, Cheap Tobacco Wholesale in Independence.
The state of New York imposes excise taxes on all cigarettes sold in the state, unless expressly exempted by law or by private agreement between the state and an Indian nation or tribe. Only licensed wholesalers may purchase unstamped cigarettes, either through the cigarette manufacturer or through other wholesalers. Under New York state law, it is the obligation of state-licensed stamping agents to prepay the excise tax and affix stamps on all cigarette packs. Tobacco wholesalers must report the sales of cigarettes to the state.
Sheffler admitted that he made regular purchases of contraband cigarettes from undercover agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The contraband cigarettes were transported to New York without prior approval by the New York Department of Taxation and Finance and without first paying the required $4.35 per pack excise tax. The unstamped, untaxed cigarettes were then sold to other smoke shops on the reservations in New York by several co-conspirators, including AJ’s Candy & Tobacco, LLC, a tobacco wholesaler located on a reservation in Irving, N.Y., to other smoke shops on the reservations in New York, thus allowing the sale of the cigarettes at a considerable discount and depriving the state of its tax revenue.
AJ’s Candy & Tobacco was sentenced for its role in the conspiracy on Aug. 1, 2014, and ordered to pay a $1 million fine. The company also must forfeit to the government $221,550, which represents the proceeds of the offense. The court also ordered the company to pay an additional $535,050 in restitution to the state of New York. Under the terms of the company’s plea agreement, AJ’s is prohibited from selling premium cigarettes for two years.
According to the indictment, conspirators purchased more than $17 million worth of contraband cigarettes from ATF agents during an undercover operation. Sheffler admitted in today’s plea agreement that the amount of loss exceeded $7 million. Approximately 620,600 cartons of cigarettes – containing 10 packs per carton – were transported to New York without paying the required $4.35 per pack excise tax. The untaxed cigarettes were sold by New York retailers and smoke shops on the reservations in the state of New York. The total state excise tax lost to the state of New York was more than $8 million.
Under federal statutes, Sheffler is subject to a sentence of up to five 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. Attorneys Paul S. Becker and Justin G. Davids. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, IRS – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Jury Convicts St. Joseph Truck Driver, Sex Offender of Transporting a Minor for ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Human Trafficking Rescue Project
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a St. Joseph, Mo., commercial truck driver who is a registered sex offender has been convicted by a federal trial jury of transporting a minor across state lines for prostitution.
Tony Eugene Wardlow, 55, of St. Joseph, was found guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, of transporting a minor across state lines for prostitution. Wardlow remains in federal custody until his sentencing.
Wardlow was self-employed as a commercial truck driver, doing business as Prideco, LLC. Wardlow is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 1997 in Nodaway County, Mo., of sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual misconduct (involving two separate child victims). Wardlow also has prior felony convictions for being a felon in possession of firearms and possessing methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Thomas Farrell, 49, of DeKalb, Mo., pleaded guilty on Feb. 7, 2014, to aiding and abetting Wardlow’s transportation of the minor victim to Texas for prostitution. Farrell was the owner of Farrell Trucking & Hay, LLC.
Evidence submitted during the trial indicated that Wardlow paid the minor victim for sex on multiple occasions while she was working as a prostitute on Independence Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. She was under 18 years of age at this time. Wardlow took her out of town in his truck on several occasions, including a trip to Texas in September 2011. Farrell accompanied them. During the trip, Wardlow engaged in prostitution activity with the minor victim multiple times, both in Wardlow’s truck and in hotels.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about an hour before returning the verdict to U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple, ending a trial that began Monday, Dec. 15, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Wardlow is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. 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 Patrick Daly and David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI, the Prairie Village, Kan., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.Springfield Father, Son Plead Guilty to $6.7 Million K2 Distribution ConspiracyRead 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 $6.7 million scheme that involved the distribution of approximately 2,253 kilograms of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as K2.
Douglas K. Franklin, 56, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Franklin’s son and co-defendant, Brandon D. Franklin, 28, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to the same charges on Sept. 17, 2014. Charges against Douglas Franklin’s daughter, Caitlyn E. Franklin, 26, of Springfield, were dismissed following a pre-trial diversion agreement. Co-defendant DeWayne T. Barnhart, 37, of Joplin, pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing misbranded drugs and was sentenced to a term of probation.
Both Douglas and Brandon Franklin admitted they engaged in a mail fraud scheme by selling and shipping (via FedEx) Kryp2nite products, which were falsely labeled as “incense” and “not for human consumption,” but in reality contained a synthetic cannabinoid that was intended for human consumption as a drug. They manufactured and distributed K2 to retail outlets in Springfield, Joplin and elsewhere through their Springfield business, ThirdEye.
Douglas and Brandon Franklin deposited $2,933,854 in proceeds from the distribution of synthetic marijuana into bank accounts between Oct. 29, 2009, and April 30, 2011, when Douglas Franklin left the conspiracy. Brandon Franklin continued to distribute synthetic marijuana and deposited an additional $3,826,187 in proceeds into his bank accounts until Nov. 6, 2012 (for total deposits of $6,760,041). Based upon a review of invoices seized during the investigation, the Franklins charged approximately $3 per gram of synthetic cannabinoid. Therefore, Douglas Franklin distributed approximately 977 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids during the time he participated in the conspiracy and Brandon Franklin distributed a total of approximately 2,253 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Douglas and Brandon Franklin also admitted to their roles in a money laundering conspiracy related to conducting financial transactions involving the proceeds of unlawful activity, which were designed to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the proceeds.
Under the terms of their plea agreements, Douglas and Brandon Franklin must forfeit to the government real estate in Springfield, Mo., Rogersville, Mo., Springfield, Ore., and Redding, Calif. Douglas Franklin must also forfeit to the government $802,632 as well as an unspecified amount of funds and monetary instruments contained in several bank accounts. Brandon Franklin also must forfeit to the government a money judgment of $6,760,041; the funds contained in several bank accounts totaling more than $535,000; and investment funds totaling $267,632.
Under federal statutes, Douglas and Brandon Franklin are each subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
These convictions are the result of a large-scale investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies into the distribution of K2, the slang term for synthetic cannabinoid products. K2 is a mixture of plant material that has been sprayed or mixed with a synthetic chemical compound similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. K2 products are often labeled as “incense,” but in reality are intended for human consumption as a drug.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Jasper County Drug Task Force, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Webb City, Mo., Police Department, the South Central Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.Man Indicted for Two Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing two area banks in May 2014.
Lynn Brown, 55, address unknown, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Brown stole $2,000 from Commerce Bank, 118 W. 47th Street in Kansas City, Mo., on May 10, 2014.
Brown is also charged with stealing $1,900 from Bank of America, 1104 S.W. 7 Hwy., in Blue Springs, Mo., on May 20, 2014.
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 William L. Meiners. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department.
KC Man Sentenced to 30 Years for PCP Trafficking, Illegal FirearmsRead 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 possessing PCP with the intent to distribute and for illegally possessing firearms.
Jerry D. Scott, 41, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
On Jan. 15, 2014, Scott was found guilty at trial of two counts of possessing PCP with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing PCP, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes.
Law enforcement officers began conducting surveillance on Scott’s residence in March 2012 after receiving information from a confidential source that he was selling PCP and carrying firearms. At the time, Scott had five prior felony convictions, including possessing PCP and carrying a firearm.
A police detective saw Scott, who did not have a valid driver’s license, leave the house with another person and get into his black Lincoln Navigator, which was parked in front of the residence. When Scott started driving his vehicle, police officers conducted a traffic stop. Scott and his passenger, Candace I. Brown, both had outstanding Kansas City municipal warrants and were arrested.
An inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing was conducted and officers discovered PCP and a Jimenez 9mm handgun with no serial number in the center console of the vehicle. Officers also found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun under the driver’s side floor mat.
Scott was also in possession of PCP on May 12, 2010. A Kansas City police officer drove past Scott’s parked vehicle and smelled the odor of PCP and marijuana. Officers saw a loaded Glock 10mm pistol in the driver’s side door pocket and Scott was placed under arrest. During an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, officers discovered a bottle of PCP in the center console.
On Aug. 16, 2010, Scott sold three PCP-dipped cigarettes to a confidential informant in a controlled undercover operation. Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at Scott’s residence on Aug. 20, 2013, and found three bottles that contained PCP as well as drug paraphernalia.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William L. Meiners. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Ferrelview Man Sentenced to 40 Years for his Role in Nationwide Child Porn RingRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Ferrelview, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for using four young victims to produce child pornography as part of a nationwide child pornography ring.
Raymond M. Appling, 32, of Ferrelview, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 40 years in federal prison without parole.
On March 4, 2014, Appling pleaded guilty to four counts of producing or attempting to produce child pornography. Appling admitted that he took pornographic photos and video of four child victims, which he shared with others.
FBI agents had identified two suspects in Colorado and in San Diego, Calif., that linked Appling to the child pornography ring. Detectives with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department executed a search warrant at Appling’s residence on Feb. 8, 2012, and seized computers, computer media and a camera. In an interview with the detectives, Appling identified a third member of the child pornography ring located in Pennsylvania. The other members of the child pornography ring are being prosecuted in those jurisdictions.
Appling admitted that he took a child victim, identified as Jane Doe #1, to visit the San Diego suspect, whom he knew had a sexual attraction to minors. Appling also took pornographic photos of Jane Doe #1 when she was eight years old.
Appling also took photos of a second child victim, identified as Jane Doe #2. Appling took photos of Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 together in the shower. Jane Doe #2 also told investigators that she had met the San Diego suspect at Appling’s home.
Appling took photos of a third child victim, identified as Jane Doe #3, while she was asleep on his couch. A series of photos depicts Appling moving Jane Doe #3’s clothes so that she is exposed, and Appling touching her.
Appling also produced a movie of a 12-year-old victim, identified as Jane Doe #4, while she was undressing and getting ready to take a shower.
A forensic examination of Appling’s computers, cameras, and computer media determined that an external hard drive had been wiped and reformatted. There was evidence on the external hard drive which indicated that videos with a sexual theme (including child pornography) were once on the hard drive. Evidence indicated that some of the movies that were once on the external hard drive were sent through the use of an encrypted instant messaging program. In addition, a large number of Yahoo! messenger chat fragments were recovered from several log files from Feb. 4, 2011 through July 5, 2011. In many of the chats the participants (including Appling and the other suspects) stated that they were actively engaged in sexual abuse and/or child pornography. There were also several unidentified participants engaged in the online chats.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. 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 Area Men Indicted in Conspiracy to Avoid Taxes on $4.7 MillionRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that the owner of a Springfield, Mo., business and a Greene County, Mo., man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to avoid paying taxes on $4.7 million in receipts.
Wesley Vernon Delport, 68, of Ozark, Mo., and Alton Louis Vaughn, Sr., 58, of Greene County, were charged in a six-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon their arrests and initial court appearances. Both Delport and Vaughn remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2015.
Delport was the owner of Abundant Health & Wellness, a business described as a holistic health clinic, located in Springfield. Vaughn was self-employed and derived a portion of his income from assisting in the preparation of federal income tax returns, advising taxpayers regarding their dealings with the IRS, and representing others in their dealings with the IRS.
The federal indictment alleges that Delport received approximately $4,710,335 in gross receipts for Abundant Health & Wellness from Jan. 1, 2004, to Dec. 31, 2013, which he did not report to the IRS as required by law and upon which he did not pay taxes.
According to the indictment, Delport purported to create an entity called The Shammah Foundation, which he described as “A Corporation Sole” the purpose of which was, “to do whatever will promote the Kingdom Of God, All Righteousness and the principles of Liberty and Justice,” on May 7, 2002, in the state of Washington. Delport allegedly transferred funds from the bank account of Abundant Health & Wellness to the bank account of The Shammah Foundation, and used The Shammah Foundation bank account to pay his personal expenses, without reporting those funds to the IRS as income or paying any taxes.
Vaughn allegedly advised and assisted Delport in his attempts to avoid IRS efforts to ascertain, compute, assess, and collect federal income taxes, and sometimes acted as Delport’s representative in dealings with the IRS and the federal court.
The indictment also alleges that Delport attempted to impede and delay an IRS examination of his tax liability by filing documents that consisted of lengthy and frivolous arguments. According to the indictment, Delport described himself as a “Sovereign National” and claimed the IRS is “a bogus agency not of government.” Delport allegedly attempted to place his funds and assets beyond the reach of the IRS by putting them in the names of his wife and daughter.
Delport and Vaughn allegedly attempted to impede the federal grand jury investigation by, among other things, refusing to comply with federal grand jury subpoenas for tax and business records and falsely claiming that an IRS revenue officer had personally seized and collected all of Delport’s original documents. They allegedly counseled an employee to refuse to testify before the grand jury and provided this employee with a written statement (which contained an inaccurate statement of the law) to read to the grand jury in lieu of complying with her legal obligation to testify. They allegedly attempted to impede the criminal investigation by falsely reporting to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration that an IRS revenue officer and an IRS criminal investigator had coerced, intimidated and threatened Delport.
Delport and Vaughn allegedly assisted an employee of Abundant Health & Wellness and her husband in impeding IRS efforts to collect the taxes the couple owed. They did so, the indictment says, by paying the employee’s salary to her daughter, who did not work at Abundant Health & Wellness. They refused to comply with IRS requests and summonses for documents and records, the indictment says. Delport falsely claimed that the employee was an unpaid intern of his business, the indictment says.
Delport and Vaughn are charged together in one count of participating in a conspiracy to defraud the government. In addition to the conspiracy, Delport is charged with one count of obstructing or impeding the administration of internal revenue laws and two counts of filing false income tax returns. Vaughn is also charged with two counts of aiding and assisting the filing of false income tax returns.
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 Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.Two Men Indicted for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two southern Missouri men were indicted by a federal grand jury today, in separate and unrelated cases, on charges involving the sexual exploitation of children.
USA v. Talbott
Jeremiah Shane Talbott, 37, of Oronogo, Mo., was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Talbott used a cell phone to attempt to induce an individual whom he believed to be less than 18 years of age to engage in illicit sexual activity between June 26 and Aug. 26, 2014.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Talbott to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including his cell phone.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrime Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.
USA v. Penn
Edward Penn, 31, of Hartville, Mo., was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Penn received and distributed child pornography over the Internet between Jan. 1, 2013, and Oct. 3, 2014.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Penn to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including his cell phone.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrime Task Force and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these indictments 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.
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 Easton Man of Meth, Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Easton, Mo., man was found guilty by a federal trial jury today of participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the St. Joseph, Mo., area and a conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jeffrey Ray Pendleton, also known as “Fro,” 34, of Easton, was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and participating in a money-laundering conspiracy.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Pendleton was involved in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the St. Joseph area from Jan. 1, 2009, to July 19, 2012. During the same time, Pendleton conspired with others to engage in financial transactions with the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Pendleton was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol on April 30, 2010, after a high speed vehicle pursuit in Lenexa, Kan. Pendleton fled from troopers and local officers until his vehicle became disabled, then ran on foot before being taken into custody. Following his arrest, troopers recovered six different prescription narcotic pills, a digital scale, methamphetamine, syringes and approximately $5,000. Pendleton was arrested again on Jan. 19, 2011, after a short vehicle pursuit by Lenexa, Kan., police officers. During the pursuit, Pendleton tossed a white object out the window that was later determined to be methamphetamine.
A former girlfriend of Pendleton and other cooperating defendants told investigators that Pendleton possessed methamphetamine every two to three days during late 2009 and 2010. Two traveled with Pendleton when he went to Kansas City, Kan., to pick up $10,000 worth of methamphetamine, which he brought back with them to St. Joseph for distribution.
Other individuals also told investigators they had witnessed Pendleton in possession of methamphetamine on numerous occasions. They stated they saw Pendleton with “softball”-size and fist-size bags of methamphetamine. One of the cooperating individuals told investigators that Pendleton was in possession of a large plastic bag, which contained three pounds of methamphetamine.
A cooperating individual told investigators that Pendleton orchestrated the beating of a girl in the basement of a St. Joseph residence over a drug debt. The victim of the beating sought medical attention at a hospital emergency room. Pendleton forced the beating victim to pose for cell phone photos with a hypodermic needle in her arm, and told her that if she reported the beating he would send the photos to family services and the victim would lose custody of her children.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about 90 minutes before returning the verdicts to U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner, ending a trial that began Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Pendleton is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $10.5 million. 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 Rhoades. It was investigated by the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clay County Drug Task Force.
Federal Prosecutor Recognized with National AwardRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert was recognized at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., today for his role in the prosecution of a capital case involving inmates at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo.
Eggert was among the recipients of the 2014 Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. The award, which recognizes superior performance and service, was presented to the trial team of Eggert, Trial Attorney James D. Peterson of the Capital Case Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent Rick McLain of the FBI for the successful prosecution of Wesley Paul Coonce and Charles Hall.
“Randy Eggert has been an invaluable asset to this office for the past 17 years,” Dickinson said. “His exemplary work in this case deserves this special recognition and reflects the same commitment to justice, diligent work ethic and astute professionalism he brings to every case he prosecutes on behalf of the United States.”
Wesley Paul Coonce, Jr., 34, and Charles Michael Hall, 43, who were both inmates at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, were found guilty on May 7, 2014, of murdering another inmate. Coonce was also found guilty of murder by an inmate serving a life sentence. Coonce and Hall were both sentenced to death.
Attorney General Eric Holder addressed the 136 award recipients at today’s ceremony. “Your work is central to the mission of this department, and to the promise of our nation: the promise of equal justice under law,” Holder said. “Your efforts help to protect, and to realize, the rights – of safety, security, opportunity, and justice – to which your fellow citizens are entitled. And all across the country – from our biggest cities, to our smallest towns; from rural areas to tribal lands – you play a crucial role in improving public safety, keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, cracking down on financial and health care fraud, and safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society from violence, exploitation, and abuse.”Jury Convicts KC Man of 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 was convicted in federal court today of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Eric M. Wiley, 30, of Kansas City, was found guilty of the charge contained in a May 22, 2014, federal indictment.
On May 11, 2014, Kansas City, Mo., police officers were dispatched to the BP gas station/convenience store at East 39th Street and Hardesty in response to a report of man brandishing a firearm during an argument about his pit bull dog running loose. When Wiley saw the officers approach the convenience store, he let go of the leash attached to his dog and fled on foot. A foot chase ensued. The pursuing officers saw Wiley grab the right side of his waist. Wiley’s jersey was untucked and hung over the waist band of his pants. As Wiley held his right side, the pursuing officers saw that he was holding a bulky item under the shirt.
Wiley fell to the ground. As he was falling, one of the officers saw something fall from his clothing. After Wiley was apprehended and arrested a short distance away from the spot where he fell, officers searched the area and found a loaded Jennings Firearms .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun with the serial number filed off.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Wiley has a prior felony conviction for burglary.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about 90 minutes before returning the verdict to U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, ending a trial that began Monday, Dec. 8, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Wiley is subject to a sentence of up to 10 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 William L. Meiners and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Former St. Clair Sheriff's Deputy, Inmate Indicted for Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former St. Clair County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy and a former county jail inmate were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a wire fraud scheme.
Michael E. Mullaney, 52, of Lowry City, Mo., and William E. Parker, 52, of Fort Ritchie, Fla., formerly of Urich, Mo., were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Mullaney was a deputy with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department who arrested Parker for first degree burglary on Feb. 20, 2010. While Parker was incarcerated, the indictment says, he and Mullaney devised a scheme to defraud Work Force West Virginia to claim unemployment benefits for Parker to which he was not entitled.
Today’s indictment alleges that Mullaney obtained personal information from Parker in order to make Parker’s claim for unemployment benefits through Work Force West Virginia. Mullaney allegedly completed an Internet form with Parker’s personal information to fraudulently certify Parker’s eligibility for unemployment benefits. Parker was not eligible for unemployment benefits, the indictment says, because he was not available and willing to accept full-time suitable work while he was incarcerated.
As a result of the fraud scheme, the indictment says, Parker received $5,388 on a bank debit card between Feb. 25 and May 10, 2010.
Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Mullaney and Parker to forfeit to the government $5,388, which represents the proceeds obtained from the alleged offense.
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 Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the St. Clair County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Work Force West Virginia Unemployment Compensation Division.
KC Truck Driver Sentenced to 21 Years for $1 Million Conspiracy to Steal Trucks and Trailers, CargoRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., truck driver was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a 14-year-long conspiracy to steal more than $1 million worth of trucks and trailers and their cargo.
Kenneth Ray Borders, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 21 years and10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Borders to pay $1,270,089 in restitution to 27 victims. Borders’ sentence takes into account his previous criminal history of theft of a truck, trailer and cargo in this district and the District of Nebraska. He also has numerous instances of driving without a license or with a suspended license and was under a criminal sentence for driving while revoked during the conspiracy.
On Feb. 28, 2014, Borders was found guilty at trial of participating in a conspiracy that involved the theft of commercial trucks and trailers and their cargo in Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska from 1998 to December 2013. Co-defendants Jon Dirk Dickerson, 56, of Raytown, Mo., and his son, Kyle Wayne Dickerson, 32, of Holden, Mo., were also convicted for their roles in the conspiracy and await sentencing. They worked together to steal trucks, trailers, and cargo and then dispose of them. Sometimes they used the trucks and trailers themselves to make money by hauling loads for customers and sometimes they sold the stolen trucks and trailers.
In addition to the conspiracy, Borders was found guilty of four counts of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen goods, one count of aiding and abetting the transportation of stolen goods and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen vehicles.
Evidence presented at trial focused on the thefts of five Freightliner trucks and 17 trailers between 2005 and 2011. The stolen trailers included refrigerated trailers containing such cargo as 39,000 pounds of meat, 565 boxes of beef valued at $149,790, $125,000 worth of frozen ribs, and several refrigerated trailers that each contained tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of frozen chicken, including a load of frozen chicken wings valued at $59,706. Also stolen were utility trailers containing such cargo as Budweiser beer valued at $16,657, Nike shoes valued at $217,353 and 21,018 pounds of Little Sizzler sausages.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars of stolen cargo was sold cheaply to anyone who would buy it. Some of the cargo was sold out of the back of the trailer; some of it was sold to a tow truck driver or a convenience store operator to resell. For example, co-defendant Myron Piggie, 53, of Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty to possessing stolen property. Piggie admitted that he accepted 12 pallets of stolen Budweiser beer products (valued at approximately $7,566). Piggie agreed to sell the beer at his store, MP Convenience Store in Kansas City, and split the profits with conspirators. Piggie, however, learned that the police were aware he had the stolen beer, so he gave it all away, selling little or none of it, because he did not want to be found to be in possession of the stolen beer. Several additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty in this case and in related cases.
Borders was involved in stealing the trucks, trailers, and cargo. He sold the cargo to others to resell, sometimes fronting the money by allowing his “customer” to pay him after they sold the product. Borders used some of the stolen trucks and trailers himself to make money by delivering cargo.
Jon Dickerson often had the first right to purchase stolen trucks and trailers. In fact, Borders actually had a “shopping list” from Dickerson listing the trucks and trailers that he wanted, so that Borders could keep an eye out for them and steal them if the opportunity presented itself.
Jon Dickerson and his son, Kyle Dickerson, also were involved in stealing trucks and trailers. They used them in their own trucking business, sometimes just for replacement parts with the remains sold for scrap. Kyle Dickerson had the tools, ability, and willingness to disguise the stolen nature of the trucks and trailers by altering their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) so that they could be used in their trucking business without alerting authorities when they were stopped or inspected.
Jon Dickerson was also found guilty of three counts of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen goods and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen vehicles.
Kyle Dickerson was also found guilty of one count of aiding and abetting the transportation of stolen vehicles, two counts of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen goods and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen vehicles.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Gregg R. Coonrod and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cindi S. Woolery. It was investigated by the Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the National White Collar Crime Center, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, Travelers Investigative Services, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Florida State Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Human Trafficking Rescue Project
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Rhode Island man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the attempted sex trafficking of a child.
Thomas O’Brien, 54, of Rhode Island, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to the charge contained in a Dec. 11, 2013, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, O’Brien admitted that he was involved in the sex trafficking of a victim who was under the age of 18 from June 15, 2005, to Aug. 4, 2007. O’Brien also admitted that he compensated two child victims for activities involving numerous sexually explicit webcam sessions.
O’Brien traveled to Kansas City, Mo., in the summer of 2007 to engage in sexual activity with one of the child victims. During that trip, he spent more than $10,000 on various gifts and entertainment for the two child victims and a co-defendant. O’Brien admitted that he engaged in sexual activity with one of the child victims during this trip.
Between 2005 and 2008, O’Brien spent approximately $200,000 in gifts and various cash payments to the two child victims. O’Brien also assisted a co-defendant in rendering sexually explicit high-definition videos into a more Internet-friendly format.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the parties have recommended that O’Brien’s sentence for this offense will run concurrently to a six-year sentence that he is currently serving for a separate federal conviction in the District of Rhode Island.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated principally by the FBI and the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
Additional assistance was provided by the following agencies: The Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Clay County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Platte County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Newport, R.I., Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, the Winnipeg, Manitoba Police Service in Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Crown’s Attorney’s Office in Canada and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre in the United Kingdom.
KC Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Illegal Firearms, Sold Weapon used in MurderRead 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 illegally possessing numerous firearms, including a handgun that was used to commit a murder.
Michael L. Bradford, also known as Derrick Lamont Brown, 30, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, to 25 years in federal prison without parole.
On May 2, 2014, Bradford pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and one count of distributing PCP and marijuana.
Bradford admitted that he sold a Llama .38-caliber revolver, which had been used in a murder less than a week earlier, to undercover law enforcement officers on Nov. 5, 2012. ATF agents and Kansas City police officers were engaged in a nearly year-long undercover operation to address violent crime, illegal firearms trafficking and drug trafficking in the metropolitan area. They operated an undercover storefront resulting in the undercover purchase of many firearms.
Bradford told the undercover operators that the firearm was reported stolen but not used in a crime, however, there was no stolen firearm report located for this weapon. Testing performed after Bradford sold this pistol to the storefront determined it matched two of the three bullets recovered from the body of David Lablance, who had been shot to death on Oct. 30, 2012.
Bradford was one of the last persons to have contact with Lablance before his death. Bradford and Lablance also had been in the storefront together on Sept. 22, 2012, when Lablance sold a grenade, with the deal brokered by Bradford. The device they sold was initially thought to be a live functioning explosive device; however, upon further testing it was determined the explosive charge had been removed and the fuse had been “expended.”
During the storefront operation, Bradford personally sold eight handguns and three long guns. He assisted with the sale of an additional five long guns. Two of the handguns Bradford personally sold were stolen. One of the guns on which he assisted had an obliterated serial number.
Bradford also sold marijuana (8.6 grams) and PCP (10.6 grams and 1.5 grams) during the storefront operation. During each of these drug sales, he was also selling firearms he brought to the storefront. On two occasions when he was at the storefront to sell weapons, Bradford made it clear that he was personally armed, not just with the guns he was selling.
Bradford had also been the target of an earlier unrelated narcotics investigation. As police officers approached Bradford’s residence on Sept. 5, 2012, to execute a search warrant, Bradford was observed walking down the street. He was arrested and officers located a loaded Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol that Bradford had tossed nearby.
Bradford was arrested on Nov. 13, 2012, following a traffic stop in which he was the driver. A Smith and Wesson .38-caliber handgun was located behind the front seat and a bottle containing PCP was located on the front seat. There was also a small child in the backseat near the firearm and a female adult passenger.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Bradford has two prior felony convictions for armed criminal action, two prior felony convictions for robbery and one prior felony conviction for burglary.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Nevada Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing from her EmployerRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Nevada, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to a bank fraud scheme in which she embezzled from her employer.
Patricia Culbertson, 53, of Nevada, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges her with bank fraud and filing a false tax return.
Culbertson worked for Barrington Manufacturing Corporation as a book keeper from June 2009 until she was suspended on June 24, 2014.
By pleading guilty today, Culbertson admitted that she forged the company owner’s signature on checks from the company’s bank account without authorization in order to cover her gambling debts and for other personal expenses. The checks were either deposited into Culbertson’s personal bank account, the bank accounts of her mother and son, or the bank account of her company, PC Tech. After reviewing all of the account records, agents were able to determine that approximately $374,943 had been fraudulently withdrawn from Barrington’s bank account.
Culbertson also admitted that she failed to report this embezzled income on her federal income tax returns for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Culbertson’s actions resulted in a total tax loss to the federal government (without penalties and interest) of $72,246. The total tax loss to the state of Missouri (without penalties and interest) was $17,352.
According to today’s plea agreement, a final loss figure and restitution amounts have not been finalized. Final loss and restitution figures will be presented to the court prior to sentencing, or evidence will be presented to the court for a final ruling on this matter.
Under federal statutes, Culbertson is subject to a sentence of up to 33 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1,100,000 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 Patrick Carney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the El Dorado Springs, Mo., Police Department.Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Sell False ID Documents to Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Rayville, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to produce thousands of counterfeit identification documents that were distributed to illegal aliens, and to illegally possessing firearms.
Eriberto Moises Medina-Aranda, 39, of Rayville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to the charges contained in a March 21, 2014, federal indictment.
Co-defendants Cesar Mujica-Aranda (Medina-Aranda’s half-brother), also known as “Oscar Gomez,” 25, a citizen of Mexico residing in Liberty, Mo., and Luis Daniel Cabrera-Guzman, also known as “Driver,” 30, and Bernardino Bautista-Hernandez, 32, also known as “Brujo,” both of whom are citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
Medina-Aranda admitted that he participated in the conspiracy to produce false Social Security cards, false Lawful Permanent Resident cards and false driver’s licenses from various states within the United States as well as Mexican states between Sept. 1, 2013, and Feb. 21, 2014. Conspirators sold the counterfeit identification documents for at least $100 to other illegal aliens.
Medina-Aranda admitted that he oversaw the production and distribution of false identification documents. There were numerous street level dealers involved in the conspiracy. The street dealers would typically pay $50 for each counterfeit identification document sold and the street dealers would keep the excess proceeds they were able to obtain from the sale of the counterfeit documents.
Medina-Aranda also pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. Medina-Aranda admitted that in February 2014 he was in possession of a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic rifle, a Marlin rifle and ammunition, all of which were found in his residence by federal law enforcement agents. Medina-Aranda is illegally residing in the United States. His spouse, a citizen of the United States, purchased the Smith & Wesson semi-automatic rifle for him as a birthday gift at the Excelsior Springs, Mo., Wal-Mart store. Today’s plea agreement contains a photograph of Medina-Aranda posing with the semi-automatic rifle next to a painting of Al Pacino in his “Scarface” role, who is holding a rifle in a similar pose.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Medina-Aranda must forfeit to the government all of the document-making implements (including three desktop computers and a printer) that were seized by federal agents at Medina-Aranda’s residence and at a storage unit he used in Excelsior Springs, as well as the firearms that were seized at his residence. Conspirators must each pay a money judgment for the total amount of money that was obtained by this criminal enterprise. The Department of Homeland Security is still evaluating ink ribbons that were seized as part of the investigation and has already identified thousands of identification documents that were produced by the conspiracy. By the time of sentencing, the government may have a better estimate on how many identification documents it can establish were produced by the conspiracy. The court may elect to multiply this number by how much the conspiracy was selling the false documents to aliens.
Under federal statutes, Medina-Aranda is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole, plus 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; the Kansas Department of Revenue, Office of Special Investigations; the Missouri Department of Revenue, Compliance & Investigations Bureau; the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Clay County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney.KC Business Owners Sentenced for $1 Million Fraud Scheme of Debt-Stressed ClientsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the husband and wife owners and operators of a Kansas City, Mo., firm that promised to help financially-strapped clients get out of debt were sentenced in federal court today for defrauding 81 clients and the government of more than $1 million.
John Lee Norris, 43, and Julie Tina Hatcher, 39, both of Kansas City, Mo., were each sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to nine years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Norris to pay $1,081,658 in restitution and Hatcher $1,067,131.
Norris and Hatcher, who are married, operated Reaper Investment Partners, LLC; they also did business as Hydra International. In August 2011 they formed Death Productions LP, which maintained an office in Mission, Kan., before moving to Kansas City, Mo.
On May 28, 2014, both Norris and Hatcher pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud homeowners and other debtors who were in financial distress (as well as their victims’ lenders and the Federal Housing Administration) from August 2010 to June 28, 2013.
In addition to the conspiracy, Norris and Hatcher each pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. Hatcher also pleaded guilty to one count of Social Security disability fraud. Hatcher admitted that she failed to report her work activities and income while she received Social Security disability benefits from August 2010 through April 2012.
Norris and Hatcher recruited and targeted homeowners and others who were in financial difficulties with promises that they would be rescued from their financial problems, including foreclosure. Norris and Hatcher made promises and assurances to homeowners and other debtors that in exchange for a monthly payment RIP would stop and/or prevent the debtor from losing his or her home.
Norris and Hatcher admitted that they spent the payments received from RIP’s clients for their personal use. Dozens of client victims, as well as lenders, suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses as a result of the conspiracy, including the loss of homes and vehicles. The federal indictment refers to victims from Lee’s Summit, Mo., St. Joseph, Mo., Gardner, Kan., Paducah, Ken., and North Wales, Penn.
A total of 81 individual client/victims have been identified, who claim to have lost a total of $759,344 in the fraud scheme. In addition to the individual victims, the Department of Housing and Urban Development sustained losses on the foreclosures of four properties in the total amount of $317,704. The total combined loss of the individual victims and HUD is thus approximately $1,091,070.
Among the examples of victims cited in court documents are a couple who came home to find a notice posted on their front door that the home had been sold on the courthouse steps and they had days to vacate; on moving day the husband had a stroke from the stress and died six months later. A single older woman who took in foster children lost her home in foreclosure and is now paying rent to the purchaser. Another older woman lost her home (which she had built for her specially) in foreclosure and is now living elsewhere.
Even after learning of several lost homes, RIP continued to accept monthly payments for services and continued to accept new clients with promises that clients would not lose their homes. They continued operating the scheme after they were contacted by law enforcement, after interviews by the FBI and for several months after they were indicted by a federal grand jury. When one victim told them he had been interviewed by the FBI, they reassured him and continued taking his $910 per month payment.
Norris and Hatcher promised RIP would refinance homeowners’ existing home loans at a significantly lower principle amount and low interest rate. They told homeowners RIP would get title to the properties. Upon entering into the contract, homeowners were to stop making payments to their lenders and instead pay the agreed amount to RIP. Homeowners were promised that when the refinanced RIP loan was paid off, they would get title to their property.
Norris and Hatcher claimed that RIP would draft, serve, file, and record legal forms, pleadings, and other documents; and would conduct necessary legal processes, contact the relevant parties, and implement administrative procedures to stop its clients from losing their home or property. When their clients contacted them and told them they had received notice that their homes were being foreclosed and that they had received eviction notices, Norris and Hatcher reassured them. Norris and Hatcher told their clients not to worry because these notices were part of the process, and RIP continued accepting payments. Even after several clients lost their homes to foreclosure, Norris and Hatcher reassured them that RIP would get the houses back. RIP continued to take payments from other homeowners.
After informing law enforcement that they were no longer doing business, Norris and Hatcher continued to accept payments from at least one client and reassured at least one client that they were still working on the homeowner’s behalf. After closing RIP, they continued to accept payments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linda Parker Marshall and Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, the Johnson County, Kan., District Attorney’s Office and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.Joplin Man Sentenced for Disaster Fraud Related to Tornado BenefitsRead 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 fraudulently receiving federal disaster benefits following the tornado that struck the city of Joplin on May 22, 2011, killing 158 people and causing more than $2.9 billion in damage.
Fred Lewis Pickett, Jr., 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Pickett to pay $5,147 in restitution.
Pickett pleaded guilty on July 14, 2014, to one count of disaster fraud. Pickett admitted that he fraudulently received disaster benefits by claiming that he relocated from one primary residence to another primary residence in Joplin because of damage from the tornado. To substantiate his claim of relocation, Pickett submitted several leases and rent receipts bearing the signature of his purported landlord, Dustin Showalter, 36, of Joplin.
On the basis of Pickett’s representations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized four rental assistance payments totaling $5,147. However, Pickett’s claim was false. Pickett did not relocate and Showalter was not his landlord. In fact, Showalter had been banned from the residence, which had been occupied by Showalter’s mother before she was relocated to a nursing home. Pickett and Showalter fabricated the documents Pickett used to substantiate his claim.
Showalter was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $938 in restitution after he pleaded guilty, in a separate case, to one count of disaster fraud. Showalter admitted that he committed disaster fraud by making false statements to FEMA in an application for disaster benefits. Showalter fraudulently received disaster benefits by claiming to have lived at a residence in Joplin at the time of the May 22, 2011, tornado, when in fact he did not live at that residence. On the basis of his application to FEMA, Showalter received $938 to which he was not entitled.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, the FBI and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.
Disaster Fraud Hotline
Anyone with information about disaster fraud related to the Joplin tornado should call the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721, the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131, or the FBI’s Joplin office at 417-206-5700.Jefferson City Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Jefferson City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
John Albert Overstreet, 35, of Jefferson City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to the charge contained in a Feb. 12, 2014, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Overstreet admitted that he participated in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Cole County, Mo., in January 2014.
Law enforcement officers, who had conducted several undercover drug transactions with Overstreet, executed a search warrant at two Jefferson City apartments on Jan. 10, 2014. When the door to one of the apartments was breached, Overstreet was seen standing in the hallway. Overstreet ran into a bedroom, where he attempted to conceal something down the front of his pants. Officers removed the object, which was determined to be a bag containing 14 smaller bags of methamphetamine totaling 195 grams.
Overstreet admitted that he traveled to the Joplin, Mo., area twice to receive at least seven ounces of methamphetamine (for which he paid $6,000 per trip) as directed by co-defendant Jose Manuel Escobedo, 40, of Springfield, Mo. Escobedo has also pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy.
Co-defendant Victoria Elizabeth Voisard, 26, of Fulton, Mo., has pleaded guilty to one count of distributing crack cocaine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.
Under federal statutes, Overstreet is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $5 million. 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 Stuart Zander. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department and MUSTANG (the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike Team and Narcotics Group).Former KC Attorney Sentenced for Money Laundering, took $800,000 from ClientsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Kansas City, Mo., attorney was sentenced in federal court today for money laundering.
James C. Wirken, 70, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan to one year and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Wirken to pay a fine of $4,000.
Wirken was a lawyer and principal at The Wirken Law Group until he surrendered his law license in 2012 and was disbarred by the Missouri Supreme Court. On May 12, 2014, Wirken pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
Wirken admitted that he withdrew money from his law firm’s trust account, which was being held for the benefit of a client, and deposited the funds into his law firm’s operating account. Wirken wrote six checks between December 2009 and Jan. 13, 2010, totaling $116,730. Wirken then used the funds for his personal benefit. All of the transactions were conducted without the client’s consent.
According to court documents, Wirken’s law firm was engaged in a long-term, unethical, unsustainable Ponzi-type business model that spanned over many years. As early as 2007, Wirken began improperly borrowing substantial amounts of money from clients, and then he refused to pay his clients back. Wirken borrowed over $800,000 from at least seven clients from 2007 to 2012, according to court documents.
For example, court documents cite one instance when Wirken borrowed $100,000 from a client and refused to make payments on the loan even when his client was diagnosed with cancer and needed money to pay for the treatments. Wirken’s client later died from the disease.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roseann A. Ketchmark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.Stotts City Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Attempting to Produce Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Stotts City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to manufacture child pornography by secretly videotaping a child victim in the shower.
Christopher L. Modglin, 45, of Stotts City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 13, 2014, Modglin pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to manufacture child pornography. Modglin admitted that he secretly recorded video of a child victim between the ages of 11 and 13 years old taking a shower. Modglin also admitted that he owned several computers that contained images and movies of child pornography.
The Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department was notified that the child victim had reported Modglin tried to put a camera in her bedroom on multiple occasions. Based on this information, the child victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center. During the interview, the child victim stated that she had seen a video on Modglin’s cell phone of herself taking off a swim suit and getting into a shower.
Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Modglin’s residence and seized three desktop computers and a laptop computer, all of which contained images and movie files of child pornography involving victims between the ages of 8 to 13 years old. One of the desktop computers contained seven video files that Modglin had made of the child victim in various stages of undress. Officers also seized a thumb drive that contained one of the videos of the child victim, which had been erased. The same thumb drive also contained an erased child pornography movie file. Three additional computers did not contain any child pornography.
In total, the officers seized material that contained seven video files of child pornography manufactured by Modglin, 51 movie files that contained child pornography and 17 images of child pornography.
When Modglin was arrested, officers also discovered a USB flash drive in his wallet that contained the seven video files he manufactured of the child victim.
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 Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Plato Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Plato, Mo., man who initially confessed during a pre-employment polygraph examination when he applied for employment at the Missouri State Highway Patrol pleaded guilty in federal court today to using a minor victim to produce child pornography.
Cedric Lovejoy, 28, of Plato, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charge contained in an Oct. 1, 2013, federal indictment.
According to today’s plea agreement, Lovejoy participated in a pre-employment polygraph interview and examination conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Nov. 9, 2012. During the interview, Lovejoy confessed that he had taken video footage of himself receiving oral sex from the then-14-year-old victim. State troopers executed a search warrant at Lovejoy’s residence and seized his computers, which contained the child pornography video Lovejoy had taken with his cell phone.
Under federal statutes, Lovejoy is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."KC Man Pleads Guilty to Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing child pornography and attempting to distribute child pornography over the Internet.
Craig E. Williams, Jr., 27, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the charges contained in an April 9, 2014, federal indictment.
According to today’s plea agreement, Kansas City, Mo., police officers arrested Williams at his residence on May 16, 2013, on a felony warrant for an unrelated state case. They seized various electronic media from his residence. Forensic investigators discovered 413 videos of child pornography and numerous images of child pornography on a computer and three hard drives. The victims were primarily prepubescent children, including some toddlers. Some of the images depicted bondage and bestiality.
Williams told officers that he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to download child pornography over the Internet.
Williams was also being investigated by the Nixa, Mo., Police Department and the Western Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force, which were conducting separate undercover child pornography investigations and had identified Williams’ computer as sharing child pornography over the Internet.
Under federal statutes, Williams is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. Williams must also pay restitution of $5,000 apiece to two of the victims, or $3,000 apiece if he pays within 30 days of the sentencing date. 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 Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Nixa, Mo., Police Department and the Western 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."Harrison County Prosecutor-elect Pleads Guilty to Stealing $540,000 from Elderly ClientRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, and Chris Koster, Missouri Attorney General, announced that a Bethany, Mo., attorney pleaded guilty today in federal court for stealing more than $540,000 from his elderly client.
Richard F. Turner, 39, of Bethany, pleaded guilty to U.S. District Judge David G. Kays to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of false statements on his tax return. He also pleaded guilty to the information’s asset forfeiture count.
“This is an egregious case of elder abuse,” Dickinson said. “The abuser, Mr. Turner, was the elderly victim’s own attorney. When those in positions of responsibility and trust abuse the elderly, we will bring the full resources of federal and state law enforcement to bring them to justice.”
“Richard Turner violated the trust placed in him, using his elderly client’s trust account as a personal ATM,” Koster said. “Today’s guilty plea acknowledges the seriousness of this breach of trust.”
Through his plea, Turner admitted that from October 12, 2004 to May 29, 2014, he fraudulently attempted to obtain at least $728,147.18, and he did obtain at least $540,803.86, from his elderly client. He spent the money on personal expenses not authorized by his client, the client’s trust agreements, or his power of attorney, including paying off his home mortgage, putting in a swimming pool, and spending heavily at retail establishments and restaurants in Bethany, St. Joseph, and Kansas City, Mo., including to support his clothing store, Richard’s / TD Clothiers, in Bethany, Mo. Turner further admitted that he failed to pay taxes on the embezzled income, causing additional loss to the state and federal government of at least approximately $154,453.
Defendant Richard Turner is a lawyer in Bethany, Mo. He is the former elected county prosecutor of Harrison County, Mo., and he was re-elected on November 4, 2014.
On October 12, 2004, a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) was created for an elderly client naming Richard F. Turner as her attorney-in-fact. The DPOA specified that it, “shall become effective ONLY upon (Mrs. Bush’s) subsequent incapacity . . . .” The DPOA granted Turner the ability to conduct financial transactions and pay taxes on behalf of Mrs. Bush, and to conduct business in which she is an interested party. On May 10, 2010, Mrs. Bush became a resident at the Crestview Home, a skilled nursing facility, located in Bethany, Mo. Records reflect that she was suffering short-term memory impairment at the time of her admission.
Embezzlement Scheme
Through his plea, Turner admitted that from 2005 to 2011, his income diminished but his spending increased. On January 19, 2011, Turner received a foreclosure notice for his Bank of America mortgage concerning his personal residence at 21223 Daily Road, Bethany, Mo. On January 31, 2011, Turner filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection in the Western District of Missouri.
On March 3, 2011, Turner caused to be created the Dorothy A. Bush Revocable Trust, naming Mrs. Bush as the “Settler,” and himself as the “Trustee.” At the time, according to the plea agreement, Mrs. Bush was suffering from memory problems. The trust appears to have been signed by Mrs. Bush; however, Turner notarized the signature himself. No other witnesses were listed. The Trust authorized the Trustee to make payments from the Trust assets for the “care, maintenance and comfort,” of Mrs. Bush. It allowed the trustee to sell assets, invest funds, sell property, pay debts, and to act “generally in the management of the trust estate to do all acts and things which he/she deems for the best interests of the trust.” Turner was not himself a beneficiary under the terms of the trust, nor was he authorized under the trust to make personal expenditures. Upon Mrs. Bush’s death, the Trust provided for the distribution of her remaining assets to various persons and charitable organizations, including family members, friends, the Salvation Army, Masonic Home of Missouri, Northwest Missouri State University, and multiple churches. One week after the trust was set up, on March 10, 2011, doctors declared Mrs. Bush incapacitated.
In the summer of 2011, Turner admitted that he made arrangements to sell Mrs. Bush’s farmland, while intending to embezzle some or all of the proceeds. On July 12, 2011, Turner’s bankruptcy case was dismissed on his own motion. On July 29, 2011, Turner opened an individual checking account for Mrs. Bush at Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri (“FBNM”), 1617 Main Street, Bethany, Mo. He deposited a $576,329.11 check from Missouri Land Title Company constituting proceeds from the sale of Mrs. Bush’s farmland.
On August 12, 2011, Turner wire transferred $370,000 from Bush’s account at FBNM in Bethany, Mo., to Bank of America (“BOA”) in New York, NY., to fund a new checking account ending 1089. The outgoing wire transfer sheet stated the reason for the transfer as, “Funding a new trust for Dorothy,” but the account was held solely in Turner’s name. On August 16, 2011, he made a $2,631.57 purchase at Best Buy. On August 17, 2011, he made a $2,882.95 payment to Chase Automotive. Out of his BOA account, Turner paid almost $300,000 to his various personal creditors including Discover, Bank Northwest, Chase Automotive Finance, and Best Buy. This included the purchase of a $279,967.87 cashier’s check, which he used on August 22, 2011 to pay off a home mortgage loan held by Bank of America in Mr. Turner’s name. He spent much of the remaining money on daily living and entertainment expenses for himself, and for his struggling business, Richard’s / TD Clothiers, in Bethany, Mo.
On July 13, 2012, Turner wired another $12,760 from FBNM to his BOA account. On August 15, 2013, he wired in another $13,560. On September 21, 2012, at Bank Northwest, Bethany, Mo., Turner cashed in two certificates of deposit held solely by Mrs. Bush. On September 21, 2012, Turner then wired the proceeds, $106,127.61, to his BOA account in New York in two separate wire transfers of $53,973.68 and $52,199.96. Also on September 21, with a debit card on his BOA account, he spent $2,530.20 at Wal-Mart in Bethany, Mo. On September 22, he spent $3,617.66 at O’Neils Home Furnishing in Bethany, Mo. In July and November 2012, Turner also spent $13,316 on a swimming pool, also taken from Mrs. Bush’s funds.
In all, from August 16, 2011, to December 17, 2013, Turner debited $520,137.64 from his BOA account, resulting in a negative balance of (-$85.75) on December 21, 2013. A total of $327,400 went to pay off and improve Mr. Turner’s home, including for the swimming pool. He spent $22,843 at Wal-Mart, $14,667 on retail electronics, $8,430 to pay off his credit cards, $13,324 on automotive expenses (including maintenance for his 2005 GMC Hummer), $9,516 on fuel and convenience stores, $5,805 at restaurants, $6,546 on travel, and $19,014 on clothing, including for items to sell in his store, Richard’s / TD Clothiers.
From November 25 to 26, 2013, Turner used a check in the amount of $147,752.59, issued from Mrs. Bush’s Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri account, to open a US Bank account in the name of Dorothy A. Bush Revocable Trust, Richard F. Turner Trustee. The referenced check is signed by Turner as the POA, with, “transfer to Trust estate,” written in the memo section. Signature cards for the new US Bank account list Turner as the sole signer on the account. No additional deposits were made to this account. Three surveillance photos show Turner at the counter at US Bank in St. Joseph, Mo., on November 26, 2013.
Dorothy A. Bush Revocable Trust account statements from November 26, 2013, through February 21, 2014, show numerous debits from this account, most of which were conducted via debit card. The debit card usage appears typical of day-to-day purchases, including groceries, dining, gas, and movies. Of note are three debits to the “Turner Law Firm” totaling $1,789.45. The account balance on February 21, 2014, was $130,553.09. From December 12, 2013, through March 10, 2014, Turner spent approximately $20,616.77 from the Trust Account. These debits included four payments to Turner’s law firm from December 2013 to March 2014 for $2,539.45. On March 11, 2014, US Bank “froze” the Trust account, and its investigator contacted law enforcement.
On March 21, 2014, Turner opened another account in Mrs. Bush’s name at Farmer’s Bank of Northern Missouri. For the initial deposit, he transferred the entire balance of $61,707.95 from a FBNM business money market account of Mrs. Bush, which she had opened in 1998. On the Account Agreement, Turner referenced the Trust that he had caused to be created on March 3, 2011. On March 18, 2014, Turner opened an account at the Edward Jones office in Bethany, Mo., titled in the name of “Dorothy A Bush Revocable Trust” with Turner as Trustee and sole signer on the account. Turner caused a $41,686.01 starter check drawn on the new FBNM account to be deposited to the account at Edward Jones. Turner also attempted to transfer the remaining funds ($125,635.57) from the frozen Dorothy A Bush Revocable Trust account at US Bank to the Edward Jones account. The transfer was denied due to the holds that US Bank placed on the account.
In all, through his plea, defendant Turner admitted that from at least October 12, 2004 to May 29, 2014, he attempted to obtain at least $728,147.18 from Mrs. Bush for his personal use, and he did in fact obtain $540,803.86. Debits included 20 payments to Turner’s law firm from August 12, 2011, to March 4, 2014 totaling $39,936.45.
Tax Scheme
During the timeframe, Turner maintained a legal practice, a private probation business, a legal services business, and a retail clothing business. Turner filed federal individual income tax returns using the filing status single for tax years 2011 (paper) and 2012 (electronic). He claimed $0 taxable income in 2011 (he listed adjusted gross income as $11,116) and 2012 (he listed adjusted gross income as $2,944). The income reported is due to losses in some of his businesses that are offset by the gains made in the other businesses. Through his plea, he admitted that he knowingly and willfully did not pay federal or state income taxes on the embezzled funds from Mrs. Bush.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel M. Nelson and Missouri Assistant Attorney General Joseph Schlotzhauer. It was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, The Missouri Division of Health and Senior Services, and the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Turner self-prepared his 2011 Form 1040 in Bethany, Mo. He signed and dated the 2011 Form 1040 on October 15, 2012 with his signature on page 2 of the tax return. Turner self-prepared his 2012 Form 1040 and electronically filed it on April 12, 2013. Through his plea, Turner admitted that he knowingly and willfully failed to report and pay income tax on the embezzled income of $370,000 in 2011, and $118,934 in 2012. Consequently, Turner has an estimated additional tax due and owing of $102,978 and $25,331 for tax years 2011 and 2012, respectively. Turner did not file or pay state of Missouri taxes for 2011 and 2012. For 2011, Turner owed $20,424. For 2012, he owed $5,720. The total amount of federal and state tax liability still due and owing from 2011 and 2012 is $154,453.KC Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Heroin Trafficking, Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a 10-year long drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the death of one individual and the distribution of more than three kilograms of heroin in the Kansas City area.
Matthew Davis, 48, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
On April 1, 2014, Davis and co-defendant Timothy L. Kirlin, also known as “Jim Curlon,” 34, were each found guilty at trial of participating in a conspiracy to distribute 1,000 grams or more of heroin, as well as cocaine, from Jan. 1, 2002, to Feb. 3, 2012. Kirlin traveled to Dallas, Texas, to procure wholesale amounts of heroin and other drugs for resale in the Kansas City area. Davis was among the conspirators who received heroin and cocaine from Kirlin and distributed it to others.
On March 5, 2002, Kirlin distributed heroin to Joshua Webb, and the use of this heroin by Webb resulted in his death.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, Kirlin was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $17,000 in restitution for funeral costs.
Kirlin traveled to Dallas at least once a month to purchase heroin. The usual amount that Kirlin would purchase in Dallas was four ounces of heroin, although he bought more on occasion. He sometimes transported the heroin back to Kansas City by hiding it in his rectum.
Because Kirlin had been shot in the head, he was unable to drive himself, and would ride the bus to Texas and frequently enlist the aid of others in the conspiracy to drive him from place to place.
In addition to the conspiracy, Kirlin was found guilty of being a felon in possession of explosives. Kirlin, who has two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, was in possession of four sticks of explosives (along with manuals on how to build explosive devices) on Feb. 2, 2012.
Kirlin was also convicted of six counts of distributing heroin and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. Kirlin must also forfeit to the government $200,000, which represents the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking, and $1,425 that was seized by law enforcement officers.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles E. Ambrose, Jr., and Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
KC Man Sentenced for Phone Call Hoax with False Threat to Contaminate Water SupplyRead 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 making a hoax telephone call with a false threat to contaminate the public water supplies of Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis, Mo., Wichita, Kan., and Topeka, Kan.
Manuel Garcia, 70, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to two years in federal prison without parole. Garcia’s sentenced was enhanced by the court because the offense resulted in a substantial disruption of government functions and a substantial expenditure of funds from local police departments and water districts in response.
Garcia, who pleaded guilty on June 2, 2014, admitted that he made three threatening telephone calls in October 2013 in which he claimed there was a threat to contaminate the public water supply of Kansas City, St. Louis, Wichita and Topeka. Garcia admitted that he knew the threats were false when he made the calls, and that the threats were conveyed in a way that it was reasonable to believe the information.
Garcia called the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department 9-1-1 Emergency Tips Hotline on Oct. 15, 2013. Garcia claimed that the water supplies of Kansas City, St. Louis, Wichita and Topeka would be contaminated in the next 10-15 days with an unknown substance contained in four 55-gallon tanks. The 9-1-1 operator asked Garcia to identify himself and Garcia hung up. On the same day, Garcia called the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Joint Support Operations Center in Washington, D.C., with the same threat. Garcia called the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department 9-1-1 Emergency Tips Hotline again on Oct. 22, 2013.
An FBI agent recognized Garcia’s voice from a previous case in which Garcia pleaded guilty to making threats by telephone and placing a hoax explosive device outside the Charles Evans Whittaker United States Courthouse. The package was left with a note making references to explosives and Garcia placed a call to the courthouse stating there were additional explosives inside. This package and the call were determined to be hoaxes. Garcia was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in that prior case.
In response to Garcia’s hoax threat calls, the Kansas City Police Department increased helicopter surveillance around the water treatment plants in the metropolitan area for a two-week period, set up department snipers in observation posts around the city’s water intake and posted two-person patrol teams 24-hours a day around the city’s water treatment plants. In addition, measures were taken by 10 different water supplies in the Kansas City, St. Louis, Wichita and Topeka metropolitan areas that were potentially targets of the hoax. These efforts included increased security measures at the plants as well as notifying and coordinating with at least 12 different police departments and agencies to increase surveillance and patrols. The law enforcement response to these hoaxes was spread across four different metropolitan areas and included a large number of water treatment facilities for a two-week period.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Casey. It was investigated by the FBI.
13 KC-area Residents Charged in $1 Million Drug-trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that 13 Kansas City, Mo.-area defendants have been indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1 million worth of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
A two-year investigation culminated in a dozen arrests and the execution of several search warrants today. Law enforcement officers seized two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, marijuana, cash, drug paraphernalia, two firearms and ammunition during these searches.
Christopher Brian Padilla, 30, Natalie N. Tinoco, 29, Oswaldo Ulises Lopez, 24, Edward Francis Diaz, Jr., 47, Edward Francis Diaz III, 28, Mary Eloisa Steward, 33, Heriberto Muzquiz III, 43, Nicholas Salinas, 46, Jose Tereso Salinas-Covarrubias, 45, and Terry L. Diaz, 50, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Sergio Ibarra-Hernandez, 44, and Martin Fernando Espinoza-Arevalo, 26, both of whom are citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo.; and Adan Rogelio Hernandez-Aceves, also known as Jose Delgado-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Kan., were charged in a three-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of 12 of the defendants; Terry Diaz remains at large.
The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana from Jan. 1, 2012, to Nov. 19, 2014. The indictment alleges that conspirators distributed at least 15 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Padilla is charged with one count of illegally possessing firearms. Padilla allegedly possessed and used a loaded .357-caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol, a Taurus .38-caliber revolver and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Padilla is also charged with selling a Taurus .38-caliber revolver and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol to a buyer who was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was a felon.
The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy or used to facilitate the commission of the drug-trafficking conspiracy, including a money judgment of $1,050,000 for which all of the defendants are jointly and severally liable. This sum, in aggregate, allegedly was received in exchange for the unlawful distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, based on a conservative average street price of $32,000 per kilogram of cocaine, $1,000 per ounce of methamphetamine and $500 per pound of marijuana and the total conspiracy distribution of at least 15 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
The forfeiture allegation would also require the defendants to forfeit two residential properties owned by Salinas, a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche pick-up owned by Hernandez-Aceves and $1,654 seized by law enforcement officers from Steward.
USA vs. Quintana
In a separate but related case, Victor Estevan Quintana, 27, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed today in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
Quintana, who was arrested as part of today’s law enforcement operation, is charged with selling firearms to a convicted felon who was thus prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Quintana allegedly sold a Taurus .38-caliber revolver and a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol to a convicted felon.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Quintana was present with Padilla during an undercover drug transaction. Padilla allegedly was involved with Quintana in the sale of the firearms, as charged in the indictment that was unsealed today.
Dickinson cautioned that these charges are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.Jury Convicts KC Man of Bank Robbery, Attempted Casino 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 was convicted by a federal trial jury today of robbing a bank and attempting to rob a casino.
James T. Smith, 62, of Kansas City, was found guilty of both counts contained in an April 29, 2014 federal indictment.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Smith used a demand note to steal $1,053 from Commerce Bank, 118 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, Mo., on May 18, 2013. Just after midnight the next morning, Smith threatened a cashier in an unsuccessful attempt to rob the Isle of Capri Casino, 1800 E. Front St., Kansas City, Mo. In both instances, Smith used a demand note and verbally threatened to blow up the bank and casino with nitroglycerin.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about one and a half hours before returning the verdicts to U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple, ending a trial that began Monday, Nov. 17, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Smith is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus 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 Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina Y. Tabor and Justin Davids. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Gaming Division.Excelsior Springs Man Faces Additional Charges Related to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that additional charges were contained in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury today against an Excelsior Springs, Mo., man related to his role in a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
Anthony Trurice Grayson, 30, of Excelsior Springs, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s superseding indictment replaces an Aug. 7, 2013, federal indictment that only charged Grayson with one count of conspiracy.
Today’s indictment alleges that Grayson participated in a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine from July 1 to July 16, 2013. Grayson is also charged with aiding and abetting others to manufacture methamphetamine, aiding and abetting others to possess pseudoephedrine to be used to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a residence that was available for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing and/or using methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of explosives.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.Camden Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm after Deer Decoy used in Ray CountyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Camden, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm following an investigation that employed a deer decoy in rural Ray County, Mo.
Dewayne A. Stephens, 44, of Camden, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, to nine years in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 19, 2013, Stephens pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Stephens was seen in the area of Vandiver Road in rural Ray County on Nov. 11, 2012, with a bolt action rifle. The next day, Stephens and another individual were seen carrying a rifle after shots were heard in the wooded area. A Winchester .243-caliber shell casing was found in the area where the shots were heard.
On Nov. 14, 2012, conservation agents set up a deer decoy and observed Stephens exit his Dodge truck with a black and silver colored rifle with a silver scope and fire a shot at the deer decoy. Stephens then entered his truck with the rifle and fled the scene. One of the agents attempted to stop Stephens by blocking the roadway with his patrol truck, but Stephens accelerated, veered around the patrol truck (barely missing it) and left the area.
A Winchester .243-caliber shell casing was located in the area where Stephens had fired his rifle. A silver Savage Axis .243-caliber rifle with a synthetic stock and large silver scope was found along the road where Stephens had fled. Investigators confirmed that the two .243-caliber shell casings recovered were fired from the Savage Axis rifle, which was purchased by Stephens’s wife on Sept. 29, 2012.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Stephens has three prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property and prior felony convictions for driving while intoxicated, assault, armed criminal action, deviate sexual assault, burglary and stealing.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.
Ozark Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ozark, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for using two minors to produce child pornography.
Dennis Lee Whitaker, 54, of Ozark, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Whitaker to a life term of supervision following his release from prison.
On May 21, 2014, Whitaker pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually exploiting a minor in order to produce child pornography. Whitaker admitted that he used two minors, identified as “Jane Doe” and “John Doe,” to produce child pornography between Jan. 1, 2010, and Jan. 1, 2013, in Stone and Taney counties.
Whitaker also faces state charges – two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor child, two counts of child molestation and one count of statutory sodomy – related to the sexual exploitation of these victims.
On Jan. 10, 2013, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Whitaker’s residence. They seized three desktop computers, a laptop computer, a webcam and various computer equipment and electronic media storage devices. Investigators found sexually explicit images of the victims on the electronic media.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Stone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Ozark, 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."KCK Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Drug-trafficking Conspiracy, Fatal Shooting of Independence ManRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the shooting deaths of three persons during a home invasion in Independence, Mo., and the shooting of a 12-year-old boy in the home.
Victims of the fatal shootings were Maria Hernandez, her son, Antonio Hernandez, and her boyfriend, Martin “Tomas” Dominguez-Gregorio. Maria Hernandez’s then-12–year-old son, Miguel Hernandez, was wounded in the shooting.
Raul Soto, also known as “Choch,” 23, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 27 years in federal prison without parole.
On July 29, 2014, Soto pleaded guilty to one count of participating in a conspiracy to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and one count of using a firearm during the drug-trafficking conspiracy, resulting in the death of Antonio Hernandez.
Soto admitted that he and several co-conspirators planned to rob Dominguez-Gregorio of as much as three pounds of methamphetamine. They traveled to his apartment in Independence in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, 2012. Soto carried a 9mm pistol. He and a co-conspirator entered a shed behind the house and bound and beat two occupants inside the shed, one of whom was Antonio Hernandez. They dragged Antonio Hernandez into the main house. They demanded drugs and money from the occupants, but the victims denied having any drugs or money.
Soto admitted that he shot and killed Antonio Hernandez. Soto also admitted that conspirators removed a motorcycle and a TV from the apartment.
Nine of Soto’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty: Antonio Cervantes, III, also known as “Taz,” 24, and Bobbi Jo Phillips, 39, both of Independence; Carlos Zambrano, Jr., also known as “Los,” 39, Amber R. Hart, 28, Martin Medrano, 24, and Paula K. Deardorff, 33, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Clayton J. Deardorff, 36, of Columbia, Mo., and Ryan J. Clayton, 32, and Stephanie K. Allinder, 21, addresses unknown.
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.KC Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Heroin Trafficking, Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his roles in a 10-year long drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the death of one individual and the distribution of more than three kilograms of heroin in the Kansas City area.
Timothy L. Kirlin, also known as “Jim Curlon,” 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to life in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Kirlin to pay $17,000 in restitution for funeral costs.
On April 1, 2014, Kirlin and co-defendant Matthew Davis, 48, of Kansas City, Mo., were each found guilty at trial of participating in a conspiracy to distribute 1,000 grams or more of heroin, as well as cocaine, from Jan. 1, 2002, to Feb. 3, 2012. Kirlin traveled to Dallas, Texas, to procure wholesale amounts of heroin and other drugs for resale in the Kansas City area. Davis was among the conspirators who received heroin and cocaine from Kirlin and distributed it to others.
On March 5, 2002, Kirlin distributed heroin to Joshua Webb, and the use of this heroin by Webb resulted in his death.
Kirlin traveled to Dallas at least once a month to purchase heroin. The usual amount that Kirlin would purchase in Dallas was four ounces of heroin, although he bought more on occasion. He sometimes transported the heroin back to Kansas City by hiding it in his rectum.
Co-defendant Patrick Holmes, 34, of Dallas, was Kirlin’s source for six years. Holmes, who was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy, admitted that Kirlin purchased more than three kilograms of cocaine from him for resale in the Kansas City area during the time he was involved in the conspiracy.
Because Kirlin had been shot in the head, he was unable to drive himself, and would ride the bus to Texas and frequently enlist the aid of others in the conspiracy to drive him from place to place.
In addition to the conspiracy, Kirlin was found guilty of being a felon in possession of explosives. Kirlin, who has two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, was in possession of four sticks of explosives (along with manuals on how to build explosive devices) on Feb. 2, 2012.
Kirlin was also convicted of six counts of distributing heroin and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. Kirlin must also forfeit to the government $200,000, which represents the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking, and $1,425 that was seized by law enforcement officers.
Davis’s sentencing hearing began today and was continued to Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. Nine co-defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles E. Ambrose, Jr., and Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.KC Man Sentenced for Stealing $330,000 from ATMsRead 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 stealing more than $330,000 from automated teller machines (ATMs) that he was hired to maintain.
Anthony T. Civella, Jr., 47, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Civella to pay $70,000 in restitution, in addition to the restitution that has already been paid.
On Feb. 27, 2014, Civella pleaded guilty to bank larceny and money laundering.
From 2011 through 2013, Civella owned and operated a company called C Management Group, LLC, which serviced 35 ATMs in the Kansas City, Mo., metropolitan area. The money in the ATMs belonged to U.S. Bank. Civella stole $330,040 from the ATMs by obtaining a maintenance code to access the machines. Civella moved money between the ATM machines in order to conceal the theft.
Civella comingled the stolen money from the ATMs by depositing most of the cash into his personal checking account at the Holy Rosary Credit Union. Civella admitted that he deposited money from the bank larceny scheme into his personal checking account in order to conceal or disguise the location and source of the proceeds of the bank larceny.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.Gladstone Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Gladstone, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography.
Barry Alan Darlington, 74, of Gladstone, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 12 years in federal prison without parole.
On June 6, 2014, Darlington pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. Darlington also admitted that he engaged in a pattern of activity involving prohibited sexual conduct.
Based upon information received by the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force from two cybertips, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Darlington’s residence on July 18, 2013. They seized multiple electronic media, including a computer hard drive that contained multiple images of child pornography. The child victim portrayed in the images told investigators that Darlington took the sexually explicit photos of her when she visited his residence during the summer approximately 11 years earlier, when she was 10 years old.
According to court documents, Darlington actually exploited the child victim for a three-year period. Darlington knowingly distributed some of the images of his sexually explicit conduct with the child victim over the Internet.
Darlington had hundreds, if not thousands, of images and more than 100 videos of child pornography, according to court documents. The government believes that even these numbers understate Darlington’s true exploitation of children because Darlington willfully destroyed a hard drive between the time he was first approached by law enforcement in an initial child pornography investigation and the service of the search warrant at his residence.
Darlington’s Internet chat logs reveal his pedophilic tendencies and his thoughts of perpetrating against other children. In his chats, according to court documents, he says he’s been ogling a neighbor girl whom his victim had been playing with when she was in town. The girl was 13 years of age at the time of the chat. Darlington said he tried to see if the girl could spend the night at his house, but Darlington’s wife did not approve. In his chats, Darlington also says he trolls malls to look at teen girls and he ‘checks out the kids’ when he’s at the grocery store. Darlington also says in his chats that he is attracted to other children besides his victim, but didn’t abuse them because he feared they would disclose his molestation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine Fincham. It was investigated by the Gladstone, Mo., Police Department and the Western 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."Springfield Man Sentenced for $1.3 Million K2 ConspiracyRead 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 his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than $1.3 million of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as K2.
Travis E. Butchee, also known as “Donkey,” 38, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to seven years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Butchee to forfeit to the government $1,354,034, which represents the proceeds of the mail fraud conspiracy and for which Butchee is jointly and severally liable with his co-defendants.
On Oct. 15, 2013, Butchee pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering. Butchee admitted that he conspired with others between March 1, 2011, and June 24, 2013, to defraud the Food and Drug Administration and to defraud the public by falsely representing that a number of synthetic cannabinoid products were “incense” or “potpourri” and “not for human consumption.” In reality, Butchee admitted, these substances contained compounds that were intended for human consumption as a drug.
Based upon the invoices, ledgers, and product seizures by law enforcement, this conspiracy was responsible for the manufacture and/or distribution of at least 188.14038 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoid products.
Co-defendant Michael J. Saguto, 44, of Kirbyville, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to the same two conspiracy charges. Co-defendant Christian L. Turner, 46, of Kirbyville, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison without parole. Turner pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue and to being a felon in possession of firearms.
In a separate but related case, Butchee’s wife, Victoria A. Butchee, also known as Victoria A. Wohlin, 29, of Springfield, also has pleaded guilty to her role in the mail fraud conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
Travis Butchee opened The Man Cave, a retail business at 1927 S.Glenstone in Springfield, in February 2013. Travis Butchee and Saguto are the owners of Southern Spice, LLC and Saguto is the owner of Blues Away, a head shop and novelty store in Memphis, Tenn. Turner was employed by Saguto at Blues Away.
Plea agreements for both Travis Butchee and Saguto cite a number of transactions in which materials used to manufacture and distribute synthetic cannabinoids were shipped via UPS or FedEx to members of the conspiracy – including controlled substance analogues (synthetic chemical compounds similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), green leafy substances which served as carrier media, labels that were affixed to packages of “Donkey Punch,” “Jolly Grape Giant,” “South of the Tracks,” “Baby Face,” “Scarface,” “Hillbilly Hay,” and other synthetic cannabinoid products, and foil and plastic packaging bags.
Travis Butchee and Saguto also admitted that they conducted financial transactions that involved the proceeds of the unlawful mail fraud conspiracy. They conspired to wire funds to the People’s Republic of China in order to carry out the conspiracy.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, COMET (Combined Ozarks Multi-jurisdictional Enforcement Team) and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.Northwest MO Man Sentenced after Thousands of Child Porn Images Found on ComputerRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Newtown, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today on charges related to Internet child pornography.
Nicholas Alex Dickinson, 32, of Newtown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
On June 3, 2014, Dickinson pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet, attempting to distribute child pornography over the Internet and possessing child pornography. Dickinson admitted that he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to collect and share child pornography over the Internet.
On July 18, 2012, a detective with the Kirksville, Mo., Police Department began an investigation relating to the downloading of child pornography files from a list of computers identified by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Dickinson’s residence on May 2, 2013. Officers seized a laptop computer, an external hard drive and other computer media during their search. A forensic examination of the computer and computer media determined that Dickinson had saved more than 7,000 images and/or video files of child pornography, in addition to more than 5,000 animation/cartoon files depicting child pornography, more than 2,000 images of child erotica (modeling images), 67 “naturist” videos, four images and two videos of minors depicting bestiality and/or bondage and four documents of written stories related to sexual activity involving children.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the Kirksville, Mo., Police Department, the Sullivan County, Mo., Sheriff’s 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."High School Teacher Indicted for Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a teacher at St. Elizabeth High School in St. Elizabeth, Mo., has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child.
Stephen Gregory Strobel, 25, of St. Elizabeth, was charged in a four-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Nov. 5, 2014. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Strobel’s arrest and initial court appearance.
The federal indictment alleges that Strobel used a minor to produce a video of child pornography on April 22, 2014. Strobel is also charged with receiving child pornography over the Internet, distributing child pornography over the Internet and possessing child pornography between March 2014 and May 2014.
The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Strobel to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offenses, including a laptop computer and an iPhone.
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 Missouri State Highway Patrol, the FBI, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Wayne County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Department.Economic Development Employee Charged with Possessing Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an employee of the South Central Ozarks Council of Governments has been charged in federal court with possessing child pornography on his worksite computer.
Steven Gregary Reed, 36, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Reed remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014.
Reed is employed as the coordinator of solid waste management with the South Central Ozarks Council of Governments, an economic development organization for seven counties in the south central region of Missouri (Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas, and Wright Counties), which is headquartered in Pomona, Mo.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, a law enforcement officer was conducting an undercover investigation into the distribution of child pornography using peer-to-peer file-sharing software. A computer at the office of the South Central Ozarks Council of Governments was identified as advertising more than 100 files of suspected child pornography to share online. The same computer was identified as repeatedly searching for online child pornography for several months.
On Oct. 29, 2014, the affidavit says, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the office and determined that the desktop computer used by Reed was the computer identified in their investigation. Officers identified seven videos that contain probable child pornography on the computer, according to the affidavit, five videos that contain probable child pornography on Reed’s work laptop computer and 60 images of child pornography (with some of the boys as young as six years of age) on Reed’s flash drive.
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 Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Howell 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."Nixa Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Producing Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today a Nixa, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for producing child pornography.
Michael John Kinney, 40, of Nixa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Kinney to pay $3,000 in restitution to a victim of child pornography and a $7,000 fine.
On July 30, 2014, Kinney pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. Kinney admitted that he used a minor victim to produce child pornography between Jan. 27, 2007, and Jan. 26, 2009. Kinney also admitted that he was in possession of child pornography on April 29, 2011.
Federal agents executed search warrants at Kinney’s residence and at his business, ABC Baby Goods, which sold children’s furniture and clothing. Agents seized two laptop computers from his residence. Investigators discovered 10 videos of child pornography that were made from a hidden camera in Kinney’s home and additional videos and images of child pornography, including children under the age of six engaged in acts of sexual intercourse with adults or other children. Investigators also discovered numerous images of child erotica, including a child victim in various stages of undress. Kinney must forfeit those computers to the government.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Christian 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."27 Defendants Indicted for Drug-trafficking, Prostitution Conspiracies, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that 15 Columbia, Mo., residents are among 27 defendants who have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in Boone County, Mo., and a conspiracy to promote prostitution in Boone County.
“This federal indictment dismantles a major drug-trafficking organization in Columbia,” Dickinson said. “Today’s operation not only disrupts the flow of cocaine and crack cocaine in the Columbia area, but reduces the level of violence, the number of guns on the street and the prevalence of other crimes associated with illegal drugs. Thanks to the diligent work of our law enforcement partners, Columbia’s neighborhoods and all of the communities involved now will be safer.”
“This case is an example of how ATF is working with our law enforcement partners to target the worst of the worst violent criminals in Columbia and throughout Central Missouri, to bring about safer communities for the citizens that live and work here,” said Gregory Gant, Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Field Division, ATF. “We will continue to investigate violent armed criminals who tear at the fabric of our neighborhoods and cities.”
Kenneth Scott, Sr., 46, Dion Antonio Vaughn, 38, and James Thomas Pittman, 41, all of Fulton, Mo.; Malcolm Desean Redmon, 31, Marlon Dion Jordan, 34, Marcus Dion Jordan, 39, Carl Douglass Simon, 27, Rodney Wayne Arnold, 30, Teka Lynn Hayes, 50, Courtney Lashea Thornton, 33, Gregory Vincent Dawson, 38, William Alexander Hill, 29, Travis Dewayne Dennis, 32, Devon Cortez Hopkins, 28, Paydrom Lee Summers, 39, Michael Earl Hunt, Jr., 33, Christin Sledd, 24, and Ryan Montez Kee, 24, all of Columbia, Mo.; Vershawn Dejuan Edwards, 22, of Jefferson City, Mo.; Tyrone Dewayne Jackson, 35, of Boonville, Mo.; Ronald Elwood Brown, 40, of Sturgeon, Mo.; Ronnie Lee Gillette, 53, of Kingdom City, Mo.; Ryan D. Wright, 38, and Courtnie Lea Goins, 25, both of Springfield, Mo.; Marlon Laron Smith, 34, of Murphysboro, Ill.; and Guillermo Ortiz Perez, 24, address unknown, were charged in a 56-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Nov. 5, 2014. That indictment was unsealed and made public today following the arrests of several defendants.
The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Scott on Aug. 6, 2014. Scott has been in federal custody since his arrest on Aug. 5, 2014. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested a number of defendants in a law enforcement sweep today. Seven defendants are already in state or federal custody. The government will seek to detain nine of the defendants in federal custody without bond.
Information Leak
According to court documents, Sledd, a former employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office, assisted in leaking information to targets of the investigation regarding at least one search warrant.
“When this came to light,” Dickinson said, “Circuit Clerk Christy Blakemore cooperated fully with the federal investigators to identify the lone employee involved, to contain any damage and immediately put new procedures in place to protect the integrity of the court system.”
Sledd had access to sensitive information as a part of her job, according to a detention motion filed today. She learned of an impending search warrant on Aug. 1, 2014, according to the government’s motion, and passed the information to Kee (the father of her child). Kee then passed on the information to other criminal conspirators, including Redmon. If the leak had not been detected, the motion says, law enforcement officers and/or others could have been injured or killed executing the search warrant.
Sledd, Kee and Redmon are charged together in the federal indictment with two counts of using a telephone to facilitate the commission of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy
The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants, with the exception of Goins, participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in Boone County, Mo., from Jan. 2 to Aug. 6, 2014. According to the indictment, the conduct of Scott, Redmon, Perez, Jordan, Hayes and Vaughn as member of the conspiracy involved at least five kilograms of cocaine. The indictment alleges that the conduct of other co-defendants in the conspiracy involved various lesser amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine.
In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, the indictment also charges various defendants in 24 counts of possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, five counts of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, two counts of maintaining premises at two Columbia locations for the purpose of unlawfully storing cocaine and crack cocaine and 19 counts of using a telephone to facilitate the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Prostitution Conspiracy
Redmon, Wright and Goins are charged with participating in a conspiracy to use telephones to promote an unlawful activity – prostitution – in Boone County from June to August 2014.
According to the indictment, Redmon established a separate prostitution business, in addition to his drug-trafficking business, in order to diversify his unlawful efforts. Wright allegedly taught Redmon how to conduct the prostitution business and assisted him in several ways, including lending him the services of Goins. In return for his help, the indictment says, Redmon sold Wright cocaine and taught him how to be successful in the illegal distribution of narcotics.
Redmon allegedly supplied Goins with a room from which to work as a prostitute and allegedly provided her with protection and cocaine while she was working for him. Conspirators used telephones to communicate between themselves about the prostitution business, including assignments, payment and customers. Phones were also used to attempt to recruit additional persons to serve as prostitutes.
In addition to the conspiracy, Redmon and Wright are charged together in one count of using telephones to promote prostitution. Redmon and Goins are also charged together in one count of using telephones to promote prostitution.
Firearms Offenses
Scott and Jordan are each charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to possess any firearm or ammunition.
Scott allegedly possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol with a serial number that had been ground off, a Kel-Tec .380-caliber pistol and a Phoneix Arms .22-caliber pistol on Aug. 5, 2014. Scott has prior felony convictions for delivery of a controlled substance, drug trafficking and possessing a controlled substance in a correctional facility.
Jordan allegedly possessed a Jennings .22-caliber pistol and a Phoenix Arms Company .25-caliber pistol on Aug. 5, 2014. Jordan has prior felony convictions for burglary, drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and illegally possessing a firearm.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, MUSTANG (the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike Team and Narcotics Group), the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Boone County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
West Plains Man Sentenced for Meth, FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a West Plains, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for manufacturing methamphetamine and illegally possessing several firearms.
Russell Scott Adams, 33, of West Plains, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 12 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
On July 10, 2014, Adams pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Adams’s residence on Aug. 23, 2010. During the execution of the warrant, Adams was home with his infant son. Officers found items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including Pyrex dishes, glass jars filled with bi-phase liquid that contained methamphetamine, empty bottles of lye and coffee filters containing pill waste. Officers also found a loaded Savage .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, with no serial number, under the bed in the main bedroom.
Officers discovered a functioning methamphetamine lab in a second trailer, which contained glass jars, bottles containing acid, PH strips, a respirator mask, bottles of lye, liquid ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, tubing, a Coleman burner, numerous coffee filters containing lab by-product, bottles filled with bi-phase liquid and a surveillance camera. Also found in the second trailer was a Kimel Kamper .20-gauge shotgun and ammunition.
On Dec. 18, 2012, deputies with the Howell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department received information that Adams was traveling in grey vehicle in Howell County. At the time, Adams had several felony warrants for his arrest. The deputies observed the vehicle and attempted to stop it. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped in front of a residence and Adams got out of the vehicle and began running across the yard toward the house. Officers took Adams into custody. Inside Adams’s boot, officers discovered two rounds of .38-caliber ammunition and one round of .45-caliber, ammunition. On the front seat of the vehicle, they found a Taurus .45-caliber semi-auto pistol that had been reported stolen a few months earlier.
Adams admitted that he was also in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver on June 21, 2012.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Adams has a prior felony conviction for distribution of a controlled substance.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Howell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, the South Central Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.KC Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Sell False ID Documents to Illegal AliensRead 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 pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy that produced and sold thousands of false identification documents to illegal aliens.
Luis Daniel Cabrera-Guzman, also known as “Driver,” 30, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, to his role in the conspiracy to provide false identification documents.
Cabrera-Guzman admitted that he participated in a conspiracy with Cesar Mujica-Aranda, also known as “Oscar Gomez,” 25, a citizen of Mexico residing in Liberty, Bernardino Bautista-Hernandez, 32, also known as “Brujo,” a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., and others from Sept. 1, 2013, to Feb. 21, 2014, to produce and distribute thousands of false and counterfeit identification documents that were sold to aliens unlawfully residing and working within the United States.
Both Mujica-Aranda and Bautista-Hernandez pleaded guilty in September 2014 to their roles in the conspiracy in a separate but related case.
Mujica-Aranda admitted that he managed the production of counterfeit identification documents at his Liberty apartment. He managed the production of the false identification documents and sold the documents to numerous street level dealers, such as Bautista-Hernandez and Cabrera-Guzman. Mujica-Aranda produced fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident cards, counterfeit Social Security cards, and false driver’s licenses from various states within the United States as well as Mexican states. Conspirators produced and sold thousands of false identification documents to illegal aliens so that the illegal aliens could stay and work within the United States.
Cabrera-Guzman admitted that he was one of the street-level dealers who illegally sold counterfeit identification documents. The street dealers would typically pay approximately $50 for each counterfeit identification document and they would keep any excess proceeds they were able to obtain from the sale of the counterfeit documents. Cabrera-Guzman sold sets of fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident cards and counterfeit Social Security cards for approximately $100 per document set. (The newer versions of the Lawful Permanent Resident cards sold for more money.) Cabrera-Guzman sold false driver’s licenses from various states within the United States as well as Mexican states for about $100 each. He also sold false Mexican consular identification cards for approximately $100 each and fake Kansas City, Mo., liquor licenses for approximately $100.
On Jan. 30, 2014, Mujica-Aranda threw away a white plastic bag containing shredded pieces of fraudulent identity documents in a trash can at a gas station at St. John Avenue and Belmont in Kansas City, Mo. Early the next morning, a federal agent located the bag in the trash can. The bag contained shredded pieces of fraudulent identification documents, and weighed approximately two pounds. Each piece was approximately the size of a small paper clip, and the shredded pieces were immediately recognizable as fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident cards, Social Security cards, Missouri non-driver’s licenses and Kansas identification cards. The agent also discovered two reels of depleted color card printer ribbon within the shredded pieces. One reel had images of fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident cards.
Under the terms of their plea agreements, the defendants must each pay a money judgment for the total amount of money that was obtained by this criminal enterprise. The Department of Homeland Security is still evaluating ink ribbons that were seized as part of the investigation and has already identified thousands of identification documents that were produced by the conspiracy. By the time of sentencing, the government may have a better estimate on how many identification documents it can establish were produced by the conspiracy. The court may elect to multiply this number by how much the conspiracy was selling the false documents to aliens.
Cabrera-Guzman must also forfeit to the government $9,376 that was seized by law enforcement officers at the time of his arrest, and which was obtained as the proceeds of his criminal conduct.
Mujica-Aranda must also forfeit to the government all of the equipment that was used to produce fraudulent identification documents, including three computers, a computer hard drive, printers, four cameras, six cell phones, electronic storage devices and other miscellaneous equipment and supplies, and $1,840.
Under federal statutes, Cabrera-Guzman, Mujica-Aranda and Bautista-Hernandez are each subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. They were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, the Kansas Department of Revenue – Office of Special Investigations, the Missouri Department of Revenue – Compliance Investigation Bureau and the Clay County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.Jury Convicts Jefferson City Man of Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Jefferson City, Mo., man has been convicted by a federal trial jury today for illegally possessing firearms.
Terrence Lamar Hawkins, 46, of Jefferson City, was found guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Hawkins was found guilty of possessing a Hi-Point .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Feb. 24, 2011. Hawkins was also found guilty of possessing a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol on March 24, 2011. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hawkins has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon in Cole County, Mo.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Hawkins was arrested twice by the Lincoln University Police Department at the Lincoln University Scruggs Student Center cafeteria in Jefferson City. At the time of both arrests, Scruggs was carrying a concealed handgun.
On Feb. 24, 2011, Scruggs, who appeared to be intoxicated, was confronted by police officers in the student center cafeteria. Officers noticed a bulge in his front, left pocket. When questioned about the bulge, Hawkins stated that it was nothing. When informed that officers were going to check his pockets, Hawkins attempted to flee and was detained by officers. Officers recovered a loaded Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol from Hawkins. Hawkins was then arrested and warned that he would be arrested for trespassing if he returned to Lincoln University.
On March 24, 2011, officers were dispatched to the Scruggs Student Center after a report that Hawkins was present, in violation of the trespass order. Hawkins was subsequently arrested for trespassing. During a search, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol was found in his pants pocket.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for about 30 minutes before returning the verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, ending a trial that began Monday, Nov. 3, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Hawkins is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus 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 Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Lincoln University Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.Four Men Indicted in Separate Cases of Child Exploitation, Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that five men have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in separate and unrelated cases, for offenses involving child sexual exploitation and child pornography.
USA v. Crippen
James Allen Crippen, 43, of Joplin, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned today by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Crippen received and distributed child pornography over the Internet on July 20, 2014. Crippen is also charged with possessing child pornography on Oct. 22, 2014. The indictment contains a forfeiture count, which would require Crippen to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offenses, including two desktop computers, an iPhone, two cell phones, 42 optical media disks and other electronic media storage devices.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force, the FBI and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.
USA v. Norman
Chase Trevor Norman, 24, of Cassville, Mo., was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Norman on Oct. 15,2014.
The indictment alleges that Norman used a minor to produce child pornography between Sept. 21 and Oct. 10, 2014. The indictment also charges Norman with two counts of using the Internet and a cell phone to induce a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Norman used an iPod app to send obscene photos of himself to a 12-year-old child, and requested and received nude images of the child victim. Norman allegedly was making arrangements to meet the child for sexual contact. The child victim told investigators that she met Norman on Facebook; she sent him a friend request, the affidavit says, because she assumed he was friends with one of her friends. A law enforcement officer assumed the identity of the child victim, according to the affidavit, and made arrangements to meet Norman in the parking lot of a local church for the purpose of taking the child back to his apartment to engage in sexual activities. Norman was arrested as he approached the meeting location.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
USA v. Albert
David Albert, 50, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The federal indictment alleges that Albert attempted to use a minor to produce child pornography between Aug. 1 and Oct. 2, 2014. Albert is also charged with receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet between Jan. 1 and Oct. 2, 2014.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force, Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
USA v. Schaefer
Darren Eugene Schaefer, 36, of Marionville, Mo., was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The federal indictment alleges that Schaefer used the Internet and a cell phone to induce a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.
This case is being 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.
USA v. Grant
Sheehan R. Grant, 37, of Iowa, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The federal indictment alleges that Grant traveled across state lines from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Joplin, Mo., on Oct. 16, 2014, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sex with a minor.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force and Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in these indictments 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.
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."