Western District of Missouri
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
KCK Man Indicted for Airport Bomb HoaxRead 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 indicted by a federal grand jury today for a bomb hoax at Kansas City International Airport.
David James Cain, 33, of Kansas City, Kan., was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Cain conveyed false information about a bomb on Aug. 31, 2014. Cain allegedly told two persons at a ticket counter at Kansas City International Airport that there was a bomb in a truck he had parked in front of Terminal B of that airport.
The federal indictment charges Cain with one count of making a bomb hoax and one count of conveying false information.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Casey. It was investigated by the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.Raymondville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Raymondville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
Lloyd W. Reeves, 51, of Raymondville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Reeves was sentenced as an armed career offender due to his prior felony convictions.
On Feb. 3, 2014, Reeves pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Reeves admitted that he was in possession of a firearm on Sept. 11, 2012, when he pawned a Remington 12-gauge shotgun. When Reeves attempted to redeem the pawn on the firearm, an NICS check revealed that he had prior felony convictions, and the owner of the pawn shop declined to return the firearm.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Reeves has three prior felony convictions for burglary, two prior felony convictions for driving while intoxicated, two prior felony convictions for stealing and prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and forgery.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Texas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the South Central Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Memphis Truck Driver Sentenced for Stealing Cargo in West PlainsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Memphis, Tenn., truck driver was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a cargo theft scheme that included a theft in West Plains, Mo.
Michael Lee Sherley, 49, of Memphis, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to four years and six months in federal prison without parole. The sentence includes a 33-month term for his conviction for theft of an interstate shipment, plus a 21-month term for the revocation of his supervised release in a prior unrelated federal conviction in the Western District of Tennessee.
Sherley, who pleaded guilty on March 19, 2014, was employed by Nu World Trucking, LLC, a Memphis company in the business of transporting goods in interstate commerce, from July 2012 until his arrest on May 12, 2013. Sherley’s uncle and co-defendant Earl Stanley Nunn, 59, also of Memphis, was the owner of Nu World Trucking.
Nunn and Sherley were part of a cargo theft ring that used the resources of Nu World Trucking to steal cargo in various states. They did so by “bob-tailing” (meaning they traveled in a road tractor truck, without a semi-trailer attached) through truck stops and service stations located on or near interstate highways, looking for semi-trailers that had been left parked and unattended, and were not coupled to road tractors. When they located a semi-trailer that appeared to be unattended, they would steal the semi-trailer and the goods it contained by coupling their road tractor truck to it and driving off. After having stolen a semi-trailer and its contents, they usually transported the stolen goods to the Chicago, Ill., and Detroit, Mich., areas to be “fenced” or sold.
Nunn, the leader of the conspiracy, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2014, and awaits sentencing.
The government believes that co-conspirators committed thefts in various states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Conspirators also included Nunn’s son, Roderick Nunn (who pleaded guilty in a related case in the Western District of Michigan), and others.
The specific charge to which both Nunn and Sherley pleaded guilty involves a theft that occurred on May 11, 2013, at the Snappy Mart Truck Stop in West Plains. Nunn and Sherley stole a 2000 Wabash trailer (valued at $7,500), which contained a load of Green Giant canned corn (valued at $73,008). The trailer, owned by Bryant Freight, LLC, was in transit from Minnesota to the Arkansas Food Bank in Little Rock, Ark. Nunn and Sherley admitted that they traveled through Missouri and Indiana with the stolen cargo before being apprehended in Michigan.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI’s Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department and the Michigan State Highway Patrol.U.S. Medical Center Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Concealing Assault on InmateRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an officer at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to dissuading an inmate at the facility from reporting an assault by a correctional officer.
James C. Myrick, 42, of Nixa, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to dissuading a federal inmate from reporting the possible commission of a federal offense.
According to today’s plea agreement, Shawn Springer, an inmate at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, was struck by a correctional officer, identified as Officer D.P., on Dec. 3, 2012. The incident occurred while Springer was in the office Myrick shared with another lieutenant. Springer had been involved in a dispute with a nurse, the wife of the correctional officer, earlier that day.
Myrick admitted that, immediately after the incident, he encouraged Springer not to tell anyone that he was struck in the head by Officer D.P. Springer was offered improved cell accommodations for his silence. After leaving Myrick’s office, Springer was moved to a cell where he had access to a television. As a result of Myrick’s inducement, Springer told a nurse that he had hit his head while cleaning his bunk, instead of telling the nurse that he was hit in the head by Officer D.P. in Myrick’s presence.
The next day, Springer reported to a psychologist that he had been assaulted by Officer D.P. During the investigation that followed, Myrick submitted a memo that claimed Springer’s head injury was pre-existing and made no mention of Officer D.P. using force on Springer. This statement was contradicted by other staff members who provided sworn affidavits that supported the conclusion that Springer’s injury was not pre-existing to his visit to Myrick’s office.
An investigator from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General was dispatched to the Federal Medical Center and interviewed Myrick and others. Myrick initially claimed no force was used on Springer, but later admitted that he failed to report that Springer had been struck by Officer D.P. in his office. He also admitted that his original memo was intentionally misleading.
Officer D.P. admitted striking Springer but denied trying to conceal the matter. Officer D.P. told the investigator that he asked Myrick if a memo was required and Myrick told him no.
Under federal statutes, Myrick is subject to a sentence of up to three 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 Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners – Special Investigation Unit.Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Missouri for Illicit Sex with Two ChildrenRead the Press Release
Human Trafficking Rescue Project
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Texas man pleaded guilty in federal court today to traveling to Missouri to engage in sex with two minor sisters whose “father” (actually an undercover police detective) he met online.
John Paul Christian, 41, of San Marcos, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to two counts of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and to one count of traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to court documents, Christian communicated through an online social media site with a man he believed to be the father of two minor females, ages 11 and 15, on Feb. 19, 2014. The father was actually an undercover Kansas City, Mo., Police Department detective.
Christian called the undercover detective on his cell phone to discuss his interest in having sex with the girls, and sent e-mail and text messages to the undercover detective to arrange a meeting to further discuss this opportunity to have sex with his children. On Feb. 26, 2014, Christian sent a text to the undercover detective stating that he wanted to have sex with the 11-year-old girl first and describing all of the sex acts he desired to perform on and with her. On Feb. 28, 2014, Christian sent a $200 Money Gram to the undercover detective as partial payment of the $400 agreed price for sex with the girls.
On March 1, 2014, Christian traveled from Texas to Missouri, to a location where he believed the man and his daughters lived, with the intent to have sex with the girls as previously arranged. Christian arrived in a taxi at about 8:10 p.m. and was arrested as he got out of the taxi.
When he was taken into custody, Christian was in possession of two bags. According to court documents, one of the bags contained a “Hello Kitty” backpack doll, two “Hello Kitty” underwear outfits for young girls, two pairs of young girls’ panties, two cans of Red Bull, rope necklaces, Q-Tips and a teal iPod Nano with headphones. The other bag contained an Acer Chromebook laptop computer with power cables, a Samsung flip phone, and a bottle of Astroglide lubricant.
When officers searched Christian’s hotel room, according to court documents, they found a notebook with what appears to be a letter written to the 15-year-old daughter. The letter details the various sex acts that Christian was going to be engaged in with the sisters. Christian wrote that he wanted to get the 15-year-old girl pregnant so that they could have a “little baby girl together” that they in turn would sexually molest.
Under federal statutes, Christian 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, on each of the two enticement charges. Christian is also subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole on the travel charge. 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 in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
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 the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Ezra Robert Gramm, 40, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 24 years and five months in federal prison without parole, followed by lifetime supervised release. The court ordered the federal sentence to be served consecutively to a state sentence of 18 years for the attempted enticement of a child in Greene County, Mo.
Gramm, who pleaded guilty on May 13, 2013, admitted that he made contact with the 13-year-old victim, identified as “Jane Doe,” via an Internet chat room in late 2009. Gramm and the child victim engaged in online chat sessions and exchanged text messages with one another. During the course of this interaction, Gramm asked Jane Doe to take sexually explicit photographs of herself and transmit the photographs to him. Jane Doe complied with his request.
Gramm’s cell phone was seized by law enforcement officers and found to contain multiple images of Jane Doe engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Jane Doe was interviewed and acknowledged taking the digital images of herself and transmitting them to Gramm at his request.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Springfield Man Pleads 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 a $6.7 million scheme that involved the distribution of approximately 2.2 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as K2.
Brandon D. Franklin, 28, 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 admitted that he 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 are intended for human consumption as a drug. He manufactured and distributed K2 to retail outlets in Springfield, Joplin and elsewhere through his Springfield business, ThirdEye.
Between Oct. 29, 2009, and Nov. 6, 2012, Franklin deposited $6,760,041 in proceeds from the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids into his bank accounts. Based upon a review of invoices seized during the investigation, Franklin charged approximately $3 per gram of synthetic cannabinoid. Therefore, Franklin distributed approximately 2,253 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Franklin also admitted to his role 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.
Franklin must forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the offenses, including a money judgment of $6,760,041; real estate in Springfield, Mo., Rogersville, Mo., Springfield, Ore., and Redding, Calif.; the funds contained in several bank accounts totaling more than $535,000; and investment funds totaling $267,632.
Under federal statutes, Franklin is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Today’s conviction is 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.KC Man Charged with Throwing Molotov Cocktails at Congressional OfficeRead 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 charged in federal court today with throwing Molotov cocktails at the local congressional office of U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.
Eric G. King, 28, of Kansas City, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., with using a dangerous instrument to oppose, impede, intimidate and interfere with a federal official engaged in the performance of his official duties.
On Sept. 11, 2014, at 2:52 a.m., a window was broken and two Molotov cocktails were thrown at Cleaver’s congressional office located at 101 W. 31st Street, Kansas City, Mo. The office was unoccupied at the time of the incident. A hammer used to break the window was recovered from the scene, as well as two broken Molotov cocktails. There was not any fire damage done to the building.
According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaint, video footage shows King retrieve two bottles with a white ignition source from his backpack, then walk around the parking lot for a few minutes in an effort to hide from cars that were passing by. The footage allegedly shows King throwing a hammer through the west window and lighting the devices. The first device thrown appears to bounce off the side of the building. The second device is ignited and is thrown at the window. King allegedly sprints away from the office.
A Kansas City, Mo., Police Department detective, while investigating a series of anti-government related vandalisms in the immediate vicinity of the congressman’s office over the Labor Day weekend, reviewed surveillance footage from one of those incidents at a nearby Bank of America. The incidents involved spray painting anti-government/anarchy graffiti and included some police vehicles, a Federal Protective Police vehicle and the Liberty Memorial National World War I museum. According to the affidavit, detectives who were familiar with King from other previous investigations were able to confirm that it was in fact King on the surveillance footage.
Investigators reviewed social media and Facebook posts by King, the affidavit says. One post, dated Sept. 3, 2014, states: “KC Fight Back celebrated its first labor day with a lovely variety of action, action and more action against a series of government and Financial properties.” Other posts include King posting “KC Fight Back Insurrectionist Collective is alive,” and “these cops aren’t going to kill themselves, get to the streets.” On Aug. 10, 2014, King allegedly posted, “I want to leave kc better than I found or an ashes.” A social media post allegedly by King on the day before the incident at the congressman’s office, Sept. 10, 2014, reads, “KC Fight Back has been in serious in its Insurrection activity, and that is the thing that is giving me the most pride in my life.”
King was arrested as he was leaving his apartment on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014. According to the affidavit, King was carrying a backpack that contained a red can of spray paint, Kingsford Charcoal Lighter fluid and a clear plastic soda bottle (containing an unknown liquid) with a tube sock placed over it.
Agents executed a search warrant at King’s residence and found a hand-written letter on a bedside shelf, entitled “Operation House Committee.” The letter lists: “(1) Paint thinner/alcohol, (2) face cover/hand cover/all tattoos covered, (3) Three bottles glass, (4) paper towels, old rags/lighter, (5) drive/driver, must be someone trust with. “ The letter then mentions the steps to light the devices, says to “use hammer/sledgehammer to break door,” “light bottles, throw them, light curtains,” and repeat these steps on “government buildings, all things police, certain law firms, corporations…” The first part of the backside of the letter reads, “The arsons committed on Sept 11, 2014 were committed solely by the KC FIGHT BACK Insurrectionist Collective.”
The letter then specifically reads “The Missouri congress has been a willing partner in the US governments capitalist war hungry agenda.” The letter discusses several future targets, including police officers, pay day loans, banks and the Federal Reserve. Towards the end of the letter it mentions “K.C.F.B. I.C. has declared war on the Missouri National Government.”
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 Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Federal Protective Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Battlefield Man Sentenced for $945,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Battlefield, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for embezzling $945,000 from his employer.
Travis E. Honaker, 36, of Battlefield, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, to three years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Honaker to pay $945,200 in restitution.
On March 18, 2014, Honaker pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. Honaker admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud his employer, Prime, Inc., from Aug. 22, 2007, to December 2011. Through his schemes, Honaker embezzled at least $945,200 over the five-year period of the investigation. The illegally obtained funds were used for Honaker’s personal living expenses and paid for such items as a 2005 BMW SUV, a 2009 Range Rover SUV, a down payment and subsequent mortgage payments on a residence in Battlefield and his wife’s extensive gambling expenses.
Honaker was employed as a salesperson at Success Leasing, Inc., an affiliated company of Prime. Honaker sold used equipment, including auxiliary power units (APUs) and used trucks that had previously been leased by Success to others. After the lease period expired and the trucks and equipment were returned to the company, Honaker was tasked with managing their sale to others.
In December 2011, Prime became aware that Honaker was engaged in illegal activity when they discovered that he was not reporting cash payments for APUs that he sold for Prime. A further audit of Honaker’s activities at Prime revealed that he was also receiving payments for unauthorized “finder’s fees,” “inspection fees,” or “deposits” on trucks owned by Prime that he sold. Honaker charged several of Prime’s largest clients a fee for “finding,” “inspecting,” or “holding” trucks for them. These payments, which Honaker never reported to his employer, typically amounted to $500 or $1,000 per truck, depending on the age or condition of each truck.
Honaker created a shell company, T&H Consulting, LLC, in January 2011 for the purpose of receiving these finder’s fees and deposits. Purchasers wired funds to this account, then Honaker transferred the funds to his personal bank accounts. The creation of the T&H account served to mask the nature of the transactions by creating a layer between Honaker and the purchasers.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Four Men Sentenced for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that four south Missouri residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Juan Moreno-Malagon, 40, of Highlandville, Mo., Jesus Moreno-Malagon, 56, of Ozark, Mo., Valentin Gomez-Torres, 27, of Battlefield, Mo., and Luis A. Ramon-Lara, 33, of Morrisville, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays. Juan Moreno-Malagon was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. Jesus Moreno-Malagon and Gomez-Torres were each sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole. Ramon-Lara was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison without parole.
They are among nine co-defendants who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in this case.
On Nov. 18, 2013, Juan Moreno-Malagon pleaded guilty to being one of the leaders of a multi-pound methamphetamine conspiracy operating in the Springfield area but also covering Polk, Christian and Taney Counties. The case began when couriers were intercepted in New Mexico and Texas with 4-kilogram loads of methamphetamine. The couriers indicated that the methamphetamine was going to Springfield. The federal investigation included controlled buys and additional seizures of methamphetamine, firearms and cash. Jesus Moreno-Malagon, Gomez-Torres and Ramon-Lara have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
During the investigation, co-defendant Noe Moreno-Malagon, 36, a citizen of Mexico residing in Ozark, Mo., left for Mexico and turned over distribution responsibilities to Juan Moreno-Malagon. After pleading guilty to his role in leading the conspiracy, Noe Moreno-Malagon was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole, which must be served consecutively to his prison sentence in an unrelated state case.
On Dec. 3, 2012, a search warrant was executed in Morrisville, Mo. During the search, DEA agents located 338.1 grams of pure methamphetamine, as well as a handgun and a rifle. The DEA also conducted a search at a Springfield residence believed to be a stash house for the organization. At that location, agents found 123.6 grams of pure methamphetamine.
On Feb. 13, 2012, federal law enforcement agents seized 362 grams of pure methamphetamine (approximately one pound) from co-defendant Paul E. Allen, 59, of Purdy, Mo. Allen admitted to receiving the methamphetamine from Juan Moreno-Malagon. Allen was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy.
On June 22, 2012, 224.4 grams of pure methamphetamine was seized from co-defendant Michael D. Eckhoff, 53, of Republic, Mo. Eckhoff admitted that he received the methamphetamine from Gomez-Torres, and that the transaction was arranged by Juan Moreno-Malagon. Eckhoff also admitted that he had received methamphetamine from Noe Moreno-Malagon in the past. Eckhoff was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
In addition to the seizures, two controlled buys were made on March 27, 2012 and April 12, 2012. In March, 125.1 grams of pure methamphetamine was purchased, and in April, 117.5 grams of pure methamphetamine was purchased. The buys were arranged through Juan Moreno-Malagon. Jesus Moreno-Malagon conducted the actual distribution of methamphetamine on April 12, 2012.
In July, 2012, Noe Moreno-Malagon returned from Mexico and took the operation back over. Communications were intercepted between Noe Moreno-Malagon and Ramon-Lara discussing and arranging for the distribution of methamphetamine. Noe Moreno-Malagon would direct Ramon-Lara to make deliveries of methamphetamine for him.
Co-defendant Rita J. Vera, 35, of Monett, Mo., was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to her role in the conspiracy. Co-defendant Timothy J. Williams, 49, of Strafford, Mo., was sentenced to two years and eight months in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and task force officers from the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ozark, Mo., Police Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the South Central Drug Task Force and COMET (the Combined Ozarks Multijurisdictional Enforcement Team).Former Social Security Employee Pleads Guilty to $10,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former employee of the Social Security Administration pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally accessing personal identification information as part of a nearly $10,000 fraud scheme to steal from the government.
Mary Francis Taylor, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to a federal information that charges her with theft of government money.
Taylor worked as a teleservice technician in the Social Security Administration’s Mid-America Program Service Center in Kansas City, Mo., until she resigned on Jan. 10, 2014. In that role, she had access to sensitive private information for all individuals who possess a Social Security number.
Taylor admitted today that she found a NetSpend debit card on a public bus in August 2013. She took the NetSpend debit card as well as some documents that contained additional personal identification information. Taylor called NetSpend, falsely claiming to be the cardholder (identified as Victim 1), and instructed NetSpend to add another beneficiary to the debit card. Taylor possessed identity information for this new beneficiary, identified as Victim 2, because she found Victim 2’s case file on a co-workers desk.
Taylor illegally accessed the SSA computer system to create an overage to Victim 2’s record, which was direct deposited into the bank account linked to the debit card that was stolen from Victim 1. As a result, SSA direct deposited $9,853 into that bank account.
Taylor used the debit card to pay off her account at Aaron’s and to pay arrearages on her home mortgage, utilities and car loan.
Under federal statutes, Taylor is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Alford III. It was investigated by Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations.Former Agency Employee Sentenced for Fraud Related to Tornado BenefitsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former employee of an agency that administered disaster relief funds was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a wire fraud scheme following the tornado that struck Joplin, Mo., on May 22, 2011.
Herlana L. Latham, 32, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Joplin, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 14 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Latham to pay $6,745 in restitution.
On March 10, 2014, Latham pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area (ESC). The not-for-profit corporation administered a rental assistance program, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF) Disaster Relief Program. This program disbursed funds to landlords who rented to clients who had been displaced by natural disasters, including the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin.
Latham, an employee of ESC, and conspirators stole a total of $8,565 from the rental assistance program. Co-defendants Christopher L. Smith, 36, and John L.Williams, 31, both also of Memphis and formerly of Joplin, have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. Williams was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and ordered to pay $6,945 in restitution. Smith was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $3,935 in restitution.
Latham submitted applications for rental assistance for payments to Smith and Williams, who were not the landlords or property managers of ESC clients. Latham did so by verifying false landlord information on the application forms.
Smith assisted in the wire fraud scheme in two fraudulent transactions. In June or July 2012, Smith signed two MHTF program applications as landlord/property manager/mortgagee, which was false and fraudulent in that Smith then knew he was not a landlord, property manager, or mortgagee entitled to receive MHTF program funds. Based on the false application, the Economic Security Corporation issued a $1,850 check to Smith on June 21, 2012, and a $2,085 check to Smith on July 26, 2012.
Williams assisted in the scheme by serving as a purported landlord on two fraudulent applications for rental assistance, and also by accompanying other check recipients to the bank to cash their checks, in order to collect the proceeds of the fraud. The Economic Security Corporation issued two rental assistance checks to Williams totaling $3,050.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.Stella Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Transporting a Minor for Illicit SexRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Stella, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for transporting a minor across state lines for illicit sex.
Tong Yang, 46, of Stella, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 13 years in federal prison without parole.
Yang, who pleaded guilty on May 1, 2014, admitted that he traveled to Minnesota to pick up a 15-year-old girl and bring her back to Missouri on Dec. 7, 2013, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.
Yang had contacted the minor victim a couple of weeks earlier by sending her a friend request on Facebook. Yang talked to her about coming to live with him in Missouri and told her he owned his own business. The minor victim went to her mother’s house to retrieve some clothing on Dec. 6, 2013, and while there, she asked Yang to come get her. She snuck out and met with Yang in front of her mother’s house the next day, and they drove to a hotel in Neosho, Mo., where they engaged in unprotected sex.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Cassville, Mo., Police Department and the Neosho, 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."Liberty 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 that a Liberty, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy that produced and sold thousands of false identification documents to illegal aliens.
Cesar Mujica-Aranda, 25, a citizen of Mexico residing in Liberty, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to the charge contained in a March 20, 2014, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Mujica-Aranda admitted that he managed the production of counterfeit identification documents at his Liberty apartment from Sept. 1, 2013, to Feb. 21, 2014. He managed the production of the false identification documents and sold the documents to numerous street level dealers. 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.
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.
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. Mujica-Aranda’s fingerprints were on items contained in the bag.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Mujica-Aranda must pay a money judgment for the total amount of money that was obtained by this fraudulent identification document 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. By Mujica-Aranda’s own admission, the documents were sold for no less than $100 per document.
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, Mujica-Aranda is subject to a sentence of up to 15 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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Alford III. It was 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.
Chillicothe Couple Sentenced for $4 Million Theft, Money Laundering, False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Chillicothe, Mo., husband and wife were sentenced in federal court today on charges involving the wife’s embezzlement of nearly $4 million from her employer and for the couple jointly filing a false income tax return not claiming the income from the wire fraud scheme.
Donna M. Preszler, 61, and her husband, Terrance W. Preszler, 64, both formerly of Chillicothe, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan. Donna Preszler was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Terrance Preszler was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum. The court also ordered the Preszlers to pay $4,049,121 in restitution to Burdg, Dunham & Associates Construction Corp. and $1,236,690 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, for a total restitution amount of $5,285,811.
The court also ordered the Preszlers to forfeit to the government a money judgment of $3,912,000, two residential lots, two 14kt diamond rings, eight vehicles (a 2007 Ford Taurus, a 2007 Mazda CX-7, a 2011 Nissan Versa, a 2010 Nissan 370Z, a 2010 Ford F150, a 2010 Ford Escape, a 2012 Ford Explorer and a 2012 Nissan Rogue), three 2011 Yamaha ATVs and several bank and funeral trust accounts, all of which was derived from the proceeds of the criminal violations.
On Feb. 13, 2014, Donna Preszler pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and filing a false income tax return. Terrance Preszler pleaded guilty to filing a false income tax return.
Donna Preszler was employed at Burdg, Dunham & Associates Construction Corp. (BDA) in Hamilton, Mo., from 2001 until June 2012, working as an accounting manager since 2004. BDA is a general contractor specializing in retail construction of malls, strip centers, family life centers, and other stand-alone projects. BDA serves customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, primarily building for national retail organizations.
Donna Preszler admitted that she embezzled $3,912,000 in a wire fraud scheme that lasted six years, from June 30, 2006 through June 15, 2012. She also admitted that she conducted financial transactions that involved the proceeds of her criminal activity.
Donna and Terrance Preszler each admitted that they failed to report the fraudulently obtained funds on their federal income tax returns for tax years 2007 through 2012. During that time, the Preszlers filed their federal income tax returns jointly and should have paid $1,236,690 in taxes on their unreported fraudulent income from BDA. For example, the Preszlers claimed their income in 2012 was only $46,863. Including the embezzled funds, according to today’s plea agreements, their income was actually $851,863 and they should have paid an additional $253,641 in taxes.
Donna Preszler utilized her role as accounting manager to add false and fictitious non-taxable payments, such as expense reimbursements, to herself. Donna Preszler transferred approximately $3,912,000 in fraudulent payments to herself and her family.
Donna Preszler also added false and fictitious overtime hours and overtime pay to her weekly payroll. Donna Preszler received $137,121 in unauthorized overtime payments to herself from November 2004 through June 2006, which were subject to BDA withholding income taxes.
Donna Preszler concealed her transfers by password protecting her payroll information, creating false and fictitious expense accounts and otherwise manipulating BDA’s payroll and accounting records.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen. It was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.Northwest MO, KC Residents Sentenced for Meth, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a mother and son in northwest Missouri and a Kansas City, Mo., man have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing firearms.
Carlos Olivas, also known as “Chuco,” 40, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays today to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, co-defendant John B. Carr, also known as “Brandon,” 25, of Galt, Mo., and his mother, Onis R. Eads, also known as Onis Regina Jones, 47, of Humphreys, Mo., were sentenced. Carr was sentenced to eight years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. Eads was sentenced to three years and 11 months in federal prison without parole.
On April 7, 2014, Olivas pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from April 2012 to Feb. 11, 2013. He also pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Olivas admitted that he was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Springfield Armory .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Olivas’s residence on Jan. 25, 2013. Officers found methamphetamine and numerous firearms in the house. An officer searched Olivas and discovered two small plastic bags – one bag with approximately 19 grams of crack cocaine and the other bag with approximately .91 grams of methamphetamine – and $1,080 in cash.
Carr pleaded guilty on March 11, 2013, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Carr admitted that he was in possession of a Hi-Point Firearms .45-caliber pistol and a Calwestco .22-caliber pistol in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Carr admitted that he obtained methamphetamine from Olivas, and had been selling methamphetamine for 18 months, working up to selling a quarter pound of methamphetamine each week. Carr admitted that, for several months, he paid Olivas $2,500 per week for a quarter pound of methamphetamine.
Eads pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy on April 7, 2014. She admitted that she purchased methamphetamine from Olivas. In December 2012 and January 2013, Eads purchased approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine from Olivas three times per week, paying approximately $550 for each half ounce.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes, IV. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Trenton, Mo., Police Department.Former Bank Employee Sentenced for $650,000 Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former UMB Bank employee was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $650,000 in a bank fraud conspiracy.
Lisa L. Taylor, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to six years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Taylor to forfeit to the United States a $650,659 money judgment.
Taylor, who pleaded guilty on Feb. 27, 2014, was employed by UMB Bank as a closing account specialist from May 2006 until October 2010. Taylor was terminated when a corporate fraud investigation revealed she had fraudulently embezzled UMB funds. Taylor admitted that she used her position to generate 377 fraudulent checks totaling $650,659.
As part of Taylor’s job duties at UMB she was responsible for collecting “charge off” amounts when a former customer’s account had been closed. Occasionally a deposit would come in for a closed account and be deposited to a general UMB account. Taylor was responsible for requesting a refund check to be issued from the general UMB account and sent to the former customer at their last known address. These refund checks were sent in the form of cashier checks that required approval of a bank officer. Taylor mixed in fraudulent refund check requests with these legitimate refund requests.
Over the course of the fraud scheme, Taylor requested checks payable to her friends and family, who cashed or deposited the checks. They kept a portion of the proceeds and paid Taylor 30 to 40 percent of the proceeds.
Taylor also had checks made payable to fictitious names, to which she forged the signatures and deposited into her bank account. UMB records revealed that Taylor personally negotiated 66 fraudulent UMB bank checks for a total of $96,793.
In addition to Taylor, 11 friends and family members have pleaded guilty to their roles in the bank fraud conspiracy, including nine co-defendants who were sentenced this week.
Kara L. Williams, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $80,653 in restitution. Shameeka N. Whitehead, 31, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $101,781 in restitution. Rodney C. Austin, 49, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $29,313 in restitution. Roshana A. Franklin, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $19,308 in restitution. Ralph Broadus, 60, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $15,584 in restitution. Stephen A. Combs, 28, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $16,945 in restitution. Geoffrey N. King, 30, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $12,533 in restitution. William D. Moore, 24, of Grandview, Mo., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $41,908 in restitution. Lakisha S. Weathers, 29, of Springfield, Mo., was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay $10,442 in restitution.
Antonio O. Malone, 26, and Johnnie L. Coleman, 53, both of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.U.S. Attorney General Recognizes District EmployeesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul S. Becker and Jess E. Michaelsen were among 243 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson at the 30th annual Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington, D.C.
“Both award recipients are tough federal prosecutors and diligent public servants who have served the cause of justice tirelessly,” Dickinson said. “They are representative of so many employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. I’m proud of their accomplishments and applaud them for this well-deserved national recognition.”
The Western District of Missouri was one of 44 districts represented at the ceremony, which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In his prepared remarks to awardees, Attorney General Holder said, “Locally, nationally, and internationally, you represent the very best that this department has to offer. Your work embodies our ongoing commitment – not merely to win cases, but to do justice; to protect our fellow citizens from crime, violence, and terrorism; to empower the most vulnerable among us; and to uphold the rule of law.”
Wilkinson echoed those sentiments, saying to the recipients, “You have persevered, and remained focused and motivated – achieving remarkable results in work that makes a difference in the lives of citizens across our great country. The vast scope of your collective accomplishments is nothing short of exceptional.”
Executive Achievement Award
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker is recognized for his contributions over his more-than-25-year career as a federal prosecutor. For more than 20 years, from 1991 until 2013, Becker was the chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force and the Violent Crime Strike Force Unit. In this role, his personal contributions included not only supervising other prosecutors, but also serving as the lead prosecutor in numerous high profile organized crime and violent crime cases. During this time he also creatively managed the district’s gun violence reduction program, which for multiple years led the entire nation in the number of indictments against defendants for illegally possessing firearms. Since he joined the Organized Crime Strike Force in Kansas City in 1987, Becker has served the Department of Justice as a career executive with high ethical standards, personal integrity, and dedication to public service.
Superior Performance as an AUSA
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen is recognized for the successful resolution of a number of high profile and challenging cases. Michaelsen served as lead counsel in United States v. Rodney Anderson, et al., a three-defendant arson case involving the Hereford House, a landmark restaurant in Kansas City. All three defendants received long prison sentences after being convicted at trial. He also served as lead counsel in United States v. Martin Sigillito, et al., which resulted in guilty verdicts following a four-week jury trial in St. Louis, Mo. Sigillito was sentenced to 40 years in prison for leading the $56 million Ponzi scheme. Michaelsen also managed a very complex and wide-ranging fraud caseload including United States v. Deborah Flores, et al., in which he obtained a 40-count indictment against 14 defendants who later pleaded guilty to their roles in an illegal document fraud scheme operating out of a driver’s license office in St. Joseph, Mo.
The Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.Protect Our Children ConferenceRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, and Barry R. Grissom, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, announced that law enforcement officers and victim service providers from throughout a multi-state region are in Kansas City, Mo., this week to attend the 11th annual Protect Our Children Conference at the Airport Hilton in Kansas City, Mo., from Sept. 10 to 12, 2014.
The Protect Our Children provides training for those who are in the trenches combating Internet crimes against children, child exploitation, child sexual assault, and child abduction. Dickinson, Grissom and Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte welcomed conference attendees this morning.
The three-day conference, which is hosted by United States Attorneys in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Indiana, rotates among cities each year. The event provides a multi-disciplinary approach for law enforcement, medical and mental health and victim service providers. Experts and practitioners present a comprehensive strategy to protect children and seek justice on their behalf.
The overall goal of the 11th Annual Protect Our Children Conference is to increase community awareness, improve investigative and prosecutorial practices, and provide resources to all participants. This year’s conference showcases presenters from across the country specializing in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children and the treatment of child victims.
A special keynote address will be presented by Christopher Baughman, host of MSNBC’s new series on human trafficking, at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, 10, 2014.
Prior to Baughman’s retirement, he headed up the Pandering Investigation Team (PIT) and Human Trafficking Task Force for the Las Vegas Police Department, where his team arrested and convicted several of the city’s wealthiest and most violent criminals. He teaches pandering investigations to other departments across the nation, including members of the FBI, IRS, and Federal Parole and Probation Agencies. He is also author of the best-selling true crime human trafficking series, “Off The Street.”
At 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, closing keynote speaker Derek Clark will share his compelling personal testimony of the childhood trauma he endured and overcame, which has inspired thousands of people to overcome their own adversity. A published author and well-known expert in working with troubled children and youth, he will also share insight and training to equip us for dealing with young victims.
Plenary speakers will address such topics as “Trauma and Recovery,” “Neurobiology of Trauma,” and “Cyberbullying.” Sixteen workshops feature separate tracks with experts and topics that are specifically relevant to law enforcement, health care/medical, or victim providers. Special elective workshops will also be offered on a diverse range of topics.
Most of the conference sessions are open to the media. More information about the Protect Our Children Conference can be found online at http://www.pocconference.com.Jury Convicts KC Men of $20 Million Drug-trafficking Conspiracy, Murder-for-hire SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Kansas City, Mo., men were convicted by a trial jury today of their roles in a multi-million dollar drug-trafficking conspiracy and an unsuccessful murder-for-hire conspiracy.
Andre Taylor, also known as “Dre,” 48, of Kansas City, was found guilty of four counts contained in a Feb. 25, 2014, federal indictment. Victor Vickers, also known as “VV,” 29, of Kansas City, was found guilty of a lesser included offense in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Taylor was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of marijuana and cocaine between Feb. 1, 2010, and Feb. 25, 2014. Vickers was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute less than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Taylor was also convicted of participating in a conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine and possessing a machine gun in furtherance of a crime of violence (the murder-for-hire conspiracy).
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Taylor was the head of a major cocaine and marijuana distribution organization in the metropolitan area. A Mexico-based cartel supplied narcotics to the drug-trafficking organization and Taylor sometimes traveled to Mexico to buy drugs for resale within the Kansas City area. Taylor boasted that he personally sent $20 million back to Mexico. Numerous shipments of cocaine, totaling more than 100 kilograms, were transported to Kansas City from Mexico.
Taylor’s relatives and others assisted him in recruiting buyers and arranging sales. His base of operation was in the 2300 block of Hardesty in Kansas City, Mo., where his family owned three houses next door to each other. Confidential informants participated in numerous controlled buys of narcotics. Many of those buys took place in, around, or outside of the three Taylor houses.
In intercepted telephone conversations, Taylor boasted of spending millions of dollars to buy drugs to sell in the Kansas City area. Based on telephone interceptions, a murder-for-hire plot was discovered during the conspiracy. The intended victim was a co-conspirator and former trusted associate of Taylor’s.
In addition to Taylor and Vickers, 17 co-defendants have pleaded guilty to charges contained in the federal indictment.
Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy
A confidential source completed a series of controlled purchases of cocaine from Taylor and his co-conspirators in 2011 and 2012.
On Sept. 27, 2012, search warrants were executed at the three homes owned by the Taylor family at 23rd and Hardesty. Approximately 227 pounds of marijuana was seized, as well as an assault rifle and body-armor-piercing bullets. In addition, on Nov. 30, 2012, more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, which was intended for delivery to Taylor, was recovered from a truck and trailer being driven by a co-conspirator. This co-conspirator told investigators that he had delivered marijuana to Kansas City to Taylor seven or eight times, and he had transported $500,000 to $700,000 to Arizona for these drug shipments.
FBI agents conservatively estimate that Taylor was responsible for distributing at least 120 kilograms of cocaine and at least 2,000 pounds of marijuana, either himself or through one of his many confederates.
Murder for Hire Conspiracy
The intended victim of the murder-for-hire conspiracy was co-defendant William E. Brown, also known as “Billy,” 43, of Kansas City. Taylor believed that Brown, a one-time trusted associate, stole $500,000 and more than 13 kilograms of cocaine from Taylor’s downtown loft apartment. (Taylor also maintained a residence at a luxury apartment on the County Club Plaza.) Taylor sought to hire a “hit man” to do the job and contacted co-defendant Kenneth Vaughn Cooper, 31, of Kansas City.
Brown pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and admitted that he purchased at least five kilograms of cocaine from Taylor. Cooper pleaded guilty to his role in the murder-for-hire conspiracy and admitted that he was supposed to be paid a share of the stolen $500,000 for committing the murder.
On Aug. 18, 2012, FBI agents intercepted a telephone call in which Taylor said, “it’s necessary to kill him,” referring to Brown.
On Aug. 21, 2012, agents intercepted a phone call between Cooper and Taylor. Taylor said he had a “hammer” at “23rd and Hardesty” and Cooper said he was going to come and get it. Later that day, Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cooper on outstanding warrants while he was a passenger in a truck driven by his father. As deputies approached the vehicle they could smell burnt marijuana coming from inside. When the vehicle was searched, deputies recovered a firearms case behind the driver’s seat that contained a machine gun – a MAC-10 style homemade .45-caliber firearm with no serial number – and a metal stick magazine with 18 live rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about 10 hours over two days before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner, ending a trial that began Monday, Sept. 2, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Taylor and Vickers are each subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stefan C. Hughes and Cindi Woolery. It was investigated by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.KC Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Child PornRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing and attempting to distribute child pornography.
David Wayne Scott, Jr., 28, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On Feb. 7, 2014, Scott pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography over the Internet and to possessing child pornography. Scott admitted that he possessed child pornography on his computers, which he shared over the Internet through a peer-to-peer file-sharing program.
Scott was identified by three separate investigations, two originating in Florida and another in New York, as sharing child pornography over the Internet. Those investigators, working independently, identified movies and images of child pornography that Scott made available to others to download over the Internet.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Scott’s residence and seized four computers and four loose hard drives. A forensic examination found approximately 208 video files and 1,547 images of child pornography.
According to court documents, Scott admitted that he had been viewing child pornography for four to five years and had been sharing child pornography online for three years. Some of the child pornography images depicted victims who were younger than four years old, including infants. Scott shared as many as 290 child pornography files and averaged 20 to 30 file-sharing friends when he shared child pornography online. Some of those friends told him that they were actively engaged in sexual abuse of children. Scott watched minors engage in sexually explicit conduct via a webcam.
Scott must also pay restitution to four identified victims who have petitioned the court for restitution from every person who received or possesses images of their sexual abuse. He must also forfeit his computers and hard drives to the government.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the FBI, the Boynton Beach, Fla., Police Department and the Brevard County, Fla., 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 Pleads Guilty to Child PornRead the Press Release
Project Safe ChildhoodSPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Nixa, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Michael Wunderlee, 41, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charge contained in a Nov. 6, 2013, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, Wunderlee admitted that he received and distributed child pornography over the Internet between May 13, 2010, and Feb. 25, 2012.
Federal agents from the National Park Service and the FBI executed a search warrant at Wunderlee’s residence as part of an investigation into another person’s use of a stolen government credit card number of a National Park Service employee. Wunderlee’s computer was seized and transported for forensic examination, which found approximately 139 videos and approximately 23 images of child pornography, including pre-pubescent victims.
Wunderlee admitted that he used file-sharing software to download the images and videos. The software automatically saved the downloaded images and videos to a share folder on his computer and made them available to be downloaded by others using the program.
Wunderlee was arrested on Sept. 30, 2013, and released on bond on Nov. 22, 2013, which included home detention and location monitoring. However, on or about Feb. 28, 2014, in order to avoid prosecution, Wunderlee absconded after cashing out his retirement account at Cox Hospital and leaving a note indicating he intended to commit suicide. On Aug. 6, 2014, FBI agents arrested Wunderlee at a home in Spotsylvania, Va.
Under federal statutes, Wunderlee is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole, 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 Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI and the National Park Service.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Lebanon Car Dealer Indicted for Fraudulent Titles, Falsified Mileage on Dozens of VehiclesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Lebanon, Mo., automobile dealer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a mail fraud scheme in which he sold dozens of vehicles with fraudulent titles that greatly underreported the actual mileage of the vehicles.
Kenneth W. Smith, 60, of Lebanon, was charged in a seven-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Aug. 26, 2014. That indictment has been unsealed and made public upon Smith’s arrest and initial court appearance.
Smith operates Cars Unlimited in Lebanon. According to today’s indictment, Smith obtained fraudulent replacement titles for dozens of vehicles that were sold by Cars Unlimited between February 2010 and Nov. 7, 2011. Smith (operating through Cars Unlimited) allegedly applied for and received 54 replacement titles from the state of Missouri, each of which underreported the vehicle’s actual mileage between 95,000 and 209,000 miles. Smith allegedly resold these 54 vehicles at auto auctions using the fraudulent replacement titles. These 54 vehicles were sold for an aggregate total of approximately $346,450.
Beginning in February 2010, when Smith purchased vehicles (through Cars Unlimited) at auto auctions, the vehicle titles he received showed each vehicle's actual mileage. After purchasing a vehicle, Smith allegedly submitted an "Application for Missouri Title and License" seeking a replacement title for the vehicle. Although he sought a replacement title, the indictment says, he in fact possessed the original title for the vehicle.
In each of those instances, Smith allegedly forged the signatures of the previous owner of the vehicle. The state of Missouri prepared a replacement title that was mailed to Smith at Cars Unlimited.
The federal indictment charges Smith with seven counts of mail fraud.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan. It was investigated by the FBI and the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Operation Dirty GlassRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in leading a conspiracy to distribute PCP.
Today’s sentence is a result of Operation Dirty Glass, a multi-agency investigation into large-scale PCP-trafficking in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Operation Dirty Glass resulted in a series of indictments that charged a total of 22 defendants.
Gerald W. Jones, 42, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
On May 12, 2014, Jones pleaded guilty to his role in leading a conspiracy to distribute at least one kilogram of PCP. Jones is among 11 defendants who have pleaded guilty to the charges contained in a Nov. 9, 2012, federal indictment.
Undercover detectives and informants purchased PCP and crack cocaine from Jones on more than 20 separate occasions during the course of the investigation. A wiretap was authorized to assist investigators to identify Jones’ suppliers, associates, customers, and locations used in his drug trafficking operation. Investigators intercepted hundreds of drug-related telephone calls between Jones and his associates between Aug. 28 and Nov. 9, 2012. Investigators learned from the wiretap that Jones was primarily a PCP dealer who also sold crack cocaine.
Jones used various sources of supply for his drug trafficking business and would regularly sell bottles, dealer quantities, of PCP to his customers. Investigators learned that PCP dealers would commonly dip More brand cigarettes into the bottles containing liquid PCP and then distribute the PCP-dipped cigarettes, commonly called “sticks”, to PCP users.
On Nov. 14, 2012, investigators served a search warrant at Jones’ residence. During the search of Jones’ kitchen, investigators located numerous bottles that had been used to store PCP and several full bottles containing approximately 75 grams of PCP.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Jury Convicts Columbia Man of Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Clifford Andrew Lake, 55, of Columbia, was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Boone County, Mo., from Sept. 24 to Oct. 28, 2013.
Co-defendants Ravid Donald Smith, Jr., 50, and Lemont Michael Livingston, 27, both of Columbia, have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Lake accompanied co-defendants Smith and Livingston during multiple trips to Chicago to obtain heroin, and that he assisted them in selling heroin to others.
In January 2013, Columbia police officers began receiving information that Livingston was obtaining heroin from St. Louis, Mo., and distributing it in the Columbia area. An investigation revealed that beginning in late summer 2013, Livingston began to bring drugs from Chicago, and was being assisted by Smith and Lake. Investigators used a cooperating source to make a controlled drug buy from Smith on Sept. 24, 2013. Livingston and Lake were present during the transaction.
On Oct. 28, 2013, investigation revealed that Livingston was en route back to Columbia from Chicago, and that he possessed a distribution quantity of heroin. Officers had obtained a search warrant for Livingston’s residence and decided to serve it on that date. At approximately 7:05 a.m. Livingston arrived at his residence, driving a blue BMW X5. Officers made contact with him, detained him, and advised him of the search warrant. The BMW was searched and inside a backpack located in the vehicle, officers recovered a plastic bag containing 196 grams of heroin.
Officers then entered Livingston’s residence and encountered Lake inside. During a search of the residence, additional items associated with drug trafficking were recovered, including digital scales, cutting materials for the heroin, and a handgun.
Livingston admitted he made multiple trips to Chicago to obtain heroin, and that he had just returned with a quantity of heroin. He stated that Smith had accompanied him, and had also returned with a shipment of heroin. Livingston told officers that he was responsible for collecting money for the sale of heroin.
A cooperating witness agreed to assist investigators in making contact with Smith, and acquired 32 grams of heroin from him. Smith was arrested later that day.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for about half an hour before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey, ending a trial that began Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.
Under federal statutes, Lake is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1 million. Smith and Livingston are each 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. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.Jasper County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Porn, Faces at least 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Jasper County, Mo., man who contacted a child victim on Facebook pleaded guilty in federal court today to producing child pornography.
Ian Holman, 33, of Jasper County, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charge contained in an Oct. 1, 2013, federal indictment.
According to court documents, law enforcement authorities received reports regarding two minors that Holman contacted via Facebook. One of the minors, a 13-year-old in Carthage, Mo., told officers that Holman (using the screen name “Lucky Holman”) offered to pay her $75,000 to $100,000. He also asked her to send him sexually explicit pictures of herself, which she did.
On Sept. 11, 2013, after receiving the report from Jane Doe, a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to Holman’s residence. Holman attempted to elude the deputy by running out the back of the house and into the woods. The deputy, along with two other officers and a K9 unit, pursued Holman into the woods. The officers searched for Holman for approximately 45 minutes. The deputy was able to contact Holman by phone and persuade him to turn himself in.
According to court documents, Holman told officers that he friended numerous 12-to-14-year-old girls in the Carthage and Webb City area and used Facebook instant messaging to contact the girls.
Under federal statutes, Holman 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. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
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."Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Deceased Persons' Identities to Gain $2.3 Million in State Tax RefundsRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Georgia man pleaded guilty in federal court today to a wire fraud scheme in which he used the identity information of deceased persons to obtain more than $2.3 million in tax refunds from several states.
Sirhon Rivers, also known as “Ron,” 40, of Georgia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth to one count of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
By pleading guilty today, Rivers admitted that he unlawfully obtained $547,000 from the Missouri Department of Revenue from January 2008 to August 2012 by filing fraudulent tax returns. Rivers used the same scheme in others states – including Kansas, Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Virginia – to unlawfully acquire a total of $2,365,617 in fraudulent state tax refunds.
Rivers obtained personal identification information – including names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth – from deceased persons. He submitted state tax returns using that information, adding false and fraudulent information such as employment and wages earned. State tax returns were submitted electronically, with the refunds electronically transferred to bank accounts that Rivers opened at several financial institutions.
Rivers must forfeit to the government $2,365,000, which constitutes the amount of money fraudulently received from the various states into his bank accounts.
Under federal statutes, Rivers is subject to a sentence of up to 60 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1 million and an order of restitution. Rivers is also subject to a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison without parole for aggravated identity theft. 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 Anthony P. Gonzalez. It was investigated by the FBI, the Missouri Department of Revenue Criminal Tax Investigations Bureau and the Missouri Department of Revenue Compliance and Investigation Bureau.
Duneweg Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting 4-year-old Child, Faces at least 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Duneweg, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually exploiting a 4-year-old child to produce child pornography.
Tony Lasiter, 32, of Duneweg, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to the charge contained in an Oct. 1, 2013, federal indictment.
According to court documents, Lasiter used his cell phone to take nude photos of a 4-year-old child (identified in the indictment as “Jane Doe”) while she was in the bathtub and while she was lying in a bed with someone touching her in a sexual manner. Lasiter downloaded the photos to his laptop computer, then transferred the files to an SD card. The files were discovered when the victim’s father noticed the SD card in the computer and opened the files, according to court documents. The photos were taken in August 2013.
Under federal statutes, Lasiter 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. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Duneweg, Mo., Police Department, the Sarcoxie, Mo., Police Department and the Jasper 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."Waynesville Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Waynesville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing Security Bank of Pulaski County in St. Robert, Mo.
Arthur John Green, 42, of Waynesville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole.
On April 2, 2014, Green pleaded guilty to robbing the Security Bank of Pulaski County. Green entered the bank on Feb. 20, 2014, and handed a teller a note that demanded money. The teller gave him $1,100 and he quickly left the bank. Several hours later, a Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Green’s vehicle. Green pulled over and was arrested without incident.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Pulaski County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.Houston Lake Man Sentenced for 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 Houston Lake, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing child pornography.
Carlos J. Scott, 47, of Houston Lake, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to five years in federal prison without parole.
On Jan. 29, 2014, Scott pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.
The investigation began when the victim, identified as “Jane Doe,” reported past sexual molestation by Scott to the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department on Sept. 4, 2011. In a later interview, Jane Doe stated that Scott sexually molested her from the time she was six years old until the age of 12. Jane Doe also stated that Scott left pornography open on the computer and that he had photographs of his penis on the computer, which he would leave in places he knew she would access while using the computer. She also reported that Scott regularly exposed himself to her.
A 12-year-old cousin of the child victim was also interviewed. She repeated Jane Doe’s statements about pornography being left open on Scott’s computer.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Scott’s residence and seized his laptop computer. They also seized a desktop computer from the home of Scott’s parents, where he had lived during most of the time that the sexual abuse of Jane Doe occurred. Scott had used the computer while living with his parents.
Among the files found on Scott’s computer were images of possible child pornography and erotica as well as multiple photos of young girls playing. Detectives showed Jane Doe several of the photographs; she became emotional and identified herself in the series of photographs. Child pornography and erotica also were located on the parent’s computer. According to today’s plea agreement, there were between 10 and 150 images of child pornography.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Eldon Business Owner Indicted for MarijuanaRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Eldon, Mo., business owner has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Earl Dewayne Witt, 52, of Eldon, was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. The indictment was unsealed and made public today at Witt’s initial court appearance.
Witt is the owner of U Wrench It, located at 3035 Hwy. 52, in Eldon. The federal indictment alleges that he was in possession of marijuana, which he intended to distribute, on July 26, 2014.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander. It was investigated by Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force.Two Inmates Indicted for Murder, AssaultRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two inmates of the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., have been indicted, in separate and unrelated cases, for murdering one inmate and assaulting another.
USA v. Hill
Jerry Scott Hill, 43, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Hill allegedly killed another inmate, Cyprian Adoh, on July 19, 2014, during a sudden quarrel in the heat of passion by pushing his head into a wall. The resulting brain injuries caused Adoh’s death.
Hill is currently serving a 262-month sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with a release date of Jan. 24, 2029. Adoh was serving a 70-month sentence for Medicaid/Medicare fraud.
USA v. Kinningham
Dean Kinningham, 51, was charged with assault with the intent to commit murder in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Kinningham allegedly assaulted another inmate, Gary Brown, by stabbing and slashing him with a razor blade on June 4, 2014.
Kinningham is currently serving a 262-month sentence for armed pharmacy robbery, with a release date of March 31, 2030. Brown is currently serving a 170-month sentence for conspiracy to possess crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, with a release date of Feb. 25, 2015.
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.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. They were investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
Corporate Executive Indicted for Child Porn, Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Project Safe Childhood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced a corporate vice president was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to child sexual exploitation and child pornography as the result of an undercover operation in which he believed he was meeting two minor girls for sex.
Daniel C. Irwin, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged in an eight-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Irwin is an assistant vice president of accounting at State Street in Kansas City. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Irwin on Aug. 8, 2014.
Today’s indictment alleges that Irwin attempted to entice a minor over the Internet to engage in illicit sexual activity between Jan. 14 and Aug. 8, 2014.
Irwin is also charged with four counts of distributing child pornography over the Internet, one count of receiving child pornography over the Internet, one count of using the mail to attempt to transfer obscene matter to a minor under the age of 16 and one count of possessing child pornography on his cell phone.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, a Kansas City, Mo., Police Department detective created an undercover profile on a public Web site that allows users to upload pictures, videos and stories of a sexual nature.
Irwin, who had earlier established a profile on this same Web site, sent a message to the undercover profile on Jan. 14, 2014, the affidavit says. Irwin allegedly sent an e-mail to the undercover profile that included pornographic images and a message that read in part, “Sure would enjoy helping u out with the girls!” Over the next two days, the affidavit says, there were numerous e-mail communications between Irwin and the undercover detective in which Irwin expressed an interest in meeting. The undercover detective informed Irwin that his daughters were 16 and 12 years of age and that he had been sexually active with them. Over the course of the next month, the affidavit says, Irwin periodically sent e-mails asking about the sexual activity of the undercover detective’s daughters.
According to the affidavit, the undercover detective received numerous e-mails during the weekend of Feb. 19 and 20, 2014, in which Irwin detailed the various sex acts he wanted to perform on the daughters. On Feb. 21, 2014, Irwin allegedly sent an e-mail asking to meet at Side Pockets in Kansas City, North. The undercover detective agreed, and they met in the parking lot on Feb. 21, 2014, then walked into the restaurant and sat down at a table together.
Irwin allegedly told stories of meeting random women from the Internet for sex and wanted to hear stories about the undercover detective’s sexual experiences with his daughters. Irwin explained that he would be interested in meeting the daughters and eventually having sex with them, the affidavit says. Irwin allegedly told the undercover detective about various illicit sex acts that he had engaged in, including an incident in which Irwin met a man in the Kansas City area that allowed him to watch while the man had sex with a miniature horse.
Irwin continued to send e-mail messages over the next two months, the affidavit says. These infrequent communications stopped on April 10, 2014, according to the affidavit, until Irwin sent another e-mail more than two months later on July 17, 2014. Irwin allegedly sent the undercover detective numerous photos and videos of child pornography. Irwin allegedly offered to trade additional child pornography for being allowed to engage in illicit sexual activities with the daughters.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Irwin’s residence on Aug. 8, 2014, and Irwin was arrested.
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 Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Carrollton Woman Indicted in $185,000 Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Carrollton, Mo., woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today for a $185,000 bank fraud scheme.
Carol Joyce Noble, 62, of Carrollton, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Noble defrauded Central Trust Bank in Jefferson City, Mo., in September 2011 as part of a scheme to obtain a fraudulent $185,000 loan. According to the indictment, Noble caused false loan documents to be prepared in order to obtain the loan to purchase a convenience store in Stover, Mo.
Also as part of the scheme, the indictment says, Noble caused the fraudulent appraisal of her Gravois Mills, Mo., residential property in order to obtain the loan. Noble allegedly changed the physical address of the residence to an adjacent residence by altering the last digit of the house number, unbeknownst to the neighbor. Noble allegedly met the appraiser at her neighbor’s home and misrepresented to the appraiser that it was her own. The appraiser then appraised the wrong home, the indictment says, at a value $100,000 higher than the true value of Noble’s property.
Noble is charged with three counts of bank fraud – two counts related to the fraudulent appraisal, and one count related to the loan documents she submitted to Central Trust Bank that falsely represented the value of her residence.
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 Lauren Kummerer. It was investigated by the FBI.Branson Woman Pleads Guilty to False Tax Return after Embezzling from Branson TheaterRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Branson, Mo., woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to filing a false tax return after embezzling more than $678,000 from the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson.
Dawn K. Cleveringa, 59, of Branson, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, to a federal information that charges her with making a false federal income tax return.
Cleveringa was the controller of the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre from 1992 to 2009. Cleveringa’s duties as controller included conducting or supervising financial transactions of the Andy Williams Theatre, including employee payroll and issuing IRS Forms W-2 to employees.
By pleading guilty, Cleveringa admitted that she made unauthorized payments to herself, and unauthorized payments of her personal expenses, from funds of the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in 2007 and 2008. To disguise her theft, Cleveringa manipulated the accounting system of the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.Cleveringa has been prosecuted in state court for embezzling more than $678,000 from the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre. The federal charge is related only to the portion of the embezzled income for which Cleveringa did not pay federal income taxes.
Cleveringa admitted that she failed to include some of the embezzled income on her federal income tax return. In 2007, Cleveringa embezzled approximately $160,642 from the Andy Williams Theatre that was not claimed on her federal income tax return. In 2008, Cleveringa embezzled approximately $102,013 from the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre that was not claimed on her federal income tax return. The total amount embezzled during 2007 and 2008, which was not claimed on her federal income tax return, was approximately $262,656.
Under federal statutes, Cleveringa is subject to a sentence of up to three years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.KCK Man Indicted for Crashing into Barrier at Lake City Army Ammunition PlantRead 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 indicted by a federal grand jury today for ramming a stolen car into the checkpoint barrier at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.
Eric Keith Mendoza, 41, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Mendoza on Aug. 7, 2014.
Today’s indictment alleges that Mendoza damaged the barrier when he accelerated through the checkpoint at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant on Aug. 7, 2014. Mendoza is also charged with entering the plant without authorization and with transporting a stolen vehicle across the state line from Kansas to Missouri.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Mendoza was driving a stolen 1997 Cadillac Deville when he arrived at the Lake City installation’s primary entry gate. His identification was requested, the affidavit says, but Mendoza accelerated at a high rate of speed through the checkpoint onto the installation. Per standard operating procedure, security personnel activated the final denial barrier, which consists of an in-ground steel plate barrier which is activated in an emergency situation. The barrier rises out of the ground in order to stop an oncoming vehicle from gaining access to the installation. Prior to the barrier are two speed mitigation “humps” in the roadway to slow approaching vehicles. The barrier is equipped with signage and red lights which illuminate upon activation, allowing vehicles the opportunity to stop prior to impacting it.
Mendoza’s vehicle struck the barrier, rendering the vehicle inoperable and causing moderate damage to the barrier. Damage to the barrier is estimated up to $20,000.
Mendoza fled the accident scene on foot, the affidavit says, travelling southbound on the installation. The Independence, Mo., Police Department K-9 unit provided assistance and located Mendoza adjacent to an inner fence where he was apprehended without further incident.
According to the affidavit, during inventory of the vehicle prior to it being towed from the scene, three clear plastic bags containing a “user quantity” of a white crystalline substance were recovered from underneath the front edge of the driver’s seat. Mendoza told officers he had smoked methamphetamine the day before.
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 Linda Parker Marshall. It was investigated by the Department of the Army, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the FBI and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.KC Man Indicted for Laser StrikeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for aiming his laser pointer at a Kansas City, Mo, Police Department helicopter.
Jordon Clarence Rogers, 24, of Kansas City, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s indictment alleges that Rogers aimed the beam of a laser pointer at a Kansas City, Mo., Police Department helicopter on Oct. 8, 2013.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by the FBI.KC Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing Bank of America.
Lorene Harris, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Harris on Aug. 6, 2014.
The indictment alleges that Harris stole $3,000 from Bank of America, 6320 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, on Aug. 4, 2014.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Harris cut in front of everyone in line and told a teller to “give me the money.” The teller asked Harris if this was a robbery and he allegedly responded that he was robbing the bank. The teller asked if he had a “note or something,” the affidavit says, and Harris told the teller he could write a note. Harris requested a piece of paper, according to the affidavit, then passed the note and asked for the money. However, when the teller put about $5,000 dollars on the counter, Harris allegedly told her to give him less. The teller took approximately $2,000 back and Harris allegedly took the remaining money.
Harris then asked what he should do next, the affidavit says. He indicated he would wait outside; however; he fled from the bank on foot.
Harris was identified after bank surveillance photos appeared on the news. The following day, Harris was arrested by Raytown, Mo., police officers who were dispatched with paramedics to a convenience store. According to the indictment, Harris, who was complaining of chest pains, told officers he robbed Bank of America the day before.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce E. Clark. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.KC Man Charged with Craigslist Robberies, ShootingRead 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 charged in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies against victims who were contacted via craigslist.
Debvon Buckner, 23, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 20, 2014. Buckner had his initial court appearance today.
The federal criminal complaint alleges that Buckner participated in a conspiracy with others to commit robberies of several individuals by posting false advertisements on craigslist between June 30 and July 17, 2014. In addition to the conspiracy, Buckner is charged with one count of armed robbery, which he allegedly committed by falsely posting a motor vehicle for sale on craigslist in order to arrange a meeting with three victims on July 16, 2014. Buckner is also charged with one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence (the armed robbery on July 16, 2014).
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Buckner was involved in five robberies in which craigslist ads were used to lure victims, who were robbed at gunpoint by Buckner’s co-conspirators, who have not been charged and are not identified in the court documents.
July 16, 2014, Armed Robberies
On the evening of July 16, 2014, the affidavit says, three victims met Buckner at 5500 E. 84th Terrace, Kansas City, Mo., to look at a Hyundai Sonata that was listed for sale in a craigslist advertisement. Two of the victims took a test drive in the vehicle with Buckner, the affidavit says, and one of them made a purchase offer. Buckner allegedly agreed, but stated he needed to call his wife about the purchase and walked away. As he walked away, the affidavit says, two other men with handguns approached the two victims and asked for money. The victims tried to return to their car when the two men shot them. The men took one victim’s purse, which contained $500. They jumped into the Sonata with Buckner and fled the area. One of the victims was transported to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to the affidavit, the telephone number used to contact the victims was the same number used to contact a separate victim in another armed robbery earlier the same day.
On the afternoon of July 16, 2014, this victim (identified as Victim#4 in the affidavit) told police that he had listed an XBOX One for sale on craigslist. He arranged to meet a prospective buyer at Ridge Pointe Apartments in Kansas City, Mo. When he arrived, the affidavit said, Buckner approached him and asked to see the XBOX. The victim handed the XBOX to Buckner. Two other men then came up behind Buckner, the affidavit says. One of those men lifted his shirt, pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and stated, “Give me the connections.” The other approaching male also had a gun. Victim #4 then gave the men the XBOX accessory cords, two remote controllers, and two video games. The three men then fled the area on foot.
The next day, Kansas City Police detectives saw another craigslist advertisement for a car for sale that used the same telephone number. In the background of the photograph was a residence, which the detectives later identified as Buckner’s residence. They obtained location data for the cell phone and set up surveillance in the area of East US 40 Highway and Sterling. When Buckner boarded a metro bus, police officers took him into custody.
In addition to the two robberies on July 16, 2014, victims from three earlier robberies also identified Buckner.
June 30, 2014, Armed Robbery
One victim met Buckner on June 30, 2014, to purchase a cell phone that was advertised on craigslist, the affidavit says. She decided not to purchase the phone and began to walk away, according to the affidavit, when two other men approached her, pointed guns at her and told her to give them money. She gave the men $100. They then demanded her car keys, cellphone and purse. She pressed the panic button on her car keys and the alarm sounded, the affidavit says, and all three of the men ran.
June 30, 2014, Armed Robbery #2
Another victim met Buckner later that night on the same date, according to the affidavit. She told police officers that she had been contacted about purchasing an XBOX One that she had posted for sale on craigslist. When she arrived at Ridge Pointe Apartments, Buckner showed her that he had cash to make the purchase. As soon as she took out the XBOX, he allegedly took it and ran. Two other men, armed with handguns, then approached her and pointed the guns at her and a passenger in her vehicle. The men took their purses, along with video games and controllers for the XBOX. The passenger asked for her purse back, and one of the men said, “Get back in the car or I’ll shoot you” and racked the slide on his gun.
July 3, 2014, Armed Robbery
On July 3, 2014, another victim told police that he had been robbed while trying to buy an XBOX from a craigslist advertisement. The victim met Buckner at Ridge Pointe Apartments, the affidavit says, after he had agreed to give him $160 and a Samsung Galaxy watch to buy the XBOX. Buckner refused to do the deal, the affidavit says, and the victim began walking back to his car when he was approached by another man pointing a gun at him. While this man pointed the gun at him, another man he had been talking to came over and frisked the victim. The two men took the watch and the cash, and then fled.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Wolesky and Jess E. Michaelsen. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.Jury Convicts KC Man of Illegal Drugs, 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 convicted in federal court today of illegally possessing a controlled substance and firearms.
Rashawn Long, 33, of Kansas City, was found guilty of both counts contained in a Nov. 15, 2013, federal indictment. Long was convicted of one count of possessing Buphedrone (also known as bath salts, a controlled substance similar to methamphetamine) with the intent to distribute and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
Kansas City, Mo., police officers responded to a call about a suspicious person on Oct. 26, 2013. Officers contacted a homeowner, who stated that a man she didn’t know had been knocking on her door. She also told officers that he parked his 2013 Dodge Avenger in her back yard area and left. She had no idea who the vehicle belonged to or why it was parked in her back yard.
Officers noticed that the vehicle had a strong brake pad odor, which was consistent with it having been recently driven at a high rate of speed with the brakes repeatedly engaged. One of the officers requested a tow truck to come pick up the vehicle. When the resident went to move her own vehicle so that the tow truck could get into her back yard, she found a note from Long, but addressed to another person, thanking that person for letting him park the vehicle in her yard.
A few minutes later, Long came running up the hill, waving his arms and yelling at the officers. He told the officers that he knew the owner of the residence and that he parked vehicles there before. Long also told officers that he was trying to hide his car from his fiancé while he visited another woman who lived down the block, and did not want anyone to see him. Long, who had two active arrest warrants, was taken into custody.
When officers searched Long’s vehicle, they found a backpack that contained a stun gun, a can of pepper spray, a digital scale with residue, a digital video camera and a Coke can. Inside the Coke can was a false compartment that contained 5.67 grams of Buphedrone.
When officers reviewed the contents of the digital video camera, they found at least two images in which Long flashed a Glock semi-automatic handgun.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Long has prior felony convictions for second degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and trafficking drugs.
Under federal statutes, Long is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1,250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about two hours before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, ending a trial that began Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez 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.Jury Convicts Independence Woman of Firearms-related ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., woman was convicted in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy to illegally make firearms available to her boyfriend, a convicted felon.
Candice Loyd, 29, of Independence, was found guilty of the charges contained in a Sept. 25, 2013, federal indictment. Loyd was convicted of one count of conspiracy and two counts of aiding and abetting a felon to possess a firearm.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that the purpose of the conspiracy was for Loyd to obtain firearms for her live-in boyfriend and the father of two of her children, Joshua Stamps, because he was a convicted felon who could not legally purchase firearms for himself.
In a separate and unrelated case, Stamps pleaded guilty on June 12, 2014, to leading a $1.2 million arson and insurance fraud conspiracy and to using fire to commit a federal crime (mail fraud). Stamps and his co-conspirators bought, over-insured and burned five houses, all in Kansas City, Mo. The total actual loss to insurance companies in the scheme was $434,938, while the total intended loss was $1,196,840. Stamps, who has not yet been sentenced, is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to 25 years in federal prison without parole, and must pay a money judgment of $434,938.
Stamps was originally charged as a co-defendant with Loyd in this separate indictment. However, under the terms of his plea agreement in the arson case, the charges against Stamps in this indictment will be dismissed.
When Kansas City, Mo., police officers executed a search warrant at Loyd’s residence on April 9, 2013, she told officers that firearms were kept in a safe in the children’s bedroom. Loyd initially claimed to be the owner of the two firearms that were found in the safe, a Taurus 9mm pistol (that she purchased in 2008) and a Ruger .40-caliber pistol. Loyd could not give a combination to the safe, and eventually admitted to police that Stamps had access to the safe and the combination to the safe. When officers forced the safe open, they recovered the two firearms, ammunition and documents belonging to both Loyd and Stamps.
Under federal statutes, Loyd is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about an hour before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple, ending a trial that began Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Deparment.Guardian of Justice AwardRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two Kansas City, Mo., police detectives and an agent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have received the Guardian of Justice Award.
Kansas City Police Department Detectives Josh Davis and James Svoboda and USDA Special Agent David Colegrove were honored on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, during the 12th Annual LECC Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo.
Josh Davis & James Svoboda
Davis and Svoboda were recognized for their investigative excellence, selfless collaboration, tireless trial support, commendable diligence and professionalism, and noteworthy assistance in the successful prosecution of a dozen defendants involved 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.
The lead defendant, Timothy M. Kirlin, also known as “Jim Curlon,” 34, of Kansas City, was found guilty at trial of all nine counts contained in an Oct. 16, 2013, federal indictment. Kirlin was found guilty 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.
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, Texas, at least once a month to purchase heroin and other drugs for resale in the Kansas City area. 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, who has not yet been sentenced, is subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole. One co-defendant was convicted with Kirlin at trial and 10 co-defendants pleaded guilty.
David Colegrove
Colegrove was recognized for his investigative excellence, selfless collaboration, tireless trial support, commendable diligence and professionalism, and noteworthy assistance in the successful prosecution of eight defendants involved in a scheme to steal nearly $1 million worth of trucks and trailers and their cargo in a multi-state area.
The lead defendant, Kenneth Ray Borders, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., and two co-conspirators were 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. 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.
The conspiracy involved 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.
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.
Jon Dirk Dickerson, 56, of Raytown, Mo., and his son, Kyle Wayne Dickerson, 31, of Holden, Mo, were also convicted at trial. The Dickersons used the stolen trucks and trailers in their own trucking business, sometimes just for replacement parts with the remains sold for scrap. Since they had little financial investment in the stolen trucks and trailers, and knew that they had a readily-available and cheap supply of stolen trucks and trailers, they had little incentive to maintain and repair their fleet. As a result, their fleet wore out and had safety issues, such as problems with brakes and tires. When their fleet wore out, they simply replaced them with more stolen trucks and trailers. The Dickersons did not bother to maintain and repair their trucks and trailers but continued to operate them in interstate commerce. As a result, DOT/FMCSA and other law enforcement repeatedly cited their company and drivers for failing inspections and violating regulations. The company's compliance reviews led to unsatisfactory safety ratings which led to a total of $450,000 in fines and numerous “out of service orders” directing them to cease operating in interstate commerce. The Dickersons just ignored the orders and the fines.
Three additional co-defendants pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods and two additional defendants pleaded guilty in separate, but related, cases to their roles in the conspiracy.
Guardian of Justice Award
The annual Guardian of Justice Award recognizes a state or local officer as well as a federal agent for investigative excellence, selfless collaboration, tireless trial support, commendable diligence and professionalism, and noteworthy assistance to prosecution. The prestigious law enforcement award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office each year during the law enforcement training conference.Enoch B. Morelock AwardRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that Sgt. Marcus Burke of the Claycomo, Mo., Police Department has received the 2014 Enoch B. Morelock Award.
The Enoch B. Morelock Award is an annual recognition of outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and service to the community. Sgt. Burke was honored on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, during the 12th Annual LECC Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo. The prestigious law enforcement award, presented annually by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is named in honor of Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock, who was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847.
Today’s police officer must be able to do more than write tickets or answer calls. Being a police officer requires being involved in your community. That is what Sgt. Burke exhibits in his small town on a daily basis. He is a well-respected member of the department and the community.
For example, a young boy in his town, whom the officer didn’t know, was diagnosed with brain cancer and told Sgt. Burke in 2010 that when he was cured he wanted to grow up and be a police officer. Sgt. Burke followed the boy’s progress and made regular visits to his home to check on him. In May 2011, Sgt. Burke coordinated with his chief and the city council to make a special presentation designating this boy as an honorary police officer. The city provided him with a police department t-shirt and ball cap; Sgt. Burke even bought the boy a duty belt with his own money.
Sgt. Burke took both on-duty and off-duty time to attend treatments with the young boy at home and in the hospital. In 2012, the boy was pronounced in a cancer-free remission status; however, earlier this year the cancer returned and moved to his spine. Sgt. Burke contacted the chief about providing an escort for the boy to the hospital for the first of many chemotherapy treatments. The chief approved and this event was carried by several TV stations in the area.
“Just show him, since he is an honorary police officer, that he is part of our family of law enforcement, and in this family no one fights alone,” Sgt. Burke was quoted in one interview. So into the front seat the boy jumped, fastened his seat belt, turned on the siren and away they went to the hospital. The boy’s father says Sgt. Burke gives their family a lot of support, which makes their situation a little easier on the family and on his son.
Enoch B. Morelock Award
Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847, in Sullivan County. Sheriff Morelock was shot and killed during a court‑ordered sale of the accused=s property. The accused killer, Patrick McIntry, was charged with 1st Degree Murder but was later acquitted. Within a year Mr. McIntry was found shot to death on the banks of a local river.
The annual Enoch B. Morelock Award recognizes individuals with outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and to the community outside of law enforcement. Recipients may include officers from local police departments, sheriffs= offices, state agencies, or federal agencies as well as investigators from prosecutors= offices.
Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Trafficking in PaddlefishRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Colorado man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally trafficking in paddlefish caviar after being caught in an undercover operation in the Warsaw, Mo., area.
During March and April 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation conducted a covert investigation, “Operation Roadhouse,” centered on an area known as the Roadhouse in Warsaw. As part of the covert operation, state and federal officers operated a paddlefish snagging business. Covert officers also sold paddlefish to people who were interested in buying them.
Felix Baravik, 49, of Aurora, Colorado, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth o Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, to illegally trafficking in paddlefish, in violation of the Lacey Act.
By pleading guilty, Baravik admitted that he traveled from Colorado to Missouri on April 16, 2012. On that day, he and his co-conspirators met with covert agents posing as fishermen who had a boat, which they were going to use to fish for paddlefish. During that conversation, conspirators exchanged telephone numbers with the covert agents and Baravik told the covert agents to call if they caught a paddlefish.
The next day, conspirators arranged to purchase female paddlefish from covert agents. Baravik participated in the conversations regarding the paddlefish.
On April 18, 2012, Baravik and a co-conspirator went fishing for paddlefish with the covert agents. During the fishing trip, the conspirators exceeded the Missouri daily take limit. The conspirators kept the paddlefish that they took and processed them by removing the eggs from the carcass, and further processed the eggs to make caviar.
On April 20, 2012, Baravik and the other conspirators transported the paddlefish and paddlefish eggs that they acquired from Missouri to Colorado.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the government and Baravik agree to jointly recommend to the court a sentence of three years of probation and a $5,000 fine. The first six months of probation will be served as home detention, and Baravik shall not fish, or accompany anyone fishing, anywhere in the world during the term of his probation. Baravik must also perform 500 hours of community service. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
USA v. Nahapetyan
In a separate case arising from the same investigation, Bogdan Nahapetyan, 35, of Lake Ozark, Mo., pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2013, to the same offense.
Nahapetyan had numerous interactions and conversations with undercover investigators concerning the purchase of female paddlefish and paddlefish eggs. Although the investigators informed Nahapetyan numerous times that the purchase of paddlefish was illegal in the state of Missouri, Nahapetyan arranged to purchase numerous female paddlefish and multiple pounds of paddlefish eggs. For example, on April 24, 2012, Nahapetyan negotiated with the undercover investigators to purchase 80 pounds of paddlefish eggs and five female paddlefish for $4,625. While loading the purchased caviar and female paddlefish into their van, Nahapetyan placed an additional order with the undercover investigators for more fish and caviar.
Under federal statutes, Nahapetyan is subject to a sentence of up to one year in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $100,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Paddlefish Trafficking
The American paddlefish (Polydon spathula), also called the Mississippi paddlefish or the “spoonbill,” is a freshwater fish that is primarily found in the Mississippi River drainage system. Paddlefish eggs are marketed as caviar. Paddlefish were once common in waters throughout the Midwest. However, the global decline in other caviar sources, such as sturgeon, has led to an increased demand for paddlefish caviar. This increased demand has led to over-fishing of paddlefish, and consequent decline of the paddlefish population.
Missouri law prohibits the transportation of paddlefish eggs which have been removed or extracted from a paddlefish carcass. Missouri law also prohibits the sale or purchase, or offer of sale or purchase, of paddlefish eggs. There are also several restrictions on the purchase and possession of whole paddlefish in Missouri.
The Lacey Act is a federal statute which makes it unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase fish that were taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any state, or to attempt to do so. Such conduct constitutes a felony crime if the defendant knowingly engaged in conduct involving the purchase or sale, offer to purchase or sell, or intent to purchase or sell, fish with a market value in excess of $350, knowing that the fish were taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of, or in a manner unlawful under, a law or regulation of any State.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney James B. Nelson of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. It was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation, with assistance by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Jefferson City Woman Sentenced for Meth, Mail Theft ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Jefferson City, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court in two separate and unrelated federal cases, for her role in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Cole and Callaway County area and for her role in a conspiracy to steal mail.
Tami Jo Zeugin, 39, of Jefferson City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
On Jan. 9, 2014, Zeugin pleaded guilty to her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Zeugin admitted that she sold 6.2 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant during a controlled purchase on April 18, 2012. On May 3, 2012, Jefferson City police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was reported stolen. The vehicle was driven by Zeugin, who was arrested and searched. She was found to possess $2,893 in cash. During a search of the car, officers located a zipper bag under the driver’s seat. This bag was found to contain syringes, plastic bags, and four plastic bags containing a total of 21.98 grams of methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Mitchell Lynn Atterberry, 36, of Eldon, was sentenced on Jan. 23, 2013, to 20 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. According to Zeugin, Atterberry had been dealing with a Mexican source of methamphetamine in the Kansas City area for approximately two years, and she traveled with Atterberry on numerous occasions to buy methamphetamine from that source.
During a series of investigations and traffic stops – including two high-speed chases – in 2011 and 2012, Atterberry was found to be in possession of over 20 grams of methamphetamine, more than $17,000, drug ledgers and a loaded handgun.
The total methamphetamine seized from Atterberry and Zeugin during the course of the investigation is 54.14 grams. Officers also seized a total of $20,939.
Conspiracy to Steal Mail
In a separate and unrelated case, Zeugin also pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2014, to her role in a conspiracy to steal mail. Law enforcement officers learned that a $960 check had been stolen from the mail, altered, and cashed by another person at Zeugin’s request.
When Zeugin was arrested in November 2012, she had numerous checks not made out to her along with mail items addressed to other people in her purse. Additional mail was also located within the residence.
The total loss attributable to the check-stealing conspiracy was $5,918.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kummerer. They were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Holts Summit, Mo., Police Department, the Fulton, Mo., Police Department, the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, MUSTANG (the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike Team and Narcotics Group), the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Morgan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Callaway County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Desoto, Mo., Police Department and the Deslodge, Mo., Police Department.Former Student Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking UMKC InstructorRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a former student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City has pleaded guilty in federal court to cyberstalking a faculty member.
Kenna Haight, 27, of Virginia Beach, Va., a former student at UMKC, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, to the charge contained in a Dec. 11, 2013, federal indictment.
Haight repeatedly sent e-mail messages to a UMKC instructor from Oct. 1, 2013 to Dec. 11, 2013, which she admitted would be reasonably expected to cause substantial emotional distress to the instructor or her family. Haight admitted that her messages and attempts to communicate with the instructor were done despite repeated requests from the instructor herself, UMKC administrators and law enforcement officers to stop.
On Oct. 4, 2013, the instructor obtained an Ex Parte Order of Protection, which prohibited Haight from communicating in any way with the instructor and included specific orders to not threaten or harass the instructor. On Nov. 21, 2013, FBI agents interviewed Haight. Haight admitted sending the emails to the instructor. Haight was instructed again to stop trying to contact the instructor.
On Dec. 3, 2013, Haight called and made a false report to the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. As a result of that report, a social worker interviewed the instructor and the instructor’s children about the false complaint, causing them substantial emotional distress.
The e-mails Haight sent to the instructor included the following comments, among many other threatening statements:
- “I keep having homicidal fantasies that me keep me up at night around you.”
- “Am I in the backseat of your car ready to slit your carotid artery? Am I in the closet at your house in [city of the UMKC Instructor’s residence]? Am I underneath your car ready to cut your achilles heal? Are your lug nuts secure on your car??”
- “I don’t deal with anger and irritation well…people who cross me wind up living to regret it. Want to be on my list???”
- “I seriously want to hurt you, you know that?”
- “…you may find yourself tied to your own bed in your own home begging for mercy. Or having your tongue cut out and your spinal cord cut paralyzing you for life so that you can never walk or speak again. Who knows what the universe has in store for you. If someone invades your home and cuts out your tongue…not my fault. Wishful thinking.”
Under federal statutes, Haight is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in federal prison, up to a sentence of 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. Attorney Matthew P. Wolesky. It was investigated by the FBI.
Joplin Woman Pleads Guilty to Disaster Fraud Related to Tornado BenefitsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Joplin, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to aggravated identity theft and to 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.
Brittany Aulden Barnes, 23, of Joplin, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of disaster fraud and one count of identity theft.
Disaster Fraud
By pleading guilty today, Barnes admitted that she fraudulently received disaster benefits by claiming that her residence in Joplin had been damaged by the tornado. When Barnes met with a FEMA-contracted inspector to discuss her claim on June 6, 2011, she also claimed the loss of a number of furniture items and appliances. Barnes was awarded $6,708 in disaster relief. In addition, Barnes resided at a FEMA-provided mobile home for more than a year, from September 2011 to December 2012, at a total cost to FEMA of $12,066.
However, Barnes admitted today that the Joplin apartment was not her residence at the time of the tornado – on that date the apartment stood vacant. Barnes had rented the apartment prior to the Joplin tornado, and had occupied it along with her boyfriend, Russell Lamar Green. However, Barnes and Green had moved out before the tornado struck. In a separate but related case, Green pleaded guilty on Aug. 7, 2014, to making false statements to FEMA in a failed effort to also receive disaster benefits.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Barnes acknowledged that $18,774 in restitution is due to FEMA.
Aggravated Identity Theft
Barnes also admitted that, while working at an Applebee’s restaurant in Joplin in May 2013, she stole a co-worker’s wallet, which contained the victim’s Missouri driver’s license, Social Security card, debit card and three credit cards.
Barnes used the stolen identity documents to impersonate the victim on several occasions. For example, she used a counterfeit personal check (drawn on the bank account of another victim) to purchase a $269 Sony Playstation game console at Best Buy. She cashed three counterfeit $598 payroll checks (drawn on the bank accounts of two additional victims) at two Wal-Mart stores.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Barnes acknowledged that $2,064 in restitution is due to those victims.
Under federal statutes, Barnes is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution, for disaster fraud. Barnes is also subject to a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution, for aggravated identity theft. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by 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.Stotts City Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Produce Child Porn, Faces at Least 15 Years in PrisonRead 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 pleaded guilty in federal court today to attempting to manufacture child pornography by secretly videotaping a child victim in the shower.
Christopher L. Modglin, 45, of Stotts City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of attempting to manufacture child pornography.
By pleading guilty today, 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.
According to today’s plea agreement, the victim’s father notified the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department that his daughter told him about Modglin trying 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.
Under federal statutes, Modglin 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 Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 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."Kansas Woman Pleads Guilty, Admits to Stealing $731,000 from Two EmployersRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Bucyrus, Kan., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to a bank fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $543,000 from one employer, and admitted that she also stole more than $188,000 from a subsequent employer.
Susan Elise Prophet, 45, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
By pleading guilty today, Prophet admitted that she embezzled $543,034 from Dorfman Plumbing Supply Company in Kansas City, Mo., by forging her employer’s signature on 104 checks, 99 of which were written to herself. After her theft was discovered and she was fired by Dorfman, Prophet was hired as a bookkeeper at a Paoloa, Kan., nursing center. Prophet admitted that she also embezzled at least $188,460 from this employer.
Prophet worked as a bookkeeper for Dorfman from December 2012 until she was fired eight months later in August 2013. (The company has since been sold to Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., a national distributor of residential and commercial plumbing supplies.) Prophet was known to her employer as “Susan Morriss.” She touted that she was the wife of a federal law enforcement agent, which was true at or close to the time she was hired. In a separate and unrelated case, former ICE-Homeland Security Investigations agent Jeffrey Morriss pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents in regard to a more than $800,000 mortgage fraud scheme.
Prophet used the funds for her personal enrichment, purchasing trucks, a car, a motorcycle, travel, furniture, electronics, a gym membership, tattoos and other items. Prophet spent at least $130,424 on vehicle-related purchases, including a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport; a 2013 Harley Davidson FLTRX Road Glide motorcycle; a 2008 Ford Focus; a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe; and a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Prophet withdrew at least $86,000 from her accounts and wrote nearly $21,000 in checks to herself or to cash. She used the embezzled funds to pay her rent and pay down her debts, and spent at least $15,096 at restaurants, $12,743 on travel, $6,703 on electronics, and $9,221 at Nebraska Furniture Mart.
Prophet took steps to conceal her scheme, such as altering the company’s financial records to show that vendors had been paid when, in fact, they had not been paid. When vendors attempted to collect, Prophet answered the calls and hid the claims from her employer. As vendors began to freeze the company’s accounts, Prophet created new checks and forged her employer’s name on the checks to pay the most critical invoices.
Prophet had worked as a bookkeeper for multiple companies beginning in Tennessee at least in 2002, and she sustained a felony conviction or convictions related to those positions. Upon her release from prison, Prophet applied to transfer her supervision from Tennessee to Kansas in 2009. Her release conditions prohibited her from any employment where she would have access to cash, checks or any account information of her employer. She was required to keep her parole officer continuously informed of her residence and employment, and to notify her employer of her felony convictions.
Prophet found a job posting online and was hired by Dorfman in November 2012 for $13.50 per hour. She did not disclose her criminal history or that she was prohibited by her supervision conditions from working as a bookkeeper. She did not inform her parole officer of her new employment. Prophet began embezzling from the company the very next month.
On Aug. 7, 2013, company owner Charles Dorfman met with Scott Rayburn, a representative of Ferguson Enterprises, regarding the company’s sale to Ferguson. Prior to the meeting, Rayburn sent an e-mail to Dorfman containing a list of all the outstanding invoices that needed to be satisfied before the completion of the sale. During the negotiation process, Rayburn thanked Dorfman for paying the outstanding invoices to Ferguson via an electronic funds transfer of $10,000. Dorfman had neither ordered nor authorized the transfer. The electronic authorization form had been filled out by Prophet (who signed Dorfman’s name). At the conclusion of the meeting, Dorfman contacted bank officials regarding the known forgeries committed by Prophet and she was fired.
A few months after being fired, on or about Oct. 10, 2013, Prophet obtained another bookkeeping job at North Point Skilled Nursing in Paola, Kan. She did not disclose her criminal history or that she was prohibited by her supervision conditions from working as a bookkeeper. She did not inform her parole officer of her new employment. Following her Feb. 28, 2014, arrest on the federal indictment, North Point discovered that Prophet had been embezzling from North Point as well, also by writing numerous checks to herself and altering the ledgers to conceal where the money actually went. The loss from this embezzlement was at least $188,460.
Under federal statutes, Prophet is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for bank fraud, plus a consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison without parole for aggravated identity theft. Prophet must pay $732,495 in restitution to her former employers. Prophet must forfeit to the government the 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport, 2013 Harley Davidson FLTRX Road Glide motorcycle, 2008 Ford Focus, 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer as well as a money judgment of $543,034, all of which represents the proceeds obtained from the fraud scheme. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel M. Nelson. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.Clarkson Construction Employee Charged with Embezzling at least $300,000Read the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that the former director of information technology for Clarkson Construction Company has been charged in federal court with a mail fraud scheme in which he embezzled more than $300,000 from the company.
Rodney J. Tatum, 43, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with one count of mail fraud in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Tatum was arrested at his residence this morning and an initial court appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. today.
Clarkson Construction Company is one of the Midwest’s largest construction companies. Clarkson specializes in large-scale construction projects such as highways, interstates, bridges, and sport facilities. Clarkson employs approximately 130 full-time employees and approximately 650 hourly employees. Clarkson’s 2013 revenue was approximately $250 million.
Tatum has been employed by Clarkson since 1991 and has been Clarkson’s director of information technology since 2003. In this role, he oversees all of Clarkson’s IT activities at all of Clarkson’s business entities.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Tatum ordered more than $300,000 worth of expensive computer and communication equipment between Oct. 22, 2013, and July 31, 2014, and had it delivered to himself, either at Clarkson’s office or his personal residence, without authorization or a legitimate business purpose.
For example, Tatum allegedly ordered 545 solid state hard drives totaling $259,282 as well as 58 other computer-based items with a value of $14,768. Tatum was also responsible for purchasing Clarkson’s cellular telephones through Verizon. In 2014, the affidavit says, Tatum has used Clarkson’s corporate Verizon account to purchase 23 iPhone 5s Golds and two iPad Airs at a total value of $11,317. To date, none of this $306,540 worth of computer and communication equipment has been located in Clarkson’s inventory.
The affidavit alleges that Tatum has been reselling the equipment for personal profit. Bank records indicate that, during the time the computer equipment was being purchased, Tatum’s bank account was credited approximately 57 times in the amount of approximately $269,706 from PayPal. Tatum’s personal Facebook page reflects possible recent large spending, the affidavit says, including on customized motorcycles, a boat, and a large Raptor motor home.
According to the affidavit, Bill Clarkson, Jr., vice-president of Clarkson Construction, received an anonymous telephone call in early June 2014. The caller asserted that Tatum was embezzling from Clarkson Construction. Bill Clarkson looked into the allegation and soon learned that Tatum took his 2011 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle to Stedman Motor Sports, located in Moulton, Ala. Stedman worked on the motorcycle for six days, completing $6,567 worth of work, including customization. To pay for the services rendered, Tatum made multiple payments using his PayPal account. After picking up the motorcycle from Stedman, Tatum contacted PayPal and claimed the transactions were fraudulent. PayPal canceled the transactions and Stedman Motor Sports did not receive payment for its services. Stedman filed a police report with the Moulton, Ala., Police Department on April 15, 2014.
An invoice to Clarkson dated Sept. 25, 2013 in the amount of $4,200 listed Michael Stedman as being the provider of service and/or product to Clarkson. Stedman is the owner of Stedman Motor Sport and the address listed on this invoice is similar to the address of Stedman Motor Sport’s business address. On Tatum’s expense report, the affidavit says, he lists the $4,200 transaction as a “security update.” This invoice and expense report are believed to be related to Tatum’s transactions described in the Moulton, Ala., police report.
Tatum’s PayPal account was linked to his Clarkson purchasing card. The PayPal transactions with Stedman Motor Sports appeared on the April 2014 purchasing card statement. Based on this, Clarkson expanded the scope of its internal investigation and discovered the additional computer and communication equipment purchases.
According to the affidavit, Tatum visited Stedman approximately 10 times. Most recently, Stedman rebuilt his motorcycle three times. Stedman provided some of the labor in return for Tatum upgrading their computer network. During this period, the affidavit says, Tatum emailed Stedman 20 to 30 times per day. According to the affidavit, part of the upgrade was new security cameras that Tatum insisted they install. Subsequently, Stedman and his employees would often notice the cameras moving, not knowing why. They now believe Tatum was controlling the security cameras remotely and watching them at work. When Stedman had the issues with Tatum’s PayPal and credit card charges being charged back to the company, they searched for and collected the company’s records associated with Tatum. But many of the files were missing, the affidavit says, including emails from Tatum and the invoices accurately reflecting work done for Tatum. Stedman contracted a local IT company to have the network looked at and was told it had several “open doors” that were accessible through the Internet. Stedman now believes that Tatum accessed the network, exceeding his authority, and deleted files.
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 Daniel M. Nelson. It was investigated by the FBI.