Southern District of Mississippi
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Hattiesburg Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Mitchell Dewayne May, Jr., 28, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $3000 fine, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
May was previously convicted of armed robbery in Forrest County in 2006 and was sentenced to serve 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections with fourteen of those years suspended. On October 2, 2018, May was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop. On July 23, 2019, he pled guilty before Judge Starrett to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
In the time between his change of plea and this sentencing, May also pled guilty to a different felon in possession charge and an aggravated assault charge in Forrest County, for which he was sentenced to 20 years in state custody, with 15 of those years to serve, all to run consecutive to his federal charges. May’s 60-month sentence for his federal case also represented an upward variance from the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hattiesburg Police Department investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
Un hombre de Mississippi condenado a 36 meses de cárcel por quemar una cruzRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Honorable Juez Keith Starrett, del Tribunal Federal de Distrito para el Distrito Sur de Mississippi condenó al acusado Graham Williamson, de 38 años de edad, a 36 meses de cárcel por cargos federales que se basan en su quema de cruces el 24 de octubre del 2017 en Seminary, Mississippi. Previamente, Williamson se había declarado culpable el 5 de agosto del 2019 a un cargo de interferencia al derecho a la vivienda, lo que es una vulneración de derechos civiles, y un cargo de confabulación a emplear un incendio para cometer un delito grave federal. Williamson, junto con su coconspirador, construyó y quemó una cruz de madera cerca de la casa de la víctima, M.H., un menor de edad que vivía en una zona residencial de Seminary habitada principalmente por afroestadounidenses. Quemó la cruz para amenazar, asustar e intimidar a M.H. y a otros residentes afroestadounidenses por motivos de su raza y color de piel y por vivir en y ocupar residencias en esa zona de Seminary.
«El acusado recurrió a un terrible símbolo de violencia racial con el fin de amenazar e intimidar a las víctimas únicamente por motivos de su raza y la zona en que vivían», declaró el Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles, Eric Dreiband. «Delitos de odio como este contravienen los principios bien arraigados de nuestra sociedad de igualdad y libertad de la intimidación por motivos de raza, y el Departamento de Justicia seguirá investigando y enjuiciando tales delitos con todo el peso de la ley».
«Cualquier individuo que aterrorice a nuestra gente y que cometa delitos por motivo del color de la piel de alguien será, sin lugar a dudas, enjuiciado rápidamente por parte de esta oficina», afirmó el Fiscal Federal del Distrito Sur de Mississippi, Mike Hurst. «Junto con nuestras agencias asociadas del orden público, continuaremos haciendo todo lo que podamos por prevenir tales delitos racistas para que nuestra gente pueda vivir en paz y sin miedo».
«Cuando las personas vulneran los derechos civiles de otros con el único motivo de intimidarles, en este caso fue una quema de cruces, aterroriza a la comunidad entera», dijo la Agente Especial Encargada del FBI en Jackson, Michelle A. Sutphin. «Los vecinos de Mississippi no deben temer por su seguridad dentro de sus propios barrios, y este caso debe transmitir un mensaje claro a aquellos que amenacen a otros por motivos de su raza o color de piel. Las investigaciones de contravenciones de los derechos civiles siguen siendo una de las prioridades principales del FBI en Mississippi, y proseguiremos con una investigación robusta de los hechos y buscaremos un enjuiciamiento por estas vulneraciones».
El acusado, Williamson, es el segundo individuo a ser condenado por su participación en esta quema de cruces. El coconspirador de Williamson, Louie Bernard Revette, previamente se había declarado culpable ante un cargo de interferencia al derecho a la vivienda y un cargo de uso de incendio para cometer un delito grave federal. El 10 de septiembre del 2019, el Honorable Juez Starrett condenó a Revette a 11 años de prisión por esos cargos.
Este caso fue investigado por la Oficina Local del FBI en Jackson, Mississippi, incluyendo el Equipo de Trabajo del FBI para promover las Calles Seguras y el Equipo de Trabajo de Jackson contra la Corrupción Pública. Julia Gegenheimer, Consejera Especial de Litigios de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia, y Candace Mayberry, Fiscal Federal Auxiliar para el Distrito Sur de Mississippi, enjuiciaron el caso.
Pascagoula Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User of a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Brian Keith Blalock, Jr., 25, of Pascagoula, Mississippi, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent-in-Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Blalock will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on February 18, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
On March 20, 2019, the Pascagoula Police Department responded to a call about a drive-by shooting. Upon arriving at the scene, police officers spoke with residents who reported seeing a black car with dark colored windows and a missing front bumper leave the scene immediately after multiple shots were fired. A witness also reported that a man had been seen throwing something over a nearby fence. Police investigated and found a rifle, wrapped in clothing, at the location indicated by the witness. Police later determined that the description given of the man seen throwing the rifle matched the description of Blalock.
Officers searched the surrounding area and located the vehicle. When officers initiated a traffic stop, Blalock exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers secured the car for evidence and alerted other officers who were able to locate Blalock. Officers found sixteen 7.62 caliber ammunition shell casings in the car Blalock had been driving. It also was documented that Blalock was a habitual user of marijuana.
As part of an ATF investigation, the casings found in the car Blalock was driving, were identified as Tula 7.62 caliber ammunition casings, the same caliber as fired from the recovered rifle. Further examination by the ATF Forensic Science Laboratory in Atlanta showed the casings had been fired in the rifle recovered at the scene.
U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the coordinated investigation by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and by the City of Biloxi Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Mississippi Man Sentenced to 36 Months for CrossburningRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Honorable Judge Keith Starrett, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sentenced Defendant Graham Williamson, 38, to serve 36 months incarceration on federal charges for his commission of a crossburning on Oct. 24, 2017, in Seminary, Mississippi. Williamson previously pleaded guilty on Aug. 5, 2019, to one count of interference with housing rights, a federal civil rights violation, and one count of conspiring to use fire to commit a federal felony. Williamson, along with a co-conspirator, built and burned a wooden cross near the home of a juvenile victim, M.H., who lived in a predominantly African-American residential area of Seminary. He burned the cross to threaten, frighten, and intimidate M.H. and other African-American residents because of their race and color, and because they lived in and occupied residences in that area of Seminary.
“The defendant invoked a terrifying symbol of racial violence to threaten and intimidate the victims for no other reason than their race and where they lived,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Hate crimes like this contravene our society’s well-established principles of equality and freedom from race-based intimidation, and the Department of Justice will continue to pursue and prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Those who terrorize our people and commit crimes based on the color of someone’s skin will receive swift and certain prosecution from this office,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to do all that we can to prevent such racist crimes so that all our people can live in peace and without fear.”
“When people violate the civil rights of others for the sole purpose of intimidation, specifically burning a cross as in this case, it terrorizes an entire community,” said FBI Jackson Division Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin. “Mississippians shouldn't have to fear for their safety within their own neighborhoods, and this case should send a strong message to those who threaten others based on race or color. Civil rights investigations remain a top priority for the FBI in Mississippi, and we will continue to vigorously investigate and seek prosecution for these violations.”
Defendant Williamson is the second individual to be sentenced for participation in this crossburning. Williamson’s co-conspirator, Louie Bernard Revette, previously pleaded guilty to one count of interference with housing rights and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. On Sept. 10, 2019, the Honorable Judge Starrett sentenced Revette to 11 years incarceration on those two charges.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi Field Office, including the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Jackson Public Corruption Task Force. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Mayberry of the Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.
Mississippi Man Sentenced to 36 Months for CrossburningRead the Press Release
The Honorable Judge Keith Starrett, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sentenced Defendant Graham Williamson, 38, to serve 36 months incarcertation on federal charges for his commission of a crossburning on Oct. 24, 2017, in Seminary, Mississippi. Williamson previously pleaded guilty on Aug. 5, 2019, to one count of interference with housing rights, a federal civil rights violation, and one count of conspiring to use fire to commit a federal felony. Williamson, along with a co-conspirator, built and burned a wooden cross near the home of a juvenile victim, M.H., who lived in a predominantly African-American residential area of Seminary. He burned the cross to threaten, frighten, and intimidate M.H. and other African-American residents because of their race and color, and because they lived in and occupied residences in that area of Seminary.
“The defendant invoked a terrifying symbol of racial violence to threaten and intimidate the victims for no other reason than their race and where they lived,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Hate crimes like this contravene our society’s well-established principles of equality and freedom from race-based intimidation, and the Department of Justice will continue to pursue and prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Those who terrorize our people and commit crimes based on the color of someone’s skin will receive swift and certain prosecution from this office,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to do all that we can to prevent such racist crimes so that all our people can live in peace and without fear.”
“When people violate the civil rights of others for the sole purpose of intimidation, specifically burning a cross as in this case, it terrorizes an entire community,” said FBI Jackson Division Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin. “Mississippians shouldn't have to fear for their safety within their own neighborhoods, and this case should send a strong message to those who threaten others based on race or color. Civil rights investigations remain a top priority for the FBI in Mississippi, and we will continue to vigorously investigate and seek prosecution for these violations.”
Defendant Williamson is the second individual to be sentenced for participation in this crossburning. Williamson’s co-conspirator, Louie Bernard Revette, previously pleaded guilty to one count of interference with housing rights and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. On Sept. 10, 2019, the Honorable Judge Starrett sentenced Revette to 11 years incarceration on those two charges.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi Field Office, including the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Jackson Public Corruption Task Force. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Mayberry of the Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Possession of Multiple Firearms by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Wilmer Ham a/k/a Jose Lopez, 33, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
On September 14, 2018, a Jackson Police officer responded to a call at Tony’s Food Mart on Highway 80 in Jackson. Upon arrival, the officer noticed the store clerk frantically waving his hands in an attempt to get the officer’s attention from inside the store. Upon entering, the officer noticed the store was in disarray and a male, later identified as Wilmer Ham, was standing beside the fountain drinks. The officer attempted to speak with Ham, but his behavior led the officer to call for backup. Before assistance could arrive, Ham rushed the officer in an attempt to exit. As the officer tried to stop Ham, they struggled and a firearm fell from Ham’s pocket. The firearm was later determined to be a Ruger, model LCP, .380 caliber pistol. After no assistance arrived, the officer disengaged Ham and Ham left the scene.
Later that day, Jackson Police officers again responded to Tony’s Food Mart. Upon arrival, officers observed the front door partially open with a male, later determined to be Wilmer Ham, in the doorway holding the door open with his foot. Both the officer who responded to the earlier call and the store clerk confirmed that Ham was the same individual from that morning. Surveillance video captured Ham inside the store with a handgun and then tossing the handgun outside the door. The gun was determined to be a Taurus, model PT738 TCP, .380 caliber pistol. An investigation revealed that Ham had two previous convictions in Bronx County Criminal Court for possession of a loaded firearm and for criminal sale of a controlled substance.
In August, 2019, Ham was charged in a federal criminal indictment with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Ham will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on February 4, 2020, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Former Mississippi Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Beating InmateRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Sharalyn McClain, 29, pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an inmate by unlawfully assaulting him while McClain was serving as a correctional officer at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF).
The plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi, and FBI Jackson Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin.
With her guilty plea, McClain admitted that, on May 25, 2016, she entered the cell of L.H., an inmate at CMCF. Along with two other correctional officers, Reginald Brown and Shelly Griffith, McClain punched, kicked, and stomped on L.H., while he laid face down, barely moving, on a mattress on the floor of his cell. McClain and the other two officers wore boots while they did this. While punching, kicking, and stomping on L.H., McClain knew that he did not pose a threat.
“A correctional officer who unjustifiably assaults an inmate in his custody betrays the trust placed in those who hold positions of power and authority,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of every person and will continue to vigorously prosecute these violations.”
“Our agents and prosecutors should be commended for investigating and bringing these corrupt officials to justice,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Those who abuse their power will not escape the long arm of the law. Our office will continue to fight for and protect the civil rights of everyone.”
“Officers within our corrections facilities are critical to public safety and are sworn to uphold the safety of the inmates under their control,” said Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the FBI Jackson Field Office. “In cases like this, the abuse of the authority given to them not only deteriorates the trust between inmates and the ethical corrections officers protecting them, but also that of the public overall. Civil rights investigations are a top priority for the FBI in Mississippi, and we will continue pursuing anyone that violates the rights of any Mississippian.”
Defendants Brown and Griffith previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault. Defendant Brown has already been sentenced to serve five years in prison. Defendant Griffith is still awaiting sentencing. Defendant McClain faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. A sentencing date has been set for Feb. 7, 2020.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer, and Trial Attorneys Mary Hahn and Cameron Bell of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi, are prosecuting the case.
Former Mississippi Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Beating InmateRead the Press Release
Sharalyn McClain, 29, pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an inmate by unlawfully assaulting him while McClain was serving as a correctional officer at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF).
The plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst, Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi, and FBI Jackson Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin.
With her guilty plea, McClain admitted that, on May 25, 2016, she entered the cell of L.H., an inmate at CMCF. Along with two other correctional officers, Reginald Brown and Shelly Griffith, McClain punched, kicked, and stomped on L.H., while he laid face down, barely moving, on a mattress on the floor of his cell. McClain and the other two officers wore boots while they did this. While punching, kicking, and stomping on L.H., McClain knew that he did not pose a threat.
“A correctional officer who unjustifiably assaults an inmate in his custody betrays the trust placed in those who hold positions of power and authority,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of every person and will continue to vigorously prosecute these violations.”
“Our agents and prosecutors should be commended for investigating and bringing these corrupt officials to justice,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Those who abuse their power will not escape the long arm of the law. Our office will continue to fight for and protect the civil rights of everyone.”
“Officers within our corrections facilities are critical to public safety and are sworn to uphold the safety of the inmates under their control,” said Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the FBI Jackson Field Office. “In cases like this, the abuse of the authority given to them not only deteriorates the trust between inmates and the ethical corrections officers protecting them, but also that of the public overall. Civil rights investigations are a top priority for the FBI in Mississippi, and we will continue pursuing anyone that violates the rights of any Mississippian.”
Defendants Brown and Griffith previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault. Defendant Brown has already been sentenced to serve five years in prison. Defendant Griffith is still awaiting sentencing. Defendant McClain faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. A sentencing date has been set for Feb. 7, 2020.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer, and Trial Attorneys Mary Hahn and Cameron Bell of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi, are prosecuting the case.
Biloxi Man with Multiple Felony Convictions Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking and Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Darrell Donnell McDonald, 39, of Biloxi, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent-in-Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
McDonald will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on February 19, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On May 1, 2017, the Biloxi Police Department received a citizen complaint that McDonald had been visiting his small rental storage unit 5-10 times a day and criminal activity was suspected. Biloxi police responded to the complaint and noticed a strong odor of fresh marijuana emanating from the storage unit. Police also obtained a copy of McDonald’s rental agreement and, later that same day, McDonald was caught by Biloxi Police closing the door of the storage unit (with the keys in his hand) while marijuana odor emanated from the unit. A Biloxi Police narcotics canine team arrived, and the canine alerted outside the storage unit.
Pursuant to a state search warrant, the rental unit was searched and the following key items were found: approximately 316 grams of cocaine, approximately 1,758 grams of marijuana, approximately $4,563 in cash, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm handgun and other evidence of drug trafficking activity. Both the cocaine and the marijuana were tested by the Mississippi State Crime Lab in Harrison County. The pistol recovered by police, together with ammunition, was administratively forfeited through ATF processes, and the $4,563.00 was forfeited through state processes upon action by the Biloxi Police.
McDonald had a criminal history of multiple narcotics felony convictions and one firearm related felony conviction. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Biloxi Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Two Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Mail FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. –Jumaane Bakari Brisby, 46, of Madison, and Otis Lee Clark, Jr., 42, of Jackson, were sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee for their roles in a conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.
Brisby was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $234,467 in restitution. He pled guilty before Judge Lee on June 6, 2019.
Clark was sentenced to 36 months’ probation with a special condition of home confinement for a period of 3 months. Clark was also ordered to pay $25,000.00 in restitution. He pled guilty before Judge Lee on March 28, 2019.
Brisby and Clark conspired with each other to apply for fraudulent automobile loans at Magnolia Federal Credit Union in Hinds County, Mississippi. The conspiracy spanned from early March 2017 through October 2018. The fraudulent loan applications contained false information to include computer-generated numbers in lieu of their legitimate social security numbers and places of employment. Magnolia Federal Credit Union relied on the information provided in the automobile loan applications and processed loans in each of the defendants’ names.
The false representations caused Magnolia Federal Credit Union to mail checks in amounts from $25,000 to $55,000 to what was later determined to be a fictitious automobile dealership. The defendants never intended to purchase or take possession of the vehicles that were referenced in the fraudulent loans.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Role in Largest Health Care Fraud Case Ever in MississippiRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Thomas Edward Spell, Jr., 51, a pharmacy owner in Ridgeland, Mississippi, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for his involvement in a $243 million compounding pharmacy fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi, Thomas J. Holloman III, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s (IRS CI) Atlanta Field Office, and Cynthia Bruce, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Southeast Field Office.
“This defendant ripped off every single military service member, veteran and American taxpayer when he defrauded TRICARE. The special agents, DOJ trial attorneys, our AUSAs and other law enforcement partners who investigated and prosecuted this case are to be commended for their diligence and fortitude in bringing this criminal to justice. We will continue to be vigilant in detecting, arresting and prosecuting those who defraud government services that benefit our military and our veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
"Fraud against government funded health care systems like TRICARE not only costs taxpayers billions each year, but deprives funding for critical medical care and benefits for our current and former military members who bravely serve our country," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sutphin. "Schemes like these are a plague on the nation's health care systems. Individuals and organizations that participate in this type of fraud will continue to be high priority investigations for the FBI."
“Thomas Spell systematically defrauded the government and the taxpaying public,” said IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III. “His desire for money, along with the power and material items it buys, drove him to perpetrate crimes against our healthcare system and prey upon many of the vulnerable in our society. Thanks to the financial expertise and diligence of IRS-CI special agents, who worked side-by-side with other federal and state law enforcement officers to uncover these schemes, Spell will now face the consequences of his actions.”
“It saddens me that the desire for personal enrichment can lead individuals to commit egregious acts against DoD which jeopardize our ability to care for our military service members and their families," stated DCIS Special Agent in Charge Cynthia A. Bruce. “Today’s sentencing represents the relentless commitment by DCIS, our investigative partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to fully investigate and bring to justice individuals who put our warfighters and healthcare system at risk.”
Spell’s case is part of the largest health care fraud scheme ever investigated and prosecuted in the State of Mississippi. The investigation is ongoing and prosecutions are continuing nationwide, including in states such as California, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Connecticut. Spell was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett, who also ordered Spell to pay $243,550,503.00 in restitution. Spell previously pled guilty to a Criminal Information outlining his role in the scheme to defraud TRICARE, the health care benefit program serving our nation’s military, veterans, and their respective family members.
From approximately December 2014 and January 2016, Spell owned and operated a pharmacy in Madison County, Mississippi, and several other pharmacies across the United States. During this time, Spell and other co-conspirators marketed compounded medications at his pharmacies. Rather than formulating compounded medications based on the individualized needs of patients, formulas were selected to maximize profit based upon reimbursements from TRICARE and other health care benefit programs. The result was that TRICARE reimbursed Spell’s pharmacies on these fraudulent claims totaling over $243 million.
In order to further their scheme, Spell and his co-conspirators waived TRICARE’s requirement that a beneficiary make a copayment to receive medicine. Instead, Spell and his co-conspirators had their employees purchase prepaid debit cards and money orders to use towards a copayment for a beneficiary, with Spell and his co-conspirators reimbursing their employees. Additionally, Spell and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to marketers in order to obtain prescriptions for compounded medications from prescribers for beneficiaries who were covered by the most lucrative health care benefit programs, including TRICARE, irrespective of whether the compounded medications were medically necessary for the treatment of beneficiaries.
As a result of this fraudulent activity, Spell personally obtained over $29 million in proceeds from the illegal scheme. Spell used these proceeds to fund bank accounts and investment accounts in his name, in the name of family members, and in the name of various business entities. Spell also used these proceeds to lend money and to purchase vehicles, boats, and property.
Prior to Spell being charged by a Criminal Information, the United States seized approximately $26 million from Spell and the court ordered all assets and proceeds traceable to the fraud scheme forfeited by Spell.
This case has been designated as a related prosecution to cases charged in the Southern District of Mississippi. To date, a total of 20 people have been charged and 14 convicted in the compounding pharmacy scheme in the Southern District of Mississippi. The investigation is ongoing.
The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Mary Helen Wall and U.S. Department of Justice trial attorneys Sara Porter and Jared Hasten.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Demarkis Addison, 33, of Jackson, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Tom S. Lee to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
While a United States Marshals Task Force was searching for a wanted man on February 6, 2019, in Jackson, a man fitting the description was observed getting into a car at America’s Best Inn located on Interstate 55. As Task Force Officers approached the man to determine whether he was wanted by the United States Marshals, the man ran on foot and was observed tossing a handgun. Officers caught the individual, Demarkis Addison, and determined he was a convicted felon at the time he was observed by the Task Force with the handgun. Addison was previously convicted of five separate house burglaries between November 2004 and February 2013.
On May 15, 2019, Addison was charged in a federal indictment with possessing a firearm after having been convicted previously of a felony.
Addison will be sentenced on January 30, 2020, by Judge Lee, and faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If it is determined that Addison’s previous house burglary convictions qualify him as an armed career criminal, Addison must be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not less than 15 years and may be sentenced to imprisonment for life.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Return After RemovalRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Benjamin Sanchez-Perez, 28, an illegal alien from Mexico, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to unlawful return of an alien after removal, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans, and Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
Sanchez-Perez will be sentenced by Judge Guirola on January 28, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings.
On September 12, 2019, an agent with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 10. Indicators of illegal alien smuggling were detected and a Border Patrol Agent was called to assist. Agents made contact with the driver of the vehicle and the front seat passenger, who was the driver’s husband. Among the passengers in the vehicle were three men, including Sanchez-Perez, who were determined to be illegal aliens to the United States who had returned after being formally removed. All vehicle occupants were transported to the Border Patrol Station in Gulfport, for further processing and investigation.
An HSI Special Agent and an HSI Task Force Agent arrived at the station to assist with the investigation. Sanchez-Perez was determined to have entered the United States through Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, about four days before his arrest in Mississippi. Further investigation revealed that Sanchez-Perez had been previously removed from the United States on March 28, 2019, through Miami, Florida. At the time of his removal, Sanchez-Perez was prohibited from entering, attempting to enter, being in the United States, or applying for admission to the United States, for at least five years.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for the case.
Alabama Man Sentenced to over 16 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – James Lyles, 37, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to serve 195 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Lyles was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
On January 25, 2018, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents were conducting surveillance on a residence in Jackson, Mississippi, believed to be involved in illegal drug distribution. While conducting the surveillance, agents observed a Jeep Liberty depart the residence. The vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The driver attempted to drive off, but was unable to do so. As a result, agents approached both sides of the vehicle and ordered the driver and passenger, James Lyles, out of the vehicle. While assisting Lyles out of the passenger side of the vehicle, agents discovered several bags of methamphetamine. Agents also discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the passenger door where Lyles was sitting. The methamphetamine was tested and determined to be 197 grams.
The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed “Drama Queen” targeting illegal methamphetamine distribution in central Mississippi. The case was investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Pearl Police Department and the Richland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Found Guilty of Assault on Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Vincente Lopez-Sanchez, 40, an illegal alien from Mexico, was found guilty by a federal jury Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate of assaulting and inflicting serious bodily injury upon a federal law enforcement officer, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
“Our men and women in law enforcement put themselves in harm’s way every day, and any time someone attacks or harms them, our office will be there to quickly and aggressively prosecute such criminals. This defendant, who has previously broken our nation’s immigration laws multiple times and who should have never been in the country to begin with, is another example of the importance of strong enforcement of our immigration laws and the protection of our nation’s border, so that our citizens and our law enforcement can remain safe,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
On August 2, 2018, Lopez-Sanchez was stopped by an officer with the Brandon Police Department for a traffic violation. The police officer contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a Deportation Officer came to the scene. Once on the scene, Lopez-Sanchez assaulted the ICE Deportation Officer, causing serious bodily injury to the officer.
Lopez-Sanchez has two previous federal felony convictions for smuggling illegal aliens and two previous federal felony convictions for illegal reentry into the United States.
Lopez-Sanchez will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on February 18, 2020, and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Brandon Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lynn Murray and Ted Cooperstein.
Jackson Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Deviassi Adams, 41, of Jackson, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to 120 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On September 10, 2018, just before dawn, the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrived at a home in the City of Jackson to serve a felony arrest warrant on Adams. During the arrest, task force members observed two firearms: a pistol on the bed Adams had occupied and an AR-style rifle protruding from beneath the bed. In a subsequent interview, Adams confessed to possessing both firearms. Adams was previously convicted in Hinds County, Mississippi, of manslaughter, sale of cocaine, perjury, racketeering and other felony crimes.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Brandon Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – John Barrett Cotting, 39, of Brandon, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 120 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Cotting was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
Cotting was indicted following an extensive investigation, dubbed “Drama Queen,” targeting illegal methamphetamine distribution in Central Mississippi. During a prostitution sting, agents received messages from Cotting who wanted to meet for sexual purposes related to a Backpage.com ad. Cotting stated that he was willing to bring narcotics with him to the meeting. Once Cotting arrived at the meeting location, agents retrieved approximately 140 grams of actual methamphetamine intended for distribution. Cotting pled guilty before Judge Reeves on July 2, 2019 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Richland Police Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Internal Revenue Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.
Illegal Alien from Mexico and Jones County Man Who Dealt Drugs near Children’s Hospital Plead Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Edgar Leonel Soto-Leon, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, and Matthew Williams, 32, of Jones County, Mississippi, pled guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to conspiracy to distribute 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.1 pounds of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.
“These unconscionable actions of dealing drugs near a children’s hospital after coming to this country illegally necessitate swift consequences, for which I applaud our DEA agents and prosecutors for bringing these criminals to justice. We will continue to be vigilant in protecting our children and citizens by holding accountable those who violate our laws and endanger our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
Sometime around May 1, 2019, Williams and Soto-Leon reached an agreement to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. To assist Soto-Leon, Williams made contact with one or more individuals in order to find a buyer for illegal drugs in the possession of Soto-Leon. Through these contacts by Williams, a buyer was identified. Williams spoke directly to the buyer and stated that Soto-Leon was in possession of approximately 3 pounds of methamphetamine known as “ICE” and one kilogram of heroin that he was trying to sell. Williams connected the buyer to Soto-Leon, who began communicating directly with the buyer. Soto-Leon and the buyer reached an agreement on the price for all of the methamphetamine and heroin.
Unknown to either Williams or Soto-Leon, the buyer was actually an undercover DEA officer who made an audio recording of his conversations with Williams and Soto-Leon.
On May 2, 2019, Soto-Leon and the buyer met at a location near the Blair E. Batson Hospital in Jackson where Soto-Leon provided the buyer with methamphetamine and heroin. Williams had assisted the buyer and Soto-Leon by giving them directions to the place where they met. Lab tests later confirmed that Soto-Leon had provided 414.7 grams of methamphetamine which was 99% pure and 424.2 grams of heroin. Soto-Leon and the buyer agreed to meet the next day, when Soto-Leon would provide even more methamphetamine and heroin.
On May 3, 2019, Soto-Leon and the buyer met at a location in Pearl, Mississippi, where Soto-Leon again gave the buyer methamphetamine and heroin. Lab tests later confirmed that Soto-Leon had provided 772.4 grams of methamphetamine which was 98% pure and two containers of heroin containing 344.6 grams heroin and 228.8 grams of heroin. Once the second batch of controlled substances were given to the buyer, law enforcement immediately arrested Soto-Leon. Williams was arrested a few days later.
In total, Soto-Leon and Williams conspired to sell and sold 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.1 pounds of heroin to the undercover DEA officer. The methamphetamine sold is a type of methamphetamine known as “ICE” due to its purity.
Soto-Leon and Williams will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on February 11, 2020. Both defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and up to a $10,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Pearl Police Department, and the Richland Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.
Department of Justice Awards more than $85.3 Million in Grants to Address School ViolenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
“The safety and security of our citizens, especially our children, is one of the most important duties we have in government, and this funding will go a long way in helping these schools prevent future violence and protect our kids from violent acts. I applaud the Department for investing in our educational institutions and giving administrators and teachers the tools they need in order to safeguard our future generations,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
The grants award more than $544,000 in funding to prevent violence in schools in the Southern District of Mississippi. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
Pearl River County School District:
The Pearl River County School District received $143,285 under BJA’s STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program. This program is designed to provide multi-disciplinary training programs to school personnel and students (including volunteers, counselors, coaches and school resource officers) with the intent to prevent and respond to mental health crises that may precipitate violent attacks on school grounds. The training will address critical issues such as bullying, addiction and interpersonal violence through education sessions in consultation with school violence researchers, licensed mental health professionals, social workers, teachers, principals and other school personnel.
Long Beach and Petal School Districts:
The Long Beach School District received $374,834 and the Petal School District received $26,550 under the COPS’ School Violence Prevention Program. This funding is intended to improve school safety through violence prevention, through coordination with law enforcement, training for local law enforcements officers to prevent student violence, metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures, technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency, and other measures to improve school security.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV
Justice Department Awards over $273.4 Million to Improve Public Safety, Serve Crime Victims in American Indian and Alaska Native CommunitiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded over $273.4 million in grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
“Violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities remain at unacceptably high levels, and they demand a response that is both clear and comprehensive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “We will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee they have the resources they need to curb violence and bring healing to the victims most profoundly affected by it.”
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in the Southern District of Mississippi was awarded $363,000 in federal funding under the Tribal Victim Services Program.
“Helping victims of crime is one of the most important things we do in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and this grant will greatly improve services for crime victims among the Choctaw Indians. We are committed to continuing our close partnership with the Tribe in order to prevent and reduce violence and ensure victims are provided the services they deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
“The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Department of Family and Community Services is indeed grateful to receive this much-needed US DOJ grant for our Tribal Victim Services Program. We are making a concerted effort to combat domestic violence on the Choctaw Indian Reservation, and our strategic approach can use all of the fiscal and human resources that we can garner to eliminate this chronic problem. Innocent Tribal victims of family violence are in need of our direct and immediate assistance to foster their safety and healing, while our Tribal Government continues working to diminish the instances and effects of violent crime,” said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben.
Chad Lamar, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi also praised the Department’s decision to award federal grant funding to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. “The fight against violent crime is ongoing and always a priority throughout our District,” Lamar stated. “This grant will greatly assist our Tribal partners in efforts to combat violent crime and domestic abuse and to better serve crime victims within our communities.”
Nationwide, 236 grants were awarded to 149 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $118 million awarded via CTAS, just over $62.6 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, about $33.1 million from the Office on Violence Against Women and more than $23.2 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. A portion of the funding will support tribal youth mentoring and intervention services, help native communities implement requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and provide training and technical assistance to tribal communities. Another $5.5 million was funded by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide training and technical assistance to CTAS awardees.
The Department also announced awards and other programming totaling $167.2 million in a set-aside program to serve victims of crime. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims by supporting programming and technical assistance. About $25.6 million of these awards were awarded under CTAS and are included in the $118 million detailed above.
CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs. The awards cover 10 purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; violent crime reduction; and tribal youth programs.
The Department also provided $6.1 million to help tribes to comply with federal law on sex offender registration and notification, $1.7 million in separate funding to assist tribal youth and nearly $500,000 to support tribal research on missing and murdered indigenous women and children and other public safety-related topics.
Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
A listing of today’s announced CTAS awards is available at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/awards. A listing of all other announced tribal awards are available at: https://go.usa.gov/xVJuE.
Federal Jury finds Jackson Man Guilty of Illegally Possessing a Firearm under Project EJECTRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. - Jonathan Beasley, 28, of Jackson, was found guilty today by a jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi. The jury returned the verdict following a two-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III in Jackson.
On December 20, 2016, Beasley was convicted of felonious possession with intent to distribute marijuana in Hinds County and was sentenced to time served. On March 19, 2017, just three months after his conviction, Beasley was found with a firearm in his possession after wrecking his car at a gas station in Hinds County. During a subsequent law enforcement interview, Beasley admitted to possessing the gun and to purchasing the gun off the street.
Beasley will be sentenced by Chief Judge Jordan on January 13, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew W. Eichner and Theodore Cooperstein.
Neshoba County Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – David Keith Frazier, 33, of Neshoba County and a member of the Mississippi Bank of Choctaw Indians, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to bank robbery by use of a dangerous weapon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
On March 19, 2019, Frazier made threatening phone calls to two tribal elementary schools. During these phone calls, Frazier threatened to cause damage to both schools by means of explosives. The purpose of these phone calls was to cause law enforcement to respond to the schools and therefore to be away from the local bank that Frazier intended to rob.
Shortly after he made these phone calls, Frazier entered Trustmark National Bank, an FDIC-insured bank located on the Choctaw Indian Reservation at 110 Choctaw Town Center, for the purpose of robbing the bank by use of threatened force. Frazier was carrying an air pistol with the intent of making the employees of the bank believe that it was a real pistol. By brandishing and pointing a dangerous weapon, Frazier threatened to injure the employees of Trustmark if they did not give him money that was in the possession of Trustmark. Frazier’s intentional and intimidating behavior caused the employees to give him money in the bank’s possession out of fear of bodily injury.
Frazier took the money from Trustmark and fled. Law enforcement officers responded quickly and caught Frazier, who was in possession of some of the money taken from Trustmark, a short time later. Officers found the rest of the money, along with the air gun, in the woods where Frazier had fled after the bank robbery. All of the money taken by Frazier from Trustmark National Bank was recovered by law enforcement.
Frazier will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on January 8, 2020. He faces a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from numerous other state and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.
Major Methamphetamine Supplier from Texas Sentenced to Life in Prison for ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – David Quevedo Martinez, 40, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola to life in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Martinez was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.
“This defendant rightfully deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison for the innocent lives he has damaged or destroyed. I applaud the hard work of our law enforcement partners and our prosecutors, ensuring that this criminal will no longer threaten our people or the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Because of their diligence and courageous actions, our kids and communities are safer today,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
On June 26, 2019, Martinez was found guilty by a jury in federal court of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Judge Guirola presided over the three-day trial.
Trial testimony revealed that Martinez sold numerous kilograms of methamphetamine to co-conspirators in Houston, Texas. Those co-conspirators brought the methamphetamine back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and distributed it throughout Gulfport and Moss Point.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasadena, Texas, Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk and John Meynardie.
Semiautomatic Rifles, 100-Round Drum Magazine, Handguns Result in Almost 8 Years in Prison for Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Montavious Johnson, 25, of Ridgeland, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to 94 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of multiple firearms and a 100-round drum magazine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Johnson was arrested on September 11, 2018, as part of a joint operation by the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland Police Department, the DEA and ATF. After arresting Johnson for the sale of heroin, officers executed a search warrant at the apartment in Jackson where Johnson was staying. Numerous firearms were recovered, including two AR-15 semiautomatic rifles and four pistols. Johnson also had a 100-round high capacity magazine loaded in one of the AR-15’s.
Johnson had previously been convicted of state felony offenses in both Madison and Hinds County, Mississippi. At the time of his arrest, Johnson was on parole from prior state convictions and was wearing an ankle monitor. Johnson pled guilty before Judge Wingate on April 26, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland Police Department, the DEA, and the ATF. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Natchez Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Receiving a Firearm while under a Felony IndictmentRead the Press Release
Natchez, Miss. – Jarvanti Doss, 22, of Natchez, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III to 15 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for receiving a firearm while under a felony indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On August 25, 2017, Jarvanti Keyon Doss was indicted in Adams County for drive-by shooting and two counts of attempted murder. On March 22, 2019, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Adams County Sheriff’s deputies, Natchez Police officers, and probation agents with Mississippi Department of Corrections were conducting a “saturation detail” in high-crime areas when Doss was observed by members of the detail removing a pistol from his pants. After a brief foot chase, Doss was apprehended.
On April 16, 2019, Doss was charged in a federal indictment with receiving a firearm while under an indictment for a felony crime and possessing a firearm as a habitual user of a controlled substance. On June 6, 2019, he pled guilty before Judge Bramlette to receiving a firearm while under a felony indictment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Natchez Man Illegally Possessing Assault Weapon and 100-Round Drum Magazine Sentenced under Project EJECT to Almost 4 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Natchez, Miss. – Tywone Noble, 23, of Natchez, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III to 46 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for receiving a firearm while under a felony indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On January 22, 2018, Noble was indicted in Adams County for selling ecstasy, a controlled substance. On November 19, 2018, while Noble was still under that indictment, probation agents with the Mississippi Department of Corrections found Noble in possession of an assault rifle with a 100-round drum magazine while the agents were conducting home visits in the area of Beaumont Street. On April 16, 2019, Noble was charged in a federal indictment with possessing a firearm while under an indictment for a felony crime. He pled guilty before Judge Bramlette on June 6, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Madison Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Harboring Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Hector Valdez-Loera, 42, of Madison, was sentenced on Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for harboring an illegal alien for commercial advantage and private financial gain, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and William Joyce, Acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Valdez-Loera was also ordered to pay an administrative fine in the amount of $79,784.00.
On April 13, 2017, while searching for an illegal alien fugitive who had a prior order of removal for illegal reentry into the United States, ICE ERO officers went to a home located in Ridgeland, Mississippi where the illegal alien fugitive had been living. Upon arrival, officers found two additional illegal aliens living at the residence. Officers later determined the illegal alien fugitive had left for work at a jobsite located in Madison, Mississippi. At the jobsite, Madison Concrete was performing concrete work. Upon arrival, a number of the workers fled into the woods. Officers gave chase but was unable to apprehend the illegal alien fugitive.
Further investigation revealed that Madison Concrete was owned and operated by Hector Valdez-Loera and that Valdez-Loera hired illegal aliens who either had social security numbers that did not exist or belonged to someone deceased. He failed to check E-Verify to determine legitimacy of his workers and referred to them as subcontractors, when they were in fact his employees. The investigation also revealed that Valdez-Loera provided his financial information to obtain housing for at least two of his illegal alien employees.
Valdez-Loera was subsequently charged with two counts of harboring an illegal alien for commercial advantage and private financial gain. He pled guilty before Judge Jordan on May 24, 2019.
The case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
Texas Woman Pleads Guilty to Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Rebecca Ann McLean, 27, a resident of Texas, pled guilty today before U.S. District Sul Ozerden to unlawful transportation of aliens within the United States for commercial advantage or private financial gain, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
McLean will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on January 10, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and special assessments that could total $5,100.
On May 18, 2018, a Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputy was in the area of I-10 eastbound near Diamondhead, Mississippi, when he observed a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with Texas license plates driving carelessly. A traffic stop was initiated and another deputy arrived to assist. The driver of the vehicle was Pascual Lopez-Lopez, who did not have a driver’s license and was an illegal alien from Mexico. Deputies also saw several people lying down in the SUV, and found eight illegal aliens from Mexico (including the driver). Defendant Rebecca McLean, a U.S. citizen and Texas resident, was the front seat passenger. Further investigation showed she was taking the eight men to Florida.
A deputy contacted the Department of Homeland Security, Blue Lightening Operations Center which contacted a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Deputies collected the names and birth dates of the eight males and discovered one was a juvenile. All, except for the juvenile, were transported to the Hancock County Jail. HSI determined the occupants of the vehicle were, indeed, illegally present in the U.S. and were being smuggled/transported by McLean. Three of the illegal aliens had been previously deported from the United States.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jay Golden and Stan Harris were the prosecutors for the case.
Jackson Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to over Eight Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Dollar General StoreRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Darryl De’Monte Thompson, 31, of Jackson, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves to serve 102 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for robbing a local Dollar General store in Jackson and brandishing a firearm during that crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Thompson was also ordered to pay a $1,200 fine.
On April 6, 2018, Thompson and Jalen Simmons robbed the Dollar General on Briarwood Drive in Jackson. Thompson served as the lookout while Simmons entered the store, brandished a stolen 9mm pistol, and demanded cash from the register. When the cashier was unable to open the register, Simmons robbed customers at gunpoint. Officers with the Jackson Police Department apprehended both suspects as they fled the scene.
On September 29, 2018, Simmons and Thompson were charged in a federal criminal indictment with one count of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during the crime. Simmons pled guilty before Judge Reeves on December 17, 2018. He was sentenced on March 22, 2019 to seven years and one day in prison for his role in the crime. Thompson pled guilty before Judge Reeves on May 22, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the
Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
United States Attorney’s Office to Host Re-entry Services and Jobs Fair in Natchez Under Project EJECTRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – United States Attorney Mike Hurst announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi will host a Re-entry Services and Job Fair in Natchez under Project EJECT in order to provide vital services, information, and assistance to previously incarcerated individuals who are re-entering society.
The Re-entry Services Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Louis J. Gunning Community Safe Room, 323 Liberty Rd., in Natchez.
“In order to reduce violent crime, we must help offenders get back on their feet and become productive citizens. That is why reentry is an integral part of Project EJECT. We must do all that we can to empower these individuals with the tools they need to be law-abiding and successful citizens. I want to personally thank Sheriff Patton, Chief Armstrong, and all of our partners for coming together in order to help these individuals, as this will make our neighborhoods safer and more secure for everyone,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
“I am pleased to see that we are hosting re-entry services and job fairs in different parts of the state,” said Commissioner Pelicia E. Hall. “It is important that we help as many individuals as we can, because the more people we help, the more we help our communities and ultimately our state. I thank U.S. Attorney Hurst and all our other partners for such a great team effort.”
The goal of the fair is to help previously incarcerated individuals overcome obstacles often faced by those who are trying to re-enter society. Participating agencies will set up booths at the Fair to provide resources in a variety of areas such as assistance with obtaining personal identification documents, housing information, educational assistance, legal information, and guidance for seeking and obtaining employment.
Agencies participating in the Re-entry Services Fair include the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Mississippi Department of Corrections, U.S. Probation Office, Mississippi Community College Board, and the Governor’s Job Fair Network of Mississippi.
This event is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, reentry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Meridian Man Sentenced to over 15 Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Crack Cocaine and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Meridian, Miss. – Jermaine Scott a/k/a “Jitty,” 41, was sentenced Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 188 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession and distribution of crack cocaine and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley. Scott was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
On May 9, 2017, Scott met with a confidential source for the East Mississippi Drug Task Force at his residence in Meridian. Scott showed the confidential source how to make crack. Once the crack was complete, he sold the confidential source the crack and some methamphetamine for $1,500. The Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory confirmed the crack to be approximately 30.20 grams with 55% purity and the methamphetamine to be approximately 28.89 grams with 98% purity.
Scott was subsequently charged with one count of distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base and one count of distributing at least 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. He pled guilty before Judge Jordan on June 3, 2019.
The case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
Georgia Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding Armed Robberies during Violent RampageRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Sharae Threadgill, 21, of Georgia, pled guilty Friday before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to aiding and abetting two business robberies and the use of firearms to facilitate the robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 25, 2019, Threadgill aided another person in robberies of a Jimmy John’s restaurant in Meridian and of a McDonalds in Brandon. Threadgill drove the vehicle used during both robberies and provided a firearm used in both robberies. She was subsequently arrested by Warren County Sheriff deputies in Vicksburg.
Threadgill will be sentenced by Judge Jordan on January 6, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for aiding each robbery, and a minimum penalty of not less than 7 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for aiding the use of a firearm to facilitate each robbery. The sentences would run consecutively.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn Murray.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Former Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Official and Wife Charged with Theft, Wire Fraud, Money Laundering Conspiracy and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A former member of the Tribal Council for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and his wife have been arraigned on a Superseding Indictment for theft/embezzlement, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and false statements to a bank, in separate schemes to defraud the Tribal government with false claims for travel reimbursement payments and to improperly influence a federally-insured bank, announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
A superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 10, 2019, charges the former Tribal Council member and his wife with defrauding the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, as well as misleading a federally insured bank with intent to obtain loans. They are charged and identified as:
- Kevin Edwards, 48, of Walnut Grove, Miss. (One count of theft, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of money laundering, and three counts of false statements to a bank)
- Sheena A. Edwards, 45, of Walnut Grove, Miss. (One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of money laundering, and one count of false statements to a bank)
Between March 2015 and June 2017, the husband and wife are alleged to have forged hotel bills and receipts, and submitted those documents to the Tribal government in claims for reimbursement for official business travel by Kevin Edwards. Edwards is a former Member of the Tribal Council who left office in June 2017. After receiving the unlawful payments from the tribal government, the two defendants cashed and transferred the payments to multiple bank accounts and paid off personal loans in the name of Sheena Edwards. In addition, both defendants made false statements on multiple personal loan applications to a local bank, inflating Kevin Edwards’s salary and claiming Kevin Edwards was employed by the Tribe after he had left office and was not so employed.
Kevin Edwards appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson for arraignment on October 4, 2019. Sheena Edwards appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson for arraignment on September 25, 2019. Kevin Edwards is charged with one count of Theft or Embezzlement from a Tribal Organization, which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment of five years. In addition, Kevin Edwards is charged with two counts of Wire Fraud, which charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years. Each count also can merit a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. Both Kevin and Sheena Edwards face charges of Conspiracy to launder money and substantive acts of Money Laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment for each count; and charges of False Statements to a Bank, which carries a maximum penalty of thirty years for each count. Each of those counts also can merit a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years of supervised release.
The case is set for trial before United States District Judge Henry T. Wingate on November 25, 2019, in Jackson, Mississippi.
U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the Special Agents with the FBI’s Jackson Division who investigated the case. The Leake County Sheriff’s Office assisted with arrests. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Theodore Cooperstein.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Newton Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Commercial Driver’s License FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Tonya Levera Davis, 49, of Newton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to serve two years in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for aggravated identity theft and making false statements, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Regional Special Agent in Charge Todd Damiani with the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.
Davis was employed by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Newton Department of Motor Vehicles, as a driver’s license examiner. Her employment included the administration of driver’s license applications, both written and computer tests, as well as the administration of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing. Davis was an authorized tester of the written skills portion of the CDL test, but not for the road skills portion.
From June 2016 through May 2018, Davis authorized CDLs to applicants that had not passed the written or road skills portions of the test. She sold CDLs to over 88 unqualified applicants by providing answers to the written skills test. She would further pass the unqualified applicant and use state issued identification numbers of other third party testers to pass unqualified applicants and issue fraudulent CDLs.
“The sentencing today of Tonya Levera Davis for aggravated identity theft and making false statements sends a strong message that such illegal actions will not be tolerated, particularly when these actions put the safety of the traveling public at significant risk,” said Todd A. Damiani, DOT-OIG Regional Special Agent-in-Charge. “Only qualified individuals should be able to obtain CDLs and we will continue working tirelessly with our Federal, State and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to keep unqualified applicants for CDLs off of the nation’s roads.”
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Illegal Alien Previously Convicted of a Felony Sentenced for Unlawful Reentry by an AlienRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Felipe De Jesus Dominguez-Jop, 34, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 14 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful reentry by an alien deported after conviction of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, and William Joyce, Acting Field Office Director of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations in New Orleans.
Dominguez-Jop pled guilty to the felony offense on June 26, 2019 before Judge Ozereden. After completion of his prison term, Dominguez-Jop will be transferred to the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, where he will be subject to administrative detention and proceedings to remove him from the United States to his home nation of Mexico.
On May 10, 2019, while conducting Criminal Alien Program duties at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, an ICE agent encountered Felipe De Jesus Dominguez-Jop, who had been arrested by local law enforcement for possession of a controlled substance. Agents determined that he was an illegal alien from Mexico with multiple prior immigration removals. Dominguez-Jop was arrested and transported to the Gulfport ICE office for processing.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security records confirmed Dominguez-Jop as a previously deported or removed alien. Records revealed that he initially illegally entered the U.S. on November 21, 2008, near Laredo, Texas and was granted a voluntary return in lieu of formal removal. However, he illegally reentered the U.S. and was apprehended on July 27, 2015, again in Texas. He was convicted of unlawful return by an illegal alien and removed from the United States after serving his sentence. In 2018, he was arrested again in Texas and convicted of the misdemeanor offense of unlawful entry into the U.S. After serving his sentence, he was removed from the United States, only to return again to be apprehended in South Mississippi in 2019.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for this case.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Illegal Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Marcelo Jecher Ortonez, 28, an illegal alien from Honduras, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 14 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal transportation of an alien, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
On April 4, 2019, a Biloxi Police officer conducted a traffic stop on I-10 east bound. The driver was Marcelo Jecher Ortonez, an illegal alien from Honduras. The officer observed seven unidentified Hispanic passengers, five males and two females. Because the officer did not speak Spanish, he contacted the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Lightning Operations Center, and two Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents responded to the traffic stop. All occupants of the vehicle were determined to be illegally present in the U.S. and were transported to the U.S. Border Patrol office in Gulfport for further processing. After interviewing all occupants, it was determined that the occupants were being smuggled from Houston, Texas, to Maryland.
Further investigation revealed that, in addition to Marcelo Jecher Ortonez, three of his passengers (Lucas Ramirez-Hernandez, 28, a citizen of Guatemala; and Jose Valdez-Santana, 46, and Angel Martinez-Garcia, 23, both citizens of Mexico) also were aliens who had unlawfully returned to the United States after they had been formally removed from the U.S. to their home nations.
Ramirez-Hernandez, Valdez-Santana and Martinez-Garcia all were separately prosecuted. Each of the three men pled guilty and was convicted of the felony offense of unlawful reentry by a removed alien to the United States. All were sentenced to terms of imprisonment to be followed by further administrative detention and proceedings with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, for removal to their home nations.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the teamwork and cooperation exhibited by the Biloxi Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Customs & Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris was the prosecutor for the case.
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Hattiesburg Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Jakobe McCray Woullard, 19, of Hattiesburg, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Woullard was an admitted unlawful user of a marijuana and had been smoking it since he was about 12 years old. On December 2, 2018, Woullard was the passenger in a vehicle that smelled of marijuana when he was found to be in possession of a firearm. Woullard admitted possessing the firearm and, during a subsequent interview, he admitted his longstanding marijuana habit. Woullard’s hair also tested positive for a marijuana metabolite shortly after his arrest. He was charged in a federal criminal indictment on August 6, 2019.
Woullard will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on February 5, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hattiesburg Police Department investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
Hattiesburg Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Marcus Foster, 29, of Hattiesburg, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On February 11, 2019, Foster was found in possession of two firearms during the search of an apartment in Forrest County. He has prior felony convictions out in Forrest County for burglary of a dwelling and receipt of stolen property. On July 24, 2019, he was charged in a federal criminal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Foster will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on February 5, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hattiesburg Police Department investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
Hattiesburg Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Alfred McCaskill, 25, of Hattiesburg, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On February 27, 2019, McCaskill was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop in Forrest County. He fled on foot and evaded law enforcement until his arrest in April 2019. McCaskill was on state probation when he committed the offense. He has prior felony convictions in Forrest County for possessing a stolen firearm and possessing a controlled substance (cocaine). On July 24, 2019, he was charged in a federal criminal indictment with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
McCaskill will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on February 5, 2020 at 10:15 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hattiesburg Police Department investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
Four Louisiana Businessmen Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of Former MDOC Commissioner and Kemper County SheriffRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Four Louisiana businessmen pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to conspiring to pay bribes to former Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) Commissioner Christopher B. Epps and current Kemper County Sheriff James Moore in exchange for receiving contracts involving MDOC and a regional detention facility located in Kemper County, Mississippi, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Michael LeBlanc, Sr., 71, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tawasky Ventroy, 60, of Opelousas, Louisiana, Michael LeBlanc, Jr., 42, of Prairieville, Louisiana, and Jacque Jackson, 51, of LaPlace, Louisiana, attempted to bribe former Commissioner Epps and Sheriff Moore who were both assisting the FBI at the time of the investigation. The four men paid the bribes in an attempt to secure lucrative contracts in commissary and inmate calling services. The men were associated with Brothers Commissary Services and American Phone Systems, both located in Louisiana but operating in the state of Mississippi.
"Mississippians are sick and tired of corruption, and those who bribe our public officials will soon find themselves in a federal indictment. This office has made fighting public corruption a priority, and we will continue working with all of our partners to end corruption throughout our state," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
“I want to thank Sheriff Moore who made the conscious effort to help the FBI in combating public corruption,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sutphin. “Corruption of public officials at any level is something that we take very seriously and is one of our top criminal priorities.”
On October 16, 2014, LeBlanc, Sr. spoke with a confidential informant about his intent to put something in the hands of former Commissioner Epps that would help LeBlanc, Sr. obtain MDOC and County contracts. During the conversation, he stated that he would let his business partner in American Phone Systems, Tawasky Ventroy, meet with former Commissioner Epps because they were both African Americans. On October 21, 2014, Tawaksy Ventroy traveled to Jackson and met former Commissioner Epps in his office. Ventroy provided former Commissioner Epps with a $2,000 cash bribe. The payment was to influence former Commissioner Epps into helping American Phone Systems receive contracts in state corrections facilities.
During this same time, LeBlanc, Jr. and his business partner, Jackson, were trying to secure contracts for Brother’s Commissary and American Phone Systems in Kemper County. On December 8, 2019, while attending the Mississippi Sheriff’s Conference, LeBlanc, Jr. retrieved $2,000 worth of casino chips from a table game and provided the chips to Jackson. At Jackson’s request, Sheriff Moore met Jackson in the men’s restroom of the casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Jackson gave Sheriff Moore the casino chips to influence him into helping Jackson and LeBlanc, Jr. secure the contracts for commissary and inmate calling services in Kemper County. Jackson told Sheriff Moore that he would provide another $1,000 once the contract was awarded. On January 16, 2015, when confronted by the FBI, Jackson admitted to passing the $2,000 in casino chips to Sheriff Moore in exchange for his assistance with securing the lucrative contracts.
The defendants will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on February 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. They each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Darren LaMarca and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Waynesboro Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Sadie Bradley, 66, of Waynesboro, Mississippi, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 15 months in federal prison, follow by 3 years of supervised release, for theft of government funds, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Resident Agent in Charge Marvin Mauldin of the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration. Bradley was further directed to pay $197, 216.11 in restitution to the Social Security Administration,
From October 2008 through October 2017, Bradley received a total of $197,216.11 in funds belonging to the United States by receiving Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits to which she knew she was not entitled. In 1966, Bradley was issued a social security number under the name Sadie McCornell, and began receiving SSI benefit payments in 1974. In 1976, Bradley fraudulently applied for and was issued a second social security number under the name Sadie McConn, later changing her name to Sadie Bradley. In 2008, Bradley applied for and began receiving SSI benefit payments under her second social security number, while still receiving SSI benefit payments under her first social security number. In doing so, Bradley knowingly concealed and misrepresented her identity, income, resources, marital status, and living arrangements to the Social Security Administration in order to receive SSI benefit payments under both social security numbers.
On September 19, 2018, Bradley was charged in a federal criminal indictment with theft of government funds. She pled guilty before Judge Starrett on June 12, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Paul Fortenberry.
Repeat Federal Offender Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Jonas A. Windham, 37, of Laurel, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Windham was previously convicted of being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm in the Southern District of Mississippi in 2013 and was sentenced to serve 78 months in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He was still on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest for the current offense. On June 18, 2019, Windham was found in possession of two firearms during the execution of a search warrant at his residence.
Windham will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on January 9, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Laurel Police Department investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
Hattiesburg Man Sentenced for Misapplication of Funds by a Bank OfficerRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Paul Ruff, 42, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 6 months in the community corrections center, followed by 6 months’ home confinement, for misapplication of funds by a bank officer, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Ruff was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The court determined the loss amount to be $193,920.81. A hearing on the total restitution owed by the defendant will be held at a later date.
Ruff was employed as the Commercial Relationships Manager of Trustmark National Bank in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, from 1999 to 2014. From 2008 through March 6, 2014, Ruff willfully misapplied moneys, funds, assets or securities that were entrusted to the care of Trustmark National Bank. During this period, Ruff issued unapproved monetary advances, made unauthorized loans, moved money in and out of different customer accounts without authorization, and created fraudulent entries in the electronic records of Trustmark National Bank to conceal the unauthorized transactions.
Ruff pled guilty before Judge Starrett on April 9, 2019, to misapplication of funds by a bank officer or employee.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Hattiesburg Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – James Douglas Maxwell, 26, of Hattiesburg, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Maxwell was previously convicted in Forrest County in 2013 of being an accessory after the fact to armed robbery and was sentenced to serve 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but with all 20 of those years suspended. On February 14, 2019, Maxwell was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop in Hattiesburg.
Maxwell will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on January 9, 2020 at 10:15 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Forrest County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
The Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General and Department of Justice Announce Veterans Affairs Health Care Fraud Task ForceRead the Press Release
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) and the Department of Justice today announced the establishment of the VA Health Care Fraud Task Force to combat fraud in VA’s expanding health care programs.
The Task Force combines VA-OIG’s substantial experience investigating health care fraud at VA with the Justice Department’s proven track record prosecuting health care fraud through its Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which resides within the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Task Force initially will focus on investigating and prosecuting health care fraud in VA’s growing Community Care program, under which eligible veterans may receive health care from a private provider in their community (rather than from a VA medical facility), similar to the Medicare program. As part of the Task Force, a VA-OIG attorney will be detailed to serve as a special prosecutor in the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Section.
The VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system, providing care to approximately nine million veterans at over 1,200 medical facilities. Beginning on June 6, 2019, the VA MISSION Act significantly increased veterans’ access to health care by expanding their ability to receive health care from approved non-VA providers (referred to as community care providers). As with the Medicare program, these community care providers submit claims to the VA for payment for their services.
“It is beyond the pale when individuals commit fraud against health care programs designed to assist the men and women who have served in our nation’s military,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This new Task Force leverages the proven success of the Department’s Strike Force model and will aggressively target fraud in the VA’s expanding health care programs.”
“Combating health care fraud is one of our highest priorities at VA-OIG,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal. “Our agents in the VA-OIG are experts at detecting and investigating health care fraud in VA’s complex and diverse health care system. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to tap into the wealth of knowledge and expertise of DOJ and the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, particularly in the fee-for-service environment. As the VA MISSION Act expands VA’s Community Care program, this is one of those rare opportunities in government where we can be proactive and get ahead of the curve by partnering with the Fraud Section and leveraging its proven strategies for combating fraud in the Medicare program. This Task Force sends a clear message to anyone considering committing health care fraud at VA – we will protect our veterans’ health care system at all costs.”
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In coordination with the recently announced Medicare Fraud Strike Force enforcement actions, VA-OIG partnered with the Department to bring charges in cases impacting VA’s health care programs in August and September 2019. These cases are being investigated by agents from the FBI, HHS-OIG, IRS-CI and other federal law enforcement agencies and are being prosecuted by the Fraud Section.
Among those charged are the following:
In the Northern District of Texas:
Jamshid Noryian, Dehshid Nourian, Christopher Rydberg, Leyla Nourian, Ashraf Mofid, Leslie Benson, Michael Taba and Ali Khavarmanesh were charged for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud the Department of Labor-Office of Worker’s Compensation and Blue Cross Blue Shield and conspiracies to launder money and evade the payment of taxes through Ability Pharmacy, Industrial & Family Pharmacy and Park Row Pharmacy, all located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. As part of the scheme, the defendants allegedly provided unnecessary and expensive creams to VA employees and employees of other federal agencies, that were billed to DOL-OWCP. The case was investigated by the VA-OIG, USPS-OIG, DOL-OIG and IRS-CI and is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Adrienne Frazior of the Fraud Section.
Nilesh Patel, Craig Henry and Bruce Henry were charged for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud TRICARE through marketing company RxConsultants and a compounding pharmacy located in Fort Worth, Texas. The case was investigated by the VA-OIG, FBI and HHS-OIG and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Carlos Lopez of the Fraud Section.
In the Southern District of Mississippi:
Wade Ashley Walters, 52, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a co-owner of numerous compounding pharmacies and pharmaceutical marketing companies, was charged for his alleged role in a scheme to defraud TRICARE and other private health insurance companies by paying kickbacks to practitioners and marketers for the prescribing and referring of fraudulent prescriptions for medically unnecessary compounded medications that were ultimately dispensed by his pharmacies, as well as for his alleged role in a scheme to launder the proceeds of the fraud scheme. The indictment alleges that, based on these fraudulent prescriptions, Walters caused TRICARE and other health care benefit programs to reimburse his and other compounding pharmacies more than $510 million. Assistant Deputy Chief Dustin Davis and Trial Attorney Sara Porter of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Amanda Wick and Stephanie Williamson of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Helen Wall of the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
Gregory Auzenne, M.D., 49, and Tiffany Clark, 45, both of Meridian, Mississippi, were charged for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud TRICARE and other private health insurance companies by prescribing medically unnecessary compounded medications in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. The indictment alleges that Auzenne and Clark caused the submission of over $1.6 million in fraudulent claims to TRICARE. Trial Attorneys Jared Hasten and Sara Porter of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Helen Wall are prosecuting the case.
A complaint, information or indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The VA OIG conducts oversight of VA programs and operations, providing independent and objective reporting to VA and Congress in order to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse, as well as enhance VA’s integrity, efficiency and effectiveness. To report potential fraud, waste, mismanagement, or other abuse, contact the VA OIG Hotline at www.va.gov/oig/hotline/default.asp.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a partnership among DOJ’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged over 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $19 billion.
Neshoba County Man Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Garrett Dean Thomas, 23, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge David Bramlette III to 21 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sexual abuse of a minor within the Pearl River Community of the Choctaw Indian reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin.
On August 10, 2016, the victim visited Choctaw Health Center complaining of abdominal pain and morning sickness. It was discovered she was pregnant. A case manager informed social services due to the age of the suspected father, Thomas, who was 20 years old at the time. Thomas admitted to his sexual abuse of the minor, who was 14 years old. A paternity test confirmed Thomas is the father of the child.
Twelve months of today’s sentence will be served consecutively to a 24-month sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate on September 9, 2019. The defendant was convicted of the same offense in that case, but a different victim was involved.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Police Department investigated both cases. They were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Payne.
Lake Woman Sentenced for Delay or Destruction of U.S. Mail by a Postal EmployeeRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Virginia Perkins, 49, of Lake, Mississippi, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge David Bramlette III to two years probation for delay or destruction of U.S. mail by a postal employee, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Cave with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Southern Area Field Office.
Perkins was employed as a rural carrier associate at the Canton, Mississippi, Post Office. On January 17, 2017, following numerous complaints regarding undelivered mail along her route, agents conducted surveillance of Perkins as she delivered mail. Agents found that mail was not being delivered as addressed. A search of her vehicle yielded approximately 2,044 pieces of letter mail and 340 flats that Perkins had not delivered.
The case was investigated by agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie.
Illegal Alien Sentenced for Unlawful Reentry After RemovalRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Noel Velasquez-Lucas, 50, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to “time served” (effectively 148 days in prison), and one year of supervised release, for unlawful reentry by an alien after deportation or removal, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, and William Joyce, Acting Field Office Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations in New Orleans.
Velasquez-Lucas pled guilty to the felony offense before Judge Ozerden on June 20, 2019. After completion of his imprisonment, he will be transferred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, where he will be subject to administrative detention and removal proceedings to remove him from the United States to his home nation of Guatemala.
On May 2, 2019, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents encountered Noel Velasquez-Lucas while conducting fugitive operations in Biloxi, Mississippi. The agents identified themselves as ICE Deportation Officers and determined that Velasquez-Lucas was an illegal alien from Guatemala, with multiple prior immigration removals. Velasquez-Lucas was arrested and transported to the Gulfport, Mississippi, ICE office for processing.
An investigation revealed that Velasquez-Lucas initially unlawfully entered the United States in March, 2002, near Lukeville, AZ. Border Patrol Agents arrested him and granted him a Voluntary Return in lieu of formal removal.
On March 7, 2014. Velasquez-Lucas was arrested by Border Patrol Agents near Kingsville, Texas. He was issued a lawful order of removal on March 12, 2014, and was physically removed from the United States pursuant to that order from Harlingen, Texas.
On April 21, 2014, Velasquez-Lucas was arrested again by US Border Patrol Agents near McAllen, Texas, and his order of removal was reinstated on April 29, 2014, and he was physically removed from the United States.
On January 16, 2019, Velasquez-Lucas was arrested yet again by US Border Patrol Agents near San Luis, Arizona. His order of removal was again reinstated, and he was released with supervision including electronic monitoring. On January 23, 2019, a tampering alert identified that Velasquez-Lucas had absconded, and he was found in the Southern District of Mississippi.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris was the prosecutor for this case.
Illegal Alien Previously Removed Four Times Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Gregorio Xolotl-Hipolito, 42, an illegal alien from Mexico, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Mr. William Joyce, Acting Field Office Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, in New Orleans.
Xolotl-Hipolito will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on January 9, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. He also faces being removed from the United States to his home nation of Mexico, following the completion of any prison sentence.
On June 24, 2019, while conducting Criminal Alien Program duties at the Forrest County Adult Detention Center, an Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent encountered Xolotl-Hipolito, who had been arrested by Hattiesburg Police for possession of a stolen firearm and driving while consuming alcohol. When stopped by police, Xolotl-Hipolito had no driver’s license and only a Tennessee ID card. A .22 caliber pistol was found in plain view next to Xolotl-Hipolito in the vehicle. Police also found .22 ammunition in Xolotl-Hipolito’s pocket as well as elsewhere in the vehicle. Additionally, police determined that the pistol had been reported as stolen.
Local officials notified ICE, and Xolotl-Hipolito was identified as an illegal alien from Mexico who had been previously removed from the United States. Records revealed that, in 2011, an Immigration Judge ordered Xolotl-Hipolito removed from the U.S. Records also documented that Xolotl-Hipolito illegally reentered the U.S. and was removed four additional times.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations, the Hattiesburg Police Department and the Forrest County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for the case.
Pearl River County Man Sentenced to over 6 Years in Federal Prison for being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Michael Wayne Dossett, 38, or Carriere, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Dossett was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and forfeit six firearms, including a stolen SKS 7.62 caliber rifle with an extended magazine. Dossett has previous felony convictions for robbery and possession of cash in a correctional facility.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives into the Simon City Royals criminal street gang activity in Pearl River County resulted in the April 17, 2019, execution of a search warrant at the home of Dossett, where firearms, 152 rounds of assorted ammunition, a ballistic vest, and various gang paraphernalia was seized.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.