Southern District of Mississippi
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Commercial Driver’s License FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. –Andre Cooper, 39, of Jackson, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to a one-count federal information charging him with making false statements, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Marlies Gonzalez with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General Regional S.
Cooper previously worked for a company that provided training and certification to individuals seeking commercial driver’s licenses ("CDLs"). His employment only authorized certification to those that were students of the company. However, Cooper provided paperwork to those who wanted a CDL that were not students of his employer. He prepared paperwork representing that the applicant had taken the road skills test, when in fact they had not.
The fraudulent paperwork was given to individuals seeking to obtain a CDL in exchange for payment to Cooper. Such fraudulent paperwork would be presented by these individuals to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in order to secure a commercial driver’s license. A review of the commercial drivers’ paperwork in Mississippi showed that some of the applicants could not have achieved the results on the paperwork. Some Commercial Driver’s License holders were interviewed and said they had never taken the test and just paid Cooper for the paperwork.
Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Reeves on June 21, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Mississippi Real Estate Investors Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Rig Bids at Public Foreclosure AuctionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Real estate investors Kevin Moore, Chad Nichols, and Terry Tolar pleaded guilty today for their roles in a conspiracy to rig bids at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Mississippi, the Department of Justice announced.
Including Moore, Nichols, and Tolar, five real estate investors have pleaded guilty in this conspiracy. Separate felony charges against Moore, Nichols, and Tolar were filed on April 3, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
“Today’s guilty pleas send a strong signal that the Division will prosecute and hold accountable those who conspire to corrupt the competitive process and harm the American consumer,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “We extend our thanks to our law enforcement partners, with whom we will continue to investigate bid-rigging crimes in Mississippi—and throughout the United States.”
“Individuals who harm homeowners and defraud companies by cheating our foreclosure system to enrich themselves will face swift and certain criminal prosecution in Mississippi,” said United States Attorney D. Michael Hurst, Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi. “I applaud the FBI and the Antitrust Division for their tenacity and perseverance in pursuing these criminal actions and shutting this illegal scheme down.”
“Violations of the Sherman Act not only impact America’s financial institutions and distressed homeowners but also damage our free market society as a whole,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI in Mississippi. “We hope that others participating in this type of corruption understand that the FBI and Department of Justice will continue to protect Americans from price fixing and bid rigging that harm our economy.”
According to court documents, from at least as early as January 12, 2012, through at least as late as April 19, 2017, Moore conspired with others to rig bids, designating a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in the Southern District of Mississippi. Nichols participated in the conspiracy from as early as April 14, 2010, through as late as February 25, 2015, and Tolar’s participation began as early as January 12, 2012, through as late as March 31, 2017. Co-conspirators made and received payoffs in exchange for their agreement not to bid.
The Department said that the primary purpose of the conspiracy was to suppress and restrain competition in order to obtain selected real estate offered at public foreclosure auctions at non-competitive prices. When real estate properties are sold at these auctions, the proceeds are used to pay off the mortgage and other debt attached to the property, with any remaining proceeds paid to the homeowner. According to court documents, these conspirators paid and received money in connection with their agreement to suppress competition, which artificially lowered the price paid at auction for such homes.
A violation of the Sherman Act carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals. The maximum fine for a Sherman Act charge may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
The investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal II Section and the FBI’s Gulfport Resident Agency, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. Anyone with information concerning bid rigging or fraud related to public real estate foreclosure auctions should contact Antitrust Division prosecutors in the Washington Criminal II Section at 202-598-4000, or visit https://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Vincente Manuel Ruiz, age 37, of Modesto, California, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
The investigation into Ruiz started after agents with the DEA executed a search warrant at an individual’s property in Soso, Mississippi. Agents located 951 grams of heroin at the residence. The investigation revealed that the heroin had been supplied by Ruiz. After the arrest of Ruiz, agents located two cell phones that showed an individual had previously sent packages of money to Ruiz in California. Ruiz pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute heroin from August 2017 through December 13, 2017.
Ruiz will be sentenced by Judge Starrett on July 17, 2018. He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Ellisville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk is prosecuting the case.
Hattiesburg Man Plead Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Cory Demond Ward, 31, of Hattiesburg, entered a guilty plea today before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst announced.
Ward admitted he sold a .38 caliber Colt revolver to a confidential informant for $125 on October 21, 2017. Ward had previously been convicted of burglary of a dwelling in the Circuit Court of Lamar County.
Ward faces a potential sentence of 10 years, a $250,000 and 3 years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett has set sentencing for August 21, 2018, at 10:45 a.m.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Picayune Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Antonio Marquez Irwin, 28, of Picayune, was sentenced on Friday, March 30, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, to 128 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine in Picayune, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
Irwin pled guilty on December 21, 2017, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was charged in a five-person indictment against a group of individuals who were distributing methamphetamine in the Picayune area. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement purchased methamphetamine from Irwin on four separate occasions. On a fifth occasion, Irwin arrived to sell methamphetamine and when law enforcement attempted to arrest him, he struck two separate police vehicles in an attempt to flee before finally being apprehended.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Gulf Coast Men Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Keith Lavell Brown and Jaycie Mario Thomas have been arrested and charged in a three-count federal indictment with drug trafficking offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.
Brown and Thomas will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge John C. Gargiulo today in Gulfport at 2:00 p.m. for their intial appearances and arraignments on the charges.
The indictment charges Brown, 46, of Moss Point, Mississippi, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distibute cocaine and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Thomas, 35, of Ocean Springs, Misssissippi, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The indictment alleges that beginning in 2009 until March 20, 2018, the defendants conspired with each other and others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in the Southern Division of the Southern District of Mississippi.
If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison and fines of up to $10,000,000.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an allegation and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Laurel Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Joshua Durwin Parish, 37, of Laurel, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 63 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge J. Derryle Smith. Parish was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
A confidential source called Parish and discussed purchasing methamphetamine. On November 21, 2014, Parish met with the confidential source and sold approximately $850 worth of methamphetamine. The telephone calls and meeting were videoed and audio recorded. DEA agents tested the methamphetamine and it had a 98.7% purity and weighed 25.8 grams. Parish pled guilty on December 19, 2017, to possessing with intent to distribute the methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Jones County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Rushing and current Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Gulfport Man Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement When Purchasing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – William M. Broomfield, age 29, of Gulfport, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Broomfield is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Guirola on June 27, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, plus 3 years of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine.
On June 15, 2016, William Broomfield purchased two firearms at Cook’s Gun Shop, in D’Iberville, Mississippi, for Tony D. Crawford, who was a local area resident. Broomfield purchased a Ruger Model American, 9mm pistol and a Romarm/Cugir, Model Draco, 7.62 caliber pistol for Crawford. Broomfield also purchased three high capacity magazines and distinctive "Red Army" ammunition for Crawford.
While Broomfield gave the appearance that he was purchasing the firearms for himself, he actually purchased the firearm for Crawford, in what is commonly known as a "straw purchase." In purchasing the firearms, Broomfield knowingly provided a false and fictitious written statement to the federal firearms licensee. Broomfield knew his false statement on the ATF Form 4473 contained information required to be kept in official records and that the gun shop could not complete the transaction if it was known that the firearm actually was being purchased for someone else.
Ultimately, the firearms, high capacity magazines and ammunition were found by law enforcement officials and were shown to have been in the possession of Crawford, who is a convicted felon. Crawford was previously prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and pled guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On March 8, 2018, Crawford was sentenced to nearly 9 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Crawford also was sentenced to pay a $5,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, along with the City of Biloxi, City of D’Iberville, City of Gulfport and City of Pass Christian Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Picayune Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. - Timothy Jackson, 42, and Paul Simmons, Jr., 33, both from Picayune, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden for their roles in the distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
Jackson was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release, and Simmons was sentenced to 89 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Jackson and Simmons both pled guilty on December 14, 2017, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. They were part of a five-person indictment against a group of individuals who were distributing methamphetamine in the Picayune area.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Natchez Man Indicted and Arrested on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Singleton, a/k/a "Sing," 40, of Natchez, has been charged in a three-count federal indictment with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam, and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) Director John M. Dowdy, Jr.
Singleton is scheduled to appear for an arraignment today in Jackson at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson.
On March 2, 2018, federal, state, and local law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Singleton’s residence in Natchez, Mississippi, and seized large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, in addition to approximately $1.1 million and three firearms.
According to Count 1 of the indictment, on or about March 2, 2018, Singleton possessed with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for this offense is 20 years to life in prison and a $20 million fine.
Count 2 of the indictment charges that, on the same date, Singleton possessed firearms after he had been convicted previously of a felony crime. The maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Count 3 of the indictment charges that Singleton possessed firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years in prison in addition to any sentence handed down for possession with intent to distribute (Count 1).
The indictment also provides notice that the United States intends to pursue forfeiture of the $1.1 million seized from Singleton’s residence as well as the firearms which the indictment
identifies as a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a DPMS A-15 semi-automatic rifle, and a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, in addition to any ammunition.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Service, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, the Pearl Police Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark.
The public is reminded that a criminal indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. It is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Biloxi Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – John Wayne Clark, 32, of Biloxi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Mike Hurst. The firearm was forfeited to the government.
On May 7, 2015, DEA agents received information that Clark, a former member of the Simon City Royals, would be driving from Biloxi to Gulfport with a large amount of methamphetamine. In a search of his vehicle following a traffic stop, law enforcement found $652 in cash on the console, a .357 revolver in the engine compartment and a large quantity of methamphetamine behind the radio bezel in the dash. Clark was out on bond on two state felony drug charges at the time. Judge Ozerden ordered his federal sentence to run consecutive to his state sentence.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of a violent crime initiative. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Madison Man Charged in Large Scale Vehicle Odometer Roll Back SchemeRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. - Zachary Longgrear, 29, of Madison, Mississippi, appeared in court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball for an initial appearance on a federal criminal complaint charging him with providing false odometer disclosure statements and conspiracy in an odometer roll back scheme of multiple high mileage vehicles, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Supervisory Special Agent David W. Sparks with the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
According to the criminal complaint and affidavit, for at least the last four years, Zachary Longgrear, along with his father, Mark Longgrear, operating individually and through their company Southern Auto Buyers LLC, bought more than 50 late model, high mileage vehicles from auctions, dealerships, and/or individuals, thereafter illegally altered the odometers of such vehicles to show lower mileage, forged and fraudulently created paperwork to secure new titles showing false lower mileage for these vehicles, and then sold said vehicles directly to individuals and automobile dealerships at much higher prices. Some of the vehicles were sold via internet websites directly to consumers. Other vehicles were sold through employment and wholesale relationships with large Mississippi automobile dealerships in Jackson and Vicksburg, who in turn unknowingly sold them to consumers with this false information.
Violations of Section 32705(a)(2) of Title 49 each carry a penalty of three years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The conspiracy charge, 18 U.S.C. § 371, is punishable by 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint is a formal charge against a defendant. It is merely an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Grand JuryRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – David Hawthorne, 36, of Long Beach, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to making false declarations before a federal grand jury, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.
On December 8, 2015, Hawthorne appeared before a federal grand jury in Jackson and proceeded to offer false testimony regarding having traveled with another individual to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the purpose of purchasing an expensive boat. He testified to the federal grand jury in great detail about this supposed trip with his companion. However, no such trip ever took place. This meant that the bill of sale reflecting the purchase of the boat in south Florida, which was provided by his companion to the FBI, was in fact fraudulent. In pleading guilty, Hawthorne admitted to Judge Wingate that his testimony before the federal grand jury was in fact false.
Hawthorne will be sentenced by Judge Wingate in Jackson on June 8, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Hurst praised the investigative work conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Golden who prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi Collects Almost $5 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2017Read the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – United States Attorney Mike Hurst announced today that the Southern District of Mississippi collected $4,678,223.77 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2017. Of this amount, $2,310,064.36 was collected in criminal actions and $2,368,159.41 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the Southern District of Mississippi worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the U.S. Department of Justice to collect an additional $9,899,364.47 in cases pursued jointly with these offices. Of this amount, $8,008.00 was collected in criminal actions and $9,891,356.47 was collected in civil actions.
Overall, the Justice Department collected just over $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2017.
"This office will continue to be relentless in pursuing restitution for victims, seizing ill-gotten gains from criminals, and recovering funds owed to taxpayers. I commend the men and women in our office for their collection efforts on behalf of the American people through their tenacious pursuit of justice every single day," stated U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
On example of these collection efforts occurred this past August, when Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. ("HII"), a publicly traded company headquartered in Newport, Virginia, agreed to a $9.2 million settlement of allegations that it had violated the False Claims Act by knowingly overbilling the government for labor on U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships at its shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Under the settlement, the second largest under the False Claims Act in the history of the Southern District of Mississippi, HII paid the United States $7.9 million, which, combined with earlier repayments, resulted in the settlement recovery of approximately $9.2 million. The civil settlement resolved alleged labor mischarging on various
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard contracts dating back to 2003. The settlement also resolved claims disclosed by HII that it had billed the Navy and Coast Guard for dive operations to support ship hull construction that did not actually occur as claimed.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $5,414,108 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2017. This is the third largest collection among medium-sized U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the nation, and ranks in the top third of all U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Jackson Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Importation of Chemicals to Manufacture SpiceRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Lester Singleton, 35, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Chief Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to 108 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in importing the controlled substance 5-Fluoro-PB-22, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
On April 19, 2015, agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics went to a residence in Jackson after a package was intercepted inbound from China. Agents arrived at the apartment and encountered Singleton and his wife, Latoya Emmons. The agents discovered a white powdery substance on the surfaces of the apartment and that the apartment was being used as a clandestine laboratory to manufacture spice. Agents recovered substances to manufacture spice, including, 5-Fluoro-PB-22, acetone, numerous other liquids, packets for distribution, sprayers, fans and several firearms.
Singleton and Emmons were charged in a multi-count federal indictment on December 7, 2016. Singleton pled guilty on October 19, 2017, to importation of a controlled substance. Emmons pled guilty on December 12, 2017, to possession with intent to distribute 5-Fluoro-PB-22. Emmons was sentenced on March 12, 2018, to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was a joint investigation by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory, the Jackson Police Department, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Jackson Fire Department and American Medical Response. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Vancleave Woman Sentenced to over 23 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Sharon Marie Stallone, aka "Boss," aka "Sharbear Boss," age 36, of Vancleave, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 278 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Stallone pled guilty on November 28, 2017, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Stallone was part of a group of individuals selling methamphetamine and other drugs from an area called "the Hill" in Vancleave.
The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Ocean Springs Man Sentenced to over 13 Years in Federal Prison for Accessing the Internet with Intent to View Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Steven Dedual, Jr., 45, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 159 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for accessing the internet with intent to view child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. Judge Ozerden also ordered Dedual to pay a $5,000 fine; restitution to three victims in the amount of $5,000 each, for a total of $15,000; and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
From November 2015 through May 2016, Dedual, through his use of computers in Gulfport and Ocean Springs, Mississippi, accessed the internet as a user of a file-sharing network with the intent to view visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to include visual depictions of a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Almost 7 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Gustavo Millan-Arizmendi, 29, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced today by US. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 82 months in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
On May 29, 2017, when stopped while driving on Interstate 10 in Harrison County by a Border Patrol Agent, Millan-Arizmendi knowingly possessed on his cellular telephone visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to include visual depictions of a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
This case was investigated by U. S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
FBI Impersonator Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Troy Graham entered guilty pleas today to 3 counts of extortion, brandishing a firearm during a robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U. S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst, Jr., announced today.
Graham, 34, of New Orleans, admitted he impersonated a federal agent and demanded drugs and money from a Kiln, Mississippi marijuana dealer by threatening the dealer with false arrest warrants and imprisonment. Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives learned of the impersonation and posed as a marijuana source of supply from Colorado. ATF arrested Graham in a D’Iberville parking lot when he showed up with a loaded gun to rob the Colorado dealer.
Graham faces a potential sentence of 37 years to life on the three charges. U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden has set sentencing for Thursday, June 28, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Jackson Man Charged in Large Scale Vehicle Odometer Roll Back SchemeRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Mark Longgrear, 53, of Jackson, Mississippi was arrested yesterday and charged in a federal criminal complaint with rolling back the odometers of multiple high mileage vehicles and selling such fraudulently altered vehicles with doctored titles, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Supervisory Special Agent David W. Sparks with the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation.
Longgrear appeared in court today for an initial appearance on the criminal complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson.
According to the criminal complaint and affidavit, for at least the last four years, Mark Longgrear, operating individually and through his company Southern Auto Buyers LLC, bought more than 50 late model, high mileage vehicles from auctions, dealerships, and/or individuals, thereafter illegally altered the odometers of such vehicles to show lower mileage, forged and fraudulently created paperwork to secure new titles showing false lower mileage for these vehicles, and then sold said vehicles directly to individuals and automobile dealerships at much higher prices. He used internet websites to sell some of these vehicles directly to consumers, and also used employment and wholesale relationships with large Mississippi automobile dealerships in Jackson and Vicksburg to sell these fraudulently altered odometer vehicles to these dealerships, who in turn unknowingly sold them to consumers with this false information.
"Vehicle odometer fraud affects us all, whether directly as consumers purchasing vehicles and being defrauded out of thousands of dollars or as the general public who can be endangered by these potentially unsafe vehicles. I commend the agents and prosecutor for rooting out this far-reaching scheme. In order to protect consumers and safeguard the general public, our office will relentlessly pursue and vigorously prosecute those whom break federal law by rolling back vehicle odometers," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
Each violation of Sections 32703(2) and 32705(a)(2) of Title 49 carries a penalty of three years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The conspiracy charge, 18 U.S.C. § 371, is punishable by 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint is a formal charge against a defendant. It is merely an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
NHTSA has established a special hotline to handle odometer fraud complaints. Individuals who have information relating to odometer tampering should call (800) 424-9393 or (720) 963-3127.
California Men Sentenced to Prison for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Ernestor Ramirez Garcia, 28, of Los Angeles, California, and Richard Cuevas, 35, of Sun City, California, were each sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for transporting cocaine on the interstate, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
On October 6, 2016, Garcia and Cuevas were stopped by law enforcement on I-20 in Morton, Mississippi for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the officer noticed Garcia appeared to be extremely nervous, and the two men gave inconsistent statements. The officer ran a drug dog around the vehicle and the dog alerted to the presence of controlled substances. Ultimately, the investigation revealed that Garcia and Cuevas traveled from California through Morton, Mississippi with approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine. In total, 21 packages were removed from the vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Morton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wansley.
Mississippi Resident Sentenced for Attempting to Carry a Weapon on Board an AircraftRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Kendrick D. Holder, Jr., 27, of Lumberton, MS, was sentenced March 13, 2018, to a term of 30 months in the Bureau of Prisons, ordered to pay a fine of $3,000, and was further ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett, for the crime of Attempting to Carry a Weapon On Board an Aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. Holder previously pleaded guilty to the offense on December 19, 2017.
On May 6, 2016, Kendrick Holder was Stopped While attempting to board flight 2865 from Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional airport to Dallas/Fort Worth. Within his carry-on bag was loaded Smith and Wesson 40-caliber firearm. This conduct violated Title 49 Section 4605(b)(1) United States Code.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southeast Mississippi Safe Streets Task Force in Hattiesburg, which is made up of special agents from the FBI and law enforcement officer from the Office of the Mississippi State Auditor, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Hattiesburg Police Department, with assistance from the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Golden was the prosecutor for the case.
Miami Residents Sentenced for Producing, Possessing and Trafficking in Device Making EquipmentRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Yadian Alfonse Valdes and Juan Karel Merrero Barja, residents of Miami, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett for trafficking in device making equipment, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
Yadian Alfonse Valdes pleaded guilty to the charge on October 17, 2017, and Juan Karel Merrero Barja pleaded guilty on December 19, 2017. Yadian Alfonse Valdes received a sentence of incarceration of 120 months in the Bureau of Prisons and a $50,000.00 fine.
Juan Karel Merrero Barja received a sentence of incarceration of 46 months in the Bureau of Prisons and a $3,000.00 fine. Upon release from prison, each defendant was ordered to be placed in removal proceedings and if removed to remain out of the country as a condition of supervised release.
On July 8, 2017, Hattiesburg officer David Wynn II saw suspicious activity occurring at a gas pump in Hattiesburg Mississippi. The officer saw a black Cadillac Escalade pull up very close to a gas pump 6 at a minimart located on West 4th in Hattiesburg. He then saw a man standing behind the rear driver’s side door placing a skimming device on the pump.
Hattiesburg police pulled the Escalade over. Police found Valdes and Barja in the vehicle along with tools and keys for getting into gas pump panels.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited between the Hattiesburg Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Golden was the prosecutor for the case.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Illegally Re-Entering U.S. After Prior RemovalRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Wilson Walberto Clemente-Perez, 27, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced today to 4 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after being lawfully removed, announced U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst, Jr., and Thomas M. Annello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (AICE@) Homeland Security Investigations (AHSI@) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Clemente-Perez also faces Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings.
Further, Clemente-Perez was sentenced to 1 year of supervised release during which time he could face additional penalties if he were to unlawfully return to the United States, in addition to any other penalty. As a result of this felony conviction, if Clemente-Perez were to unlawfully return again to the United States, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Clemente-Perez was convicted after pleading guilty on January 26, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., in Gulfport.
On November 5, 2017, a Honda CRV in which Clemente-Perez was a passenger was stopped by a Pearl River County Sheriff’s Deputy on Interstate-59 in Pearl River County, Mississippi, for speeding. While the Honda CRV was designed to seat five people, the deputy observed that, in addition to the driver, there were five unidentified passengers. The driver could not identify his passengers and the deputy could not communicate with the passengers due to a language barrier. Suspecting human smuggling, the deputy contacted the Department of Homeland Security and a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations was dispatched. A Mississippi Highway Patrol State Trooper also provided assistance.
Upon opening the Honda CRV’s cargo door, three additional passengers were found covered in the cargo area of the vehicle bringing the total number of occupants in the vehicle to nine including the driver. Clemente-Perez was one of the passengers in the cargo area. All of the vehicle occupants were taken to the Pearl River County Jail. Further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that Clemente-Perez previously had been removed from the United States on September 28, 2017, by the Department of Homeland Security after a lawful order of removal had been issued.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Emerson Isaac Hernandez-Turcios, age 26, a citizen of Honduras, and a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States. On January 5, 2018, Hernandez-Turcios pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Within the United States, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 5, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden. Hernandez-Turcios faces up to 10 years in federal prison, plus 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000.00 fine, and $5,100.00 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris was the prosecutor for the case.
Former Hattiesburg Police Officer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Thomas Wheeler, 33, a former Hattiesburg, Mississippi, police officer, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to 61 months in federal prison and a $1,500 fine for attempted possession of 50 kilograms or more of marijuana with the intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.
On August 8, 2015, a Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a commercial truck exiting Interstate 20 in Warren County. After observing suspicious activity, a police dog was walked around the vehicle and alerted on the truck. The Trooper obtained consent from Elijah Moore, the driver of the truck, to search the vehicle.
Upon searching the truck, officers found 8 duffle bags containing bricks of marijuana. Subsequently, Moore admitted that he obtained the marijuana from El Paso, Texas, and was transporting it to Mississippi in order to distribute it within the state. Moore also stated that he had exited the ramp to meet his grandson, Thomas Wheeler. Moore stated that Wheeler had agreed to unload the duffle bags of marijuana and transport them to Seminary, Mississippi, to be picked up by Moore at a later date. Wheeler was an off-duty Hattiesburg police officer at the time.
Elijah Moore subsequently pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and was sentenced on March 2, 2017, to 97 months in federal prison and a $1,500 fine.
At the time of the stop of Moore, agents saw a maroon Chevrolet SUV with a Covington County license plate parked on the off-ramp on which Moore’s truck was stopped. Moments after the stop, the maroon Chevrolet left the area on Interstate 20 heading towards Jackson. A traffic stop was later conducted on the maroon Chevrolet and the sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Thomas Wheeler. Wheeler admitted that he had come to the location to obtain the marijuana from Moore and that Moore would pick the marijuana up from Wheeler later. Wheeler also admitted to having picked up another load of marijuana from Moore and paid $3,000.00.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southeast Mississippi Safe Streets Task Force in Hattiesburg, which is made up of special agents from the FBI and law enforcement officers from the Office of the Mississippi State Auditor, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Hattiesburg Police Department, with assistance from the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Pearl Police Department.Jackson Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Michael Ervin a/k/a Michael Irving, 37, of Jackson, was sentenced on March 12, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to serve 100 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On July 13, 2017, while attempting to execute an arrest warrant, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Taskforce discovered multiple firearms in the possession of Michael Ervin at a residence in Jackson. Specifically, officers recovered a DPMS Inc. brand, model A15, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle; an Anderson Manufacturing brand, model AM-15, multiple caliber lower receiver, semi-automatic rifle; a Ruger brand, model LCP, .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Taurus brand, model PT140 Millennium G2, .40 caliber pistol; and one hundred and fifty (150) rounds of ammunition.
Also, at Ervin’s residence, officers recovered 270.38 grams of Marijuana, 15 grams of Cocaine, .54 grams of Methamphetamine, 1.13 grams of Heroin, and 5 grams of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC Oil)
Ervin was previously convicted in the First Judicial District of Hinds County for possession of cocaine and for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Taskforce. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha D. Middleton.
Twenty New United States Citizens Naturalized Thursday in JacksonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Twenty people from 16 different countries were sworn in as United States citizens today during a Naturalization Ceremony held at the United States District Court in Jackson, Mississippi.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson presided over the ceremony. Judge Anderson welcomed family, friends, soon-to-be citizens, and special guests that included students from the 4th grade at McWillie Montessori Elementary School in Jackson; Gwen Reed, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Judge James Graves, Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Following a performance of "America the Beautiful" by Lisa Evans and Donnie Dennis, the candidates were presented for citizenship by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige, on behalf of the Attorney General of the United States, Jeff Sessions.
After Arthur Johnston, Clerk of the U.S. District Court, administered the Oath of Allegiance for citizenship, those assembled recited the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as United States citizens. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Clarissa Coleman, a 4th grade student at McWillie Montessori Elementary School. Dennis and Evans then sang "My Country ‘Tis of Thee."
A tribute was given by Kamari Littleton-Mack, a 4th grade student at McWillie. "To be a citizen of the United States is to live in a democratic republic," Littleton-Mack said. "You have rights as a citizen. Citizens vote for government officials and these officials represent the concerns and ideas of the citizens."
Judge Anderson congratulated the new citizens and commended the honorees for their hard work to achieve citizenship. Judge Anderson then presented them with certificates of citizenship. Representatives from the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented American flags and gift bags to the new citizens.
The students from the 4th grade at McWillie led the audience in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
The new citizens originated from the following 16 countries: India, Lebanon, Dominican Republic, Thailand, Yemen, Mexico, Canada, Cambodia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Cuba, Colombia, Vietnam, Jamaica, Mauritius, and People’s Republic of China.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Re-entering United States After Previous Felony ConvictionRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Oscar Alfredo Burgon-Urrea, 39, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to unlawful re-entry by a removed alien previously convicted of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and David Rivera, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New Orleans.
Burgon-Urrea is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Guirola on June 5, 2018. He faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
On December 4, 2017, during Department of Homeland Security criminal alien program duties at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, an ICE Deportation Officer arrested Burgon-Urrea, who was being held by local officials for public drunkenness after Moss Point police officers found him by the side of Interstate 10 in an intoxicated condition.
Further investigation revealed that Burgon-Urrea had been lawfully removed from the United States in 2005, and had illegally re-entered the United States on six subsequent occasions. In 2011, he was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas of re-entry by a deported alien, a felony. He had been known by multiple variations of his name including Oscar Alfredo Burgos-Urrea, Oscar Alredo Burgos Ureea, Oscar Alfredo Burgos, Oscar Burgos and Oscar Alfredo.
"ERO is committed to pursuing and apprehending those who choose to violate our immigration laws," said ICE ERO Field Office Director David Rivera, "ERO will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure criminal aliens are arrested and removed."
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Moss Point Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Gulfport Man Sentenced to Almost Nine Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Tony D. Crawford, 24, of Gulfport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden today to serve 105 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
Crawford pled guilty on April 20, 2017, to possession of a Ruger 9 mm pistol, a Drago, 7.62 caliber pistol, a Taurus 9 mm pistol, and a Hi-Point .45 caliber rifle. He admitted that he unlawfully possessed at least some of the firearms when he was conducting narcotics trafficking.
Crawford had purchased three of the firearms through straw purchasers, that is, people without felony criminal records who purchased one or more firearms from a legal firearms dealer and then resold to Crawford.
One of those straw purchasers, Isaac Q. Coleman, pled guilty to knowingly making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Following his guilty plea and conviction, Coleman was sentenced by Judge Ozerden to serve seven months in federal prison and five months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $3,500.00 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, along with the City of Biloxi, City of D’Iberville, City of Gulfport and City of Pass Christian Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Durant Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Sell Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Darnell Branch, 33, of Durant, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves, to conspiring to sell stolen firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Around 2:30 a.m. on July 28, 2014, Estelle Cook and co-defendant Corey Hughes tore a hole in the side of Central Mississippi Firearms, a gun store in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and stole 41 guns. Darnell Branch, Corey Hughes, Estelle Cook, and others sold at least a dozen of the stolen guns in Durant and Lexington, Mississippi. Branch participated in the sale of at least nine of the stolen guns to six different buyers. Branch also bought one of the stolen guns.
On October 3, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Hughes, Cook, Branch, and Frederick Russell for their unlawful conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms. On the same day, a federal grand jury indicted Jermaine Griffin for receiving and possessing one of the stolen guns.
At today’s hearing, Branch became the fifth defendant to plead guilty to his role in the conspiracy. He will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on June 11, 2018, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Co-defendant Frederick Russell pled guilty on January 10, 2018, to conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms. He will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on May 30, 2018, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Co-defendant Estelle Cook pled guilty on February 8, 2018, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on May 15, 2018, and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Co-defendant Corey Hughes pled guilty on February 13, 2018, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on June 11, 2018, and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Jermaine Griffin pled guilty on January 18, 2018, to possession of a stolen firearm. He will be sentenced by Judge Tom S. Lee on May 31, 2018, and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Case.
Biloxi Physician Convicted for Role in $3 Million Compounding Pharmacy Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal jury found a Biloxi, Mississippi physician guilty Friday for his role in an approximately $3 million compounding pharmacy fraud scheme.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. of the Southern District of Mississippi; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Ted Magee of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
Albert Diaz, M.D., 78, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to distribute and dispense a controlled substance, four counts of distributing and dispensing a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to falsify records in a federal investigation and five counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation following a five-day trial. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 22, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett of the Southern District of Mississippi, who presided over the trial.
“Communities place extraordinary trust in medical professionals,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “It is therefore particularly egregious when a physician compromises that trust, as Albert Diaz did when he played a pivotal role in causing millions of dollars in loss to our country’s health care programs. The prosecution of Albert Diaz exemplifies the Criminal Division’s commitment to holding those involved in fraud schemes accountable for their actions.”
“When individuals defraud our military’s healthcare system TRICARE, harming the health and welfare of our men and women in uniform, they will be met with swift prosecution, severe punishment and the loss of their illicit gains,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst. “I applaud the tireless and determined work of these investigators and prosecutors in securing justice in this case. Justice prevailed and justice will continue to roll.”
“In the past five years, health care fraud schemes have cost Mississippi taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Freeze. “Today’s verdict should send a strong message that the FBI will continue to expose and investigate those who exploit our health care system at the expense of the taxpayer, and especially physicians who contribute to addiction by prescribing unnecessary controlled substances.”
“The jury found Dr. Albert Diaz guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, which sent a message to all criminals seeking to defraud insurance companies – we’re on to you and will hold you responsible for your crimes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Magee. “Dr. Diaz’s scheme to steal from TRICARE and other insurance companies not only cost the American taxpayers, but put the lives of his patients in danger.”
According to evidence presented at trial, between October 2014 and December 2015, Diaz participated in a scheme to defraud TRICARE and other insurance companies by prescribing medically unnecessary compounded medications, some of which included ketamine, a controlled substance, to individuals he had not examined. The evidence further demonstrated that, based on the prescriptions signed by Diaz, Advantage Pharmacy in Hattiesburg, Mississippi dispensed these medically unnecessary compounded medications and sought and received reimbursement from TRICARE and other insurance companies totaling more than $3 million. The trial evidence further demonstrated that in response to a TRICARE audit, Diaz falsified patient records to make it appear as though he had examined patients before prescribing the medications.
The FBI, IRS-CI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and other government agencies investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Kate Payerle and Jared Hasten of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Helen Wall of the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operates in nine locations nationwide. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged over 3,500 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $12.5 billion.
Biloxi Physician Convicted for Role in $3 Million Compounding Pharmacy Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury found a Biloxi, Mississippi physician guilty Friday for his role in an approximately $3 million compounding pharmacy fraud scheme.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. of the Southern District of Mississippi; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Ted Magee of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
Albert Diaz, M.D., 78, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to distribute and dispense a controlled substance, four counts of distributing and dispensing a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to falsify records in a federal investigation and five counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation following a five-day trial. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 22, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett of the Southern District of Mississippi, who presided over the trial.
“Communities place extraordinary trust in medical professionals,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “It is therefore particularly egregious when a physician compromises that trust, as Albert Diaz did when he played a pivotal role in causing millions of dollars in loss to our country’s health care programs. The prosecution of Albert Diaz exemplifies the Criminal Division’s commitment to holding those involved in fraud schemes accountable for their actions.”
“When individuals defraud our military’s healthcare system TRICARE, harming the health and welfare of our men and women in uniform, they will be met with swift prosecution, severe punishment and the loss of their illicit gains,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst. “I applaud the tireless and determined work of these investigators and prosecutors in securing justice in this case. Justice prevailed and justice will continue to roll.”
“In the past five years, health care fraud schemes have cost Mississippi taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Freeze. “Today’s verdict should send a strong message that the FBI will continue to expose and investigate those who exploit our health care system at the expense of the taxpayer, and especially physicians who contribute to addiction by prescribing unnecessary controlled substances.”
“The jury found Dr. Albert Diaz guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, which sent a message to all criminals seeking to defraud insurance companies – we’re on to you and will hold you responsible for your crimes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Magee. “Dr. Diaz’s scheme to steal from TRICARE and other insurance companies not only cost the American taxpayers, but put the lives of his patients in danger.”
According to evidence presented at trial, between October 2014 and December 2015, Diaz participated in a scheme to defraud TRICARE and other insurance companies by prescribing medically unnecessary compounded medications, some of which included ketamine, a controlled substance, to individuals he had not examined. The evidence further demonstrated that, based on the prescriptions signed by Diaz, Advantage Pharmacy in Hattiesburg, Mississippi dispensed these medically unnecessary compounded medications and sought and received reimbursement from TRICARE and other insurance companies totaling more than $3 million. The trial evidence further demonstrated that in response to a TRICARE audit, Diaz falsified patient records to make it appear as though he had examined patients before prescribing the medications.
The FBI, IRS-CI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and other government agencies investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Kate Payerle and Jared Hasten of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Helen Wall of the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operates in nine locations nationwide. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged over 3,500 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $12.5 billion.
Vicksburg Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Jermaine Franklin, 36, of Vicksburg, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 60 months in federal 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 Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On January 23, 2016, officers with the Vicksburg Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jermaine Franklin. Following the traffic stop, Franklin fled the area on foot but was later apprehended. Officers recovered a loaded 9mm firearm, cocaine and a quantity of U.S. currency from the vehicle. Franklin was arrested and charged.
On June 21, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Franklin on two counts – being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride. On December 7, 2017, Franklin pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. He had been previously convicted of Accessory After the Fact to Armed Robbery on March 1, 1999, and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm on November 19, 2004, in Warren County Circuit Court
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vicksburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Hattiesburg Man Sentenced for Prescription Drug FraudRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Terry O’neal Grant, 30, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 16 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for two counts of prescription fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. Grant was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
On October 18, 2017, Grant pled guilty to providing a fraudulent prescription for 120 dosage units of oxycodone on November 10, 2015, in his mother’s name, to John’s Discount Pharmacy in Lamar County. He brought the prescription to the pharmacy and picked it up. Grant also pled guilty to providing the Target CVS Pharmacy in Lamar County with another fraudulent prescription on November 16, 2015, in his sister’s name, for 120 dosage units of oxycodone. He admitted to asking an employee of Gulf Oaks Mental Health Clinic to write the fraudulent prescriptions. At his request, Grant had numerous other individuals obtain prescriptions for him. Eleven other individuals were indicted with Grant, and ten of them have since pled guilty.
In 2017, Grant was also on federal probation for a previous sentence. He was revoked by Judge Keith Starrett on August 15, 2017, for his arrest involving the prescription fraud case. He was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release. The sentence imposed by Judge Ozerden will run consecutive to the sentence imposed by Judge Starrett.
The case was investigated by the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Refund Fraud Using Stolen IdentitiesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Marietta Harris pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate to conspiring to defraud the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Michael Williams and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Ted R. Magee.
According to information revealed at her plea hearing, from January 2009 to June 2013, Harris and her co-defendants defrauded the government by using names, social security numbers and other personal identifying information which had been stolen from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Rankin County, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and other locations, to file false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and collect tax refunds. These fraudulent tax refunds were electronically deposited into various bank accounts in Mississippi belonging to Harris and her co-conspirators.
Harris will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on May 29, 2018, and faces a total maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. According to the indictment, Harris and her seven co-conspirators were charged with conspiracy to defraud the government. According to the court’s public electronic record, all seven co-conspirators have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment as follows: Nikki Thomas – 105 months; S’ade Tyler – 54 months; Tony Jones – 105 months; Ladonna Cooper – 20 months; Shekeila Jones – 15 months; Pamlia Johnson – 14 months; and Diandra Thomas – 5 months.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Department of Revenue. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon.
Jackson Woman Pleads Guilty to Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Luscious Latrice Neal a/k/a Luscious Neal Harris, 43, of Jackson, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to her role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
On September 24, 2015, Neal received a quantity of cocaine for distribution from a co-conspirator and subsequently delivered the cocaine to another co-conspirator on September 25, 2015. The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed "Operation Pipeline," which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in central Mississippi that involved the distribution of cocaine and marijuana. The distribution network encompasses the States of California, Texas and Mississippi.
Neal will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on May 29, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
The case was a joint investigation by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Jackson Police Department, and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Illegal Alien Sentenced on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Leonel Chavez Vargas, 29, an illegal alien from Mexico living in Neeville, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 70 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. Vargas was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
On June 5, 2017, a Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle driven by Vargas for a traffic violation. After the stop, Vargas consented to a search of his vehicle. The deputy noticed a panel inside the vehicle had been tampered with, and upon further inspection, he located 4,212 grams of cocaine. Vargas admitted to law enforcement that he was supposed to be paid $5,000 for transporting the cocaine.
On November 21, 2017, Vargas pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a detectable amount of cocaine hydrochloride in Harrison County, Mississippi, and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in the Southern District of Texas.
The firearm charge stemmed from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi agreeing to prosecute that charge on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas involving Vargas. Years ago, ATF agents in Houston, Texas, had begun an investigation into narcotics being sold from Vargas’ apartment. On August 30, 2011, agents went to the apartment and met with Vargas. He consented to a search of the apartment, and agents located drugs, firearms, and money throughout. Specifically, agents located a Taurus .40 caliber pistol under a mattress in Vargas’ bedroom. Vargas admitted that he was from Mexico and was unlawfully in the United States.
These cases was investigated by DEA, ATF, and Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.Gulfport Man Sentenced to 74 Months in Federal Prison for Prescription Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Marcus Deshawn Price, 28, of Gulfport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Sul Ozerden, Jr. to 74 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. Price was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
On October 17, 2017, Price pled guilty to conspiring with others to distribute several controlled substances, including but not limited to oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine. From 2014 to August, 2017, several employees of Gulf Oaks Clinic took prescription pads from the clinic and forged numerous prescriptions for individuals from Hattiesburg to the Gulf Coast. Those individuals were not patients and the individuals who wrote the prescriptions were not valid prescribers.
Price picked up several fraudulent prescriptions associated with the conspiracy. He provided the pharmacies with his Mississippi driver’s license and signed the pharmacy signature logs. Price also had other individuals pick up prescriptions for him and he used other individuals’ personal information to obtain fraudulent prescriptions. After getting the pills, Price would split the pills with other individuals.
The DEA’s Diversion Group investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Gulfport Man Sentenced to 103 Months in Federal Prison for Prescription Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Tyrone Leonard Thomas, Jr., 37, of Gulfport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 103 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. Thomas was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
On October 18, 2017, Thomas pled guilty to conspiring with others to distribute several controlled substances, including but not limited to oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine. Thomas was involved in a conspiracy ring that started in 2014 and ended in June, 2017. He and two other coworkers of Gulf Oaks Mental Health Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, conspired to take prescription pads from the facility and write fraudulent prescriptions for numerous individuals in the community. Thomas helped recruit people to come to the clinic and get fraudulent prescriptions in their name. He admitted that people paid for the fraudulent prescriptions. Thomas also had at least two fraudulent prescriptions written in his own name.
The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Illegal Alien with Previous Felony Conviction Pleads Guilty to Illegally Re-entering United StatesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. - Cristobal Marin-Lopez, 22, of Mexico, pled guilty yesterday before U. S. District Court Judge Tom S. Lee to unlawfully re-entering the United States after having previously been deported and convicted of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
On December 22, 2017, Cristobal Marin-Lopez was involved in a single vehicle accident in Simpson County on Highway 43 and Tom Coke Road. Marin-Lopez was driving a Silver Chevy Trailblazer when he lost control and wrecked. Eyewitnesses to the wreck stated that several individuals ran into the woods after the wreck. None of the individuals were located. Marin-Lopez was previously convicted for possession of heroin in Harris County, Texas, a felony, on November 4, 2014. He was subsequently removed from the United States on November 1, 2016.
Marin-Lopez will be sentenced on May 31, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. by Judge Lee, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with the Simpson County Sheriff Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes.
Gulfport Felon Sentenced to over 13 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Guns and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Cornell Lamar Abram, 38, of Gulfport, was sentenced to 157 months in federal prison today by District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., on two indictments charging him as a felon in possession of ammunition and firearms, announced U. S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst, Jr.
Abram faced a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and 3 years of supervised release in each case.
On June 11, 2014, a 911 call to Gulfport Police Department regarding shots fired resulted in the recovery of two spent shell casings. The investigation revealed that Cornell Lamar Abram had entered a home and caused a disturbance by firing a gun outside as he left. No firearms were recovered. However, Abram, a multiple convicted felon, was charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Abram, who was on supervised release at the time, absconded, only to be arrested almost three years later, on April 6, 2017, in Birmingham, Alabama, in possession of two firearms.
The Alabama case was transferred to the Southern District of Mississippi. On July 21, 2017, Abram was sentenced to 36 months in prison for revocation of supervised release on a 2005 federal drug conviction. On November 14, 2017, he entered guilty pleas to possession of ammunition and possession of guns in Alabama.
Abram was sentenced today to 120 months on the Southern District of Mississippi ammunition case and 37 months on the Alabama gun case. All sentences were ordered to run consecutively, with Abram continuing to serve 36 months, then he will serve 120 months, followed by 37 months for a total of 194 months.
The Gulfport Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the Mississippi case. The Birmingham Police Department investigated the Alabama case. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Deandrae Damonn Washington, 33, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
On August 20, 2017, Washington’s vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint in Magee, Mississippi. During the stop, officers smelled marijuana emitting from the vehicle, and Washington admitted to smoking marijuana an hour before being stopped. Upon consent being given to search the vehicle, officers located several packages of methamphetamine concealed in a backpack. Washington admitted to knowing the methamphetamine was in the vehicle and conspiring to transport it from Texas to Jackson County, Mississippi. He further admitted that he had previously transported methamphetamine on seven separate occasion to the Gulf Coast. A laboratory analyzed the methamphetamine and determined it had a purity level of 100% and weighed 1,964 grams. A Federal Grand Jury indicted Washington on September 19, 2017.
Washington will be sentenced on June 26, 2018, by Judge Ozerden, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.
The case was investigated by the Magee Police Department, South Mississippi Metropolitan Enforcement Team, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Juan Luis Cantu a/k/a "Flaco," 24, of La Joya, Texas, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
During the investigation of a drug conspiracy ring, DEA agents learned through cooperating sources that Cantu was a source of supply of cocaine and marijuana for individuals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Specifically, during the DEA investigation, one source who knew Cantu only as "Flaco" stated that he negotiated with Cantu for the delivery of over 100 kilograms of marijuana. The source was also able to identify Cantu in a photo lineup provided by DEA agents.
Two of Cantu’s co-defendants stated that Cantu was instrumental in introducing the two of them to each other for the purposes of assisting in the distribution of at least 500 grams or more of cocaine. The co-defendants also stated that Cantu was present at a meeting where they discussed the distribution of narcotics, specifically one kilogram of cocaine and 117 pounds of marijuana, and those discussions ultimately led to the distribution of narcotics on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Cantu was apprehended on October 23, 2017, in McAllen, Texas and brought to Mississippi for prosecution.
Cantu will be sentenced on June 13, 2018, by Judge Ozerden, and he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Illegal Alien Previously Convicted of Drug Conspiracy Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Re-entering United StatesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Eugenio Delgado-Rivera, 48, an illegal alien from Mexico, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to the federal crime of unlawfully re-entering the United States as an illegal alien having been previously convicted of an aggravated felony, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Joseph A. Banco Jr., Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
Delgado-Rivera was found guilty of the offense and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden on June 5, 2018. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
On December 28, 2017, a rented Nissan Altima which Delgado-Rivera was driving, was stopped by a member of the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team on Interstate-10 in Jackson County, Mississippi, for speeding. Delgado-Rivera did not have a driver’s license and provided a Mexican identification document with a different name. The U.S. Border Patrol was notified, and a Border Patrol Agent responded to the scene.
Delgado-Rivera admitted that he was illegally present in the United States. Official record checks revealed that he had been previously ordered removed by a U.S. Immigration Judge, and had been physically removed from the United States on October 5, 2000. Thereafter, Delgado-Rivera unlawfully returned to the United States, and, in 2007, was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Delgado-Rivera’s prior conviction qualified as an aggravated felony and, after serving time in federal prison, he was again removed from the United States on April 21, 2009. Prior record checks determined that Delgado-Rivera had used, or been known by, over 10 different names during his time illegally present in the United States.
"Those who have violated our immigration laws and continue to do so with impunity will be met by this office with swift prosecution and punishment. If drug dealers like this defendant continue to cross our borders illegally, we will have a jail cell waiting for them when they arrive.
Such arrogant disregard for our laws will not be tolerated, as we will do all we can to protect our country and our people," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Gautier Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for the case.
Three Florida Residents Plead Guilty to ATM FraudRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Claudio Fontes Ferreira, 30, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Rodrigo D. Ferrareze, 37, of Delray Beach, Florida, and Taise Braganca Moscon, 26, of Pompano, Florida, each pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to access device fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
On December 7, 2017, the defendants were stopped in a Lincoln Navigator with Florida tags after being at a Keesler Federal Credit Union Automated Teller Machine ("ATM") on Automall Parkway in D’Iberville, Mississippi. The ATM was found to have a skimmer on it and had been altered with the top flap privacy shield being cut off so a camera placed above could observe the ATM key pad where customers enter their account PIN numbers. A search of the Lincoln Navigator resulted in the finding of access device equipment, to include but not limited to, glue, black electrical and double-sided tape and box cutters, credit cards in alias names, a card with sand paper attached to the card, and other credit cards, gift cards, and a micro SD card.
The defendants will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. They each face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Marijuana on the InterstateRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Carlos Orozco, 24, of El Paso, Texas, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Sul Ozerden, to transporting marijuana on the interstate, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
On April 6, 2017, Orozco traveled with Victor Legarda to Gulfport with approximately 40 kilograms of marijuana. A Gulfport police officer stopped the truck driven by Legarda for a traffic violation on Interstate 10. The tag on the vehicle was associated with another vehicle, and upon making contact with Legarda and Orozco, the officer noticed Legarda was acting extremely nervous. Legarda consented to a search of the vehicle, and the officer located hidden compartments in the vehicle containing vacuum sealed packages of marijuana. In total, 100 packages were removed from the vehicle. After agreeing to talk to law enforcement, Orozco stated that he was aware of the marijuana in the vehicle.
Orozco will be sentenced on June 13, 2018, by Judge Sul Ozerden, and faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Gulfport Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Pascagoula Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Tharon Jamell Taylor, 27, of Pascagoula, Mississippi, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.
On August 20, 2017, a cooperating source made a controlled delivery of 1,964 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine to Taylor. Prior to the delivery, a recorded phone call was placed by the cooperating source to Taylor, and during the call, Taylor requested that they meet at his apartment in Ocean Springs. Taylor met the cooperating source in the apartment’s parking lot, and agents quickly arrested Taylor when he reached for the bag in which the methamphetamine was located. The cooperating source provided information to law enforcement that he had previously delivered narcotics from Texas to Taylor. Upon arresting Taylor, law enforcement searched his apartment and found money, a scale, methamphetamine, and a stolen handgun.
Taylor will be sentenced on June 26, 2018, by Judge Ozerden, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in Pascagoula, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.
Illegal Alien and North Carolina Woman Plead Guilty to Fentanyl PossessionRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Uriel Adolfo Rayo-Dominguez, 19, a citizen of Mexico, and Jennifer Castillo, 18, of Charlotte, North Carolina, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
On October 11, 2017, a Gulfport police officer initiated a traffic stop for careless driving on a vehicle driven by Rayo-Dominguez. Castillo was a passenger in the vehicle. The officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and conducted a search. During the search of the vehicle, 7,041 grams of fentanyl was located in the trunk liner of the vehicle. Rayo-Dominguez and Castillo were arrested and charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Rayo-Dominguez and Castillo will be sentenced on May 31, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. by Judge Guirola. They each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance fromthe Gulfport Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
Gulfport Man Pleads Guilty to Selling HeroinRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Alexander Archie, Jr., 41, of Gulfport, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Sul Ozerden to possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
On July 31, 2017, following information of suspected heroin distribution in a hotel room at the Best Western hotel in Gulfport, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division organized an undercover operation. Archie was detained after he sold approximately 3.5 grams of heroin to a confidential source. A search warrant was obtained for the hotel room. The search of the hotel room led to the discovery of 74.1 grams of heroin, plastic sandwich bags, currency, and a digital scale.
Archie will be sentenced on June 11, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. by Judge Ozerden, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
Grenada Woman Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Tambra Brown, 30, of Grenada, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
During the investigation of a drug conspiracy ring, DEA agents learned through cooperating sources that Brown was involved in transporting narcotics from Texas to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. At least three cooperating sources identified Brown in a photo lineup and provided information about her participation in the conspiracy. According to the sources, Brown would travel from Grenada, Mississippi, to Houston, Texas, where she would pick up the methamphetamine, cocaine or large amounts of United States currency and then travel to the Gulf Coast. During another individual’s arrest, agents located some of the methamphetamine that was involved in the conspiracy, which had a 90% purity level.
A Federal Grand Jury returned an indictment against Brown on August 7, 2017. DEA Agents arrested Brown on August 28, 2017, in Grenada, Mississippi.
Brown will be sentenced on May 17, 2018, by Judge Ozerden, and she faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.