Western District of North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Newton, N.C., man was sentenced to prison today for a string of armed robberies in North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Adrian Alexander Bryson, 29, was ordered to serve 121 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Hobbs Act Robbery and possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Ron Campurciani of the Mooresville Police Department, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court records, between October and December 2022, Bryson planned and executed at least nine robberies of HT Hackney delivery trucks as they were attempting to deliver cartons of cigarettes to convenience stores. During the robberies, Bryson and his co-conspirators wore masks and either displayed firearms to the delivery drivers or behaved as if they were armed. Court records show that the robbers generally knew where the higher end tobacco products would be located on the delivery truck and stole the cartons of cigarettes that were the most valuable. In total, HT Hackney reported a loss of more than $70,800, which consisted of 1,129 cartons of cigarettes stolen during the robberies.

According to court documents, investigators determined that a red/maroon GMC Envoy was involved in some of the robberies. Investigators were able to locate the vehicle in Newton and trace it to an address where Bryson had resided. Law enforcement also determined that Bryson was a former HT Hackney employee, who had worked for the company from May to September 2022, and had left after he had been confronted about missing cigarette cartons. Law enforcement also determined that the targeted delivery routes were routes that Bryson used to deliver as a driver.

On December 28, 2022, Bryson was arrested in Hickory and a search warrant was executed at a hotel room where he was staying. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement found several containers belonging to HT Hackney, with dates and delivery locations that corresponded with some of the reported robberies. Law enforcement interviewed Bryson, who admitted to arranging and setting up the robberies. Law enforcement also located numerous text messages and photos on Bryson’s phone related to the thefts, as well as photos of Bryson posing with firearms matching the description of those used during the robberies.

On March 6, 2024, Bryson pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the ATF and the Mooresville Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Larry Dewayne Colvin, Jr., 51, of Lenoir, N.C., was sentenced today to 168 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on drug and gun offenses, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Sheriff Alan C. Jones, of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Len Hagaman, of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Brent Phelps of the Lenoir Police Department, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, on December 12, 2022, law enforcement received information that Colvin was trafficking methamphetamine in Lenoir and surrounding areas. During the investigation, law enforcement arranged controlled buys during which they observed Colvin sell methamphetamine to a Confidential Informant (CI). Court records show that on December 16, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Colvin’s residence in Lenoir, where they seized methamphetamine and a firearm. A second firearm, an ammunition magazine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and more than $7,400 in cash drug proceeds were seized from a vehicle parked on the property.

According to court records, a second search warrant was executed at another location where Colvin was using a camper as a stash house for methamphetamine. From the camper, law enforcement seized more methamphetamine, five handguns, two rifles, and a shotgun. During an interview with Colvin, the defendant told law enforcement that he also hid methamphetamine at his workplace. Law enforcement traveled to Colvin’s workplace where they seized over 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as $30,000 in cash drug proceeds from Colvin’s vehicle.

On January 8, 2023, law enforcement in Lenoir responded to a call about Colvin communicating threats to an individual. Law enforcement encountered Colvin at a gas station, where he admitted to having a firearm in the vehicle. Law enforcement retrieved the firearm along with $2,500 in cash drug proceeds.

On October 31, 2023, Colvin pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The ATF, the SBI, the Caldwell County Sherriff’s Office, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lenoir Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven R. Kaufman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – William Dalton Edwards, 25, of Mount Airy, N.C., pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy charge for his role in a $1 million scheme involving the theft of livestock, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Miles B. Davis, Special Agent in Charge, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA-OIG), Southeast Region, Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office, Sheriff Alan Norman of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office

and Sheriff Darren Campbell of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to plea documents and the plea hearing, from April 2018 to October 2022, Edwards conspired with another person to defraud livestock markets, also known as sales barns, in Iredell and Cleveland Counties, North Carolina, and in Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. The investigation determined that, on multiple occasions during the relevant time frame, Edwards and his coconspirator purchased cattle from sales barns in North Carolina and wrote checks to pay for the cattle. Edwards and his coconspirator wrote such checks knowing they were worthless, since there were insufficient funds to cover the checks and pay for the cattle.

According to court records, Edwards and his coconspirator arranged to transport the cattle out-of-state before the defrauded sales barns and financial institutions could determine their checks were worthless. The stolen cattle were then resold in Texas and Oklahoma. Over the course of the scheme, Edwards and his co-conspirator fraudulently obtained more than 3,000 head of cattle and caused over $1 million in losses to sales barns in North Carolina, Virginia and Texas. The sales barns—which are family-owned in North Carolina—incurred these losses because they are required to pay farmers and ranchers immediately after the sale of their livestock.

Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the laws of the United States. One of the objects of the charged conspiracy was to hamper and impede the Packers and Stockyard Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its regulation of fair livestock markets. Other objects of the conspiracy included a scheme to obtain funds under the custody and control of federally insured financial institutions through false statements and representations; to steal livestock valued at more than $10,000; and to transport stolen livestock in interstate commerce.

The statutory maximum for the charged offense is five years in prison, and any restitution or fines ordered by the Court at sentencing. Edwards is released on bond. A sentencing date has not been sent.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Secret Service, IRS-CI, and the Cleveland and Iredell County Sheriff’s Offices for their investigation of the case. U.S. Attorney King also thanked the Stanly County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Federal prosecutors and personnel with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North

Carolina will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country. 

To encourage community participation, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King is sharing a special video message, inviting everyone to show support by joining National Night Out events across Western North Carolina. The video can be viewed here.

“National Night Out is vital in building trust and cooperation between law enforcement and our communities. When we engage directly with the people we serve, we get to know and understand the unique challenges and concerns they face. This collaboration not only strengthens our relationships but also enhances our efforts to promote justice and ensure the well-being of our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney King.

During this year’s National Night Out, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will attend a community event organized by the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition at the Arbor Glen Outreach Center, located at 1520 Clanton Road, in Charlotte.

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.

Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.

For more information, visit https://natw.org/.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jennifer Elaine Roarke, 55, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for embezzling more than $2 million from the clients of the law firm where she was employed as a paralegal, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, from 2007 to 2021, Roarke, who is also known as Jennifer Claveria, was employed as an assistant and a paralegal for a law firm in Hickory. The law firm handled, among other things, the administration and management of trusts for clients, including the trusts’ bank accounts. As part of her duties, Roarke was responsible for opening mail, depositing checks into trust bank accounts, and processing invoices. Court records show that, from 2015 to September 2021, Roarke executed the embezzlement scheme by causing at least 190 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2 million, from the law firm’s clients’ trust bank accounts to bank accounts controlled by Roarke. Roarke used the embezzled funds to pay for personal items, make mortgage, car, and credit card payments, and to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

On December 1, 2023, Roarke pleaded guilty to wire fraud. She is released on bond. She will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Andrea Brawley, 46, of Conover, N.C., was sentenced today to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for stealing more than $300,000 from her elderly relatives, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina and Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, from August 2016 to January 2023, Brawley engaged in a scheme to defraud the elderly couple identified in court documents as J.S. and M.S., by exploiting her relationship with the victims to steal their money and property. Brawley gained access to the victims’ personal and company bank accounts, which she was expected to use to manage the couple’s personal and business affairs and to pay routine bills. Instead, Brawley misused her access to transfer funds to herself, causing the victims to sustain significant financial losses. For example, Brawley failed to make payments due on the victims’ home equity line of credit on their residence. As a result, the victims’ residence went into foreclosure and the couple lost their home. Brawley also drained the victims’ retirement accounts by forging retirement distribution forms without the victims’ knowledge and consent, causing them further financial hardship. Over the course of the scheme, Brawley defrauded J.S. and M.S. and M.S.’s company of more than $300,000.

According to court records, Brawley concealed the fraudulent scheme from J.S. and M.S. by making false representations about the cause of the foreclosure and about the state of J.S. and M.S.’s finances and personal affairs. Brawley also isolated J.S. and M.S. and limited their contact with their friends and family by taking the victims’ cell phones, impersonating them in communications with third parties, transporting them to various locations around the state, and preventing them from returning to their residence. In furtherance of the scheme, Brawley engaged in identity theft by using and attempting to use one or more means of identification that belonged to J.S. and M.S., including their names, addresses, and unique account numbers.

On November 28, 2023, Brawley pleaded guilty to wire fraud. She is currently released on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In sentencing Brawley, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell described the defendant’s conduct as “outrageous,” and ordered her to pay $628,174.06 in restitution.

The FBI and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.   

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jamell Tremaine Robinson, 42, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., Commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, on October 13, 2021, around 11:30 p.m., a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was operating stationary radar in the median of Interstate 40 in Catawba County. The trooper observed a gray Chevrolet Impala traveling at a high speed on the interstate and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle did not comply and sped away before losing control of the vehicle and crashing off the roadway in a wooded area. The trooper approached the vehicle and the driver was taken into custody. The trooper asked the driver for his identification and vehicle registration and the driver indicated the documents were inside the vehicle. When the trooper went to the wrecked vehicle to look for the license and registration, he observed a handgun laying beside the gas pedal on the floorboard of the vehicle. The handgun was loaded with one round in the chamber.

According to court records, the driver was identified as Robinson. The trooper conducted a criminal history of Robinson and discovered that he had a prior conviction for armed bank robbery in the Western District of North Carolina. Court documents show that after the vehicle was removed from the wooded area, troopers continued a search of the vehicle. During the search, troopers recovered an AR-556 rifle from the trunk of the vehicle. The rifle was loaded with one bullet in the chamber. A clear plastic bag containing 52 rounds of ammunition was also located inside the trunk next to the firearm. As a convicted felon, Robinson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On July 21, 2022, Robinson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The ATF and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated the case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – D’Angelo De’Mara McNeil, 34, of Charlotte, appeared in federal court today on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to allegations in the indictment and today’s court proceedings, on June 2, 2022, CMPD responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex in Charlotte, about an individual shooting at children. The caller indicated that after the incident, the individual – later identified as McNeil – had fled the scene in his vehicle. CMPD located McNeil in his parked vehicle in the parking lot of another apartment complex in the area. CMPD officers approached McNeil and the defendant was taken into custody. The arresting officers also retrieved a handgun from underneath the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The firearm’s magazine was empty and there was one round in the chamber.

According to court records, investigating officers spoke with an individual who had witnessed the shooting. The witness told the officers that two young boys had run up to him and told him that McNeil was allegedly shooting at them. The witness also indicated that he then observed McNeil chasing children, heard two gunshots, and saw McNeil put a firearm in his pocket before driving away. A second witness told the officers that two children had run up to her and asked to be let into the apartment complex’s leasing office because a man with a gun was chasing them.

Following the court hearing, McNeil was remanded into federal custody. The charge of possession of a firearm by a felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

The charge in the indictment is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The ATF and CMPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shavonn Bennette of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced that the United States has filed a complaint against Murphy Medical Center, Inc. doing business as Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority doing business as Erlanger Health System and Erlanger Medical Center (collectively, Erlanger) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The government alleges that Erlanger, a health care system located in Tennessee and North Carolina, violated the Stark Law and thereby submitted false claims to the Medicare program.

The Stark Law prohibits a hospital from billing Medicare for services referred by a physician with whom the hospital has an improper financial relationship that does not meet any statutory or regulatory exception. The government’s complaint alleges that Erlanger had employment relationships with a number of physicians that did not meet any Stark Law exception because the compensation Erlanger paid to the physicians was well above fair market value. The complaint alleges that Erlanger received referrals from these physicians in violation of the Stark Law and submitted claims to Medicare knowing that the claims for those referred services were not eligible for payment.

“Improper financial relationships between hospitals and physicians threaten the integrity of clinical decision-making and can influence the type and amount of health care that is provided to patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to ensuring that physicians’ treatment decisions are based on the needs of their patients and not their own financial interests.”

“The government’s complaint alleges that Erlanger compromised Stark Law compliance to boost its financial standing, knowingly overpaying physicians whose practices generated profits for the hospital,” said U.S. Attorney King. “We are dedicated to enforcing the Stark Law and protecting patients and the Medicare program from financial relationships that undermine public trust and incentivize overbilling and waste of taxpayer dollars.”

“This complaint serves as a warning to health care entities that attempt to increase profits through improper financial arrangements with referring physicians,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to investigate such deals to prevent financial arrangements that could compromise impartial medical judgment, increase health care costs, and erode public trust in the health care system.”

The United States filed its complaint in a lawsuit originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to receive a share of any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it has done here in part. Those who violate the Act are subject to treble damages and applicable penalties.

The government’s intervention in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The Justice Department’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina handled the case, with assistance from HHS-OIG.

The case is captioned United States of America, the State of North Carolina, and the State of Tennessee ex rel. Alana Sullivan and J. Britton Tabor v. Murphy Medical Center, Inc., et al. No. 1:21-CV-219-MR-WCM (W.D.N.C.).

The claims asserted in the United States’ complaint are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

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The United States has filed a complaint against Murphy Medical Center, Inc. doing business as Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority doing business as Erlanger Health System and Erlanger Medical Center (collectively, Erlanger) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The government alleges that Erlanger, a health care system located in Tennessee and North Carolina, violated the Stark Law and thereby submitted false claims to the Medicare program.

The Stark Law prohibits a hospital from billing Medicare for services referred by a physician with whom the hospital has an improper financial relationship that does not meet any statutory or regulatory exception. The government’s complaint alleges that Erlanger had employment relationships with a number of physicians that did not meet any Stark Law exception because the compensation Erlanger paid to the physicians was well above fair market value. The complaint alleges that Erlanger received referrals from these physicians in violation of the Stark Law and submitted claims to Medicare knowing that the claims for those referred services were not eligible for payment.

“Improper financial relationships between hospitals and physicians threaten the integrity of clinical decision-making and can influence the type and amount of health care that is provided to patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to ensuring that physicians’ treatment decisions are based on the needs of their patients and not their own financial interests.”

“The government’s complaint alleges that Erlanger compromised Stark Law compliance to boost its financial standing, knowingly overpaying physicians whose practices generated profits for the hospital,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “We are dedicated to enforcing the Stark Law and protecting patients and the Medicare program from financial relationships that undermine public trust and incentivize overbilling and waste of taxpayer dollars.” 

“This complaint serves as a warning to health care entities that attempt to increase profits through improper financial arrangements with referring physicians,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to investigate such deals to prevent financial arrangements that could compromise impartial medical judgment, increase health care costs, and erode public trust in the health care system.” 

The United States filed its complaint in a lawsuit originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to receive a share of any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it has done here in part. Those who violate the Act are subject to treble damages and applicable penalties.

The government’s intervention in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The Justice Department’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina handled the case, with assistance from HHS-OIG. The case is captioned United States of America, the State of North Carolina, and the State of Tennessee ex rel. Alana Sullivan and J. Britton Tabor v. Murphy Medical Center, Inc., et al. No. 1:21-CV-219-MR-WCM (W.D.N.C.).

The claims asserted in the United States’ complaint are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

Complaint

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An alleged car thief facing federal charges appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today for his initial court appearance, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

A criminal indictment charges Terrick D. Lumpkin, 38, of Charlotte, with one count of conspiracy to transport, possess, and sell a stolen vehicle and to remove, obliterate, tamper with, and alter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle; and two counts of altering or removing a VIN. The indictment was filed on July 16, 2024, and was unsealed today following Lumpkin’s arrest and court appearance.

The indictment alleges that, between November 2023 and January 2024, Lumpkin engaged in a conspiracy to steal and possess high-end motor vehicles worth more than one million dollars. As alleged in the indictment, Lumpkin and his co-conspirators obtained stolen vehicles from various locations throughout United States, including in Charlotte, North Carolina, Illinois, and New York. It is further alleged that several of the vehicles possessed by Lumpkin were stolen from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Lumpkin and others sought to obtain high-end vehicles made by Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Mercedes, as well as sports utility vehicles, and other expensive models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, and Jeep.

According to allegations in the indictment, once in possession of the stolen vehicles, Lumpkin and his co-conspirators regularly altered or tampered with the stolen vehicles’ original VINs to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Lumpkin was released on bond following today’s court hearing. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years. Each charge of possession of a stolen vehicle carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The charge of altering or removing a VIN carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

This is the fourth indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Charlotte related to trafficking in stolen vehicles. In March 2023, two individuals were charged for a scheme that involved buying and selling stolen vehicles. In August 2023, five individuals were indicted for stealing luxury vehicles from dealerships throughout the United States, and two additional individuals were indicted in November 2023, for orchestrating high-end auto thefts from businesses in South Carolina.

U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Bozin and Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case. 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – James Christopher Robinson, 52, of Granite Falls, N.C., was sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for tax and credit card fraud, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robinson was also ordered to pay $4,434,225.44 in restitution.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, and Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to filed documents and the sentencing hearing, Robinson was the owner of multiple cabinet manufacturing and retail businesses in the Hickory area, including Cabinet Solutions USA Inc., Best Cabinet Doors, LLC, Cabinet Doors Fast, LLC, and Cox Manufacturing, LLC (collectively, Cabinet Companies). Court documents show that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Robinson accessed the credit cards of Cabinet Companies’ customers and without authorization made 294 fraudulent credit card charges totaling approximately $1 million. Robinson also created at least four counterfeit checks totaling more than $93,000, using information from actual checks written to his Cabinet Companies by customers.

According to court records, for tax years 2017 to 2022, Robinson caused two of his companies to fail to comply with their employment tax obligations by failing to timely account for and pay over more than $3.1 million in employment taxes. Court documents indicate that Robinson used the stolen funds to make large cash withdrawals from his business accounts and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash deposits at casinos.

On January 17, 2024, Robinson pleaded guilty to access device fraud and failure to truthfully account for and pay over trust fund taxes. He is released on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence upon designation of a federal facility.

In announcing Robinson’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell described Robinson’s offenses as “serious,” and said that there was “a lot of deliberate, fraudulent, selfish conduct.” 

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI, the Secret Service, and IRC-CI for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – George Bates, 55, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and two years of supervised release for gun trafficking, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell also ordered Bates to pay a $10,000 fine.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, between 2020 and 2022, Bates legally purchased dozens of firearms, which he then sold illegally to other individuals. Court documents show that Bates, who was not licensed to deal in firearms, did not make an effort to ensure he was not selling the firearms to prohibited persons. On the contrary, court records show that some of the firearms Bates sold were used to commit other crimes, including shootings.

On March 4, 2024, Bates pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a license. Bates must report to the Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The ATF handled the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced that Patrick Taylor, 26, of Wadesboro, N.C., was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday, followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a stolen firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. This sentence will be served in conjunction with related offenses for which Taylor is currently serving state terms of imprisonment.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief J. Bryan Gilliard of the Monroe Police Department (MPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, on June 6, 2022, MPD officers received information that Taylor was driving a stolen vehicle in the Monroe area. MPD officers located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. Court documents show that the vehicle failed to stop and instead increased its speed, driving around other vehicles and through a median. Eventually, the vehicle drove through a grassy area before crashing. When the vehicle came to a stop, Taylor jumped out and fled into a wooded area. MPD officers pursued on foot until they lost sight of Taylor.  

According to court records, law enforcement located Taylor in a nearby field and the defendant was subsequently arrested. Once Taylor was apprehended, court documents show that law enforcement located a firearm near where Taylor had been located. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Taylor had stolen the firearm from another individual a few days prior, and that the firearm had been reported stolen.

On December 20, 2023, Taylor pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm. Taylor will remain in federal custody until he is transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended ATF and the Monroe Police Department for their investigation of the case and thanked the Union County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

In July 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office launched Think Again, an informational campaign to educate the public on how to prevent illegal firearms from getting into the wrong hands. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has partnered with the ATF in this initiative, in an effort to reduce gun-induced violence and to increase reporting of illegal firearms. The campaign encourages the public to submit an anonymous tip about illegal firearms and other criminal activity to the ATF by calling 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), via text at 63975, or online at WWW.ATF.GOV/ATF-TIPS.

For additional information about our Think Again initiative, please visit our website. You can view our Think Again Public Service Announcements here.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ashanti Joyner Jackson, 26, Charlotte, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on July 2, 2022, CMPD officers observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen drive into a Quick Trip gas station in Charlotte. CMPD officers arrived at the gas station and apprehended Jackson, who had been driving the vehicle, as he was walking out of the store. CMPD officers approached the parked vehicle and observed a firearm on the driver seat in plain view. The officers conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered that the firearm was a semi-automatic pistol, which was loaded with one round in the chamber and a magazine containing 12 rounds. In addition, CMPD officers found several baggies containing narcotics and a digital scale. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Jackson has prior convictions for, among other offenses, Common Law Robbery, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.  Accordingly, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On April 12, 2023, Jackson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Kenney and Regina Pack of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte man who robbed a convenience store at gunpoint was sentenced to 117 months in prison today, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Hasahn Riyardt Flowe, 27, was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release following his term of incarceration.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and today’s court proceedings, on January 22, 2023, at 6:17 p.m., Flowe entered the Sam’s Mart located at 2630 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. Flowe had the lower part of his face concealed with a red bandana and was armed with a pistol. At the time, the only other person inside the store was a Sam’s Mart employee, identified in court documents as A.R. Upon entering the store, Flowe pointed the pistol at A.R. and demanded money from the register. Court records show that Flowe told A.R. that he had just gotten out of prison and ordered her to shut up or he would shoot her. A.R. opened the register and began to remove the money. Flowe took the money and fled the scene.

Photo # 1- Jan. 22, 2023 – Armed robbery of Sam's Mart on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte – The defendant is pointing a firearm at a store employee as she hands him money from the register.

According to court records, on February 8, 2023, at 6:29 p.m., Flowe entered the 7-Eleven located at 4255 Statesville Road in Charlotte. Flowe had the lower part of his face concealed with the same red bandana and was armed with the same pistol as the previous robbery. The only other person present was a 7-Eleven employee, identified as T.R. Flowe displayed his pistol and demanded money from T.R. T.R., seeing the pistol, ran to the rear of the store and exited out of a back door.

Photo #2 - Feb. 8, 2023 - Attempted armed robbery of 7-11 in Charlotte – The defendant is pointing a firearm at a store employee as she’s fleeing the store.

According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, after the employee fled, Flowe ran behind the counter, found the drawer for the register, pulled it out, and dropped it on the floor. As that was happening, another customer walked in the store. Flowe raised his pistol and pointed it at the customer, who then backed out into the parking lot. Unable to get into the cash drawer, Flowe grabbed T.R.’s purse and fled the store.

Photo #3 - Feb. 8, 2023 - Attempted armed robbery of 7-11 in Charlotte – The defendant is pointing a firearm at a customer who walked into the store.

During the investigation, court records show that law enforcement found photographs posted on Flowe’s public social media profile of him wearing the red bandana he wore during the robbery and attempted robbery and posing with the firearm Flowe used during both crimes.

Photo #4 - The defendant posted photos on social media with the firearm he used in each crime.

Flowe was arrested on February 15, 2023. At the time of the arrest, law enforcement recovered the firearm Flowe had used to commit both crimes.

On October 19, 2023, Flowe pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Anthony J. Enright is the recipient of the Director’s Award for Superior Appellate Performance. The Director’s Award recognizes excellence throughout the U.S. Attorney community and honors the exceptional contributions to the Justice Department’s mission by AUSAs in criminal and civil cases, and appellate work, and other programmatic areas, across the 94 federal Districts that comprise the United States.  

“For nearly 10 years, Anthony has distinguished himself as one of the top appellate lawyers in the Department of Justice community,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Through this award, the Department of Justice has recognized Anthony for his superior appellate performance, his dedication, and his service to the people of the Western District of North Carolina. Anthony is a committed public servant who has helped advance my Office’s critical appellate work and further the mission of the Justice Department. Anthony’s high standards of professional conduct and his contributions as an appellate litigator have had a powerful impact in ensuring the strength of our justice system and enhancing the security of our communities.”

AUSA Enright joined the Appellate Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2014. During his tenure, Anthony has written countless appellate briefs, presented more than 60 oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and secured dozens of published appellate decisions affirming the position of the United States.  He has successfully defended on appeal the convictions and sentences of violent offenders, domestic terrorists, child predators, drug traffickers, fraudsters, tax cheats, and people who didn’t follow the rules while on federal property. AUSA Enright has also won decisions about constitutional law, statutory interpretation, sentencing, and the application of our treaties that are helpful to the Justice Department’s mission.  AUSA Enright is a stellar example of the best the Justice Department has to offer. Thanks to AUSA Enright’s appellate advocacy, our community in the Western District is a safer place. 
 

AUSA Enright received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is originally from Chicago, Illinois.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office convened a meeting today of the Western District’s Environmental Justice & Environmental Crimes Working Group, reaffirming its commitment to advancing environmental justice.

The federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies represented in the working group meeting were the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of the Inspector General and Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

June marked the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Environmental Justice Initiative (EJI) and the appointment of an Environmental Justice Coordinator, following an announcement by Attorney General Merrick Garland on key efforts by the Department of Justice to advance environmental justice.

In her welcome remarks to the working group, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King thanked the partner agencies for their participation and expressed the Office’s commitment to environmental justice in communities across the Western District. U.S. Attorney King also highlighted prosecutors’ efforts to hold accountable violators of federal environmental statutes and noted that federal laws are in place to protect natural resources and prevent harmful pollutants from posing health risks for communities.

“The collaboration between my Office and our partner agencies is crucial in protecting communities from environmental harm,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Our dedication to environmental justice is unwavering, and together, we can ensure that our efforts are effective and impactful.”

Today’s working group meeting focused on federal prosecutors’ criminal and civil enforcement efforts, collaboration with partner agencies to develop goals and strategies including identifying areas qualifying under the EJI, as well as next steps and action items in support of potential leads and investigations. In addition, participants discussed efforts to increase education and public awareness and develop action items related to environmental statute violations.

For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Environmental Justice Initiative, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/civil-rights-program#EJC

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Antoine Johnson, 48, and Kimberly Maddox, 43, formerly of Huntersville, N.C., currently residing in Georgia, pleaded guilty today to federal charges for fraudulently obtaining approximately $2 million in bank loans and COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, announced Dena J. King U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to plea documents and today’s court hearing, the defendants owned and operated Pick Up and Go Moving International, Inc. and affiliated businesses (collectively, PUGMI). Johnson was the president of PUGMI and Maddox the vice president. Court documents show that, between 2018 and 2023, the defendants fraudulently obtained multiple lines of credit, bank loans, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program loans on behalf of their businesses totaling approximately $2 million. To secure the loans, the defendants lied on more than 30 loan applications about PUGMI’s income, gross revenues, expenses, and number of employees, and submitted fabricated supporting documents that included fraudulent tax returns and fictitious financial statements.

Johnson and Maddox pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and making a false statement to a financial institution. The statutory maximum sentence the defendants face is 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Following the plea hearing, the defendants were released on bond. A sentencing date has not been set.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that the Town of Glen Alpine has remedied several violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to its Town Hall building. The resolution is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to ensure that civic institutions comply with the ADA.

The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsible for enforcing the ADA, which prohibits the failure to make reasonable modifications where those modifications are necessary to make services available to individuals with disabilities. Under Title II of the ADA and its regulations, state and local governments are required to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation following a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming that the Town of Glen Alpine violated the ADA by failing to provide reasonable accommodations to permit access to its Town Hall for residents with disabilities.  The Town of Glen Alpine cooperated with the investigation and has resolved the ADA violations in accordance with the law, regulations, and the 2010 ADA Standards of Accessible Design. The modifications include: (1) an accessible parking space at the front of the town hall adjacent to a ramp and an accessible sign mounted at least 60” from the ground; (2) the town hall now has a smooth and unobstructed ramp with ADA compliant handrails on each side; (3) there is a doorbell at the accessible entrance; (4) the interior route from the accessible entrance is clear and unobstructed; (5) insulation was added to the exposed pipes in each bathroom; and (6) the Town added Braille signage to the conference room where its meetings are held. In addition, new ADA compliant ramps were also added to the stage and gazebo bringing them into ADA compliance among other modifications. 

“My office is committed to enforcing the ADA and protecting all civil rights in this District,” said U.S. Attorney King, who also leads the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights. “Individuals with disabilities have a right to equal access to government services and should not be deprived from accessing those services due to lack of reasonable modifications. I want to thank the citizen who brought this matter to our attention, and I am pleased that the Town of Glen Alpine also prioritizes the needs of its residents and compliance with federal law. With these remedies, each resident and visitor can fully enjoy and utilize the services of the town, especially on the 4th of July.”

Individuals who believe they have been victims of discrimination may file an ADA complaint online at https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY).

This matter was handled by Investigators Cathleen Hollowell and Neil Power and Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) Jon Warren, Julia Wood, and Janice Powers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. AUSA Powers also serves as the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil/Civil Rights Coordinator.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Peter Anthony Thomas, 63, formerly of Charlotte and now a resident of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty today to failing to account for and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the trust fund taxes due and owing on behalf of the employees of PT Media, LLC for the quarter ending June 30, 2021, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. 

Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS, Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office (IRS-CI) joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to plea documents and today’s court proceedings, Thomas was the owner of Club One CLT, LLC, Sports ONE, Inc., Sports ONE CLT LLC, and PT Media, LLC, (collectively “the Charlotte businesses”) which operated as sports-themed bar/restaurant/lounges in Charlotte.  Thomas also owned several other bars, restaurants, and lounges in Florida and Maryland, including Bar One Miami Beach LLC and Bar One Baltimore LLC. Thomas exercised control over the Charlotte businesses’ financial and business affairs and was responsible for collecting trust fund taxes and accounting for employment taxes by filing Forms 941 with the IRS and paying over to the IRS the employment taxes for the Charlotte businesses’ employees.     

Between 2017 and 2022, Thomas caused the Charlotte businesses to collect more than $640,000 in trust fund taxes from the wages of their employees, but Thomas did not pay over these taxes to the IRS. In addition, between 2021 and 2023, Thomas caused Bar One Miami Beach LLC and Bar One Baltimore LLC to collect more than $1.1 million in trust fund taxes from the wages of their employees, but Thomas did not pay over these taxes to the IRS. In total, between 2017 and 2023, Thomas caused the Charlotte businesses, Bar One Miami Beach LLC, and Bar One Baltimore LLC to fail to pay over more than $2.5 million in employment taxes, including more than $1,740,000 in trust fund taxes from the wages of their employees.

Court documents show that instead of paying the trust fund taxes that were due on behalf of the Charlotte businesses, Thomas used the trust fund taxes for other purposes, including cash withdrawals, travel, real estate purchases, and retail purchases. Thomas also caused more than $2.9 million to be transferred between the Charlotte businesses, Bar One Miami Beach, LLC, and Bar One Baltimore, LLC.

Thomas was released on bond following his plea hearing. The tax charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.

                                                           

                                  

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Today, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced that a federal superseding indictment was filed in the Western District of North Carolina, charging Henry Ronald Emery, Jr., MD, 52, of Waxhaw, N.C., for the alleged unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

A federal criminal indictment filed in September 2023, charged Dr. Emery, with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, and 11 counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice. In addition to these offenses, the superseding indictment filed on July 11, 2024, charged Dr. Emery with one count of conspiracy to unlawfully use a registration number.

“It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits.”

“The illicit prescription and distribution of opioids pose a serious threat to public health and safety,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Part of our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and protect our communities, is identifying those who distribute these substances to our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Whether it involves physicians improperly prescribing controlled substances or street dealers selling drugs in our neighborhoods, we are committed to holding accountable those who profit by exploiting others’ struggles with substance abuse.”

According to the charges, from no later than September 2018 through in or about 2022, Dr. Emery, then a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, allegedly conspired with other persons to intentionally and unlawfully prescribe, dispense, and distribute, and did unlawfully prescribe, dispense, and distribute, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance. It is also alleged that Dr. Emery engaged in the illegal distribution of buprenorphine on multiple occasions and while acting and intending to act outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. It is further alleged that Dr. Emery knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with others to use a registration number issued to another person in connection with the distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance.

The Justice Department announced today criminal charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Government, in connection with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.

The charges against Dr. Emery are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and IRS-CI for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nick J. Miller and William Bozin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell sentenced Charod Terron Terry, 35, of Mooresville, N.C., to 110 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, Sheriff Darren Campbell of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief David W. Onley of the Statesville Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on July 14, 2022, deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a vehicle check when they observed a car attempting to evade the checkpoint. Law enforcement proceeded to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. Terry was a passenger in the vehicle. During the stop, law enforcement asked Terry to exit the vehicle. As Terry exited the vehicle, the deputies observed a partial firearm hidden inside a bag that was tucked between the passenger seat and the passenger door of the vehicle. Law enforcement retrieved from the bag a firearm, as well as trafficking quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base. During the investigation, law enforcement determined the firearm belonged to Terry. Testimony also showed that Terry had dealt cocaine base to undercover officers on eight different occasions in 2021. Court records show that Terry is a felon with prior convictions for drug possession and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm. At today’s sentencing hearing, Terry received an enhanced sentence for his use of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.

On February 2, 2024, Terry pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Statesville Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kadeem Jamal Albright, 30, of Hickory, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for firearms offenses, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department (HPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, on December 27, 2022, at approximately 11:22 p.m., HPD officers received a call for service for a hit and run incident involving a silver vehicle near Main Avenue in Hickory. Officers responding to the call located the silver vehicle and determined Albright was the driver. The officers attempted to pull the vehicle over. Albright initially did not comply, but eventually stopped the vehicle. Albright was intoxicated. Over the course of the traffic stop, the officers searched the vehicle and found more than 9 ounces of marijuana and a loaded .40 cal. pistol underneath the driver’s seat. They also found a bag containing 362 fentanyl pills in the rear passenger area.  Finally, they found almost a pound and a half of marijuana and a loaded short-barrel AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with a drum magazine in the trunk.  Law enforcement determined that the AR-15 was a privately made firearm, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.”  Albright has prior federal and state criminal felony convictions and he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On December 5, 2023, Albright pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a felon.  He was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment on each charge with the sentences to run consecutive to one another, for a total sentence of 120 months imprisonment.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and HPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Castillo Hopkins, 39, of Matthews, N.C. was sentenced today to 42 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on June 10, 2022, CMPD officers received a call for service for an armed individual at a gas station in the area. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed the individual, later identified as Hopkins, sitting on the hood of his vehicle. As the officers approached Hopkins, the defendant got off the hood of the car and kneeled by the front driver’s side wheel. The officers heard a metallic object hit the ground. Hopkins was arrested and the officers retrieved a semi-automatic pistol from underneath the vehicle. According to court documents, on July 23, 2022, a shooting occurred at The Gold Club in Charlotte. During the investigation, law enforcement identified Hopkins as the possible shooter in that incident. On July 23, 2022, law enforcement located Hopkins sitting in a vehicle at the same gas station he had been arrested previously. Law enforcement ordered Hopkins to step out of the vehicle and proceeded to search the car’s interior, where they located a semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen. Hopkins has multiple prior convictions, including strong arm robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and carrying a concealed weapon, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

On January 10, 2024, Hopkins pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Sielaff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Antonio Lamar Stukes, 33, of Charlotte, was ordered to serve 61 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, in October 2022, law enforcement learned that Stukes was trafficking fentanyl in and around the Charlotte area. Law enforcement initiated an investigation into Stukes. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement arranged several controlled buys of fentanyl from the Stukes. The investigation of Stukes led to the identification of his supplier and several additional co-conspirators. Stukes has a lengthy criminal history, including a 2014 federal conviction in the Western District of North Carolina for possession of a firearm by a felon.   

On January 25, 2024, Stukes pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and aiding and abetting.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI, the ATF, and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rose of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Chad Joseph Caesar, 39, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced to 132 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for receipt of child pornography.

Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department (HPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, in February 2023, HPD was notified that Caesar’s computer had been flagged by his employer for a security violation. The HPD initiated an investigation, which led to the execution of a search warrant at Caesar’s residence. Law enforcement seized Caesar’s electronic devices, which were analyzed forensically. The analysis revealed that Caesar’s devices contained an extensive inventory of child pornography – more than 50,000 images and videos – depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants and toddlers, and files that contained sadistic and masochistic conduct and bestiality. Also, court records show that Caesar’s collection of child pornography included images and videos of over 250 victims who have previously been identified by name. Many of those identified victims submitted victim impact statements for the Court’s consideration at sentencing. Judge Bell, commenting on those victim impact statements at sentencing, noted that “When you read their letters they are forever abused … They live in fear for the rest of their lives.”

On December 6, 2023, Caesar pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.

In announcing today’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell said that the victims “live in fear for the rest of their lives,” and “When you read the letters they are forever abused.”

Caesar will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated federal Bureau of Prisons’ facility.

The HSI and the Hickory Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte was in charge of the prosecution.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Damarious Sims, 24, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 76 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on each of two counts for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to documents filed in the case and court proceedings, on August 13, 2022, CMPD officers responded to a call for assistance at East 4th Street and South Brevard Street for gunshots fired in the area. A second call for service came regarding a shooting incident near the Omni Hotel in uptown, where a victim, later identified as Sims, had been shot and sustained an injury. The officers located Sims on the ground in front of the hotel with a gunshot wound in his lower left calf. Officers rendered Sims medical assistance and he was transported to the hospital. During the ensuing investigation, law enforcement determined that Sims had been approached by two males looking to buy marijuana. The deal was a ruse and a female, later identified as Princess Houghton, and her brother planned to assault Sims during the deal. Sims drew a pistol with an extended magazine when he detected the threat. Houghton drew her own pistol with an extended magazine and shot Sims before fleeing the scene. During the investigation, CMPD recovered the guns used by Sims and Houghton. They were each arrested on local charges.

While out on bond from his local charges, on November 30, 2022, Sims got into an altercation with a passerby near the Omni Hotel in uptown. Sims had another loaded pistol and threatened to use it on the passerby. CMPD responded and confronted Sims who fled on foot.  After a brief chase, CMPD took Sims into custody and recovered the loaded firearm.

On April 26, 2023, Sims pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Houghton was sentenced to eight years in prison.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Phillip Christopher Weise, 36, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for sexual exploitation of minors, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Weise was also ordered to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison term.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, in December 2020, law enforcement received a cybertip that an individual, later identified as Weise, was using social media and messaging platforms to upload child pornography. In March 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Weise’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices including Weise’s cell phone. A review of the devices revealed that Weise, posing as a minor, met minors on social media platforms such as Kik, Snapchat, Discord, and JusTalk. Weise befriended the minors and sent them child pornography. Weise also persuaded the minors to send him sexually explicit images and videos, and he sometimes directed them to involve their younger siblings and animals in the videos. On occasion, Weise extorted minors to continue to send him sexually explicit videos by threatening to post their sexually explicit videos online if the minors did not comply with his request for additional videos. Court records show that Weise targeted minors between the ages of four and 12, and he shared the sexually explicit videos with other offenders.  Law enforcement officials identified more than six of Weise’s victims.

When sentencing Weise to the statutory maximum term of 42 years, U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney noted that Weise’s crimes will have a life-long effect on his victims.

On March 9, 2023, Weise pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, extortion, and transfer of obscene matter to minors. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI and CMPD for their work in the investigation. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimlani Ford of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte and Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. –Kenter O’Neal Ruff, 45, of Gastonia, N.C., was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release for drug distribution, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Trent Conard of the Gastonia Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents, evidence presented at Ruff’s trial, and witness testimony, over the course of an investigation into drug trafficking in Gaston County law enforcement identified Ruff as a local drug distributor. Trial evidence established that, on multiple occasions between October 2020 and April 2021, Ruff sold cocaine base to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. At the time, Ruff was on supervised release stemming from a prior federal drug conviction and had additional state convictions related to drug trafficking and drug possession.

On January 5, 2023, a federal jury convicted Ruff of four counts of distribution of cocaine base. Ruff will remain in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.

U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and the Gastonia Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Kent and Steven R. Kaufman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte and Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Princess Houghton, 34, of Salisbury, N.C., was sentenced today to 96 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to documents filed in the case and court proceedings, on August 13, 2022, at approximately 3:52 p.m., CMPD Officers were dispatched to East 4th Street and South Brevard Street in reference to a service call for shots fired in the area, which is a short distance from the Transit Center in Uptown Charlotte. While enroute, another call for service came in for the Omni Hotel at 132 East Trade Street, for a victim that had been shot and sustained a gunshot wound. The officers located the victim and began rendering medical assistance. The victim was then transported to the hospital.

According to court documents, law enforcement reviewed surveillance footage from cameras in the area and were able to identify Houghton’s vehicle as it fled the area as well as the address where the vehicle was registered. On August 23, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Houghton’s residence. Law enforcement searched a safe inside the residence, where they found Houghton’s semi-automatic pistol, loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition plus one additional round in the chamber. Law enforcement also recovered a separate extended magazine loaded with additional ammunition. Court records show that Houghton had used the illegal firearm to shoot the victim.

On October 25, 2023, Houghton pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Houghton has multiple prior convictions, to include assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, accessory after the fact – robbery with a dangerous weapon, and charges related to breaking and entering. As a result of the criminal conviction, she is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  

Houghton is in federal custody. She will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kristy Lawrence, 45, of Monroe, N.C., was sentenced today to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for embezzling nearly $2.3 million from her employer, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney also ordered Lawrence to pay $$2,224,086 in restitution.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Sheriff Eddie Cathey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, from 2016 to April 2022, Lawrence was employed by a small family business located in Monroe. Over the course of her employment, Lawrence worked in a purchasing and accounting function for the business and handled the company’s books and records. Court records show that Lawrence misused her position to embezzle millions of dollars from the company. Lawrence carried out the scheme by making multiple unauthorized electronic transfers from the company’s bank account to pay outstanding balances on her credit card and to make other payments for her personal benefit. Lawrence covered up the fraud by using her position and access to falsify documents and make fraudulent accounting entries in the company’s books and records. Lawrence’s embezzlement scheme was uncovered after the defendant was on extended leave and another employee took over her responsibilities.

In reaching its sentence, the Court highlighted, among other things, the long-running nature of the scheme and the significant economic and emotional harm that Lawrence caused to her employer and her coworkers.

On December 19, 2023, Lawrence pleaded guilty to wire fraud. She remains free on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her sentence upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI in Charlotte and the Union County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This week, 24 high school students are participating in the U.S. Attorney’s Office Summer Law Camp, a program that introduces students to the American Criminal Justice System. The program is designed to help students gain a greater understanding of a career in the law and experience the work of practicing litigators. The camp will conclude with students engaging in mock trials that will be held at the federal courthouse in Charlotte, before by U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.

“Our Summer Law Camp offers young people an excellent introduction to the criminal justice system and the wide range of career opportunities in the legal field,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. “The mock trials provide students with a hands-on understanding of legal proceedings and trial advocacy, allowing them to experience the role of a lawyer in an engaging, fun, and interactive environment.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office Summer Law Camp is free of charge, and it is available to high school students interested in learning more about the legal profession. The program is taught by career federal prosecutors and helps students explore the justice system, learn about the Federal Rules of Evidence, gain basic advocacy skills, and encourage students to think as lawyers. In addition, participating students receive instruction on evidence collection and trial preparation and learn from guest speakers representing law enforcement agencies and the legal defense bar. During the mock trials, students actively participate in the court proceedings, with assigned roles as prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses, tasked with delivering opening statements and closing arguments, providing testimony, and conducting cross examinations.

“Our law camp gives students from all backgrounds the chance to explore the legal profession, understand the legal process, and learn about career options in the field,” said U.S. Attorney King. “However, the camp goes beyond civics education and career preparation. The ultimate goal is to help young people recognize the power and responsibility they hold as citizens, and the important role they play in ensuring the criminal justice system is a place where they can make a meaningful impact for themselves, their community, and justice” King added.

Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Summer Law Camp can be found here.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced that Bryan Dequan Ledbetter, 48, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 96 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to documents filed in the case and court proceedings, on September 25, 2022, in the early morning hours, Ledbetter used a bedroom window to enter the home of a female victim who was known to Ledbetter. Upon hearing Ledbetter attempting to enter her home, the victim called 911. While she was on the phone with the dispatcher, the victim managed to escape and run toward the neighbor’s home. Ledbetter caught up with the victim on the neighbor’s porch, placed his hands around the victim’s neck and began to squeeze her neck. Ledbetter then dragged the victim on the neighbor’s yard while keeping his hands around her neck. Court records show that, while Ledbetter held the victim down, he pulled out a firearm and fired into the air. Ledbetter then dragged the victim in the nearby bushes where he placed the muzzle of the firearm against the victim’s head and under her neck. When officers arrived at the scene, they ordered Ledbetter to surrender. At first, Ledbetter refused and continued to press his firearm against the victim’s head. Ledbetter eventually threw down his firearm and he was arrested on scene.

On March 14, 2023, Ledbetter pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ledbetter has prior state convictions that include assault on a female and felony assault by strangulation, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  

Ledbetter is in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts to enhance safety across communities in Western North Carolina, especially during the summer months when violent crime historically increases. These efforts include federal prosecutions, collaborations with law enforcement and local communities, and proactive prevention programs aimed at strengthening public safety.

“We are closely monitoring a potential increase in criminal activity during the summer months,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office is fully committed to protecting our neighborhoods by identifying and prosecuting violent offenders, armed drug traffickers, and felons illegally possessing firearms, and leveraging the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to pursue charges against straw gun purchasers and gun traffickers. Our dedication to community safety extends far beyond the courtroom. We are actively collaborating with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to identify cases for federal prosecution, provide essential training, and utilize technology to combat violent crime. Furthermore, we are enhancing community involvement by partnering with organizations, youth groups, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to develop and support prevention programs that address the causes of violence.”

Prosecution Successes: Our prosecutions aim to enhance community safety, deliver justice for crime victims, and hold accountable those individuals responsible for perpetuating violence within our communities. The cases below were indicted this week and underscore our commitment to public safety:

U.S. v. Jose Maria Quijada-Ortega – On Tuesday, a federal grand jury in Charlotte returned a criminal indictment, charging Jose Quijada-Ortega, 26, of Charlotte, with possession of a machinegun. According to allegations in the indictment, on October 6, 2023, Quijada-Ortega knowingly and willfully possessed a machinegun, that being a Glock, Model 23, .40 caliber pistol, with an affixed machinegun conversion device, commonly referred as a “Glock Switch.”

U.S. v. Allison et al. – The grand jury in Charlotte has also returned a criminal indictment against Desmoria Deoria Allison, 24, Mustafa Dajron Howie, 30, and Kinyona Jenae McClain, 22, all of Shelby, North Carolina, for federal firearms violations related to straw purchasing and illegal possession of firearms. McClain is charged with two counts of straw purchase of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Allison is charged with two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, and Howie is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The indictment alleges that, in October 2023, and again in February 2024, McClain straw purchased two firearms, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of Howie, knowing that Howie had previously been convicted of a crime. The indictment also alleges that, in March 2023, Allison made false and fictitious written statements in connection with the acquisition of two firearms from two licensed firearms dealers. The indictment further alleges that Howie illegally possessed the firearms that had been straw purchased by McClain and Allison.

U.S. v. Jadarius Connell Potts – Jadarius Connell Potts, 31, of Charlotte, was indicted with one count of dealing in firearms without a license and three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. As alleged in the indictment, between August and September 2023, Potts engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. The indictment alleges that Potts illegally possessed three firearms, an AM-15 rifle and two pistols, knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.

U.S. v. Wade Bolton – A federal grand jury in Charlotte indicted Wade Bolton, 33, of Charlotte, of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to allegations in the indictment, in December 2023, Bolton allegedly possessed three firearms, knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. It is further alleged that Bolton knowingly possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and possessed one or more firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking activities.

U.S. v. Melvin Baylor – Melvin Bolton, 38, of Charlotte, was indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As alleged in the indictment, in December 2023, Baylor illegally possessed two firearms, that being a Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Rifle, and an AK-47, along with all the associated magazines and ammunition, knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.

In addition to this week’s indictments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing outcomes for additional defendants convicted in separate cases involving firearms offenses, drug trafficking, and armed robbery. The defendants received prison terms ranging from over 3 years to more than 34 years. Press releases with additional information on these cases can be found here.

Trainings and Technology-Driven Strategies: As part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office partners with our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, community leaders,  and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. An important component of PSN is providing training to law enforcement that can enhance investigations for federal prosecution.

Another important component of PSN is the use of technology and data-driven strategies to target crime hotspots and identify repeat offenders. For example, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in Charlotte coordinates comprehensive tracing and ballistics analysis. The CGIC focuses exclusively on investigating and preventing gun violence in local communities, using eTrace systems and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN. NIBIN is an incredibly powerful tool used in investigations that involve firearms. Part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s role is to work with our federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to facilitate the submission of ballistics evidence to the NIBIN system on a timely basis that can assist with turning evidence into concrete leads.

Furthermore, U.S. Attorney King and Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Charlotte and Asheville Divisions continue to foster relationships by regularly meeting with local law enforcement and state and Tribal prosecutors to determine training needs and identify cases for federal prosecution. Also, as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s violent crime reduction strategy, members of the office meet with community leaders to discuss community concerns and develop collaborative strategies with stakeholders to improve public safety. 

Victim Support and Restorative Justice: Our commitment to supporting victims of violence remains one of our core missions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit provides comprehensive victim support services and advocates for justice at every phase of the litigation process, ensuring that victims are afforded all the rights and protections they are entitled to under the law, and stay informed as their case progresses through the court system. In addition, members of the Victim Witness Unit meet regularly with community organizations, service providers, victim advocates, allied professionals, and law enforcement counterparts to ensure that everyone in the community knows and understands where and how crime victims and survivors can access the support and resources they need to promote healing and recovery.

Prevention Initiatives and Long-Term Commitment: In collaboration with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, nonprofit entities, and school districts, we have launched and strengthened several violence prevention initiatives. Just last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Asheville Police Department (APD), hosted an outreach event at My Daddy Taught Me That (MDTMT), a youth development program in Asheville, designed to support young people through advocacy, education, and mentoring. During the event, U.S. Attorney King introduced newly appointed APD Police Chief Michael Lamb to a group of young males and he spoke about his background, shared his life experiences, and talked about APD’s community engagement goals under his leadership.

U.S. Attorney King continues to actively engage with local school districts in the Western District and the Qualla Boundary, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to hold listening sessions and have impactful conversations with students on the causes and consequences of violence. Through these sessions, U.S. Attorney King educates students on how to effectively handle conflict resolution and emphasizes the importance of making positive choices. By fostering open dialogue, soliciting the students’ feedback, and providing insights into the legal consequences of violence, U.S. Attorney King aims to empower students with knowledge that can help prevent future incidents. Her proactive approach not only supports community safety but also encourages young people to become informed, responsible citizens committed to building safer neighborhoods for everyone.

In July, U.S. Attorney King will attend the National Recognition Week for the winners of the “Do the Write Thing” essay challenge in Washington, D.C. DtWT is organized by the National Campaign to Stop Violence and seeks to encourage middle school students to express the impact of violence in their lives through writing, and to empower students to become catalysts for positive change by sharing their ideas on ways to reduce youth violence. U.S. Attorney King serves as Chair of the DtWT Committee in Asheville. In this role, U.S. Attorney King accompanies National Student Ambassadors selected from Charlotte and Asheville schools to Washington, D.C., where students participate in planned events and engage in discussions on important topics such as the problem of youth violence.

Beyond the immediate summer months, federal prosecutors are dedicated to sustaining these efforts throughout the year, with the goal of putting in place lasting improvements in public safety and community well-being.

“We encourage everyone in our community to join us in these efforts,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Together, we can build safer, more resilient neighborhoods where every resident can thrive.”

U.S. Attorney King thanks all the law enforcement agencies involved in the aforementioned prosecutions and commends Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shavonn Bennette (U.S. v. Allison et al.), Brandon Boykin (U.S. v. Potts, U.S. v. Bolton, and U.S. v. Baylor), and Kenneth Smith (U.S. v. Quijada-Ortega) for handling the prosecution of these cases.

The defendants named in the indictments are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The U.S. v. Allison et al. case is being prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

For more information on our initiatives visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted a training in Charlotte for law enforcement agencies, on the investigation and prosecution of fatal and near-fatal overdose cases, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The training is part of a broader effort by federal prosecutors to combat the opioid epidemic and ensure justice for victims and their families.

“Tackling the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Today’s training provides law enforcement with the tools and knowledge they need to thoroughly investigate overdose cases, so those responsible for distributing lethal substances are held accountable in a court of law. But today’s training goes beyond enforcement. It’s also about saving lives and supporting our communities.”

Over the past decade, overdose deaths caused by powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl have devastated communities nationwide, including in Western North Carolina. To build on recent courtroom successes and enhance the investigation and prosecution of fatal and near-fatal overdose cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office developed today’s training, which is the first of its kind for the district. During the training, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Drug and Violent Crime Unit gave participants a comprehensive review of the legal tools that can be utilized to investigate and prosecute overdose cases, including applicable federal and state statutes, investigative avenues and resources, the challenges and complexities associated with the investigation of these cases, and tried-and-true methods to enhance investigative methods to ensure a successful outcome.

The audience consisted of investigators representing 17 federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the Western District. A portion of the training analyzed the successful prosecution of recent fatal and near-fatal overdose cases prosecuted by federal prosecutors in Charlotte and Asheville. For example, in January 2024, two men were sentenced to prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in a victim’s death. In April 2024, a woman was charged with selling fentanyl that led to an overdose death. In April 2023, a woman was sentenced to prison for distributing a substance that contained fentanyl that caused two near-fatal overdoses. The training concluded with a panel of experienced investigators discussing their first-hand experiences in successfully investigating these cases. 

Additional trainings will be scheduled in the later part of the year. Law enforcement interested in participating in future training sessions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinator at 704-344-6222.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Daquan Hampton, 27, of Clover, South Carolina, was sentenced on Monday to 13 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a string of armed robberies in Charlotte, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents and the sentencing hearing, on June 8, 2022, at approximately 11:22 p.m., a Waffle House employee was in the parking lot of the restaurant in Charlotte when two masked men approached him with guns drawn. The two men forced the employee inside the restaurant and demanded money from the cash registers. The employee replied that he was not able to open the safe without a key. At one point, one of the suspects, later identified as Hampton, used his firearm to pistol-whip the victim in the side of the head and took the victim’s fanny pack. Hampton and the other individual then exited the Waffle House through the back door.

Court records show that two days later, on June 10, 2022, a distraught Domino’s Pizza employee placed a call to 911 to report that two men had robbed the business at gunpoint, stealing cash. According to the victim, two masked men armed with black handguns had approached the victim, who was a delivery driver, while he was sitting in a car. The suspects forced the victims inside the restaurant at gunpoint. Upon entering, the suspects encountered another employee and held him at gunpoint as well while they demanded that the employees open the safe. One of the employees said it would take a while, and at that point Hampton started counting down from five, causing the employees to believe that they were going to be shot. Hampton then pistol‐whipped one of the employees in the back of the head. Hampton then fired three rounds at the safe, and shrapnel from the shots struck one of the employees in the hand, causing lacerations and bleeding. Hampton and his accomplice then forced both employees to the back of the business with guns pointed at their heads. Hampton and his accomplice fled with $125 in cash they had stolen from the business and $100 they took from an employee.

Approximately 18 hours after the Domino’s Pizza robbery, two masked men entered through the front door of a Papa John’s Pizza restaurant located in Charlotte. One of the men demanded money and ordered all six occupants to the back room where he made them get on the floor. The second man remained with the victims at gunpoint while the other had employees access the cash registers and safe. The employee could not open one of the registers, so one of the men pistol‐whipped him, causing a laceration to the victim’s head. The men took $880 from the store’s registers and fled out of the back door on foot.

On June 14, 2022, a CMPD officer conducted a traffic stop of Hampton’s vehicle for a traffic violation. Hampton was arrested after the officer recovered a firearm Hampton had attempted to discard during the traffic stop. Inside Hampton’s vehicle, law enforcement found marijuana, $1,417 in cash, and two loaded Glock 23 magazines.

On August 1, 2023, Hampton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery and aiding and abetting, and possession and discharging of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Hampton is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alfredo De La Rosa and Regina Pack prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced Deddrick Ray Ervin, 35, of Charlotte, to 46 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to documents filed with the court and court proceedings, on December 12, 2022, law enforcement encountered Ervin while patrolling an area in Charlotte that had received numerous complaints and calls for service relating to criminal activity. Law enforcement encountered Ervin and attempted to stop Ervin’s vehicle, but Ervin did not comply. According to court records, law enforcement later located Ervin hiding in a shed and he was arrested. Law enforcement located a backpack in the shed that contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana, and recovered a firearm from the scene.

On August 8, 2023, Ervin pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ervin has a prior conviction in Georgia of felon in possession of a firearm, and a South Carolina state conviction for kidnapping, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Ervin is in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Robert Lee Barringer, 49, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 412 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, for the armed robbery of a Charlotte-area business, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, on July 26, 2021, at approximately 10:15 p.m., CMPD officers responded to the Fish House North, a business engaged in adult arcade games, in reference to a shooting and robbery. Officers encountered three victims on the scene, an employee, his wife, and a security guard who worked for the establishment. All three victims had suffered gunshot wounds and had sustained serious and extensive injuries. According to court documents, the victims stated that an individual, later identified as Barringer, had robbed the business. The victims indicated that Barringer had approached the business and as he was trying to force his way into the business, he began to shoot at the victims striking them. After Barringer entered the business, he shot his firearm several more times at the victims. Barringer then ordered one of the victims to hand over the keys to the register and forced another victim to open the register. Barringer stole $3,500 from the business and fled the scene.

After speaking with the victims, law enforcement determined that Barringer was a former employee who had been fired approximately a month prior. Crime scene investigators recovered 17 cartridge casings from the scene and observed multiple bullet holes within the business. On July 28, 2021, law enforcement located and arrested Barringer at a hotel in Charlotte.

On August 5, 2022, Barringer was found guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, and use, carry, and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Barringer has a lengthy criminal history for federal and state convictions, including assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon, and he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Barringer will remain in federal custody pending designation of a federal facility by the federal Bureau of Prisons.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Hess and Timothy Sielaff prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Chad Clay, 31, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 151 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, from July of 2022 through October of 2022, Clay sold fentanyl and methamphetamine on multiple occasions to an undercover officer (UC) in Charlotte. In addition to the drugs, Clay sold the UC several firearms, including a handgun that had been reported stolen and a rifle with two high capacity magazines. Court records show that Clay has multiple prior convictions, including conspiracy to commit common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Due to these criminal convictions, Clay is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On March 16, 2023, Clay pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Clay will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated federal Bureau of Prisons’ facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Sielaff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is on Saturday, June 15th. In observance of WEAAD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reaffirming its commitment to protect older adults from abuse, neglect, and fraud. WEAAD serves as an important reminder of the prevalence of elder abuse and the need for community awareness, education, prevention, and intervention.

Elder abuse is a growing concern across the nation, affecting millions of older adults each year. It encompasses various forms of mistreatment, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and financial exploitation. The consequences of elder abuse are devastating, often leading to severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and even death.

“Our elderly population deserves to live with dignity and respect, free from fear of abuse and exploitation,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day shines a light on this critical issue and serves as a call to action for our community to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those who perpetrate crimes against older adults. However, law enforcement alone cannot address this issue; community awareness and preventive measures are equally important.

To mark WEAAD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office planned a series of outreach events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about the signs of elder abuse and the resources available to prevent and address it. These events included:

1. Elder Fraud Bingo: This event, held in Asheville today and previously at other locations throughout Western North Carolina, is a fun activity that delivers vital information to older adults and other community members about the types of scams targeting older adults and encourages the reporting of fraud.
2. Educational “Walk for Awareness:” In partnership with local senior centers, healthcare providers, local governments, and other community organizations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in a “Walk for Awareness” held in Charlotte and in Asheville. The focus of the events was to bring awareness to elder abuse, help participants recognize the signs of abuse, understand the rights of older adults, and how to access support services.
3. Public Service Announcement (PSA): A PSA featuring U.S. Attorney King delivering a message against elder abuse was posted on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s YouTube Channel and shared on social media, highlighting the importance of recognizing and reporting elder abuse.
4. Resource Distribution: The U.S. Attorney’s Office partnered with Mecklenburg County’s Senior Nutrition Program in Charlotte, and Sparc’s Health & Nutrition Program in Asheville, to distribute informational material to homebound older adults through their mobile meal delivery services, to ensure that vital information reaches as many people as possible.

         

 

“Our goal is to empower our community with the knowledge and tools to combat elder abuse effectively,” said U.S. Attorney King. “By working together, we can remove the stigma associated with victimization, encourage the reporting of abuse and exploitation, and above all ensure a safer, more supportive environment for our senior citizens.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages everyone to learn more about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation and to be vigilant in protecting older adults.

If you suspect elder abuse, please contact your local law enforcement or the Eldercare Locator Helpline at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov.

You can also report suspected financial exploitation and fraud by calling the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) or visiting the Elder Justice Initiative at Justice.gov/elderjustice.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Joseph Paul Mosteller, 42, of Morganton, N.C., was sentenced today to 17 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI), Sheriff Banks Hinceman of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in June 2023, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Mosteller for suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking in Burke and Catawba Counties. On June 2, 2023, law enforcement were conducting surveillance of Mosteller, and observed the defendant and another individual, who was carrying a shoebox, walking toward Mosteller’s car, which was parked in the parking lot of a hotel in Hickory, N.C. Law enforcement attempted to arrest Mosteller before the defendant drove off in his vehicle. Law enforcement arrested the other individual and seized the shoebox, which contained methamphetamine. The individual told law enforcement that Mosteller had received a delivery of methamphetamine at the hotel the day prior.

According to court documents, on June 22, 2023, law enforcement believed Mosteller had received methamphetamine and was located at a residence in Burke County. Law enforcement observed Mosteller enter a vehicle that had been parked in the driveway. As Mosteller drove off in the vehicle, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop but Mosteller did not stop and instead began to drive off at a high speed. Mosteller travelled several miles before colliding into an embankment. Law enforcement arrested Mosteller and seized a paper bag located inside the vehicle, that contained multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl, packaged for distribution. Later the same day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Burke County residence. During the search, law enforcement seized additional distribution amounts of fentanyl and digital scales.

Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger presided over Mosteller’s hearing and ordered the defendant to remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated federal Bureau of Prisons facility.

U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF, the NC SBI, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hickory Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A Whittier, N.C. man has been sentenced following his conviction for possession of a firearm during an assault on the Blue Ridge Parkway, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Evan William Blankenship, 23, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Debra A. Flowers, Acting Chief Ranger of the Blue Ridge Parkway, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, in the early morning hours of September 28, 2023, L.P. and a second victim, L.M., were sitting in a parked vehicle at Water Rock Knob Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blankenship drove his vehicle to where the victims were located and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at them. He tried to pull L.P. out of the vehicle by the hair and arm, threatened to harm both victims, and struck L.P. in the face, causing temporary hearing loss. Blankenship also fired his firearm into the air before pointing it again at the victims.

L.M. eventually convinced Blankenship to let them go, and the victims reported the incident to law enforcement. Shortly thereafter. L.P. informed investigators that she knew Blankenship through Snapchat and believed he had used Snapchat’s location-sharing feature to find her on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blankenship was arrested on October 11, 2023, and has remained in federal custody since. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

U.S. Attorney King thanked the National Park Service for their thorough investigation and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case.

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Frank Lynold Mercado, 26, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud for defrauding over 100 victims of more than $700,000 through a fraudulent investment scheme, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to plea documents and today’s court proceedings, from July 2019 to December 2022, Mercado executed an investment fraud scheme in which he caused more than 100 investors to suffer almost $700,000 in losses. Mercado’s victims included friends, former co-workers, and other social acquaintances. Mercado induced the victims to invest their money by holding himself out to be an expert in options trading with years of experience and a successful track record. As part of the scheme, Mercado falsely represented to victim investors that he would use their money for options trading and similar investments through his hedge fund, Tiger-Wolf Capital, LLC (Tiger-Wolf Capital). Instead of investing the funds as promised, Mercado used a substantial portion of the investors’ money to fund his personal lifestyle, including to make large credit card payments and pay for personal expenditures such as Airbnb rentals, restaurants, and bars. As Mercado admitted in court today, he also used the investors’ money to make Ponzi payments to previous investors.

Court documents show that with the money that he did invest, Mercado suffered trading losses and then lied to investors about the performance of their investments. For example, Mercado periodically sent updates to victim investors through emails, text messages, or screenshots of purported account portals that reflected fictitious trading gains. He also made false and fraudulent statements to investors about substantial returns on their investments in order to induce his victims to invest additional money with him and/or to leave their current investments with him.

Mercado was released on bond following his plea hearing. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. A sentencing date has not been set.

On May 30, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced the filing of a complaint against Mercado in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, charging Mercado and Tiger-Wolf Capital with securities violations.

U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI for their investigation of the case and thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for their coordination and assistance.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – During the summer months, the internet can be an essential tool for children and families, as digital

technology can provide educational material and entertainment for kids while helping them stay connected with friends and classmates. At the same time, increased online presence, if unmonitored, may expose children to potentially adverse effects, including predatory individuals and cyberbullying.

“Ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable in our society is my Office’s highest priority,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “Protecting children and helping them develop and maintain healthy online behaviors requires a concerted effort by everyone entrusted with the well-being of young people. Our tips and tools can aid parents, guardians, caregivers, and children understand the risks that lurk online and how to stay safe in the digital realm.”

Engaging in discussions about online safety with children at an early age and maintaining those conversations over time can help them better navigate the online sphere. The following topics can facilitate conversations about enhancing children’s cyber safety:

Elementary School-Age Children:

• Discuss Internet Safety and Develop an Online Safety Plan for engaging in online activity. Establish clear guidelines, teach children to spot red flags, and reinforce open communication.

• Review Games, Apps, and Social Media Sites before they are downloaded, paying special attention to apps and sites that feature end-to-end encryption, direct messaging, video chats, file uploads, and user anonymity, which are frequently exploited by online child predators. Make the profile private and teach children NOT to accept requests from people you don’t know in real life.

• Adjust Privacy Settings and Use Parental Controls for online games, apps, social medial sites, and electronic devices. Extra caution should be used in gaming platforms that can commonly expose children to cyberbullying, scams, predators, and inappropriate content.

• Supervise Young Children’s Use of the Internet and Gaming Platforms, including periodically checking their profiles and posts. Keep electronic devices in open and common areas and consider setting time limits for their use.  

• Encourage Children to Tell a Parent, Guardian, or Other Trusted Adult if anyone asks them to engage in inappropriate behavior.

Middle School and High School-Age Children:

• Establish the Importance of Online Privacy, by emphasizing the dangers of sharing personal information, photos, and videos online especially in public forums or with people they don’t know in real life. Explain that sharing with friends can also lead to concerns because of re-sharing, and help children understand that once images are posted online, they will remain permanently accessible on the internet.

• Teach Children About Body Safety and Boundaries, including the importance of saying ‘no’ to inappropriate requests in the physical and the virtual world. Remain vigilant against sextortion schemes that routinely target children using common social media sites, gaming sites, or video chat applications.

• Develop Healthy Skepticism by encouraging children to challenge the authenticity of what they see and read in online posts, messages, forums, and social media platforms. In particular, urge minors to be wary of online predators using fake accounts to pose as their peers and using fake photos or videos to lure children into sharing pictures and videos of themselves, which can easily lead to a sextortion scheme.

• Be Alert to Potential Signs of Abuse, including changes in children’s use of electronic devices, attempts to conceal online activity, withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, and depression.

• Proactively Engage in Discussions About the Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence which can be misused by child predators and others to cyberbully children and produce fake content that looks real.

Adolescents and Young Adults:

• Reinforce Strong Online Habits such as robust passwords, two-factor authentication, using a password manager, and applying routine system updates on devices and operation systems.

• Build Upon Privacy Lessons with an emphasis on how over-sharing personal information on social media platforms can lead to potential adverse impacts, to include online reputations and cyberbullying.

• Avoid Dangerous Distractions through the responsible use of devices while driving and remain extra vigilant against device and password theft.

• Be Vigilant Against Scams prevalent on ads that appear on shopping platforms and other social media sites that can lead to the fraudulent sale of defective or counterfeit items or to non-delivery of purchased items.
• Protect Against Phishing schemes in texts, emails, and social media posts where fraudsters can impersonate a trusted individual or organization and trick users into providing login credentials, sending money through Cash App, Zelle, or Venmo, or unwittingly installing malware on devices.

Immediately Report Suspected Online Enticement or Exploitation of a Child by alerting law enforcement or filing a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org.

For More Information, Helpful Tools and Additional Resources please visit https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-ceos/keeping-children-safe-online.

To Learn More About the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Childhood initiative go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/project-safe-childhood.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that federal prosecutors have reached an agreement with the owners of the Carolina Cafe in Forest City, N.C. The agreement requires the owners of the Carolina Cafe to make reasonable modifications to its parking lot to create accessible parking spaces for customers with disabilities.

The Justice Department is responsible for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and implementing its regulations. The ADA prohibits the failure to make reasonable modifications where those modifications are necessary to make services available to individuals with disabilities. Under the ADA and its regulations, businesses are required to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities by creating designated accessible parking spaces.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation following a complaint filed with the Justice Department, claiming that Carolina Cafe violated the ADA by failing to provide clearly marked and designated accessible parking for individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires that state or local governments, businesses, or non-profit organizations that provide parking lots or garages, must provide accessible parking spaces for disabled individuals. Accessible parking spaces are different than traditional parking spaces. They have specific features that make it easier for people with disabilities to access programs, goods, or services. As such, accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance; must be marked to discourage other drivers from parking in them; and must adhere to the ADA guidelines in terms of the number of spaces, dimensions, and presence of an access aisle. A full list of requirements is available in the 2010 ADA Standards of Accessible Design. Upon learning of the complaint, the owners of Carolina Cafe cooperated with the investigation and agreed to remedy the violation and immediately began to work on creating the accessible parking spaces.

“Ensuring the ADA’s enforcement and safeguarding civil rights within this District is a paramount commitment of my Office,” said U.S. Attorney King, who also leads the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights. “Individuals with disabilities have a right to unhindered access to businesses, free from barriers such as inadequate parking or navigating through congested areas. I want to thank the concerned customer for bringing this matter to our attention, and I'm pleased that Carolina Cafe has agreed to the terms and has taken immediate action to ensure that individuals with disabilities will be fully accommodated in accordance with federal law moving forward.”

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Janice Powers and Investigator Neil Power of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. AUSA Powers also serves as the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil-Civil Rights Coordinator.

Individuals who believe they have been victims of discrimination may file an ADA complaint online at https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY).

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined Age-Friendly Mecklenburg and AARP-Charlotte to co-host a Walk for Awareness at Freedom Park in Charlotte. Community leaders, elected officials, Mecklenburg County personnel, federal and state prosecutors and staff, law enforcement partners, AARP volunteers, community organizations and private citizens joined this important event to increase awareness and support efforts to prevent the exploitation, neglect and abuse of older adults in our community.

First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) seeks to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect suffered by millions of older adults – crimes that are often overlooked or unreported. WEAAD brings attention to the cultural, social, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to elder abuse.

“Elder abuse can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation. It’s a growing concern that demands our immediate attention and action,” said U.S. Attorney King, who also serves on the Attorney General’s subcommittee on elder justice. “Participating in community events that shine a light on this important topic is crucial in our fight to protect vulnerable older adults. Whether it’s to support a loved one, to advocate for the rights of older adults, or to raise awareness in the community, these events not only educate the public on recognizing and preventing crimes involving the elderly, but also foster a sense of collective responsibility. By coming together, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for our older population and ensure that older adults receive the respect and protection they deserve from all of us.”

“Protecting those in our community who have come before us, and helping them live their golden years to their fullest, is something we in Mecklenburg County are dedicated to continuing to hold up to the highest degree,” said Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Chairman George Dunlap. “Our employees who work with our elders each and every day are part of that protection, and continuing to provide resources for them to continue to thrive today and in the future is one of our top priorities.”

“Although fraud and scams impact people of all ages, when older adults are scammed, they tend to lose more money. Fraud targeting elders remains a pervasive and growing problem. The Federal Trade Commission reported a record number of money lost to scams in 2023. AARP and North Carolina partners are doing more to help people spot, prevent, and report fraud. This week, a new on demand “scam jam” will be available on YouTube @AARPNC1, where members of the NC Senior Fraud Taskforce share important information about pervasive scams and how to find help,” said AARP Associate State Director Rebecca Gilbert.

According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crimes Report, the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received a record number of complaints from the American public with potential financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, a 22% increase compared to 2022. The report also indicates that North Carolina is ranked 13th both in the number of complaints filed with the FBI and in financial losses sustained due to online schemes and financial fraud. Individuals 60 and above filed the most complaints (101,068) and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, the highest among all groups. The report further indicates that tech support scams continue to impact older adults disproportionately, accounting for half of all the financial losses of online schemes. In addition, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes continue to cost millions in losses for the 60+ population.

Through prosecutions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to combat elder fraud involving domestic and transnational perpetrators. Major strides have already been made to that end:

• In April 2024, two men were indicted for allegedly laundering millions of dollars in fraud proceeds in the United States and Nigeria, stemming from romance scams targeting elderly victims and other online schemes. A third defendant has pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy.

                                     

• In November 2023, a Conover, N.C., woman pleaded guilty after she was charged with stealing more than $300,000 from an elderly couple.

• In August 2023, a Jamaican national pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with a fraudulent lottery scheme that targeted elderly Americans.

• In April 2023, a Charlotte man was indicted for an international multi-million dollar tech support fraud scam that allegedly defrauded thousands of victims throughout the United States, some of whom were elderly, of more than $7 million.

In addition to prosecuting elder fraud cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, through its Elder Justice Initiative, partners with law enforcement agencies, government entities, and community organizations to ensure that older adults, caretakers, and those who come in frequent contact with the elderly are educated on how to detect, prevent, and report elder fraud, neglect, and abuse.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its efforts to educate the public by distributing the latest trends in schemes targeting older adults and sharing tips on how to be protected from scammers. 

In April 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office shared a scam alert issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) about alarming reports of fraudsters impersonating SSA OIG agents. In this latest iteration of government imposter scams, fraudsters request victims to meet them in person to hand off cash. Variations of the scam include fraudsters posing as IRS agents demanding money for unpaid taxes, as sheriff’s office deputies threatening arrest for purported outstanding fines, and as prosecutors or court personnel threatening prosecution or jail time for failing to comply with jury duty service.

Additional financial schemes targeting older Americans are:

• Tech Support Scams – Convince victims to pay for non-existent problems with their computers.
• Non-Delivery Scams – Induce victims to pay for goods or services online, but never receive them. A variation of this scheme is victims receiving emails or texts messages that appear to be from legitimate shipping companies (e.g., UPS, FedEx) with fake non-delivery notifications, claiming that payment or additional personal information is required to complete a package delivery.
• Romance Scams – Lull victims into believing they are in an online romantic relationship and their paramour needs money to pay for a visit to the U.S. or for some other purpose.
• Grandparent Scams – Dupe victims into thinking that their grandchildren or other relatives are in trouble and need money right away for bail or another emergency.
• Charity Scams – Solicit donations for fake charities, or by altering or “spoofing” caller IDs to show the name of a real charity on the phone.
• Lottery Scams – Scammers use phone calls, letters, or emails to convince victims that a large fee or taxes must be paid before they can receive lottery winnings.
• Debt Collection Scams – Victims are threatened with arrest and jail time if payment for a fake debt is not made immediately. 
• Money Mule/Money Laundering Scams – Convince victims to use their existing or new bank accounts to quickly move funds in and out of those accounts. Generally, the transferred funds are proceeds of other criminal schemes (such as romance schemes) and victims are unwittingly being used to launder the ill-gotten funds.
• Timeshare Scams – Fraudsters target timeshare owners with false promises of resale and exit from their timeshares for a fee.
• Sham Business Opportunities – Convince victims to invest in lucrative business opportunities or fake investments.

Here are some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam:

• Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone you don’t know.
• If the person asking the information claims to be a relative, a friend, someone you know, or a representative of a financial institution or government agency, do not respond right away. Instead, contact the person/entity independently or ask a trusted family member or friend for help.
• Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning.
• Don’t click on pop-up ads, messages, or virus warnings.
• Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls.
• Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger or someone who claims to be a relative without verifying the person’s identity.
• Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or lucrative business deals.
• If you suspect fraud, take the time to talk to a trusted friend or family member.
• It’s not rude to say, “NO.”
• Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life.
• A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
• And remember, there is no shame in falling prey to an online scammer. These are professional criminals that use tried-and-true tactics to perpetrate fraud.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges the public to report suspected elder fraud by calling the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) or visiting the Elder Justice Initiative at Justice.gov/elderjustice for additional information and resources.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. B  Aaron Joseph Wehrstein, 25, of Columbus, N.C., was sentenced yesterday to 21 years in prison for production of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Wehrstein was also ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment, to serve a lifetime of supervised release, to pay restitution to the victims of his offense, and to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.

Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Sheriff Timothy Wright of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and information introduced at the sentencing hearing, law enforcement received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerting them that an individual with the screenname JessicaLovesYou#1816 was using Discord to distribute child pornography. Discord is a popular free application that allows users to communicate with each other via voice and video calls and text messaging, and to share media files through private chats or communities.

Court records show that law enforcement initiated an investigation and determined that the Discord user was Wehrstein. The investigation further revealed that Wehrstein would “catfish” minor males via Discord by posing as a female and would send the unsuspecting minors sexually explicit images of females, claiming to the person in those images. Wehrstein would then induce the minor victims to reciprocate by creating and sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves.

In September 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Wehrstein’s residence, seizing several electronic devices. A forensic analysis of those devices revealed that, in addition to using Discord, Wehrstein also used Twitter to communicate with minors and to receive child pornography created by the victims. In total, Wehrstein possessed more than 4,197 images and videos of child pornography. The investigation further determined that Wehrstein had induced at least eight male victims, between the ages of 12 and 17, to produce and send him child pornography via Discord and Twitter.

“Wehrstein is an online predator who used a catfishing scheme to prey upon innocent victims, causing them significant emotional distress and mental anguish,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting vulnerable young people from predators like Wehrstein and seeking justice for victims harmed by this deplorable criminal conduct.”

“Homeland Security Investigations aggressively pursues child predators, and cases involving child sex abuse material. Now Wehrstein will be held accountable for his predatory and reprehensible behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Morant. “Today we are once again reminded of the need for constant online vigilance to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

On March 29, 2024, Wehrstein pleaded guilty to using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Wehrstein will remain in federal custody until he is transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons.

U.S. Attorney King thanked the HSI and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Solheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice, aimed at combating the growing online sexual exploitation of children.  By combining resources, federal, state and local agencies are better able to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue those victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – John M. Casper, 60, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison followed by one year of supervised for embezzling thousands of dollars from his employer, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, between 2018 and 2020, Casper misused his position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to embezzle more than $694,000 from the victim company. Court documents show that Casper executed the embezzlement scheme by conducting approximately 112 unauthorized financial transactions, transferring funds from the victim company’s accounts to bank accounts under Casper’s control. As the victim company’s CFO, Casper used his access to the company’s accounting system to disguise the fraud, by creating fake or incorrect financial entries in the company’s books and records so that the victim company’s books would reconcile.

On September 19, 2023, Casper pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Casper will be ordered to report to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to begin serving his sentence of incarceration.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI in Charlotte for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kayrin English, 27, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for dealing in firearms without a license, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court records and today’s sentencing hearing, ATF agents learned that between February 2020 and August 2021, English had applied for 36 firearm purchase permits. ATF agents also learned that in September 2021, English had applied for an additional seven firearm purchase permits. ATF agents approached English when she arrived to collect the seven permits and conducted a consensual interview. During the interview, English told ATF agents that she would generally obtain the permits and use them to purchase firearms, which she would then resell for profit to individuals who were prohibited from owning or purchasing their own firearms. Court records show that English admitted to ATF agents that, since January 2021, she had illegally sold approximately 15 to 20 firearms. English also told ATF agents that most of the illegal firearms transactions were local, however, she had previously travelled to New Jersey where she sold several firearms she had purchased in Charlotte.

On October 31, 2023, English pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a license. She is currently released on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The ATF led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.