Western District of North Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Convicted Felon Is Sentenced for Illegally Possessing A Loaded Firearm Fitted with an Extended MagazineRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Monwazee Raymon Boston, 32, of Charlotte was sentenced today to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally possessing a loaded firearm fitted with an extended magazine, 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, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, on July 21, 2021, law enforcement were surveilling an area known for frequent drug trafficking and illegal firearms activity, when they observed the defendant, with an extended firearms magazine sticking out of his pants, leave the area in his vehicle. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement located Boston’s parked vehicle with Boston already outside the vehicle. When Boston saw the officers, he fled on foot and hid behind a truck parked in a driveway. The officers located Boston and placed him under arrest. The officers also found a Glock pistol behind the same truck where Boston hid. The pistol was fitted with a fully loaded 30-round extended magazine, with an additional round in the chamber. Officers also conducted a search of Boston’s vehicle where they located 445 methamphetamine pills, and almost half a kilogram of marijuana.
Court documents show that, in 2011, Boston was convicted of drug trafficking and firearms offenses in federal court in South Carolina. Boston was on federal supervised release for that conviction when he possessed the loaded firearm.
On May 1, 2023, Boston 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 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.
California Drug Courier Is Sentenced to Prison for Attempting to Smuggle 20 Pounds of Cocaine Through Charlotte AirportRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carlos Fernandez, 33, of Porterville, California, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to smuggle 20 pounds of cocaine through the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, 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 27, 2021, law enforcement conducting routine interdiction operations at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport questioned Fernandez for suspected drug trafficking, after a drug detecting dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the defendant’s suitcase. Fernandez had just arrived in Charlotte on a flight that originated in California. Court documents show that law enforcement searched Fernandez’s suitcase and found a smaller suitcase that contained three vacuum-sealed packages, or “bricks.” A lab analysis of the bricks confirmed that the substance was cocaine, weighing approximately nine kilograms, or 20 pounds, total. A forensic analysis of Fernandez’s seized cell phones revealed messages discussing drug trafficking activity. During the investigation, law enforcement also determined that Fernandez had frequently traveled between California and Charlotte as a drug courier.
On November 7, 2023, Fernandez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting. 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 HSI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shavonn Bennette of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Philadelphia Fentanyl Trafficker Is Sentenced to 12 ½ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, Jomeir Zakied McCutchen, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 150 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, 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 the sentencing hearing, on October 10, 2022, at approximately 5:46 p.m., a CMPD officer was at a Quick Trip (“QT”) gas station in Charlotte, when he observed an individual, later identified as McCutchen, engage in a hand-to-hand drug transaction. Specifically, the officer observed an individual hand McCutchen U.S. currency in exchange for a clear bag containing suspected narcotics. Court records show that when McCutchen saw the officer he quickly walked into the QT and then was picked up at a side door of the store by a juvenile female, who drove away from the gas station in a white SUV at a high rate of speed. The officer followed McCutchen and attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the juvenile driver did not obey and drove away. A little while later, the officer located the unoccupied white SUV parked in the parking lot of an apartment complex. While looking through the vehicle’s windows, the officer observed in plain view drugs and drug paraphernalia, including digital scales. Law enforcement conducted a search of the vehicle, seizing a bag containing more than 12 grams of fentanyl. The officers also located identifying documents in the vehicle in the name of the defendant. Further investigation revealed that McCutchen was a convicted felon on parole in Pennsylvania.
According to court records, on October 11, 2022, law enforcement located McCutchen at a gas station in Charlotte. Law enforcement observed McCutchen exit the gas station and approach a red vehicle. CMPD Officers attempted to stop McCutchen, but the defendant fled on foot, dropping a black pistol to the ground as he ran off. McCutchen was arrested and detained. Law enforcement searched the red vehicle and seized over 83 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also recovered the discarded firearm and determined it was loaded with a round in the chamber.
On February 21, 2024, McCutchen pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. McCutchen 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 imposing the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell noted that prior convictions and probation from other courts had not deterred the defendant.
U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Gleason with 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 Business Owner Convicted of Selling Fraudulently Obtained iPhones Overseas Is Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rami Mahmod Mhana, 46, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 68 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release today for selling stolen and fraudulently obtained iPhones and other electronic devices to buyers overseas, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In May 2023, a federal jury convicted Mhana of conspiracy, international transportation of stolen goods, and money laundering,
Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service (USSS), Charlotte Field Office, 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, trial evidence, and witness testimony, Mhana was the owner of Wireless City Fashions, Inc. (Wireless City) and Protocol Business Group Inc. (Protocol), located at 441 Bradford Drive in Charlotte, as well as multiple Boost mobile stores in the Charlotte area. From at least May 2017 through October 2019, Mhana purchased thousands of brand-new Apple iPhones and other electronic devices that were stolen and fraudulently obtained. Mhana then sold and shipped the iPhones to the United Arab Emirates (the U.A.E.) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong).
Court records show that Mhana obtained a significant portion of the stolen and fraudulently obtained devices from multiple local “boosters.” A booster is a person who steals or obtains through fraud goods and products and sells them for profit. Mhana’s store on Bradford Drive was known to local boosters as a place they could sell stolen devices for cash with no questions asked. In fact, as trial evidence established, Mhana provided his employees with a pricelist of how much they should pay for certain new model iPhones and other electronic devices, which was significantly less than retail value of the devices. The Court ordered Mhana to pay restitution in the amount of $3,649,033 to the victims of the fraud scheme. The Court also ordered Mhana to forfeit $229,118 and more than 100 new-in-the box iPhones seized during the investigation.
Mhana will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In a separate case, two Charlotte businessmen were sentenced to prison in August 2023, for orchestrating a similar scheme.
Both cases were the result of the investigative efforts of CMPD and the Secret Service, which have established a fully integrated partnership to combat the most significant organized criminal groups operating in Charlotte. Through this partnership, this unit has successfully leveraged local and federal resources, personnel, expertise and authorities to identify and combat the criminals and criminal organizations that have the largest negative impact on the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael E. Savage, William Bozin, and Benjamin Bain-Creed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the cases.
Bank Employee Is Charged for Alleged Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment last week against Jaminata Starks, 29, of Charlotte, for her role in a scheme involving fraudulent bank accounts, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Starks had her initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.
Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, 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, Starks was employed by a financial institution (Victim Bank) and worked for a branch in Charlotte. As part of her duties, Starks was authorized to, among other things, open new bank accounts for existing customers and transfer funds between customers’ accounts. The indictment alleges that, between April 13, 2022, and May 23, 2022, Starks conspired with others to misuse the Victim Bank’s customers’ personal identifying information (PII) to fraudulently open new bank accounts in the victims’ names and transfer funds out of the victims’ existing accounts into the fraudulent accounts, without the customers’ knowledge or consent. Starks and her co-conspirators then allegedly used various methods to withdraw the stolen funds.
According to the charges, during the scheme, Starks allegedly transferred at least $120,000 from the custody of the Victim Bank and made false entries in the Victim Bank’s books and records. It is further alleged that Starks was offered $1,000 for each fraudulent new account she created. In addition to the charges, the indictment contains a notice for a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $30,000, that the government contends constitutes the proceeds of Starks’s alleged criminal conduct referenced in the indictment.
Starks is charged with conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the laws of the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; four counts of making false entries in a bank record, which carries a maximum of up to 30 years in prison per count; and four counts of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year prison term, consecutive to any other prison term imposed, per count. Starks was released on bond following her initial appearance.
The charges against Starks are allegations and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney Dena J. King Meets with Faith Leaders in AshevilleRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King and U.S. Attorney’s Office personnel met with faith leaders in Asheville today, to discuss community matters, address local challenges, and collaborate on joint priorities, including public safety, youth violence prevention and intervention, civil rights, and the protection of houses of worship. The meeting was part of an ongoing effort to further collaboration between law enforcement and faith-based organizations to promote the safety of Asheville communities.
During the meeting, U.S. Attorney King emphasized the importance of a united approach to identifying and addressing the challenges that impact communities. “Faith leaders play a vital role in assisting and uplifting the communities they serve. Their partnership is essential in addressing the root causes of criminal activity that threatens the safety of our citizens, ensuring the protection of civil rights, and fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities we are sworn to protect,” said U.S. Attorney King.
The discussion focused on the unique perspective that faith leaders add to conversations centered on community safety, and how their knowledge, influence, and collaboration can assist federal prosecutors and law enforcement in preventing and combating criminal activity and promoting community safety. Topics covered during the meeting included strategies for reducing violence, intercepting drug trafficking, and removing illegal firearms from the streets. The group also discussed the protection of civil rights and explored ways to enhance collaboration between law enforcement and faith communities to reduce youth violence and foster trust through shared efforts and open dialogue.
“Community safety is not just the responsibility of law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney King noted. “It requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, including our faith-based partners. Together, we can create safer neighborhoods and thriving communities through stronger alliances.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to partnering with faith leaders and other community partners to address issues pressing to local communities. Following today’s discussion, U.S. Attorney King and her team will continue to engage with faith leaders, listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively on proposed solutions.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found here.
Morganton Man Is Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Allen Lee Henson, 54, of Morganton, N.C., was sentenced today to 168 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Sheriff Banks Hinceman of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, in March 2021, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after learning that Henson was acquiring methamphetamine and then re-distributing it to others within the Burke County area. During the investigation, BCSO investigators used a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine from Henson at his residence on at least two occasions. On April 23, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Henson’s residence. During the search, deputies seized distribution quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and $23,733 in U.S. currency. Court records show that on February 10, 2022, Henson met with an undercover officer (UC) in Caldwell County, where Henson sold the UC more than 71 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $1,400 in cash.
On November 15, 2023, Henson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Lenoir Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Asheville Methamphetamine Distributor Is Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jason Dean Keever, 42, of Asheville, was sentenced to 336 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release today for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff William Wilke of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, Keever and his co-defendant, Joel Wesley Creech, engaged in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Haywood, Buncombe, McDowell, and Transylvania Counties. The investigation began in 2021, after the DEA and the HCSO learned that Keever and Creech were acquiring large quantities of methamphetamine and redistributing it to others within the Western District of North Carolina. On June 21, 2021, law enforcement conducting surveillance of Keever and Creech observed Keever’s vehicle leaving Creech’s residence in Haywood County. Law enforcement initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, detectives located a void area under the steering wheel that contained a semi-automatic pistol with one round of ammunition in the chamber and four rounds in the magazine. Investigators also seized more than $10,000 in cash and two large plastic bags that contained nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine. According to filed court documents, the next day, detectives executed a search warrant at Creech’s residence, where they seized more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine buried in the backyard.
On August 25, 2023, Keever pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 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.
On November 2, 2023, Creech was sentenced to 11 years in prison, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine,
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the ATF, and the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the DEA and the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case, and thanked the McDowell, Buncombe, and Transylvania County Sheriffs’ Offices for their invaluable assistance.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Second Defendant Charged in Connection with Cattle Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury in Charlotte has returned a criminal indictment charging Clint Clifford Sicking, 40, of Muenster, Texas, for his role in a $780,000 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 allegations in the indictment and documents in related court proceedings, from April 2018 to October 2022, Sicking conspired with William Dalton Edwards, 25, of Mount Airy, N.C., to defraud livestock markets, also known as sales barns, in Iredell and Cleveland Counties, North Carolina, and in Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. The indictment alleges that, on multiple occasions during the relevant time frame, Sicking and Edwards purchased cattle from sales barns in North Carolina and wrote checks to pay for the cattle, knowing the checks were worthless, since there were insufficient funds to cover the checks and pay for the cattle.
As alleged in the indictment, Sicking and Edwards 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, Sicking and Edwards allegedly fraudulently obtained more than 900 head of cattle and caused over $780,000 in losses to sales barns in North Carolina. The sales barns—which are family-owned—incurred these losses because they are required to pay farmers and ranchers immediately after the sale of their livestock.
Sicking is charged with 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 conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of five years. Sicking is also charged with bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and with one count of theft of livestock, two counts of interstate transportation of stolen livestock, and two counts of sale and receipt of stolen livestock, which carry a maximum of five years in prison per charged offense.
On August 2, 2024, Edwards pleaded guilty for his participation in the scheme. A sentencing date for Edwards has not been sent.
The charges against Sicking are allegations and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 Man Is Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Everette Josiah Phifer, 30, of Charlotte, to 84 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, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, in 2016, Phifer was convicted in North Carolina of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and served a term of imprisonment. As a result of the conviction, Phifer is prohibited from possessing firearms. Court documents show that between February 7, 2022, and March 5, 2022, Phifer illegally possessed a firearm. Specifically, on March 5, 2022, CMPD officers responded to a 911 call for a shooting at an apartment complex in Charlotte. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered that at least 79 shots had been fired from multiple guns, and an innocent resident of the complex had been struck and killed by a stray bullet.
Witnesses directed law enforcement to a particular apartment within the complex believed to be connected to the shooting. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at that apartment. Phifer was located inside along with a quantity of fentanyl pills and several firearms, including an SKS rifle and a loaded Glock handgun with an undermount laser hidden inside a toilet tank, and ammunition. Phifer’s cell phone was also seized and analyzed. Law enforcement recovered from the cell phone photos of Phifer with the same SKS rifle that was found in the apartment, and a video that showed the same Glock handgun also seized from the apartment.
On June 23, 2023, Phifer 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 January 2024, Marcus Alexander Allen, another individual connected to the March 5th shooting and the apartment where Phifer was found, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon committed on March 5, 2022.
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 is prosecuting 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.
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King Delivers Remarks at Law Enforcement Officer Safety TrainingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, delivered opening remarks today at the VALOR Officer Safety and Resilience Training in Charlotte. The program focuses on enhancing all aspects of safety, wellness, resilience, and performance for those who serve in law enforcement.
More than 120 law enforcement officers and personnel from federal, state, and local agencies from across North Carolina are participating in the training, which is sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance as part of the VALOR initiative. This initiative aims to enhance officer resilience; provide the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of a career in law enforcement; promote officer safety; and help prevent the injuries and deaths of law enforcement officers and the people they serve. The program offers resources and practical strategies informed by real-world scenarios and the latest research to assist law enforcement with managing the stressors and risks that come with the job, develop skills to defuse dangerous situations, and strengthen officer safety and performance.
In her address, U.S. Attorney King expressed her gratitude to those who serve in law enforcement, highlighting their critical role as the frontline defenders of our communities.
“Our law enforcement officers’ dedication and courage serve as the foundation of our justice system,” said U.S. Attorney King. “I want to thank our brave men and women in law enforcement for working hard every day to make our neighborhoods safer, protect our children from harm, and uphold the principles of justice with honor and dignity.”
U.S. Attorney King also talked about the significant risks that come with a career in law enforcement, and paid tribute to fallen officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. “The officers who made the ultimate sacrifice exemplify the highest ideals of the profession,” said U.S. Attorney King. “We honor their memory by continuing to fight for the principles they stood for – justice, integrity, and the protection of the innocent.”
U.S. Attorney King closed her remarks by reinforcing the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department to helping law enforcement officers and the communities they serve stay safe and well.
Monroe Man Is Sentenced to Prison for Operating an Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Christon Jermaine Brewer, 39, of Monroe, N.C., was sentenced today to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of approximately $210,000 for operating an 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 court records and court proceedings, from 2018 to 2022, Brewer executed a scheme to defraud at least ten victim-investors of more than $200,000. Brewer’s victims, including friends and acquaintances, were induced to invest in the scheme after Brewer promised he would invest their funds in the stock market. Brewer represented himself to victims as a wealthy investor, who had access to investment opportunities that would return profits and yield guaranteed returns. Relying upon Brewer’s false and fraudulent representations, victims sent thousands of dollars to the defendant in cash, or via mobile peer-to-peer payment methods, such as Apple Pay or Cash App.
Contrary to promises he made to his victims, Brewer did not invest their money as agreed. Instead, he used it to pay for various personal expenses to support his lifestyle. While he was spending the victims’ money, Brewer convinced victims into believing their investments were safe, by sending them text messages that provided purported updates on their investments and screenshots falsely showing the high returns on their investments.
On June 26, 2023, Brewer pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He is currently released on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The FBI led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Is Sentenced to Prison for Reoffending While on Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A previously convicted felon on federal supervised release was sentenced to prison today on drug and gun charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Charles Lee Farmer, 50, of Charlotte, was ordered to serve 46 months in prison followed by three years on supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and possession of multiple firearms by a convicted felon. Additionally, Farmer was ordered to serve a consecutive six-month prison term for violating conditions of his supervised release, for a total sentence of 52 months in prison.
According to court documents and court proceedings, Farmer was previously convicted in the Western District of North Carolina for a firearms offense. After serving an active prison term, Farmer was placed on court-ordered supervised release under the U.S. Probation Office. On November 20, 2021, federal probation officers conducted a warrantless search of Farmer’s residence, after they received information that Farmer was dealing narcotics. During the search, probation officers located cocaine and cocaine base, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia, and seized multiple firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition.
Farmer remains 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 commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Probation Office in the Western District of North Carolina for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney 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.
Assistant Pastor Convicted at Trial for $800,000 Investment Scheme Is Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Michael Mandel Baldwin, 55, of Alexandria, Virginia, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on charges of wire fraud and securities fraud, for orchestrating an $800,000 investment scheme, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to trial evidence, witness testimony, and filed court documents, from 2009 to 2021, Baldwin served as Assistant Pastor and Musical Director for a church in Northern Virginia, and Chief Executive Officer of the Miracle Mansion, LLC (Miracle Mansion). Trial evidence established that Baldwin used his position of trust within the church and fake promotional material to promote his investment scheme to victims that included churches, congregation members, and individual investors. To convince victims to invest in the Miracle Mansion project, Baldwin repeatedly lied about the viability, legitimacy, and success of the project, and used the names of well-known corporations and organizations to falsely claim they had endorsed the project.
According to evidence presented at trial, Baldwin solicited investments from a Charlotte-area church and its congregation members, as well as other entities located throughout the United States, including in Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia. As part of the fraud, Baldwin’s promotional material falsely described Miracle Mansion as “a one-of-a-kind entertainment complex that [would] reshape the face of family entertainment in the Washington Metropolitan region,” with a mission that “promotes family-focused inspiration, entertainment and enrichment anchored by a Biblical worldview.” To promote the scheme, Baldwin held in-person and virtual meetings with potential investors, during which he falsely claimed the investors’ money would be used to develop, create, and construct Miracle Mansion, including to purchase the land on which Miracle Mansion would be built.
According to witness testimony, in furtherance of the scheme, Baldwin presented to investors several investment opportunities, including “GroundSwell 73,” which he described as “73 acres = 7,300 people, investing $73 per month, for 73 months.”
As court documents reflect, Baldwin lied to victims and would-be investors that The Kennedy Center and high-level executives at Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A had endorsed and supported Miracle Mansion. However, contrary to Baldwin’s claims, high-level executives with Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A testified at trial that they neither knew nor supported Baldwin and his project.
Rather than using the victims’ money to create, develop, and construct Miracle Mansion as promised, Baldwin spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his personal lifestyle, including to pay for personal expenses, travel, gym memberships, and meals at restaurants. He also made large credit card payments and cash withdrawals. Baldwin also used a portion of the victims’ money to pay others involved in Miracle Mansion, and to make Ponzi style payments to some of the investors who were questioning the status and the legitimacy of the project.
At today’s sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors contended that Baldwin preyed on his victims’ religious affiliations, charitable inclinations, and trust in the defendant as a friend and religious advisor and noted that Baldwin inflicted emotional and spiritual harm on his victims.
Baldwin 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 U.S. Secret Service for leading the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caryn Finley and Kenneth Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Monroe Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nicki Wayne Parker, 36, of Monroe, N.C. was sentenced today to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Eddie Cathey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, in December 2022, ATF agents initiated an investigation into Parker for suspected distribution of methamphetamine in and around Union County. During the investigation, Parker participated in the distribution of methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. In January 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Monroe, N.C., where Parker was residing. Law enforcement found a pound of methamphetamine hidden in a cardboard box in the garage of the residence, and a pistol located inside a toolbox. At the time, Parker was on federal supervised release following a conviction in the Western District of North Carolina for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On November 28, 2023, Parker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Parker remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending placement by the federal Bureau of Prisons.
This prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the ATF and the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced to 15+ Years on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. Jonathan Craig Otuel, 36, of Stallings, N.C., was sentenced today to 181 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine and related firearms offenses.
According to court documents, evidence presented at Otuel’s trial, and witness testimony, on November 19, 2019, officers with the Pineville Police Department responded to a call for service at a hotel room, where they located Otuel and three other individuals. Officers also located methamphetamine and a firearm that Otuel had thrown from the balcony. A search warrant was issued and executed on the hotel room. During the search, law enforcement recovered multiple bags of methamphetamine, and an additional firearm. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Otuel was responsible for trafficking significant amounts of methamphetamine in Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties.
On August 2, 2023, a federal jury convicted Otuel of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Otuel also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Otuel remains 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 Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pineville Police Department and the Gaston County Police Department for their investigation of the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Regina Pack and Timothy Sielaff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Armed Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced to over 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Antonio Abrego-Bega, 37, of Mexico, was sentenced today to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, 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, between September and October 2021, law enforcement learned that Abrego-Bega was selling methamphetamine in the Charlotte area. During the investigation, a confidential informant (CI) working with law enforcement was introduced to Abrego-Bega. In September 2021, the CI and purchased from the defendant over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Law enforcement arranged additional controlled purchases between the CI and Abrego-Bega, where the defendant sold the CI additional methamphetamine and firearms. On October 20, 2021, following a controlled purchase of methamphetamine with the CI, law enforcement took Abrego-Bega into custody. Law enforcement recovered approximately 334 grams of methamphetamine and digital scales that he possessed in a bag.
On February 22, 2023, Abrego-Bega pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and CMPD.
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.
Swain County Man Pleads Guilty to Cold Case Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Ernest D. Pheasant, Sr., 47, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder in Indian Country, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Pheasant entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf.
According to court filings and facts presented at the plea hearing, on December 29, 2013, the body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant was discovered inside a burned-out vehicle parked near Big Cove Road within the Qualla Boundary in the Western District of North Carolina. Investigators determined that the vehicle had been intentionally set on fire. An autopsy revealed that Marie died from stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. DNA retrieved from a baseball cap found near the vehicle was linked to the defendant, who was Marie’s estranged husband. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Pheasant killed Marie at their home, then transferred her body to the car, drove it to Big Cove Road, and set it on fire. By today’s guilty plea, Pheasant admitted to murdering Marie willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation.
On April 7, 2022, following a review of unsolved homicides in the region, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) opened a full interagency investigation into the case. Today’s guilty plea is the result of the joint investigation conducted by the MMU, the FBI in North Carolina, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, and the EBCI Office of the Tribal Prosecutor.
Pheasant remains in federal custody. At sentencing, Pheasant faces a statutorily required sentence of life in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
Assistant United States Attorney Alex M. Scott of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of cases involving Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) and bringing justice to victims and their families. For more information about the Justice Department’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the MMIP section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/mmip.
Convicted Felon Is Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – John Edward Bradley, 50, of Cherokee, N.C., was sentenced yesterday to seven 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.
According to court documents and court proceedings, Bradley was previously convicted of a federal firearms offense in the Western District of North Carolina and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. After serving his prison term, Bradley was placed under court supervision on conditions of federal supervised release. In June 2023, Bradley’s federal probation officer obtained a warrant for Bradley’s arrest on allegations that Bradley had violated the terms of his supervision.
According to court documents, on June 13, 2023, law enforcement observed Bradley driving his vehicle in Cherokee. Knowing that there was an active arrest warrant against Bradley, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Bradley’s vehicle and Bradley was taken into custody. While in custody, Bradley told law enforcement that he had narcotics hidden in his underwear. Law enforcement searched Bradley and retrieved two baggies containing a controlled substance. Following a lab analysis of the substances it was determined that the larger baggie contained fentanyl and the smaller baggie contained methamphetamine. Bradley admitted that he possessed the fentanyl with the intent to distribute it to others.
On December 20, 2023, Bradley pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 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.
This prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the DEA, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, and the Cherokee Alcohol Law Enforcement, with the assistance of the U.S. Probation Office in the Western District of North Carolina.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Scott with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Charlotte Man That Traded Guns for Drugs Is Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte man who was trading guns for drugs was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for distributing fentanyl, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Reginald Williams, 36, of Charlotte, was also ordered to serve four years under court supervision after he is released from prison.
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, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to documents filed with the court, on July 9, 2020, law enforcement learned that Williams was trafficking narcotics, including fentanyl, in the Charlotte area. Over the course of the investigation, Williams communicated with an undercover officer (UC) posing as a drug supplier. During a conversation with the UC, Williams told the UC that he wanted to buy two kilograms of cocaine and indicated that he would pay for one kilogram of cocaine in cash and would trade firearms as payment for the second kilogram. On August 12, 2020, Williams met with the UC to execute the drug transaction. At that meeting, Williams and another individual placed four firearms – two rifles and two semiautomatic pistols – in the trunk of the UC’s vehicle, and a bag containing $37,800 in cash in the vehicle of a second UC who was also present for the transaction. Williams was arrested on scene soon thereafter.
A federal search warrant was executed at an apartment Williams used to store drugs. Law enforcement seized fentanyl, plastic baggies, and other items consistent with drug distribution, as well as 28 rounds of ammunition. A search of Williams’s residence yielded quantities of fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, a revolver and ammunition, and $23,748 in cash drug proceeds. During the investigation, Williams admitted to buying kilogram quantities of fentanyl and heroin, which he further distributed to others. He also admitted to illegally obtaining firearms from a gun trafficking source.
On December 20, 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and marijuana. He remains 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 Shavonn Bennette 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 Car Dealership Owner and Sales Manager Plead Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The owner of a Charlotte area car dealership and a sales manager have pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. John Harvey Martin, 50, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty today, and Vincent Emmanuel Jefferson, Jr., 47, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office, and Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, Martin was the owner of iNetwork Auto Group Inc. (iNetwork), a car dealership located in Charlotte. Martin owned and operated The Scorpio nightclub, also located in Charlotte. Martin employed Jefferson as a sales manager for iNetwork. Court documents show that, from July 2017, through January 2021, Martin and Jefferson engaged in a money laundering scheme by selling approximately 20 luxury vehicles to G.D., an individual who the defendants knew was a drug dealer or of whom they were willfully blind to that fact. The defendants received cash payments from G.D., also knowing or being willfully blind to the fact that the cash represented property derived from some form of criminal activity. Jefferson and Martin further facilitated the fraud by allowing G.D. to buy the vehicles using the names of straw purchasers in order to conceal G.D.’s identity and hide the illicit source of the cash G.D. was using to pay for the vehicles. To further the conspiracy, Martin and Jefferson at times forged the signatures of straw purchasers on sales, registration, and title paperwork for the vehicles sold to G.D., and frequently notarized the paperwork knowing that the straw purchasers were not the true purchasers of the vehicles. Court records show that Martin and Jefferson received from G.D. cash payments for the vehicles totaling over $520,000.
According to court documents, Martin used at least $200,000 in cash that he received from G.D. to pay for renovations to a building adjacent to iNetwork. Martin also solicited and received at least $100,000 in cash from G.D. to buy The Scorpio nightclub, while concealing G.D.’s ownership interest in The Scorpio. As Martin admitted in court today, he subsequently bought out G.D.’s ownership interest in The Scorpio for at least $100,000 in cash. G.D. gave that money to another individual, identified in court documents as J.M., who then attempted to drive the money to G.D.’s drug trafficking source of supply in California. After law enforcement seized the money from J.M., J.M. – at G.D.’s direction – submitted a fraudulent claim to the United States government under penalty of perjury falsely representing that J.M. was the lawful owner of the money and that he legally obtained the money from the sale of The Scorpio. Court documents show that Martin provided fraudulent documentation and made false representations in support of J.M.’s false and fraudulent claim.
Martin and Jefferson have been released on bond. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
The prosecution was the result of a joint investigation by IRS-CI and the DEA.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Taylor Stout and Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.
Fentanyl Distributor Pleads Guilty to Gun Offense in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte fentanyl distributor appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Demetrius Lamar Mattox, 39, will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing, which has not been scheduled.
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 plea documents and the plea hearing, over the course of an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Charlotte, law enforcement identified Mattox as a local fentanyl distributor. The investigation determined that Mattox sold fentanyl and firearms to a confidential source on multiple occasions between September and October 2023.
Mattox is currently in federal custody. The statutory maximum for the charged offense is a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison. A sentencing date has not been sent.
The ATF led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting 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.
U.S. Attorney's Office and Justice Department Secure Agreement with North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to Expand Religious Opportunities in State PrisonsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina has joined the Justice Department in announcing today an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC), expanding opportunities for group religious practice throughout the state prison system and allowing access to kosher-for-Passover meals and Seders. The agreement resolves the Justice Department’s investigation of NCDAC pursuant to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
“The Constitution and federal law guarantee all Americans the freedom to practice their religion, including people who are incarcerated in jails and prisons,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will protect the religious practices of incarcerated people across North Carolina by allowing members of minority faiths to gather, worship and study. Whether at home with their families, in houses of worship, or behind bars, every person should be able to celebrate religious holidays and gather with their communities of faith.”
“The settlement agreement reaffirms that all individuals in custody retain the right to practice their religion fully and openly during their incarceration,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “It is our duty to ensure that incarcerated persons are afforded the same religious rights, freedoms and protections as any other citizen. My office is committed to enforcing these rights and ensuring that they are upheld within all correctional facilities in North Carolina.”
“Federal law guarantees all Americans the right to freely exercise their religion, and institutionalized persons have the right to practice their faith and worship together,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “We are committed to protecting this fundamental right and are grateful to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for its willingness to work with us and revise its policies to protect the religious rights of individuals in its custody.”
“Our Constitution protects the religious liberty of all people to exercise their faith,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “In America, that means even those who are incarcerated can continue to worship and pray. NCDAC’s new policies ensure that believers can maintain their faith and religious practices, even after they enter the jailhouse door.”
Under the agreement, NCDAC has adopted a policy that reduces the minimum number of people for group worship to two and no longer requires the presence of a faith helper for religious gathering. Under the prior policy, NCDAC had minimum participant and faith helper requirements for congregate religious practices by “minority faith groups” that often prevented these groups from gathering for worship, celebration and study. Minority faith groups were defined as non-Christian faiths, including adherents of Islam or Judaism.
In addition, when the department began the investigation, NCDAC did not provide certified kosher-for-Passover food to incarcerated people who wished to observe the Passover holiday. The agreement requires that NCDAC provide certified kosher-for-Passover meals every year for the eight days of Passover. In addition, NCDAC will provide the opportunity for people who observe Passover to participate in two Seder ritual observances, which will include a Seder plate of ceremonial foods.
For additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. The Justice Department issued a report on the 20th Anniversary of RLUIPA in 2020 and a statement and on the Institutionalized Persons Provisions of RLUIPA in 2017. Those interested in finding out more about RLUIPA can visit www.justice.gov/crt/religious-land-use-and-institutionalized-persons-act-0.
Ukrainian National Extradited for Role in International "Carding" SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Ukrainian national has been extradited to the United States from Germany to face federal charges filed in the Western District of North Carolina, for his alleged involvement in an international “carding” scheme that netted over $1.8 million in fraudulent credit and debit card charges, 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 the announcement.
Viacheslav Alexandrovich Basovych, 49, of Ukraine, was arrested in Germany on December 19, 2023, and was extradited to the United States on August 8, 2024. Basovych is charged with wire fraud conspiracy, access device fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Charlotte, following Basovych’s initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf.
According to allegations in the indictment, from October 2013 to February 2022, Basovych conspired with others to engage in an international “carding” scheme. The term “carding” refers to various criminal activities associated with stealing personal identifiable information (PII) and financial information of victims, including information associated with credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, or other access devices, and using that information to obtain money, goods or services without the victims’ authorization or consent.
The indictment alleges that Basovych and his co-conspirators obtained the PII and payment card information of victims and used the stolen information to make unauthorized credit and debit card charges by merchant accounts associated with Basovych. The fraudulent charges ranged between $7 to $15, and were thus more likely to go unnoticed. In this manner, it is alleged that Basovych and his co-conspirators caused over 148,000 fraudulent transactions totaling over $1.8 million in unauthorized charges. It is further alleged that over 5,100 fraudulent charges were made using payment cards of victims located in Charlotte. According to allegations in the indictment, Basovych and his co-conspirators used a network of money mules to launder the criminal proceeds and to evade detection.
“Greed knows no bounds, but justice has no borders,” said U.S. Attorney King. “The charges announced today are the result of a coordinated effort with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice cyber criminals that exploit victims’ stolen identities and financial information for their personal gain. Whether the perpetrators are on U.S. soil or abroad, we will pursue all investigative avenues and use all enforcement tools available to bring to justice those who engage in this type of criminal activity.”
“The world today doesn’t permit us to physically lock our identities away in a safe. Unfortunately, this vulnerability has given cyber criminals the opportunity to exploit and profit from stolen identities. The FBI is committed to ensuring that international cyber criminals do not operate with impunity,” said Special Agent in Charge DeWitt.
Following his initial appearance, Basovych was remanded into federal custody.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge and the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charge of access device fraud carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office for the investigation that led to the charges. U.S. Attorney King also thanked the INTERPOL Offices in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Washington, D.C., for their substantial assistance, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for securing Basovych’s arrest and extradition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
Newton Man Is Sentenced to 10+ Years in Prison for String of Armed Robberies in North CarolinaRead the Press Release
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.
Lenoir Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
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.
Mount Airy Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Charge for $1 Million Cattle Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
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.
U.S. Attorney's Office Invites Communities to Participate in National Night Out EventsRead the Press Release
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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Paralegal Is Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling over $2 Million from Law Firm's ClientsRead the Press Release
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.
Conover, N.C. Woman Is Sentenced to Prison for Stealing More Than $300,000 from Elderly CoupleRead the Press Release
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 Man with Federal Armed Bank Robbery Conviction Is Sentenced to Prison for Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
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 Man Charged with Illegal Possession of A Firearm Appears Before A Federal JudgeRead the Press Release
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.
United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Erlanger Health SystemRead the Press Release
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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United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Erlanger Health SystemRead the Press Release
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.
ComplaintAlleged Car Thief Indicted on Federal Charges Appears in CourtRead the Press Release
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.
Hickory, N.C. Business Owner Is Sentenced to Prison for Tax and Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
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 Gun Trafficker Is Sentenced to Prison and FinedRead the Press Release
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.
Wadesboro Man in Possession of A Stolen Firearm Is Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
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.
Convicted Felon Is Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
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 Man Who Robbed A Convenience Store at Gunpoint Is Sentenced to More Than Nine Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
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.
Department of Justice Recognizes Assistant United States Attorney for Superior Appellate WorkRead the Press Release
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.
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Working Group Meeting to Advance Environmental Justice InitiativeRead the Press Release
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
Couple Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Bank Loan and COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
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.
U.S. Attorney's Office Secured Agreement with Town of Glen Alpine to Ensure Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
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 Businessman Pleads Guilty to Tax OffenseRead the Press Release
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.
Superseding Indictment Charges Physician with Distributing A Controlled Substance and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
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.
Mooresville Man Is Sentenced to More Than Nine Years in Prison Possession of A Firearm by A FelonRead the Press Release
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.
Hickory Man Armed with “Ghost” AR-15 Is Sentenced to Prison for Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
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.
Convicted Felon Is Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
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 Fentanyl Trafficker Is Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
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.