Southern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Highland County man sentenced to 25 years in prison for creating child pornography of sexual abuse of victim under 5 years oldRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Greenfield, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography.
Nathan Lee Murray, 33, sexually exploited a victim under the age of five for the purpose of creating child pornography. As part of his sentence, he will be on supervised release for the rest of his life.
According to the indictment, in February 2021, when Murray was on parole with the state of Ohio for a prior sex offense, he possessed child pornography on his cell phone.
Further investigation by the FBI revealed that Murray had produced the child pornography by sexually assaulting a young victim. Murray’s left hand can be seen in the images; he has the word “LOVE” tattooed on his hand. In other images, Murray’s reflection is seen in the mirror.
Murray created the images and videos in July 2020 and February 2021.
Murray was sentenced in July 2021 in Highland County for the underlying sex abuse that was depicted in the videos. The local court ordered him to serve an indeterminant term of imprisonment of 15 years to Life. Murry will have to serve a minimum of 15 years before being considered for parole.
Murray will serve 15 years of his federal sentence after he is released from his local term of imprisonment.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Oakley are representing the United States in this case.
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Man who stole revolver sentenced to 8 years in prison for illegally possessing firearmRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A convicted felon was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 96 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm that he stole.
Timothy Crider, 29, of Dayton, stole a pink revolver and a gold Jaguar vehicle from a victim in Dayton, Ohio.
According to court documents, on March 13, 2021, Dayton police officers responded to a suspected overdose at the intersection of Watts Street and Burkhart Avenue, where they discovered Crider in the stolen Jaguar. Crider had an active warrant for grand theft auto and theft of a firearm, specifically the pink revolver.
Officers discovered the pink revolver under the driver’s seat, where Crider had been sitting. DNA lab reports confirmed his DNA on the weapon.
Crider has prior convictions for robbery resulting in injury and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, both felony offenses. As a previously convicted felon, Crider is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Crider pleaded guilty to the instant offense in July 2022.
Crider’s federal sentence will be served after he is released from his current term of imprisonment in Shelby County, Ohio. Crider was sentenced to 30 months in prison in Shelby County Common Pleas Court for spitting on a corrections officer while in pre-trial detention for the instant offense, when he knew he was hepatitis C positive.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Through the violent-crime reduction program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works 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.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.
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Licking County man sentenced to 15 years in prison for armed bank robberiesRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A Heath, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison for committing three armed bank robberies in Ohio in July and August 2021.
Stefan Chadwick Crawmer, 54, knowingly brandished a firearm during crimes of violence and stole nearly $8,000 total from three different banks.
According to court documents, on July 1, 2021, Crawmer stole $3,350 from People Savings Bank in Urbana, Ohio. On Aug. 7, 2021, he stole more than $3,000 from Richwood Bank in Springfield, Ohio. Finally, on Aug. 17, 2021, the defendant stole approximately $1,300 from Civista Bank in West Liberty, Ohio.
During these robberies, Crawmer entered the banks wearing a face mask. He approached a teller and demanded cash, removing a handgun from his pocket, and placing it in front of the teller.
On each occasion, Crawmer pointed the gun at the teller and during at least two of the robberies he racked the slide to indicate the firearm was real and loaded.
As part of his conviction, the defendant forfeited two pistols and a rifle.
Federal agents arrested Crawmer in October 2021 and he pleaded guilty to armed robbery in July 2022.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Urbana Police Chief Matthew D. Lingrell; Springfield Police Chief Lee Graf; Logan County Sheriff Randall J. Dodds; and West Liberty Police Chief Shane Oelker announced the sentence imposed on Nov. 8 by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Nicholas A. Dingeldein are representing the United States in this case.
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Former high school teacher charged federally with exploiting minors by taking up-skirt videos at school & in other public placesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former high school chemistry teacher was taken into federal custody today on charges related to using hidden cameras to take tens of thousands of explicit videos of students at school and filming females in dressing rooms and other public places.
Justin Foley, 47, of Delaware, Ohio, appeared in federal court at 1:30pm in Columbus today after a federal criminal complaint and warrant were issued for his arrest.
Foley was employed as a chemistry teacher at Columbus Alternative High School at the time of his alleged offenses. He is charged with sexually exploiting minors and distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography. It is alleged Foley used his cell phone and other digital media devices in a hidden manner to capture female genitalia under skirts and shorts.
According to court documents, in August 2022, the Delaware Police Department received CyberTip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding numerous images of apparent child pornography that were uploaded via Google email accounts. Investigators tracked the IP addresses for the reported email accounts to Foley.
It is alleged that Foley’s email accounts contained numerous videos that were voyeuristic in nature and appear to have been self-produced. The videos appear to have been recorded at the school in which Foley worked as a chemistry teacher, at local department stores in central Ohio, in public areas of downtown Delaware, Ohio, and in dressing rooms. It is apparent that the victims in the videos do not know they are being recorded.
Delaware County law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Foley’s residence on Sept. 20, 2022. Court documents detail that Foley admitted to creating videos in the classroom and hallways of the school at which he taught and that he had created some of these videos as recently as the previous week.
Foley was arrested and charged locally in Delaware County in September 2022. His federal charges will supersede his previous local charges.
Sexually exploiting a minor is a crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison. Distribution and receipt of child pornography is a crime punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler; Delaware Police Chief Adam Moore; Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa A. Schiffel; and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer M. Rausch and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
If you believe you may be a victim of or the parent of a potential victim of Foley’s alleged conduct, please call 614-901-6883.
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U.S. Attorney appoints district election officersRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker announced today that Assistant United States Attorney Jessica W. Knight will lead the Southern District of Ohio’s Election Day Program efforts for the general election tomorrow.
As the District Election Officer, Ms. Knight is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.
It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
The FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. Please direct allegations of election fraud and other election abuses to the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI.
Deputy Criminal Chiefs Emily Glatfelter and Brent Tabacchi and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate are also serving as District Election Officers. Ms. Knight and Mr. Glenn-Applegate can be reached in Columbus at 614-469-5715. Ms. Glatfelter can be reached in Cincinnati at 513-684-3711. Mr. Tabacchi can be reached in Dayton at 937-225-2910.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
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5 local men sentenced to prison for participating in methamphetamine ringRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – Five are men were sentenced in U.S. District Court today to prison for their roles in a drug trafficking organization distributing bulk amounts of methamphetamine to the greater Dayton region.
They include:
Name
Age
City
Prison Sentence Imposed
Justus Ruby
26
Englewood, Ohio
78 months
William Green III
27
Dayton, Ohio
97 months
Robert Walker
30
Dayton, Ohio
110 months
Andre Figures
38
Dayton, Ohio
36 months
D’Erius Warfield
28
Dayton, Ohio
74 months
According to court documents, from September 2020 until January 2021, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a group of individuals who used the alias “Jose” and distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Dayton area.
The defendants distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute more than 400 grams of methamphetamine and other narcotics.
During the investigation, investigators witnessed Ruby selling fentanyl to drug users from the state of Indiana. When they executed a search warrant at his properties, agents discovered bulk amounts of methamphetamine, a loaded firearm, and more than $13,000 in cash.
Investigators also executed a search warrant at Green’s property. Officers seized a respirator, rubber gloves, paraphernalia, and bulk amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Walker is currently incarcerated in Indiana for conspiracy to commit murder. He will serve his federal sentence partially consecutive to his state term of imprisonment.
Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration; announced the sentences imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.
This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Former postal employee pleads guilty to embezzling mail packages in exchange for cash paymentsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A former Post Office supervisor pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to embezzling mail packages for profit.
Kerry Beech, Jr., 31, of Cincinnati, was paid $500 on each occasion to intercept certain packages from the mail system and hand deliver them himself.
According to court documents, Beech was employed with the Post Office from 2013 to 2021, most recently at the Parkdale Post Office in Cincinnati. In 2020, the defendant embezzled at least 28 packages in coordination with the individual who received the packages in person.
In July 2020, four of the packages were seized by federal agents. The sealed packages contained fentanyl and methamphetamine.
When agents searched Beech’s vehicle, they discovered $4,500 in cash and a loaded pistol.
Beech was charged by a Bill of Information in September 2022.
Theft of mail by an employee of the Postal Service is punishable by up to five years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett and commended the investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and United States Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati man charged with federal hate crime for physically assaulting Asian American student based on raceRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man has been charged with committing a federal hate crime by physically assaulting a victim based on the victim’s race.
Darrin Johnson, 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday and arrested this morning. His case was unsealed when he appeared in federal court at 1:30pm.
According to the indictment, on Aug. 17, 2021, Johnson physically attacked an Asian American victim on Calhoun Street at the University of Cincinnati.
It is alleged Johnson made racist comments toward the victim, including, “Go back to your country…You brought the kung flu here…You’re going to die for bringing it.”
After allegedly threatening to kill the victim, Johnson’s charging documents detail that he punched the victim on the side of his head. The force of the punch caused the victim to fall and hit his head on the bumper of a parked car.
The victim suffered multiple injuries, including a minor concussion and facial lacerations.
Two individuals who witnessed the assault intervened and one held Johnson down until law enforcement arrived.
In October 2021, Johnson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and criminal intimidation for the incident and was sentenced to serve 360 days in county jail.
If convicted of a federal hate crime, Johnson would face up to 10 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter is representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Cincinnati man sentenced to 16 years in prison for selling fentanyl to high school studentRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 192 months in prison for distributing fentanyl that caused the near-fatal overdose of a high school student.
In March 2019, Marcus Phoenix, 33, sold a teenager fentanyl. Court documents detail that the overdose victim had texted Phoenix and requested $20 worth of “fire.” The high schooler believed “fire” to be Percocet, which he/she had purchased from Phoenix in the past.
The teenager overdosed and, after two doses of Narcan failed to stop the overdose’s effects, emergency room doctors performed life-saving surgery. Ultimately, the overdose victim was on life support in a medically induced coma for a week before regaining consciousness. In all, the overdose victim was hospitalized for nearly two weeks and required extensive physical therapy to regain the ability to walk and perform other daily tasks.
“When teens seek out prescription opioids, they are often in fact buying counterfeit versions, which increasingly contain fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “My office will continue to identify, investigate and prosecute those responsible for putting deadly drugs in the hands of our youth.”
Subsequent law enforcement investigation revealed that Phoenix, who was on probation at the time for a local aggravated drug trafficking conviction, continued to sell fentanyl in March and April 2019. While conducting a search warrant at Phoenix’s apartment in June 2019, investigators discovered 20 grams of fentanyl and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Phoenix was arrested on federal charges in June 2019 and pleaded guilty in May 2021.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration; Lt. Col. Charles A Jones, Superintendent, Ohio State Highway Patrol; West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog; and other members of the Hamilton County Heroin Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi and Timothy D. Oakley are representing the United States in this case.
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5 Dayton men convicted of 2019 kidnapping conspiracy that resulted in victim’s deathRead the Press Release
Dayton, Ohio – The final of five defendants has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to participating in the summer 2019 kidnapping and subsequent death of Kwasi Casey, whose body was later found in a detached garage on Fountain Ave. in Dayton.
Devon Love, 29, admitted to conspiring with four others to kidnap and abduct the victim at gunpoint on July 7, 2019.
Mr. Casey was taken to one of the defendant’s homes, where he was held against his will and beaten with a baseball bat. Another defendant made ransom demands of the victim’s family.
Court documents detail that the victim escaped on July 8, 2019, but was recaptured and forced into a co-conspirator’s minivan, where the victim was again physically assaulted. Mr. Casey ultimately died as a result of the defendants’ actions.
Between July and September 2019, the defendants concealed the victim’s body at a garage on Fountain Ave. in Dayton. On Sept. 17, 2019, the defendants set the garage on fire to destroy evidence and the victim’s body. On Sept. 26, 2019, the victim’s burnt remains were recovered from the burnt garage.
Eric Blackshear, 43; Antoine Dye, 37; Markale Thomas, 28; and Ryan Reese, 27; have also pleaded guilty in this case. Blackshear was sentenced in June 2022 to 360 months in prison. The other four defendants are pending sentencing.
Sentencing of the defendants is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L, Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith and Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy are representing the United States in this case.
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Jury convicts Colerain Township man of taking sexually explicit photographs while 9-year-old and 12-year-old victims sleptRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal jury convicted a registered sex offender on all counts following a four-day trial in Cincinnati.
Nicholas J. Veerkamp, 30, of Colerain Township, Ohio, sexually exploited a 9-year-old victim and a 12-year-old victim and kept images of the exploitation.
The verdict was announced yesterday evening following a trial that began on Oct. 24 before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.
According to court documents and trial testimony, in August 2017, Veerkamp sexually exploited a 12-year-old victim to create three images of child pornography.
In October 2017, Veerkamp sexually exploited a 9-year-old child for the purpose of making child pornography. Veerkamp created 19 images of the victim, including images in which he exposed the child’s genitals while the victim slept.
The defendant also possessed other images of minor females on his electronic devices.
Veerkamp was convicted of sexual imposition in 2016, and as a result, was required to register as a sex offender.
Sexually exploiting a minor is a federal crime punishable by a range of 15 to 30 years in prison. Possessing child pornography carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Committing a felony offense involving a minor while registered as a sex offender mandates an additional 10 years in prison consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III; Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey’s Regional Electronics Crimes Investigations unit and other members of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children task force, announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Healey and Jennifer K. Weinhold are representing the United States in this case.
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Two men indicted for using excessive force as Pike County law enforcement officersRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two men were charged with civil rights crimes related to the use of excessive force during their employment with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.
Last week, a federal grand jury indicted Jeremy C. Mooney, 47, of Piketon, and William Stansberry, Jr., 46, of Chillicothe. That indictment was unsealed today at the defendants’ initial appearances in federal court.
According to the indictment, Mooney and Stansberry violated the victim’s constitutional rights on November 18, 2019, while the victim was in the custody of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.
Mooney and Stansberry are both charged with crimes related to Mooney’s use of force. According to the indictment, Mooney repeatedly used pepper spray and struck the victim, while the victim was restrained and not posing a threat. The indictment charges that Mooney’s conduct involved the use of a dangerous weapon and resulted in bodily injury.
Stansberry is charged with violating the victim’s constitutional rights by willfully failing to intervene to prevent Mooney’s conduct. The indictment alleges that Stansberry - who held a supervisory position at the sheriff's office at the time – was aware that Mooney was using unreasonable force and did not intervene, despite having an opportunity to do so.
If convicted, both men face a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Trial Attorney Cameron A. Bell from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Two Former Pike County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Deputies Indicted for Using Excessive ForceRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury indicted two former Pike County, Ohio, sheriff’s deputies on civil rights crimes for using excessive force during their employment with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the indictment, Jeremy C. Mooney, 47, of Piketon, and William Stansberry Jr., 46, of Chillicothe, violated the victim’s constitutional rights on Nov. 18, 2019, while the victim was in the custody of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. Mooney allegedly used pepper spray repeatedly while the victim was restrained and not posing a threat. Separately, Mooney also allegedly struck the victim while the victim was restrained. The indictment charges that Mooney’s conduct involved the use of a dangerous weapon and resulted in bodily injury.
Stansberry is charged with violating the victim’s constitutional rights by willfully failing to intervene to prevent Mooney’s conduct. As alleged, Stansberry was aware that Mooney was using unreasonable force and did not intervene, despite having an opportunity to do so.
If convicted, both men face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment on each count, a fine of up to $250,000 and a three-year term of supervised release.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Cincinnati Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate for the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Cameron A. Bell from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Southern Ohio woman admits to embezzling $700k from employerRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Sardinia, Ohio, woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to stealing more than $700,000 from the family-owned business for which she worked.
Tina Coday-Townes, 49, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
According to court documents, Coday-Townes previously served as the office manager for a business in Clermont County. In that role, she was responsible for accounts payable and bookkeeping, including inputting and sending data to a third-party payroll company.
The defendant admitted that from 2013 until 2019, she wrote checks using an employers’ signature stamp to pay off her personal credit cards. Coday-Townes made false entries into the accounting database, indicating the checks were to vendors rather than to her personal credit cards.
In addition, Coday-Townes entered overtime hours for herself, even though she was ineligible for overtime as a salaried employee.
As part of her plea agreement, Coday-Townes will pay $697,000 in restitution to her former employer, $11,500 to the State of Ohio for fraudulently paid unemployment benefits, and $35,000 to West American Insurance Company.
Coday-Townes was arrested by federal agents in April 2021.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man pleads guilty to making and selling ‘ghost guns’Read the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local man pleaded guilty in federal court today to making and selling “ghost guns,” untraceable homemade weapons made in whole or in part with a 3D printer.
Court documents detail that Thomas Develin, 25, of Columbus, also made antisemitic and violent statements online while employed to provide security services at local synagogues and Jewish schools.
Develin admitted in his plea agreement that he created ghost guns to sell for profit. He also made and possessed homemade conversion devices to convert semi-automatic AR-15 rifles and Glock-type pistols into fully automatic machine guns. Develin admitted that he made and sold firearms that he knew were illegal.
Develin advertised online that he possessed and was selling 3D-printed sears, which are devices designed to convert semiautomatic AR-type rifles into fully automatic rifles. Devices that are intended to convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic firearms are considered “machineguns” under federal law. Other messages on Develin’s phone stated that he had manufactured a two-handed firearm with an overall length under 26 inches, which is illegal.
On March 31, the day Develin was arrested, agents discovered in his vehicle: night vision goggles, ballistic plates, a ballistic helmet, first aid equipment and a large quantity of ammunition including several loaded magazines.
Agents discovered more than 25 firearms in Develin’s residence and vehicle while executing search warrants in March and April 2022. They also discovered two IED manuals.
Develin admitted in his plea agreement that in late March 2022, he knew law enforcement may be coming for him so he went to the property surrounding the cabin of a person he knew to hide and burn illegal firearms parts. In text messages with another person, Develin also discussed hiding and destroying incriminating evidence. Develin admitted he took these acts with the intent to obstruct the investigation.
The defendant has been charged in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas with various crimes, including making terroristic threats. Those charges remain pending.
Illegally making firearms and unlawfully engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing machine guns are federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Manufacturing and dealing any firearms without a license are punishable by up to five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. The law enforcement agencies were assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Jessica W. Knight are representing the United States in this case.
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Former Islamic center director pleads guilty to embezzling funds, committing fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The former director of a local Islamic center pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to embezzling funds from the mosque, defrauding public housing, and filing for fraudulent COVID assistance funds.
Ahmed A. Sh. Ahmed, 43, of Gahanna, admitted in federal court today to committing wire fraud, submitting a false statement and making a false statement.
According to court documents, from at least 2009 until March 2019, Ahmed was employed as the Director of the Ibn Taymiyah Masjid and Islamic Center (ITMIC) on Mock Road in Columbus.
During his tenure as director, Ahmed used his position of trust to embezzle funds from the religious organization. Specifically, Ahmed wrote unauthorized checks from ITMIC’s accounts to himself. Each year from 2015 through 2018, Ahmed increased the amount he embezzled, writing himself $4,500 in checks in 2015; approximately $11,000 in checks in 2016; $12,900 in checks in 2017; and approximately $21,000 in checks in 2018.
Ahmed spent thousands of dollars of ITMIC funds to pay his own personal credit card bill and towards the purchase of his own personal vehicle.
Ahmed also defrauded the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority’s housing choice voucher program. From 2014 until at least 2020, Ahmed submitted false claims to obtain housing subsidies he would not otherwise qualify for given his true income and assets.
The defendant falsely claimed his personal income was $18,000 annually and did not report any household assets. In reality, Ahmed and his wife deposited more than $235,000 into their bank accounts from 2014 through 2018.
Finally, Ahmed fraudulently applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance nine times from August until October 2020. During that same time frame, Ahmed generated at least $4,000 in revenue by producing and posting approximately 126 YouTube videos to his YouTube channel.
As part of his plea, Ahmed will pay more than $37,400 in restitution to the Islamic center.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Making and submitting false claims are federal crimes that carry a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati division; and Jerome Winkle II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, HUD-OIG, announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica W. Knight is representing the United States in this case.
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Canal Winchester man sentenced to 5 years in prison for romance scam money laundering conspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Canal Winchester man who was found guilty of 35 counts of money laundering crimes following a jury trial in May was sentenced today in federal court to 60 months in prison.
Seth Nyamekye, 40, was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to the victims of the romance fraud.
Nyamekye was convicted for his role in laundering the proceeds of online romance scams.
“This defendant helped fraudsters prey on vulnerable peoples’ desires for love and connection,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Nyamekye conducted financial transactions to conceal that money was generated by fraud and to get the money to co-conspirators in Ghana. He deserves the sentence he received today.”
According to court documents and trial testimony, the perpetrators of the romance scams created several profiles on online dating sites and then contacted men and women throughout the United States and elsewhere. The scammers cultivated a sense of affection and, often, romance, with the victims they met online before requesting money for investment or need-based reasons. The romance scam perpetrators then provided victims with bank account information where the money should be sent. Nyamekye controlled one of these accounts and received more than $1.3 million in romance fraud proceeds from victims. Nyamekye was not charged with defrauding the victims himself, but instead was charged with laundering the proceeds of the romance fraud.
The government proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that Nyamekye laundered the victims’ money on behalf of the conspiracy. The defendant conspired with others from at least June 2016 until February 2018 to commit money laundering in multiple transactions of more than $10,000 with the purpose of concealing the fraudulent nature of the proceeds.
At least eight victims sent their money directly to Nyamekye’s bank account, which was in the name of Gloseth Ventures LLC. For example, one victim was defrauded by a purported member of the military and sent a $170,000 wire transfer to Nyamekye’s bank account. Another victim fell in love with a man he met online who also claimed to be in the military overseas and sent two wire transfers to Nyamekye totaling $73,000. A separate victim believed she was engaged to the man who was scamming her and sent $50,000 to the defendant’s bank account.
After the funds were deposited into Nyamekye’s bank account, Nyamekye took a cut of the victims’ money and then conducted financial transactions to move the funds where the perpetrators of the romance fraud could enjoy the criminal proceeds.
Nyamekye was charged by a criminal complaint in October 2020 and was later indicted in May 2021.
If you believe you are the victim of an online romance scam, you can file a complaint at ic3.gov.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Cincinnati Field Office, announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and David J. Twombly represented the United States in this case.
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Hocking County woman admits to sexually exploiting children as young as 3 years old with her boyfriendRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Logan, Ohio, woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to sexually exploiting minors and possessing child pornography.
Carrie Daniels, 41, was charged federally in April 2022, along with her significant other, Robert Gemienhardt, 37. Gemienhardt pleaded guilty to related offenses on Sept. 30 and awaits sentencing.
The two defendants groomed minor victims whom they had access too, sexually abused the victims, and created child pornography of the abuse.
According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from Kik messenger regarding Gemienhardt’s online child exploitation activities conducted at Daniels’s residence. The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office then began investigating the allegations.
Subsequent search warrants executed by the Hocking County Sherriff’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI, revealed that Daniels had produced child pornography of an approximately 3-year-old child and distributed the images she had produced to Gemienhardt. Those images were ultimately recovered on Gemienhardt’s phone. In addition, further evidence revealed that at times, Gemienhardt and Daniels acted together and produced child pornography through the grooming and sexual abuse of minor victims they had access to between April and June of 2020.
Daniels and her boyfriend, who was a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio, exchanged thousands of illicit text messages detailing their sexual fantasies about four separate minor victims to whom they had access. Those text messages further revealed both Gemienhardt and Daniels had plans to act out some of the detailed fantasies by sexually abusing some of the minors.
Sexually exploiting a minor is a crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison. Possessing child pornography carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
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Highland County man pleads guilty to attempting hate crimeRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A local, self-identified “Incel” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to attempting to conduct a mass shooting of women.
Tres Genco, 22, of Hillsboro, Ohio, admitted he plotted to commit a hate crime, namely, a plan to shoot women at a university in Ohio. He was arrested by federal agents in July 2021 and has remained in custody since.
“Genco formulated a plot to kill women and intended to carry it out. Our federal and local law enforcement partners stopped that from happening,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Hate has no place in our country – including gender-based hate – and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute any such conduct.”
“Thankfully, law enforcement partners working closely together prevented a deadly killing spree targeting women,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “Genco’s hate-filled beliefs and actions were extremely dangerous and could have resulted in irreparable harm to our community and many precious lives. We urge the public to report concerning behavior to the FBI and local police to help prevent future violence.”
Genco identified as an Incel or “involuntary celibate.” The Incel movement is an online community of predominantly men who harbor anger towards women. Incels advocate violence in support of their belief that women unjustly deny them sexual or romantic attention to which they believe they are entitled.
According to court documents, Genco maintained profiles on a popular Incel website from at least July 2019 through mid-March 2020 and posted hundreds of times on the site.
In one post, Genco detailed spraying “some foids and couples” with orange juice in a water gun. Foids is an Incel term short for “femoids,” referring to women. Genco compared his “extremely empowering action” to similar conduct by known Incel Elliot Rodger. In May 2014, Rodger killed six people and injured 14 others, including shooting individuals outside a University of California, Santa Barbara sorority house. Prior to his mass attack, Rodger shot a group of college students with orange juice from a water gun.
Genco also wrote a manifesto, stating he would “slaughter” women “out of hatred, jealousy and revenge…” and referring to death as the “great equalizer.”
As part of this investigation, law enforcement agents discovered a note of Genco’s that indicated he hoped to “aim big” for a kill count of 3,000 people with a reference to the same date as Elliot Rodger’s attack and intended to attend military training. The investigation revealed that the day he wrote his manifesto, he searched online for sororities and a university in Ohio.
In 2019, Genco purchased tactical gloves, a bulletproof vest, a hoodie bearing the word “Revenge,” cargo pants, a bowie knife, a skull facemask, two Glock 17 magazines, a 9mm Glock 17 clip, and a holster clip concealed carry for a Glock.
Genco attended Army Basic Training in Georgia from August through December 2019. He was discharged for entry-level performance and conduct.
In January 2020, Genco wrote a document entitled “isolated” that he described as “the writings of the deluded and homicidal.” Genco signed the document, “Your hopeful friend and murderer.”
Genco’s court documents detail that he conducted surveillance at an Ohio university on Jan. 15, 2020. That same day, he searched online for topics including “planning a shooting crime” and “when does preparing for a crime become an attempt?”
On March 12, 2020, Highland County sheriff’s deputies responded to Genco’s residence. At the residence, in the trunk of Genco’s vehicle, police officers found, among other things, a firearm with a bump stock attached, several loaded magazines, body armor and boxes of ammunition. Inside the residence, police officers found a modified Glock-style 9mm semiautomatic pistol, with no manufacturer’s marks or serial number, hidden in a heating vent in Genco’s bedroom. As part of his plea, Genco admitted that he possessed both firearms in furtherance of his plot.
Genco pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to commit a hate crime, which, because it involved an attempt to kill, is punishable by up to life in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Division; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney Painter and Timothy S. Mangan are representing the United States in this case.
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23 Ohioans indicted as part of narcotics distribution ring involving bulk amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine & other narcoticsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The government added 12 defendants and 28 new charges to a federal narcotics conspiracy case that now charges 23 total individuals.
A multi-agency law enforcement task force initially announced the case in July after a federal grand jury indicted 11 defendants for distributing bulk amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in central Ohio within 1,000 feet of a Columbus elementary school.
A superseding indictment unsealed Friday now charges additional co-conspirators with distributing those same drugs in addition to methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone.
According to the 42-count superseding indictment, from at least January 2008 until 2022, the drug trafficking organization sold drugs out of local West side Columbus residences to customers and distributed larger amounts to regional drug traffickers who then trafficking those narcotics to places such as West Virginia and the Northern District of Ohio.
Most of the alleged drug dealing took place within 1000 feet of Burroughs Elementary School in Columbus.
The indictment also alleges two defendants distributed fentanyl and crack cocaine that initially resulted in serious bodily harm to the victim, who ultimately died of an overdose.
As part of this case, local, state, and federal law enforcement officers have executed more than 20 search warrants at various locations throughout Central Ohio and seized more than $1.7 million in alleged drug proceeds. For example, while executing a search warrant at Car-Go storage units, law enforcement officials discovered at least $1.2 million in cash. Searches of residences yielded 47 firearms, diamonds, Rolex watches and additional bulk amounts of cash.
Those originally charged include:
Name
Age
City of Residence
Cordell A. Washington, aka Corey, Dub, Bro
35
Columbus, Ohio
Patrick M. Saultz, aka White Boy Pat
44
Columbus, Ohio
David E. Price, aka DP
53
Columbus, Ohio
Allison E. Smith, aka Alli
27
Columbus, Ohio
Tavaryyuan Johnson, aka Gucci
22
Columbus, Ohio
Tyler N. Bourdo
28
Columbus, Ohio
Alexis C. Lewis
30
Columbus, Ohio
Michael Fowler
45
Canton, Ohio
Carmela Brooks
48
Canton, Ohio
Dustin A. Speakman, aka Dawg
32
Columbus, Ohio
Danny G. Mullins
53
Columbus, Ohio
Defendants added in the superseding indictment unsealed today include:
Name
Age
City of Residence
Robert E. Tinsley, III, aka Cam
22
Columbus, Ohio
Priscilla L. Washington
58
Columbus, Ohio
Lauren E. Brezney
29
Shallotte, N.C./Columbus, Ohio
Brittany A. Williams
36
Columbus, Ohio
Gabriel R. Smith, aka Gabe
34
Canal Winchester, Ohio
Robert L. Pyles, aka Pork
45
Columbus, Ohio
Mitchell A. Powers
33
Columbus, Ohio
Vincent T. Griffin
50
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Caitlin R. Duff
27
Columbus, Ohio
Michael D. Burton
39
Columbus, Ohio
Brian K. Long, II
32
Columbus, Ohio
Anthony B. Frierson, aka Royal
31
Columbus, Ohio
Twenty-two defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone. The narcotics conspiracy is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker commended the investigation coordinated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission task force, which includes Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Angie Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations; and Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Other agencies that have assisted the task force with the investigation include the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, HIDTA Task Force, IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Pickerington Police Department, New Albany Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team.
Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Prichard and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.
This investigation 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.
Indictments merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney Parker recognizes community & law enforcement in first annual awardsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker announced seven law enforcement and community awards today.
The U.S. Attorney is presenting the awards to individuals or groups nominated for their bravery and sacrifice, law enforcement excellence, focus on violent crime, protection of children and positive impact on their communities.
“Each and every day in the Southern District of Ohio, we have community and law enforcement members working diligently to improve our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “These individuals and groups dedicate their time and talents to bettering our District and they deserve to be recognized.”
The awardees include:
Kaia Grant Badge of Bravery and Sacrifice Award
Deputy U.S. Marshal David Youngless, Jr.
On Dec. 8, 2021, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Southern District of Ohio, Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) conducted a fugitive investigation for an individual wanted by the Columbus Division of Police for robbery.
During the search, the team encountered the fugitive in a bedroom on the second floor of the home. As the officers were taking her into custody, her male companion, who was hiding in a nearby closet, opened fire and shot Deputy United States Marshal David Youngless Jr., the team leader of Columbus SOFAST.
“Deputy Youngless’ professionalism and bravery was evident in the way he stayed in control of the team. Deputy Youngless remained poised and continued to direct the actions of the team while calming both the team and others inside the home,” said U.S. Attorney Parker.
The bullet that struck Deputy Youngless entered through his arm, ricocheted off his spine breaking two vertebrae, and lodged in his chest. Deputy Youngless spent four nights in the hospital before being released.
Law Enforcement Excellence
Sgt. Shawn Gruber (Columbus Division of Police)
Sgt. Gruber led the Zone 2 Summer Safety Initiative in Columbus. During a six-week period, Sgt. Gruber and his team recovered 17 firearms, including an automatic weapon, from numerous known gang members. The seized weapons helped further unsolved homicide investigations.
Sgt. Gruber and his team made 35 felony arrests and seized at least half a kilogram of crack cocaine along with numerous other narcotics.
Project Safe Neighborhood’s Guardian Award
Det. & Task Force Officer Sam Chappell (Columbus Division of Police)
Every firearm recovered in the city of Columbus includes a report that is reviewed by Columbus Division of Police Detective and ATF Task Force Officer Sam Chappell. TFO Chappell then gathers and presents all related information to state and federal prosecutors to determine the most appropriate venue for potential prosecution. Many of the cases TFO Chappell has opened in 2022 are domestic violence related.
One of TFO Chappell’s firearms trafficking cases led to the seizure of 31 firearms from one home that were slated to be sold on open forums to anyone who wanted them.
Project Safe Childhood Shield of Innocence
Det. & Task Force Officer Brett Peachey (Westerville Division of Police)
Westerville Detective Brett Peachey has been a dedicated Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Unit and the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children task force for nearly 14 of his 27 years of law enforcement service.
During his tenure, TFO Peachey has arrested hundreds of child pornography offenders and rescued countless children. He’s stopped numerous dangerous pedophiles through undercover online chat communications and continues to tirelessly pursue the most heinous offenders.
Polaris Community Service Award
Maj. Brian Johns (Dayton Police Department)
Maj. Brian Johns, Commander of the Investigations Division, was awarded the Polaris Community Service Award for his role in an innovative new program aimed at helping youth recover from trauma.
In 2022, the Dayton Police Department organized a special summer program for local youths that have experienced trauma either through being a victim or witness to a crime, or the loss of a parent or close loved one to violence or overdose. The Youth Recovery Outdoor Summer Program featured eight days of outdoor activities throughout the summer months (one day per week over eight weeks), allowing them to find positive ways to deal with stress and loss, learn a new hobby or skill, increase self-confidence, and spend time with other youths going through similar situations.
Maj. Johns was nominated by the Dayton YWCA, writing, “Having the opportunity to connect the youth we serve with a program tailored to their needs and considerate of their challenges – a program that reinforces that they are seen, heard, and valued – is life-changing, and helps to expedite the healing process.”
Five children in the YWCA’s domestic violence shelters participated in this summer’s program.
Serve Thy Neighbor Award
FBI Cincinnati Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association
The FBICCAAA is a nonprofit organization separate and apart from the FBI that is comprised of graduates from the FBI’s Citizens Academy program who wish to support area law enforcement organizations and give back to the community. In recent years, the nonprofit group has had a positive impact on the community by raising awareness of human trafficking in Southern Ohio.
For the last two years, the group has held a fundraising event to support anti-trafficking programs in our area. More than $6,000 has been donated to End Slavery Cincinnati, Hope House in Dayton, and Out of Darkness in Columbus. This total does not include funds raised at the third annual event that occurred on Oct. 2 at Topgolf in Cincinnati.
The FBICCAAA raised funds to purchase backpacks and supplies that could be given to women served by the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program (SAOP) in Nelsonville, Ohio. SAOP works with survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence in seven southeastern Ohio counties. Members of the FBICCAAA put together 50 survivor backpacks filled with comfort items, toiletries, snacks, and other necessities. SAOP plans to distribute the backpacks throughout Southeast Ohio to sex trafficking victims, many of whom are homeless and have little or nothing of their own.
Serve Thy Neighbor Award
Malissa Thomas-St. Clair (Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children)
Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, the president and founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, coordinates a small army of mothers affectionately referred to as Sister Soldiers.
“Tragically, admission to the group is predicated by the most unthinkable act – a mother losing a child to violence,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “Ms. Thomas-St. Clair has taken her own personal loss and turned the pain into a vehicle to advocate for others.”
Ms. Thomas-St. Clair has created a powerful support network for those losing a loved one to violence. These ladies, often dressed in orange and camouflage, tirelessly take to the streets to advocate for violence reduction and improved relations between the police and the community
“Each award recipient in this first annual set of law enforcement awards highlights that we make better, stronger communities when we work together,” added U.S. Attorney Parker. “I’m proud to work alongside such innovative and devoted members of our community, law enforcement and otherwise.”
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s annual law enforcement awards, please contact Law Enforcement Coordinator Mitchell Seckman at 614-469-5715.
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Former Columbus vice officer sentenced to prison for depriving a victim’s civil rights through fraudulent arrestRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Columbus vice officer was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 18 months in prison for conspiring to violate an individual’s constitutional rights.
Steven G. Rosser, 46, of Delaware, was convicted following a jury trial in February 2022.
Rosser was employed with the Columbus Division of Police for 19 years and assigned as a detective in CPD’s vice unit from April 2013 until October 2018.
According to court documents and trial testimony, in 2018, Rosser and others conspired to deprive one of the owners of the Dollhouse, a gentlemen’s club on Karl Court, of his civil rights by seizing and searching him and his vehicle without probable cause in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
At trial, the government presented evidence that Rosser was part of a scheme to frame the victim for cocaine possession. The actual amount of cocaine planted on the scene as part of the scheme was a miniscule amount, approximately .017 gram.
After orchestrating the fraudulent arrest, Rosser falsified documentation to conceal the conspiracy activity.
Rosser was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested in March 2020.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Superintendent Joseph Morbitzer; and Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents and officers from the FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s BCI, the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office and the Columbus Division of Police.
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Former local bakery owner admits to stealing identity of deceased baby, $1.5M pandemic relief fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Columbus woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to 16 counts of wire and passport fraud. The defendant stole the identity of a baby who died as an infant and used the infant’s identity to obtain a passport, a student pilot license, a job as a flight attendant, and pandemic relief loans.
As part of her plea, Ava Misseldine, 49, will pay more than $1.5 million in restitution and forfeit her Utah home and profits from the recent sale of her Michigan home, both of which she bought with stolen government money.
According to court documents, Misseldine stole the identity of a baby who died in 1979 and is buried in a Columbus cemetery.
In 2003, Misseldine applied for an Ohio ID and later a Social Security card and driver’s license using the stolen identity.
In 2007, Misseldine posed as the stolen identity to obtain a student pilot certificate and U.S. Passport. Misseldine submitted paperwork claiming she needed the passport to travel internationally in her occupation as a flight attendant for JetSelect. She was employed under the false identity.
Over the next 13 years, Misseldine continued to obtain identity documents in both her real and fake names. An investigation was launched in 2021 when she tried to renew the fraudulent passport.
Misseldine obtained approximately $1.5 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans in 2020 using both her real and fake identities. Her loan applications list her businesses as various bakeries and catering companies, including her former bakeries Sugar Inc. Cupcakes & Tea Salon in Dublin and Koko Tea Salon & Bakery in New Albany and at Easton. She submitted forged documents to support her loan applications.
Misseldine used the pandemic relief loan money to purchase a home for $647,500 adjacent to Zion National Park in Utah and a home for $327,500 in Michigan.
In August and September 2021, Misseldine, after relocating to Utah, obtained driver’s licenses in both names.
Misseldine was arrested in Utah in June.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and passport fraud carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea offered today and commended the investigation by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, assisted by the U.S. Marshals, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.
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U.S. Attorney Parker launches environmental justice initiativeRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker announced today the creation of an environmental justice initiative in the Southern District of Ohio.
Members of the public may now report potential environmental violations by emailing [email protected].
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is committed to enforcing all environmental laws and ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all Ohioans,” said U.S. Attorney Parker.
This includes addressing any violation concerning discriminatory environmental and health impacts.
“Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to developing, implementing and enforcing environmental law,” U.S. Attorney Parker added. “We are committed to ensuring that all individuals receive equal protection under environmental laws, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income.”
Other potential environmental violations may involve topics such as air quality, drinking water, asbestos, lead paint, dangerous workplace conditions, endangered species or chemicals harming wildlife.
For more details, see the environmental justice information sheet now available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at: justice.gov/usao-sdoh. The sheet contains contact information for several federal agencies including U.S. EPA, OSHA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FDA, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Adam Cullman serves as the District’s Environmental Justice Coordinator.
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U.S. Attorney Parker announces cases involved in National Elder Justice SweepRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker announced today that nine prosecutions in the Southern District of Ohio are included in the Department of Justice’s National Elder Justice Sweep. The initiative also includes outreach within the Southern District of Ohio to connect with the District’s senior citizens.
“Elder fraud schemes can be devastating to senior citizen victims and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “My office is firmly committed to working with the community to prevent these crimes, and to using all available tools – both civil and criminal – to address those who prey on the trust and emotions of some of our most vulnerable people in the community.”
U.S. Attorney Parker announced his office is partnering with AARP Ohio to conduct outreach to senior citizens located in the Southern District of Ohio. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is distributing materials to AARP members about how to prevent elder abuse, the types of abuse and resources for reporting suspected fraud.
“There were more than $86 million in scam losses reported in Ohio last year, but the true cost is much higher,” said AARP Ohio State Director Holly Holtzen. “AARP Ohio is working hard to help people spot and avoid these criminal scams, but education alone is not enough. We are proud to partner with the Department of Justice and commend their efforts to stand up for seniors and bring these criminals to justice.”
The national law enforcement sweep announced today includes filed cases with events happening between Sept. 1, 2021, and Sept. 16, 2022.
The cases in the Southern District of Ohio include romance scams, investment fraud, embezzlement, marketing scams and government imposters.
Romance Scams
In U.S. v. Seth Nyamekye, the defendant and co-conspirators created profiles on online dating sites and cultivated romantic relationships with elderly victims who they then convinced to send money for investments that did not exist. A federal jury convicted Nyamekye of 35 counts of money laundering and related fraud counts in June 2022 following a two-week trial in Columbus.
Defendants related to U.S. v. Samuel Antwi committed a similar online romance fraud scheme. In this case, the eight co-conspirators convinced victims to send money or to share their personal financial information. The defendants in this case, which was filed in Columbus, have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging form 18 months to 42 months.
In the Cincinnati case U.S. v. Delove Kofi Amuzu, Amuzu and others led victims to believe they were in romantic relationships and needed money for things such as medical bills, plane tickets and other valuable items. Amuzu was indicted in January 2022 and his charges remain pending.
Investment Fraud Scams
Shahiydullah Binraymond was sentenced in Columbus in April 2022 to 44 months in prison for defrauding an elderly couple. Binraymond executed a sophisticated scheme to get the victims to transfer real estate property to him.
In Dayton, Steven L. Humphrey pleaded guilty in May 2022 to committing wire fraud and defrauding an elderly victim of $1 million. Humphrey convinced the elderly victim to invest approximately $250,000 in rubber, classic cars and bitcoin. In fact, Humphrey was using the money for automobiles, clothes, fishing gear and firearms.
Embezzlement
Mark Alan Thomas pleaded guilty in federal court in Columbus in June 2022 to mail fraud. Thomas stole more than half a million dollars from an elderly victim with dementia while acting as the woman’s power of attorney.
Marketing Scam
In U.S. v. Mary-Helene Massullo, D.O., which was indicted in August 2022, telemarketers allegedly targeted Medicare and Medicaid recipients as part of a pain cream scheme. It is alleged that Massullo authorized authorized pain creams for recipients without ever seeing or examining them. The victims were then harassed with telemarketing calls.
Government Imposters
In February 2022, Sagarkumar Patel pleaded guilty to mail fraud crimes. In this case, call center scammers identifying themselves as government officials contacted elderly victims and convinced them that warrants would be issued for their arrest unless the victims mailed the scammers large sums of money.
In U.S. v. Christopher Thornton, the defendant called an elderly victim claiming to be a federal officer who was collecting delinquent taxes and fees on the victim’s property. Thornton told the victim if she did not pay immediately her property would be seized by the government. The defendant signed a pretrial diversion agreement in March 2022.
Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth Affeldt is the Elder Justice Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Affeldt and Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Garcia, Peter K. Glenn-Applegate, Noah R. Litton, Rob Painter, Timothy Prichard, S. Courter Shimeall and David Twombly represented the United States in these cases.
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Cincinnati man sentenced to 37 months in prison for possessing pistol he converted into fully automatic weapon using 3D-printed partsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing a pistol that had been converted into an automatic weapon, which he used in self-defense during a shootout outside a restaurant.
“Even if you use the firearm in self-defense, it is illegal to possess an automatic weapon like the one used in this case, and you are breaking the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “My office will hold you accountable for these types of firearms and you will spend time in federal prison.”
Gionni Dews, 23, took the loaded, converted firearm to his job at IHOP in Oakley on Nov. 26, 2021.
At some point that evening, Dews got into a physical altercation with a coworker. Dews then walked off the job and waited outside for a friend to pick him up.
About 15 minutes after the initial altercation, an adult male confronted Dews and allegedly started shooting at him, striking Dews in the leg. Dews ran away while shooting back toward the other man, unloading more than 20 rounds in rapid succession. Some of the rounds hit the IHOP.
Dews’s friend arrived in an SUV, and Dews ran to the vehicle. The men then led police on a high-speed chase onto I-71. The driver of the SUV swerved into a guardrail as the SUV exited the expressway, and Dews threw the loaded gun out of the passenger window.
Dews was eventually driven to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was treated for a bullet wound in his leg.
Dews was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2022 and pleaded guilty in March 2022 to illegally possessing a machine gun.
Sentencing of defendants is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Lt. Col. Teresa A. Theetge announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.
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Hamilton County man, girlfriend & brother plead guilty to crimes relating to September 2019 shooting and conspiracy to bribe shooting victimRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Three defendants pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to several crimes relating to a September 2019 shooting and a conspiracy to bribe the shooting victim to recant his identification of the shooter.
Darias Jackson, 32, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing ammunition, conspiring to commit perjury, and witness tampering. Jackson’s brother, Gregory Jackson, 45, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit witness tampering and witness tampering, and Jackson’s girlfriend, Jessica Brown, 31, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and to making illegal gratuity payments to a witness.
According to court documents, in September 2019, a man was shot several times outside an apartment complex in Cincinnati. Officers found nine 9mm casings at the scene.
After receiving life-saving emergency surgery, the gunshot victim identified Darias Jackson as the person who had shot him. The victim’s identification was corroborated by a video taken moments before the shooting, which depicted a man—identified by witnesses as Jackson—in a heated argument with the victim at the scene of the crime.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office charged Jackson with state crimes related to the shooting. And because Jackson, a felon, was on federal supervised release at the time of the shooting, his probation officer also charged him with violating the terms of his release.
Shortly thereafter, Jackson, his brother Gregory Jackson, and his girlfriend, Jessica Brown, in an effort to thwart the state and federal charges against him, devised a plan to bribe the gunshot victim to recant his identification of Jackson as the person who had shot him. The three paid the victim $7,000 upfront, promised another $8,000 after all charges were dismissed, and had him sign a typewritten affidavit from his hospital bed.
In December 2019, Jackson’s state defense attorney filed a motion to dismiss the state charges and attached the victim’s affidavit as an exhibit. In January 2020, when the victim did not appear for trial, the state charges against Jackson were dismissed without prejudice, and he was transferred to federal custody on the pending petition alleging he had violated his federal supervised release.
While supervised release proceedings were pending, the federal government continued to investigate the shooting, including by obtaining dozens of search warrants and subpoenaing Brown to testify before the federal grand jury. On a recorded jail call, Jackson instructed Brown not to cooperate with the investigation and to lie to the grand jury if she did not feel comfortable answering certain questions. The next day, Brown testified falsely before the grand jury.
A few months later, the victim contacted the brother, Gregory Jackson, about the second half of the bribery payment the victim was still owed. The victim also contacted Brown about the payment, asserting that he had already done what he was supposed to do to get Jackson’s charges dismissed. Brown explained to the victim that, although things were “all good” with the state charges, “the feds [had] picked up the case.”
In his plea today, Jackson admitted he possessed the nine rounds of ammunition used to shoot the victim. Having previously been convicted of a federal drug-trafficking conspiracy, he was prohibited from possessing ammunition. Jackson and his co-defendants also admitted to the conspiracy to bribe the shooting victim.
Conspiracy to tamper with a witness and tampering with a witness each carry a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Conspiring to commit perjury is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Being an accessory after the fact to providing an illegal gratuity to a witness is a federal crime punishable by up to one year in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Prosecutor, announced the pleas entered today before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie D. Garcia and Kelly K. Rossi are representing the United States in this case.
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Defendant pleads guilty during trial to conspiring to launder more than $4 million in online romance scam proceeds from United States to GhanaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – On his third day of trial this week in federal court in Columbus, a Westerville man pleaded guilty to laundering the proceeds of online romance scams for at least two years.
Edward Amankwah, 45, admitted to conspiring to launder nearly $4.3 million through bank accounts in his control.
Amankwah and others were indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2021. Six other defendants charged with money laundering in the case have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. They are Robert K. Asante, Kwame O. Yeboah, Eric Ahiekpor, Mohamed Toure, Uriah Lamdul and Alexis Wellington. The total amount generated by romance fraud that these individuals laundered was more than $11.8 million.
The romance scams involved individuals who created several profiles on online dating sites. They then contacted men and women throughout the United States and elsewhere, with whom they cultivated a sense of affection, and often, romance.
After establishing relationships, perpetrators of the romance scams requested money, typically for investment or need-based reasons, and provided account information and directions for where money should be sent. In part, these accounts were in the names of Amankwah and the other defendants, their family members and their companies.
Funds were not used for the purposes claimed by the perpetrators of the romance scams. Instead, Amankwah and the other defendants conducted transactions designed to conceal, such as withdrawing cash, transferring funds to other accounts, buying official checks, sending wires to Ghana, China, and the United States, and more. Part of the conspiracy was for the defendants to move the romance fraud proceeds from the United States to Ghana.
Amankwah was not charged with defrauding the victims himself, but instead was charged with laundering the proceeds of the romance fraud.
Trial began on Sept. 26. On the first two days of trial, five victims testified about being defrauded.
As part of the romance fraud scheme, the victims were directed to send money to business bank accounts in the control of Amankwah. For example, one victim was defrauded by a purported member of the military who said he wanted to retire early and needed money to do so. The victim sent two wire transfers totaling $131,400 to Amankwah’s accounts.
Another victim fell in love with a person who claimed he owned a mine in Canada and needed help covering operating expenses. The victim sent $70,000 to one of Amankwah’s accounts.
Yet another victim began an online relationship with a man who claimed to be in the military in Afghanistan and sent four wires totaling more than half a million dollars to bank accounts in the control of Amankwah.
On the morning of the third day of trial, Amankwah pleaded guilty.
The public can report online romance scams and other internet crimes at ic3.gov.
Conspiring to commit money laundering is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. As part of his plea, Amankwah has agreed to pay approximately $4.29 million in restitution.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announced the plea entered Sept. 28 before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and David J. Twombly are representing the United States in this case.
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Former bookkeeper of federally funded domestic violence shelter sentenced to prison for misusing shelter funds on personal expensesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The former bookkeeper of My Sister’s House, a now-shuttered domestic violence shelter in Washington Court House, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 12 months in prison for crimes related to stealing funds from the shelter.
Jaime Cardinal, 46, of Washington Court House, was arrested in July 2020.
Cardinal spent tens of thousands of dollars intended for the operation of the shelter on personal expenses, including food, a trip to Disney World and Universal Studios for her daughter, and thousands of dollars in purchases from Avon, Thirty-One and iTunes.
Between January 2014 and October 2016, Cardinal and a coconspirator misused debit cards connected to the shelter’s bank accounts to make hundreds of personal purchases at restaurants, auctions, craft stores and bowling alleys, among other places – including purchases made when few, if any, victims were living at the shelter.
For example, in March and April 2016, when no victims were in the shelter, Cardinal and the coconspirator charged more than $6,000 to the shelter’s debit cards for food at restaurants and grocery stores, car repair and fuel for personal cars, weight-loss supplements, and other personal expenses.
Due to the thefts, which totaled more than $50,000, My Sister’s House fell behind on payroll and on paying taxes. In November 2016, the shelter’s board placed all employees on administrative leave pending further investigation. The domestic violence shelter—the only such shelter in Washington Court House—never reopened.
As part of her conviction, Cardinal will pay $25,000 in restitution. She was also sentenced to two years of supervised release following her term of imprisonment.
My Sister’s House received more than $10,000 annually in federal grant funds, including grants under the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Victims of Crime Act. The grants are intended to be used to pay for salaries and benefits of staff and for shelter operations, including supplies and shelter maintenance.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.
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Licking County man pleads guilty to committing $1.5 million in fraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jeremie Adam Elkins, 45, of Newark, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to causing more than $1.5 million in fraud in connection with access devices. Elkins committed wire fraud and illegally possessed a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony crime.
According to court documents, from July to October 2020, Elkins used his company-issued credit card to pay for personal expenses like hotels/resorts, restaurants, bars, pawn shops and auction houses. Elkins had been employed as a Network Engineer at Verizon, Inc.
Elkins also used an old Verizon work order number to place multiple fraudulent orders with vendor W.W. Grainger, Inc. Grainger provides tools and equipment for Verizon service vans.
Elkins placed 46 unauthorized orders to Grainger and personally picked up the majority of the equipment, which totaled approximately $936,000. He used the illicit proceeds to purchase two boats and a motorcycle.
The defendant placed an additional 20 unauthorized orders to Grainger, for items totaling nearly $954,000, but never obtained the equipment.
As part of his plea, Elkins agrees to pay nearly $24,000 in restitution to Verizon and more than $936,000 in restitution to W.W. Grainger.
When he was arrested in August 2021, Elkins illegally possessed a pistol. Elkins was previously convicted of a felony crime in Licking County. Elkins also admitted to investigators that he has sold 15 to 20 firearms.
Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Fraud in connection with access devices is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the plea entered Sept. 22 before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. and commended the investigation by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Brenda S. Shoemaker is representing the United States in this case.
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Grand jury indicts 2 Cincinnati-area men of federal charges related to illegally flying drones over professional sporting eventsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Two Cincinnati-area men have been charged with federal crimes alleging they illegally flew drones over professional sporting events in Cincinnati.
A federal grand jury has charged the men in separate incidents involving Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds events.
NFL
The Cincinnati Bengals hosted an NFL playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on Jan. 15. During the game, it is alleged that Dailon Dabney, 24, of Cincinnati, illegally flew his drone into the stadium and hovered over the players and portions of the stadium crowd. Dabney allegedly recorded his drone flight and posted the video to social media sites and YouTube.
MLB
April 12 was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds’ 2022 season and featured the first game of the season at Great American Ballpark. It is alleged that Travis Lenhoff, 38, of Northern Kentucky, flew a drone into the restricted flight area of Great American Ballpark during the Opening Day festivities.
“This is a growing problem that poses a direct risk to the players and the individuals in the stands,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Even if the operator does not have an intent to harm, the operator could easily lose control and injure someone. Moreover, the sight of a drone flying overhead could lead to a panic in the crowd. If you attend these events like Reds games and Bengals games – leave the drones at home.”
“Flying a drone over a stadium full of fans is dangerous and illegal without the proper FAA training, licensing, and approved flight plan," stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “We will continue to work with the FAA and local police to investigate these incidents when proper FAA protocols and procedures are not followed.”
Any drone that weighs more than .55 pounds and less than 55 pounds must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dabney’s and Lenhoff’s drones are not registered with the FAA and they do not have a remote pilot certification.
Each defendant is charged with operating an unregistered drone, which is a federal crime punishable by up to three years in prison. Dabney is also charged with violating a temporary flight restriction (punishable by up to one year in prison).
Dabney and Lenhoff each have an initial appearance scheduled at 1:30pm on Oct. 12 in Cincinnati.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge and Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.
Indictments merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Blue Ash gun dealer pleads guilty to manufacturing firearms without a license, making false entries on dealer recordsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The owner of a Blue Ash gun shop pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to manufacturing firearms without a license, selling them, and knowingly reporting sales incorrectly on federal firearms forms.
Limin Ye, 53, of Blue Ash, Ohio, who owns and operates Opticzoom and Limin Sports Gun Shop, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of manufacturing firearms without a license and one count of aiding and abetting making false entry in records by a federal firearms dealer.
Terms of Ye’s plea agreement require her to forfeit more than 520 firearms and firearm receiver frames, surrender her federal firearms license, and not to apply or reapply for a federal firearms license. That prohibition applies to any business entity with which she is associated, either legally or in fact.
According to court documents, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Industry Operations Investigators (IOI) conducted a compliance inspection at Opticzoom on Jan. 26 and found 71 lower receivers that Ye had manufactured into firearms, as well as a large stock of firearms parts and lower receivers that could be used to manufacture firearms. The inspectors told Ye that she was not allowed to sell the firearms she built because she did not have a federal firearms manufacturing license.
Yet three days later, an undercover agent went to the Dayton Gun Show and purchased two illegally manufactured firearms from Ye, who was a vendor at the show. Ye instructed one of her employees to list the purchase on the ATF 4473 transfer form as just “receivers” or the lower portion of a firearm instead of accurately listing the purchase as pistols.
Further investigation determined that Ye had been manufacturing firearms without a license since April 2021.
Manufacturing firearms without a license is punishable by up to five years in prison. False entry is punishable by up to one year in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.
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Hocking County man admits to sexually exploiting children as young as 3 years oldRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Logan, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to producing child pornography of a three-year-old child and possessing thousands of images of child sexual abuse, some of which depicted other minor children to whom the defendant had access.
Robert Gemienhardt, 37, was charged federally in April 2022, along with his significant other Carrie Daniels, 41 for their child exploitation offenses. Daniels is set to plead guilty on Oct. 5 to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography.
Gemienhardt pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a minor – a crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison – and possessing child pornography. Gemienhardt also admitted to possessing child pornography of a prepubescent minor, which carries a potential penalty of 10 to 20 years in prison.
More than 1,000 images and 350 videos depicting child sexual abuse were ultimately recovered from Gemienhardt’s digital media devices, some of which depicted minors as young as toddler age engaged in oral sex, masturbation, bestiality and sexual acts with adults.
According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from Kik messenger regarding Gemienhardt’s online child exploitation activities. The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office then began investigating the allegations.
Subsequent search warrants executed by the Hocking County Sherriff’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI, revealed that Gemienhardt and Daniels were acting together and produced child pornography through the grooming and sexual abuse of minor victims they had access to between April and June of 2020.
Gemienhardt and Daniels exchanged thousands of illicit text messages detailing their sexual fantasies about the minor victims. Those text messages further revealed both Gemienhardt and Daniels had plans to act out some of the detailed fantasies by sexually abusing the minors. Daniels also distributed images she created of the sexual abuse of minors to Gemienhardt.
Gemienhardt is a registered sex offender from a prior Franklin County conviction in July 2021.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
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Hocking County man admits to sexually exploiting children as young as 3 years oldRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Logan, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to producing child pornography of a three-year-old child and possessing thousands of images of child sexual abuse, some of which depicted other minor children to whom the defendant had access.
Robert Gemienhardt, 37, was charged federally in April 2022, along with his significant other Carrie Daniels, 41 for their child exploitation offenses. Daniels is set to plead guilty on Oct. 5 to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography.
Gemienhardt pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a minor – a crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison – and possessing child pornography. Gemienhardt also admitted to possessing child pornography of a prepubescent minor, which carries a potential penalty of 10 to 20 years in prison.
More than 1,000 images and 350 videos depicting child sexual abuse were ultimately recovered from Gemienhardt’s digital media devices, some of which depicted minors as young as toddler age engaged in oral sex, masturbation, bestiality and sexual acts with adults.
According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from Kik messenger regarding Gemienhardt’s online child exploitation activities. The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office then began investigating the allegations.
Subsequent search warrants executed by the Hocking County Sherriff’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI, revealed that Gemienhardt and Daniels were acting together and produced child pornography through the grooming and sexual abuse of minor victims they had access to between April and June of 2020.
Gemienhardt and Daniels exchanged thousands of illicit text messages detailing their sexual fantasies about the minor victims. Those text messages further revealed both Gemienhardt and Daniels had plans to act out some of the detailed fantasies by sexually abusing the minors. Daniels also distributed images she created of the sexual abuse of minors to Gemienhardt.
Gemienhardt is a registered sex offender from a prior Franklin County conviction in July 2021.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
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Area man who claimed to be African prince convicted by jury of several fraud crimesRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A federal jury convicted a Dayton man, who as part of his fraud scheme purported he was a Ghanian prince, to 10 counts of various federal fraud crimes.
Daryl Robert Harrison, also known as Prince Daryl R. Attipoe and Prophet Daryl R. Attipoe, 44, defrauded at least 14 victims of more than $800,000. He was convicted of mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and witness tampering.
The verdict was announced at 9pm on Sept. 16 following a trial that began on Sept. 5 before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman.
According to court documents and trial testimony, from January 2014 until September 2020, Harrison defrauded victims who thought they were investing in African trucking and mining companies.
Harrison – falsely holding himself out to be a royal prince from the African national of Ghana – told investors he had direct connections with these companies, and that they could expect an investment return of 28 to 33 percent.
Harrison and his stepfather claimed to be ministers with Power House of Prayer Ministries, which sponsored religious services in various church facilities and private residences throughout the Greater Dayton area, Southwestern Ohio area and Parker, Colorado. Many investor victims were members of the congregation.
Harrison routinely withdrew thousands of dollars in cash from the Ministries bank accounts shortly after receiving investments. Harrison and his stepfather used the investment funds to rent a house in Colorado, purchase luxury vehicles, airplane tickets, hotel accommodations and rental cars.
The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2020.
Harrison will be sentenced at a future sentencing hearing. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jaime Carazo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Dwight K. Keller and Ryan A. Saunders are representing the United States in this case.
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Fairfield County man sentenced to prison for illegally possessing firearms after being convicted of multiple crimes, including impersonating an officerRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Lancaster, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 18 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms after being convicted of a felony offense.
David Scott Scofield, 58, was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $15,000 fine.
In May 2019, law enforcement officials seized five firearms, three silencers, more than 6,300 rounds of ammunition, more than 2,000 bullets, nearly 39,000 primers, two canisters of pepper spray, an expandable baton and a stun gun from Scofield’s residence.
Agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) were alerted to Scofield’s weapons after Fairfield County probation officers conducted a home visit. Scofield was previously convicted of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle in 2016 in Fairfield County.
During the encounter that led to his 2016 local arrest, Scofield falsely claimed to be a law enforcement officer and possessed an AR-15 automatic rifle with two magazines, a pistol, a knife in a compartment under the steering wheel, a police scanner, and various other magazines, ammunition and knives.
Scofield was also convicted of impersonating a police officer in 2015. The defendant pretended to be a sheriff’s deputy and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorist who turned out to be a real Akron police officer. During that incident, officers found a loaded magazine in Scofield’s pocket and two loaded pistols, a rifle, a shotgun, silencers, a bulletproof vest, a fake badge and a SWAT shirt in his vehicle.
Scofield previously held a Federal Firearms License and operated a part-time, online-only firearms business called Dave’s World. His license was revoked in 2019 as a result of his criminal conduct.
As a convicted felon, Scofield was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson and commended the cooperative investigation by the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and Fairfield County Adult Community Control Department. Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case.
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Indiana man pleads guilty to illegally selling fireworks in OhioRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – An Indiana man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to distributing explosive materials to a person without a permit or license.
A federal grand jury charged Paul Eberhard, 66, of Shelbyville, Indiana, in May 2021.
The investigation began after the July 4, 2020, death of a Mt. Healthy man. According to reports, the man died after being struck in the head by a display firework that he had purchased from Eberhard.
According to his plea documents, Eberhard admitted that he illegally sold display fireworks in 2020.
Display fireworks are large fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation. Display fireworks contain more than 50 milligrams of flash powder for ground devices, and more than 130 milligrams of flash powder for aerial explosives. Under federal law, a person must have an ATF license or permit to receive or use display fireworks.
Eberhard had an ATF explosive permit. As part of maintaining his permit from 2008 until 2021, Eberhard repeatedly acknowledged that it was illegal for him to distribute explosive materials to anyone who is not an ATF explosives licensee or permittee. Despite this, Eberhard sold display fireworks to the man who died, who was neither an ATF explosives licensee or permittee.
Distributing explosive materials to a person without a permit or license is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland.
U.S. Attorney Parker and Special Agent in Charge McCormick commended the work of the Mount Healthy, North College Hill and Shelbyville police departments, the sheriff’s office bomb squads from Hamilton and Butler counties, and the Hamilton County Coroner.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter is representing the United States in this case.
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Dayton woman charged with federal crimes related to stealing identities of local victimsRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton woman was arrested by federal agents this afternoon on charges alleging she has stolen the identities of several young women in the Dayton area and used those identities to commit various types of fraud.
Tiffany Lewis, 29, appeared in U.S. District Court in Dayton today following her arrest.
According to the charging documents, in March and April 2021, Lewis stole the identities of two area women and used their information to obtain approximately $8,000 total in personal loans from Lendmark. Lewis allegedly cashed out those loans at Checksmart locations in Fairborn and Monroe, Ohio. Lewis was photographed at each Checksmart location and is covering her distinctive neck tattoos in each of the photographs.
In June and July 2021, Lewis allegedly used a third stolen identity to commit various acts of fraud.
For example, Lewis allegedly used the victim’s identity to obtain a fraudulent Ohio driver’s license and a car loan for approximately $48,000.
In addition, it is alleged that Lewis used the identity on two separate occasions to rent Chevrolet Silverado trucks from Uhaul in Dayton. One of the trucks was later discovered at Lewis’s residence and had been spray-painted black.
Lewis allegedly used the third victim’s identity to write fraudulent checks at Menards in Fairborn totaling more than $3,500. When questioned at the store by a Fairborn police officer, Lewis presented her fake driver’s license, which was flagged as fraudulent in the officer’s computer.
Lewis is charged with committing Social Security number fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
If you think you may also be a victim of Lewis’s alleged fraud, please contact the Social Security OIG tip line at: 1-800-269-0271.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Andrew Boockmeier, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) announced the charges. The U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, and Dayton, Fairborn, Whitehall and Riverside police departments all contributed to this investigation.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Cincinnati man pleads guilty to offenses relating to straw purchases of pistolsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to federal crimes related to making straw purchases of firearms.
Jermaine Pulley, 30, admitted to making false statements during purchases of firearms, including by lying about the identity of the true buyer on ATF Form 4473, which a buyer must fill out when purchasing a firearm from a federal firearms licensee (FFL). Pulley also admitted to conspiring with Nylisha Hill, 22, to do so.
He and Hill were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2022.
According to court documents, Pulley was prohibited from possessing firearms under the terms of his probation. To circumvent this restriction, Pulley would provide Hill with cash to purchase firearms on his behalf, and the defendants would then make false representations to FFLs to the effect that Hill, not Pulley, was the true purchaser of the firearms.
The defendants visited two area FFLs on Oct. 12, 2021, in an attempt to purchase multiple firearms.
Pulley admitted to attempting to pay for a firearm at Cincinnati-area FFL Shoot Point Blank – Cincy West. During the attempted purchase, Pulley told a store associate that he was paying for the firearm but that it was for Hill’s use, and he refused to fill out ATF Form 4473. The associate declined the sale, saying he believed it to be a straw purchase and warning the defendants that it was a felony for Hill to purchase a firearm for Pulley or anyone else.
Later that same day, at a different FFL, Hill successfully purchased two pistols at Pulley’s direction, falsely representing that she was the true buyer. Shortly after Hill purchased the firearms, Pulley directed her to go back into the store to buy two more. This additional purchase was denied.
Making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Conspiring to commit a felony offense against the United States carries a potential penalty of five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.
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Jackson County man sentenced to 9 years in prison for orchestrating $50 million Ponzi scheme involving over-sized tiresRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Jackson, Ohio man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 108 months in prison for orchestrating a $50 million dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 50 investors.
Jason E. Adkins, 46, solicited victims from all over the country and world.
“The victims in this case had their lives upended, their life savings taken, and their security ripped away, all while Adkins enriched himself and lived lavishly” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Adkins deserves the prison sentence he received today.”
According to court documents, from 2012 through 2018, Adkins conspired to solicit millions of dollars from investors under false pretenses, failed to invest the funds as promised, and misappropriated investors’ funds for his own benefit and the benefit of others.
Adkins and others claimed that they bought and sold over-sized tires commonly known as off-the-road tires, which are used on earth moving equipment and/or mining equipment. Investors were told their money would be used to buy the tires at a steep discount, and that the tires would then be re-sold to a buyer at a much higher rate.
Investors were promised a 15 to 20 percent rate of return on investment, generally within 180 days. Adkins would sometimes pay the return on investment for the first transaction with investor victims.
In addition, Adkins and his co-conspirators employed a sham escrow agent to falsely reassure investor-victims that their money was safe until the tire deals were consummated; more than $80 million flowed through the so-called escrow agent’s accounts related to the scheme.
Adkins also laundered his ill-gotten proceeds for at least five years, including by investing in front businesses created by co-conspirators.
Adkins bought cars, vacations and property with the funds from the scheme. For example, he paid for the construction of a pool at his personal residence and more than $20,000 to lease a private jet.
Further, Adkins failed to file individual income tax returns reporting his income derived from the scheme. In 2013, specifically, Adkins earned at least $1.1 million, which caused a tax loss of nearly $237,000 to the IRS.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation; and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the case. Assistant United States Attorneys S. Courter Shimeall, Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and David J. Twombly are representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing and possessing bulk amount of methRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 121 months in prison for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute more than 750 grams of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, in May and July 2021, Levi Phillips, 25, sold methamphetamine to undercover DEA agents on at least two occasions.
While executing a search warrant in August 2021, law enforcement agents discovered more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 112 grams of fentanyl in Phillips’s bathroom packaged for distribution.
Agents also discovered a semi-automatic pistol and a magazine loaded with seven rounds of ammunition on a dresser; an AM-15 rifle, loaded with 223 rounds of ammunition under the bed; additional magazines and ammunition in a safe; and a semi-automatic pistol with a magazine and 14 rounds of ammunition in a backpack.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James L. Graham. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Pakiz is representing the United States in this case.
This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Jury convicts final defendant in Scioto County human trafficking operation involving drugs exchanged for sexual access to childrenRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – All 11 defendants charged federally in a Scioto County child sex trafficking operation have been convicted.
A federal grand jury originally indicted Larry Dean Porter, 71, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and several of his family members and associates in June 2020. Porter exchanged drugs obtained in Columbus and elsewhere for sexual access to the children of drug-addicted mothers.
Porter and nine of the co-defendants have since pleaded guilty to federal charges.
A jury found the final co-defendant, Joshua Aldridge, 38, of South Webster, Ohio, guilty following a trial in Columbus that concluded this week. Aldridge transported minor victims to Porter’s home and received illegal drugs from Porter in return. He was convicted of conspiring to sex traffic children and conspiring to sex traffic adults by force, which are both crimes punishable by up to life in prison, and sex trafficking children, which is punishable by at least 15 years and up to life in prison.
“The defendants in this case committed heinous acts against some of the most vulnerable people in our society – children,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The jury properly found Joshua Aldridge guilty of his crimes. Now, each of the defendants will be held accountable for their roles in this atrocious child sex trafficking operation by facing significant time in federal prison. I cannot thank the jury enough for their service.”
Agents with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force began investigating Porter in April 2019 following reports from several sources that Porter was involved in sexually abusing male and female minors with consent of the minors’ parents in exchange for illegal drugs from Porter.
Porter sexually abused children and produced child pornography that he kept on flash drives and used extreme methods to conceal, including by burying the flash drives in the yard surrounding his house.
He often instructed drug-addicted parents to sexually abuse their own children and recorded it to use as blackmail. Porter also used other methods of force, such as duct taping and tying women to chairs, burning them with cigarettes and firing guns by their ears.
For example, two co-defendants took a seven-year-old child to Porter’s residence on a regular basis to traffic the child sexually in exchange for pills. The abuse occurred a few times per week for up to five years.
Porter was arrested in March 2020 on local charges during a human trafficking sting operation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
After Porter was arrested locally, his friends and relatives – including two of his daughters and one of his cousins – attempted to destroy evidence on Porter’s behalf.
For example, his daughters dug holes in the ground on Porter’s property to retrieve and attempt to conceal or destroy SD cards containing child pornography that had been buried in Porter’s yard. Agents found eight DVDs containing Porter’s child pornography at the house of one of Porter’s friends. Porter’s cousin discussed in jail calls with Porter their plans to assault and potentially kill a witness they believed was a source for law enforcement.
Porter pleaded guilty on Aug. 10 to conspiring to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, child sex trafficking, and participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Porter’s plea agreement includes a sentencing range of a minimum of 15 years and up to 55 years in prison.
The Court will set future sentencing dates for each of the defendants and the sentences imposed will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Jackson County Sheriff Tedd E. Frazier; Jackson County Prosecutor Justin Lovett; Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane A. Tieman announced the convictions. Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rausch and Jessica W. Knight are representing the United States in this case.
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Former Belmont County attorney pleads guilty to stealing more than $800,000 from elderly victim with dementiaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Belmont County attorney pleaded guilty to a crime related to stealing more than $882,000 from an elderly woman with dementia while purporting to act in her best interests under a Power of Attorney.
Mark Alan Thomas, 62, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
“My office is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable among us, particularly those targeted through elder fraud,” U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker said. “The victim in this case was 85 years old, exhibiting symptoms of dementia, and living in a senior-care facility, making the defendant’s conduct even more depraved.”
According to court documents, from 2012 through August 2019, Thomas defrauded a client while acting as her agent under a Power of Attorney. Thomas took the victim’s money without her knowledge or permission to use for his own benefit.
Thomas improperly used the victim’s Power of Attorney and his status as a lawyer – even after his law license was revoked in 2015 – to convince various entities, including banks and life insurance companies, to transfer the victim’s money for his use.
In May 2012, a family member of the victim obtained a separate Power of Attorney for the victim, and Thomas drafted a revocation of the family member’s Power of Attorney for the victim to sign. Thomas acted as the notary to verify the victim’s signature on the revocation.
Furthermore, Thomas falsely told a banker he needed $200,000 from the victim’s investment account to set up an educational fund that the victim wanted to establish. Once he received the money from the bank, Thomas transferred the money to himself instead.
In January 2014, Thomas cashed more than $290,000 of the victim’s U.S. Treasury Bonds, then subsequently transferred $200,000 into his law firm’s bank account, and eventually into his own personal bank account.
According to court documents, in 2016, Thomas wrote letters to three life insurance companies purporting to be the victim asking to cash out the victim’s policies and direct all correspondence to Thomas.
Thomas was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2021.
“Older Americans can be especially vulnerable to fraudsters who take advantage of the elderly and steal their hard-earned savings,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “It is deeply concerning when an individual exploits their position of trust in an effort to steal from a senior victim.”
“A power of attorney is a special kind of trust—and the abuse of that trust is a special kind of crime. It deserves an especially long sentence,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Kenneth L. Parker, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the guilty plea entered before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. The Ohio Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Unit and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Twombly and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case.
To report elder fraud, please visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center or contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311 Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST.
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Husband & wife sentenced to 60 years & 20 years in prison for sexual exploitation, child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Bexley, Ohio, couple were sentenced in federal court last evening for their crimes related to the sexual abuse of minor children.
Stephen Wilson, 39, was sentenced to 720 months in prison for the sexual exploitation of minors, and Jessica Wilson, 38, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for distributing and receiving child pornography.
Their crimes included creating child pornography videos and pictures of sexual abuse while exchanging text messages discussing the abuse.
According to court documents, from 2016 until 2021, Stephen Wilson sexually abused at least three minors between the ages of 7 and 16. Stephen had video cameras inside his home, including his bedroom, and used those cameras to document and create videos and still images of the abuse. He also filmed and photographed the sexual assault of the minor children with his cell phone.
In one incident, Stephen drugged a minor victim with alcohol and ecstasy and raped the victim while she was semi-conscious-to-unconscious. He created a 22-minute video depicting that sexual assault. In another incident, Stephen used a handheld camera to film his penis near the face of a seven-year-old child while he showed the minor adult pornography of himself and Jessica Wilson.
Stephen created hundreds of still images from the videos of him sexually assaulting minors. He also possessed hundreds of child pornography images depicting the abuse of children as young as toddler age. Additionally, Stephen possessed at least 25 images in which he had photoshopped his genitalia onto images of minor children, including prepubescent and toddler aged females, to give the effect of those children engaging in sexual activity with him.
Jessica was present for or aware of the sexual assaults that were perpetrated by Stephen. She and Stephen continued to engage in conversations about the sexual assaults of the minor children, exchanging still images of the videos that Stephen had created and fantasizing about them together.
On several occasions, Jessica exchanged numerous files of child pornography with Stephen, discussing those files at length in text conversations and even seeking advice from Stephen on where she could access child pornography online. Thousands of text messages were recovered between the two of them, during which, the Wilsons exchanged pornographic images of victims as young as one to eight months old.
Stephen and Jessica Wilson were both arrested locally in January 2021. A federal grand jury indicted the defendants in April 2021.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Bexley Police Chief Gary D. Lewis, Jr. announced the sentences imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski and Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill are representing the United States in this case.
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Man on supervised release sentenced to 5 years in prison for possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – William J. Dishman, 40, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 60 months total in prison for possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon and violating his supervised release.
According to court documents, in August 2021, Dishman was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST).
Dishman had previously been convicted of burglary of a pharmacy and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Following his release from prison, Dishman was placed on supervised release. An arrest warrant was issued in the Southern District of Ohio after reports of Dishman violating his supervised release.
On Aug. 6, 2021, SOFAST members executed a search warrant at the property of Dishman’s wife in Cincinnati. Dishman’s wife said she had not seen Dishman for more than a month but allowed agents to search the apartment. In truth, Dishman was hiding in a wooden box underneath a furnace located in one of the bedroom closets. SOFAST members found and apprehended Dishman without incident.
While searching the apartment, agents discovered an assault rifle with an extended magazine and four pistols. One of the pistols was stuffed into a couch where a child was resting.
“The risk of danger to the officers who were executing Dishman’s arrest warrant is not hypothetical,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “They were potentially being lured into an ambush inside while Dishman hid. It is even more egregious that this occurred in the same apartment in which a child was sleeping. Within months of Dishman’s arrest, another deputy marshal was shot and wounded while executing a warrant under nearly identical circumstances.”
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Acting United States Marshal Bradley Stuart announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man who robbed 2 mail carriers at gunpoint sentenced to more than 6 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 78 months in prison for two separate armed robberies of United States Postal Carriers.
Brandon J. Campbell, 21, admitted in March 2022 to using violence and a firearm to endanger the mail carriers’ lives and steal property from them.
According to Campbell’s court documents, he robbed two postal carriers at gunpoint on separate dates in September 2021.
On Sept. 8, 2021, Campbell stole an “arrow” key – which is used to access USPS mailboxes and receptacles – and vehicle keys from a postal carrier who was delivering mail at Vistas at Rocky Fork Apartment Complex in Gahanna. Campbell wore a balaclava mask and used a Glock-style handgun.
On Sept. 21, 2021, Campbell committed armed robbery against a second postal carrier who was delivering mail near 4500 Hemingway Court in Columbus. He again used a handgun and mask and stole the carrier’s arrow key.
Investigators followed Campbell’s champaign-colored Saturn Aura and subsequently executed search warrants on an apartment into which Campbell fled, as well as his vehicle. Law enforcement officers discovered four firearms in that apartment, as well as the balaclava mask. Forensic examination of Campbell’s iPhone showed the phone was in the location of both robberies during the timeframe of the robberies. Campbell’s phone also showed pictures of himself holding a Glock-style firearm.
“This case represents two robberies in a string of assaults against postal carriers in Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The sentence imposed here should serve as a reminder to anyone committing these crimes that you will be identified and prosecuted, and you will spend time in federal prison.”
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Gary R. Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Gahanna Police Chief Jeff Spence announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for executing scheme in attempt to steal couple’s home & rental propertiesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 44 months in prison for carrying out a complex fraud scheme to steal a Columbus couple’s home and rental properties valued at roughly $1 million.
Shahiydullah A. Binraymond, also known as Raymond Walker III, 49, was convicted of committing mail fraud.
According to court documents, in 2019, Binraymond posed as a government employee and sent several letters to the victims demanding that they sign deeds and other documents related to the victims’ real estate. Binraymond then modified the documents and filed them with a county recorder’s office to transfer the properties to an entity he controlled.
The defendant created fake business entities, set up bank accounts, drafted letters and fake deeds and attempted the sale of a victim property. Binraymond posed as an agent of the Franklin County Treasurer and attempted to steal the home the victims were living in.
Binraymond registered limited partnerships in Ohio with names identical to those through which the victims owned their properties. He also drafted and mailed several fraudulent letters designed to convince the victims to sign property-conveyance documents. These documents included quitclaim deeds and related affidavits.
For example, one letter includes what appears to be a seal of the Franklin County Treasurer’s office and states there is a problem regarding tax payments made on a parcel. The letter asks the victims to “read, sign and return the enclosed affidavit and letter for our internal records.”
Binraymond was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2021 and pleaded guilty to mail fraud in March 2022.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Gary R. Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Gahanna Police Chief Jeff Spence announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Twombly and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Cincinnati man who was arrested as part of human trafficking operation sentenced to more than 8 years in prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 100 months in prison and 84 months of supervised release for conspiring to sex traffic minors.
Doyenn J. Clayborne, 35, was arrested in October 2020 as part of an FBI and Blue Ash Police Department operation targeting human trafficking.
Blue Ash police officers, assisted by agents with the FBI, encountered Clayborne and two co-defendants as part of the operation at a Blue Ash hotel. The three men conspired to sell 16-year-old minor females for sex.
In addition to audio recordings of the defendants discussing logistics for providing underage females for sex, law enforcement officials discovered condoms, sexual devices, bottles of lubricant and a firearm in the defendants’ hotel room.
Officers and agents also encountered a 16-year-old female victim who had been brought to the hotel to perform sex acts for money, a portion of which would be given to the defendants. Clayborne and others picked the minor up from her residence and transported her to the hotel with the intention of having the minor engage in sex acts for $300.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Blue Ash Police Chief Scott Noel announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.
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Florida man sentenced to 8 years in prison for fraud scheme causing $3.5 million in losses, including more than $1 million in COVID-relief fraudRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Florida man who conspired to steal identities to fraudulently obtain credit and COVID-19 relief funds was sentenced in federal court here today to 96 months in prison.
Adesh Alvin Bissoon, 43, of Miami Beach, Florida, defrauded several victims who resided in the Southern District of Ohio. Bissoon caused at least $3.5 million in loss, including more than $1 million in disaster-relief funds he fraudulently obtained during the pandemic.
When federal agents executed a search warrant at one of Bissoon’s residences, they found multiple driver’s licenses, approximately 200 credit and/or debit cards, and more than 10 checkbooks, all in other people’s names. Agents also discovered hundreds of other documents containing victims’ personally identifiable information (PII); approximately $70,000 in cash; tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of precious metals; and seven cellphones, each of which was labeled with the name of a victim.
According to court documents, from 2012 through August 2020, Bissoon and co-conspirators used the Dark Web to obtain victims’ PII. Bissoon and others also used the victims’ information to create fraudulent Social Security cards and driver’s licenses, which they then used to open financial accounts in the victims’ names. Bissoon then requested convenience checks in high dollar amounts, drawn against the victims’ lines of credit. He also registered LLCs with states and the IRS to obtain business credit cards with higher credit limits. Bissoon separately applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Association using the LLCs he had established using individual victims' PII, claiming that those businesses were experiencing temporary difficulties and loss of revenue due to COVID-19.
Bissoon was initially charged by criminal complaint in August 2020 and released on bond in Florida. Bissoon’s pretrial release was revoked after law enforcement discovered he had attempted to steal another $150,000 from a bank while on release by falsely claiming to be the victim of unauthorized bank transfers.
Bissoon was indicted by a grand jury in September 2020, along with Michael Jacques Joseph, 39, of Miami Beach, Florida, and Victor Torres, 40, of Apollo Beach, Florida, and charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud affecting a financial institution, as well as aggravated identity theft. Joseph and Torres have pleaded guilty and are pending sentencing.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie D. Garcia and Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo are representing the United States in this case.
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U.S. Attorney Parker recognizes Service Dog Awareness Week, reminds public that ADA, FHA protect service animals & ownersRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker recognized the observance of Service Dog Awareness Week in Ohio from July 25 through 29 and reminded the public of the valuable contributions that service animals make in our communities. Parker noted the federal laws that protect these animals and those who use them.
“The Department of Justice continues to receive many questions about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to service animals,” U.S. Attorney Parker said. “The ADA generally requires state and local government agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations to allow service animals to go most places where the public can go, unless doing so would ‘fundamentally alter’ the nature of the goods or services provided to the public.”
A service animal is any breed of dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Accordingly, entities that have a “no pets” policy generally must modify the policy to allow service animals into their facilities. Entities can, however, ask an individual to remove a particular service animal if such animal is not housebroken or if the service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control the animal. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
Additional information about ADA protections involving service animals is available at https://beta.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/.
The Fair Housing Act, which applies to many types of public and privately-owned housing, also offers protections for residents or applicants with a disability who use a service animal or other animal to assist with their disability. More information about the Fair Housing Act is available at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview.
Mr. Parker added that anyone who believes they have experienced discrimination because of their use of a service animal can report potential violations directly to the U.S Attorney’s Office. A referral form is now available at the office’s main website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh.
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