Northern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Commerce Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
A Commerce man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Jorge Alberto Moreno, 39, to nine years in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Judge Dowdell noted that while committing these crimes Moreno possessed a firearm, which posed a further threat to the community.
“Moreno’s drug operation is closed for business thanks to the combined efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement working together,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “With Moreno behind bars for the next nine years, families living in Commerce can feel safer. Dealers in both rural and urban areas of northeastern Oklahoma will be brought to justice for their crimes.”
On March 2, 2020, Moreno pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted that in March 2019, he distributed 25 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $400. He further acknowledged that in September 2019 he possessed with the intent to distribute both methamphetamine and cocaine. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and $32,000 in cash hidden in a closet in Moreno’s home.
Moreno remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
This conviction was the part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s Operation Hot Rails. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Commerce Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Duncombe prosecuted the case.
Felon Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for unlawful possession of a loaded .357 Magnum revolver and an additional 20 rounds of loose ammunition after multiple prior felony convictions. Defendant Rodney Burton was convicted by a jury of his peers on February 20, 2020.
On August 13, 2020, U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell granted the government’s request for a longer prison sentence and sentenced Defendant Rodney Burton to a term of 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The government argued for an enhanced federal sentence based upon Burton barricading himself inside his residence at the time of his arrest, threatening to shoot law enforcement officers, and a previous domestic violence incident.
“I commend U.S. District Judge Frizzell for handing down this two and one half year sentence of imprisonment. It sends a strong message of deterrence to every convicted felon who would illegally possess a firearm or ammunition,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “The public can expect to see more of these types of prosecutions. One way to reduce violent gun crime is to prosecute persons who illegally possess guns. That’s just what the Tulsa Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and U.S. Attorney are going to do here in northern Oklahoma.”
At the sentencing hearing today, the government called an officer and a U.S. Marshals Service task force officer to discuss the prior domestic violence incident and the circumstances of Burton’s arrest in this case. USMS TFO Ian Soergel testified that Burton refused to obey officer commands and barricaded himself into his residence causing them to use a bearcat breaching tool to apprehend him. Soergel also testified that Burton threatened to shoot officers in the process of being placed into custody. Burton represented himself and identifies himself as a Moorish national.
Burton will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark R. Morgan and D. Edward Snow prosecuted the case.
The case was prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian, a nationwide initiative leveraging critical law enforcement partnerships to enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian is the Department’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian draws upon the Justice Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This includes taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Tulsa Doctor Enters Pleas of Guilty in Opioid Drug Conspiracy and Maintaining a Drug Involved PremisesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa physician pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute controlled substances, as well as maintaining a drug involved premises at his medical clinic where he and others acting on his behalf unlawfully issued prescriptions for controlled substances.
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced that Dr. Christopher V. Moses, D.O., 67, of Tulsa entered guilty pleas related to his leading a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances without a legitimate medial purpose and outside the scope of professional practice and his maintaining a drug involved premises. As a part of this conspiracy, Moses and his coconspirators unlawfully issued prescriptions for controlled substances, many of which included deadly opioid prescription drugs such as Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl. Defendant Moses’ medical clinic was located at 8222 South Harvard Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“Doctors who run “pill mills” are on notice: you will be investigated and prosecuted, and once convicted as a felon you will no longer be allowed to practice medicine. Whether a $1.8 million dollar money judgment, as in this case, or a term of imprisonment, this United States Attorney’s Office will hold you accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “Drug overdose deaths are a leading cause of death in the United States and almost 70 percent of those deaths involve a prescription or illicit opioid. The diversion of highly addictive and dangerous prescription opioid pills is the primary way in which people become addicted to opioids. We won’t turn a blind eye while you seek to profit from turning Oklahomans into opioid addicts.”
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell set Moses’ sentencing for November 12, 2020. The charge of drug conspiracy carries a maximum statutory sentence of not more than twenty years in prison and a fine of not more than $1,000,000. The charge of maintaining a drug involved premises carries a statutory sentence of not more than twenty years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $500,000.
As a part of the plea agreement in this case, the United States and Defendant Moses have agreed to a sentence of one year of home confinement and five total years of probation. The defendant has agreed to forfeit his medical license and not seek reinstatement during the five year sentence. Additionally, Defendant Moses will pay $28,581.00 in restitution to two victims and a $200,000 fine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick prosecuted the case with assistance from AUSA Vani Singhal, AUSA Melody Nelson, and AUSA Reagan Reininger. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Man Sentenced for 2015 Murder in Osage Nation Indian CountryRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A man who committed murder in Osage County in 2015 was sentenced today in federal court, announced United States Attorney Trent Shores.
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Jeremy Keith Reece, 36, to 45 years in federal prison for murder in the second degree. Following his prison sentence, he will serve 5 years on supervised release.
“Justice was served today in the form of a 45 year federal prison sentence. I pray it brings some measure of peace to Rick Holt’s surviving family and friends,” said United States Attorney Shores. “Our pursuit of justice for Rick Holt does not end today. We won't rest until all those responsible for this heinous murder are held accountable.”
On Feb. 6, 2020, Reece, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree. Reece admitted that he intentionally shot and killed the victim in Osage Nation Indian Country in 2015. During the change of plea hearing and according to the plea agreement, Reece took the victim from his residence then transported him to Osage Nation Indian Country where Reece shot the victim three times. Reece then dug a shallow grave, placed the victim in the grave, and set the victim’s body on fire.
The murder case was originally filed in state court but in 2017, following an adverse ruling at the district court level that the State of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to prosecute the case, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals issued a ruling staying the case until jurisdictional issues were resolved.
Reece will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
This prosecution is the joint effort of the Osage County District Attorney and the United States Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Pawhuska Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Osage Nation Police Department, and the FBI.
Federal Grand Jury Hands Down Record Number of Indictments in August as a Result of Supreme Court DecisionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the August 2020 Federal Grand Jury B.
“My office’s public safety responsibilities increased substantially as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt. This month the federal Grand Jury returned a record number of indictments for our district,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The 50 total indictments reflect hours of hard work by federal prosecutors and local, state, tribal and federal investigators. I am incredibly proud of my team and our law enforcement partners for handling this tidal wave of cases. It is incredibly humbling to see these public servants give their blood, sweat, and tears in the pursuit of justice.”
The grand jury returned 39 unsealed and 11 sealed indictments. The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Anthony Drake Ahaisse. Murder-First Degree in Indian Country; Carrying, Brandishing, Using, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Ahaisse, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with the murder of Gregory Collins. He is also charged with knowingly carrying, brandishing and discharging a Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol during and in relation to a crime of violence. Finally, he is charged with being a felon in possession of the Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol, a Winchester SXP, 12-guage shotgun, and 20 rounds of associated ammunition. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Jonathan David Arneecher. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner in Indian Country; Assault of an Intimate Partner, and Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle or Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. Archer, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with multiple counts related to the assault of his dating partner by strangling her, biting her face, and striking her with multiple objects, resulting in substantial bodily injury. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Dexter Allen Backward. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Backward, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
John Allen Barton. Domestic Assault by Strangulation in Indian Country. Barton, 61, of Tulsa, is charged with strangling his spouse. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Howdy Jonathan Carper. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Carper, 28, of Sand Springs, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, with attempt to do bodily harm.
Salpong Chaiyos Chotinikorn. Possession of Stolen Vehicle. Chotinikorn, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a stolen 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Natalie Ryann Compton. Child Neglect in Indian Country. Compton, 20, of Tulsa, is charged with willfully and maliciously failing to provide adequate nurturance, shelter, supervision, and appropriate caretakers for her young child. The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and Tulsa Fire Department are the investigative agencies.
Dustin Dennis. Child Neglect in Indian Country. Dennis, 32, of Tulsa, is charged with willfully and maliciously failing to provide adequate nurturance, shelter, supervision, and appropriate caretakers for his two children. See the initial Criminal Complaint press release here. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Ibanga Etuk and Olusola Ojo. Bank Fraud Conspiracy. Etuk, 40, of Tulsa, and Ojo, 41, of Owasso, are charged with conspiring to obtain loan proceeds from banks for federal Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to the Indictment, the defendants created various business entities, fraudulently represented on loan applications that they had a number of employees, and shared fraudulent payroll expenses that would qualify for PPP loans. The men further submitted multiple applications for the same purported business to several banks, without disclosing to the banks that they were submitting duplicate and overlapping applications. Etuk and Ojo received nearly $1 million as a result of the scheme. The Federal Reserve Office of Inspector General, FBI, and Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General are conducting the investigation.
Kyle Edwin Freeman. Murder-First Degree. Freeman, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with killing Donald Thomas by assaulting and beating him with a dangerous weapon. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Lance Dylan Gatzman. Murder-First Degree. Gatzman, 22, of Glenpool, is charged with murdering Christian Jones using a knife. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Jerod Lewayne Goolsby. Murder- First Degree. Goolsby, 22, of Tulsa, is charged with the murdering KendaleWright using a firearm. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Anthony Grayson. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon With Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; Kidnapping in Indian Country. Grayson, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with assault with intent to do bodily harm using a chair, a cigarette, and an ashtray as dangerous weapons. He is also charged with kidnapping the victim. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jose Daniel Guzman-Cruz. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Guzman-Cruz, 23, of Dallas, is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Wayne Harjo. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon With Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Harjo, 23, of Tulsa, is charged with assault with intent to do bodily harm using a firearm. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Robert Dean Hunsaker, Jr. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Hunsaker, 28, of Grove, is charged with being a felon in possession of a UTAS (Hatfield) 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun and associated ammunition. The Custer County and Delaware County Sheriff’s Offices and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Michael Leon Johnson. Murder-Second Degree in Indian Country. Johnson, 34, of Owasso, is charged with killing William Houseman by operating a vehicle recklessly and with disregard for human life. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Bradon Bennett Kemp. Murder-First Degree in Indian Country. Kemp, 23, of Tulsa, is charged with murdering David Woods using a knife. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
James Michael Landry. Murder-First Degree in Indian Country. Landry, 29, of Tulsa, is charged murdering Crystal Bradley using a shotgun. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Martin Wayne Littlebear. Assault With Intent to Commit a Felony in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country. Littlebear, 33, of Sapulpa, is charged with assault while committing a felony robbery. He is also charged with using violence and intimidation to take the victim’s 2009 Nissan Altima. The Sapulpa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Sergio Lopez. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Lopez, 49, of Tulsa, is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported July 28, 2006, at Nogales, Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency.
Jimmie Luna III. Distribution of Heroin; Distribution of Alprazolam. Luna, 55, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly distributing heroin and alprazolam. The Tulsa Country Sheriff’s Office is the investigative agency.
Corey Shamon McKinney. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of an Unregistered Silencer. (superseding) McKinney, 43, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Sarsilmaz, 9 mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Sig Sauer, .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, and 114 rounds of associated ammunition. He was previously convicted of eight felonies. He is also charged with possession of heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana with intent to distribute; maintaining a drug involved premises for the purpose of distributing and using marijuana; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possessing a silencer not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Aarron Charles Merritt. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. Merritt, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with using electronic means to attempt to persuade, coerce and entice an individual whom he believed was a minor to engage in sexual activity. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Justus Edward Murphy. Interference with Commerce by Robbery; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Murphy, 22, of Tulsa, is charged with three counts of affecting interstate commerce by robbery and is charged with carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to each of the robberies. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Douglas Eugene Norris. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Norris, 55, a transient, is charged with being a 10-time felon in possession of a Norinco, 7.62 x 39mm caliber rifle. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Brian Leland Parker. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Parker, 47, of Kellyville, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Savage Arms Inc., .25-06 Remington caliber bolt action rifle. The Creek County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Daniel Stacey Rosson. Bank Robbery. Rosson, 42, of Checotah, is charged with robbing City National Bank using force, violence, and intimidation. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Rudin Joel Ruiz-Chirinos. Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by an Alien Illegally in the United States. Ruiz-Chirinos, 25, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition while being an alien unlawfully in the United States. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations are the investigate agencies.
Kyle Sago. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Kyle Sago, 30, of Mounds, is charged with murdering Daniel Morgan using a firearm. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Randy James Shell. Kidnapping in Indian Country; Assault by Strangulation in Indian Country. Shell, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly and unlawfully abducting and confining his dating partner. Shell is also charged with assaulting her by strangulation. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Brandon Joseph Smith. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Smith, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with murdering Cynthia Mayfield by assaulting and strangling her. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Daniel Ray Swake. Assault With Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country; Assault of a Dating Partner by Strangling and Suffocating. Swake, 43, of Tulsa, did assault his dating partner with intent to commit murder by attempting to strangle and suffocate her. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Delawnsha Lemar Tiger. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Aggravated Sexual Abuse. Tiger, 26, of Bristow, is charged with using electronic means to attempt to persuade, coerce, and entice an individual he believed to be a minor to engage in sexual activity. He is also charged with knowingly engaging in sex acts with a minor victim between 12 and 16 years of age. The Bristow Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Miguel Angel Urquiza-Bustos. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Urquiza-Bustos, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported March 30, 2011, at Del Rio, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency.
Mason Ray Razo and Callon Vinton Walling. Attempted Burglary in Indian Country; Attempted Robbery in Indian Country. Razo, 18, of Glenpool, and Walling, 20, of Tulsa, are charged with attempting to burglarize a Tulsa woman’s home and attempting to rob the woman, by trying to forcibly break down her door while carrying firearms. The FBI and The Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Samuel Wayne Washington. Felony Murder-First Degree in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country. Washington, 42, of Sapulpa, is charged with murdering Michael Binder as the result of his participation in a robbery. Washington allegedly aided, abetted, counseled, induced, commanded, and procured others to rob Michael Binder, and during the commission of the robbery, the others killed the victim with a firearm.
Cheyenne Dakota Watkins. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. Watkins, 21, of Glenpool, is charged with using electronic means to coerce and entice an individual whom he believed to be a minor to engage in sexual activity by means of force. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Damion Lamos Zachary and Jeane Pachea Wesley. Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country. Zachary, 28, and Wesley, 28, both of Tulsa, knowingly and willfully conspired together and with another to commit armed robbery by force, fear, and threats.
Marco Antonio Zavala-Cervantes. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Zavala- Cervantes, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with being an alien already removed from the United States on Apr. 21, 2018, at or near McAllen, Texas. He is also charged with intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigative agency.
Arkansas Project Manager Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and False Statements in Connection with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A project manager employed by a major retailer has pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges for filing fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Deputy Inspector General Richard Parker of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG), Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) OIG and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the SBA OIG made the announcement.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and four counts of false statements to a financial institution before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 4 before Judge Eagan.
As part of his guilty plea, Hayford admitted that he sought millions of dollars in forgivable PPP loans from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford admitted to making false representations to a financial institution concerning the date that a Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set period and use a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
This case was investigated by the FHFA OIG, FDIC OIG, and SBA OIG. Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Arkansas Project Manager Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and False Statements in Connection with Covid-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A project manager employed by a major retailer has pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges for filing fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Deputy Inspector General Richard Parker of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG), Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) OIG and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the SBA OIG made the announcement.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and four counts of false statements to a financial institution before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 4 before Judge Eagan.
“Stopping COVID-related fraud is a priority for the Department of Justice. Fraudsters like Benjamin Hayford greedily steal money that should be going to America’s small business owners who are struggling during this public health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “From coast to coast, U.S. Attorneys and our federal investigative partners will continue to pursue those who would defraud the government by engaging in schemes to steal millions of dollars in forgivable PPP loans by claiming fictitious payroll expenses.”
As part of his guilty plea, Hayford admitted that he sought millions of dollars in forgivable PPP loans from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford admitted to making false representations to a financial institution concerning the date that a Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set period and use a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
This case was investigated by the FHFA OIG, FDIC OIG, and SBA OIG. Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
Today marks the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a critical civil rights law that guards against the discrimination of individuals with disabilities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma takes great pride in its support of the Justice Department’s enforcement efforts under the Act.
The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, becoming a vital civil rights law that guarantees access and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. As this important law turns 30, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores pledges to continue his commitment to the enforcement of this civil rights legislation.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act levels the playing field for people like my mother who had multiple sclerosis and experienced mobility challenges. The ADA ensures Americans with disabilities have access to facilities, activities, employment, and other opportunities that most of us take for granted,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Consistent with my oath of office, I will safeguard the civil rights of all Americans, including those protected by the ADA. I encourage Oklahomans to report ADA violations to the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY) for more information.”
U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division further the goals of the ADA through mediation, technical assistance, outreach, and enforcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma has been instrumental in assisting with a multitude of ADA matters over the years, from making sure health care providers furnish interpreters for people with hearing loss to ensuring veterans are allowed to bring service animals to local hotels.
The ADA addresses employment, areas of civic life, and the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy. Over the past 30 years, the United States has undertaken the challenge of changing perceptions about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and reshaping systems that historically excluded people with disabilities. Today, the Justice Department commemorates the many ways that the ADA has transformed society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination.
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. You can access Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband’s statement on the ADA’s 30th Anniversary here.
To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System Presents Findings to First Lady Melania TrumpRead the Press Release
task_force_report_-_protecting_native_american_children_in_the_indian_health_service_system_april_2020_-_7.23.20_final.pdfThe Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System presented their findings and recommendations to First Lady Melania Trump at the White House on Thursday.
President Donald Trump announced the formation of the task force in March 2019. He charged the members with investigating the institutional and systemic breakdown that failed to prevent a predatory pediatrician, Dr. Stanley Weber, from sexually assaulting children while acting in his capacity as a doctor in the Indian Health Service (IHS). Weber was eventually convicted in U.S. District Court in Montana and South Dakota and now resides in federal prison.
The First Lady opened Thursday’s session by welcoming participants and thanking them for their work on behalf of the well-being of children and noted that “strong Native American communities are strong American communities.”
Following the First Lady’s remarks, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, co-chair of the task force, shared an overview of the task force findings.
“The President’s creation of this task force transcends politics. The idea of protecting children is not just a moral obligation, it is a righteous one,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The mission he gave us was about government accountability to the people, especially a group of people who historically have been marginalized. We were directed to ask the tough questions and to follow where ever the evidence may lead.”
The Task Force traveled throughout Indian country over a four month period, including visits to Oklahoma, New Mexico, Montana, and South Dakota where the group interviewed healthcare professionals, Native American citizens, tribal leaders, sexual assault experts, tribal school administrators, and teachers.
“The Task Force found dedicated employees for the IHS who were frustrated by institutional inefficiency, bureaucratic red tape, and a lack of clarity when it came to policies that pertain to the reporting of suspected physical and sexual abuse of children.
There were decades of systemic institutional problems that led to an environment where a predatory pedophile could take advantage of government inefficiencies and confusion to sexually abuse children,” U.S. Attorney Shores said.
The task force found that not only did IHS need more uniform policies and training that apply to the reporting of child sex abuse, but that there were larger problems, like IHS’s difficulty in recruiting and training top health professionals and in properly vetting them through a credentialing and licensing committee. When a doctor’s background appeared problematic, licensing committees would often accept the doctor into their hospital because of the overwhelming need to fill the position.
Listed in the report were fundamental and longstanding deficiencies at IHS that included:
• Employees not understanding child abuse reporting obligations;
• Inadequate training of employees regarding child sexual abuse reporting;
• Confusing policies, procedures, and jurisdictional issues when reporting suspected child abuse;
• Systemic issues of low-morale, lack of leadership, and inability to recruit and retain enough qualified healthcare professionals; and
• Deficiencies in verifying and credentialing processes.
Recommendations were presented in the report as collective guidance to provide greater protection to Native American children in IHS. The Task Force made ten recommendations regarding policy, process, and culture change:
I. Require annual, in-person, standardized training of IHS employees conducted by instructors with law enforcement and/or child welfare experience.
II. Make reporting of child abuse easier and more streamlined by creating and publicizing a centralized child abuse hotline.
III. The Director should establish policies and procedures pertaining to allegations of child sexual abuse.
IV. Withhold retiree pay and benefits for civil service employees and USPHS Commissioned Corps officers convicted of sexual exploitation crimes against children.
V. Designate all Federal employees, contractors, and volunteers at Federal facilities, including IHS, as mandatory reporters for reasonable suspicion of child abuse.
VI. IHS should explore the viability and benefits of expanded use of telemedicine.
VII. Bolster recruitment and retention of quality of healthcare professionals.
VIII. Develop and implement a uniform credentialing and privileging policy.
IX. The Secretary of HHS should commission an independent review of USPHS Commissioned Corps management practices within 180 days of this report.
X. Recommend that the President task the Secretary of HHS with following up on the Task Force’s recommendations, including legislative or other actions, every ninety days until implemented.
Recommendations included elevating the Director of IHS to Assistant Secretary of Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services. The reported stated that the predominately symbolic change could increase agency morale and would provide parity within the Department of the Interior, which has an Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. The task force noted that Tribes had advocated for this change for years. The report also urged Congress to create a way for IHS to reclassify some jobs so the agency could offer better benefits to recruits. The report also recommended that convicted child sex offenders be denied federal pensions.
Task Force Members Include:
Joseph Grogan, Former Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, Co-Chair
Trent Shores, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Co-Chair and member of the Choctaw Nation
Shannon Bears Cozzoni, Tribal Liaison and Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
Bo Leach, SE Region Agent in Charge, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Branch of Criminal Investigations and member of the Choctaw Nation
Stephanie Knapp, MSW, LCSW, Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Office for Victims Assistance, Child Victim Services Unit
Caitlin A. Hall, MD, FAAP, Clinical Director/Pediatrician, Dzilth-na-o-dith-hle Health Center, Indian Health Service
Farnoosh Faezi-Marian, Program Examiner, Office of Management and Budget
Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Announces Virtual ConsultationsRead the Press Release
The Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives announced 12 Tribal consultations to occur virtually across the United States in the coming months.
American Indians and Alaska Natives experience disproportionately high rates of violence. President Trump has called the crisis of missing and murdered Native Americans “sobering and heartbreaking.”
The Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, also known as Operation Lady Justice, announces the upcoming series of Tribal consultations under Executive Order 13898. The Executive Order requires the Task Force to “conduct appropriate consultations with Tribal governments on the scope and nature of the issues regarding missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.” While the Task Force had plans in place for a robust schedule of consultations and listening sessions in various locations in Indian country and elsewhere beginning in March, postponement of those sessions was required by the current public health crisis. Therefore, the Task Force has established a series of Tribal consultations to be held virtually. The sessions are regional, based on Bureau of Indian Affairs regions. The schedule, link to register, Dear Tribal Leader letter and framing paper are available on the Operation Lady Justice website, which can be found at OperationLadyJustice.usdoj.gov.
Confirmed Dates and TimesAugust 17th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Eastern Region – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
August 19th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Midwest Region – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
August 21st, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Southern Plains and Eastern Oklahoma Regions – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
August 25th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Regions – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
August 27th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Southwest Region – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
August 31st, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Northwest Region – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
September 2nd, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Western and Navajo Regions – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
September 4th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Pacific Region First session – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
September 8th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Pacific Region Second Session – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
September 10th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Alaska Region First Session – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
September 14th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- BIA Alaska Region Second Session – Virtual Consultation via WebEx.
September 17th, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern
- Final session for any leader who could not make their scheduled Regional Session via WebEx.
The members of the Task Force are:
- Katharine (Katie) Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, designee for the Attorney General;
- Tara Sweeney, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, designee for the Secretary of the Interior;
- Terry Wade, Executive Assistant Director, Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch, Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- Laura Rogers, Acting Director, Office on Violence Against Women;
- Charles (Charlie) Addington, Deputy Bureau Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services;
- Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Chair of the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee; and
- Jean (Jeannie) Hovland, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs and Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans, Department of Health and Human Services.
Marcia Good of the Department of Justice serves as the Executive Director of the Task Force. The Task Force will present a progress report to the President by Nov. 26, 2020, and a final report detailing its activities and accomplishments by Nov. 26, 2021.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of the Department of Justice at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 2020 also marks 171st anniversary of the Department of the Interior. Learn more about the history of DOI at www.doi.gov/history/.
Virginia Man Charged with Cyberstalking Tulsa MayorRead the Press Release
A Virginia man who sent harassing and intimidating emails directed toward Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and his family made an initial appearance in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Adam Maxwell Donn, 40, of Norfolk, Virginia, was charged by Criminal Complaint with cyberstalking. According to court documents, Bynum and his family received 44 emails and 14 phone calls from June 11 through June 22, 2020, which were meant to harass, annoy, threaten and intimate Bynum and his family.
“The United States charged Adam Donn with stalking, harassing, intimidating, and inflicting emotional distress upon Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and his family. Mr. Donn allegedly sent a series of harassing emails and voicemails in an effort to intimidate the mayor into canceling the presidential rally that occurred here in June,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Cyberstalkers try to hide behind keyboards while they threaten and intimidate others, but their online actions have real world effects. Mr. Donn will now face the real world consequences for his alleged criminal actions. As we do in all cases, our victim coordinators will work with the mayor and his family as this case proceeds in federal court.”
Bynum, concerned for his family’s safety, reported the emails and calls to the Tulsa Police Department on June 18, 2020. According to the affidavit filed by an FBI agent, investigators found that the emails were linked to an IP address traced to a Cox Communications account holder named Adam Donn of Norfolk, Virginia, and that his email addresses were used to send the intimidating emails to Mayor Bynum and his wife.
Court documents allege that Donn threatened to publish the Bynum family's home address and personal information to the internet, including the children's cell phone numbers and social media accounts. The defendant allegedly said this with the hope that people would encroach upon the Bynum residence with the intent to cause Mayor Bynum harm and emotional distress. Another email was sent on June 19, 2020, when Donn allegedly stated he hoped Bynum's family contracted Covid-19 and hoped the family suffered. Donn further stated he would possibly show up to Bynum’s next bible study, and on another occasion, asked the mayor’s wife if she would be home later so the he could meet her at her house. Lastly, a voicemail received by the mayor’s wife from the defendant allegedly stated the street she lived on and asked if she still lived there “before his guys made a delivery.”
The affidavit also alleged that Donn masqueraded as the mayor’s wife and sent emails to her colleagues via her business website. In those emails, he allegedly stated that recipients should send the messages on to the mayor’s wife, and if they didn’t, he would show up at their office. The emails also stated that he had COVID and would come visit.
A Criminal Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Donn was released under the pretrial supervision of the U.S. Probation Office. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on July 22, 2020, at 2 p.m. in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Man Charged with Felony Child NeglectRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man has been charged with child neglect after he allegedly left his two children unsupervised for more than four hours, at which time the children gained access to his parked vehicle where they were later found deceased.
According to a Criminal Complaint, Dustin Lee Dennis, 31, fell asleep on June 13, 2020, only to wake up and discover his children deceased in the backseat of his pick-up truck. The crime occurred within the boundaries of the Creek Nation reservation. His three-year-old son and four-year-old daughter are Cherokee citizens.
“Following the Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt, the Tulsa County District Attorney dismissed state charges against Dustin Dennis for lack of jurisdiction. District Attorney Kunzweiler communicated to my office his intent to do so, and we immediately prepared to receive and review the case file,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Upon review of the facts and evidence by the FBI and federal prosecutors, we filed a Complaint alleging felony child neglect by Mr. Dennis. Our review of the facts and evidence is ongoing, and we will determine whether other violations of federal law should be presented to a federal grand jury for their consideration.
This is a tragic set of facts. Our mission now is to pursue justice for the two child victims by holding Mr. Dennis accountable in a court of law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has a team of Victim Coordinators who will work with the mother of the deceased children as this case proceeds through the federal system.”
During the investigation and review of a neighbor’s surveillance video, investigators discovered that Dennis returned home at 12:55 a.m. on June 13. Surveillance video next shows Dennis leaving his residence alone at approximately noon for 11 minutes during which time Dennis stated he drove to a QuikTrip. When Dennis returned home from the convenience store, he stated that he fell asleep. During this time, surveillance footage allegedly shows the two children trying to get into Dennis’ truck at 1:22 p.m. when the vehicle’s alarm went off. They attempted a second time at 1:29 p.m. and successfully gained access to the truck. The video captures Dennis exiting his apartment and searching for his children approximately four hours later, at 5:32 p.m. Within minutes he discovered his children deceased in the truck.
The surveillance video contradicts several initial statements Dennis made to officers who first arrived on the scene. Dennis allegedly claimed that he had arrived home at 10 pm the night before, rather than after midnight as shown in the video. He also claimed that the children were with him when he went to QuikTrip, but video showed he was alone.
A Criminal Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores’ Statement Regarding Possible Federal Actions in Cases Affected by the Supreme Court’s Ruling in McGirt v OklahomaRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores has made the following statement:
“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma has received a number of media inquiries about its anticipated actions in a variety of state cases that have been or may be dismissed as a result of the Supreme Court’s McGirt decision, including the recently dismissed case State of Oklahoma v. Dustin Dennis. First, as a general matter, the United States does not comment on pending investigations. We do our utmost to protect the integrity and confidentiality of federal Grand Jury proceedings, consistent with Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Second, let there be no doubt that my team of federal prosecutors, legal support staff, victim specialists, and administrative staff are working around the clock right now to pursue justice and help victims of crime. We are doing so in partnership with tribal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as with the Tulsa County and Creek County District Attorneys and the Muscogee (Creek) Attorney General. We want to ensure the citizens of northeastern Oklahoma continue to receive seamless public safety services. Oklahomans have always been good about working together to achieve a common goal. Since the McGirt decision came down, I’ve seen just that – Oklahomans working together to promote continued public safety in this new jurisdictional landscape.”
Tulsa Man charged for Murder Occurring on Creek Nation LandRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man has been charged with murder in the first degree in Indian Country after he allegedly shot and killed a woman in Philpott Park on July 10, 2020.
According to a Criminal Complaint, James Michael Landry, 29, committed the crime on the Creek Nation reservation. The victim was an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is pursuing this case consistent with our new responsibilities following the Supreme Court’s McGirt decision,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The cooperation among tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement is as strong as ever in northeastern Oklahoma. In this case, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tulsa Police Department, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse were on the scene and working together. In this case and others that may now fall under federal jurisdiction, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will uphold its trust responsibility in the public safety arena. As always, we will seek to hold accountable criminal wrongdoers and pursue justice for victims in United States District Court.”
According to the Criminal Complaint and affidavit, Tulsa police officers and emergency personnel arrived at Philpott Park in response to a 911 call. The caller stated that a man had requested help because his girlfriend was going to die. At the scene, first responders observed James Michael Landry, 29, standing over a woman lying on the ground. Because Landry was making conflicting statements and acting strange he was put in investigative detention. Upon processing the scene, the medical examiner discovered what appeared to be a shotgun wound to the head. Detectives located a double barrel shotgun hidden under sticks next to a tree near the crime scene. During an interview with police, Landry allegedly admitted that the shotgun belonged to him and that he had pointed it at the victim on days prior to the crime as well as the day of the crime. He also allegedly claimed that the victim put the gun in her own mouth on the day of the crime as he held the firearm and they argued. He claimed the gun was fired unintentionally.
A Criminal Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charges were filed today in federal court due to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the case of McGirt v. Oklahoma. As a result of the Court’s ruling, all major crimes occurring on the Creek Nation reservation and involving Native American defendants and/or victims are required, by law, to be tried in federal court.
Landry was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. CDT on July 16.
The FBI, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office Remind Taxpayers of Upcoming Tax Filing Deadline; Urge Taxpayers to Remain Vigilant of ScamsRead the Press Release
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma today reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.
Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.
“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due”, said Tamera Cantu, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI’s Dallas Field Office. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”
As the filing deadline approaches, taxpayers should also beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams.
“With the impending personal income tax filing deadline, Oklahomans should be vigilant of fraudsters seeking to exploit unsuspecting, law abiding citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “The IRS will not initiate contact with taxpayers via phone, email, or social media to request personal or financial information.”
Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to [email protected].
For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.
Joint Statement from the United States Attorneys for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma on McGirt v Oklahoma Supreme Court RulingRead the Press Release
“As Oklahoma’s United States Attorneys, we are confident tribal, state, local, and federal law enforcement will work together to continue providing exceptional public safety under this new ruling by the United States Supreme Court.”
U.S. Attorney Timothy Downing, Western District of Oklahoma
U.S. Attorney Brian Kuester, Eastern District of Oklahoma
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, Northern District of Oklahoma
Tulsa Couple Face Charges Related to the Forced Labor of a MinorRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging a Tulsa couple with the forced labor and involuntary servitude of a minor victim, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Ronald Alexander Paz-Rodriguez (also known as Ronald Rodriguez-Paz), 36, and Eva Estrada Juarez, 29, are charged with obtaining forced labor; benefiting from forced labor; involuntary servitude; and trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor.
“Labor trafficking is modern day slavery. It happens to adults. It happens to children. And it happens here in Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Thankfully, we have dedicated Tulsa police officers and special agents with Homeland Security Investigations to investigate allegations involving the forcing of a minor child into involuntary servitude. Moving forward, the United States Attorney’s Office will present our case in federal district court where the evidence will be considered by a judge and jury.”
Starting in January 2019, Paz-Rodriguez and Juarez, are alleged to have arranged for the transport of the minor victim to Tulsa for the purpose of forced labor. From July 1 to Dec. 13, 2019, the couple allegedly obtained labor and services from the minor by threatening the victim and by use of force, physical restraint, serious harm, and abuse of the law and legal processes. The minor believed if she did not perform these services she would suffer serious physical harm.
The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000, and not more than 5 years of supervised release. They also face the possible forfeiture of any proceeds or property that was obtained as a result of the forced labor.
The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Nassar and Ryan Heatherman are prosecuting the case.
Federal Grand Jury Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the July 2020 Federal Grand Jury B.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Ryan Andy Cuevas. Financial Institution Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft; Fraudulent Use of a Social Security Number; Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. Cuevas, 32, of Moreno Valley, California, is charged with financial institution fraud, aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of a social security number, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. According to court documents, Cuevas fraudulently using other people’s identities when he purchased two vehicles and attempted to purchase a third vehicle. See the criminal complaint press release here to learn more about the crimes. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Carlos Alberto Jimenez Dorantes (aka “David Isiordia Pena”); Kevin Antonio Cardona Virgen (aka “Saul Davila Cobos” and “Miguel”); and Jose de Jesus Ramirez Reyes. Drug Conspiracy; Distribution of Heroin; Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute. (superseding) Carlos Alberto Jimenez Dorantes, age unknown, of Tulsa; Kevin Antonio Cardona Virgen, 24; and Jose de Jesus Ramirez Reyes, 50, are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and with distributing heroin. Jimenez and Cardona are also charged with knowingly distributing heroin. Finally, Jimenez intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona are the investigative agencies.
Ramiro Gonzalez-Sanchez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Gonzalez-Sanchez, 32, of Tulsa, is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported Sept. 15, 2011, at Brownsville, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Benjamin Hayford. Financial Institution Fraud; False Statements to a Financial Institution. Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, allegedly filed fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Hayford allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford allegedly provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford represented to a financial institution that the Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established in January 2020 and was operating as of Feb. 15, 2020. In fact, a search of the contents of Hayford’s email account revealed that Hayford did not create the partnership until April 2020, several days before he began applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General are the investigative agencies.
Donald Eugene Knight, Jr. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Knight Jr., 46, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Jimenez Arms Inc., .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Knight is a 12-time convicted felon. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Victor Alfonso Martinez-Lopez. Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Alien Illegally and Unlawfully in the United States. Martinez-Lopez, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with being an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States in possession of a Beretta USA Corp., 9 mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. The Tulsa Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Jeremy McConnell. Wire Fraud; Engaging in Unlawful Monetary Transaction (superseding). McConnell, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of making an unlawful monetary transaction as a part of a scheme to defraud a coworker. McConnell is alleged to have become friends with the victim after the loss of her spouse. According to the indictment, McConnell devised a scheme to defraud the coworker of funds from an IRA, worth $90,000. He convinced the victim to transfer the IRA funds into her personal Chase bank account then $80,200 into his personal Bank of America account. He told the victim he would act as her broker and invest the funds in “Euro-Dollars” and possibly gold and silver for her financial benefit and security. The indictment states that in May and June 2017, McConnell only invested approximately $12,500 of the victim’s funds. Unbeknownst to the victim, McConnell allegedly spent the rest of her funds on his own personal expenses, including dining, travel, retail items, gaming, and cash withdrawals. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Kory Dwayne McCormick. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; Possession of Firearms and Ammunition After Conviction for Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence. McCormick, 39, of Drumright, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus .40 S&W caliber pistol, a Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. .22 caliber long rifle, and 104 rounds of associated ammunition. McCormick was previously convicted of eight felonies. McCormick is also charged with possessing firearms and ammunition after a 2016 conviction for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The Drumright Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Ronald Alexander Paz-Rodriguez (aka “Ronald Rodriguez-Paz”) and Eva Estrada Juarez. Obtaining Forced Labor; Benefiting From Forced Labor; Involuntary Servitude; Trafficking With Respect to Peonage, Slavery, Involuntary Servitude, and Forced Labor. Paz-Rodriguez, 36, and Juarez, 29, of Tulsa, aided and abetted each other in obtaining the labor and services of a minor child through 1. force, threats of force, physical restraint and threats of physical restraint; 2. serious harm and threats to seriously harm; 3. the abuse and threatened abuse of the law and legal process; and 4. multiple schemes to cause the victim to believe she would suffer serious harm if she did not perform the labor and services. The two are also charged with benefiting financially as a result of the forced labor; holding the minor to a condition of involuntary servitude; and recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing and obtaining the minor child for labor and services. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are conducting are the investigative agencies.
Trentin Anton Richardson. Obstructing, Delaying and Affecting Commerce by Robbery; Carrying, Brandishing, Using, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Richardson, 20, of Beggs, is charged with robbing a Dollar General Store in Sapulpa on June 4, 2020. He is also charged with carrying, brandishing, using and discharging a Ruger 9 mm semi-automatic pistol during and in relation to the crime. The Sapulpa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Brian Michael Rogers. Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device. Rogers, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly possessing a pipe bomb which had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigative agencies.
Anthony Morgan Stephens, Leslie Lynn Wilson, Louis Fuque Kent, and Joe Allan Bounds. Conspiracy (Count 1); Aggravated Identity Theft (Counts 2-29); Obtaining Information From Protected Computer (Count 30). (superseding) Stephens, 37, of Wichita Falls, Texas; Wilson, 41, of Wichita Falls, Texas; Kent, 77, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Bounds, 68, of Electra, Texas, are charged with conspiracy to steal in excess of $1,000 from Indian gaming establishments operated by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma. Stephens, Wilson and Bounds are also charged with aggravated identity theft. Stephens is also charged with obtaining information from a protected computer.
On July 24, 2019, Stephens accessed the mobile application for the Downstream Casino player’s club and created false accounts seeking to obtain reward points that were applied to actual customers’ accounts from the Downstream Casino’s “refer a friend” promotion. From July 28 to July 31, 2019, Stephens, Wilson, Kent and another individual, Vickie Smith, used counterfeit casino player’s cards utilizing the reward points previously placed on the card by fraudulent means. In August 2019, Stephens accessed the River Spirit’s player’s card database and obtained casino customers’ names, player’s card numbers, and points. He then created counterfeit player’s cards that contained the customers’ player’s club information. On August 2, 2019, Stephens and Smith used the counterfeit cards and actual customers’ personal identification numbers (PINs) to access points from the accounts of those customers at River Spirit Casino in Tulsa. From Aug. 7 to Aug. 8, 2019, Stephens and Wilson stayed at the River Spirit Casino hotel and used counterfeit casino player’s cards and actual customers’ PINs to access point from the accounts of actual customers at the casino. On Sept. 6, 2019, Stephens, Kent, and Bounds used the counterfeit cards and actual customer PINs to access customers’ accounts at the Creek Nation Casino in Bristow. Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police and the FBI conducted the investigation.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
A man convicted of sex trafficking a woman and obstructing the resulting investigation was sentenced today in U.S. District Court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Ramar Travelle Palms, 31, of Tulsa, to 235 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. The Court further ordered the defendant to pay restitution in the amount of $33,899.94, which is the approximate amount that Palms profited from trafficking the victim. Upon release from prison, Palms will be required to register as a sex offender.
“Ramar Palms targeted, isolated, degraded, and trafficked a female victim. But she found her voice and courageously testified against him at trial,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Prosecuting sex traffickers remains a priority for my office, and a sentence of nearly 20 years in federal prison should send a strong message of deterrence.”
During her victim impact statement, the victim spoke of the mental and physical abuse she endured under Palms' control. “I want to make it clear that not only was my voice taken from me, but my choices, my right to be the very best mother I had always been before and should have been able to continue to be, my safety, my sense of security, and myself,” she said. “I’ve never in my life met anyone so good at what he loves to do, and that is to prey on the vulnerable.”
In January 2020, a jury convicted Palms of the sex trafficking through the use of force, fraud and coercion; attempted obstruction of sex trafficking enforcement; and transporting an individual for prostitution.
During Palms’ four-day trial, the United States showed that he trafficked the victim in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Houston. Palms forced the victim to advertise on prostitution websites and book hotel rooms in her name, particularly in areas that were closer to higher paying, wealthier johns. He provided the money to advertise and book the rooms but did not allow his name to be associated with the activity in an effort to distance himself legally from the activity.
During the trial, Tulsa Police officer testified that he originally met the victim in November 2018 in Tulsa. The Vice officer answered an online advertisement for a “$100 Quick Visit” with the victim, which indicates a short prostitution visit. When the officer arrived, he noticed Palms at the bottom of the stairs watching him enter the hotel. Once with the victim, the officer identified himself and the two discussed the trafficking operation. The victim revealed that she did not willingly participate in prostitution.
The United States argued that the victim did not simply enter into a mutual agreement with Palms to participate in the sex trade as the defense contended. Prosecutors showed that Palms bragged about making money from selling women. They argued that Palms controlled the victim, the trafficking operations and the money he received from exploiting the victim. They stated that Palms was a “finesse pimp” who used charm to gain the victim’s trust and affection. Then later he began to use control, fear and violence to force and keep the victim in a life of prostitution. The victim described how Palms abused her, often strangling, beating, or holding a knife to her throat, when he was angry or she did not produce enough money.
Palms will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Nassar and Edward Snow prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores’ Statement on the Death of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig JohnsonRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla— U.S. Attorney Shores has released the following statement:
“On behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to the family of Tulsa Police Department Sergeant Craig Johnson. To his brothers and sisters in blue, I join you in mourning his loss and saluting his selfless service. Brave men and women like Sergeant Johnson and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan make up the thin blue line that stands between order and chaos. Sergeant Johnson’s death will not lessen our resolve, but rather reaffirm the collective duty of all those in law enforcement to serve and protect. May God bless Sergeant Johnson and all of our nation’s police officers.”
Nearly 3,800 Fraudulently Filed Unemployment Insurance Claims Blocked by the U. S. Department of LaborRead the Press Release
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) in collaboration with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) this month stopped payment on nearly 3,800 fraudulently filed unemployment insurance claims, including 1,300 filed from a range of IP addresses located in London, England, announced Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma; Steven Grell, Special Agent-in-Charge, Dallas Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; and Mike Hunter, Oklahoma Attorney General.
The DOL-OIG and OESC took action that saved the State of Oklahoma and tax payers more than $15.9 million.
“Where there is crisis, criminals see opportunity. Fraudsters won’t hesitate to fill their pockets with money intended for hard working Oklahomans who have lost their jobs during this current health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team will continue to partner with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Department of Labor, and local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement to investigate and shut down these unscrupulous networks.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to safeguarding the Unemployment Insurance program on behalf of taxpayers and vulnerable Americans in need of assistance. We will continue to work vigorously alongside our law enforcement and state workforce agency partners to pursue criminals who seek to exploit the Unemployment Insurance program for personal gain,” said Steven Grell, Special Agent-in-Charge, Dallas Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“I am proud of the efficiency at which the task force has worked since being formed,” said Attorney General Mike Hunter. “Although we have accomplished a lot in a short period of time, there is much more to be done, which includes finding those responsible and holding them accountable. I look forward to continuing this important work with the other agencies involved as we remain focused on the best interests of Oklahomans.”
The Department took action to block the London IP addresses and several other foreign IP addresses from accessing and fraudulently filing claims through the OESC. Additionally, investigators located businesses regularly named by fraudsters when filing the fraudulent claims. For example, 2,450 unemployment claims were filed naming one Oklahoma business as the employer, but in actuality, the business employs fewer than 10 employees. The business along with multiple individuals whose names were fraudulently used to file the claims reside in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In order to stop these fraudsters, U.S. Attorney Shores and Attorney General Hunter encourage Oklahomans to report any unemployment notices they receive from the OESC that were filed fraudulently in their names.
If you or a family member receive a notice about unemployment insurance benefits from the OESC and/or a prepaid MasterCard debit card for Oklahoma unemployment insurance benefits, and it is related to a fraudulent application, please do the following:
1. Scan and save the documents containing the OESC notice and the debit card, if you receive a card.
2. Complete an electronic complaint form and upload required documents at: https://my.ok.gov/Forms/Report%20Unemployment%20Fraud
3. Order a free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com and consider freezing your credit.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, DOL-OIG, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and OESC continue their ongoing collaborative efforts to address online fraud schemes in order to prevent the loss of taxpayer dollars.
For more information about COVID-19 fraud, visit the Justice Department’s website at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus or the Oklahoma Attorney General’s website at http://www.oag.ok.gov/coronavirus-fraud-resources.
Two Felons Sentenced for Possessing Firearms in Project Guardian CasesRead the Press Release
Two felons were sentenced today in U.S. District Court for possessing firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
“Guns don’t belong in the hands of felons, domestic abusers, or other prohibited persons, period. Congress passed a law saying so, and it is my job to enforce that law,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Prosecuting offenders who violate firearms restrictions saves lives. We will continue the crucial work of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian to help protect the public from those who pose harm to our communities.”
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Morgan Tanner Prickett, 26, of Mannford, to 15 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Court further ordered the defendant to complete drug and domestic violence counseling. Prickett pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb.7, 2020.
On Oct. 21, 2019, Broken Arrow police officers were dispatched to a domestic violence incident. Prickett had vandalized a car but was subdued by the victim and her brother. When officers arrived, Morgan’s pick-up truck was in the roadway so officers inventoried the vehicle and towed it. During the inventory, officers discovered a LA Industrial Orbea Eibar Smith and Wesson revolver and six rounds of ammunition. Morgan is prohibited by federal law from owning a firearm since he has a previous felony conviction as well as a conviction for of domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor. The Broken Arrow Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan also sentenced Michael Jawan Lucas, 32, of Tulsa, to 37 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Officers with the Tulsa Police Department initiated a traffic stop after noticing Lucas ran a stop sign on Nov. 3, 2019. Lucas then ran two more stop signs before crashing into a tree. Upon exiting the vehicle, Lucas ran from police but was eventually arrested. Upon a search of his vehicle, officers found a Heckler & Koch .45 caliber pistol and associated ammunition. Lucas was previously convicted of three other offenses, including use of interstate communication facility in the commission of murder for hire and aiding and abetting in 2012. Because of these felony convictions, Lucas is prohibited from owning a firearm. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan prosecuted the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian initiative. Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Justice Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.
Former Oklahoman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering for His Role in a Nigerian Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A New York man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for his role as a money launderer in a Nigerian romance scam that defrauded multiple victims, including elderly victims, across the United States and netted at least $1.5 million, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Oluwaseun John Ogundele, 30, formerly of Norman, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering before U.S. District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell.
“United States Attorney General William Barr directed U.S. Attorneys to hold accountable the vast criminal element targeting America’s seniors. My office heard him loud and clear and worked with the FBI to take down a Nigerian romance fraud scheme. It is fitting that Mr. Ogundele’s conviction comes today as we recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Con artists who cheat elder Americans out of their life savings will get a one way ticket to federal prison. I encourage victims to speak up and report these crimes to help us stop these fraudsters.”
“Mr. Ogundele and his co-conspirators used online romance scams to prey upon dozens of victims across the country, many of whom experienced significant financial loss. Today's guilty plea demonstrates the FBI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate criminals who defraud innocent Americans," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Melissa Godbold of the Oklahoma City Field Office.
In his plea agreement, Ogundele admitted that between 2015 and November 2019, together with co-conspirators, he knowingly concealed the proceeds of a romance scam operation by moving money between and among multiple bank accounts that were opened under various aliases using fake passports and other fraudulent identification documents to obscure the source of the funds and the identities of the co-conspirators. Thereafter, Ogundele took further steps to conceal the source of the funds, took a commission for himself, and directed the remainder of the funds back to the online romance scammers in Nigeria, including in the form of vehicles and vehicle parts.
Ogundele coordinated with overseas co-conspirators who had assumed false identities on online dating websites and social media platforms with the intent to defraud victims. Ogundele opened multiple accounts using fraudulent identities then provided the account and routing numbers to the overseas co-conspirators. The overseas co-conspirators told victims they were U.S. residents working abroad. In fact, the investigation revealed that these overseas co-conspirators were located in Nigeria. As these online “relationships” continued, the overseas co-conspirators’ requests would develop into increasingly larger sums of money, with the claimed purpose that the funds were needed to complete business projects or to return to the United States. The victims were directed by the overseas co-conspirators to send funds to Ogundele and others’ bank accounts, assuring the victims that he would allocate the money as needed.
Ogundele was charged along with nine co-defendants, including: Afeez Olajide Adebara, 35, U.S. citizen residing in Norman; Joshua Naandom Ditep, 25, Nigerian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States residing in Norman; Paul Usoro, 25, Nigerian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States residing in Norman; Chibuzo Godwin Obiefuna, Jr., 26, U.S. citizen residing in Long Beach, California; Tobiloba Kehinde, 28, Nigerian citizen residing in Norman; Jamiu Ibukun Adedeji, 24, Nigerian citizen, residing in Norman; First and last name unknown #1, who maintained an address in Brooklyn, New York; First and last name unknown #2, who maintained an address in Dallas, Texas; and First and last name unknown #3, who maintained an address in Dallas, Texas. Adebara, Ditep, Usoro, Obiefuna, Kehinde, and Adedeji await trial while the three additional co-defendants remain fugitives. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is part of an ongoing national effort by the Department of Justice to address online fraud schemes often based out of Nigeria that target U.S. citizens. The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams to the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/.
The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the FBI’s San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York Field Offices. Trial Attorneys Babasijibomi Moore and David Stier of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Nassar of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Department of Justice Observes the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
Today, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
“On this day when the world highlights the problem of elder abuse and fraud, the Department of Justice continues to send a strong message that keeping our seniors safe is a top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My office will fight to hold accountable those con artists who take advantage of older Oklahomans.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.
The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic and targeting seniors offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds.
The District of Northern Oklahoma recently brought federal charges in multiple cases of elder fraud. In November 2019, the office charged ten men with laundering proceeds acquired through online romance scams operated from Nigeria. Fraudsters targeted multiple elder victims from across America, including Oklahoma, and netted at least $1.5 million. In another case, William Brian Mulder, 61, of Tulsa, was charged with 26 counts of Bank Fraud; 41 counts of causing the interstate transmission of moneys taken by fraud, and five counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. He allegedly defrauded five federally insured financial institutions and two investor families of more than $5 million dollars. Also, in February 2020, Jacob Kyle Killough, 37, of Owasso, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and financial institution fraud. Killough stole checks from multiple elderly victims’ mailboxes then altered them to show the checks payable to Killough.
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities.
Major strides have already been made to that end:
-National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.
-Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.
-Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors. The District of Northern Oklahoma took part in this sweep. You can find the press release here.
-Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year. In December 2019, the District of Northern Oklahoma charged a money mule, Crystal Lynne Clark, with 14 counts of aggravated identity theft. Clark allegedly used stolen credit card information from victims to purchase gift cards. She then provided her associates with the gift card information and also used the victims’ credit cards to make numerous personal purchases. See the press release here.
-Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.
Felon Sentenced for Illegal Possession and Manufacture of Machine Guns and SilencersRead the Press Release
A 30-year-old Tulsa man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for firearms charges, including illegally possessing and manufacturing machine guns and silencers, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Christopher Joseph Kiss to 37 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On Jan. 13, 2020, Kiss pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegal possession of a machine gun, making unregistered machine guns and silencers, and possession of unregistered silencers.
“The availability of illegal guns all too often leads to violent crime. My office along with our partners at the ATF will continue to target illegal gun manufacturers like Christopher Kiss in order to keep these dangerous firearms off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
“Manufacture of unregistered NFA devices is illegal. Possession of unregistered NFA devices is illegal. Manufacture, transfer and possession of any firearm or ammunition by a previously convicted felon is illegal,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “Mr. Kiss is a trifecta in disregard of the law.”
In his plea agreement, Kiss, a felon, admitted that he possessed, manufactured, and modified multiple firearms. Kiss possessed a .25 auto caliber pistol and a container with a sampling of 95 pounds of ammunition. He also possessed a homemade Glock-style .22 caliber pistol equipped with a Glock switch that enabled the pistol to fire in fully-automatic mode. In addition, investigators discovered an AR-15 style short-barreled 9 mm rifle that Kiss modified to fire in fully-automatic mode. The defendant further illegally manufactured at least four silencers and possessed a total of 26 silencers. In his statement, Kiss agreed that he failed to properly register these machine guns and silencers in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Kiss will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan prosecuted the case.
The case was prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian, a nationwide initiative leveraging critical law enforcement partnerships to enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian is the Department’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian draws upon the Justice Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This includes taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Woman Who Embezzled More Than $800,000 from Her Employer Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
A woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for embezzling $823,714 from her Tulsa employer. Leslie Michelle Clark, 53, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
“Leslie Clark exploited her position of trust to personally pocket more than $800,000 of ill-gotten gains,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “She created a fake consulting company and issued fraudulent billing invoices as part of her criminal scheme. Our white collar prosecution team is to be commended for their excellent work on this case.”
Clark was hired as a financial controller at a Tulsa company in 2014. As controller, she supervised all financial matters for the company. In July 2018, Clark created a fictitious consulting company called “Alliance Consulting.” She also opened an account at Arvest Bank for the fictitious company and caused checks to be paid from her employers customer account at Wells Fargo to Alliance Consulting for fabricated services never rendered. Clark falsely and fraudulently told colleagues at the company that the payments were for consulting services and presented false and fraudulent invoices from Alliance Consulting in support of her scheme.
As part of her plea agreement, Clark agreed to pay $823, 714 in restitution. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell will make the final restitution determination at her sentencing hearing set for Sept. 16, 2020.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella is prosecuting the case.
Man Pleads Guilty after Robbing a Bank with a Modified Flare GunRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court for robbing an Arvest Bank using a modified flare gun, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Derek Dean Darity, 50, pleaded guilty to bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and to using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Derek Darity discharged a flare gun while robbing a bank here in Tulsa. Bank robbers like Darity should expect to meet a federal prosecutor in the courtroom. When you put in danger the lives of Oklahomans, you better believe we take notice,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am grateful to our law enforcement partners who investigated this case and to the Florida Highway Patrol for locating and arresting Darity so he could face justice in northern Oklahoma.”
In his written plea agreement, Darity admitted that on Oct. 21, 2019, he robbed the Arvest Bank located at 4103 S. Garnett Road in Tulsa. During the crime, Darity handed a teller a note that warned them he had a gun and demanded the tellers put all their money into a bag. He also admitted to pulling out the orange gun and firing a shot into the ceiling. The modified flare gun was loaded with a 20-gauge shotgun shell. Darity then fled from the scene with the stolen money. He was eventually arrested on Oct. 24, 2019, in White Springs, Florida.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell set sentencing for Sept. 11, 2020.
The Tulsa Police Department; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Florida Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Firearms and Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
A Tulsa woman was sentenced this week in federal court for firearms and drug violations.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Brittany Michele Osborn, 33, of Tulsa, to 12 years in prison followed by three years supervised release. The Court recommended Osborn be placed in a facility where she can participate in the Residential Drug Abuse Program.
“Guns and drugs are a dangerous combination. The seriousness of Brittany Osborn’s crimes is reflected in her 12-year-sentence. Gun crimes mean hard time in the federal system,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am thankful for the partnership between my prosecutors and our federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we are working to investigate and prosecute drug and gun related crimes in hopes of making our community safer.”
In March, Osborn pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In her written plea agreement, Osborn admitted that she possessed firearms and ammunition as well as 30 grams of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. As a previously convicted felon, Osborn is prohibited form possessing a firearm.
On Dec. 12, 2019, U.S. Marshals located Brittany Osborn on an outstanding warrant. Officers discovered approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine, packaged in several small baggies, as well as numerous digital scales and empty baggies. The following firearms were located in the room:
- Umarex,.22 caliber, semi-automatic rifle, with a scope;
- Glock, 9 x 19mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol;
- Walther .22 caliber, semi-automatic pistol;
- Marlin Firearms Co. .22 caliber, semi-automatic rifle; and
- More than 100 rounds of ammunition
Osborn was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.
Three Men Plead Guilty to Gun Charges as Part of Project Guardian InitiativeRead the Press Release
Three men pleaded guilty this week to federal gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
The three defendants pleaded guilty to being felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition. By law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms. The cases are part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian, an initiative designed to reduce gun violence across the country.
“Project Guardian reduces gun crime by prosecuting the illegal possession of guns by prohibited persons, including felons, domestic abusers, and drug addicts. The prosecution of these cases fosters communities where families feel safer and businesses can thrive,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores
Damico Rashaad Hunter, 24, of Sand Springs, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Hunter and a passenger were pulled over on July 24, 2018, for traffic violations. Officers discovered a loaded Glock .40 S&W caliber pistol and ammunition under his seat. In a written plea agreement, Hunter stated that on the date of the stop, he knowingly possessed the firearm and ammunition. The Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
Dallas Gray Morton, 20, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Oct. 1, 2019, during a traffic stop for speeding and expired tags, Morton refused to stop and eluded officers throughout Tulsa. Morton eventual stopped, fled on foot, and tried to discard his weapon. Officers then arrested him. Officers found Morton’s loaded Smith and Wesson .40 S&W caliber semi-automatic pistol. Morton also had an additional loaded magazine for the gun in his pocket. On February 24, 2020, officers found a semi-automatic pistol and a Glock GMBH 9X19 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition during a second stop for a traffic violation. The Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
Brian James Susi, 32, of Broken Arrow, pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to a Criminal Complaint filed Feb. 24, 2020, the Owasso Police Department received a report that on Dec. 30, 2019, an individual, later discovered to be Susi, had shoplifted gun holsters, phone covers and other items at a Walmart. An Owasso police officer observed Susi in the parking lot and stopped him. The officer searched his vehicle and discovered stolen items, hypodermic needles, black mask and gloves, and a Smith and Wesson .380 ACP caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. The officer also found assorted burglary tools, including zip ties, a flashlight, black tape, two screw drivers, a razor blade, and an auto window punch. In his plea agreement, Susi admitted to being a felon and knowingly possessing the pistol and ammunition found in the car.
According to the Complaint, Susi was also arrested during an undercover prostitution investigation at a local hotel on Jan. 15, 2020. According to the Complaint, officers found drugs, drug paraphernalia and a Glock GMBH 9X19 caliber semi-automatic pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition. The firearm was stolen during a vehicle burglary that took place four days earlier.
In his written plea agreement, Susi admitted to being a felon in possession of both firearms and the ammunition. The Owasso Police Department, the Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan is prosecuting the cases.
Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Justice Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.
Arkansas Project Manager Charged in Oklahoma with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A project manager employed by a major retailer was charged in a complaint unsealed today for allegedly filing fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Deputy Inspector General Richard Parker of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG) and Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) made the announcement.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma with wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and making false statements to the SBA.
Hayford allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford allegedly provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford represented to a financial institution that the Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established in January 2020 and was operating as of Feb. 15, 2020. In fact, a search of the contents of Hayford’s email account revealed that Hayford did not create the partnership until April 2020, several days before he began applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
“It is disgraceful that anyone would exploit loans meant to protect America’s small business owners during this public health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Unfortunately, COVID-fraudsters are out there and active. Their victims are people who perform the back-breaking and emotionally challenging work to live their dream as a business owner and give back to their communities. My Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team is more than capable to hold individuals accountable for illegally taking money from our financial institutions and from hard working Americans.”
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FHFA OIG, the SBA OIG, and the FDIC OIG for their efforts investigating this mater.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Arkansas Project Manager Charged in Oklahoma with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A project manager employed by a major retailer was charged in a complaint unsealed Wednesday for allegedly filing fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Deputy Inspector General Richard Parker of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG), Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) made the announcement.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma with wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and making false statements to the SBA.
Hayford allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford allegedly provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford represented to a financial institution that the Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established in January 2020 and was operating as of Feb. 15, 2020. In fact, a search of the contents of Hayford’s email account revealed that Hayford did not create the partnership until April 2020, several days before he began applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FHFA OIG, the SBA OIG, and the FDIC OIG for their efforts investigating this mater.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites. The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline by phone at (1-866-720-5721) or via an online reporting form available at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the June Federal Grand Jury A.
“The federal justice system continues, as it must, even during a public health crisis and civil unrest. Through it all, the men and women of the United States Attorney’s Office continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect and serve the public,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The grand jury indictments returned this week involved allegations of child sex trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography, and federal firearms violations.”
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Luis Alberto Garcia. Possession of a Firearm by an Alien Illegally in the United States. Garcia, 39, of Broken Arrow, is charged with knowingly possessing a Kimber .380 ACP caliber pistol and associated ammunition while being an alien illegally residing in the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Tulsa Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Thomas James Heiner. Sex Trafficking of a Child. Heiner, 55, of Langley, is charged with sex trafficking of a child. Heiner was apprehended while attempting to purchase an 11-year-old child to engage in sex acts with him. A press release announcing initial charges by Criminal Complaint was issued on May 22, 2020, and can be found here. The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies.
Joel Daniel Padilla-Rojas. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Padilla-Rojas, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported June 4, 2009, at or near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jeffrey Rahn Reetz. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; Possession of Child Pornography (superseding). Reetz, 66, of Claremore, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Mosin-Nagant bolt-action 7.62 caliber rifle; a Kimber .45 caliber pistol; a Beretta 9 mm pistol; a Springfield Arms bolt-action .30 caliber rifle; a Derringer .32 caliber pistol; a New Haven Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun; a Savage Arms .223 caliber rifle; an Olympic Arms 12 gauge shotgun; a Hopkins & Allen .22 caliber revolver; and 1,421 rounds of ammunition. Reetz is also charged with knowingly possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography from January 2017 to January 23, 2020. The images included a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency.
Herbert Dewayne Reyes. Sex Trafficking of a Child; Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Receipt of Child Pornography. Reyes, 43, of Bristow, is charged with sex trafficking of a child from June 1, 2019, through Aug. 22, 2019. Reyes is also charged with sexual exploitation of a child. He is alleged to have enticed and coerced the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to make images of those sex acts. Finally, Reyes is charged with receiving electronic images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The Bristow Police Department is the investigative agency.
Kevin Edward Swarthout. Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography. Swarthout, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly receiving and distributing child pornography from December 25, 2019, through May 12, 2020. Swarthout is also charged with possessing and accessing child pornography from Dec. 25, 2019, through May 12, 2020. The child pornography included images of one prepubescent minor and a minor that had not attained 12 years of age. Swarthout was previously convicted of possessing child pornography on Nov. 6, 20o0, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. A press release announcing initial charges by Criminal Complaint was issued on May 2o, 2020, and can be found here. The Carter County Sheriff’s Department, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies.
Daniel Brent Woodson. Distribution and Receipt of a Visual Depiction of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. Woodson, 42, of Collinsville, is charged with knowingly receiving and distributing child pornography from Dec. 15, 2017, to May 20, 2020. Woodson was previously convicted of possession with intent to promote child pornography and with possession of child pornography in Galveston County, Texas, on Jan. 30, 2015. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency.
Department of Justice Awards Nearly $400 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice this week announced nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.
In the Northern District of Oklahoma, the following entities have received the funding:
-Bixby Police Department: $125,000
-Muscogee (Creek) Nation: $543,496
-Owasso Police Department: $750,000
-Rogers County Sheriff’s Department: $250,000
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”
“Public safety is a priority in northeastern Oklahoma, and community oriented policing is a proven approach to foster safer neighborhoods. One way in which I can help my local partners is through the provision of federal grants. That is why I am proud to announce that agencies in northern Oklahoma will receive more than $1.6 million dollars from the Community Oriented Policing Services Office at the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am confident these dollars will assist local law enforcement keep safe Oklahoma neighborhoods and families. ”
The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics. In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. 43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Laundering Money in Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
A woman illegally residing in the United States pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court for her involvement in a large scale heroin trafficking operation, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Sonia Hernandez, 55, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy. From January 2018 until June 2019, Hernandez knowingly sent drug proceeds to a Mexican source of supply while working at a Tulsa money remitter business. She admitted to using nominee names during the transactions in order to conceal her criminal acts and to further the drug conspiracy. A “nominee name” is used to hide the true recipient of illicit money. Hernandez will be responsible for laundering drug proceeds for not less than 10 kilograms and nor more than 30 kilograms of heroin.
“Drug traffickers launder money as a means of concealing the illegal profits that they hope to pocket. This happens right here in Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Unfortunately, the illegal drug trade leaves American families devastated by addiction. This case is being prosecuted by the experienced prosecutors in my Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Unit. They are relentless in their pursuit of justice and will hold accountable these peddlers of addiction.”
Hernandez was one of more than 30 individuals charged with money laundering, drug conspiracy and other crimes. The initial indictment was first announced by U.S. Attorney Trent Shores in May 2019. The investigation involved the Giovanni Drug Trafficking Organization and was given the name Operation Smack Dragon. See the indictment press release here.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan scheduled set sentencing for Sept. 8, 2020.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led this investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office, and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick prosecuted the case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
U.S. Attorneys from the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma Select a Coordinator for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons CasesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorneys Trent Shores, Brian Kuester, and Timothy Downing today announced the selection of a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Coordinator to serve in Oklahoma. Ms. Patti Buhl was selected for this critical position. Ms. Buhl will maximize the resources of the three United States Attorney’s Offices to ensure effective and timely responses to missing and murdered Native Americans in Oklahoma.
As MMIP Coordinator, she will support investigations into missing and murdered persons; consult with tribal communities to assist in the creation and implementation of community action plans; coordinate with tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement in the development of protocols and procedures for responding to MMIP cases; and promote improvement of data collection and analyses throughout Oklahoma. Her start date is June 8.
“Patti Buhl will be a difference maker in our efforts to combat the crisis of missing and murdered Native Americans. Now is the time for action, and Oklahoma’s United States Attorneys are prepared to help lead the way,” said Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
“The joint MMIP coordinator will maximize the collaborative efforts of the three Oklahoma United States Attorney’s Offices as we work toward our common goal of ensuring appropriate response to missing and murdered indigenous people in Oklahoma,” said Brian J. Kuester, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “Ms. Buhl will undoubtedly find great support from our federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners and non-governmental service organizations who understand and appreciate that working together we can and will enhance public safety in Indian Country.”
“We are pleased to have Ms. Buhl join our ranks to help further our great working relationship with all our tribes and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Oklahoma to address violence in Indian Country,” said Timothy J. Downing, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Together, we will continue to partner with tribes to improve public safety for all Native Americans throughout the state.”
On November 22, 2019, Attorney General William Barr launched a national strategy to address missing and murdered Native Americans. When establishing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Initiative, the Department of Justice made an initial investment of $1.5 million to hire MMIP coordinators to serve with U.S. Attorney’s Offices in 11 states. States receiving MMIP coordinators are Oklahoma, Alaska, Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Michigan, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington.
“Congratulations to the U.S. Attorneys and Patti Buhl for joining together to investigate and locate missing Native Americans. The missing are mostly children and women. Protecting our most vulnerable people by the tribes working with the Department of Justice will halt these atrocities,” said Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear of the Osage Nation.
The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes also voiced support for the hiring of Ms. Buhl:
“For too many Natives, violence is an ever-present threat. We must do more to stop this nightmare that has haunted Native persons for far too long, and appointing Ms. Buhl as a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons coordinator here in Oklahoma is crucial to this mission. With her background in law enforcement, including her time working with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and investigating missing persons cases, Ms. Buhl will play a pivotal role in helping to find the many Native Americans who have gone missing, most of them women and children. As tribal leaders, we are especially proud that a member of a federally recognized tribe has been chosen for this role, knowing full well that her work will make a lasting difference across all of Indian Country. The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for taking this important step."
Leaders of the council are Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Chief Greg Chilcoat, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill.
Prior to her selection as MMIP coordinator, Ms. Buhl served in law enforcement at Northeastern State University.
“Patti joined the NSU team in 2003 and eventually became our first female Chief of Police in 2009,” said Northeastern State University President Steve Turner. “I appreciate Patti’s 17 years of dedicated service protecting the NSU family and citizens of our communities. Although she understood and embraced her role as an enforcer of the law, she was always a teacher who worked tirelessly to educate our students on appropriate and lawful conduct. Her experience will be invaluable to her new role with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices. ”
Ms. Buhl, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has worked in law enforcement for 25 years, most recently serving Chief of Police for Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. She has also served with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service where she enforced tribal, state, Federal, and municipal laws within the 14 county jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. Ms. Buhl is experienced in investigating missing persons and coordinating with tribal governments and organizations. She has also collaborated with the FBI, Secret Service, and IRS while investigating criminal cases. Ms. Buhl has further assisted in the development of policies and guidelines for law enforcement. She earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and is on track to receive her Juris Doctor from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in December 2020.
Also this week, the Presidential Task Force on Murdered and Missing American Indians and Alaska Natives is holding remote listening sessions with Tribes throughout the country. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores is a member of the Task Force. On May 29, from 1-2:30 pm CDT, a listening session is scheduled to be held with the Tribes from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana and Wyoming. Tribal Listening Session Webinars are open to Tribal Leaders and others. Sessions will include a short presentation about the current activities of the task force, followed by a listening session.
The Task Force was announced on Nov. 26, 2019. It was established by President Donald Trump to address the legitimate concerns of American Indian and Alaska Native communities regarding missing and murdered people — particularly missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. You can learn more about the Task Force, also known as Operation Lady Justice, here.
Marijuana Distributor Charged with Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
An Oklahoma marijuana distributor made an initial appearance in federal court today for allegedly soliciting a woman to molest her 11-year-old child in exchange for help with living expenses, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Thomas James Heiner, 55, of Langley, was charged by Criminal Complaint with sex trafficking of a child.
“The allegations in this Complaint are utterly reprehensible,” said U.S Attorney Trent Shores. “One of our most important missions at the United States Attorney’s Office is seeking justice for child victims who have been sexually exploited by adults. It is my intention to bring the full force of the law against this defendant. Moreover, we will argue for his detention while he awaits trial because we believe he poses a significant threat to children in our community and others. This child sex trafficking investigation and arrest are great examples of the important work being done by the FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. When these law enforcement entities team up, Tulsans are most certainly safer and criminals are held accountable.”
During a routine traffic stop on May 16, 2020, a woman reported to the officer that on multiple occasions a man known as “Sasquatch” offered her cash payments, assistance on car payments, and a place to live if she would allow him to molest her daughter while the two adults had sex. According to court documents, “Sasquatch” told the woman that he had previously done the same with an ex-girlfriend and her daughter. The woman reported that the man lived in Langley, Oklahoma, and formerly in Utah. Later, authorities learned the suspect’s name was Thomas Heiner.
On May 17, Heiner allegedly called the woman again and asked her and her minor daughter to meet in a Tulsa hotel room to engage in sex acts. On May 19, at the direction of the FBI, the woman took part in several telephone calls with Heiner, which were observed and recorded by FBI and Tulsa Police Department personnel. According the court documents, Heiner discussed in detail how the two could groom the young girl and coerce her to take part in sex acts with them. Heiner is also alleged to have described how he previously molested a 7-year-old child on at least two occasions.
"The arrest of Thomas James Heiner demonstrates our ongoing commitment to apprehending those who prey on innocent children," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Division. "The alleged actions of Mr. Heiner are not only a violation of the law, but can cause irreparable harm to the mental and physical well-being of young victims. This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated."
“In law enforcement, we deal with reprehensible acts that decent, law abiding human beings could not possibly fathom,” said Tulsa Chief of Police Wendell Franklin. “This is another case which destroys the innocence of a child and touches the heart of every justice official involved in the investigation. Tulsa Police Department extends our heart to child victims who have endured abuse. May the work performed by our agency and our federal partners—the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Attorney’s Office—be feared by any criminal looking to exploit our innocent children.”
A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days of the defendant’s initial appearance in federal court. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Nassar and Edward Snow are prosecuting the case.
Every day, law enforcement and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across our nation dedicate themselves to finding justice for missing and exploited children. On May 25, our country recognizes National Missing Children’s Day. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25, 1983, the first National Missing Children’s Day in memory of 6-year-old Etan Patz, who disappeared while walking to his bus stop in lower Manhattan on May 25, 1979. National Missing Children’s Day honors his memory as well as those children still missing. Etan’s killer was convicted in February 2017 for the 1979 murder, but the case remains active with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children because his body was never found.
Statement of United States Attorney Trent Shores, Northern District of Oklahoma, Before the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of JusticeRead the Press Release
Chairman Keith, Vice Chair Sullivan, and Members of the Commission,
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today about law enforcement and the administration of justice in Indian Country. It is truly an honor to be here, not only as a United States Attorney, but also as a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
First, please know that my testimony today was shaped by my experiences over the past 18 years working with law enforcement officers, justice officials, and tribal leaders to address public safety challenges in Indian Country. I began my legal career at the Justice Department’s Office of Tribal Justice where I worked on a variety of criminal and civil law issues impacting individual Native Americans and federally recognized tribes, including state-tribal cross-deputation agreements, domestic violence intervention, and juvenile justice. Then, I served for more than a decade as a career federal prosecutor and tribal liaison in northern and eastern Oklahoma, where I had even more direct experience with the very real public safety challenges in Indian Country. I worked side by side with the Cherokee Nation Marshals Service, the Muscogee (Creek) Lighthorse, the Osage Tribal Police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, and many others to investigate and prosecute violent crimes in Indian Country. Sadly, many of the public safety challenges in Indian Country that I saw early in my career persist today, especially violence against women and children and violence driven by substance abuse. I do not think these challenges are insurmountable, but I do believe we must collectively take action to address them – federal, state, and tribal partners working through collaborative law enforcement models to achieve a common mission to protect and serve our communities.
Today, I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Native American Issues Subcommittee, which is the oldest subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and is vital to the department’s mission in Indian Country to build and sustain safe and secure communities for future generations.
The NAIS is currently made up of 52 U.S. Attorneys from across the United States whose Districts contain Indian Country or one or more federally recognized tribes. The NAIS focuses exclusively on Indian Country issues, both criminal and civil, and is responsible for making policy recommendations to the Attorney General of the United States regarding public safety and legal issues that affect tribal communities. To that end, this NAIS has continued the tradition of those who came before us by working diligently to develop public safety solutions for Indian Country.
We reviewed and considered the Department of Justice’s various approaches to improving public safety in Indian Country. We found that public safety challenges persisted despite the considerable effort and resources the department has committed to upholding the federal trust responsibility. To address those challenges, the Subcommittee identified four priority areas to improve public safety in Indian country: (1) Violent Crime; (2) Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse; (3) Law Enforcement Resources; (4) White Collar Crimes.
The NAIS recommended specific policies to address each priority. The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee unanimously adopted and supported these recommended policies. Department of Justice personnel already are pursuing and implementing some of those policies.
NAIS and the Department have worked quickly because the problem is urgent. Year after year, I have seen violent crime and substance abuse continue to occur at higher rates in Indian country than anywhere else in the United States. This is. In order to improve public safety for Native Americans, we must take swift and bold action, and we must do so in partnership with tribal leaders and law enforcement officials who know their local community best. When comparing Indian country to similarly situated rural communities, it is clear that there are not enough police officers nor victim resources to adequately cover the needs of Indian Country. In my experience, police officers are vital to deterring crime, helping victims, and maintaining rule of law. Unless and until the Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal police departments are more fully staffed, public safety challenges will persist. Additionally, we need better law enforcement training that will provide necessary techniques and resources to officers that respond to all crimes in Indian country, including cases of domestic violence and missing or murdered indigenous people.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution problems in Indian country. In the United States, there are 574 federally recognized Tribes. Each Tribe is unique in its governmental structure, cultural heritage, and law enforcement needs. Any solution must fit the local conditions of the tribe and include collaboration between tribal, state, and federal agencies.
Take my District as an example. There are 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma, and 14 of those are in the Northern District. We have large tribes like the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation and smaller tribes such as the Pawnee, Miami, and Delaware Tribes. Each of these tribes have unique public safety needs and varied resources to address them. My team of Assistant United States Attorneys prosecutes a diverse array of violent crimes and encounters complex jurisdictional situations that require multijurisdictional cooperation between federal, state, and tribal entities to pursue justice for many victims. Based on my experience, I believe collaborative law enforcement models work best, especially for resource-challenged police departments in rural areas and in Indian Country.
Of course, collaborative law enforcement requires individuals on the ground to collaborate. This is not always the case throughout Indian country. There is occasional friction between some state and local officials with tribal officials. This friction sometimes harkens back to historical injustices. Other times, the friction is the result of more recent relational failures. That being said, it has been my experience in Oklahoma that when the men and women of law enforcement sit down in a room together – be they tribal, local, or state officers – they find a common bond born out of a common mission. Regardless of whom they work for, each and every member of the law enforcement joins because they believe selfless and courageous individuals must serve to keep their communities safe. Out of this common bond, comes productive partnerships. I know it is possible to forge great working relationship between tribal and local law enforcement where there previously had been none.
The Cherokee Nation Marshals Service, for example, now has more than 60 cross deputation agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies in northeastern Oklahoma. And the Wyandotte Nation Tribal Police contracted with the small community of Wyandotte, Oklahoma to provide dispatch and law enforcement services to the non-Indian community. The Tulsa Police Department now cross-deputizes its officers with area tribes to ensure seamless policing if and when crimes implicate different jurisdictions. These are the epitome of collaborative law enforcement partnerships among tribal, state, and local law enforcement, and the result is more comprehensive and better resourced law enforcement services. Collaborative law enforcement models should be a common and model practice throughout Indian country.
Indian Country Jurisdictional and Federal Law Enforcement Framework
Obstacles facing law enforcement in Indian Country begin with the extremely complex jurisdictional framework. Tribes always retain criminal jurisdiction over Indians within their lands. In the majority of Indian country jurisdiction the Federal government also exercises criminal jurisdiction over serious felonies. In some states, such as Alaska and California, Public Law 83-280 transfers Federal Indian country criminal jurisdiction to the state. In addition, there are unique stand-alone statutes that provide for jurisdiction over Indian country by the state and federal governments. Many of my esteemed panelists speaking here today come from jurisdictions in which the state has criminal jurisdiction in Indian county, and they are better positioned to describe criminal jurisdiction in a PL 280 state. For the remainder of my testimony, I want to focus on the most common Indian Country jurisdictional scheme that involves the federal government serving as the primary violent crime prosecutor. The United States Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer in his or her district.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with Indian country in their districts play a primary role in the Justice Department’s interactions with tribes. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices often are the central point of contact when federal involvement on reservations is necessary, from investigations to prosecutions to providing services to victims. Every U.S Attorney’s Office in a district that includes Indian country or a federally-recognized tribe has at least one Tribal Liaison and some districts have more than one. Along with the requirement that each relevant office appoint a Tribal Liaison, the U.S. Attorneys are required to hold annual consultations with tribes in their districts. In order to assist the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the NAIS, as well as to serve as a liaison to other department components, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) formally established the position of Native American Issues Coordinator. The primary responsibility for the investigation of federal crimes committed in Indian Country in states not covered by PL 83-280 (for instance, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Arizona) lies with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services (BIA OJS). These agencies have investigative responsibility for most felony crimes committed on approximately 200 Indian reservations. Currently, there are approximately 140 FBI Special Agents and 142 BIA Agents working in Indian Country—about 1.4 agent per reservation. These agents often serve as one of a very small number of federal agents investigating crimes on multiple reservations that are commonly separated by great distances. This reality means that federal agents depend on tribal law enforcement to serve as first responders and assist in the investigation of crime occurring in Indian Country.
Need for Enhanced Law Enforcement Resources
Law Enforcement resources are scarce in Indian Country. This very real lack of resources has led to tragic outcomes and complications for victims seeking justice. These types of cases and situations are all too common in Indian Country. We must improve our federal efforts to meet the needs of officers handling these difficult cases. We must give them the resources necessary to investigate and prosecute criminals while also helping them give a voice to victims.
The most important need to address crime in Indian country is boots on the ground. Federal law enforcement agencies lack the agents necessary to address the needs of tribal communities. Their tribal law enforcement counterparts are also too few in number, especially when stacked against comparable non-Indian communities. Public safety in Indian Country would be significantly enhanced by having local law enforcement staffed at levels comparable to similarly situated communities off-reservation. The Indian Country staffing issues facing FBI and BIA-OJS lead to regular personnel changes, which negatively impact criminal investigations and prosecutions. BIA-OJS law enforcement and funds for tribal law enforcement are insufficient, and the problem is amplified by severe recruiting and retention challenges that, especially for BIA, leave their force well below the appropriated level. Communication challenges between the FBI, BIA-OJS, and tribal law enforcement can exacerbate these and other problems. Funding streams, employee screening, incentives, and other alternatives must be considered and administered effectively to enhance federal investigative and prosecutorial capacity in Indian Country.
Following President Trump’s example, the NAIS supports bold ideas, and we need bold ideas to meet the daunting needs of Indian country. From day one of his Administration, President Trump has championed the improvement of resources, public health, and public safety in rural America, including Indian Country. He has demonstrated a willingness to make bold moves that correct historical inefficiencies or bureaucratic disorganization that frustrate the delivery of a core government service to the public. As such, the NAIS looked at the Department of Justice’s and Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs’ public safety roles in Indian Country. While some of the ideas are still being formed, I would appreciate the opportunity to get your thoughts when we move to the Q and A portion of the panel.
Improvements to Training are Essential
Indian Country presents unique challenges for all law enforcement working with tribal communities. Federal law enforcement must investigate crimes in Indian Country, such as felony assaults, that few who work in the agency outside of Indian Country ever investigate. They must deal with the complex jurisdictional framework discussed above. They also need to understand the cultures of the particular tribes with whom they work before entering and working with tribal communities.
To address this problem, the FBI and BIA OJS developed a joint training course that is held in Artesia, New Mexico. This training is jointly taught by FBI and BIA “mentors” and includes instruction in forensic evidence collection and preparatory instruction on investigations common to Indian country, such as domestic violence, child abuse, violent crimes, and drug trafficking. This course is held several times each year. Although this is an excellent initiative, we still see difficulties in getting FBI agents new to Indian country into this training before they begin their service in Indian country. Often, these agents work in Indian Country for three years only to transfer to another office. Insufficient training and a shifting personnel assignments lead to a breakdown in tribal and federal relationships and can negatively impact investigation and prosecutions.
The problem is more acute among tribal officers. When it comes to training for tribal law enforcement, the need in Indian country is great and constant. There is very little room for specialization when it comes to working violent crime on reservations and personnel turnover is typically high. First responders have to be skilled at crime identification, rendering first aid, evidence collection, conducting trauma informed victim interviews, eliciting pertinent information from witnesses and interrogating the suspect. These skills must be employed in every type of crime from misdemeanor trespass to the most heinous of rapes and murders. Frequently, the first responder is the first and only law enforcement official at the scene doing his or her best to manage community members frequently gathered, to safeguard the integrity of the crime scene and to conduct a preliminary investigation. All of this is against the background of the complicated criminal jurisdictional matrix found in Indian country where multiple jurisdictions may have the legal authority to investigate and prosecute the same offense.
Training provides these first responders, and also prosecutors, advocates, court staff and medical workers, the essential tools needed to safely and competently do their jobs. Ever since the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act, the Department has worked hard to improve the training available to Indian country officers and agents. The Department believes that ensuring access to quality training is a necessary element to bolstering tribal autonomy. In July 2010, EOUSA launched the National Indian Country Training Initiative (NICTI) to ensure that federal prosecutors and agents, as well as state and tribal criminal justice personnel, receive the training and support needed to address the particular challenges relevant to Indian country prosecutions. Importantly, the Department covers the costs of travel and lodging for tribal attendees at classes sponsored by the NICTI. This allows many tribal criminal justice officials to receive cutting-edge training from national experts at no cost to the student or tribe.
But that training requires resources. With the resources it has, the Department has trained tens of thousands of criminal justice and social service personnel working in Indian country, many of which traveled to the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, SC, for training. These students represent more than 300 different tribes, USAOs, and federal, state, and tribal organizations serving Indian country. But despite that success, the NICTI and other training efforts in Indian Country have never received adequate resources. With additional resources dedicated to training law enforcement in Indian country, we could reach even more criminal justice and social service professionals working in and with tribal communities. We could take more training out into the field, making it easier for busy AUSAs, federal law enforcement, and tribal personnel located west of the Mississippi to attend these critical trainings. Resources for Department sponsored training is one important area that this Commission should consider.
Better Data is Vital for Improved Resource Allocation
At the same time, we know that we must use the resources we have more efficiently. For that, we need data. We have taken steps in the right direction. For example, Department attorneys now tag cases as Indian country cases in our internal case management system. DOJ investigative and prosecution information is reported to Congress and the public each year. But despite these steps, problems persist. One of the biggest issues we face is that tribes are not required to provide all crime data to the federal government. Currently, tribes are only required to report information to BIA-OJS that is included in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, which does not include many crimes of interest, such as domestic violence violations. Without this data, it is very challenging to check whether the Department is using its resources efficiently while addressing tribal public safety needs in individual locations. In addition, the Department developed the Tribal Access Program, which gives Tribes access to national crime databases and provides the ability for Tribes to enter protection orders and to utilize other important functions in these systems. The Commission should consider ways to foster improvements in law enforcement data collection and sharing needed to enhance justice for Native American and Alaska Natives.
The issues of missing and murdered indigenous people exemplifies the need for additional data. President Trump signed Executive Order 13898 on November 26, 2019, forming the two-year Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaskan Natives, of which I am a member. The Task Force, also known as Operation Lady Justice, focuses on enhancing the operation of the criminal justice system and addressing the legitimate concerns of American Indian and Alaska Native communities regarding missing and murdered people. The work of the Task Force is concentrated on meeting with tribal leaders and communities, improving the response by law enforcement, communities and systems, reviewing research and data collection, and developing an outreach campaign. It has become very apparent to the Task Force that some data about missing indigenous persons is incomplete and not up to date, and needs to be better utilized to ensure that all missing indigenous persons are being looked for. It is extremely difficult to develop a cure for a problem when its scope is unknown. The United States must continue to lead by example to promote and protect the inherent rights of indigenous people. We must work with our tribal and state partners to combat violence against Native Americans and Alaskan Natives by collecting better data to address their specific needs.
Call to Action
I have only touched the surface of the many obstacles law enforcement must overcome in Indian Country. The Department has made great strides to enhance public safety in tribal communities, but we have a long way to go. We recognize that our goal of lasting public safety in Indian Country is largely dependent on our commitment to empowering tribal governments and partnering with them tocarry out tribal solutions for challenges facing their communities. Additionally, we must improve coordination and collaboration at the federal, tribal, and state levels. Thank you for your work on this Commission and your dedication to improving public safety in Indian country and rural communities. I have no doubt that the policies and solutions you develop will hold the Department to the highest standards and will place law enforcement in Indian country in a prime position to better protect the communities these brave men and women serve. Thank you again for the chance to provide testimony today and I look forward to our panel discussion. I am happy to answer any questions.
Tulsa Man Faces Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man made an initial appearance today in federal court for child pornography charges stemming from a Carter County Sheriff’s Office investigation, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Kevin Edward Swarthout, 47, is charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
“There are no more serious criminal allegations than those involving the sexual exploitation of children. The possession and distribution of child pornography is not only criminal, it is abhorrent,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This investigation is a reminder that even during these uncertain times, state, local, county, and federal law enforcement officials are working to protect our children from child predators.”
On Dec. 25, 2019, the Carter County Sheriff’s Department conducted an online investigation through a file sharing network. They received 21 files of child pornography from a specific IP address during the course of their investigation. On Feb. 18, 2020, officers received the subscriber’s information for the IP address. The subscriber was located at a physical address in Tulsa.
On May 12, 2020, the Tulsa Police Department Cyber Crimes Unit, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant of the premises. Swarthout was present during the search. Detectives and agents located multiple digital devices allegedly belonging to Swarthout, including a Samsung tablet and SD cards. According to the Criminal Complaint, investigators discovered 100 images and videos of child pornography on the tablet, many depicting adults engaging in sexual intercourse with prepubescent children. They also found an additional 124 images of child pornography on a micro SD card. Investigators are continuing to search other SD cards discovered.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will analyze the images found by investigators in order to identify known and unknown child sexual assault victims.
The Complaint also alleges that during the search, Swarthout stated that he lived at the residence, paid half the utilities including the cable bill, and had previous convictions for child pornography. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days of the defendant’s initial appearance in federal court. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Carter County Sheriff’s Department, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case.
Every day, law enforcement and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across our nation dedicate themselves to finding justice for missing and exploited children. On May 25, our country recognizes National Missing Children’s Day. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25, 1983, the first National Missing Children’s Day in memory of 6-year-old Etan Patz, who disappeared while walking to his bus stop in lower Manhattan on May 25, 1979. National Missing Children’s Day honors his memory as well as those children still missing. Etan’s killer was convicted in February 2017 for the 1979 murder, but the case remains active with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children because his body was never found.
Man Charged with Using Stolen Identities to Purchase Multiple VehiclesRead the Press Release
A man has been charged in U.S. District Court for fraudulently using other people’s identities when he purchased two vehicles and attempted to purchase a third vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Ryan Andy Cuevas, 32, of Moreno Valley, California, is charged with financial institution fraud, aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of a social security number and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our partners at the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations, will protect the integrity of U.S. identity documents by prosecuting those who steal the identities of other law-abiding citizens and those who defraud financial institutions. This defendant came from California to our great state to allegedly defraud our citizens, and we won’t stand for it,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
According to a Criminal Complaint, Cuevas allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for credit financing on Nov. 30, 2019, to Tinker Federal Credit Union for the purchase of an RV from Bob Hurley RV in Tulsa. In the process, Cuevas is alleged to have used the identity of R.Z, including R.Z.’s name and social security number. The defendant was approved for a $38,000 loan and eventually picked up the RV on Dec. 2, 2019, in Pawhuska.
On Dec. 2, Cuevas is also alleged to have used a false identity when applying for financing to purchase a truck suitable to pull the RV at Patriot Chevrolet in Bartlesville. According to the Criminal Complaint, Cuevas used a blended name from two different men, consisting of an address and California driver’s license belonging to S.R. and a social security number belonging to S.F.
Based on information received back from credit agencies and financial institutions, sales representatives at Patriot Chevrolet reported the questionable activity to the Bartlesville Police Department on Dec. 4, 2019. During the subsequent investigation and arrest, officers searched a 2011 Mercedes that Cuevas was driving and found fraudulent identity documents and the RV title and key. Documents included copies of birth certificates, social security cards, social security number annual earnings reports, wage and earning statements from various employers and California driver’s licenses.
Officers further discovered the Mercedes had been fraudulently purchased in California on Nov. 22, 2019, and driven to Oklahoma, according to the Complaint. The defendant allegedly used the same identity when purchasing the Mercedes that was used to apply for financing at Patriot Chevrolet.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations–Tulsa, and the Bartlesville Police Department are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Leitch is prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days of the defendant’s initial appearance in federal court. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces $40,210 Award to Address COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Law Enforcement Needs in Broken ArrowRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma today announced that the Broken Arrow Police Department received $40,210 in Department of Justice grants to respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The men and women of the Broken Arrow Police Department shoulder a great responsibility in carrying out their sworn duty to protect and serve. At no time has that been truer than during this public health crisis when BA police officers continue to answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I will do everything in my power as United States Attorney to protect and support America’s guardians of justice. I am hopeful this $40,000 from the Justice Department will help Broken Arrow police officers in their public safety duties while also ensuring their own health and safety. I also encourage all of our local law enforcement agencies to apply for these critical grants from the Department of Justice. I will support each and every application from a northeastern Oklahoma law enforcement agency.”
“This grant goes a long way to help protect our first responders. The support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office is greatly appreciated by the Broken Arrow Police Department,” said Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill. “This grant has made it possible for our department to purchase personal protective equipment to ensure the health and safety of those on the front lines. On behalf of the Broken Arrow Police Department and the citizens we serve, I thank you.”
The grant awarded to the Broken Arrow Police Department is available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Donald Trump. In addition, $3,866,386 has been allocated for local jurisdictions in Oklahoma. Those jurisdictions can find out if they are eligible and apply immediately by visiting this website. The Justice Department is moving quickly, awarding grants on a rolling basis and aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications.
Also, in April 2020, the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council received a $7,752,847 grant from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program. The grant to the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council will provide funding to assist eligible public safety/criminal justice state, county, local and tribal units of government as well as victim-services non-profit agencies. For further information about the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council grant, please visit here.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially grave risks,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave professionals charged with keeping citizens safe.”
The law gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of these funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas and addressing inmates’ medical needs.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. Local units of government and tribes will receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Recognizes National Police Week and the Selfless Work Performed by Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— U.S. Attorney Trent Shores recognizes and is thankful for the work our law enforcement partners perform every day in communities throughout northeastern Oklahoma. During National Police Week—Sunday, May 10 through Saturday May 16, 2020—the contributions and selfless sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement will be honored.
Law enforcements’ dedication to Oklahoma’s communities continues, regardless of natural disasters or pandemics. Recently sheriffs, chiefs, troopers, agents, marshals and officers joined together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma to create a public service announcement, letting the public know: We have your back and our work continues.
“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”
"I salute the unrelenting commitment of our police officers to serve and protect our communities. Every day, the courageous men and women of America’s police forces put their lives on the line so that others may enjoy their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The sacrifice of our law enforcement officers does not go unnoticed. Police officers answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed, including in times of a public health crisis. In 2019 alone, 89 officers were killed in the line of duty, and this year, 92 law enforcement officers have died from coronavirus nationwide. I acknowledge their sacrifice; I acknowledge their deeply felt losses, and I mourn with their families.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.
The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.
Federal Prosecutors Heighten Efforts to Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing during the COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice and federal prosecutors remain vigilant in investigating and prosecuting landlords and property managers who sexually harass tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic, warned U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. Anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing should report that conduct to the Department of Justice.
As the pandemic continues to impact the ability of many people to pay rent on time, it has also increased worries over housing insecurity. The Department of Justice is investigating reports of housing providers responding to requests to defer rent payments with demands for sexual favors and other acts of unwelcome sexual conduct.
“Sadly, the COVID-19 public health crisis has financially impacted many of our friends and neighbors here in northeastern Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “While so many good Samaritans and landlords in our community have risen to the occasion to support those experiencing financial hardship, others have abused their authority by sexually harassing tenants. That is unacceptable. Rest assured that this U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold bad actors accountable for violating the Fair Housing laws. Victims should contact (844) 380-6178 or email [email protected] to report these crimes.”
“The Fair Housing Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice take swift action against anyone who sexually harasses tenants,” said Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Landlords, property owners, and others who prey on vulnerable tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic should be on notice. We will bring the full resources of the United States Department of Justice to the fight against sexual harassment in housing. We will defend the right of tenants and their families to live peacefully and securely in their homes without the added stress, pain, fear, and turmoil of dealing with sexual predators.”
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.
Launched in 2017, the Initiative has filed lawsuits across the county alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years. Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.
The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.
The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing [email protected].
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma by contacting our Affirmative Civil Enforcement attorneys at (918) 382-2748.
Individuals may also file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through HUD’s website or by calling (800) 669-9777.
For more information, go to www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative. A Department of Justice public service announcement on sexual harassment in housing can be found here.
Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Recognize Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness DayRead the Press Release
President Donald J. Trump today proclaimed May 5, 2020, as Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day. The proclamation reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to reverse the trend of violence affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives and to remember those missing or lost. Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Trent Shores shared their commitment to providing justice to these victims and their families.
“American Indian and Alaska Native people have suffered injustices for hundreds of years, including today’s rampant domestic and sexual violence carried out primarily against women and girls. Today, President Trump has proclaimed a day to remember all those missing and lost to this unacceptable violence," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "Through the Presidential Task Force – co-chaired by Katie Sullivan, who heads our Office of Justice Programs – and in partnership with Tribal Nations, we are all committed to ending this cycle of violence. To that end, we have brought unprecedented resources to support public safety and victim services, including $270 million in grant funding in fiscal year 2019. The department is also hiring 11 coordinators to consult with tribes and develop common protocols to address this scourge of violence. From this day forward, today’s proclamation marks a time for all of us to honor Native Americans who have been lost and rededicate ourselves to what President Trump has called ‘our mission to bring healing, justice, hope, and restoration’ to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
“Today, I hope to give attention to the voices of American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls who have been the victims of violent crime. We should listen to their experiences. We should heed the concerns of their families and friends in Indian Country. We should be inspired to take action and confront this tragic victimization. During this Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, United States Attorneys reaffirm our commitment to stop the cycle of violence against the first Americans, and we honor all those impacted by these terrible crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
In November 2019, critical initiatives were launched, in collaboration with Native American and Alaska Native communities, to develop robust protocols and programs to better protect and find justice for indigenous women and girls. In November, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores was appointed to the task force. The task force is working to develop protocols, procedures, and best practices to address new and unsolved missing and murdered cases. It is co-chaired by the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Interior. Also launched in November was the Justice Department's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person's Initiative, which places MMIP coordinators in U.S. Attorneys’ offices in 11 states, including Oklahoma. The plan also calls for the deployment of the FBI’s most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts. You can learn more about the Operation Lady Justice here and about the Justice Department’s MMIP initiative here.
Originally, the U.S. Senate designated May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls in 2017. The observance shined a light on the high rates of homicides of American Indian and Alaska Native women, as well as other forms of violence, including sex trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, affecting Native communities throughout the United States. The Senate resolution was drafted in memory of Hanna Harris (Northern Cheyenne), whose birthday was May 5. Harris was found murdered in Montana in 2013.
Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services throughout the week. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”
“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need. We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”
“I am proud to publicly reaffirm our commitment to victims’ rights. The men and women of the United States Attorney’s Office work tirelessly to secure justice for victims of crime and to support them throughout a prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “From victims of violent crime to white collar crime, my team will ensure every victim’s voice is heard and their rights are protected.”
“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims. President Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.
This year’s commemoration began yesterday, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others. The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.
“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival. I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”
This year, the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be postponed until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person. During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims. The awardees will be selected from public nominations in 11 categories, including federal service, special courage, public policy, and victim services. Visit www.ovc.gov/gallery to learn more about past recipients.
For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html.
Physician Assistant Agrees to Pay $620, 500 for Allegedly Engaging in Illegal Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
A Louisiana physician assistant entered into settlement agreement this week with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for allegedly accepting illegal payments from OK Compounding, LLC, in return for recommending and prescribing compounded drugs produced by the pharmacy, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Stephen Ryan Honeycutt, 44, agreed to pay the government $620,508.36 for allegedly accepting the illegal kickback payments from Jan. 8 through June 10, 2013, while practicing at Bone & Joint Clinic in Marrero, Louisiana. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Honeycutt had illegal financial relationships with OK Compounding concerning pain creams.
“Stephen Honeycutt knowingly violated the ethical standards he swore to uphold. He did not pursue courses of treatment based on his patients’ needs, he did so based on his greed for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My office is committed to ensuring federal health care dollars are spent in accordance with the law and will not tolerate the deliberate misuse of federal health care programs.”
Honeycutt prescribed pain creams for his patients, facilitating the sale and distribution of the creams. As compensation for his services, OK Compounding paid Honeycutt what was characterized by the parties as “medical director fees” based upon an hourly rate. However, the payments he received from OK Compounding were, in actuality, “kickbacks.” Because some of the patients were insured by Medicare and TRICARE, federal health insurance programs, the kickbacks were in violation of the False Claims Act. It is illegal to pay or receive “kickbacks” in conjunction with federal healthcare insurance.
Prohibitions against kickbacks are crucial to ensure that financial motives do not undermine the integrity of the medical judgment of physicians and other health care providers. The civil False Claims Act is an important tool used to protect the integrity of taxpayer-funded health care programs against health care providers.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle with the Affirmative Civil Enforcement unit and is the product of the collaborative investigative efforts of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor–Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS–Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Service–OIG, FBI, Department of Veterans Affairs–OIG and the Department of Health and Human Services–OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Department of Justice Makes $850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“First responders and law enforcement officers are on the front lines in our communities, regardless of the crisis. While so many of us shelter at home, they answer the call to help those in need wherever they may be. I am thankful for the dedication of these men and women,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “These public safety funds will provide critical resources needed for law enforcement to carry out their public safety mission in communities across Oklahoma.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Trent Shores today announced that grants from the Department of Justice, worth more than $83 million, are available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“Every child deserves an environment where they can flourish, but sadly, so many of our youth face violence within neighborhoods, homes and schools,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Communities and schools must have tools to protect children from deadly shootings and other violence and to support those who experience trauma. These grants promise to benefit innovative and diverse programs that daily act as safety nets for our children.”
The funding is available through the Office of Justice Programs, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open:
--Research and Evaluation on School Safetyhttps://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deadline 4/13/2020
--STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20) https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020
--Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020
--For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants are available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“This critical funding in the fight against drug addiction is a lifeline to help the sick,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I encourage agencies to apply for these grants to fund Oklahoma tailored programs that can make a real difference to Oklahomans suffering with addiction.”
The funding is available through the Office of Justice Programs, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
--Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020
--Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020
--Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
--Family Drug Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
--Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020
--Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
--Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020
--Opioid Affected Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020
--Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020
--Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
U.S. Attorney Urges the Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the District of Northern Oklahoma today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
Earlier this week, Attorney General Barr directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus-related fraud schemes. In a follow-up memorandum issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen further directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator or Team to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness.
“Oklahomans should be wary of fraudsters seeking to exploit the Coronavirus crisis for criminal profit. Across the country, we’ve seen hucksters selling fake testing kits and miracle cure-all treatments, as well as internet scammers stealing personally identifiable information by setting up fake websites for individuals trying to cancel airline tickets or make a charitable donation,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I encourage the public to report these scams to law enforcement and the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Rest assured, our law enforcement partners and my Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team are committed to protecting Oklahomans.”
The District of Northern Oklahoma’s Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) consists of Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Régal, of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marianne Hardcastle and Kristin Harrington, of the Civil Division.
Some examples of these schemes include:
- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
- Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
- Individuals, emails, and websites seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
- Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Carjacker Sentenced to 168 months in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who committed two carjackings in Tulsa was sentenced Thursday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Kameron Todd Myers, 32, to 168 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In December 2019, Myers pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking; two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
“Kameron Myers’ decision to engage in a carjacking will cost him 14 years in federal prison. Other criminals should take notice. My office fights for victims and holds violent criminals accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Johnston and Mark Morgan, along with the Tulsa Police Department and FBI, should be commended for bringing Myers to justice.”
In his plea agreement, Myers admitted that on June 2 and June 4, 2019, he used force, fear and intimidation during two carjackings. Myers stated that he brandished a pistol and threatened to harm the owners of the vehicles during the crimes. On June 10, Tulsa Police officers found a Glock .45 caliber pistol in the car driven by Myers at the time of his arrest. Because he was previously convicted of a felony, Myers is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric O. Johnston and Mark R. Morgan prosecuted the case.