Northern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Transnational Drug Trafficking Organization Ringleader Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The ringleader of a Tulsa-based drug trafficking organization pleaded guilty today to drug conspiracy, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, and conspiracy to sponsor and exhibit an animal in an animal fighting venture, announced U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma. United States District Judge John E. Dowdell presided over the change of plea hearing.
Donald Walters, 35, of Tulsa, was charged in a sixth superseding indictment on August 13, 2014. Walters was charged along with 50 co-defendants who were members and associates of the Hoover Crips Street Gang and the Donald Walters Drug Trafficking Organization in the 241 criminal count indictment. Since the indictment, 32 defendants have pleaded guilty.
According to the plea agreement, Walters admitted that he purchased cocaine and arranged to have it cooked into crack cocaine at drug houses operated by conspirators. The drugs were then sold throughout Tulsa. Walters frequently used telephones to facilitate the drug conspiracy, and he and co-conspirators used coded terms in order to keep the conspiracy a secret. Walters further admitted that he was the leader and organizer of a continuing criminal enterprise with at least five co-conspirators. In addition, from 2011 to 2014, Walters sold, trained, raised, and transported dogs to fight and travelled out of state to fight.
The drugs came from Mexican cartels and were transported through Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa as they moved toward Ohio and the northeastern United States.
During the investigation of Operation Battlefield, law enforcement discovered that the Hoover Crips and Walters DTO brought approximately $10,000,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana through Tulsa over a three-year period.
At sentencing, Walters faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life and a fine of up to $20,000,000. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a prison sentence of 30 years, subject to the court’s acceptance of the plea agreement at sentencing. In addition to the prison sentence, he will forfeit seized criminal proceeds, facilitating real property and vehicle, and a $10,000,000 criminal forfeiture judgment representing proceeds of the drug conspiracy.
The charges were the result of a three-year U.S. Attorney’s Office, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation, led by the Tulsa Police Department’s Homicide and Special Investigation Divisions and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office; the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office; the Broken Arrow Police Department; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Oklahoma Highway Patrol; and the Norman Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Allen J. Litchfield, Robert T. Raley, Eric O. Johnston, Andrew J. Hofland, and Catherine Depew prosecuted the case.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— The results of the May 2016 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Jose Samuel Garcia-Discua. Reentry of Removed Alien. Garcia-Discua, 40, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in May 2011 from Houston, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Jeffrey Patterson Grass. Bank Theft and Possession of and Uttering a Forged Security. Grass, 40, of Locust Grove, is charged with stealing approximately $50,000 from Arvest Bank in August 2015. In addition, he is charged with two counts of possession of and uttering forged checks at People’s Bank. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.
Isidro Herrera-Elvira. Reentry of Removed Alien. Herrera-Elvira, 49, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in February 1989 from San Ysidro, California. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Henry Bruce Horn. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Horn, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of a 9mm caliber pistol after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bixby Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigating agencies.
Terry Allen Kapple. Theft of Mail. Kapple, 59, of Tulsa, is charged with stealing mail including a greeting card and money contained in letters. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain caused by the defendant’s acts. The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General is the investigating agency.
Joel Adam Thomas. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Thomas, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of a .40 S&W caliber pistol after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Dustin Ernest Thompson. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Thompson, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of a .38 caliber Derringer pistol and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
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Escaped Prisoner Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal Officer in Order to Evade CaptureRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Ronald Gene Thomas, 38, pleaded guilty in federal court today to the charge of Assaulting a Federal Officer, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. United States District Court Judge John E. Dowdell will sentence Thomas on July 13, 2016.
On June 8, 2015, Thomas escaped from the Jackie Brannon Correctional Center in McAlester, Oklahoma. A team of law enforcement officers were assembled to apprehend Thomas, which included: The United States Marshals Services in the Eastern and Northern District of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Investigators, and the Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force.
On June 9, 2015, law enforcement tracked Thomas to a home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Thomas was spotted driving a truck and ordered to surrender. However, Thomas drove his truck straight at a Deputy United States Marshal in order to force him to get out of his way so he could evade capture. Thomas avoided capture that day, but he was apprehended days later after a high speed chase.
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day they go to work in order to keep the public safe. The safety of those officers is a paramount concern to the United States Attorney’s Office,” stated United States Attorney Williams.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Services in the Eastern and Northern District of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Investigators, and the Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case.
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Former Office Manager Pleads Guilty to Embezzling from Drilling and Blasting CompanyRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—A former office manager with Dykon Explosive Demolition Company pleaded guilty today to embezzling from the Tulsa-based precision drilling and blasting contractor who estimated their total losses to be $884,890.08, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Monica Lynn Miller, 49, of Tulsa, was responsible for employee payroll and paying vendors. She was charged by an information on March 17, 2016. Sentencing is scheduled on July 27, 2016.
According to the plea agreement, Miller admitted that, from 2009 to March 2015, she devised a scheme to defraud Dykon Explosive Demolition Company. She admitted to using a company credit card for personal benefit, sent unauthorized wire transfers to her personal bank account, and falsified company bank statements and “QuickBook” entries to hide her fraudulent theft. Furthermore, Miller admitted that in March 2014, she fraudulently wired $3,450 from the company’s bank account to her personal bank account.
The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. In addition, Miller faces a criminal forfeiture money judgment representing proceeds obtained as a result of her wire fraud scheme.
The case is being investigated by the Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Shores and Catherine Depew are prosecuting the case.
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Universal Aryan Brotherhood Member Sentenced to 294 Months in Prison for Racketeering and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
A member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang was sentenced in federal court today to 294 months in prison for conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise and related charges, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Anthony Ramon Hall, aka Tony, 40, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma, who also ordered Hall to serve five years of supervised release.
Hall pleaded guilty on June 9, 2015, and in connection with his plea, Hall acknowledged his membership in or association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma. According to the plea, Hall held a leadership position in the UAB as a “main-council” member.
Hall admitted that he conspired in racketeering activities to advance the UAB enterprise, including possessing and selling 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Specifically, Hall admitted to using smuggled cell phones to coordinate the delivery, receipt and sale of methamphetamine by UAB members and associates outside of prison who would then return profits to him while he was incarcerated. Hall also coordinated the firebombing of automobile car that belonged to someone Hall believed had stolen from the UAB drug conspiracy, he admitted.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Tulsa Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; FBI; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
Universal Aryan Brotherhood Member Sentenced to 294 Months in Prison for Racketeering and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–A member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang was sentenced in federal court today to 294 months in prison for conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise and related charges, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Anthony Ramon Hall, aka Tony, 40, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma, who also ordered Hall to serve five years of supervised release.
Hall pleaded guilty on June 9, 2015, and in connection with his plea, Hall acknowledged his membership in or association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma. According to the plea, Hall held a leadership position in the UAB as a “main-council” member.
Hall admitted that he conspired in racketeering activities to advance the UAB enterprise, including possessing and selling 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Specifically, Hall admitted to using smuggled cell phones to coordinate the delivery, receipt and sale of methamphetamine by UAB members and associates outside of prison who would then return profits to him while he was incarcerated. Hall also coordinated the firebombing of automobile car that belonged to someone Hall believed had stolen from the UAB drug conspiracy, he admitted.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Tulsa Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; FBI; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
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Former Accountant Charged with Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
TULSA , Oklahoma – United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. and Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Dallas field office announced today that Nelson Wade Cagle, an Owasso accountant, has been charged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma with filing a false 2013 income tax return that failed to report money he allegedly stole from his former employer.
A single-count Information charges Nelson Wade Cagle, 32, filed a false Federal Individual Income Tax Return that omitted $583,290 of income from his 2013 return in violation of the Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1).
Cagle faces a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The Information was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service -Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Trent Shores represents the United States.
The above named individual has been charged with a federal crime or crimes. An Information does not constitute evidence of guilt. An Information is a method of bringing charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Claremore Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Kenneth O’Neal Batten was sentenced today to serve 300 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell ordered Batten to be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life.
“Today’s prison sentence is a result of the defendant’s unspeakable and heinous acts committed against his young daughter,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The Northern District of Oklahoma is committed to protecting a child’s opportunity and right to have a childhood that is free from sexual abuse, trauma, and exploitation.”
Batten, 37, of Claremore, Oklahoma, was charged on September 8, 2015. He pleaded guilty on January 12, 2016.
According to court documents, Batten admitted that, from June 28, 2015 to August 4, 2015, he produced videos of sexually explicit conduct involving his 17 month old daughter. He shipped and transported the sexually explicit videos and images via cell phone. In addition, Batten admitted to possessing over 1100 images and 211 videos of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Clinton Johnson and Shannon Cozzoni.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— The results of the April 2016 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Angela Harden. Theft from Indian Country in Excess of $1,000. Harden, a non-Indian, 45, of Claremore, is charged with stealing over $1,000 of personal property belonging to an Indian. If convicted, she faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case.
Jason Scott Leach. Embezzlement from a Labor Organization. Leach, 32, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, the former President of the United Steelworkers of America Local 13-669, is charged with nine counts of embezzlement. From April 2013 to September 2014, he allegedly stole over $2,500 from the labor organization. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards is the investigating agency.
Jeremy Paul Leach. Embezzlement from a Labor Organization. Leach, 35, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, the former Secretary-Treasurer and Recording Secretary of the United Steelworkers of America Local 13-669, is charged with 12 counts of embezzlement. From July 2013 to October 2014, he allegedly stole over $3,000 from the labor organization. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards is the investigating agency.
Chrisostomo Isias Navarro-Chicaj. Reentry of Removed Alien. Navarro-Chicaj, 32, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in October 2013 from Houston, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Enrique Reyes-Deluna. Reentry of Removed Alien. Reyes-Deluna, 48, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in February 2011 from Brownsville, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Debbie J. Stockton. Interstate Transportation of Stolen Moneys. Stockton, 60, of Sapulpa, is charged with transporting, transmitting, and transferring in interstate commerce approximately $69,607.45 which was stolen. If convicted, she will face the statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma Insurance Department are the investigating agencies.
James Wilson. Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Possession of Child Pornography, and Transfer of Obscene Material to Minor. Wilson, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor from October 2014 to March 2016; possession of child pornography; and transferring obscene materials to a 12 year old girl. If convicted, the statutory minimum penalty is 15 years in prison and the statutory maximum penalty is not more than 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the sexual exploitation of a child charge; and not more than 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the other two charges. United States Immigration Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigating agency.
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Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Mauricio Arevalo-Magana, 25, pleaded guilty in federal court to the charge of Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of Firearms, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell will sentence Arevalo-Magana on July 12, 2016.
In the summer of 2015, Arevalo-Magana, an alien illegally in the United States, exchanged drugs for firearms in Tulsa. Those firearms, which included semi-automatic rifles, had been stolen during a burglary of a home in Ponca City by another individual. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested that individual and were able to recover approximately 43 stolen firearms. ATF agents then became aware of the Arevalo-Magana’s unlawful exchange.
At the time, ATF only knew Arevalo-Magana by his alias, “Wicho.” With the assistance of the Tulsa Police Department, ATF agents were able to discover Arevalo-Magana’s true name and apprehend him. Arevalo-Magana faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case.
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Former Insurance Agency Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Clients Out of More Than $500,000Read the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–A former insurance agent and owner of Grand Lake Investments and Insurance in Grove, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty today to implementing a fraudulent scheme that caused his clients to lose $505,126.43, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak.
“The defendant perpetrated a scheme to defraud his clients who entrusted him with their annuities,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “My office and our law enforcement partners are committed to an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. We are committed to ensuring that justice is provided for the victims.”
“Taking away an individual’s peace of mind by manipulating his or her retirement nest egg is unconscionable,” stated SAC Rowe. “Retirees obviously count on every penny of hard-earned money being there when it is needed, and they should not be subjected to the greed of trusted insurance agents who line their own pockets with dollars manipulated away from clients who have literally placed a portion of their future in the hands of thieves. It is deceitful, it is shameful, and it is just plain wrong. That is exactly why IRS Criminal Investigation is very proud and willing to team up with agencies like the Oklahoma Insurance Department who share our goal of putting people like Mr. Hibbing out of business, and punishing them for their financial misdeeds.”
“Fraud is something I will not tolerate,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Doak. “It is imperative that consumers be able to trust their insurance agent or broker. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, the IRS and the Arkansas Insurance Department for their assistance in this case. It was truly a team effort.”
Gary Edward Hibbing, 52, of Chino, California, and formerly of Grove, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell to two counts of wire fraud and two counts of unlawful monetary transactions. Hibbing was indicted on August 12, 2015. Sentencing is scheduled on July 12, 2016.
According to admissions made in court, Hibbing defrauded his victims through a scheme called “twisting.” Twisting is an insurance industry term that refers to the fraudulent practice by an insurance agent of convincing a client to surrender an existing annuity in exchange for a new one. Because there is usually a penalty for early termination of an annuity, the client often loses money while the agent makes money on a new commission.
Hibbing admitted that he lied to clients to convince them to surrender their existing annuities and immediately purchase new ones. He intentionally failed to disclose early termination penalties. He also provided false information to insurance companies to facilitate his twisting scheme.
At the time of sentencing, Hibbing faces imprisonment terms up to 20 years on the wire fraud counts and up to 10 years on the unlawful monetary transaction counts. The defendant also faces entry of a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $505,126.43 representing proceeds obtained as a result of his wire fraud scheme.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin C. Leitch, Clemon D. Ashley, and Catherine Depew.
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Universal Aryan Brotherhood Member Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in Prison for Racketeering and Related ViolenceRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang was sentenced today in federal court to 262 months in prison for conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise and related charges, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Ronnie Dean Haskins II, aka Dirty Red, 43, of Oklahoma, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma, who also ordered Haskins to serve five years of supervised release.
In connection with his guilty plea, Haskins acknowledged his membership in or association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Haskins conspired in racketeering activities to advance the UAB enterprise, including possessing and selling 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Haskins admitted that he orchestrated and participated in the May 2013 kidnapping and maiming of a former UAB member who violated the UAB by-laws by helping restrain the victim while additional gang members burned off the victim’s UAB neck tattoo using a heated knife, causing permanent scarring.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Tulsa Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; FBI; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
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Universal Aryan Brotherhood Member Sentenced to 262 Months in Prison for Racketeering and Related ViolenceRead the Press Release
A member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang was sentenced today in federal court to 262 months in prison for conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise and related charges, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Ronnie Dean Haskins II, aka Dirty Red, 43, of Oklahoma, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma, who also ordered Haskins to serve five years of supervised release.
In connection with his guilty plea, Haskins acknowledged his membership in or association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma.
According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Haskins conspired in racketeering activities to advance the UAB enterprise, including possessing and selling 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Haskins admitted that he orchestrated and participated in the May 2013 kidnapping and maiming of a former UAB member who violated the UAB by-laws by helping restrain the victim while additional gang members burned off the victim’s UAB neck tattoo using a heated knife, causing permanent scarring.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Tulsa, Oklahoma, Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; FBI; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
Former Oklahoma State Senator Sentenced to over 3 Years for $1.8 Million in Wire Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Former Oklahoma State Senator Ricky L. Brinkley was sentenced today to serve 37 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining over $1.8 million dollars from the Better Business Bureau and for tax evasion. In addition to the prison term, United States District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan ordered Brinkley to pay $1,829,033.86 representing proceeds of the wire fraud scheme.
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma; FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott L. Cruse of the Oklahoma City Division; IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe of the Dallas Field Office; and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Director Stan Florence made the announcement.
“Today’s sentencing is the result of a joint effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the IRS-CI, and the OSBI, to ensure that justice was served. The former senator will now face the consequences of his actions for betraying the public’s trust that was placed in him,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “My office will vigorously pursue and hold public officials accountable by seeking criminal charges when the facts and the law support it. I commend our law enforcement partners for their investigative work, and the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who successfully prosecuted the case.”
“I am pleased with the final result in the sentencing of Ricky L. Brinkley and want to express my sincere gratitude to U.S. Attorney Danny Williams and his team of prosecutors whose professionalism and hard work ensured that justice was served in this matter. I also want to thank Director Stan Florence of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as SAC R. Damon Rowe of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service for the cooperative spirit in which they joined with the FBI in the investigation of this important case,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cruse. “It is our hope that Ricky Brinkley’s sentencing will serve as a warning to anyone who may be thinking about padding their income by stealing from their employer. There are consequences for criminal activities of this nature and we will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to catch these criminals and bring them to justice.”
“Unfortunately, we continue to see the public’s confidence in the tax system shaken by individuals such as Mr. Brinkley, who apparently feel they can operate above the law, and skip out on paying their fair share of income taxes,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Rowe. “Investigating and prosecuting cases involving fraudulent income tax return filing is a vital part of IRS’ enforcement strategy. All income, including embezzled money, is taxable. The Better Business Bureau was not Mr. Brinkley’s personal piggy bank, and today's sentence sends a positive message to honest taxpayers—a reminder that the justice system works, and that filing a false tax return is a crime that will be punished.”
On August 20, 2015, Brinkley, 54, of Owasso, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to five-counts of wire fraud and one-count of subscribing to a false tax return. Brinkley represented the 34th District, including Owasso, Collinsville, Skiatook, Sperry, Turley, and Tulsa.
From August 2, 1999 to April 26, 2015, Brinkley was employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer and then the Chief Operations Officer of the Better Business Bureau. During his employment, Brinkley was responsible for the operation, accounting, and financial management including paying bills and signing checks on behalf of the Better Business Bureau.
From November 2005 to February 2015, Brinkley diverted in excess of $1.2 million dollars through the creation of fraudulent invoices for services not rendered, and improperly represented these invoices as reimbursement for legitimate expenses. He fraudulently signed checks, transferred, used, and disbursed funds to pay personal expenses and debts including mortgage payments, expenses for pool cleaning services at his home, and his personal American Express, Discover, and Visa cards.
Furthermore, Brinkley used his employer’s credit card to make cash withdrawals at automated teller machines located within casinos to support his gambling habit and he would also create and process for payment false invoices using company funds for payment.
In addition, Brinkley failed to report approximately $165,625 in income for tax year 2013 to the Internal Revenue Service.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the OSBI; and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Clinton J. Johnson, Shannon Cozzoni, and Catherine Depew.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— The results of the March 2016 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Rodney Mark Aguirre. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Aguirre, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of firearms including shotguns and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, he would forfeit the firearms involved in the firearm offense. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigating agency.
Gary Dewayne Benedict. Felon in Possession of Firearms. Benedict, 44, of Broken Arrow, is charged with possession of firearms after prior felony convictions. If convicted, he faces the statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Jeffrey Scott Bruce. Bank Robbery. Bruce, 51, is charged with robbing Arvest Bank in January 2016. If convicted, he faces the statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the case.
Michelle Ranee Krafft. Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Krafft, 35, of Owasso, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. If convicted, she faces the statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and the statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition, she faces the forfeiture of drug proceeds and property used to facilitate the drug offenses. The Owasso Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were the investigating agencies.
William Jeffrey Johnson Jr. Coercion and Enticement, Sex Trafficking of Children, and Interstate Trafficking and Racketeering. Johnson Jr., 26, of Midwest City, Oklahoma, is charged with enticing and recruiting a girl, whom he believed to be 15 years old, to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces the statutory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for coercion and enticement and sex trafficking of children charges; and a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the interstate trafficking and racketeering charge. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigating agency.
Miguel Lara-Rodriguez. Reentry of Removed Alien. Lara-Rodriguez, 37, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in October 2004 from Laredo, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Juan Carlos Ramirez-Saldiva. Reentry of Removed Alien. Ramirez-Saldiva, 41, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in July 2006 from Laredo, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Jesus Juan Rosales, Sergio Yanez, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Almader, Ivan Jimenez, Eddy Alejandro Hernandez, Margarita Solis Rodriguez, Romeo Flores, and Andres Rubio. Drug Conspiracy Rosales, 35, of Bixby; Yanez, 30, of Broken Arrow; and Rodriguez-Almader, 27, Jimenez, 34, Hernandez, 27, Rodriguez, 35, Flores, 31, and Rubio, 26, all of Tulsa, are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, the statutory minimum penalty is 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $10,000,000 fine. In addition, the defendants face a criminal forfeiture money judgment representing proceeds of the drug conspiracy, and forfeiture of seized currency. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Luis Ernesto Saldana-Plaza. Reentry of Removed Alien. Saldana-Plaza, 32, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in August 2007 from Laredo, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Rodrigo Segovia-Barraza. Reentry of Removed Alien. Segovia-Barraza, 30, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in September 2013 from Eagles Pass, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Marcos Suazo-Otero. Reentry of Removed Alien. Suazo-Otero, 40, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in March 2009 from Laredo, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
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Owner of Cancer Treatment Clinic Convicted of Providing Fraudulent Medical Treatments to PatientsRead the Press Release
A jury sitting in the Northern District of Oklahoma convicted a former owner of Lase Med Inc., a purported cancer treatment clinic, today of committing a fraudulent scheme claiming to cure patients’ cancer, announced U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Following a 15-day trial before U.S. District Judge James H. Payne, a jury found Antonella Carpenter, 71, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, guilty on 29 of the 41 counts alleged in a superseding indictment and were unable to come to a unanimous decision on three counts of the superseding indictment.
Carpenter was charged with five counts of inducing persons to travel in interstate commerce in an effort to defraud them of at least $5,000; 34 counts of using interstate wire communications to defraud patients; and two counts of using the United States mails in furtherance of a fraudulent scheme. Carpenter was indicted by a grand jury in August 2014 and a superseding indictment was filed on Oct. 15, 2014.
“The defendant preyed upon and lured her patients to her purported clinic in order to defraud them of money,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to ensuring justice is served for victims and their family members. Together with the FDA we are protecting individuals who were victimized by this fraudulent medical scheme. This should be a deterrent and warning to those who intend to defraud and take advantage of peoples’ situations.”
According to documents filed in this case and evidence presented at trial:
From November 2006 to December 2012, Carpenter, a physicist and not a medical doctor, orchestrated a scheme to obtain money from cancer patients by means of false and fraudulent representations. Carpenter made materially false claims to patients about her treatment method called “Light Induced Enhanced Selective Hyperthemia” (LIESH), including that the treatments were 100 percent effective and there would be no negative side effects.
In addition, Carpenter claimed to cure various kinds of cancers, when in fact, she would inject a patient’s tumor with a mixture consisting of saline solution and food coloring or walnut hull extract. She would then heat the injected area with a laser. Carpenter operated a clinic in Broken Arrow and Owasso, Oklahoma.
At the time of sentencing, Carpenter faces up to 10 years in prison for inducing persons to travel in interstate commerce in an effort to defraud them of at least $5,000; and up to 20 years in prison on the remaining charges. Also as part of her sentence, a criminal forfeiture money judgment will be entered against the defendant in an amount of approximately $1,102,160 representing proceeds obtained as a result of her fraudulent scheme.
U.S. Attorney Williams credited special agents of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin C. Leitch, Clemon Ashley and Catherine Depew with the prosecution.
Owner of Cancer Treatment Clinic Convicted of Providing Fraudulent Medical Treatments to PatientsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–A jury sitting in the Northern District of Oklahoma convicted Antonella Carpenter, former owner of Lase Med Inc., a purported cancer treatment clinic, today of committing a fraudulent scheme claiming to cure patients’ cancer, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Following a 15-day trial before U.S. District Judge James H. Payne, a jury found Carpenter, 71, of Tulsa, guilty on 29 of the 41 counts alleged in a Superseding Indictment, and were unable to come to a unanimous decision on 3 counts of the Superseding Indictment. Carpenter was charged with five counts of inducing persons to travel in interstate commerce in an effort to defraud them of at least $5,000; 34 counts of using interstate wire communications to defraud patients; and two counts of using the United States mails in furtherance of a fraudulent scheme. Carpenter was indicted by a grand jury in August 2014, and a Superseding Indictment was filed on October 15, 2014.
“The defendant preyed upon and lured her patients to her purported clinic in order to defraud them of money. Today’s conviction demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to ensuring justice is served for victims and their family members,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Together with the FDA we are protecting individuals who were victimized by this fraudulent medical scheme. This should be a deterrent and warning to those who intend to defraud and take advantage of peoples’ situations.”
According to documents filed in this case and evidence presented at trial:
From November 2006 to December 2012, Carpenter, a physicist and not a medical doctor, orchestrated a scheme to obtain money from cancer patients by means of false and fraudulent representations. Carpenter made materially false claims to patients about her treatment method called “Light Induced Enhanced Selective Hyperthemia or “LIESH’, including that the treatments were 100% effective and there would be no negative side effects.
In addition, Carpenter claimed to cure various kinds of cancers, when in fact, she would inject a patient’s tumor with a mixture consisting of saline solution and food coloring or walnut hull extract. She would then heat the injected area with a laser. Carpenter operated a clinic in Broken Arrow and Owasso, Oklahoma.
At the time of sentencing, Carpenter faces up to 10 years in prison for inducing persons to travel in interstate commerce in an effort to defraud them of at least $5,000; and up to 20 years in prison on the remaining charges. Also as part of her sentence, a criminal forfeiture money judgment will be entered against the defendant in an amount of approximately $1,102,160 representing proceeds obtained as a result of her fraudulent scheme.
United States Attorney Williams credited special agents of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin C. Leitch, Clemon Ashley, and Catherine Depew with the prosecution.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— The results of the February 2016 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Bryan Sean Koch. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Koch, 26, of Miami, Oklahoma, is charged with possession of a .40 caliber pistol after a prior felony conviction. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Koch will forfeit the firearm involved in the firearm offense. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is the investigating agency.
Mauricio Arevalo-Magana. Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of Firearms, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Arevalo-Magana, 25, unlawfully in the United States, is charged with possession of firearms; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Arevalo-Magana faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for being an alien unlawfully in the United States in possession of firearms; not more than five years and a $250,000 fine for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and not less than five years and up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
John Stephen Mashunkashey. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Felon in Possession of Firearms. Mashunkashey, 30, of Pawhuska, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of firearms after prior felony convictions. If convicted, Mashunkashey faces the statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; not more than five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and up to life in prison for the felon in possession of firearms charge. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Osage Nation Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Jermaine Mayes. Drug Conspiracy, Distribution of Cocaine Base, and Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony. Mayes, 32, of Tulsa, is charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine; 12-counts of distributing cocaine base; and seven-counts of using a telephone in committing drug trafficking felonies. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine for drug conspiracy; not more than 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for distribution of cocaine base; and not more than 4 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for use of a communication facility in committing, causing and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigating agencies.
Erika Suzanne McLaughlin and Eric Davis. Theft From Indian Lands in Excess of $1,000. McLaughlin, 35, and Eric Davis, 33, both of Broken Arrow, are charged with stealing from Indian Country in excess of $1,000 of personal property belonging to an Indian female. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Cherokee Nation Marshals and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are the investigating agencies.
Roque Ponciano-Calles. Reentry of Removed Alien. Ponciano-Calles, 25, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in April 2015 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Ellen M. Quinn. Theft of Government Funds. Quinn, 67, of Afton, is charged with stealing approximately $95,408 in United States Department of Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If convicted, Quinn faces the statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Quinn will face entry of a criminal forfeiture judgment in the amount of $95,658 representing proceeds obtained as a result of the theft of government funds offense. United States Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of the Inspector General’s Criminal Investigation Division is the investigating agency.
Cody Jacob Wheeler. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Wheeler, 30, of Afton, is charged with possession of firearms and ammunition after a prior felony conviction. In addition, Wheeler is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Wheeler faces the statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for felon in possession of firearm and ammunition; not more than 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; and not less than five years and up to life in prison and a $250,000 for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
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Universal Aryan Brotherhood Associate Sentenced for Violence Committed in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.– An associate of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang was sentenced to 57 months in prison today in federal court for violence committed in aid of racketeering, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Robert Allen Paul Bryan, 41, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty on June 4, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In connection with his guilty plea, Bryan acknowledged his association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma. Bryan admitted that in May 2013, he and other UAB members, operating on orders from the UAB’s governing body, restrained a former UAB member while other gang members used a heated knife to burn off the victim’s UAB neck tattoo.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Tulsa Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; the FBI; the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
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Universal Aryan Brotherhood Associate Sentenced for Violence Committed in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
An associate of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang was sentenced to 57 months in prison today in federal court for violence committed in aid of racketeering, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Robert Allen Paul Bryan, 41, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty on June 4, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In connection with his guilty plea, Bryan acknowledged his association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma. Bryan admitted that in May 2013, he and other UAB members, operating on orders from the UAB’s governing body, restrained a former UAB member while other gang members used a heated knife to burn off the victim’s UAB neck tattoo.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Tulsa Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; the FBI; the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— The results of the January 2016 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
John Eldridge Cone. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Cone, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition after prior felony convictions. In addition, Cone is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, and ectasy, and is charged with carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge; not more than 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute; and a minimum of 25 years up to life in prison, and a $250,000 fine for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Ivan Chavez Hondal. Drug Conspiracy, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Hondal, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with conspiring to possess and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Hondal also faces a charge for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Hondal will face the statutory minimum penalty of 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. In addition, he will forfeit $61,900 in drug proceeds, and a vehicle and firearm used to commit the drug and firearm offenses. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigating agency.
Christopher Anthony Smith. Bank Fraud, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Destruction of Letter Boxes. Smith, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with bank fraud, two counts of possession of stolen mail, and two counts of destruction of letter boxes. On November 19, 2015, Smith allegedly presented to the Bank of Oklahoma a fraudulently altered check made payable to himself which had been stolen from a Post Office letter box which had been broken into and burglarized. Smith is also accused of being in possession of stolen mail from the burglarized letter boxes and breaking into and destroying the mail letter boxes. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for bank fraud; maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 fine for possession of stolen mail; and maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for destruction of letter boxes. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Tulsa Police Department have jointly investigated this case.
Jairon Vasquez-Macario. Reentry of Removed Alien. Vasquez-Macario, 26, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in January 2014 near Harlingen, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
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Tulsa Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Chief United States District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Joseph Michael Hubert, 47, to 15 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In the fall of 2012, Hubert allowed a minor to stay overnight at his home on multiple occasions. While the minor was staying at his home, Hubert would record the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct with his iPhone. Hubert would utilize the recordings for his own sexual gratification.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Neal C. Hong and Jeffrey A. Gallant.
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Universal Aryan Brotherhood Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges of conspiracy to conduct a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two charges of violence committed in aid of racketeering, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Ronnie Dean Haskins, aka Dirty Red, 43, of Oklahoma, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank H. McCarthy of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In connection with his guilty plea, Haskins acknowledged his membership in or association with the UAB, a violent, “white only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma.
As alleged in the indictment, Haskins conspired in racketeering activities to advance the UAB enterprise, including possessing and selling 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Haskins also admitted that he orchestrated and participated in the kidnapping and maiming of a former UAB member who violated the UAB by-laws.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Tulsa, Oklahoma, Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; FBI; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
Universal Aryan Brotherhood Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
A member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) prison gang pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges of conspiracy to conduct a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two charges of violence committed in aid of racketeering, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Ronnie Dean Haskins, aka Dirty Red, 43, of Oklahoma, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank H. McCarthy of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In connection with his guilty plea, Haskins acknowledged his membership in or association with the UAB, a violent, “whites only” prison-based gang with members and associates operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Oklahoma.
As alleged in the indictment, Haskins conspired in racketeering activities to advance the UAB enterprise, including possessing and selling 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Haskins also admitted that he orchestrated and participated in the kidnapping and maiming of a former UAB member who violated the UAB by-laws.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Tulsa, Oklahoma, Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; FBI; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Department of Corrections investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Jan Reincke of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The results of the December 2015 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Lachambra Nadene Buntin. Theft of Mail by Employee. Buntin, 39, of Mounds, Okla., a United States Postal Service employee, is charged with stealing mail on September 8 and October 16, 2015. If convicted, the statutory maximum sentence is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General is the investigating agency.
Jose Anuar Claudio-Ortiz. Reentry of Removed Alien. Claudio-Ortiz, 38, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in December 2010 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Elton John Fernandes. Possession of AB-Fubinaca with Intent to Distribute and Possession of XLR-11 with Intent to Distribute. Fernandes, 37, of Broken Arrow, is charged with possession with intent to distribute AB-Fubinaca and XLR-11, both drugs are a Schedule I controlled substance. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. In addition, the defendant shall forfeit several firearms. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigating agency.
Kaitlin Elizabeth Lemons. Possession of Stolen Mail. Lemons, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of stolen mail. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The United States Postal Inspector is the investigating agency.
Dustin Scott Ross. Bank Robbery and Interference with Commerce by Robbery. Ross, 21, of Fort Gibson, Okla., is charged with robbing an Arvest Bank, on November 4, 2015, and robbing a CVS of OxyContin and Oxycodone on November 19, 2015, both businesses are located in Tulsa. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the investigating agency.
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Former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police Pays $306,577 in Restitution to VictimsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.— Due to the aggressive collection efforts of the Northern District’s Financial Litigation Unit, Lorna Jean Vanlandingham, the former Treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police Oklahoma State Lodge and the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police, has been forced to repay $306,577.24 in restitution, fine and special assessment fees, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr.
Lorna Jean Vanlandingham, was sentenced to serve 33 months in prison on June 22, 2015, for embezzling from Lodge bank accounts. United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell ordered Vanlandingham to pay restitution in the amount of $291,127.59, plus interest, a $15,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment fee.
The Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) is the collections component of the Civil Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. FLU has the primary responsibility of handling debt collection and affirmative claim litigation. Assistant United States Attorney Scott Woodward, assisted by Libbi Felty, a Paralegal, and Celeste Allen, a Legal Assistant, were responsible for the collection of the full amount of restitution, fine and special assessment in this case.
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Mayes County Felon Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing Multiple Firearms and over 1,000 Rounds of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–Roy James Hudson, 29, of Mayes County, Okla., was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
On October 10, 2014, Mayes County Sheriff’s deputies searched Hudson’s home pursuant to a search warrant. The deputies found 12 firearms and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Nine of the recovered firearms had been stolen in a residential burglary earlier in the week. Two of the firearms, a shotgun and a rifle, had been shortened below the legal limit. Hudson had multiple prior felony convictions including three for burglary and one for escape.
This case was investigated by the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, the Pryor Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O. Johnston prosecuted on behalf of the United States.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Collects over $2.8 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2015Read the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. announced today that the Northern District of Oklahoma collected $2,836,307 in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year (FY) ending September 30, 2015. Of this amount, $1,260,991 was collected in criminal actions and $1,575,316 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the Northern District of Oklahoma worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $500,599 in cases pursued jointly with these offices.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today that the Justice Department collected $23.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in FY 2015. The more than $23.1 billion in collections in FY 2015 represents more than seven and a half times the approximately $2.93 billion of the Justice Department’s combined appropriations for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.
"The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding taxpayer resources, and protecting the American people from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “The collections we are announcing today demonstrate not only the strength of that commitment, but also the significant return on public investment that our actions deliver. I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this achievement possible, and to reiterate our dedication to this ongoing work.”
“The Northern District has yielded over $2.8 million in litigated matters and $1.9 million in asset forfeitures,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The district’s dedicated staff in the Financial Litigation Unit and Asset Forfeiture division are committed to protecting Northern District citizens, and delivering a valuable return to the taxpayer and to victims of federal crime.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $1,908,702 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2015. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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Jury Convicts Sapulpa Businessman for Committing Mail Fraud, Money Laundering and Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Following a five-day jury trial, a Sapulpa businessman was convicted late Monday for mail fraud, money laundering, and bankruptcy fraud resulting in a $133,500 loss to the Frank and Barbara Broyles Legacy Foundation, a charitable organization and affiliate of the University of Arkansas Foundation. Frank Broyles is the noted former athletic director and football coach of the University of Arkansas.
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma; Special Agent in Charge Scott Cruse of the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Damon Rowe of the IRS-Criminal Investigations Dallas division made the announcement.
Kelly Verd Nichols, 47, was charged by a superseding indictment on September 10, 2015, with two-counts of mail fraud; four-counts of unlawful monetary transactions and money laundering; and four-counts of bankruptcy fraud. At the time of the crimes, Nichols and his wife owned International Marketing Consultants, LLC, and International Marketing Consultants, Inc.
United States District Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell presided over the jury trial and will sentence Nichols on March 8, 2016.
According to evidence presented at trial, in 2007, Nichols convinced the Broyles Foundation that International Marketing Consultants could produce a booklet developed by Frank Broyles entitled “Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers,” commonly referred to as “the Playbook.”
From 2007 to 2009, the Broyles Foundation ordered and paid for approximately 1,100,000 copies of the Playbook which was distributed nationally. In 2009, an additional 500,000 copies were ordered and distributed.
The jury found that in May 2010, Nichols submitted a fraudulent invoice for shipping of the Playbooks to the Broyles Foundation when in fact the Playbooks were not printed or shipped as Nichols claimed. As a result, the Broyles Foundation and UofA Foundation sent payment to Nichols totaling $133,500.
At the time of sentencing, Nichols faces up to 20 years in prison. As part of his sentence, a criminal forfeiture money judgment will be entered in the amount of $133,500 representing proceeds obtained as a result of the mail fraud scheme.
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-CI; and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin C. Leitch, Clemon D. Ashley, and Catherine Depew on behalf of the United States.
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Jury Finds a Convicted Felon Guilty of Possessing a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—On Tuesday, a federal jury found Phillip Lamont Morgan, 40, guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. United States District Court Judge James H. Payne will sentence Morgan on January 17, 2016.
On September 28, 2013, Morgan was stopped by a Tulsa Police officer for committing traffic violations on his bicycle. Morgan then gave a false name, date of birth and social security number to the officer. Morgan became physical with the officer after the officer tried to prevent Morgan from reaching into his left pants pocket. Other Tulsa police officers assisted in taking Morgan into custody. After being taken into custody, Morgan was searched and a loaded revolver was found in his left pants pocket.
Prior to this offense, Morgan had been convicted of multiple felonies. Morgan was previously convicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the Northern District of Oklahoma on October 15, 2003.
This case was investigated by the Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Neal C. Hong and Timothy L. Faerber prosecuted the case.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The results of the November 2015 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Elizer Bailon. Reentry of Removed Alien. Bailon, 36, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in December 2011 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Gabriela Rodriguez De Rangel. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Rodriguez De Rangel, 40, is charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is not more than 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. In addition, Rodriguez De Rangel would face the forfeiture of criminal proceeds and facilitating property, including a .22 caliber pistol. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigating agency.
Fernando Gonzalez-Leyva. Reentry of Removed Alien. Gonzalez-Leyva, 45, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in January 2011 near El Paso, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Luis Manuel Leyva. Reentry of Removed Alien. Leyva, 35, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in September 2009 near El Paso, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Abraham Martinez. Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device. Martinez, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device, specifically, a molotov cocktail. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Jose Bruno Piedra-Ayvar, Jorge Antonio Piedra-Ayvar, Carlos De Los Santos and Adalid Valdez-Nava. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Jose Piedra-Ayvar, 26, Jorge Piedra-Ayvar, 22, De Los Santos, 19, and Valdez-Nava, 39, all of Tulsa, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is not less than 10 years in prison and up to life in prison and a fine of $10,000,000. The defendants also face forfeiture of facilitating property and proceeds, including entry of a money judgment of at least $1,000,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigating agency.
Cody Jacob Wheeler. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Wheeler, 30, is charged with possession of a .25 caliber pistol and ammunition after a prior felony conviction. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives is the investigating agency.
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Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to Participate in Initial Phase of Tribal Access Program to Improve Exchange of National Crime InformationRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – The Department of Justice announced today the first 10 tribes to participate in an initial User Feedback Phase of the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP), a program to provide federally recognized tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for both civil and criminal purposes.
In the Northern District of Oklahoma the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has been selected to participate in this initial phase of the TAP.
The User Feedback Phase will grant access to national crime information databases and technical support to the following tribes: the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community of Michigan, the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, the Suquamish Indian Tribe of the Port Madison Reservation of Washington, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation of Idaho, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla of Oregon, and the White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation of Arizona.
“This innovative program will allow an unprecedented sharing of critical information between tribal, state and federal governments, information that could help solve a crime or even save someone’s life,” said Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates. “This initial phase of TAP will help us understand the information gaps and the best ways to use this service to strengthen public safety in Indian country. The TAP program is a reflection of the Justice Department’s commitment to the government-to-government relationship, to overcoming barriers, and building strong partnerships with American Indian and Alaska Native people. The department will continue to work with Congress for additional funding to more broadly deploy the program.”
“The TAP program will provide Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma access to and allow information to be shared with federal crime databases,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Danny C. Williams Sr. “The new program will support Cherokee Nation in analyzing their needs for national crime information, help provide appropriate solutions, and provide specialized training and assistance.”
TAP will help provide appropriate solutions, including a state-of-the-art biometric/biographic computer workstation with capabilities to process finger and palm prints, take mugshots, and submit records to national databases, as well as the ability to access the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) systems for criminal and civil purposes through the Department of Justice.
This initial phase, funded by the Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) and supported with technical assistance from the Office of the Chief Information Officer, will focus on assisting tribes that have law enforcement agencies. In the future, the department will seek to address the needs of the remaining tribes and find a long-term solution.
While in the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 Congress required the Attorney General to ensure that tribal officials that meet applicable requirements be permitted access to national crime information databases, the ability of tribes to fully participate in national criminal justice information sharing via state networks has been dependent upon various regulations, statutes and policies of the states in which a tribe’s land is located. Therefore, improving access for tribal law enforcement to federal crime information databases has been a departmental focus for several years. In 2010, the department instituted two pilot projects, one biometric and one biographic, to improve informational access for tribes. The biographic pilot continues to serve more than 20 tribal law enforcement agencies.
Departments of Justice and Interior Working Group
In 2014, the Departments of Justice and the Interior (DOI) formed a working group to assess the impact of the pilots and identify long-term sustainable solutions that address both criminal and civil needs of tribes. The outcome of this collaboration was the TAP, as well as an additional program by the DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that provides tribes with national crime information prior to making child placement decisions in emergency circumstances. Under the BIA Purpose Code X Program, social service agencies of federally recognized tribes will be able to view criminal history information accessed through BIA’s Office of Justice Services, which will conduct name-based checks in situations where parents are unable to care for their children.
For more information on TAP, visit: www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
For more information about the Justice Department’s work on tribal justice and public safety issues, visit: www.justice.gov/tribal.
For more information about the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, visit: www.indianaffairs.gov/
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Second Former Arrow Trucking Executive Sentenced in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Waxahachi, Texas, resident and former chief financial officer (CFO) of Arrow Trucking Company was sentenced today to serve 35 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to defraud the United States, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Jonathan Leland Moore, 38, pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2014, to an information charging him with one-count of a dual-object conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit bank fraud. Moore conspired with James Douglas Pielsticker, 47, a resident of Dallas, and former CEO and president of Arrow Trucking Company, to defraud the United States by failing to account for and pay federal withholding taxes on behalf of Arrow Trucking Company and by making payments to Pielsticker outside the payroll system.
Moore cooperated with the criminal investigation, including testifying on behalf of the government during Pielsticker’s sentencing hearing last week. On Oct. 9, Pielsticker was sentenced to serve seven and one-half years in prison and ordered to pay $21,026,682.03 in restitution for his role in the conspiracy and for attempting to evade his individual income taxes.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell of the Northern District of Oklahoma also sentenced Moore to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and ordered him to pay $21,026,682.03 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB).
According to the plea agreement and other court records, in 2009, Moore, Pielsticker and others withheld Arrow Trucking Company employees’ federal income tax withholdings, Medicare and social security taxes, but did not report or pay over these taxes to the IRS, despite knowing that they had a duty to do so. The conspirators paid for Pielsticker’s personal expenses with money from Arrow Trucking Company and submitted fraudulent invoices to TAB to induce the bank to pay funds to Arrow Trucking Company that were not warranted. In total, the conspiracy caused a loss to the United States totaling more than $9.562 million.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Williams commended the special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation and FBI, who investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and Catherine Depew of the Northern District of Oklahoma and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Tax Division Trial Attorney Charles A. O’Reilly, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Former Property Development Company CEO Sentenced in $1.2 Million Bank FraudRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–The second executive of a property development company was sentenced on Thursday for conspiring to defraud $1,176,490.60 from IBC Bank, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Robert Alan Blaksley, of Owasso, the former Chief Executive Officer of Group Blaksley, LLC, was sentenced to serve 14 months in prison. United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell also ordered Blaksley to pay $1,176,490.60. Blaksley pleaded guilty on May 8, 2015, and was charged on August 13, 2014.
According to court documents, from June 2007 to July 2008, Blaksley and co-defendant, Bruce Carlton Wright, of Norman, conspired to submit fraudulent invoices to the IBC Bank for work that was not performed on a Bentonville, Arkansas property. Following an 8-day jury trial, on May 28, 2015, Wright was convicted of conspiracy and 11-counts of bank fraud. On September 8, 2015, Wright was sentenced to 33 months for his role in the bank fraud scheme.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation handled the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel-Lyn A. McCormick and Catherine Depew prosecuted the case.
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Tulsa Convenience Store Owner Sentenced for Stealing Nearly $300,000 from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.– Milton Islam, 47, of Broken Arrow, and owner of Apache Food Mart in Tulsa, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing $282,912 from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. In addition to the prison sentence, United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell ordered Islam to pay $282,912 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture. Islam was indicted by a grand jury in March 2015 and pleaded guilty on May 12, 2015.
At the change of plea hearing, Islam admitted that from May 26, 2011 to July 31, 2014, he stole from SNAP using a scheme in which customers used their SNAP benefits to receive cash, rather than nutritional assistance. The cash customers received was only half the amount that Islam received from SNAP.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture-Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Clinton J. Johnson, Shannon Cozzoni, and Catherine Depew prosecuted the case.
SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families. To report suspicious Nutrition Assistance fraud, call the Oklahoma Fraud Hotline at (405) 521-3444 or email [email protected], or contact the United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General at (800) 424-9121. For information on SNAP, visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap.
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Former Arrow Trucking Executive Sentenced in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.– A Dallas resident and former chief executive officer and president of Arrow Trucking Company was sentenced today to serve seven and one-half years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, bank fraud and tax evasion, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; U. S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma; Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Dallas Division Office; and Special Agent in Charge Scott L. Cruse of the FBI’s Oklahoma City Division Office.
“Corporate officers who willfully fail to report and pay over employment taxes and use that money for their own benefit are violating their obligations to their employees and the United States, stealing from the U.S. Treasury, and giving their companies an unfair advantage over competitors that comply with the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “Today’s sentence is a warning to those individuals who refuse to carry out their fiduciary duties that the United States will investigate them, prosecute them, and seek lengthy prison sentences for their crimes.”
“Today’s sentencing reflects the Northern District’s strong commitment to ensuring that justice is served,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Along with our law enforcement partners we will aggressively pursue financial crimes. Mr. Pielsticker conspired to defraud millions of dollars in part for his personal benefit including a wedding and Bentley and Maserati automobiles.”
James Douglas Pielsticker, 47, formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a two‑count superseding information charging him with one count of a dual-object conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit bank fraud and one count of willfully attempting to evade his individual income taxes for the year 2009. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell of the Northern District of Oklahoma also sentenced Pielsticker to serve three years of supervised release following his 90 month prison term and ordered him to pay $21,026,682.03 in restitution to the IRS and the Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB).
According to the plea agreement and other court records, in 2009, Pielsticker and others conspired to defraud the United States by failing to account for and pay federal withholding taxes on behalf of Arrow Trucking Company and by making payments to Pielsticker outside the payroll system. Pielsticker and others withheld Arrow Trucking Company employees’ federal income tax withholdings, Medicare and social security taxes, but did not report or pay over these taxes to the IRS, despite knowing they had a duty to do so.
The conspirators paid for Pielsticker’s personal expenses with money from Arrow Trucking Company and submitted fraudulent invoices to TAB to induce the bank to pay funds to Arrow Trucking Company that were not warranted. In total, the conspiracy caused a loss to the United States totaling more than $9.562 million.
Pielsticker also tried to evade his and his wife’s 2009 income taxes by causing Arrow Trucking Company to pay personal expenses on his behalf, causing his employer to underreport his wages and other compensation on his W-2 form, and by preparing a fraudulent draft joint 2009 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to corporate executives, officers, and business owners, that employment tax violations are a serious matter and will be vigorously pursued,” said IRS-CI Chief Weber. “Mr. Pielsticker and his co-conspirators had a duty to pay more than $9 million in taxes withheld from Arrow Trucking employees yet they intentionally failed to do so. IRS-CI will aggressively pursue employment tax cases as these crimes not only hurt the government and local economy, they also hurt the employees and can have adverse effects on future social security or Medicare benefits.”
“Mr. Pielsticker abdicated his responsibility as the CEO of Arrow Trucking, and concocted a fraudulent scheme to mask his illegal activities,” said FBI SAC Cruse. “In doing so Pielsticker chose his own personal extravagances over the needs of his employees, which ultimately led to Arrow Trucking closing its doors during the Christmas holidays, a time when all of us count on our paychecks the most. Today’s sentencing and monetary judgment is a reminder the FBI will pursue all criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Williams commended the special agents of the IRS-CI and FBI, who investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and Catherine Depew of the Northern District of Oklahoma and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Trial Attorney of the Tax Division Charles A. O’Reilly, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The results of the October 2015 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Javier Becerra-Sanchez. Reentry of Removed Alien. Becerra-Sanchez, 33, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in November 2008 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Anthony Dorundo Cox. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Cox, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a .40 S&W caliber pistol and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Walter Franklin Deerinwater. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Deerinwater, 24, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a 12 gauge shotgun and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Thomas Mongrain Eaves. Second Degree Murder in Indian Country and Voluntary Manslaughter. Eaves, 56, of Pawhuska, an Indian, is charged with second degree murder in Indian Country by killing another person with blunt force trauma. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is life in prison and a $250,000 fine for second degree murder, and 15 years in prison and a $250,000 for voluntary manslaughter. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the investigating agency.
Durian Ramos-Lopez. Reentry of Removed Alien. Ramos-Lopez, 33, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in September 2011 near Houston, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Jose Alfredo Rivas. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Rivas, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a 9mm caliber pistol and ammunition on June 7, 2014, and a 9mm caliber pistol on September 3, 2015, after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigating agencies.
John Orin Wulffenstein. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Wulffenstein, 63, of Sapulpa, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been previously convicted of a felony. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigating agency.
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Gun Store Owner Loses Federal Firearms License for Selling a Firearm to a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—James Patrick Okey, 45, was sentenced in federal court for knowingly selling a firearm to a convicted felon announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Okey was a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) who owned and operated a gun store, Hunters Choice, located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Okey pleaded guilty on July 1, 2015, to a felony indictment charging him with Sale of a Firearm to a Prohibited Person.
As a result of his conviction, Okey lost his federal firearms license, had to liquidate his inventory and close his business. Additionally, United States District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan fined Okey $3,000 and placed him on probation for five years.
“FFL’s have a responsibility to the community to sell firearms lawfully and to the right people,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The United States Attorney’s Office is dedicated to making sure that firearms do not end up in the hands of prohibited individuals.”
On May 15, 2014, during the course of an investigation, Okey sold a firearm to a person he knew to be a convicted felon. Convicted felons are prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal C. Hong.
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Collinsville Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child and EnticementRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.–Derick Dean Brown, 24, of Collinsville, pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of a child and enticement, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. A sentencing date has been set before United States District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan on January 8, 2016.
At the change of plea hearing, Brown admitted, that in March 2015, he communicated with a female minor in Montana via text messaging and the Internet and enticed her to produce a sexually explicit video. Further, Brown admitted, that from January to March 2015, he communicated via cellphone and the Internet with a female minor in Oklahoma and enticed her to engage in sexual activity. Both victims were under the age of 18 years old.
At the time of sentencing, for the sexual exploitation charge, Brown faces the statutory minimum penalty of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison; and the enticement charge carries the statutory minimum penalty of not less than 10 years or up to life in prison. As part of his sentence, Brown’s Ford Mustang used to commit or facilitate the commission of the enticement offense will be forfeited to the United States.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tulsa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Gallant and Catherine Depew prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Page Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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Swanton woman charged with wire fraudRead the Press Release
A Swanton woman was charged with one count of wire fraud, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Cynthia M. Brinkman, 50, worked at Hank's Plumbing and Heating, Inc.. where she was authorized to write checks from the company's account. Between 2007 and 2015, Brinkman wrote and deposited checks totalling $180,000 to herself on the company's account that were not authorized, according to the information.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, and the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum. The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.
An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jennings Resident Settles Trespass and Destruction of Cimarron River Public Property ClaimsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—A Jennings man agreed to pay $4,000 in civil penalties to settle allegations of trespass and destruction of United States Government property on the Cimarron River, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
According to the settlement agreement, Baaron Hagood owns residential property near the Cimarron River adjacent to property owned and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
From 2011 through 2014, Hagood bulldozed a 16 foot wide dirt road from his property, across Government property, to the Cimarron River. This resulted in the destruction of numerous mature trees and native grasses. Hagood allowed his guests to use All-Terrain Vehicles on Government property which created trails stretching for over a mile along the river. In addition, Hagood stored a canoe, a fishing boat and fishing equipment on Government property.
The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Marianne Hardcastle and Assistant District Counsel for the Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria Tramel and Jason Chester.
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Justice Department Announces over $23.2 Million in Funding for Body Worn CamerasRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The Justice Department has awarded $599,200 to the Tulsa Police Department as part of the Body-Worn Camera Pilot Implementation Program, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
“Today’s nearly $600,000 will allow the Tulsa Police Department to develop and enhance their body-worn camera program,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The Justice Department is committed to supporting the safety of law enforcement officers who protect our communities.”
Nationwide, a total of more than $23.2 million was awarded to 73 local and tribal agencies in 32 states to expand the use of body-worn cameras and explore their impact. The investment includes $19.3 million to purchase body-worn cameras, $2 million for training and technical assistance and $1.9 million to examine the impact of their use. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), are part of President Obama’s proposal to purchase 50,000 body-worn cameras for law enforcement agencies within three years.
The grants, which require a 50/50 in-kind or cash match, can be used to purchase equipment and require that applicants establish a strong implementation plan and a robust training policy before purchasing cameras. The long term costs associated with storing this information will be the financial responsibility of each local agency.
The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Statistics is collecting data on body-worn camera usage through surveys of law enforcement agencies. It is also designing data collection forms for future surveys of prosecutors and public defenders to measure how body-worn camera footage is being used by the courts in criminal cases.
For additional information about the Body-Worn Camera Pilot Implementation Program, visit http://www.bja.gov/bwc/pdfs/BWCPIP-Award-Fact-Sheet.pdf.
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Justice Department Awards over $97 Million to Improve Public Safety and Victim Services for American Indians and Alaska NativesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – The Department of Justice today announced 206 awards, totaling more than $97 million, to American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, tribal consortia and tribal designees. The announcement was made at the 2015 Tribal Leader Briefing, sponsored by the National Congress of American Indians, and included Tribal leaders, Members of Congress and Administration officials.
The grant recipients from the Northern District of Oklahoma include:
- Cherokee Nation, Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS), $936,872
- Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program (OVW), $784,000
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS), $894,468
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse (BJA), $739,944
- Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program (OVW), $877,882
- Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS), $513,332
- Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program (OVW), $449,420
- Wyandotte Nation, Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS), $299,746
- Wyandotte Nation, Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program (OVW), $233,945
“Today’s more than $5.7 million in grant funding reflects the Department of Justice’s strong commitment to assisting tribes with improving public safety and preventing violence against women in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. “My office is deeply committed to increasing engagement and coordination with native tribes for the betterment and safety of their members and communities. We regard our responsibility to the tribes as a significant priority.”
“For the past five years, the CTAS program has helped tribes develop their own comprehensive approaches to making their communities safer and healthier,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Stuart F. Delery. “CTAS grants have funded hundreds of programs to better serve crime victims, promote community policing, and strengthen justice systems. This year’s awards also support efforts to reduce domestic and dating violence, and promote wellness and healing for tribal youth, among many other programs.”
The awards are made through the Department’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a single application for tribal-specific grant programs. The Department developed CTAS through its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Office of Justice Programs and Office on Violence Against Women, and administered the first round of consolidated grants in September 2010.
Since then, more than 1,400 grants totaling more than $620 million have been provided to enhance law enforcement practices, victim services, and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts in nine purpose areas; public safety and community policing; justice systems planning: alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs.
American Indians and Alaska Natives experience disproportionate rates of violence and victimization and often encounter significant obstacles to identifying and accessing culturally relevant services. CTAS funding helps tribes to develop and strengthen tribal justice systems’ response to crime, while significantly increasing programs and services available to them.
A listing of today’s awards is available at www.justice.gov/tribal/. A fact sheet on CTAS is available at /media/791821/dl?inline.
Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
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Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The results of the September 2015 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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 federal crimes which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Kenneth O’Neal Batten. Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Distribution of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography. O’Neal Batten, 36, of Claremore, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child for the purpose of producing and distributing child pornography, as well as possessing child pornography. If convicted, the statutory minimum penalty is 15 years and not more than 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for sexual exploitation of a child; not less than five years and not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for distribution of child pornography; and not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of child pornography. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the investigating agency.
Llobane Cobos-Carperna. Reentry of Removed Alien. Cobos-Carperna, 27, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in September 2008 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Joshua Robert Downs. Possession of Firearm and Ammunition After Conviction of a Crime of Domestic Violence. Downs, 36, of Skiatook, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after a prior domestic assault and battery conviction. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the investigating agency.
Santos Flores-Alvarado. Reentry of Removed Alien. Flores-Alvarado, 32, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in October 2012 near Atlanta, Georgia. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Fernando Gonzalez-Esparza. Reentry of Removed Alien. Gonzalez-Esparza, 31, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in November 2012 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
John Dean Lockett. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Lockett, 46, of Tulsa, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Marshals Service is the investigating agency.
Sammie Leo Montgomery. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Montgomery, 50, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Marshals Service is the investigating agency.
Jorge Sanchez-Urquiza. Reentry of Removed Alien. Sanchez-Urquiza, 29, is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in December 2009 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the investigating agency.
Timothy Jason Sumner. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Sumner, 31, of Tulsa , is charged with possessing a 9mm caliber revolver and ammunition after prior felony convictions. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency.
Albert Sveinjonsson. Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. Sveinjonsson, a non-Indian, 46, of Haskell, is charged with engaging in sexual contact with an Indian woman without her permission. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the investigating agency.
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Property Development Company Executive Sentenced to Nearly Three Years for Committing $1.2 Million in Bank FraudRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Bruce Carlton Wright, 69, of Norman, was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell to 33 months in prison for defrauding the IBC Bank of $1,176,490.60, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma. As part of his sentence, a criminal forfeiture money judgment was entered against the defendant in the amount of $1,176,490.60.
From June 2007 to July 2008, Wright and his co-defendant, Robert Alan Blaksley, 51, of Owasso, conspired to submit fraudulent invoices to IBC Bank from his property development company for work that was not performed on a Bentonville, Arkansas property.
Wright and Blaksley were charged on August 13, 2014 with conspiracy and 11 counts of bank fraud. Wright was found guilty following an 8-day jury trial that ended on May 28, 2015, and Blaksley pleaded guilty on May 8, 2015.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys Joel-lyn A. McCormick and Catherine Depew prosecuted the case.
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Tulsa Robbery Spree Duo Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Two men responsible for a robbery spree in metro Tulsa were sentenced in United States District Court, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Billy Joe Laverty, 38, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan to 25 years in prison for his role in a series of robberies. Laverty pleaded guilty on May 27. On August 14, Laverty’s accomplice, Allen Wayne Smith, 48, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Smith pleaded guilty on May 15. Both men were indicted by a grand jury in April 2015.
Smith and Laverty began their robbery spree on January 17, 2015. The two men carjacked a victim at gunpoint, attempted to rob a Domino’s Pizza in Tulsa, and robbed a convenience store in Jenks, Oklahoma. During the convenience store robbery, Laverty discharged a firearm at the cashier. Smith acted as the getaway driver. On January 24, Tulsa Police officers apprehended both men.
This case was investigated by the Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Jenks Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Neal C. Hong and Jan S. Reincke prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Sponsors Fresh Start Reentry Resource FairRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—The United States Attorney’s Office hosted a Fresh Start Reentry Program Resource Fair today for individuals with felony convictions to help connect them with community resource agencies and employment opportunities. Participating vendors provided information related to housing, employment, food, clothing, counseling and legal services offered in Tulsa County.
“The Fresh Start Reentry Resource Fair offered individuals with felony convictions valuable resources to help them find success in the community,” said U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “One of the barriers to reentry is the difficulty in finding employment. A steady source of income provides stability and decreases the risk of recidivism. Today, through the collaboration with our reentry partners and local businesses, the participants took a step forward toward a “Fresh Start” in the community.”
The Resource Fair was a partnership with the United States Probation Office; Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office; the Oklahoma Department of Corrections; and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
In October 2013, the United States Attorney’s Office launched the Fresh Start Reentry Program. Fresh Start is dedicated to reducing criminal recidivism in the Northern District, including Tulsa, by helping individuals with felony convictions gain access to resources, and also to provide them with the necessary motivation for success when reintegrating into the community. Fresh Start is a result of the Department of Justice’s Smart on Crime Initiative.
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Former Oklahoma State Senator Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—Former Oklahoma State Senator Ricky L. Brinkley pleaded guilty today to fraudulently obtaining over $1.2 million dollars from the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) and subscribing to a false tax return.
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma; FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott L. Cruse of the Oklahoma City Division; IRS-Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Madie Branch of the Dallas Field Office; and Director Stan Florence of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
Brinkley, 54, of Owasso, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan to five-counts of wire fraud and one-count of subscribing to a false tax return. Sentencing is scheduled on November 20, 2015. Brinkley represented the 34th District, including Owasso, Collinsville, Skiatook, Sperry, Turley, and Tulsa.
From August 2, 1999 to April 26, 2015, Brinkley served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and then the Chief Operations Officer of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). During his employment, Brinkley was responsible for the operation, accounting, and financial management including paying bills and signing checks on behalf of the BBB.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, from November 2005 to February 2015, Brinkley diverted in excess of $1.2 million dollars from the BBB through the creation of fraudulent invoices for services not rendered, and improperly represented these invoices as reimbursement for legitimate BBB expenses. He also admitted that he fraudulently signed checks, transferred, used, and disbursed BBB funds to pay personal expenses and debts including mortgage payments, expenses for pool cleaning services at his home, and his personal American Express, Discover, and Visa cards. Brinkley further admitted that he used BBB’s credit card to make cash withdrawals at automated teller machines located within casinos to support his gambling habit and that he would also create and process for payment false invoices using BBB’s funds for payment. The United States believes the loss amount is closer to $1.8 million. Final loss and restitution amounts will be determined prior to sentencing.
In addition to the fraudulent diversion of funds from the BBB, Brinkley admitted that he failed to report the monies and funds on his federal tax return and that he subscribed a false tax return for tax year 2013 by failing to report approximately $148,390 in income.
United States Attorney Williams stated that, “non-profit organizations such as the BBB provide the community with resources to make informed decisions in the marketplace. The BBB’s vision is ‘an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other.’ Brinkley has abused the trust of the BBB board, its business members, marketplace consumers, and the trust the public has placed in him. BBB has worked with federal and state agencies by identifying the diverted funds. I hope this investigation and conviction is a step towards strengthening the trust of BBB members and consumers, and will allow BBB to continue to provide valuable services to the community.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Cruse stated that, “criminal investigations against those holding positions of public trust are never easy, but they are among some of the most important cases that we do in the FBI. That is because we hold our public servants to a higher standard. Our citizens expect their public servants to uphold the law in all aspects of their lives, whether it be in connection with their public responsibilities or in their personal endeavors. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively target those entrusted by organizations to manage their funds who choose to exploit this trust for their personal gain.”
IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Branch stated that, “although the BBB emphasizes high ethical standards, honesty, and legal compliance for themselves and their business partners, Mr. Brinkley chose to violate each of these tenets by conducting himself in a financially irresponsible manner. Filing a false income tax return is totally unfair to those American citizens who file accurate tax returns, and is inconsistent with his background as a public servant. However, the public can be confident in the fact that IRS-Criminal Investigation pursues justice on their behalf in seeking prosecution of anyone, regardless of status, who violates the tax laws.”
"Late last year, OSBI developed information indicating potential crimes were committed from within the Tulsa BBB. Once OSBI opened a criminal investigation at the request of Tulsa County D.A. Steve Kunzweiler, it became apparent federal laws may also have been broken. OSBI appreciates the FBI and IRS's willingness to work with OSBI agents to ensure justice, both on the federal and state levels, is served," OSBI Director Stan Florence said.
Brinkley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the pecuniary gain/loss caused by the defendant’s acts for the wire fraud charges; and the maximum penalty is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the filing of a false tax return. Brinkley has also agreed to the forfeiture of funds in the amount of $1,829,033.86 representing proceeds of the wire fraud scheme.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Clinton J. Johnson, Clemon Ashley, Shannon Cozzoni, and Catherine Depew.
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Mayfield Heights man accused of embezzling $677,000 from his employerRead the Press Release
A Mayfield Heights man is accused of stealing more than $677,000 from his former employer, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.
Geno Trunzo, 51, was indicted on one count of making or possessing forged securities of private entities and four counts of money laundering.
Trunzo worked for a company that engaged in the retail sale of mattresses and bedding supplies from 2004 until December 2014. Trunzo was promoted to be the company’s controller in late 2005. In this role, he managed the company’s accounts payable , was responsible for paying the company’s business expenses and had access to the company’s books, records, checks and credit lines, according to the indictment.
Trunzo forged and created approximately 431 checks drawn on the company’s accounts by affixing, without authorization, a stamped image of the name of an authorized signer of the checks. Trunzo made the checks payable to himself and to third-party payees for his personal benefit, causing a loss to the company of approximately $677,131, according to the indictment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Hollingsworth following an investigation by the FBI.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.—United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Ubaldo Esparza-Ortiz, 28, to 45 months in prison for illegal reentry into the United States, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Chief Judge Frizzell also imposed three years of supervised release following Esparza-Ortiz’s prison sentence.
On January 15, 2015, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents discovered Esparza-Ortiz was illegally in the country after he had been arrested by Tulsa police officers for domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. This was Esparza-Ortiz’s fourth illegal reentry into the United States. He has also been convicted multiple times for domestic violence in Tulsa.
This case was investigated by ICE. Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case.
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