Northern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
U.S. Attorney's Office Collects over $3.6 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2013Read the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. - United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr. announced today that the Northern District of Oklahoma collected $3,604,718.18 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2013. Of this amount, $2,320,943.69 was collected in criminal actions and $1,283,774.49 was collected in civil actionsAdditionally, the Northern District of Oklahoma worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $335,195,784.82 in cases pursued jointly with these offices.
Furthermore, the Northern District of Oklahoma working with partner agencies and divisions, collected$14,964,643 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2013.Of this amount, $964,812 was collected through criminal forfeiture and $1,251,039 through civil forfeiture. Furthermore, criminal forfeiture money judgments were entered totally $12,748,792 representing proceeds from defendants’ offenses of conviction. 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.
Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Thursday that the Justice Department collected approximately $8.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013. The more than $8 billion in collections in FY 2013 represents nearly three times the appropriated $2.76 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.
“The Department’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also deliver a valuable return to the taxpayer,” said Attorney General Holder. “It is critical that Congress provide the resources necessary to match the Department’s mounting caseload. As these figures show, supporting our federal prosecutors is a sound investment.”
“The Northern District’s commitment to the recovery of funds has yielded over $3.6 million in litigated matters and $1.5 million in asset forfeitures for taxpayers and federal crime victims,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “This total is a reflection of the office’s priority and the work of dedicated collections staff in the Financial Litigation Unit and Asset Forfeiture division. We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit from their illegal activities.”
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.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
Six Arrested, 4.4 Kilograms of Heroin and $127,000 Seized by Law Enforcement During Heroin Distribution InvestigationRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — On December 17, 2013, six people were arrested after search warrants were served by federal, state, and local law enforcement in a concerted effort to reduce the distribution of heroin in Tulsa County. Five of the six arrested were found to be unlawfully in the United States. The multiagency law enforcement effort seized approximately 4.4 kilograms of heroin, $127,971 in cash, three vehicles, and 27 mobile phones. This amount of heroin has an approximate value of $700,000 on the street.
Heroin is an opioid drug that is made from morphine and has powerful pain-relieving properties. The short-term effects of heroin include clouded thinking and shortness of breath. Users may also contract HIV/AIDS or hepatitis from a shared needle, slip into a coma, or death.
This is part of an ongoing investigation of the distribution of heroin in the Tulsa County area by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance by the Tulsa Police Department; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Broken Arrow Police Department.
Each person arrested is presumed innocent and the facts presented must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Top "Hoover Crips" Street Gang Members Indicted for the Murder of A Federal WitnessRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr., for the Northern District of Oklahoma announced today that a federal grand jury indicted two top members of the “Hoover Crips” street gang for the murder of a federal witness.
The Fourth Superseding Indictment charges, Lorell Antonio Battle, 30, Gaywone Dekeith Blades, 18, Paul Edward Battle, 32 , Thomas Layeffeta Jackson, 28, all of Tulsa, with conspiracy and drug related crimes. Additionally, Lorell Battle and Gaywone Blades are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder of federal witness, and the use of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime in retaliation against a federal witness.
In addition to the drug related charges, the Fourth Superseding Indictment alleges that, in April 2013, Lorell Battle and Gaywone Blades premeditated the murder of a federal witness in retaliation for his being a federal trial witness and providing to law enforcement information about gang activities and other crimes. The indictment alleges Lorell Battle shot the victim thirteen (13) times at close range with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
“This indictment reflects our vigorous and unwavering efforts to seek justice for the victim and curb gang violence in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Those who commit acts of violence here will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners in the fight against drug trafficking and violent gang activities.”
The Superseding Indictment is the result of a two-year investigation conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) into the “Hoover Crips” street gang and its criminal activities of drug dealing, extortion, and violence, including shootings.
The case is being investigated by the Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigations Division assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert T. Raley, Allen J. Litchfield, and Catherine Depew on behalf of the United States.
A Grand Jury Indictment is one method of charging a defendant with alleged violations of Federal Law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendants’ presumption of innocence.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — The results of the December 2013 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Glendyn Ayala-Carbajal. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Ayala-Carbajal, 24, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in April 2008 near San Antonio, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty would be 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Sandra Ayala-Dominguez. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Ayala-Dominguez, 42, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in February 2013 near Hildalgo, Texas. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty would be of 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Joel Deloera-Escalera, Samuel Garcia-Escalera, and Courtney Riley. Drug Conspiracy, Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises, Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Alien Illegally in the United States. Deloera-Escalera, 33, Garcia-Escalera, 35, both illegal aliens, and Courtney Riley, 33, of Broken Arrow, are charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Deloera-Escalera and Garcia-Escalera are also charged with maintaining a place for the purpose of storing and distributing methamphetamine, being unlawfully in the United States, and possession of firearms and ammunition. If convicted, all defendants would face the maximum statutory penalty for drug conspiracy of not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000,000 fine; Deloera-Escalera and Garcia-Escalera would face an additional term of imprisonment not to exceed 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000 for maintaining a place for the purpose of storing and distributing methamphetamine and up to 10 years maximum imprisonment and $250,000 fine for the firearm charges. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs is the lead agency.
Adan Gonzalez-Torres. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Gonzalez-Torres, 35, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in May 2010 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty would be 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Tony Newman-Hilburn and Angela Kay Torres. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Firearms in Furtherance Commission of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Maintaining on Drug-Invoked Premises. Newman-Hilburn, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a 40 caliber pistol, .32 caliber pistol, 9mm pistol, .2333 caliber pistol, and 12 gauge shotgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Torres, of Tulsa, is charged with maintaining on drug-invoked premise for the purpose of storing, distributing, and using marijuana. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty for possession with intent to distribute marijuana would be not more than 5 years imprisonment and/or a $4,000,000 fine; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a 5 year consecutive sentence and/or $250,000 fine; and maintaining on drug-invoked premise would be not more than 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine not more than $500,000. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Juan Saavedra-Juarez. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Saavedra-Juarez, 34, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in September 2011 near Harlingen, Texas. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty would be 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Dethan Ashley Sparks and Lukan Thomas Holmes. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. Sparks, 18, and Holmes, 19, both of Wyandotte, Oklahoma, are charged with assaulting and injuring an Indian male victim. The Indictment alleges Sparks assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon by striking him in the face with a rock. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty would be not more than 10 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Miami Agency is the lead in the case.
Ramon Torres-Marin. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Torres-Marin, 52, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in December 1999 near El Paso, Texas. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty would be 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Jose Ines Vera-Diaz. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Vera-Diaz, 47, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in July 2012 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty would be 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
J. Guadalupe Villalobos Gonzalez. Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Villalobos Gonzalez, 32, is charged with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a 7.62x39 caliber semi-automatic assault rifle, .38 caliber pistol, and .25 caliber pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the statutory minimum penalty for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine would be not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to $5,000,000 fine; the firearm charge carries not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs is the lead agency.
Former Oil and Gas Company Executive Pleads Guilty to $700,000 Embezzlement and Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — A former oil and gas company manager has pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving the embezzlement of $693,300 and for tax crimes, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
James Rhea Cooley, 45, of Tulsa, was charged with one count of wire fraud and three counts of willfully making and subscribing a false federal income tax return. Cooley worked as the Regional Human Resources Manager at Newfield Exploration Mid-Continent Inc. where he was authorized to approve invoices for services provided to the company.
According to court documents filed in the case, from August 2008 to January 2011, Cooley devised and executed a scheme to defraud his then-employer. In 2008, he created the consulting company, Total HR Service and Consulting, created a website, and opened a bank account. He would then falsify invoices for services that had not been performed, and deposit the payment check from Newfield Exploration Mid-Continent Inc. into the nonexistent consulting company’s bank account. Cooley would then spend the embezzled funds for personal expenses.
Cooley also agreed to a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $693,300.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles M. McLoughlin and Catherine Depew on behalf of the United States.
Sentencing has been set for February 25, 2014 before U.S. District Judge James H. Payne.
Two Convenience Store Owners Indicted in Synthetic Cannabinoid "XLR11" Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — A federal grand jury indicted two convenience store owners for conspiring to distribute and distributing XLR11, a synthetic cannabinoid more commonly known as “K2” or “Spice,” a controlled substance analogue, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Iqbal Makkar, 36, of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Gaurav Sehgal, 36, of Grove, Oklahoma are charged with a drug analogue conspiracy, possession of Schedule 1 controlled substance analogue with intent to distribute, maintaining drug-involved premises, and money laundering.
According to court documents, beginning in November 2011 to January 2013, Makkar and Sehgal maintained a convenience store located in Oklahoma, for the purpose of storing and distributing the controlled substance 1-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl (2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl) methanone (5-fluoro-UR-144, XLR11), commonly known as XLR11. The charges include distributing 22 kilograms of XLR11 and depositing funds from the illegal sales and distributions of controlled substance analogues into a checking account at the Corner Stone Bank in Southwest City, Missouri.
Herbal incense is a mixture of herbs and spices that is typically sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Herbal incense, composed of synthetic cannabinoids, is marketed as “fake marijuana,” and often by its popular brand names “Spice” or “K2.” The side effects of herbal incense are similar to those of naturally grown marijuana.
If convicted, Makkar and Sehgal face the maximum statutory penalty for Counts 1 and 2 of not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,000,000; Count 3 penalty is not less than 20 years imprisonment up to life, a fine of not more than $2,000,000; and Counts 4 and 5 penalty is not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $500,000. The defendants would also forfeit property in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, and a money judgment in an amount more than $1,344,000, and a Range Rover and Ford F-150 truck.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys Clinton J. Johnson, R. Trent Shores, and Catherine Depew are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A Grand Jury Indictment is one method of charging a defendant with alleged violations of Federal Law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendants’ presumption of innocence.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — The results of the November 2013 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Matthew Todd Bartlett. Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Exploitation of a Child. Bartlett, 38, of Bixby, is charged with having custody and control of a minor, knowingly permitted the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and that visual depiction was produced and transmitted using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce by any means, including computer. If convicted, the mandatory minimum is 15 years and a maximum of 30. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations is the lead agency.
Jose Guadalupe Cruz-Torres. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Cruz-Torres, 33, was arrested in Tulsa County and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in January 2013 near Laredo, Texas. If convicted, Cruz-Torres would face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Michael Lawrence Lefall, Crystal Lynn Kite, and Jessica Jo Glore. Drug Conspiracy and Attempt to Possess Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Lefall, 42, Kite, 32, and Glore, 27, all of Tulsa, are charged with conspiracy and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for drug conspiracy and attempt to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute is not less than five years imprisonment and not more than 40 years imprisonment, and/or a $5,000,000 fine; count three carries 20 years maximum imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency in the case.
Alvaro Omar Cuevas-Bravo. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Cuevas-Bravo, 33, was arrested in Tulsa and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in October 2004 near Brownsville, Texas. If convicted, Cuevas-Bravo would face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Carolyn Sue Cupples. Steal, Purloin and Knowingly Convert Public Monies and Making a False Report. Cupples, 57, of Tulsa, is charged with stealing on a recurring basis from January 2011, money and objects of value in excess of $1,000 belonging to the United States Postal Service. Cupples, charged with keeping accounts and records, in February and April 2013, falsified with intent to deceive records for all stamp sales. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty would be not more than 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $250,000. The Office of Inspector General U.S. Postal Service is the lead agency.
Joel Deloera-Escalera. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Deloera-Escalera, 33, was arrested in Tulsa and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in April 2011 near Brownsville, Texas. If convicted, Deloera-Escalera would face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Johnny Howard Coday. Felon in Possession of Firearms, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Coday, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a .20 gauge shotgun, 7.62 X 39 caliber rifle, .22 mini revolver, .22 caliber rifle, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of more of methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime after prior convictions including cultivation of marijuana, possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. If convicted, the maximum statutory maximum penalty would be up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine; count 2 is no less than five years and not more than 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine; and count 3 is not less than five years imprisonment to a maximum life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Reco D. Manning. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Manning, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a Smith & Wesson .38 special caliber revolver and various ammunition, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, all after prior felony convictions in Arkansas. Those convictions include second degree battery and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000; both the possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and fine up to $1,000,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the lead agency in the case.
Heriberto Murillo-Gonzalez. Attempt to Possess Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Murillo-Gonzalez, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with attempting to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty would be not less than five years and not more than 40 years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $5,000,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Broken Arrow Police Department are the lead agencies in the case.
Kelvin Antonio Ortega. Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime. Ortega, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute would be not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000; possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime penalty would be not less than five years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, to run consecutively, and a fine not to exceed $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the lead agencies in the case.
Gregorio Sanchez-Hernandez. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Sanchez-Hernandez, 38, was arrested and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in November 2009 near Laredo, Texas. If convicted, Sanchez-Hernandez would face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Noe Israel Trejo-Galindo. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Trejo-Galindo, 34, was arrested and is charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in July 2007 near Houston, Texas. If convicted, Sanchez-Hernandez would face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Demetrice Woodard. Possession of Firearm After Conviction for Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence and Felon in Possession of Firearm. Woodard, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol after having being convicted of felony crimes including domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor and trafficking controlled substance. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty would be 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, along with the forfeiture of the firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives is the lead agency in the case.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison on Child Sex Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — Tarran Arnel Brinson, 24, of Tulsa, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell for Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of Children, Sex Trafficking of Children, Attempted Sex Trafficking of Children, Interstate Travel, and Transportation in Aid of Racketeering, Coercion and Enticement, and Obstruction of Justice, announced U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. A Federal jury convicted Brinson on May 28, 2013 after a six-day trial.
“Child sex trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes. We are diligently working with our law enforcement partners to bring those who exploit minors to justice. We must protect the most vulnerable among us, our children.” said U.S. Attorney Williams.
From October 2012 to December 2012, Brinson conspired, attempted, and did, in fact, recruit, entice, transport, provide, and obtain girls under of 18 years of age knowing the teenage girls would be caused to engage in commercial sex acts. The victims were minors recruited by Brinson via Facebook, a social media site, into his commercial sex business. One victim was a 14 year-old when recruited.
The case was investigated by the Tulsa Police Department Vice Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by U. S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. and Assistant United States Attorneys R. Trent Shores and Clinton J. Johnson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. Announces Tulsa Police Department Awarded $1.25 Million DOJ GrantRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr., in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), today announced a funding award for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
In the Northern District of Oklahoma, the Tulsa Police Department was awarded $1,250,000 to fund 10 new law enforcement positions.
“Community policing emphasizes proactive measures intended to address the factors that give rise to crime and disorder. Our law enforcement officers are the first line of defense against crime and keeping our children safe when they go to school is of critical importance,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “I am pleased to join the Attorney General and the COPS Office in announcing this grant which will help provide our communities with the resources needed to accomplish this vital mission. I have congratulated Tulsa Chief of Police Chuck Jordan on receiving this award to support his commitment to community policing in the City of Tulsa.”
Grantees for the 2013 hiring program were selected based on their fiscal needs, local crime rates, and their community policing plans. There was an additional focus this year on agencies requesting assistance in developing school safety programs that would include the hiring of a school resource officer. School resource officer positions funded by the COPS Office are sworn law enforcement positions that work within a school district or facility, interacting directly with school administrators and students.
“In the wake of past tragedies, it's clear that we need to be willing to take all possible steps to ensure that our kids are safe when they go to school,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “These critical investments represent the Justice Department's latest effort to strengthen key law enforcement capabilities, and to provide communities with the resources they need to protect our young people. Especially in a time of increased challenges and limited budgets, our top priority must always be the safety and well-being of our children.”
Overall the COPS Office funded awards to 263 cities and counties, aimed at creating 937 law enforcement positions. More than $125 million will be awarded nationally, including nearly $45 million to fund 356 new school resource officer positions.
“The COPS Office is pleased to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the country address their most critical public safety issues,” said Joshua Ederheimer, Acting Director of the COPS Office. “Funding from this year’s program will allow many cities and counties to apply new sworn personnel to issues related to violent crime, property crime, and school safety.”The COPS Hiring Program offers grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers. The program provides the salary and benefits for officer and deputy hires for three years.
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1995, COPS has awarded over $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 125,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training, and technical assistance.
For the entire list of grantees and additional information about the 2013 COPS Hiring Program, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Former Tulsan to Serve 9 Years for $7 Million Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — A former Tulsa-based promoter of fraudulent oil and gas investments was sentenced on Thursday to serve nine years in federal prison for perpetrating a $7 million dollar fraud, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Jimmy E. Morrisett, 53, of Burnet, Texas, once chief executive officer of now-defunct Red Earth Resources, Inc., and Alpine Petroleum, LLC, pleaded guilty to an unlawful monetary transaction with the funds he obtained from the massive four-year investor fraud scheme victimizing 238 investors in Oklahoma and 37 other states and Canada. Morrisett promoted a Ponzi scheme in which investors supposedly received returns from oil and gas properties. Actually, however, most of the returns came from monies provided by investors themselves. Many of the investors were elderly and lost their life savings.
United States District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell imposed the maximum sentence allowed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines and ordered Morrisett to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $6,874,135.44.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin C. Leitch and Charles M. McLoughlin prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — The results of the September 2013 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.Clemente Aquino-Guzman. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm. Aquino-Guzman, 34, is accused of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. If convicted Aquino-Guzman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, forfeiture of the firearm, and a $1,000,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Muskogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Mario Beltran. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Beltran, 32, of Tulsa, is accused of possessing a Sterling Arms .22 caliber pistol, a Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol, and forty-six rounds of ammunition after two prior felony convictions. He is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. If convicted, Beltran faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the firearms count, 5 years in prison for the marijuana with intent to distribute count, forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition, and a fine of up to $250,000 per count. This case was investigated by the Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Michael W. Couch. Embezzlement from a Labor Organization. Couch, 43, of Broken Arrow, is accused of embezzling $12,852.47 between January 2007 to March 2010 from the Sheet Metal Workers Local 270 Union where he served as business manager/financial secretary-treasurer. If convicted, Couch faces a maximum imprisonment of 5 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Labor is the lead agency.
Jessica Jo Glore. Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Glore, 27, of Tulsa, is accused of possessing a Cobra .380 pistol and ammunition. If convicted, Glore faces a maximum 10 years imprisonment, forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition, and up to a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Freddie Allen Hayes. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Hayes, 28, of Tulsa, is accused of possessing a Cobra .380 caliber pistol, Mossberg 20 gauge shotgun, and ammunition after prior felony convictions for possession and distribution of cocaine and aggravated battery. If convicted, Hayes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition, and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the lead agency.
Sharon Hopper. Theft of Government Property. Hopper, 68, of Hominy, is accused of stealing approximately $14,828 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration from February 2010 to December 2011. If convicted, Hopper faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration is the lead agency.
Brian Lee Larkins. Receipt and Transportation of a Firearm While Under Indictment, Possession of an Explosive While Under Indictment, and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Larkins, 40, of Tulsa, is charged with receipt and transportation of a Fegyver es Gepgyar .038 caliber pistol and possession of 305 meters of Primacord while under indictment, and possession of methamphetamine. Primacord is a detonating cord used with explosives. If convicted of Counts 1-2, Larkins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, forfeiture of the firearm and wire, and/or up to $250,000 fine. If guilty of Count 3, Larkins faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $1,000,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation are the lead investigative agencies.
Domingo Pablo Lence-Perea. Drug Conspiracy and Posessession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Lence-Perea, 58, of Kaufman, Texas, is accused of drug conspiracy and possession of 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, Lence-Perea faces a minimum 10 years to life imprisonment, forfeiture of at least $96,200, and/or up to a $10,000,000 fine. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the lead agency.
Juan Luis Moreno-Cardoso. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Moreno-Cardoso, 27, was arrested in Tulsa County and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in May 2012 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, Moreno-Cardoso faces a maximum 20 years imprisonment and/or fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Tonni Mulrain-Williamson. Assault on Government Employee While in Performance of Duties. Mulrain-Williamson, 36, of New York, New York, is charged with physical assault of an United States Postal Service employee at the Northeast Station located in Tulsa while the employee was performing official duties. If convicted, Mulrain-Williamson faces a maximum penalty of 8 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. The United States Postal Inspections Service is the lead agency.
Patricia Perez Cano. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Perez Cano, 39, was arrested in Tulsa County and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in September 2011 near Del Rio, Texas. If convicted, Perez Cano faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency of this case.
Shelly Roanhorse. False Statement. Roanhorse, 47, of Broken Arrow, is accused of providing falsified information on Form LM-3 Labor Organization Annual Report on behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3601. Roanhorse served as the Local 3601 treasurer and between April 2011 and June 2012 is accused of embezzling at least $4,840. If convicted, Roanhorse faces a maximum imprisonment of 5 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Labor is the lead agency.
Christine Sawyer. Theft of Government Property. Sawyer, 50, of Oilton, is accused of stealing $4,900 in Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) from July 2011 to September 2012. If convicted, Sawyer faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration is the lead agency in this case.
Ronald Everett Spivey and Kimberly Marie Haven. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Sex Trafficking of Children, and Interstate Trafficking and Racketeering. Spivey, 47, of Oklahoma City, and Haven, 27, are accused of working together in a sex trafficking business with the intent to recruit and prostitute children under the age of 17 years. Spivey is also charged with enticing and coercing a female, whom he believed to be 17 years of age, to engage in prostitution in another state. If convicted, Spivy would face a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to $500,000 fine, and Haven would face a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 fine. The Tulsa Police Department is the lead agency.
Darlene Washington. Theft of Government Property. Washington, 61, of Bristow, is accused of stealing approximately $71,925 in Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) from June 2007 to November 2011. If convicted, Washington faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration is the lead agency.
Brandon G. Watters. Willfully Making a Threat Concerning Explosive Materials. Watters, 29, of Columbia, Tennessee, is charged with threatening to bomb the Miami Nation Enterprises Building in Miami, Oklahoma in July 2013. If convicted, Watters faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is the investigative agency.
Angela G. Webster. Embezzlement from a Labor Organization. Webster, 36, of Tulsa, is accused of embezzling at least $13,015.39 from Carpenters Local Union 943 where she served as the office secretary with financial duties from May 2010 to March 2011. If convicted, Webster faces a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Labor is the lead agency.
Christopher Weigers. Attempted Arson and Interstate Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprise (ITAR). Weigers, 39, of Catoosa, is accused of attempted arson and interstate transportation in aid of racketeering enterprise. If convicted of the attempted arson charge, Weigers faces a minimum of 5 years up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the ITAR charge, the maximum penalty is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Fire Department are the lead investigative agencies.Former Felon Sentenced to 117 Month Prison Term for Importing Synthetic DrugRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma, announced that Gus Travis Poole Jr., 28, of Tulsa, was sentenced to 117 months in prison for importing approximately 1000 grams of Methylone and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Methylone, a synthetic compound drug, is a controlled substance which is known as “mollies” on the street.
From January through March 2013, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed several federal search warrants related to inbound packages of Methylone from China. The packages were seized by HSI. Additionally, Federal Express turned over a suspect package to the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office that contained over a kilo of Methylone. Investigation by HSI led to the identification of Poole as the recipient of the packages. Poole has prior felony convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon and burglary.
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. said, “Synthetic and designer drugs are a significant, widespread problem both domestically and internationally. Abuse of these substances, like all dangerous drugs and chemicals, creates problems for individuals, their families, their communities, and society in general.” He added, “The trafficking of any type of drug will not be tolerated in the Northern District.”
“Homeland Security Investigations routinely works with our local law enforcement partners to effectively identify, investigate and prosecute drug traffickers,” said David M. Marwell, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas, which includes north Texas and the state of Oklahoma. “By working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, we successfully removed a violent drug trafficker from our communities for nearly 10 years.”
This case was investigated by HSI, with assistance from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Davis II.Former Inmate Sentenced in Prison False Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. announced today that Donald Lee Grayson, 61, of Tulsa, was sentenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma by U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan.
Grayson was charged with three counts of filing false 2008 federal income tax refund claims in the names of three different fellow prison inmates. As a trustee serving a state sentence at a Tulsa-area prison, he gained access to a laptop computer, and bank accounts in the names of the fellow inmates. With that, Grayson was able to electronically file the false tax returns from his prison cell. That also proved to be his undoing, for a guard noticed the power card of the computer which then led to a search of Grayson’s cell; ending the scheme.
The three false income tax returns were filed in late 2009 and claimed fraudulent refunds totaling $21,276, however, the IRS detected the falsity of one of the returns only paying $14,226 in false refunds.
Grayson was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, per count with each sentence running concurrent with the others, three (3) years of supervised release to follow the prison term and restitution of $14,226.
The charges resulted from an investigation by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, which has emphasized enforcement in the area of false income tax refunds and identity theft. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles M. McLoughlin.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — The results of the August 2013 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.Tyrone Taray Shaw. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Shaw, 29, of Tulsa, is accused of possessing a Romarm AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition after six prior felony convictions which included possession of marijuana and escape from confinement. If convicted, the maximum sentence of imprisonment would be 10 years and a fine of $250,000, along with the forfeiture of the Romarm AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the lead agency.
Andres Gonzalez. Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Drug Trafficking Crime. Gonzalez, 26, of Tulsa, is accused of possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the minimum mandatory sentence of imprisonment would be five years and the maximum imprisonment is 40 years, and a fine of $4,000,000. Gonzalez shall forfeit about $1,800, one caliber pistol and ammunition. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Matthew Scott Storey. Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Storey, 29, of Tulsa, is accused of possession and intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, the minimum imprisonment would be 10 years for possession and the maximum imprisonment is 20 years for intent to distribute. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Jesus Uzziel Rodriguez, Vincente Chipres Valencia and Francisco Reyes-Sanchez. Drug Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Rodriguez, 30, of Hayward, California, Valencia, 33, of East Palo Alto, California and Reyes-Sanchez, 34, of Mounds, Oklahoma are accused of possessing and conspiring to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine. If convicted, the minimum mandatory imprisonment is 10 years with a maximum life imprisonment, and a $10,000 fine. The lead agencies for this case are the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and Tulsa Police Department, Special Investigative Division.
Luis Alberto Vale and Alejandro Alspuro-Bernal. Drug Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. Vale, 23, and Alspuro-Bernal, 31, both of Tulsa, are accused of conspiring and possessing with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin between May and July 2013. If convicted, the minimum mandatory imprisonment would be five years and the maximum imprisonment is 40 years, up to $5,000,000 fine, and a forfeiture of approximately $11,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations is the lead agency.
Edin Ayala-Lopez. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Ayala-Lopez, 26, was arrested in Tulsa County and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in June 2008 near New Orleans, Louisiana. If convicted, Ayala-Lopez would face a maximum 20 years imprisonment and/or fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency of this case.
Marino Lopez-Miranda. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Lopez-Miranda, 53, was arrested in Tulsa County and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported near Del Rio, Texas in September 2008. If convicted, Lopez-Miranda would face a maximum 20 years imprisonment and/or fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency of this case.Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — The results of the July 2013 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Roy Dee Robinson. Firearm Possession by a Felon. Robinson, 52, of Vinita, Oklahoma, is charged with possessing a 20-gauge shotgun after prior convictions for burglary, driving under the influence and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. If convicted, the maximum sentence is a term imprisonment up to 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and the forfeiture of the shotgun involved in the offense. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency in the case.
Kennan Anthony Lamirand. Possession of Firearm and Drug Conspiracy. Lamirand, 33, of Tulsa, is accused of possessing a pistol with ammunition as convicted felon, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Upon conviction Lamirand would face a 5 year minimum to life imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine and shall forfeit the pistol with ammunition. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs is the lead agency.
Wayde Martin White and John Heath Neighbors. Possession of Synthetic Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. White, 53, and Neighbors, 42, both of Pryor, Oklahoma, are accused of drug conspiracy and possession of synthetic marijuana XLR-11 with the intent to distribute. Upon conviction, the defendants would face 20 years maximum imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine and shall forfeit two vehicles. U.S. Department of Homeland Security is the lead agency.
Michael Kukla. Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, Falsified Tax Returns. Kukla, 64, of Tulsa, is charged with wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. Kukla owned and operated Real Estate Closing Company (RECC), and worked as a title insurance agent at First American Title Insurance Company. The RECC maintained accounts at Arvest Bank and First American Title Insurance Company. Kukla is accused of transferring account funds for personal expenses and defrauding the insurance company about one account which was used to transfer funds and pay outstanding payments. From 2007-2009, Kukla filed false tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service of a lesser taxable amount than he actually earned. Upon conviction, Kukla would face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and shall forfeit at least $2 million dollars representing proceeds obtained as a result of the wire fraud. The Internal Revenue Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation are the lead agencies in the case.
Christopher Matthew Campbell and Kelsey Campbell. Drug Conspiracy and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Christopher Campbell, 30, and his wife Kelsey Campbell, 29, both of Tulsa are accused of drug conspiracy and possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Those counts are punishable by five to forty years and up to a $5,000,000 fine. Further, Christopher Campbell, a convicted felon, is charged with possession of a 20 gauge shotgun and ammunition, which is punishable for up to ten years and a $250,000 fine. The Government is also seeking the forfeiture of four vehicles and a shotgun. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Tulsa Police Department are the lead agencies.
Jorge Camacho. Illegal Alien in Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Camacho, 20, of Oklahoma City, is charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Upon conviction, Camacho would face up to 40 years imprisonment with minimum 5 years and $5,000,000 fine. The Tulsa Police Department, Special Investigation Division and Drug Enforcement Administration are the lead agencies.
Stanley Eugene Hill. Attempted Bank Robbery and Firearm Possession. Hill, 26, of Tulsa, is charged for his participation in the September 23, 2009, attempted robbery of Arvest Bank. He is also charged with using a firearm during the attempted bank robbery. Upon conviction, Hill faces a statutory maximum sentence for the attempted robbery of up to twenty-five years as well as a twenty-five year minimum sentence on the firearms count. By statute, the firearms sentence must run consecutive to any sentence imposed for Hill’s commission of the attempted robbery.
Daniel Munoz-Prieto, Keith Beets, Jerod Cody Linthicum and Javier Ponce. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Munoz-Prieto, 30, Beets, 36, Linthicum, 29, and Ponce, 25, all of Tulsa, are charged with possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute from January 2013 until July 2013. Linthecum and Ponce are charged with possessing 50 or more grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Munoz-Prieto and Ponce are charged with possessing 500 or more grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Upon conviction, the defendants would face a mandatory 10 years minimum up to 40 years imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Leonardo Zaavedra, Noe Vergara Wuences and Andre Zaavedra. Drug Conspiracy and Firearms Charges. L. Zaavedra and A. Zaavedra, 20, both of Tulsa, along with Vergara Wuences, 37, of Austin, Texas, are charged with possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Upon conviction, the defendants would face a mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment up to 10 years and a $4,000,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency.
Samuel Garcia-Escalera. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Garcia-Escalera, 35, was arrested in Tulsa and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in February 2006 near Laredo, Texas. Upon conviction, Garcia-Escalera would face a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency in the case.
Isiah Bernard Adams. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.Adams, 48, of Tulsa, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender after moving from Jackson County, Missouri to Oklahoma. If convicted, Adams maximum sentence is a term of imprisonment up to 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000. The United States Marshals Service is the lead agency.
Shane Allen Boggs. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Boggs, 41, of Rochester, Minnesota, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender after traveling interstate. If convicted, Boggs maximum sentence is a term of imprisonment up to 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000. The United States Marshals Service is the lead agency.
Nicole Renee Hughes and John Wallace Hunter. Drug Trafficking in Indian Country. Hughes, 31, of Vinita, Oklahoma and Hunter, 68, of Bristow, Oklahoma are charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Indian Country with intent to distribute it. If convicted, the defendants face imprisonment for maximum of 40 years and a mandatory minimum 5 years. Additionally they face a fine of up to $5,000,000. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is the lead agency in the case.
Darrell Robert Smith. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Smith, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender after traveling from Audrain County, Missouri to Oklahoma. If convicted, Smith faces 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000. The United States Marshals Service is the lead agency.
Ubaldo Esparza-Ortiz. Alien in the United States After Deportation. Esparza-Ortiz, 26, was arrested in Tulsa and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in May 2012 near Del Rio, Texas. Upon conviction, Esparza-Ortiz would face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the lead agency.
Edgar Hernandez Madriz. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and Witness Tampering. If convicted, Madriz faces a maximum 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Creek Nation Lighthorse Police are the lead agencies in the case.Multi-Agency Violent Crime InitiativeRead the Press Release
110 Arrested During Multiagency, Violent Crime Initiative from April to June 2013
TULSA, Okla. — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Danny C. Williams Sr., joined by members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and community counseling services, today announced a first series of arrests as the result of the Violent Crime Initiative to remove violent offenders from the 61st Street and Peoria Avenue area.
The joint effort of federal and state law enforcement resulted in the arrest of 110 offenders.
The Violent Crime Initiative began in April and will continue with ongoing operations until the streets and community are safe for all citizens. Violent Crime Initiative partners include the Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Probation Office, Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau, and Inspira Mentoring and Counseling.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely in a combined effort with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to fight violent crime to improve the quality of life for the City of Tulsa and the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to strengthening these partnerships and developing new initiatives that safeguard our community from harm.”Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris said, “The prosecution of violent crime is the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office number one priority. Individuals or groups of individuals that commit violent crimes are placed on notice. We will find you, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you. We will continue our cooperation in collaboration with all law enforcement partners at both the state and federal level to accomplish our goal of making Tulsa a safer place.”
The Violent Crime Initiative end-goals are to create safe neighborhoods by prosecuting criminals. Second, increase the potential for economic and business growth in the area by reducing crime, and third, to address the socio-economic component of stopping the cycle of crime by assisting the offenders through individual counseling.
Defendants Face Possible Life in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. announced the return of a superseding indictment against four men by a Federal Grand Jury on June 10, 2013. The charges include drug conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine, and firearms possession.
Harold Edward Staples, III, 59, his son, Christopher Dean Staples, 29, Buel Dean Hamilton, 61, all of Tulsa, and T.J. Cain, 41, of Stillwell are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. Harold Staples is also accused of firearms violations including illegal possession of machine guns, possession of unregistered silencers and a sawed-off rifle, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The defendants would face a mandatory minimum ten years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment if convicted. Harold Staples would face additional charges with a minimum of 25 years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Defendants would face the entry of a criminal forfeiture money judgment representing proceeds obtained as a result of the conspiracy and the forfeiture of four parcels of real property and over one hundred firearms, including machine guns, silencers and assault rifles.
After the superseding indictment was returned, the U.S. Government was made aware that Harold Staples died on the same day. The U.S. Government will continue its prosecution against the remaining defendants.
A Grand Jury Indictment is one method of charging a defendant with alleged violations of Federal Law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendants’ presumption of innocence.
Federal Grand Jury Criminal Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — The results of the June 2013 Federal Grand Jury were announced today by Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Lethan Craig Bias. Felon in Possession of Firearms. Bias, 41, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing .32 caliber and 9mm caliber pistols after having been convicted of felonies, including burglary of a habitation, residential burglary, counterfeiting obligations or securities of the United States, and kidnapping. Upon conviction, Bias would face a maximum of ten years imprisonment and would forfeit the pistols.
Jacquelyn Nelson. Embezzlement and Theft in Excess of $1000 from an Indian Tribal Organization. Nelson, 69, of Seneca, Missouri, is accused of embezzling and stealing over $1,000 from the Eastern Shawnee Tribe, an Indian tribal organization, between February 2008 and November 2009. Nelson allegedly paid herself every week instead of every other week from the tribe, and altered her W-2 form to show she made less than her regular salary.
Sherman Mark Quillman and Misty Dawn Laurecella.Conspiracy, Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute, and Firearm Possession. Quillman, 35, and Laurecella, 28, both of Tulsa and commonly known as “M&M,” are accused of conspiring to possess at least 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. Quillman is also accused of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as a convicted felon. Quillman’s previous felony conviction was for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Upon conviction, Quillman and Laurecella would face a mandatory ten years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment for the drug charges, while Quillman would face an additional mandatory minimum five years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. Upon conviction, Quillman and Laurecella would also forfeit over $50,000 and the firearm.
Jesus Gomez Maximo.Conspiracy, Possession of Cocaine With Intent to Distribute, and Firearms Possession. Maximo, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with conspiracy and possession of at least 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute it. He is also charged with possessing .380 caliber and .32 caliber pistols in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as an alien illegally in the United States. Upon conviction, Maximo would face a minimum five years imprisonment up to a maximum of forty years imprisonment for the drug charges, and a mandatory minimum 5 years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Upon conviction, Maximo would also forfeit three vehicles and the firearms.
Victor Ross Chappell.Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Chappell, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a .380 caliber pistol and six rounds of .380 caliber ammunition after having been convicted of nine felonies. Chappell’s nine felony convictions include burglary, grand larceny, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, false impersonation, eluding, and possession of a firearm after former conviction of a felony. Upon conviction, Chappell would face a maximum of ten years imprisonment.
Shaun Michael Jameson. Wire Fraud Scheme. Jameson is accused of devising a clothing business scheme causing friends and relatives to invest and transfer a total of approximately $1,000,000 in fraudulent clothing transactions. From May 2009 to November 2011, friends and relatives, with the intention of investing in the clothing business, would transfer funds to Jameson’s bank accounts with RCB Bank. Jameson allegedly used the investor moneys to pay personal and business expenses unrelated to clothing transactions. Jameson is charged with nine counts of wire fraud and six counts of unlawful monetary transactions. Upon conviction, Jameson would face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment for wire fraud and a maximum ten years imprisonment for unlawful monetary transactions. Upon conviction of all counts, Jameson could also forfeit more than $600,000.
Fernando Palacios.Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine and Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute and Maintaining Drug Involved Premises. Palacios, age unknown, of Tulsa, is charged with conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of both cocaine and methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. Palacios is also charged with using premises in Tulsa for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing both cocaine and methamphetamine. Upon conviction, Palacios would face a mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment for the methamphetamine charge, a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment up to a maximum of forty years imprisonment on the cocaine charge, and a maximum of twenty years imprisonment for maintaining a drug involved premises. Upon conviction, Palacios could forfeit as much as $250,000.
Quinn Anthony Kelley, Jr.Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Distribute and Firearm Possession. Quinn, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute it. Quinn is also charged with possessing a 9mm pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as a felon. Quinn’s felony convictions include possession of a controlled drug and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Upon conviction, Quinn would face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment for the crack cocaine charge, a maximum of ten years imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a felon, and a mandatory minimum five years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Upon conviction, Quinn could also forfeit over $450 in cash and the pistol.
Rashida Tanzania Mack.Possession of PCP With Intent to Distribute and Firearms Possession. Mack, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of phencyclide, commonly known as “PCP,” with intent to distribute it. Mack is also charged with possessing a 9mm caliber pistol and a .38 special caliber revolver in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Upon conviction, Mack would face a mandatory minimum five years imprisonment up to a maximum of forty years imprisonment on the PCP charge and a mandatory minimum five years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment on the firearms charge. Upon conviction, Mack could also forfeit over $14,000 and the firearms.
Guadalupe Arellano-Montoya.Alien in the United States After Deportation. Arellano-Montoya, 33, was arrested in Tulsa and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported on June 2, 2010 from Del Rio, Texas. Upon conviction, Arellano-Montoya would face a maximum of two years imprisonment.
Gene Edward Fouse.Possession of Cocaine With Intent to Distribute. Fouse, 50, of Altedena, California, is charged with possession of more than five kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute it. Upon conviction, Fouse would face a mandatory minimum ten years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Upon conviction, Fouse could also forfeit two vehicles.
Omar Cardenas-Rodriguez.Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute. Cardenas-Rodriguez, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it. Upon conviction, Cardenas-Rodriguez would face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment and the possible forfeiture of a vehicle.
Bernabe Gonzalez-Vicente.Alien in the United States After Deportation. Gonzalez-Vicente, 40, was arrested in Tulsa and charged with having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported in December 2012 from Houston, Texas. Upon conviction, Gonzalez-Vicente would face a maximum of two years imprisonment.
Grand Jury Superseding Indictment Alleges Drug Charges Against Top Members of the "107 Hoover Crips"Read the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. –United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. announced that four men have been charged in a superseding indictment returned today by a Federal Grand Jury in Tulsa. The superseding indictment is the result of a two-year investigation conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) into the “107 Hoover Crips” street gang and its criminal activities of drug dealing, extortion, and violence, including shootings.
Lorell Antonio Battle, 30, Paul Edward Battle, 31, Thomas Layeffetta Jackson, 27, and Gaywone Dekeith Blades, 18, all of Tulsa, are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine. Lorell Battle and Gaywone Blades are also accused of possessing firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking and maintaining apartments in the 61st Street and Peoria Avenue area of Tulsa to distribute, store, and use cocaine base in other charges of the eleven (11) count superseding indictment.
United States Attorney Williams and Chief of Police Chuck Jordan emphasized the need for continuing the combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in fighting the drug trafficking and violent gang activities in the 61st Street and Peoria Avenue neighborhood. U.S. Attorney Williams stated that a strong partnership of Tulsa’s law enforcement agencies will result in a better community for all residents. The charges resulted from an investigation of the Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigations Division assisted by the DEA, the FBI, and the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert T. Raley, Allen J. Litchfield, and Catherine Depew are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A Grand Jury Indictment is one method of charging a defendant with alleged violations of Federal Law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendants’ presumption of innocence.
Tulsa Man Convicted in Child Sex Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. announced today that a Federal jury convicted Tarran Arnel Brinson, 24, of Tulsa, on six counts related to child sex trafficking.
Following a six day trial, Brinson was found guilty on six of the seven counts charged, including conspiring to recruit, entice, transport, provide, and obtain girls under the age of 18 years knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that the girls would be caused to engage in commercial sex acts.
The victims in this case were minors recruited by Brinson into prostitution. One victim was a 14 year-old girl when she was recruited. Brinson utilized the social media site Facebook to recruit teenage girls to his commercial sex business.
The case was investigated by the Tulsa Police Department Vice Unit, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by U. S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. and Assistant United States Attorneys R. Trent Shores and Clinton J. Johnson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
If you have information related to sex trafficking call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or visit the website www.polarisproject.org for more information.
Civil Rights Laws Protect Servicemembers from Employment Violations and Financial FraudRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. — Active duty and reserve military servicemembers honorably protect our nation. Congress has recognized these sacrifices and has enacted laws to protect the civil rights of servicemembers and veterans. The Department of Justice, in partnerships with other federal agencies, offers programs that protect servicemembers which include: Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Danny C. Williams Sr. said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will protect the rights of our servicemembers, and hold those accountable who discriminate and violate the rights of those who serve our nation.”
The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 protects service members’ and veterans’ civilian employment rights and prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, retention, reemployment, and other employment benefits on the basis of a person’s prior service, current obligations, or intent to join a uniformed service. The civil rights law also requires employers to reemploy a servicemember from military service in a position he/or she would have attained had they not been called away for military service.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides financial security and protection to active duty servicemembers in areas of: rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, evictions, installment contracts, credit card and mortgage interest rates, foreclosure, civil judicial proceedings, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments. The law is designed to ease financial burdens on service members and their families during times of military service.
Servicemembers and veterans who believe they may have been a victim of employment discrimination or financial fraud based on their military service may report these violations to the Department of Justice. More information can be found at www.justice.gov. Please visit www.servicemembers.gov to learn about how the Department of Justice is protecting the rights of servicemembers.
Former Dallas Securities Broker Sentenced in Oklahoma to 84 Months in Prison for Role in Stock Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A former stock broker was sentenced to prison today for his role in an extensive pump-and-dump stock manipulation scheme, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department's Criminal Division , U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. of the Northern District of Oklahoma, Special Agent in Charge James E. Finch of the FBI's Oklahoma City Division and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Richard Weber.
Joshua Wayne Lankford, 39, of Dallas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James H. Payne in the Northern District of Oklahoma to serve 84 months in prison. In addition to his prison term, Lankford was ordered to forfeit $250,000. Proceeds from forfeited assets will be used to partially restitute victims.
On Dec. 10, 2012, Lankford pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
"Mr. Lankford and his co-conspirators took advantage of innocent investors to the tune of millions of dollars, pumping and dumping penny stocks without regard to anything but their wallets," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "As this case shows, stockbrokers and other professionals will be punished if they break the law. Lankford now faces substantial time in prison for his manipulation scheme."
"The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice are committed to identifying and prosecuting criminals who defraud investors and steal their savings," said U.S. Attorney Williams. "Pump and dump schemes like these have a devastating financial impact on the victims and undermine public confidence in our nation's financial system."
According to court documents and evidence presented at the 2010 trial, Lankford and his co-defendants manipulated the stocks of three companies: Deep Rock Oil & Gas Inc. and Global Beverage Solutions Inc., formerly known as Pacific Peak Investments, both of Tulsa, Okla., and National Storm Management Group Inc. of Glen Ellyn, Ill. The defendants devised and engaged in a scheme to defraud investors known as a "pump and dump," in which they manipulated publicly traded penny stocks. A penny stock is a common stock that trades for less than $5 per share in the over the counter market, rather than on national exchanges. Lankford and his co-defendants executed the scheme by obtaining a majority of the free-trading shares of stock of the company they intended to manipulate, using fraudulent and deceptive means to acquire the stock and/or remove the trading restrictions on the shares they obtained.
"Stock manipulation and securities fraud are high investigative priorities of the FBI," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Finch. "This case is the result of a lengthy investigation which involved outstanding cooperation between the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, and the SEC. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect investors and bring those who commit these types of fraud to justice."
"Using fraud and deception to jeopardize the financial markets and launder funds are not victimless crimes," said IRS-CI Chief Weber. "Mr. Lankford and his co-defendants thought they latched onto a clever scheme to reap a vast wealth of illegal profits. Today, justice has been served. IRS-CI works in close alliance with our law enforcement partners, and together we will hold those who engage in similar conduct accountable."
According to court records, Lankford and other conspirators "parked" their shares with various nominees, such as friends, relatives or other entities that they owned and controlled. Subsequently, they engaged in coordinated trading in order to create the appearance of an emerging market for these stocks, after which they conducted massive promotional campaigns in which unsolicited fax and email "blasts" were sent to millions of recipients. According to evidence presented at the 2010 trial, these blasts touted the respective stocks without accurately disclosing who was paying for the promotions, omitted that the defendants intended to sell their shares, and induced unsuspecting legitimate investors to purchase stock in the companies. The defendants and their nominees obtained significant profits by selling large amounts of shares after they had artificially inflated the stock price. For each of the three manipulated stocks, the conspirators' sell-off caused declines of the stock price and left legitimate investors holding stock of significantly reduced value.
According to Lankford's guilty plea, he laundered $250,000 in proceeds derived from the stock manipulation scheme.
Evidence presented in the 2010 trial showed that the overall scheme resulted in illegal proceeds of more than $43 million from more than 17,000 investor victims.
Lankford was originally charged in a 24-count indictment unsealed on Feb. 10, 2009, against five defendants. Prior to trial, Lankford fled to Costa Rica, where he remained until he was extradited to the United States in May 2012. James Reskin, 54, of Louisville, Ky., was sentenced today to serve five years of probation for his role in the scheme. Co-defendants George David Gordon and Richard Clark, were convicted by a federal jury in May 2010 for their roles in the scheme. Gordon was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison, and Clark was sentenced to serve 151 months in prison. The fifth defendant, Dean Sheptycki, remains a fugitive.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Andrew Warren and Kevin Muhlendorf of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Depew for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The case is being investigated by IRS-CI and the FBI. The department wishes to thank the Securities and Exchange Commission, which referred the matter for prosecution. The department also wishes to thank the Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Marshals Service for their work in securing Lankford's extradition.
This case is part of efforts underway by President Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys' offices and state and local partners, it's the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.Multi-Jurisdiction Operation Nets Nine Arrests for Alleged Methamphetamine Related CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr., announced today that a federal Grand Jury returned Indictments against two individuals for Conspiracy and Possession of More Than 500 Grams of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute.
The Indictments named Gonzalo Ponce-Arturez, age 35, from Austin, Texas, and Raven Frederick-Holmes, age 31, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, as defendants. If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment. Parole has been abolished in the Federal system.
The charges are the result of a multi-jurisdictional operation that included contributions from agents and officers associated with the Cherokee Nation Marshals Service, Rogers County District Attorney’s Office Investigators, Catoosa Police Department, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The coordinated investigative effort netted a total of nine arrests related to drug trafficking crimes in Rogers County and elsewhere in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Rogers County District Attorney’s Office will coordinate the prosecutions of those individuals arrested. The prosecutions of Ponce-Arturez and Fredrick-Holmes will proceed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The seven other individuals who were arrested will be charged and prosecuted in Rogers County District Court. Those individuals include: John Hunt, age 68, Gene Miller, age 53, Shelley Boothe, age 30, Carl Fogleman, age 30, Ayla Jones, age 20, Charles Yahola, age 24, and John Cooper, age 34.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty at later criminal proceedings.
Defendants Sentenced in Human Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
Tulsa, Oklahoma - United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr., announced today that six people were sentenced Monday and Tuesday following their guilty pleas to human-trafficking-related charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and coercion and enticement to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.
The case, dubbed “Operation Poker Chip,” was investigated starting in January 2012, by the following law enforcement agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
Following are the sentences that were handed down over two days by U.S. District Judge James H. Payne:
- Juan Rosales Garza, aka “Fernando,” pled guilty March 28, 2012, was sentenced Monday to a term of imprisonment for 135 months; to pay restitution of $18,340 and $3,780 to pay jointly and severally with his co-defendants and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Sermaias Samuel Sanchez Ajin, pled guilty March 28, 2012, was sentenced Monday to time served (approximately 13 months); $3,780 restitution to pay jointly and severally with his co-defendant’s and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Antonio Felix Velasquez-Lopez, aka “Tony,” pled guilty April 24, 2012, was sentenced Monday to a term of imprisonment for 87 months; $1,530 restitution and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Israel Velasquez-Ramirez, aka “Marcos,” pled guilty April 11, 2012, sentencedTuesday to a term of imprisonment for 18 months; $420 restitution and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Piedad Garcia, pled guilty August 7, 2012, was sentenced Tuesday to a term of imprisonment for 24 months; $6,580 restitution; $200,000 money judgment and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Gloria N. Giammalva, aka “Diana,” pled guilty August 8, 2012, was sentenced Tuesday to a term of imprisonment for 21 months; $18,340 restitution jointly and $3,780 jointly with other co-defendant’s and a $100 special monetary assessment.
A seventh defendant, Ignacio Ijom-Brito, also pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced in December 2012, to 14 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
In addition to the above prison sentences, Juan Rosales-Garza and Piedad Currea-Garcia will forfeit to the United States any property, real or personal, derived from proceeds obtained during the sex trafficking conspiracy.
The operation derives its name from poker chips that were given to the customers who paid a “caretaker” to have sex with a sex trafficking victim. The customer then turned in the poker chip to the victim. The sex traffickers or “caretakers” collected the poker chips at the end of the day to keep track of how many clients they had.
The first victim in this case was smuggled into the United States from Mexico more than eight years ago. After arriving in Atlanta, Ga., she was beaten, threatened and forced into prostitution. The victim was trafficked to at least 10 other states over a period of several years. The constant movement is a common tactic of human traffickers to maximize profits and minimize the chances of being caught by law enforcement.
Despite beatings, injuries and threats to her with a gun, the victim eventually escaped her traffickers with her son. For his safety, she sent her son to live with his father’s parents in Mexico. While living in Houston, she was recognized by a trafficker and forced back into prostitution. The victim was subjected to harsh verbal and physical abuse, and was injected with drugs.
On Jan. 10, 2012, she was able to contact a law enforcement officer in Atlanta while she was in Houston. HSI special agents in Houston were notified. However, she was moved to Tulsa in January 2012. But she was still able to text her movements to HSI special agents. The victim was pregnant and in poor health due to the abuse she was suffering at the hands of her traffickers.
Although the victim was never told where she was staying or allowed to go outside, she was able determine her latest Tulsa address from a local pizza flyer mailed to the apartment. HSI special agents further confirmed her location by signal when the victim placed a black high-heeled shoe on the window sill of the apartment. HSI task force officers, who are Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies, obtained the state search warrant to search the apartment.
On Jan. 19, 2012, HSI special agents and TCSO task force officers executed the search warrant, rescued the victim, and arrested Ignacio Ijom-Brito and Antonio Velasquez-Lopez for sex trafficking. The victim was taken to a hospital and admitted for medical issues. HSI and FBI Victim Witness Coordinators assisted, and continue to assist, the victim. Ijom-Brito and Velasquez-Lopez were federally indicted in February 2012.
On Jan. 25, 2012, HSI Tulsa special agents and TCSO task force officers executed search warrants that resulted in the arrest of Israel Velasquez-Ramirez, who was arrested and later charged with sex trafficking.
On Feb. 23, 2012, HSI and FBI special agents located and arrested Sermaias Sanchez-Ajin at an apartment in Tulsa. Sanchez-Ajin had managed to evade federal authorities for nearly a month, having left a former brothel location only hours before HSI special agents executed a search warrant on Jan. 26, 2012.
As a result of the search warrants, information was developed regarding additional brothel locations in Oklahoma City and Kansas City. Another victim was located by HSI special agents in Oklahoma City on Jan. 26, 2012. When she told her caretakers that she wanted to return to Houston, she was told that she could not leave. She identified photos of Velasquez-Ramirez and Sanchez-Ajin as the caretakers of the two locations she had worked performing sex acts in Tulsa.
HSI, FBI, and IRS-CI special agents, with assistance from TCSO, conducted an extensive investigation of the sex trafficking organization. The investigation revealed that the organization was responsible for coordinating the movement of both sex trafficking victims and willing prostitutes to locations in multiple states.
IRS-CI special agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s financial analyst assisted with an extensive financial investigation and traced the flow of illicit funds from brothel locations in several states to the organization’s leaders.
Investigators identified Juan Rosales-Garza and Gloria Giammalva, a married couple, as leaders of the sex trafficking organization that was operating in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Investigators also identified Piedad Currea-Garcia as a leader within the organization that operated sex trafficking ventures in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
Currea-Garcia, Rosales-Garza and Giammalva, along with Velasquez Ramirez and Sanchez-Ajin, were all indicted in the Northern District of Oklahoma in a series of four superseding indictments for sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
In April 2012, Rosales-Garza and Currea-Garcia were both located and arrested by HSI special agents in Kansas City pursuant to federal arrest warrants following the execution of a federal search warrant in Kansas City, Mo.
On April 26, 2012, Gloria Giammalva was arrested outside the U.S. Magistrate Courtroom in Tulsa when she arrived for Rosales-Garza’s detention hearing.
Defendants Sentenced in Human Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
Tulsa, Oklahoma - United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr., announced today that six people were sentenced Monday and Tuesday following their guilty pleas to human-trafficking-related charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and coercion and enticement to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.
The case, dubbed “Operation Poker Chip,” was investigated starting in January 2012, by the following law enforcement agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
Following are the sentences that were handed down over two days by U.S. District Judge James H. Payne:- Juan Rosales Garza, aka “Fernando,” pled guilty March 28, 2012, was sentenced Monday to a term of imprisonment for 135 months; to pay restitution of $18,340 and $3,780 to pay jointly and severally with his co-defendants and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Sermaias Samuel Sanchez Ajin, pled guilty March 28, 2012, was sentenced Monday to time served (approximately 13 months); $3,780 restitution to pay jointly and severally with his co-defendant’s and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Antonio Felix Velasquez-Lopez, aka “Tony,” pled guilty April 24, 2012, was sentenced Monday to a term of imprisonment for 87 months; $1,530 restitution and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Israel Velasquez-Ramirez, aka “Marcos,” pled guilty April 11, 2012, sentenced Tuesday to a term of imprisonment for 18 months; $420 restitution and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Piedad Garcia, pled guilty August 7, 2012, was sentenced Tuesday to a term of imprisonment for 24 months; $6,580 restitution; $200,000 money judgment and $100 special monetary assessment.
- Gloria N. Giammalva, aka “Diana,” pled guilty August 8, 2012, was sentenced Tuesday to a term of imprisonment for 21 months; $18,340 restitution jointly and $3,780 jointly with other co-defendant’s and a $100 special monetary assessment.
A seventh defendant, Ignacio Ijom-Brito, also pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced in December 2012, to 14 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
In addition to the above prison sentences, Juan Rosales-Garza and Piedad Currea-Garcia will forfeit to the United States any property, real or personal, derived from proceeds obtained during the sex trafficking conspiracy.
The operation derives its name from poker chips that were given to the customers who paid a “caretaker” to have sex with a sex trafficking victim. The customer then turned in the poker chip to the victim. The sex traffickers or “caretakers” collected the poker chips at the end of the day to keep track of how many clients they had.
The first victim in this case was smuggled into the United States from Mexico more than eight years ago. After arriving in Atlanta, Ga., she was beaten, threatened and forced into prostitution. The victim was trafficked to at least 10 other states over a period of several years. The constant movement is a common tactic of human traffickers to maximize profits and minimize the chances of being caught by law enforcement.
Despite beatings, injuries and threats to her with a gun, the victim eventually escaped her traffickers with her son. For his safety, she sent her son to live with his father’s parents in Mexico. While living in Houston, she was recognized by a trafficker and forced back into prostitution. The victim was subjected to harsh verbal and physical abuse, and was injected with drugs.
On Jan. 10, 2012, she was able to contact a law enforcement officer in Atlanta while she was in Houston. HSI special agents in Houston were notified. However, she was moved to Tulsa in January 2012. But she was still able to text her movements to HSI special agents. The victim was pregnant and in poor health due to the abuse she was suffering at the hands of her traffickers.
Although the victim was never told where she was staying or allowed to go outside, she was able determine her latest Tulsa address from a local pizza flyer mailed to the apartment. HSI special agents further confirmed her location by signal when the victim placed a black high-heeled shoe on the window sill of the apartment. HSI task force officers, who are Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies, obtained the state search warrant to search the apartment.
On Jan. 19, 2012, HSI special agents and TCSO task force officers executed the search warrant, rescued the victim, and arrested Ignacio Ijom-Brito and Antonio Velasquez-Lopez for sex trafficking. The victim was taken to a hospital and admitted for medical issues. HSI and FBI Victim Witness Coordinators assisted, and continue to assist, the victim. Ijom-Brito and Velasquez-Lopez were federally indicted in February 2012.
On Jan. 25, 2012, HSI Tulsa special agents and TCSO task force officers executed search warrants that resulted in the arrest of Israel Velasquez-Ramirez, who was arrested and later charged with sex trafficking.On Feb. 23, 2012, HSI and FBI special agents located and arrested Sermaias Sanchez-Ajin at an apartment in Tulsa. Sanchez-Ajin had managed to evade federal authorities for nearly a month, having left a former brothel location only hours before HSI special agents executed a search warrant on Jan. 26, 2012.
As a result of the search warrants, information was developed regarding additional brothel locations in Oklahoma City and Kansas City. Another victim was located by HSI special agents in Oklahoma City on Jan. 26, 2012. When she told her caretakers that she wanted to return to Houston, she was told that she could not leave. She identified photos of Velasquez-Ramirez and Sanchez-Ajin as the caretakers of the two locations she had worked performing sex acts in Tulsa.HSI, FBI, and IRS-CI special agents, with assistance from TCSO, conducted an extensive investigation of the sex trafficking organization. The investigation revealed that the organization was responsible for coordinating the movement of both sex trafficking victims and willing prostitutes to locations in multiple states.
IRS-CI special agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s financial analyst assisted with an extensive financial investigation and traced the flow of illicit funds from brothel locations in several states to the organization’s leaders.
Investigators identified Juan Rosales-Garza and Gloria Giammalva, a married couple, as leaders of the sex trafficking organization that was operating in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Investigators also identified Piedad Currea-Garcia as a leader within the organization that operated sex trafficking ventures in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
Currea-Garcia, Rosales-Garza and Giammalva, along with Velasquez Ramirez and Sanchez-Ajin, were all indicted in the Northern District of Oklahoma in a series of four superseding indictments for sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
In April 2012, Rosales-Garza and Currea-Garcia were both located and arrested by HSI special agents in Kansas City pursuant to federal arrest warrants following the execution of a federal search warrant in Kansas City, Mo.
On April 26, 2012, Gloria Giammalva was arrested outside the U.S. Magistrate Courtroom in Tulsa when she arrived for Rosales-Garza’s detention hearing.Former Skiatook Superintendent Sentenced to Term of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr., announced that earlier today United States District Court Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Dr. Gary L. Johnson to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment for Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and to Corruptly Solicit, Accept, Give and Offer Things of Value. He was ordered to pay $207,590.01 of the $657,197.27 in restitution to the Skiatook Public Schools. Parole has been abolished in the Federal System.
Johnson, the former Skiatook Public Schools Superintendent, and Mr. Enos, an Oklahoma City businessman, had previously admitted to conspiring to defraud the United States by hiding from the Internal Revenue Service income derived from bribes in the preparation and filing of Johnson’s Federal income tax returns. Additionally, the defendants admitted they had agreed to violate Federal laws by engaging in corrupt conduct to influence Johnson through a series of bribes.
During the course of the conspiracy from 2004-2010, Johnson failed to perform his fiduciary responsibilities as a public official as they related to the procurement of supplies, equipment and services. Meanwhile, Enos profited substantially as he over billed the Skiatook School District for basic supplies, equipment and services.
Enos would submit invoices to Johnson at the Skiatook Schools for the supplies, equipment and services at prices that were as much as 400% inflated above the fair market value. Johnson would then approve payments by the Skiatook Schools for the over billed invoices. In exchange, Johnson would corruptly solicit and accept things of value, including cash, tickets to college football games, and the costs for travel, food, lodging, and entertainment from Enos.
For example, in January 2004, Enos took Johnson to the National NCAA Division I Football Championship game in New Orleans, Louisiana. Furthermore, beginning in 2007 and continuing on a recurring basis, Enos purchased with cash Johnson’s University of Oklahoma (“OU”) football tickets for a price in excess of the fair market value and then provided him with upgraded OU football tickets that provided access to a box suite. Enos also provided Johnson with multiple cash bribes during the course of the conspiracy.
In order to conceal their corrupt agreement, the defendants used code words when discussing their conspiratorial agreement. They used the code word “cabinet” to refer to corrupt cash payments of $100, and the words “large cabinet” to refer to corrupt cash payments of $1,000. Likewise, they concealed their conspiracy from the United States by failing to include the cash kickbacks paid by Enos to Johnson on Johnson’s 2008 Federal income tax return.
U.S. Attorney Williams commented, “Today’s sentence puts public officials on notice that they are not above the law, and will be held accountable when they solicit and accept bribes to influence their conduct.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Wilson and Trent Shores prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Special Agents with the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the criminal conduct-at- issue in coordination with State of Oklahoma authorities.
Indictment Unsealed on Plot to Intimidate WitnessRead the Press Release
Tulsa - United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr. announced today the unsealing of an indictment with charges against four men and one woman for plotting to interfere with a federal witness. Christopher Aaron Charlton (age 30), Erin Elizabeth Mackool (age 26), William Lucas Mayberry (age 26), Charles August Hoffman (age 30) and David Bryce Brooner (age 37), all of Tulsa, are accused of conspiring to prevent a witness from communicating with federal law enforcement information concerning a violent crime. Documents filed in the case described possession of duct tape, zip ties and firearms for use with threats and intimidation to prevent the witness from communicating with authorities.
Additional charges against the men and woman were also filed for their illegal possession of firearms, including an unregistered sawed-off shotgun. The conspirators could receive prison sentences of up to thirty (30) years imprisonment with no parole if convicted of the plot to interfere with the witness.
U.S. Attorney Williams stressed that interfering with any witness, whether state or federal, is a serious offense that will result in lengthy sentences. Williams noted that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma cooperates fully with federal, state and local authorities to protect witnesses who come forward with information regarding criminal behavior. Agencies participating in the investigation include the Department of Homeland Security, the Tulsa Police Department and the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office.
Indictments are a charging instrument and each defendant is presumed innocent until convicted of the charged crimes.
Former Oklahoma City Attorney Pleads Guilty to $3 Million Dollar FraudRead the Press Release
Tulsa, Oklahoma - United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr., announced today that John Merritt, 74, a former Oklahoma City attorney, entered guilty pleas to numerous fraud related offenses in Oklahoma City before Federal District Judge J. Thomas Marten, Wichita, Kansas. According to documents filed in the three separate cases, Merritt had devised fraud schemes that resulted in losses totaling more than $3 million.
Danny C. Williams, Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, was appointed by the Office of the Deputy Attorney General following the recusal of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma to investigate and prosecute any offenses that Merritt is believed to have committed. Merritt was indicted on April 17, 2012, in a twelve count indictment charging he used forged federal and state court orders to steal over $450,000 of settlement funds of lawsuits involving car accidents from children who were his clients. Merritt pled guilty to those crimes in July and is awaiting sentencing.
The fraud charges to which Merritt pled guilty yesterday include allegations that: (1) in 2007, Merritt defrauded Advocate Capital, Inc., of Nashville, Tennessee, using false financial statements and income tax returns to fraudulently obtain a line of credit totaling more than $1,750,000; (2) from 2007 through 2011, Merritt defrauded Quail Creek Bank of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, by providing false financial statements and income tax returns to obtain a line of credit totaling $800,000; and (3) in 2011, Merritt forged the signature of another attorney on two settlement checks totaling $500,000 which he deposited into a Quail Creek Bank account and thereafter withdrew the fraudulently obtained funds.
Sentencing is expected to be set in May 2013.
The charges result from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The prosecutions of the cases are being handled by Special Attorneys Charles M. McLoughlin and Kevin C. Leitch.