District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Mount Pleasant Woman Indicted for Wire Fraud and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced an indictment charging Cynthia Cave, age 45, of Mount Pleasant, with Wire Fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1343, and Filing a False Tax Return, a violation of Title 26, U. S. C. §7206(1).
Cave is charged with devising a scheme to defraud her employer, a plastic surgery practice owned and operated by a single individual physician in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., starting in or around 2007 and continuing through 2011. The indictment alleges that Cave, used her position as office manager to utilize the medical practice’s funds to pay for, among other things, personal services, retail items, meals, and travel, all unrelated to the practice and without the knowledge or authorization of the practice’s owner. The indictment also alleges that Cave willfully made and subscribed false Form 1040s in three separate tax years that she did not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter.
The maximum penalties that Cave could receive are 20 years imprisonment if convicted of Wire Fraud and 10 years imprisonment if convicted for Filing a False Tax Return. The Indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Austin of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case.
Mr. Nettles stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Grand Jury in Greenville Returns IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:
Spartanburg Resident Charged with Wire Fraud
Claus C. Foerster, age 55, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a 5-count indictment with wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. The maximum penalty Foerster could receive for each count is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office for prosecution.Greenville Resident Indicted for Fraud by Producing Counterfeit Access Devices
Thomas Geter, age 41, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a 1-count indictment with Access Device Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(4). The maximum penalty Geter could receive is 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.Belton Resident Indicted for Possession of Child Pornography
Kenneth Allen McCall, age 28, of Belton, South Carolina, was charged in a 1-count indictment with possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B). The maximum penalty McCall could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Probation Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Former Deputy Pleads Guilty to Preparing Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: T. DeWayne Pearson (803) 929-3000
Columbia, SC - United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that former Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy Maribel Crespo, age 40, of Columbia, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea to presenting false claims to the United States in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 287. According to information presented during the plea hearing, Crespo prepared fraudulent tax returns for other former Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies by adding false and fictitious information to the returns. Crespo attached children’s information to the tax returns so that she could claim them as false dependents and artificially inflate the amount of the tax return. These children were typically citizen children of non-citizen Hispanics in the Columbia area. Crespo would facilitate the payment of part of the return to the parents of the dependent, some to herself and the remainder to the tax filer. Based on IRS calculations, Crespo caused $327,963 in loss to the Treasury based on her fraudulent returns.
Internal Revenue Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III said, “IRS, Criminal Investigation takes seriously any attempts to steal taxpayer money through false claims for refunds; and certainly when those false claims are made by someone sworn to uphold the law.” Sentencing in the case has not yet been scheduled, but Crespo faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office.
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Allen University Track Coach Found Guilty of Preparing Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: T. DeWayne Pearson (803) 929-3000
Columbia, SC - United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Brandon Jamar Samuels age 31 of Columbia, South Carolina, was found guilty after a jury trial of conspiracy to defraud the United States in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. According to testimony presented during the trial, Samuels and his co-defendants prepared fraudulent tax returns for customers of Daitech Tax Service between 2008 and 2011. Witnesses testified that Samuels instructed them on how to claim bogus business expenses and other deductions on their tax returns in an effort to decrease their tax liability and artificially increase their tax refund. Other witnesses testified that Samuels made fraudulent claims on tax return forms without the customers’ knowledge.
Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman said, "The IRS, Criminal Investigation is committed to holding unscrupulous tax return preparers accountable for the false information they add to client returns." Sentencing in the case has not yet been scheduled, but Samuels faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson and John Potterfield of the Columbia office.
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2nd Fairfax Man Sentenced for His ROle in Amtrak Wreck ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Deon Dovell Roberts, age 35, of Fairfax, South Carolina was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment in federal court. On November 2, 2015, Roberts plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud/cause a train wreck/interfere with a train operator and to interfering with the operation of a train, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1992(a)(6). United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs sentenced Roberts to 21 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release on each charge, to run concurrently, and ordered Roberts to make restitution to Amtrak in the amount of $46,690.27. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Childs stated that this was “a serious crime” and that Robert’s request for a probationary sentence was not appropriate due to the “significant nature of this crime and potentially what could have happened.”
Evidence presented during the earlier guilty plea hearing showed that during the early morning hours of September 6, 2013, Roberts and James Duvall Love parked a car at Bakers Mill Crossing in Allendale, South Carolina, in the path of an oncoming Amtrak passenger train, got out of the car prior to the collision, and then returned to the car after the collision, feigning injury, all for the purpose of submitting bogus claims for personal injuries and other losses. Robert’s co-defendant James Duvall Love age 34, of Fairfax, South Carolina also plead guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud/cause a train wreck/interfere with a train operator and to a separate felon in possession of a firearm charge and was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment in January 2016.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Amtrak Office of Inspector General, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Fairfax Police Department, and the Allendale County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Klumb and Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the prosecution of the case.#####
Greer Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Dumping in Violation of the Clean Water ActRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Jamie Schoen (864) 282-2100
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Timothy Howard, age 50, of Greer, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson, to two counts of Violating Pretreatment Standards of the Clean Water Act, violations of 33 U.S.C. §§ 1317 and 1319, and 40 C.F.R. 403.5(b)(8). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 2, 2011, Timothy Howard used an American Waste hauling truck to dump waste into a grease trap outside of a Publix in Greenville County, South Carolina. The grease trap was connected to the ReWa - Renewable Water Resources system. The site was not a designated waste disposal discharge point, and the illegal dumping violated both the Clean Water Act and Howard’s permit with ReWa.
On June 18, 2013, Howard again was caught illegally dumping into another grease trap. The grease trap on this date was located behind a closed restaurant in Lyman, South Carolina, and was connected to the Town of Lyman system. Again, this was not a designated discharge point, and dumping at this site violated both the Clean Water Act and the Town of Lyman regulations. At all times relevant to the charges, Timothy Howard was the owner and operator of American Waste, Inc., also known as American Waste Septic Tank Service.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for each count of Violating Pretreatment Standards of the Clean Water Act is imprisonment for 3 years and/or a fine of $50,000 per day of the violations.
The case was investigated by agents of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Criminal Investigations for South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Duncan Police Department, and the Lyman Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville is prosecuting the case.
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Sumter Man Pleads Guilty for His Role in Fraudulent Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Benjamin Garner (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Hercules E. Baker of Sumter, South Carolina entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that, beginning January 2011 and continuing to at least April 2014, Baker and others conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by filing federal income tax returns that claimed false tax refunds. During the course of the conspiracy, Baker approached third-party tax payers and persuaded them to provide their means of identification and other personal information, all for use in preparing and filing false federal income tax returns. Members of the conspiracy then directed the Internal Revenue Service to electronically deposit fraudulently obtained refunds into various bank accounts controlled by Baker and others.
Mr. Nettles stated that the maximum penalty for Conspiring to Defraud the United States with Respect to Claims is imprisonment for ten years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Myrtle Beach Counterfeiter Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Brad Parham (843) 665-6688
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that James Christopher Barrett, a/k/a Harry Patterson, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, SC, to conspiracy to manufacture counterfeit currency of the United States, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that between July and December 2014, Barrett and other individuals manufactured $20.00, $50.00 and $100.00 counterfeit bills. Barrett was also caught passing some of the counterfeit $100.00 bills at various businesses in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for conspiracy to manufacture counterfeit currency is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.00
The case was investigated by agents of the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
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Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Correctional OfficerRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Brad Parham (843) 665-6688
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Enrique Lombrana-Perez has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, SC, to assaulting a federal correctional officer, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on February 23, 2015, Lombrana-Perez, while an inmate at FCI Williamsburg refused an order to change cells and started an altercation with the correctional officer. During the altercation, Lombrana-Perez struck the officer in the face.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for assaulting a correctional officer is imprisonment for 8 years and/or a fine of $250,000.00
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
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Charleston Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to the Department of LaborRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Dean Secor (843) 266-1654
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Jose Jamie Villalpando, a/k/a “Jamie Villapondo,” age 48, of Charleston, and owner of Senor Tequila Restaurants in Charleston, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston, to False Statement, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(1). United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the Wage & Hour Division (WHD) of the Department of Labor (DOL) began an investigation into whether Senor Tequila Mexican Restaurants (Senor Tequila) was paying its employees proper minimum wage and overtime pay in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The investigation found that Senor Tequila had failed to pay seven of its employees a total of approximately $106,103.05 in minimum wage and overtime pay for the period of July 28, 2008 to July 19, 2010.
Jose Jaime Villalpando (Villalpando), owner and operator of Senor Tequila, agreed to pay the back wages. However, instead of paying all of the back wages he devised and executed a scheme in 2011 in an attempt to deceive WHD investigators and avoid the payment of back wages owed to three of the employees in the amount of $76,575.92.
Villalpando executed the scheme by writing “Senor Tequila” back wages paychecks to the three employees. Villalpando then took those employees to the bank used by Senor Tequila and helped them set up accounts (one employee already had an account at the bank). Villalpando then had the three employees deposit the back wages paychecks into their respective bank accounts. Over the next several weeks, Villalpando had the three employees withdraw the amounts of the back wages paychecks from their accounts in increments and give the money back to him. Villalpando then mailed letters to WHD stating that he paid the three employees, and he attached copies of the cancelled back wages paychecks in an attempt to show that he had in fact paid the employees.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for False Statement is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Labor-Office of Investigation (DOL-OIG). Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case.
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South Carolina Man Sentenced to 82 Months in Prison for Role in Nationwide Health Care Benefits SchemeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007
WASHINGTON – A South Carolina man was sentenced to 82 months in prison today for his role in a nationwide health care fraud scheme that defrauded more than 17,000 victims, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David Rivera of the Middle District of Tennessee.
William M. Worthy II, 53, of Isle of Palms, South Carolina, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger of the Middle District of Tennessee, who also ordered Worthy to pay $6,524,888.86 in restitution and forfeiture. Worthy pleaded guilty on Nov. 3, 2015, to one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiring to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, health plan embezzlement and money laundering.
As part of his guilty plea, Worthy admitted that he participated in a scheme to defraud thousands of individuals who purchased purported health care coverage from Worthy and his co-conspirators, when in fact the health care plans were not backed by insurance companies. The purported health care plans were marketed by Smart Data Solutions LLC, a company located in Springfield, Tennessee, owned and managed by charged co-conspirator Bart Sidney Posey Sr., 48, of Springfield. Worthy also admitted that he and his co-conspirators embezzled funds from premiums paid by individuals who had signed up for these unauthorized health plans, diverting more than $5.4 million in premiums for their own personal use. He further admitted that the majority of claims submitted in connection with these unauthorized health plans were never paid and accepted responsibility for more than $7.3 million of losses from the fraud.
Worthy was charged along with Posey Sr., Richard Hall Bachman, 67, of Austin, Texas, and Angela Slavey Posey, 49, of Springfield, in a 57-count indictment returned on June 26, 2013. The three co-defendants are pending trial. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General investigated the case. Senior Trial Attorney Nicholas Acker of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra G. Moses and William F. Abely of the Middle District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.
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Florence Man Sentenced for Smuggling and Distributing Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today that Florence resident Willard Lester “Les” Willard, age 51, was sentenced for his role in an international conspiracy to smuggle and distribute approximately $600,000 in prescription drugs in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. United States District Court Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Willard to 12 months home confinement and 5 years probation.
Beginning in 2010, Willard ran a fulfillment center for foreign drug companies that illegally sold unapproved pharmaceutical drugs to U.S. residents. He also sold unapproved prescription drugs to U.S. customers through a website, www.click1market.com, that he maintained and controlled. Willard shipped more than 10,000 packages containing the smuggled drugs.
“The safety of the U.S. pharmaceutical drug supply is of critical importance,” said Nettles. “The proliferation of illegal online pharmacies means that individuals like this defendant are putting Americans at risk by selling drugs of unknown quality and efficacy in the interest of profit. This is not merely a regulatory crime and we will not treat it as such.”
The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, working with Homeland Security Investigations and Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Klumb is prosecuting the case.
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Marion Man Sentenced on Federal Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Chris Taylor (843) 665-6688
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Gabriel Emanuel Foxworth, age 27, of Marion, South Carolina, was sentenced to a total of 156 months imprisonment in federal court in Florence, South Carolina. Foxworth’s term of imprisonment will be followed by an appropriate term of supervised release. In October 2015 Foxworth pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, all in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)(b)(1)(C) and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Foxworth to 36 months for the marijuana charge and 120 months for the firearm charge.
Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on August 27, 2014, a Marion County Combined Drug Unit officer saw Foxworth driving a car on Gregg Avenue. Foxworth was stopped and subsequently arrested because his license was suspended and police had an active warrant for his arrest. During a pat down search of Foxworth, police found a 9mm pistol loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition in Foxworth's waistband. Police searched Foxworth’s car and located a quantity of marijuana inside the car. Foxworth has prior convictions for distributing cocaine (2007) and possession with intent to distribute marijuana (2012).
The case was investigated by agents of the ATF and Marion County Combined Drug Unit. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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Video Poker Business Owner Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Jim May (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Larry Flynn, a/k/a L.W., age 40, of Richland County, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for operation of an illegal gambling business, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1955; tax evasion, a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201; and failure to pay taxes, a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7203. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson of Columbia sentenced Flynn to 15 months in the Bureau of Prisons, plus three years supervised release, and ordered Flynn to pay $251,000 in restitution to the Government.
Evidence presented during the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Mr. Flynn ran the illegal video poker business called Magic Minutes from 2011-13. Magic Minutes placed video poker machines throughout the state, generally in gas stations, liquor stores and party shops. The machines allowed gamblers for a fee to play poker, black jack, keno and other games of chance – with the ability to cash out their winnings with the owners of the stores where the machines were housed. Magic Minutes was a profitable illegal gambling business, in two years making well over a million dollars. However, during this same time, the defendant paid no taxes and had members of his family on Medicaid.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, SLED, IRS, as well as the offices of the South Carolina Attorney General and the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.#####
North Charleston Man Indicted for Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that William L. Dodson, of North Charleston, South Carolina was charged in a 1-count indictment. William L. Dodson was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §922(g). The maximum penalty Dodson could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and North Charleston Police Department and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Mr. Nettles stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.#####
Fourteen Alleged Gang Members and Associates Indicted in Charleston, South Carolina, on Federal Racketeering and Attempted Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007
Washington – Fourteen alleged members of two violent street gangs in South Carolina and alleged associates of both gangs have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise and using firearms in the commission of attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney William M. Nettles of the District of South Carolina; Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina, Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Atlanta Field Office; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland, of the Colleton County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina, Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon of the Charleston County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L.C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Captain Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina, Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division – Lowcountry Office made the announcement today upon the unsealing of the indictments.
Cowboys Indictment
According to the indictment, the defendants are members and associates of the Cowboys, a violent criminal street gang with members operating in South Carolina since at least 2009, who resided in an area known as the “Eastside” of Walterboro and are led by Khiry Broughton. The indictment further alleges that for a period of time, the Cowboys were aligned with another violent criminal street gang in Walterboro known as the Wildboys.
From October 2012 to November 2015, the Cowboys allegedly committed a wide range of crimes in order to further their racketeering scheme, including attempted murders, assault with dangerous weapons, drive-by shootings, home invasion robberies, threats of violence and distribution of narcotics, and charges the following defendants:- Broughton, 25, aka Kblacka;
- DaShawn Trevell Brown, 23, aka Shawny;
- Clyde Naquan Hampton, 23, aka One Loyal Shooter;
- Zaquann Ernest Hampton, 22, aka TOB;
- Matthew Rashaun Jones, 22, aka Boogie Mac;
- Christopher Sean Brown, 22, aka Roughish;
- Bryant Jameek Davis, 21, aka Savo;
- William Lamont Cox, 38, aka Wataz; and
- Quintin John Fishburne, 35, aka Q.
The indictment was returned under seal on Feb. 9, 2016, and unsealed yesterday after the nine defendants were arrested.
Wildboys Indictment
According to the four-count indictment, the defendants are members and associates of the Wildboys, a violent criminal street gang with members operating in various cities in South Carolina, including in Summerville and Walterboro. Wildboys members and associates allegedly committed a wide range of racketeering activity, including assault with dangerous weapons, murder, robbery and narcotics trafficking.
The indictment charges the following defendants with attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity and using a firearm during a violent crime:- Joshua Edward Manigault, 30, aka J-Rizzle and Rizzle-Back;
- Brian Manigo, 24, aka B-Nasty;
- Kelvin Mitchell, 28, aka Kevy Boy;
- Damien Robinson, 19, aka Sacked Up; and
- Devin Brown, 21, aka Deno Badazz.
The indictment was returned under seal on Feb. 9, 2016, and unsealed yesterday after the five defendants were arrested.
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The Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section is prosecuting the cases in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The ATF, ICE-HSI, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, the Walterboro Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office are investigating the cases.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Fourteen Alleged Gang Members and Associates Indicted in Charleston, South Carolina, on Federal Racketeering and Attempted Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
Fourteen alleged members of two violent street gangs in South Carolina and alleged associates of both gangs have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise and using firearms in the commission of attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney William M. Nettles of the District of South Carolina; Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina, Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Atlanta Field Office; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland, of the Colleton County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina, Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon of the Charleston County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L.C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Captain Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina, Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the announcement today upon the unsealing of the indictments.
Cowboys Indictment
According to the indictment, the defendants are members and associates of the Cowboys, a violent criminal street gang with members operating in South Carolina since at least 2009, who resided in an area known as the “Eastside” of Walterboro and are led by Khiry Broughton. The indictment further alleges that for a period of time, the Cowboys were aligned with another violent criminal street gang in Walterboro known as the Wildboys.
From October 2012 to November 2015, the Cowboys allegedly committed a wide range of crimes in order to further their racketeering scheme, including attempted murders, assault with dangerous weapons, drive-by shootings, home invasion robberies, threats of violence and distribution of narcotics, and charges the following defendants:
- Broughton, 25, aka Kblacka;
- DaShawn Trevell Brown, 23, aka Shawny;
- Clyde Naquan Hampton, 23, aka One Loyal Shooter;
- Zaquann Ernest Hampton, 22, aka TOB;
- Matthew Rashaun Jones, 22, aka Boogie Mac;
- Christopher Sean Brown, 22, aka Roughish;
- Bryant Jameek Davis, 21, aka Savo;
- William Lamont Cox, 38, aka Wataz; and
- Quintin John Fishburne, 35, aka Q.
The indictment was returned under seal on Feb. 9, 2016, and unsealed yesterday after the nine defendants were arrested.
Wildboys Indictment
According to the four-count indictment, the defendants are members and associates of the Wildboys, a violent criminal street gang with members operating in various cities in South Carolina, including in Summerville and Walterboro. Wildboys members and associates allegedly committed a wide range of racketeering activity, including assault with dangerous weapons, murder, robbery and narcotics trafficking.
The indictment charges the following defendants with attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity and using a firearm during a violent crime:
- Joshua Edward Manigault, 30, aka J-Rizzle and Rizzle-Back;
- Brian Manigo, 24, aka B-Nasty;
- Kelvin Mitchell, 28, aka Kevy Boy;
- Damien Robinson, 19, aka Sacked Up; and
- Devin Brown, 21, aka Deno Badazz.
The indictment was returned under seal on Feb. 9, 2016, and unsealed yesterday after the five defendants were arrested.
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The Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section is prosecuting the cases in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The ATF, ICE-HSI, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, the Walterboro Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office are investigating the cases.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ship Captain Pleads Guilty to Felony Obstruction Related to Pollution from Tanker Ship Traveling to CharlestonRead the Press Release
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007
Washington—A Filipino citizen and the captain of the tanker ship, T/V Green Sky, pleaded guilty today to one felony count in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for obstructing a U.S. Coast Guard investigation into pollution crimes aboard the vessel.
Genaro Anciano, 52, who was the highest ranking officer aboard the ship, pleaded guilty to one count of Obstruction of an Agency Proceeding. The charge stems from a Coast Guard investigation in late August 2015 into the bypass of pollution prevention equipment, including the use of a “magic device,” on the Green Sky. In court papers, the defendant stated that members of the ship’s engine room, including a senior officer, admitted to illegally discharging overboard. These admissions occurred prior to the August 2015 Coast Guard inspection at the Port of North Charleston. During the investigation, Anciano made several false and misleading statements to the Coast Guard to cover up the illegal conduct.
The T/V Green Sky is a 30,263 gross ton, ocean-going vessel that operates as a petroleum and chemical tanker. The vessel is approximately 600 feet in length and is registered in Liberia. The vessel is owned by an entity incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Over the course of several days, the normal operation of the Green Sky generates thousands of gallons of bilge wastes that are contaminated with petroleum products and oil residues. These bilge wastes must be removed for the vessel to operate safely.
Both the United States and Liberia are parties to the MARPOL treaty, which regulates the overboard discharge of bilge waste. It was prohibited to discharge bilge wastes from the T/V Green Sky without first running that effluent through the ship’s oily water separator. According to the MARPOL treaty, all overboard discharges from the vessel’s bilges had to be recorded in the T/V Green Sky’s oil record book. A bypass of the oily water separator, which is not recorded in the oil record book, jeopardizes the accuracy and integrity of that document. It is a separate federal crime for oceangoing vessels to enter a U.S. port with a false oil record nook.
Anciano’s sentencing has not been scheduled.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service with assistance from inspectors from Sector Charleston as well as Legal from U.S. Coast Guard in Miami. The case is being prosecuted by Christopher L. Hale of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Austin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina in Charleston.
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Former Insurance Agent Sentenced to Prison for Investment Fraud Scheme and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Dean Secor (843) 727-4381
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case. #####
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Timothy David Mays, age 51, of Walterboro, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Wire Fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and Willfully Filing a False Income Tax Return, a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1). United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Mays on the wire fraud count to 42 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and on the tax count to 36 months imprisonment to be followed by one year of supervised release, with the sentences to run concurrently.
According to court documents and evidence presented in open court, from late 2008 through 2011, Timothy “David” Mays was an insurance agent licensed to sell life insurance and accident/health insurance who also touted himself as a “licensed” investor and CEO of Life Trust Financial, LLC, and MaysGroup Financial, investment companies located in Summerville, South Carolina. During that period, Mays represented that he provided financial services, including the sale of annuities and Certificates of Deposit (CD’s). Mays placed advertisements in local publications, including those for senior citizens and retirees, for the sale of CD’s that he claimed were being facilitated through local banks. Mays promised the investors that they would receive the advertised rate of return on the CD’s even if the bank rate was lower than he had advertised. Mays also promised that investors would receive bonuses for 401/IRA conversions and rollovers to CD’s if they met threshold investment funding amounts. Mays made all these representations knowing that he did not have any working relationship with the named banks to sell CD’s or any investment products.
Mays received approximately $1,089,000 from investors under the false pretenses that the money provided would be invested by Mays on behalf of the investors as advertised and promised. Mays only invested $200,000 of the funds for one client, and he returned approximately $203,000 to some of the clients who complained to him and asked for their money back. Mays spent approximately $583,000 on a variety of personal and business expenditures, and he turned over approximately $104,000 of funds that he had left in his accounts to federal authorities during the investigation.
Mays also filed a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return in February 2007 for calendar year 2006 that understated his total income, and he willfully failed to file U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns for calendar years 2007, 2008, and 2009.
In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Norton also ordered Mays to pay restitution in the total amount of $710,138.41 ($583,087.41 to the victims of the fraud scheme and $127,051 to the IRS).Source of Supply of ICE to Bamberg SentencedRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Jim May (803) 929-3000
Evidence presented at the trial established the DEA began an investigation targeting methamphetamine dealers in the Bamburg area of South Carolina. The investigation revealed that Douglas Harry and Charles Wallace were the local dealers and that Harry would travel to Atlanta to obtain the methamphetamine. Agents were able to identify Harry’s suppliers as Richard Proctor (deceased) and Tiffany Walden. Through the use of various investigative techniques, to include Title III wire intercepts, pole cameras and toll analysis, DEA identified Proctor and Walden’s supplier as Ramirez. Testimony established that Ramirez transported pound quantities of high quality methamphetamine, known as ICE, from Texas to Atlanta hidden in sealed cans of beans. Ramirez then distributed the ICE to dealers in the Atlanta area, to South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Drug Enforcement Administration tested the methamphetamine at 96 to 100 percent pure, which reflects that the meth was made in a “super lab” south of the Texas border. Ramirez is the final defendant of the conspiracy to sentenced, with Wallace having been sentenced to 211 months, Harry to 115 months, and Walden to 60 months. The case was investigated by agents of the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Beth Drake and Jim May of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. #####
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Alfredo De Jusus Ramirez, age 21, of Henry County, Georgia was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia sentenced Ramirez to 292 months in the Bureau of Prisons.Four Midlands Residents Sentenced to Jail for Mail Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact Person: John Potterfield (803) 929-3000
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Columbia, South Carolina---- U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles announced that four individuals were sentenced in federal court in Columbia, SC as part of a mail theft and forgery ring that was operating in the Midlands of South Carolina from July 2014 through November 2014. Johnnie Wayne Martin, III, 50, of Lexington, SC, Sandra Kay Cheeks, 48, of Lexington, SC, Brodie Kale Sexton, 39, of Columbia, SC, and Brandy Michelle Mitchell, 36, of Lexington, SC, were all sentenced by The Honorable Mary Geiger Lewis. The four all plead guilty in federal court in 2015 to an indictment which alleged that the individuals would illegally remove checks from mail boxes and other mail receptacles. The indictment further alleged that the defendants would change the amount and the name of the payee on the check to one of the defendants or the name of an innocent victim whose identification had been illegally obtained by the defendants.
Johnnie Martin, III, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 42 months with 3 years of supervision upon release and was ordered to pay $7,616.79 in restitution.
Sandra Cheeks was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 24 months with 1 year of supervision upon release and was ordered to pay $1,044.28 in restitution.
Brodie Sexton was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 24 months with 1 year of supervision upon release and was ordered to pay $1,264.76 in restitution.
Brandi Mitchell was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 10 months with 5 years of supervision upon release and was ordered to pay $302.69 in restitution.
The investigation was conducted by the Midlands Financial Crimes Group, or MFCG, and led by the US Postal Inspection Service Columbia, SC field office. The MFCG is a group of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, along with bank investigators and private industry security personnel, that meets once a month to discuss ongoing criminal incidents involving forgery, theft, fraud, identity theft, and other similar white collar crimes in the Midlands of South Carolina.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John Potterfield of the US Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.Court Awards Judgment Against Cosmetology School in Aiken for Federal Education Grant and Loadn FraudRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Robert Sneed (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina – The United States District Court of South Carolina awarded a $9,283,123.00 default judgment against Lacy School of Cosmetology and Earnest “Jay” Lacy, for presenting false claims to the U.S. Department of Education for federal student loans and grants, the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina William Nettles announced today.
This is a default judgment which the Court granted after the Defendants failed to answer the Complaint or the entry of default. This civil default judgment is based on a lawsuit originally filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which allows private persons with knowledge of false claims to bring civil actions on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The whistleblower in this case was represented by the Richard A. Harpootlian Law Firm, of Columbia. The lawsuit was filed in the District of South Carolina, Case Number 1:13-cv-00218. Jay Lacy was the President and CEO of the Lacy School of Cosmetology, which before it closed, had four offices in South Carolina: Aiken (main campus), Lexington, Goose Creek, and Charleston. The United States Department of Education approved the school to participate in federal student aid programs. Through its investigation the government learned that the school misappropriated funds by knowingly failing to comply with numerous federal program regulatory requirements, making unauthorized disbursements of federal student aid funds, failing to refund student credit balances, and concealing its actions by submitting false statements of compliance. The total award of $9,283,123 is based on damages and statutory penalties. The Court held that the government’s actual damages were $2,185,041, which is based on Pell Grants ($2,078,448) and federally backed student loans ($106,593). The False Claims Act requires these damages to be “trebled” (tripled) for a total amount of $6,555,123. Additionally, the False Claims Act imposes a statutory civil penalty ranging from $5,500 to $11,000 per violation; under the minimum civil penalties imposed here, the total civil penalty was $2,728,000. “This use of the False Claims Act shows we are on the leading edge of qui tam litigation across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Nettles. “Through this type of litigation we continue our efforts to stop fraud and protect federal funds.” The case was the result of a coordinated effort among Assistant United States Attorneys Rob Sneed and Fran Trapp of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina and agents for the U.S. Department of Education. #####CEO and Investor Relations Representative of Revolutions Medical Corporation (RMCP) Indicted on Securities Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Rondald L. Wheet, age 51, and Bryon Scott Key, age 45, both of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, were charged in an indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1349; Securities Fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1348; Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §371; and False Statement, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1001(a)(2). In addition, Bryon Scott Key was charged in the same indictment with two counts of Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1956(a)(3)(B).
The indictment alleges that Rondald L. Wheet and Bryon Scott Key engaged in a scheme to cause Revolutions Medical Corporation (RMCP), a Nevada corporation with its principal office in Charleston, South Carolina, and whose common stock is publicly traded and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to fraudulently issue shares of RMCP stock. The indictment further alleges that Rondald L. Wheet, who was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RMCP, and Bryon Scott Key, who was the Investor Relations Representative and Assistant Sales Manager of RMCP, made false statements to the SEC concerning the issuance of those shares of stock and also interfered with and obstructed the lawful functions of the SEC.
In announcing the indictment, United States Attorney Bill Nettles said “[t]his district is applying significant resources to Securities and Exchange Commission cases. The mission of enforcing SEC cases is essential to a stable economy.”
The maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud is 25 years imprisonment, the maximum penalty for Securities Fraud is 25 years imprisonment, the maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Defraud the United States is 5 years imprisonment, and the maximum penalty for False Statement is 5 years. Each count of Money Laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Mr. Nettles stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Justice Department Sues to Permanently Shut Down Liberty Tax Service Franchise OwnerRead the Press Release
Contact: (202) 514-2007
Washington — Three Columbia-area, South Carolina Liberty Tax Service franchises deliberately prepare false federal income tax returns in order to increase their customers’ refunds, according to a civil lawsuit filed today by the Justice Department. The United States’ complaint asks the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina to permanently bar the alleged franchisee for all three locations, Christopher Paul Haynes of Irmo, South Carolina, from preparing federal tax returns for others.
According to the suit, Haynes and his employees prepare tax returns that include misstatements such as false or inflated Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) income and expenses, bogus dependents, false filing statuses and improper unreimbursed employee business expenses. For example, the complaint alleges that Haynes’s employees included a bogus “arts and crafts” business on one customer’s tax return and a bogus “hair care” businesses on another’s. In each case, according to the complaint, the false statements purported to allow the customer to qualify for a larger Earned Income Tax Credit and receive inflated tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The lawsuit states that Haynes’s Liberty Tax Service offices have prepared more than 9,700 federal income tax returns since 2010. Based on adjustments the IRS has made to tax returns prepared and filed by Haynes’s Liberty Tax Service offices for 2010 to 2013, the average tax deficiency for tax returns audited in connection with the IRS’s investigation of Haynes is $3,834 per tax return, according to the suit.
The complaint also alleges that Haynes does not report to the IRS the wages he pays some of his employees, even though the report is required by law. According to the complaint, Haynes also fails to withhold and pay over to the IRS federal employment taxes for those same employees.
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2016. The IRS has some tips on its website for choosing a tax preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers and tax scheme promoters. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
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Note: the complaint for permanent injuntion is attached as a pdf file.
Georgia Woman Indicted for Bluffton Jewelry Store RobberyRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Abigail Lee Kemp, age 24, of Smyrna, Georgia, was charged in a 2-count indictment. Abigail Lee Kemp was charged with robbing the Jared Vault jewelry store in Bluffton, SC, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1951 as well as possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §924(c). The maximum penalty Kemp could receive is 45 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000.
Kemp is currently in federal custody in Florida after being indicted in the Northern District of Florida for conspiring to rob numerous jewelry stores and possession of a firearm during those robberies. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Mr. Nettles stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:
Greenwood Resident Charged with Theft of Government Funds
Richard Barry Scott, age 49, of Greenwood, South Carolina, was charged in a 1-count indictment with theft of government funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. The maximum penalty Scott could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Veterans Affairs and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.Two Individuals Indicted for Conspiracy to Possess Fifteen or More Counterfeit or Unauthorized Access Devices
Aubrionna D. Eckles, age 21, of Snellville, Georgia, and Donnell J. Slay, Jr., age 21, of Uniondale, New York, were charged in a 1-count indictment with conspiracy to possess fifteen or more counterfeit access devices, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2). The maximum penalty each defendant could receive is 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.Anderson Resident Charged with Wire Fraud
Carla Dawn Carnes, age 43, of Anderson, South Carolina, was charged in a 2-count indictment with wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. The maximum penalty Carnes could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office for prosecution.Cowpens Couple Indicted for VA Fraud
Pamela Bullington, age 27, and Matthew Logan, age 30, of Cowpens, South Carolina, were charged with Theft of Government Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. The maximum penalty Bullington and Logan could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Office of Inspector General for Veterans Affairs and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office for prosecution.The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Lexington Man Sentenced for Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Winston Holliday (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Michael Yant, age 40, of Lexington, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Wire Fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia sentenced Yant to five months of incarceration, to be followed by five months home confinement. Yant also was ordered to pay almost $270,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that between November 2011 and December 2013, Yant and others committed mortgage fraud on approximately fifteen Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. Specifically, Yant engaged in a prohibited rent-to-own scheme. Yant collected rent from future buyers and used those funds for the buyer’s down payment at closing. Further, Yant added buyers to other people’s credit accounts as authorized users to enhance the buyer’s credit scores
Yant admitted to falsifying and submitting bank statements of buyers, paying off buyers’ debt and collection accounts, as well as falsifying buyers’ vehicle bills of sale in an effort to forge the origination of the buyer’s down payments. Also, Yant provided forged W-2’s and paystubs for buyers, as well as prepared false employment verifications to conceal the buyer not being an employee of certain businesses. Further, Yant secured FHA loans for buyers who would not otherwise qualify by paying off the buyers’ debt and collection accounts to increase the buyers’ credit scores.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Winston Holliday of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Sumter Man Sentenced on Tax Evasion ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: John Potterfield (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Neal Dennis, of Sumter, South Carolina, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment in federal court. In September 2015, Dennis pled guilty to an attempt to evade tax, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201. After Dennis completes the term of imprisonment, he will be on federal supervised release for 3 years with home detention for 6 months. Dennis was also ordered to pay $195,962.00 in restitution to the IRS. United States District Court Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia imposed the sentence. According to a motion filed by his attorney, Dennis lives in Sumter, South Carolina and operates a heating and air business.
The case was investigated by the IRS. Assistant United States Attorney John C. Potterfield of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Georgia Felon Responsible for Three State Police Chase Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Jamie Schoen
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that yesterday afternoon Mark Stone entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson, to Possessing a Firearm After a Felony Conviction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on June 29, 2015, Macon County officers attempted to pull Stone over for speeding. Stone fled from police, beginning a chase through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Stone was eventually arrested in Oconee County, where he fled from officers on foot. Inside Stone’s vehicle, officers found a loaded .22 caliber rifle with a round in the chamber. Due to Stone’s prior convictions, including burglary, Stone was prohibited from carrying firearms at the time of his arrest.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for Possessing a Firearm after a Felony Conviction is imprisonment for Life, and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the ATF, Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen of the Greenville office is prosecuting the case.
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Co-Conspirators in Upstate Counterfeiting Ring Plead Guilty to Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Jamie Schoen (864) 282-2100
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that yesterday afternoon Jose Alfredo Felix, Jr. , a/k/a “Smiley”; Benjamin Andrew Hinson; Penny Leigh Pilgrim; and Christine Nicole Snelson, each have entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson, to Conspiring to Pass Counterfeit Currency, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Additionally, Felix, Jr. entered a guilty plea to Manufacturing Counterfeit Currency, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 471; Possessing a Firearm after a Felony Conviction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and 924(e); and Passing Counterfeit Currency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472. Additionally, Hinson entered a guilty plea to Manufacturing Counterfeit Currency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 471. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the guilty pleas and will impose their sentences after he has reviewed the presentence reports which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Benjamin Hinson and Maranda Hopper, a co-conspirator who has already pled guilty, began manufacturing counterfeit currency in the summer of 2015. Hinson distributed counterfeit to fellow co-conspirators, including Jose Felix, Jr., and passed the fake bills at stores around the Upstate.
Felix joined in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit to fellow co-conspirators, including Penny Pilgrim and Christine Snelson, and the three passed counterfeit to businesses in the Upstate. Additionally, Snelson and Felix worked together to pass the counterfeit to individuals on Craig’s List who were selling goods. When Felix was arrested in late August 2015, he was in possession of a stolen vehicle with stolen plates, counterfeiting supplies, a Hi-point 9mm pistol, and ammunition. Felix was a convicted felon at the time of his arrest, and therefore, prohibited from carrying firearms. Co-conspirators in this ring were responsible for passing counterfeit currency throughout the Upstate, Midlands, and North Carolina.
The co-conspirators were indicted on the counterfeiting charges in October of 2015. Co-conspirators Maranda Hopper, Donald Wesley West, and Ashley King have already pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for Manufacturing Counterfeit Currency is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000, the maximum penalty for Felon in Possession of a Firearm is imprisonment for Life and/or a fine of $250,000, the maximum penalty for Passing Counterfeit Currency is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000, and the maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Pass Counterfeit Currency is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Secret Service, the ATF, the Spartanburg Police Department, the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the Columbia Police Department, the Greenville City Police Department, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, the Anderson Police Department, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Easley Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the Fletcher Police Department, and by South Carolina Probation and Parole. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen of the Greenville office is prosecuting the case.
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Florida Man Sentenced for His Role in Fraudulent Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Benjamin Garner (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Amondo Samuel Burke of Tampa, Florida was sentenced to 33 months’ incarceration in federal court. On May 28, 2015, Burke pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3). Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour sentenced Burke to 33 months’ imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Seymour also ordered Burke to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $111,228.00.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that, in February 2012, deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office executed a traffic stop of Burke’s vehicle for a moving violation. During a search of Burke’s vehicle, deputies found two lap-top computers, fifty-two pre-paid debit cards in the names of other individuals, and seventy three medical intake forms from a drug treatment facility in Philadelphia. Burke later admitted to running a criminal tax scheme whereby he would use the personal identifying information of unsuspecting individuals to file false tax returns and have the fraudulent returns loaded onto pre-paid debit cards. By executing this scheme, Burke received a total of $111,228.00 in fraudulently obtained tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service.
The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations with the assistance of the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Possession of 309 Counterfeit Gift CardsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: A Bradley Parham (843) 665-6688
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Raquan Etheridge, age 28, of Long Island City, New York was sentenced on January 27, 2016 by United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell in federal court in Florence, to 42 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $7,986.31 in restitution for knowingly possessing 309 counterfeit gift cards with intent to defraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3).
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on January 23, 2015, deputies with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that an individual driving a Gold minivan with Florida license plates was attempting to use a stolen credit card in a business in Latta. Shortly thereafter, deputies located a van matching that description and identified Etheridge as the driver. During a search of the van deputies recovered 309 counterfeit gift cards which had been encoded with unauthorized account numbers belonging to numerous other individuals. Also found in the van were receipts reflecting purchases of cigarettes from businesses in different states, including Virginia and South Carolina, which purchases were made with some of the counterfeit cards encoded with unauthorized account numbers. In addition, over 170 cartons and 193 loose packs of cigarettes were recovered from the van.
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service with the assistance of the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
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Fairfax Man Sentenced for His Role in Amtrak Wreck Conspiracy and for Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that James Duvall Love age 34, of Fairfax, South Carolina was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment today in federal court. On June 17, 2015, Love plead guilty to two separate charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud/cause a train wreck/interfere with a train operator and to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District J. Michelle Childs sentenced Love to 46 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release on each charge, to run concurrently, and ordered Love to make restitution to Amtrak in the amount of $46,690.27. Judge Childs stated that a sentence at the top of the sentencing guidelines range was warranted due to the “very serious” nature of the case.
With regard to the firearm and ammunition charge, evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on August 30, 2013, an officer with the Fairfax Police Department was on routine patrol when he noticed Love walking down the road with a shotgun in his hand. When the officer turned his car around, Love laid the firearm down and kept walking. The officer approached Love and asked why he was walking down the street with a shotgun, Love replied, that someone at the club had been talking negatively toward him. Love was detained on a state weapon charge and the loaded shotgun was seized. Love was thereafter released on state bond. Further investigation revealed that Love was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon prior state convictions for distribution of cocaine, failure to stop for blue light, and possession of crack cocaine.
With regard to the conspiracy charge, the evidence presented showed that during the early morning hours of September 6, 2013, Love and Deon Dovell Roberts parked a car at Bakers Mill Crossing in Allendale, South Carolina, in the path of an oncoming Amtrak passenger train, got out of the car prior to the collision, and then returned to the car after the collision, feigning injury, all for the purpose of submitting bogus claims for personal injuries and other losses. Love’s co-defendant Roberts plead guilty in federal court on November 2, 2015, and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Amtrak Office of Inspector General, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Fairfax Police Department, and the Allendale County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Klumb and Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the prosecution of the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced on Federal Heroin Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Larry Bookman, age 62, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment today in federal court. In August 2015, Bookman plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a quantity of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C). Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia imposed the sentence. After Bookman completes the term of imprisonment, he will be on federal supervised release for 6 years.
Bookman was one of 10 defendants charged in April 2014, following a series of court-authorized, DEA-monitored wiretaps over several telephones in the Columbia area. The investigation revealed that a group of individuals in the Columbia area were obtaining heroin from various sources outside of South Carolina and then distributing it in the Midlands. Evidence indicated that the suppliers were initially getting the heroin in packages from India. Several packages destined for Columbia and containing heroin were intercepted by law enforcement during the investigation. Evidence further showed that the co-defendants later obtained heroin in New York and transported it back to Columbia where it was distributed. The New York heroin suppliers have been charged by the Eastern District of New York for their role in the drug conspiracy and several have plead guilty. Additionally, five of Bookman’s co-defendants have plead guilty to their role in the drug conspiracy here in South Carolina and have been sentenced as follows: Eric Shawn Bradley, age 47, of Columbia, was sentenced to 210 months with 8 years of supervised release; Kenneth Crawford, age 42, of Washington, D.C., and formerly of Columbia, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Charles Bradley, age 32, of Columbia was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release to follow; Anthony Glover, age 40, of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release to follow; and Jessany Lyons, age 25, of Far Rockaway, New York, was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release. Four other co-defendants charged in the indictment remain fugitives.
Bookman has a 1992 federal drug conviction for possession of fentanyl and a number of prior state convictions, including possession with intent to distribute marijuana (1974), unlawful possession of a pistol (1976), possession of heroin (1977), receiving stolen goods (1978), financial transaction card theft (1982/1985), possession of heroin (1989), possession of cocaine (1990), possession of heroin (1991), possession of heroin 3rd offense (2000), possession of a controlled substance (2006), assault and battery with intent to kill (2007), possession of stolen vehicle (2007), and possession of heroin 2nd offense (2008).
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) High Intensity Drug Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Aaryon Brian Dowdy, a/k/a “Trouble,” age 25, of Columbia, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court. Dowdy plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a), and 924(e). Chief United States District Terry L. Wooten accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on January 3, 2014, Dowdy and another individual were involved at an altercation inside a convenience store on Farrow Road in Columbia. Evidence showed that during the altercation, Dowdy pulled a handgun and shot the other individual in the head. Dowdy then fled the scene. The incident was captured on videotape. The Columbia Police Department issued state warrants for Dowdy’s arrest and he was apprehended in Orangeburg on January 14, 2014. At the time of his arrest on January 14, 2014, Dowdy had a loaded .357 caliber handgun in his possession. The investigation revealed that the handgun was the same handgun used in the January 3, 2014, incident. Dowdy is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior federal state convictions for burglary 2nd degree (2 separate offenses) and attempted burglary 2nd degree.
Mr. Nettles stated that Dowdy faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. However, if the district court determines that Dowdy is an armed career criminal based upon his prior state convictions, he faces a mandatory minimum 15 years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbia Police Department, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Blythewood Man Convicted of Massive Government FraudRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Bill Day (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Dennis Paulsen, age 45, of Blythewood was convicted of stealing more than $1.5 million from the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the Social Security Administration following a seven-day jury trial in federal court in Columbia. Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Paulsen faces is imprisonment for up to 20 years and fines of $500,000, along with forfeiture of the more than $1.5 million. Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour of Columbia presided over the trial and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
In conducting one of the largest fraudulent single disability compensation claims in VA history, Paulsen substantially feigned and exaggerated the impairment resulting from his multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. After being diagnosed and discharged from the Navy in the early 1990s, Paulsen began receiving a monthly VA benefit as a result of his diagnosis. Unsatisfied with the amount he was receiving, Paulsen began a pattern of malingering by claiming his MS rendered him unable to use his hands or feet in any respect. Still unhappy with the money he was awarded, Paulsen ramped up his claims, lying to his doctors, presenting himself as house- and wheelchair- bound, and making false claims that he required daily professional medical care to live until his benefits were increased to the maximum disability payments available to a Veteran. At the same time, Paulsen used the same feigned impairments to convince the Social Security Administration that he was entitled to SSA disability benefits. Despite his feigned claims of impairments and presenting himself in a wheelchair to his doctors, Paulsen lived in a non-handicap accessible residence and was able to ride his motorcycle and jet skis plus play baseball and golf on a regular basis. In 1999, Paulsen met his ex-wife at the gym where he exercised and worked training others. In 2004, Paulsen sold their 5,000 square foot house for more than half of a million dollars and moved from Virginia to Blythewood, SC.
In Blythewood, Paulsen purchased a two-story brick house that was not handicapped accessible and stopped going to neurologists for his MS. Illustrating his lack of impairment, Paulsen was active in several gyms, joined a baseball league from 2006 until 2014, and lived an active lifestyle, including playing pool, swimming in his backyard pool, playing on the beach, and driving his Escalade and manual shift Mini-Cooper. In 2014, a concerned citizen reported Paulsen to the VA and explained how Paulsen lacked the impairments that he claimed. Upon learning that the VA was looking into his actual impairment from MS, Paulsen immediately quit his baseball league and began appearing at the VA again in his wheelchair, claiming to be unable to walk or use his hands.
The extensive investigation by the VA and SSA included undercover agents, surveillance, and photographs and video footage from banks, stores, and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Family photographs kept by Paulsen’s ex-wife were also obtained showing Paulsen’s many activities with his family, playing baseball, and participating in a Marine Mud Run. Paulsen testified, in a wheelchair, for four hours and called three doctors as expert witnesses in an attempt to support his claim that he was and had been totally disabled. The guilty verdict reflects that the jury did not find this testimony credible.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Veteran?s Administration and Social Security Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys William E. Day II and Jay N. Richardson and of the Columbia office prosecuted the case. Anyone aware of fraud being committed against the Department of Veterans Affairs should call 1-800-488-8244 and report it.
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Wendy Moore and Chris Latham Murder for Hire Convictions Affirmed on AppealRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Nathan S. Williams (843) 727-4381
Columbia, South Carolina ---- The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina stated today that the convictions against Wendy Annette Moore, age 39, and Christopher Austin Latham, age 52, both of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, were affirmed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in a published opinion. The two were convicted following a February 2014 jury trial, where Moore was convicted of Conspiracy and Use of Interstate Facilities in the Commission of Murder for Hire under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958(a), 1958(b); Solicitation of Murder for Hire under 18 U.S.C. § 373; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence under 18 U.S.C. §924(c). Latham was convicted of a single count of Use of Interstate Facilities in the Commission of Murder for Hire under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958(a). Both were sentenced in August, 2014, where Moore was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and Latham was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. The written Court of Appeals opinion may be found at http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Published/144645.P.pdf
The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigations; and the City of Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case and appeal.
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Man Sentenced to Additional 300 Months (25 Years) for Shooting Federal AgentRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey D. Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that James William Lewis, a/k/a “Jessie,” a/k/a “Phoenix,” age 33, of Kings Mountain, North Carolina was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) imprisonment today in federal court. In August 2015, Lewis plead guilty to a 2nd/subsequent offense of use/possession/discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, to wit: assault on a federal agent, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 924(c)(1)(C). Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. imposed the sentence, which will run consecutive to the 9 year sentence that Lewis is currently serving for an armed robbery offense in the Western District of North Carolina. After serving the term of imprisonment, Lewis will be on federal supervised release for 5 years.
Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that during the early morning hours of January 7, 2014, deputized task force agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Charlotte Safe Streets Task Force/Violent Crime Apprehension Team were in Fort Mill, South Carolina searching for Lewis, who was wanted for a December 2013, armed robbery of a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant in North Carolina. Agents, in police attire and accompanied by York County Sheriff’s Department officers in marked units, approached the residence of Lewis’ girlfriend, Kirstie Elaine Philome Barratt, age 22, in an attempt to determine if Lewis was in the residence. After approximately 15 minutes of the agents knocking on the door and announcing their presence with a loud speaker, Barratt came to the door. Barratt, who was advised by agents that it was a crime to make a false statement to federal agents, told the agents that Lewis was not in the home, that she had not seen him for 2 months because they had broken up, and that the only other persons in the residence were her parents. Barratt gave the agents consent to search the residence. Upon completing a sweep of the residence, agents located Barratt’s parents asleep in one upstairs bedroom and noticed the door shut to another upstairs bedroom. Agents could hear a dog barking in that other upstairs bedroom, so they asked Barratt to secure the dog so they could search the bedroom. Barratt opened the bedroom door, went in and came out with the dog, shutting the door behind her. Agents then went into the bedroom and found Lewis crouched in the corner with his weapon drawn. Gunfire ensued and an FBI task force agent was shot 3 times by Lewis, who was also shot in the legs. Both Barratt and Lewis were taken into custody. Barratt later advised agents that she knew Lewis was in the residence, that she knew he was wanted for the robbery, that she thought he was going to hide in the attic, and that when she entered the bedroom to retrieve the dog, she saw him in the corner holding the gun, but did not tell the agents before allowing them to enter the bedroom. After being taken into custody, Lewis waived his rights and admitted to telling his girlfriend that it was going to end up in a shootout with officers. Lewis also admitted that he and his girlfriend’s plan was for him to hide in the attic, but he decided that he didn’t want to hide “like a puppy,” so he positioned himself in the bedroom with his gun drawn because he wanted to be shot. Lewis admitted that when the officers entered the bedroom, he had his gun pointed at the officer and that the officer had a right to shoot him.
On October 22, 2014, Barratt plead guilty to making a false statement to a federal agent, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. At Barratt’s sentencing on December 15, 2014, the court granted the government’s motion for an upward departure from the federal guidelines sentencing range of 0 to 6 months, noting that this was a “rare” case and that Barratt “knowingly placed a law enforcement officer’s life in jeopardy” by her false statement. Barratt was sentenced to 24 months (2 years) imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
In July 2015, Lewis was sentenced to 108 months (9 years) in federal court in the Western District of North Carolina for the December 2013, robbery of the Jack-in-the-Box restaurant and possession of a firearm during that crime of violence, to wit: robbery. As noted above, Lewis’ 300 months (25 year) sentence will run consecutive to the North Carolina federal sentence. Lewis also has prior North Carolina state convictions for possession of cocaine (1999) and larceny of a motor vehicle (2000).
The case was investigated by the FBI, the York County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Notice of Court HearingRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney?s Office announces today that there will be a sentencing hearing Wednesday (Wednesday, January 20, 2016) in United States v. James William Lewis. The hearing will be held at 10:45 am on January 20, 2016, before Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. (courtroom # 4) at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina.
#####Moncks Corner Man Pleads Guilty to Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Nick Bianchi (843) 727-4381
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Keith Scott, age 41, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston, to conspiracy to conduct financial transactions involving proceeds of narcotics trafficking, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that during a time period spanning from May 2011 until November 2012, Scott, owner of Main Street Motors auto dealership in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, allowed a known drug dealer to purchase multiple vehicles using proceeds from drug trafficking. Scott also allowed the purchaser to have other individuals sign paperwork as if they were purchasing the vehicle.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $500,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston is prosecuting the case.
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Colleton County Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Dean H. Secor (843) 266-1654
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Michael Robert Bixby, age 32, of Cottageville, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, to a total of 360 months (30 years) for Receipt of Child Pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2), and Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B). Last March, Bixby plead guilty to those counts pursuant to a plea agreement in which Bixby agreed to a total sentence of 360 months (30 years). Senior United States District Judge Patrick Michael Duffy of Charleston sentenced Bixby to 360 months and 240 months in federal prison on those counts, respectively, to run concurrently. Judge Duffy also ordered Bixby to serve a lifetime term of supervised release after he is released from prison.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Bixby engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor female in Colleton County on August 4, 2012, and he used a cell phone to take pictures of that conduct. When deputies with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bixby in North Charleston on August 9, 2012, those pictures were on his cell phone along with other images of child pornography that Bixby received from the internet, including images of prepubescent minors. At the time of the offenses, Bixby was a registered sex offender who had recently moved from Indiana to South Carolina without notifying Indiana or South Carolina authorities.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Aiken Doctor Among Multiple Defendants Indicted for Illegal Distribution of OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today an indictment charging multiple defendants, including Dr. Mackie James Walker, Jr., a podiatrist of Aiken, South Carolina, with their roles in a conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone.
The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, from January 2013 and continuing until the date of the indictment, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. Walker is also charged with two counts of distributing oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and one count of using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b). The maximum penalty Walker could receive is twenty years’ imprisonment for the drug counts and four years’ imprisonment for the count charging use of a communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act.
Mr. Nettles states that the indictment follows two other recent federal indictments charging multiple individuals in and around Aiken County with the illegal distribution of oxycodone, and it represents the office’s commitment to address the illegal distribution of prescription pills.
The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
Mr. Nettles states that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Eight Indicted in Human Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today a 26-count indictment charging Damon Jackson, a/k/a “DJ”, a/k/a “Daddy Frost”, Tremel Black, a/k/a “Sincere”, a/k/a “New York”, Da-Shun Shukur Curry, a/k/a “Dae Dae”, Bakari Shahid McMillan, a/k/a “Bizzle”, Kerry Taylor, a/k/a “KJ”, Desmond Singletary, a/k/a “Six”, Howard Parker, a/k/a “Poppa”, Ryan Shaquon Turner, a/k/a “Gotti”, a/k/a “Qweezy” with their roles in a Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1956(a)(1). In addition to the charge of conspiracy, each defendant was charged with substantive counts of Sex Trafficking.
Damon Jackson, age 23, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1591(e)(2) and §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2, and six counts of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
Bakari Shahid McMillan, age 23, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1591(e)(2) and §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2, and one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
Kerry Taylor, age 21, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1591(e)(2) and §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2, one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2, and one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, a violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e).
Tremel Black, age 31, of Columbia, was charged with one count of Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1591(e)(2) and §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2, and one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
Howard Parker, age 24, of Columbia, was charged with one count of Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1591(e)(2) and §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2, and one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
Da’Shun Shukur Curry, age 23, of Columbia, was charged with three counts of Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 1591(e)(2) and §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
Desmond Singletary, age 30, of Columbia, was charged with one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
Ryan Shaquon Turner, age 22, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and 2.
The maximum sentence each defendant could receive for Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking is life in prison. The minimum sentences each defendant could receive for either Trafficking of a Minor for Sex Involving Force, Fraud, and Coercion and Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion is 15 years in prison and the maximum sentence is life in prison. Additionally, the minimum sentence Taylor could receive for Sexual Exploitation of a Child is 15 years in prison and the maximum sentence is life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said, “The prosecution of these types of cases is more than a job. It is our reason for being. To say we will aggressively prosecute this case and charges of this nature is one of history’s great understatements.”
“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Homeland Security Investigations continues to pursue the perpetrators of this heinous crime as one of its highest priorities, via a coordinated global effort with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta Nick Annan. “Over the past two years HSI has doubled its number of human trafficking arrest and we will continue our relentless pursuit to investigate and seek prosecution of these criminals while also ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need.”
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and City of North Charleston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Austin of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case.
Mr. Nettles stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Information regarding human trafficking should be reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), Polaris – Freedom Happens Now, 24-hour National Hotline: 1-888-373-7888.
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Clover Gang Member Sentenced to over 20 Years on Federal Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Joseph Matthew Polk, age 24, of Clover, South Carolina was sentenced to a total of 250 months (20.8 years) imprisonment today in federal court. Last August, Polk plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (to wit: possession with intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana), all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Under the plea agreement, Polk agreed to a total sentence of 240 months (20 years) imprisonment and an appropriate term of supervised release to follow, comprised of 180 months (15 years) imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine charge and 60 months (5 years) consecutive imprisonment on the firearm charge. Polk also faced a separate term of imprisonment stemming from his violation of a prior federal sentence. Polk received an additional 10 months imprisonment consecutive on that sentence. Senior United States District Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. imposed the sentences.
Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that March 19, 2015, at his residence in Clover, South Carolina, Polk, while armed with a Harrington & Richardson .32 caliber revolver, sold a quantity of marijuana to a confidential informant. The following day, March 20, 2015, Polk, while armed with a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, sold a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Thereafter, on March 24, 2015, Polk, while armed with a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, sold a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. On that date, a young child was observed in the same room where the distribution occurred and while Polk waved around the 9mm handgun. Each of the three distributions of drugs was recorded on audio and video by local law enforcement officers. Polk was arrested on state charges on April 9, 2015, and during the arrest, officers recovered the Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, along with gang paraphernalia, and a residue amount of methamphetamine. After being advised of his rights, which he waived, Polk admitted to being in possession of firearms and being a dues collector for a local gang. Polk is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior federal conviction for possession of firearm by a felon and his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree and grand larceny.
At the time of the March 2015 offenses, Polk was on federal supervised release from a 2014 federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm out of the Spartanburg Division. Therefore, he also faced a revocation of his prior federal supervised release. After sentencing Polk to 240 months (20 years) imprisonment on the new charges, Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., revoked Polk’s prior term of federal supervised release and sentenced him to an additional 10 months imprisonment, which will be served consecutive to the 240 months imprisonment. Thus, Polk will serve a total of 250 months imprisonment and then be on federal supervision for 5 years.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the York County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Charleston Man Charged with Trafficking in Counterfeit Sports ApparelRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina------United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced that Kenneth Wayne Wilkinson, age 59, of Charleston, has been charged in a single-count Information with trafficking in counterfeit sports apparel in 2012 and 2013.
The case was investigated by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Eric Klumb is prosecuting the case.
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Spartanburg Man Pleads Guilty in Human Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100
Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Dylan L. Patterson, age 19, of Spartanburg, pled guilty today in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to traffic in children by force for the purposes of prostitution in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1594(c). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Greenville, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Patterson is the fifth man to plead guilty in the conspiracy. Previously on December 17, 2015, Brandon L. Littlejohn, age 26, D’Shawn C. Pitts, age 19, Michael G. Riddle, age 20, and John A. Gossett, III, age, 22, all of Spartanburg, pled guilty to the conspiracy.
The indictment alleges that the defendants recruited minor victims and young women to work for them. They then instructed and supervised the minor victims and young women on how to solicit and charge for commercial sex acts. The indictment also states that the conspirators “would and did physically beat or threaten to physically beat the minor victims and young women to scare and control them.”
According to evidence presented at the change of plea hearing, the conspiracy operated in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, Virginia, and other cities in the Southeastern states. It was further part of the conspiracy that the Defendants obtained hotel rooms for the women to work from. Defendants placed advertisements, or assisted in the placing of advertisements, on the internet using backpage.com to advertise the young women for commercial sex acts.
Once a John answered the ad and arranged to meet the minor female or young women at the hotel, Defendants would wait in an adjoining hotel room until the John arrived, paid the money, and completed the sex act with the minor female or young girl. Once the John left the room, Defendants would enter and retrieve the money.
Mr. Nettles said that his office “would continue to diligently fight human trafficking because such crimes impose a great personal and psychological toll on the victims and society as a whole.”
The maximum penalty Patterson and the others could face is life imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000, and five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations, and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office for prosecution.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:
North Charleston Man Indicted for Threatening the President
George Wesley Beers, Jr., age 39, of North Charleston, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with threatening the President of the United States, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 871. The maximum penalty that Beers could receive is 5 years imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.Goose Creek Woman Indicted for Theft of Government Property
Linda D’Angelo, age 52, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Theft of Government Property, a violation of 18 U. S. C. § 641. The maximum penalty that D’Angelo could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.Mr. Nettles stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000
United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:
Lexington Resident Indicted for Wire Fraud
Mark Nigel Wilkins, age 48, of Lexington, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. The maximum penalty Wilkins could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office for prosecution.Four Individuals Indicted for Conspiring to Alter Money Orders
Hannah A. McAdams, age 25, of Townville, South Carolina; DeWayne S. Brooks, age 28, of Pendleton, South Carolina; Gary M. Whitfield, age 26, of Pendleton, South Carolina; and Roger L. Powell, age 32, of Anderson, South Carolina; were charged in a 1-count indictment with conspiracy, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. The maximum penalty each defendant could receive is 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.Husband and Wife Indicted for Mail Fraud
Retta Helms Sundblad, age 59, and Richard Elmer Sundblad, age 64, both of Easley, South Carolina, were charged in a 1-count indictment. Retta Helms Sundblad and Richard Elmer Sundblad were charged with mail fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. The maximum penalty each defendant could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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District of South Carolina Settles Long Term Care Pharmacy Whistle Blower Case Completing Final Leg of Anemia Drug LitigationRead the Press Release
Contact Person: Bill Nettles (803) 929-3000
Columbia, South Carolina ------ A $2.5 million settlement with Pharmerica, a long term care pharmacy servicing hundreds of nursing homes across the nation, completes the final leg of litigation involving the illegal promotion of Aranesp, an anemia drug manufactured by Amgen, Inc.
In 2013, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, The Department of Justice Civil Frauds and a number of states executed a $24.9 million settlement with Amgen in this case. In 2014, Omnicare followed with a $4.19 million settlement. The recent settlement brings the government’s recovery in United States ex rel. Kurnik v. Amgen et al. to just over $31.5 million.
The Kurnik litigation was brought under federal and state false claims act statutes that allow private citizens to bring suit on behalf of the government to recover money expended as a result of fraud or other wrongful conduct. The government intervened in the Amgen and Omnicare portions of the case and the Relator pursued the case against Pharmerica on behalf of the government.
“Public health insurance programs shouldn’t foot the bill for drug company schemes that manipulate doctors and patients to maximize profits,” said South Carolina US Attorney Bill Nettles. “This case is an excellent example of how the government can work together with private whistleblowers to recover money for taxpayers.”
The United States was represented by Assistant US Attorneys Fran Trapp and James Leventis from the District of South Carolina Office.
Kurnik was represented by Dick Harpootlian and Chris Kenney of Richard A. Harpootlian, P.A. in Columbia, South Carolina and Reuben Guttman, Traci Buschner, Justin Brooks and Caroline M. Poplin, J.D., M.D. of Guttman, Buschner & Brooks PLLC in Washington, D.C.
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SCDC Partners with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF for “Real-Time Reentry”Read the Press Release
Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100 or Stephen Givens (803) 960-7088
Columbia, S.C. ----- The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) is partnering with the South Carolina United States Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to keep guns out of the hands of former offenders.
The project, called “Real-Time Reentry”, is two- fold. With respect to law enforcement, the project focuses on violent offenders and gang members who, after their release, re-offend with firearms while still under SCDC’s Intensive Supervision Services. The program ensures their swift apprehension and referral to federal authorities.
On the prevention side, however, the program offers proactive intervention. Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) from the U.S. Attorney’s office and law enforcement officials visit with Youthful Offenders in prison to educate them about the opportunities and resources they have to lead rehabilitated and productive lives. The dialogue, however, also sensitively emphasizes the significant consequences these individuals might face should they re-offend with a gun while under supervision, post-release. The message is simple but serious - if caught with a firearm or ammunition, you will be taken into custody immediately and your case referred to ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s office in “real time” for federal review and prosecution in federal court, where firearms-related sentences for repeat-offenders are much more substantial.
Real-Time Reentry kicked off, December 7, 2015, when AUSAs and law enforcement officials met with 46 Youthful Offenders at the Trenton SCDC facility. Going forward, the Real Time Reentry team will return once a month to educate and encourage those individuals preparing for re-entry into their communities.
“Real Time Reentry is a multiagency partnership meant to address youthful offenders that are at risk for exposure to state and federal charges. This initiative is focused on available services and creating relationships to assist Youthful Offenders, under our supervision, stay on the straight and narrow” said Bryan Stirling, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
“Real Time Reentry” is the latest iteration of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Cease Fire, a program that in recent years has come to partner local, state, and federal law enforcement with the community. The collective efforts of this partnership continue to foster cooperation in the common goal to make South Carolina safer through reducing gun violence, arrests, and incarceration.
United States Attorney Bill Nettles reflected, “We look forward to partnering with SCDC to provide the Youthful Offender population the necessary help in making the future decision not to possess guns. We believe that prevention is more effective and more cost-efficient than incarceration. However, in the event that our efforts to help these individuals make better decisions are not heeded, we will not hesitate to utilize tools available to us under the criminal code.”
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