Western District of Tennessee
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
United States Attorney Ritz Announces Appointment of Four Assistant United States AttorneysRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Assistant United States Attorneys for the district: Mary Morris, Jermal Blanchard, Courtney Lewis, and Bryce Phillips. All four of the new AUSAs will work out of the Memphis office.
United States Attorney Ritz said: “With the hiring of Mary, Jermal, Courtney, and Bryce, we have recruited top legal talent to fulfill the Department’s mission of upholding the rule of law, protecting civil rights, and keeping Americans safe. These four attorneys are already hard at work promoting and defending the interests of our great country. I’m thankful for their commitment to a career in federal public service.”
Mary Morris joins the office from the University of Memphis School of Law, where she was a professor for several years. Mary was previously a member at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis, where she had a broad litigation practice with a focus on federal cases, including federal criminal and habeas matters. Mary clerked for Judge Julia Gibbons of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Judge Samuel H. Mays, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Alabama and Yale Law School. Mary has been appointed Appellate Chief and Special Counsel.
Jermal Blanchard joins the office from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, where he was a prosecutor for over six years. Jermal has extensive courtroom experience and has handled a variety of complex criminal matters, including murder, human trafficking, and sexual abuse cases. He graduated from the University of Memphis and Florida Coastal School of Law. Jermal is assigned to the office’s Firearms and Violent Crimes Unit.
Courtney Lewis joins the office from the United States Navy, where she has had a decorated career. She served as a Judge Advocate for 16 years and is also certified as a military judge. Courtney is an experienced prosecutor who has litigated several dozen criminal jury trials and supervised thousands of additional investigations and trials. She graduated from Villanova University and Suffolk University Law School. Courtney is assigned to the office’s General Crimes Unit.
Bryce Phillips joins the office from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, where he served as a prosecutor for more than a decade. Bryce has managed all sorts of criminal investigations and has tried dozens of cases. He was a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2019. Bryce graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Memphis School of Law. Bryce is assigned to the office’s Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 11 Years for Possession of Firearms, Possession of Controlled Substances with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Antwon Brown, 30, has been sentenced to 138 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in February 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into Antwon Brown, a convicted felon and known member of the Unknown Vice Lords street gang.
On February 14, 2022, a confidential informant purchased a firearm and approximately half a pound of marijuana from Brown in a parking lot on Whitten Road.
On April 15, 2022, Brown was arrested and found to be in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic baggies, and a pistol. On September 12, 2022, Brown pled guilty to all 7 counts of a federal indictment charging him with being a convicted felon in possession of firearms (2 counts); possession of marijuana and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute (3 counts); and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (2 counts).
On December 15, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl Lipman sentenced Brown to 138 months imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the ATF.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Wendy K. Cornejo and P. Neal Oldham, who prosecuted this case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901- 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Travis Lester, 42, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A federal jury convicted Lester of this offense after a four-day trial earlier this year. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on May 19, 2021, the United States Marshals Service and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a wanted fugitive, Travis Lester, at a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Lester was found in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with 16 live rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine. The gun had been reported stolen on December 26, 2020, in a theft from a motor vehicle.
As a result of his prior felony convictions, Lester is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms.
On December 9, 2022, United States District Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Lester to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. At the time of his arrest, Lester was on federal supervised release and was sentenced to an additional 17-months incarceration to be served consecutive to his sentence of 120 months incarceration.
This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the United States Marshals Service, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Memphis Police Department, and the ATF. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin, who prosecuted this case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901- 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Curtis Boyd, 28, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on March 8, 2021, Memphis Police officers initiated a traffic stop at Jackson and North Watkins and observed a 2012 Infiniti M37x traveling at a high rate of speed. The license plate was registered to a different vehicle.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers saw Boyd, the driver, reaching between his legs. An officer asked Boyd what he was reaching for, to which he responded, “My gun.” As Boyd was removed from the car, a Glock 9mm pistol fell to the ground.
Officers recovered 181.6 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, a box of plastic baggies, two 10mg oxycodone pills, and $1,650 in cash. The gun was loaded with one live round in the chamber and 9 live rounds in the magazine.
As a result of a prior felony conviction, Boyd is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Boyd pled guilty on June 16, 2022.
On December 7, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Boyd to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the ATF and DEA.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin, who prosecuted this case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Justice Department Secures Award Against Tennessee Landlord for Sexually Harassing Female TenantsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Following a four-day trial, a federal jury awarded $70,500 in damages to six women who rented homes in Lexington, Tennessee, from defendant Chad David Ables. The jury found that Ables sexually harassed these women at his properties, located in or near his trailer park known as Pop’s Cove, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in December 2018, alleged that since 2012, Ables subjected female tenants to a continued barrage of vulgar sexual comments, unwelcome physical touches, propositions for sex and offers to reduce rent in exchange for sex. Trial was originally scheduled for May 2020, but was postponed several times because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Justice Department will continue to take action against landlords who sexually harass and exploit vulnerable tenants,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This verdict recognizes the significant sexual abuse that female tenants were subjected to by the defendant.”
“No one should have to endure sexual harassment in order to have a safe and secure living situation,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “I am gratified the jury held this landlord accountable for these unlawful acts.”
“It is illegal for landlords to subject their tenants to any form of sexual harassment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Demetria L. McCain of HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is pleased that the Department of Justice took appropriate action to put a halt to this unlawful behavior and applauds today's decision by the jury.”
The case began when two women filed a sexual harassment complaint about Ables with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD investigated the matter and referred it to the Justice Department, which filed this lawsuit. The women
intervened in the lawsuit and were represented by West Tennessee Legal Services. The Justice Department later sought relief on behalf of five additional women, and one of the intervenors dropped out of the lawsuit.
The jury award includes compensatory damages for the emotional harms the women have suffered as a result of Ables’s conduct and punitive damages to punish the defendant. The Justice Department also informed the District Court Judge that it intends to seek a civil penalty against Ables to vindicate the public interest and a court order prohibiting Ables from managing the rental properties or having contact with residents or prospective tenants.
The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, seeks to raise awareness about and address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the Initiative, the department has filed 26 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $9.6 million for victims of such harassment.
If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, or rental agent, you may contact the Justice Department at 1-844-380-6178, or submit an online report at https://civilrights.justice.gov/. Reports also may be made by contacting HUD at 1-800-669-9777, or by filing an online complaint at https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint%20.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901- 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Paris, Tennessee Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing over 50 Grams of Actual Methamphetamine with the Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Jimmy Horton, Jr., 54, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession of over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on March 14, 2020, officers with the Paris Police Department conducted a traffic stop for speeding near the intersection of Highway 218 and Fairgrounds Road in Paris. During a roadside interview of a female passenger, officers discovered that the passenger was in possession of around a half-ounce of crystal methamphetamine. The female passenger told officers that she was staying in a motel room in Paris, that there was around three ounces of crystal methamphetamine and a pistol in her room, and that the items belonged to Horton.
Officers conducted a consent search of the motel room and located Horton in the room, along with around 87 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine that was bagged for resale on the bed. Officers also located and seized digital scales, baggies, drug paraphernalia, multiple bags of marijuana, and a loaded Lorcin L380 pistol in the room.
Later on June 15, 2020, Horton was found in possession of 11 baggies containing over 16 grams of methamphetamine and $340 in cash during a traffic stop in Paris.
Horton was charged in federal court with several offenses, including possessing over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on March 14, 2022. He pled guilty to that offense on August 16, 2022.
On December 9, 2022, Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Horton to 120 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Paris Police Department, TBI, DEA and the ATF. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow, who prosecuted this case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Two Memphis Business Owners Charged in Pandemic Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury has indicted two Memphis business owners with conspiring to defraud the Federal Paycheck Protection Program of over $786,000. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the indictment today.
Lisa Evans, 40, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, owner of USA Taxes in Memphis, and Kevin Shaw, 33, of Memphis, owner of Freight Masters, Inc., are charged with conspiring to commit bank fraud and making false statements to a federally insured bank. These offenses each carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.
According to the indictment, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a federal program administered by the Small Business Administration designed to provide emergency financial assistance to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of a PPP loan that a small business may have been entitled to was determined by the number of employees and amount of payroll the business had. Evans and Shaw are alleged to have submitted a fraudulent PPP application for Shaw’s business, Freight Master’s Group Inc., to a bank participating in the PPP program. Evans is alleged to have provided Shaw with fake IRS documents to support his fraudulent application and then taking a kickback/fee from Shaw after Shaw obtained the $786,202 in loan proceeds.
U.S. Attorney Ritz said: “These federal aid programs were designed to lift hardworking citizens and small businesses in a time of need. But, as the indictment alleges, these individuals sought to defraud the aid programs. Thanks to our partners for investigating these offenses. We will continue to prosecute those who abuse and misuse COVID-19 relief funds.”
“Today’s arrests demonstrate the FDIC OIG, and our law enforcement partners continue to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud by investigating and holding accountable criminals who exploit the Paycheck Protection Program for personal gain via our nation’s banking system,” said Anand Ramlall, Special Agent in Charge, Dallas Region, Office of Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration aggressively pursues those who attempt to abuse the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and its Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to assist legitimate business owners during the pandemic,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “We appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure individuals engaged in criminal activity are held to account.”
“The Secret Service remains steadfast in our commitment to investigating the exploitation of pandemic relief funds,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ben Zack Rogers. “We are thankful for the hard work and continued support of our partners as we work together to ensure that our country’s financial environment remains safe and secure.”
“Manufacturing false information to wrongfully obtain funds from SBA programs intended for the nation’s small businesses is a theft from taxpayers,” said SBA OIG’s Central Region Special Agent in Charge Sharon Johnson. “OIG is committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
“Celtic Bank and other members of the Federal Home Loan Banks support small businesses and their workers by properly distributing Paycheck Protection Program funds,” said Special Agent in Charge Edwin S. Bonano of FHFA-OIG’s Southeast Regional Office. “We are proud to work with our partners in the OIG community to root out PPP fraud and recover the taxpayer dollars intended for small business owners and employees under the CARES Act.”
The case was investigated by special agents with five different federal agencies – U.S. Secret Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General, U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tony Arvin, who is prosecuting this case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Tennessee Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Felony Charges Related to the Jan. 6 Capitol BreachRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Tennessee man was sentenced today to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His and others’ actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Ronald Sandlin, 35, of Millington, Tennessee, was sentenced in the District of Columbia.
According to court documents, Sandlin and two co-conspirators – Nathaniel DeGrave and Josiah Colt – planned to interfere with the peaceful transition of presidential power, beginning in December 2020. For example, on Dec. 31, 2020, Sandlin posted to Facebook that he was organizing a caravan to travel to Washington and sought donations on a GoFundMe site. The same day, he, DeGrave, and Colt began a private chat on Facebook to plan for Jan. 6. In the chat, they discussed “shipping guns” to Sandlin’s residence in Tennessee, where they planned to meet prior to their trip.
On Jan. 4, 2021, before heading to Washington, Sandlin posted to Facebook a picture of Colt lying on a bed holding a firearm, with the caption, “My fellow patriot sleeping ready for the boogaloo Jan 6.” Sandlin understood at the time that the term “boogaloo” referred to civil war.
On Jan. 6, after watching live television coverage of the “Stop the Steal” rally near the Ellipse, at a nearby restaurant, Sandlin live-streamed a video in which he called on “other patriots” to “take the Capitol.” In the video, Sandlin stated four times that “freedom is paid for with blood.”
Sandlin, DeGrave, and Colt then traveled together to the Capitol wearing protective gear, including gas/face masks, helmets, and shin guards. Sandlin was armed with a knife, while DeGrave carried bear spray. The trio then marched towards the Capitol. After arriving on the Capitol grounds, the men scaled dismantled bike barricades and past law enforcement officers, pushing past members of the crowd to get closer to the Capitol Building. Sandlin repeatedly yelled things such as “we’re not here to spectate anymore,” “the time to talk is over,” and “if you’re not breaching the building, move out of the way.”
The three men entered the Capitol through the Upper West Terrace door, at approximately 2:35 p.m. While inside, Sandlin and DeGrave pushed against officers guarding an exterior door to the Capitol Rotunda, slowly forcing the door open and letting a mob stream inside. Sandlin shouted at the officers, “you’re going to die, get out of the way,” before later grabbing an officer’s helmet.
The three men then went together up a set of stairs and to a hallway outside the Senate Chamber. Sandlin incited others in the mob to prevent U.S. Capitol Police officers from locking the doors to the Senate Gallery, shouting “grab the door.” He began shoving officers in an attempt to keep the doors open. As he did this, his hand made contact with the side of an officer’s head. The trio and dozens of other rioters then gained access to the Senate Gallery, where Sandlin recorded a selfie-style video with his cellphone, exclaiming: “We took it. We did it.”
After leaving the Senate Gallery, Sandlin smoked a marijuana joint in the Rotunda of the Capitol. He also stole a book from a desk in a Senate-side office, which he later described to Colt as a “souvenir.” He also picked up an oil painting from the Capitol and slung it over his shoulder before others in the mob took it off his shoulder. He finally exited the Capitol at approximately 3:16 p.m.
Shortly after the riot, Sandlin deleted photographs and messages regarding the events of Jan. 6 from his group chats with Colt, DeGrave, and others.
Colt, 35, of Meridian, Idaho, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2021, to obstruction of an official proceeding. DeGrave, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022, to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. Both are awaiting sentencing.
In addition to the term of incarceration, Sandlin was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s
National Security Division are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Nevada and the Western District of Tennessee.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Memphis Field Offices, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 23 months since Jan. 6, 2021, close to 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more 270 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Paris, Tennessee Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Charles Anthony Anderson, 56, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for production of child pornography and committing that offense as a registered sex offender. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Anderson was convicted in Florida in 2003 of two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor under 12 years of age. Anderson served 60 months on community corrections in that case. As part of that case, Anderson was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
In February 2021, Anderson asked a few people to do some cleaning and fix a security camera for him at his business in Buchanan, Tennessee. Anderson was part-owner of Mountain Top Vapors, a vape/smoke shop in Henry County. While one of them was working on the security camera, he saw a cellphone hidden on top of a China cabinet. He took the phone home with him, charged it, and powered it up to see if he could determine the owner of the phone. When he turned it on, he saw a photo of a naked prepubescent girl as the phone’s screen saver. He then went into the photo gallery on the phone and saw other images, including one which depicted the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Other information on the phone indicated that it belonged to Anderson. When he confronted Anderson about the images, Anderson admitted to taking the pictures. Anderson was reported to the police.
On May 5, 2021, Anderson appeared at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. He gave a full recorded confession and admitted to taking the photos found on his phone.
Federal agents were contacted and obtained a federal search warrant to search Anderson’s phone. Images recovered from the phone corroborated Anderson's admissions and the information provided to the police.
Forensic review of Anderson’s phone identified several images that had metadata indicating that they were produced using that phone on specific dates in 2019, including the image set forth in the first count of the indictment, which was produced on September 1, 2019, and which depicted a minor victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
As noted above, Anderson was required to register as a sex offender under SORNA when he committed the offense set forth in Count 1 of the indictment on or about September 1, 2019.
On November 16, 2022, Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced the defendant to a total of 25 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Deb Ireland and Josh Morrow, who prosecuted this case for the government.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Violating his Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Lavokeous Ivory, 29, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating his federal supervised release. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.
On August 6, 2021, officers with the Milan Police Department were dispatched to a residence for an unwanted person call. The caller advised dispatch that the suspect, Lavokeous Ivory, was beating on her windows and front door and demanding that she let him in. One of the responding officers saw a man walking near the home who matched the description of the suspect. After telling the officer his name, Ivory started walking away and then started running from the officer. Ivory ran around the house and the officer followed him on foot.
While running, a pistol dropped from Ivory's waistband. Ivory stopped to pick up the pistol, and then tried to throw it on the roof of the home. While throwing the gun, it discharged, and the bullet hit the side of the house. The officers then attempted to detain Ivory, and while doing so Ivory picked up the gun. After other officers arrived on the scene, Ivory dropped the gun and was arrested.
Ivory had been previously convicted of a felony and was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense for illegally possessing two firearms on separate dates in February 2016. As a result of his prior felony convictions, Ivory is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.
On November 30, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Ivory to 70 months imprisonment for his illegal possession of a firearm on August 6, 2021, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Breen also determined that Ivory violated the terms of his federal supervised release by illegally possessing the firearm and imposed a 14-month prison sentence in that case, to run consecutively to the 70-month sentence for a total of 84 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Milan Police Department and the ATF.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow, who prosecuted the case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
35-Year-Old Memphis Man Sentenced to 15 Years Imprisonment Arising out of Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Tony Jackson, 35, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition and a firearm, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentencing today.
According to the information presented in court, in May 2017, members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began investigating the criminal activities of Tony Jackson. Investigators identified Jackson as a heroin distributor who utilized the proceeds from such sales to acquire both residences and vehicles in other individuals’ names to conceal the source of his income.
Additionally, despite Jackson’s prohibited status, he was known to go armed. In April 2018, investigators with the Memphis Police Department responded to a shooting on East Waldorf and South Third, in which Jackson was observed in a neighboring business surveillance video exiting a vehicle and firing several rounds at the victim. A search of the area led to the recovery of a spent nine-millimeter shell casing.
In August 2019, a search of Jackson’s residence led to the recovery of a Glock 26 9mm pistol.
Jackson pled guilty on April 19, 2022.
On December 5, 2022, United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Jackson to 180 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years’ supervised release. Jackson agreed to pay a money judgement in the amount of $56,000 which represents the proceeds from the distribution of narcotics.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service, and the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Kimbril-Parks, who prosecuted the case.
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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-
544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and
updates.
The Remaining Defendant in a 16-Member Drug Trafficking Organization with Ties to Grape Street Crips Gang SentencedRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A now-33-year-old former California native has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following a year-long investigation by local state and federal law enforcement agencies into a drug trafficking organization with ties to the Grape Street Crips gang.
In July 2019, a federal grand jury indicted 16 individuals in an eleven-count indictment for federal drug and gun charges. The indictment charged that the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
The defendants charged in the indictment were:
• Travon Allen a/k/a "Little Y," 30, Los Angeles, California
• Ozene Benson, 27, Memphis, Tennessee
• Vincent Boykin a/k/a "Veto," 31, Memphis, Tennessee
• Antwan Brown, 31, Memphis, Tennessee
• Christopher Brown, 29, Memphis, Tennessee
• Lonnell Davis, 41, Memphis, Tennessee
• Clifton Graves, 35, Memphis, Tennessee
• Preston Hampton a/k/a "Grape da Shooter," 26, Memphis, Tennessee
• Amber Howe, 31, Memphis, Tennessee
• Claude Cordell Irby, 23, Memphis, Tennessee
• Eddie Johnson a/k/a "Eddie Grape," 36, Memphis, Tennessee
• Lapheal Johnson a/k/a "Peaches," 25, Jackson, Tennessee
• Tionna Jones, 24, Memphis, Tennessee
• Terrell Kennedy, 34, Memphis, Tennessee
• Antonio Lurry, 37, Memphis, Tennessee
• Tarzell Worles a/k/a "Snugg," 26, Memphis, Tennessee
• Lapheal Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. On May 5, 2022, she was sentenced to time served, followed by 4 years supervised release.
• Amber Howe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On June 23, 2020, she was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Vincent Boykin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. On April 29, 2021, he was sentenced to 150 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Clifton Graves pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On May 11, 2021, he was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment, followed by 4 years supervised release.
• Ozene Benson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. On June 1, 2021, he was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Terell Kennedy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On November 5, 2020, he was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
• Eddie Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. On December 2, 2020, he was sentenced to time served, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
• Antwan Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. On December 3, 2020, he was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Christopher Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or less of heroin. On July 1, 2021, he was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Lonnell Davis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On June 29, 2021, he was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years supervised release.
• Tionna Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On June 22, 2021, she was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Antonio Lurry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On May 27, 2021, he was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years supervised release.
• Tarzell Worles pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On April 26, 2022, he was sentenced to 150 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years supervised release.
• Preston Hampton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. On May 13, 2021, he was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years supervised release.
• Claude Cordell Irby pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On January 25, 2022, he was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release.
• Travon Allen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On November 15, 2022, he was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Shelby County Sheriff's Office
Narcotics Division, Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit, Bartlett Police Department, and West Tennessee Drug Task Force all investigated this case.
United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Mark Erskine, who prosecuted this case.
Five Former Methodist Hospital Employees Charged with HIPAA ViolationsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury has indicted five former Methodist Hospital Employees for conspiring with Roderick Harvey, 40, to unlawfully disclose patient information in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, commonly known as “HIPAA.” United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the indictment today.
HIPAA was enacted by Congress in 1996 to create national standards to protect sensitive patient information from being disclosed without a patient’s knowledge or consent. HIPAA’s provisions make it a crime to disclose patient information, or to obtain patient information with the intent to sell, transfer or use such information for personal gain.
According to the indictment, between November 2017 and December 2020, Harvey paid Kirby Dandridge, 38, Sylvia Taylor, 43, Kara Thompson, 30, Melanie Russell, 41, and Adrianna Taber, 26, to provide him with names and phone numbers of Methodist patients who had been involved in motor vehicle accidents. After obtaining the information, Harvey sold the information to third persons including personal injury attorneys and chiropractors.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and three-year period of supervised release.
Harvey was also charged with seven counts of obtaining patient information with the intent to sell it for financial gain on various dates between November 12, 2017, and September 7, 2019. Each of those charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and three years’ of supervised release.
Dandridge, Taylor, Thompson, Russell, and Taber were each charged with separate violations of disclosing the information to Harvey in violation of HIPAA. That charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment, a $50,000 fine and a one-year period of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Carroll L. André III, who is prosecuting the case.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Three Defendants Sentenced for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Three individuals, Robert L. Pryor, 46, Elaine Pryor, 43, and Joshua L. Pryor, 44,
have been sentenced for preparing and filing false tax returns under the business name Better Dayz
Tax Services, LLC. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentences today.According to information presented in court, Robert L. Pryor owned a tax-preparation business,
Better Dayz Tax Services, LLC, in Memphis, Tennessee. His wife Elaine Pryor and his brother Joshua
L. Pryor also worked at Better Dayz. He and his co-defendants prepared false income tax returns for
clients and for themselves, resulting in fraudulent tax refunds and total lost tax revenue of more
than $122,000 over three years. Each defendant pled guilty to one count of preparing a false tax
return.On October 12, 2022, United States District Judge Jon P. McCalla sentenced Robert L. Pryor to a
total of 15 months in federal prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Pryor may
not own or operate a tax preparation business or engage in tax preparation services during his
supervised release. Pryor also was ordered to pay restitution of $57,672.00.On October 12, 2022, Judge McCalla sentenced Joshua L. Pryor to three years of federal probation
and ordered him to pay restitution of $25,064.00. Joshua Pryor may not own or operate a tax
preparation business or engage in tax preparation services during his probation.On November 4, 2022, Judge McCalla sentenced Elaine Pryor to six months in federal prison, to be
followed by 18 months of supervised release. Six months of her supervised release term must be
served on home detention, and she may not own or operate a tax preparation business or engage in
tax preparation services during her supervised release. She also was ordered to pay restitution of
$57,853.59. There is no parole in the federal system.United States Attorney Ritz, said “I hope these sentences send a message to others who are robbing
the government through fraudulent tax practices that their illegal acts will not go unchecked.”“Those who might consider preparing false tax returns should be aware of the extremely negative
consequences as evidenced today," said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the
Charlotte Field Office. "Today's sentencing of the defendants again emphasizes that the Internal
Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who
would attempt to defraud America's tax system."This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI).
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Murre Foster, who
prosecuted this case.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901- 544-4231 or
[email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Hardin County Woman Sentenced to over 12 Years for Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute over 50 Grams of Actual MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Bridget Nicole Bickings, 31, of Hardin County, Tennessee, has been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for conspiring with others to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on April 18, 2021, at approximately 1:45 a.m., officers with the Savannah Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a silver vehicle for failing to stop at a stop sign. Bickings was driving the vehicle and a male subject in the front passenger seat. Officers immediately smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Bickings gave the officers a small marijuana joint and stated that she had smoked marijuana approximately 45 minutes ago.
After both occupants were removed from the vehicle, Bickings handed the officers a Ruger .380 pistol, and the male passenger told the police that there was a 9mm handgun under the front passenger seat. Officers found $4,000 in cash on her person along with a small white envelope containing multiple small blue Xanax pills. As officers attempted to place Bickings in custody, she ran away but was eventually captured and arrested. A further search of the vehicle revealed over 12 ounces of methamphetamine, a box of baggies, a digital scale, and multiple rounds of 9mm and .22 caliber ammunition.
During a post-arrest Mirandized interview, Bickings admitted to buying and selling over 200 pounds of methamphetamine during the past few years.
On November 3, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Bickings to 151 months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department, FBI, DEA, and ATF.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow, who prosecuted this case.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901- 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Dyersburg Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Assault of a Federal Officer with a Deadly WeaponRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Bobby Joe Claybrook, Jr., 41, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for
assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon and discharging a weapon during and relation to a
crime of violence. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.United States Attorney Ritz stated: “This defendant pled guilty to committing a violent assault on
federal law enforcement officers. That’s an extremely serious crime, deserving of this extremely
serious sentence. The United States will not hesitate to bring significant resources to bear when
citizens attack our law enforcement partners.”United States Marshal Tyreece Miller added: “Law enforcement are public servants that place their
lives on the line everyday, enforcing laws throughout our communities. Sadly, the possibility of
physical danger and harm are part of what it means to wear a badge. But trying to hurt a Deputy
U.S. Marshal has serious consequences. We are glad our Deputy Marshals weren’t seriously injured,
and thankful for the steadfast work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case to
closure.”According to information presented in court, on August 3, 2020, the United States Marshals received
information that Bobby Joe Claybrook, Jr. was wanted by the Dyersburg Police Department for
attempted second degree homicide and for being a felon in possession of firearm. On November 2,
2020, agents located the defendant at a duplex in Jackson, Tennessee. Federal agents and local law
enforcement, all wearing clothing and badges that clearly established themselves as law enforcement
officials, approached the residence. Prior to the team stepping onto the porch to knock on the
door, Claybrook began firing on the team through the small porch window. A task force officer was
hit in his arm, leg, and another officer was struck by a round from Claybrook’s firearm. The
officers were treated for their injuries at the hospital and released.Several other officers were pinned alongside the house until the Jackson Police Department SWAT
Team arrived to assist them. The SWAT team took over the scene and negotiated the surrender of
Claybrook after a lengthy standoff.Tennessee Bureau of Investigation personnel executed a search warrant of the residence and located
a 9mm firearm and several 9mm shell casings inside the residence near the window where Claybrook
carried out his assault on law enforcement. As a result of Claybrook’s prior felony convictions,
he is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.On October 28, 2022, Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Claybrook to
480 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole
in the federal system.This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Jackson-Madison County Narcotics, and
the Jackson Police Department SWAT Team.United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham,
who prosecuted this case.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Firearms After Having a Misdemeanor Domestic Violence ConvictionRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Michael Ransom, 34, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for being a
convicted felon in possession of a firearms as well as being in possession of those firearms after
having a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the
sentence today.According to information presented in court, in May 2020, Memphis Police Officers responded to an
armed party call that two men were seen near Annie Street carrying assault rifles to a red car.
When officers arrived, Michael Ransom got out of the red car and immediately started running from
police. Still seated alone inside the red car, were Ransom's two minor children.Officers recovered from the front seat a Taurus 9mm handgun and a Smith and Wesson assault rifle.
Both guns were loaded with one round of ammunition in the chamber and multiple rounds in the
magazines. Officers also recovered a plastic bag containing 4.3 grams of cocaine from the driver's
side door. Ransom was caught and arrested on an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault.Ransom had previously been convicted in March of 2010 of facilitating carjacking. He was also
convicted in October 2017 of misdemeanor domestic assault with bodily harm. As a result of these
convictions, Ransom is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.On October 27, 2022, United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Ransom to 96
months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ of supervised release. There is no parole
in the federal system.This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Memphis Police
Department and the ATF. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make
our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime
reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy
in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from
occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring
the results.United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin and Special
Assistant United States Attorney Sam Winnig, who prosecuted this case.###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.Obion County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Silencers, and Machine GunsRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Bobby Joe Brown, 42, of Obion County, Tennessee has been sentenced to 30 months in
federal prison for unlawfulpossession of firearms, silencers and machine guns. United States
Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on August 7, 2018, officers with the Union City Police
Department and agents with the 27th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation received information that the defendant, Bobby Joe Brown, had previously sold three
guns, one of which was stolen. Officers went to Brown's residence in South Fulton to speak with him
regarding the stolen gun. Brown agreed to speak with the officers, and he also allowed them to
search his home.During the search, officers found a small mill/drill combo machine that appeared to have been used
on multiple occasions to mill and drill aluminum. Officers also observed an 80% lower receiver
lying on top of a workshop table, multiple books on fully automatic firearm and suppressor
manufacturing, and a plastic tote on the floor that contained several different lengths of black
painted pipe that was threaded on either end, along with flashlight tubes and freeze plugs.
Officers also located several firearms, including handguns and rifles, along with many AR-15 parts,
including assembled upper and lower parts kits used to fully assemble AR-15 lower receivers. One
gun, a Dan Wesson .357 revolver, was found in a closet wrapped in a latex glove. That gun was
reported stolen in 2008 from Obion County.Officers also located a total of four completed suppressors, and one partially completed
suppressor, one lightning link, and one drop-in auto sear (the latter items are devices that are
used to turn semi-automatic AR-15 rifles into fully automatic weapons). Officers seized all items
related to Brown's manufacturing of firearms, along with a small amount
of methamphetamine and other assorted drug paraphernalia found throughout the home.Brown admitted to making homemade silencers and machine guns. He said he conducted on-line research and had books to assist him in making the machine guns and silencers and did not think it was
illegal to do so. Brown further admitted that he bought and used methamphetamine regularly.On April 15, 2022, Brown pled guilty to the 15-count indictment in this case charging him with
various firearms-related violations.On October 14, 2022, Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Brown to 30
months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the
federal system.Although Brown was not a convicted felon at the time he possessedthe firearms and other related
items in this case, and had very little documented criminal history, the Court determined that a 2
1/2-year prison sentence was warranted here, particularly because of the number of firearms and
other related items possessed by Brown, the fact that Brown had manufactured silencers and had
converted some of the firearms to fully automatic weapons, and because Brown was an active user of
methamphetamine while he manufactured and possessed these items.This case was investigated by the Union City Police Department, the 27th Judicial Drug Task Force,
the TBI and the ATF.United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow, who
prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol BreachRead the Press Release
Defendant Sprayed Fire Extinguisher at Officers,
Illegally Entered Capitol Office, Tore Open a Box, Went Through PapersMemphis, TN – A Kentucky man pleaded guilty today to assaulting law enforcement officers with a
dangerous weapon – a fire extinguisher - during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His
actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to
ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.Nicholas James Brockhoff, 21, of Covington, Kentucky, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to
assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon.According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Brockhoff illegally entered the Capitol grounds,
joining a mob on the West side of the Capitol. At approximately 2:32 p.m., he threw an object from
his position on the West Terrace towards law enforcement officers. During the confrontation with
law enforcement officers, he also discharged the contents of fire extinguishers on multiple
occasions and from at least two different locations. Each time he did so, law enforcement officers
dispersed, interfering their ability to control the crowd.Additionally, during the afternoon, while very close to the Lower West Terrace tunnel, Brockhoff
obtained a helmet belonging to an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He wore
the helmet like a trophy throughout the afternoon, including when he entered a Senate Conference
room of the Capitol from a broken window. Brockhoff moved into a hallway and then helped kick a
door leading to the entry into another conference room. From inside the conference room, while
still wearing the MPD helmet, Brockhoff tore open a box and went through papers in the office. He
eventually left the Capitol through a broken window.Brockhoff was arrested on May 27, 2021, in Counce, Tennessee. He is to be sentenced on March 24,
2023. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. A
federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing
Guidelines and other statutory factors.This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the
Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance
was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky and the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Brockhoff as
#255 on its seeking information photos, the FBI’s Louisville Field Office and its Covington,
Kentucky Resident Agency, and the FBI’s Memphis Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by
the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division, the Metropolitan Police Department, the
U.S. Capitol, and the Hardin County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Department.In the 21 months since Jan.6, 2021, more than 880 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50
states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 270 individuals charged
with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 12 Years for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Jarquez Sigears, 35, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for being a
convicted felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the
sentence today.According to information presented in court, in April 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information that Sigears was illegally buying and selling
guns in Memphis. Sigears has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault. As such, Sigears
cannot legally possess a gun or ammunition.In May and June of 2019, agents with ATF purchased multiple guns from Sigears including three Smith
& Wesson .40 caliber pistols, a Ceska Zbrojobka (CZ) 9mm pistol, a Kel-Tel .22 caliber pistol, a
Taurus 9mm caliber pistol, and a GMMG 9mm semi- automatic rifle. Some of the guns had been reported
stolen and all the guns were loaded with ammunition.This case was investigated by the ATF.
On October 25, 2022, United States District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Sigears to 151 months in
federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.United States Attorney Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin, who prosecuted
this case on behalf of the government.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
DEA Gears up for National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
Event Aims to prevent addiction and reduce poisoning death
Memphis, TN –The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 23rd National Prescription Drug Take
Back Day on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event offers anonymous disposal of
unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop- off locations nationwide. One of these
locations is the Kroger store in Bartlett, Tennessee, at 7615 Highway 70. United States Attorney
Kevin Ritz will participate in Drug Take Back Day at location with law enforcement partners,
beginning at 10:00 a.m.For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided an easy,
no-cost opportunity to dispose of medicines stored in the home that are susceptible to misuse and
theft.Opioid misuse remains at epidemic levels in the United States. According to a report
published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of
people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.“I encourage everyone across the country to dispose of unneeded medications to help keep our
communities safe and healthy,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The Take Back campaign is part
of DEA’s continued efforts to combat the drug poisoning epidemic and protect the safety and health
of communities across the United States.”The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, approximately
107,622 people died as the result of a drug poisoning last year. This means that someone in the
United States is dying of a drug poisoning every five minutes.On Saturday, October 29, 2022, DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules,
patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Collection sites will not accept syringes,sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their
original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. The event will also continue
to accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.A location finder and partner toolbox are available at www.DEATakeBack.com for easy reference to
nearby collection sites. Beyond DEA’s Take Back Day, there are also opportunities to regularly and
safely dispose of unneeded medications at close to 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses
prescription disposal locations. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.
# # #Contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @ WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 10 Years on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Tommarion Latrez Williams, 28, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for
being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney, announced the
sentence today.According to the information presented in court, on February 11, 2020, at approximately 10:45 p.m.,
officers with the Bolivar Police Department were dispatched to a disturbing the peace call at E.
Margin St. in Bolivar. After responding to the scene, one of the officers knocked on the front door
while another officer walked to the back of the residence. The officer that went to the rear of the
home heard people talking inside the residence and they appeared to be arguing.That officer then stepped off the porch and began walking toward the north side of the residence to
speak with his fellow officers about what he had observed, when he heard someone open the back
door. The officer pointed his Taser in that direction and observed a man, later identified as the
defendant, Tommarion Latrez Williams, walk through the back door onto the porch with a gun aimed at
him. The officer determined that it was too late to draw his firearm, so he deployed his Taser at
Williams, and Williams fired his gun directly at the officer. Fortunately, Williams did not hit the
officer with his fired round.Officers were soon able to subdue Williams and placed him in custody. Williams' firearm was located
next to a tree in the backyard. The gun, a Taurus Model PT-111 Millenium Pro, 9mm pistol, was
reported stolen during an automobile burglary in Bolivar on August 16, 2016.A check of Williams' criminal history revealed that he is a convicted felon. On May 8, 2013,
Williams was previously convicted of aggravated burglary in Madison County, Tennessee, and he was
convicted of the same offense in Hardeman County, Tennessee, on May 24, 2017. As a result of his
prior felony convictions, Williams is prohibited from
possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.An ATF agent conducted an analysis of Williams' firearm and determined that it was
manufactured outside the state of Tennessee.On April 7, 2022, Williams pled guilty to being a convicted felon-in-possession of a firearm in
violation of federal law.On October 19, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Williams to 120 months'
imprisonment -- the highest sentence allowed by law for this offense -- to be followed by three
years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.This case was investigated by the Bolivar Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###Contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @ WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Former Memphis Police Officer Sentenced to 12 Years for Criminal Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge has sentenced a former Memphis Police Officer to 12 years in federal
prison for criminal civil rights violations. U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence
today.On January 24, 2020, former Memphis Police Officer Sam Blue 63, pled guilty to conspiracy to
violate civil rights by using force, violence, and intimidation, and conspiracy to commit robbery
affecting interstate commerce. On October 25, 2022, United States District Court Judge John T.
Fowlkes Jr. sentenced Blue to 144 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’
supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz said: “Our citizens have a right to be policed by officers who follow
the law. This officer abused his authority and violated others’ civil rights. He’ll now spend a
significant time in federal prison. My hope is that this sentence sends a clear message that law
enforcement officers who break the law will be held accountable.”
“This sentencing proves that abuse of law enforcement authority will not be tolerated,” said Bryan
McCloskey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. “Every citizen has the right to expect law enforcement officers to act in accordance
with the laws they have sworn to uphold, and the FBI is committed to aggressively investigating and
bringing to justice those officers who break the law and violate the public trust.”According to information presented in court, between 2014 and 2018 Sam Blue, a sworn Memphis Police
Department Officer, conspired with others to rob drug dealers of drugs or drug proceeds. Prior to
the planned robberies, various co-conspirators would conduct surveillance of the targets. Officer
Blue provided his co-conspirators with information, such as home addresses for the targets of the robberies, obtained from law enforcement restricted sources. Blue also provided his co-conspirators with equipment, including an official MPD badge, and a car dashboard blue light to use during the planned robberies so that they could falsely claim to appear to be law enforcement.In July 2018, Eric Cain was selected as a robbery target by the conspirators. The defendants began
conducting surveillance on Cain and put a GPS tracker on his car. Blue provided the gate code used
by law enforcement to access Cain’s apartment complex in furtherance of the plan to commit the
robbery.On July 13, 2018, as Cain was leaving his apartment in Memphis around 4:30 a.m., a black car with
flashing blue lights pulled up behind his car. Cain believed he was being stopped by law
enforcement. Two of the defendants, dressed in black clothing with the word "police" on it and
wearing masks and armed with handguns, got out of the car with the flashing lights and ordered Cain
to get out of his car and get on the ground. Cain obeyed and the men handcuffed him, put a hood
over his face, and placed him in the back of their car. The defendants then drove Cain to a house
on Reese Road here in Memphis.
At this new location, Cain was taken inside the house and restrained while the defendants beat him,
burned him on his arms, neck, and head, and demandedthat he tell them where he kept his money
and/or drugs. Cain was able to escape by jumping through the front window of the house. He was
hospitalized for a week in the burn unit and underwent surgery for his injuries.U.S. Attorney Ritz thanked the FBI Tarnished Badge Task Force, which investigated this case, and
Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government.
###Contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @ WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Reagan Taylor Fondren Appointed as First Assistant United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, is
pleased to announce the appointment of Reagan Taylor Fondren as First Assistant United States
Attorney for the district.Ms. Fondren, a native Memphian and graduate of Central High School, completed her undergraduate
studies at Spelman College and her law degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law. She
has worked in federal public service with the United States Department of Justice for her entire
career and has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for over 14 years.“As a federal prosecutor for over 14 years, and a career public servant, Reagan Taylor Fondren
brings a wealth of experience and absolute professionalism to a role that is vital to the success
of our office,” said United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz. “I am confident that Ms. Fondren will
lead with skill and integrity in her new role as First Assistant. I look forward to working closely
with her to promote and defend the interests of the United States in our District.”Ms. Fondren began her legal career as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Drug Enforcement
Administration. There she servedin the Office of the Chief Counsel and was responsible for the
investigation and institution of charges against DEA registrants accused of violating federal
regulations. In 2008, she joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia,
where she gained significant trial and appellate experience as a violent crime and homicide
prosecutor.Ms. Fondren has served the Western District of Tennessee since 2014, where she has served as senior
and lead AUSA in the Civil Rights Unit of the Criminal Division. In this role she managed
complex investigations involving multiple law enforcement partners. Four years ago, Ms.
Fondren joined the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office, where she has served as
Senior Litigation Counsel. She has defended the United States in an array of civil cases, such as
employment discrimination, medical malpractice, and prisoner litigation. As head of the Financial
Litigation and Bankruptcy Divisions, she has worked with government agencies to collect debts and
represent the interests of the United States in bankruptcy litigation. Additionally, Ms. Fondren
has served as the Chair of the Diversity Committee and Special Emphasis Program Manager for Black
Affairs.
Ms. Fondren is married to Rickey Fondren II and they have two children. Ms. Fondren is active in
community and legal organizations including the National Bar Association, the National Black
Prosecutors Association, and Girl Scouts Heart of the South.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
U.S. Attorney Announces the Appointment of District Election Officer to Monitor Elections in West TennesseeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced today that Assistant United States
Attorney (AUSA) Scott Smith will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice
Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.
AUSA Scott Smith has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western
District of Tennessee, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling
of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or
staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.United States Attorney Ritz said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or
discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election
officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.
Our office and the Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of
the election process.”The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and
intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and
election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s
longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the
electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to
report possible federal election law violations.Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or
staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying, and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering
vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without
their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they
can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other
acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate oftheir choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be
assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or
inability to read or write in English).United States Attorney Ritz stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.
We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and
that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of
voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such
complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Smith will be on duty in this
District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone
numbers: 901-544-4231 and 901-969- 2962.”In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency
throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on
election day. On November 7, 2022, 8am-4pm, and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022,
6am-8pm, the local FBI field office will be available to the public at 901-747-9506. During the
broader election cycle, the local FBI field office can be reached 24/7 by the public at
901-747-9650.Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the
Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at
https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
United States Attorney Ritz said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the
assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information
about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of
Justice.”Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911
immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary
jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Man Sentenced for Possessing a Gun After Being Convicted of Felony and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Nicholus Leavy, 37, has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for illegally
possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony and domestic violence. Kevin G. Ritz, United
States Attorney, announced the sentence today.According to the information presented in court, the charges stemmed from an incident that occurred
on May 7, 2021 at "Our Bar," a night club on Jackson Avenue in Memphis. Security guards denied
Nicholus Leavy entry into the club because he was carrying a gun, was intoxicated, and had been in
a verbal altercation with a patron. When security guards asked Leavy to leave the club, he became
irate and made threats to “shoot up the club.” Leavy got in his car and circled the block. As he
drove towards the club, Leavy turned off his headlights, rolled down the window, continued making
threats at the guards, and raised a black pistol. Officers recovered a pistol from the driver's
side door of Leavy's car. The gun was loaded with 1 live round in the chamber and 8 live rounds in
the magazine.Leavy had prior convictions for a felony and domestic assault. As a result of his convictions,
Leavy is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms.On October 13, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Leavy to 90 months in
federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal
system.This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Memphis Police Department, and
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is
a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce
gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department
launched a gun violence reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles:
fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement
priorities, and measuring the results.Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin and Special Assistant United States Attorney Nathan
Vrazel prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
###For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at 901-544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Nashville Social Club Owner Pleads Guilty to Campaign Finance SchemeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – The former owner and operator of a social club in Nashville pleaded guilty today to
violating campaign finance laws to benefit Tennessee State Senator Brian Kelsey’s 2016 campaign for
U.S. Congress.According to court documents, Joshua Smith, 45, of Nashville, Tennessee, secretly and unlawfully
funneled $67,000 of what is commonly referred to as “soft money” (funds not subject to the
limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act [FECA])
from Kelsey’s Tennessee State Senate campaign committee to a national political organization that
funded advertisements urging voters to support Kelsey in the August 2016 primary election.Smith pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the solicitation, receipt, direction, transfer, and
spending of at least $25,000 in “soft money” in connection with a federal election. He is scheduled
to be sentenced on June 9, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal
district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines
and other statutory factors.In connection with this scheme, Kelsey was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2021 and
charged with conspiracy to defraud the Federal Election Commission, illegally transferring “soft
money” as a federal candidate, illegally transferring “soft money” as a state officeholder and
making and accepting excessive contributions to a federal campaign. The case is scheduled for trial
in January 2023.Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and
U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.Trial Attorney John Taddei of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S.
Attorneys Amanda Klopf for the Middle District of Tennessee and David Pritchard for the Western
District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Four Defendants Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Four defendants have been sentenced for conspiracy to defraud the Small Business
Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The EIDL program provided grants and
low-interest loans to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, among other disasters.
Between April 2020 and June 2020, the defendants submitted more than 400 fraudulent EIDL
applications and attempted to get over $7 million in funding. Kevin G. Ritz, United States
Attorney, announced the sentences today.United States Attorney Ritz commented: “These aid programs were meant to lift hardworking citizens
and small businesses. But these individuals illicitly used the funds for their own benefit. I thank
our federal law enforcement partners for uncovering and investigating these crimes. We will
continue to prosecute those who abuse and misuse COVID-19 relief funds.”“During a global pandemic, the defendants took advantage of aid programs intended to provide
critical relief for hardworking members of our communities impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak,” said
Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal
Investigation (IRS-CI) Memphis Field Office. “We will continue to prioritize COVID-19 fraud
investigations on those who fraudulently take intended funds for struggling businesses that truly
needed assistance.”“Conspiring to fraudulently obtain federal funds that are meant to provide assistance to nation’s
small businesses is unacceptable,” said SBA Office of Inspector General’s Special Agent in Charge
Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Our office will aggressively pursue evidence of wrongdoing and bring
those responsible to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement
partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”Sharika L. Carpenter, 43, of Memphis, Tennessee, pled guilty on January 13, 2022, to
one count of conspiracy to defraud the EIDL program, one count of wire fraud, two counts
of theft of government property, and one count of preparing a false tax return. According to
information presented in court, Carpenter owned a tax-preparation business, Better Days Tax
Services, in Memphis, Tennessee. She recruited and trained at least five people to work for her
preparing fraudulent tax returns and fraudulent applications to COVID- 19 relief programs for
clients. Operating out of that business in 2020, Carpenter and her co-conspirators obtained more
than $745,000 in fraudulent EIDL funds. Carpenter charged her clients up to 50 percent of the
fraudulent EIDL proceeds, and she also submitted fraudulent EIDL applications in her own name. She
paid her employees a flat fee for each fraudulent EIDL application that received funding. In
addition to the EIDL fraud, Carpenter prepared false income tax returns for clients, resulting in
fraudulent tax refunds and lost tax revenue. Carpenter also defrauded the Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by obtaining a fraudulent PPP loan of
$3,548. And Carpenter defrauded the Department of Labor’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program
by claiming more than $33,000 in unemployment- assistance payments to which she was not entitled.On October 5, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Carpenter to a total of
four years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Carpenter may
not own or operate a tax preparation business or engage in tax preparation services during her
supervised release. Carpenter also was ordered to pay restitution of
$38,756 and a fine of $20,000. There is no parole in the federal system.Co-defendant Kevin Maclin, 45, of Memphis, Tennessee, pled guilty on January 18, 2022, to one count
of conspiracy to defraud the EIDL program for his role in the fraud scheme. Maclin recruited
additional clients to Better Days Tax Services, where Carpenter and her employees submitted
fraudulent EIDL applications on the recruits’ behalf. Maclin received a percentage of those
clients’ EIDL funds. Carpenter also prepared fraudulent EIDL applications for Maclin, for which
Maclin received $31,000 in his own name. On May 16, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L.
Parker sentenced Maclin to 18 months in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised
release. Maclin also was ordered to pay restitution of $31,000 and a fine of $10,000.Co-defendants Brandy D. Scaife, 44, and Stephanie Johnson, 43, both of Memphis, Tennessee, each
pled guilty on January 12, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to defraud the EIDL program for their
roles in the fraud scheme. Scaife and Johnson both worked for Carpenter preparing fraudulent EIDL
applications for Better Days Tax Services clients. Carpenter paid Scaife and Johnson a flat fee for
each fraudulent application that received funding. Scaife also obtained a fraudulent EIDL loan in
her own name. On April 29, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Scaife to
time served, to be followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered her to pay restitution
of $17,900. On May 18, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Johnson to two
years of federal probation.This case was investigated by IRS-CI, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration,
the SBA Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Murre Foster prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by
calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721
or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at:
https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Justice Department Announces New Reporting Procedures for Environmental ViolationsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee,
announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office has implemented new public reporting
procedures for environmental violations and issues relating to environmental justice. Environmental
justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, and policies.The Office is implementing this public reporting procedure under the Department of Justice’s
Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy, available at
/media/1221596/dl?inline. This Strategy seeks to provide “timely
and effective remedies for systemic environmental violations and contaminations and for injury to
natural resources in underserved communities that have been historically marginalized and
overburdened, including low-income communities, communities of color, and Tribal and Indigenous
communities.”“Working with the EPA and our other federal partners to ensure safe living and working conditions
for our entire community is a priority in the Western District of Tennessee. Notifying the U.S.
Attorney’s Office about environmental justice concerns helps us protect the community from harmful
violations of federal health and safety law,” said United States Attorney Ritz. “We hope that
concerned individuals, organizations, andcommunity groups in this district will work with us to
address and fix environmental injuries to public health or the environment, or injuries to natural
resources. Together, we will work to reduce public health and environmental harms caused by
violations of our federal laws and regulations—especially to underserved communities that often
suffer from a disproportionate share of adverse health effects.”The United States Attorney’s Office has included an environmental justice program
update on its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/environmental-justice. Thisupdate includes recommendations for how to contact various federal agencies regarding a variety of
environmental concerns, as well as phone numbers and links to submit online complaints to a diverse
group of federal agencies.In addition to the federal agencies identified on the Office’s website, United States Attorney Ritz
encourages residents to contact the United States Attorney’s Office at 901- 544-4231 or by email
[email protected] when also contacting local, state, or federal agency hotlines or
websites to report environmental, health and safety concerns. Consistent with the Department’s
comprehensive strategy, the United States Attorney also designated an Environmental Justice
Coordinator for the district to coordinate its environmental justice efforts. When contacting the
Office, please ask to speak with the Environmental Justice Coordinator.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee Observes Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN –United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz joins the Department of Justice, the Office on
Violence Against Women (OVW), advocates, survivors, victim service providers, justice
professionals, police and first responders, and communities across the
U.S. in observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize. The devastating consequences of domestic
violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Approximately one in four women and one in
seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes; however, rates are
disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color,
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people, and people with
disabilities. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and
encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for our Office to remind the communitythat we
are here and available to support victims and survivors of the Western District,” said United
States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz.Purple Thursday is a National Day of Action during DVAM. It is an opportunity to raise awareness
about domestic violence and an easy way for us to show our commitment to promoting safe
communities. Please join us on October 20 by wearing purple and starting a conversation about
domestic violence!
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.Bruceton Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Carl Goodson Ragsdale, 58, of Bruceton, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 12 years for
distribution, possession, and receipt of child pornography. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney,
announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, in October 2018, Tumblr, Inc., a social networking
website, reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) a cyper tip
about apparent child pornography activity on a blog called "sweetbabygirlsdaddy." Tumblr provided
an email address and IP address for the account and disabled the account. The IP address geolocated
to Bruceton, Tennessee. To assist with the investigation, NCMEC forwarded the tip to local law
enforcement. The Martin Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted the
Federal Bureau of Investigation's Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. Investigators
identified Carl Goodson Ragsdale, of Bruceton, Tennessee, as the owner and user of the account.FBI special agents interviewed Ragsdale, who admitted that he used the Tumblr account
"sweetbabygirlsdaddy" to receive and post images, including sexually explicit images of
prepubescent girls. He admitted that he also used a cloud storage site to receive sexually explicit
images of prepubescent children. He told agents that he "constantly" accessed child pornography on
the internet and that he thought about sexual intercourse with women and children "all the time."Agents reviewed Ragsdale's cell phone and tablet computer and found over 600 images of child sex
abuse and graphic sexually explicit conversations about the children in some of those images of
child sex abuse.United States Attorney Kevin Ritz said: “Thanks to proactive and significant cooperation between
our office and local and federal law enforcement partners, this defendant was
brought to justice for his abhorrent crimes.”On May 16, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Ragsdale, charging
him with distribution, possession, and receipt of child pornography. He pled guilty to the charges
on March 25, 2022.On October 4, United States Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Ragsdale to 144
months imprisonment, to be followed by lifetime supervised release. Ragsdale must also register as
a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.The case was investigated by the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Martin
Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Delery prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###
Contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow
@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates
Texas Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Bereniz Cavazos, 31, formerly of Texas, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal
prison for possessing heroin with intent to distribute. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney,
announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on October 6, 2021, investigators with the West
Tennessee Drug Task Force stopped a vehicle Cavazos was occupying, along with her two minor
children. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of approximately 5 kilograms of heroin.A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Cavazos in October 2021. On May 17,
2022, Cavazos pled guilty to one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute in
violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.On October 3, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Cavazos to 5 years
imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal
system.This case was investigatedby the Shelby County West Tennessee Drug Task Force and the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA).Deputy Criminal Chief Michelle Kimbril-Parks represented the government at the sentencing hearing.
###
Contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or [email protected]. Follow
@WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Five Current or Former IRS Employees Charged with Defrauding Federal COVID-19 Relief ProgramsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Five current or former IRS employees have been charged with schemes to defraud the
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, federal
stimulus programs authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)
Act.“The IRS employees charged in these cases allegedly abused the trust placed in them by the public,”
said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal
Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to safeguarding that public trust and protecting
pandemic relief programs for the American people.”“This matter demonstrates the brazenness with which bad actors have taken advantage of federal
programs meant to help those who suffered most from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Director for
COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Kevin Chambers. “The Justice Department will continue to work hard to
root out PPP and EIDL Program fraud, including that committed by government employees.”According to court documents, the defendants allegedly obtained funds under the PPP and EIDL
Program by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications that collectively sought over $1
million. They then used the loan funds for purposes not authorized by the PPP or EIDL Program, but
instead for cars, luxury goods, and personal travel, including trips to Las Vegas.“These individuals – acting out of pure greed – abused their positions by taking government funds
meant for citizens and businesses who desperately needed it,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for
the Western District of Tennessee. “I thank our law enforcement partners for rooting out this
fraud. Our office will not hesitate to pursue and charge individuals who steal from our nation’s
taxpayers.”Administration’s (TIGTA) mission includes
investigating allegations of criminal violations committed by Internal Revenue Service
employees,” said Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George. “We will
continue to aggressively pursue IRS employees who breach the public trust, safeguarding the
integrity of the IRS.”“It is especially egregious when individuals that hold positions of public trust engage in criminal
activity,” said Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration, Office
of Inspector General (SBA-OIG). “OIG is a ready partner in safeguarding the integrity of SBA’s
programs and in bringing wrongdoers to justice.”The five individuals charged are:
• Brian Saulsberry, 46, of Memphis, Tennessee, is charged with two counts of wire fraud and two
counts of money laundering. Saulsberry was employed by the IRS as a Program Evaluation and Risk
Analyst in the Human Capital Office. According to the indictment, Saulsberry submitted four
fraudulent EIDL Program applications, seeking at least
$501,400 in EIDL Program loans and obtaining $171,400 in loan funds. Saulsberry allegedly spent a
portion of the funds on a Mercedes-Benz and deposited additional funds into a personal investment
account.• Courtney Quinshe Westmoreland, 38, of Cordova, Tennessee, is charged with three counts of wire
fraud. Westmoreland was employed by the IRS as a Contact Representative in the Wage and Investment
Service Centers Department. According to the indictment, Westmoreland submitted multiple fraudulent
PPP and EIDL Program applications on behalf of a purported apparel business, for which she sought
at least $32,500 in loans and obtained $11,500 in loan funds. Westmoreland allegedly used these
funds for personal services, including manicures and massages, and to purchase luxury clothing. In
addition, while employed full-time by the IRS, Westmoreland allegedly submitted fraudulent
applications for unemployment insurance benefits to the Tennessee Department of Labor, in which she
falsely claimed that she was not employed by the federal government. According to court
documents, Westmoreland fraudulently obtained $16,050 in unemployment insurance benefits.• Fatina Hewitt, 35, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is charged with one count of wire fraud. Hewitt
was employed by the IRS as a Management and Program Assistant in Information Technology. According
to the information, Hewitt submitted multiple fraudulent EIDL Program applications on behalf of a
purported fashion business, seeking $338,900 in EIDL Program loans and obtaining $28,900 in loan
funds. Court documents allege that Hewitt spent the loan funds on Gucci clothing and a trip to Las
Vegas. On October 4, 2022, Hewitt pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.• Roderick DeMarco White II, 27, of Memphis, is charged with one count of wire fraud. White was
employed by the IRS as a Contact Representative in the Wage and Investment Service Centers
Department. According to the information, White submitted four fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program
applications on behalf of a purported apparel business, seeking $113,311 in PPP and EIDL Program
loans and obtaining $66,666 in loan funds. White allegedly spent the loan funds on personal items,
including a Gucci satchel. On August 25, 2022, White pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.• Tina Humes, 56, of Memphis, is charged with one count of wire fraud. Humes was employed by the
IRS as a Lead Management and Program Assistant in the Human Capital Office. According to the
information, Humes submitted four fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program applications, seeking $133,812 in
loans and obtaining $123,612 in loan funds. Humes allegedly spent the funds on jewelry and trips to
Las Vegas. On July 27, 2022, Humes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and each count of money
laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will
determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory
factors.The TIGTA and SBA-OIG investigated the cases.
Assistant Chief Justin Woodard and Trial Attorneys Sara Porter, Kelly Z. Walters, and Thomas D.
Campbell of the Fraud Section’s Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll Andre
for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the cases.These cases were brought as part of an interagency effort to combat and prevent CARES Act fraud by
federal employees. The initiative is led by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division,
Fraud Section, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and agents with TIGTA and SBA-OIG.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP.
Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more
than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently
obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with
such proceeds. More information can be found at
https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to
marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government
to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to
investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists
agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, augmenting and
incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover
fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained
from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic,
please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by
calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline via the NCDF
Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint- form.An indictment or information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until
proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Five Current or Former IRS Employees Charged with Defrauding Federal COVID-19 Relief ProgramsRead the Press Release
Five current or former IRS employees have been charged with schemes to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, federal stimulus programs authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The IRS employees charged in these cases allegedly abused the trust placed in them by the public,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to safeguarding that public trust and protecting pandemic relief programs for the American people.”
“This matter demonstrates the brazenness with which bad actors have taken advantage of federal programs meant to help those who suffered most from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Director for COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Kevin Chambers. “The Justice Department will continue to work hard to root out PPP and EIDL Program fraud, including that committed by government employees.”
According to court documents, the defendants allegedly obtained funds under the PPP and EIDL Program by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications that collectively sought over $1 million. They then used the loan funds for purposes not authorized by the PPP or EIDL Program, but instead for cars, luxury goods, and personal travel, including trips to Las Vegas.
“These individuals – acting out of pure greed – abused their positions by taking government funds meant for citizens and businesses who desperately needed it,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “I thank our law enforcement partners for rooting out this fraud. Our office will not hesitate to pursue and charge individuals who steal from our nation’s taxpayers.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) mission includes investigating allegations of criminal violations committed by Internal Revenue Service employees,” said Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George. “We will continue to aggressively pursue IRS employees who breach the public trust, safeguarding the integrity of the IRS.”
“It is especially egregious when individuals that hold positions of public trust engage in criminal activity,” said Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG). “OIG is a ready partner in safeguarding the integrity of SBA’s programs and in bringing wrongdoers to justice.”
The five individuals charged are:
- Brian Saulsberry, 46, of Memphis, Tennessee, is charged with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Saulsberry was employed by the IRS as a Program Evaluation and Risk Analyst in the Human Capital Office. According to the indictment, Saulsberry submitted four fraudulent EIDL Program applications, seeking at least $501,400 in EIDL Program loans and obtaining $171,400 in loan funds. Saulsberry allegedly spent a portion of the funds on a Mercedes-Benz and deposited additional funds into a personal investment account.
- Courtney Quinshe Westmoreland, 38, of Cordova, Tennessee, is charged with three counts of wire fraud. Westmoreland was employed by the IRS as a Contact Representative in the Wage and Investment Service Centers Department. According to the indictment, Westmoreland submitted multiple fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program applications on behalf of a purported apparel business, for which she sought at least $32,500 in loans and obtained $11,500 in loan funds. Westmoreland allegedly used these funds for personal services, including manicures and massages, and to purchase luxury clothing. In addition, while employed full-time by the IRS, Westmoreland allegedly submitted fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits to the Tennessee Department of Labor, in which she falsely claimed that she was not employed by the federal government. According to court documents, Westmoreland fraudulently obtained $16,050 in unemployment insurance benefits.
- Fatina Hewitt, 35, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is charged with one count of wire fraud. Hewitt was employed by the IRS as a Management and Program Assistant in Information Technology. According to the information, Hewitt submitted multiple fraudulent EIDL Program applications on behalf of a purported fashion business, seeking $338,900 in EIDL Program loans and obtaining $28,900 in loan funds. Court documents allege that Hewitt spent the loan funds on Gucci clothing and a trip to Las Vegas. On October 4, 2022, Hewitt pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
- Roderick DeMarco White II, 27, of Memphis, is charged with one count of wire fraud. White was employed by the IRS as a Contact Representative in the Wage and Investment Service Centers Department. According to the information, White submitted four fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program applications on behalf of a purported apparel business, seeking $113,311 in PPP and EIDL Program loans and obtaining $66,666 in loan funds. White allegedly spent the loan funds on personal items, including a Gucci satchel. On August 25, 2022, White pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
- Tina Humes, 56, of Memphis, is charged with one count of wire fraud. Humes was employed by the IRS as a Lead Management and Program Assistant in the Human Capital Office. According to the information, Humes submitted four fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program applications, seeking $133,812 in loans and obtaining $123,612 in loan funds. Humes allegedly spent the funds on jewelry and trips to Las Vegas. On July 27, 2022, Humes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and each count of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The TIGTA and SBA-OIG investigated the cases.
Assistant Chief Justin Woodard and Trial Attorneys Sara Porter, Kelly Z. Walters, and Thomas D. Campbell of the Fraud Section’s Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll Andre for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the cases.
These cases were brought as part of an interagency effort to combat and prevent CARES Act fraud by federal employees. The initiative is led by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and agents with TIGTA and SBA-OIG.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
An indictment or information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Arizona Woman Sentenced to 84 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Adalinda Saucedo, 28, formerly of Arizona has been sentenced to 84 months in federal
prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney,
announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on January 24, 2022, an agent with the Shelby County
Sheriff’s Office West Tennessee Drug Task Force, while conducting surveillance along I-40, stopped
Saucedo’s vehicle for speeding. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 5,869
grams of fentanyl.In March 2022, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Saucedo charging
possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On June 27, 2022, the defendant pled guilty.On September 29, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Saucedo to 84 months
imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal
system.This case was investigatedby the Shelby County West Tennessee Drug Task Force and the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA).Special Assistant United States Attorney Sean Hord prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government. SAUSA Hord was assigned from the 25th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.###
blic Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or
[email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Justice Department Announces Actions to Resolve Lending Discrimination Claims Against Evolve Bank & Trust Settlement Provides $1.3 Million to Compensate Affected BorrowersRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – The Justice Department today announced it has secured an agreement to resolve
allegations that Evolve Bank & Trust, which is headquartered in Memphis, engaged in lending
discrimination on the basis of race, sex and national origin in the pricing of its residential
mortgage loans from at least 2014 through 2019.Evolve Bank maintains mortgage lending offices and provides mortgage lending services in 15 states
throughout the country. Under the department’s settlement, which is subject to the approval of the
District Court, Evolve Bank will establish a settlement fund of $1.3 million to compensate affected
borrowers. Evolve Bank will also pay a $50,000 civil penalty.“This settlement will provide deserved relief to thousands of borrowers who suffered discrimination
due to Evolve Bank’s pricing policies,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the
Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case marks the Justice Department’s latest step
to protect Americans from illegal lending practices and shows that we will hold lenders accountable
for the effects of their discriminatory practices.”“This settlement provides some measure of justice to those wronged by Evolve Bank’s discriminatory
acts,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “I also hope it
sends a strong message to banks and other lenders that the Department of Justice won’t stand for
unlawful barriers in residential mortgage lending. It’s past time for these practices to stop.”The department opened its investigation after the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
referred the matter. Consistent with federal law, the Board has long
referred matters involving potential fair lending violations to the Department of Justice.According to the complaint, the Justice Department alleges that Evolve Bank violated the Fair
Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibit financial institutions from
discriminating on the basis of race, sex or national origin in their mortgage lending services.
Specifically, the complaint alleges that, from at least 2014 through 2019, Evolve Bank’s loan
pricing practices resulted in Black, Hispanic, and female borrowers paying more in the
“discretionary pricing” components of home loans than white or male borrowers for reasons
unrelated to their creditworthiness. “Discretionary pricing” means the parts of a loan price that
are left up to Evolve’s loan officers and managers, including fees, charges or rate discounts that
don’t relate to the borrowers’ credit qualifications or loan characteristics.Since being notified of the department’s investigation of this matter, Evolve has taken steps to
revise its policies and practices that resulted in Black, Hispanic and female borrowers paying more
for home loans than white or male borrowers. During the four- year term of the proposed consent
order, Evolve will maintain policies that reduce loan officer discretion, employ a fair lending
officer who will work in close consultation with the bank’s leadership and provide fair lending
training to its personnel.The department’s Civil Rights Division has long been engaged in work that seeks to make mortgage
credit and homeownership accessible to all Americans on the same terms, regardless of race, sex or
national origin. In January 2021, President Biden reaffirmed the critical role of the federal
government in addressing legacies of housing segregation and discrimination, declaring that it is
the policy of this Administration to eliminate “racial bias and other forms of discrimination in
all stages of home-buying and renting.”The Justice Department’s enforcement of fair lending laws is conducted by the Civil Rights
Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section. Additional information about the Section’s fair
lending enforcement can be found at the Justice Department webpage. Individuals may report lending
discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination tip line at
1-833-591-0291 or submitting a report online.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or
[email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
Kevin Ritz Sworn in as United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
Kevin Ritz United States Attorney Western District of TennesseeMemphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz was sworn in September 28, 2022, as United States Attorney for the
Western District of Tennessee. In a brief ceremony at the federal courthouse in Memphis, Chief
U.S. District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson administered the oath of office, in front of
Ritz’s family and U.S. Attorney’s Office colleagues. Ritz was nominated by President Joe Biden on
July 29, 2022, and he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 2022.
As United States Attorney, Kevin is the chief federal law enforcement officer in West Tennessee.Ritz stated: “It is an honor to lead the office where I have worked for 17 years. I’ve dedicated
my career to serving the United States, and I can’t wait to start this next chapter. I want to
thank President Biden for nominating me, the Senate for confirming me, and Congressman Cohen for
recommending me for this position.”“I look forward to working with my colleagues and our partners to promote and defend the interests
of our country throughout the 22 counties of West Tennessee. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m
ready to get going.”Kevin G. Ritz is a Memphian who has dedicated his entire career to federal public service. He has
been an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western
District of Tennessee since 2005. He started in the narcotics unit prosecuting drug, firearm,
robbery, carjacking, and other offenses. He later held various leadership positions in the office,
including serving as Appellate Chief and Special Counsel for over a decade. He has written more
than 200 appellate briefs and argued 37 cases in the federal courts of appeals.Ritz has twice served on the Department of Justice’s Appellate Chiefs Working Group. From 2020 to
2021, he was the Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section, and in 2017
Ritz was the President of the Federal Bar Association’s Memphis Chapter. From 2008 to 2016, Ritz
was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.Before his tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ritz clerked for Judge Julia S. Gibbons of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Between college and law school, Mr. Ritz
worked for the United States Department of State.Mr. Ritz received his J.D. from the University of Virginia, his M.S. in Foreign Service from
Georgetown University, and his B.A. with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, where he
was a Jefferson Scholar. He is a product of Memphis City Schools and graduated from White Station
High School. He and his family live in midtown Memphis.
###
For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or
[email protected]. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news
and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 15 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Craig Parham, 41, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for drug
trafficking. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, from September 2017 through March of 2020, Craig
Parham and his co-conspirators formed a group named the Smokey City Bullies or SCB. This group
distributed illegal narcotics in the North Memphis (Smokey City) area of Memphis, TN. Most of these
individuals displayed their affiliation to the Smokey City Bullies through their Facebook accounts.Furthermore, these Facebook accounts depicted these individuals displaying SCB memorabilia, inside
of locations where controlled purchases during this investigation have been made, and in front of
other locations where state search warrants have been previously executed. They also posted
photographs of themselves displaying drugs, guns, and cash.The SCBs primarily sold illegal narcotics out of two residences in Smokey City. The first residence
was a duplex on North Dunlap St., Memphis, TN. The second residence was located on Keel Avenue,
Memphis, TN. Members of the Smokey City Bullies worked rotating shifts to sell illegal narcotics
to customers at those houses. These residences were around the corner from one another, and their
backyards were adjacent.This long-term investigation involved confidential informants, undercover buys, undercover
surveillance, and Facebook search warrants. Craig Parham participated in the following controlled
buys: On December 19, 2019, Parham possessed in his waistband a revolver when he sold approximately
54 grams of a cocaine base to an undercover ATF agent. On March 4, 2020, Parham sold approximately
28 grams of a cocaine base and 14
grams of powder cocaine to an undercover ATF agent inside on Dunlap, Memphis, TN.Craig Parham pled guilty on May 3, 2022.
On September 15, 2022, U.S. Senior Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Parham to 15 years
imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal
system.Assistant United States Attorneys P. Neal Oldham and Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on
behalf of the government.
###
Clarksville Man Sentenced to 37 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping, Interstate Stalking Resulting in Permanent Disfigurement, and Using a Firearm to Commit Interstate StalkingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Keatron L. Walls, 37, of Clarksville, Tennessee, has been sentenced to a total of 37
years in federal prison for four counts of kidnapping, one count of interstate stalking resulting
in permanent disfigurement of a victim, and one count of using a firearm to commit interstate
stalking. A federal jury convicted Walls of those offenses after a six-day trial earlier this year.
United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on November 23, 2016, Walls drove from Clarksville,
Tennessee to a residence in DeSoto County, Mississippi where his ex- girlfriend lived with several
family members. Armed with a Norinco AK-47 style automatic rifle, Walls fired at least 10 shots
from the front yard into the home’s living room window. Four of the seven people inside the house
suffered gunshot wounds. One of those victims lost his leg due to the shooting, and another victim
lost a finger. The victims were not able to see the shooter, and Walls fled the scene before law
enforcement arrived. DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department personnel recovered six spent shell casings
outside the house as evidence. Walls presented a false alibi to law enforcement regarding his
whereabouts during the shooting. Law enforcement was able to disprove that alibi through further
investigation.Less than 18 months later, on April 20, 2018, Walls kidnapped his ex-girlfriend, her five- year-old
daughter, and her boyfriend at gunpoint from their apartment in Memphis, Tennessee. He forced the
victim to drive them in her car to a nearby location, where Walls’s vehicle was parked. He
retrieved an AK-47 style rifle from his car and put it into the trunk of the victim’s car. After
that, he ordered the victim to drive back to her apartment, where he forced her to lock her
daughter inside the apartment by herself. He then ordered her to drive to a house in Marshall
County, Mississippi where Walls’s
relative lived. During the drive, Walls threatened to kill both victims and hit them with one of his two pistols. When they arrived at the house, Walls forced both victims out of the car,
onto their knees, and fired three gunshots past their heads. After arguing with several family
members about whether he should let the victims go, Walls directed both victims back into the car.
He forced them to drive into Shelby County, Tennessee, where officers were able to stop the car and
rescue both victims.Forensic ballistics testing showed that the AK-47 style rifle in the car’s trunk matched the spent
shell casings recovered from the November 23, 2016, shooting in DeSoto County, Mississippi."This sentencing demonstrates there is no tolerance for this type of criminal activity and cruel
treatment of victims," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation Memphis Field Office. "The FBI is committed to working closely with our law
enforcement partners to protect victims and bring those who commit such heinous acts to justice.”On September 8, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Walls to a total
of 37 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no
parole in the federal system.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s
Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Memphis Police Department.Assistant United States Attorneys Tony Arvin and Murre Foster prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government.
###
26-Year-Old Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison for Business RobberiesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Malik Williams, 26, has been sentencedto 228 months in federal prison for committing
multiple business robberies. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence
today.According to court documents and information in the public record, on June 28, 2019, Malik
Williams, Decardo Moore, and Joshua Beason robbed multiple Memphis-area gas stations. At
approximately 2 a.m., Williams, Moore, and Beason went to the Murphy Express on Summer Avenue.
Williams and Beason put a handgun to the side of a store clerk, forced him inside the store, and
threatened the lives of both store clerks. They took money from the register and fled. Moore served
as the getaway driver.Approximately thirty minutes later, Williams and Beason robbed the Exxon on Summer Avenue. They
brandished firearms and removed the cash drawer before they fled the scene. Moore served as the
getaway driver. Minutes later, the group participated in a home invasion on the 2000 block of West
Barbara Circle where a resident, Williams and Moore were shot. All three survived. Charges for the
home invasion are pending for all three defendants before the State of Tennessee.Williams went to trial in June 2022 and was found guilty of both business robberies and the use of
firearms during the robberies.On September 9, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Williams to 228
months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence will be
consecutive to any sentence obtained by the State of Tennessee for
the pending home invasion charges.On October 25, 2021, Moore pled guilty to four counts of robbery and four counts of brandishing a
firearm in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Moore to
life in federal prison plus 21 years’ incarceration.On May 14, 2021, Joshua Beason was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison. There is no parole in
the federal system.This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###
Twenty-Year-Old Receives over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted CarjackingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Demetrius Williams, 20, has been sentenced to 125 months in federal prison for
attempted carjacking and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Joseph C.
Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on December 28, 2019, Demetrius Williams and Terrion
Jones contacted a third-party to take them to the mall. As the vehicle arrived, Jones got in the
back seat of the vehicle. Williams asked the victim to go to the back of the apartment to pick up
an additional female passenger. When the car got behind the apartment, Jones got out of the car
under the guise of getting another passenger, but then opened the driver's door. As Jones opened
the door, Williams brandished a handgun and told the victim "Get out of the car, so I don't have to
shoot you." The victim resisted and Jones punched her. Williams eventually gave Jones the gun and
told Jones to shoot the victim. Jones pointed the gun at the victim, and she ran away. An armed
citizen intervened, and the suspects fled the scene. Jones and Williams were identified as the
suspects and were arrested several days later.On September 15, 2021, Williams pled guilty to attempted carjacking and brandishing a firearm in
relation to a crime of violence.On August 24, 2022, Senior United States District Judge Jon P. McCalla, sentenced Williams to 125
months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in
the federal system.Jones was previously sentenced to 111 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years'
supervised release.This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF).Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Rogers and Greg Wagner prosecuted this case
on behalf of the government.
###
Three Armed Carjackers Who Shot Federal Agents Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Barium Martin, 19, Julius Armstrong, 19, and Adairius Armstrong, 20, have pled guilty
to armed carjacking crimes. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the guilty
verdict today.According to information presented in court, in May of 2021, Barium Martin, Adairius Armstrong,
Julius Armstrong, and another co-defendant participated in a string of carjackings, which
culminated in the shooting of two federal agents.On May 5, 2021, two suspects approached victims "C.N." and "M.C." while they were sitting in C.N.'s
vehicle. One suspect, later identified as Adairius Armstrong, demanded the victims get out of the
vehicle as he pointed an assault rifle at their heads. The suspects took the victims' belongings
and fled in C.N.'s 2015 Hyundai. The suspects returned shortly and stole M.C.'s 2012 Mercedes.On May 6, 2021, Adairius Armstrong and Julius Armstrong approached victim "L.P." while she was
sitting in her 2017 Nissan. Adairius Armstrong tapped on L.P.'s window with an assault rifle and
demanded the keys. L.P. fled as Julius Armstrong got into the passenger seat armedwith a handgun.
The two then stole L.P.'s vehicle and fled the scene.On May 7, 2021, Julius Armstrong approached victim "N.R." armed with an assault rifle as she
checked the tire of her 2021 Nissan. Julius Armstrong demanded that N.R. give her phone, purse, and
keys to him. The gunman got into her car and drove eastbound on Jackson Avenue along with a Honda
CRV, driven by Barium Martin. Adairius Armstrong also participated, his fingerprints were found
inside of the carjacked vehicle. Also on May 7, 2021, at 1:40 a.m., victim “E.G.,” was traveling
south on Montgomery approaching the Parkway when a tan SUV cut her off, making the victim come to a
complete stop. A gunman stepped out of the passenger side of the SUV holding an assault rifle,
demanding her to get out of the car as he threatened to kill her. The victim got out of the vehicle and the suspect got in her car and both vehicles left traveling south. Barium Martin was identified as
the driver of the tan SUV.Later that same day, at approximately 2:30 p.m., special agents from the ATF and officers from the
Memphis Police Department Violent Crime Unit, received information that MPD patrol officers pursued
and lost track of another stolen vehicle, but later recovered the vehicle near Alabama and Mosby.
Video from the area showed that four suspects emerged from the stolen vehicle, including one
carrying what appeared to be a rifle. ATF and VCU officers observed a vehicle of interest and began
to follow it near Dunlap and Mosby. The suspect vehicle then turned on Leath and stopped. A
sergeant with MPD pulled his vehicle in front of the suspect vehicle.An ATF agent observed a man wearing a red hoodie, later identified as Barium Martin, outside of the
vehicle raise a rifle at the officers. Another witness observed Julius Armstrong raise a rifle and
begin shooting. The witness observed Julius Armstrong move toward the driveway as he shot his
weapon before he jumped a gate and ran. The suspects fired approximately 10-20 shots at the special
agent and sergeant, who were both struck by gunfire but survived their injuries and have since
returned to full duty status.On August 10, 2022, Barium Martin pled guilty to two carjackings, the use of a firearm during a
carjacking, and the shooting of the ATF agent and Memphis Police Sergeant. Sentencing for Martin is
set for November 10, 2022, before United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker.On August 11, 2022, Adairius Armstrong pled guilty to four carjackings and the use of a firearm
during two of the carjackings. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years in federal prison.
Sentencing for Adairius Armstrong is set for November 10,2022, before United States District Judge
Thomas L. Parker.On August 18, 2022, Julius Armstrong pled guilty to two carjackings, the use of a firearm during a
carjacking, the shooting of the ATF Agent and Memphis Police Sergeant, and the discharge of a
firearm during the shooting of the officers. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years in
federal prison. Sentencing for Julius Armstrong is set for November 9, 2022, before United States
District Judge Thomas L. Parker.There is one remaining co-defendant who is currently scheduled for trial in November 2022. The
charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty. There is no parole in the federal system.“These violent offenders victimized and terrorized five citizens and two law enforcement officers.
They repeatedly showed total disregard for human life and personal property. Carjackings and the
prevalence of guns on our streets continue to plague our communities at alarming and unacceptable
rates and the ATF will continue to work with our state, local, and federal partners to remove
violent criminals from the communities that we serve,” said Mickey French, ATF Special Agent in
Charge, Nashville Field Office.“This conviction sends a clear message that offenders who commit armed carjackings and shoot at our
law enforcement partners will be expeditiously caught, prosecuted, and ultimately held accountable
for their violent actions,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s
Memphis Division, Douglas M. Korneski. “The FBI and our federal and local partners will continue to
combine our resources and share our expertise to target those who perpetrate similar heinous acts."This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI’s
Safe Streets Task Force, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and with assistance from the Shelby County
District Attorney’s Office.Assistant United States Attorney’s Dean DeCandia, Elizabeth Rogers, and Greg Wagner are prosecuting
this case on behalf of the government.
###
Local Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Federal Prison After Being in Possession of a Firearm During an Attempted RobberyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Reginald Pigram, 39, has been sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for illegally
possessing a firearm during an attempted robbery. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney,
announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on September 15, 2020, officers with the Memphis
Police Department responded to an attempted robbery at a gas station on Old Austin Peay Highway.
The victim reported that while he was unloading his delivery truck, a male approached him, lifted
his shirt to brandish a firearm, and demanded that the victim hand over his wallet. The victim
pulled out a knife and refused, and the suspect walked away to a hotel next door. The victim
briefly followed the suspect, who then pointed the firearm at the victim.Responding officers went to the hotel and the management identified the suspect as a guest and led
officers to a specific room where he was staying. When officers knocked on the door to the room and
announced their presence, they heard someone manipulating the toilet lid. Several minutes after
officers repeatedly knocked on the door, Pigram answered the door. He matched the suspect
description and was detained.Officers secured the hotel room, obtained a warrant, and recovered two handguns and multiple
magazines (including one high capacity) from the tank of the toilet. One of the handguns was a
Ruger .45 and the other was a Springfield .45.On October 26, 2021, Pigram pled guilty to being a felon in possession of two firearms.
On August 11, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Pigram to 102
months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is
no parole in the federal system.This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of
law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to
make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime
reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy
in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from
occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring
the results.Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###
Jury Finds Convicted Felon Guilty of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Following a three-and-a-half-day jury trial in federal court, Travis Lester, 42, has
been found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr.,
United States Attorney, announced the guilty verdict today.According to information presented in court, on May 19, 2021, at approximately 1:00pm, the United
States Marshals Service and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team received
information from a confidential source that two wanted fugitives were staying in a room at the
Villa Inn Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.The fugitives were identified as Travis Lester, 42, and his girlfriend who had outstanding arrest
warrants. Detectives spoke with the hotel staff and learned which room they were staying in. The
marshals knocked on the door, and both Lester and his girlfriend answered. They were immediately
placed under arrest. From the doorway, officers observed a digital scale on the nightstand. While
searching Lester's person, deputies recovered 20 rocks of crack cocaine and Lester admitted he had
more drugs inside the room.Shelby County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit responded to the scene, secured a search warrant for
the room where a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol, with a red extended magazine was recovered from
a plastic bag containing Lester's clothing. The gun was loaded with 16 live rounds of ammunition in
the magazine and 1 live round in the chamber.Lester’s prior felony convictions include felon in possession of ammunition in 2016, felon in
possession of a firearm in 2013 and reckless homicide in 2008. As a result of his prior felony
convictions, Lester is prohibited by federal law from possessing ammunition and
firearms.This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of
law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to
make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime
reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy
in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from
occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring
the results.This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhood, the Memphis Police Department, the
United States Marshal Service, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
(TBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).Sentencing is set for November 18, 2022, before United States District Judge Samuel H. Mays where
he faces up to ten years in federal prison followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no
parole in the federal system.Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Jury Finds Henderson County Man Guilty of Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN - After a four-day trial, Preston Anton McNeal, 35, was found guilty on four counts of a seven-count indictment. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the guilty verdict today.
According to information presented in court, from late 2016 until February 2019, McNeal formed and was the leader of a substantial methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in West Tennessee. On January 2, 2017, the Lexington Police Department stopped a vehicle being driven by Mr. McNeal, the only occupant of the vehicle. After coming to a stop McNeal threw a bag containing 44 grams of actual methamphetamine, 16 grams of cocaine and a gram of crack cocaine into a nearby yard. All the narcotics were packaged separately for distribution. McNeal was placed into custody and the narcotics thrown by the defendant were recovered. A search of the vehicle revealed $1,281 in cash, a drug ledger, and a digital scale.
On February 9, 2019, and after the original indictment was returned against McNeal, Chester County Sheriff's Deputy stopped a vehicle being driven by McNeal and arrested him on the federal arrest warrant. He was placed into custody on a federal arrest warrant for the original indictment in this case. In the vehicle with McNeal was Whitney Jowers, who testified at trial that prior to being pulled over, McNeal handed her some items and told her to hide them, which she did. After both McNeal and Jowers were placed under arrest, Jowers told law enforcement that she had several items on her person, including four bags of methamphetamine, three of which weighed 14 grams. Officers also located another bag of methamphetamine under the driver's seat which also weighed 14 grams, and over $3,000 in cash which was scattered throughout the car. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 57 grams.
At trial, the government also called Christie Austin. She testified that from late 2016 through February 2019, she received 220 ounces of methamphetamine from McNeal for redistribution. Austin also testified that McNeal distributed methamphetamine to several other individuals in the Henderson County area.
During the trial, McNeal had to be admonished by the judge several times for his unruly behavior, and he also assaulted multiple correctional officers on the final day of trial, which delayed the jury's deliberation. McNeal also testified in his own defense during trial and claimed that he only sold marijuana. The jury rejected McNeal's story and convicted him of conspiring with others to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute over 5 grams and 50 grams of methamphetamine on January 2, 2017, and February 9, 2019, respectively. The jury also convicted McNeal of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute on January 2, 2o17.
Sentencing is set for November 15, 2022, before Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson. McNeal faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, and he will also likely qualify as a career offender, in which case he would face a guideline range of 360 months to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Lexington, Tennessee Police Department, the Chester County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Davis and Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###Convicted Felon Sentenced to over 12 Years for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN - Mark Allen Branch, 34, of Union City, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and for being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on January 15, 2020, officers with the Dyer County Sheriff's Department conducted a traffic stop on a green Pontiac Bonneville for a registration violation. The defendant was in the front passenger seat.
During the search of the vehicle, officers located a green camouflage backpack on the front passenger side floorboard. A loaded Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol was found inside the backpack. After being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights, Branch admitted the backpack was his. Other items located in the backpack included a digital scale, three plastic baggies of methamphetamine, and eight individually wrapped baggies of marijuana. Branch confirmed that everything inside the backpack belonged to him.
The DEA issued a laboratory report in this case, which confirmed a net weight of 54.10 grams of actual methamphetamine with a purity level of 95%. The DEA also confirmed that the marijuana weighed 174.95 grams.
A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined Branch's pistol and determined that the gun was manufactured outside the state of Tennessee and therefore traveled in interstate commerce prior to being possessed by Branch on January 15, 2020.
Officers also confirmed that Branch is a convicted felon. In November 2007, Branch was convicted of Possession of over .5 grams of Cocaine with Intent to Sell/Deliver in Dyer County, Mitigated Statutory Rape and Failure to Appear in Dyer County in August 2009, and Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture in Dyer County in April 2012.
On March 23, 2022, Branch pled guilty in federal court to the charges of Possession of over 50 grams of Actual Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute and Felon-in-Possession of a Firearm. As a convicted felon, Branch is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On July 14, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Branch to 151 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised. There is no parole in the federal system.
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Carlos Gwin, also known as “Carlos Chambers,” 40, has been sentenced to 180 months
in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr.,
United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.According to information presented in court, on September 24, 2020, at approximately 5:15pm,
Memphis Police responded to a call for service at a motel on Sycamore View. Carlos Gwin was
observed sitting in a black car in the motel parking lot using drugs. After having admitted to law
enforcement he was using cocaine, he was detained.A search of the car revealeda small amount of cocaine wrapped in a $20.00 bill and Xanax wrapped in
foil. A Ruger 9mm caliber pistol was recovered from underneath the driver's seat. The gun was
loaded with one live round of ammunition in the chamber and 12 live rounds in the magazine.In 2002, 2004 and 2008, Gwin pled guilty to felony charges of aggravated burglary and is
prohibited from possessing firearms. As a result of his felony convictions, Gwin was sentenced as
an Armed Career Criminal under the Armed Career Criminal Act.On June 29, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Gwin to 180 months in
federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the
federal system.This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), Memphis Police Department
and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The PSN initiative is
a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce
violent crime and make our communities safer for
everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus ontargeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership
with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government.
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Former Tennessee Department of Corrections Officers Indicted for Federal Offenses Following Assault on Inmate and False Cover-up ReportRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced that Javian Griffin, 36, and Sebron Hollands, 32, two former tactical officers with the Strike Force for the Tennessee Department of Corrections, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee. Griffin is charged with using unlawful force against an inmate at Northwest Correctional Complex. Griffin and Hollands are both charged with obstruction of justice for writing false reports about Griffin’s assault.
The count charging Griffin with unlawful use of force carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. The counts charging Griffin and Hollands with writing a false report carry a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr. for the Western District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Memphis Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Former Tennessee Department of Corrections Officers Indicted for Federal Civil Rights Offenses Following Assault on Inmate and False Cover-up ReportRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – The Department of Justice announced that Javian Griffin, 36, and Sebron
Hollands, 32, two former tactical officers with the Strike Force for the Tennessee Department of
Corrections, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee. Griffin is charged with
using unlawful force against an inmate at Northwest Correctional Complex. Griffin and Hollands are
both charged with obstruction of justice for writing false reports about Griffin’s assault.The count charging Griffin with unlawful use of force carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of
imprisonment. The counts charging Griffin and Hollands with writing a false report carry a
maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights
Division, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Joseph C. Murphy Jr. and Special
Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski of the FBI Memphis Field Office made the announcement.This case was investigated by the FBI Memphis Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant
U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns
for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
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Memphis Man Pled Guilty to Calling in Bomb Threat and for Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Sentenced to 7 YearsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Christopher Cobb, 33, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for
being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced
the guilty plea today.According to information presented in court, on the afternoon of April 22, 2021,
Christopher Cobb called the United States Social Security Administration (“SSA”) office in Memphis,
Tennessee to inquire about the status of his claim. Cobb became irate when the official informed
him that his claim had been denied and he would need to file an appeal. The call was terminated
by the SSA when Cobb became irate and began using profanity. Several minutes later, Cobb called
back and threatened to "blow up" the Social Security building the next day.A search of the defendant’s home revealed a M-1 rifle and ammunition. After being advised
of and waiving his Miranda rights, Cobb admitted to making the threat and to also possessing the
M-1 rifle and ammunition.Cobb was previously convicted for aggravated assault, convicted felon in possession of a firearm,
failure to appear in a felony case and robbery. As a result of his prior felony
convictions, Cobb is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.On March 2, 2022, Cobb pled guilty to communicating a threat and to being a felon in possession
of a firearm.On June 9, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Cobb to 84 months in
federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no
parole in the federal system.“The safety of our citizens and communities is a top priority for Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) and threats against government facilities and employees must be taken
seriously,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet Jr. “The investigative
efforts of our special agents, working with their law enforcement partners, is reflected in the
sentencing of this previously convicted felon.”“This sentence reflects the severity of Mr. Cobb’s actions and should stand as a warning to anyone
who threatens any SSA official who is simply carrying out their duties. This behavior will not be
tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector
General for the Social Security Administration. “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for
prosecuting this case.”This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General
and Homeland Security Investigations.Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Steven Hall prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government.
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