Western District of Tennessee
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Memphis Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Multiple Business RobberiesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man was sentenced to 2o years in federal prison for Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
On November 15, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a ten-count indictment against Brandon Albonetti, 24, for the robberies and attempted robberies of five CVS stores and one Burger King during the summer of 2018.
According to information presented in court, the robberies occurred in Memphis, between June 21, 2018 and August 14, 2018. In several of these robberies, Albonetti entered the respective stores armed with a pistol, taking cash and other items from the registers and safes. In two robberies, Albonetti displayed a knife as he demanded cash. The defendant robbed the CVS located at 786 North Germantown Parkway twice and the CVS at 5055 Stage Road three times during this time period.
On August 14, 2018, Memphis Police officers quickly responded and apprehended Albonetti as he tried to flee the scene of the CVS on Stage Road, which he had just robbed. The defendant used his vehicle to strike two patrol cars as authorities positioned their vehicles to keep the suspect from escaping.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Business owners have a fundamental right to be safe from armed robbers who terrorize our communities with their lawlessness. The senselessness of gun violence has a long-lasting effect on victims of armed robbery, and we are pleased to achieve justice for the victims in this case. This sentence sends a clear message that there will always be a reckoning, a real and significant consequence, for the commission of violent crimes."
On July 22, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Albonetti to 240 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. The defendant previously pled guilty on February 15, 2019.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force; Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office investigated this case.
This case was prosecuted by the Western Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office on behalf of the government.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 188 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Nathaniel Hall, 54, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possession of firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on April 13, 2018, Memphis Police Officers were patrolling the area of Looney Avenue and Leath Street when they were flagged down by a shooting victim, who told officers that Hall had chased and shot her in the leg. Officers noticed an injury to the victim’s lower right leg. The victim directed officers to a residence at 785 Looney. When officers saw Hall on the balcony of that address, the victim yelled, "That's him."
Officers ordered Hall out of the home and took him into custody. Subsequently, officers recovered an Arminis .38 special caliber revolver that was hidden under a hot water tank in a utility room of the residence. This was determined by investigators to be the same weapon used to shoot the victim.
Hall has previously been convicted on three separate occasions of burglary. He has also has a prior conviction of robbery with a deadly weapon. Because of these previous felony convictions, Hall was determined to be an armed career criminal and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.
On July 19, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Hall to 188 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and in this case, Hall was an armed career criminal who continued to commit senseless gun violence despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this sentence is just punishment for such violent victimization of an innocent citizen. Gun Crime is Max Time."
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Memphis Police Department; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, who have all joined together to address gun-related crimes through targeted investigations and aggressive prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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“Deadliest Catch” Cast Member Sentenced to 51 Months Imprisonment for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Jason King, 43, has been sentenced to 51 months imprisonment on federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
The sentencing in this case involved King, a former employee and cast member of the TV series, the "Deadliest Catch," for his possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. King received a sentencing enhancement for also being in possession of over 14 pounds of marijuana. "Deadliest Catch" is a Discovery Channel documentary series chronicling the real-life high-sea adventures of the Alaskan crab fishermen in what is described as the deadliest profession in the world. King appeared as himself as a deckhand on the Cornelia Marie fishing vessel, and is known on the show as Jason "Tennessee" King.
According to information presented in court, on April 20, 2017, officers with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the 15th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant and felony arrest warrant at the residence of Jason King in Counce, Tennessee. Found during the search were multiple bags of marijuana totaling over 14 pounds hidden under the residence. Also recovered was a fully loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver in the kitchen drawer. Because King had an extensive prior criminal history, he was sentenced to the maximum sentence within the guideline range for these offenses.
On July 16, 2019, United States District Court Chief Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced King to 51 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms in connection with illegal drugs are inherently dangerous individuals. Our outstanding federal, state, and local law enforcement partners were able to catch this outlaw, and his prior criminal record finally caught up with him. This conviction and sentence will remove a repeat offender from the community, and will protect public safety in West Tennessee.
ATF Special Agent in Charge, Marcus Watson stated, "Reducing the potential for violent crime in this case was critical due to ATF partnering with our local, state and federal partners".
This case was investigated by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the 15th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Willie Somerville Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 10 Years; Four Other Tipton County Men Sentenced for Roles in 2017 Home Invasion Robbery and Murder of Timothy Edwards in Covington, TNRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Today, three Tipton County men were sentenced for their roles in a 2017 home invasion murder in Covington, TN, and two others pled guilty for their roles in the attempted robbery resulting in death. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentences today.
According to information presented in court, on January 19, 2017, Willie Somerville, 21, Armoni Hall, 21, Eddie Poindexter, 21, Christian Sherrill, 24, and Darrell Owens, 32, participated in the robbery of Timothy Edwards at his home located at 1229 Douglas Street in Covington, Tennessee. They planned to rob him of drugs and drug proceeds. Somerville was armed with a 9 mm pistol and Hall with a twelve-gauge shotgun. Somerville, Hall, and Poindexter went to Edwards’ residence and kicked in the door, while Sherrill and Owens waited nearby in a getaway car. As Hall entered Edwards’ residence, Edwards grabbed him and they struggled over the shotgun. Somerville opened fire with the pistol, killing Edwards and seriously injuring Hall. Edwards’ wife was in the back of the house and called 911. By the time police arrived a few minutes later, Edwards was already dead. Hall was found lying in the street a block away with gunshot injuries.
On December 19, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted the five men for robbery affecting interstate commerce; possession, use and discharge of firearms during a crime of violence; and use of a firearm to cause the death of Timothy Edwards. On March 5, 2019, after a week-long trial, the jury convicted Somerville of all counts, and Poindexter and Sherrill were convicted of the robbery and use of the firearm during the robbery. Hall previously pled guilty to all counts. On April 2, 2019, Hall was sentenced to 190 months along with 3 years supervised release. Owens previously pled guilty to the robbery and firearms offenses. On March 27, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Owens to 96 months followed by 3 years supervised release.
At sentencing, the Court determined that all five defendants had prior adult criminal convictions and/or juvenile delinquent histories. Further, the Court found that Somerville was a member and leader in the Kitchen Crips street gang, and that Hall, Poindexter, and Owens were also members of the Kitchen Crips gang in Covington. During the sentencing hearing for Somerville, Timothy Edwards’ wife, Katrice Edwards made a statement to the Court, calling Somerville an "evil monster" who had no remorse for what he had done, and that Somerville is a "natural born killer" who changed her life forever, and who needs to spend the rest of his life behind bars. The Court also found that after his arrest and trial, Somerville continued to threaten and intimidate cooperating witnesses who gave information and testimony against him.
On July 18, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Somerville to life imprisonment plus ten years; Poindexter was sentenced to 330 months imprisonment and 4 years supervised release; and Sherrill was sentenced to 330 months imprisonment and 4 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Willie Somerville and his fellow Kitchen Crips gang members have terrorized Covington and Tipton County for years with their brazen violence, robbery crews, trigger-pullers, and general lawlessness. The violent nature of these offenders’ criminal acts underscores the serious threat that this group posed to the community as a whole. Somerville sowed the destructive winds of gang violence, and he shall now reap the whirlwind of a life sentence. The 4 other members of his crew had no regard for human life and no respect for the law, and will now be removed from the Covington community for decades. We commend the outstanding investigative work by our law enforcement partners, and we are pleased that justice has been achieved for the Edwards family."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Covington Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pritchard and Elizabeth Rogers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
“Major Stackz Street Gang” Member Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – "Major Stackz Street Gang" member Terrence Harper a/k/a "Red", 45, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, between February and November of 2017, Harper was an associate of a drug trafficking organization whose members identified themselves as "Major Stackz Entertainment." During this time period, Harper conspired with others to traffic several pounds of methamphetamine from the Los Angeles, California area to Memphis, Tennessee. Harper was also found to have bought and sold heroin, and in November of 2017, was found in possession of a large amount of heroin at a residence in Hickory Hill.
Members and associates of Major Stackz used firearms to protect their supply of drugs, supply routes, profits and distribution territory from competing drug trafficking organizations. The members and associates are from different, traditional street gangs, including the Young Mob, Vice Lords, Gangster Disciples, Kitchen Crips, and Bloods that have joined together to make money through criminal activity.
Symbolism played a large role in Major Stackz culture. The primary symbol with which the gang associated was the acronym "MSE" for "Major Stackz Entertainment." Shirts and social media posts containing words like "MSE," "Major Stack," or "Stackz," were also known as gang identifiers. Major Stackz started in and primarily operated out of the East Memphis area near the intersection of Kerr and Pillow Street in an area known to the locals as "DHG" or "Dope, hoes and guns."
On July 11, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Harper to 120 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Distribution of illegal narcotics is not a victimless crime. The drug seller, at every level of distribution, is at the root of the pervasive cycle of drug abuse. Measured by the harm it inflicts upon the addict, and, through him, upon society as a whole, drug dealing in its present epidemic proportions is a grave offense of high rank. ‘Red’ brought large quantities of meth and heroin into Memphis for resale, and will now be ‘stacked up’ with a long prison sentence for his harmful crimes."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Memphis Police Department, Multi Agency Gang Unit and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean DeCandia prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Federal Jury Convicts Hardin County Man of Illegal Possession of an Explosive DeviceRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – After a three day federal jury trial, a Hardin County man has been found guilty of illegal possession, manufacture and transfer of a destructive device. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.
According to information presented in court, on August 24, 2018, TBI Special Agents began investigating Jonathan Edward White, of Hardin County. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that White might be in possession of an explosive device. That same day, White met with agents working in an undercover capacity and provided them with a pipe bomb. Special Operations personnel from the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded and rendered the explosive device safe. Jonathan White was arrested without incident and charged with one count of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon under state law. In the resulting federal investigation, the ATF Explosives Enforcement Branch examined the device and determined it to be an improvised explosive bomb which qualifies as a destructive device, as defined by Title 26, USC, § 5845.
The federal indictment charged that White knowingly and unlawfully made, possessed, and transferred a prohibited destructive device, more commonly known as a pipe bomb, in violation of Title 26, USC, § 5861 and 5871.
Sentencing is set for October 10, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen. White faces up to 10 years imprisonment; 3 years supervised release; and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This office, along with our law enforcement partners, takes all bomb threats seriously, and we are vigilant to protect and prevent property damage, bodily injury, and death from any explosive device in West Tennessee. We commend the quick, thorough, and coordinated response of all of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, and we are pleased that this dangerous offender has been held accountable."
ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson remarked, " ATF's priority to reduce violent crime in order to provide a safe environment for the community was evident as ATF's explosives experts working with our partners were instrumental in mitigating the potential destructive force this incident may have caused."
This case was investigated by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office; Savannah Police Department; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Tennessee Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
This case is being prosecuted by the Eastern Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office on behalf of the government.
Rio Grande, Texas Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Rolando Lopez, 58, has been sentenced to life imprisonment on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Saul Vega Flores, Virginia Torres, Ronald Lynn Parham, Daniel Ranger, Kennett Garrett, Tammy Ranger, Marcus Jones, and Xavier Demetrius James on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to information presented in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into Rolando Lopez and his drug trafficking organization in March of 2017. Agents discovered that Lopez and other co-conspirators were trafficking in methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and other illegal substances from Mexico to Tennessee. Investigators used "wiretaps" along with other surveillance, confidential sources, traffic stops, and search warrants to investigate this organization.
In April 2017, agents received information from a confidential informant regarding a home in Davidson County, Tennessee, where Lopez and his brother were conducting drug related activity. A search warrant was executed at the residence where over $500,000 in cash, a money counter, and a vacuum sealer were recovered. In November 2017, investigators through wiretap interceptions learned that Lopez arranged for a shipment of 20 kilograms of methamphetamine ice to be picked up by a co-conspirator in Atlanta, Georgia to be driven back to Tennessee. Investigators eventually seized the 20 kilograms of methamphetamine from this co-conspirator. In December 2017, investigators through wiretap interceptions and information received from confidential informants learned that Lopez was arranging a shipment of methamphetamine from Mexico to Tennessee.
The shipment was being transported by other co-conspirators in a 2004 Lincoln Navigator to the residence of a co-conspirator in the Western District of Tennessee, where the shipment was to be converted to powder form for distribution. Lopez directed other co-conspirators transporting the liquid methamphetamine to Tennessee to meet at the Days Inn, in West Memphis, Arkansas. Once the defendants began to transport the liquid methamphetamine into the Western District of Tennessee, investigators arranged for the Tennessee Highway Patrol to stop the Lincoln Navigator on Highway 51, in Obion County, Tennessee. During the search of the vehicle, agents discovered a large quantity of methamphetamine located in a hidden compartment. A DEA forensic laboratory examination revealed that the defendant and other co-conspirators were transporting 44.85 kilograms of 98% pure ice.
Lopez used other co-conspirators’ property located in the Western District of Tennessee to convert the liquid methamphetamine into a powdery substance. Lopez was held responsible for distributing 2,660,000 kilograms (converted drug weight) of methamphetamine within Tennessee. Lopez was obtaining the methamphetamine from a source in Mexico, where it was smuggled into the Western District. The United States argued that this was the largest drug trafficking organization known to be handled within the Western District.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Drug trafficking offenses are at the root of some of the gravest problems facing our country. The ‘fruit’ of the drug plague is everywhere; it fills our jails, our courts, our streets, and our nurseries. Accordingly, given that drug dealers themselves sentence many individuals to a lifetime of addiction and dependency, a life sentence for repeatedly dealing large quantities of drugs is a just and proper punishment in this case."
"The Drug Enforcement Administration and our law enforcement partners remain committed to targeting interstate methamphetamine traffickers contributing to the nation’s drug crisis," said Brett R. Pritts, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Nashville District Office. "I commend our law enforcement partners and the prosecutors for their extraordinary efforts in this case."
On July 9, 2019, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Lopez to life in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Nashville, Jackson, Atlanta DEA offices, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force, Metro Nashville Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Lawrenceburg Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Jackson Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and Obion County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Daniel Castelo Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in Federal Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Daniel Castelo, 43, of Memphis was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Castelo transported large shipments of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, via 18-wheeler for his brother, Lorenzo Castelo’s drug trafficking organization. Castelo was charged with nine others in a 15-count superseding indictment on January 18, 2019. The indictment followed a six-month investigation involving agents of the FBI as well as other federal and state agencies in this joint operation.
On June 26, 2019, U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Castelo to 120 months imprisonment. He was also ordered to serve five years supervised release. Judge Lipman also sentenced his brother Lorenzo Castelo to 300 months in federal prison along with five years of supervised release on January 18, 2019.
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, 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.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Distribution of illegal narcotics is not a victimless crime. In order to prevent needless addiction, injury, violence, and death in our communities, we must disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that deliver this deadly poison to citizens in West Tennessee. This significant sentencing of the leader of the organization will do just that, and I commend our federal and local law enforcement partners for their impactful work in this important case."
"This sentencing demonstrates the strength of joint local, state, and federal law enforcement efforts to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that seek to pollute our communities," said M.A. Myers, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field Office of the federal Bureau of Investigation. "The FBI, along with all of our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes."
"Identifying and investigating drug trafficking organizations is one of Homeland Security Investigations major priorities to protect the public from the serious harm these criminals inflict without any regard for the violence and public health damage they cause," said John Condon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville. "This case also illustrates the importance of collaborative working relationships between HSI and our federal, state and our local law enforcement partners to keep communities safe, and HSI is appreciative of their cooperation as well as the U.S. Attorney’s office in successfully bringing these individuals to justice."
MPD Director Michael Rallings said: "We will continue to work collective to identify and apprehend those who choose to bring illegal drugs through our city. We will not tolerate it and these criminals will be caught."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force; Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and the Memphis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen and Gregory D. Allen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Federal Jury Convicts Five Members of the Conservative Vice Lords Concrete Cartel Gang for RICO Conspiracy, Armed Pharmacy Robberies, and Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a three-week trial involving a total of 74 witnesses and more than 120 exhibits, a federal jury found five members of the Conservative Vice Lords Concrete Cartel criminal gang guilty of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activities, multiple armed pharmacy robberies, and drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.
On May 31, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a 34-count indictment against 12 members of the Concrete Cartel, a subset of the Conservative Vice Lords criminal gang whose headquarters is located in Chicago. The Concrete Cartel and its members operate mainly in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee and North Mississippi. The indictment charged a RICO conspiracy, 10 separate Hobbs Act business robberies, and multiple counts of brandishing and discharging firearms during the commission of those crimes of violence. The indictment also charged conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute multiple controlled substances that were obtained as proceeds in the robberies. According to information presented in court, the members of the Concrete Cartel targeted and committed armed robberies of multiple CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, obtaining thousands of opioids for redistribution to members of their organization as well as the public to enrich themselves and the gang enterprise.
Seven of the twelve members previously pled guilty to the RICO conspiracy and other crimes charged. The five members who went to trial and were found guilty were high-ranking leaders in the organization, and included:
• Nernest Andre Nesby a/k/a/ "Neno," 25
• Markease Tyshawn Alexander a/k/a/ "Citi," 26
• Davante Levert Turner a/k/a/ "Star," 26
• Tondwin Tierre Lewis a/k/a "T-Luey," 26
• Ariq Rayford a/k/a/ "Curry," 22One of the defendants was a Tennessee statewide leader and another was a citywide leader in the Conservative Vice Lords Concrete Cartel gang. The remaining defendants were branch leaders in the organization, claiming areas in East Memphis, Orange Mound and Whitehaven. This federal prosecution and guilty verdict is the result of an extensive investigation which began in 2015 by federal, state and local law enforcement officials into the criminal gang enterprise, and entailed the recovery or seizures of thousands of opioids and other controlled substances before the defendants distributed the drugs on the streets.
The defendants were found guilty on a total of 29 of the 34 charged counts. All of the defendants were found guilty of the RICO conspiracy and other charges in the indictment.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Dismantlement of criminal gangs is a top priority of this office and the Department of Justice, and this case represents the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to target and remove several significant violent leaders and participants in the Conservative Vice Lords organization. We are taking the fight to the gangs in West Tennessee, we are successfully punishing gang members for their criminal activity, and we are relentless in our resolve."
Sentencing will be set on a later date before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker. Each of the defendants faces possible sentences of up to 20 years for each of the RICO conspiracy, Hobbs Act business robbery, and drug conspiracy counts, as well as consecutive mandatory minimum sentences of 7 years for brandishing a firearm and 10 years for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU) of the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Whitmore and Raney Irwin are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has pleaded guilty to possession of firearm and drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
This case was set for a jury trial on June 24, 2019. However, halfway through the first day of trial, the defendant decided to plead guilty after the judge granted a pretrial motion in the favor of the United States and the United States subpoenaed a crucial eyewitness to the defendant's arrest and had him present outside the courtroom ready to testify.
According to information presented in court, on February 12, 2018, Memphis Police Department patrol officers saw a dark green Nissan Maxima parked and running in a stall of a car wash at 539 East Mallory. It was approximately 30 degrees outside and the car was not being washed. Two officers approached the car and smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. As officers approached, they saw the driver, later identified as Marcus Franklin, 46, with a plastic bag of marijuana in his hand. He attempted to put the bag in his pocket. Officers asked him to give them the bag of marijuana, and he complied. Franklin was asked to step out of the vehicle and he initially complied.
As the officer placed one handcuff on Franklin, he fled from the scene. The two officers were able to catch the defendant a short distance away, but he resisted arrest and tried to grab the service weapon out of the holster of one of the officers. Franklin then fought his way back to the Maxima and grabbed a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol he kept on the driver's side floorboard. Officers gave commands to comply and the suspect was finally handcuffed and arrested.
The bag of marijuana weighed 16.3 grams. Officers also found a folded $1 bill containing a small amount of cocaine in the pants of one of the other occupants of the vehicle.
The defendant was a convicted felon at the time of these events. A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reviewed a description of the firearm seized in this case and determined that it was manufactured outside the State of Tennessee, and therefore at some point entered into interstate commerce.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to the community, and in this case, Franklin continued to possess a firearm and illegal narcotics despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more armed offender that will be removed from our streets. Gun Crime is Max Time."
Sentencing is set for September 19, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, where the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. William Crow and Wendy Cornejo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Six Gangster Disciples Members, Including the “Enforcer” for the State of Tennessee, Plead Guilty to Federal Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Six Gangster Disciples, including the "Enforcer" for the State of Tennessee, have pled guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty pleas today.
These guilty pleas are the latest convictions in a large RICO conspiracy case, "Operation .38 Special", which was originally indicted in May, 2016, charging a total of 16 members of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise with racketeering. With the addition of these 6 recent guilty pleas, 14 of the 16 gang members have now been found guilty for their roles in the conspiracy. The following defendants pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Memphis over the last 2 weeks:
• Demarcus Crawford, 35, a/k/a "Trip," entered a guilty plea on June 7, 2019 to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. Crawford, during the time period covered in the superseding indictment, held the rank of Enforcer for the entire State of Tennessee for the Gangster Disciples.
• Shamar James, 40, a/k/a "Lionheart," entered his guilty plea to the racketeering charge on June 6, 2019. During the time period covered by the superseding indictment, he held various positions of authority for the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise, including Governor of Memphis, First Coordinator of Memphis, and Event/Entertainment Coordinator.
• Demario Sprouse, 38, a/k/a "Taco," pled guilty on June 19, 2019 to the RICO conspiracy. Sprouse held the prior rank of Chief of Security for a section located within Memphis.
• Rico Harris, 46, a/k/a "Big Brim," and Denton Suggs, 43, a/k/a "Denton Morman," a/k/a "Denny Mo," a/k/a "Diddy Mo," both entered guilty pleas on June 7, 2019 to the RICO charge. They both had been members of a security team.
• Gerald Hampton, 33, a/k/a "G-30," who was also a member of a security team, entered his plea on June 13, 2019.
According to the superseding indictment, the defendants named in the RICO conspiracy committed attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidations of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise and to promote and enhance the members’ position within the gang.
The leadership of the Gangster Disciples (GD) criminal enterprise is organized into different positions, including national board members; governors of governors who controlled multiple states or geographic regions; and governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers, chiefs of security, and security team members for each state or region within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active. They also have coordinators and leaders within each local group. To enforce discipline among Gangster Disciples and adherence to the criminal organization’s rules and structure, members and associates are routinely fined, beaten and even murdered for failing to follow the gang’s rules.
Other leaders and members of the Gangster Disciples have previously been sentenced for their roles in the RICO conspiracy, including: Byron Montrail Purdy, a/k/a "Lil B" or "Ghetto," 38, of Jackson, Tennessee, the GD Governor of Tennessee who received a sentence of 360 months; Derrick Kennedy Crumpton, a/k/a "38," 35, of Memphis, Tennessee, the GD Assistant Governor of Tennessee who was sentenced to 324 months; Henry Cooper, a/k/a Big Hen, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee, the GD Chief Regional Enforcer who received a sentence of 360 months; Tommy Earl Champion, Jr., a/k/a "Duct Tape," 29, of Jackson Tennessee, a GD Black Out Squad member who was sentenced to 360 months; and Daniel Lee Cole, a/k/a "D-Money," 38, a GD Assistant Governor in Jackson, Tennessee who received a sentence of 292 months.
According to the superseding indictment, the Gangster Disciples enterprise has a highly organized structure with a nationwide reach. In addition to Tennessee, the gang reportedly operates in more than 35 states.
United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Operation .38 Special demonstrates our ability and resolve to aggressively prosecute and hold accountable those who engage in organized criminal enterprises and gang conspiracies in furtherance of racketeering. This office is proud to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to disrupt the Gangster Disciples gang and punish their leaders and members for the violence and lawlessness that they perpetrate across West Tennessee. The message from these cases is clear: No matter what your role is in the conspiracy, or what your position,
title, or gang nickname is, if you are a member of a criminal gang, your days are numbered and there will be a reckoning."
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. as follows: Rico Harris on August 21, 2019; Shamar James on September 19, 2019; Denton Suggs on September 20, 2019; Demarcus Crawford on September 26, 2019; Gerald Hampton on September 27, 2019 and Demario Sprouse on October 3, 2019. Each defendant faces sentences of up to life in federal prison, not more than a $250,000 fine, plus 5 years supervised release along with a mandatory special assessment.
This prosecution was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; JPD Gang Enforcement Team; Memphis Police Department; Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorney’s General’s Offices; Sheriff’s Offices for Tipton, DeSoto, Madison, and Fayette Counties; and the Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell and Annie Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Federal Jury Convicts Memphis Man of Bank Robbery, CarjackingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a four-day trial, a federal jury has convicted a local man of bank robbery and carjacking. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney announced the guilty verdict today.
According to the information presented in court, on July 26, 2018, defendant Lorenzo Davis, 29, and two other males robbed a Memphis man at gunpoint. Davis then walked the victim two miles to an ATM machine and forced him to withdraw his last $40 at gunpoint. The next day, Lorenzo Davis committed a carjacking by shooting a Memphis man in the neck and taking his Toyota Solara.
On June 20, 2019, a federal jury convicted Davis of bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a bank robbery, carjacking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm during both incidents.
Sentencing is set for October 2, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark Norris.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This is precisely the type of violent gun offender that threatens lives and public safety in Memphis. These federal bank robbery, carjacking, and firearms charges are evidence of the aggressive approach taken by this office to remove the worst of the worst offenders from our streets. This jury verdict finding this dangerous criminal guilty of brazen and recidivist violent behavior demonstrates that the community is Fed Up with repeat offenders who have dedicated their lives to lawlessness and violence."
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Memphis Police Department Violent Crimes Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Rogers and Neal Oldham are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Memphis Goodwill Industries, Inc. will pay $150,000 to the United States for claims that were in violation of the Federal False Claims ActRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Memphis Goodwill Industries, Inc. will pay $150,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that it submitted claims that falsely certified compliance with regulations involving contracts it had entered into for services rendered to the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the General Services Administration pursuant to the AbilityOne Program.
To qualify for contracts administered by the AbilityOne Commission, Goodwill was required by federal regulation to employ disabled individuals for 75% of its direct labor hours. To maintain compliance, Goodwill was required to submit annual certifications certifying such compliance. The allegations were that Goodwill certified to the federal government that its direct labor hour’s figures were true and accurate when in fact the direct labor hours actually worked by disabled individuals were much lower.
The False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, provides the United States with a cause of action against any person or entity that knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval.
“Protection of the United States Treasury against fraud, waste, and abuse is a top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. False claims that defraud federal government agencies compromise and harm their respective abilities to employ disabled individuals in our communities, and must be exposed. We are pleased to recover these funds for the fraud perpetrated against the United States, and hope that this settlement amount will send a significant deterrent message to other dishonest contractors,” said D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney.
"Organizations that contract with the federal government under the AbilityOne program are expected to fulfill the promises they make to the taxpayer and the disabled individuals the program is intended to employ." said Carol F. Ochoa, Inspector General for GSA.
“Fraud on the AbilityOne program harms inclusion of workers in the program as well as law-abiding AbilityOne contractors,” said Thomas Lehrich, Inspector General of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. “We are committed to preserving the integrity of the AbilityOne program. Working with DOJ and our partners, the Office of Inspector General will continue to protect the confidence and public trust in the largest employment program in the nation of blind and significantly disabled workers.”
Michael J. Missal, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, stated, “This settlement sends a clear message to individuals and businesses that we will work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate and expose false claims that compromise the integrity of programs designed to benefit veterans and their families.”
This investigation was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General for the United States AbilityOne Commission, the Office of Inspector General for the General Services Administration, the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stuart J. Canale, Western District of Tennessee, and Trial Attorney Jennifer Chorpening, United States Department of Justice Civil Division, prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Two Indictments Charging Disbarred Memphis Attorney with a total of Sixty-Seven Felony ViolationsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced today that a federal grand jury has returned two indictments charging disbarred Memphis attorney Keith L. Dobbs, 39, with a total of sixty-seven federal felony violations. In addition, one indictment seeks the forfeiture of at least $406,533.00 in criminal proceeds.
According to the two indictments, Dobbs misappropriated funds from 26 victims who received veteran’s benefits and nine Social Security recipients. Dobbs acted as a fiduciary for these victims because they were unable to manage their benefits due to physical or mental disabilities. The indictments were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.
The VA Indictment
The first indictment, which was filed under seal earlier this year, charges Dobbs with 26 counts of mail fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1341. This statute makes it a crime to utilize the U.S. Mail to execute a scheme to defraud people of money or property. Each violation of the statute is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no more than three years. Supervised release is a period of time in which a defendant is subject to supervision by the U.S. Probation Office following his or her release from prison. Dobbs is charged in 22 counts of the indictment with violating Title 38, United States Code, § 6101. This statute makes it a crime for someone serving as a fiduciary to embezzle benefits a veteran receives from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Each violation of this statute is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no more than three years.
According to the mail fraud indictment, Dobbs served as a paid fiduciary for several veterans who received benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs ("the VA"). The indictment identifies 28 veterans for whom Dobbs served as the fiduciary. The VA manages programs that provide military veterans with pensions and disability benefits. When a veteran cannot manage his or her benefits due to "injury, disease, or infirmities of advanced age," the VA will appoint a "fiduciary" who is charged with managing the veteran’s benefits. An appointed fiduciary owes the VA and the beneficiary "the duties of good faith and candor." Under the regulations governing the VA’s fiduciary program, the fiduciary must use the VA benefits for the veteran’s care and protect the benefits from loss or diversion. The program’s regulations specifically provide that a fiduciary may not commingle the veteran’s funds with "the fiduciary’s own funds or the funds of any other beneficiary for whom the fiduciary has funds under management." The regulations require a fiduciary to file an annual accounting with the VA, and the accounting must include "copies of financial institution documents reflecting receipts, expenditures, and beginning and ending balances."
According to the mail fraud indictment, Dobbs used funds embezzled from the veterans’ accounts to pay his personal obligations, such as credit card bills and rent, and to purchase items, such as a BMW automobile. The indictment also notes that Dobbs would transfer money from the veterans’ accounts into accounts he controlled and use the transferred funds for his own benefit, and transfer funds from one veteran’s account to another veteran’s account to cover shortfalls. As part of the fraud scheme, Dobbs would alter bank statements to "disguise the true nature of certain transactions he conducted using the beneficiaries’ funds in their fiduciary accounts," and create documents such as "Certificate[s] as to Securities" and "Certificate[s] of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose Financial Records," that contained false statements. The indictment lists 26 separate mailings of false and altered documents to the VA’s Louisville Fiduciary Hub between June 3, 2014 and January 8, 2016.
The indictment also charges Dobbs with embezzling and misappropriating funds coming into his control as a VA fiduciary on 22 separate occasions between April 18, 2014 and July 13, 2015.
The Social Security Indictment
A second indictment recently returned by the federal grand jury charges Dobbs with 19 counts of converting the monthly Social Security benefit payments of nine benefit recipients in violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 408(a)(5). This statute makes it a crime for a person who is receiving Social Security benefits on behalf of another person to convert those benefits to their own use. As set forth in the indictment, Dobbs had access to the beneficiaries’ funds because he served as their representative payee. A violation of this statute is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no more than three years.
The indictment explains the particulars of the Social Security Administration’s "representative payee" program. If the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration concludes that the interest of a beneficiary would be served by paying the
beneficiary’s Social Security benefits to another person, the commissioner may certify payment of the benefits to a third person. The commissioner will make such a certification when he or she determines that a benefit recipient is "legally incompetent or mentally incapable of managing benefit payments" or "physically incapable of managing or directing the management of his or her benefit payments." The Social Security Administration refers to the third person to whom the beneficiary’s Social Security benefits are paid as a representative payee.
A representative payee must use the benefits for "the use and benefit" of the beneficiary, and keep the beneficiary’s funds separate from the representative payee’s funds. Benefit payments will be considered to have been used for the "use and benefit of the beneficiary if they are used for the beneficiary’s "current maintenance."" By regulation, the term "current maintenance" includes "costs incurred to obtain[] food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and personal comfort items" for the beneficiary. A person applying to serve as a representative payee must participate in a face-to-face interview with a representative from the Social Security Administration and must affirm that he or she will "use all payments made to me/my organization as the representative payee for the [beneficiary’s] current needs or (if not currently needed) then for the [beneficiary’s] future needs."
Dobbs applied to the Social Security Administration to be the representative payee for nine beneficiaries, and was appointed representative payee for each of the nine victims. According to the indictment, Dobbs converted the nine victims’ Social Security benefits to his own use by drawing checks on their accounts made payable to him; transferring funds from their accounts into an account that he controlled; and by using the funds in the victims’ accounts to make purchases and pay bills. The conversions charged in the indictment all involved monthly benefit payments and took place between August 9, 2015 and December 9, 2015.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This offender used his fiduciary positions of trust to victimize vulnerable and disabled veterans for his own selfish gain and unjust enrichment. Such fraudulent schemes are particularly harmful and offensive, and must be exposed. We thank the VA OIG and the SSA OIG for their outstanding investigative work, and we look forward to achieving justice for the victims in this disturbing case."
Kim R. Lampkins, Special Agent in Charge of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Mid- Atlantic Field Office said, "The VA OIG is committed to pursuing those who have done harm to our deserving veterans and bringing those individuals to justice. VA OIG will pursue fraud, waste, and abuse that negatively affects our nation’s heroes."
Rodregas Owens, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Atlanta Field Division, said, "We are committed to pursuing those who violate the public trust by misusing funds while serving as representative payees for vulnerable Social Security beneficiaries. We will continue to uphold the integrity of Social Security’s programs, which are a lifeline for so many Americans and their families. I would like thank United States Attorney Michael Dunavant and his office for their support, and the Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General for its partnership, in bringing this individual to justice."
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Murphy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Humboldt Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – A Humboldt man has been sentenced to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on March 25, 2018, Humboldt Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Mustang for speeding. The occupants of the car where Damarcus Glenn, 19, Jordan Powell, 20, and two juveniles. The officer smelled marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. Under the driver’s seat where Damarcus Glenn was located was a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol. Under the front passenger seat, where a juvenile was sitting, was another .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol. The juvenile had 21.4 grams of marijuana in his possession and Jordan Powell had a 9mm pistol in his waistband.
The juveniles and Jordan Powell were not convicted felons. Glenn and Powell are members of the 83rd Criminal Gang. In his statement to law enforcement, Jordan Powell attempted to take possession of the two pistols, but could only describe the pistol in his waistband. Correctional officers advised agents that Glenn and Powell were trying to get a juvenile to take the gun charge because Glenn was a felon.
On April 17, 2018, the United States Marshals Service was serving an arrest warrant for Damarcus Glenn in Humboldt, TN for violation of probation. The renter of the apartment gave verbal consent for law enforcement to search the apartment. The U.S. Marshals located Damarcus Glenn and Jordan Powell in a bedroom. A 9mm Springfield Armory pistol was seen in plain view on the bed. The resident of the home denied ownership of the pistol as well. After both Powell and Glenn denied ownership of the gun, agents overheard Glenn and Powell speaking to each other through the jail cells in the Humboldt Police Department. An agent could hear Glenn trying to get Powell to take the charge for him.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: “Now more than ever, it is crucial that we remove firearms from dangerous and prohibited people, and remove violent gang offenders with firearms from our communities. This conviction and sentence demonstrates our commitment to use all of the laws provided by Congress to target and incapacitate violent gang members with guns before they pull the trigger.”
On June 11, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Glenn to 46 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. Glenn also faces charges in Rutherford County for violation of probation and charges in Gibson County for attempted first-degree murder in a 2015 shooting incident.
This case was investigated by the Humboldt Police Department; 28th, 29th and 30th Judicial District West Tennessee Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant Completes Class VI of the Leadership Tennessee Signature ProgramRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN - On June 3, 2019, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant was among 45 Class VI members to complete and graduate from the Leadership Tennessee Signature Program. Starting in August, 2018, Class VI members participated in a ten month, five session course of study that allowed them to visit each region of the state, engage in analytical conversations of importance to critical state issues, learn from state and national experts on those issues, and experience the cultural diversity of the region. The study of those issues by Leadership Tennessee members resulted in increased statewide networking, collaborative conversations, and concrete plans to continue that dialogue and actions beyond the yearlong commitment.
The 45 Class VI members represented each geographic region of the state, including the communities of Memphis, Martin, Jackson, Nashville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville, Kingsport, Johnson City and Chattanooga. Professional sectors represented included healthcare, education, economic development, government, tourism and agriculture.
Finishing its sixth year, Leadership Tennessee selects a new class of leaders annually to visit different regions and communities of Tennessee, learning best practices and analyzing important issues faced by Tennesseans. To date, Leadership Tennessee has built a network of over 200 leaders across the state.
As part of its mission to foster dialogue and increase connection on issues of statewide importance, Leadership Tennessee hosted Sam Quinones, author of "Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic" in Kingsport and Knoxville in November, 2018, and also co-hosted the West Tennessee Opioid Summit in Memphis in April, 2019, to discuss the opioid crisis and create learning
and community collaboration to combat the epidemic and support those at risk of or recovering from addiction. In addition, throughout the ten month sessions, Class VI members focused on the issues of education and workforce development, access to healthcare, urban blight and poverty, rural economic development, public safety, and civic engagement.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Being selected to participate in the Leadership Tennessee Signature Program was a high honor for me, and I was thankful to join so many other talented and dedicated leaders in productive dialogue and learning in order to tackle the urgent challenges in our state. I am confident that the connections made and insights gained will help me better represent and protect the citizens of the Western District of Tennessee."
Leadership Tennessee, an initiative of the College of Leadership & Public Service at Lipscomb University, fosters collaborative, non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, connecting a network of diverse leaders and engaged citizens from rural and urban communities across Tennessee.
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Kenton, Tennessee Man Sentenced to 200 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Kenneth Garrett, 62, has been sentenced to 200 months imprisonment on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Rolando Lopez, Saul Vega Flores, Virginia Torres, Ronald Lynn Parham, Tammy Ranger, Marcus Jones, and Xavier Demetrius James on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to information presented in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into Rolando Lopez and his drug trafficking organization. Agents discovered that Lopez and other co-conspirators were trafficking in methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and other illegal substances from Mexico to Tennessee. Investigators used "wiretaps" along with surveillance, confidential sources, traffic stops, and search warrants to investigate this organization.
In April, 2017, agents received information from a confidential informant regarding a home in Davidson County, Tennessee, where Lopez and his brother, were conducting drug related activity. A search warrant was executed at the residence where over $500,000 in cash, a money counter, and a vacuum sealer were recovered. In December 2017, investigators through wiretap interceptions and information received from confidential informants learned that Lopez was arranging a shipment of methamphetamine from Mexico to Tennessee.
The shipment was being transported by other co-conspirators in a 2004 Lincoln Navigator to the residence of a co-conspirator in theWestern District of Tennessee, where the shipment was to be converted to powder form for distribution. Kenneth Garrett met with other co-conspirators transporting the liquid methamphetamine at the Days Inn in
West Memphis, Arkansas. Once the defendants began to transport the liquid methamphetamine into the Western District of Tennessee, investigators arranged for the Tennessee Highway Patrol to stop the Lincoln Navigator on Highway 51 in Obion County, Tennessee. During the search of the vehicle, agents discovered a large quantity of methamphetamine located in a hidden compartment. A DEA forensic laboratory examination revealed that the defendant and other co-conspirators were transporting 44.85 kilograms of 98% pure ice.
Garrett allowed other co-conspirators to use his garage to store methamphetamine. Garrett was paid by the organization between $2,000 to $8,000 per methamphetamine load. At the garage, Garrett assisted in loading methamphetamine in gas tanks and the vehicle batteries for transportation.
Kenneth Garrett was attributed with a total of 97.17 kilograms of actual methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Use and trafficking of methamphetamine continues to destroy lives, families, and communities across West Tennessee. The joint cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement in this case demonstrates our ability and resolve to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, including those that distribute narcotics from locations outside the country. The significant sentence in this case sends a clear message to those drug dealers who distribute poison in West Tennessee: You cannot prey upon our citizens for your selfish personal gain with impunity; there will be a reckoning."
On June 7, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Garrett to 200 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force, Metro Nashville Police Department, Perry County, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Lawrenceburg Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Obion County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Two Illegal Aliens Sentenced to 120 months Imprisonment for Federal Drug Trafficking Charges and Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Christino Alcazar-Ortiz, 37 and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz, 40, of Union City were both sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and Illegal Reentry into the United States after having been previously deported. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentences today.
According to information presented in court, beginning in April, 2017, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Union City Police Department became aware of an ongoing drug trafficking organization in the West Tennessee area, specifically Obion County, Tennessee. The investigation, which lasted approximately one year, revealed that the organization was trafficking crystal methamphetamine (ice) from multiple residential locations within Union City and Jackson, Tennessee. As a result, law enforcement officers utilized confidential informants and electronic surveillance to include wiretaps on phones used by the defendants.
A total of six controlled drug purchases were made from Christino and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz. Christino Alcazar-Ortiz distributed actual methamphetamine from the Mi Tierra Caliente Restaurant in Union City, while Armando Alcazar-Ortiz distributed actual methamphetamine from his place of employment in Jackson, Tennessee. The methamphetamine (ice) recovered was tested at (DEA) laboratories and was determined to range from 95% to 99% pure crystal methamphetamine. The investigation determined that Christino Alcazar-Ortiz was responsible for the distribution of over 409 grams of ice and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz for the distribution of over 167 grams of ice during the conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This case combines two of the top priorities of the Department of Justice: illegal drug trafficking and criminal immigration enforcement. We work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate
and prosecute any and all suppliers that distribute illegal drugs in West Tennessee. At the same time, we work to identify, prosecute, and remove persons who violate our sovereign immigration laws, and our work focuses on criminal re-entry cases that will further deter and reduce illegality by criminal aliens. Clearly, these offenders posed a significant danger to public safety in Obion County and West Tennessee by their distribution of pure methamphetamine into the community, and will now serve long prison sentences as a result."
On August 20, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Christino Alcazar-Ortiz and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz charging each with conspiracy to distribute actual methamphetamine and Illegal Reentry after deportation.
On June 6, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced both defendants to 120 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Union City Police Department and Homeland Security (ICE).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Jury Finds Local Man Guilty of Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Discharging WeaponRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted a local man of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.
According to information presented in court, Stephen Derring, 47, was charged in a one-count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Derring was involved in a physical altercation with patrons outside of Ralph’s Bar and Grill located at 5162 Millbranch Road in Memphis, Tennessee. After the physical altercation, Derring drove to a nearby apartment complex and returned with a firearm. Derring brandished the firearm and fired a shot before fleeing the scene back to the apartment complex. Law enforcement arrested Derring and recovered the firearm after his attempt to evade police.
Sentencing is set for September 19, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., where the defendant faces a possible sentence of up to ten years in federal prison.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Under our PSN initiative, we focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous felons from our streets. Clearly, this felon had no hesitation in committing a violent crime with a firearm,
and he will now be removed from our community for up to 10 years. We are FED UP. Gun Crime is Max Time."
The case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Memphis Police Department; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, who have all joined together to address gun-related crimes through targeted investigations and aggressive prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Judge Sentences Convicted Felon for Making False Statements on Federal Background Check Form While Attempting to Purchase a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to federal prison for making false statements on an ATF Federal Background Check Form while attempting to purchase a firearm, and for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence in the "lie-and-try" case today.
According to information presented in court, on December 2, 2017, Everette Alexander, 48, attempted to purchase a Cobra .380 handgun from Flash Pawn. Alexander completed ATF Background Check Form 4473, falsely indicating he was not a convicted felon. The Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS) denied the transaction. Alexander appealed TICS’ decision, and was given a conditional proceed and paid $50 cash toward the purchase. On December 16, 2017, Alexander returned to Flash Pawn and paid $ 195.71 to finalize the purchase, and took possession of the firearm.
On December 8, 2017, TICS faxed a form to the Shelby County General Sessions and Criminal Court Clerk’s Office to determine if Alexander was a prohibited person due to a prior conviction. On January 31, 2018, Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office responded indicating that Alexander had a felony conviction in 1995 for possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
ATF received notice on February 12, 2018, that TICS delayed denial for Alexander. ATF law enforcement notified Alexander and gave him the option to transfer the gun or return it to Flash Pawn. Alexander agreed to return the gun to Flash Pawn. Although ATF arranged to have Alexander return the firearm, he never arrived to return the firearm. After evading law enforcement, Alexander finally returned the firearm to Flash Pawn and received store credit for the purchase.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Prosecutions of violent crimes must be paired with proactive prevention efforts to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and other prohibited persons. A valuable tool in this prevention effort is the ATF Background Check Form 4473, which must be completed before a federally licensed firearms dealer sells or transfers a firearm. Criminals and other prohibited persons who attempt to thwart the background check process by lying on the required forms threaten to undermine this important crime prevention tool, and such conduct cannot be tolerated. Let this serve as a warning: This office will vigorously prosecute and hold accountable any prohibited persons who attempt to illegally obtain a firearm in these ‘lie-and-try’ cases."
On June 5, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Norris sentenced Alexander to 10 months imprisonment followed by 2 years supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Neal Oldham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Lobelville, TennesseeMan Sentenced to 240 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl; and Felon in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Daniel Ranger, 33, has been sentenced to 240months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, aiding and abetting the distribution and attempted distribution of a detectable amount of Fentanyl and being a felon in possession of firearms. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Rolando Lopez, Saul Vega Flores, Virginia Torres, Kenneth Edward Garrett, Ronald Lynn Parham, Tammy Ranger, Marcus Jones, and Xavier Demetrius James for charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to information presented in court, on February 28, 2017, officers with the Lawrenceburg Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Ranger. Ranger was found to be in possession of various items located throughout the vehicle to include: a Taurus 9mm handgun, a ballistics vest, three cellular phones, 5.5 grams of methamphetamine/ice and $10,241 in cash. On October 7, 2017, Ranger was again stopped operating a motor vehicle while having a suspended driver’s license. The Perry County Sheriff’s Office searched the vehicle and recovered $98,360 in cash, 37 sildenafil tablets, 50 tadalafil tablets, and a drug ledger. After deputies removed Daniel Ranger from their patrol vehicle, they found a $5 bill, a syringe, and 2.4 grams of methamphetamine/ice in the backseat.
On October 24, 2017, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding an automobile wreck. The caller advised that a vehicle with front end damage was located in the ditch. Daniel Ranger was identified exiting the scene of the accident. As officers arrived, they began investigating the car crash and observed a blue cooler in the tree line. The cooler contained 222 grams of methamphetamine at 95% purity, 20.15 grams of fentanyl/heroin, a small amount of cocaine, and numerous pills. Also recovered was $20,000 in cash, 195 grams of marijuana, and a drug ledger that listed prices based on drug quantity and money owed by customers.
Later that same day, investigators executed a search warrant at 3439 Red Bank Creek Road in Lobelville, Tennessee, the residence of Daniel Ranger and Tammy Ranger. Investigators found 1.51 kilograms of marijuana in a trash bag in the kitchen. They also located .78 kilograms of methamphetamine/ice and 260 grams of heroin in the dishwasher.
On October 28, 2017, after receiving further information regarding additional narcotics, U.S. currency, and firearms that were still either in the home or on the property, investigators executed a second search warrant at Daniel Ranger and Tammy Ranger’s residence. Inside the residence, investigators found an additional set of digital scales, and assorted pills in sample packs. In a trailer behind the residence, officers located another assortment of sample packs of pills and a Glock pistol case with a 9mm magazine, a Remington five-round magazine, fourteen .223 rounds in a plastic clip, and ten 12-gauge shotgun shells.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Fentanyl and Methamphetamine are deadly drugs that destroy lives, and the substantial quantity of illegal narcotics possessed by the defendant for resale could have caused countless injuries and deaths. This armed recidivist drug dealer will now have to pay for his crimes with a 20 year federal prison sentence."
During his guilty plea, Ranger was held accountable for 963.9 grams of actual methamphetamine, 228.15 grams of heroin/fentanyl, and 1,480 grams of marijuana.
On May 31, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Ranger to 240 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Nashville, Jackson, Knoxville, Atlanta; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force; Metro Nashville Police Department; Jackson Police Department; Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; Madison County Sheriff’s Office; Lewis County Sheriff’s Office; Perry County Sheriff’s Office; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Lawrenceburg Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Obion County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Jackson Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Causing Overdoses in Gibson and Madison CountiesRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – A Jackson man has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for distributing between 100 and 400 grams of a heroin and fentanyl mixture to residents of Gibson and Madison Counties. This mixture caused at least two users to overdose, but survive. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in early 2018, Stephen Thompson, 67, admitted that he distributed at least 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance that contained a detectable amount of heroin, that he knew that the substance was a mixture that contained a detectable amount of heroin and that he did distribute the mixture.
On April 16, 2018, a federal grand jury then returned an 8-count indictment against Thompson for distributing and possessing a heroin and fentanyl mixture. This mixture was being distributed to buyers from the Gibson and Madison County areas.
On March 1, 2019, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Thompson to federal prison for 80 months followed by 48 months of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Our nation, state, and district are suffering from the opioid epidemic, causing increases in drug trafficking, violence, addiction, and overdoses that are tearing families and communities apart. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has developed a district-specific strategy to prioritize and aggressively prosecute cases involving heroin and fentanyl distribution causing overdoses, and this case demonstrates the significant penalty that we will use to hold dealers accountable and deter others from selling poison to our citizens. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and we hope this sentence will send a strong message."
Deputy Director Johnie Carter of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force said, "If you think that you can run outside of our normal area of operation and hide in a big city and then sell drugs back into it, you really need to think again. We have state jurisdictional authority and we have forged strong partnerships with many amazing agencies such as the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jackson-Metro Narcotics and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. We will find you and we will bring you to justice."
This case was investigated by the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
If you have information about drug sales in the 28th Judicial District please contact the 28th Judicial District Drug Task Force at 731-784-0555. Caller I.D. is not used and callers can remain anonymous. You may also call Crime-Stoppers at 731-424-Tips.
The 28th Judicial Drug Task Force is comprised of officers assigned full-time from the Gibson, Crockett and Haywood County Sheriff’s Offices and the Humboldt, Milan and Trenton Police Departments.
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Memphis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tampering with Consumer ProductsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to federal prison for tampering with consumer products. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in 2014, Gregory Stanton, 49, worked at a food manufacturing plant in Memphis. Stanton made a video recording of himself tampering with the production line at the plant. The defendant then uploaded the video to the internet in 2016.
On September 11, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Stanton for tainting consumer products with the intent to cause serious injury to the business of any person.
On May 24, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Jon P. McCalla sentenced Stanton to 10 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $10,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "American citizens and consumers rely upon food manufacturers engaged in interstate commerce to provide them with safe and consistent products. Unfortunately, this defendant betrayed that trust by tampering with and tainting food products. We commend the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their investigation in this matter, and we are pleased that the defendant has been held accountable for his criminal conduct."
"Americans expect and deserve the highest standards of food safety and wholesomeness, and the integrity of the U.S. food supply is too important to be thwarted by the illicit acts of any individual," said Acting Special Agent in Charge H. Peter Kuehl, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. "FDA remains fully committed to the vigorous prosecution of criminals who tamper with or taint the U.S. food supply in any manner."
This case was investigated by Special Agent Brian Kriplean, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Madison County Man Sentenced to 220 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Robert Newsome, 36, has been sentenced to 220 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Bernard Cooper, Courtney Cooper, Brandon Weddle, Stephen Williams, Morgan Bond, and Ronricus Chapman on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Each defendant has now pled guilty.
According to information presented in court, on December 2, 2015 officers conducted an undercover drug purchase from a co-defendant who was supplied with 28.4 grams of actual methamphetamine. The methamphetamine has a purity level of 98.7 percent. Newsome also aided co-defendants in the packaging of four ounces of actual methamphetamine into smaller amounts for resale. The investigation determined that Newsome was responsible for distributing a total amount of marijuana equivalency of 12,128.94 kilograms. This amount is the result of distributing methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. As a result of this successful conspiracy investigation and prosecution, 7 dangerous drug dealers have now received total combined sentences exceeding 132 years in prison, and West Tennessee is a safer place because they have been removed from our streets."
On May 17, 2019, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Robert Newsome to 220 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. Facts revealed during the hearing determined that Newsome fled the state for about one year, after learning that the United States had an arrest warrant for him for conspiracy. Judge Anderson found that Newsom qualified as a career offender. He was the last defendant to plead guilty. The defendants in this case received the following sentences: Bernard Cooper was sentenced to 220 months; Courtney Cooper sentenced to 120 months; Brandon Weddle sentenced to 121 months; Morgan Bond sentenced to 360 months and Ronricus Chapman received 188 months and Stephen Williams sentenced to 360 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Jackson Metro Narcotics, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Midsouth Man Found Guilty of Kidnapping and Raping Six Women over Seven YearsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Horn Lake resident Michael D. Love, 45, has been found guilty of kidnapping and raping six Memphis women, and attempting to kidnap and rape an seventh, over a period of seven years. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.
The evidence presented in federal district court during a six-day trial demonstrated that between 2008 and 2015, Love traveled from Mississippi to Tennessee to find or meet a woman, hold her against her will, engage in forced sexual intercourse, and abandon her in a deserted part of the city.
The testimony at trial revealed that some of Love's victims were chosen at random and abducted. Other victims met Love, who used a false identity, through social media and chat lines. But in every case, Love took his victims to unlit dead-end coves or uninhabited industrial areas. Each victim testified that she was raped before or after being forced out of Love's car, and that as soon as he was finished, Love got in his car and sped off, leaving her without her purse, wallet, cell phone, or other personal items. One of the victims was a minor. Love was also convicted of brandishing a firearm during one of the sexual assaults. All victims reported the crimes to the police, and went to the Rape Crisis Center for treatment and the collection of DNA evidence.
Love's cases were not linked until he was arrested in 2015 and a sample of his DNA was taken as part of the arrest. A profile developed from that sample linked Love to several unsolved rape cases dating back to 2008.
A renewed effort to test all sexual assault kits (or "rape kits") for DNA evidence is ongoing. Profiles developed from the testing compared to existing DNA profiles in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). CODIS is a national database designed to help identify suspects in unsolved cases. Biological evidence collected during examination of a sexual assault victim is preserved in a sexual assault kit, and ultimately, sent to a laboratory for analysis. Once a DNA profile is developed, it is placed into CODIS and regularly compared to profiles already on file. Memphis Police Department's Sex Crimes Bureau, DNA Cold Case Unit, developed Love as a suspect in these seven cases in part, through use of DNA and CODIS technology.
Love also has matters pending in Shelby County Criminal Court, where he has been charged with rape, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, criminal attempt - kidnapping, and robbery.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The horrific physical violence, sexual abuse, and emotional torment suffered by the victims in this case cannot be undone, but this guilty verdict ensures that this violent and evil sexual predator will face significant consequences for his depraved actions. As a result of the outstanding investigative work of the MPD and the FBI, as well as the excellent trial presentation by our federal and state prosecutors, these victims have seen their cases solved, and justice has been achieved. "
"This investigation exemplifies the dedication of law enforcement to continue to diligently work cases, even after the cases go cold, to ensure that criminals are held accountable for their crimes," said M.A. Myers, Special Agent in Charge Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "This verdict would not have been possible without the cooperative efforts of all of the law enforcement agencies and the prosecutive team, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the victims were not forgotten and that justice was served."
MPD Director Michael Rallings said, "This continues to demonstrate the importance of our partnership with other agencies as we move through the investigations generated by the DNA Unit of the Memphis Police Department. It takes everyone working together with the victims to achieve these results."
Love is set for sentencing on August 15, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, where he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 27 years and up to life imprisonment.
The Memphis Police Department (Sex Crimes, DNA Cold Case Unit); FBI and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Ireland and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Gangster Disciple Pleads Guilty to Committing Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering, Distribution of Marijuana and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – A Madison County man has pled guilty to committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, distribution of marijuana and firearms violations. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty plea today.
On April 17, 2017, Dontoreus Douglas, aka "D.T." 32, was indicted in the Western District of Tennessee on four counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity (VICAR). Each count is based upon the attempted murder of four different victims on June 12, 2012. Each of the VICAR counts has a corresponding count for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. There is also one count for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the indictment, Douglas and other members and associates of the Gangster Disciples engaged in narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking, and acts of violence, involving murder, attempted murder and assault.
The Gangster Disciples enterprise has a highly organized structure with nationwide reach. As of the date of the indictment, the Gangster Disciples were active in 35 states. It is further alleged in the indictment that Douglas committed the attempted murders for the purpose of gaining entrance to or maintaining or increasing position within the Gangster Disciples.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Dismantlement of criminal gangs is a top priority of the Department of Justice, and this case represents the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to target and remove a significant violent participant in the Gangster Disciples organization. D.T. will now be removed from the streets, and will serve a significant sentence for his violent crimes. We are taking the fight to the gangs in West Tennessee, and we are relentless in our resolve."
For the four counts of violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the using and carrying a firearm in relation of a crime of violence counts has a potential penalty of not less than 10 years, consecutive to the respective VICAR counts.
Douglas is presently in federal custody for charges that are pending from an indictment returned against him in June 2016. That indictment alleges charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2019 before U.S. Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson.
This case was investigated by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms (ATF); Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department’s Gang Enforcement Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell and Hillary Parham are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Reward of up to $100,000 offered in the Cold Case Homicide of U.S. Postal Service Contract DriverRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN –Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Tennessee, Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Memphis Police Department (MPD) today announced a reward of up to $100,000 in a renewed effort to gain additional information about the 2001 unsolved murder of U.S. Postal Service Contract Driver Larry Vinson.
On January 2, 2001, between approximately 11:15 pm and 11:30 pm, Larry Vinson was murdered outside the United States Postal Service Mail Annex, which at the time was located near the airport at 3510 Winchester Road, Memphis, Tennessee. Investigators determined that Vinson was murdered during the commission of a robbery.
Because of potential new leads which have recently been developed, as well as continuing advances in DNA technology, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich along with other partners, are announcing the availability of up to $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person (s) responsible for this crime. Investigators are confident there are members of the public who can provide critical information to help solve this murder of Larry Vinson.
Anyone with information about the January 2, 2001, murder of Postal Contract Driver Larry Vinson at 3510 Winchester Road, should call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or Memphis Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.
Larry Vinson
Reward Poster Larry Vinson case 4-17-19.pdf
Former Office Manager Sentenced to 51 Months for FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Tipton County woman has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for fraud. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in 2017, Cynthia Shellenberger, 52, was hired by Dozertrax USA of Drummonds, Tennessee as an office manager/bookkeeper. Between May of 2017 and March of 2018, Shellenberger systematically defrauded the company of $164, 761 by using company funds to pay for her personal expenses. Company owners Ron and Sherry Clowes uncovered the fraud when Shellenberger was out of the office on sick leave.
On May 14, 2019, during the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Court Judge John Fowlkes Jr., Sherry Clowes informed the judge that due to the fraud, she and her husband are struggling to keep the company operating. Shellenberger has a lengthy history of theft and fraud convictions. Judge Fowlkes sentenced Shellenberger to 51 months' of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. As a condition of her release, Shellenberger was ordered to make full restitution to the company.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Financial fraud can happen anywhere, and can be devastating to local businesses. The defendant used her position of trust and authority to steal proceeds for her personal benefit, and her dishonesty has been exposed. We are pleased that justice has been achieved on behalf of the victims, and we commend the FBI and TCSO for their outstanding investigation in this disappointing case. Wherever fraud occurs in the Western District of Tennessee, this office will be prepared to hold offenders accountable."
The FBI and Tipton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Dunavant Recognizes Law Enforcement Service and Sacrifice during National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "During Police week, our nation celebrates the contribution of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe. As the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks. We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation."
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018.
The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019. The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
Two Individuals Plead Guilty to Trafficking over 60 Pounds of Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Two individuals pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine and distribution of heroin and methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the plea today.
According to information presented in court, on October 22, 2018, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted an operation to capture a drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing massive quantities of methamphetamine and heroin to the Memphis area. On that date, law enforcement determined the location of a large-scale drug transaction taking place in Cordova. The agents had previously identified suspects Fatimadeniz Diaz, 33, who is also an illegal alien, and Steven Espinoza Diaz, 26, as the traffickers. After brief surveillance, agents were able to interrupt the drug deal and arrest both suspects. They then located two separate bags containing 62 pounds of methamphetamine and 750 grams of heroin.
On May 2, 2019, both Fatimadeniz Diaz and Steven Espinoza Diaz pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin; and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Distribution of illegal narcotics is not a victimless crime. In order to prevent needless addiction, injury, violence, and death in our communities, we must disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that deliver this deadly poison to citizens in West Tennessee. These traffickers brought large quantities of meth and heroin into Memphis for resale, and will now reap long prison sentences for their harmful crimes."
Sentencing is scheduled for August 1, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimumsentence of at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Former Shelby County Sheriff’s Corrections Deputy Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking ViolationsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A former Shelby County Sheriff’s Corrections Deputy has been indicted on federal drug charges. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictment today.
Marcus Green, 37, who is currently on federal supervised release, has been indicted on new drug charges. In 2015, Green was charged with three counts of attempting to possess Schedule II narcotics with the intent to distribute. Green devised a scheme to smuggle narcotics into the county jail at 201 Poplar in exchange for money.
On July 21, 2015, Green pled guilty to count one of the indictment. He was charged with attempting to possess Schedule II narcotics with intent to distribute. On November 24, 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Jon Phipps McCalla sentenced Green to 12 months and one day of imprisonment and two years of supervised release. Due to a supervised release violation, Green’s supervised release was extended for a year.
On April 3, 2019, while conducting a home check at Green’s residence during "Operation Crime Driver", a U.S. Probation Officer notified the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office about the strong odor of marijuana during the home check. That same day, Tipton County officers, with search warrant in-hand, conducted a search at Green’s residence and discovered 745 grams of marijuana packaged in a number of bags, digital scales, plastic baggies and $6,627 in U.S. currency.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Being a former law enforcement officer and having previously been convicted of a drug offense, this defendant should have known better than to continue his criminal conduct. Unfortunately, he chose to reoffend while on supervised release. This is exactly the type of recidivist behavior that Operation Crime Driver was designed to detect and apprehend, and I commend the good work of our law enforcement partners in Tipton County."
On May 1, 2019, a criminal complaint charging Green with distribution and possession of a controlled substance was filed. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against him on May 7, 2019. This offense is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and a two-year term of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Hord is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The charges and the allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Memphis Man Convicted of Attempted Robbery Faces a Mandatory Minimum 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a four-day jury trial, Lamar Clancy,26, was found guilty on a two-count indictment for attempting to rob the Boost Mobile Store at 4684 Millbranch. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the conviction today.
According to information presented at trial, Clancy and another man entered the store wearing masks and pointing handguns at store employees. Two of the store employees drew their firearms to defend against the shots fired by Clancy and his accomplice. After one of the unarmed employees was shot, Clancy, who himself was shot, retreated from the store with the other robber. Clancy was dropped off at the Methodist South emergency room minutes after the attempted robbery and apprehended by the Memphis Police.
Clancy is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2019 before U. S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., where he faces a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Violent crimes must be met with significant consequences in order to incapacitate dangerous offenders, deter future violence, achieve justice for victims and the community, and uphold the rule of law. This guilty verdict demonstrates our commitment and resolve to protect the public by making violent offenders pay for their crimes."
This case was investigated by FBI Safe Streets Task Force Agents.
The United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Tennessee prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Federal Jury Convicts Former FedEx Employee of Obstruction of MailRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a three-day jury trial, a Memphis man was found guilty for obstruction of mail. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty verdict today.
According to information presented in court, in 2015, Braylon Butler, 25, worked at the FedEx Hub as a box sorter. Pursuant to a contractual relationship between FedEx and the United States Postal Service, a large volume of U.S. mail is processed at the FedEx Hub in Memphis. FedEx corporate security viewed Butler on security video footage searching through U.S. mail. In the video, Butler is seen opening shipping containers filled with U.S. mail and searching for brightly colored greeting card envelopes, which may have contained U.S. currency or gift cards. The video also shows Butler appearing to open one such envelope.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the sanctity and security of the United States Postal Service and the U.S. Mail. We work very closely with the United States Postal Inspection Service to defend the nation’s mail system from theft and obstruction to ensure public trust in the mail. This guilty verdict shows our collective commitment to hold accountable any persons who violate that sanctity and victimize innocent citizens for their own selfish gains."
Sentencing is set for August 2, 2019 before United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, where Butler faces up to five years imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annie Christoff and Tony Arvin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Federal Employee Sentenced and Ordered to Repay Stolen FundsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A former federal employee has been sentenced for theft of public money. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on December 17, 2018, Jacquelyn Denise Young, aka "Jacqueline Harvey," 56, pled guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. Young formerly worked as the systems administrator for the United States Social Security Administration's Office of Disability Adjudication Review. While working there from approximately 2009 until 2014, she stole $7,224.02 in federal money by misusing government gas cards. The gas cards were provided for Social Security Administration employees to use for official business travel in government-owned vehicles. Ms. Young repeatedly misused the gas cards over a five-year period, to fill up her personal vehicle for non-work-related use.
On April 25, 2019, United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Young to time served, followed by two years supervised release. She was sentenced to serve four months of her supervised release on home detention with location monitoring. Young also was ordered to pay restitution to the General Services Administration and forfeiture totaling $7,224.04 and to pay a $500 fine.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "One of the primary functions of this office is to protect the United States Treasury, and the ability of the Social Security Administration to provide efficient public services. Fraudulent schemes and crimes of dishonesty do not pay, and will be exposed."
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Murre Foster prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Lauderdale CountyMan Sentenced to 100 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Lauderdale Countyman has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Derriyl DeAndre Maben, 34, was known as the "go to person" for anyone in need of firearms in Ripley, Tennessee.
On July 26, 2017, law enforcement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Ripley Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) conducted a search of Maben’s residence. Several loaded firearms were seized along with marijuana, methamphetamine (ICE) and drug paraphernalia.
Additionally, on September 30, 2017, evidence proved that Maben discharged a firearm during a physical altercation at the L & M Market on Eastland Street, Ripley, TN.
On July 16, 2018, Maben pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.
On April 26, 2019, United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Maben to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D, Michael Dunavant said, "This defendant has a long criminal history of felony and misdemeanor convictions involving violence, drug possession, and property damage, and was on felony probation when he was found in possession of multiple firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Mr. Maben has devoted his adult life to a career of criminal conduct in Lauderdale County, and that prior history has finally caught up with him. This sentence removing him from the community for more than 8 years will make Lauderdale County and West Tennessee a safer place."
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Ripley Police Department; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Decatur Hospital Authority, d/b/a Wise Health System in Decatur, Texas will pay $431,182.96 to the United States for services rendered to patients that were in violation of the Federal False Claims ActRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Decatur Hospital Authority, d/b/a Wise Health System in Decatur, Texas will pay $431,182.96 to the United States to resolve allegations of billing false claims to Medicare for genetic testing panels for surgical patients that were not medically reasonable or necessary.
The allegations were that from 2016 to 2018, Decatur Hospital Authority submitted samples from surgical patients to Tennessee based Total Diagnostic II, LLC labs for genetic testing that were not medically reasonable or necessary. This testing caused claims to be filed with Medicare that were false. Under federal law, Medicare will not pay for services that are not medically reasonable or necessary.
The False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, provides the United States with a cause of action against any person or entity that knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval.
"Protecting the health and safety of Medicare patients is one of our primary concerns. When medical providers break the law by defrauding the government by providing medically unreasonable or unnecessary services we will use our resources to combat this fraud and hold them accountable," said D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
This investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stuart J. Canale and Matt Waldrop prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Damien Nixon Sentenced to 240Months Imprisonment for His Involvement in a Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Damien Nixon, 40, was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Dyersburg Police Department conducted a consensual search pursuant to a probation order at the residence of Nixon. A search of the residence revealed 475 grams of actual methamphetamine in a zip-lock bag, crack cocaine, and approximately $1,500 in U.S. currency. Nixon claimed ownership of the narcotics. Based on the investigation, it was determined that Nixon was receiving the methamphetamine from members of the conspiracy and then distributing to others. A total amount of methamphetamine attributed to Nixon was over 1,133 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On May 1, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen, sentenced Nixon to 240 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee continues to increase in purity, which increases its potential to cause addiction, injury, and death. Criminal enterprises that distribute these harmful drugs into our rural communities can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations in order to dismantle them, and this substantial sentence will remove a dangerous drug dealer from our streets."
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation of Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations, 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dyersburg Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Hillary Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Henry County Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the IRSRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Henry County woman who co-owned Pittman Trucking Company ("PTC") pleaded guilty to obstructing the administration of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the guilty plea today.
According to the charging instrument, Debra Wyatt, of Puryear, Tennessee, executed a scheme to release two IRS tax levies against PTC. PTC owed the IRS approximately $214,373.40 in federal employment taxes. The IRS tax levies were issued to Rush Trucking Corporation ("RTC") which was a source of income for PTC. Wyatt contacted an RTC representative about releasing the levies. She sent fraudulent releases to RTC that purported to be from the IRS revenue officer. RTC released the levies based on Wyatt’s fraudulent correspondence. The total amount of fraudulently released debt was $20,765.81.
This charge carries a penalty of up to 36 months in federal prison and a fine of $5,000.00. Sentencing is set for July 25, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Protection of the United States Treasury is a core value and critical mission for this office and the Department of Justice. Income tax evasion, IRS obstruction and fraud strike at the very heart of our federal government, and will not be tolerated."
This case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon K. Griffin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Federal Jury Convicts Memphis Man for Robbing Multiple Businesses; Accomplice pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a week-long jury trial, a Memphis man was found guilty of robbing two businesses and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during those robberies. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the verdict today.
According to information presented in court, on Monday, June 11, 2018, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Kewan Callicutt, 34, and his girlfriend Nitika Wilkerson, 35, entered the Family Dollar Store located at 4330 Winchester Road and robbed the business at gunpoint. They took $738.74 from the registers and safe and fled the scene on foot. Callicutt had been wearing a fake beard, Army hat, blue FedEx hoodie, white sunglasses, blue pants, and was armed with a silver and black semiautomatic handgun.
At approximately 9:50 p.m. on July 22, 2018, Callicutt entered the Family Dollar Store located at 3255 Hickory Hill Road and robbed that business at gunpoint. He was wearing a fake beard, Army hat, sunglasses, plaid shirt, and was armed with a silver and black semiautomatic handgun. Callicutt was unaware that he took a GPS tracking device when he stole the money from the business. Soon after he left the business, Memphis Police Communications began receiving real-time locations of the tracking device and subsequently traced it to Callicutt’s address at 5391 Newberry Road. Memphis Police Officers responded to that address and observed a black Mazda M26 backed into the driveway with its headlights on. As officers approached the vehicle, Callicutt opened the passenger’s side door and fled the scene on foot, leaving Wilkerson inside the vehicle. Wilkerson was taken into custody. She pleaded guilty to both robberies on February 7, 2019, and is set for sentencing June 19, 2019.
Sentencing for Callicutt is set for July 19, 2019, before United States District Judge Mark Norris, where he faces possible sentences of up to 20 years for each robbery, and a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 14 years for brandishing a firearm during each crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Robberies of businesses with a firearm are especially dangerous and violent due to the high risk of death and serious bodily injury to innocent victims. Business robberies also have a substantially negative impact on the local economy and commerce, which victimizes the entire community. As demonstrated in this case, we will not tolerate this senseless gun violence and will use all available resources to remove dangerous offenders from our communities for a very long time."
The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Hartridge is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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DEA and Partners hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27Read the Press Release
Memphis, TN – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in announcing that on April 27th, DEA will hold its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at thousands of collection sites around the country, including here at Kroger, 7615 Highway 70 Bartlett, Tennessee. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous.
With robust public participation over the course of 16 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens.
Now in its seventeenth year, DEA has collected a total of nearly 11 million pounds (more than 5,400 tons) of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. This weekend, approximately 6,000 collection sites will be manned by law enforcement partner agencies. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)
"Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs, but also for their families and friends," said Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. "Helping people keep their loved ones safe by disposing of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications is just one of many ways that DEA is working to break the cycle of addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country."
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Addressing the opioid crisis in our communities requires a comprehensive approach which includes prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement. The DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back event allows everyone to participate in prevention and education that promotes public safety, and I encourage all West Tennesseans to turn in your unused, unwanted, and expired medications. Together, we can prevent addiction, injury and death, and educate the public about the dangers of prescription drug abuse."
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.
National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local and tribal partners.
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John Lott Sentenced to 420 Months Imprisonment as a Member of an Armed Robbery Crew and Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – John Lott was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and aiding and abetting an attempted robbery. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Lott was a member of an armed robbery crew that targeted narcotics traffickers in the Memphis area. On January 9, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an 11-count third superseding indictment against Lott and four others. The indictment followed a four-month investigation involving agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as other state and local agencies, in which Lott and his co-defendants were alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to rob drug dealers in Memphis. Lott was also indicted for his role in a conspiracy to tamper with evidence. During the investigation, agents seized multiple firearms, approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency, and approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine.
Following his guilty plea to counts five, six, seven, eight and eleven of the indictment, the proof presented at sentencing showed that Lott, who qualified as a career offender, participated along with his co-defendants in an attempted robbery of a drug trafficker in January 2018, where the mother of the drug trafficker was beaten and shot in the chest and for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine. Lott has an extensive history of multiple prior violent and drug felony convictions.
On April 19, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Lott to 420 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "Armed Robbery crews made up of violent felons will NOT continue to terrorize and endanger our communities in West Tennessee with impunity. We use all available law enforcement and prosecutorial resources to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle groups and conspiracies that are most responsible for violence and drug dealing, and to remove dangerous offenders with firearms from our streets. I commend the great investigative work of ATF and our local partners in neutralizing this violent recidivist and his crew of trigger-pullers and traffickers."
ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson said, "ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers are the driving force to reduce the violent crime that plagues our neighborhoods. This sentencing illustrate the effective partnerships with law enforcement and the community."
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations, 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), Memphis Police Department, Multi Agency Gang Unit (MGU), and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Gregory Allen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Federal Jury ConvictsWest Tennessee Man of being a Felon in Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal jury has found a West Tennessee man guilty of being a felon in possession of a stolen firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty verdict today.
According to evidence presented at trial, on April 10, 2018, Halls Police Department and the Dyer County Sheriff’s office responded to a "shots fired" call at the Senior Center in Halls, Tennessee. The defendant, Keaston Tipton, 28, was in one of three vehicles fleeing the scene. When law enforcement responded to the area where the vehicle was headed, they observed Tipton throwing a firearm out of the driver’s side window. Officers retrieved the firearm just south of Dyersburg, and later determined it to be a stolen firearm. At one point during the chase, Tipton tried to evade law enforcement, turning his vehicle off on a side road and pulling into the parking lot of the Sunrise Inn.
He then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, but was soon apprehended. As he was caught, Tipton advised officers he had been in the Inn all day and was simply taking a walk to a nearby convenience store. Officers with the Halls Police Department were able to obtain a surveillance video of the shooting at the Senior Center. In the video, Tipton is identified wearing the same clothing as when he was apprehended, shooting and possessing a firearm. Tipton has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), and evading arrest.
Sentencing is set for July 23, 2019 before Chief District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson, where the defendant faces a possible sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment for violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1).
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to the community, and this defendant continued to possess and recklessly discharge a stolen firearm despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more gun-toter that will be removed from our streets. Gun Crime is Max Time."
This case was investigated by the Halls Police Department; Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department; Dyer County Sheriff's Department; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Dyersburg Police Department; FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Parham is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Nineteen Members of a Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted for Distributing Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Marijuana throughout Western TennesseeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A total of nineteen individuals have been indicted in two separate indictments for conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Marijuana in the Western District of Tennessee. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictments today.
On March 18, 2019, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging 4 defendants with conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm that had been shipped in interstate commerce. On April 15, 2019, in a case connected to the previous indictment, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging 15 defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana which remained sealed until the defendants’ arrests. This investigation was conducted in conjunction with prosecutors in Jackson as part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which seeks to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.
These indictments follow a year-long investigative operation known as "Two Foot Shackle", involving agents with the FBI and ATF as well as other state and local law enforcement agencies in this joint operation, and using a variety of investigative techniques, sources, and methods. These defendants are alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics throughout the Western District of Tennessee.
The four defendants in the first indictment are:
- Walter McPeake
- Johnny Todd
- Sheldon Hart
- Kevin Finch
Count 1 charges Walter McPeake, Johnny Todd, Sheldon Hart and Kevin Finch with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Count 2 charges Walter McPeake with knowingly and unlawfully receiving and possessing a stolen firearm that had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe the firearm was stolen.
Kevin Finch is currently released on bond. However, McPeake, Todd and Hart remain in custody.
If convicted, the defendants each face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years imprisonment and up to life.
Ten of the fifteen defendants in the second indictment that are currently in custody are:
- Timmy Jermaine Cole
- Anthony McElrath
- Kelvin Pettigrew
- Lynnie Ray Pettigrew
- Nickolas Atkins
- Cornelius Talley
- Cindy Cannon
- Scotty Tubbs
- Rolando Garibaldi-Alvarado
- Steven Williams
Five defendants remain at large, and their indictments remain under seal.
Count 1 charges Timmy Jermaine Cole, Lynnie Ray Pettigrew, Kelvin Pettigrew, Nickolas Atkins, Cornelius Talley, Cindy Cannon, Scotty Tubbs and Steven Williams with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Count 2 charges Timmy Jermaine Cole, Lynnie Ray Pettigrew, Rolando Garibaldi-Alvarado, Kelvin Pettigrew, Anthony McElrath, and Nickolas Atkins with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilograms of Cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Count 3 charges Timmy Jermaine Cole, Lynnie Ray Pettigrew, Kelvin Pettigrew, Nickolas Atkins, and Cornelius Talley with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 1000 kilograms of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
During this investigation, agents seized multiple firearms, approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and approximately 60 pounds of marijuana.
If convicted, the defendants each face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years imprisonment and up to life.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "These indictments and takedown operation represent another great example of law enforcement working together to remove criminals from the Western District of Tennessee. Criminal enterprises that distribute these harmful drugs into our rural communities can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations in order to dismantle them and remove them from our streets."
"The FBI is dedicated to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations and ending the violence they bring to our community, "said Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation M.A. Myers. "These arrests demonstrate the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to root out those who seek to pollute our community and should serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to target these offenders."
ATF Special Agent in Charge, Marcus Watson said, "ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers are the driving force to reduce the violent crime that plagues our neighborhoods. These indictments illustrate the effective partnerships with law enforcement and the community."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Dyersburg Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Selmer Police Department, McNairy County Sheriff’s Office, Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Hillary Parham are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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U.S. Attorney Dunavant along with Federal, State and Local Partners Continue Efforts to Combat the Opioid CrisisRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced today the indictment of 15 West Tennessee residents for illegally distributing prescription opioids. Those indicted included several medical doctors and nurse practitioners. The indictments were part of a coordinated effort by several U.S. Attorneys and the Department of Justice’s Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strick Force (ARPO).
The indictments are part of a long-term strategy sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee to fight the opioid epidemic. The strategy has two prongs: the office’s work with ARPO and its sponsorship of the West Tennessee Heroin Initiative. The Office’s Heroin Initiative focuses on health care professionals who violate federal drug laws, as well as drug dealers who provide opioids to illegal users that result in overdose deaths. As part of this strategy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office works with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices to identify, investigate and prosecute priority cases involving the distribution of prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part by the over-prescribing of potent opioids nationwide, and unfortunately, Tennessee is at the center. We will not stand by and allow the harmful and oftentimes deadly practice of over-prescribing highly addictive drugs to continue unchecked. Along with our partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to blatantly disregard and endanger others’ very lives for their own financial gain."
The recent indictments are a result of the work of the ARPO Strike Force. The strike force is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the ten U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, including the newly added Western District of Virginia, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force operates out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the ten districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force works closely with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. The partners involved in the Heroin Initiative include the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Listed below are those defendants currently in custody:
Jackson Branch Office:
Jeffrey Young, 45, Dr. Alexander Alperovich, Dr. Andrew Rudin,
Defendant Jeff Young, a Nurse Practitioner who branded himself the "Rock Doc," allegedly prescribed powerful and dangerous combinations of opioids and benzodiazepines, sometimes in exchange for sexual favors; over approximately three years, the doctor allegedly prescribed approximately 500,000 hydrocodone pills, 300,000 oxycodone pills, 1,500 fentanyl patches, and more than 600,000 benzodiazepine pills. Count one charges conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances. Counts two through seven charges, unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances to a pregnant woman and aiding and abetting. Counts eight through fourteen charges, unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and aiding and abetting. Count fifteen charges, maintaining a drug-involved premises and aiding and abetting. If convicted on the fifteen-count indictment, each faces up to 20 years imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine. Dr. Alperovich and Dr. Rudin are also charged in the conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances.
Dr. Thomas Kelly Ballard, III, 61
Dr. Ballard is charged with controlled substances violations for allegedly prescribed approximately 4.2 million opioid pills, sometimes in dangerous combinations with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, and prescribed opioids to known addicts. He is also accused of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances to a pregnant woman. Count one charges maintaining a drug-involved premises and aiding and abetting. Counts two through seven charges, unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and aiding and abetting. The U.S. will seek criminal forfeiture. If convicted, Ballard faces a term of imprisonment of note less than twenty years or more than life, a fine of$1,000,000.
Mary Bond, 62, and Dr. Loran Karlosky, 39, Dr. Jay Shires, 35
Mary Bond is a Nurse Practitioner who operated her medical practice out of downtown clinic in Bells, TN. Her patients were drug seekers who came in groups from great distances to get their cocktails of controlled substances. Drs. Karlosky and Shires were aware of her dispensing drugs unlawfully, and actively participated in the conspiracy. Count one charges, conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances. Counts two through seven charges, unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and aiding and abetting. The United States will seek forfeiture from proceeds generated from this crime. If convicted, they each dace not more than twenty years and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Glenn Bonifield Jr., 73 and Michelle Bonifield, 45 (state custody)
Glenn Benfield is a licensed pharmacist, and Michelle Bonifieldis a pharmacy technician in Bells, TN. Count one charges conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substance. Counts two through seven charge unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and aiding and abetting. The U.S. will seek criminal forfeiture from these crimes.
Britney Petway, 33 and Dr. Charles Alston, 48
Petway is a Nurse Practitioner who owned and operated Superior Health in Jackson, with Dr. Alton’s supervision. Pettway prescribed the Holy Trinity and opioid/benzo combinations on many occasions. She often left pre-signed scripts for non-medical professionals to dispense. Petway is charged with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances allegedly prescribed over 500,000 Hydrocodone pills, approximately 300,000 Oxycodone pills, and approximately 300,000 benzodiazepine pills (mostly Alprazolam), along with a myriad of other controlled substances. If convicted, she faces up to twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Memphis Office:
Dr. Richard Farmer, 82
Defendant Richard Farmer was a doctor of psychiatry who issued prescriptions for controlled substances at his medical clinic in Memphis, without a legitimate medical purpose and often in exchange for sexual favors or companionship. He is also accused of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances to a pregnant woman. If convicted, Farmer faces up not more than 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
James Litton, 43
A former Nurse Practitioner who issued prescriptions for controlled substance, including the Scheduled II controlled substances Alprazolam, Clonazepam and Carisoprodal at medication and healthcare fraud, including billing for diagnostic testing. Count one charges, conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances. If convicted, Litton faces not more than 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $1,000,000.
Kathryn Russell
During an eight-week period, Russell, a Registered Nurse, prescribed opioids and other cocktails to drug seeks with no legitimate medical purpose. She was under the influence of drugs while employed at Dillion Russell Health Professionals, Inc., in Memphis. Count one charges, conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substance. If convicted, Russell faces up to twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Dr. Michael Hellman, 72
Dr. Hellman prescribed large amounts of the Schedule V controlled substance promethazine with codeine to patients, including confidential informants, over a long period without any physical examinations. Counts one through three charges, unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances. If convicted, Hellman faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Dr. Thomas Hughes, 69
Dr. Hughes, a licensed encrinologist, is charged with a nine-count indictment with fraudulently dispensing Scheduled III controlled substances to himself for testosterone. Counts one through nine charges, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and aiding and abetting. The United States will seek forfeiture from funds generated from these crimes. If convicted, Hughes faces up to four years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.
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The Heroin Initiative has resulted in a number of federal prosecutions in which the defendants are charged with distributing opioids that resulted in an overdose death.
The following are examples of overdose cases investigated and prosecuted by the Heroin Initiative:
• On February 16, 2018, Marvin "Pookie" Foster, 51, was sentenced to 25 years for distributing heroin, which resulted in a fatal overdose.
• 32-year-old Cortez Armstrong was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for distributing a lethal dose of Fentanyl.
• On August 24, 2018, David Mitchell Murray of Memphis pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death. Murray is currently awaiting sentencing.
• Glenda Aldape, 42, of Cordova, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. She is currently awaiting sentencing.
For any patients impacted by the law enforcement operations, DOJ, DEA, HHS-OIG, HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, CDC’s Opioid Rapid Response Team and all 5 State Departments of Health are deploying federal and state-level strategies to address patient harm and insure continuity of care. Additional information regarding available treatment programs and where patients can turn for assistance is available as follows:
Tennessee: If you are seeking help in Tennessee, please call 1-855-CRISIS-1
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Obion County Man Indicted for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Obion County man has been indicted on charges of production, attempted production and possession of child pornography. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the indictment today.
According to the two-count indictment, between December 2018 and February 2019, Eric Jobe, 40, of Union City, knowingly used and attempted to use a child under twelve years of age to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images and/or videos of such conduct. Jobe is also alleged to have possessed a cell phone containing child pornography, including prepubescent minors.
If convicted of both counts, Jobe faces up to fifty years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The United States also seeks criminal forfeiture of any proceeds related to the crime.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Let this indictment serve notice on those who use the internet and electronic means to exploit, abuse, and victimize minor children: You cannot hide, we will track you down, and you will be held accountable for such disturbing and predatory criminal conduct."
This case was investigated by the FBI Memphis Child Exploitation Task Force; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Union City Police Department; and the 27th Judicial District Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Anyone who believes they may have information about this case or related activities is asked to contact the Memphis Child Exploitation Task Force at 901-747-4300.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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The Department of Justice Files Amended Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Owner and Manager of Rental Properties in Lexington, TennesseeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – The Department of Justice today announced that it has filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit against a Lexington, Tennessee, landlord, Chad David Ables, alleging that he violated the Fair Housing Act by subjecting female tenants of his rental properties to sexual harassment and retaliation.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, alleges that Ables, who owns and manages rental properties in Henderson County, including a mobile home park called "Pops Cove," sexually harassed a number of female tenants at his properties. For example, according to the government’s complaint, Ables conditioned housing or housing benefits on female tenants’ agreement to engage in sexual acts; subjected at least one female tenant to unwanted sexual touching; made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants; and took adverse housing-related actions against female residents when they refused his sexual advances.
"No woman should ever be subjected to sexual harassment or intimidation in her home," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. "The Fair Housing Act protects tenants from harassment and retaliation by their landlords, and the Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce this law and seek relief for victims."
"Every person in this district deserves the right to live in a place of their choosing without fear of sexual harassment. This is not a small town issue or a big city issue, but an issue of respect and dignity. We want the women and men throughout all of West Tennessee to know that there’s someone they can turn to if they feel unsafe in their home – no matter where their home is," said D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
"Property owners and landlords who use their position to harass residents or to attempt to trade sexual favors for rent violate the sanctity of an individual's home, the place where they should feel the safest," said Anna María Faría, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "HUD will continue to work with the Justice Department to take action against housing providers that violate the Fair Housing Act by engaging in this type of behavior."
The lawsuit arose from complaints about Ables’s conduct that two women filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After HUD investigated the complaints, it issued a charge of discrimination and the matter was referred to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice filed an initial complaint in December, 2018 on behalf of the two complainants. The amended complaint alleges that the defendant harassed several additional female tenants.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination and harassment. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct; the allegations must be proven in federal court.
In October 2017, the Department of Justice launched an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. In April 2018, the Department announced the nationwide rollout of the initiative, including three major components: a new joint Task Force with HUD to combat sexual harassment in housing, an outreach toolkit to leverage the Department’s nationwide network of U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and a public awareness campaign, including the release of a national Public Service Announcement.
Since launching the initiative, the Department of Justice has filed nine lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing. The Department of Justice has filed or settled 14 sexual harassment cases since January 2017, and has recovered over $1.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Chad David Ables, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line, at 1-800-896-7743, and select mailbox 6 to leave a message.
Individuals can also report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by e-mailing the Justice Department at [email protected].
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The Department of Justice Files Amended Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Owner and Manager of Rental Properties in Lexington, TennesseeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that it has filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit against a Lexington, Tennessee, landlord, Chad David Ables, alleging that he violated the Fair Housing Act by subjecting female tenants of his rental properties to sexual harassment and retaliation.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, alleges that Ables, who owns and manages rental properties in Henderson County, including a mobile home park called “Pops Cove,” sexually harassed a number of female tenants at his properties. For example, according to the government’s complaint, Ables conditioned housing or housing benefits on female tenants’ agreement to engage in sexual acts; subjected at least one female tenant to unwanted sexual touching; made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants; and took adverse housing-related actions against female residents when they refused his sexual advances.
“No woman should ever be subjected to sexual harassment or intimidation in her home,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Fair Housing Act protects tenants from harassment and retaliation by their landlords, and the Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce this law and seek relief for victims.”
“Every person in this district deserves the right to live in a place of their choosing without fear of sexual harassment. This is not a small town issue or a big city issue, but an issue of respect and dignity. We want the women and men through all of west Tennessee to know that there’s someone they can turn to if they feel unsafe in their home – no matter where their home is," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee.
“Property owners and landlords who use their position to harass residents or to attempt to trade sexual favors for rent violate the sanctity of an individual's home, the place where they should feel the safest," said Anna María Faría, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD will continue to work with the Justice Department to take action against housing providers that violate the Fair Housing Act by engaging in this type of behavior.”
The lawsuit arose from complaints about Ables’s conduct that two women filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After HUD investigated the complaints, it issued a charge of discrimination and the matter was referred to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice filed an initial complaint in December, 2018 on behalf of the two complainants. The amended complaint alleges that the defendant harassed several additional female tenants.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination and harassment. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct; the allegations must be proven in federal court.
In October 2017, the Department of Justice launched an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. In April 2018, the Department announced the nationwide rollout of the initiative, including three major components: a new joint Task Force with HUD to combat sexual harassment in housing, an outreach toolkit to leverage the Department’s nationwide network of U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and a public awareness campaign, including the release of a national Public Service Announcement.
Since launching the initiative, the Department of Justice has filed nine lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing. The Department of Justice has filed or settled 14 sexual harassment cases since January 2017, and has recovered over $1.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Chad David Ables, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line, at 1-800-896-7743, and select mailbox 6 to leave a message.
Individuals can also report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by e-mailing the Justice Department at [email protected].
Justice Department Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with Events Throughout the CountryRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – In observance of this week as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee will join with service providers and community members to honor victim advocates who have shown special commitment to helping crime victims.
"Victims of crime deserve justice. This Department works every day to help them recover and to find, prosecute, and convict those who have done them harm," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "During this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to remember the millions of Americans who have been victims of crime and we thank public servants who have served them in especially heroic ways. This week the men and women of the Department recommit ourselves once again to ensuring that crime victims continue to have a voice in our legal system, to securing justice for them, and to preventing other Americans from suffering what they have endured."
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The dedicated men and women at the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to the highest ideals of justice and fairness. We know that in representing this great nation, we must give our best efforts to fight against the evil of violent crime; to pursue the guilty and protect the innocent; and to always treat all victims with respect, compassion, sensitivity, patience, protection, and support, so that their voices will be heard, and the system will achieve justice for them in the best way possible."
Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys’ offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.
The U.S. Department of Justice will host the Office for Victims of Crime’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2019, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.
The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Victim Witness Program at (901)544-4231.
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Local Insurance Agent Sentenced to 60 Months for FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for fraud. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
Following a four-day jury trial in federal court in August 2018, Manzur Mazumder, 50, was convicted on two counts of wire fraud. Manzur Mazumder, an insurance agent, started a hedge fund business, which defrauded several individuals of their retirement savings. Between 2014 and 2017, Mazumder obtained a total of $360,000 from "M.T.," a resident in Hawaii, "J.T.," a resident of Missouri and "A.J.," a resident of Memphis.
According to information presented in court, Mazumder used a large portion of the investor’s fund to pay for personal expenses, including living and travel expenses, a down payment on a condominium, loan payments, debit card charges and overdrafts in several bank accounts. Mazumder day-traded the rest of the investors’ funds in options contracts, resulting in large losses. He returned nominal sums to the victims.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Fraudulent schemes that steal hard-earned retirement savings from innocent victims represent the very worst betrayals of trust in our financial markets, and such dishonesty will be exposed. We are pleased that justice has been achieved on behalf of the victims, and we commend the FBI for their outstanding investigation in this disturbing case. Wherever fraud occurs in the Western District of Tennessee, this office will be prepared to hold offenders accountable."
On April 9, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Mazumder to 60 months imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay $341,960 restitution to the victims.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean DeCandia and David Pritchard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Convicted Felon Guilty of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Following a two-day jury trial in federal court, a Memphis man has been found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.
According to evidence presented at trial, on July 2, 2017, Memphis Police Department officers responded to a man down call at the "Z" Market located at Perkins and Cottonwood. Marcus McCraven, 36, was driving his Ford F-150 pickup truck when he crashed into a pole and a fence in the parking lot. McCraven appeared to be passed out behind the wheel. In plain view, on the passenger side floorboard, officers located a loaded Taurus .45/410 caliber revolver. He was also in possession of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl found inside his vehicle.
On March 20, 2009, McCraven pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 27 months. After serving that sentence, he violated the terms of supervised release and received an additional 6 months incarceration.
Sentencing is set on June 27, 2019, before United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. McCraven faces up to 10 years imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and this defendant continued to possess a firearm and illegal narcotics despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more gun toter that will be removed from our streets. Gun Crime is Max Time."
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Memphis Police Department, Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raney Irwin and Kevin Whitmore prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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