SEATTLE – A formal assessment of the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) implementation of supervision-related provisions of the consent decree has found SPD to be in initial compliance with requirements of the Court-ordered agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  Federal Monitor Merrick Bobb on December 31^st filed the assessment with the U.S. District Court and concluded that the progress to date and “current quality and extent of supervision” within SPD in four main areas supports a finding of initial compliance.

          “Effective internal supervision is critical to the successful implementation of reform and to the successful management of the day-to-day operations of SPD,” said U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  “The results of this assessment demonstrate that the Department is making progress in supervising, investigating, and counselling officers to help them do their jobs effectively and increase accountability.”  

          This was the tenth assessment conducted to date by the Monitor and DOJ.  Previous assessments found SPD to be in initial compliance with requirements relating to crisis intervention, the Office of Professional Accountability, use of force reporting and investigation (finding initial compliance in three of the four areas assessed), and the Force Review Board.  The Monitor also examined and found many positive developments and trends in public confidence and community trust regarding SPD. 

          The supervisor assessment filed today and attached below focused on four areas:

1. The adequacy of supervision by the chain of command for a period from June 2014 through September 2016;
2. Whether SPD personnel are assigned to a single, consistent, clearly identified first-line supervisor, also known as “unity of command”;
3. The quality of sergeant training and ensuring that any personnel assigned as long-term “acting sergeants” receive specific training within 60 days of their appointment; and
4. Whether SPD is deploying an adequate number of qualified supervisors to assure that the provisions of the Consent Decree are implemented, also known as “adequate span of control.”

          The assessment found that in all four areas, SPD was in initial compliance.  For example, the assessment found that the chain of command receives timely notice of and reviews and tracks uses of force.  It also shows supervisors are taking appropriate action with their officers when the use of force is found to be problematic, including counseling officers, initiating referrals up the chain of command, noting performance issues in appropriate systems, and referring incidents that may implicate policy violations to the Office of Professional Accountability.  Viewed from the officer’s perspective, the Monitor found that over 90% of officers surveyed reported receiving feedback from their sergeants, finding their sergeants to be “very available” to them, and feeling comfortable asking questions about day-to-day issues and seeking advice. 

          With respect to unity of command, the assessment found that 97% of the time officers are assigned to a single, clearly-identified supervisor, with each squad assigned to the same daily work schedule.  This kind of consistent management structure is understood to lead to better policing and better morale in police organizations.  In contrast, during DOJ’s investigation in 2011, the average officer saw his or her sergeant twice per week.

          The Monitor also found that sergeant training materials prepare their sergeants for effective supervision and leadership and that supervisors reported finding these trainings valuable. 

          Finally, as to span of control, sergeant to officer ratios, which are now at 1:6 on average across the SPD precincts, were found to be more than adequate and, indeed, continue to trend downwards. 

          Although the Monitor made a finding of initial compliance regarding supervision, the assessment also identified a number of areas that either need improvement – including the Field Training Officer selection for which SPD will be setting forth new criteria – or require further examination.  Notably, the previous use of force reporting and investigation assessment found deficiencies in supervisory review of Type II force cases based on a 2014 sample.  A follow-up assessment is currently underway to determine if the quality and rigor of Type II investigations and reviews by supervisors have improved over the past two years.  Moreover, the Monitor, as part of the evaluation of SPD’s search and seizure activity, will explore whether supervisors are sufficiently reviewing documentation of stops and appropriately flagging those stops that have incomplete documentation or for which officers articulated inadequate reasonable suspicion to make the stop. 

          Additional upcoming assessments in 2017, in addition to the above-referenced follow-up assessment regarding Type II investigations, will examine SPD’s use of force, Early Intervention System, and the use of Terry stops.

Filed assessment

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Michael Ray Enzor (34, Jacksonville) to 19 years and 6 months in federal prison for transporting, and aiding and abetting the transportation of, child pornography. He also was ordered to serve a supervised release term of 15 years, register as a sex offender, and pay restitution to a victim of his offense. Enzor pleaded guilty on October 4, 2016.

According to court documents, in 2007, Enzor was convicted in Duval County of attempted capital sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old. Consequently, he was sentenced to 10 years in state prison and was released in June 2014. In October 2014, while under conditional release for the state conviction, law enforcement officers discovered that Enzor was sharing child pornography on a social networking chat website based out of Canada.

In addition to sharing child pornography, Enzor had also solicited young girls and mothers and daughters to connect with him on social media for the purpose of providing “extreme” videos to him.

On March 24, 2015, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at a residence Enzor shared with other convicted sex offenders. Forensic analyses of Enzor’s electronic media revealed more than 100 video files depicting child pornography.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the York Regional Police in Ontario, Canada. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, 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 United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.  

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that PETRONILA PERALTA, a/k/a “Petra,” a former employee with the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”), pled guilty to defrauding a public assistance program that she had administered during the time when she worked for HRA, resulting in the theft of more than $600,000 in public funds, and to trafficking more than 50 kilograms of cocaine following her separation from HRA.  PERALTA, who was arrested in December 2015, entered her pleas today before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods, and was ordered remanded.  She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Woods on April 4, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Bharara stated:  “As she admitted today, in addition to cocaine trafficking, Petronila Peralta defrauded the public by stealing more than $600,000.  This money was intended to aid the neediest New Yorkers, including children, by helping to defray the costs of basic nutrition and housing.” 

According to the Complaint, Indictment, plea agreement, other information in the public record, and today’s proceeding:

HRA is an agency of the City of New York responsible for administering various public assistance programs.  Among other things, HRA provides temporary help to individuals and families with social service and economic needs to assist them in reaching self-sufficiency.  Its services include, among others, administering the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (more commonly known as “food stamps”), administering the federally funded Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program, and providing rental assistance to low-income families and individuals.

Between 2005 and August 2014, PERALTA worked at HRA, most recently as a Job Opportunity Specialist in a job center in Queens, New York.  In that capacity, PERALTA was supposed to provide economic support and employment-related services to persons in need.  Starting by approximately 2009, PERALTA abused her position by fraudulently issuing more than approximately 800 supplemental issuances to individuals who were not entitled to such payments.  A “supplemental issuance” is a supplemental transmission of funds to a public assistance beneficiary who did not receive the amount of funds he or she was due previously.  Between approximately 2009 and May 2011, PERALTA repeatedly issued such funds not to individuals who were entitled to them, but to co-conspirators, and took steps to conceal her conduct, including by using the computer system log-in information of a former employee of HRA, rather than her own.  The scheme led by PERALTA resulted in the loss of more than approximately $600,000 in public funds.

Following her separation from HRA, between approximately January 2013 and March 2015, PERALTA agreed to and did receive, and help others to receive, through the mail more than 50 kilograms of cocaine meant for re-distribution.

*                      *                      *

PERALTA, 52, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine, which carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the work of the New York City Department of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption and Narcotics Units.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Richenthal and Shawn G. Crowley are in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BOBBY R. LOWE, age 66, a resident of Harvey, pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

According to court documents, LOWE owned and operated a printing company in Harvey.  In early 2013, LOWE conspired with student applicants to produce fraudulent high school transcripts and diplomas, as well as fraudulent GED certificates and transcripts, which were sent to the Office of Admissions at Delgado Community College in New Orleans.  LOWE also provided his co-conspirators with envelopes with return addresses for the Department of Education and the Louisiana Community & Technical College System in Baton Rouge.  LOWE instructed his co-conspirators to mail the documents from Baton Rouge, so the documents would look more legitimate.  The purpose of the scheme was to obtain federal financial aid from the United States Department of Education and Delgado Community College.

LOWE faces up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $250,000, a period of supervised release after imprisonment of up to three years, plus a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.  U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey set sentencing for April 10, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Education-Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Two men who were convicted in unrelated cases earlier this year on child pornography offenses have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison sentences by federal judges in Fort Worth, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Today, U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor sentenced Ronald Eric Ary, 55, of Erath County, Texas, to 360 months in federal prison.  Ary pleaded guilty in September 2016 to one count of distributing child pornography.  He has been in custody since his arrest in July 2016 on a related federal criminal complaint.  According to documents filed in his case, Ary admitted that he used the Internet and an instant messaging application to distribute and trade child pornography, including a sexually explicit video of an infant child and adult man.  The FBI and the Erath County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

On Friday, December 30, 2016, Friday, U.S. District Judge John McBryde sentenced Robert Eugene Sanders, 74, of Hood County, Texas, to 360 months in federal prison, fined him $10,000, and ordered him to pay nearly $65,000 in restitution.  Sanders pleaded guilty in July 2016 to one count of production of child pornography, and he has been in custody since his arrest in May 2016 on a related federal criminal complaint.  According to documents filed in his case, in August 2011, Sanders knowingly used, persuaded, and induced two prepubescent female victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct that he photographed.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Keller Police Department and the Hood County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.  For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem prosecuted both cases.

# # #

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Amanda Elaine Wright, 31, of East Liverpool, Ohio was sentenced to 30 months incarceration today for distributing heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Wright collaborated with other individuals to possess and distribute heroin in Hancock County, West Virginia. She pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin.”  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Hancock, Brooke, Weirton Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kasie A. Morgan, 24, of Columbus, Ohio was sentenced to 35 months in federal court today for transporting stolen goods across state lines, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Morgan conspired to steal smart phones, tablets, head phones, game stations, and computers from Walmart, Target, and Meijer stores in eight different states, including West Virginia and Ohio. The value of the stolen goods are estimated to be in excess of $500,000. She pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Goods in Interstate Commerce” in October 2016. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbus Police Department investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.

ALBUQUERQUE – Sho’Nee Ganadonegro, 26, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a child abuse charge.  Under the terms of her plea agreement, Ganadonegro will be sentenced to a term of probation to be determined by the court.

Ganadonegro was arrested in Jan. 2016, on an indictment charging her with engaging in child abuse by operating a motor vehicle recklessly on Nov. 1, 2015, in Indian Country in Cibola County, N.M.

During today’s proceedings, Ganadonegro entered a guilty plea to the indictment.  In entering the guilty plea, Ganadonegro admitted that on Nov. 1, 2015, she negligently operated a motor vehicle recklessly within Laguna Pueblo while under the influence of alcohol.  Ganadonegro admitted that her actions endangered the lives and health of the four Indian children who were passengers in the vehicle.  A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Laguna Pueblo Tribal Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Spindle is prosecuting the case.

PITTSBURGH - Two residents of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, interstate transportation of a minor for purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual activity, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and sex trafficking of a child, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The four-count Indictment named Ronald Kyle Hartman, 27, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and David Michael Monrean, 24, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, as the defendants.

According to the Indictment, on August 15, 2016, Hartman produced image files of the sexual exploitation of a minor. From August 14, 2016 to August 16, 2016, for the purpose of private financial gain, Hartman and Monrean did knowingly and willfully transport or arrange, induce, procure, or facilitate the travel of Minor A, who had not attained the age of 18 years, in interstate commerce, from Pennsylvania to Ohio, with the intent that Minor A would engage in prostitution and other sexual activity for which a person could be charged with a criminal offense, and aided and abetted such conduct. Also, from August 14, 2016 to August 16, 2016, Hartman and Monrean knowingly entered into a conspiracy to recruit for sex trafficking a female minor who had not attained the age of 18 years. The Indictment further alleges that from August 14, 2016, to August 16, 2016, Hartman and Monrean knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained and maintained by any means, in and affecting interstate commerce, a female minor under the age of 18 years, and did benefit financially or by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture engaged in commercial sexual acts, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact, and having had a reasonable opportunity to observe Minor A, that Minor A had not attained the age of 18 years and that Minor A would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.

For Hartman, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release for any term of years not less than five, and up to life, or any or all. For Monrean, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $750,000.00, and a term of supervised release for any term of years not less than five, and up to life, or any or all. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Grove City Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Timothy Gallagher, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Newark Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, a/k/a “Jay Taylor,” a/k/a “Josie Reeser,” was charged in a five-count indictment today.  TAYLOR had previously been charged by complaint, and first appeared in this district on December 21, 2016.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain. TAYLOR is expected to be arraigned later this week before Judge Swain.  

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “John Edward Taylor allegedly trolled dating websites to find unsuspecting women for his ‘romance’ scam, designed to steal their money.  While masquerading as a millionaire businessman with romantic and professional interest in his victims, Taylor was in reality an alleged con artist.  When confronted by some of his victims for looting their bank accounts, Taylor took his insidious crime another step further, allegedly threatening to release sexually explicit photos of them.”

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Gallagher said:  “Today’s charges illustrate the FBI’s commitment to combating the growing threat of online dating scams and financial fraud. Our job is to protect victims and ensure those who commit these egregious crimes are held accountable.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint and Indictment filed in federal court:[1]

JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, a/k/a “Jay Taylor,” a/k/a “Josie Reeser,” stole, or attempted to steal, money, credit, and personal information from more than a dozen women (the “Victims”) in cities across the country, including New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.

TAYLOR contacted Victims using online matchmaking and networking websites, such as Match.com, eHarmony, Craigslist, and Seeking Arrangement.  TAYLOR typically introduced himself as “Jay” and often falsely described himself as a wealthy businessman with oil and land interests in North Dakota.  To some Victims, TAYLOR feigned interest in hiring the Victims to work on a new business TAYLOR purported to be creating.  To other Victims, TAYLOR expressed an interest in a romantic and personal relationship.  To most Victims, TAYLOR purported to be interested in both a personal and a professional relationship.

Using a variety of false pretenses, TAYLOR obtained the Victims’ personal identifying information, often including birthdates, addresses, and bank and credit account numbers.  TAYLOR used the Victims’ personal identifying information to purchase goods, transfer funds, and open new accounts – all without authorization.  In certain circumstances, TAYLOR opened accounts without the Victims’ knowledge.  In other circumstances, TAYLOR opened accounts that he assured Victims were business accounts, but were, in fact, personal accounts in the Victims’ names, over which TAYLOR maintained exclusive control.

Often within a matter of months, Victims would discover thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges and transfers in their existing accounts, receive bills for accounts they had never created, or learn their existing accounts had been closed due to delinquency.

Independent of each other, multiple Victims confronted TAYLOR about his activities.  To some, TAYLOR responded with insults.  To others, TAYLOR responded with promises to repay the losses – and on at least one occasion attempted to repay one Victim with funds unlawfully obtained from another Victim.  On multiple occasions, TAYLOR threatened to transmit sexually explicit images of the Victims – which he had obtained as part of his purported romantic relationships with them – to the Victims’ employers if the Victims tried to collect their debts.

TAYLOR’s fraud and attempted fraud totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

*                *                *

TAYLOR, 47, has been charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense; one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense; one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison; and two counts of threatening communications, each of which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentences for the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding work of the FBI for their investigative efforts and ongoing support and assistance with the case.

The prosecution of this case is being overseen by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Rebold and Andrew Thomas are in charge of the case.

The charges contained in the Complaint and Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - A citizen of Jamaica, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal immigration laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment named Victor Palmer, a/k/a Patrick Brown, age 33, of Jamaica, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about December 2, 2016, Palmer was found in Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, after having unlawfully re-entered the United States following removal on four previous occasions.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of two years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of being an accessory after the fact, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count superseding indictment named Glenn Lee Thomas, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the superseding indictment, Thomas was an accessory after the fact in relation to offenses committed by Price Montgomery in August of 2014. The superseding indictment specifically alleges that Thomas assisted Montgomery, after Montgomery and another person killed Tina Crawford on August 22, 2014. The nature of that assistance, as alleged in the superseding indictment, was that Thomas caused the getaway vehicle used in that homicide to be transported, after the homicide, outside of Pennsylvania to Virginia.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Thomas has been detained pending trial.

Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory J. Nescott and Shaun E. Sweeney are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Pittsburgh Police conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Loretto, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempting to obtain contraband in prison, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Douglas Vines, 45, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on July 20, 2015, Vines attempted to obtain a quantity of suboxone.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 18, 2017, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Correctional Institution, Special Investigative Staff, conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Vines.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Loretto, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of contraband in prison, and immediately was sentenced to two months in prison, consecutive to the current prison term he is serving, followed by three years’ supervised release, to run concurrent with his present sentence, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Charles Jones, 30, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on November 21, 2015, Jones was in possession of marijuana.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Ms. Song commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Correctional Institution, Special Investigative Staff, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jones.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A former physician who practiced in Barboursville pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gregory Donald Chaney, 52, entered his guilty plea to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Chaney was the owner of Tri-State Medical Center, which is now out of business. On December 1, 2015, Chaney wrote a prescription for one of his employees for 120 thirty milligram oxycodone pills. Chaney admitted that he wrote the prescription without any physical examination of the employee and without medical necessity. Chaney then instructed the employee to have the prescription filled at Ross Drug Pharmacy in Ceredo in Wayne County. Prior to having the prescription filled, it was agreed between Chaney and the employee that the pills would be turned over to him in exchange for approximately $830 in lieu of unpaid wages. The next day, the employee had the prescription filled and gave the pills to Chaney in exchange for the money as planned. Chaney admitted that he wrote the prescription with the intent to illegally obtain oxycodone and to conceal the true recipient of the pain pills.

Chaney faces up to four years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on April 3, 2017.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.

This prosecution was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who participated in a multistate drug ring was sentenced today to a year and a day in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Parker Wyatt Mays, 27, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Mays admitted that from the summer of 2014 to May of 2016, he conspired with others, including codefendants Corey Bruce Toney and Roy Bills, to distribute marijuana from California in the Huntington area. Mays and others regularly acquired large quantities of marijuana from a source in California. The marijuana was transported to Huntington by automobile and through the mail. Once in Huntington, Mays and others distributed the marijuana to various customers and then pooled the proceeds to acquire additional marijuana. Mays admitted that the group distributed up to 400 kilograms of marijuana during the conspiracy.

Toney pleaded guilty in September 2016 to distributing heroin and is awaiting sentencing. Toney admitted that he conspired with others to distribute large quantities of drugs that were transported from California and Michigan to Huntington, including heroin, crack, marijuana, and Xanax. Bills pleaded guilty in November 2017 to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and is also awaiting sentencing.

This prosecution arose out of a long-term investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Huntington Police Department, the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

In addition to Mays, Toney, and Bills, seven additional defendants have been convicted for their roles in this drug ring. Atari Seantay Brown, Sean Lee Braggs, Samuel E. Nelson, III, Tanisha Lynette Wooding, and Deandra Sheen Jones have all pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. Arthur James Canada was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison and Matthew Michael Meadows was sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison for their roles in the conspiracy.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences and is presiding over these cases.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Columbus man caught with heroin in Huntington in 2015 was sentenced today to eight months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Tyshawn Desmeon Davis, 28, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On June 29, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant at 1751 Buffington Avenue in Huntington after a confidential informant purchased heroin at the residence. Agents located Davis in the residence during the search and found him in possession of approximately 18 grams of heroin. Davis admitted to agents that he had been involved with other individuals in distributing heroin from the residence.  

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This prosecution was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

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United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felony Child Abuse and Neglect.

Matthew Harold Iron, Sr., 32, was indicted on December 20, 2016, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 29, 2016.  He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Iron exposing a child under the age of 7 to an environment constituting mistreatment, and threatening him with substantial harm near Kyle. The charge is merely an accusation and Iron is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.

Iron was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.  

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Lloyd Yankton, Jr., 36, was indicted on December 20, 2016, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 30, 2016.  He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Yankton assaulting a woman near Kyle with a wooden board during an argument, causing multiple injuries.  The charge is merely an accusation and Yankton is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.

Yankton was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.