ATLANTA - Santwon Antonio Davis has been sentenced for wire fraud related to a scheme to defraud his employer, and on a bank fraud charge related to a scheme to defraud a mortgage company.

“Davis defrauded his employer twice by requesting and receiving paid time off from work for the alleged death of his child, and then claiming that he had tested positive for COVID-19,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine.  “Both of those claims were false.  After he was arrested for defrauding his employer, and while he was under court supervision, he committed yet another crime, by filing a fraudulent mortgage application.  Davis’ actions show he had little regard for the law.” 

“Davis’ history of lies caught up to him when he took advantage of a pandemic and caused undue harm to the company he worked for and their employees,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “While receiving numerous complaints of wrongdoing during this pandemic, the FBI and our federal partners remain determined to detect, investigate and prosecute any fraud related to this crisis.”

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Davis, who was employed by a Fortune 500 company with a facility located in the Atlanta, Georgia area, falsely claimed to have contracted COVID-19 and submitted a fake medical record to his employer. In concern for its employees, the corporation closed its facility for cleaning and paid its employees during the shutdown. This caused a significant financial loss to the corporation and the unnecessary quarantine of the defendant’s coworkers.

During the COVID-19 fraud investigation, agents uncovered a previous incident in which Davis had submitted fraudulent documentation to obtain benefits from his employer. Specifically, in late 2019, Davis created and submitted false documentation to support a claim for bereavement leave for the alleged death of his child. That child never existed., Davis fabricated the claim so that he could obtain benefits to which he was not entitled.

Finally, while on pretrial release in this case, Davis submitted a mortgage application with numerous fraudulent statements, including a falsified earnings and employment history. The mortgage company discovered the fraud, in part, after seeing news stories related to his original COVID-19 charge.

Santwon Antonio Davis, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray, II to serve three years in prison and ordered to pay $187.550 in restitution to his former employer. When he is released from prison, Davis will be required to serve five years on supervised release.

This case is part of Georgia’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fraud Task Force, aimed at better protecting the citizens of Georgia from criminal fraud arising from the pandemic. Formed by Georgia’s leading state and federal prosecutors, the task force serves to open channels of communication between partner agencies and more rapidly share information about COVID-19 fraud, while ensuring each fraud complaint is reported to the appropriate prosecuting agency. The task force member agencies include the Office of the Governor of Georgia, the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia. Georgia’s three U.S. Attorneys, the Attorney General of Georgia, and the Executive Counsel for the Governor’s Office serve on the task force. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Klapman and Russell Phillips prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

RICHMOND, Va. – A former Richmond attorney pleaded guilty today to obstructing an official proceeding in connection with his attempts to thwart a 2019 investigation into his own fraudulent conduct as a bankruptcy trustee.

According to court documents, Bruce H. Matson, 64, misled the U.S. Trustee’s Office in 2019 when he made false statements in response to allegations that he misappropriated funds as a court-appointed trustee in the bankruptcy of LandAmerica Financial Group (LFG). A federal investigation into those allegations uncovered multiple instances of Matson’s embezzlement from the LFG Trust between 2015 and 2018, totaling approximately $800,000 in misappropriated funds.

“Matson abused his position as an attorney, officer of the court, and bankruptcy trustee to enrich himself at the expense of the people whose very interest the court appointed him to protect,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “As part of our unwavering commitment to pursuing equal justice under the law, we will continue to root out the fraudulent conduct of those who violate the public’s trust and use their positions of power to conceal their crimes.”

Additionally, Matson manipulated the budget for LFG’s post-bankruptcy wind-down period so that he could divert residual funds to himself and others after the close of the LFG bankruptcy, when he would no longer be subject to scrutiny by LFG creditors and the Bankruptcy Court. In particular, Matson misrepresented the amount of money needed for the wind-down process and obscured the amount of money actually retained in Trust accounts. In order to access these residual funds, Matson also inserted language into the budget the night before it was filed with the Bankruptcy Court. This language seemingly gave Matson the authority to pay discretionary bonuses using residual funds. Matson knew the last-minute language included in the budget contradicted other court filings, but he instructed other trust professionals not to amend the filings, including the proposed Final Decree ultimately endorsed by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015. As a result of this conduct, Matson was able to siphon away more than $3.2 million for personal payments to himself and others, depleting the Trust account more than two years before the end of the wind-down period.

The federal investigation also uncovered an unrelated instance of Matson embezzling approximately $23,000 in 2016 from the estate of Forefront Capital, a defunct futures broker for which Matson served as receiver and debtor-designee. In total, between 2015 and 2019, Matson wrongfully obtained more than $4 million in bankruptcy-related assets.

Matson is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“The investigation into Mr. Matson's conduct as a bankruptcy trustee resulted in authorities uncovering a separate, unrelated incident. His plea today, for obstruction, is an admittance of responsibility,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. “This plea is also a reflection of the investigative team's hard work and partnership between the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia.”

“This guilty plea highlights the joint efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, our law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s office to prosecute those who seek to exploit and embezzle by misleading the government,” said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge for the Washington Division Daniel Adame. “The mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to protect consumers by ensuring the nation's mail system is not used in furtherance of criminal activity, which safeguards our customers’ trust in the United States Postal Service.”

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Daniel A. Adame, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Lee Martin and Kevin S. Elliker are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-79.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Rasheed Mickens, age 35, of Catonsville, Maryland to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.

Mickens has prior criminal convictions that include a 2006 carjacking conviction and a 2011 conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

According to his plea agreement, while conducting undercover surveillance at a Baltimore motel on July 8, 2020, the Baltimore County Police Department Vice Narcotics Special Enforcement Team observed a suspicious interaction between two male suspects. One male suspect was the passenger in a sedan and the other male arrived driving a pickup truck.

After the interaction concluded, law enforcement followed the sedan on I-695 driven by a female with the male passenger.  Officers observed the male passenger hand the female driver an item while she was driving. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and recovered a total of 48 capsules containing white powder from the male passenger and female driver. An additional bag containing 50 capsules were discovered within the vehicle. The male passenger informed law enforcement that they purchased a total of 100 capsules of fentanyl for $300. Two of the fentanyl capsules were consumed while driving. The male suspect also informed law enforcement that he purchased the drugs from a man named “Mike” at the Baltimore motel. Lab results confirmed that the powder contained in the remaining 98 capsules was fentanyl.

As stated in the plea agreement, detectives returned to the Baltimore motel to locate the suspect known as “Mike”. The male suspect law enforcement observed in the hand to hand transaction was seen exiting a motel room carrying a backpack and several bags to the pickup truck seen earlier that day. As detectives approached and identified themselves to the male suspect, the suspect fled on foot. He was later captured and identified as Mickens.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Mickens informed law enforcement that there were drugs in his truck. Law enforcement recovered 213 capsules of fentanyl, 96 grams of fentanyl, one pound of marijuana, 44 individual baggies of marijuana, 35 mannite bars, a bag labeled “10,000” capsules containing several unused capsules, a loaded 9mm pistol, and three flip phones from the pickup truck. Additional white powder capsules and other drug paraphernalia was recovered from Mickens’s backpack.

Mickens agrees that the controlled substances recovered included more than 40 grams of fentanyl and that the quantity of controlled substances was a sufficient quantity to indicate an intent to distribute. Mickens also agrees that the firearm located in the vehicle was possessed in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner praised the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Y. Oldham who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Jackson, Miss. – The former Mayor of Moss Point, Mississippi, and his wife were sentenced today for conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to the Mayor’s Gala held in 2019, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, and Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

Mario King was sentenced to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $6,937.98 in restitution and an $8,000 fine. 

Natasha R. King was sentenced to a three-year term of probation with six months of home confinement.  She was also ordered to pay $6,937.98 in restitution and a $5,500 fine. 

According to court documents, former Mayor Mario King, 33, and his wife Natasha R. King, 32, began soliciting funds in late 2018 for a Gala to be held on March 23, 2019, in Moss Point.   The written solicitation stated that the “gala honors and supports organizations that are making a difference for the mental health community.  Proceeds support the efforts of mental health in the City of Moss Point with a focus on the Moss Point School District, converting spaces into a therapeutic and innovative learning environment.”

On March 4, 2019, Mario King and Natasha R. King appeared together on WLOX television and described the event, stating that funds from the Gala were to be used to create safe spaces for mental health counseling in the Moss Point School District.

It was the understanding of those contributing to the Gala, either in the form of tickets purchased or contributions, that the proceeds from the Gala would go to the Moss Point School District. Some of the funds were used to pay for the cost of the Gala, but the remaining proceeds did not go to the Moss Point School District.  Instead, the defendants used the proceeds for personal purchases, including the down payment on the purchase of a vehicle, cash withdrawals and the payment of credit card debts involving charges to complete the purchase of a personal pet.

The Kings pled guilty on February 24, 2021. 

The case was investigated by the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie prosecuted the case.

Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BRANDON GREEN, a/k/a “Light,” was sentenced today to approximately 24.5 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe in connection with his leadership of the Blood Hound Brims, a violent street and prison gang that operated in New York City and elsewhere, and his participation in narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses.  GREEN was convicted on March 27, 2019, following an approximately five-week jury trial before Judge Gardephe, who also imposed today’s sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Brandon Green, one of the leaders of a ruthlessly violent gang, was responsible for extensive narcotics trafficking throughout the city and state of New York.  Today’s lengthy sentence sends an important message to the Blood Hound Brims and other gang members that they will be arrested, prosecuted and face justice for their crimes.” 

According to court documents, the evidence at trial, and statements made in court proceedings:

The Blood Hound Brims was a criminal enterprise that operated principally in the greater New York area, from at least 2005 up to and including 2016. The BHB was a faction of the Bloods street gang, which operates nationwide, and is under the New York Blood Brim Army (“NYBBA”).  The BHB operated within and around various locations in New York, including New York City, Westchester County, Elmira, and in Pennsylvania, as well as within and outside federal and state penal systems. 

The BHB used a hierarchical structure that was organized, in part, by New York City borough, and that was maintained, in part, through the payment of dues.  The founder and leader of the gang was Latique Johnson, and other members and associates of the BHB referred to Johnson as the “Godfather.” The gang was divided into several “pedigrees,” each of which had its own leadership structure which was approved by Johnson.  Leadership positions within the pedigrees included, among others, treasurers who collected dues from members of a particular pedigree, and individuals who performed security and disciplinary functions for the pedigree. 

Members of the BHB had regular meetings, sometimes called “pow wows” or “9-11s,” at which members were required to pay dues.  Some of the meetings were among members of a particular pedigree, and other meetings were for all members of the Enterprise.  Word of the meetings was disseminated via text message, word-of-mouth, and flyers.  The BHB’s business, including rivalries with other gangs, shootings, the arrest of gang members, guns, and drugs, was regularly discussed at these meetings.  “Kitty dues” – money that paid for commissary funds, lawyers, guns, and drugs, and that served as tribute to Johnson – were collected at these meetings.  The BHB maintained its own rules and constitution that new members were required to learn.  Members of the BHB also used code words and secret phrases to communicate with each other both while in prison and on the street in order to avoid detection by law enforcement.   

One of the BHB’s principal objectives was to sell cocaine base, commonly known as “crack cocaine,” powder cocaine, and heroin, which members and associates of the BHB sold throughout the greater New York area and in Pennsylvania. 

Members and associates of the BHB engaged in multiple acts of violence against rival gangs.  These acts of violence included assaults and attempted murders, which were committed to protect the Gang’s drug territory, to retaliate against members of rival gangs who had encroached on the territory controlled by the BHB, and to otherwise promote the standing and reputation of the Gang vis-à-vis rival gangs.  These acts of violence also included assaults and attempted murders against members and associates of the BHB itself, as part of internal power struggles within the Gang.

GREEN, 38, of the Bronx, New York, was one of BHB’s primary suppliers of cocaine and heroin, providing other Gang members with redistribution quantities of narcotics for resale in New York City and Elmira, New York. GREEN also maintained a supply of firearms, which he sometimes made available to other members of the Gang.  At the time of GREEN’s arrest in May 2017, U.S. Marshals recovered six loaded firearms from the residence where he was living.

                                    *                      *                     *                    

Latique Johnson, a/k/a “La Brim,” 41, of the Bronx, New York, the Gang’s founder, was convicted following a jury trial of of racketeering conspiracy, assault in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms. Johnson was sentenced in 2019 to 30 years in prison.

Donnell Murray, 41, of the Bronx, New York, a BHB leader was convicted following a jury trial of racketeering conspiracy, assault in aid of racketeering, narcotics conspiracy, and a firearms offense.  Murray was sentenced in 2019 to 20 years in prison.

David Cherry, 40, of the Bronx, New York, a BHB leader, was convicted following a guilty plea to a firearms offense.  Cherry was sentenced in June to 10 years in prison.

The prosecution is being handled by the Violent and Organized Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Feinstein, Allison Nichols, and Andrew Chan are in charge of the prosecution.

PLANO, Texas – A Sherman woman has been sentenced to prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today. 

Amanda Lowry, 40, pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2020, to conspiracy to obtain information from a protected computer and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.

“Today’s sentence is another example of the Eastern District’s commitment to vigorously defending protected health information and prosecuting those who exploit such information for their personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.  “The defendant’s actions not only compromised victims’ sensitive information, exposing them to fraudulent schemes; but, also ultimately resulted in unnecessary costs to federal healthcare programs.”

According to information presented in court, Lowry, Demetrius Cervantes, and Lydia Henslee were named in a federal indictment on Sept. 11, 2019 charging them with conspiracy to obtain information from a protected computer and conspiracy to unlawfully possess and use a means of identification.  They are alleged to have breached a health care provider’s electronic health record (EHR) system in order to steal protected health information and personally identifiable information belonging to patients.  This stolen information was then “repackaged” in the form of false and fraudulent physician orders and subsequently sold to durable medical equipment (DME) providers and contractors.  The defendants obtained more than $1.4 million in proceeds from the sale of the stolen information.  The defendants then used those proceeds to purchase items such as sport utility vehicles, off-road vehicles, and jet skis.   

Cervantes was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison on July 8, 2021.  Henslee pleaded guilty on March 25, 2021.  Her sentencing date has not been set. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; and the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Kummerfeld and Adrian Garcia.             

###

          LOS ANGELES– A member of the San Fernando Valley-based Vineland Boys street gang was sentenced today to 372 months in federal prison for committing multiple felonies, including the attempted murders of three rival gangsters.

          Jesus Gonzalez Jr., 28, “Lil Chito,” “Gunner” and “Chuy,” of Sun Valley, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald.

          Gonzalez pleaded guilty on January 22 to five felonies: one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, two counts of violent crime in aid of racketeering, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

          According to court documents, to consolidate control over their “territory” in Sun Valley, North Hollywood and Burbank, the Vineland Boys shot and brutally assaulted rival gang members, controlled and conducted drug and firearms trafficking activity, and extorted money in the form of “taxes” from drug dealers, and trafficked narcotics.

          Gonzalez conspired with Vineland Boys members and associates to engage in acts of racketeering in the form of attempted murder and drug trafficking. Gonzalez admitted that he was involved in multiple gang-related shootings, including a December 2015 shootout in South Los Angeles with rival gang members.

          In early April 2016, Gonzalez shot and severely wounded one victim and injured others in a drive-by shooting outside a party in Sun Valley after Gonzalez believed the victim had insulted the Vineland Boys gang. A few weeks later, Gonzalez stalked and shot a rival gang member on Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood, firing several shots at close range at the victim, who survived. In May 2016, Gonzalez and other Vineland Boys members drove next to a vehicle in North Hollywood near Lankershim Boulevard, and Gonzalez confronted and shot the other vehicle’s passengers because he believed they were rival gang members.

          Gonzalez also sold methamphetamine and illegally sold numerous firearms, including an AR-style rifle bearing no serial number – commonly known as a “ghost gun” – that he sold in May 2016 outside a McDonald’s restaurant in San Fernando.

          In January 2019, a federal grand jury indicted 31 Vineland Boys members and associates. So far, prosecutors in this case have secured 17 convictions and multiple prison sentences exceeding 10 years.

          The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter.

          Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Chou and Sara Milstein of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Jose Jesus Torres Garcia, 30, of Fresno, charging him with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on a Facebook Messenger group page dedicated to narcotics trafficking, Torres Garcia advertised the sale of narcotics, including counterfeit oxycodone pills stamped with an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other. On July 8, 2021, investigators executed a federal search warrant at Torres Garcia’s residence and seized several controlled substances, including the “M” “30” fentanyl pills, as well as a loaded, short-barreled AR-15 rifle with an extended magazine attached.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team, a multi‑agency team composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Torres Garcia faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The U.S. Department of Justice today launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country.  Leveraging existing  resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions:  New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.

Each strike force region will be led by designated United States Attorneys, who will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction (where firearms are used in crimes) as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate. These officials will use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes.

“All too often, guns found at crime scenes come from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. We are redoubling our efforts as ATF works with law enforcement to track the movement of illegal firearms used in violent crimes.  These strike forces enable sustained coordination across multiple jurisdictions to help disrupt the worst gun trafficking corridors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department of Justice will use all of its tools – enforcement, prevention, intervention, and investment – to help ensure the safety of our communities – the department’s highest priority.”

According to gun trace data, a significant number of firearms recovered in Chicago originate from outside the city of Chicago, and many originate from Indiana, among other locations. The new strike force will help ensure sustained and focused coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in Chicago with their counterparts in those other locations.

The strike forces represent one important, concrete step in implementing the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, which was announced on May 26, 2021. The comprehensive strategy supports local communities in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting gun violence and other violent crime—and requires U.S. Attorneys’ offices to work with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, as well as the communities they serve, to address the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. In guidance to federal agents and prosecutors as part of that comprehensive strategy, the Deputy Attorney General made clear that firearms traffickers providing weapons to violent offenders are an enforcement priority across the country. 

Department of Justice Efforts to Address Violent Crime

Since April 2021, the Department has taken the following steps to reduce and prevent violent crime, especially the gun crime that is often at the core of the problem:

• April 8, 2021 – Attorney General Garland, alongside President Biden, announced four concrete steps for addressing gun violence:  ATF would propose a new rule  within 30 days to help curb the proliferation of so-called ghost guns, ATF would propose a new rule within 60 days on stabilizing braces used to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles, the Department would publish model state extreme risk protection order legislation within 60 days; and ATF would begin preparing a thorough and detailed new public study of firearms trafficking for the first time in 20 years.
• In April 2021, the Office of Justice Programs also made clear when existing grant funds could be used to support Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs.
• On May 7, 2021, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, ATF issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to update outdated firearms definitions and to help address the proliferation of ghost guns.
• May 26, 2021, the Attorney General announced the Department’s comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime, including an overall Department Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, the strengthening of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), and a directive to the U.S. Attorneys to work with their local partners in addressing the increase in violence that typically occurs over the summer (with specific support from DOJ law enforcement agencies)
• On June 7, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, ATF issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify that the restrictions imposed by the National Firearms Act apply when stabilizing braces are used to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles.
• On June 8, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, the Department published model state extreme risk protection order legislation.
• On June 22, 2021, the Attorney General announced that the Department would be forming five Firearms Trafficking Strike Forces within 30 days.
• On, June 23, 2021, the Attorney General, alongside President Biden, announced steps that ATF would take to hold rogue gun dealers accountable for their actions. They include applying a “no tolerance” policy for federal firearms licensers (FFLs) that willfully commit violations that endanger public safety; designating  points of contact for state and local government officials to report concerns about rogue FFLs; formalizing the use of public safety factors for inspection prioritization; sharing inspection information with states that regulate firearms dealers themselves; resuming the practice of notifying revoked dealers on how to dispose of their inventory and the potential criminal consequences of continuing to engage in the business; increasing ATF’s resources for inspections (see, FY 2022 Budget request); and publicly posting disaggregated inspection information to ATF’s website.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Justice today launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. Leveraging existing resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.

Each strike force region will be led by designated United States Attorneys, who will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction (where firearms are used in crimes) as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate. These officials will use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes.

“All too often, guns found at crime scenes come from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. We are redoubling our efforts as ATF works with law enforcement to track the movement of illegal firearms used in violent crimes. These strike forces enable sustained coordination across multiple jurisdictions to help disrupt the worst gun trafficking corridors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department of Justice will use all of its tools – enforcement, prevention, intervention, and investment – to help ensure the safety of our communities – the department’s highest priority.”

According to gun trace data, a significant number of firearms recovered in the Eastern District of California originate from other parts of the state and from other states including Nevada and Arizona and are illegally trafficked into the district. The new strike force, which will be co-led by Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, Eastern District of California, and Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds, Northern District of California, will help ensure sustained and focused coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in the region with their counterparts in locations where many of the firearms originate.

“Because many of the firearm source locations in the Eastern District of California overlap with the source locations for firearms recovered in other parts of California, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region Strike Force will work closely with the Los Angeles Strike Force,” Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert said. “With our law enforcement partners, we will work to stem the flow of illegally trafficked guns that end up in the hands of criminals who use them to commit violent crimes.”

The strike forces represent one important, concrete step in implementing the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, which was announced on May 26, 2021. The comprehensive strategy supports local communities in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting gun violence and other violent crime—and requires U.S. Attorneys’ offices to work with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, as well as the communities they serve, to address the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. In guidance to federal agents and prosecutors as part of that comprehensive strategy, the Deputy Attorney General made clear that firearms traffickers providing weapons to violent offenders are an enforcement priority across the country.

Department of Justice Efforts to Address Violent Crime

Since April 2021, the Department has taken the following steps to reduce and prevent violent crime, especially the gun crime that is often at the core of the problem:

• April 8, 2021 – Attorney General Garland, alongside President Biden, announced four concrete steps for addressing gun violence: ATF would propose a new rule within 30 days to help curb the proliferation of so-called ghost guns, ATF would propose a new rule within 60 days on stabilizing braces used to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles, the Department would publish model state extreme risk protection order legislation within 60 days; and ATF would begin preparing a thorough and detailed new public study of firearms trafficking for the first time in 20 years.
• In April 2021, the Office of Justice Programs also made clear when existing grant funds could be used to support Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs.
• On May 7, 2021, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, ATF issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to update outdated firearms definitions and to help address the proliferation of ghost guns.
• May 26, 2021, the Attorney General announced the Department’s comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime, including an overall Department Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, the strengthening of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), and a directive to the U.S. Attorneys to work with their local partners in addressing the increase in violence that typically occurs over the summer (with specific support from DOJ law enforcement agencies)
• On June 7, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, ATF issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify that the restrictions imposed by the National Firearms Act apply when stabilizing braces are used to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles.
• On June 8, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, the Department published model state extreme risk protection order legislation.
• On June 22, 2021, the Attorney General announced that the Department would be forming five Firearms Trafficking Strike Forces within 30 days.
• On, June 23, 2021, the Attorney General, alongside President Biden, announced steps that ATF would take to hold rogue gun dealers accountable for their actions. They include applying a “no tolerance” policy for federal firearms licensers (FFLs) that willfully commit violations that endanger public safety; designating points of contact for state and local government officials to report concerns about rogue FFLs; formalizing the use of public safety factors for inspection prioritization; sharing inspection information with states that regulate firearms dealers themselves; resuming the practice of notifying revoked dealers on how to dispose of their inventory and the potential criminal consequences of continuing to engage in the business; increasing ATF’s resources for inspections (see, FY 2022 Budget request); and publicly posting disaggregated inspection information to ATF’s website.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on July 22, 2021, Bridgette Lawlor, 34, of Bellows Falls, Vermont, was sentenced in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to serve two years on federal probation after her guilty plea to one count of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm.  U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss also ordered the criminal forfeiture of two firearms that were seized during the investigation.  

According to court records and proceedings, on March 23, 2020, in connection with the purchase of a Ruger LCP .380 pistol, Lawlor completed an ATF Form 4473 at J&H Guns, a Federal Firearm Licensee located in Bellows Falls, Vermont.  On the Form 4473, Lawlor indicated that she was the actual buyer of the firearm.  In fact, Lawlor was buying the gun at the request of her then-boyfriend, Ferdinand Cruz.  At the time of the purchase, Cruz was a felon, having been previously convicted in Connecticut of robbery, unlawful restraint, and felony sale of cocaine.  On April 1, 2020, Lawlor picked up the firearm at J&H Guns and provided it to Cruz.  

Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the efforts of the Dover, Vermont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives in the investigation and prosecution of Lawlor.  “The straw-purchasing of firearms creates significant dangers to our communities, as it can facilitate the possession of firearms by violent felons.  Those who are willing to lie and circumvent federal background-check requirements will be held accountable.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson handled the prosecution of Lawlor.  Ian P. Carleton of Sheehey Furlong & Behm, P.C., represented Lawlor.  

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.  https://www.justice.gov/psn

SAN FRANCISCO –The U.S. Department of Justice today launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country.  Leveraging existing resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions:  New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C. 

Each strike force region will be led by designated United States Attorneys, who will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction where firearms are used in crimes as well as with law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate.  Officials will use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes. 

“All too often, guns found at crime scenes come from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. We are redoubling our efforts as ATF works with law enforcement to track the movement of illegal firearms used in violent crimes.  These strike forces enable sustained coordination across multiple jurisdictions to help disrupt the worst gun trafficking corridors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department of Justice will use all of its tools – enforcement, prevention, intervention, and investment – to help ensure the safety of our communities – the department’s highest priority.”

According to gun trace data, a significant number of firearms recovered in the San Francisco Bay Area and the greater Sacramento region originate outside of California and are illegally trafficked into the state.  The new San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region Strike Force is jointly helmed by the United States Attorney’s Offices of the Northern and Eastern Districts of California, led by Acting United States Attorneys Stephanie M. Hinds in San Francisco and Phillip A. Talbert in Sacramento, respectively.  The ATF San Francisco Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge Patrick T. Gorman, will support and be integral to the strike force.  The strike force will help ensure sustained and focused coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento region with their counterparts in locations where many of the firearms originate.

“Firearms illegally imported into California commonly contribute to violence in crimes committed on the streets of our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds for the Northern District of California.  “Enhancing our focus on tracing and tracking the source of these illegally trafficked firearms will help stem their flow and assist in combatting  violent crime.  Our strike force, which I am honored to co-chair with Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert from the Eastern District of California, and with the critical support of ATF San Francisco Field Office Special Agent in Charge Patrick T. Gorman, is a strong step in the right direction.  Because many of the firearm source locations for our Bay Area and Sacramento regions overlap with the source locations for firearms recovered in Southern California, our strike force will work closely with the Los Angeles Strike Force.”

The strike forces represent one important, concrete step in implementing the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, which was announced on May 26, 2021. The comprehensive strategy supports local communities in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting gun violence and other violent crime—and requires U.S. Attorneys’ offices to work with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, as well as the communities they serve, to address the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. In guidance to federal agents and prosecutors as part of that comprehensive strategy, the Deputy Attorney General made clear that firearms traffickers providing weapons to violent offenders are an enforcement priority across the country.

Department of Justice Efforts to Address Violent Crime

Since April 2021, the Department has taken the following steps to reduce and prevent violent crime, especially the gun crime that is often at the core of the problem:

• On April 8, Attorney General Garland, alongside President Biden, announced four concrete steps for addressing gun violence:  ATF would propose a new rule  within 30 days to help curb the proliferation of so-called ghost guns, ATF would propose a new rule within 60 days on stabilizing braces used to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles, the Department would publish model state extreme risk protection order legislation within 60 days; and ATF would begin preparing a thorough and detailed new public study of firearms trafficking for the first time in 20 years.
• In April 2021, the Office of Justice Programs also made clear when existing grant funds could be used to support Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs.
• On May 7, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, ATF issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to update outdated firearms definitions and to help address the proliferation of ghost guns. 
• On May 26, the Attorney General announced the Department’s comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime, including an overall Department Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, the strengthening of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), and a directive to the U.S. Attorneys to work with their local partners in addressing the increase in violence that typically occurs over the summer (with specific support from DOJ law enforcement agencies)
• On June 7, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, ATF issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify that the restrictions imposed by the National Firearms Act apply when stabilizing braces are used to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles. 
• On June 8, meeting the Attorney General’s announced timeline, the Department published model state extreme risk protection order legislation.
• On June 22, the Attorney General announced that the Department would be forming five Firearms Trafficking Strike Forces within 30 days.
• On, June 23, the Attorney General, alongside President Biden, announced steps that ATF would take to hold rogue gun dealers accountable for their actions. They include applying a “no tolerance” policy for federal firearms licensers (FFLs) that willfully commit violations that endanger public safety; designating  points of contact for state and local government officials to report concerns about rogue FFLs; formalizing the use of public safety factors for inspection prioritization; sharing inspection information with states that regulate firearms dealers themselves; resuming the practice of notifying revoked dealers on how to dispose of their inventory and the potential criminal consequences of continuing to engage in the business; increasing ATF’s resources for inspections (see, FY 2022 Budget request); and publicly posting disaggregated inspection information to ATF’s website.
   

BROOKLYN, NY - The U.S. Department of Justice today launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country.  Leveraging existing  resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions:  New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.

Each strike force region will be led by designated United States Attorneys, who will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction (where firearms are used in crimes) as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate. These officials will use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes.

“All too often, guns found at crime scenes come from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. We are redoubling our efforts as ATF works with law enforcement to track the movement of illegal firearms used in violent crimes.  These strike forces enable sustained coordination across multiple jurisdictions to help disrupt the worst gun trafficking corridors,” stated Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department of Justice will use all of its tools – enforcement, prevention, intervention, and investment – to help ensure the safety of our communities – the department’s highest priority.”

According to gun trace data, the vast majority of firearms recovered in New York City originate outside the state and are illegally trafficked into New York. The new strike force, led by Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jacquelyn Kasulis, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, will help ensure sustained and focused coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in New York City with their counterparts in locations where many of the firearms originate.

“Gun violence has taken a terrible, unacceptable toll on our communities, and it must be stopped,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis.  “Stemming the flow of illegal guns into New York City is critical to eradicating gun violence in our city.  We are committed to working with our federal and state partners to investigate and prosecute gun trafficking to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Disrupting the flow of guns into New York City is an important part of our anti-violence efforts,” stated U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss.  We look forward to working with our federal and state partners to investigate and prosecute gun trafficking cases.  Because many of the firearm source locations for New York City overlap with the source locations for firearms recovered in the District of Columbia, we will coordinate our efforts with our D.C. counterparts.”

The strike forces represent one important, concrete step in implementing the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, which was announced on May 26, 2021. The comprehensive strategy supports local communities in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting gun violence and other violent crime—and requires U.S. Attorneys’ offices to work with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, as well as the communities they serve, to address the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. In guidance to federal agents and prosecutors as part of that comprehensive strategy, the Deputy Attorney General made clear that firearms traffickers providing weapons to violent offenders are an enforcement priority across the country. 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding was sentenced on July 19, 2021, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Leilih Smart, age 33, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, to be followed by 12 months of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.

Smart was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 13, 2019.  She pled guilty on April 8, 2021.    

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 31, 2018, in Eagle Butte.  The Defendant wounded a 22-month-old child by holding the child’s hands under running tap water, which was between 139- and 150-degrees Fahrenheit.  The child suffered extensive bilateral burns on his wrists and hands.  

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Smart was ordered to self-report to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service by August 18, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on July 12, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Ignacio Joaquim Veytia, age 24, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Veytia was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 6, 2020. He pled guilty on April 21, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on or about June 18, 2019, when Veytia, knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl and said fentanyl resulted in the serious bodily injury of a victim.  The victim smoked the fentanyl provided by Veytia and sustained an overdose, which was reversed by the administration of Narcan.  Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.

Veytia was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Newark men made their initial appearances today on gang-related narcotics distribution and firearms charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced.

Ronnie Holley, 32, and Shadee Holley, 31, both of Newark, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Ronnie Holley is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They appeared by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen and were detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

A set of the national Bloods Street gang known as Sex Money Murders (SMM) operates in and around Newark, New Jersey. Since 2007, members of SMM have engaged in violent disputes with other gangs, trafficked narcotics, and committed various firearms offenses. Law enforcement officials learned that Ronnie and Shadee Holley, who are brothers, were high-ranking members of SMM and operated a sophisticated narcotics distribution operation around Martin Luther King Boulevard and Spruce Street. Law enforcement officials learned that Ronnie Holley used multiple houses and multiple vehicles to store narcotics, narcotics proceeds, and firearms.

A confidential source conducted eight controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack-cocaine from Ronnie and Shadee Holley over the past few months. Those purchases totaled approximately 40 grams of suspected fentanyl, and approximately 25 grams of suspected crack-cocaine. 

The count of narcotics conspiracy is punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges. The count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

This case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole, Union County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, N.J. Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George L. Brandley of the OCEDTF Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Robbery was sentenced on July 19, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.  

Colton White Feather, age 26, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.  The dollar amount of restitution was left open for 60 days.

White Feather was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 12, 2021.  He pled guilty on April 26, 2021. 

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 24, 2020.  White Feather entered a convenience store in Eagle Butte wearing a black baseball cap, a grey hoodie sweatshirt pulled up over his head, a dark blue bandana across his face, jeans, and white tennis shoes. The combination of the hoodie pulled up over his head, the baseball cap, and the bandana covered much of his face.  White Feather was brandishing a knife.  White Feather went behind the counter, grabbed one of the store clerks, and yelled at him to open the cash register.  The clerk complied and backed away.  White Feather grabbed money out of the cash register.  He also demanded cigarettes, which were put on the counter by a clerk and taken by White Feather.  White Feather then ran out of the store.      

This case was investigated by Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

White Feather was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

In November 2015, Homeland Security Investigations received information that undocumented workers were possibly being employed at B XPRESS-ELYSIAN FIELDS, LLC. Based on that information, a worksite enforcement investigation was initiated in conjunction with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

Interviews were conducted of employees of the business and agents reviewed payroll records for a number of years. On August 11, 2016, Department of Labor, Wage and Hour investigators arrived at the company’s location on Elysian Fields Avenue and identified themselves to the corporate representative, who identified himself as the person in charge of operations and activities at B XPRESS-ELYSIAN FIELDS, LLC.  He confirmed that he was qualified to answer questions about business operations, including matters related to business operations, personnel, hours worked by staff, and payments made to workers. The investigation also revealed that this corporate representative met the definition of an employer as defined in section 3(d) of the FLSA since he performed duties which included but were not limited to: hiring and firing workers; assigning work to workers; setting and adjusting pay rates for workers; monitoring the performance of workers; determining whether work performance was acceptable.

On behalf of B XPRESS-ELYSIAN FIELDS, LLC., the representative admitted to providing materially false statements to the agents. These materially false statements included that the company did not utilize a timekeeping system to record the hours that employees actually worked, that some workers were classified as independent contractors and that workers did not work more than 30 hours per week. The agents subsequently located records that proved that workers did in fact record their hours of work using the timekeeping system required by and maintained by the company. Interviews of employees also showed that workers did in fact routinely work in excess of 30 hours per week, with many staff members working significant numbers of overtime hours, which are defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as hours worked in excess of 40 per work week.

The company faces up to 5 years of probation, a fine of up to $500,000 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. United States District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman set sentencing for October 13, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                                                                          *   *   *

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Appear was sentenced on July 19, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Coren Clown, age 29, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Clown was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 10, 2021. He pled guilty on April 26, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on February 2, 2021. Clown failed to appear for his jury trial on a charge of Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of Consent.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Clown was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Everton, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in the Springfield, Mo., area.

Cheyenne W. Conn, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

By pleading guilty today, Conn admitted that he participated in a drug-trafficking conspiracy from Nov. 22, 2016, to Sept. 26, 2018, and in a money-laundering conspiracy from June 20, 2017, to Dec. 6, 2017.

Conn transported approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine per week by vehicle from California to the Springfield area. He then distributed the methamphetamine to other dealers in the conspiracy. Conn admitted that the drug quantity attributable to him is at least 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

Conn also directed others to send wire transfers of the drug-trafficking proceeds to members of the drug-trafficking organization.

Conn was arrested on Nov. 22, 2016, when Greene County, Mo., sheriff’s deputies responded to a report that a truck on Farm Road 124 was unable to maintain lanes, and persons were throwing objects believed to be needles out of the truck. Deputies located the truck, which was being driven by Conn. He jumped out of the truck and was detained while a passenger continued driving the truck. Deputies later found the truck in a ditch at the intersection of State Highway F and State Highway T. A deputy searched the truck and found a Lorcin .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a total of 4.27 grams of methamphetamine. Conn had $1,333 in the front pocket of his sweatshirt.

On Dec. 22, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Conn’s residence and seized a total of 15 grams of methamphetamine, a distributive amount.

On Dec. 10, 2017, Conn was arrested during a traffic stop in Oldham County, Texas. A sheriff’s deputy found $900 in Conn’s pocket and a baggie that contained approximately 6.27 grams of methamphetamine, a distributive amount. The deputy also searched Conn’s vehicle and found a black bag that contained a large amount of money with a note that stated, “$27,000,” a hypodermic needle with a usable amount of methamphetamine, and a 9mm pistol magazine hidden in the left-rear-quarter panel behind the carpet.

On Sept. 22, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the shop owned by co-defendant Jeremy A. Ingram, 42, of Springfield. Conn and Ingram were present in the garage, where officers seized a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol, 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition, numerous rounds of various caliber ammunition, a lock pick set, and drug paraphernalia. Officers also seized a loaded Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol from Conn’s GMC Sierra, which had been reported as stolen.

Conn is one of 12 defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case, including Ingram, Larry E Stapp, 42, Tresha R. Ahart, 31, Megan L McNary, 27, Lonnie J. Tinker, 36, Laurie B. Holmes, 39, and Cassidy R. Clayton, 25, all of Springfield; Ginger L. Huerta, also known as Ginger L. Gray, 41, of Halfway, Mo.; Lloyd R. Bradley, 44, of Fordland, Mo.; Shelby R. Maupin, 32, of Ozark, Mo.; and Summerlee M. Barnett, also known as Summerlee M. Lacount, 35, of Salem, Mo.

Under federal statutes, Conn is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Sarff. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Dade County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department, and the Oldham County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department.

Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.  The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy.  OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.  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 and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.