Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Johnny Ray Hamby, age 53, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville pursuant to his federal indictment for felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.  United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after United States Probation has prepared a presentence report.  Hamby is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition based on his prior felony convictions.  He faces up to ten years in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government during the guilty plea hearing established that on March 10, 2017, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to Hamby’s residence in relation to a possible drug overdose victim.  During the initial investigation, GCSO observed a revolver and ammunition in plain view inside the residence.  After then obtaining a search warrant for the residence, GCSO searched the house and recovered twenty-one firearms and assorted ammunition.

Hamby’s case was expedited for federal prosecution pursuant to Operation “Real Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.  “Real Time” is a working collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as state and federal prosecutors.  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of over 120 defendants and seizure of over 165 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons in the upstate.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between local, state, and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs, sheriffs, and solicitors in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Corey Rashad Yeargin, age 24, of Mountville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, pursuant to an indictment for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.  United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after United States Probation prepares a presentence investigation report.  Yeargin faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that on October 5, 2016, members of the Laurens County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) executed a search warrant at a residence in Cross Hill, South Carolina. LCSO Deputies heard gunfire as they approached the residence and detained multiple individuals, including Yeargin, at the residence.  LCSO located a bag containing 13 grams of crack cocaine in Yeargin’s pocket. 

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case.

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DAVENPORT, IA – On August 30, 2017, Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced William Boom to two years of probation, a $5,000 fine, 80 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund for making false statements to a federal grand jury, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Boom’s probation terms include, but are not limited to, refraining from illegal possession and/or use of a controlled substance and participation in a substance abuse testing and/or treatment program.

On April 18, 2017, Boom pleaded guilty to the offense. During his plea, Boom admitted in July of 2016, he was placed under oath and testified before a federal grand jury in Davenport. During his testimony, Boom was advised by an Assistant United States Attorney of his oath to testify truthfully and potential criminal penalties for providing false testimony. Boom made the following declarations to the Assistant United States Attorney’s questions during his testimony:

Q: Prior to April 6th of 2016, were you aware that G.W. used methamphetamine?

A: I wasn’t aware that he used methamphetamines. There was a time when I found a syringe in his room, but he told me that that was from one of his friends that had diabetes. But every time that I suspected something, I would give him holy hell.

Q: So prior to April 6th of 2016, were you aware that G.W. used ice methamphetamine?

A: No.

Q: Have you ever given the person depicted in Exhibit 1 any money? 

A: No. The only person I ever gave money to was G.W., or his relatives, but never to this gentleman.

The person depicted in Grand Jury Exhibit 1 was Joseph Allen Terry, also known as Lump and/or Lumpy. At the time, Boom knowingly made these false declarations. Prior to April 6, 2016, Boom knew G.W. used methamphetamine and Boom had given money to Terry, who has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and will be sentenced on September 21, 2017. These questions and answers were material to an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in the Southeastern Iowa.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

-END-

Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Frankfort, Ky., man was indicted today for charges alleging a scheme to bribe an employee of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

A federal grand jury in Lexington returned an indictment charging 64 year-old James Sullivan with one count of conspiring to bribe and three counts of payments to influence an employee of a federally funded program.

The indictment alleges that Sullivan agreed to make cash payments to Timothy Longmeyer, to influence decisions that Longmeyer made while an employee of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

As alleged in the indictment, Sullivan first offered to bribe Longmeyer in 2009. At that time, Sullivan represented a company that held a contract to administrate workers’ compensation claims filed by state employees. The Personnel Cabinet managed this program, giving Longmeyer oversight over the workers’ compensation contract. Between 2009 and approximately June 2015, Sullivan made multiple cash payments to Longmeyer, each time intending that Longmeyer would help with awarding, extending, and renewing the contract for Sullivan’s client. The indictment alleges that Sullivan made cash payments of $5,000 and $4,000 to Longmeyer, among other payments that were part of the conspiracy.

The indictment also alleges that Sullivan sought Longmeyer’s assistance on behalf of several private attorneys that Sullivan represented. Sullivan asked Longmeyer to identify opportunities for those attorneys to secure contracts to handle civil litigation for the Attorney General’s Office. Sullivan presented Longmeyer $1,000 in cash, intending to receive his assistance. Longmeyer is not alleged to have committed any criminal conduct while employed by the Kentucky Attorney General.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Amy Hess, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, jointly announced the indictment.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Boone.

A date for Sullivan to appear in court has not yet been scheduled. He faces up to 5 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years in prison for each of the bribery charges, and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each count. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes.

Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Two people were indicted for firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

Charles L. Pete, 23, of Youngstown, was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges Pete possessed a Norinco, model MAK90, 7.62 mm rifle and ammunition on Aug. 7, 2017, after having been convicted of drug trafficking and other offenses in 2015.

Andre Ellison, 29, of Cleveland, was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition. The indictment alleges Ellison possessed ammunition on June 20, 2017, after having been convicted of felonious assault and domestic violence in 2011.

The cases are not related.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The Pete case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Katz.

The Ellison case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant. U.S. Attorney Megan Miller.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that David Lee Cook, age 38, of Central, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea yesterday in federal court in Greenville to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of a Substance Containing Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the guilty plea and will impose the sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on May 5, 2017, law enforcement observed someone throw a brown bag from the window of a car.  Officers collected the brown bag and located methamphetamine.  Officers pulled over the vehicle, in which Cook was the passenger.  Cook confessed that he had thrown the bag of drugs out of the window when he saw the officer’s vehicle.  

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Cook could receive is 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $5,000,000 dollars.   The case was investigated by agents of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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The owner of a Mayfield Heights company was charged with failing to pay over more than $420,000 in taxes he withheld from his employees, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.

Daniel Day, 59, was charged via criminal information with 17 counts of failure to pay over taxes.

Day was the sole owner and operated or Academy Answering Service, a telephone messaging service provider. Day retained a payroll company, which prepared and provided payroll checks for Day to give to his employees. The company withheld the proper amount of taxes from each employee and prepared documents for Day to make AAS’ quarterly employment tax payments to the IRS, according to the information.

In 2008, Day directed the payroll company to discontinue making quarterly employment tax problems to the IRS due to “cash flow problems.” Day then failed to make payments of AAS employee taxes between 2008 and 2013, according to the information.

Day collected but did not pay over approximately $420,286 in employee taxes, according to the informnation.

This case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An charge is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ernest Roberts, a/k/a “Balla Walla,” (age 41) of Allendale, South Carolina, was convicted this morning by a jury in Columbia, South Carolina, after a two-day trial in federal court.  Roberts was charged and convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841.

Audio and video evidence presented at trial established that on February 22, 2016, Roberts traveled to Bert’s Fast Stop and Pawn Store in Fairfax, South Carolina to meet with an informant working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).  After discussing the meet on several recorded phone calls, evidence established that Roberts sold the informant 26.35 grams of “crack” cocaine in exchange for $1300.00 while standing near 10th Street in Fairfax.  SLED Agents testified that they observed the transaction and identified Ernest Roberts as the individual who met with the informant to conduct the controlled purchase.

During a pretrial conference held on the case on August 23, 2017, the parties discussed Roberts’ extensive prior record for drug distribution offenses.  As a result of his prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and crack cocaine in 2014, possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2013, and distribution of cocaine in 2006, Roberts faces a statutory sentencing range of up to 30 years in federal prison as a result of his conviction.

This case was investigated by Special Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Officers with the Allendale Police Department.  The case was prosecuted pursuant to 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone’s longstanding partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office to target career criminals in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Colleton, and Allendale Counties in federal court. Solicitor Stone noted, “this case is an excellent example of how State and Federal cooperation can target and eliminate the threat of career criminals in South Carolina.”  Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the US Attorney’s Office in Columbia prosecuted the case.

United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis of Columbia presided over the trial of the case and will impose sentence after a presentence investigation report has been prepared by the United States Probation Office.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Stanley Fard Harper, age 32, of Charlotte, pled guilty in federal court in Columbia to Aggravated Identity Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1028A.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will sentence him at a later date. 

Harper was an employee of The Lash Group, a health care consulting firm located in Ft. Mill, SC, since 2010.  Harper had access to the personal identification information (PII) of Lash’s customer pool.  Harper stole this information and used it to open bank and credit card accounts at Founders Federal Credit Union, also located in Ft. Mill.

Harper used Lash client files to set up fraudulent accounts at Founders using his personal cell phone.  He would then go to the Founders branch in Ft. Mill, deposit a nominal sum to show activity, then apply for a credit card linked to that account.  He would then use a fake North Carolina identification and a fake social security card matching the stolen identity to make cash advances and purchases.  He would then deposit additional money into the account to increase the credit limit on his card.  He used the fraudulent cards until they were suspended for nonpayment, and then he would get rid of all the documents.  He opened thirteen accounts.  He received his false identification documents from a website for $60 per set.  All of the cash advances and purchases were for personal items.

Harper also opened fraudulent accounts at Charlotte Metro Federal Credit Union, Truliant Federal Credit Union, and Chase Bank USA.  The total actual loss to all the financial institutions was $75,571.51. 

Ms. Drake stated the statutorily mandated penalty faced by Harper is imprisonment for two years, with a potential fine up to $250,000.

The United States Secret Service investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

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An Akron man was indicted for trafficking heroin and cocaine, said Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Mark E. Jones, 44, with possession of approximately 230 grams of heroin and approximately 374 grams of cocaine.

Jones was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 3, 2017. Agents from the DEA and the Summit County Drug Unit served a search warrant at a residence in Akron where they located and seized both cocaine and heroin, according to court documents.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Teresa L. Riley following an investigation by the DEA and Summit County Drug Unit.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The National Center for Disaster Fraud reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Unfortunately, criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit contributions.

Tips should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, e-mails can be sent to disaster@leo.gov (link sends e-mail), and information can be faxed to (225) 334-4707.

The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or manmade disaster. More than 30 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which allows the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

The public should remember to perform due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations or individuals offering to provide assistance to those affected by the tornadoes. Solicitations can originate from social media, e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings, telephone calls, and other similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as members of charitable organizations or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
• Rather than follow a purported link to a website, verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status.
• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use such tactics.
• Be aware of whom you are dealing with when providing your personal and financial information. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
• Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
• Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services. Most legitimate charities’ websites end in .org rather than .com.

A Lorain man and an inmate at a federal prison in New Jersey were indicted for their conspiracy to commit murder for hire and to distribute cocaine, law enforcement officials said.

Indicted are Eduardo Rios Velasquez, 36, of Lorain, and Angel Cordero, 36, an inmate at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution.

Velasquez and Cordero had previously been incarcerated together. Cordero was in contact with Velasquez in the summer of 2017 through a contraband cellular phone that had been smuggled into Fort Dix, according to court documents.

Cordero put Velasquez in contact with another inmate. Velasquez offered to pay the other inmate money if he could provide Velasquez with the address for a woman identified in court documents as T.G. Cordero told the inmate that Velasquez had been hired to kill T.G, according to court documents

Additionally, another person supplied Velasquez with large shipments of cocaine, with Cordero serving as the broker in the deals. Federal law enforcement authorities intercepted a kilogram of cocaine in July that was being shipped to Velasquez, according to court documents.

“This was a tremendous effort by law enforcement to avert a tragedy,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

“These two individuals are alleged to be so bold as to hire a hitman and order the movement of cocaine, all while serving time for past crimes. Even behind bars, they continue to show a blatant disregard for authority,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York. “It is with the investigative know-how and collaboration with our law enforcement partners, like the FBI, that we can ensure these perpetual criminals face additional charges for their actions.”

“This individual is being held accountable for his ruthless willingness to kill someone for money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI Cleveland Division commends the collaboration between the law enforcement agencies involved in disrupting this conspiratorial murder for hire.”

If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, each defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian McDonough, Brad Beeson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hiral Mehta following an investigation by the New York Department of Homeland Security, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland office, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad E. Hodes (619) 546-7432

SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging eight defendants from Southern California and the Mexican state of Sinaloa with participation in conspiracies to distribute multiple controlled substances throughout the United States and to launder millions of dollars in cash proceeds from those drug sales.

Five of those defendants – Javier Felix-Bayardo, Rigoberto Munoz-Banuelos, Manuel Felix-Gutierrez, Hector Sandoval-Toloza, and Camilo Ayon-Mondragon – were charged in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Felix-Bayardo and Munoz-Banuelos, along with Gabriela Nunez, Mario Noriega-Osuna, and Margarito Rodriguez-Ochoa, were charged in a conspiracy to launder over $5 million in proceeds through the operation of dozens of bank accounts. Nunez was also charged with using $20,000 in drug proceeds for a down payment on a 2015 Dodge Durango. Munoz-Banuelos was also charged with bulk cash smuggling in connection with his attempt to transport $101,083 in cash to Mexico in a 2011 Ford F-150 truck.

According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint in the case, Felix-Bayardo was the leader of this criminal network, whose members would distribute multiple drugs throughout the United States and then receive cash deposits into bank accounts opened in their own names and under aliases. The affidavit lists over 20 fraudulent accounts at Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank opened using falsified Mexican identification documents.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service and Homeland Security Investigations discovered that some of the same false identification documents had been used to rent two storage units in National City, California. On August 9, 2017, agents executed a search warrant at those storage units and seized approximately 26.5 kilograms of cocaine, 938 grams of methamphetamine, and 486 kilograms of marijuana, along with five firearms including an AR-15 style rifle modified to function as a machine gun capable of fully automatic fire.

As drugs like these flowed throughout the United States, thousands of dollars flowed from Felix-Bayardo’s accounts into the bank account of his wife, Nunez, who then paid for the couple’s lifestyle expenses, including a $1,260 monthly lease payment on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 and a $1,002 monthly loan payment on the 2015 Dodge Durango.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

Arraignment on the indictment is scheduled for September 14, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes.

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

DEFENDANTS

Javier Felix-Bayardo Age: 33 Bonita, California

Gabriela Favela Nunez Age: 35 Bonita, California

Rigoberto Munoz-Banuelos Age: 31 West Covina, California

Mario Noriega-Osuna Age: 35 San Diego, California

Margarito Rodriguez-Ochoa Age: 36 National City, California

Manuel Felix-Gutierrez Age: 63 Sinaloa, Mexico

Hector Sandoval-Toloza Age: 42 Sinaloa, Mexico

Camilo Ayon-Mondragon Age: 30 Sinaloa, Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 846

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $10,000,000 fine

Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)

Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison and fine equal to double the value of assets laundered

Engaging in Monetary Transaction in Property Derived From Specified Unlawful Activity – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957(a)

Maximum penalty: 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine

Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332

Maximum penalty: 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

IRS Criminal Investigation

Homeland Security Investigations

United States Border Patrol

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Maurice Lackey, age 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute crack and marijuana, possession of two firearms by a convicted felon, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on June 18, 2017, after a traffic stop, Lackey was arrested by Harrisburg Police when officers found crack, marijuana and two loaded Sig Sauer handguns in Lackey’s vehicle.

The matter was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Department Street Crimes Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty for this offense is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

BRUNSWICK, GA -- Calvin Lewis, 38, from Brunswick, Georgia, was sentenced earlier this week by United States District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a violent gang and drug trafficking organization that operated in Southeast Georgia and elsewhere.

Evidence presented during numerous hearings revealed that Calvin Lewis was the Brunswick-area leader of the Rolling 20’s Bloods gang, whose members endured “beat ins” as part of their initiations. During a lengthy undercover investigation, FBI agents and Glynn County Police Department investigators conducted multiple wiretaps to gather evidence and to dismantle Lewis’ drug organization. Wire intercepts revealed that Lewis encouraged his fellow gang members to gather firearms to protect their drug trafficking organization and to retaliate against threats, both perceived and real. Investigating agents were also able to determine that Lewis and other conspirators sold kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine from “trap” houses located throughout Brunswick, Georgia.

Lewis was one of 19 conspirators in Brunswick convicted as part of an investigation dubbed by law enforcement as “Operation Bloody Prince.” The operation was investigated through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agents. Melvina Lewis, Calvin Lewis’ wife, was previously sentenced to 165 months in federal prison; their step-son, Jamar Bradley, was sentenced to 215 months in prison. Agencies that participated in the FBI-led investigation included the Coastal Georgia Violent Gang Task Force, the Glynn County Police Department and the United States Marshal’s Service.

Assistant United States Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. and Tania D. Groover prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States. For questions, please contact the U. S. Attorney’s Office at (912) 201-2522.

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Aquabeus Demond Moore, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today to thirty-two years and one day by the Honorable Richard M. Gergel in Charleston, South Carolina.  Moore was convicted of five separate counts, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery Affecting Interstate Commerce, two counts of Robbery Affecting Interstate Commerce, and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Violent Crime, following a four-day jury trial in United States District Court in Charleston.

Witness testimony and the evidence presented by the government during the trial established that Moore and others travelled from Atlanta to rob Sylvan Jewelers in Columbia, SC, on February 19, 2015, and MP Demetre Jewelers in Charleston, SC, on March 4, 2015.  During both robberies, two masked men entered the jewelry stores during business hours.  One man held the employees at gunpoint while the other man smashed the Rolex cases with sledgehammers.  In total, the robbers stole 88 Rolex watches from the jewelry stores, valued at over one million dollars.  Among other evidence presented during the trial, cell site location evidence established that, after traveling from Atlanta, Moore’s phone was in Columbia during the time of the Sylvans robbery and in Charleston during the time of the MP Demetre robbery.  Further evidence presented during the trial established that Moore had a picture of one of the stolen Rolex watches on his phone.  Investigators also recovered Moore’s fingerprint from the getaway vehicle used in the robbery of MP Demetre Jewelers.  

The conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, City of Charleston Police Department and Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Emily Limehouse prosecuted the case.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   ContactELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                             at (410) 209-4811

Baltimore, Maryland – Sergeant Thomas Allers, age 49, of Linthicum Heights, Maryland was arrested today for a racketeering conspiracy and racketeering offenses, including robbery and extortion. The indictment was returned on August 24, 2017 and unsealed today.

The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

The racketeering indictment alleges that Allers stole money from victims, some of whom had not committed crimes, swore out false affidavits and submitted false official incident reports. Sergeant Allers joined the Baltimore Police Department on July 22, 1996. He became the officer-in-charge of the Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF), a specialized unit created to investigate firearms crimes, on or about July 25, 2013.

The racketeering conspiracy alleges robbery and extortion violations committed by Allers in 2014, 2015 and 2016 when he was the officer-in-charge of the GTTF. Allers was reassigned out of the GTTF on June 14, 2016.

In some cases, there was no evidence of criminal conduct by the victims; Allers stole money that had been earned lawfully. The amounts stolen ranged from $700 to $66,000.

For example, on or about April 3, 2015, Allers and coconspirators executed a search warrant at a residence in Baltimore City and discovered approximately $6,000 in the home. This money was a combination of money that the homeowners had made buying and selling used cars and a tax refund the wife had received. Allers and his coconspirators took approximately $5,700 of the $6,000, and then filed a false incident report stating that only $233 had been seized.

In another incident, on or about March 2, 2016, Allers and his co-conspirators executed a search warrant at a residence in Baltimore City. The resident of the home had $200 in her purse, which her daughter had received the previous day during her birthday party, $900 to pay her rent for that month, $300 to pay down the amount of money she owed Baltimore Gas & Electric for utilities and $8,000 which was the proceeds of drug sales. Allers approved the false report that stated that only $1,624 had been seized from home, when in fact, he had stolen more than $7,000.

In another incident, on or about April 28, 2016, Allers and coconspirators robbed a residence after arresting an individual who resided at the residence. Allers and his coconspirators robbed the occupants of the residence of over $10,000. Allers approved a false incident report which failed to report that any money had been taken from the residence, when in fact he and his coconspirators stole more than $10,000. Following this robbery, one of the residents was shot and killed because he could not repay a drug-related debt.

According to the indictment, Allers allegedly prepared and submitted false official incident and arrest reports, reports of property seized from arrestees, and charging documents. The false reports concealed the fact that the officers had stolen money from individuals. In addition, the indictment alleges that Allers obstructed law enforcement by alerting other members of the GTTF about potential investigations of their criminal conduct.

Allers has been charged with nine counts of Robbery and Extortion and the indictment alleges that he stole over $90,000.00.

Allers faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy, the robberies and for racketeering. Allers is scheduled to have his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore today at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom 7D.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI for their work in the investigation. Acting U.S. Attorney Schenning also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to eight years and four months in federal prison for a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Randy Allen Taylor, 34, previously pleaded guilty to a single-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On September 4, 2016, Taylor consented to a search by the Charleston Police Department of a hotel room at the Courtyard Marriott in Charleston. During the search, officers recovered a Kel-Tec, Model PF-9, 9mm pistol and approximately 3.7 ounces of methamphetamine. Following the search of the hotel room, Taylor consented to a search of his 2005 Lincoln Aviator. Inside the vehicle, officers recovered a stolen Cobra, Model CA-380, .380 caliber handgun.

Taylor was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2011 felony conviction in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Megan Eileen Dunigan, 29, of Mount Clare, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 36 months incarceration for possession and distribution of an illegal substance, Acting United States Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

Dunigan pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute MAM2201 and Buprenorphine” in July 2017. She admitted to having conspiring with others to distribute illegal substances in Harrison County, West Virginia from April 2014 to April 2016. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, The West Virginia State Police, and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crime Task Force investigated. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.