WASHINGTON - Stanislav Nazarov, 46, a dual citizen of Israel and Russia, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after earlier pleading guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering stemming from his role in an international fraud scheme.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and John L. Phillips, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations for the U.S. Department of Treasury.

            Nazarov was among 19 people charged last year in federal indictments outlining various international fraud and money laundering conspiracies. He was indicted in January 2017 and arrested in March 2017 in Israel. Nazarov later waived extradition to the United States and pled guilty on Dec. 12, 2017, in the U.S District Court for the District of Columbia. He has remained in custody since his initial arrest and was sentenced on March 5, 2018.

            In addition to the prison term, the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Nazarov to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $50,000. Following completion of his prison term, Nazarov will be subject to deportation proceedings.

             “Stanislav Nazarov engaged in a multi-layered form of money laundering to hide the proceeds of international fraud schemes,” said U.S. Attorney Liu. “His arrest and extradition from Israel was a result of international cooperation amongst law enforcement targeting global crime networks.”

            “This sentencing illustrates a significant disruption to transnational organized crime,” said Assistant Director in Charge Vale. “The FBI works diligently with our partners in the United States and abroad to ensure criminals like Nazarov are brought to justice.”

             “Treasury OIG continues to prioritize investigating transnational criminal organizations that exploit financial institutions, money service and other businesses impacting Treasury’s role in the oversight of the nation’s financial infrastructure, said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Phillips. “Treasury OIG appreciates the support of our law enforcement partners which led to this successful prosecution.”

            According to a statement of offense submitted at the plea hearing, in or around 2013, Nazarov agreed to become partners with an unnamed money launderer who worked with individuals and groups engaged in fraudulent schemes in Israel and elsewhere. In return for his assistance, Nazarov was to receive a share of proceeds that his partner made from various fraudulent schemes. In one such scheme, a cyber-phishing scam was carried out in 2015 that tricked a director of a company into wiring $1.4 million to a bank account in the United States. 

            In December 2016, Nazarov obtained what he believed to be a portion of that $1.4 million by receiving $50,000 at his location in Israel.  According to the statement of offense, Nazarov received that money by orchestrating a sophisticated money laundering scheme whereby the $50,000 was first transferred to Russia, and then to Nazarov in Israel.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of the Inspector General. Assistance has been provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Washington, D.C., and the Israeli National Police. The FBI Legal Attaché in Tel Aviv, Israel, also provided assistance.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Marando and David Kent of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Brittany Phillips, Christopher Toms, C. Rosalind Pressley, and Elizabeth Swienc.

CHICAGO — A federal jury in Chicago has convicted two U.S. Postal Service employees for scheming to deliver marijuana through the mail.

MARVIN JONES and ANGELA WANSLEY worked at the Tinley Park Post Office.  Over a five-month period in 2016, the pair intercepted parcels of marijuana and other controlled substances that had been mailed to the post office by a co-defendant, JAYSON SMITH.  Jones and Wansley then furnished the intercepted parcels to Smith or a fourth defendant, COURTNEY POINDEXTER, in exchange for cash.

After a four-day trial in federal court in Chicago, the jury on Thursday convicted Jones, 51, of Hazel Crest, and Wansley, 44, of Harvey, of accepting bribes to perform official postal duties, conspiring to commit obstruction of correspondence, and obstruction of correspondence.  The bribery charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, while the conspiracy and obstruction charges are punishable by up to five years.  U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman will set sentencing hearings at a later date.

The conviction was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Scott Caspall, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Great Lakes Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; and Craig Goldberg, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago.  The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William Novak and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Flanagan.

According to evidence at trial, Jones was a letter carrier and supervisor while Wansley worked as a sales associate.  Jones provided Smith with information about unoccupied P.O. boxes and customers who had placed mail-hold requests at the Tinley Park Post Office.  Smith then mailed or caused to be mailed the parcels of controlled substances, and he provided Jones with the tracking information so that Jones or Wansley could intercept them.

Smith, 34, of Country Club Hills, and Poindexter, 38, of Country Club Hills, pleaded guilty prior to trial.  They are awaiting sentencing before Judge Gettleman.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On February 28, 2018, Dean Alan Treadway, 69, of Knoxville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Leon Jordan, Senior U.S. District Judge, to possession of child pornography. 

Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m., on July 23, 2018, in U.S District Court in Knoxville.  Treadway faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, supervision by U.S. Probation for five years up to life, forfeiture of the property used to commit the offense and may be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

According to documents on file with U.S. District Court, as a result of an investigation by the Knoxville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), a federal search warrant was executed at Treadway’s residence.  This led to the discovery of multiple computers and electronic devices, which were later determined to contain images and videos of child pornography.

This investigation was conducted by the Knoxville Police Department ICAC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bart Slabbekorn represented the United States in court proceedings.

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

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Christopher Eads, 35, and Santana Keener, 26, of Casper, Wyoming, were sentenced on February 22, 2018, and March 1, 2018, respectively, to serve sentences related to a June 3, 2017, drug trafficking investigation initiated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Wyoming Highway Patrol, announced United States Attorney Mark A. Klaassen. The court ordered Eads to serve a sentence of 40 years in prison for drug trafficking, using and discharging firearms during drug trafficking, carjacking, assaulting a federal officer, and discharging a firearm during the assault of the officer. The court sentenced Keener to a term of 20 years for drug trafficking, aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and carjacking. The court further ordered Keener to pay 7, 278.35 in restitution. It ordered Eads to pay $92,463.09 in restitution.

Eads and Keener had previously pled guilty to their offenses under agreements with the United States. As part of their pleas they admitted that on June 3, 2017, they were returning to Casper from Denver, Colorado with methamphetamine and heroin to distribute in the Casper area. When a DCI agent, assisted by highway patrol troopers, attempted to stop Eads and Keener, Eads opened fire on law enforcement. Eads and Keener then led law enforcement on a high speed chase south on I-25, into Glenrock, and eventually back to Casper where law enforcement apprehended Eads. Officers had earlier found and arrested Keener in Glenrock after she and Eads wrecked a car that they carjacked from a Glenrock resident.

United States District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl imposed the sentences. The case was investigated by DCI, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, the Converse County Sheriff’s Office, the Casper Police Department, the Douglas Police Department,the Glenrock Police Department, and, in part, by ATF and DEA. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Mark A. Klaassen and Assistant United States Attorney Stuart S. Healy III.

NEWARK, N.J. – Federal and local law enforcement authorities arrested six people today for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin in Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Tyrone Brown, 34, Lamarr Burwell, 22, and Miles McCloud, 37, all of Newark, and Martin Pettiford, 23, of Irvington, New Jersey, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin. Tyrone Brown is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute a fentanyl analogue. Omar Wyche, 29, of Newark, and Keyeen Scott, 37, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were each charged with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Five of the defendants are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court today; Keyeen Scott is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kaymani D. West in Florence, South Carolina.

“The activities described in the criminal complaints unsealed today describe an active marketplace where heroin and crack cocaine are sold openly on the streets of Newark and surrounding areas,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “The wiretaps and surveillance provide a glimpse into the violent and dangerous world these defendants have created in one neighborhood. Our office, working together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, is focusing on ridding neighborhoods of just this type of activity, one gang at a time. Today’s arrests signal an important new beginning in our fight to retake our streets from dangerous gangs and drug dealers.”

“Gangs are the mechanism by which drugs are transmitted to the ‘bad seeds’ in our cities, and are at the root of the violent crime problem,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher said. “The FBI Newark Field Office is committed to making Newark, and its surrounding communities, a safe place to be. The most effective way to combat this epidemic of violence is through cooperation; the efforts of all law enforcement agencies with the support and understanding of the citizens whom we protect and serve.”

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

The defendants are allegedly members of a drug trafficking organization that dealt heroin in and around Newark, specifically the area of Hayes Street and 14th Avenue near the New Community Corp. community development (NCC). The organization also supplied drugs to customers and other distributors elsewhere.

The organization is composed of members of the Brick City Brims set of the Bloods street gang. The investigation revealed that in addition to selling narcotics in and around NCC – primarily in a courtyard area they refer to as “the desert” – the members of the drug trafficking organization alerted each other to the presence of police, rival gang members or drug dealers within NCC; pooled narcotics; shared narcotics proceeds and customers; and raised bail money for each other following an arrest. Members of the organization have also engaged in violence and been the subject of violence in connection with their narcotics trafficking activities.

An investigation led by the FBI used physical and video surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, dozens of controlled narcotics purchases, record checks, narcotics seizures, including of heroin, and multiple telephone wiretaps to uncover the operations of the drug trafficking organization.

The count of drug trafficking conspiracy carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. The drug possession counts carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge  Gallagher in Newark, and members of the Newark Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Director Anthony F. Ambrose, with the investigation leading to the charges.

He also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey State Parole, the East Orange Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals for their assistance.

The drug trafficking organization operating out of the NCC was an original focus of the 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 sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around the 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 includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole Board, Union County Jail, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, New Jersey Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Lou of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit Division in Newark.

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

TRENTON, N.J. – An Elizabeth, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for using his home computer to distribute sexually explicit videos and images of children, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Thomas J. Leonard, 36, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of distributing child pornography. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Leonard admitted that he used the online peer-to-peer file sharing program BitTorrent to obtain and distribute images and videos of children engaged in sexual acts.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Leonard to five years of supervised release and fined him $30,000.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the N.J. State Police, and the N.J. Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Allende of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact the FBI in Newark at 973-792-3000.

Defense counsel: Rubin M. Sinins Esq., Springfield, New Jersey

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that MICHAEL D. MIR, 41, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to a federal tax offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MIR prepared more than 3300 federal tax returns for the 2012 through 2015 tax years through a tax return preparation practice he operated in Waterbury.  MIR falsified information on numerous returns that he prepared for clients by fabricating business expenses, or by inflating deductible medical and dental expenses.  For the 2012 through 2014 tax years, MIR deposited more than $400,000 in income generated by his tax preparation business into his personal bank account.  However, MIR did not report any income from his tax preparation business on his 2013 personal income tax return, and he reported only $18,500 in income from his tax preparation business on his 2014 return.  MIR did not file a personal income tax return for 2015.

Through MIR’s preparation of false tax returns, and the underpayment of his own taxes, the government lost a total of $406,679.

MIR pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a fine of up to approximately $800,000, and restitution.  Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for June 1, 2018.

MIR’s clients are required to resolve their own tax liability with the Internal Revenue Service.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman    

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY– March 5, 2018

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Border Patrol Agent Ramon Delgado was indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements during a pre-employment interview and in his application about his associations with known members of a drug trafficking organization.

According to the indictment unsealed today, federal officials began investigating allegations that Delgado associated with and aided a drug trafficking organization that smuggled methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine into the United States.  That drug trafficking organization included United States citizens and Mexican nationals, including two Mexican nationals with whom Delgado maintained a close and extensive relationship. The indictment alleges that Delgado lied about his relationships to these individuals in both his background investigation for federal employment and during an interview with federal agents.

Delgado made his first appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes, who ordered Delgado to appear for a detention hearing on March 8, 2018.

“Any connections to drug traffickers is an obvious red flag, and concealing that connection is even more troubling,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. “U.S. Border Patrol Agents are trusted guardians of public safety and national security. We will go after any who fall short of this high standard, rare though it may be.”

“I was very disappointed to learn about these allegations when they surfaced,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rodney S. Scott.  “As with any allegation of misconduct, U.S. Border Patrol has supported the investigators throughout the investigative process and will continue to do so as this case now moves into the prosecution phase.  Integrity is a core value of all U.S. Border Patrol agents.  You simply cannot be an agent without it.  It is imperative to point out that while this is extremely disappointing, it is an anomaly.  The vast majority of U.S. Border Patrol agents carry out their duties every single day with integrity, vigilance, and honor.”

According to the indictment, on October 23, 2015, Delgado submitted his responses to the standard background investigation questions required for federal agents.  One of those questions asked whether, in the prior seven years, Delgado had a close and continuing contact with any foreign nationals with whom he was bound by affection, influence, common interests and obligation.  Delgado stated that he had no such relationships when, in truth, he had a close and continuing relationship with two Mexican nationals who were members of a drug trafficking organization.

The indictment also alleges that on July 27, 2016, federal agents asked Delgado during an interview whether he knew the members of the drug trafficking organization and Delgado falsely claimed that he did not.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 18CR1005-LAB                               

Ramon Delgado                                              Age: 44                                   San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

False Statements – 18 U.S.C. § 1001

Penalty:  5 years’ maximum imprisonment per count

AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General

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

     PHOENIX – Yesterday, Edgar Louis Rogers, 43, of Hotevilla, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to a total of 21 months in prison for assaulting a federal officer while on supervised release.  Rogers had previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer and admitted to violating the terms of his supervised release in a separate case.  Judge Snow sentenced Rogers to 18 months in prison for the assault and an additional three months in prison for violating his supervised release.

     The incident occurred when the victim, a law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, approached Rogers while he was present on the Hopi Reservation.  Rogers resisted the contact and a scuffle ensued, which resulted in an injury to the officer’s finger.  At the time of the incident, Rogers was on supervised release for a violent domestic assault he committed on the Hopi Reservation in 2013. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-17-08161-PCT-GMS and CR-14-08007-PCT-GMS 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-021_Rogers

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Kansas City, Mo., area man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Coty D. Hollaman, 23, formerly of Kansas City, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty in federal court today to a federal information that charges him with one count of participating in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

By pleading guilty today, Hollaman admitted that the conspiracy, which lasted from May 1 to Sept. 12, 2016, was responsible for transporting at least 120 pounds of marijuana from Colorado for distribution in the Kansas City, Mo., area.

According to today’s plea agreement, conspirators began purchasing marijuana from a source in Colorado. A co-conspirator invested $10,000 into the operation so Hollaman and others could purchase greater quantities of marijuana per trip. They agreed that in return, the investor would receive $1,000 per week as interest and free marijuana until the entire principal investment was repaid in full.

Conspirators, who had started by transporting two or three pounds of marijuana on each trip, began transporting larger amounts. On each of his last two trips, Hollaman transported 20 pounds of marijuana.

Under federal statutes, Hollaman is subject to a sentence of up to five years 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 Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Benton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

WHEN:     Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 10:00 am

WHERE:    Fayetteville Police Department

                   467 Hay Street

                   Fayetteville, NC 28301

Re:       Fayetteville Man Deemed “Priority Number One” Sentenced

RALEIGH– The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces a press conference to discuss the sentencing of Genesis Lee Whitted, Jr. in Federal Court.  Whitted led a violent Bloods-affiliated drug trafficking gang called “Addicted to Money” or “A.T.M.” that distributed large amounts of cocaine and cocaine base. 

Robin Pendergraft, Criminal Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will be joined by Chief Gina Hawkins of the Fayetteville Police Department at the press conference. 

Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP and for additional information please e-mail Don Connelly at usance.PublicInfoOfficer@usdoj.gov.

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that a lengthy federal investigation into an extensive drug trafficking network based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has resulted in the return of three grand jury indictments charging forty-one (41) separate individuals in more than 80 counts with narcotics and firearms-related offenses.  As discussed in more detail below, the defendants are charged with conspiring to possess and distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base, and several of the defendants are charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  If convicted, the defendants face significant terms of imprisonment, significant fines, restitution, and forfeiture.

The indictments are the product of a long-term investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as part of the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force (OCDETF).  The investigation has received invaluable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police.  Other agencies also assisted in apprehending the defendants, including the U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the Sheriffs’ Offices in Ascension, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge Parishes.

United States v. Travis R. James et al., Criminal No. 18-21-SDD-RLB

In the first case, the grand jury has charged fifteen (15) defendants, including TRAVIS R. JAMES, TROY L. JAMES, HARRIS HAMPTON, III, JOSHUA J.  MANSION, SIDNEY L. JARVIS, D’MARI D. HARDING, KIM K. MURPHY, YASCIA N. LAFRANCE, CARL W. RICHARD, JR., MELVIN A. JACOBS, MICHAEL D. NELSON, ANTHONY DUPARD, CORNELIUS J. CARTER, COREY L. KING, and BRIAN W. HOLLINGSWORTH.  All of the defendants are residents of Louisiana, with most residing in the Baton Rouge area, with the exception of KING and HOLLINGSWORTH, who are residents of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The defendants face twenty-eight (28) counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine and cocaine base; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitating the commission of the drug trafficking crimes referenced above. 

United States v. James C. Hull et al., Criminal No. 18-22-JWD-EWD

In the second case, the grand jury has charged five defendants, including JAMES C. HULL, BYRON A. LAWSON, HENRY J. HAYES, DARIUSS SPRIVEY, and BRIAN HERNANDEZ, all Baton Rouge residents.  The defendants face twenty-one (21) counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine base; distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitating the commission of the drug trafficking crimes referenced above. 

United States v. Cody Stafford et al., Criminal No. 18-23-BAJ-EWD

In the third case, the grand jury has charged twenty-one (21) defendants, including CODY STAFFORD, DUSTIN HENDERSON, BEN HAMMET, SAM E. 0KINAMORE, BRITTANY P. YOUNG, WILLIAM W. LIPSCOMB, FRANK W. LIPSCOMB, ASHLEY L. IMPSON, SHANNON E. JOHNSON, SAMUEL RICHARDSON, BRIAN N. DANNA, HEATHER R. WEBBER, DALE ODOM, GREGORY A. LOLLIS, BRANDON S. KINAMORE, ROBERT T. SANDERS, JENNIFER LEVITE, JOBY V. LETARD, STACY TAYLOR, JOHNNY MASON, and SHAYLA T. PAYNE, all of Baton Rouge.

The Indictment includes thirty-four (34) counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitating the commission of the drug trafficking crimes referenced above. 

***

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “This office, along with our federal, state and local partners, will continue to aggressively pursue those who engage in the illegal trafficking of drugs in our district. This type of behavior destroys our communities and the lives of our people one deal at a time and it will not be tolerated. These indictments send a strong message to those who continue to poison our communities that we will not sit idly by while you conduct business.”

The investigation is yet another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers.  Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.  The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. 

These ongoing investigations are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Piedrahita and Cal Leipold, with valuable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Sanchez, Brad Casey, and Elizabeth White.

NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by the Grand Jury.  The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a St. Louis, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy.

Calvin Anthony Miller, also known as “Cerius Blacc,” 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to the charges contained in a Nov. 2, 2016, federal indictment. In addition to the conspiracy, Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of transporting an individual across state lines for prostitution.

By pleading guilty today, Miller admitted that he engaged in the conspiracy from approximately March 1, 2015, to Oct. 15, 2016, which victimized two women whom he forced to engage in prostitution.

This case is the result of Operation Cross Country X, an international FBI investigation of sex trafficking in partnership with local law enforcement agencies.

According to court documents, a federal undercover agent assisted the Independence, Mo., Police Department, posing as a customer attempting to hire a prostitute for sex. On Oct. 14, 2016, the undercover agent located an online listing that included provocative and partially nude photos along with a description and some possible acts that she was willing to do. The agent contacted her and she agreed to meet him at a hotel. 

This witness provided law enforcement officers with information on Miller, who she said was a violent pimp, and his cousin, co-defendant Henry Dailey, 37, also of St. Louis. Dailey pleaded guilty on June 26, 2017, to transporting an individual across state lines for prostitution. 

The witness led law enforcement to a hotel in Independence where they encountered Victim 1 and Victim 2. Victim 1 told law enforcement officers that Miller was violent and abusive. She said she met Miller in March 2015 and had never been allowed to go back home. Victim 1, who said Miller broke her hip during one violent encounter, told officers, “If I tell you anything he will kill me” and started crying. She stated that she did not believe the police could provide enough security to protect her from “these guys.”

Victim 2 told the detective that she wanted away from the group and just wanted to go home. 

While at the hotel, agents determined that Miller had rented two rooms on the third floor and a room on the first floor. Agents made contact with Miller on the third floor. Miller was noncompliant with law enforcement requests, was directed to the ground, and cuffed. 

Each of the victims told law enforcement officers that Miller required them to work in a prostitution ring based in St. Louis, threatening them with violence and death if they tried to leave, and took all of their money. They also said that Miller forced them to use drugs to keep them addicted and dependent on them.

Under federal statutes, Miller is subject to a sentence of up to 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 Teresa A. Moore. It was investigated by the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.
 

CONTACT:  Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX #:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Roland Yockel, II, 31, of Hilton, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to receipt of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 in prison, and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2017, the defendant was identified by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Special Agents in Phoenix involved in an ongoing child pornography probe with investigators from New Zealand. That investigation identified individuals who utilized the Internet based application “Chatstep.com” to receive and distribute child pornography.

On May 22, 2017, and July 24, 2017, a New Zealand investigator, acting in an undercover capacity, observed multiple individuals accessing Chatstep chat rooms, including an individual with the user name “Ryancba,” who posted links to image files depicting suspected child pornography. The IP address traced back to the defendant, Roland Yockel, a former kindergarten teacher in the Brockport Central School District. The sexually explicit images, posted by the defendant, included pre-pubescent children.

On November 21, 2017, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s North Avenue residence. Agents recovered DVD’s containing numerous videos and images of child pornography. A forensic examination of the digital media recovered approximately 5,500 images and 247 videos containing child pornography. Yockel resided in the basement of the North Avenue residence with his parents and siblings.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Richard Allen.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford. 

ALBUQUERQUE – Gonzalo Montenegro-Coronel, 27, a Mexican national, was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 84 months in prison for his conviction on heroin trafficking charges.  Montenegro-Coronel will be deported after completing his prison sentence.

Montenegro-Coronel and his four co-defendants, Esther Ordonez, 48, Miguel Ordonez, 24, and Reydecel Lopez-Ordonez, 24, all of Albuquerque, and Fernando Gomez-Campos, 22, of El Paso, Texas, were charged in a 13-count indictment that was filed on Dec. 2, 2015.  The indictment charged the defendants with participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy between Nov. 2014 and Sept. 2015, with distributing heroin on eight occasions between Nov. 2014 and Sept. 2015, and with using telephones to facilitate drug trafficking crimes.  It also charged Esther Ordonez, Miguel Ordonez and Montenegro-Coronel with maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing heroin between Nov. 2014 and Sept. 2015.  According to the indictment, the defendants committed the crimes in Bernalillo County, N.M.

On Nov. 8, 2017, Montenegro-Coronel pled guilty to distributing heroin, three counts of using a communication device in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and maintaining a drug-involved premises.  In entering the guilty plea, Montenegro-Coronel admitted that from Nov. 10, 2014 through Sept. 23, 2015, he participated in a heroin trafficking conspiracy by ordering bulk quantities of heroin from Mexico, which was then prepared and distributed to buyers in the Albuquerque area by his co-defendants.  Specifically, Montenegro-Coronel admitted that on March 19, 2015 and March 27, 2015, he supplied quantities of heroin to his co-defendants for distribution to buyers.  Montenegro-Coronel further admitted that on April 28, 2015 and May 18, 2015, he ordered and obtained bulk shipments of heroin from Mexico.  Montenegro-Coronel admitted that throughout the conspiracy, he stored, cut and packaged heroin at a residence in Albuquerque.

All of Montenegro-Coronel’s co-defendants have entered guilty pleas and three have been sentenced.  Lopez-Ordonez pled guilty on Oct. 19, 2016, and was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release on March 30, 2017.  Miguel Ordonez pled guilty on April 24, 2017, and was sentenced on Aug. 15, 2017, to 70 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.  Gomez-Campos pled guilty on March 10, 2017, and was sentenced on Nov. 2, 2017, to 18 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.  Esther Ordonez pled guilty on April 12, 2017, and has yet to be sentenced. 

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the HIDTA Region I Drug Task Force as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.  The HIDTA Region I Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the Albuquerque Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, Valencia County Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribal Police Department and DEA.  The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.  HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shaheen P. Torgoley, Stephen R. Kotz and Peter Eicker are prosecuting this case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative.  The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico.  Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities.  Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico. 

The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components:  (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning.  HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners.  Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative.  Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.

CHICAGO — The owner of a north suburban home health care company has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals.

As the owner of Glenview-based TLC Healthcare Services of Illinois Inc., NORMA DE LA CRUZ paid recruiters $500 to $600 for each Medicare patient referred to her company.  TLC then billed Medicare for home health services purportedly provided to the patients.  De la Cruz attempted to conceal the payments by using sham contracts that claimed the recruiters provided “marketing” services.  From 2012 to 2014, TLC fraudulently caused Medicare to pay out more than $390,000.

De la Cruz, 81, of Glenview, pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to offer and pay unlawful kickbacks.  U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer imposed the 18-month prison sentence Monday in federal court in Chicago.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

The government is represented by Trial Attorney Leslie S. Garthwaite of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Fraud Section and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel R. Levin of the Northern District of Illinois.

De la Cruz, who was also a registered nurse at the time of the scheme, controlled bank accounts in TLC’s name as well as an account she held personally, both of which were used to pay bribes and kickbacks.  She admitted in a plea agreement that she sought recruiters who would refer patients to TLC in exchange for a per-patient referral fee.  De la Cruz paid one recruiter at least $65,000 in exchange for his patient referrals.

The government argued in its sentencing memorandum that de la Cruz used much of the proceeds from the conspiracy to gamble at a Chicago-area casino.  During the approximate period of the conspiracy, de la Cruz incurred gambling losses of $245,000.  The government also noted in its sentencing memorandum that de la Cruz had an additional $76,000 in gambling losses in the period from her initial court appearance in this case in June 2016 until her guilty plea in October 2017.

St. Louis, MO – Michael McNeill was sentenced to 120 months in prison and Joshua Flynn was sentenced to 84 months in prison in connection with a multi-count indictment arising from a fraudulent telemarketing enterprise that often targeted elderly victims. Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the victims and to forfeit assets. Ninety-one Missouri residents are among the approximately 4,000 victims, including residents of Chesterfield, University City, St. Louis, Hannibal, Arnold, Potosi, Ballwin, Valley Park, Florissant, O’Fallon, St. Clair, and Farmington.

On November 20, 2017, Michael McNeill a/k/a Mr. White, a/k/a Todd Lockwood, 48, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering before United States District Judge John Ross.  Also on November 20, 2017, Joshua Flynn a/k/a Mr. Pink, a/k/a Jeff Thomas, 36, of Chandler, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

As organized and led by Defendant McNeill and Defendant Flynn, and others, the telemarketing enterprise sold false and fictitious business opportunities as part of a scheme that reached across the United States and Canada and generated in excess of $20,000,000 in fraudulent sales.  Missouri victims of the scheme suffered combined total losses of approximately $1,000,000. The Phoenix, Arizona based telemarketing enterprise operated under multiple business names and utilized multiple business entities over the course of the scheme, including Smart Business Pros LLC of Warson Woods, Missouri. The sophisticated money laundering activity of the telemarketing enterprise and the conspiracy included transfers of criminal proceeds to the purchase gold and silver coins ultimately distributed to McNeill and Flynn as the owners of the enterprise.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of the Arizona Attorney General.  Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Birmingham and Gwendolyn Carroll are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Westernport, Maryland woman has admitted to distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Shelley Kay Snyder-Windle, age 53, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine.” Snyder-Windle admitted to selling cocaine in October 2016 in Mineral County. 

Snyder-Windle faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Grant, also with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
 

Bradley Brown, D.C., from Oelwein, Iowa, and his clinic, Brown Chiropractic, P.C., have agreed to pay $79,919 to resolve allegations Brown violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing Medicare and Medicaid for chiropractic adjustments after providing free electrical stimulation to beneficiaries to influence those beneficiaries to receive chiropractic adjustments from Brown. The government alleged that this conduct violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and, in turn, the False Claims Act. The claims at issue were submitted between January 1, 2012, and September 30, 2016.

The Anti-Kickback Statute’s purpose, in part, is to protect patients and federal healthcare programs from fraud and abuse by limiting the influence of money or improper incentives on healthcare decisions. It is intended to ensure, among other things, that improper financial incentives do not compromise providers’ medical judgments and that inappropriate considerations do not cloud beneficiaries’ decisions when determining which providers to utilize and which services to obtain.

“Our office takes seriously our responsibility to safeguard taxpayer dollars and to ensure a level playing field for healthcare providers,” said Peter E. Deegan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. “We appreciate Dr. Brown’s cooperation in the investigation and hope this settlement sends a message to all providers that they must comply with all applicable rules and regulations or face consequences.”

The allegations resolved by the settlement arose from an investigation led by the Department of Health and Human Services and conducted in conjunction with the State of Iowa’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the State of Iowa’s Medicaid Program Integrity Unit. False Claims Act cases also arise under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the Act, which permit a private party with knowledge of false claims to bring suit on behalf of the United States and then share in any recovery.

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St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office will prosecute aggressively violent criminals and drug dealers.  Federal prosecution is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce violent crime.  Below is a list of defendants prosecuted federally in February:

Jamarco Cousins, 29, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Darrell Gordon, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Squacar Gray, 39, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Ishmael Hargrove, 22, Florissant, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Joseph Hope, 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence during a drug trafficking crime; and interference with commerce by threat or violence.

Deven R. Huck, 20, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence during a drug trafficking crime.

Dallas M. Richardson, 23, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence during a drug trafficking crime and interference with commerce by threat or violence.

Darion Johnson, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed robbery and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Clinton Murphy, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Brandin Parott, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Glenn Reynolds, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Neavechie Patterson, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

James Richards, II, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100g or more of heroin and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Curstan Stiff, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500g of cocaine and felon in possession of firearms.

Shagretta Turner, 34, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base.

Parron Walker, 46, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Sammie Wilborn, 37, East St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Larry Benford, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Thomas Bolden, 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Demetris A. Bradley, 40, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Charles Cherry, Jr., 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Guest, 61, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jamare Ash, 32, Jennings, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Mary Brown, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Markquis Bryant, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Steven Conner, 33, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jorion Garrett, 19, Hazelwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of armed carjacking and one felony count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime.

Anthony Horton, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Damon Johnson, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Nicholas Johnson, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Nicholas Luedemann, 31, Jefferson County, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Moore, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Tyrell Reed, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Charlie Robinson, Jr., 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Maurice Scott, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Donald Shaw, 31, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Terry Stubblefield, 47, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Austin Thater, 28, Union, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Deandrea Thompson, 45, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

William Wilson, 32, Florissant, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Larry Belcarist, 32, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Rondell Billups, 27, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Darrion Branscomb, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

James Coleman, 31, Dellwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Darnell Duff, 23, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jerome Green, 36, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Armon Harris, 38, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Derrick Hudson, 37, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

James Jackson, 37, Jefferson County, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Kyle Miller, 27, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin; and one felony count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Taylor Sanborn, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Anthoney Tucker, 25, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a firearm; one felony count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Gregory Williams, 28, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of a firearm in a federal facility; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Taylor Wilson, 26, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of felon in possession of a machine gun; one felony count of possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number; and one felony count of receiving and possessing a firearm not registered under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Terrell Raney, 39, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Raynard Davison, 44, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Eric Thompson, 48, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Derrick Terry, 39, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; possess, brandish and discharge a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death; obstruction of justice; and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution; conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Odell A. Pickett, Jr., 20, St. Louis, pled guilty to armed carjacking; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Darryl Easley, 47, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Maurice Thomas, 42, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Marlon Williams, 46, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Robert Jackson, 26, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; knowingly possess one or more firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Alonzo Morris, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Kevin Boyer, 24, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Nicholas Baldwin, 36, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Marquis Seddens, 36, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Randell M. Davis, 30, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Demario White, 25, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Nunley, 41, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Damarlyn Stewart, 37, Shreveport, LA, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Lawrence Lee, 23, Florissant, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Rodrick Brown, 29, St. Louis, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Sylvester Ivory, 40, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Carl E. Thomas, Jr., 27, St. Louis, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

Bradley A. Simon, 32, Crestwood, pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kevin Bishop, 44, St. Louis, was sentenced to 105 months in prison for felon in possession of firearm.

Alonzo Finger, 34, St. Louis, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Marquis Black, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Terrance Long, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Marcus Townley, 37, St. Louis, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Jackson, 33, St. Louis, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Kelvin Williams, St. Louis, was sentenced to 192 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; maintaining a drug involved premises; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kerry L. Chau, 22, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Douglas Druger, 40, was sentenced to 480 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possessing of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Tommie Anderson, 30, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Dakari Coles, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Devon Guice, 27, St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Guy S. Long, 45, St. Louis, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Joseph L. Miles, 31, St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

Donta Vines, 32, St. Louis, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.