KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Marine veteran was indicted Wednesday on charges she committed fraud to obtain government contracts for a business in Overland Park that sold commercial flooring and furniture, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Valerie Gonzalez, 51, Tucson, Ariz., is charged with seven counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement on a Veterans Administration vendor verification form. The indictment alleges Gonzalez falsely claimed to own more than 99 percent of The Primus Group, 6980 W.153rd, Suite B, Overland Park, Kan.
The indictment cites payments by the government totaling more than $2 million.
If convicted, she could face up 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each fraud count, and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the false statement count. The Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), the Government Services Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Abdul Hasib Elahi, 24, Birmingham, England, is charged with two counts of producing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in August 2018 in Douglas County, Kan.
If convicted, he could face not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison, and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan is prosecuting.
Selvin De Jesus Morataya-Sagastume, 38, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. The indictment alleges the defendant was deported five times previously, in 2004, 2005, twice in 2006 and once in 2018.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting.
Jaime Chico-Holguin, 47, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with illegally re-entering the United States after being deported. He was deported in May 2004. He was found Feb. 3, 2020, in Seward County, Kan.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
Jose Romas, 29, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with illegally re-entering the United States after being deported. He was deported in April 2010. He was found Feb. 19, 2020, in Dodge City, Kan.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
Anna Lakin, 34, Neodesha, Kan., and Donald Hamill, 31, Kansas City, Kan., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 27, 2019, in Miami County, Kan.
If convicted, they could face not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting.
Robert Hicks, 40, Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with one count of escaping from federal custody at Grossman Community Corrections Center in Leavenworth. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 20, 2019.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.