Former Customs Officer Found Guilty of Importing More Than 1,200 Pounds of Marijuana into the United States from Mexico

TUCSON, AZ—On February 14, 2013, Luis Vasquez, 33, formerly of Douglas, Arizona, a former Customs and Border Protection Officer, was found guilty of drug charges by a federal jury in Tucson. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge David C. Bury. Vasquez was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service while awaiting sentencing. Sentencing is set before Judge Bury on April 29, 2013.
The evidence at trial showed that Vasquez used his position as an inspector at the Douglas Port of Entry to allow over 1,200 pounds of marijuana into the United States from Mexico. He was found guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to import marijuana, unlawful importation of marijuana, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. The convictions carry a maximum penalty of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine or both.
The evidence at trial showed that on at least two occasions, Vasquez, along with other members of the conspiracy, imported a large quantity of marijuana from Mexico into the United States through the Douglas Port of Entry. Vasquez’s role in the conspiracy was to use his position as a Customs Officer to allow pick-up trucks loaded with marijuana to cross the international border without inspection.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and Office of the Inspector General, and the Douglas, Arizona Police Department. The prosecution was conducted by James T. Lacey and Joseph W. Hanley, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics Charge

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Cornell Streater, also known as “Messy,” 21, of Shelton Avenue, New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police into drug distribution and related violence allegedly being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven.
Streater is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Warren W. Eginton on May 9, 2013, at which time Streater faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.
On April 9, 2012, a grand jury returned an indictment charging 18 individuals, including Streater, with narcotics distribution offenses stemming from this investigation. To date, nine of the defendants have pleaded guilty. The other nine defendants are detained while awaiting trial.
With respect to the defendants awaiting trial, U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes officers from the New Haven, Hamden, and Milford Police Departments, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. The investigation was significantly assisted by the Connecticut State Police, the United States Marshals Service and the Westerly (Rhode Island) Police Department.
The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Gordon Hall.

Laurel Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and for a Credit Card Scheme with Losses of More Than $116,709

GREENBELT, MD—U.S. District William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Moses Sumo Appram, age 28, of Laurel, Maryland, today to 90 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute heroin and, in an unrelated case, for credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. Judge Quarles also ordered Appram to pay restitution in the credit card case of $116,709.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Brisolari of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Postal Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service-Washington Division.
Appram was convicted after a three-day trial of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. According to trial testimony, on March 11, 2011, Appram picked up a drug courier who had arrived from Ghana carrying approximately 800 grams of heroin. Appram allowed the courier to stay with him while he sought to distribute the heroin, and Appram obtained at least 180 grams of the courier’s heroin which he attempted to distribute himself.
Appram arranged to sell 200 grams of heroin for $10,000 to Nana Boateng, a native Ghanaian who was living in the U.S. and was involved in importing and distributing heroin. DEA agents investigating Boateng overheard Appram’s conversations with Boateng. On April 4, 2011, Appram delivered the heroin to Boateng in exchange for cash. Immediately after the sale, Appram realized that Boateng had given him less than the agreed upon $10,000 in cash. In fact, although Boateng claimed that it was a mistake made by a third party, Boateng had worked with another heroin dealer to prepare the fake “stacks” of money, which had a few $20 bills on the outside of the stacks but $1 bills within the stacks. Boateng never repaid Appram, despite Appram’s repeated requests to do so. Boateng re-sold the heroin obtained from Appram for $2,400.
Appram is responsible for the distribution of approximately 800 grams of heroin over the course of the conspiracy. Boateng pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
“This case demonstrates the postal inspectors’ commitment to vigorously pursue individuals who use U.S. mail for fraudulent activities,” said Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale, U.S. Postal Inspection Service-Washington Division. “At every level, we will always make every effort to protect postal customers from corrupt individuals.”
According to his guilty plea in the credit card fraud scheme, Appram and his associates used the names and credit/debit cards of others, without those individuals’ knowledge or authorization, to place telephone orders for computers and computer equipment, using delivery addresses that at least matched the zip code of the actual credit card account holder. Before the vendor shipped the order, Appram’s associates changed the shipping address to one of a network of post office boxes that Appram and his conspirators rented around the country using fictitious identities and business names. They would then have the equipment repackaged at the mail store where it had been delivered and send the repackaged equipment to Appram, using an alias, through post office boxes in Columbia and Laurel that Appram had rented. Finally, Appram would re-ship the equipment to associates in Canada and elsewhere where it would ultimately be sold as “refurbished” or “reconditioned.”
Between December 2010 and June 2011, Appram received 188 separate packages containing computers and computer equipment at the Columbia and Laurel post office boxes he rented. On June 24, 2011, a search warrant was executed at his residence and agents recovered 16 laptop computers and four computer projectors, all in their original packaging. In addition, Appram’s computer and mobile devices included original shipping documents in the names of the victim account holders, the names and credit/debit card numbers of the victims, as well as messages from his associates with tracking numbers, information on what equipment had been shipped, and when to expect the shipment. As a result of the scheme, more than 10 victims lost a total of at least $116,709.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory, and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions, and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the DEA, FBI, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in these investigations. Mr. Rosenstein praised Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mushtaq Gunja and Kenneth S. Clark who prosecuted the drug case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam K. Ake, who prosecuted the credit card fraud case.

Former School Board Member Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking

SHREVEPORT, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former DeSoto Parish School Board member Bartholomew Claiborne, 25, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to distributing cocaine.
Claiborne was indicted on September 4, 2012, for distributing cocaine. According to the indictment, Claiborne was recorded to have distributed cocaine on 14 separate occasions between October 11, 2011 and July 12, 2012. Authorities used surveillance methods to observe Claiborne selling cocaine.
Claiborne faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both, with three years of supervised release on the count. Sentencing has been set for May 21, 2013, at 11:30 a.m.
“As an elected official, Bartholomew Claiborne swore to uphold the law, and by his own admission, failed to do so,” Finley stated. “He also failed the children and parents of his school board district where he served as a role model. We hope this case sends a message that public officials are not above the law. We will continue to prosecute those who violate federal laws. I thank all of the agencies on a federal, state, and local level who participated in the investigation.”
Claiborne was the first indictment as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation Limpiar Casa. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Mansfield Police Department, and the Tri-Parish Task Force which includes DeSoto, Sabine, and Red River parishes, participate in the OCDETF program and conducted the operation.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook is prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney Stephanie Finley is available for comment and can be reached at (337) 262-6618.

Woodstock Doctor Sentenced on Drug Distribution Charges

ALBANY—Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney, Northern District of New York, announces that Dr. Wayne D. Longmore, age 63, of Woodstock, New York, was sentenced on February 7, 2013, in Albany by the Honorable Lawrence E. Kahn, United States District Court Judge, to six months’ home detention, three years’ probation, 200 hours of community service, and ordered to forfeit his New York State medical license and his DEA license to issue narcotic drugs. In addition to these penalties, Dr. Longmore was ordered to pay a $200,000 money judgment, which represents proceeds of his drug trafficking activities.
Dr. Longmore previously pled guilty on October 17, 2012, to a felony information that charged him with knowingly and intentionally distributing and dispensing and possessing with intent to distribute and dispense hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice, contrary to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E) and Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1306.04.
The plea agreement states that:
(1) From in or around November 3, 2011, through on or about March 21, 2012, in the Northern District of New York and elsewhere, Longmore did knowingly and intentionally distribute and dispense and possess with intent to distribute and dispense hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice.
(2) In order to earn illicit profits from his medical practice, Longmore wrote and issued unlawful prescriptions to individuals for drugs containing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice.
(3) Longmore wrote these prescriptions in return for $60 cash payments. Longmore would write the illicit prescriptions for only a seven-day period.
(4) Contrary to accepted medical practice, Longmore prescribed Schedule III controlled substances to individuals at their first appointment with him and without conducting a thorough physical examination or medical history of such individuals to verify the claimed illness or condition.
As part of his plea agreement, Dr. Longmore admitted that he was responsible for the improper distribution of at least 2,500 units but less than 5,000 units of hydrocodone.
This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the New York State Department of Health-Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Geoffrey J. L. Brown.

Eagle Butte Man Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Jason Garreau, age 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 16, 2013. Garreau appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 25, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years of imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, or both; a mandatory period of supervised release of at least three years up to life; and an additional two years of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $100 special assessment may also be ordered. The charges are merely accusations, and Garreau is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich is prosecuting the case. Garreau was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not yet been set.

Fort Thompson Man Charged with Firearm and Controlled Substance Offenses

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and firearm offense.
Samuel Redwater, age 22, was indicted on January 16, 2013. Redwater appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 25, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both; five years of supervised release; and an additional three years of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $100 special assessment may also be ordered. The charges are merely accusations, and Redwater is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn N. Rich is prosecuting the case. Redwater was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not been set.

Four Canton Men Sent to Prison for Drug Trafficking Involving Rated R Street Gang

Four Canton men were sentenced to prison this week for their involvement in a drug trafficking ring in which cocaine, heroin, and crack cocaine were brought into Stark County and distributed by members of the Rated R street gang, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Field Office.

• Jasmine Watkins, 29, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Virgil Hill, 26, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Cordrick Owens, 32, was sentenced to 12 years, seven months in prison.
• Jerry Gordon, 25, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

All four previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances (cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin). Watkins also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be served concurrently to his 20-year sentence.
“This group is well known to law enforcement for causing serious trouble throughout Canton,” Dettelbach said. “These prison sentences will eliminate some of the worst of the worst offenders in Stark County.”
Anthony said, “These four sentences wrap up another phase of law enforcements efforts to dismantle drug trafficking groups in our area. The FBI will continue to work side by side with our law enforcement partners to make Canton neighborhoods a safer place to live.”
Watkins provided Gordon with shipments of drugs at a home in Columbus and then Gordon and others moved the drugs to a stash house he controlled on Sol Beck NE in Canton. Once there, Gordon distributed the drugs to local dealers, according to court documents.
Hill was identified in court documents as the leader of Rated R. He and others made large purchases of cocaine from Gordon, according to court documents.
Seventeen people have now been sentenced to prison in this case. They are:

• Travis Grant: 10 years, one month.
• Timothy Bertram: four years, nine months.
• Oscar Todd: 10 years, five months.
• Edward Turpin IV: 10 years.
• Perez Antwan Williams: five years.
• Demond Hill: 10 years, two months.
• Bennie Woodson: six years, 10 months.
• Ronald D. Hill: six years, 10 months.
• John L. Hill: three years, one month.
• Barry Giamourdes: four years, three months.
• Brandon Jones: 10 years.
• Lavanya Mayle: five years.
• Brian Brown: six years.

Five others were indicted on federal charges last month for their role in the conspiracy.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linda H. Barr and Vasile C. Katsaros following an investigation by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of the FBI, Canton Police Department, Alliance Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Massillon Police Department, and Perry Police Department.

Hartford Crack Dealer Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Dana Adams, also known as “Soul,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 156 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.
This matter stems from Operation Vinefield, a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in Hartford’s North End. As a result of the nine-month investigation, 38 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession and dealing of firearms in and around Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Adams and others supplied crack cocaine to numerous street-level dealers, including gang members, who primarily distributed the drug in the area of Enfield Street in Hartford. On April 19, 2012, searches of residences on Bellevue, Enfield, Townley, and Sharon Streets in Hartford, all of which Adams was suspected of using for his drug trafficking activities, revealed crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, narcotics packaging materials, and cash.
Adams’ criminal history includes multiple felony narcotics convictions, including a previous federal conviction in 2004 related to his distribution of crack cocaine in Hartford. Adams was incarcerated for more than four years on that conviction, and he was serving a term of supervised release at the time of this most recent offense.
Adams has been detained since his arrest on April 19, 2012. On November 6, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
Judge Hall sentenced Adams to 138 months of imprisonment for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and a consecutive 18-month sentence for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

Head of New Haven Narcotics Trafficking Ring Pleads Guilty

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Joseph Jackson, also known as “Mighty” and “M.I.,” 37, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted in 2010 by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug trafficking organization that was headed by Jackson and centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden. At the time, Jackson was one of the principal suppliers of crack cocaine in and around New Haven. The investigation revealed that Jackson purchased multiple kilograms of cocaine from various sources of supply and then converted a large majority of the cocaine into crack cocaine. Jackson then provided distribution quantities of crack to others who sold it on his behalf and gave the proceeds to Jackson. At times, Jackson sold crack and powder cocaine to his own customers.
Jackson was arrested on October 28, 2010. On that date, federal agents executed search warrants at various locations, including Jackson’s residence on Winchester Avenue in New Haven and a West Haven apartment that Jackson used to process, store, and package narcotics. A search of the Winchester Avenue residence revealed a Taurus .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number, crack cocaine, and cash. A search of the West Haven apartment revealed one kilogram of cocaine, 150 grams of crack packaged for distribution, multiple cell phones, drug packaging materials, and cash.
Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns on May 2, 2013, at which time Jackson faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
If the binding plea agreement filed today is accepted by the court, Jackson will be sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment.
Jackson also has agreed to forfeit two automobiles and two motorcycles seized during the investigation.
Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation.
This matter was investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, Milford, and Hamden Police Departments and the Connecticut Department of Correction) and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden, and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also has assisted the investigation.
The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.

Baltimore Man Indicted on Gun and Drug Conspiracy Charges Related to Two Murders

BALTIMORE—A federal grand jury has indicted Kyle Stevens, a/k/a “Cappo,” age 22, of Remington, Maryland, on two counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy related to two murders and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone. The indictment was returned on January 17, 2013, and unsealed on January 29, 2013, upon Stevens’ arrest.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives-Baltimore Field Division; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Larry W. Tolliver; Secretary Gary D. Maynard of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Frank R. Weathersbee.

The three-count indictment alleges that beginning in 2005, Stevens was part of a conspiracy to distribute heroin, powder and crack cocaine, and oxycodone. Further, the indictment alleges that in furtherance of the drug conspiracy, on January 24, 2006, Stevens used a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun to murder James Wright, a/k/a Ronnie Mo; and on September 21, 2007, used a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun to murder Keith Ray, a/k/a Keithy.

Stevens faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for each of two counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and for the drug conspiracy charge. Stevens had his initial appearance on January 29, 2013, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Stevens is detained. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 4, 2013, at 11:30 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner, Courtroom 7B, U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

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.

Mr. Rosenstein praised the FBI; ATF; Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Baltimore City Police Department; the Maryland State Police; Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office; Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation and prosecution.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Robert R. Harding and Christopher J. Romano, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

Members of Large Local Drug Conspiracy Sentenced to More Than 100 Years for Their Roles in Distributing Cocaine and Crack Cocaine in Lexington County

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that 10 defendants involved in a large drug conspiracy have been found guilty and sentenced to more than 160 years combined in prison, plus one mandatory life sentence. The last defendant, Darrell T. Washington, was sentenced on Thursday by United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson.
After numerous guilty pleas and a trial, the members of the cocaine drug conspiracy received the following sentences:

• Antonio Dupree Williams, a/k/a Antiono D. Williams, a/k/a “Dollar Bill,” a/k/a “Pree,” 292 months
• Charles Henry Gantt, a/k/a “Charles, Jr.,” 235 months
• James Lewis Williams, a/k/a “Lump,” mandatory life
• Eric Frederick Williams, a/k/a “Sweet,” 188 months
• Anthony Walker Alphonso Thompson, a/k/a “Tony,” 210 months
• William Jacoby Holloway, a/k/a “Coby”, 87 months
• Lindsay Tyrone Leaphart, a/k/a “Tyrone,” a/k/a “Sleepy,” 120 months
• Walter Leon Williams, a/k/a “Scoop Dog,” 135 months
• Joseph Junior Nelson, a/k/a “Bone,” 121 months
• Darrell T. Washington, a/k/a “D-Black,” 300 months

All the defendants are from Batesburg-Leesville and Columbia, South Carolina. They were convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h), possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).
Evidence presented during the trial and guilty plea hearings established that Antonio Dupree Williams ran a large scale cocaine and crack cocaine conspiracy in the Batesburg-Leesville area of Lexington County. Antonio Williams would receive cocaine from Hispanic distributors who would deliver the cocaine to the homes of some of the co-conspirators. Antonio Williams typically purchased one to five kilograms of cocaine at a time. Some of the cocaine was then converted into crack cocaine. The cocaine and crack cocaine was stored at some of the homes of his co-conspirators until customers placed orders. Antonio Williams would then have other co-conspirators make the deliveries of the cocaine and/or crack cocaine to his customers. During the investigation, the FBI obtained wiretaps of multiple telephones of the co-conspirators, including Antonio Williams. These wiretaps and historical information received from other defendants provided the connection between the defendants in this case. It was estimated that this drug conspiracy involved more than 100 kilograms of cocaine.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service; State Law Enforcement Division; Batesburg Police Department; and the Newberry Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon, Mark C. Moore, and J.D. Rowell of the Columbia Office handled the case.

Juneau Man Sentenced to 170 Months for Drug Conspiracy

ANCHORAGE—U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler announced today that a Juneau resident was sentenced in Juneau to federal prison for drug conspiracy.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess sentenced Juneau resident Darrell W. Dawson, 44, to 170 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who prosecuted the case, the charges arose from a joint investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Juneau Police Department-Drug Metro Unit involving the importation of methamphetamine into Juneau, Alaska, using a United States Postal Service USPS Express Mail parcel. In July 2012, Darrell W. Dawson and Gema G. Thomas conspired to transport methamphetamine from the lower 48 to Juneau, Alaska. Dawson provided Thomas $15,000 in drug proceeds for six ounces of methamphetamine. Thomas arranged for and paid for the delivery of six ounces of methamphetamine to be delivered to her business, Peer-Amid Beads, from her source of supply in the lower 48 via USPS Express Mail. Once received, Thomas delivered the methamphetamine to Dawson, who distributed the methamphetamine to others in the Juneau area and collected drug proceeds for future payment to Thomas for an additional six ounces of methamphetamine. Thomas is scheduled to be sentence on March 8, 2013, for her role in the drug conspiracy.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Burgess stated the serious of the offense, deterrence of the defendant and others, the protection of the public, and rehabilitation of the defendant related to his criminal history as reasons that supported the imposition of the above sentence.
Ms. Loeffler commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Juneau Police Department-Drug Metro Unit for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Dawson.

Four Highland Park Police Officers Arrested and Charged with Taking Bribes and Conspiring to Protect and Deliver Six Kilograms of Cocaine

A federal criminal complaint was unsealed today charging four Highland Park Police officers with accepting bribes, conspiring to distribute six kilograms of cocaine, and carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Foley, III, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief of Police Kevin Coney, Highland Park Police Department; and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
The four Highland Park Police officers charged are: Anthony Bynum, 29, of Highland Park, Michigan; Price Montgomery, 38, of Highland Park, Michigan; Shawn Williams, 33, of Detroit, Michigan; and Craig Clayton, 55, of Highland Park, Michigan. Bynum and Montgomery are both police officers with the Highland Park Police Department. Bynum is also a police officer for Detroit Public Schools. Williams and Clayton are both auxiliary (reserve) officers for Highland Park. Chief Coney was instrumental in assisting the FBI in its investigation of the four officers from his department.
The criminal complaint charges the four police officers with accepting cash bribes and with conspiring to deliver six kilograms of cocaine. According to the criminal complaint, Bynum and Montgomery arrested a man in August 2012 in Highland Park on a firearms offense. The officers beat the man after arresting him. While in the hospital, the man offered to pay the officers if they would dismiss the charges against him. The officers were willing to accept money in exchange for failing to appear for trial. Subsequently, the man who had been arrested by Montgomery and Bynum began working undercover for the FBI as an unpaid confidential source. During the course of the investigation, Montgomery and Bynum were captured on videotape accepting $10,000 in cash from the confidential source, in return for failing to appear at the man’s trial in the Wayne County Circuit Court. On the date set for the man’s trial in Circuit Court, Officers Montgomery and Bynum failed to appear as witnesses as required by subpoena, and the case was dismissed.
Later, Officers Mongtomery and Bynum agreed to transport and deliver two kilograms of cocaine for the FBI confidential source, whom the officers believed to be a drug trafficker. On November 15, 2012, Officers Montgomery and Bynum protected and delivered a shipment of what they believed to be two kilograms of cocaine from the Oakland Mall in Troy, Michigan, to a location in Taylor, Michigan. Each officer was paid $1,500 for his role in the delivery of sham cocaine. Subsequently, Officers Montgomery and Bynum recruited two additional Highland Park officers, Williams and Clayton, to help with the delivery of a second, larger shipment of cocaine. On January 23, 2013, the four Highland Park police officers delivered four kilograms of what they believed to be cocaine, again from the Oakland Mall. Each officer was paid either $1,000 or $1,500 by the confidential source for his work in protecting and transporting the sham cocaine. The four police officers each carried a firearm, and some carried their police badges, while protecting the loads of sham cocaine.
Upon conviction, each of the four defendants faces a maximum of up to 40 years in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine. In addition, the officers face a maximum of 10 years in prison on the bribery charges and an additional five year consecutive sentence for carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
United States Attorney McQuade said, “We applaud Highland Park Police Chief Coney for initiating a federal investigation into misconduct by his officers. We want to emphasize that the misconduct is limited to these four officers. Our community deserves to be served and protected by police officers who perform their jobs with integrity. Police officers who take bribes and participate in criminal activities will be discovered and prosecuted.”
Special Agent in Charge Foley of the FBI said, “Police officers swear an oath to protect and serve and are held to the highest standards of ethics and conduct. The FBI-led Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force is committed to ensuring illegal acts on the part of law enforcement officers are thoroughly investigated and those officers face harsh penalties for their crimes.”
Highland Park Police Chief Coney stated, “”The illegal actions of these officers do not represent or reflect the ethical standards and values consistent with the Highland Park Police Department. We remain committed to providing our citizens with first class public safety and ensuring our officers display integrity at all times.”
“Public corruption scandals damage the public’s trust in government and harm our state’s reputation,” said Attorney General Schuette. “We will continue to work with U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, the FBI, state, and local law enforcement agencies to eliminate corruption wherever it is found.”
DPS Emergency Financial Manager Roy S. Roberts stated, “There are a corps of extremely dedicated law enforcement officers who selflessly work day and night to protect our students, teachers, staff, and DPS property, and the arrest and prosecution of this one individual will ensure that their professionalism and dedication will be preserved and maintained in the public eye. While relieved that none of this activity occurred on Detroit Public Schools grounds or involved any of our students, I applaud the leadership of our police department for cooperating fully and am highly appreciative of the efforts of the agencies in the FBI-led Public Corruption Task Force who brought this matter to justice.”
The case was investigated by the FBI led Public Corruption Task Force which includes Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Inspector General, Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General, Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General, Michigan State Police, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, and the Detroit Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David A. Gardey.

Thirteen Members and Associates of Bronx Narcotics Organization Arrested for Crack Cocaine and Heroin Distribution

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; George Venizelos, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Raymond W. Kelly, the Police Commissioner for the City of New York (NYPD), announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging 13 members and associates of a drug trafficking organization (the “Organization”) operating in the Bronx with narcotics trafficking. Of the defendants charged, all 13 defendants were arrested today, including four defendants who were already in custody on state charges that have been transferred to federal custody. Eleven defendants arrested today were presented in Manhattan federal court before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Deborah A. Batts.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “Today, we continue our efforts to rid the Southern District of drug trafficking crews who peddle their lethal product in our neighborhoods, this time by taking down an alleged group of crack cocaine and heroin dealers in the Bronx. This case is the latest example of law enforcement working together to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos said, “Crack and heroin are a blight on the communities they infest. Even absent the violence that almost always comes with the territory, there would be reason enough to target drug trafficking. But it isn’t just a matter of stopping the spread of poison. Drug trafficking entails violence with such frequency that curbing drug activity means reducing violent crime.”
NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said, “Just as the NYPD collaborates with landlords in our ‘Clean Halls program to suppress drug dealing and its associated violence in privately owned buildings in the Bronx, we collaborated with the FBI and federal prosecutors to suppress drug trafficking in and around Bronx public housing in this case. Residents of crime-prone neighborhoods deserve a modicum of safety others take for granted. Thanks to the detectives, agents, and prosecutors who worked together on this case, law-abiding residents of the Bronx are that much safer today.”
According to the allegations in the indictment filed in Manhattan federal court, other publicly filed documents, and statements made in court earlier today:
Since at least June 2012, the Organization’s members have sold crack cocaine and heroin to street level drug customers and supplied it to other Bronx drug dealers, primarily in and around the John Adams Housing Project near Tinton Avenue in the Bronx.
The investigation into the Organization’s narcotics trafficking included the court-authorized interception of phone calls and text messages to and from the cellular telephone of a member of the Organization, as well as a number of controlled buys of heroin and crack cocaine by a confidential informant. The investigation was conducted in concert with an investigation into the 2010 murder of an individual on Nelson Avenue in the Bronx. The murder was suspected to have been committed by, among others, Jermaine Smalls, a leading member of the Organization. In October 2012, during the course of the investigations, Smalls was shot and killed outside a Manhattan night club. The investigation into both murders continues.

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The defendants are charged with one count of conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine and heroin, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. Charts containing the names, ages, and residences for the defendants are at the conclusion of this release.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD and added that the investigation is continuing.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kan Nawaday and Andrew Bauer are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Five Canton Men Indicted for Cocaine Conspiracy

Five Canton men were indicted on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Field Office.
“This is an example of federal and local law enforcement working together to make sophisticated cases that take out groups that bring down the quality of life for everyone,” Dettelbach said. “We believe this investigation will eliminate some of the worst of the worst offenders in Canton and Stark County.”
“In the past 15 months, collaborative law enforcement efforts have resulted in the indictment of 26 individuals, including nine who were taken into custody this morning, responsible for bringing cocaine and violence to the Canton area,” Anthony said. “The FBI and our local partners will continue efforts to protect the citizens of Canton by dismantling dangerous, illegal drug organizations.”
Indicted are Jamail Cortez Mitchell, 22; Chad Irvin Tucker, 24; Cruz M. Brown, 23; Jermaine E. Gaitor, 28, and Kevin Slater, 57. All were arrested this morning.
Related state charges were filed against three other people as well.
Mitchell, Tucker, Brown, Gaitor, and Slater are accused of conspiring to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine in Canton between June 2010 and October 2011, according to the indictment.
The men purchased crack and powder cocaine from previously indicted conspirators and resold the drugs in and around Canton, according to the indictment.
This case is a supplemental indictment to the one filed on May 22, 2011, which charged 17 people with taking part in a conspiracy that brought heroin and cocaine from Columbus, Ohio, to Stark County. All 17 people have been found guilty and many have been sentenced to terms between five and 10 years in prison. Jasmine Watkins, one of the leaders the conspiracy, pleaded guilty and is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Linda H. Barr following an investigation by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of the Canton Police Department, Alliance Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Massillon Police Department, and Perry Police Department.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent of the charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracy Charges

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Will Johnson, 31, of League City, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, kilograms of cocaine and to money laundering conspiracy. Johnson was arrested along with 17 others in August 2010 for narcotics trafficking. The drug conspiracy charge against Johnson carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison up to life, a $5,000,000 fine, or both; and the money laundering conspiracy carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that Johnson, originally from the city of Buffalo, obtained kilograms of cocaine in Houston and then utilized others to distribute that cocaine in the Buffalo and elsewhere in the Western New York. In July 2010, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at locations including an apartment leased by Johnson in Missouri City, Texas, and his residence located in League City, Texas. Agents seized cocaine and plastic wrappers consistent with the packaging of kilograms of cocaine, $55,000, one .44 caliber loaded handgun, and boxes of assorted rounds of ammunition.
The investigation further revealed that Johnson deposited and transferred funds generated as a result of his drug trafficking through and to financial institutions, such as when he paid approximately $13,000 to a used car lot in Buffalo to purchase a 2004 Escalade motor vehicle. Johnson also arranged to have cash deposits of $20,000 into bank accounts, which thereafter were used as a down payment for his residence in League City, Texas.
As part of the plea, Johnson agreed to forfeit $203,000 in drug proceeds, including $57,000 seized by law enforcement officers in the state of Texas in July 2010, along with a firearm and various ammunition.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero; the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Votour, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni Weirauch; and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Transit Police, under the direction of Chief George Gast.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.